Showing posts with label Christmas Eve. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Christmas Eve. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Chance Choir Special Rehearsal
Just a reminder that the Chancel Choir will have a special rehearsal on Saturday, December 18 at 11:00 a.m. to prepare for the Christmas Eve service.
Bell Choir Schedule
Just a reminder. The Bell Choir will rehearse after the 10:30 a.m. service this coming Sunday, Dec. 19. We are playing at both the late evening Christmas Eve service on at the 10:30 a.m. service on December 26.
Thursday, December 27, 2007
A Message From Our Pastor
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
I hope and pray that your Christmas celebration was joyfilled!
As I write this, we have no phone system at the church – it went out Christmas Eve, and we are awaiting service people, which may be a couple days. So, if you have attempted to call, you are sent immediately to voice mail, and can even leave a message. However, we cannot access any messages. So, if you have been awaiting a call back from one of us in the office, please email us instead. I will let you know when we have phones again!
Special thanks to everyone who had a hand in any behind-the-scenes work in preparation for our Christmas Eve services, as well as all the children, youth and adults who helped to lead the two services!
This weekend in worship, our Gospel Lesson confronts with the reality that the birth of Christ does not remove the power of evil in the world – but its light gives us hope as we walk with all the "holy innocents" of past generations and today who have suffered unjustly. In our gathering around Word and Meal, God continues to redeem us, lift us up, and empower us to faithfully live as children of God.
Reminders
Annual Reports are due in the church office by Monday, January 14 (print ready, via email or on disc). If you chair a committee, ministry team, or ministry group, we need you to compile a report for 2007 activities.
There are still some open dates on the 2008 Altar Flower Calendar. Sign up this weekend, or call/email the church office and we'll sign you up. The vases are $30.00 each, and will be billed to you from the florist. If you have not yet picked up your 2008 Offering Envelopes, they are waiting for you in the narthex.
EPIPHANY PRAYER VIGIL FOR PEACE
As part of God's Peace Flowing Through Us initiative, we will be holding a prayer vigil for peace as part of the conclusion of the Christmas season and the start of the Epiphany season. The vigil will be held on Saturday, January 5, noon through 9:00 p.m. in the chapel. From 7:30 – 8:30 p.m., Ginger Minneman and a group of musicians will lead those present in singing Taize music, interspersed with prayers and readings. A sign-up sheet for 30-minute time slots for the prayer vigil is posted in the narthex, and you are invited to "take a time" in the chapel, praying for the peace of our community, our nation, and the world. (Multiple people can sign up for the same time slot, and people should feel free to come at any time even if they did not sign up at all.) Like the September 9 vigil, a book of prayers will be available to use if you wish. Sign up this weekend! Note: the regular Saturday evening worship service will be held, as usual, in the sanctuary, at 5:30 p.m. on this day.
As we come to the conclusion of 2007, we praise God for the fulfilled promise of our Lord being with us each day; as we prepare to walk through the doorway into a new year, we pray that God will continue to walk with us, bringing a fuller sense of peace into our lives, and the lives of all throughout the world. Happy New Year, everybody!
In Christ's peace,
Gary
I hope and pray that your Christmas celebration was joyfilled!
As I write this, we have no phone system at the church – it went out Christmas Eve, and we are awaiting service people, which may be a couple days. So, if you have attempted to call, you are sent immediately to voice mail, and can even leave a message. However, we cannot access any messages. So, if you have been awaiting a call back from one of us in the office, please email us instead. I will let you know when we have phones again!
Special thanks to everyone who had a hand in any behind-the-scenes work in preparation for our Christmas Eve services, as well as all the children, youth and adults who helped to lead the two services!
This weekend in worship, our Gospel Lesson confronts with the reality that the birth of Christ does not remove the power of evil in the world – but its light gives us hope as we walk with all the "holy innocents" of past generations and today who have suffered unjustly. In our gathering around Word and Meal, God continues to redeem us, lift us up, and empower us to faithfully live as children of God.
Reminders
Annual Reports are due in the church office by Monday, January 14 (print ready, via email or on disc). If you chair a committee, ministry team, or ministry group, we need you to compile a report for 2007 activities.
There are still some open dates on the 2008 Altar Flower Calendar. Sign up this weekend, or call/email the church office and we'll sign you up. The vases are $30.00 each, and will be billed to you from the florist. If you have not yet picked up your 2008 Offering Envelopes, they are waiting for you in the narthex.
EPIPHANY PRAYER VIGIL FOR PEACE
As part of God's Peace Flowing Through Us initiative, we will be holding a prayer vigil for peace as part of the conclusion of the Christmas season and the start of the Epiphany season. The vigil will be held on Saturday, January 5, noon through 9:00 p.m. in the chapel. From 7:30 – 8:30 p.m., Ginger Minneman and a group of musicians will lead those present in singing Taize music, interspersed with prayers and readings. A sign-up sheet for 30-minute time slots for the prayer vigil is posted in the narthex, and you are invited to "take a time" in the chapel, praying for the peace of our community, our nation, and the world. (Multiple people can sign up for the same time slot, and people should feel free to come at any time even if they did not sign up at all.) Like the September 9 vigil, a book of prayers will be available to use if you wish. Sign up this weekend! Note: the regular Saturday evening worship service will be held, as usual, in the sanctuary, at 5:30 p.m. on this day.
As we come to the conclusion of 2007, we praise God for the fulfilled promise of our Lord being with us each day; as we prepare to walk through the doorway into a new year, we pray that God will continue to walk with us, bringing a fuller sense of peace into our lives, and the lives of all throughout the world. Happy New Year, everybody!
