Thanks

Thanks to Spring Creek BBQ and CiCi's for supporting our Workcampers in their fundraisers.

Thanks to Stanton's Feed Store in Alvin for loaning the hay for the Youth Group Christmas Carol Hayride.  Please support them with any feed store needs.

Thanks to David Purdy for buying lunch for those who went to Galveston for Ike repairs.

Thanks to Joe Donaldson for getting the Family Promise van ready for sale.

Thank you all for helping with Milk and Cookies for the Christmas Eve services. What fun!

Lisa Hardin                    Shelly and Bobby Nicholls

Amye Reynolds              Matt and Jesii Fox

Beth Cleary                    Melissa Porter

Anne Harland                Michelle Kopetz

Nikki Adams                   Christina Mortenson

Irene Taylor                  Jennifer Sitton

Mia Magness                   Vivien Breed

Michele Ayala                Jessie Stewart

Becca Maxwell               Shannon Campbell

Ben Foster                     Christine Liberatore

Barbara Kinsey               Kim Matthes

Shelley Waguespack       Christina and Mike Sampson

Thank You

Thank you for your generous Christmas gifts to me and Christine. You all are most thoughtful. We will use the money you have given towards our vacation this summer. I am honored to serve you. May your New Year be blessed. -Jim+

First Communion Dates

The First Communion Instruction has been shifted to Saturday, February 5th 9am-1pm. Therefore, the Sunday First Communion recognition services will now be held on February 13th.

All 2nd graders should attend as well as any students in 3rd-5th grade that have yet to participate in this class that is encouraged by the Diocese of Texas.

Look for your invitation in the mail.

Parent helpers are welcome.

Jamie Martin Currie

New Year Resolutions

I am curious to see what we, as a church, have resolved for 2011. Send me yours. I promise not to publish your name or remind you.

This is just for fun and in the way of encouraging each other.

Here are some so far. Send me yours. The weirder, the better.

• Lose weight (20+ lbs.) (multiple times and weights)
• Get organized
• Read a book a month
• Get my wife to give away some clothing (I do marriage  counseling)
• Clean the garage
•  Start coming to church again (I do look forward to your return! Oh, wait, you are coming back HERE, right!?)
• Counting to 10 before getting angry
• Say "Yes" to less invitations
• Getting my kids out of so many activities
• One dinner a week with the family (no phones/texting either)

 Jim+

frjimbo@msn.com

Lord of the Streets

St. Andrew's Family,

Lord of the Streets (www.lordofthestreets.org) is an Episcopal Church and Ministry for the Homeless in Houston. They are very much in need of men's clothing as the cold arrives.  They need winter clothes, jackets, sweaters and outerwear for men.  They especially need jeans and pants for men.

You can bring your donations to church on a Sunday and I will get them to LOTS. Thank you for your generosity.

Peace,

Jim+

frjimbo@msn.com

Volunteer Needs

Do any of these opportunities fit your gifts and interests?  If so, please email Jim+ at frjimbo@msn.com.

• 10:30 am God Rocks! PreK-2nd leader for the worship during the 10:30 service - training and other team members provided
• Bulletin Board Assistance
• Greeter for Sunday School Welcome Coordinator - weekly with time off
• Facility Promoter-help us rent out the facilities
• Offering Counters


Meals on Wheels

St. Andrew's congregation-

Every 8 weeks we deliver Meals on Wheels to housebound seniors in Pearland.  We have 2 routes we are responsible for during our delivery week, which means we need at least 10 drivers each 8 weeks (1 per route, per day).

This time around, I have 5 open routes that need to be covered. The entire process usually takes about 3 hours from 10am-1pm.  

We have had some turnover in drivers over the last couple of months and I really need some new people to step up and make a commitment to this ministry. I have open routes on all days (except Monday), so there are plenty of times to choose from.

Please contact me if you would like more information and consider taking the time to help those in need in our Pearland community.

Thank you!

Judy Bettencourt

jbettencourt@comcast.net

Musicians Needed

We need musicians to play or sing at the offertory in both services, or only one if you can't stay for two! 

You don't have to be of professional quality to perform.  The audience for your performance is God, not the congregation.  You, the congregation, readers, LEM's, and the clergy are actors before God, the audience for all worship.  God accepts your best efforts.

Please respond by calling or sending me an email.  There are few people I know to ask for the 10:30 service.  I do not wish to ask the Band members the play or sing every Sunday.  I'm trying to fill the Sundays of January, February, and March before leaving for work in New York City on Jan. 18.  After that Jamie will have the schedule; call her at the Church Office. 

Fr. Joe+ 

fatherjoeosteen@gmail.com

281-485-3843

Baptism Class

Have a child to be baptized?

Want baptism for yourself?

Pregnant and wanting the baby baptized?

Saturday, January 22th @ 9:00 am

Let me know of your interest. The required baptism preparation class is 1.5 hours. Thank you.

