The Shamrock - November 20, 2013
 
Our Advent Liturgy - Deacon Ed Fuller
Ed Fuller Web Shot

Advent is a time of waiting, of anticipation and great expectation. In this season we anticipate the coming of Christ; both the "second" coming and the deep longing for the Messiah that is satisfied with the birth of our Lord and Savior. You'll want to listen closely to the Scripture readings each Sunday as these themes are exposed.

 

Advent is a new beginning for the church as it signals the start of a new liturgical year. We change color from green to blue, we light the advent wreath candles each week, the Scripture readings speak to the darkness in the world, prophecies tell of the light that will come into the world and our New Testament accounts confirm that new light, that bright shining star, is the baby Jesus, born.  

 

It is difficult to be calm and silent when we are, at the same time, filled with excitement about the coming of Christ. But, it is in silence that we can listen closely for God, it is in silence that we can look inside ourselves and find those things we need to let go of to make room for Christ. It is in silence that we can quiet ourselves and let God re-form and re-order us.

 

You will note four significant liturgical changes in our worship time together during

this season of Advent.  

 

The first is that the time before the services will be in silence. From 7:45 a.m. until 8:00 a.m. and again from 10:15 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. We'll ask for silence in the office and narthex as well as in the chapel and the nave (there will be "shhhhhh" signs to remind us of that in the narthex). That silence will be broken only by the gentle sounds of music as Chad accompanies our meditations on the piano.

 

There will be no announcements -- every attempt will be made to include all necessary information about church happenings in the service bulletin. That means the services will start promptly at 8:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.  

 

The next change you will notice is the content of the Eucharistic Prayers. We will use prayers from "Enriching Our Worship", a series of liturgical options approved many years ago by our church. We will print those prayers in the service bulletin so you can follow along. Listen closely to the themes of creation, redemption and salvation. On Advent 3 (Gaudete Sunday meaning "joy") listen as our Eucharistic Prayer acknowledges Mary as the Theotokos -- the God bearer -- and Jesus as the one who served those who live on the margins.

 

Lastly, we don't want to miss the opportunity to celebrate our birthdays and anniversaries. Those blessings will take place immediately following the Post-Eucharistic prayer and just before the priestly blessing.  

 

May Almighty God bless our Advent meditations and worship and give us the grace to make room in our hearts for the coming of the Messiah
 

St. Patrick's News   

 

Advent at St. Patrick's: Join St. Patrick's in Advent as we are calm and silent and at the same time filled with excitement about the coming of Christ.

 

Parish-wide Advent wreath making and breakfast - Sunday, Dec. 1, 9:00 a.m.-10:30 a.m., Parish Hall During the education hour you can create your individual Advent wreath and enjoy a delicious breakfast. Fr. Dick will speak about "What is Advent, the 'first season' of the new year".

 

Advent Evenings Dinner and Program  

Simple dinner of soup (vegan and meat) and bread at 6:00 p.m., program begins at 7:00 p.m. RSVP for dinner to Amanda Vaughn or 770-455-6523 the Monday before.

 

    • Dec. 4-Celtic Waiting: The gathering presents a contemplative service, influenced by modern Celtic spirituality, including prayer and poetry, music, guided meditation, and silence. Reflection by Darby Christopher. Music by Ramsay and friends.  
    • Dec. 11-Christmas Concert with Paul Tate: Join us for traditional holiday favorites, Paul's original music, a carol sing-along, and more.
    • Dec. 18-Moravian Lovefeast:The service begins with a welcome and then Christmas hymns and carols that provide the subject matter for our devotional thoughts. During the service a warm slightly sweetened bun will be served along with mugs of coffee and lemonade.

Advent Quiet Day - Saturday, Dec. 7, 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.

A contemplative experience on the prophecies and narratives of Jesus' birth.  As you prepare for the

celebration, prepare your heart in eager expectation of His coming.
 
Click here to see the full schedule of adult Christian Formation offerings for the fall.     

