A Message from the Junior Warden:
Tis the season….to feel like you are running a marathon at a sprinter’s pace. We want to do it all and don’t want to let anyone down. We want to get the perfect gifts for our loved ones. The present that will bring a smile to their face, the perfect joyous moment. I started thinking about the times that I have seen the most joy. It is when I was playing pretend with my kids when they were little or at the dinner table now. It is when Brooke and I are laughing or watching our kids reach a goal of their own. It is when I surprise my grandma with a visit to do nothing more than just talk over a couple glasses of A&W Root Beer. The pure joy in her eyes makes a person tear up. What am I bringing to these interactions is nothing but time. Time is the most valuable present we can give anyone. It is a little piece of ourselves. I think that is one of the reasons Jesus was sent to us. God wanted to share a little piece of him with us by giving us time with his son. By doing this he has brought us so much joy. During this Christmas season try giving the gift of time, and you will see and feel the joy of others. Thank you for taking your time to read this. Merry Christmas!
Brian Cox
Decorating of the Chrismon Tree
The youth have begun decorating the Chrismon Tree that is standing next to the pulpit. Each week, the youth will put ornaments they have made on the tree and explain their significance. This week’s ornaments:
Lily: The lily represents resurrection. This is based on the blooming of the flower from the seemingly dead bulb.
Shell: The shell is a symbol for baptism. It reminds Christians of the water they are baptized in. It is also a sign of pilgrimage: pilgrims to the Holy Land would drink out of shells.
Anchor Cross: The anchor cross was used by early Christians as a symbol of their faith when they hid under persecution.
Circle and Triangle: The circle and the triangle represent the eternity of the Trinity.
Butterfly: The butterfly is an ancient symbol of resurrection, as a beautiful butterfly emerges from a seemingly dead chrysalis.
Bottony Cross: The cross is the symbol of life that springs from death—the gift of the cross. The three leafed clover at the bottom connects us to the Trinity. There is also a connection with Aaron’s staff that budded and was preserved in the Ark of the Covenant, showing that life comes from death, and renewed life from difficult circumstances.
Candle: The candle represents Jesus as the Light of the World.
Circle Chi Rho Butterfly: This symbolizes God’s wholeness and eternity. The butterfly symbolizes resurrection.
Crown: The crown is the symbol of the Prince of Peace, King of Kings, and Lord of Lords—Jesus.
Advent and Christmas Calendar
Dec 18 Advent 4 Greening of the Church 11.30-12.30
Dec 19 Deadline for Christmas Flower memorials
Dec 21 Longest Night service 7.00 pm
Dec 24 Christmas Eve 5.00 special music
5.30 Christmas Eve Service
Dec 25 Christmas Day 10.15
Jan 1 Feast of the Holy Name 10.15
Service of Lessons and Carols
Advent Wreaths
A few tips:
1. Keep your wreath hydrated—spritz it at least daily and/or soak in the sink 1-2 times a week. We keep ours on a large plate to protect the table. If the candles burn low, stop lighting them. The branches become dry and go up in flames very quickly, especially at the end of Advent.
2. Use your wreaths at dinner, or at a bedtime snack, last cup of tea, or just 10 mins. before people start off to bed. Light and extinguish the candles while you are there.
3. If you chose the purple and rose candles, the rose one is for Advent 3, Gaudete (Joy) Sunday which is also Mary’s Sunday. Both sets (red, rose-and-purple) have deep traditions. Each Sunday has a specific theme:
Advent One: Watch
Advent Two: Turn from the bad, and turn to the good
Advent Three: Rejoice
Advent Four: Recognize
Here is a prayer moment to use when you light the candles. You can have a small prayer moment each day of Advent, or each Sunday when you light a new candle. The parts in bold are to be said out loud. When you get to Week Two, add Advent Two’s scripture to Advent One’s—so by Advent Four you will be saying all four lines. The same pattern follows through all four weeks.
Opening: Light candle, and recite the verse(s):
Advent 1: “And what I say to you I say to all: Keep awake.” (Mark 13:37)
Advent 2: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” (Matthew 3:2)
Advent 3: “Are you the one who is to come?” (Matt 11.3)
Advent 4: “The Lord is with you.” (Luke 1:28)
Reader 1: The Redeemer shall come. (Isa. 59:20)
All: A light to lighten a world of darkness. (Luke 32:2)
Reader: The candle of watching, (week 1)
repentance, (week 2)
rejoicing, (week 3)
recognizing. (week 4)
Let us pray.
