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Weekly eNews
November 27, 2024
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Hope for the Holidays—Sign Up to Donate Gifts for Children’s Home Society
Bring Dec. 8 for St. Nicholas Visit
Once again, we are joining with Hope for the Holidays, an annual gift drive for children in foster care, sponsored by the Children’s Home Society. For many years we have engaged in this ministry in conjunction with our celebration of St. Nicholas who blesses the gifts we send off for these children. Please sign up for a gift at the link below. We ask that new, unwrapped presents be delivered to the church on Sunday, December 8, for the blessing.* Thank you in advance for your generosity and for helping to provide a joyful holiday season to children in need.
* If you can’t come to church Dec. 8, please deliver to the church office on December 10, 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Please contact Susan Brannan if you have questions or need to arrange for an alternate drop off time.
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Join Us for Advent Worship
Each Sunday we worship in person and online. We are always glad when you worship with us. Nursery care is available during worship, and we offer activity bags to keep little hearts and hands engaged.
This Sunday is the first Sunday of Advent, which begins the church year and is the season of preparation for the coming of Christ. All are invited to join us for worship in the sanctuary at 10 a.m. Our children will have a special Children's Chapel to mark the start of the season. After worship, join us for in the Parish Hall for our intergenerational Advent Event with Wreath Making, or take part in our Advent adult formation offering in the Library.
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Beginning this Sunday, Our Chrismon Tree Will Be On Display in the Sanctuary
Chrismon means CHRISt MONogram, and the ornaments on the Chrismon Tree tell the story of Christ’s life, ministry, death, and resurrection. Chrismon Trees began as an offering to God to glorify God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. The colors of the ornaments are white and gold—white as the liturgical color for Christmas and for God’s purity and perfection, and gold to refer to God’s majesty and glory. The white lights of the tree symbolize Christ the Light of the world.
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Children Begin Advent with Children’s Chapel December 1
We invite all of our children to join us for Children’s Chapel in celebration of the First Sunday of Advent, December 1. Children will process out of the sanctuary after the anthem as usual. Instead of heading to the Godly Play room or playground, we will go to our Children’s Chapel downstairs for a special story, thanksgiving, and communion just for the little ones.
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Adult Formation Offering: Advent Reflections on Hope, Peace, Joy, & Love
Sundays at 11:15 a.m.
Dec. 1, 8, 15, 22 (Library)
This four-week offering explores the themes we experience when we light the Advent Candles each year—hope, peace, joy, and love. Led by Phil Barrineau, the class will be primarily interactive and conversational as we connect with others around our experiences of these broad themes and their Biblical / theological meaning.
Phil Barrineau holds a Master of Divinity from Asbury Theological Seminary and a Ph.D. in Counseling and Human Development from the University of Georgia. He has been a part of this parish since 2007.
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Our Intergenerational Advent Event is this Sunday!
Join Us for Wreath Making & Fellowship
Dec. 1, Right after Worship (Parish Hall)
We will host an Advent Event on the First Sunday of Advent in the Parish Hall after church. Everything you need to make your own Advent wreath will be provided, and we’ll enjoy fellowship and conversation while we build our wreaths together. A donation of $10 per wreath-making kit is suggested but not required.
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We Need Your Greens!—Please Bring them on December 1
Our Advent Event and wreath-making workshop is coming up on December 1, just after church in the Parish Hall. We have all the supplies needed to build beautiful Advent wreaths to light the season—except for fresh greenery. If you have greens in your yard that need to be trimmed or extras from your Christmas tree cuttings that can be spared, please bring them to the Parish Hall before church on the morning of December 1 or email Martha-Wade Chaires to arrange for pickup. Then plan to come and make your wreath with us after church!
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May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in harmony with one another, in accordance with Christ Jesus, so that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of Lord Jesus Christ.
— Romans 15:5–6
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Together in Stewardship for 2025—Now is the Time!
As we prepare our budget for next year, we are so grateful for your pledges. They are critical to our planning. Thank you for your participation in our Together Giving Campaign for 2025. Everything we do is through your generosity.
If you haven’t yet submitted your pledge, please know that every pledge matters, and it is never too late (or too early!) to send in your pledge card or submit your pledge online at the link below.
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May we give generously and joyfully together so that St. Andrew’s can continue to grow in Christ’s love and make that love visible in this church, this community, and this world. | |
Our Advent Lessons and Carols Service is December 8
Join us on the Second Sunday of Advent for an Advent Service of Lessons & Carols. This service consists of scripture readings interspersed with choral presentations and hymns, all of which recall mankind’s longing for liberation from sin and death, and our hope and expectation for the coming of Christ the Lord. Through our experience of sacred Word and music, the story unfolds gradually and deepens our understanding of God’s message of love and redemption. May the words and music of this service propel you quietly toward the true joy of Christmas.
