ST. PAUL S EPISCOPAL CHURCH The E PISTLE December 2015 PO Box 1449 (Traver Rd. at the corner of Rte. 44), Pleasant Valley, New York 12569 Tel: 845-635-2854 stpaulspv@verizon.net www.stpaulspv.org Bishop of New York The Rt. Reverend Andrew Dietsche Rector The Reverend Megan E. Sanders 845-206-9974 mothersanders@gmail.com Wardens Debby Glynn, 635-8756 Roger Tumbarello-635-1220 Vestry Members: Nancy Adams Donato Caferra Amanda Evans Karen Garrison Rick Harris Sandy House Kay Saderholm Nancy Tompkins Liz Whitman Treasurer Marilyn Kirchner Assistant Treasurer Terri Ghee Clerk of the Vestry Kay Mackey Music Director Marilyn Kirchner Organist Alice Cann Epistle Kay Mackey November 29th is the first Sunday in Advent. Please join us each Sunday in Advent at the 8am or 10am services. There will be coffee hour following the 10am service and at 11:30 you are invited to a special Advent program in the Sepe Room presented by Mother Megan related to the Advent season. Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light, 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 for ever. Amen Collect-BCP CHRISTMAS The angel said, Do not be afraid; for see I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people; to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord..Luke 2.10-11 Please join us for Christmas Eve services December 24th 1pm Rite II with music or 5:30pm Rite II with music and candlelight There will be no service on Christmas Day. A blessed Christmas to all. Christ is the reason for the season.
2 A message from our Rector Advent and Christmas Greetings! May God's peace be with each of you as we prepare for the coming of Christ! My prayer for our St. Paul's parish family during these seasons is centered around the prayers we say at church during the four weeks of Advent- Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light - Merciful God, who sent your messengers the prophets to preach repentance and prepare the way for our salvation: Give us grace to heed their warnings and forsake our sins - Stir up your power, O Lord, and with great might come among us - Purify our conscience, Almighty God, by your daily visitation, that your Son Jesus Christ, at his coming, may find in us a mansion prepared for himself. Sunday Services Holy Eucharist 8AM-Rite I 10AM-Rite II With music 9:45AM Sunday School Join us for fellowship and refreshments following the 10 AM service Wednesday 9:15AM Morning Prayer Let us reflect on these prayers in our hearts as we await God's Incarnation - the birth of Jesus Christ. We are called to put on the armor of light in our sometimes dark world, and to listen to the wisdom of the prophets of scripture as we respond to God's love for us by turning back toward God every day of our lives. We ask God to be with us and to help us as we strive to be a living vessel of God's love for our neighbors. Let us remember together this December that we are one family under God's care. When we stick together and welcome all with open arms and open hearts, we embody God's dream for us as a human family. Come be together at St. Paul's as we prepare and celebrate God in our midst - ALL ARE WELCOME and ALL ARE LOVED!!!! In peace, Mother Megan Friday 5:30PM Evening Prayer
3 Remembering the blessings of 2015
4 Discretionary Fund A reminder to consider donating loose change or bills on the 1st Sunday of the month to go into this fund. This fund is administered by our Rector, which is there to help people in need and is done in a confidential manner. Your generosity will help fund this important ministry of St. Paul s Church. Flowers for Advent and Christmas Mother Megan agreed that we can have flowers during Advent. This gives you three more Sundays to honor or remember someone by signing up on the chart to provide flowers for the altar. Let us know by calling the church office or Mother Megan if you wish to donate towards the flowers. St. Paul s Episcopal Church is a Christian family of caring people who strive to support and nurture each other and their community through faith and the grace of God. Flower Memorials for the Christmas Eve services will be done in the usual way. Marilyn Kirchner will collect both money and names. Checks and names can be sent to Marilyn Kirchner, 6 Talbot Drive, Pleasant Valley, NY 12569. Names can be emailed to: userk3939@aol.com. All names must be received by Dec. 20th to be included in the list of names included in the Christmas Eve bulletin. Our church always looks so beautiful at Christmas time due to your generosity and we thank you in advance for helping to make this possible. Stewardship and Pledges The stewardship campaign is coming to a successful conclusion. There are still a few 2016 pledge cards yet to come in. Thank you to everyone who participated in our pledge drive over the past few weeks. Pledge statements for 2015 will be sent by late January. If you wish to have your donations credited to 2015 please have them in by December 28th. Contact Marilyn Kirchner if you have any questions. Thank you for your continued support of St. Paul s. Thrift Shop Update During the holiday season you might like to stop by the Thrift Shop to see all the changes. Thanks to all who not only worked on the physical changes (new shelving etc.) but to those who price and hang the donated clothing, and pack up and distribute extra clothing and items to other local charitable organizations. Our current vacuum cleaner has seen better days so if you or someone you know is planning on retiring their current vacuum (in working order) please consider donating it to the Thrift Shop so we can keep the floors clean. This is our biggest fund raiser and we have done very well this year thanks to all who volunteer and shop at St. Paul s Thrift Shop. If you would like to be called to help at the next clean-up day, please give Ginny Johnson a call at 635-2702 and let her know.
5 BIRTHDAYS AND ANNIVERSARIES 1. Bill & Ingrid Kern 2. Linda Rothmann 3. Christi Battistoni 6. William Kern 9. Rebecca Tumbarello Stephen Garrison 10. Elissa Colgan 11. Todd Hixon Zachary Ferris 12. Barbara Rawls 15. Ellen Towers 19. Turk Hassan Arlene Marchant 24. William Otaway 26. Gina Olson 28. Sean House Ryan Caferra 29. Esther Ottaway Kyle Beyer 30.Laura Wetzel 31.Tristan Battistoni Words of Wisdom MARK YOUR CALENDARS Now through Sunday Dec. 20th Kiindle Fire raffle tickets: 3 for $5. Available following Sunday services along with the Adams Cards. Nancy Tompkins is also selling the tickets. Call the church office for more info.@ 635-2854. Dec. 2 St.Paul s volunteers work at Food Pantry 6:30-8pm followed by Fellowship at Madison s. Dec. 5&6 and 12&13 Food Wagon at Fabulous Firs, Van Wagner Rd.-Contact Barb Rawls to volunteer 635-8517. Dec. 5th Pick up pre-ordered Poinsettias at the parish hall. Times will be announced. Dec. 6,13,20 beginning at 11:30am Advent study group- everyone is invited. Come as often as possible. Sepe room. Dec.8th Tues.- (5-7pm) Contact Mother Megan to help in new outreach event serving dinner to Domestic Violence survivors in Poughkeepsie. Dec.13th-Sunday Last day to bring in unwrapped gifts for RMM. Dec. 14-Mon. Vestry Meeting 6pm at Debby and Fred Glynns home. Dec. 24th Thursday Christmas Eve services. 1pm and 5:30pm. It is hoped that those who are unable to drive at night will be able to attend the 1pm service. There will be no service on Dec.25th. Tuesdays: 12:30-2pm Bible Study in Parish Hall. Wednesdays: 9:15 am Morning Prayer Fridays: 5:30 pm Evening Prayer.