God our Light,
Quiet our minds that we may watch for you; (week 1)
Expose our sins that we may repent and prepare for you; (week 2)
Reveal your love that we may rejoice in serving you; (week 3)
Open our eyes that we may recognize and welcome you. (week 4)
Make our lamps shine and proclaim to all the world that darkness is at end; there is Light for those who seek it and love for all. Amen.
If you have any concerns or thanksgivings, offer them here.
Say together in closing:
Creator of the stars of night,
Creation’s everlasting light,
Jesus, Redeemer, save us all,
And hear your people when we call.
Amen.
Connect With Us
Rector’s Office Drop-In Time
Rev. Jen has set her office drop-in day as Wednesday of each week from 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 – 3:30 p.m. for anyone who would like to stop in and visit. You are always invited to make an appointment for a time convenient for you. Also, she has chosen Mondays as her Sabbath day. Rev. Jen will be out of the office December 14-16, 26-30. Rev. Jen will have no office hours on Wednesday, December 14.
The Fourth Sunday of Advent
Sunday Morning In-Person Worship Service, December 18, led by Rev. Dr. Jennifer Oldstone-Moore, 10:15 a.m.
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: 858 0497 0006 and press #, then enter the password: pray and press # again.
Click here for the service booklet for December 18.
The Latest Updates
ADVENT DEVOTIONAL
The Visual Commentary on Scripture (VCS) is an on-going publication that uses art, theology (theology is basically “talking about God”), and scripture to experience and understand the Bible in new ways. In Advent, VCS has a specially designed four group sessions for a striking and beautiful way to engage Advent. If you are interested, let Rev. Jen know: we can plan an in-person and/or on-line (or on-line hybrid) four week series using these resources. We will set up a special Bible study for Advent. If you’d like to access VCS yourself, the website is: https://thevcs.org/
MAUREEN CARKEEK’S PASSING
Deepest sympathy on the recent passing of our dear friend, Maureen, on December 5. Daughter, Janet, said in lieu of cards, flowers, etc. she prefers parishioners instead put a little extra in the St. Andrew’s offering plate or contribute memorials in her mother’s name. Son, David, welcomes cards and e-mails. His physical address is 19339 Harleigh Dr., Saratoga, CA 95070. His e-mail is dcarkeek@gmail.com. To leave tributes for the family at the Dignity Memorial site, CLICK HERE.
A SPECIAL THANK YOU
To Brooke Cox and Cathryn Ensley for their work in putting together a Crafty Advent: finding materials, buying supplies, preparing the craft – and practicing ahead of time! We are blessed…
CHRISTMAS COOKIES
The Non-Food Pantry would love to have homemade Christmas cookies again this year! They will be putting them in the NFP treat bags for distribution on Saturday, December 17. If you bake them ahead of time you are welcome to store them in the St. Andrew’s freezer or bring them just before that date. Thanks in advance!
CHRISTMAS FLOWER REMEMBRANCES
Christmas flower remembrance forms have gone out. We ask that those be returned by Sunday, December 18. This is a free will offering, no set amount. Remembrances will be printed in the service sheet on Christmas.
SERVICES DURING CHRISTMAS AND ADVENT
The Longest Night: Wednesday, December 21, 7:00 p.m. It is a quiet service especially for those who are grieving or who find the jingle bell season difficult. Please reach out to people you know in the community who have experience loss and for whom the holiday season is bittersweet. Christmas Eve Service: Saturday, December 24, 5:00 p.m. Festive Music, followed by 5:30 p.m. Candlelight Service.
Christmas Day: Sunday, December 25, 10:15 a.m. Service.
TUESDAY BIBLE STUDY – 4:30 P.M. IN HAMILTON HALL
On Tuesday, December 20 we will be reading and discussing Luke 2:(1-7), 8-20. You can find the week’s readings at lectionarypage.net. All are welcome!
POETRY GROUP
The next Poetry Group meeting will be Tuesday, December 22, at 11:30 a.m. in Hamilton Hall.
