WELCOME TO ST. PAUL EPISCOPAL CHURCH

Transcription

1 WELCOME TO ST. PAUL EPISCOPAL CHURCH WELCOME. In the name of Christ, we offer you welcome to this church. May those who sorrow, find comfort; the weary, rest; the troubled, peace; the stranger, friends; the unhappy, joy; and to all, the sense of God s presence in this Holy Place. If you are new to this parish community, please give your name and phone number to the Rector or sign our guest register on the stand in the back of the Church. As our honored guest, we want to welcome you. THE SERVICE. There are two main books used for our service; the smaller red book is the Book of Common Prayer and the larger blue book is the Hymnal. There is also a Gray Hymnal. They can be found in the bookrack on the back of the pew in front of you. A Bible can be found at the ends of the pew. The page / hymn numbers in the service bulletin help you find your place in these service books. We invite you to participate fully in our worship. RECEIVING COMMUNION. Holy Communion in the Episcopal Church is open to all who are comfortable participating in the Communion of the Lords' Table. To receive communion, please form two lines in the center aisle and approach the front of the altar. Please stand with one hand cupped on top of the other to receive the consecrated bread from the Celebrant. Then step to the side to the Eucharistic Minister and take the chalice and drink from it; or you may intinct the bread by dipping it in the consecrated wine. If you do not wish to receive Holy Communion, please come forward for a blessing (fold your arms across your chest to indicate that you do not wish to receive Holy Communion). Return to your pew by way of the side aisles. The First Sunday of Advent December 3, :00 a.m. Opening Hymn Blest be the King Hymn 74 Call to Worship Celebrant: Blessed be God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. All: And blessed be God s Kingdom, now and forever. Amen. Celebrant: Come, people of God! Wipe the slate clean. Advent begins! This is a time for praise and prayer! This is a time for song and celebration! Our long time of waiting is past God s promises are renewed! As we anticipate the birth of the Christ child, let us prepare as well for the day when all shall recognize that Jesus reigns, and will reign forevermore! Collect for Purity Prayer Book, page 355

2 Lighting of the Advent Wreath FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT Leader: Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness. All: And put on the armor of light, Leader: Now in the time of this mortal life in which your Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. Collect of the Day First Reading Isaiah 64: 1-9 Psalm 80:1-7, Insert Insert Second Reading 1 Corinthians 1:3-9 Insert Gospel Hymn My Lord, What a Morning Hymn 719, page 8 of bulletin Gospel Mark 13:24-37 Insert Gospel Response Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord (2 times) Sermon The Rev. J. Patrick Peters Nicene Creed Prayer Book, page 358 Prayers of the People Prayer Leader: In a world of longing, we cry out to you O God. We know you are here, in every place, and yet we know that there are those who cannot feel your presence. Shape us God, that in this Advent Season we may bear your image, to show your love to a hurting world. Pray that God s presence will be seen and felt in this world. Faithful God, stir up your strength and come to help us as we look for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ; hear our prayers and strengthen us to the end as we pray. Prayer Leader: We give thanks to you, our Loving God, for the grace you have given to us in Christ Jesus: Enrich your Church in speech and knowledge of every kind that

3 she may not be lacking in any spiritual gift and may be awake, alert, and blameless. Restore us, O God of hosts; All: show us the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved. Prayer Leader: That our gracious Savior may rouse us from sleep and make us attentive to the nearness of his presence. Restore us, O God of hosts; All: show us the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved. Prayer Leader: Make your name known, Almighty One, so that the nations might tremble at your presence: Gather the elect from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven, that all humanity may know that we are the work of your hand and the sheep of your flock. Restore us, O God of hosts; All: show us the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved. Prayer Leader: Come among us with great power and glory, O Shepherd of your people, shine forth and give to all the earth the light of your presence. Restore us, 0 God of hosts; All: show us the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved. Prayer Leader: Be near to this community, at our very gates and within our hearts, and do not hide your face from us, that we may know your glory in the evening and at midnight and at cockcrow and at dawn, and not be found asleep at the day of your corning. Restore us, O God of hosts; All: show us the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved.

