December 16, 2021

Dear Friends in Christ:

This update will cover the next two weeks, given that there's a lot happening next week, and I'm sure you won't want to spend next Thursday reading an email from me when you've got one million last-minute things to do. So, there's a lot here, but you won't get another email update from me until December 30th. That said,

On to the updates . . .

WORSHIP

This week's bulletin insert is HERE. (Next week you'll have to make your own.)

Sunday 12/19, Advent IV

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.

COVID protocols requiring face coverings are still in place during the service. 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.

1:00pm Funeral Service for Dr. Ed Hill. At the request of the family, this service will also be streamed at our Facebook page. Face coverings are recommended, though not required at this service.

Wednesday 12/22

12:10pm Our mid-week in-person service of Holy Eucharist. In person only.

Face coverings are recommended, though not required at this service.

Friday, 12/24, Christmas Eve

6:30pm Family service with Children's sermon and Holy Communion.

In person only. Face coverings are recommended, though not required at this service.

10:00pm Candlelight service with choir, incense, and Holy Communion. This service will be in person and also streamed on our website and at our Facebook page. Face coverings are recommended, though not currently required at this service. (This policy is subject to change.)

Saturday, 12/25, Christmas Day.

10am Simple service of Holy Communion, in person and streamed on our website and at our Facebook page. Face coverings are recommended, though not required at this service.

Sunday 12/26, Christmas I

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

10:00 am Rite II Holy Eucharist. In person and streamed at our website and on our Facebook page. Face coverings are recommended, though not required at this service. Seminarian Melissa Allison will preach.

This week's bulletin is HERE.

Wednesday 12/29

12:10pm Our mid-week in-person service of Holy Eucharist. In person only.

Face coverings are recommended, though not required at this service.

TUESDAY TAIZE' SERVICE

This past Tuesday, we held our monthly Taize' service (second Tuesday of each month). You can find a link to that service HERE. It was a lovely, meditative time, and I hope you'll consider joining us online or in person next month, at 7pm on January 11th.

FINAL ADVENT RECITAL

For our final Advent Recital of the season, we are delighted to welcome back our long-time friend Loren Veigel at 11:30am on Wednesday, December 22nd. The concert can be attended in person, or viewed at our website on our our Facebook page.

Those attending in person are invited to stay for Holy Communion if they so choose. We are requesting a donation of canned or dry goods for our food pantry.

You can watch yesterday's wonderful recital with our own David Sparkes at this link.

CHRISTMAS EVE HELPERS

If you're interested in helping out Christmas Eve as an usher, crucifer, or acolyte at our 10pm service, please see the sign-up sheet on the table in the parish hall, or speak to Fr. George.

BIRTHDAYS and ANNIVERSARIES

Lots of people celebrating birthdays over the next two weeks, including Paul Kaboth (12/19), Dana Ehmer (12/19), Carla Moore (12/20), Melissa Allison (12/21), Liz Susor (12/22), Bob Long (12/25), Diane Mizer (12/27), Bob Schroeder (12/27), Blakely Schroeder (12/28), Donna Baer (12/28), Nancy Alvarez (12/28), and Lillian Baum (12/30).

No anniversaries of which I am aware.

Be sure to send good wishes and thoughts to all who celebrate this week!

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 ✥Nancy Brooks

✥Bob Daane ✥Chuck Coleman ✥Patty Ann ✥Cary Koontz ✥Noble Carpenter

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

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

✥Christine Hoffman ✥Regina Hoffman ✥Carolyn Flamm ✥Ingrid ✥Betsy Lloyd  ✥David Braid

Last Friday morning, Dr. Edward Hill passed away at his home. Sarah and her sister were with him. Dr. Hill was a pillar of St. Tim's, and he will be deeply missed. His funeral will be at St. Tim's this Sunday (not Saturday), December 19th, at 1pm. You can find his obituary HERE. As noted above, the service will be streamed on Facebook, at the request of the family. Please keep Sarah and the family in your prayers.

Also, our Bishop wrote an important reflection regarding the recent tornado devastation throughout several states. You can find that message at this LINK.

CHRISTMAS POINSETTIAS

You can dedicate poinsettias to decorate our Altars at Christmas again this year, thanks to the ECW. We ask for a contribution of $9.00 per dedication.

You will find order forms in the parish hall, or call the office (330)833-3183, or use the link at our website HERE. You can make your payment using a check or cash, or make your payment securely at our website using this LINK.

Please reserve flowers by December 19th for inclusion in our memorial list.

SOME UPCOMING EVENTS

Tues. Dec. 21 Movie Night, Palace Theater, 6pm-9pm

Wed. Dec. 22 Advent Recital, Loren Veigel, 11:30am

Fri. Dec. 24 Christmas Eve family service, 6:30pm

                 Christmas Eve Candlelight service, 10pm

Sat. Dec. 25 Christmas Day Holy Eucharist, 10am

Thurs. Jan. 6 Epiphany Lessons and Carols, 7pm

Sun. Jan. 16 11:30am Annual Meeting (note change of date)

3pm Batalaika Orchestra concert

Sun. Jan. 30 Saint Timothy Sunday

PERIODIC PUZZLE

On Sunday morning, we will hear the story of Mary and Elizabeth, and Mary's song magnifying God. And so, obviously, there's only one possible image to use as our puzzle leading up to Christmas . . .

You will find the puzzle by clicking HERE. 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!

LAYING LO(w)

The most-recent research indicates that the omicron variant spreads 70 times faster than the delta variant. However, it doesn't damage lung tissue as severely, meaning symptoms tend to be much less severe, especially for those who are fully vaccinated. At the same time, for those with underlying conditions, or who are not vaccinated, any variant can be deadly. When you add to this the need to quarantine for ten days while infected, it has dawned on me that I need to be especially careful in the days leading up to Christmas.

As I told my family, starting now, I need to think of myself as Cleveland Browns' quarterback Baker Mayfield the week before the superbowl. (Hey, we are in the season of miracles.) Just as a COVID positive Mayfield cannot play in the big game, a COVID positive Baum would not be able to lead any services on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. But then I realized, that makes me sound more important than I actually am. So, it's really more accurate to think of myself as the only person with the car keys at the start of a family vacation.

At any rate, I am going to stay as isolated as possible in the coming week, for everyone's safety as well as to avoid becoming the Priest Who Stole Christmas.

Faithfully,

Fr. George