St. Andrew’s Anglican Church December 5 & 6 , 2015 Please turn to inside Advent Prayer Wanted: People who like to pray for their church Rewards: Love, joy, inner peace, faith Place: The sanctuary at St. Andrew’s Anglican Date & time: Wednesday, Dec. 9, & Dec. 23, 12-1 p.m. “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has visited & redeemed his people …” (Luke 1:68) Youth Group Christmas party, ‘Wildlights’ trip Sunday, Dec. 20 The St. Andrew’s Youth Group Christmas Party will be on Sunday, Dec. 20. We will be exchanging gifts and going to see “Wildlights” at the Columbus Zoo. The cost is $15 and will include admission to the Zoo and dinner (pizza) at the Zoo. Youth should meet at the church at 3 p.m. for the gift exchange. Those wishing to participate in the gift exchange should bring a gift of no more than $10 in value. Celebrate the Feast of the Incarnation with us! St. Andrew’s will once again celebrate the Feast of the Incarnation of our Lord with three services on Christmas Eve, Thursday, Dec. 24. After feedback from some of our families, the early service will be held at 5:30 p.m. this year to allow people time to get to church from work. Accordingly, the other two services will also be moved by one half hour, to 8 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. The 5:30 p.m. service will feature traditional Christmas carols led by “Calling of Levi,” our contemporary worship band, and a children’s sermon. The 8 p.m. service will be a traditional service with organ and choir. Child care will be available at 8 p.m. This year we’ll be bringing back some Christmas Eve traditions, including incense, to the late service, which has for years been a favorite in Anglican churches. We’ve seen fewer in attendance at this service here in St. Andrew’s in recent years, however, and we’re hoping to attract our own members, St. Andrew’s makes Christmas more joyful for 41children Thank you so much for your generous giving during National Collection Week! Barbara Girard had been praying that St. Andrew’s would have 40 boxes to send and we had 41! God answers prayers. Thank you, Barbara, for your faithfulness! Now that you have sent off your Operation Christmas Child shoebox gifts with prayer, they are on route to boys and girls around the world. The first stop in that journey is at one of eight processing centers located across the United States. There shoeboxes are inspected and prepared for international shipping. Next they travel by plane, truck, or ship to more than 100 countries and territories where local churches distribute the boxes to children in need. As they are given out, the Gospel is shared through an evangelistic booklet called “The Greatest Gift,” available in 65 languages. Many of the boys and girls then participate in “The Greatest Journey,” the 12-lesson discipleship program developed by Samaritan’s Purse to teach them to faithfully follow Christ and share him with others. All of these Gospel opportunities begin with a shoebox gift like yours. If you are interested in starting an Operation Christmas Child ministry involving all 12 months of the year, or just in November, please contact Barbara Girard, 614-882-8754 or [email protected] or Marty Scott, 614-284-0182 or mscott@ standrewspolaris.org. Children bring their shoebox gifts to church for Operation Christmas Child. Please turn to inside On the back: Darke family to perform in Vaudvillities Holiday Show; learn about the special Advent saint who will visit our children during Godly Play today!
Transcript
St. Andrew’s Anglican Church December 5 & 6, 2015
Please turn to inside
Advent PrayerWanted: People who like to pray for their church
“Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has visited & redeemed his people …” (Luke 1:68)
Youth Group Christmas party, ‘Wildlights’ trip Sunday, Dec. 20The St. Andrew’s Youth Group Christmas Party will be on Sunday, Dec. 20. We will be exchanging gifts and going to see “Wildlights” at the Columbus Zoo. The cost is $15 and will include admission to the Zoo and dinner (pizza) at the Zoo. Youth should meet at the church at 3 p.m. for the gift exchange. Those wishing to participate in the gift exchange should bring a gift of no more than $10 in value.
Celebrate the Feast of the Incarnation with us!St. Andrew’s will once again celebrate the Feast of the Incarnation of our Lord with three services on Christmas Eve, Thursday, Dec. 24. After feedback from some of our families, the early service will be held at 5:30 p.m. this year to allow people time to get to church from work. Accordingly, the other two services will also be moved by one half hour, to 8 p.m. and 10:30 p.m.The 5:30 p.m. service will feature traditional Christmas carols led by “Calling of Levi,” our contemporary worship band, and a children’s sermon. The 8 p.m. service will be a traditional service with organ and choir. Child care will be available at 8 p.m.This year we’ll be bringing back some Christmas Eve traditions, including incense, to the late service, which has for years been a favorite in Anglican churches. We’ve seen fewer in attendance at this service here in St. Andrew’s in recent years, however, and we’re hoping to attract our own members,
St. Andrew’s makes Christmas more joyful for 41childrenThank you so much for your generous giving during National Collection Week! Barbara Girard had been praying that St. Andrew’s would have 40 boxes to send and we had 41! God answers prayers. Thank you, Barbara, for your faithfulness!
Now that you have sent off your Operation Christmas Child shoebox gifts with prayer, they are on route to boys and girls around the world. The first stop in that journey is at one of eight processing centers located across the United States. There shoeboxes are inspected and prepared for international shipping.