2023 WALL CALENDARS
Please let the office know if any of you are interested in 2023 wall calendars that show the season and the holy days. If there is interest, we will order what is needed.
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL YOUTH SUNDAY SCHOOL – VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
The youth are up to some fun – learning about Christian symbols and making Chrismon ornaments. Join them by being an occasional volunteer! Once you have completed your Safe Church training, all you have to do is show up – Macie and Jen+ have everything prepared. The youth come into the sanctuary for the Peace.
COMMUNION AT THE WATERS
Once a month Sunday services have resumed at The Waters. The next service will be Sunday, January 8 at 2:00 – 2:45 p.m. If you’d like to help with this ministry in any way, please contact Rev. Jen or Renee. All are welcome to attend!
ON-GOING COVID PROTOCOL
We continue to respond to both our county’s current CDC designation and to the current variant. Masking is optional. Those who serve bread and wine will mask so that anyone who comes to the altar can feel secure. Decisions on COVID policy have moved from the Reconvening Committee to Rev. Jen and the Wardens.
Prayers and Reflections for This Week
We have heard that the daily reflections and scripture readings provided during Lent were appreciated. The meditations are written by persons from Gobin UMC and Beech Grove UMC. They 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!
Click here to view the readings and accompanying links.
Non Food Pantry Latest
Saturday, December 17
• Noon to 3:00 p.m.
There will be a drive through distribution and sack lunches will be served. 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
Haile Bane, grandson of Joanne Haymaker
Beth Benedix, friend to many of us at Saint Andrew’s
The family of Lee Bird, nephew of Lucy Wieland
Douglas Butler, brother-in-law of Claudia Butler
Richard A. Butler, father-in-law of Claudia Butler
The family of Maureen Carkeek
Adam Cohen, friend of St. Andrew’s
Family & friends of Michael Condra
The family of Claris Donovan, friend of Jen+
Bernice Emrick, mother of Karen Hirt Mannon
Nancy Ferriani & the family of Bob Ferriani, friends of Warren & Connie Macy
Katie Gleichman, relative of Jim Ensley
Kimberly Heithaus, niece of Joe & Jenny Heithaus
Shandol Hoover, friend of Dave & Sue Murray
Terumi Imai, friend of Jen+
Lisa Breese Kincaid, daughter of Bob & Mimi Breese
The family of Terry Klaus, father of Carrie Klaus
David Lawson, nephew of Peggy Angleton
Grayson Lyons, great nephew of Peggy Angleton
Micah, friend of Sara Nimori & Ross Whitten
Mary Mountz
Bryan Murray & the Murray family
Lucas Murray, grandson of Dave & Sue Murray
Sarah Oldstone, sister-in-law of Jen+
Gordon Redden
Mike Schmidt, brother of Renee Hood
Elizabeth & Natalie Sheffler, daughter & granddaughter of Page & Narda Cotton
Gloria Smith
Skip Sutton
Jerry Taylor, friend of Warren & Connie Macy
Sydnor Thompson, brother of Harriet Moore
Diana Van Middlesworth
Sharon Walters, friend of Connie Macy
The family of Verl Wisehart, father of Christiane Wisehart
Diocesan Cycle of Prayer: Holy Family, Fishers: The Rev. Bruce Gray, Rector.
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 Korea.
Birthdays: Mike Majors, December 21.
Anniversaries: Jenny and Joe Heithaus, December 19; Debbie & Curtis Beck, December 20.
THE COMMON CUP, INTINCTION, AND FULL COMMUNION
I would like to discuss our returning to communion by wine via the common cup.
Background: The Diocese of Indianapolis has stated that we may return to full communion (both bread and wine), but that receiving the wine can be by common cup only. Several parishioners have had questions about this. Here’s what I’d like you to know at this point.
- The Vestry voted and approved our new COVID guidelines recommended by the Regathering Committee.
- We might use the words “full communion” to indicate that we are finally back to both bread and wine, but it has ALWAYS been true that taking either one is a complete communion. You do not need both to fully commune.
- The choice is yours, Eucharist by Eucharist. You can decide to let the cup pass because you have a cold; if you are worried about others you can pass; you can wait until we return to intinction. Just cross your arms over your chest—or just shake your head and quietly demur.
Yours in health, restoration, liturgical engagement, and literature review,
Rev. Jen