A People With Vision Have Hope

December A People With Vision Have Hope Have you found everything you were looking for? Advent 2017 The question asked in the title of this letter echoes throughout our holiday season as we check out with our basket or cart full of items in whatever store we happen to be. We are often looking for that perfect gift, the one that not only expresses our sentiments of love and gratitude for another but, also the one that will connect with the recipient. We want to hear those words, this is exactly what I wanted! The implication in these words is that we know the many dimensions of this person, we have shared their hopes and dreams, and we have taken time to find a gift that will help bring some sense of joy and fulfillment to their lives! The power of giving and receiving a gift should not be underestimated. Of course the act of exchanging gifts can plunge us into a foray of spending in order to amass the greatest arsenal of gifts to date; gifts that for many become the message of the season rather than a reflection of its true meaning. It can, however, be one of the most tangible ways we can express our love for others while at the same time reflecting God s love shown to us in the indescribable gift of Jesus Christ (1 Cor. 9:13-15)! In Luke s Gospel, Simeon, a righteous and devout man who had been waiting for the coming Messiah, held the baby Jesus in his arms and said, Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace...for my eyes have seen your salvation which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples (2:28-31). It would seem that Simeon had found all he was looking for in the gift of Christ. He found a God who had connected with his every hope and dream and everything from that moment on would pale in comparison. So have we found everything we were looking for? Will we experience the disappointment of a Christmas filled with things that give only momentary joy, or will we find in Christ that profound gift of love and life that only he can give? I would encourage us all this Christmas season to take some time to consider the gifts we give to both loved ones and the church. My prayer is that our act of giving would symbolize in every way God s greatest gift to us in Christ. And that it would all lead us to worship, once again, the Babe of Bethlehem! Merry Christmas Father Steve

December 2 Greetings, It is difficult for me to write this article this month as it is my last one to write for you. I just want to take this time to thank all of you for being a part of this special ministry. These past 26 years have been very spiritual and uplifting. As I look back over the past years, I realize that I have grown so much from that person that made that 1 st visit to the Bishop in 1988. There have been many happy moments, as well as many sad moments as I said goodbye to many close friends. Holy Child has been our family s church since 1976 so I have seen many changes. There has been 3 different Bishops, and 4 different priests. As was announced, I have to be away from the church for 6 months, but I will be around after that. We will be getting the house ready to be sold. We want to try to locate in the Palm Coast area so that we will be closer to the family. Even though I am gone, I hope that you still consider me a friend and will call me not allowed to do pastoral talks/ visits, but I like to chitty chat. You will all be in my prayers. I love you all. Your sister in Christ, Deacon Madelyn Paul & Madelyn Martin 409 Division Avenue Ormond Beach, FL 32174 email: deacmaddy@yahoo.com Phone: (386) 299-7643 Ordination Anniversaries During the month of December Church of the Holy Child will recognize the Ordination Anniversaries of two of our clergy. The Reverend Tyrrel Dear, Retired Associate, was ordained as a Deacon in the Church on June 10, 1963 and was ordained as a Priest on December 20, 1963. He will observe this 54th anniversary of service in the Episcopal Church during services on December 17th (both services) as the Celebrant. The Reverend Madelyn Martin, Deacon at Church of the Holy Child was ordained as a Deacon of the Episcopal Church on December 14th, 1991 and will celebrate her 26th (and final year) of service to the Episcopal Church and this parish. Recently announcing her retirement, Deacon Madelyn will share her final homily on December 31st (both services) as we all prepare to enter into a new year and a new season. Look for information in the near future on the plans for Deacon Madelyn's retirement extravaganza!

December 3

December 4 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Christmas Caroling 12:45 pm Angel Tree Deliveries 2 pm 24 Christmas Eve Service 8 pm DOK Christmas Party 6:00 pm Vestry Meeting 7 pm No Noon Eucharist Men s Ministry 6:30 pm 11 12 13 14 Deacon 15 Angel Tree 16 Gift Wrapping 3 pm - 7 pm 25 26 27 28 29 30 Women's Bible Study: 10:15 am & Noon Eucharist Madelyn Ordination Anniversary (1991) Ladies of Grace Noon A Walk Through Advent 7 pm Breakfast with Santa Set-up 7 pm 17 18 19 20 Fr. Dear 21 22 23 Ordination Anniversary (1963) Ormond Beach Home for the Holidays Parade 6 pm Breakfast with Santa 8 am - Noon 31 SUNDAY SERVICES 7:30 and 10:00 am CHRISTIAN EDUCATION 8:45 am FAITH PLAY 10:00 am TUESDAYS: Music Ministry 7 pm EVENTS Have you visited our Facebook page for current events, news & announcements Dan Murray on WAPN 91.5 The first and third Thursday of every month from 9:30-11:00 am. In support of the Christian Healing Center Next Month January 6th