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St. Nicholas’ Visit & Blessing of the Hope for the Holidays Gifts
Dec. 8, after Worship
Come learn about St. Nicholas and bring your unwrapped presents for a blessing next Sunday before they are delivered to the Children’s Home Society for children in foster care.
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Bundle Up for Our EYC Light Balls Walk and Firepit Party
Dec. 8, 5-6:30 p.m.
Next Sunday, all middle and high school youth are invited to head outside for a fire pit party and a stroll through Sunset Hills’ famous light balls! We’ll kick off with hot chocolate and s’mores by the firepit, then embark on a leisurely stroll through our neighborhood’s beautiful holiday lights. Wear comfortable shoes and warm clothes and come ready to get your steps in!
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Support the Altar Guild with Christmas Flower Gifts
Submit by Dec. 15
Each Advent, donation envelopes are placed in the pews providing parishioners an opportunity to make donations expressly for the Altar Guild. These honorary and memorial gifts help cover costs of special services and “day-to-day” altar requirements. Every gift is appreciated, and donors and tributes will be listed in the Christmas Eve bulletin. All donations and tributes must be received in the office by Sunday, December 15. Please include cash or check to St. Andrew’s, with “Altar Guild” on the memo line, or submit your form and payment online being with the link below. If you are mailing a gift, please print legibly and include the following:
This donation for the Altar Guild is given by _____________ in memory of __________OR in honor of _____________ .
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You’re Invited to a Christmas Concert
Dec. 9, at 7 p.m. (Sanctuary)
The Triad Early Music Society (TEMS) will perform their annual Christmas concert in our sanctuary, December 9 at 7 p.m. The concert is free and open to all parishioners and the public. Please invite your friends! Learn more about TEMS on their facebook page.
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Introducing St. Andrew's Sprouts Brunch Bunch!
First Stop, The Sage Mule, Dec. 15
Parents of infant through fifth grade kiddos, let's meet up once a month after church for brunch and time with friends. We'll check out a new kid-friendly spot each month. This month we'll kick off at the Sage Mule after church on December 15. Email Martha-Wade Chaires at the link below with any questions.
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Our Christmas Pageant is the Fourth Sunday of Advent
Dec. 22 During 10 a.m. Worship
(Arrive a little early to grab a costume.)
We invite all children to be part of a special service on the fourth Sunday of Advent, including a “pop-up” nativity pageant. Everyone is welcome to participate, with no rehearsals necessary. Just arrive at church a few minutes early, pick a costume, and you’ll be ready to help make the story of Christmas come to life. After worship we will have a birthday party for Jesus. Join us in the Parish Hall!
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All are Invited to a Love Delivery with the Daughters of the King
Dec. 22 at 2 p.m. (LeBauer Park)
Our Daughters of the King chapter thanks you for supporting their collection for our houseless neighbors. On December 22 at 2 p.m., we invite you to join us at LeBauer Park to distribute toiletries and other provisions to help them feel loved. Meet on the Elm St. side of the park at 2 p.m.
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Join Us for Our Christmas Eve Candlelight Service!
Dec. 24, 6 p.m.
Arrive at 5:45 p.m. for Prelude Music
Our Christmas Eve service will be a Festive Eucharist with prelude and service music from our choir and guest brass musicians. We look forward to singing Silent Night by candlelight.
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Remember Your Burgundy Bags
Help St. Andrew's feed the hungry!
Our weekly Burgundy Bag food donations are an outward and visible sign of St. Andrew’s mission of “feeding the hungry.” Each week, our donations are delivered to One Step Further Food Pantry to support their vital efforts to relieve food insecurity in Greensboro.
If you do not have a bag, please pick one up when you are at church for your household to use going forward. Bags can be picked up and dropped off in the Sanctuary narthex and the hallway by the Chapel.
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To learn more about St. Andrew's Mission & Outreach efforts, contact Doug Sanecki. | |
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Most Needed Food Items:
- rice
- pasta
- beans (dried and canned)
- canned vegetables
- canned meats and fish
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Join us this Advent & Christmas Season as we celebrate Hope, Peace, Joy, & Love! | |
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ST. ANDREW’S ADVENT & CHRISTMAS CALENDAR
Dec. 1, Sun.—First Sunday of Advent
- Worship and Advent Children’s Chapel, 10 a.m.
- Intergenerational Advent Event with Wreath Making, after church
- Advent Reflections on Hope, Peace, Joy, & Love, adult formation after church
Dec. 8, Sun.—Second Sunday of Advent
- Advent Service of Lessons and Carols, 10 a.m.
