December Events

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.