A Message from the Senior Warden
Canon Kristin ended her homily last Sunday calling on us all “To prepare the way.” To prepare the way during Advent for the coming of Jesus. We all individually and with our families prepare, in various ways, for Christmas, but the Canon’s message reminded us that what we are preparing for is our salvation as symbolized by the celebration of Christ’s birth. To best do that we should devote our attentions to taking care of ourselves and each other in this Advent.This season that too often becomes packed with long “to do” lists, crammed calendars and a fervent rush to get everything done before midnight on 12/24.
Here at St. Andrew’s we would like to offer you some suggestions for walking through these next couple of weeks. This Sunday during our 10:15 service our children will be sharing with us their talents and lessons for the season. Please come and support them. The Non-Food Pantry will be putting together special bags for the children who go through our Non-Food Pantry distribution. They have asked for help in making Christmas cookies. They are needed by 12/17, should be packaged (2-3) in individual sandwich sized bags and can be dropped off at the church office (Monday-Thursday morning) or the Murray’s house. Volunteers for this distribution are also needed. Please contact Martha Rainbolt (653-8060) if you are able to help either making lunches or distributing product on December 18th. Finally, we will be having our Christmas Eve candlelight, service at 5:30 on Friday, December 24th. There will be morning prayer offered at 10:15 on December 25th and 26th.
Enjoy your days, take care of yourself and others, prepare the way.
Sue Murray
SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING SINGING, MASKING, AND SEATING
As we gather in person for Sunday worship, please remember we still need to be protective of each other as the Delta Variant of the Covid virus continues to spread. The Delta Variant is many times more contagious and believed to be more dangerous, particularly to those who are not yet vaccinated, than earlier strains. Even those who are vaccinated may become infected and transmit the virus. To protect our communities until this subsides, the Diocese has suggested that you wear masks indoors regardless of vaccination status and take a congregational singing hiatus. During this time only one cantor and a small choir will be allowed. We also ask that you maintain social distancing. Please only sit in pews with prayer books and hymnals. Hopefully, one day soon, we will all be able to lift our voices in song. Many thanks to everyone for your patience.
CHRISTMAS PAGEANT
We are excited to announce this year’s Christmas pageant “The Rest of the Story,” which will take place this Sunday, December 12th, during the service!
For questions about the Christmas pageant, please feel free to contact Caroline Good (cgood@depauw.edu) or Albrecht von Gaudecker (albrecht.von.gaudecker@gmail.com).
Thank you,
Albrecht von Gaudecker
Connect With Us
Pageant Practice and Cookie Baking
Christmas cookie baking for the NFP and Christmas pageant rehearsal is Saturday, December 11th, starting around 10:00 a.m. in Hamilton Hall.
We will be having a Christmas Pageant rehearsal from 11:00-11:30 a.m. for “The Rest of the Story,” which will take place this Sunday, December 12th, during the service! The Children’s Ministry group has organized a cookie baking project for the December NFP distribution around the rehearsal. We will start baking around 10:00 a.m. and keep going until around 1:00 p.m. If you have a favorite cookie recipe to bring, please do. We will be providing sugar cookie dough and toppings for decorating. If any questions, please reach out to Dennis Knuth (dknuth@further.com) or Dana Glessner (theglessners@hotmail.com).
For questions about the Christmas pageant, please feel free to contact Caroline Good (cgood@depauw.edu) or Albrecht von Gaudecker (albrecht.von.gaudecker@gmail.com).
Prayers and Reflections for this week
We have heard that the daily reflections and scripture readings provided during Lent were appreciated. Those of us writing them have also found it an enriching experience and have decided to continue. The meditations are written by persons from Saint Andrew’s, Gobin UMC and Beach Grove UMC. The daily meditations will be in the newsletter each week and go from Wednesday to Tuesday, except for Sunday. Whether you enjoy these every day, or as the Spirit moves you, may this resource continue to bring you spiritual food for the journey. Blessings!
The Third Sunday of Advent
Sunday In-Person Morning Worship, December 12 led by Rev. Mary Slenski
You can connect to the service via Zoom. Click on this link to connect. If you have not used Zoom before, you will be prompted to download Zoom, go ahead and do that. When you enter the meeting you should be able to see and hear others and others can see and hear you. If you come in a little late, please listen for a moment before speaking. In order to see everyone, go to Gallery view (upper right on PCs and upper left for Macintosh). When we get started everyone except the speaker will be muted. If you are reading or playing music, please be sure to unmute yourself.
If you are connecting via telephone dial 301-715-8592 and when prompted enter the Meeting ID: 847 8600 1703 and press #, then enter the password: pray and press # again.
Click here for the service booklet for December 12
Non Food Pantry Latest
Saturday, December 18
• Noon to 3:00 p.m.
There will be a drive through distribution coordinated by Alex Roehrkasse and sack lunches will be given out. We are very grateful to Kate Berry, Martha Rainbolt, Carl Huffman, Karen Hirt Mannon, and Christiane Wisehart who have worked very hard to obtain supplies for the Non-Food Pantry. Kroger is not able to acquire enough products for us so the items are being purchased from a variety of sources. This is much more expensive. Donations to help offset this extra cost will be gratefully accepted!
Top 3 Needed Items
Your prayers are asked for:
The family of Jack Angleton, brother of Peggy Angleton
Rick and Jena Baker, nephew of Lucy Wieland
Russell Ball, husband of Jennifer Ball
The family of Wolfe Beckman, grandfather of Thea Warren-Simpson
Beth Benedix, friend to many of us at Saint Andrew’s
Page Cotton
Bernice Emrick, mother of Karen Hirt Mannon
The family of Margaret Anne Ervin, sister of Bob Haymaker
The Rev. Nancy Ferriani and the family of Bob Ferriani, friends of the Warren and Connie Macy
The family of Eric Fladeland, friend of Tim and Caroline Good
The family of David and Janis Gerkensmeyer, parents of Sarah Gerkensmeyer
Jim and Susan Grivas, friends of St. Andrew’s
Mary Ellen Gurnon, aunt of Daniel and Stephanie Gurnon
Keith Keysor, friend of Andy Cullison
Lisa Breese Kincaid, daughter of Bob and Mimi Breese
The family of Dr. John Lovett, father of Nancy Lovett
Grayson Lyons, great nephew of Peggy Angleton
The family of Art Mannon, brother of Jim Mannon
Mary Mountz
Marilyn Mourouzis
Leo Nelson, brother-in-law of Joanne Haymaker
The family of Helen Noble, mother of Terry Noble
Gordon Redden
The family of Jordan Sanders, sister of Jim Ensley
Elizabeth and Natalie Sheffler, daughter and granddaughter of Page and Narda Cotton
Gloria Smith
Barbara Stinson, friend of Joanne Haymaker
Skip Sutton
Sydnor Thompson, brother of Harriet Moore
Diocesan Cycle of Prayer: St. John’s Church, Bedford: Ms. Rebecca Holbrook, Sr. Warden.
Our companion dioceses: The Anglican Episcopal Church of Brazil: The Most Rev. Mauricio Jose Araujo De Andrade, Primate of Brazil and Bishop of Brasilia. The people and Diocese of Haiti and Saint Andre’s in Mithon.
Anglican Cycle of Prayer: The Anglican Church of Canada.
Birthdays: Dennis Knuth, December 12 . Joe Heithaus, December 13
Anniversaries: Larry and Dawna Wilson, December 17
GCYG
Special Events and Services
