St. Paul's Episcopal Church Jeffersonville Indiana

THE GABRIEL

Parish Newsletter for St. Paul’s Episcopal Church

December 12, 2022

Advent is the Season of Joy!

‘Lo, this IS our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us: this IS the Lord; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation.’

Isaiah 25:9

Come and See What’s Being Born!

Christmas at St. Paul’s

*Sunday, December 18 10:15 Holy Eucharist and celebration of the 4th Sunday of Advent with Rev. Suzanne. DECORATING THE CHURCH FOR CHRISTMAS AND COMPLETION OF THE GIFT BAGS FOR THE CHILDREN AT THE CLARK COUNTY YOUTH SHELTER (see below) FOLLOWING THE SERVICE!

*Saturday, December 24 Christmas Eve!

6:30 Carol Sing! Come sing the familiar songs of Christmas.

7:00 Family Christmas Eve Service with Rev. Suzanne. Cookies and Punch following.

*Sunday, December 25 Christmas Day! Holy Eucharist at 10:15 with Rev. Suzanne.

CALENDAR for this week:

Monday, December 12 6:30 NA in Ed. Wing

Wednesday, December 14 6:30 Bible Study in the Ed. Wing

Saturday, December 17 10:00 AA in Parish Hall

Sunday, December 18 10:15 Advent IV Holy Eucharist with

Rev. Suzanne.

COLLECT for Sunday, December 18 (4th Sunday of Advent)

Purify our conscience, Almighty God, by your daily visitation, that your Son Jesus Christ, at his coming, may find in us a mansion prepared for himself; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

READINGS for Sunday, December 18: Isaiah 7:10-16; Psalm 80:1-7,16-18; Romans 1:1-7; Matthew 1:18-25.

HYMNS for Sunday, December 18

Opening H82 54 Savior of the Nations, Come

Offertory H82 66 Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus

Closing H82 68 Rejoice! Rejoice, Believers

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENTS!

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC

St. Paul’s is creating Christmas bags for the children at the Clark County Youth Shelter. Currently there are 6 girls and 4 boys, ages middle and high school. Thanks to Debbie Tucker for coordinating this important parish ministry. Please see Debbie with questions. We had a very successful ingathering of items yesterday but it’s not too late to contribute. THIS COMING SUNDAY the 18th we will put the finishing touches on the Christmas bags and deliver them to the Youth Shelter. St. Paul’s is proud of its tradition of supporting the CCYS with Halloween, Christmas and Easter Baskets!

2. The Offertory during our worship service is much more than just ‘taking up the collection.’ The Offertory is the time to prepare for communion by celebrating our Onenessin Christ and with that in mind we will observe the Offertory by singing our favorite hymns! Do you have a favorite? Let us know!

Our Bible Study group is doing a study of the Gospel According to Mark. It’s a great way to meet the scriptural Jesus. Our next meeting is Wednesday, December 14, 6:30 in the Ed Wing, and we are studying Chapter 10 of Mark. Please come!

4. Our UNCHOIR is for anyone who likes to praise God through singing. No experience necessary. See Mariane or Jim about our rehearsal and singing schedule!

Morning Prayer is an important aspect of Episcopal worship and invites us to discover God in our midst. Please consider being a Morning Prayer leader! See Marylee or Rev. Suzanne.

Please sign up to host and prepare an upcoming coffee hour. Episcopalians are famous for our conversations and coffee! The signupsheet is in the Parish Hall. Help us extend our hospitality after the service.

A Giving Opportunity! St. Paul’s supports the Center for Lay Ministries’ Food Pantry serving the food insecure in Clark County. Look for the Little Red Wagon in the side door vestibule to leave your food contributions. The Top 10 requested foods are: Peanut Butter, Soup, Canned Fruit, Beans, Rice, Tuna, Cereal, Fruit Juice, Pasta, and Canned Vegetables.

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA-NC

We WELCOME you to worship! St. Paul’s is a WELCOMING Faith Community and Christ’s Table is open to ALL. Whether you are a first-time visitor or a long-time member you are a Blessing to us. You are invited to worship with us live on Sundays at 10:15. (Plan on joining us for coffee after the service!} You can also tune in on Facebook Live:https://www.facebook.com/StPaulsJeff/live_videos/

Also, check YouTube for videos of past services:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCynD2CNlCMbJ5YOb1Euce5Q.

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-ND

LICENSED LAY EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS,Dennis and Charlene McAndrews, remain ready and eager to bring communion to any who are unable to be present at services. Whether you regularly attend Sunday service but cannot get here for any reason on a given Sunday, or you are homebound and would like to have the Eucharist brought to you once, or on a regular basis, please contact Marylee at the church office: 812-282-1108, or stpaulsjeff@gmail.com .

MANY THANKS for your continued faithful responses to the need for funds.

PARISH OFFICE HOURS 12 Noon to 4:30pm Monday – Thursday (other times by appointment)

If you have something you’d like to add to the next newsletter (including a brief update on what you and/or your family have been doing since last we met together), let us know atstpaulsjeff@gmail.com

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA

Q & A from the BCP

Our Book of Common Prayer contains an Outline of the Faith (P.845-62) that forms a framework for the way Episcopalians look at God and God’s work in the World. Each week we will feature a couple of these questions and answers!

Q. Besides Baptism and the Holy Eucharist what other sacramental rites evolved in the Church under the guidance of the Holy Spirit?

A. Other sacramental rites include confirmation, ordination, holy matrimony, reconciliation of a penitent and unction.

Q. What is Reconciliation of a Penitent?

A. Reconciliation of a Penitent, or Penance, is the rite in which those who repent of their sins may confess them to God in the presence of a priest, and receive the assurance of pardon and the grace of absolution.

Packing Christmas Bags for the Children at the Clark County Youth Shelter:

A sure sign of the Season at St. Paul’s! Thanks, Debbie!

From Phyllis. Worth repeating!