Announcements for December 3 - Advent I
Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light, now in the time of this mortal life in which your Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (BCP, Collect for Advent I)
Readings for Sunday – December 3
December 3 – 10:00 - Who’s Who
Verger – Doug Jenisch; Greeter – Penny McClure; Host – Brennan; Readers – Barb Lather and Bev Barton; Psalm and Prayers – Kristin Wood; Chalice – Pam Hanson and Joan Lawrence-Studebaker; Announcements – Bev Barton; Counters – Holly Hall and Andrew Pillsbury; Altar Guild – Greg and Bev Taylor; Coffee Hour – Barbara Rector; Acolytes – Jonathan and Kathryn Brennan
Scott’s Schedule
December 4 – Office Hours, 9-12
December 5 – Office Hours, 9-12
December 8 – Sabbath Day
December 9 – Sabbath Day
Upcoming Events
Please send event and prayer updates to announcements.spc@gmail.com
December 3 – Advent I
December 3 – Quarterly Meeting
December 5 – Ladies Christmas Potluck
December 6 – Advent Taizé
December 6 – Advent Study and Discussion series
December 10 – Advent II
December 10 – Concerned about Racial Justice Group Meeting
December 11 – Bible Study
Calendar Events
December 3 - Quarterly Meeting of the Parish – December 3
The Vestry invites you to join us for our next quarterly all-parish meeting:
after the 10am service on Sunday December 3rd
Our quarterly meetings are a time for us to “take our temperature” and talk about any joys or concerns we may have about our life together. We would especially like to focus our attention this time on our large fund-raising activities, as preparation for establishing next year’s budget. How can we think “outside the box” about these events, which build connections among us and which extend those connections to the wider community? How can we shape our fundraisers to address the community needs God brings to our attention while also taking into account the changing demographic of our parish? We are a smaller parish that at some points in St. Paul’s history. We are older and less able to physically do what we have been doing at Bargain Bin for the past few years.
Please put on your thinking caps, your prayer shawls, and seek Wisdom about our participation in the furtherance of God’s Kindom. [‘Kindom’, rather than ‘kingdom’ is one of Pam’s favorite changes suggested in The Inclusive Bible.]
December 3 – Parish Discretionary Fund - On Sunday, December 3, the loose offering and any checks marked Discretionary Fund in the memo is given to the Parish Discretionary Fund. This fund is used to help meet the needs of people in our area during difficult times in their lives. The funds are generally used to help with electric bills or car repairs, rent or securing a security deposit for a family. We are finally able to start distributing funds again. The need continues to be extremely high with requests coming in almost every day. Please be as generous as you are able. This is an important ministry of our Parish. Thank you, Scott
December 3 – Ordination Anniversary Observance of the Scott’s 10th Anniversary to the Sacred Order of Priests (December 1 is the actual date).
December 5 – Women’s Potluck - There will be a Women’s Christmas pot luck dinner at Judy Barwood's on Tuesday, December 5 starting at 5:30 pm for all women of St. Paul's. Guests are welcome. Please let Judy know if you plan to attend at 802-295-2435 or jbarwood@together.net
December 6 – Advent Taizé – 5:30 PM in the sanctuary. Taizé is an ecumenical form of prayer modeled after the Taizé community (an ecumenical Christian monastic community of brothers) founded in the 1940's by Br. Roger in Taizé, France. The purpose of the prayer is to foster reconciliation and peace among all people.
December 6 – Advent Study and Discussion Group – 6:30 PM in the parish house. This four-week group studies the scriptures for the upcoming Sunday and discusses it’s meaning for us today. For more information please contact Pete Lapré.
December 11 – Bible Study – from 7 -8:30 in the parish house. We will be focusing on the readings for December 17 - Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24, and John 1:6-8,19-28. This is a standalone session – no prior experience or involvement is necessary. All are welcome!
December 13 – Deadline for Christmas Flowers – The deadline for submitting names for memorials and thanksgivings for our Christmas Bulletins is on Wednesday, December 13. Forms are in
December 13 – Advent Study and Discussion Group – 6:30 PM in the parish house. This four-week group studies the scriptures for the upcoming Sunday and discusses it’s meaning for us today. For more information please contact Pete Lapré.
December 13 – Advent Taizé – 5:30 PM in the sanctuary. Taizé is an ecumenical form of prayer modeled after the Taizé community (an ecumenical Christian monastic community of brothers) founded in the 1940's by Br. Roger in Taizé, France. The purpose of the prayer is to foster reconciliation and peace among all people.
December 24 – Advent IV Services – There will be both 8 and 10 AM worship on Sunday, December 24.
