We have three Christmas Eve services, all will celebrate Holy Communion.
- 5:00 pm is very appropriate for families
- 7:00 pm is a candlelight service with the Laudate Handbell Choir participating
- 10:00 pm is a candlelight service with the Senior Choir participating
December 24 through January 1, the church office will be closed. The staff wishes you and yours a blessed Christmas and joyous New Year!
Sunday, December 29 our worship will be "Lessons and Carols for Christmas" with Holy Communion. Come join us at 8:30 am and 11:00 am. There is no Sunday School on Dec 29.
Plan now to welcome the Three Wise Men on Sunday, January 5, 2014 at 6:00 pm for "Twelfth Night and Epiphany".
- Come together as a community to remember Christ's appearance to the Magi.
- Bring the last of your Christmas cookies to share as we sing carols in Trinity Hall to begin the evening.
- Bring a branch of your holiday evergreens to burn in the night, as a symbol of Christ's Light coming amidst the darkness.
- Bring your joy at the knowledge that God comes in humble glory to all people without pretense, without requirements, without price, but in never ending grace.
The season of Advent marks the beginning of the church year and comprises the four weeks before Christmas. The church has observed a season of preparation before Christmas since the appearance of regulations on fasting issued by Bishop Perpetuus of Tours in 490 C.E. The principle themes of the season are:
- hope
- darkness / light
- repentance
- watchfulness
- preparation
- expectation of the incarnation of Christ on Christmas
- anticipation of the fullness of time at Christ's second coming
The season is marked with the use of the color blue for paraments and vestments. Blue is the color of hope.
Advent is the season of hope and I have great hope for what God is doing with us at St. Paul's. As I reflect on the year and all of the joys it has brought, I find myself anticipating the hope we have in the coming year and the hope we have in Jesus. Our true hope is built on the realization that Christ will come and the world will be made right. So, as we head into this season of reflection and hope, let us prepare and anticipate, let us plan for the future knowing that our future is held in the loving arms of Jesus.
May the God of hope fill you with all good things in this new church year and always.
Advent at St. Paul's -- "The Gifts of Advent"
Join us on Wednesday Evenings for supper at 6:00 pm and worship at 6:45 pm
- December 4 - The Gift of Patience (Psalm 37:1-9; Mark 13:24-37)
- December 11 - The Gift of Speech and Silence (Psalm 19; Luke 1:5-25, 57-66)
- December 18 - The Gift of Hope (Psalm 33:13-22; Luke 1:67-69)
The services will be Holden Evening Prayer with Holy Communion. During the service we will have a conversation on the weekly texts.
Christmas Pageant
On Sunday, December 15 at 5:00 pm we will enjoy the annual telling of the birth of Jesus. Children and youth age 2 and up are invited to participate. Rehearsals will take place on Sundays during the SPARK Hour (9:45-10:45) and on Saturdays, Dec 7 and 14 from 10-11 am in Trinity Hall. Instrumentalists (adults and youth) are also invited to participate. Please contact Margot Wuebbens if you are interested.
The Interfaith Hospitality Network continues to work with "alumni families" and support them in many ways, such as including families to be gifted this Christmas by congregations participating in the rotations. St. Paul's has decided to utilize the generosity of our congregation to gift some of these families. There is a tree in the atrium decorated with stockings imprinted with the names of 27 individuals and requested gift items for them. The stockings can be picked up and returned no later than Sunday, Dec. 15 with the gifts -- back to the tree. Instructions are on the table next to the tree. If you have questions, contact a staff member or Ellen Lavery.
There is a congregational meeting on Sunday, Dec 8 at 12:15 pm in the sanctuary. The agenda includes electing new people to our Church Council and voting on the 2014 Program for Ministry budget. Information hand-outs on the agenda and the 2014 Program for Ministry proposed budget are available in the foyer.
Poinsettias and/or Lutheran World Relief Designations: We are again offering two opportunities to make Christmas designations in honor or in memory of loved ones. Poinsettias will grace the sanctuary on the 4th Sunday of Advent through Christmas Eve services. Lutheran World Relief will receive the funds designated. Cost of each designation is $7 and should be included with the forms which are available in the foyer. All designations will be listed in the Christmas eve bulletins.
Need a great Christmas Gift? Pick up a St. Paul's cookbook! They are $10 and available after services or during the week from a receptionist or staff member.
St. Paul's Christmas Eve Services
Tuesday, December 24 at 5 pm, 7 pm, and 10 pm
All services celebrate Holy Communion
- The 5:00 pm is very appropriate for families but is for the entire congregation
- The 7:00 pm is a candlelight service with the Laudate Handbell Choir participating
- The 10:00 pm service is also a candlelight service with the Senior Choir participating
The church office will be closed December 24 - January 1. The staff wishes you and yours a very Blessed Christmas.