Next they travel by plane, truck, or ship to more than 100 countries and territories where local churches distribute the boxes to children in need. As they are given out, the Gospel is shared through an evangelistic booklet called “The Greatest Gift,” available in 65 languages.
Many of the boys and girls then participate in “The Greatest Journey,” the 12-lesson discipleship program developed by Samaritan’s Purse to teach them to faithfully follow Christ and share him with others. All of these Gospel opportunities begin with a shoebox gift like yours.
If you are interested in starting an Operation Christmas Child ministry involving all 12 months of the year, or just in November, please contact Barbara Girard, 614-882-8754 or [email protected] or Marty Scott, 614-284-0182 or [email protected].
Children bring their shoebox gifts to church for Operation Christmas Child.
Please turn to inside
On the back: Darke family to perform in Vaudvillities Holiday Show; learn about the special Advent saint who will visit our children during Godly Play today!
Christmas FlowerMemorials & ThanksgivingsThe Altar Guild is now accepting contributions toward flowers to decorate the altar and sanctuary for Christmas Eve. If you would like to make a gift in any amount in memory of a loved one, or in thanksgiving for a loved one, an event or a blessing, please complete this form and place it in the offering plate along with your check made payable to St. Andrew’s Anglican Church. Please note Altar Guild in the memo section of your check. Cash gifts should be placed in an envelope, along with this form.
Enclosed is a gift of $______________ toward altar decorations for Christmas Eve.
Please print all information exactly as you would like it to appear in the Christmas Eve bulletin.
For more information, please contact Ellie Schramm, 614-846-0711 or [email protected]. Deadline: Sunday, Dec. 20.
Youth ChristmasContinued from the frontChaperones are needed, so parents and other adults with a heart for our young people are asked to mark Dec. 20 on their calendars and consider chaperoning. Please contact Karen Osmond at 614-975-0878 or [email protected] by no later than Dec. 15 if you plan to attend or if you are willing to chaperone. Chaperones who have not yet completed the Diocesan Ministry Safe Training or had a background check will need to do both before Dec. 20, so please let us know as soon as possible if you can accompany the youth to the Zoo.Youth should return to the church no later than 9 p.m.
Year-end notes 2015 receipts dueMinistry leaders and others who may have receipts to be turned in for reimbursement for church-related purchases in 2015 are asked to turn them in by Sunday, Dec. 20. Reimbursement forms are available in the green basket on top of the mail boxes in the Gathering Area, and at the parish office.
Note to electronic giversParishioners who are using e-giving should be sure to change their pledge in January to “General Fund 2016.” You can re-select that option on the e-giving website by clicking on the “Online Giving” link on the home page of our web site, standrewspolaris.org.
Gifts for year-end tax benefitParishioners who choose to make stock transfer gifts and other special contributions to the church prior to the end of the year for tax purposes are asked to do so by Dec. 31. Gifts of stock should be made well before Dec. 31 since it takes several days for the transfer to come through to St. Andrew’s.If you have any questions about any of the above business items, please contact Ruth Eller, business manager, at 740-548-5112, ext. 2 or [email protected].
Holiday office closingsThe parish office will be closed Dec. 24 through Jan. 1, to allow our staff to enjoy the Christmas holiday with their families. Regular hours will resume on Monday, Jan. 4. If you have questions about your year-end giving, or any other urgent church-related business to conduct, please call the office at 740- 548-5112, ext. 2 and leave a voice mail message, and someone will return your call.Fr. Ron will also reachable in case of emergency at 740-548-5112, ext. 1 or 614-961-7012.
as well as folks from the community, who may be drawn to a traditional Anglican Christmas Eve celebration.The late service will also feature organ and choir, and all three services will include Holy Communion.If the late service is a favorite Christmas tradition for you, please make every effort to attend church at 10:30 p.m., as whether we continue to offer this service will depend on how well received it is this year.
Christmas EveContinued from the front
The Daily LectionaryWeek of the Second Sunday in Advent • Dec. 6-12
Prayers for the ChurchFollowing the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, please pray for Bishop Dr. Jacob Owensby and for the priests, deacons, religious, and laity of the Diocese of Western Louisiana, U.S.A. The Diocese was formed in 1979 by the division of the Diocese of Louisiana. Since then, it has grown and had 48 parishes with 11,600 active baptized members in 2006. Diocesan boundaries stretch from Arkansas in the north to the Gulf of Mexico in the south and encompass culturally diverse regions. The cathedral is in Shreveport, the largest city within the diocese. Education is emphasized and there is one diocesan school and nine parochial schools and preschools. Please pray especially for outreach to youth and mission to the unchurched.
In the Anglican Church in North America, please pray for Bishop Ken A. Ross and the clergy and people of the West Network of the North American Missionary District of the Anglican Church of Rwanda (Province de L’Eglise Anglicane au Rwanda, or PEARUsa).
Following the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, please pray for Fr. Nate Long and for the people of St. Patricks-by-the Rivers, Fort Wayne, Indiana.
