Hi, Everybody:
Tomorrow, Saturday, December 7, there will be a final Christmas Pageant Rehearsal from 10 am to 12 pm at the church. Everyone who is involved, please be there so you will know what to wear, what to say, where to go, what to do and when to do it. (lookin’ for a Christmas miracle here…)
This Sunday, December 8, is the 2nd Sunday of Advent and Scrip Sunday. The Sunday School kids will be taking over the Message part of the service with their aforementioned performance of the Christmas Pageant. It’s called “Alice in Nativityland, or Show Me The Way to Go Home,” and it was written by Kathleen Keating, so you know she’ll be leading us down some kind of rabbit hole! It’s also Florence Pidakala’s last Sunday with us as part of her Ministry in Context studies. Be sure to tell her how much you enjoyed her time with us (hopefully she can return the sentiment!).
Next Sunday, December 15, is Choir Sunday. It’s the Choir’s turn to deliver the Message with a performance of “A Light Still Shines.” The Council Meeting that would normally be the second Sunday of the month (Dec. 8) has been moved to December 15 at 12:30 pm.
Of course, we are still celebrating Advent and it’s not too late to start the Reverse Advent Calendar (attached) with which you can gather together supplies each day of Advent for our Food Barrel and the Winter Relief Program for the needy in our midst. We also have copies of the ELCA World Hunger’s Advent Study devotional booklets as well as the latest editions of Christ in Our Home and The Word in Season. They are free for the taking at the Media Table, so take!
Also at the Media Table is the sign-up to provide poinsettias for Christmas Eve. The plants can be given in memory or honor of someone special to you and your family, and the dedications will appear in the Christmas Eve bulletin if you sign up by December 15. As always, any color or size of poinsettia will do. Pairs of poinsettias are especially appreciated for symmetry’s sake. They can be delivered to the Activity Room between Sunday, December 22 and Tuesday, December 24 at 10 am. Craft sticks will be available to write your name on and place inside the pot. Plants can be picked up after the 8 pm Christmas Eve service.
Christmas Eve Services will be at 4 pm and 8 pm this year, both with the traditional singing of “Silent Night” by candlelight. Randy and Vicky Kuhlmann will be hosting a gathering between the services in their home once again. This year’s theme is “Feast of Seven Fishes,” an Italian-American tradition for some families. All are invited, so don’t be koi!
– Keith
your friendly Parish Life Coordinator