Dearly Beloved,
Last Sunday the Acolytes, Eucharistic Ministers, Choir, and Clergy led our worship in street clothes.
Apart from that, the Eucharist continued as usual.
I concluded my sermon with three questions and an invitation:
"How can we improve our one-hour Sunday rehearsals or practices for the other 167 hours of the week?
"How can we do a better job of imagining how we might take the Scriptures we read in church out into the world?
"How can we do a better job of recognizing God in the world?
"I don't know the answers to those questions, but I think they're the right questions.
"I hope that in the weeks and months to come, we can begin to answer those questions together, for the sake of the least of these, the members of God's family."
Please give or send me (WilliamsInk@msn.com) your comments about last Sunday's Eight, Nine, and Eleven O'Clock Practices, and your initial answers or thoughts about any or all of those three questions.
THANKSGIVING DAY CELEBRATION WITH PIPER
Come, ye thankful people, come―
to Church at 10 o'clock this Thursday, November 24,
to ask the Lord's blessing,
to hear our piper, Peter Duffield, and
to sing Amazing Grace accompanied by bagpipes.
ABOUT THIS SUNDAY― THE FIRST SUNDAY IN ADVENT
No Church School or Children's Church this Sunday
ABOUT THE FOLLOWING SUNDAY, DECEMBER 4
This year's Giving Campaign will end with our 'ingathering' of pledge cards.
Also on December 4th, St. Gregory's Youth Group will be going to Claremont Nursing Home to decorate doors for the Holiday Season. We will meet at the church at 4:45 pm and plan to leave by 5. At Claremont, we will spend time spreading Holiday cheer and putting up decorations on the doors of those who live there. Afterwards we will go out to dinner at Chipotle for fun and fellowship. We will plan to be back at the church between 7 and 7:15 pm. Please sign up outside the youth ministry office or contact Bret Chandler (bretyouthminister@gmail.com) so that we know how many to plan for.
And Also on December 4th, following every service, Lin Reichenbach will be selling her delightful hats, mittens, scarves, booties, and more. Prices range from $3.00 to $16.00. Her "favorite" head-warmers are only $5.00 apiece! And all proceeds from the sale go to the Troop Support Ministry.
ABOUT THE FOLLOWING SUNDAY AND THE SUNDAY FOLLOWING
On December 4 and December 11 our Annual African Jewelry and Crafts will be on sale in the Rector's Office. Support African Team Ministries work among the East African orphans of AIDS parents while buying unique gifts for Christmas.
ABOUT THE SUNDAYS AND DAYS BETWEEN NOW AND CHRISTMAS
The joy of our Christmas services/practices at St. Gregory's is heightened both by our beautifully decorated sanctuary and by the glorious sounds of brass within our music program. Neither is possible without your support.
Next time you are in church, look opposite the office for the clipboards for FLOWERS and MUSIC donations. Contributions may be made either "In Memory Of.." loved ones or "In Thanksgiving For…" the blessings in your life. There are separate sign-ups for each.
Please attach your checks payable to St. Gregory's and note either flowers or music in the memo line. The Altar Guild reminds us that donations should not be combined; please write separate checks for music or for flowers.
Thanks to your generous donations, Christmastide will be ever brighter! Catherine Martin
THANK YOU NOTE FROM FIVE TALENTS
"Dear Bill― many thanks to the people of St. Gregory's and you for the opportunity to preach on Five Talents Sunday and the generous donation to the fight against poverty. You have a spirit-filled congregation! Laura and I also thank you for lunch and conversation. Please stay in touch. Blessings, Syd [H. Verinder]"
AND A FRUSTRATING UPDATE FROM SANTA GRÉGOIRE, TOLAGNARO
From Bishop Todd McGregor: "Just a brief update on Rev. Donné. Someone broke into their house during the Sunday service and stole, their laptop, digital camera and few other things. Please pray for them."
WOULD YOU LIKE OFFERING ENVELOPES FOR 2012?
Please contact Treasurer Dorthea White if you aren't currently receiving Offering Envelopes.
If you need help with Electronic Transfers of Gifts or Stock Contributions, Dorthea would be happy to help you. For general information, please click here.
FANTASTIC NEWS ABOUT OUR MANNA PROGRAM!
Thanks to many of you, November has been a record month for the Manna Program at St. Gregory's. 18 families, including 9 from the Preschool, and 1 business participated. Earnings were over $955!
Special thanks to Vortex Commercial Flooring, a family-owned business that purchased Christmas gifts for their clients from us. The next order will be due December 4 with pick up before Christmas break. (December 20 for Church families)
And orders due 12/4 will be ready for you on 12/18 for business gift cards for your employees or clients for the Holidays. With our large selection of retail and restaurant cards, there's something for everyone on your list!
ADVENT BEGINS THIS SUNDAY
So, for your spiritual edification, please visit the Forward Movement Tract Rack for these new offerings:
How to Keep Advent • Things Not to Do During Advent: Top Ten List • The Advent Wreath
Mary in the Episcopal Church • Keeping Christmas Alive • Christmas Changes Everything
Stewardship: Why We Give • Ten Commandments for Disagreeing • The Real Christian Agenda • Walking the Labyrinth
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In your prayers this week, please remember the sick, especially Jordan Haley Peterson, Liz Barris, Bill Waltemath, Victor Grandinetti, Anna Filinska, Tommy Tuszynski, Jerry Archbold, Marie and family, Dick Jacobson, Kim Abrams, Dawn Hainsworth, Chase Koller, Beverly Falbe, Zach Davis, Lauren Keller-Taylor, Sharon Moceri, Andrew Zint, and Judy McCann;
our companion parish in Madagascar, Santa Grégoire, Tolagnaro, and their leader, Rev. Donné;
the men and women serving in the armed forces and their families, remembering especially Timothy Welton, Cary Clark, Mike Demmon, Ilan Kedar, Jason Greenman, Robert Steere, Robb Dunlap, Brian O'Lavin, Greg Hirsch, Jamie Mitchell, Brian Adamson, Bob Morrissette, and Doug Columbus; and
for the faithful departed, remembering especially Ed Kozak and Marta Ciochon.
Contributions for the S. Kathy Christenson Memorial Fund at John Hersey High School, Arlington Heights, IL, may be made payable to Kevin Christenson and mailed to him at 2725 Forest Ct. Deerfield, IL 60015.
Faithfully yours,
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