From the Rector
Advent–Christmas–Epiphany Take Home Kits!
The First Sunday of Advent is November 29th this year. One of the things I look forward to all year at church is our annual Advent wreath making party. Like so many other things, this is something we will not be able to do in the same way this year. And yet I can’t help but think that the things that are touchstones for us are now more important than ever. With this in mind, we have created take home kits that will include supplies for celebrating Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany in your home alongside our weekly Sunday services.
Each kit will contain:
- An Advent wreath form, candles, and prayer booklet
- Other Advent devotionals and sticker-a-day sets
- Seasonal coloring sheets
- St. Nicholas Day celebration materials (read below about a special event!)
- Nativity stickers and cardstock crèche
- Epiphany house blessing materials
These kits are for EVERYBODY not just families with kids.
Kits will be available for socially distanced pick up from Noon-2:00 on Sunday 11/15 and Sunday 11/22. If you aren’t able to make one of these times, or if you need a kit dropped off at your home, please let me know – we want to get a kit to every household that wants one!
More information will be coming soon about our plans for Christmas Eve services. In the meantime I hope that these kits bring some joy and faith-filled activity into your home in the weeks ahead.
Yours in God’s peace,
Kristin+
Sunday Worship Information
IN PERSON WORSHIP
Going back into the church building doesn’t mean a “return to normal.” Not only will the church itself look different, but we will continue COVID protocols to protect the health and safety of all.
Reserve Your Seats
Based on Diocesan guidelines and the size of our sanctuary our max capacity for this service will be 40 people. This means that if you would like to attend the 8:30 am service you will need to sign up in advance. The link to sign up will be in the Shell Newsletter every week and on the website homepage about half way down.
NOTE: If you are assigned to serve as an usher, reader, or on altar guild you do NOT need to sign up for any date at which you are serving.
CLICK HERE TO RESERVE YOUR SEATS FOR NOVEMBER 8 or 15
ONLINE WORSHIP
Join us on the Twenty-third Sunday after Pentecost for the Liturgy of the Word at 10:30 am followed by Zoom Coffee Hour, or watch the service livestreamed on Facebook.
A children’s bulletin is available here.
We will “open the doors” beginning at 10:15 am for folks to greet each other and say good morning. Kristin+ will give instructions at 10:25 am and we will begin recording and livestreaming the service promptly at 10:30 am. Don’t worry if you’re late – you can still attend via Zoom if you “get to church” at 10:40!
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 820 8668 4148
Passcode: 242425
One tap mobile +13017158592,,82086684148#
Facebook Livestream
We plan to begin streaming to Facebook at 10:30 am. If you arrive at Facebook and you don’t see the video, please refresh your screen. There is a delay.
Formation
SUNDAY SCHOOL NEWS
We are delighted to report – even though it’s different from our norm – that our Sunday School program is moving right along. The preschool through 5th grades are meeting on Zoom each Sunday at 9:30 a.m. with Betsy Davis and Yvette Allen, learning Bible stories and age-related activities. At the same time, our middle-high students have gathered outdoors with Joan Fader and Natalie DelRegno, focusing on sessions from Living the Good News curriculum. Beginning November 1st, the class moved indoors continuing to wear masks and social distancing.
To answer your question of “Will there be a Christmas pageant?” We are excited to say “Yes!” Looking ahead to December, a drive-thru pageant is being planned on December 20th from 5-7:00 p.m. at the front entrance of the church. We are asking for Sunday School families to participate (no speaking parts), as well as teens and individual adults. Costumes and signs to hold will be provided. Would your family like to be shepherds in the field? A group of heavenly angels? People at the inn? The Three Kings? Right now we are seeking names of volunteers interested in participating in order to move forward with additional planning. Wouldn’t you like to be a part of our Journey to Bethlehem? Please contact Yvette Allen yvallen1952@gmail.com or Joan Fader faderj1@juno.com.
Prayer Tree
The Middle/High Sunday School class has provided a Prayer Tree which is located on the free-standing bulletin board in the narthex. You are invited to add your prayer request to the tree – whether it is for yourself, a loved one, or the world around us. God is always listening!
St. Nicholas Zoom Story Time
To celebrate the Feast Day of St. Nicholas of Myra (December 6), you’re invited to a Zoom story time on the eve of his special day. Gather on Zoom at 7:00 pm on 12/5 to learn about who St. Nicholas was and to read a few storybooks about his life.
Included in the Advent-Christmas-Epiphany Take Home Kits will be a bag with items to help celebrate St. Nicholas, including a prayer card, instructions for making an origami bishop’s miter, and chocolate coins.
Why chocolate coins? One of the best loved St. Nicholas traditions is to leave your shoes out on the eve of his feast day to be filled with chocolate coins and an orange. We’ll give you some coins and hopefully you can supply the orangesJ. All ages are invited – we hope to see everyone there!
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 865 9626 3716
Passcode: 034917
Advent Series: A Thrill of Hope
Join us on Zoom for videos and discussion of the Christmas story as told in the Gospels of Luke and Matthew, illustrated by the beautiful artwork of John August Swanson, with commentary from members of the faculty at the Candler School of Theology at Emory University.
Each of the 3 sessions will include reflection on 2 different scripture passages and accompanying artwork:
12/6 – Luke 1:26-38 (A Visit) and Luke 2:1-7 (The Nativity)
12/13 – Luke 2:8-20 (The Shepherds) and Matthew 2:1-12 (The Epiphany)
12/20 – Luke 2:1-40 (Presentation in the Temple) and Matthew 2:13-15 (Flight into Egypt)
Weekly from Noon-1:00 pm
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 840 0945 7236
Passcode: 507341
Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany Activity Pack
Church Publishing has put together a free activity pack for children and families for the upcoming holiday season. You can download it here or pick up a hard copy when you come to the Take Home Kit Drive Thru on November 15 or 22 (Noon-2).
Fall Book Discussion Group
Don’t forget our Fall Book Discussion Group is happening on Thursday, November 12.
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 820 3403 7420
Passcode: 317035
Our biggest fundraiser of the year is underway NOW!
We are requesting a small amount of your time to volunteer to sell raffle tickets and Cash ‘n Carry Baskets at the church; written sales instructions will be provided. Opportunities to VOLUNTEER in one to one and a half hour increments are available—just CLICK BELOW!
If you need any help to sign up to volunteer or have any questions, please contact Betsy Davis at 301-219-9319or jbeezd@aol.com OR Marilyn Hancock at 301-788-0136 or Ladyzip2004@yahoo.com. Church COVID restrictions will be followed by everyone entering the building.
PLEASE SIGN UP TODAY to make our fundraiser a big success!!
CLICK HERE TO VOLUNTEER
WEEKLY ANNOUNCEMENTS
Red Cross Blood Drive Results
Out blood drive was a great success! It was very busy the entire day and the staff of Bobby, Natalie, Marilyn, Adrienne, and Heather did a great job. The Red Cross was very happy with the drive in collecting 35 units. Thanks so much to those who volunteered and those who donated this precious gift!
THANKSGIVING FOOD DRIVE
This year we are collecting meals for 10 families. The last day to drop of donations is Sunday, November 15. The meals with then be packaged and delivered to Mt. Airy Net.
Thank you for your generosity!
The Outreach Committee
VESTRY NOMINATIONS
The Vestry Nominating Committee is excited to announce they are accepting nominations for the 2021-2024 Vestry Class. A nominating form is available on our website at the “Vestry” page or you can find a link in The Shell Newsletter along with details of ideal qualities for candidates along with Vestry member responsibilities.
You can submit your name or the name of someone you think would be a candidate by completing the online form or connecting with a member of the Nominating Committee by Sunday, November 8, 2020.
CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT A NAME FOR NOMINATION
Lectionary Readings for the All Saints Day:
Next Week’s Commemorations:
| 10 | Leo the Great, Bishop of Rome, 461 |
| 11 | Martin, Bishop of Tours, 397 |
| 12 | Charles Simeon, Priest, 1836 |
| 14 | Samuel Seabury, First American Bishop, 1796 |
Prayer Rotation
Please join the Daughters of the King in praying for each parishioner in rotation during 2020 by taking this notice home and by posting it where it will remind you pray to on a daily basis for the needs and blessings of:
Margaret Neff
Dave Oland
Tom and Julie Patterson (Conor, Jason, Caleb, Kaitlyn)
A member of the Daughters of the King will be contacting you this week for special prayer requests.