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December 8, 2022
Dear Friends in Christ:
It's beginning to look a lot like . . . Advent. Everywhere you go, you might be getting a different message, but I never tire of reminding us that we're still waiting for that baby to show up later this month. But while we're waiting, there are approximately one thousand things going on, including here at church. So I hope you'll carve out some time to join us for worship, music, and socializing in the weeks ahead.
On to the updates . . .
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WORSHIP
St. Timothy's current policy is that face coverings are suggested, though not required inside our building. You can always find the most-current updates on all our services by checking the calendar page of our website.
Sunday 12/11, Advent 3: Children's Sunday
8:00am Holy Eucharist, Rite I. In person only.
10:00 am Rite II Holy Eucharist. In person and streamed at our website, on youtube and on our Facebook page. This week's bulletin is HERE. Special activities for children during the first part of the service; they will then join us for Holy Communion.
At Coffee Hour, we'll have a special visit from the Bishop of Myra (aka, St. Nicholas).
Tuesday 12/13, Taize' 7pm
Our monthly Tuesday Taize' service will be streamed at our website and on Facebook. Your in-person attendance is welcome. You can sing along with us at home or in church. The service outline and music are HERE. (We will have printed copies at the door.)
Wednesday 12/14, Rite II with Healing
Note time change during Advent
12:30pm Our mid-week service of Holy Eucharist, includes anointing with oil for healing. In person only.
Sunday 12/18, Advent IV
8:00am Holy Eucharist, Rite I. In person only.
10:00 am Rite II Holy Eucharist. In person and streamed at our website, on youtube and on our Facebook page. This week's bulletin is HERE.
Wednesday 12/21, Rite II with Healing
Note time change during Advent
12:30pm Our mid-week service of Holy Eucharist, includes anointing with oil for healing. In person only.
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HOLIDAY SCHEDULE
Christmas Eve
7pm Family Service with Choir and Holy Communion
10pm Candlelight Service with Choir and Holy Communion (incense will be used)
Christmas Day
10am only, Service of Holy Communion, spoken
New Year's Day
10am only, Service of Holy Communion with Choir
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UPCOMING DATES OF NOTE
Dec. 8 ECW Meeting, 10:30am
Dec. 11 Children's Sunday, 10am
- A Visit from St. Nicholas, 11:15am
Dec. 13 Taize' 7pm
Dec. 14 Advent Recital Michael Lucas, 12pm
Dec. 15 Maureen "Mo" Major Priestly Ordination, 7pm
Dec. 18 A Chorus for a Cause Concert, 3pm
Dec. 19 Vestry, 7pm
Dec. 21 Advent Recital Levi Muriuki, 12pm
Dec. 24 Family Service, 7pm
- Candlelight Service, 10pm
Dec. 25 10am service only
Jan. 1 10am service only
Jan. 5 ECW Meeting, 10:30am
Jan. 8 Epiphany Tea, 11:15am
- Epiphany Lessons & Carols, 5pm
Jan. 15 10am service only
- 187th Annual Parish Meeting, 11:30am
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CANDLELIGHT WALK
The return of Massillon's Candlelight Walk was a massive success! A merry band of volunteers served an estimated 750 people 12 gallons of cider and 90 dozen cookies. We also treated them to a variety of music from our small but mighty choir and soloists, as well as Jay Spencer on the organ and some guy on piano.
Thanks to all who helped out in so many ways! We put our best face forward, and it was a lovely face indeed!
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ABOUT OUR NEXT BISHOP
Living Church has published a marvelous piece about our Bishop-elect, the Rev. Anne B. Jolly. You can find that article HERE. Our Diocese can look toward a bright future under her leadership, and we look forward to welcoming her to St. Tim's in the years ahead.
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CHRISTMAS OUTREACH
We are sponsoring five local families for Christmas this year. As you'll see on the bulletin board in the parish hall, you can take index cards to guide you through purchasing toys and clothing for the children. There is also a sign-up sheet to provide various food items for a festive holiday meal or two. It's a slightly different system from previous years, but it's a good system and will work well. Any questions, please see Danielle Shaffer or Ann Higgins.
Please have all wrapped gifts and food dropped off at church by 12pm Sunday, December 18th.
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CHRISTMAS POINSETTIAS
The ECW is offering Christmas poinsettias for sale to decorate our Altars this Christmas season. If you would like to purchase flowers as a dedication or memorial, you can do so at our website HERE, or by filling out a form available in the parish hall.
We ask for a contribution of $10.00 per plant.
Please reserve your flowers before December 18th for inclusion in our memorial list.
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THE PRIESTING OF THE REV. MO MAJOR
Next Thursday, December 15th, our Seminarian, who became a Deacon, will become a Priest! You're all invited to this festive and exciting event at 7pm, St. James Church, Boardman OH. Mark your calendars, and plan to attend if you can. (Fair warning: she has asked Fr. George to deliver the sermon.)
