Christmas Preparation 

 The season of Advent is a wonderful time of preparation. At All Pilgrims we have a number of opportunities to get together and enjoy this season.

1.  Every Thursday - Community Supper

Community Supper, our ministry to provide the warmth of community and a meal to those who are hungry, is a wonderful opportunity to give of yourself as a gift in service to others.  In this simple act of giving, we find ourselves richly blessed!  In this season, we are especially reminded that our giving of ourselves in humble, relational ways that are concrete expressions of love is where we most receive the gifts that God has for us.

• All Pilgrims
• Each Thursday from 5:00 - 6:00 pm
• (setup/cooking begins at 2:00 pm)
• Preparation, meal and clean-up provide for staged participation, according to your schedule.
• Contact the Church Office for volunteer information

2.  December 14 and 21 - Christmas Movies

(Elf & A Christmas Story)

In the Chapel, which also provides a terrific space as a theatre, we gather to be taken in by the wonder of story through film.  We'll start popping popcorn at 6:00 pm and begin the movie at 7:00 pm.  Join us for a fun and warm evening, filled with laughter at the movies!  Bring friends and family.  Hot chocolate, cookies and popcorn - EVERYONE (especially kids) will love it!

• All Pilgrims' Chapel
• Tuesday, December 14 - A Christmas Story
• Tuesday, December 21 - Elf
• 7:00 pm, doors open at 6:00 pm  

3. December 21 - Holiday Candlelight Concert

Holiday Candlelight Concert with Steve Thoreson ("finalist on Sweden's Got Talent"), Ryan Dye, Dave Beck, and Andre Feriante, a world-renowned classical guitarist.  Having recently been on tour in Sweden after being a finalist in "Sweden's Got Talent", Steve Thoreson has returned home and to All Pilgrims.  This is a wonderful opportunity to gather and be lifted by remarkable music as Christmas nears.

• All Pilgrims' Sanctuary
• Wednesday, December 21 at 7:00pm
• Doors open at 6:15 pm
• Suggested donation of $15 to benefit All Pilgrims' ministries
• All are welcome!

4.  December 24 - Christmas Eve Worship

Gather to worship on this blessed eve as we are taken in by the glorious mystery of God, peering in on the manger with anticipation of Christ's birth.  A new beginning is before us!  Come with expectation that God is doing a great thing.

• All Pilgrims' Sanctuary
• Saturday, December 24 at 7:00 pm

This is a time to celebrate and be drawn together.

Merry Christmas!

Pastor Greg

It's time to place your orders for Poinsettias.  We have Red, White, Pink, White Glitter, Burgundy, Apricot (Pink Peppermint), Picasso (Monet), Marble or Ice Crystal.  They can be ordered in memory or honor of someone special.  You are not required to make a donation in order to    honor someone - however, please be aware that the poinsettias are not a budgeted expense, so we need to collect enough in extra offerings to cover the cost ($6.50 per plant).  Of course, if you're able to give more, you might consider making a larger gift in honor of the person you wish to celebrate.  Orders can be placed through Monday, December 12.  To place an order, email the Church Office or Michael Small.

Friend to Friend Thank You!

Thanks to all who contributed to the annual Friend to Friend Fund Raiser in November.  A special thanks to Christine Anderson who assisted you with your tickets and money each Sunday as well as Sharon Long's daughter's for pulling the winning tickets November 27th.  

The runner-up (winner of the Christmas bag) was David Paul and Leslie Shepherd won the Christmas basket full of goodies.  The total money received from All Pilgrims was $96.88 which, with other contributions in other communities, has brought the total so far to $452.14.  

Those desiring to be a friend in a Nursing, Assisted Living or Retirement Center in your community, contact Berlena Brock at 206-935-2346.

Thanks to everyone who help served a fantastic Thanksgiving dinner at All Pilgrims.  Nearly 100 guests
were served ham, mashed potatoes (from scratch!),  green beans and pumpkin pie. There were about 30 volunteers who made it happen, 3 of whom are shown here.

We had a wonderful Volunteer Appreciation Dinner at All Pilgrims on November 6th, where four key volunteers of the Community Lunch were given the Jon Nelson Community Service Award. 

Shown here, winners Nancy Daugherty, Rose Alfred, Bob Eschenbach and Brian Schoof, along with Lunch Director Don Jensen and Juni Nelson.

It was not a fundraiser, but we did raise more than $3,000 during  our dessert dash, which came to us at a very important time as funding sources are challenged by the economy. 2012 is shaping up once again to be challenging for us because of budget cutbacks at the national, state and local levels that have already begun to dramatically affect the homeless and low-income people we serve.