 

Stewardship Update: "Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." 2 Cor. 9:7: So far we have received 89 adult pledge cards for a total of $367,678! This is a wonderful start, and we are so thankful for you generosity.

It is never too late to pledge! Pledge cards for the 2014 Operating Budget are available in the office and you can find a printable pledge card here. Pledge cards should be returned to Nicole Cone, Parish administrator.
 

J2A members gathered last Saturday night for a Litany of Dedication.
 

Want to Join St. Patrick's? Please email Amanda Vaughn or call her at 770-455-6523 for more information.


Christian Formation

Lectionary for this Sunday.

 

Sundays

Nursery - newborn - 4 years - Room 6 

 

Youth and Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Classes:

Catechesis of the Good Shepherd

Level I - ages 3, 4, and Kindergarten - Room 4

Level II - 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grades - Room 9

Level III - 4th and 5th grades - Room 3

(Children's Music in Room 10) 

Rite 13 - 6th and 7th grades - Room 12

J2A - 8th and 9th grades - Room 11

YEA - 10th - 12th grades - Room  14  


Adult Formation Classes:

Dreams: A Way to Listen to God, Library

Gospel of Thomas, Gathering Room

Introduction to the Old Testament, Boardroom 8a/8b

Roundtable Discussion Series, Parlor
   

Workshop on Grieving During the Holidays: This free three-hour workshop is intended for anyone who has experienced a loss of a loved one. It will meet in the Lanier House living room (at the Cathedral of St. Philip) on Tuesday, Dec. 3 from 9:00 a.m. to noon. The group will be facilitated by Dr. Doyle Hamilton, Pastoral Counselor, Care and Counseling Center of Georgia. If you have questions, contact Doyle at (404) 636-1457, ext. 439 or via email.   

 

Introductory Biblical Hebrew: Biblical Hebrew is often thought of as difficult to learn. However, by learning it in the context of a simple text, such as the book of Ruth, all the basic information about the language can be acquired, and students find themselves able to progress into other texts with relative ease. More information here.   

Ministry News     

   

 

Malachi's Storehouse:

 


 

 

A Can in Every Hand: Our "turkey drive" for our Malachi's friends is well underway. Let's compliment that effort this year and help make it a traditional Thanksgiving Dinner. We will have collection boxes in the narthex on Sunday, Nov. 24. Please bring one of the items listed below and place it in the baskets:

  • Canned Pumpkin
  • Canned Green Beans
  • Dry Stuffing Mix 

 

Malachi's Storehouse Christmas Toy Drive: Get in the Christmas Spirit! Join us for our Annual Christmas Toy Drive as we support our Malachi's families. We encourage you to give your time and would appreciate your donations of toys, gift cards, gift wrap, and tape. Cash donations are also welcome. The children we are serving are ages newborn - 18 years old. Please bring all donations to St. Patrick's and drop off in the boxes in the Narthex.

 

Toys will be distributed to pre-registered parents on Sunday, Dec. 22 following the 10:30 a.m. service. We are using an on-line program for parishioners to sign up to help.

Please sign up for Malachi's Toy Party 2013 - here's how it works in 3 easy steps:

 

   1. Click here to go to our invitation page

   2. Enter your email address: (You will NOT need to register an account on VolunteerSpot)

   3. Sign up! Choose your spots - VolunteerSpot will send you an automated confirmation and reminders.  

 

If you have any questions please email Judi Carlson or call her at 630-220-2178.   

 

Help "For the Kid": Malachi's Storehouse receives a large portion of the Christmas toys they distribute from an organization called "For the Kid".  They need volunteers to help with the party as well as donations for the silent auction.  A volunteer registration form can be completed online here. Donation to the silent action can be registered by completing the form on online here. Items donated to the action must be dropped off at St. Patrick's no later than Nov. 21st. Please call Mike Cropper at 770-843-4168 with any questions or for assistance.

 

Sound Ministry Needs Your Help: Not only is the sound ministry looking for people to help each week, but they are also in need of an iPad for this ministry. If you have one you'd like to donate, please contact Tom Nichols.

