May the Star of Wonder lead you to adore the Child and experience His light in your life.
Merry Christmas!
Rev. Janet+
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
CHRISTMAS GREETINGS
May the Star of Wonder lead you to adore the Child and experience His light in your life.
Merry Christmas!
Rev. Janet+
Friday, December 21, 2007
CHRISTMAS SERVICES
Dear Friends in Christ -
ALL are warmly invited to celebrate this Holy Season at St. Paul's where we will welcome our Lord with wonder and joy.
Merry Christmas!
Faithfully,
Janet+
SUNDAY - DECEMBER 23RD
8:00 a.m. - CHURCH - Advent IV - Holy Eucharist, Rite I
10:00 a.m. - CHAPEL - Children's Christmas Pageant with Eucharist
MONDAY - DECEMBER 24th - CHRISTMAS EVE
4:30 p.m. - CHAPEL - Family Christmas Service with Eucharist and Carols
10:00 p.m. - CHURCH - Festival Choral Eucharist with Candlelight
TUESDAY - DECEMBER 25th - CHRISTMAS DAY
11:00 a.m. - CHURCH - Christmas Day Eucharist with Carols
WEDNESDAY - DECEMBER 26th
NO SERVICES at 7:00 a.m. or 12:15 p.m.
11:00 a.m. - CHURCH - Memorial Service for John Gerle
ALL are warmly invited to celebrate this Holy Season at St. Paul's where we will welcome our Lord with wonder and joy.
Merry Christmas!
Faithfully,
Janet+
SUNDAY - DECEMBER 23RD
8:00 a.m. - CHURCH - Advent IV - Holy Eucharist, Rite I
10:00 a.m. - CHAPEL - Children's Christmas Pageant with Eucharist
MONDAY - DECEMBER 24th - CHRISTMAS EVE
4:30 p.m. - CHAPEL - Family Christmas Service with Eucharist and Carols
10:00 p.m. - CHURCH - Festival Choral Eucharist with Candlelight
TUESDAY - DECEMBER 25th - CHRISTMAS DAY
11:00 a.m. - CHURCH - Christmas Day Eucharist with Carols
WEDNESDAY - DECEMBER 26th
NO SERVICES at 7:00 a.m. or 12:15 p.m.
11:00 a.m. - CHURCH - Memorial Service for John Gerle
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
What is it really all about?
(story sent to me by one of our dear former parishioners)
A woman was out Christmas shopping with her two children. After many hours of looking at row after row of toys and everything else imaginable; and after hours of hearing both her children asking for everything they saw on those many shelves, she finally made it to the elevator with her two kids.
She was feeling what so many of us feel during the holiday season time of the year - overwhelming pressure to go to every party, every housewarming, taste all the holiday food and treats, getting that perfect gift for every single person on our shopping list, making sure we don't forget anyone on our card list, and the pressure of making sure we respond to everyone who sent us a card.
Finally the elevator doors opened, and there was already a crowd in the car. She pushed her way into the car and dragged her two kids in with her and all the bags of stuff. When the doors closed, she couldn't take it anymore and she stated, "Whoever started this whole Christmas thing should be found, strung up and shot."
From the back of the car, everyone heard a quiet, calm voice respond, "Don't worry, we already crucified Him."For the rest of the trip down in the elevator, it was so quiet you could have heard a pin drop.
This year, don't forget to keep "the One who started this whole Christmas thing" in your every thought, deed, purchase and words. If we all did it, just think of how different this whole world would be.
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son; that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3:16)
Faithfully yours,
Janet+
A woman was out Christmas shopping with her two children. After many hours of looking at row after row of toys and everything else imaginable; and after hours of hearing both her children asking for everything they saw on those many shelves, she finally made it to the elevator with her two kids.
She was feeling what so many of us feel during the holiday season time of the year - overwhelming pressure to go to every party, every housewarming, taste all the holiday food and treats, getting that perfect gift for every single person on our shopping list, making sure we don't forget anyone on our card list, and the pressure of making sure we respond to everyone who sent us a card.
Finally the elevator doors opened, and there was already a crowd in the car. She pushed her way into the car and dragged her two kids in with her and all the bags of stuff. When the doors closed, she couldn't take it anymore and she stated, "Whoever started this whole Christmas thing should be found, strung up and shot."
From the back of the car, everyone heard a quiet, calm voice respond, "Don't worry, we already crucified Him."For the rest of the trip down in the elevator, it was so quiet you could have heard a pin drop.
This year, don't forget to keep "the One who started this whole Christmas thing" in your every thought, deed, purchase and words. If we all did it, just think of how different this whole world would be.
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son; that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3:16)
Faithfully yours,
Janet+
Sunday, December 16, 2007
CHRISTMAS CAROLING RESCHEDULED
Dear Friends in Christ -
The Christmas Caroling event, originally scheduled for 5:00 p.m. this evening (Sun 12/16), has been RESCHEDULED.