- St. Nicholas Visit and Hope for the Holidays Ingathering
- Advent Reflections on Hope, Peace, Joy, & Love, adult formation after church
- EYC Together for Joy: Light Balls Walk & Firepit Party, 5 p.m.
Dec. 15, Sun.—Third Sunday of Advent
- Third Sunday Early Worship, 8:30 a.m.
- Worship and Children’s Formation, 10 a.m.
- Advent Reflections on Hope, Peace, Joy, & Love, adult formation after church
- Sprouts Lunch Bunch, right after church at The Sage Mule
- EYC White Elephant Gift Exchange, 5 p.m.
Dec. 22, Sun.—Fourth Sunday of Advent
- Worship with Children’s Nativity Pageant, 10 a.m.
- Advent Reflections on Hope, Peace, Joy, & Love, adult formation after church
- Birthday Party for Jesus, after church
- Christmas Gifts for the Houseless, 2 p.m.
Dec. 24, Tues.—Christmas Eve
- Christmas Eve Candlelight Service & Festive Eucharist, 6 p.m. (Arrive at 5:45 p.m. for Brass Prelude)
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Throughout Advent
Advent Resources are Available for You
We are happy to offer you a printed devotional booklet as well as online resources for Advent study and reflection.
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Living Well Through Advent 2024: Practicing Peace with All Your Heart, Soul, Strength, and Mind, from Living Compass. Printed copies of this booklet are available at church, and you can also download the booklet or sign up to receive devotions as daily emails at livingcompass.org/advent.
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AdventWord Daily Meditations Series, from Forward Movement. AdventWord is an inspirational online Advent calendar that features daily prompt words from the Sunday Lectionary readings. Visit adventword.org to subscribe or read devotions online.
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The Weary World Rejoices, by Kate Bowler. Duke Professor Kate Bowler is committed to seeing the world the way it really is and practicing hope in the midst of our struggles. Her Advent offering for this year is available to download for free at katebowler.com.
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Deck the Halls is December 7 | |
Deck the Halls is Almost Here! | |
Please support our Mission & Outreach fundraiser—and the volunteers who will spend countless hours this week making it happen—by coming to Deck the Halls this Saturday, December 7, 10 a.m.–3 p.m. Invite everyone you know to come shop, bid on auction items, and grab a meal while supporting the work of local nonprofit human service agencies. | | |
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Please check out the Deck the Halls Special Edition for ...
- All you can look forward to!
- All the ways to help!
| Have a Deck the Halls question? Email Marion! | Next week the Parish Hall will be undergoing extensive reorganization as the work of setting up hits peak activity. | |
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Here are the Deck the Halls donation delivery dates:
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Boughs of Holly is looking for donations of holly with berries or pieces of cedar that can be used for centerpiece greenery. You may bring these to the Parish Hall on December 3–4.
- Donations for Presents Under the Tree will be accepted in the Parish Hall on December 3–4.
- Drop-off days for Mrs. Claus’s Sweets and Treats are December 4–5. There is very limited freezer and refrigerator space for food items. If freshness is a concern, donations certainly may be delivered on Friday, December 6, before 2 p.m.
- Don't forget to leave a couple of bottles of wine for the Wine Pull. Please leave donations in the designated box by the church office.
Have you heard about these special events you can look forward to at Deck the Halls 2024?
- The Silent Auction will include items such as a handmade quilt by Shelley Kappauf, a Nest thermostat, books, furniture and handmade jewelry. Come check out all of the items.
- Tickets for the Ring Raffle will be sold at Deck the Halls. Don't miss your chance to win a lovely women’s sapphire ring.
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LAST CALL! Order Now for Wreaths, Chili, Gingerbread Houses, & More
Online Store is Open through Nov. 29!
(See link below.)
You can now pre-order wreaths, centerpieces, chili, gingerbread houses, decorated cookies, and more at our Deck the Halls online store. You can go to our home page to find the green link for the Deck the Halls page and store. Or go right to the store at the link below!
Please note that the online store offerings will be available by pre-order only, and all pre-orders are to be picked up at the Deck the Halls event on December 7. The 2024 Honor Card and cookies with other decorative designs will also be available at the event.
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Year End is Coming!
We are grateful for your continued gifts that sustain the mission and ministry of St. Andrew’s. If you have questions about your giving this year, setting up or changing a recurring draft, or making gifts of stock or other funds, please email Ray Marsh, Bookkeeper or leave a message at 336-275-1651, ext. 3. Ray is in the office on Tuesday and Thursday mornings.
To make a new gift or pledge payment:
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Donate at abundant.co/standrewsepiscopalch/give.
- Use the “Abundant Giving” app, choosing "St Andrew’s Episcopal Church" in Greensboro.
