Sunday, December 18
Bishop of Myra visits 10:00 Service to Receive Our Angel Tree Gifts
Sunday, December 18
3:00 - 5:00 PM
Parish Christmas Party at the Train Depot
Friday, December 23, 10:00AM
Greening of the Church for Christmas
Saturday, December 24, Christmas Eve
4:00 PM Service with Children's Pageant
10:30 PM Service with String Quartet
Sunday, December 25, Christmas
Services at 8:00 and 10:000 AM
Office Closed
December 26 through 30
for Christmas Holiday
Save this date!
Sunday, January 15
Annual Parish Meeting
following the 10:00 Service
Did you know...
That it is known that Nicholas of Myra suffered torture and imprisonment during the persecution under Emperor Diocletion?
That it is possible he was one of the bishops attending the first Ecumenical Council of Nicea in 325CE?
That he is famed as the patron of seafarers and sailors and, more especially, of children?
That as a bearer of gifts to children, his name was brought to America by the Dutch from whom he became popularly known as Santa Claus?
Getting to Know Us
When Courtney and Melissa Rose moved to Morehead City from Chicago in order to be closer to family, St. Andrew's was the first church they visited. Melissa, a cradle Episcopalian, and Courtney attend ten o'clock services as often as their two children, Nate (10 months old) and Elise (18 months) AND their busy work schedules allow. Nate and Elise were both baptized at St. Andrew's on October 2, 2011. Melissa is a registered ICU nurse working nights at Carolina East in New Bern. Courtney is an administrator with the Carteret County School system. They live in Country Club Estates in Morehead City. We are so happy that they are a part of the St. Andrew's family.
Thrift Shop News
Christmas is coming and your Thrift Shop is prepared. Men's, women's and children's clothing, some with a holiday theme, is waiting to be purchased. Toys to gladden children's hearts as well as some small items of furniture are available. Please come and allow us to share our holiday spirit with you.
A Copy of the Thrift Shop's letter to Santa:
Dear Santa,
We have tried very hard all year long to be a good thrift shop. We have offered clothing, small appliances, bric-a-brac and small pieces of furniture at the lowest possible prices as an outreach offering.
But, Santa, try as we might, there is one problem we have been unable to solve. WE NEED VOLUNTEERS. If it's at all possible could you please send us a few? Tell them they don't need to work all day every week. We'd be delighted to have willing workers for three hour shifts one, maybe two times a month.
Please Santa, can you help us?
December Birthdays
12/1 - Tommy Sutton
12/4 - Marlene Blake
12/8 - Rollin Lind
12/8 - Bobby Darden
12/8 - Barbara Garey
12/8 - Liza Satterwhite
12/11 - Rebecca Fleming
12/14 - Jane Newbern
12/14 - Watson Barnes
12/17 - Leonard Oettinger
12/17 - Tami Russell
12/18 - Shannon Ehlers
12/21 - Bill Elmore
12/22 - David Brumley
12/22 - Lee Broughton
12/22 - Finn Riley
12/24 - Candace Roney
12/25 - Dakota Theuner
12/27 - Holly Kolkmeyer
12/27 - Bruce Boughton
12/30 - Jim McGee
Well it's finally up. No, not the Christmas tree...the Advent Wreath. I have known that Advent was coming for weeks, months even. But it wasn't until the Tuesday after the First Sunday of Advent that I finally found time to climb up in the attic and pull out the box of Christmas stuff. (I need to remember not to pack the ceramic Advent Wreath at the bottom of the storage box.) But now it is on the kitchen table - first candle lit. And I feel like I can begin. Maybe Advent is supposed to take us off guard. Maybe the coming of Christ needs to happen in the midst of the busy-ness of life. The competing demands of busy schedules can be a place of grace, helping us to identify the yearnings within us to see Christ more in our lives. It is in the midst of life that we discover, often by trial and error, that which is life-giving from that which is not.
I also get this sense of discovery in the many activities and growing ministries of the parish: the adult choir is swelling in membership and in musical offerings; the Children's Choir also is off to a great start; the outreach ministries of Jane's Angel Tree, Turkeys for Martha's Mission, Family Promise (a new community answer to homeless families) and the Thrift Shop. Christian Education for all ages continues to call us to our best efforts for formation in Christ. Incorporation of the many new members who have come through our doors reminds us of what is life-giving. And as we prepare for Christmas we do so knowing that the true gift is how Christ is born yet again in our hearts, as we praise God not only with our lips, but in our lives.
Many will have noticed that we have not yet had our Annual Parish Meeting, which typically occurs around the first week of Advent. This is because the vestry and I decided to move the meeting to January 15, 2012. This was done for two reasons. First, it gets the meeting out of the busy season of Advent. Second, the reports will reflect real numbers and a full year of events and information for 2011. Vestry elections will be held at that time. Delegates to Diocesan Convention will be assigned by the vestry in December. As we grow, we adjust and shift and try new things, always prayerfully asking God to help us do the right things. As one year ends and another begins, we look ahead for that which is life-giving.
I pray that we all will find some quiet and slower pace during this busy season. But even in the increased activity of the time, I pray that Advent takes us by surprise; and that while we may not feel ready, the love of Christ will find us smiling at the light before us.
May the Joy of Christmas be all the Advent Promises.
Faithfully yours in Christ,
John Pollock +
Staying on Course
This is a challenge for many of us on a daily basis. The question to ask is, are you staying on course? If you are busy, busy, busy you may need to regroup, reevaluate your priorities and focus more time on God. We need to figure out what is veering us off course, then be able to recognize the obstacles when they come, and deal with them. If you slow down long enough and look back over the course of time, God has taken care of you.