4 Prayer Leader: We pray for all bishops, especially Justin, the Archbishop of Canterbury; Michael, our Presiding Bishop; Audrey, our Bishop; James and Barbara, the Bishops of our Lutheran brothers and sisters; Ronald, the Bishop of our Roman Catholic brothers and sisters; clergy, especially Patrick, our Rector; Gina, Ingrid, Sud, Tim, Mark, Peter, Beth, John, Priscilla, and Nancy, the clergy of the Rim Parishes; and all our brothers and sisters of the Rim Parishes. Restore us, O God of hosts; All: show us the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved. Prayer Leader: We pray for all who govern and hold authority in this nation, especially Donald, our President; the Congress and the Courts; Thomas our Governor; the Legislature of our Commonwealth; our Borough Council; and Leo our Mayor and those who hold authority in the nations of the world. Restore us, O God of hosts; All: show us the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved. Prayer Leader: That we may discover God's word in every sound of this world, God's touch in every human embrace, and God's love in every gesture of self-sacrifice among us. Restore us, O God of hosts; All: show us the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved. Prayer Leader: That divine energy and holy grace may bring our hearts to vigilance and make us see with uncovered eyes the Christ who suffers in his people's agonies. Restore us, O God of hosts; All: show us the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved. Prayer Leader: That we may come to recognize in our holy assembly gathered for prayer that Jesus the Christ is with us here to make our songs of praise and pleading his own. Restore us, O God of hosts; All: show us the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved.

5 Prayer Leader: That God's coming into the days and years of our human history may be always new, always brimming with light to drive all darkness away. Restore us, O God of hosts; All: show us the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved. Prayer Leader: Compassionate One, open the heavens and come down with your healing grace for those for whom we pray, especially (read the names of the sick listed on the prayer list. Also read the names [if any] listed under for the special needs of., read the names [if any] listed under the heading of for healthy pregnancy and safe delivery ) (then say: the congregation is invited to add others names aloud or in silence ), Restore us, O Lord God of Hosts; All: show us the light of your countenance and we shall be saved. Prayer Leader: We give thanks for the grace and peace that come from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, offering our special gratitude for (read the thanksgivings [if any] listed on the prayer list) (then say: the congregation is invited to add others names aloud or in silence ), Restore us, O Lord God of Hosts; All: show us the light of your countenance and we shall be saved.

6 May your angels gather your beloved into the day of your triumph as we remember those who have died, especially _. (read the names of the departed listed on the prayer list) (then say: the congregation is invited to add others names aloud or in silence ), Restore us, O God of hosts; All: show us the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved. Prayer of Confession and Assurance Prayer Leader: Let us confess our sins against God and one another (brief period of silence) Prayer Leader: Hear us, O Gentle Shepherd, you who lead us like a flock. You who are enthroned among the angels, shine forth before all the tribes of humanity. Stir up your might, and come to save us! All: Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may be saved. O God of hosts, how long will you be angry with our prayers? You have fed us with the bread of tears, and given us tears to drink in full measure. Prayer Leader: But let your hand be upon us, then we will never turn back from you; give us life, call on our name. All: Restore us, O God of hosts; let your face shine, that we may be saved. Prayer Leader: Hear these words of assurance: The God of hosts will restore us. God s face shines upon us. We are saved Absolution Prayer Book, page 360 The Peace Prayer Book, page 360 Greetings and Announcements Offertory Presentation Hymn Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates Hymn 436 Eucharistic Prayer B Prayer Book, page 367

7 Sursum Corda Hymnal S-120 Sanctus Hymnal S-129 Memorial Acclamation Mass of Creation The Great Amen Mass of Creation Our Father Celtic The Breaking of the Bread Prayer Book, page 364 Communion Prayer of Thanksgiving Prayer Book, page 366 The Blessing Final Hymn Lo! He Comes With Clouds Descending Hymn 57