Following the Parish Cycle of Prayer, please pray for Jason, Trina, Justin and Jake Anthony; David, Kara and Anna Atkinson; Fr. Ron, Judy and John Baird; and the Acolyte Ministry. Please also pray for those whose work requires them to work long hours; Lord God, uphold them with your hands that they may keep their hands to the task as long as necessary.
Advent devotional available We begin our journey toward Bethlehem and the birth of our Savior today, the first Sunday of Advent. To help you prepare for that most holy night when God came to us as one of us, we’re making available an Advent devotional. The booklet, “The Living Gospel: Daily Devotions for Advent 2015,” by Theresa Rickard, O.P.The Living Gospel series of prayer books for Lent and Advent offer practical insight and spiritual wisdom from popular preachers and homilists. A new voice each season and the popular five-step format helps Christians pray, join their lives to the living Word of God, and take small steps toward spiritual growth each day.Theresa Rickard, O.P., president and executive director of RENEW International, brings her diverse ministry experience, theological training, and the Dominican charism of preaching to these seasonal devotions Each day offers a simple, five-step blueprint with brief gospel verses, prayers, incisive reflection on the Word of God, and a specific challenge for ongoing spiritual growth.The booklet is available at no charge at the Information Desk in the Narthex.
Intercessory prayer Prayer teams are available to pray with you during Holy Communion at the 9 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. Sunday services. At 9 a.m. they are stationed to the left of the altar near the band equipment; at 11:15 a.m. they are stationed to the right of the altar, near the piano and organ. You may seek prayer for personal cares and concerns, concerns for others or offer thanksgivings for God’s blessings. The prayer team will also offer the sacrament of Holy Unction — the anointing with oil, laying on of hands and prayers for healing — upon request. All prayers are confidential.
— • —Next Sunday’s Lectionary • Dec. 13; Third Sunday in Advent (Year C)
Collect: BCP 211 First Reading: Zephaniah 3:14-20Second Reading: Philippians 4:4-7 Gospel: Luke 3:7-18
Encouragement for your prayer time with GodGod Himself encourages us in the words of Holy Scripture. “The eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him, on those who hope in His loving kindness …” (Psalm 33:18) “For whatever was previously written was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” (Romans 15:4)
— From the St. Andrew’s Prayer Ministries Team
St. Nicholas
Feast Day: Dec. 6
Fact I leared about this saint:
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7521 S. Old State Rd. • Lewis Center, OH 43035 • 740.548.5112 • standrewspolaris.org • [email protected] • 740.549.0742 (fax)
Advent is the time when Christians prepare to greet Christ—who came as a babe in a manger, who comes into our lives each day, and who will come again at the end of time. Advent is the time when people of faith are most at odds with the culture. The church calls people to focus on getting ready to receive Christ — preparing hearts and lives to make room for Jesus, to live as he would have us live. It is a time of longing, not fulfillment. Quiet reflection, not celebration. The culture, however, is already in a time of festivity, unable or unwilling, to wait and contemplate and prepare for the real festival. It is not easy to observe Advent without being pulled prematurely into Christmas.How does St. Nicholas fit into all of this? He is an Advent saint because his December 6th feast day always falls in early Advent (Advent begins four Sundays before Christmas between November 27 and December 3). However, Nicholas is a good Advent saint for more important reasons than the date of his special day. Whatever he
did, and it is said that he did many kinds of amazing things, may not be as important as the way he did it. Nicholas became so popular because he was a faithful follower of Jesus Christ. His life clearly reflected the way each one of us is called to show God’s love to others, especially those in need.Celebrating St. Nicholas on his day in Advent brings a bit of fun and festivity into homes, churches, and schools. His small treats and surprises help keep the spirit of good St. Nicholas, especially when stories of his goodness and kind deeds are told and ways to express his care for those in need are sought. Saint Nicholas helps us remember Christmas is a feast of love, hope, kindness and generosity.Yes, Nicholas is a good Advent saint.
— From the St. Nicholas Center, www.stnicholascenter.org. Used with permission.
St. Nicholas: An Advent saint
Two icons of St. Nicholas: Above, “Saint Nikolay,” a copy of a 16th Century icon, on a 1992 Russian postage stamp; at right, a more contemporary icon.
Kids, be sure to pick up a copy of the St. Nicholas coloring page on the table to the left inside the doors to the Sanctuary!
Darkes to perform in Vaudvillities Holiday ShowSteve and Laurie Darke, and their son Liam (in his first appearance!), will be performing in Vaudvillities Annual Holiday Show, “Just Believe.” The one-act variety show is based on “Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus.” A vocal quartet arranged by Laurie, St. Andrew’s organist, was accepted into this year’s show, and she and Steve will be performing it with two other vocalists.
Vaudvillities is the longest running song and dance theater company in the United States. They have recently expanded their show season to include a Summer Cabaret, from which a portion of the ticket sales goes to benefit a local charity/non-profit organization.Tickets are available for shows on Saturday, Dec. 12 at 2:30 and 8 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 13, at 2:30 p.m. Prices are $20 for
adults, and $17 for students and seniors.If you are interested in purchasing a ticket for this show, please contact Laurie at [email protected] and she will be happy to secure the tickets for you. Tickets can also be purchased through the show’s website, vvshows.org.
