By George! Growing with You in God s Love and Service DECEMBER 2015

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1 By George! Growing with You in God s Love and Service DECEMBER 2015 Rule of Life for St George s Based on our spiritual values and practices, this is our commitment to each other. We:! Nurture ourselves with the Bible and spiritual books! Care deeply about each other, including in prayer.! Fellowship together and have fun.! Are grateful, glad and giving stewards of God s creation.! Reach out to the world, living and spreading the Word. St.George s Episcopal Church 5600 Winding Way Carmichael, CA (916) By George! DECEMBER 2015 A monthly publication of St. George s Episcopal Church 5600 Winding Way Carmichael, CA (916) stgeorge@sgec.us The Very Rev. Ray Hess, III Priest in Charge fatherray@frontiernet.net Ryan Saunders ryan.saunders@sbcglobal.net Rev. Bob Gould, Assoc banjobobg@yahoo.com Rev. Robert Olsen, Deacon rolsen8070@gmail.com Tess Testeza, Organist/Choir Director tesstatiana@gmail.com Sandy Olsen, Editor sandyolsen8070@gmail.com Dolores O Brien, Deacon Bob and Carol Adkins, Circulation In this issue BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES BISHOP S VISIT BOOK CORNER BOUNTY BAG CHRISTMAS VIGIL DEACON BOB FROM OUR PIC HAPPENINGS HOSPITALITY ROSTER ROUND TABLE SENIOR WARDEN SERVICES WOMEN S GUILD

2 Thoughts from Our PIC (Priest in Charge) Give Me Patience Now!! Advent is a season of preparation, quiet, and patient waiting. Does this sound like your pre-christmas season? It doesn t sound much like mine. With Christmas decorations and sales starting before Halloween, the pressures and busyness of the season seem to go on forever. The Church has been very counter-cultural with the Advent Season. Advent as a season of quiet, patient waiting runs against the grain of the holiday season going on around us. I m not a perfectionist about this, but I do think that some of the elements of the Advent Season can be helpful for us, either in the official time of Advent before Christmas, or maybe later after Christmas Day when things might calm down more. One of the main Advent themes is patience waiting patiently and expectantly for the birth of Jesus. I don t know about you, but patience is not my best quality. I don t like to wait for things to happen. I prefer to try to make them happen right now! Being patient and open for God s action in our lives is a very essential part of our faith. If I am overly busy and running around, I leave little space for the leading of the Spirit. God may be trying to communicate with me, but I m too busy to notice. I like the idea of margin. Margin is the space between things, like the margin on a printed page. If I do not have margin in my life space between my activities I can find it difficult to relax and be open to God. This Advent and Christmas, I encourage you to think about ways to find some margin in your life. This does not have to be whole days of quiet and prayer, but could be just a few minutes here and there to sit still and wait for God. Perhaps you could take a bit of time to listen to music or admire your Christmas lights. This could give you some needed rest at the least. And who knows you might experience the presence and leading of the Holy Spirit! I wish us all a wonderful season of patient, expectant waiting. In Jesus love, Father Ray 1

3 SENIOR WARDEN It was so nice to see you all after a hiatus for the soccer season. I received such a heart warming welcome from so many friends at St. George s. Even though my own preference is the 9am service, it is always so wonderful when we have a combined service at 10am and the entire congregation is able to worship together. And what an inspired worship it was! The choir was spot on, Father Ray s sermon was on point, and the new stained glass windows were on display. As a bonus, we were able to participate in a blessing of the beautiful new vestiments donated by the Cookmans, and the gorgeous new banner put together by Carol Adkins and Joanne Cookman. The festivities didn t stop there. After the service, we were all treated to a tremendous amount of foods brought in by so many generous folks in our congregation. I filled my entire plate to the tipping point and was barely able to try half of all of the dishes on display. Fortunately, I played the role of MC for our entertainment segment. Otherwise, I probably would have gone back for two or three more plates of food and someone would have had to roll me out of St. George s with a wheelbarrow. Speaking of entertainment, what a rousing series of songs, readings, and skits we experienced! All of which is homegrown talent here at St. George s. Our fabulous choir, led by Tess Testeza on the accordion, sang some well known songs that turned into joyful sing-a-longs. Tess prowess with the accordion continued with a few dramatic solo pieces. Bill Keye provided additional drama with his reading, and Sandy Olsen raised the bar for sing-a-longs with an inspired performance on her new four-string guitar. Lastly, Lani Hahn, Aaron Adkins, and Dolores O Brien were humorous and thought provoking with their interpretation of a C.S. Lewis passage. What an impressive group of people we are fortunate enough to worship with! Thank you for a wonderful day spent with friends. And thank you for the opportunity to be a part of this very special family that is St. George s of Carmichael. With much love, Ryan Saunders, Senior Warden 2

