Merciful God, who sent your messengers the prophets to preach repentance and prepare the way for our salvation: Give us grace to heed their warnings and forsake our sins, that we may greet with joy the coming of Jesus Christ our Redeemer; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Serving on Sunday (Dec 6th):
* Greeters: Cynthia K * Host: Brennan * Readers: Jane C, Louise P
* Announcements: Jane C * Counters: Bev B, Barb C
Verger List has Sunday assignments through December
Announcements – December 6, 2015
Discretionary Fund Reminder – Sunday’s loose offering will be donated to the Parish Discretionary Funds that allow us to reach out to those around less fortunate than ourselves. Please be as generous as possible.
Laying on of Hands – This Sunday, please gather at the Baptismal Font immediately after you have received communion.
Annual Meeting Reports due January 13 - Please submit your reports for the Annual Reports to Paula Stevens in electronic format by December 13. Annual Meeting is Saturday, January 23. Thanks, Scott and the Vestry
Advent Evening Prayer Daily Mon-Fri 5:30 in the church – Please join us for a quiet, peaceful time of prayer during this busy holiday season and in this time of turmoil in our world.
Join in a Service in Recognition of Racial Injustice
this Sunday, December 6th at 4:00 PM
In response to recent local and national events, the St. Paul’s community is invited to gather on Sunday afternoon, December 6th for a Service in Recognition of Racial Injustice. The event will focus on the challenges we face in understanding the struggle for justice and equality for people of color. The events in Ferguson, Missouri over a year ago, the heartbreaking murder of nine black church members in Charleston, South Carolina, and the disturbing racist rhetoric in our current political season are all deeply distressing. The Upper Valley is not exempt from the impact of racism, as demonstrated in the vandalism of the Black Lives Matter art installation at Dartmouth College. We welcome people of all spiritual and religious persuasions who are interested in exploring the challenges that confront us. Please join in this informal service, which will be held in the Parish Hall. For more information call Eva Moss at 703-577-7288 or email Diane Root at droottrrm @aol.com.
Advent Discussion Series - Please join us Advent discussion series again this year to be held on the 4 Wednesday evenings in Advent (December 2, 9, 16, and 23) from 6:30 pm - 8 pm in the parish house. The format will be a loosely-structured discussion of the previous Sunday's Old Testament and Gospel readings---touching on topics as historical background, how the readings relate to one another, what we feel in the readings specifically speaks to us, what the readings might mean to us in our greater community, why these readings may have been chosen for inclusion in the common lectionary for Advent. We will be spending 35-40 minutes on each reading and ending with Compline. There would be no books or required reading as we will be only using the lectionary scripture readings. It will be facilitated by Pete Lapre.
The Warming Shelter at The Haven is open. If you are interested in being part of a Sunday Lunch ministry, simple hot meal of either soup or casserole with bread in our parish hall please contact Jon Chaffee or Diana Collins. Following the meal we would assist our guests to other warm locations in the area.
CAMEO Arts Foundation presents Cameo Baroque
Leslie Stroud, traverso; Beth Hilgartner, recorders; Ernie Drown, harpsichord; and Margaret Gilmore, cello
A program of French Baroque music to support the Upper Valley Haven (part of the 19 Days effort) on Sunday, Dec. 6 at 4 PM at the Church of Christ at Dartmouth College, 40 North College Street, Hanover, NH. Music of Loeillet, Dornel, Naudot, Hotteterre, and others. Admission is by free will offering -- all of which benefits the Haven, and is eligible for generous matching funds from the Jack and Dorothy Byrne Foundation. Come hear beautiful music while supporting our neighbors in need. For more information or directions, email beth @cameoarts.org.
Christmas Caroling – Sunday, December 13 -- Join us for a St. Pauls' tradition in December - carol singing. I am looking for a few more wonderful places to sing. Maybe your home? I will be planning carol singing at Harvest Hill, Valley Terrace and Quail Hollow. I also need singers. Please know that you can join us for the whole afternoon or join us for one event along the way. I would appreciate it if you told me you were coming, so if we're a little late I can call you to assure you that we're on the way. Please respond for either hosting or if you'd like to join the singing ensemble to thegaryguy @gmail.com Thanks for considering!