Childcare available

Jim+

Dear Friends,

Each year, I take on a new scriptural discipline. In 2011, I hope to Twitter a chapter of the Bible each day (or, at least each week day). That means that I need to be able to summarize the entire chapter in 140 words. I will start with the Gospel of Matthew. We'll see! I do this for my own spiritual nourishment.

Anyway, if you want to get a daily 140 character Bible chapter on your phone or for your news feed or to view in a web browser, subscribe to my Tweets at @gamma909. Maybe the Twitter will encourage you to look up and read the chapter occasionally.

If you have an account, you probably know what to do. If not...

Go to http://twitter.com/  

Sign up for an account

Follow @gamma909

Activate cell phone delivery (varies by carrier)

I get Matthew Paul Turner's, CS Lewis', Rick Warren's, CNN's and a few other Twitters on my phone.

If you do not understand all this, bless you. You most likely are in non-digital bliss. Let me know via email and I will send my summaries to you that way.

You are special to me and to God.

Collection Date for Family Promise "Houses for Change"

Houses for Change - benefitting Family Promise of Clear Creek

Families have spent their Advent time and Christmas Season collecting money in their Family Promise "Houses for Change" boxes. We have an important date coming up to collect those boxes in order to get the money to Family Promise which will open its doors this year.

Bring your box (no need to count the money - we will do that all at once) with you on Sunday, January 9 to either the 8 or 10:30 am service and we will place the boxes up near the altar for a blessing.

All proceeds from this event will go directly to Family Promise of Clear Creek and will be a huge help as FPCC enters the new year actively looking for a Director and planning their opening date to begin helping homeless families in our area.

Thank you all for taking part in this integral piece of St. Andrew's Advent Event 2010.

Decoration Contest

As promised, there will be a contest for the best decorated "Houses for Change" turned in no later than the 10:30 service on January 9th. Awards and prizes will be handed out at our Annual Parish Meeting on Sunday, January 30th at noon. So, if you have not yet decorated your house - now's your chance!

MAKE SURE YOUR FAMILY NAME IS ON THE BOTTOM OF YOUR BOX!!

Out of Town for the 9th? Drop off Your Boxes Early at church

Missed your chance to get a box?

Still want to help Family Promise of Clear Creek?

Place a check made out to "Family Promise of Clear Creek" in the offering basket or bring to the church office any time before Monday, January 10th.

For more information on Family Promise of Clear Creek, click here. 

For  more information on Family Promise National, click here.

Youth Confirmation

If you have a youth 11 years and older and are interested in she or he going through Confirmation preparation, please email me.
 
Thanks,
Jim+ frjimbo@msn.com 

Fusion (Youth) News

YES is a weekend retreat for youth 7-9th grade that affirms God's love for us and allows you to feel the presence of the Holy Spirit in a unique way.

Happening is a weekend retreat for youth 10 -12th grade that encourages participation in one's own parish and youth group and helps answer many of today's questions of how Christianity is relevant to youth today.

YES and Happening dates for this school year:

Jan. 21 -23
April 29 - May 1

For more information, go to www.epicenter.org

You can find forms for registration here: Registration Forms

Jenn Neitzey

What time is it? Where did all the time go? Does time really fly when you're having fun?

Starts Wednesday, January 12th at 6 pm

6 weeks

Childcare Upon Request

$5

RSVP Jim+ click here

5 Week Class on Islam

Are you interested in a 5 week class on Islam? If so, email me at frjimbo@msn.com.  
 
Dive into the rich tradition and cultural fabric of Islam, including what it means to be Muslim in modern America. Hear Muslim women offer their perspective on their traditions and roles, examine the effect of 9/11 on the West's view of Islam, and understand the Islamic holiday of Ramadan.  Confront the Israeli-Palestinian conflict as you listen to a Palestinian and a Jew who have risen above personal tragedy to join forces in an effort to end hatred and war.
 
I will offer the class: Sunday, starting 1/16/11 @ 9:15 am, room 102 
 
Thank you,

Jim+ 

Finances - November 30th

Don't know if you are current in your giving?  Contact me at the email address below and I'll be happy to send you a statement.                  

                       Actual          Budgeted       Difference
Disbursed        $380,024     $382,614      $2,589 under budget
 
Receipts          $395,300     $390,608      $4,620 under funded
 
Long Term Debt       $463,769.02
 
Operating bank balance 1/1/2010 was $15,604.98
 
You may combine your giving into one check if it is more convenient for you.  Just be sure to mark the breakdown on the memo line so I know how to properly enter it.  All undesignated checks go into operating to cover general budgeted disbursements.
 
Questions?
Beth Bishop

bookkeeper@standrewspearland.org 

Renew your Kroger Card and Support St. Andrew's

Support St. Andrew's through your shopping at Kroger.

Click this link.
 

Facebook

We now have a presence on the popular social networking website, Facebook. If you have a Facebook account, just click on the links below to become a fan of St. Andrew's Episcopal Church.

To set up a Facebook account www.facebook.com 

To go to the St. Andrew's page Click Here    

Calendar

Important Dates Coming Up - Place in your date book