THE GABRIEL
Parish Newsletter for St. Paul’s Episcopal Church December 20, 2021
Calendar Reminders
Dec 20 6:00 pm NA Meeting
Dec 24 7:00 pm Christmas Eve Service
Dec 25 CHRISTMAS DAY
Dec 26 10:15 am Holy Eucharist, with Rev. Suzanne Barrow. On Facebook Live: https://www.facebook.com/StPaulsJeff/live_ videos/
Collect for 1ST Sunday After Christmas (December 26th)
Almighty God, you have poured upon us the new light of your incarnate Word: Grant that this light, enkindled in our hearts, may shine forth in our lives; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
The Lessons: Isaiah 61:10-62:3; Galatians 3:23-25; 4:4-7; John 1:1-18; Psalm 147
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OUR PARISH PRAYERS:
Let us worship the savior with joy, and make our prayer to our gracious God.
The Shepherds and Magi came to Bethlehem to worship your Son: Grant to Christians everywhere the spirit of awe and adoration. Lord of Glory,
Hear our prayer.
The infant Christ was given gifts of incense, gold and myrrh;
Accept our offering of our hearts and minds, talents and resources for your work in the world. Lord of Glory,
Hear our prayer.
The kingdoms of the world have become the kingdom of God and of his Christ: Grant an abundance of peace to your world.
Lord of Glory,
Hear our prayer.
The Holy Family lived in exile and in the shadow of death:
Look with mercy on all who flee from violence and war, for those who are poor and powerless, and all who suffer; and we especially pray for Lois, Virginia, Juanita, Gwen, Mary Sue, Delani, David & Michele, Robert and Charles.
Lord of Glory,
Hear our prayer.
Your son shared his life with those from his home and family at Nazareth:
In your love protect our neighbors, our families and this community of which we are a part. Bless our global family remembering especially Michael our Presiding Bishop, Jennifer our Bishop, Mauricio bishop of Brasilia, and for peace and harmony in Israel and the Middle East. In our diocesan cycle of prayer, we remember Holy Family, Fishers--The Rev. Bruce Gray, and all who minister in your name. Lord of Glory,
Hear our prayer.
Rejoicing in the fellowship of the shepherds, the angels, the Virgin Mary, St Joseph, and all the faithful departed, we pray for all who gone before us in faith and we commend ourselves and all people to your unfailing love.
Lord of Glory,
Hear our prayer.
God of Christmas, bless us as we once again celebrate Your coming into Your creation and inspire us to share your blessings with others. Amen.
Leader: We pray to you also for the forgiveness of our sins. Have mercy upon us, most merciful Father;
in your compassion forgive us our sins,
known and unknown,
things done and left undone; and so uphold us by your Spirit
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that we may live and serve you in newness of life, to the honor and glory of your Name;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
FROM THE GABRIEL TEAM:
NEXT SUNDAY (December 26th): Holy Eucharist will be celebrated by Rev.Suzanne Barrow. Following the service, there will be coffee hour in the Parish Hall. Don’t forget—the little red wagon is waiting to be filled with food donations for the Center for Lay Ministries! Please note that the wagon has been moved to the Parish Hall entrance, on your left as you enter.
ONLINE SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICES: The next Sunday service will begin December 26th at 10:15 am. It will be live and in person at St. Paul’s, and on Facebook Live: https://www.facebook.com/StPaulsJeff/live_videos/
Please join us, during or after the service, and tell others about the service. Also check YouTube for videos of past services: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCynD2CNlCMbJ5YOb1Euce5Q.
CHRISTMAS EVE CANDLELIGHT SERVICE 7:00 pm on Friday, Dec. 24th. Holy Eucharist will be celebrated by Rev.Suzanne Barrow. It will be live and in person at St. Paul’s, and on Facebook Live: https://www.facebook.com/StPaulsJeff/live_videos/
MOVING DAY WAS DEC 14TH: The church offices and meeting room were successfully moved back into the Education Wing last Tuesday. Thanks so much to all who helped, and supported the process in other ways. Especially we thank our Sexton Charles, whose tireless efforts were far and above our expectations of him, and without whom much of the job would still remain to be done.
LICENSED LAY EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS, Dennis and Charlene McAndrews, are ready and eager to bring communion to any who are unable to be present at Sunday 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 on a regular basis, please contact Marylee at the church office: 812-282-1108, or stpaulsjeff@gmail.com .
Virginia Bushau reminds us that she is making capes and muffs or mittens for those who are in need. If you know any person or organization in need, please let us know at the church office by phone or email, and we will get the information to her.
MANY THANKS for your continued faithful responses to the need for funds. PARISH OFFICE HOURS : MTWF 10:00-4:30 and Thurs 10:00 to 1:00 pm.
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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), please email the team at stpaulsjeff@gmail.com by Sunday afternoon. Please put “newsletter” in the subject line.
WELCOME OUR SR. WARDEN
Ben Sapp, appointed Verger in 2020, now accepts additional duties as Sr. Warden
At the vestry meeting on Tuesday, December 14th, Ben Sapp accepted appointment by the Vestry to assume the position of Sr. Warden for the year 2022. He will serve as interim Sr. Warden for the remainder of this year. As a CPA, Ben is not only well qualified to guide us through the coming year, he is already working on straightening out our treasury reports for the diocese and setting up a system that can be easily maintained and transferred from an outgoing treasurer to an incoming treasurer without difficulty. We are deeply grateful for Ben’s love of St. Paul’s and his willingness to lead us in our work and ministry here. Thanks, Ben!!!
STATUS OF ROAD WORK ON WALNUT STREET
In spite of the havoc being created by road work and sewer improvements that closed Walnut St. on our block, we had a good turnout Sunday morning as everyone found a way to park and get into the building. Here are the directions again for at least Friday night Christmas Eve Service, and the following Sunday service:
You will not be able to park anywhere on Walnut Street on this block, nor will you be able to drive into the parking strip by the church from Walnut Street. You CAN enter the alley to the parking strip from Locust Street, one block over. If you then park beside the church in the alley, you can enter through the Parish Hall door on that side of the church.
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You may not be able to park around the corner on E. Market, because that street is closed right now. For those of you who can walk easily, you might park on Locust Street close to the alley entrance, or perhaps if there is room in the Catholic Church parking lot on the corner of Walnut and Chestnut, one block from the church. I don't know how the folks at 1st Presbyterian feel about us parking in their lot using the entrance off Chestnut Street, but they always generously offered before.
SERVICES FOR SONNY & BILL MC CULLOCH
The family of Sonny and Bill McCulloch have decided to postpone funeral services until at least mid-January, due to pandemic restrictions and additional severe illness in the family (Debbie’s brother Charles remains on a ventilator at this time).
We will let you know when a time has been determined. Both brothers wished to be cremated and have their ashes interred in the columbarium at St. Paul’s.
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