Sunday, December 24 - Christmas Eve Service Schedule
5:30 PM – Scripture, Children’s Story and Setting of the Crèche, Holy Communion and Carols
9:00 PM – Scripture, Holy Communion and Carols
Monday, December 25 – Christmas Day
4:30 PM – Scripture, Holy Communion and Carols
January 9 - Caring Ministries - our next meeting will be January 9th, 7pm, at the Parish House.
General Announcements
Vestry Nomination – It’s that time of year again when we need nominations for vestry members. Jon Chaffee, Cindy Dale and Bev Barton are retiring this year. Bev has agreed to serve another three-year term. That leaves us with two three-year terms to fill as well as a two-year term left vacant with Stuart Johnson’s move to Indianapolis last summer. If you would like to nominate someone to serve on vestry or are interested in serving on vestry yourself, please complete the nomination form in your service leaflet or on the parish hall piano. Please confirm your nomination with the person you are nominating to make sure they are willing to serve.
Gift Boxes for Deployed Service Members - I have a Blue Star Mothers’ group that is preparing boxes for deployed service members. If anyone knows/has a deployed service member who they would like to receive a “gift box”, please send their Rank Name and mailing address to Judi Shank at nanajudi03751@gmail.com. Thank you, Judi Shank.
The Haven’s Top 5 Most Needed Items: oatmeal, holiday baking supplies, tuna fish, peanut butter, soap, toothpaste & brushes, and personal care items for women. All items collected at the church are brought to the Haven Food Shelf.
Bible Study - meets on the 2nd and 4th Monday of the month at 7 PM in the Parish house. Each gathering is totally independent of previous gatherings. No experience necessary. Come and explore the readings for the following Sunday. All are Welcome.
Knit and Purl Fellowship -meets 1st and 3rd Monday of the month in Parish House, 6:30 pm. All are welcome and all handcrafts are welcome. If you have questions, please contact Holly Hall or Susan Pillsbury.
Contemplative Prayer and Meditation- Contemplative Prayer and Meditation will be replaced with a Taizé worship service on Wednesdays throughout the Advent Season. Contemplative Prayer and Meditation will start again first Wednesday of January. All are welcome- neighbors, friends, relatives, and people we have not met yet. From January on, Contemplative Prayer and Meditation is held 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month, 5:30-6:30.
Weston Priory- Anyone can attend services at Weston Priory during the week or weekend. Best to check their web page for times of services and days Brothers are on monthly Sabbath or retreat. Holly Hall will be going once or twice a month through the summer and you are welcome to join her.
Volunteers needed to “man the kettles’ - The Salvation Army is looking for volunteers to supervise their annual fundraising efforts in West Lebanon from now through Christmas.
There will be 3 collection "Kettles" outside of popular retailers that will be manned, from approximately 10-6 on Friday and Saturday (Tues., Wed., and Thurs. also if there are enough volunteers). This can be a group effort as a church outreach project, a family or individual effort. This provides funding for Salvation Army projects such as their Christian based, free, 6 month Drug/Alcohol Rehabilitation programs, soup kitchens, homeless shelters and disaster relief. People can volunteer for as many or as few days as they want. There may be a stipend of $10/hr. available and lunch vouchers. Please call Captain DeAnna at 802-476-5301 for details, scheduling and locations.
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St. Paul’s Vestry: Pam Hanson, Senior Warden; Greg Taylor, Junior Warden; Bev Barton; Jon Chaffee; Cindy Dale; Holly Hall; Rich Kremer; John Monfette.
Ongoing Reminders
- Discretionary Fund Reminder – First Sunday of every month. Please be as generous as possible.
- Laying on of Hands – On the first Sunday of every month those wishing to receive laying on our hands are invited to gather at the Baptismal Font (just as you entered the church) immediately after you have received communion.
- Executive Leadership Group Meeting – every Wednesday 3:30-5:00pm -- Anyone is welcome to attend.
- Vestry meets – 3rd Tuesday of the month in the Parish House at 6:30pm. All are welcome to attend.
- Valley Terrace Church Service – Please join us! - Fourth Tuesday of every month at 2 PM.
- Knit and Purl Fellowship – Meets 1st and 3rd Monday of the month in the Parish House, 6:30 PM. Contact Holly for info.
- Bible Study – meets the 2nd and 4th Mondays of the month in the Parish House at 7 PM. We will focus each meeting on the lectionary for the upcoming week. This is a come as you can discussion group, you can do not have to come every meeting. All are welcome!
- St. Paul’s Concerned about Racial Justice group meets the 2nd Sunday of each month, after church (and a little of coffee hour!), for discussion and planning. All are welcome to join us!
- Showing Up for Racial Justice (SURJ) sponsors two regularly scheduled events open to the public: Mondays, 5:30 – 6:00 pm, on the corner of the green across from Hanover Inn, Vigil for Racial Justice.