THIS WEEKEND….
NO 8AM WORSHIP ON SUNDAY, DECEMBER 24: This year, the Fourth Sunday in Advent is also Christmas Eve. After consulting with 8am worshipers, we have decided not to have our regular Eucharist at 8am that morning. There will be Advent IV worship at 10am. Christmas Eve liturgies are at 3pm and 9pm.
Guest Preacher, Sunday at 10am: We welcome Hal as our guest preacher this Sunday. Hal is currently pursuing his M.Div. at Harvard Divinity School.
Christmas Service Helpers Needed! If you would like to be a part of the Christmas services, we still need ushers for our Christmas Eve liturgies. Sign up in the Gathering Area and plan to arrive at least 20 minutes before the service where you would like to assist.
Calendar Notes: The church office will be closed from December 25 through December 29. Rev. Miranda will be taking some time off after Christmas. Father John Rasmus will be available if anyone urgently needs to speak with a priest during Rev. Miranda’s absence.
THE WEEKS AHEAD…
Call for Annual Report Submission: Every year in December/January, we invite our ministry leaders to submit a paragraph or two about what their ministry is and what they’ve done in the past year. We then compile those reports into an Annual Report, and share it with the congregation in advance of our parish Annual Meeting (9am on Sunday, January 21). This year we thought we’d cast the net more widely. If you have something you’d like to share, as a special moment, thanksgiving, or success to share, whether from a particular ministry of just something from the life of this household of faith, you’re welcome to submit it to . The deadline for all Annual Report materials is Monday, January 15.
Men’s Book Club, Saturday, January 6, 10am: Hillbilly Elegy is a passionate and personal analysis of that poor, white Americans. The disintegration of this group, a process that has been slowly occurring now for over forty years, has been reported with growing frequency and alarm, but has never before been written about as searingly from the inside. J.D. Vance tells the true story of what a social, regional, and class decline feels like when you were born with it hanging around your neck.
Epiphany Service of Light, Thursday, January 4, 6pm: Join us as we share the story of the Wise Men who came to honor the infant Jesus, and of how the light of Christ has spread through time and space all the way to here and now! All are welcome. We’ll share a light dinner after the service; feel free to bring something to share. Talk to Rev. Miranda or Sharon Henes if you’d like to be a reader for this service.
Birthday and Anniversary blessings and Healing Prayers will be given this Sunday, January 7, as is our custom on the first Sunday of the month.
MOM Special Offering, Sunday, January 7: Next Sunday, half the cash in our offering plate and any designated checks will be given to Middleton Outreach Ministry’s food pantry. Here are the current top-ten, most needed items: low-sugar cereal; fruit (fresh, dried, canned); soup; 100% juice; herbal tea bags; holiday baking supplies; sugar & honey; prepared boxed/canned meals; meat (canned or pouches); laundry detergent; toothbrush, toothpaste, & floss. Thank you for your generous support!
Falk Friends Pantry Prep, Sunday, January 7, 11:30am: This year we continue to partner with Falk by providing toilet paper, feminine hygiene items, detergent, and other similar items for their pantry. Helper of all ages are welcome to help pack our Falk Friends Pantry bags after the 10am liturgy!
Evening Eucharist, Sunday, January 7, 6pm: Join us for a simple service before the week begins. All are welcome.
Epiphany Pageant, Sunday, January 28: The children of St. Dunstan’s will present a pageant telling the story of Jesus’ birth and the visit of the Wise Men on Sunday, January 28. There will be a rehearsal after church on Sunday, January 21. All kids are welcome to participate!