If you'd like to consider purchasing an Ordination gift for Mo, I've convinced her to create a registry, which you can find HERE.
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ADVENT RECITAL SERIES
We are halfway through our Advent Recital Series. The recitals begin at 12pm, thus, our Wednesday services start around 12:30pm during Advent. All recitals will also be livestreamed in the usual places.
The final two recitals are:
December 14: Tenor Michael Lucas
December 21: Organist Levi Muriuki
If you'd like to watch the previous recitals, you can click on Chad Pittman and Loren Veigel.
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CMA MEETINGS BEGIN
I was recently contacted by someone looking for a meeting space for those recovering from addiction to crystal meth. I brought the question to Vestry, and they approved the use of our lounge on Thursdays from 5:30-6:30pm.
We're all familiar with Alcoholics Anonymous, but a group like CMA addresses the particular needs of people with specific addictions. St. Timothy's has plenty of space, and I am so proud of us for inviting another public ministry (along with Aspire adult education) to use our space to make life better for our neighbors.
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ONE STOVE TO FEED THEM ALL
On Tuesday morning, our new stove arrived at church. The first step was to remove the old 5 ton beast, which Jon Silvis kindly came down to help with. Sarah and Rita made quick work of cleaning things up, and then the new stove went in.
This big change means we'll once again be able to cook food in the church kitchen, and I'm really excited that we can start dreaming about getting a community meal going again. A huge thank you to those who contributed money toward this project, and those who bought outgoing dishes to add more funds. And special thanks to the Stove Committee and Chair, Ellin Schroeder, for guiding us through this massive improvement.
Behold: a journey, in six photos.
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NEW OFFERING ENVELOPES
Hot off the press, our new offering envelope booklets have arrived. We no longer assign numbers to them, since not everyone uses envelopes these days. But if you find it helpful to have a book of envelopes, you can find them on the table in the parish hall, or we can mail one out to you. Of course, you can always support St. Timothy's Church at our website, using this secure LINK.
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PRAYERS REQUESTED
When you ask for someone to be added to the prayers, they will stay on our list for four weeks unless we hear from you. We will maintain a continuing prayer list for those with ongoing needs. The email list below merges both lists.
Please be sure to let us know if someone should be taken off this list so we can focus on those in need.
Please pray for the people of Ukraine & Russia, that they would be kept safe and live in peace and safety.
And please also keep these friends and parishioners in your prayers:
✥Chris Lane ✥Priya Kurian ✥Chuck Tilley ✥Michael Flamm ✥Liz Frank ✥Mike Requa
✥Toni Contini ✥Brian Dorosch ✥Bob Daane ✥Noble Carpenter ✥Gail Moss
✥Greg Rush ✥Tony Donahue ✥Tina Gottshall ✥Ruth Lash ✥Gayle McHenry
✥Dylan Miller ✥Ted Savastano ✥Hadley Hirschman ✥Eamonn Hunter ✥Sarah Kouri
✥Matt Neal ✥Becky Frum ✥Sally Sorenson ✥Marilyn and Denny ✥Neina and Ileana Vetrano
✥Thomas Haidet ✥Leonard Baum ✥Ed Nihser ✥Lester Kidney ✥Phil Mayer
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BIRTHDAYS and ANNIVERSARIES
Celebrating birthdays over the next two weeks are Sarah Douglas (12/11), Kristie Baker (12/16), John King (12/16), Paul Kaboth (12/19), Carla Moore (12/20), Melissa Allison (12/21), and Liz Susor (12/22).
Jay and Laurie Bomze will celebrate their anniversary on December 16th, and Susan and Steve Merrill will celebrate theirs on December 17th.
Be sure to send good wishes and thoughts to all who celebrate in the coming weeks!
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PERIODIC PUZZLE
The Saturday after Thanksgiving, about a dozen kind souls came and hoisted all the decorations up from the rifle range--as one does--and got the sanctuary all decorated for our journey through Advent. Now that the floor is done, and the side walls are painted, things are looking mighty beautiful, and worthy of a puzzle for your online entertainment.
You can find the puzzle by clicking HERE.
As always, you can choose your background color, number of puzzle pieces, and even set it to display just the edge pieces. Plus, you get a very affirming crowd reaction once you have completed it!
Also, if you want to take a trip down puzzle memory lane, you can go back and find the whole collection on our website at this LINK.
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December 19th marks the 13th anniversary of my Ordination to the Priesthood. Which means I have now spent half my ordained life serving among the people of St. Timothy's. We have done amazing things together, and boy howdy we've been through a lot these past few years. But we are finding new ways to do things, and new faces have joined us and added to our ministry in Massillon. This parish is truly one of a kind, and I'm honored to serve alongside you.
Faithfully,
Fr. George
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