What comes to mind when you hear the phrase, "living for the moment?" I used to think of that negatively, but I recently view that phrase in a different light. I believe when done in the right spirit, living for the moment is the way God wants us to live. We need to truly "be there" with God in mind and heart, not just in body. We need to appreciate the gifts he has given us. Now, let us "live in the moment" and use this time to do God's work and give back to our church and the community.
Joanna Mudge
Evangelism Committee
Youth Group News
FALL YOUTH RETREAT AT CAMP TRINITY: Seven young people from St. Andrew's with their leader attended the Fall Youth Retreat at Camp Trinity in November. They were: Poe Poe Khaing, Gunnar Smith, Eikyha Tun, Eikyha Khaing, Spencer Russell, Hunter Whitmore, Chelsea Guthrie, and Mary Withington. The theme was "Putting on the Armor of God." Everyone had a great time and made lots of new friends from around the diocese.
TO PARENTS OF MIDDLE SCHOOLERS: Rite 13 meets every Sunday from 9:00 - 9:45 am. This Christian formation group addresses topics such as spirituality, self, God, prayer, sexuality, social issues, Christian community, and peer issues. It is a curriculum which prepares for confirmation, and each class builds upon the previous week. It is very important that parents make sure your 6th, 7th and 8th graders attend consistently. Community and trust and understanding cannot be established if the young people do not attend consistently. A Rite 13 service will be held in the spring for 8th graders. Tricia Bowers-Young, Mary Withington, and John Pollock are the leaders of this class, and will be happy to answer any questions about the Rite 13 and Journey to Adulthood curriculum.
DECEMBER YOUTH EVENTS:
Rite 13 class every Sunday in December, except Christmas Day. 9:00 - 9:45 AM upstairs. This is for Middle Schoolers in grades 6,7 and 8. Come to church afterwards and sit in the balcony!
December 4th, 4:00-6:30 PM--MOVIE NIGHT. Meet in the church parking lot at 4:00 PM. Let Mary know that you are coming by Saturday the 3rd so we have enough transportation.
December 11th, 4:00-6:30 PM-- JANE'S ANGEL TREE SHOPPING. Meet in the church parking lot at 4:00 PM to go shopping for Angel Tree Christmas presents, and then a wrapping party. Supper afterwards.
December 18th, 5:00-7:00 PM--CHRISTMAS CAROLING TO SHUT INS. Meet in the church parking lot at 5:00 PM to go singing to our church members at Harborview and Carolina House. Supper afterwards.
Martha's Mission Cupboard
The spectacular response to our effort to provide Thanksgiving turkeys for Martha's Mission Cupboard overwhelmed the Cupboard. Ninety turkeys were delivered on November 14 by Dick Geissinger, Sharon Garner-Thompson and George Venuto.
In the past, we have also provided turkeys for Christmas; however, the Cupboard has requested that this time we provide money to buy "fixings" for the meals. Your donation checks may be made out to St. Andrew's with Martha's Mission in the memo line. On December 12, these same parishioners will deliver that money to the Cupboard.
Jane's Angel Tree Project
As most of you know, Jane Layno passed away this summer. Her life and good works touched many of us here at St. Andrew’s. Years ago she started the Angel Tree Project at St. Andrew’s in conjunction with Project Christmas Cheer, a county-wide program that has been in existence in our community for over twenty years. Last year with your help, we provided food, clothing, and toys to fifteen struggling families who, otherwise, would have faced a very bleak Christmas season. Each Sunday Deacon John tells us, “To go in peace to love and serve the Lord”. This Advent project will be the embodiment of that mission for us as a church.
This year we have two ways you can help us with this project.
First of all, please consider adopting a child from Jane’s Angel Tree. The tree is located in the Narthex. Instructions for adopting and wrapping your presents are on the signup sheet next to the tree. Mary Withington and the youth group have offered to wrap and/or buy presents for any of you who are not able to shop for your Angel Tree children. All of the wrapped gifts will be collected on Sunday, December 18 when the Bishop of Myra will visit us. His visit to our church has become a tradition of St. Andrew’s and is a good way to teach our children the importance of giving to those less fortunate.
Also, you can help us help others by doing your Christmas shopping here at St. Andrew’s! It will work like this: For each donation of $25 you give towards our Alternative Gift Giving Program, you will receive a special Advent Card and Angel Token that you can give to someone who is on your Christmas list. Just make your check out to St. Andrew’s with Jane’s Angel Tree Family on the memo line. Our goal this year is to raise at least $750 by December 18 so that we can give each family a gift card from Walmart.
If you would like to volunteer your time to help us with this project, please call Donna at the Church office at (252) 727-9093 or Karen Westbrook at (252) 726-7433.
Parish Christmas Party
This year our annual Christmas party has moved to the Morehead City Train Depot to better accommodate our growing parish. You are invited to drop in at the depot, 1001 Arendell Street, between 3:00 and 5:00 PM on December 18 to celebrate the season with your church community. Judy Rochelle is organizing the refreshments and will need many hands to help. All are welcome!
Children's Christmas Pageant
At the 4:00 Christmas Eve service the children of St. Andrew's will present the Christmas story. We will be assigning roles and practicing for the pageant during the Children's Chapel time in December. If you have a child or children or grandchildren who would like to have a part, please come to the 10:00 AM service on Sunday, December 4. Children who may be away on Christmas Eve or who don't want an active part will help prepare scenery and props. If you have a question or comment, please call or email Judy Rochelle at 252-808-0067 or judyro40@yahoo.com.
To follow Christ without delay; to bring others into Christ's gracious presence.
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