This time of year, we Christians wait and watch for the coming of our savior, the birth of the baby Jesus. For many of us mere mortals we also wait and watch for a myriad of other things.  For some it is the opportunity to spend time with family and those we love. For others, it is the chance to take some well-deserved vacations to exciting new places. For our family, this year, it has been waiting on PET and CT scans and blood work. 

Our grandson Lucas was diagnosed with stage 4 Hodgkin’s Lymphoma the week of his fourteenth birthday. That was almost nine months ago. Since that time he has had five cycles of chemotherapy; started his freshman year in high school; lost his hair, eyebrows and eyelashes included; watched his body shape change because of the drugs he was prescribed; and underwent weeks of radiation. During that time our St. Andrew’s family has prayed weekly for Lucas, his father and his family and we are incredibly grateful. Our sincere thanks to everyone.

I wanted to share with you all the news we received today. As of testing yesterday, Lucas only has inflammation in the lymph nodes around his neck, which his oncologist believes could be the result of a viral infection he had this week. We continue to hope and pray she is right. He goes back next month for more scans and bloodwork and if, by God’s grace, that is good they will begin follow-up every two months for two years and a less demanding schedule for the next three.

All of that being said, we have learned, once again, that we must wait and watch, but with that waiting and watching there is the same hope that we all feel as we have moved through the Advent season this 2022. “There will be tidings of great joy, which shall be for all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.”

Thank you all for your prayers and support. The Murray family is eternally grateful.

Happy New Year wishes and safe travels to you and yours.

With love and blessings,

Sue Murray

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 26-30 and will have no office hours on Wednesday, December 28.

Sunday Morning In-Person Lessons and Music Service, January 1, 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 January 1.

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.

CHURCH OFFICE CLOSED

The church office will be closed from Monday, December 26 – Friday, December 30.

TUESDAY BIBLE STUDY – 4:30 P.M. IN HAMILTON HALL

Bible Study resumes on Tuesday, January 3. The reading for this week is Matthew 3:13-17. You can find the week’s readings at lectionarypage.net.

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. 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.

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.

Your prayers are asked for:

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