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ShieldChurch of the Good Shepherd
Dedham, MA
December 2011
Advent means 'COMING', and our minds are directed, not merely backward to the coming of Christ at Bethlehem more than 2000 years ago, but forward to his promised coming again in great glory at the end of time. John in his vision of the Last Things saw, "Him who is and who was and who is to come" (Revelation 1:8). So at Advent the church holds before our eyes the vision of him who has come, who will come, and who is ever coming, here and now, to individuals and nations in their moments of decision, to judge and to save. In our worship and in Christian churches throughout the world we acknowledge this wonderful anticipation as we 'Prepare ye the way of the Lord,' to bring a real spirit of new birth and beginnings in the form of the Christ Child.
Oakdale Square Tree Lighting - December 10th 4:30PM
We will join Oakdale Square Alliance for the annual lighting of the Christmas Tree in Oakdale Square.  Please come to share hot cocoa and sing Christmas Carols.  This event will occur rain or shine!
Hanging of the Greens -
December 11th
Help to decorate the church after the service.
Christmas Pageant and Open House - December 18th
Enjoy our annual Christmas Pageant during the 9AM service.  Join us for an Open House pot luck after the service.  Feel free to bring your favorite dish to share.  This year will be a special one - we are bidding farewell to Fr. Felix.  He is completing his studies this semester and will be returning to Ghana in time to spend Christmas with his  family.  We appreciate all he has done for our parish the last few years and we wish him well in his future service to God.
Christmas Eve Service -
December 24th 5pm 
Christmas Eve Celebration at 5pm.  Enjoy an enhanced choir and guest musicians. Children can participate in the service by bringing up the nativity figures throughout the service.  This wonderful, interactive service is perfect for families!

Christmas Day Service -

December 25th 10am

We will have our Sunday Service at 10AM.  In keeping with the holiday, all children will receive a Christmas present!
Planning Committee

Last week, our Planning Committee met for the first time, organizing events for 2012.  There were three quick wins from the meeting:

  • We will have a calendar of events posted for 2012, before the year starts.
  • We will publish a monthly newsletter.
  • We will host a youth workshop in January to dialogue with the youth of our parish. 
We need your pledge! YES! I am pleased to support the Church of the Good Shepherd.

It takes time, talent and treasure to keep the Good Shepherd going. Basic operations for the church, as well as salaries for our wonderful people like Scott, Florence and Noble, are paid for with your donations. A pledge helps us to know what to expect for donations for the year and enables the vestry to build a realistic budget. If you have not yet made your 2012 pledge, please consider doing so today. Just cut out this pledge card and drop it in the collection plate or mail it in - or call 781-326-3052 to have a pledge card mailed to you.

YES, I/we will support the Church in prayer, service and commit to an annual gift of $_______________in 2012, which I/we would like to pay:

 _______________weekly;
________________monthly;
________________(indicate other periods)