The Season of Advent calls us to prepare for the coming of the Lord. 

The timing of the season just ahead of Christmastide helps remember the anticipation of our Savior's holy birth.

Advent also helps to anticipate and prepare for the return of the Lord at the end of the age. 

Advent, therefore, is a time to pray, reflect, and prepare. As the Lord first came to us in his humble birth, so too does he comes in glory everlasting.

Come and worship together in the fellowship of the Lord Jesus Christ throughout this season of preparation. 

"Our King and Savior draweth nigh: O come, let us adore him."

A few years ago, Linda Hutton challenged everyone in our extended church family to read the entire Gospel According to Luke during the Advent Season.

At 24 chapters, it is possible to read one chapter per day in December leading up to Christmas Eve.

Carla Money not only reminded us of this challenge, but is taking a lead by embracing it herself. Let's join her! Make an effort between now and then to relearn and relive the holy story of our Lord Jesus Christ!

Father Sam gave us a second challenge for the season:

Every morning when we get up, let us pray: "Lord, show me someone today with whom I may share your love, mercy and forgiveness."

Every night when we got to bed, let us ask ourselves: "Where have I found Christ today?"

The answer will be God's Advent gift to us today.

By water and the Holy Spirit, our church family gratefully received Alan Simmons in the faith and fellowship of the Holy Church on Christ the King Sunday, November 26th.

The service of Holy Baptism was led by Father Dan. Brian Judd was Alan's sponsor.

Not only was Alan baptized, but the entire congregation participated in the renewal of our baptismal vows.

Alan is sealed by the Holy Spirit and marked as Christ's own forever. At the same time, all of are called to continue to walk with God in our journey of faith.

May we all confess the faith of Christ crucified, proclaim his resurrection, and share in his eternal priesthood!

Saturday, December 16th, we invite all who are able to help green the nave and decorate the parish hall for the upcoming Season of Christmastide.

We will begin at 10 a.m. With enough helping hands we can be finished by mid-day.

Stir-Up Sunday is a beautiful tradition we inherited from our ancestors in The Church of England.

At the 3rd Sunday in Advent, the  Book of Common Prayer brings us a powerful opening collect that says:

“Stir up thy power, O Lord, and with great might come among us; and, because we are sorely hindered by our sins, let thy bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom with thee and the Holy Ghost, be honor and glory, world without end. Amen.”

The traditional English custom - dating back to Queen Victoria and Prince Albert – is to “stir-up” something good to eat on “Stir-Up Sunday”.

For coffee hour on Sunday, December 17^th, we invite you to stir-up a tasty dish or snack to share and enjoy.

This year, December 24th falls on Sunday.

After some discussion among the congregation, our consensus is to hold the usual Sunday service at the 11 o'clock hour on December 24th.

The lessons for the service will cover the Fourth Sunday of Advent.

Then, in place of our usual evening service on Christmas Eve, we will hold an evening service on Christmas Day, Monday, December 25th.

As mentioned above, this year we will hold our evening Christmas service on Monday, December 25th, at 4 o'clock p.m.

We are pleased to mention that the service will be led by The Venerable Dr. Martin Odidi and assisted by The Rev'd Deacon Funmi Odidi.

Bring a friend or neighbor and join for a beautiful celebration of the Nativity of Our Lord!

Following the service on the evening of December 25th, we will hold the Fr. Werlein Memorial Christmas Reception in the parish hall.

Join us for refreshment, hot cider, and a joyful time of fellowship.

Wynona Gibson has been able to attend some services in recent weeks, but asks for our continuing prayers as she is working to overcome pain from a shoulder injury.

Christie James Grissett had a recent surgical procedure and is making a quick recovery at home.

Sara Money has had some reoccurring sickness this season, but is hopefully on the road to recovery.

Steve Pearson had to be hospitalized for two weeks following a kidney injury. He returned home on December 9th and will do some outpatient dialysis until he is full recovered. Please pray that he will regain strength as the lengthy hospital stay was exhausting for him.

Father Sam is traveling home to Sri Lanka for the Christmas holiday. We joined in a prayer for safe travel on Sunday, December 3rd. Father Dan will also be traveling during the holidays. We will join in a prayer for safe travel for him as well.

In the Christmas season, we will make a special effort to visit several members of our extended church family at home. We will also be sending cards to those we know in the armed services who are stationed overseas.

December 3 – Kate Summers

December 11 - Wynona Gibson

December 14 - Bobby Gass

December 16 - Jonathan Scott

December 31 - Frances Weddington

January 18 - Wes Nevels

February 4 - Abby Garner Patterson

February 16 - Janelee Wise

February 24 - Keaton Krauth

February 26 - Georgia Scott

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"Watch over thy children, O Lord, as their days increase; bless and guide them wherever they may be. Strengthen them when they stand, comfort them when discouraged or sorrowful; raise them up if they fall; and their hearts may thy peace, which passeth understanding abide all the days of their lives; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen."

Christie Grissett, Mike Cunningham, Jonathan Mahaffey, Tony Newmann, Bobbie Boswell, Leanna Morris, Shane O'Dear, Cash Bissey, Heather Martin, Nancy Glenn, Steve and Rose Pearson, Harold Black Jr., Scott James, Wynona Gibson, Gene Black, Marty Judd, Iris Ellidge, Mary McDonald, Roy Tankersley, and Linda Milligan.

We pray continually for Christians around the world in grave danger.

We pray especially over the crisis and conflict in Israel.

We uphold our neighbors in Middle Tennessee following recent storms.

We pray for those in our armed services, especially Coddy Murphy and Anthony Russell.

***

"O God, the strength of the weak and the comfort of sufferers: Mercifully accept our prayer, and grant to your servants the help of your power, that their sicknesses may be turned into joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen."