 | FROM THE RECTOR |
| |  |
Many of you will have already seen this, but it's my Christmas Letter to the Parish. If you didn't receive this letter, it means you may not be on our mailing list, so please contact the Parish Office so we can update your info. Thanks!
Sarah+
This is the irrational season
When love blooms bright and wild.
Had Mary been filled with reason
There'd have been no room for the child.
--Madeleine L'Engle
Dear Friends:
I love Madeline L'Engle's poem because it is an irrational season. More than that, it's an irrational faith that calls us to put our trust, our hope in a child--a child who will grow to become a man--a man who will call us to care for the poor and outcast, to welcome the stranger, to love those who are hardest to love, to work for peace and justice, to seek the face of God in every person we encounter. We embrace the Advent season in hopeful expectation of the coming of the One who brings with his birth the promise of grace, salvation and unending love. We watch, in expectation, with irrational hope, for the birth of a child who will, with all of who he is, show us that love that is stronger than hate, stronger than death.
Reflecting back on our life at St. Peter's this past year, I am overwhelmed by the grace and conviction with which the people of St. Peter's have ministered to the community and to each other. As a church, we have celebrated births, ministered at the time of death, promised to support the baptized, stood as a community to uphold people entering into marriage and holy unions, remembered the needs of the world around us with food and with prayer and praised God in song and speech and faithful worship. I believe you, the people of St. Peter's, have been living into that irrational, expectant hope that this season, and indeed the Christian life calls us to.
The season of waiting will soon move into the season of joy. As our lives move in their own seasons, may this holy and sacred time, when the door that connects heaven and earth stands open, hold for you a glimpse of the Kingdom that is and that is to come, and assurance of the transforming power of the Irrational Love that is born to us all in Bethlehem.
Peace and Joy,
Sarah+
|
| HAPPENINGS |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
 | |
The Greening of the Church
This year you have TWO opportunities to help "green" or make ready the church for Christmas.
Following the 11:00 AM Eucharist on Sunday, December 18th, all are invited to help with phase one of the greening, which includes setting out the manger scene, hanging the wreathes and other non-plant related fun!
On Wednesday Night, December 21st, at 6:00 PM, we'll set out the pointsettias and do final touches. Cider and cookies will add to the celebration!
All are welcome to either or both greenings and many helping hands are most appreciated! |
 | |
Christmas Eve, Christmas Day & Holy Name Service Times
Celebrate Christmas Eve at St. Peter's!
- At 10:00 PM we will have congregational carols and anthems and Midnight Mass will begin at 10:30 PM.
- On Sunday, December 25th, we will have one combined Christmas Day Eucharist at 10:00 AM in the Church.
- On Sunday, January 1, we will have one combined liturgy, celebrating the Feast of the Holy Name, at 10:00 AM in the Church.
|
 | |
Artist in Residence Moonlighting
John Dally and Todd Young have directed the Christmas Pageant at our neighbor parish, Church of Our Saviour, for the past six years. Todd writes the script and directs the actors, and John is music director. St. Peter's folk are warmly invited to swell the audience on Thursday, December 15, at 6PM. Always a real baby Jesus, never a doll. The church is located at 530 West Fullerton Parkway, two blocks west of Clark St. |
 | |
20-30s Brunch this Sunday!
This Sunday (December 18th) is the 3rd Sunday Brunch for the 20's/30's group at Vines on Clark. We will leave church at ~1pm to allow for coffee hour mingling and the greening of the church!
Remember to bring/make something to exchange for the white elephant gift exchange! (no more then $10 value)
*This could be anything you want to bring as a gift to exchange from an item you were hoping to re-gift this year, or a dozen cookies, to a roll of quarters.* (We will determine the gift-opening order randomly and each participant can choose to open a new gift or 'take' one of the already opened gifts)
As always, everyone is welcome to attend the brunch. Email Cheryl or text (219) 741-3005 with any questions. Address for Vines: 3554 N Clark St (just S of Addison) I hope you will join us! . |
| | |
Perpetual Memorial Christmas Cards
Need a thoughtful gift for the person who has everything? Make a donation to the St. Peter's Perpetual Memorial, and receive a Christmas-themed card featuring St. Peter's nativity scene that you can use to tell your loved one that a donation has been made in his or her honor. For more information, please contact Levi Harris or Jacob Trimble. |
| PEOPLE |
|
| |
Serving this Sunday at 11:00 AM
Acolytes
Mike Feinerman
Mike Meyer
Readers/Intercessors
Ushers
Marisa Walstrum
Levi Harris
Graeme Thomson
Jacob Trimble
Chalice/Subdeacon/Deacon/Presider
Robert Marks
Thom Walstrum
Nancy Meyer
Sarah Fisher |
|
| |
Please remember in your prayers
For the special needs and concerns of this congregation, praying especially for Helen, Nancy, Lloyd, Lynn, Lela, David, Steven, Gail and Austin, Joanne, Paul, Sam, Victory, Don, Nathan, Bruce, Don and Joanna, Joe, Robert, Conway and Elinor, Jennifer, Debbie, Hiroko, John Henry, Michael, Mary Colleen, Zina, Carolyn, Beth, Valerie, Terry, Margaret, and Rob
We thank you, Lord, for all the blessings of this life, especially for the birth of Lauren, daughter of Audrey and Dan; for Robert, Marene, Eric, Hilary, and others celebrating birthdays; for Tyler and Anthony, nominees for ordination sponsored by this parish.
Rest eternal grant unto them, O Lord, and let light perpetual shine upon them. May their souls, and the souls of all the departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. |
| S T A Y I N T O U C H
|
| |
St. Peter's on Facebook
Stay up to date with the goings on at St. Pete's--we're on Facebook!
|
| |
Donate Online
Did you know you can donate or make your pledge payment online, either with a credit card or a check? Simply log onto St. Peter's website and click on the "Donate" section at the top of the page. The page will look like the image below. Thank you for your support of St. Peter's!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
