Page 3 EPIPHANY STAR Episcopal Church of the Epiphany www.episcopalguntersville.org 1101 Sunset Drive P. O. Box 116 Guntersville, AL 35976 256-582-4897 December 2018 Christmas in Advent Party Wednesday December 19th 6:00p.m. Sanderson Hall Mark your calendars for a special night of fun and fellowship. Join us in Sanderson Hall for a wonderful meal, ornament craft, storytelling and fellowship. Wear your tacky sweater or other favorite Christmas attire! Episcopal Youth Community (EYC) Thanks YOU! Epiphany youth wish to thank everyone who purchased tickets for the quilt raffle. We raised $520! Our youth will be shopping for gifts for seven children through Marshall County Christmas Coalition. Congratulations to Charlotte French who was the lucky winner of the quilt! We also thank everyone who donated money to purchase a meal and those who prepared a meal for us. What a blessing to have a meal ready on Sunday evening when we meet.
Epiphany Star Page 2 The Season of Hope & Joy The season of Advent is upon us, and it comes with a reminder: we are eagerly awaiting the coming of the Lord. We celebrate this season of hope and anticipation, with the promise of Christ s birth on our minds and in our hearts. And yet this season brings with it another reminder. While we await the Lord, the Lord is waiting for us. Our shared journey as Christians begins (and continues) with an invitation from Jesus: follow me, he says. Follow me to the Father. Follow me to eternal life and eternal love. Follow me to joy and fulfillment. This is our truest vocation as Christians: to follow Jesus, that we will one day be united with God in soul and spirit. The season of Advent marks the beginning of a new year a new life cycle in our journey with Christ. He patiently waits for us; he gently encourages us to join him on a pilgrimage. Advent itself is the first step we take, looking forward to meeting the Christ child in a manger. That child changed the world he was born into, and continues to change our world, as well. As we make our way to the nativity of our Lord Christmas I pray you will seek out the moments of sweet anticipation that come with the journey. With each day of Advent, take a moment to appreciate all that Christ has in store for you. Look to the future with hope and possibility. Follow the star to Bethlehem, just as the Magi did, where a new world is waiting to be revealed. The joy that Jesus continually offers to us is a precious commodity. In a world that seems stressed and strained, we take our comfort in knowing that Christ is always showing us the way. He is always offering a path to joyous reunion with him and with one another. He is always with us, taking us by the hand, urging us on and leading the way. The Lord is waiting for us for me, and for you. Let us join together and see where the journey takes us! Blessings & Peace, Father Aaron+ The Season of Advent, 2018 VESTRY LIAISONS Sr. Warden-Rick Cooley Jr. Warden-Marsha Babb Building & Grounds Rick Cooley Melanie Dorman Ray Klaver Faith Formation Jackie Camper Sam Harrison Tiffany Martin Parish Life Marsha Babb Jackie Camper Tiffany Martin Kitchen Melanie Dorman Ray Klaver Tiffany Martin Memorial Garden Melanie Dorman Sam Harrison Ray Klaver Office and Communication Marsha Babb Doug Cooke Jack Frost Rosalind Hall Outreach Rick Colley Jack Frost Jan Maxwell Pastoral Care Jackie Camper Doug Cooke Jack Frost Stewardship Marsha Babb Sam Harrison Jan Maxwell Worship Jackie Camper Doug Cooke Jan Maxwell
Epiphany Star Page 3 FLOWERS AND CANDLES 2019 The Altar Guild is planning for flowers and candles for 2019. This is a beautiful and thoughtful way to celebrate, and remember those in our lives who mean so much to us. Place your order now by contacting Kelly Auman at aumankelly@gmail.com. If a flower date you would like is already spoken for, check that same date on the candle list. POINSETTIAS The Altar Guild is taking dedications for red Poinsettias. The cost for each plant is $15. Dedication forms are on the counter in the church office. The deadline for dedications is December 17th. If you have questions please ROOM IN THE INN returns to Epiphany on Friday, December 7th. RITI at Epiphany gives us the opportunity to offer our homeless Lady Neighbors a warm, safe place to sleep and a nourishing Fellowship Meal. There are a number of volunteer jobs that are part of making RITI a truly welcoming experience for our Neighbors. Please consider joining us! If you have been part of the Epiphany Team in the past and want to continue volunteering please let me know. Many thanks, Jan Maxwell, 256-582-4228 or jan.max05@gmail.com. FAMILY CHRISTMAS TREE OFFICE STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS Father Aaron Invites you to a casual Christmas Luncheon on Friday, December 21st. Drop by the office anytime between 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. for a time of fellowship and fun. RSVP by Monday, December 17th by contacting Hannah at hannah@epiphanyguntersville.org, or by calling the church office at 256-582-4897. We are planning to decorate the tree in Sanderson Hall with our Epiphany Family decorations. Please prayerfully find or make an ornament that represents your family and mark it in some way so that others know who the ornament belongs to. We would like to have all the ornaments placed on the tree the night of our Christmas in Advent Party on Dec. 19th at 6:00. If you have any questions, ideas or need assurance on how to move forward please contact Tiffany Martin at 256-673-0091 or momstr@icloud.com.
