"And this is the record of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who art thou?. And he confessed, and denied not; but confessed, I am not the Christ."
St. John 1:19-20
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Thank you Fr. Paul for officiating the beautiful Holy Communion Service this past Sunday! Thank you, Fr. Mike, Hutch, and Levi for serving with Fr. Paul! Please find Fr. Paul's sermon at the following link:
After services Cook Team 3 provided a delicious lunch of beef & potatoes stew, chicken noodle casserole, salad, fresh bread, cake, and Christmas cookies. Thank you so much Carole, Misty, Melinda, and Rose Marie.
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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 Prayer
lesson 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 have 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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Choir practice is cancelled this Thursday, Dec. 26. Choir rehearsal will resume 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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Our Bible Study program, led by Fr. Paul, is cancelled Thursday December 26, but will resume on Thursday January 2 at 11 am.
Fr. Paul is asking that people interested in 'The Tabletalk' monthly devotional magazine please let him know. Each issue contains feature articles, daily Bible studies, and columns touching on biblical, theological, and practical themes to help strengthen and encourage you in your faith. He has a collection of past issues for your review at the church.
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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.
We will celebrate the Circumcision of Christ with Holy Communion on Wednesday January 1 at 7pm.
We will celebrate The Epiphany with Holy Communion on Monday, January 6 at 11 am.
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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.
Fr. Paul has asked that we all park on the same side of road that the house is on and not park in the driveway! Thank you !
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Sam and Mere shared very big news with us this past Sunday. They are moving to North Carolina to be closer to children and grand children. This past Sunday was their last Sunday with us. We will miss them very much! Many prayers for a smooth move and joyous times in North Carolina!
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Jessica sent the following update on the Constable Family.
Wow! In less than a week our church blew me away with all the love and generosity shown. On Monday, 12/16, the Constable family received news that they were approved to move into a rental house.
By Thursday afternoon, our SUV was full of all kinds of household goods.
Thank you to everyone who helped organize and pack all the donated items on such short notice!
We also came through with beds and a Christmas tree with ornaments. On Saturday, Jim and Diane loaded two twin beds and a Christmas tree from Carol T’s house and met Keith, Levi and me at the Constable’s new home to fill their home with the goods. Edward, Ethan, and Stephanie’s brother were all home to help unload.
While we were there, Stephanie shared with me that Chloe had just told her, “Mom, I like my air mattress, but I’d really like a bed to sleep in again.”
We delivered. And that is what the church is all about!
On Monday, we picked up a queen mattress from Sam and Mere and took it to Edward and Stephanie, so they can also sleep on something besides an air mattress.
Thank you Sam and Mere for the mattress! Thank you Fr. Paul for transporting the mattress in your truck. Thank you to Fr. Paul, Jessica, Levi, and several members of the Constable family for helping move the mattress!
All that work followed by a delicious lunch at 'Si Senor's'!
Christmas Stockings for Constables:
Thank you to all who contributed to the stockings for this family. What a true blessing you all are to them (and to me!).
We wrapped stocking stuffers after church and . . .
loaded them into the back of Diane’s SUV. She was able to deliver them on her way home.
The kids were so excited they were dancing in place and asking Diane if they could open any right then. She wisely passed that permission on to Stephanie. A short while later, Stephanie shared with me that she let them each open two presents on Sunday. The whole family said, “Thank you guys. Y’all are such a blessing.”
God has blessed us beyond measure this Christmas, simply by blessing others. The joy in giving and serving runs deep.
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Rose Marie is visiting her family in Missouri and sent us this picture. Looks like she is having a wonderful and fun time!
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Jessica found Keith and me coordinating the transfer of the treasurer responsibilities. Thank you Keith!
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