December 5 GRANDPARENTS RAISING GRANDCHILDREN OF VOLUSIA COUNTY A MINISTRY OF CHURCH OF THE HOLY CHILD When parents are not able to raise their children, it is often grandparents who step in to assume this responsibility. Many take on this role to keep the family together rather than have their grandchildren grow up in the Foster Care System. In Florida 345,104 children do not live with their parents. Of this number 19,000 are in the Foster Care System. The remaining 326,104 live with grandparents or other relatives. Many are over 60 years old and many are living in poverty. If these children were dumped into the Foster Care System, it would cost the State of Florida millions of dollars every year, yet these grandparents receive very few benefits from the State. Placing a child with their grandparents has a positive effect for the child, as well as the whole family. Keeping children with family members sustains their connection to their family roots as usually they are in close proximity to other relatives including siblings, which allows them to receive family support. The need for grandparents to raise their grandchildren has recently increased due to: Drug and alcohol abuse Incarceration Mental Illness Teenage parents Divorce Abandonment Abuse Neglect Death of a parent Grandparents have increasingly taken on the responsibility of raising their grandchildren. This new demand has put them in need of assistance that is not being met by our state and local services. Our ministry is a link that will provide grandparents in Volusia County with information on resources as well as a safe place to come and share ideas with other grandparents that might be experiencing the same challenges. The need is great and growing every day. If you think you would be interested in helping with this ministry please contact Father Steve for a list of needs i.e.. food prep, child care, administrative help etc. Grandparents Raising Grandchildren of Volusia County would like to thank you in advance for any help that you might provide for this ministry.

December 6

December 7 1st Father Tyrrel Dear Elizabeth Duncan 3rd Mark Norcia Chuck Walter 8th Mallory Miller 15th Carmen Satoe 17th Michaele Walker 19th Glen & Marjorie Wilson 27th Tyrrel & Roxy Dear 27th Dr. Stephen & Nancy Knight

December 8 church of the holy child men's ministry 13 1/4 inch Christmas Wreaths $12.00 each Available December 16th Make Checks payable to church of the holy child Memo: Christmas wreaths

December 9 Small Poinsettias: $5.00 Large Poinsettias: $10.00 Extra Large Poinsettias: $20.00

December 10

December 11 Candlelight Seri ce 8:00 p.m.

December 12 Jamison - Child of God November 5th, 2017 At the November Vestry Meeting it was decided to keep the side doors locked once the service has begun on Sundays. This will ensure anyone entering the church uses the front doors where an usher can see them enter and assist them if necessary. During the week, the side doors will remain locked during the Noon Eucharist and during meetings such as the Wednesday Women s Bible Study, Cursillo groupings, Ladies of Grace and ministry and team meetings. Your personal safety is of paramount concern to the Church, The Diocese of Central Florida and The Episcopal Church. Should you have safety questions, concerns or additional safety ideas please contact Jeannie Norcia, Vestry Member and Risk Management Representative. (386)795-0672.

December 13 Self Defense for Ladies & Assault Prevention Ormond Beach Police Department November 2, 2017

December 14 Within our community June Rhodes grandson Joshua Peitz is graduating from the University of South Florida December 9th with a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance and Economics! Congratulations!

December 15 The Sanctuary Lamp It has long since been the custom of the Church to set aside a small portion of the consecrated bread and wine for emergency use in ministering to the sick or dying. This Reserved Sacrament as it is called, is usually stored in a Tabernacle (a cupboard built into the front center of the altar upon which the cross is usually placed). It has been the custom in the Episcopal Church to have a candle burning (symbolic of the Light of Christ) above the Tabernacle whenever the sacrament is present. Under normal circumstances, the only time the candle would be extinguished would be at the conclusion of the Maundy Thursday Eucharist, when all the remaining sacrament is consumed. (The bread and wine are never consecrated on Good Friday). The candle then remains unlit (darkened - symbolic of the apparent victory of darkness over light) until the first celebration of the Resurrection on either Easter Even or Easter morning. The Sanctuary Lamp utilizes a eight day candle. It is first lighted from the New Fire struck on Easter Even for the Paschal Candle and then transferred to the candle in the Sanctuary Lamp. Each week, as the candle is exchanged for a new one, the Light is also transferred. An opportunity therefore exists for the sanctuary candle to be given as either a thank offering or a memorial and remain burning in the church for the week. The name(s) of those being remembered will be listed in the Sunday bulletin so that your purpose can be prayed for by everyone during that time. You will find a copy of the form available on the Welcome Cart and in the office. Memorials must reach the parish office by Noon on Tuesdays to be included in the following Sunday s bulletin.