In Christ's peace,
Gary
Monday, December 24, 2007
It's Christmas Eve!
It's Christmas Eve, and we have two services today. The first is at 4:00 p.m. It is the family service, and includes the children's Christmas pagaent and Holy Communion. The second service is at 10:00 p.m. It is a traditional service of Holy Communion. Much of the service will be by candle light. The Chancel Choir, Ginger Minneman, Director, is singing a number of special pieces:
Both services will include many Christmas Carols.
- Betelehemu, a Nigerian Christmas Song, Via Olatunji, Wendell Wahlum, Barrington Brooks (sung in Nigerian)
- The Shepherd's Carol, Bob Chilcott
- A La Nanita Nana, traditional Spanish Carol, Norman Luboff
- Bogoroditse Dyevo, (Hail Mary), Bill Tamblyn, Sergei Rachmaninov
- A Child By Choice, Robert Southwell, Richard Nance
Both services will include many Christmas Carols.
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
A Message From Our Pastor - Advent and Christmas Events
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
This weekend is the Fourth (and last) Sunday in Advent, and our worship theme centers around the proclamation Emmanuel – God is with us. The Gospel lesson is Matthew's account of the Christmas story, with the focus on Joseph as one who trusted God and "did the right thing." As we frantically prepare for the holiday, we are reminded to trust in God, and not in our own abilities, and do what is the right thing to do – always.
During the 10:30 worship Sunday, the Joyful Noise Children's Choir will present special music prior to the Children's Moment, and the Hand Bell Choir will present music during the offering.
Weekend Activities
Friday Spiritual Journey – 10:00 p.m. in the Parish House foyer around the fire place
Saturday Adopt-A-Family Delivery – 9:30 a.m. The Social Ministry Committee is coordinating this major project that will benefit many children and adults in the Miami Valley.
Saturday Worship – 5:30 p.m. in the sanctuary
Sunday Worship – 8:15 a.m. in the sanctuary
Children's Choir Rehearsals – 9:00 a.m.
Sunday School – 9:15/9:30 a.m.
Worship – 10:30 a.m. in the sanctuary
Sacred Harp Singers – 3:00 – 6:00 p.m. in the Parish House Blue Room
CHRISTMAS EVE SCHEDULE
3:00 p.m. Christmas Pageant Rehearsal
4:00 p.m. Family Christmas Eve Service, with pageant, carols, and celebration of Holy Communion .
10:00 p.m. Traditional Christmas Eve Service, with candles, readings, carols, celebration of Holy Communion, and music presented by the Chancel Choir.
Special thanks to everyone who helped with the decorating in the sanctuary – it is beautiful. And special thanks to everyone who assisted in leading worship last weekend while Debby and I were in Chicago, especially Harriet Uphoff, Ginger and Dan Minneman, and Rachel Spry.
May God fill the remainder of this Advent season with hope, and bring joyous blessings to you all this Christmas!
In Christ's peace,
Gary
This weekend is the Fourth (and last) Sunday in Advent, and our worship theme centers around the proclamation Emmanuel – God is with us. The Gospel lesson is Matthew's account of the Christmas story, with the focus on Joseph as one who trusted God and "did the right thing." As we frantically prepare for the holiday, we are reminded to trust in God, and not in our own abilities, and do what is the right thing to do – always.
During the 10:30 worship Sunday, the Joyful Noise Children's Choir will present special music prior to the Children's Moment, and the Hand Bell Choir will present music during the offering.
Weekend Activities
Friday Spiritual Journey – 10:00 p.m. in the Parish House foyer around the fire place
Saturday Adopt-A-Family Delivery – 9:30 a.m. The Social Ministry Committee is coordinating this major project that will benefit many children and adults in the Miami Valley.
Saturday Worship – 5:30 p.m. in the sanctuary
Sunday Worship – 8:15 a.m. in the sanctuary
Children's Choir Rehearsals – 9:00 a.m.
Sunday School – 9:15/9:30 a.m.
Worship – 10:30 a.m. in the sanctuary
Sacred Harp Singers – 3:00 – 6:00 p.m. in the Parish House Blue Room
CHRISTMAS EVE SCHEDULE
3:00 p.m. Christmas Pageant Rehearsal
4:00 p.m. Family Christmas Eve Service, with pageant, carols, and celebration of Holy Communion .
10:00 p.m. Traditional Christmas Eve Service, with candles, readings, carols, celebration of Holy Communion, and music presented by the Chancel Choir.
Special thanks to everyone who helped with the decorating in the sanctuary – it is beautiful. And special thanks to everyone who assisted in leading worship last weekend while Debby and I were in Chicago, especially Harriet Uphoff, Ginger and Dan Minneman, and Rachel Spry.
May God fill the remainder of this Advent season with hope, and bring joyous blessings to you all this Christmas!
In Christ's peace,
Gary
Friday, November 30, 2007
Still Time Left to Join the Chancel Choir for Christmas Eve
Christmas is coming up quickly, but there is still time to join the Chancel Choir to sing at the Christmas Eve Service. If you sing and would like to join us for this special festival service, contact our Music Director, Ginger Minneman. Rehearsals are on the following days:
- Saturday, December 1 at 10:00 a.m.
- Thursday, December 6 at 7:00 p.m.
- Thursday, December 13 at 7:00 p.m.
- Saturday, December 15 at 10:00 a.m.
- Thursday, December 20 at 7:00 p.m.
Ginger has once again chosen beautiful music for us to sing at this candlelight service. I'll post a list of the music in the next day or two.
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