Hi, Everybody:
This Sunday, December 18, 2022, is the Fourth Sunday of Advent and Fill the Food Barrel Sunday. The Worship Service is at 10 am, both in-person and livestreaming. Sunday School is at 11:15 am. It will be the last day to sign up for Poinsettias and still get your name and dedication in the bulletin. They can be any size and color you wish (yes, even cerulean), but please deliver the plants to church by 10 am on December 24 and mark them with your name so you can retrieve them after service on Christmas Day.
Also, please sign up for the Christmas Day Brunch (or email me) if you plan to come so we can figure food amounts. It’s happening in Holland Hall after the worship service on Christmas Day. If you’d like to contribute pastries, muffins, or other breakfasty/brunchy items, you can sign up for that as well. Or you can bring leftover Christmas treats like cookies, candy, or fruitcake. I’m sure we could find a good home for them (even the fruitcake) – sort of like an island of misfit treats!
On Wednesday Dec. 21, 2022, Holy Redeemer will be holding Blue Christmas Service, in-person and via Zoom, at 7:00 pm at Holy Redeemer Lutheran Church, 35660 Cedar Blvd, Newark, CA 94560. A Blue Christmas Service (also called a Longest Night Service because it happens near the winter solstice), is a quiet, contemplative service that attempts to comfort those among us who are grieving and struggling to find joy and hope during this season.
Christmas Eve Services at Holy Trinity will be at 4 pm and 8 pm, in-person and livestreaming. The services will be practically identical, though the choir will be performing only at the 8 pm service. Both services will have the traditional “Silent Night” sung by candlelight.
Randy and Vicky Kuhlmann’s Inter-Service Nosh is officially back! They will be hosting a get-together at their house between the two Christmas Eve services. All are invited. This year’s food theme is South Pacific, so it should be some enchanted evening indeed!
Christmas Day we will have a Service of Poems and Carols at 10 am (yes, Pastor Tim is working on Christmas), followed by the Christmas Day Brunch at about 11 am (see second paragraph). Of course, there will be No Sunday School that day.
Remember: ‘Tis the season to be jolly! (or else!)
– Keith
your friendly Parish Life Coordinator (i.e. Church Secretary)