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FaithWorks
The Newsletter of Faith Episcopal Church |
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Worship Services in December | | |
Sunday, December 18 at 10:00 a.m.
Lessons and Carols
The Old Testament prophecy of the Savior and the New Testament story of Jesus' birth with carols and special choir offerings. There is no Eucharist at this service, but it will be offered at the 8:00 a.m. service.
Saturday, December 24 at 4:30 p.m.
Christmas Eve service with Children's Pageant
Hear the Christmas story with children's voices and song.
Saturday, December 24 at 6:30 p.m.
Traditional Christmas Eve service
Our Christmas Choir will share some special anthems. Carols will be sung and incense will be used at this service.
Sunday, December 25 10:00 ONLY
Christmas worship with carols.
Sunday, January 1 8:00 and 10:00
Family service to embrace the new year. |
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Recipients of Our Christmas Offering | | |
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
It has been the "tradition" at Faith Church over the years to give away our Christmas and Easter offerings. We divide the offering between a ministry in the world and a ministry in our local community. This year the vestry has voted that we give our Christmas offering to a well project in Mauritania and the Center for Violence-Free Relationships.
The following is from John Ramey, a pastor to Missionaries, who has spent time in Dinkere, Mauritania: 
Dinkere (or also spelled Jinkere) is a village in great need of water. People get very sick from drinking the stagnant pool - which is their only supply of water apart from the walk of about 10 Kilometers to the nearest village. But the near village is a Moor village and there are long standing tensions so that the Jinkere folk cannot overuse the well there. Many people have had to move away (these are all Pulaar tribal/nomadic). But they will all come back once they have water.
We feel this well is significant somehow spiritually as well. The entire area knows that we, meaning the Christians, are working and praying for a well for that village. So join with the prayers for this - along with the needed funds.
Andrew Dimmock, our country leader in Nouakchott, estimates that we need between 8 and 10 thousand dollars to either deepen the well 10 meters or dig another shallower well in another location. The village encompasses a few thousand acres so there is a wide area they will do the testing on.
When they hit water it will be a great, great joy!
A video about wells and their impact on people's lives will be shown at all services on December 4.
Our local giving will be to The Center for Violence-Free Relationships, which ministers to abused women and men and their families. Spousal abuse is still very common in our society and this program provides shelter and counseling to people facing domestic violence and abuse of various kinds. It is common for our local law enforcement officers, when on a call, to refer people to this program.
If you have been blessed, please consider making a generous donation. You may use the specially labeled envelope enclosed, or mark your check/envelope "Christmas offering".
As a community, we can make a big difference in the lives of others through our generosity.
Have a blessed and Holy Advent and Christmas season.
The Rev. Kent McNair |
| Operation Christmas Child | | |
101 Boxes sent
by Adriana Findlay
Thank you to everyone who put together a shoebox of Christmas presents last month. We are sending 101 boxes in Jesus' name to children in need through the Samaritan's Purse project "Operation Christmas Child". Thanks also to the Macias family for providing the boxes and the transportation! |
| Children's Advent Giving Project | | |
Children's Chapel and Junior High
This Advent, our Children's Chapel Grades 1-5 and Jr. High class will have an opportunity to contribute to the congregational Christmas outreach project of building a well for a community in Mauritania, Africa. (See related article, ab ove). Children will be learning about how clean, accessible water is necessary for good health, crop production, and the ability to attend school and hold jobs.
"Advent Giving Envelopes" are available in the Sunday school classes for taking home to collect for this project. Please encourage your child to give generously, and help your child find ways to earn money to contribute to this need!
The Giving Envelopes may be returned to their Sunday school classes or may be brought to the 4:30 Children's Service on Christmas Eve. They may also be given to Adriana Findlay, Director of Children's Ministries. |
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Youth Group: Action in the Season of Giving | | |
Mandarin Oranges for Sale
On Sunday, December 4, youth group members will have bags of freshly picked mandarin oranges available for your donation. They will use the funds raised to purchase gifts for disadvantaged children in our community. Please be generous! The suggested donation for a 10 lb. bag of mandarins is $15 - 20. Prices for mandarins is up this year from last year, both to our youth group and in the grocery stores. The SHARE food closet will gladly accept oranges if you don't need/want 10 pounds of fruit - although if past years are any indication, the fruit is some of the sweetest ever tasted!