4 WOMAN S GUILD December! I think many of us are saying Where has the year gone? It has been a good year at St. George s. Much has been accomplished. At our November meeting, the Guild voted to pay for the purchase of the wireless microphones needed by the church for use by the choir and by others as need for various functions. We have been stretching the wires and cables across the floor to connect to the sound system in the church. These new microphones will eliminate the safety hazard. We extend a big Thank You to Mel Rose and Deacon Bob Olsen for their expertise in setting up our power point and sound systems. Just a few years ago, did any of us think we would become so technically up to date? Have you signed up to attend the Christmas luncheon on Saturday, December 12? We will meet at the Spaghetti Factory in Roseville (731 Sunrise Avenue) at 12:30 pm. The luncheon is open to all women and men of the congregation, and their friends. We will be able to order from their menu and they will provide individual checks. If you have not put your name on the sign-up sheet at church, you may call the church office [ ] and leave your name. Please bring an unwrapped gift for a young person. They will be taken to the Veteran s Center at American River College for distribution to the families of veterans. We continue to encourage everyone to take a turn providing Sunday coffee hour nibbles. They do not need to be fancy. Homemade or store bought does not matter. There is a sign-up sheet on the bulletin board next to the kitchen window. Also, help with washing coffee pots and putting things away is always appreciated. There will be no Guild meeting in December. The next Women s Guild meeting will be Wednesday, January 20, 2016 at 11:00 am. The business part of our meetings is usually brief and then we have time to enjoy some refreshments while visiting with one another. Please mark your calendars and plan on attending. Carol Adkins, President Women s Guild St. George s Church 3

5 DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS 3 Sandy Olsen 14 Peter Perparos 17 Nancy Landers 18 Bob Gould 20 Kylie Koolzer 21 Betsy Hack 25 Mary Ann Benbow 26 Ann McConnell 28 Rachel Perparos 31 Junette Avey 31 James Breen (If your name was not included, please let Sandy know so she can add your name.) ANNIVERSARIES 20 Conrad & JoAnn Conrad 27 Song & Lani Hahn 30 John & Patty Borgman (`51) Hospitality Sunday will be the 1st Sunday of each month, special offering envelopes are included in the bulletin. These are used by the Women's Guild to provide weekly coffee hours, special receptions and other events for parish members. Please make checks payable to St. George's Church with a memo note in the left corner for HOSPITALITY. The women s Guild is happy to provide the book corner for your enjoyment. We appreciate the books you all donate. However, I would like to remind you to bring fiction, nonfiction, historical or humorous books. Please NO self-help or study books. Thanks for your attention to this matter. CDs...$1 BOOKS...$1 PAPERBACKS...50 Happy reading! Janet Jenkins 4

6 Christmas Celebration St Matthews Community Resource Center is closed while they are in the process of reorganizing - Unfortunately, this time of transition has left many of the community members they had been serving in need. To help ease the burdens this holiday season, St Matthew s has partnered with St. Michael's Carmichael and will be hosting a community dinner on December 7th at 5pm. They are hoping to provide a Christmas celebration for 150 people including gifts for 120 children. The organization that has, in the past, donated toys to families served by St. Matthew's is unable to do so this year. St Matthew s is asking other Episcopal Churches in the area if they would donate toys to for the Christmas Celebration. They expect children between toddler ages and 12 years old. December 7 th is coming up quickly so if you can help please let me know or simply drop off presents at the office. Deacon Bob Year-End Giving Opportunity Our diocese is offering help to us in year-end giving to our parish. It s called the Bishop s Partnership Appeal. It works like this the Office of the Bishop and the Episcopal Foundation will send a fundraising letter to members of our parish (from a mailing list we provide them). If you donate to this, all of the funds you give 100% - will come back to our parish. The idea is to encourage church members and friends to give something beyond their regular pledges at the end of the year. The majority of all giving to organizations happens near the end of the year, and our diocese is helping us request donations by doing the leg work on our behalf. When you receive a letter from the bishop and our diocese in the next few weeks, please know that this is not a fund raising letter for diocesan ministries. It is an opportunity given us through diocesan staff to enable us to give something extra to our parish near the end of the year. If you have any questions about this appeal, please call me at or me at FatherRay@frontiernet.net. Father Ray 5