8 Prayer Requests December 3, 2017 Hospitalizations Homebound Delores Baker (Saint Anne); Helen Vollmer (Saint Anne); Ethel Edelman (Autumn House West); Alverta Hossler (Home) Intercessions Sue Ellen; Ruth; Ethel; Alverta; Mickenzie; Renee; Mike; Kay; Robert; Brea; Sara; George; Erika; Stephanie; Mike Birthdays 12/8 Mary Lynn Geltmacher Anniversary 12/6 William and Linda Gewiss Thanksgiving Departed Richard Buzz Bair; Jane Fritz; Sister Daniel For Those in Positions of Public Trust President Donald Trump; Governor Tom Wolf; Mayor Leo Lutz; All legislative bodies & all courts of law; for the leaders of all nations and people. For our Bishops, Rector, and Parish Members The Most Rev. Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury and his staff; The Most Rev. Michael Curry and his staff; The Rt. Rev. Audrey Scanlan and her staff; The Rev. J. Patrick Peters; the staff and people of this parish, especially Alfred Kuhns; Father Patrick and Danielle Peters; Bill and Christine Weinberg World Cycle of Prayer 12/3 Cuba; 12/4 Cyprus; 12/5 Czech Republic; 12/6 Cote d Ivoire; 12/7 Denmark; 12/8 Djibouti; 12/9 Dominica Anglican Cycle of Prayer 12/3 West Buganda, The Rev d Henry Katumba-Tamale; 12/4 The Most Rev d Ng Moon Hing, Archbishop of South Africa and Bishop of West Malaysia; Assistant Bishop of West Malaysia, The Rt. Rev d Charles Samuel; Assistant Bishop of West Malaysia, The Rt. Rev d Jayson Selvaraj; 12/5 Leeds, The Rt. Rev d Nicholas Baines; Leeds, The Rt. Rev d Toby Howarth; Area Bishop of Huddersfield, The Rt. Rev d Jonathan Gibbs; Area Bishop of Richmond, The Rt. Rev d Paul Slater; Area Bishop of Ripon, The Rt. Rev d James Bill; Area Bishop of Wakefield, The Rt. Rev d Anthony Robinson; 12/6 Western Izon, The Rt. Rev d Edafe Emamezi; 12/7 Western

9 Massachusetts, The Rt. Rev d Douglas Fisher; 12/8 Western Michigan, The Rt. Rev d Whayne Hougland; 12/9 Western Newfoundland, The Rt. Rev d Percy David Coffin Ecumenical Cycle of Prayer 12/3 United Church of Canada; 12/4 United Church of Christ; 12/5 Uniting Church in Australia; 12/6 Alliance of Mennonite Evangelical Congregations; 12/7 Anabaptist Association of Australia and New Zealand; 12/8 Brethren in Christ; 12/9 Church of God in Christ, Mennonite Diocesan Cycle of Prayer and Parish Cycle of Prayer: St. James, Lancaster and their congregation; Columbia Community Church, Columbia and their congregation Companion Parish Cycle of Prayer: Ecumenical: Rev. Beth J. Costlow and the people of Saint John Lutheran Church, Columbia Rev. Mark Kopp and the people of Saint James Lutheran Church, Columbia Rev. Stephen Kelley and the people of Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Church, Columbia Rev. Anthony Swamy Anthappa, MSFS and the people of Saint Peter Roman Catholic Church, Columbia Rev. David Powers and the people of The Columbia Presbyterian Church, Columbia Rev. Thomas Grubbs and the people of The Columbia United Methodist Church, Columbia Rev. Patricia McAllister and the people of Mt. Zion A.M.E. Church, Columbia Rev. Hub Smith and the people of The Columbia Christian Fellowship, Columbia Revs. Gordon and Angie Misal and the people of Impact Christian Center, Columbia Rev. Charles Deutsch and the people of Ironville United Methodist Church, Columbia Rev. Mary Ann Kingsborough and the people of Concordia Lutheran Church, Columbia Rev. Dione Kleptka and the people of Saint John Herr Estate Retirement Community Rim Parishes of the Lancaster Convocation: Rev. Priscilla Ginolfi, Deacon to the Rim Parishes Rev. Gina Barrett and the people of Saint John Episcopal Church, Marietta Rev. Ingrid Andersen and the people of Saint Luke Episcopal Church, Mount Joy Rev. Sud Tiwari and the people of Saint Paul Episcopal Church, Manheim Rev. Tim Small and the people of Hope Episcopal Church, Mt. Hope Rev. Mark Scheneman and the people of Bangor Church, Churchtown and the Revs. Beth Mollard, Pete Greenfield, John Emmert, Ellie Garner and Nancy Rementer Peace and Justice South Sudan; Nigeria; Iraq; Israel; Kenya; Afghanistan; Palestine; Somalia; Iran; Libya; Syria; Egypt; Tunisia; Yemen; Ukraine; Venezuela; North Korea; Turkey