It is not too late to return your Stewardship Pledge! – Help us plan better for next year by submitting your pledge as soon as possible. Thank you.
Solstice Knit and Purl Retreat – Saturday Dec 19th, 10AM to 7PM at St. Paul's Parish House -- Take a breath to enjoy a day of fellowship before Christmas as we gather to work. Bring a friend; stay for an hour, half day, or the whole retreat. Lunch and Dinner and Pot Luck Snacks will be available when you get hungry. Bring any project you want to finish or a new project you want to start. If you have questions, contact Susan Pillsbury or Holly Hall
United Valley Interfaith Project
Would you like to be a Five Minute Friend? Do you wish to learn more about Car Title Lending and the negative impact this has on our economic structure and our community? Are you a senior and you wish to share your story with others?
There is more! However, if you are interested in learning more about the United Valley Interfaith Project (UVIP), there is now an internal UVIP Team at St. Paul's Church. The newly formed St. Paul's UVIP Team consists of Sally McFarlin, Eva Moss and Diane Root.
The United Valley Interfaith Project has grown immensely within the last few years. This includes new members, as well as several different campaign issues. Our present campaigns include: Five Minute Friends; Aging with Dignity and Senior Stories; Economic Justice, includes Predatory Lending and Fight for Fifteen.
These issue are important and do affect each individual's lives. The newly formed St. Paul's UVIP Team plans to work closely with our church community on these campaign issues. We plan to inform you of upcoming events and present, as well as disseminate, material relevant to these campaigns in a timely fashion.
Flyers, announcements and oral presentations are essential elements in reaching out to all of you.
We plan to begin these conversations with you, real soon. In January, we are planning an open discussion with our church community and hope you will join us, then.
In the meantime, continue to read the United Valley Interfaith Project Bulletin Board, located in the hallway. Sally, Eva and Diane are, also, available to chat with you at any time concerning these issues or any other issue that is important to you.
Look forward to sharing, listening and above all caring Sally R McFarlin
Ongoing Reminders
Leadership Team Meeting – every Wednesday 9:30-11:30am
Worship Team Meets - second Tuesday of the month in the Church Library at 4pm. All are welcome to attend.
Vestry Meets - third Tuesday of the month in the Parish House at 6:30pm. All are welcome to attend.
Brookside Nursing Home Church Services – Please join us! - Second Sunday of each month (September through June) 2-2:30pm. Our next service will be December 13th, 2-2:30. We welcome anyone who would like to volunteer with Cindy and Holly.
Knit and Purl Fellowship – first and third Mondays of the month at the Parish House, 6:30pm. Contact Holly for more info.
Listen Community Dinners 2016 – every other month St. Paul's Church serves dinner at the Listen Community Center: January 17, March 21, May 16, July 18, September 19, November 21
Upcoming Events
Please send event and prayer updates to announcements.spc@gmail.com
Monday – Friday – 5:30pm Evening Prayer
Sunday, December 6 – 4pm - Service of Reconciliation
Sunday, December 13 – Brookside Ministry
Sunday, December 13 - Christmas Caroling
Saturday, December 19 – Solstice Knit and Purl Retreat
Thursday, December 24 - 5:30pm - Holy Communion with Christmas pageant
Thursday, December 24 – 9:00pm - Festive Holy Communion with Carols
Friday, December 25 – 10:00am - Christmas day Holy Communion with Carols
Sunday, January 17th – Caring Team Meeting
Here's who's doing what - Sunday, December 13 – Advent III
Greeter-Barb C Host-Holly H
Old Testament-Kristin W Epistle-Amy B Psalm & Prayers-Bev B
Chalice-Leslie B Announcements-Cindy D Counters-Cindy P, Andrew P
Scott’s Schedule:
Monday, December 7: Office Hours 9-12
Tuesday, December 8: Office Hours 9-12
Friday, December 11: Sabbath Day
Saturday, December 12: Sabbath Day