7 DECEMBER/JANUARY DECEMBER 6 th 2 nd SUNDAY OF ADVENT Baruch 5:1-9 Canticle 4 Philippians 1: 3-11 Luke 3: 1-6 CELEBRANT: Anne McKeever EUCHARISTIC MINISTER: Ryan Saunders LECTORS: Annelise Connell & Carol Adkins ALTAR GUILD: Vicki Karsten & Cruz Siaz USHER: Cathy Crosby & friend DECEMBER 13 th 3 rd SUNDAY OF ADVENT Zephaniah 3: Canticle 9 Philippians 2:4-7 Luke 3 :7-18 CELEBRANT: Fr. Ray Hess EUCHARISTIC MINISTER: Aaron Adkins LECTORS: Karen Lolmaugh & Joan Tennis ALTAR GUILD: JoAnn Cookman & Barbara Cooper USHER: Conrad Cookman & friend DECEMBER 20 th 4 th SUNDAY OF ADVENT Micah 5: 2-5a Canticle 3 Hebrews : 10: 5-10 Luke 1:39-45 [46-55] CELEBRANT: Fr. Ray Hess EUCHARISTIC MINISTER: Karen Lolmaugh LECTORS: Michael Williams& Becky Freie ALTAR GUILD: Angela Saunders & Vicki Karsten USHER: Carol Adkins & friend DECEMBER 24 th CHRISTMAS VIGIL SIGN-UP CELEBRANT: Fr. Ray Hess EUCHARISTIC MINISTER: Diane Perparos LECTORS: Anne Mangles& Annelise Connell ALTAR GUILD: Vicki Karsten USHER: Michael Williams & friend DECEMBER 27 th 1 st SUNDAY AFTER CHRISTMAS LESSONS & CAROLS SIGN-UP WORSHIP LEADER: Deacon Bob LECTORS: SIGN-UP ALTAR GUILD: Angela Saunders & JoAnn Cookman USHER: Cathy Crosby & friend JANUARY 3 rd 2 nd SUNDAY AFTER CHRISTMAS Jeremiah 31: 7-14 Psalm 84 Ephesians 1: 3-6, 15-19a Matthew 2: 13-15, CELEBRANT: Anne McKeever EUCHARISTIC MINISTER: Dave Allmuth LECTORS: JoAnn Cookman & Aaron Adkins ALTAR GUILD: Vicki Karsten & JoAnn Cookman USHER: Marilyn Grimshaw & friend Lessons can be found on our website 6

8 A few thoughts for the Christmas Season. As this issue of the By George comes out, we are already into the season of Advent, so I ll say a belated Happy New Year. It also means that this will be my last article as a deacon before I retire at the end of the month next month s article will be from your retired deacon. As such I have a couple of things I want to touch on. First If you re stuck for an answer when family or friends ask what do you want for Christmas? then here are a couple of suggestions for organization that help the poor in our area, country and around the world. In that order they are: Our diocese Episcopal Community Services of Northern California ; Episcopal Relief and Development (ERD) ; and Heifer Project International (HPI) Clearly this is not an exhaustive list, with many other agencies that day-in and day-out do work to help those in need. Next my yearly reminder about having family let us know when you are in the hospital or at your passing. They can call Fr Ray, me or the office. As one of my final projects, I ve put together a Burial Service worksheet, copies are available in the office or you can me and I ll send you one electronically. While you may think it is a bit morbid planning your funeral, I can assure you that those you leave behind will greatly appreciate knowing your wishes at a time that will be very stressful for them. After filling out the worksheet, keep one copy with your other important papers and give a copy to the church. If you don t want to fill out a form simply writing a note to your family with what kind of a service and hymns you want would be a great help to them. One lady had written 5 short lines on a 3x5 card, while it didn t mean much to her sons, it was enough that any clergy would know exactly the kind of service she wanted, including a hymn and who she wanted to sing it. Finally Retirement. I have submitted my retirement letter to the Bishop, retiring effective December 31 st. That said, you ll continue to see me on Sunday s, generally at the 9 a.m. service and doing announcements at the 10:30, so it may look like nothing has changed, but it is the other duties that I ve done the rest of week that I will no longer be doing or drastically curtailing if not giving up complexly. Deacon Bob 7