10 Amount needed each week to meet the 2017 income budget: $2, Amount budgeted each week from fundraisers and investment income: $1, Amount needed each week in pledge and plate to meet income budget: $1, Amount needed each week to meet the 2017 expense budget: $4, Amount expected each week from fundraisers and investment income: $1, Amount needed each week in pledge and plate to meet expense budget: $2, /26/17 11/27/16 St. John Herr Estate :00 a.m Weekly Impact: w/e 11/26/17: 259 Pledge and Plate: $1, $1, Be Thoughtful Be Silent Be Reverent. For this is the House of the Lord Before the service, speak to the Lord During the service, let the Lord speak to you After the service, speak to one another

11 December 9, :30 p.m. Lector: Eucharistic Minister: Prayers of the People: Bev Peter Bev December 10, :00 a.m. Lectors: Bill W./Tracy Eucharistic Minister: Danielle/Bill Crucifer: Bill Server: Andra Gospel Bearer: Andra Prayers of the People: Bea Ushers: George/Ralph Greeters: George/Bill W. Verger (Open): Alf Verger (Close): Tracy

12 THIS WEEK AT SAINT PAUL Sun: 8:50 AM Sunday School Mary Elizabeth Bair Parish Center 9:00 AM Eucharist Preacher and Celebrant, Father Patrick. Birthday Sunday 10:15 AM Coffee Hour in the Mary Elizabeth Bair Parish Center 10:30 AM Parish Meeting Mission and Ministry Plan Mary Elizabeth Bair Parish Center 6:30 PM Valerie Henry performance Handel s Messiah see flyer elsewhere in bulletin Mon: 9:00 AM Columbia Ministerium 7:00 PM Monday Night Adult Forum Saint John Herr Estate Dining Room BIBLE STUDY WITH THE BISHOP (Lutheran) Tue: 6:00 PM Daisy Scouts meet in the Mary Elizabeth Bair Parish Center Wed: 9:30 AM Morning Prayer and Healing Service in the Rector s Office 11:00 AM Finance Committee Meeting in the Mary Elizabeth Bair Parish Center 6:00 PM Rim Parish Advent Prayer (Dinner/Service) Hope Church, Mt. Hope Thu: Fri: Sat: 7:30 AM Free Community Breakfast in the Mary Elizabeth Bair Parish Center 8:00 AM St. Paul s Annual Cookie Sale 5:30 PM Eucharist at St. John Herr Estate - Preacher and Celebrant, Father Patrick Sun: 8:50 AM Sunday School Mary Elizabeth Bair Parish Center 9:00 AM Eucharist Preacher and Celebrant, Father Patrick 10:15 AM Coffee Hour in the Mary Elizabeth Bair Parish Center 10:45 AM Vestry Meeting in the Groome Room 4:00 PM Youth Group Meeting in the Mary Elizabeth Bair Parish Center