Epiphany Star Page 4 Episcopal Youth Community Episcopal Youth Community (EYC) Christmas Party December 16th, 5:00p.m. 7:00p.m. Youth in 6th through 12th grades are invited to join us for an evening of Christmas fun! Bring a $5 wrapped gift for the dirty Santa gift swap and a 2 liter bottle of your favorite beverage to share. Wear your favorite Christmas attire (tacky sweater, PJs etc ). Bring a friend too! Advent Pageant A Super Christmas by Donna Madison Sunday December 23rd, 10:30a.m. Children and youth of all ages are invited to participate in this year s Advent Pageant, A Super Christmas. Casting includes narrator, super heroes, Mary, Joseph, the angel Gabriel, star of Bethlehem, various angels and animals. Rehearsals will take place on the following dates: Sunday December 16th 11:45a.m. (a snack will be provided) Saturday December 22nd 10:30a.m. Noon Sunday December 23rd 9:30a.m. (All participants should arrive to get into costume) A sign-up sheet is located on the children s bulletin board outside Sanderson Hall. Please sign up so we can plan roles. Parents of young children are asked to please stay with your children during rehearsals. If you have questions please contact Shelly Hardin at EpiphanyYouth@EpiphanyGuntersville.org.
Epiphany Star Page 5 Weekly December Sunday School Sundays 9:30 a.m. 2 - EYC shops for Christmas Coalition kids 6th - 12th grades Youth Loft Woodall Commons 16 EYC Christmas Party EYC Wednesdays 6:30p.m. 7:30p.m. 22 - Advent pageant rehearsal 6th - 12th grades Youth Loft Woodall Commons 23 Advent Pageant EYC Sundays 5:00p.m. 7:00p.m. 30 - No EYC Christmas break 6th 12th grades Youth Loft Woodall Commons EYC Episcopal Youth Community Epiphany is hosting Happening #74 March 1-3, 2019 Happening is a Christian experience presented by teenagers for teenagers with the help of clergy and lay adult leadership. We will be hosting 75-100 youth and adults from all around the diocese. We will be responsible for all meals and snacks for the weekend. We will also be providing transportation to and from our homes for the youth to shower on Saturday & Sunday mornings that weekend. Happening is a life changing experience for youth. This is our opportunity to help the Happeners experience the Holy Spirit through our hospitality. Mark your calendars and be on the lookout for more information on how you can help. Diocesan Youth Events December 28-30, 2018 9th-12th Grades Registration for Christmas Conference is now open. The cost is $135 (scholarships are available). Only a few spots left! Register Here Sawyerville Day Camp 2019 Youth staff registration opens January 14, 2019. For more information go to https://www.sawyerville.org/staffinfo.html
Epiphany Star Page 6
Epiphany Star Page 7
