A weekly newsletter of the Episcopal Church of the Annunciation
ECA WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
"Our Mission is to bear witness to God's love and invite, encourage, and prepare God's people to share that grace with others."
THIS WEEK AT ECA
COVID-19 restrictions are still in place until further notice.
Thursday, December 24
5 pm: Drive-in Christmas Eve Service
7pm:Drive-in Christmas Eve Service
*Children's Christmas Pageant to air during these services.
9:30pm: Online Christmas Eve Service via Facebook
Friday, December 25
10:30am: Christmas Day Service Online
Sunday, December 27
9:00am Rite II Holy Eucharist Online
10:30am Drive in Sunday Service
*Here is a link from the bishop’s office to clergy in references to services: CLICK HERE
Fr. Paul is available during this uncertain time for prayer, guidance and support. Please call 770-490-7234 or email rector@ecamarietta.org with any concerns, needs, or questions.
O God, you make us glad by the yearly festival of the birth of your only Son Jesus Christ: Grant that we, who joyfully receive him as our Redeemer, may with sure confidence behold him when he comes to be our Judge; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Reminder: Limited activities are now allowed on the outside grounds of ECA following CDC and Health Dept. guidelines. Read ECA guidelines HERE
Updated guidelines for Phase I (limited outside attendance) HERE
A Christmas Message from Bishop Wright
"We couldn’t have imagined a year like this one last Christmas. Everything has changed, but gladly what endures, what continues to bless us, is the music of Christmas..."
ECA Children's Christmas Pageant
The Annual ECA Children's Christmas Pageant will air virtually tonight - Christmas Eve- at 5pm and at 7pm during our drive-in services. It will also be aired virtually at the 9:30pm online service. Additionally, you may find a link to view it after it airs on Facebook. A special Thank You to all the parents, children and especially Tom Jacobsen and Sandi Harden for organizing and facilitating the Children’s Christmas Pageant Virtually this year. You won't want to miss this!
Drive-In Service Instructions
While we are still not allowed to gather for large crowds for in person worship inside, providing opportunities for worship is still our top priority: Currently, we are offering a Drive -In Service to allow parishioners to stay in their warm vehicle for services. See parking diagram to the right (please park straight and not diagonal). Notice the parking pattern to allow every car the opportunity to see directly in front of them. Join Us!
All in-person activity and group meetings at ECA must still go through Fr. Paul to ensure accountability measures. Here is the latest information we have. Click on the links below to review:
· Gathering Guidelines for Phase I limited outside Sunday Service as of 9/10: Click Here
· Latest bishop's directive as of August 19, 2020. Please click on the link HERE
Christmas Services: Dec 24 at 5pm, 7pm and 9:30pm. Christmas Day at 10:30am ECA will offer a drive-in service at 5pm and at 7pm. Please let us know if you are interested in attending by clicking the link here. We will stream services live at 9pm via Facebook. The Virtual Children's Christmas Pageant will also air this evening (we hope to show it all services). Be sure to watch! Also, join us Christmas Day online at 10:30am. Merry Christmas!
Counters & Lectors (Readers) Needed for Sundays! While we are still not allowed to meet in our worship space, we continue to stream a Sunday service to our parish and cyber community and conduct limited outside drive-in services. If you are interested with helping during the service, please contact Fr. Paul at pcm09@bellsouth.net. There are several minor tasks we need help with in order to make sure we are able to live stream and record for parish members. I look forward to hearing from those who may be interested. *Volunteers needed to read the Sunday lessons.
Do you need Prayer, Counseling or Confidential Assistance?
Fr. Paul is making his Pastoral Rounds virtually via telephone calls and online check-ins. If you are in need of counseling, prayer, simple virtual visi or confidential assistance, please contact Fr. Paul directly at pcm09@bellsouth.net or call him at 770-490-7234. You may also contact the ECA Senior Warden, Wanda Ziembinski at ziemby@hotmail.com. Part of what makes ECA so special is the community and support we offer to one another!
