November 11, 2021

Dear Friends in Christ:

I am so relieved that almost a million children have been vaccinated this week. I cannot imagine the relief that parents are feeling after so many months of faithfully trying to protect their children in public spaces. And, with one shot down for so many, the timing means some sense of normalcy as we head into the Christmas holidays. We will have our regular 10pm Candlelight Service on Christmas Eve; families will be able to gather for Christmas, more confident of keeping one another safe; before long, we will be able to ease up on mask requirements and COVID restrictions around the church building. The day is surely coming, my friends.

Let us give thanks to God for health care workers, scientists, government officials, and everyone else who has worked so tirelessly to get us to this point. May God bless them all, and give them the assurance that their efforts were not in vain.

On to the updates . . .

WORSHIP

This week's bulletin insert can be found HERE.

Sunday 11/14, Pentecost 25

8:00am Holy Eucharist, Rite I. In person only. Face coverings are recommended, though not required at this service.

10:00 am Rite II Holy Eucharist. In person and streamed at our website and on our Facebook page.

All COVID protocols including social distancing and face coverings are still in place. We ask that you please comply with this requirement for the sake of families with children, who are not yet fully vaccinated. Masks are available inside the parking lot doors.

This week's bulletin is HERE, and the hymns are HERE.

I understand there will be a special choir anthem at this service!

Wednesday 11/17 12:10pm

Our mid-week in-person service of Holy Eucharist. Face coverings are recommended, though not required at this service.

ADVENT RECITALS

We are pleased to be hosting another Advent Recital series here at St. Timothy's on Wednesday mornings, prior to our 12:10 service. The schedule is as follows:

December 1 - Mark Thewes

December 8 - Jay Spencer

December 15 - David Sparkes

December 22 - Loren Veigel

The recitals will begin at 11:30am, and folks are invited to stay for Holy Communion if they so choose. We will be requesting a donation of canned or dry goods for our food pantry.

MACDOWELL CLUB CONCERT

And speaking of recitals, this Sunday, November 14th at 3pm, the MacDowell Club of Canton will offer a recital in our sanctuary by local musicians. Performers include Sandra Simpson, organ; Catherine Elsass Dillon, soprano; Mark Thewes, organ; Jean Couchie Burnquist, soprano; Brent Schloneger, piano.

GREENING OF THE CHURCH

Historically, St. Timothy's has taken to greening the church early in order to prepare for the annual Candlelight Walk. Though the walk has been cancelled for this year, it would be lovely to have some decorations up for our Advent recitals. And let's face it, we could all use some joyful decorations right about now. So, here's the plan . . .

Starting at 9am November 27th, we will do our best to get the sanctuary trees and wreaths in place. Then, starting at 9am December 4th, we will see if we have enough people and energy to get the large trees in the parish hall in place, along with outdoor decorations. Please stop by either day (or both!) if you're able to lend a hand.

EVERY PERFECT GIFT

We're into the third week of our stewardship campaign. Our theme this year is Every Perfect Gift, which seems perfectly fitting.

We've reached the point in the campaign where Vestry members need to start contacting those who haven't yet returned a pledge card. And nobody wants that . . . especially the Vestry members. 😉

You can make your pledge online using this LINK, or pick up a pledge card from the church office if you didn't receive one. Thank you in advance for your continued generosity to our parish.

THANKSGIVING OUTREACH

From Ann Higgins: We will be sponsoring five families for Thanksgiving this, the same five families we will sponsor at Christmas time. The deadline for Thanksgiving food items will be Sunday morning (no later than noon) Nov 21^st. As far as non perishables we always can use large bags of noodles and spaghetti, large cans of spaghetti sauce, large cans of tomato and chicken noodle soup, large (family size) boxes of Cherrios, and of course the always popular canned vegetables. We will also be needing (either donated or purchasing) 5 frozen turkeys (sm -med, 10-14lbs) and 5 frozen pumpkin pies. Always can use help to pack (contact me) and cash donations always helpful for when we shop for perishables.   

SOUP THIS SUNDAY

After both services on November 14th, Sarah Emmert and Rita Haines will be offering homemade soup for sale. You can choose between minestrone or chicken noodle, for a mere $5 per quart. Proceeds will go to our Growing With God capital campaign.

PRAYERS REQUESTED

Please continue to pray for all those affected by COVID-19, and please keep these friends and parishioners in your prayers:

✥Bob Meyer ✥Judy Wigginton  ✥Chris Lane ✥Priya Kurian ✥Mike Ziegelhofer

✥Chuck Tilley ✥Michael Flamm  ✥Liz Frank ✥Bobbie Muhlbach ✥John Muhlbach  

✥Isaac Leggett ✥Mike Requa  ✥Toni Contini ✥Brian Dorosch ✥Beth Conley

✥Bob Daane ✥Chuck Coleman ✥Patty Ann ✥Steve Deuble ✥Noble Carpenter

✥Roger Walters ✥Tim & Sharon Gerber ✥Colleen Major ✥Gail Moss ✥Linda June

✥Stephen Huba ✥Roy Schoenfeld ✥Donna Wheeler-Badgley ✥Fred Gibbs

✥Ron Hardin ✥Ingrid ✥Christine Hoffman ✥Regina Hoffman ✥Carolyn Flamm ✥Betsy Lloyd

BIRTHDAYS and ANNIVERSARIES

The only birthday I know of this week is Ann Renkert (11/15).

No anniversaries for this week, as far as I know.

Be sure to send good wishes and thoughts to, well, Ann this week!

CHOIR NOTE CRUNCH

Saturday, November 20th, our choir will gather from 10am to 2pm (with lunch provided) to prepare for the Advent/Christmas season. If you like to sing, this is definitely the best time to join the choir, even if only through the new year. All are welcome!

THANKSGIVING EVE SERVICE

There will be an ecumenical Thanksgiving Eve service at 7pm on November 24th, at Faith Lutheran Church (next to Top of the Viaduct restaurant). Everyone is welcome, and I will be helping out in some way with the service (perhaps preaching).

ANNUAL BLANKET DRIVE

We are up and running with our annual Blanket Drive, held each November. We've already collected over 10% of our goal of 50 new blankets, which will then be distributed to those in need through the Salvation Army. We will collect the blankets on the steps to the chancel, then bless them on November 28th.

SLOWLY BUT SURELY

I cannot tell you how full my heart was when we started the procession on Sunday back to the High Altar. All Saints is one of my favorite feast days, and we Baptized a baby, and Mackenzie led the way.

What I love about this photo is that as we began singing "For All The Saints," we can see pictures of our first Rector and first Bishop on the wall next to our newest Crucifer.

And, as we sang in that hymn, "O blest communion, fellowship divine! We feebly struggle, they in glory shine; yet all are one in thee, for all are thine."

A special thanks to those who cleaned and swept the chancel in preparation for our return. (After 20 months, it definitely needed some sprucing up!)

And in making our way back to that Altar, we gathered once more with the saints of every time and every place, and God was praised.

As this is Veterans' Day, it seems fitting to leave you with this collect, from page 839 of our BCP:

For Heroic Service

O Judge of the nations, we remember before you with grateful

hearts the men and women of our country who in the day of

decision ventured much for the liberties we now enjoy. Grant

that we may not rest until all the people of this land share the

benefits of true freedom and gladly accept its disciplines. This

we ask in the Name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Faithfully,

Fr. George