Epiphany Star Page 8 CODE: CC Children s Church; DOK Daughters of the King; EYC Episcopal Youth Community; DAV Disable American Veterans; HE Holy Eucharist; Men s B&B Men s Breakfast & Bible Study; Lib Library; MMBS Monday Morning Book Study; RITI Room in the Inn; SH Sanderson Hall; SS Sunday School; VYP Very Young Persons; WC Woodall Commons; SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY Birthdays THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY 1 Altar Guild Workday 9:00 a.m. Charlotte French 2 ADVENT Discretionary Fund Sunday Breakfast 8:45 SS & Nursery 9:30 Animate: Faith 9:30 Confirmation Class 9:30 EfM Rm CC 10:30 Food Ingathering Blessing EYC 5:00 3 MMBS 10:00 LIB 9 Breakfast 8:45 SS & Nursery 9:30 Animate: Faith 9:30 Confirmation Class 9:30 EfM Rm Outreach Meeting 9:30 CC 10:30 DOK Christmas Lunch 12 Noon Youth Confirmation 3:30pm Lib EYC 5:00 10 MMBS 10:00 LIB 4 Stewardship 6:00pm Library EFM 6:00 DOK 11:30 Parlor EFM 6:00 Holly Andries 11 Ladies Bible Study 11am Library B&G Meeting 6:00pm Library 23 Advent Pageant Breakfast 8:45 Nursery 9:30 24 CHRISTMAS EVE OFFICE CLOSED at Noon Family Service 6:00 Festival of Carols 10:30pm Midnight Mass 11:00pm 25 CHRISTMAS DAY OFFICE CLOSED 31 NEW YEAR S EVE OFFICE CLOSED at Noon NEW YEAR S DAY OFFICE CLOSED 30 Supply Organist Judge Liles Burke Nursery 9:30 7 \ B & B 7:00 HR Room in the Inn 8 Brotherhood 8 Lib Beans & Rice 10-12 Epiphany Café 10-12 SH-Kitchen Benjamin Booth Shaun Packard, Jr. Teresa Hunter 13 14 B & B 7:00 HR 15 20 Reunion 9:30 Parlor 21 B & B 7:00 HR 22 Brotherhood 8 Lib Kitchen Ministry 6:00pm SH Staff & Volunteer Christmas Luncheon 11am 1 pm Pageant Practice 10:30 Billy Green Lee Ward 28 29 Reunion 9:30 Parlor Finance 6:00 Lib Sara Murphree 17 MMBS 10:00 LIB Grace Martin 12 Healing Service 11:30 Centering Prayer 12:30pm Eucharist 5:30 Nursery 5:30 Dinner 6:00 Programs 6:30 6 Reunion 9:30 Parlor Taegan Meredith 16 Breakfast 8:45 SS & Nursery 9:30 Animate: Faith 9:30 Confirmation Class 9:30 EfM Rm CC 10:30 Coffee Hour DOK Pageant Practice 12 Noon Youth Confirmation 3:30pm Lib EYC 5:00pm Celtic Service 5:00pm EFM 6:00 5 Healing Service 11:30 Centering Prayer 12:30pm Eucharist 5:30 Nursery 5:30 Dinner 6:00 Programs 6:30 Outreach 6:30 18 Ladies Bible Study 11am Library 19 Healing Service 11:30 Centering Prayer 12:30pm Vestry 6:30 Lib Christmas In Advent Party 6:00pm SH Rebecca Raulerson Newsletter Articles Due Crystal Scott 26 Centering Prayer 12:30pm 27 Reunion 9:30 Parlor Doris Benson JoAnn Overton Micky Gaines Jody Chorba, Jr. VESTRY PERSON OF THE MONTH Ray Klaver (256) 582-4112 December January 2 Discretionary Fund Sunday 18 Vestry Meeting 1 New Year s Day 13 Celtic Service 4 Stewardship Meeting 19 Christmas in Advent Party 6 Discretionary Fund Sunday 15 B&G Meeting 8 Beans & Rice/Epiphany Café 20 Newsletter Articles Due 8 Finance Budget Meeting 18 & 19 Leadership Retreat 11 Buildings & Grounds Meeting 24 Christmas Eve/Festival of Carols/Midnight Mass 10 Vestry Budget Meeting 21 MLK Day Office Closed 13 Finance Meeting 25 Christmas Day 12 Epiphany Café/ B & R 24 Newsletter Articles Due