13 PRAYER AND WORSHIP The Altar Flowers are available for the weeks of December 17. The Sanctuary Candle is available for the weeks of December 10, 17, 24, 31. The Bread and Wine are available for the weeks of December 10, 17, 24, 31. Prayer Ministry: Please take an active part in our three Prayer Ministries: 1) Send those birthday cards to the people who have a birthday in December. The names and dates were on the Prayer Calendar you received and there is also a list on the table in the back of the church. Birthday cards are available in the back of the church or through the parish office for a small donation. 2) Remember your prayer partners every day in December. Take the time to pray for them and the needs that they may have. Just remember them and ask God to bless them. 3) The Daily Prayer Calendar was sent out for December. Please use it. Prayer changes lives! Lots of prayer changes lots of lives! Your prayers are heard and answered! Pray always! Wednesday Morning Prayer and Healing Service: Our Wednesday Morning Prayer and Healing Service begins at 9:30 a.m. and is held in the Rector s Office. All are Welcome! Rim Advent Service: On Wednesday, December 6, the Rim Parishes of the Lancaster Convocation - Saint Luke (Mt. Joy), Saint Paul (Manheim), Hope (Mt. Hope), Saint John (Marietta), Bangor (Churchtown), and Saint Paul (Columbia) will hold a joint service of Advent Prayer at Hope Episcopal Church in Mt Hope. We will begin with a light dinner at 6:00 p.m. in their Parish House followed by the prayer service in the church at 7:00 p.m. Take time during this busy season of preparing for Christmas to prepare your soul and heart by being part of this beautiful service of Scripture, song, and silence. Come and bring a friend! If you would like a ride, please call the parish office ( ). This is designated as a Combined Rim Parish Event and we need everyone to support our companion parish relationships as part of the Rim Parishes of the Lancaster Convocation. Hanging of the Greens and Decorating of the Church: Each year during the Advent Season a dedicated group of volunteers work to accomplish the hanging of the greens in the church in preparation for Christmas. This year, the hanging of the greens will take place on Saturday, December 16 at 9:00 a.m. Please come and help us prepare. Many hands make the work go fast. Father Patrick is treating to coffee and donuts for those who help. Christmas Memorial Flowers: Included is this week s bulletin is an envelope for Christmas Memorial Flowers. Please return your completed information by Sunday, December 17 in order to have them included in the Christmas bulletin. Thank you.

14 Columbia Christmas Walk-A-Mile: One of the great traditions of Columbia is its Annual Christmas Walk-A-Mile sponsored by the Columbia Ministerium. This year s walk will take place on Monday, December 18 beginning at 7:00 p.m. We will begin at Saint Peter Roman Catholic Church (121 S. Second Street). Following a reading from Scripture, a hymn, and a prayer, we will walk to the lobby of The Saint Peter Apartments (Corner of Union and 4th Streets), Mt Zion A.M.E. Church (222 S. 5 th Street), Saint Paul Missionary Baptist Church (297 S. 5th Street), and the Saint James Lutheran Church - ELCA (corner of 10 th and Manor Streets). We will have light refreshments and conversation at Saint James Lutheran Church following the service. At each stop, there will be a Scripture reading, a hymn, and a brief prayer. Come and experience the wonderful Advent and Christmas traditions of each church. This walk is open to all members of the community so bring a friend. Bring someone from outside of Columbia and let him or her see how we come together in prayer at this most sacred time. (Please note that we will have a bus for those unable to walk but who would like to participate in the Walk the bus will leave from Saint John Lutheran Church (corner of Locust and Sixth Streets) at 6:30 p.m. and return there after the walk).

