St. AndrewÂs eNews

December 5, 2023

ADVENT

Come, O come Emmanuel,
you are the way, the truth and the life;
Come, living Saviour
come to your world which waits for you.
Hear this prayer for your loveÂs sake.

ÂNew Zealand Prayer Book

WhatÂs Happening

Tuesday, 12/5 at 2 pm - Centering Prayer

Tuesday, 12/5 at 3 pm - Â Book Study with the Rector

Wednesday,12/6 at 11 am - Holy Eucharist

Sunday, 12/10 at 8 am and 10 am - Holy Eucharist - Advent

Sunday, 12/10 at 9 am - Sunday School and Book Study - Nursery provided

Monday, 12/11 at noon - Knitters

Tuesday, 12/12 at 2 pm - Centering Prayer

Tuesday, 12/12 at 3 pm - Book Study - The Great Divorce by C. S. Lewis

Advent & Christmas Services

Sunday, 12/17 at -10 am - Lessons & Carols (8:00 and 10:00 congregations worship together at 10:00)

Sunday, 12/17 at noon - Initial Greening of the Church Preparation

Thursday, 12/21 at 5:30 pm - Solstice: The Longest Night

Sunday, 12/24 at 8 am and 10 am - Advent 4 Sunday Morning Services

Sunday, 12/24 at 8 pm - Christmas Eve Service

Monday, 12/25 at 10 am - Christmas Day Service followed by Christmas Brunch

Advent 2023: An Advent Message and Appeal from Bishop Skelton

Tuesday Book Study

Beginning December 5, Laura+ will be leading a study of C. S. LewisÂ popular book, The Great Divorce. The book is available online at Amazon. Alternatively, Port Book and News May be able to get it for you.

From the book flyleaf:

In The Great Divorce, C. S. Lewis again employs his formidable talent for fable and allegory. The writer finds himself in Hell boarding a bus bound for Heaven. The amazing opportunity is that anyone who wants to stay in Heaven can. This is the starting point for an extraordinary meditation upon good and evil, grace and judgment. LewisÂs revolutionary idea is the discovery that the gates of Hell are locked from the inside. In LewisÂs own words, ÂIf we insist on keeping Hell (or even Earth) we shall not see Heaven: if we accept Heaven we shall not be able to retain even the smallest and most intimate souvenirs of Hell.Â

Centering Prayer

Tuesdays at 2:00

Please join us in the sanctuary for a time of quiet meditation.

Our deepest desires are God's desires dwelling within us.

This is how God calls us, in Advent and throughout our lives.

James Martin, SJ

Painting by Gentile da Fabriano, who lived in Italy from c. 1370 to 1427. Public Domain.

Wednesday Holy Eucharist

11 am

This week we celebrate the life and contributions of Nicholas of Myra, Bishop, c. 342

Why St. Nicholas is the patron saint of children

Many people know that St. Nicholas is the patron saint of children, but they may not know why he has that title.

There is a grisly legend that says that during a famine in Myra, three young boys were lured into a butcherÂs shop, where they were killed and then brined in a wooden barrel with the intention of being sold as Âham.Â The good bishop worked a miracle, bringing the pickled children back to life and saving them from a gruesome fate.

This story became the subject of many portrayals of Nicholas in art, especially during the Middle Ages. Some people believe depictions of Bishop Nicholas with the three boys led to his reputation as a protector of children.

The legend of the brining may explain how he also became, oddly, the patron saint of coopers and brewers.

Advent Lessons & Carols

Sunday, Dec 17 at 10:00 am

O come, O come, Emmanuel.
As we prepare for the birth of Jesus at Christmas, join us for this beautiful seasonal service. Readings from Holy Scripture, hymns, and seasonal choral music proclaim the coming of the Promised One.

WeÂll have one service so all of St. AndrewÂs can worship together. Invite your friends to come, too!

Initial Greening of the Church Preparation

Sunday, Dec 17 following Lessons & Carols

Advent 4 and Christmas Eve are the same day this year! That means there is a very small window for greening the church. So, preparations will begin on Dec 17 after church. Â Please volunteer by contacting Sally Bays, or Anna Magner.

Thanks so much!

Episcopal Relief and Development Hope Match Campaign

Contributions made to Episcopal Relief & Development before the end of the year are eligible for matching, includingÂ Gifts for Life, and direct contributions online, over the phone, or by mail. Gifts of stocks, Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs), Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) and from Donor Advised Funds (DAFs) are also included in the Hope Match Campaign.

Donors wishing to take advantage of the dollar-for-dollar match should give their gift between now and December 31.Â Donate onlineÂ or call 1.855.312.4325. Gifts can also be mailed to Episcopal Relief & Development, PO Box 3006, Harlan, IA 51593-0024.

Ways to Worship with Us

Wherever you are in your journey of faith, you are welcome at the Lord's Table. For those who cannot attend in person, the service is offered via livestream on our Facebook page or anytime on our website.

St. AndrewÂs Sunday Worship - 8 am and 10 am. Sunday School (all ages) at 9 am. Nursery care available.
In Forks at St. Swithin's - Â Each Sunday at 2:30 pm - We meet at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church for Holy Eucharist or Prayer.
Mid-week Worship Service each Wednesday in person at 11 am.
If you need assistance in accessing our worship services, please contact our office 360-457-4862.

St. AndrewÂs Website

St. AndrewÂs eNews

Advent 2023: An Advent Message and Appeal from Bishop Skelton

St. AndrewÂs eNews