UPCOMING EVENTS
December 4 Mandarin Fundraiser
December 11 Youth Group Gift Buying Trip 1 - 3 p.m.
January 8 First Youth Group Meeting of 2012
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Outreach Focus | | |
Water for Health and Wellness
by Becky Hudak
Imagine living in a dusty village near the Sahara Desert. Your only water source is a stagnant pool. Your children are sick from drinking this water. You could walk 10 km to the next village to use their well, but there are longstanding tensions between your people and theirs and you dare not go for that water too often. You hear that the Christians are working and praying for a new well. You wonder if such a day could ever come. You dream of fresh water. You hope and wait.
Although it may be hard to imagine such circumstances, we have the opportunity to help turn this dream into reality for a village in northwest Africa. A video presentation on December 4 during worship will demonstrate the need for us to be messengers of God's love. As noted above, we will be dedicating half our Christmas offering to support these neighbors in need.
We don't need to stretch our imaginations to know that there are people with desperate needs in our own community. The other half of our Christmas offering will support The Center for Violence-free Relationships. This organization is dedicated to building healthy relationships, families, and communities free from sexual assault and domestic violence. It serves western El Dorado County by providing education, advocacy, crisis hotlines, shelters and counseling services.
Since our church has relationships with many pastors and missionaries near and far, there are many ongoing opportunities to help those in need. We look forward to another visit from Father Francisco in January 2012. It is always a blessing to learn more about our brothers and sisters in Honduras.
If you would like to know more about missions projects at Faith, you are invited to attend the next Missions Team meeting, January 9th at 7 p.m. at Faith Church, or contact Dave Kors. Contact information can be found in our on-line photo directory. |
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Baptisms Offered January 8 | | |
If you or your child would like to be baptized, please contact Father McNair in December for a preparatory appointment. Baptisms will take place on January 8, when we commemorate the Baptism of our Lord Jesus Christ. |
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Take a Journey, Without Going Far From Home | | |
Magdalene Journey
by Jill Lasko
Who were the women who walked to the cross with Jesus? What message do they have for Christian women today? The Magdalene Journey is a unique spiritual experience for women that answers these questions through a combination of meditation, prayer, spiritual sharing, and personal exploration. Examine the lives and challenges of Mary, Jesus' mother, Mary Magdalene, the woman at the well, and the other women who were changed by Jesus's life. See how these courageous women who stood with Christ can speak to us down through the ages and help us to see how we, too, can deepen our relationship with Christ.
Join us Sunday, January 8th, 2012, for a "no obligation" orientation meeting from 12:30pm to 2:30p at Faith Church. We then encourage you to attend one or both of two discernment sessions, Sunday January 15th and/or Sunday, January 22nd from 12:30 to 2:30pm to find out if the Magdalene Journey is right for you. The Journey begins on Sunday, January 29 and culminates with a special service on Holy Saturday, April 7th . There are no books to buy and no weekly homework; you just need to make an investment of time in your spiritual life.
For more information prior to the January orientation please contact Michele Rose), Kathleen Ober, Kristen West or Jill Lasko. Contact information can be found in our on-line photo directory. |
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Senior Lunch Bunch | | |
Tuesday, December 20 noon
Big Room at Faith Church
Our Seniors will gather for a potluck and festivities!
Bring a hot dish, salad or dessert to share. If you have questions about this event, contact Janet Wright.
If you have questions about the Senior group, contact Pastor Gene Jewell. |
| Green Thumb Gardeners | | |
Christmas Brunch
Thursday, December 15 9:00 a.m.
Bring a potluck dish to share, a favorite Christmas scripture and family tradition. Bring a small Christmas plant to be shared with the assisted living facility.
RSVP to Rosemary Crowley, who is listed in our on-line directory.
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A Retreat for Christian Women | | |
Seeking A Victorious Heart
by Sharon Lawrence
"God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." Psalm 73:26
February 24-26, 2011
San Ramon Marriott Hotel
If you are interested in joining a group of women from Faith who plan to attend please contact Sharon Lawrence for more information at 530-391-0487 or lawrence.herron@comcast.net.
Share a couple of days with other women from Faith and experience the stories of 21 women in the Scriptures.
Hear Lysa TerKeurst, author and president of Proverbs 31 Ministries.
More information about the sponsoring organization is available at http://cawr.org/
http://www.christianmusicalsforwomen.com/ |
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