15 CHRISTMAS / NEW YEAR S SCHEDULE Saturday / Sunday, December 23 & 24 Fourth Sunday of Advent 5:30 p.m. Saturday Saint John Herr Estate Chapel Eucharist 8:50 Sunday Mary Elizabeth Bair Parish Center Sunday School 9:00 a.m. Sunday Church - Eucharist 10:30 a.m. Church Final decorating of the church (The Hanging of the Greens will take place on Saturday, December 16 9:00 a.m.) Sunday, December 24 Christmas Eve 2:30 p.m. Mary Elizabeth Bair Parish Center Children s Christmas Pageant Rehearsal & Birthday Party for Jesus 4:00 p.m. Church Family Christmas Festive Eucharist / Children s Christmas Pageant 6:00 p.m. Church Christmas Festive Choral Eucharist Monday, December 25 Christmas Day 8:00 10:00 a.m. Mary Elizabeth Bair Parish Center Free Community Christmas Breakfast 10:00 a.m. Church Quiet Christmas Eucharist Saturday & Sunday, December 30 & 31 First Sunday After Christmas 5:30 p.m. Saturday Saint John Herr Estate Chapel Eucharist 9:00 a.m. Sunday Eucharist All are invited to share our table to be fed, nourished, and sustained during this Christmas and Holiday Season. Come to the Table of the Lord to be nourished in Word and Sacrament! Come to our table for Christmas Breakfast to be nourished in body and fellowship. All are invited! All are Welcome! All are Expected! Bring a friend!

16 CHRISTIAN FORMATION Sunday School: Our Sunday School - for children age 4 through age 10 is in session, Sunday, beginning at 8:50 a.m. in the small classroom in the Mary Elizabeth Bair Parish Center. As parents we commit to forming our children in the faith, so please sign your child / grandchild up for Sunday School. Jenny Bair and Ericka Sipe are our teachers again this year. At the Sign of Peace, our young people will leave Sunday School and come to the church to join their family for the rest of the Eucharist. Youth Group Christian Formation: Our Youth Group - ages will have Christian Formation meetings this year in addition to their regular Youth Group Meetings. Father Patrick has worked with them and their parents to work out the best days and times (more information will be available over the next few weeks). They also will be invited and encouraged to participate in many of the Monday Night Adult Forum sessions especially the ones that can support their Christian Formation growth. -MONDAY NIGHT ADULT FORUM SCHEDULE- December 4 BIBLE STUDY WITH THE BISHOP (Lutheran) This session will be a study of a passage from Scripture and will include conversation with the bishop. Bishop James Dunlop, Lower Susquehanna Synod, ELCA December 11 CHRISTMAS CAROL SING-ALONG Christians understand that the season of Advent is four weeks long, and Christmas is only twelve days. That doesn t give us much time to sing those joyful Christmas carols in church, does it? Come join us as we take the chance to do so tonight! Secular or religious, we ll hit as many favorites as we can. All are welcome, regardless of whether or not we can sing on key! Accompanist for the evening will be Randy Rudy, the organist from St. John s Lutheran Church

17 December 18 ANNUAL CHRISTMAS WALK-A-MILE Saint Peter Roman Catholic Church Saint Peter Apartments (Lobby) Mt Zion A.M.E. Church Saint Paul Missionary Baptist Church Saint James Lutheran Church A Light Reception to follow service (Parish Hall) OUTREACH MINISTRY Food Donations: You are reminded to bring your food items to church each week so that on the last Sunday of the month we can present them to the Lord for blessing and then give them to our food bank. Whenever you go shopping, please add extra non-perishable items to your order for this parish outreach ministry. Jesus never forgot the last, the lost and the least in his ministry and neither can we. Adult Cereals (less sugar) Peanut Butter Jelly Soups Rice Boxed Potatoes Spaghetti Sauce Anything you can do to help would be deeply appreciated. Food Bank Hours: Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday 9:30 a.m. 11:30 a.m. The Food Bank is closed on holidays. Free Community Breakfast: Our next Free Community Breakfast will be held on Saturday, December 9 from 7:30-9:30 a.m. Please sign-up to donate food and / or your time on the Free Community Breakfast sign-up sheet on the Sign-Up Board in the Mary Elizabeth Bair Parish Center. Please be generous. Christmas Day Free Community Breakfast: On Monday, December 25, Saint Paul will host its 14th Annual Free Community Christmas Breakfast from 8:00 10:00 a.m. in the Mary Elizabeth Bair Parish Center. This breakfast is open to anyone who wants to come together for conversation, friendship, and food. Donations of food and time will be appreciated. There will be a sign-up sheet in the Mary Elizabeth Bair Parish Center on the Sign-Up Board beginning Sunday, November 26.

