Advent Noontime Program Continues

The Prefect s Post Advent Noontime Program Continues The Wednesday Noon lunch, soup and bread, movie, The Shack, and discussion started on November 28th. Watching about an half-an-hour of the movie, the 18 in attendance then entered into discussion, led by Mother Lily, on numerous topics, both life and faith-related brought out in the movie s story. The program will continue on 6th, 13th and 20th. Even if you missed the initial viewing, please join in for the rest of the sessions. It is an inspirational, thought provoking series. Fourth Sunday in Advent is 24th this year. There will be ONLY ONE MORNING SERVICE AT 10am. S t. G r e g o r y s E p i s c o p a l C h u r c h 2017 *Mission & Outreach Updates; *Thanks from Salvation Army 2 Mother Lily s Message 3 Altar Flower Donation Form 4 *Pointsettia Donations *Altar Guild 5 Server Schedule 6 Calendar 7 *Donation Thanks 8 *Heavenly Breads *Open House Invitation *Bits & Pieces * s Birthdays & Anniversaries *Bits & Pieces Christmas Eve Service Sunday, 24th Carols & Holiday Music begin at 10:30pm The Christ Mass begins at 11pm. No Christmas Day Service 9 10

Page 2 The Prefect s Post 2017 Thank you all for helping fill the Thanksgiving Pantry shelves at the Salvation Army. Saint Gregory's donations were very generous. It took two separate car trips to bring all the items over! Pantry Coordinator Cloey Buzzell thanked us very warmly, pleased to have so much to share with needy families. The Outreach Christmas project will be the Adopt-a-Family Giving Tree. The program provides holiday gifts for the children and grownups of a needy family. This year St. Gregory's will buy for a family truly in need, vetted by the Salvation Army. There is grandmother, a baby, 6 year old twins, and five other children, ages 8 to 14. The Adopt a Family Christmas tree is now in the Narthex. The Tree has a few gift tags remaining, (lots of people took tags on Sunday, November 26th!) listing the names and wish list items of each family member. Parishioners are invited to take a tag, purchase a gift and provide a Merry Christmas for someone in need. Adopt a Family Details: Be sure to put your name and the gift tag number on the Sign-Out Sheet. That ensures each person gets the items they want. The sheet is next to the Tree. Mission & Outreach Updates This year the Salvation Army asks that gifts NOT be wrapped. Deadline for returning gifts is 17. Volunteers from St. Gregory's will serve at the Community Breakfast, Saturday 30 at the First Congregational Church on Jefferson. The fun project provides food and fellowship for the volunteers, as much as for the breakfast guests. Volunteer hours are 8:15 to 10:30 AM. Contact Jim Horan if you would like to help. Parish youth, ages 12 and up, are welcome to take part. There will be more Breakfast service dates coming up in 2018. All are welcome to join us at the next Outreach meeting, January 7 after the 10 AM service. - Jim Horan Thank you so very much to St. Gregory s Episcopal Parish! Your beautiful donation to the Salvation Army of Muskegon s Food Pantry is greatly appreciated! Your kindness, support & generosity has made a beautiful difference in the lives we her at The Salvation Army! You have brought so many individuals & families hope & joy for Thanksgiving and the holiday season. Your contribution will allow families to be able to prepare a meal for Thanksgiving Day! Thank you! Blessings, Cloey & Team.

2017 The Prefect s Post Page 3 Mother Lily s Message Dear Friends, I was watching a documentary on the Vietnam War last night. The U.S. involvement in that conflict began as early as the 1950 s, during the time when the Korean War was waging. I did not know this. The French were trying to maintain their colonial status in Viet Nam while the western world was concerned about the spread of communism. The U.S. slowly entered the conflict for a variety of reasons and interests. It was a tricky and complicated relationship. As I was watching and listening, I was reminded of what we face in our world today. Countries in civil war over who really belongs, racially, and who really rules as a result. ISIS, as the entity we fear, and its ever-creeping into every sphere of the world. Terrorism that shows up in all nations, both domestic and foreign. Things have not changed much -just names and places. I am reminded that this has been the case throughout time, throughout history. Where does God fit in all of this? I bet, like me, you ask yourself this from time to time. Jesus also walked the earth during a time of oppression, a time of racial, religious and national strife and suffering. Jesus did not shy away from any of it. Jesus met it head on. He showed us an approach unfamiliar to many of us. We tend to hide our heads in the sand or get so angry we become self-righteous and completely misguided in our perceptions. We forget God s plan for this world. If we could and would stay focused on God s plan, we would remain calm and focused; we would stand up and speak up and insist on a world that reflected God. God s desire for creation is not that it is necessarily going to be perfect, but that it works and strives for justice, peace, equality and solidarity. How are we doing? Are we making God s presence felt in the world we live in? That is all we are required to do. If we are doing this and having faith that God s plan will be fulfilled, we will get through these times. Advent is a time of hope. Join me in seeking, finding and maintaining our faith, as well as, feeling the hope which the Son coming to us, brings us. Blessings, Mother Lily P.S. I would be very interested in hearing your thoughts, regarding the gun violence taking place in some of our places of worship and prayer.

