You are Invited to a Holy Advent

St. Andrew’s Advent 2021
St. Andrew’s Advent & Christmas Calendar
 
Nov. 28 Advent Begins, Daily devotionals available,
Blessing of Las Posadas
 
Dec. 4 Deck the Halls Event (10 am – 3 pm)
 
Dec. 5 Advent Event (after church), Wreath making, Angel Tree/Hope for the Holidays Gift Drive, St. Nicholas Visit
 
Dec. 12 Advent Lessons & Carols Service (10 am)
 
Dec. 24 Christmas Eve Services
4 pm Service with Children’s Pageant and Communion
7 pm Service with Communion and Candle Lighting
 
Dec. 26 First Sunday of Christmas
 
Jan. 9 Celebration of the Feast of the Epiphany
Daily Advent Devotional – Living Well Through Advent 2021: Practicing Patience

How can we practice patience as we wait the coming of Christ and new life this season? Sign up for a daily email devotional at https://www.livingcompass.org/advent. You will also be invited to join the Facebook Retreat/Discussion group.
Las Posadas – An Opportunity to Welcome the Holy Family (all of Advent)

Each night of Advent, a carved holy family will travel from parish household to parish household recreating Mary and Joseph’s search for a place to stay as they traveled to Bethlehem. The requirements are simple: be willing to open your home to the holy family, care for them for 48 hours, and deliver them to the next household. This is an opportunity to practice hospitality, to reflect on the meaning of season, and to make space for Jesus to be born anew. Visit https://bit.ly/PosadasStA to sign up.
Angel Tree Gifts Collected through December 7th

St. Andrew's is 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 use this SignUp Genius link to sign up to provide a gift: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080A48ABA72BAB9-hope. We ask that unwrapped presents be delivered to the church by December 7th. Thank you in advance for your generosity and for helping to provide a joyful holiday season to children in need.
Please contact AmyRuth McGraw (amyruthmcgraw@gmail.com) if you have questions. 

Note: If there are no more spots on the signup genius, please don't hesitate to bring a present. All gifts beyond what is needed for Hope for the Holidays will be given to other agencies helping families in need.
St. Andrew’s Advent Event on December 5 (after church)

Please join us as we made Advent wreaths and welcome St. Nicholas! Advent wreaths are a traditional and beautiful way to mark the weeks of Advent and celebrate the light of Christ. We will provide all the necessary materials including the wreath form, greenery, and candles. Please let us know if you can come by emailing Anna Taylor at annataylor02@gmail.com.
Want to Help Deck the Halls?

There is still time for you to contribute in a number of ways:

  • We are still accepting your contributions of wine, arts and crafts (contact Lynda Sanecki), and baked goods (contact Nancy Rizzuto).

  • Pre-order your wreaths, arrangements, and poinsettias through November 27th. There will be very few available on December 4th if you haven’t already placed your order, so don’t miss out. Our Green Apron volunteers will be outside after church services on Sunday to take your orders, and you can order online at standrewsfundraisers.square.site

  • Help us spread the word. Use our Holiday Photo Spot on the Kensington Avenue side of the church campus to take your Christmas card picture. Then post it to social media with the date and time of Deck the Halls.
Christmas Flower Dedications

Each Advent and Lent, the Altar Guild places donation envelopes in the pews providing parishioners the opportunity to make a donation expressly for the Altar Guild. These donations help cover the costs of special services and “day-to-day” altar requirements. If you are participating through the online service and would like to make a donation, simply mail your check to St. Andrews with a short note supplying the following information:

This donation for the Altar Guild is given by ________________
in memory of ______________ OR in honor of _______________.

Your contribution will be credited to the Altar Guild and will be acknowledged in the Christmas Eve Bulletin. There is not a "charge" or set amount. Your donation and dedication need to be received by the church office by December 12th in order for our Parish Administrator to create the bulletin. Thank you for your support!
Advent Service of Lessons and Carols is December 12

The Advent Lessons and Carols Service will be on the third Sunday of Advent, December 12. The liturgy for the service alternates Advent readings with traditional Advent carols. Plan to arrive a little early to hear guest harpist, Bethany Lancaster, who will play a 10-minute prelude. She will also accompany choral anthems and congregational hymns.
St. Andrew's Episcopal Church
standrewsgso.org + parish@standrewsgso.org + 336-275-1651