18 Greeting Cards: Father Patrick is collecting old greeting cards that adults with autism and other intellectual disabilities can recycle into new greeting cards. Don t throw away your greeting cards just bring them to the church and put them in the box on the back pew. This will be an ongoing outreach ministry project. Thank you. Angel Tree: Once again, this year we are participating in the Angel Tree Project. The Angel Tree is by the side altar in the church with angel tags on it. Each tag will have a need of the Columbia Clothing Bank an outreach ministry of The Columbia Presbyterian Church. Their needs are for new socks for both men and women, new underwear for both men or women, and new blankets. Please take as many tags as you can and then return the item (unwrapped) to under the tree no later than Sunday, January 14. This is a very concrete way to help those in need. ADMINISTRATION Parish Meeting: Today, Sunday, December 3 rd we will hold a parish meeting in the Mary Elizabeth Bair Parish Center following our 9:00 a.m. service to get your input into the new Five Year Mission and Ministry Plan. A draft of the new Mission and Ministry Plan for was put in your mailbox. Parish Office Hours: The Parish Office hours are: Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday 8:00 a.m. 2:00 p.m. The Office is closed on holidays. Use of St. Paul s Facilities: Guideline for Use of The Parish Hall and Church were put in your mailboxes. Please call the Parish Office if you want to reserve the Parish Hall or Church. Reminder: Please remember that when you use the Parish Hall nothing can be put on the walls or the woodwork. Using scotch tape, duct tape, masking tape, and even some types of painter s tape has the possibility of pulling the paint off the wall or damaging the surface. Items can only be placed on the wooden food bank cabinets or the metal kitchen window and its metal surround. Only masking tape or painter's tape can be used on these surfaces. This applies to both parish members and outside groups that use the hall and is clearly stated in the policy outlining use of the parish hall or the church. Thank you. STEWARDSHIP If you have not yet returned your pledge card your Declaration of Faith Card please do so as soon as you can. At their January 2018 meeting, the Vestry will approve a Faith Budget for 2018 and it helps us to know what will be given. All Things Come of Thee O Lord; and of Thine own have we given Thee. The question always is do we really believe what we say?

19 OTHER EVENTS Volunteers Needed for the Christmas Cookie Sale: We need volunteers to staff the Annual Parish Christmas Cookie Sale. Bev Euculano and Deb Wasche are the coordinators this year and are looking for all the help they can find. If you would like to help, please call the office and leave your name and phone number. The Annual Cookie Sale is Saturday, December 9 8:00 a.m. 1:00 p.m. in the church. Attention Readers: St. Paul now has a small library located in the Mary Elizabeth Bair Parish Center Middle Classroom. Feel free to borrow a book (or books). When you have finished reading it, please drop your book into the Book Return basket located to the left of the book shelves. We have also included a donation box if you would like to make a contribution. Enjoy! Thanks to Vickie Stump for all her hard work in organizing and setting up our library.. SOCIAL EVENTS Sixth Annual Cookie Sale: The Sixth Annual Saint Paul Cookie Sale will take place on Saturday, December 9 from 8:00 a.m. 1:00 p.m. in the back of the church due to the breakfast in the parish hall. This is a great way for you, your family, and your friends to get their Christmas cookies for the holidays. All members of the parish are encouraged to start making cookies and donate them for this great event. If you would like to bake cookies, please contact Bev Euculano or Deb Wasche through the parish office ( ). Annual Christmas Party: St. Paul s Annual Christmas Party will be held on Sunday, December 17 th from 12 to 3 p.m. at Garth Gallery. This is a pot-luck meal so please bring an entrée, salad, side dish or dessert to share. Please sign-up on the sign-up sheet on the Sign-Up Board in the Mary Elizabeth Bair Parish Center.