( Page 4 The Prefect s Post 2017 There are two options for floral arrangements: 2018 Altar Flower Remembrance Donation 1- Prepay the church: make your check out to St. Gregory s for $25 per Sunday, with flower fund on the memo line. The arrangements will be purchased by the Church through LeFleur. 2- Buy your own flowers and use our vase liners. Contact Jocelyn Shaw to pick up the liners. Be sure to have the flowers at the Church by Saturday evening. Chart of Available Dates (We do not have flowers for Lent or Advent, and Christmas and Easter flowers are ordered separately) Jan 7 Apr 8 June 3 Aug 5 Oct 7 Jan 14 Apr 15 June 10 Aug 12 Oct 14 Jan 21 Apr 22 June 17 Aug 19 Oct 21 Jan 28 Apr 29 June 24 Aug 26 Oct 28 July 1 Sept 2 Oct 29 Feb 4 May 6 July 8 Sept 9 Nov 4 Feb 11 May 13 July 15 Sept 16 Nov 11 May 20 July 22 Sept 23 Nov 18 May 27 July 29 Sept 30 Nov 25 Please enter your name, the date on which you wish to have flowers, and the names of the people you are honoring (in Thanksgiving or in Memory) Your Name Date In Thanksgiving In Memory Turn in this form and your check to Jocelyn Shaw by the end of January (unless you want flowers in January in which case the deadline is mid-end of ) Additional forms are available on the Narthex table.

2017 The Prefect s Post Page 5 Christmas Poinsettia Altar Flower Donations Donation checks should be made to St. Gregory s with Christmas Flowers in the memo, and can be attached to this form. Place in the Offering Plate at any service through 17 th, or they may be sent or dropped off to the Church Office by Wednesday, 20th. Forms are also available in the Church Narthex. Names for the Christmas Bulletin Please list those to be remembered and by whom: In Memory of: In Thanksgiving: Given by: Given by: Bread and Wine Changes Altar Guild Christmas Work Bee Beginning with the first Sunday in Advent, we will be using home-baked bread at the 10am service which replaces the purchased wafers we have been using. The recipe comes from Pastor Chris Anderson, and it is the same one as was used at Mother Lily s Ordination service. The Sheffield Tawney Port wine that has been a staple at St. Gregory s for a number of years, is no longer available at Meijer. Jocelyn Shaw, Altar Guild Directress, is searching for an affordable alternative. During that time, we will be trying various brands. Parishioners will be kept informed as the search continues. Have you ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes to get ready for Sunday, Wednesday and holiday services? Much of what you see on the altar, including the bread, wine and linens that are used, are duties that members of the Altar Guild perform on a weekly rotation of members. Pre-Christmas and pre-easter work bees are scheduled to do the extra cleaning required for these special services. Polishing the brass and silver, cleaning the sanctuary and enjoying each others company while these bi-yearly tasks are completed are just some of the things this small but dedicated group accomplishes. Extra hands are always welcomed. This year work bee will be Saturday, 16, at 10am in the church/altar guild sacristy. Come lend a hand and check out what this ministry is all about!

Page 6 The Prefect s Post 2017 Servers 3 Advent 1 8 & 10am 10 Advent 2 8 & 10am 17 Advent 3 8 & 10am Guitar at 10 24 Advent 4 10am ONLY 24 Christmas Eve 11pm 31 Lessons & Carols 10 am ONLY LEM LEM LEM LEM LEM Shelby Schweri David Wells Linda Scheerer Lou Manak Linda Scheerer Lou Manak Reader Reader Reader Reader Reader Dean Huff Barb Huff Youth? Jim Horan Altar Guild Altar Guild Marti Johnson Marge Collinge & Tracy Damm Altar Guild Altar Guild Altar Guild Jeff Closz Jocelyn Shaw Marti Johnson Fellowship Fellowship Fellowship Fellowship Fellowship McCleary s Bobby Kurien Michelle Bourdon Volunteers Needed Lillian & Shelby Schweri Eucharistic Visitor Eucharistic Eucharistic Visitor Visitor Eucharistic Visitor Eucharistic Visitor Linda Scheerer Stu Smith Linda Scheerer Sunday School Teacher Sunday School Teacher Sunday School Teacher Robin Bazzett Heidi Jackson No Class; children take part in service Stu Smith Sunday School Teacher Shelby Schweri Linda Scheerer Sunday School Teacher No Class

