For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.
St. Matthew 11:10
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Thank you Fr. Paul for officiating the beautiful Holy Communion Service this past Sunday! Thank you, Fr. Mike, Anderson, and Levi for serving with Fr. Paul! Please find Fr. Paul's sermon at the following link:
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Thank you Fr. Mike for leading our Morning Prayer service this past Sunday.
Fr. Mike posted a sign up sheet for Morning readers in the Parish Hall. Please consider signing up for this important part of our services!
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Fr. Paul's Christian Education classes which focus on the weekly lessons and how they tie in with the other daily readings continued this past Sunday. Please join us next Sunday at 9:15 - a pot of coffee will be on!
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We also started a children's Sunday School session beginning at 9:15. We are using the program produced by the APA - "The Life of Christ - From Bethlehem to Emmaus". Diane, Jessica, and Rosalind are teaching the classes.
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Our Choir is holding rehearsals at 10 am on Thursday upstairs in the sanctuary under Rose Marie's direction. All are welcome to join! Please see Fr. Paul or Rose Marie for more information.
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In addition to thanking all the people who have volunteered to usher, work with the altar guild, serve at the altar, sing in the choir, and read Morning Prayer lessons - I want to thank everyone who came out Thursday evening for an usher and server training class!
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We will celebrate Christmas Eve Mass on Tues., Dec. 24 at 7 pm and Christmas Day Mass on Wed., Dec. 25 at 10 am.
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Please note the revised date of Saturday, December 28!!
Fr. Paul and Benita cordially invite everyone to a Christmas Open House at their new home! Please join them for this time of fellowship, celebration, and fun on Saturday, December 28 starting at 2 pm. There will be light snacks, beverages, decorations, and of course, Christmas music! Please let Fr. Paul, Benita, or me know if you plan to come.
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Jessica sent the following update on the Constable Family.
Diane, Keith, Levi and I met with the Constable Family on Saturday night for pizza. We had such a nice time visiting with them - the kids all sat at a table and loved it, while the adults got to talk together and get to know each other. There is a LOT going on!
The family was overwhelmed and incredibly thankful for the gift cards for gas that we gave them. Our church donated $800 to this cause. Thank you ALL for your generosity!
We all praised God for the van that was donated to the family this past week. What a blessing that has been to have their own vehicle again. A second vehicle would be very helpful as Edward works at the Unaka sawmill in Jonesborough and it’s a bit of a drive, but they are super grateful for the freedom and reduced stress load this van has been already.
The RV that they were supposed to receive did make it down to a campground in Chuckey. Somehow ARMs (Assistance & Resource Ministries) got involved and the experience was less than stellar. Stephanie ended up handing the keys over while she was sick. She was not completely sad about it, though. The RV has gone to a family of 9 who had nowhere else to go. In addition, they were able to go see a 3-bedroom house to rent. They heard back on Sunday that they got approved to rent that house and, after some final checking on Monday, are hopeful to move in sometime this week.
Finally, a request for help and prayers for them. This has been a hard year, even before Hurricane Helene hit. Stephanie’s dad passed away a year ago Thanksgiving day, and Edward’s dad passed away in the spring of this year. His dad’s ashes are in the mud of their house (that floated down the river, but is still in Chuckey). Edward has tried to go a couple of times to shovel mud out of the house and find those ashes. If we have any able-bodied people with shovels who would like to help, we would be happy to coordinate a time when we could go help Edward shovel mud out. Please let Jessica know by Wednesday if this is something you would be able to do. Because the house was taken off its foundation and washed up against a barn on the neighbor’s property, what remains will be burned in the next two weeks.
We are still working on the stocking stuffers! Jessica shared this list of ideas:
deoderant, socks, chapstick, books, nail polish, cotton balls, nail polish remover, shaving cream, razor, shower steamers, nail/manicure kit (nail clippers, file, tweezers, etc.), hand warmers, card games, pocket knife, multi-tool, snacks, lotion, face wash, body wash, loofah, hair brush, comb, flashlight, markers, sunglasses, jewelry, jewelry organizer, back scratcher
Please have all of your gifts at the church no later than Sunday December 22 so that Jessica has time to deliver them.
Reminder that this is a “long-term” mission that the church has decided to undertake and their needs will be evolving. Our goal is to meet them where they are in their recovery journey.
Thank you, Jessica for all your work and to everyone for your generous support of this family!
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We received the following information from the Bishop's office about St. Dunstan's Academy, an all boys Anglican boarding school that the APA is starting up.
Dear APA faithful,
We were asked to share this exciting news from Fr. Mark Perkins of St. Dunstan's Academy.
A generous donor has pledged to match dollar-for-dollar all gifts to St. Dunstan's Academy between now and the year's end, up to $20,000. To participate, go to www.stdunstansacademy.org/donate and write "match" in the comments, or send a check with the memo "match" to St. Dunstan's Academy, PO Box 1094, Waynesboro, VA 22980.
Wishing you all a very blessed Advent Season,
Lisa M Ulrich
Exec. Administrator, Office of APA and DEUS
Please consider supporting this amazing program as they work to open the school.
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The upcoming food teams and schedule are as follows:
Team 1 | Diane, Teresa, Agnes, Lin B., Nancy, Michele |
Team 2 | Laurel, Lynn L., Carol T., Claudia |
Team 3 | Rose, Carole A., Misty, Melinda |
Team 4 | Rosalind, Mere, Ambler, Jessica |
Team 5 | Men’s Team |
December 22 Team 3
December 29 Team 4
January 5 Team 5
January 12 Potluck
January 19 Team 1
January 26 Team 2
February 2 Team 3
February 9 Potluck
February 16 Team 4
February 26 Team 5
March 2 Team 1
March 9 Potluck
March 16 Team 2
March 23 Team 3
March 30 Team 4
Thank you Jessica for putting everything together!
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December Activities
Thur., Dec. 19 10 am Choir Practice
11 am Bible Study, Fr. Paul
Sun., Dec. 22 9:15 am Christian Education
10:15 am Morning Prayer
11 am Holy Communion
Fr. Paul, Fr. Mike, Mike, Levi
12:30 Team 3
Tues., Dec. 24 7 pm Christmas Eve Mass
Fr. Paul, Fr. Mike, Levi
Wed., Dec. 25 10 am Christmas Day Mass
Fr. Paul, Fr. Mike, Hutch
Thur., Dec. 26 10 am Choir Practice - cancelled
11 am Bible Study, Fr. Paul - cancelled
Sun., Dec. 29 9:15 am Christian Education
10:15 am Morning Prayer
11 am Holy Communion
Fr. Paul, Fr. Mike
12:30 Team 4