And the crowds asked John the Baptist, "What then should we do?" In reply he said to them "Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none; and whoever has food must do likewise."
Adopt a Family with a Holiday Basket! 
 
food basket
Over the past 19 Advent seasons our parish members have brought joy to more than 400 families in the form of presents and food baskets. 
This year we hope to help at least 20 needy families enjoy a 
Christmas they might not have without our efforts.

*We still have seven families that need gifts 
(wrapped and tagged), and seven families that need food baskets (fixings for Christmas dinner and 
some grocery staples)*
 
Why not consider giving as a group or ministry or committee?
All baskets must be delivered to St. George's on Sunday December 20th before the 10AM service. Please see Jennifer Mullins in Ralph Hall during Coffee Hour to sign up.

If you aren't able to sign up at church during coffee hour after the 10am service, please contact Jennifer Mullins, 732-747-6342 or jennifer.mullins@comcast.net, to "adopt" a family. 
Capital Campaign News
Together for Tomorrow
Announcement Sunday Results!
What an awesome and generous parish we have! Our initial pledge period ended this past Sunday, December 6th - Announcement Sunday. Here are the amazing results so far - 
* Together for Tomorrow Campaign Target - $1,600,000
* To date received - 160 pledges 
* Total Pledged - $1,953,151
We as a parish with the Holy Spirit have emphatically come "Together" and made a powerful statement in support of St. George's for "Tomorrow." Note that we have provided the results "so far." 
Announcement Sunday was not the end of the pledge period. If you have not as yet pledged, it is not too late to do so. Even though we have exceeded our target for the 14 primary campaign projects, there are more projects that we can undertake. If your ongoing prayer and thought leads you to making a pledge, it's never too late. Let's do everything we can to get our church in shape! We would love to have you join us. 
Again, many thanks to all those who have pledged, and to those who will pledge in the upcoming weeks!! 
Follow the campaign and projects at http://togetherfortomorrow.com/ 
_________________________________________________________
 
"Together for Tomorrow"  
Gift Book 
 
You are invited to make a gift or pledge to our campaign, (annual and/or capital). Your name will then be inscribed in a new St. George's Book of Remembrance. This book will be placed alongside the existing Book of Remembrance in the Repository Table in the narthex and will become part of St. George's history. (Those who have already given will have their names inscribed). 
Enjoy the Holiday Season with Your Best Friend: Pet Friendly Advent Worship

this Saturday, December 12th at 5 pm
All creatures great and small are welcome!  
Dogs (leashed),cats, parrots, guinea pigs, 
rabbits, gerbils and more.
No need to have a pet to attend this Service.
Skeptics and Suds December Meeting Reminder!
Just a brief reminder that the December meeting of Skeptics and Suds will be on Monday, December 14th from 7:00pm - 8:30pm. We will once again meet at the Associate Rector's house: 13 Lincoln Avenue, Rumson. It is located across the street from Church on the corner of Lincoln and Waterman.     

We are reading and discussing Marcus Borg's book Evolution of the Word. The book places all of the documents that make up the New Testament in chronological order as they were written, and our purpose in reading it is to learn whether seeing this material from the non-canonical perspective might impact what we think the texts are about. For this meeting, try to get through Page 148.

Joel Rogers
Jeffrey Roy
Family Promise is returning!  
 
Family Promise had an open week, beginning December 27 and need us to step in to fill the gap.  Won't you please consider helping?  
The sign up sheet is above the water fountain in Ralph Hall.  Given the short notice to our volunteers, as well as the closeness to Christmas, this week will be a challenge for us to support.  Please consider participating by either volunteering or helping to stock the pantry.  Contact Janine Lamm-Roy (jlammroy@me.com or 732.747.2831) for details and opportunities.  Thank you for supporting this important ministry!!
 To All Newcomers: We Want to Welcome You!

Please join us this Sunday, December 13th in Ralph Hall 
following the 10am Service for a festive coffee hour in your honor.
 

Coat Drive
Outreach:
To Seek, Share & Serve
Thank you for all the coats that you brought in 
for those in need.  90 coats were collected.
80 coats were picked up by Project Paul and 10 coats were given to our Family Promise guests.  
 
A Note from Riley Plosica
Thank you to everyone who has donated to the food drive benefiting Lunch Break! Last Friday, more than 540 lbs of goods were delivered. All donations were greatly appreciated. Thank you again for your generosity and support!
 
Youth and Family Ministries
Senior and Junior High Christmas Parties
Christmas Party
THIS Friday, December 11th, 6-7:30pm, 
Junior High Youth Group 
will meet in Ralph Hall for our Christmas Party.  
Please bring a $10-$15 wrapped gift to participate in our White Elephant Gift Exchange.  
There will be dinner and dessert, games and prize for funniest holiday hat!

Wednesday, December 16th, 6-8pm Senior High Youth Group 
will meet in Ralph Hall for our Christmas Party.  
We have adopted a family again this year for Christmas and will be wrapping the presents.  If you want to purchase an item for the mom or children, please contact Brenda.  
 
We are in need of the following presents:
*7 year old girl: size 6 or 6x winter coat; socks
*5 year old boy: Spiderman long-sleeved shirt (size 5); pants (size 5); socks
*2 year old boy: package of size 5 diapers; toy car gift (2); socks

For Senior High, there will also be dinner and dessert, as well as our White Elephant Gift Exchange.  Please bring a $10-$15 wrapped gift to participate.
_____________________________________________________________________  

Christmas Pageant Rehearsals
xmas pageant (generic)
Meet this Sunday, the 13th and December 20th and 23rd. 
Meet in the Pine Room following the 10am Service.  
Even if you did not attend this past Sunday's rehearsal, 
all children are welcome to participate.
Adult Advent Education
"Why in the World" 
In this 4 part series Andy Stanley seeks to find the answer of why would God want to become one of us and live in a world like ours?  A world of anxiety... chaos... heartache.  Join us in the Library on Friday mornings, 9-10am and 
Sundays following the 10am Service.  
All are welcome.  Invite a friend!
Advent Reading
"The Inner Voice of Love" 
by Henri J.M. Nouwen 
The Inner Voice of Love was Henri Nouwen's 'secret journal' which he wrote as he moved through a deep personal crisis. He writes, "What once seemed such a curse has become a blessing. All the agony that threatened to destroy my life now seems like the fertile ground for greater trust, stronger hope, and deeper love." 
An online discussion is also underway. Facilitated by Brynn Lawrence and Ray Glennon, you are welcome to participate in any way that is spiritually nourishing for you! Click here for details.

Copies are available in the Narthex for $12.00, or available here online. 
 
Mental Health Matterspraying hands
This is a support group for anyone loving or caring for a person who suffers from mental health issues.  All is kept confidential.  We will meet in Ophelia's office at 7pm this Monday, December 14th.  
All are welcome. 
Girls' Friendly Society

GFS will be volunteering at Holiday Express 
on Thursday, December 17th, at 3:30pm.
Please CLICK HERE to RSVP.
CHRISTMAS SERVICES

Christmas Eve
*2pm Holy Eucharist (with music)
*4pm Christmas Pageant/Holy Eucharist
(childcare available in the nursery)
*10pm Lessons and Carols/Holy Eucharist

Christmas Day
*10am Holy Eucharist (with music)