DECEMBER 2017 SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY 1 2 Church Office Hours Monday & Wednesday 9am - noon Mother Lily s Office Hours Tuesday: 9am - 4pm Wednesday: Noon - 7pm 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Advent 1 8am Eucharist 10am Eucharist 10-11:30am CLA Group Boy Scouts 6:30pm Pipers Band rehearsal, 6pm *Mid-Week Eucharist 5:45pm *entering Prayer Group 7pm *7pm Choir - Church GA 6:30pm 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Advent 2 8am Eucharist 10am Eucharist 10-11:30am Clutterer s Group Pipers Band rehearsal, 6pm *Mid-Week Eucharist 5:45pm *Centering Prayer Group 7pm *No Choir HomeEucharishThathanjMaundayThursdaySVBSv GA 6:30pm Altar Guild Christmas Work Bee 10am 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 Advent 3 8am Eucharist 10am Guitar Eucharist Vestry Meeting: 11:30am Deadline for Poinsettia Donation Names T. Doctor Christmas Party Parish Hall 12:30-4pm 10-11:30am Clutterer s Group Boy Scouts 6:30pm Deadline for Giving Tree Gifts Pipers Band rehearsal, 6pm Mid-Week Eucharist 5:45pm Centering Prayer Group 7pm 7pm Choir - Church GA 6:30pm 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 Advent 4 10am Eucharist ONLY ---------------------------- CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE 10:30PM Carols 11pm Christ Mass Christmas Day Office Closed. Pipers Band rehearsal, 6pm NO CHOIR 31 January 1 2 3 4 5 6 10am ONLY Lessons & Carols Service With Guitar Music New Year s Day Office Closed L. Sheerer Family Christmas Party 1-7pm Parish Hall/Kitchen 2017 Page 7 The Prefect s Post

Page 8 The Prefect s Post 2017 November 14, 2017 Dear Fellow Christians: sends our thanks and gratitude for these recent donations. My name is Paul Sorenson. I am Norma [Sorenson] Kersman s son. My mom passed away recently. She and my dad were founding members of St. Gregory s, and our family attended there throughout my childhood. I was confirmed there and served as a acolyte. Both my mom and I have had fond memories of those years. We both moved away many years ago, but my mom always wanted to make a final gift to the church. She designated in her will a specific bequest to the church, and in my capacity as her personal representative, I have enclosed a check in that amount. I know that you will use these funds in Christ s service. Blessings, Paul T. Sorenson The Vestry gratefully acknowledged and accepted Norma s gift the November meeting. Since there was no specific fund designation, the check s amount was placed in the general fund. A donation for the upkeep of the Memorial Garden/Courtyard has been graciously made by Don Novak, husband of the late Gyneth Nevins Novak. Gyneth s parents, George and Marge Nevins, were charter members of St. Gregory s. Gyneth was an active choir and youth group member until she graduated from Muskegon High School in 1964. The Vestry acknowledged the gift at the November meeting. Heavenly Breads Pastor Chris Anderson is promoting the Annual Swedish Bread Sale sponsored by and Center for Holocaust & Genocide Studies. The various types of breads and cookies are described in the flyer and all sound so yummy it s hard not to order something! Pick up a flyer on the Narthex table, check it out and place an order, just in time for Holiday gatherings. Pick up is convenient at St. Luke s Lutheran Church, Norton and Roosevelt Roads. Email ordering: http://holidaybreads.chgsmuskegon.org.

2017 The Prefect s Post Page 9 You are invited to a Christmas Open House At the Marx s Friday, 15 from 4 7pm 4824 Michillinda Drive, Whitehall, MI 49461 Directions from the South: Take Seaway/Shoreline Drive through town across the Causeway to Whitehall Road. Continue North on Whitehall Rd. to Michillinda Drive (about 6 miles). Turn left (west) on Michillinda and travel 4 miles. Look for a flag/sign on the right by the driveway. Stay to the right on the shared drive ending at Mthr. Lily & Bob s house. Bits & Pieces Christmas Eve Service We are looking for anyone that would like to participate in the 11pm service on 24 th. Please see Linda Scheerer if you would like to participate in one of the many roles for the glorious service to celebrate the Birth of Jesus. Annual Meeting As in the past, we will be serving brunch at the Annual Meeting on January 21 st following the 10am service. If anyone is interested in making a breakfast casserole, quiche or breakfast bread/muffins, please see Marti Johnson or Linda Scheerer. Year End Reports Please submit all year end reports to Marti Johnson no later than January 15 th so that they can be put into a booklet for the Annual Meeting on January 21 st.

1200 Seminole Rd. Norton Shores, MI 49441 231-780-2955 Find us on Face book Connect with us on our website: www.stgregorysmuskegon.org Email: stgregsoffice@gmail.com The Episcopal Church Welcomes You! Coming Up Saturday, 16 Altar Guild Christmas Workbee, 10am -------------------- Sunday, 17 Vestry Meeting, 11:30am ------------------------------------- Sunday, 24 Fourth Sunday of Advent 10am Service ONLY +++++++++++++ Christmas Eve Service 10:30PM-Carols 11PM-Eucharist ----------------------- Sunday, 31 New Year s Eve Day Lessons & Carols 10am service only -------------------------------- Sunday, January 21 Annual Meeting & Brunch One service at 10am Celebrations! Birthdays 1- Heidi Jackson 3 - Lynne Gill 4 Nancy Wells 4 Josh Ledesma 15 Marc Lakatos 26 Alister Jackson 27 Eligia Reyna 31 Mike Olthoff Anniversaries 3 Lynne & Barb Gill 27 William & Ellen Hanichen