- Mail a check to St. Andrew's Episcopal Church Bookkeeper, 2105 W. Market St., Greensboro, NC 27403.
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The Corner Farmers Market | |
Meet Me at the Market!
Saturdays, 8a.m. - 12 p.m.
In the Kensington Parking Lot
The Corner Farmers Market delivers the goods each Saturday. Stay up to date on weekly offerings at their website (sign up for their newsletter!), and Facebook page.
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Anglican Cycle of Prayer: Province of the Episcopal Church of South Sudan | |
There have seemingly always been tensions in the historic nation of the Sudan, especially between the south (which identified with East African nations) and the north (which identified with North African Arabs and with Egypt). A long civil war ended with the creation of a new nation, South Sudan, in 2011. Six years later, Anglicans created a new Episcopal Church of South Sudan, with perhaps 3 ½ million members. Sadly, they have serious ethnic divisions leading to violent conflicts. Recently the president created a South Sudan Truth Commission, but the next step, investigating South Sudan war crimes, has not been taken. Additionally, in 2024 flooding covered forty counties in the country, affecting almost one million people. In the midst of all of this, the American Friends of the Episcopal Church of the Sudans, founded in 2005, tries to be supportive of Anglicans in the two Sudans, including of a new school in the Diocese of Wau. | |
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Diocesan Cycle of Prayer: The Anglican Communion
Western North Carolina and all those impacted by the recent hurricanes.
Those on our parish prayer list: Mary Stalter; Norma Bullock; Moira Ermentrout; Maria Wilmoth; Jimmye Olivey; Patrick and Margaret Miller; Ed Morea; Julie Dameron; Traci and Erik; Charles Claunch; Barbara Van Cleve; Jeff Cummer; Charles Kelshaw; David McGraw; Betty Atwell; Rich and Maria; Liz Wert; Carol Phillips; Ed Phelps; Mack Baker; Lauren; Downs Brown, Jr.; Martha and Jim Kaley; Nancy O’Donnell; Tina Sink Gangi; Heather; Victoria; Dean Barrett; Johnetta Shablack; Erik Flak; Frank Tatem; Pauline Tatum; Jim Tatum; Pia; Henry, Christine, and Emily Davis-Potter; Linda Heller; Katelyn Flowers; Jeannie Phillips; James; Jim and Sue Ligon; Madeline Colavito; Bob Emmaus; Hilary Towle; Renee Maness; Kayla Alford; Charlotte Lloyd; Walker Sanecki; Sarah Sellers; David; Jack; Mary Rose; Sue Keith; Irina and son
Those serving in our military: Tom Stauffer, Paul Zeigler, Stephen Johnson, Benjamin Phillips, Kenneth Gearhart, Alex Reyes, Michael McNeil, Jordan Payne, Catharyn Nosek
The departed: Eva Harris
Birthdays: Lowell Adkins, Clay Journey, Ryan Revell
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Please send prayer requests to Susan Frye, Parish Administrator, by email or at 336-275-1651, ext. 1. Names remain on our parish prayer list for six weeks. Please let Susan know if you would like a name to continue to be listed. Please also contact Susan with birthdays and anniversaries for the bulletin. | |
St. Andrew's Weekly Calendar | |
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Sunday, December 1
First Sunday of Advent
Worship & Children's Chapel, 10 a.m. (Sanctuary)
Intergenerational Advent Event with Wreath Making, 11:15 a.m. (Parish Hall)
Coffee & Conversation, 11:15 a.m. (Parish Hall)
Advent Reflections on Hope, Peace, Joy, & Love, 11:15 a.m. (Library)
Monday, December 2 through Friday, December 6
Setup Campuswide for Deck the Halls
Tuesday, December 3
Staff Meeting, 10:30 a.m.
Chapel Open for Prayer, 11 a.m.–2 p.m.
Education for Ministry (EfM), 6:30 p.m. (Library)
Wednesday, December 4
Hearing the Gospel, 10:30 a.m. (Library)
Prayer Shawl Ministry, 2 p.m. (Library)
Choir Rehearsal, 7 p.m. (Sanctuary)
Saturday, December 7
The Corner Farmers Market, 8 a.m.–12 p.m. (Kensington Lot)
Deck the Halls Festival & Market, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Sunday, December 8
Advent Service of Lessons & Carols, 10 a.m. (Sanctuary)
St. Nicholas Visit and Hope for the Holidays Ingathering
Coffee & Conversation, 11:15 a.m. (Parish Hall)
Advent Reflections on Hope, Peace, Joy, & Love, 11:15 a.m. (Library)
EYC Together for Joy: Light Balls Walk & Firepit Party, 5 p.m.
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St. Andrew's Episcopal Church
standrewsgso.org parish@standrewsgso.org 336-275-1651
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