All members of the parish are invited to go Christmas Caroling and attend the youth Christmas Party (which will include making Gingerbread Houses!) here at the church on FRIDAY, December 21st. Please RSVP to Leslie Beard at 929-4558 or lbeard91782@yahool.com, and bring an appetizer to share. ALL are invited - the old and the young, the tall and the small!!!
Hope you're enjoying some good rest and family time on this snowy day. Don't forget to give God thanks for keeping you safe and warm in the midst of the storm!
Blessings,
Janet+
The Christmas Caroling event, originally scheduled for 5:00 p.m. this evening (Sun 12/16), has been RESCHEDULED.
All members of the parish are invited to go Christmas Caroling and attend the youth Christmas Party (which will include making Gingerbread Houses!) here at the church on FRIDAY, December 21st. Please RSVP to Leslie Beard at 929-4558 or lbeard91782@yahool.com, and bring an appetizer to share. ALL are invited - the old and the young, the tall and the small!!!
Hope you're enjoying some good rest and family time on this snowy day. Don't forget to give God thanks for keeping you safe and warm in the midst of the storm!
Blessings,
Janet+
Awakening Joy
Sunday, December 16, 2007
Dear Friends in Christ -
Today is the Third Sunday of Advent. This "refreshment Sunday," the Sunday when we light the rose-colored candle on the Advent wreath.
Now is the time when we allow joy to stir in our hearts . . . but in the midst of tough times in our world, do we dare hope that the One we're waiting for can really save us?
John the Baptist himself wonders aloud in today's Gospel lesson (Matthew 11:2-11): "Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?" It's no wonder that he has doubts and needs encouragement; John's been mocked and hated and thrown in prison!
Jesus doesn't condemn John for having doubts, for not keeping a stiff upper lip. Jesus sends reassurance: "What you hope for IS happening; look and see! People are being healed, the poor are being helped, people are even rising from the dead!! What more evidence do you need that HOPE is here and SALVATION is on its way?!"
In the midst of our trials and tribulations, in the midst of these days when there is still not peace on earth, we have questions, too. But Jesus is coming and is now here. May the truth of the good things God is doing - in us, in our world - cause us, like John, to continue to believe. And as we trust in our good Lord, may joy awaken in our hearts, making room for the coming of our King. Amen.
Faithfully yours,
Janet+
PS - A prayer to share, the Collect for the Third Sunday of Advent: Stir up your power, O Lord, and with great might come among us; and, because we are sorely hindered by our sins, let your bountiful grace speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen.
Dear Friends in Christ -
Today is the Third Sunday of Advent. This "refreshment Sunday," the Sunday when we light the rose-colored candle on the Advent wreath.
Now is the time when we allow joy to stir in our hearts . . . but in the midst of tough times in our world, do we dare hope that the One we're waiting for can really save us?
John the Baptist himself wonders aloud in today's Gospel lesson (Matthew 11:2-11): "Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?" It's no wonder that he has doubts and needs encouragement; John's been mocked and hated and thrown in prison!
Jesus doesn't condemn John for having doubts, for not keeping a stiff upper lip. Jesus sends reassurance: "What you hope for IS happening; look and see! People are being healed, the poor are being helped, people are even rising from the dead!! What more evidence do you need that HOPE is here and SALVATION is on its way?!"
In the midst of our trials and tribulations, in the midst of these days when there is still not peace on earth, we have questions, too. But Jesus is coming and is now here. May the truth of the good things God is doing - in us, in our world - cause us, like John, to continue to believe. And as we trust in our good Lord, may joy awaken in our hearts, making room for the coming of our King. Amen.
Faithfully yours,
Janet+
PS - A prayer to share, the Collect for the Third Sunday of Advent: Stir up your power, O Lord, and with great might come among us; and, because we are sorely hindered by our sins, let your bountiful grace speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen.
SERVICES CANCELLED
Dear Friends in Christ -
I just crossed the icy fjords of the parking lot. It's not safe out there, and the frozen rain is still coming down. Please say warm and safe at home.
SERVICES for THIS SUNDAY MORNING (DEC. 16th) at 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. ARE CANCELLED.
(I'll post sermon excerpts later today!)
A decision will be made by noon about whether or not to cancel the Christmas Caroling event at 5:00 p.m. this evening. Information will be posted by 12:30 p.m. here on this blog.
Faithfully yours,
Janet+
I just crossed the icy fjords of the parking lot. It's not safe out there, and the frozen rain is still coming down. Please say warm and safe at home.
SERVICES for THIS SUNDAY MORNING (DEC. 16th) at 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. ARE CANCELLED.
(I'll post sermon excerpts later today!)
A decision will be made by noon about whether or not to cancel the Christmas Caroling event at 5:00 p.m. this evening. Information will be posted by 12:30 p.m. here on this blog.
Faithfully yours,
Janet+
Thursday, December 13, 2007
FAMILY TABLE CANCELLED
Our Family Table Luncheon for today is cancelled. We're so sorry to miss seeing all of our friends during this Holy Time, but we do want everyone to be safe.
