e-vangelist
December 16, 2015
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Christmas Eve Services
5:00 pm  Musical Prelude for Harp and Bells
5:30 pm Christmas Pageant, Holy Eucharist
10:00 pm Wassail in the Parish Hall
10:30 pm Carols for Choir and Congregation
11:00 pm Solemn High Mass of Christmas Eve  with Holy Eucharist

Join us tonight for Wednesdays in Advent 

Please join us for prayer, dinner, and teaching during the season of Advent. Evening prayer starts at 5.30 in Gontermann Chapel, followed by dinner in the parish hall at 6.00pm. We will then have a teaching from 6.30-7.00pm called "Experiencing Our Anglican Heritage." Through sights and sounds we will look at the impact the Anglican Church has had on our Christian experience. We will see some of the places that St. Luke's pilgrims will see this summer and hear how they have influenced our understanding and practice of the Christian faith. This begins on Wednesday, December 2 and ends after Wednesday, December 16.
Christmas Poinsettias and Wreaths

If you would like to donate to the Christmas Poinsettias and Wreaths, please CLICK HERE to fill out the form. You can donate through PayPal  or put a check in the Sunday plate or through the mail. All names and donations must be in by December 20th in order to be the Christmas Eve bulletins. If you have any questions, please contact Caroline in the church office. 
Lectors Needed at the 8 am service. 

If you are interested in being a lector at the 8 am service, please contact Caroline in the Church Office. 
CHILDREN'S CHAPEL AND COFFEE HOUR VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

We are beginning to schedule for the 2016 Children's Chapel and Coffee Hour Volunteer Ministries. If you are interested in being put into this rotation, please contact Wanda Dunwoody or the Church Office.
ENDOWMENT BOARD NOMINATIONS

In January, we will also be electing one parish member to serve a 3-year term to St. Luke's Endowment Board.  This five member group meets quarterly and manages St. Luke's Endowment Fund. We are also seeking nominations for this St. Luke's Endowment Board position. 

Altar Flowers

The Altar Flower chart for 2016 is now up in the Narthex. Be sure to sign up now to reserve your Sunday. Donations for flowers are $55 a Sunday. Please note that there are no Altar Flowers during Lent and Advent. These Sundays are crossed off on the Calendar.
VESTRY NOMINATIONS

Are you interested in helping to lead St. Luke's as we grow and develop? Do you know other members who would make good leaders? In January, we will be electing 4 new vestry members, each for a 3-year term, and we are now accepting nominations. The twelve members of the vestry are charged with the care of the property and business of the church. Working with the rector, they exercise leadership in the development of the congregation. There will be a basket in the Narthex for nominations, or you can contact Caroline in the church office with your nominations. Requirements are: having been confirmed, at least 16 years of age, a giver of record, and have been a member of St. Luke's for at least 6 months. There are 11 monthly meetings, generally on the third Tuesday of the month, and one vestry retreat. Please make sure you are able to attend these scheduled events.  Before nominating anyone to be on vestry, please make sure you have cleared this with that person first! 

Highlighting Our New Members: The Bartletts

Michael and Elizabeth Bartlett were raised Baptists by loving parents.  Both were baptized in the church (twice, for good measure) and began both a love and passion for Christ as well as a lifelong running from the same. On July 28th 2015, Michael's mother, a devout Christian who incessantly prayed for the end to his seeking, passed away -  an answer to her prayers that was not realized during her life on earth was fulfilled when Michael asked Elizabeth, "Do you want to go to church this Sunday?".  "Which church?", Elizabeth asked.   That was the question.
 
Having grown weary and skeptic of churches that offer either biased and self-imposed views of politics and social agendas,  or either the emotional  equivalent one gets from the  warm-fuzzies of a good concert, having never attended an Episcopal Church they both agreed and decided to open the Red Door.  It was that very Sunday they visited St. Luke's and experienced  the Love of Christ within the Body and have finally found a home.  Michael and Elizabeth have two teenagers at home - Ivey and Rivers, who are seeking and running just as they did.  No doubt that they are future Episcopalians as well.
Pageant Practice

Calling all youth and children (including those visiting for the holidays!): It's not too late to sign up for a role in the pageant. We are in need of more shepherds and flying angels. Our first general rehearsal with our narrator will be after church on Sunday. We will have a second general practice at 4:30 p.m. Dec. 23. Please make plans to attend one or both if possible. If you cannot be at either practice but are still interested in participating, please find Beth Maze and let her know. We want to include as many children as possible! Also there will be a special music rehearsal on Dec. 16 at 4:45 specifically for those performing special music in the pageant including Avery, Max, Peyton, Claire G. and Sophia. Anyone else who would like to join us then is welcome!
Greening of the Church

Join us Sunday, December 20th after the 10:30 service for Greening of the Church. We will meet in the Narthex. 
Found Watch

A ladies wrist watch was found in the church on Sunday. If you lost one, please contact the church office to identify. 
END OF YEAR GIVING

Any donations that are to be counted towards the 2015 tax season must be either received in the office by December 31st by 1 pm or postmarked before January 1st.

Prayer List
Anne Gontermann, Hudson Woods, Helen Snipan, Nina Goins, Sydnie Reedy,  Barbara Coker, Megan Elizabeth Hall, Betty Miller, Chris Mikesell, Louis Jenkins, Gloria Holst, Pam Cox, Bill Shepherd, Kailyn, Bobby and Gary Mackzum, Marilyn Gay, Alice Ann Briley, Grace Whitlock, Christine Startz, Billy Tarpley, Bessette Family, Presiding Bishop Michael Curry, Linda Hopkins

 
Special Concerns: For all the men and women of our Armed Forces, especially Justin, Joshua, Bret, Tim, Matt, Doug, Brian Mahoney, Brian Mennes, Frank Tate, Alex Schimelpfening, David Liem, Justin, John Landis, Lucas Kunce, David Jackson