9 ECS Sunday December 13, 2015 Bishop Beisner has designated the third Sunday in Advent as Episcopal Community Services (ECS) Sunday. ECS has supported the work of ministering to the sick, the homeless, the hungry and the needy in the Episcopal Diocese of Northern California for nearly 40 years. Please open your hearts and share the coming joy of Christmas by giving generously to the ECS Ministry Development Fund on December 13 th. All funds raised are used to support congregation in their ministry to the least, the lost and the needy in their communities. Please place your offering in the offering plate marked for ECS or mail it directly to: Episcopal Community Services, 350 University Ave, Suite 280, Sacramento, CA or donating online at 222.norcalecs.org. St George s has been the recipient of two such grants for our community garden. The first paid for the tool shed and the second covered about half the cost of installing the fence around the garden. If you chose to write a check, you can write the check to St George s with ECS in the memo line, or writing the check directly to ECS. Having worked with ECS in one manner or another for 14 years, I can assure you they are excellent stewards of the donations they receive. Deacon Bob DECEMBER 24 7 p.m. 8

10 MESSAGE FROM ST. GEORGE S ROUND TABLE On behalf of St. George s Round Table, we want to thank church members for your generous support and contributions. This past year we have been able to distribute over $1,000 for supplies to our soldiers in Afganistan, and help several members of our community who were in need of financial assistance. Because of our outreach program we have basically run out of funding and hope to be solvent once more by having fundraisers which are now on our agenda. We will be sharing information about these events in the very near future. We also ask you to please begin donating by putting $1 into our Veteran & Outreach Fund basket in the parish hall; if every member of our congretation would do so, it would help tremendously. Another project we will be working on is supplying local jails and prisons with old copies of The Daily Word. It is a known fact that many prisoners find faith during incarceration, and you could play such an important role in passing on The Word of our Lord. So if you purchase this wonderful little booklet every three months, please save them and give them to any member of the Round Table after you have finished reading them. We also plan to send them to our military when we have reserves in our treasury. Thank you sincerely for the help you have provided in keeping this important mission alive and well. My God love and bless you for your efforts. Members of St. George s Round Table Cathy Crosby JoAnn Cookman Jan Mirrone Lani Hahn Janet Jenkins Fr. Robert Gould Delores O Brian Rene Cress Mare Evans-Smith Carol Adkins Last 11 a.m. 9

11 Poinsettias for Christmas Poinsettias for Christmas, $15 includes all Christmas Decorations Altar arrangements Christmas tree Swags Candles Wreaths, etc. All gifts are gratefully received by our Altar Guild. The names of the honorees and donors will be listed in the bulletins on Christmas Eve and the Sunday following. To be listed, donations must be received by the Last Sunday of Advent (December 23 rd ) I would like to help provide the flowers for Christmas and the Sunday following. Christmas Flowers (Make Check to St. George s In Memory of In Thanksgiving for Other By: Please make checks out to: St. George s Memo: Altar Guild Place in Alms basin at any service of worship. 10

12 Bishop Barry Beisner will be visiting St. George s at both services on Sunday January 31 st. His visit will provide an opportunity for youth or adults to be confirmed, received, or renew their baptismal vows. Youth should be in 7 th grade or older to be confirmed. If any youth or adults are interested, please call the church office at or at stgeorge@sgec.us. You may also speak with Father Ray or Deacon Bob at any Sunday service, or contact Father Ray at or at FatherRay@frontiernet.net. The choir meets 7:00 Second 6:45 pm 11

13 BOUNTY BAG We re collecting dry goods, canned goods, dried cereals, soaps, toothpaste tooth brushes or any non-perishables, SUNDAY SERVICES Family Service 9 a.m. Sunday School 9 a.m. Traditional Service 10:30 a.m We collect Bags ANYTIME!! NO TIME TO SHOP a check to St. Georges with memo to River city Food Bank (everything is welcome). Articles are ways welcome...but KEEP it short! The best way to submit an article is via my new e- mail sandyolsen8070@gmail.com 12