We'll look forward to seeing all of you again in January.
Faithfully yours,
Janet+
PS - Volunteers, thanks so much for your readiness to serve. Please know that your efforts are never wasted.
We'll look forward to seeing all of you again in January.
Faithfully yours,
Janet+
PS - Volunteers, thanks so much for your readiness to serve. Please know that your efforts are never wasted.
A Little Fun for a Snow Day!!
"Religious" Maxine
Maxine was driving down the street in a sweat because she had an important meeting and couldn't find a parking place.
Looking up toward heaven, she said, 'Lord, take pity on me. If you find me a parking place I will go to church every Sunday for the rest of my life and give up sex and tequila.
Miraculously, a parking place appeared.
She looked up again and said, 'Never mind. I found one. '
hee-hee-hee :-)
Have fun and be safe out there!
Blessings,
Janet+
Maxine was driving down the street in a sweat because she had an important meeting and couldn't find a parking place.
Looking up toward heaven, she said, 'Lord, take pity on me. If you find me a parking place I will go to church every Sunday for the rest of my life and give up sex and tequila.
Miraculously, a parking place appeared.
She looked up again and said, 'Never mind. I found one. '
hee-hee-hee :-)
Have fun and be safe out there!
Blessings,
Janet+
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
It's called Christmas!
Dear Friends in Christ -
Someone from St. Paul's forwarded this link to me, and it made my day. I pass it along to you with the prayer that it will encourage and inspire you, too.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IAckfn8yiAQ
Faithfully yours,
Janet+
Someone from St. Paul's forwarded this link to me, and it made my day. I pass it along to you with the prayer that it will encourage and inspire you, too.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IAckfn8yiAQ
Faithfully yours,
Janet+
Friday, December 7, 2007
First Fridays Fellowship CANCELLED
Dear Friends -
Tonight's First Friday's Fellowship is CANCELLED, due to the snow. I would love to see you all, but our first priority is to be safe.
So please drive home carefully and then snuggle up in front of the fire with a cup of hot cocoa in hand - and let it snow! let it snow! let it snow!
PS - GOOD NEWS!!! The rental house was roofed TODAY - and the crew finished before it SNOWED!!! Blessings abound . . .
Faithfully yours,
Janet+
Tonight's First Friday's Fellowship is CANCELLED, due to the snow. I would love to see you all, but our first priority is to be safe.
So please drive home carefully and then snuggle up in front of the fire with a cup of hot cocoa in hand - and let it snow! let it snow! let it snow!
PS - GOOD NEWS!!! The rental house was roofed TODAY - and the crew finished before it SNOWED!!! Blessings abound . . .
Faithfully yours,
Janet+
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
An Advent Blessing
Here's the blessing for the Sundays of Advent:
May the Sun of Righteousness shine upon you and scatter the darkness from before your path.
May you experience that blessing throughout your week!
Faithfully yours,
Rev. Janet+
May the Sun of Righteousness shine upon you and scatter the darkness from before your path.
May you experience that blessing throughout your week!
Faithfully yours,
Rev. Janet+
Sunday, December 2, 2007
A Blessed Advent
Dear Friends in Christ -
It's that time of year when we as Christians confront the hustle and bustle of this joyful season - with deep breaths and silence. We're waiting. Waiting isn't easy. But there are some things that shouldn't be rushed. And Christmas is one of them.
The coming of Christ is so special, so full of mystery and power, that we must prepare for it. We hear the voice of John the Baptist crying "Prepare the way of the Lord!" The preparation that John is speaking of is not an exercise in home decorating, it's an exercise in INNER preparation, getting our HEARTS ready to receive something new from God.
As the winter darkness wraps itself around us like a blanket, and as the busy-ness of the season presses in, may we take some time to stop . . . and to breathe . . . and to wait . . . Jesus is coming, and our hearts need to be swept clean by repentence and made ready for his arrival. As you take time for this heart-work, you will be doubly blessed - and experience the coming of the Christ child in a new and most profound way.
Faithfully yours,
Rev. Janet+
It's that time of year when we as Christians confront the hustle and bustle of this joyful season - with deep breaths and silence. We're waiting. Waiting isn't easy. But there are some things that shouldn't be rushed. And Christmas is one of them.
The coming of Christ is so special, so full of mystery and power, that we must prepare for it. We hear the voice of John the Baptist crying "Prepare the way of the Lord!" The preparation that John is speaking of is not an exercise in home decorating, it's an exercise in INNER preparation, getting our HEARTS ready to receive something new from God.
As the winter darkness wraps itself around us like a blanket, and as the busy-ness of the season presses in, may we take some time to stop . . . and to breathe . . . and to wait . . . Jesus is coming, and our hearts need to be swept clean by repentence and made ready for his arrival. As you take time for this heart-work, you will be doubly blessed - and experience the coming of the Christ child in a new and most profound way.
Faithfully yours,
Rev. Janet+
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