Cloverleaf Meeting: The Cloverleaf committee (anyone who wants to come) will have a lunch meeting after church Sunday, Dec. 1, to discuss our plans for next year.    

 

Appleton Episcopal Ministries Offering: The Appleton Episcopal Ministries and the people of the Macon Convocation ask for your prayers and support as they begin a new relationships and ministry with each other and the folks in Central Georgia. The needs are many for the underserved children and families in Central Georgia. We will take up a special collection for them on Sunday, Nov. 24.   

 

What is God Calling You to Be?:A 14-week program of training and spiritual formation for outreach, pastoral care, service and mission will be offered beginning in January under the sponsorship of the Institute for Ministry and Theological Education. The program comes from the Community of Hope International, founded by an Episcopal priest and based on prayer and Benedictine spirituality. More information here


Parish Birthdays
Week of November 17

Tim Toth, Claude Grimes, Leslie Ann Bishop, Mona Walasek, Joad Reddicks, Bob Brooks, Dana Dolan, Daimia Gunning

 

Happy birthday!

This Week at St. Patrick's

 

For more detailed information, please check the website. If you are not on the weekly Shamrocks email list and would like to be, please email Amanda Vaughn.    

                                     

                                                                                   

Thursday, 11/21                             

12:30 p.m.   Holy Spirit Prayer Group, Library

8:00 p.m.     The Male Room (AA - Men only), Room 9

 

Friday, 11/22              

9:30 a.m.     Dream Group, Library

8:00 p.m.     The Dunwoody North Group (AA), Room 9

 

Saturday, 11/23

   

Sunday, 11/24

8:00 a.m.     Holy Eucharist, Chapel

9:00 a.m.     CGS and Youth Classes

9:15 a.m.      Adult Classes

10:30 a.m.    Holy Eucharist, Nave

                                                                                                                                

Monday, 11/25      

9:00 a.m.     Tai Chi Class, Narthex

10:30 a.m.    Staff Meeting, Room 1 

7:00 p.m.     Men's Accountability Group, Room 1

                    EfM Class, Room 8

8:00 p.m.     AA (open), Room 14

  

Tuesday, 11/26                                         

6:45 a.m.     Men's Prayer Group, Room 8

6:00 p.m.     German Ensemble, Choir Room

                   City of Dunwoody Public Meeting, Parish Hall 

 

Wednesday, 11/27                                

** OFFICE CLOSES AT NOON** 

12:15 p.m.   Holy Eucharist with Healing Prayer and Anointing, Chapel

3:00 p.m.     Malachi Storehouse

**NO WONDERFUL WEDNESDAY PROGRAM THIS WEEK** 

                                                         

Thursday, 11/28                                    

 **OFFICE CLOSED - Thanksgiving** 

12:30 p.m.     Holy Spirit Prayer Group, Library

8:00 p.m.    The Male Room (AA - Men only), Room 14

 

Friday, 11/29                                                       

**OFFICE CLOSED**

9:30 a.m.     Dream Group, Library

8:00 p.m.    The Dunwoody North Group (AA), Room 14


Income Summary


Actual Income (Adjusted) - YTD*

 Budgeted Income - YTD

 Year to Date Difference: Actual - Budgeted

 Projected Year End Difference

 Projected Year End Difference (% of Annual Budget)


$412,000   

$454,791  

($42,790)     

($48,372)

-9.4%  


* : pre-payments of pledge values have been annualized




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Thank you for being a faithful reader of the Shamrock!  

Visit the website for more details on events and programs.  

 

Contact us:

The Office is open Monday thru Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The phone number is 770-455-6523.

 

Deadline for submitting news items for The Shamrock and bulletin is noon Tuesdays. Send news and photos to [email protected]. Most news items will run for two weeks. 

 

The Shamrock is published weekly. It is distributed most Wednesdays.

 

All content submitted is subject to editing. 

 

Contact: Amanda Vaughn, Director of Communications, 770-455-6523 or [email protected] 

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