December 16 Jan 12: Ultreya St. Barnabas Feb 22-25 Men s Week-End #126 Mar 2-4 Women s Week-End #126 Mar 23: Ultreya Grace Episcopal May 18: Ultreya Church of the Holy Child July 20th St. Paul s Sep 21: Ultreya St. Peter the Fisherman Oct 11 13 Co-Ed Week-End #127 Nov 9: Ultreya St. Mary s

December 17 In many parts of the world today, the Christian faith is growing by leaps and bounds. People of all races, ages, and classes are finding in this ancient faith meaning and purpose, hope and new life. Yet here in the West, many people are turning away from church. What have others found that we have missed? This course seeks to remove layers of misunderstanding and prejudice to uncover the amazing truths of Christian faith which even the church has often forgotten. Four evenings with good food, lively discussion and like-minded people Christianity 101 A practical guide to what Christianity is all about. This course is for those all those who have questions about the basics of the Christian faith. It is designed for the curious, the beginner and for any who want a refresher on the basics. Four Thursday evenings: January 18th, January 25th, February 1st and February 8th On each evening, the program begins with dessert and coffee served at 7:00 p.m. and concludes by 9.00 p.m. The course leader is The Reverend Stephen Pessah Please invite others to attend - a sign up sheet will be posted in January!

December 18 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. - Ephesians 6:12 What in the world is going on? I hear that question from so many different people from so many different walks of life. Evil seems to be on the rise throughout the world while in our country, there seems to be great division. The lines are drawn and many are calling good evil and evil good. Even our current Presidential election process has come down to the choice of what many are calling the lesser of two evils. The problem is, when you choose the lesser of two evils, you still choose evil. So where does that leave us in this current struggle? God's word tells us in the book of Romans chapter twelve verse twenty-one 12:21, Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. A close friend of C. S. Lewis, J. R. R. Tolkien a fellow author and devout Christian himself, wrote of epic battles between the forces of good and the forces of evil, in his imaginary tales, The Hobbit. and The Lord Of The Ring. In one of his tales, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey. he wrote this statement given by the wizard Gandalf, one of his main characters. Some believe it is only great power that can hold evil in check, but that is not what I have found. It is the small everyday deeds of ordinary folk that keep the darkness at bay. Small acts of kindness and love. Though the darkness may seem all encompassing Jesus told us as we find in Matthews Gospel chapter five verse sixteen, that we are to let our light shine before others, that they may see our good deeds and glorify our Father in heaven. In other words, Take your candle and go light the world. Friends, we were chosen for such a time as this. We must shine the light of God's love in this darkened world. If not us who? If not now when? The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. -Romans 13:12 -Just a thought--- Jim Clements

December 19

December 20 Church of the Holy Child 1225 W. Granada Blvd. Ormond Beach, FL 32174 President Stephen M. Pessah+: 672-4779 Senior Warden June Rhodes: 673-5758 Junior Warden Selvyn Byfield: 673-9301 Vestry Jim Clements: (386)299-2356 Stephen Knight, M.D: (386)677-0024 Chuck Knox: 624-1909 Jeannie Norcia: 795-0672 Corrinna Oakley: (352) 219-0409 Clerk: MaryAnn Jones Sr. Warden Emeritus: Cathleen Hayes Treasurer: Lisa Miller MISSION To transform the world through Jesus Christ one heart at a time. CHURCH OF THE HOLY CHILD OFFICE HOURS: Monday - Thursday 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. PHONE: 672-4470 FAX: 672-9493 E-MAIL: admin@churchoftheholychild.org WEB SITE: www.churchoftheholychild.org SUNDAY SERVICES: 7:30 am & 10:00 am Christian Education 8:45 a.m. Nursery and Faith Play at 10:00 a.m. STAFF: Rector - Stephen M. Pessah+ Retired Associate - Tyrrel Dear + Deacon - Rev. Madelyn Martin Parish Administrator - Jennifer Lutterbie Bishop - The Right Reverend Gregory O. Brewer Assistant Bishop - The Right Reverend Dorsey Henderson