November 24, 2021

Dear Friends in Christ:

The season of Advent (which begins this Sunday) is historically a penitential season. Advent prepares us for Christmas much like Lent prepares us for Holy Week. Of course, self reflection and fasting don't exactly go with the flow of the society around us, what with all the parties and whatnot. But there is a strong connection during this season for doing with less and giving the excess to those in need.

And here comes Thanksgiving at the perfect time. It's like the Mardi Gras of Advent! And the generosity of the people of St. Tim's is never more on display than during the time between Thanksgiving and Christmas. The desire to help others is deep in the DNA of our parish, and I am ever grateful to serve alongside you in this community.

And if you need proof of how generous this parish is, you can read this fine interview arranged by Margy Vogt, which ran in the Canton Repository.

On to the updates . . .

WORSHIP

This week's bulletin insert can be found HERE.

Today 11/24

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

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

7pm Thanksgiving Eve ecumenical service at Faith Lutheran Church, 107 6th St SW, in Massillon. Fr. George will be preaching. The service will also be streamed on Faith Lutheran's Facebook page, HERE.

Sunday 11/28, Advent I

8:00am Holy Eucharist, Rite I. In person only. Face coverings are recommended, though not required at this service. Seminarian Maureen Major will preach, and our collected blankets will be blessed.

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, and the hymns are HERE.

Seminarian Maureen Major will preach, and our collected blankets will be blessed.

Wednesday 12/1

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

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

GREENING OF THE CHURCH

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.

YOU CAN RING THE BELL !

Ann Higgins has reserved a date for us to ring the bell for the Salvation Army in order to support the good work they do in our community.

For Monday, December 6th, from 4-8pm, you can sign up for half-hour slots ringing the bell at Giant Eagle, in the plaza near Target on Lincoln Way. (It's indoors!)

The money collected does amazing things for our neighbors in need, plus they'll have a sign to let folks know you're from St. Timothy's. I hope you'll sign up to help out. You'll see the sheet on the bulletin board in the parish hall.

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 ✥Steve Deuble ✥Noble Carpenter

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

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

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

BIRTHDAYS and ANNIVERSARIES

Hard as it is to believe, I have no evidence of any birthdays in our parish between Nov. 28 and Dec. 4. However, both Bob and Jane Meyer and Mark and Candy Dickerhoof will celebrate their anniversaries on November 29th. (Same year even!)

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

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 are requesting a donation of canned or dry goods for our food pantry.

THANKSGIVING RESPONSE

As often happens, we're extending our stewardship campaign. Our theme this year is Every Perfect Gift, which seems perfectly fitting as we collectively turn our hearts in gratitude toward the One from whom all gifts flow.

If you have not filled out a pledge card, you can do so online using this LINK, or pick up a pledge card from the church office. Thank you in advance for your continued support of our parish.

THANKSGIVING PUZZLE

I've got three words for you . . . Crackerjack. Altar. Guild.

(Well, plus One Renegade Grape.)

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!

As we prepare to give thanks for all the gifts of this life, I leave you with the Collect for Thanksgiving Day (BCP 246). And I draw your attention once more to the deep connection between thanking God and helping those in need.

Thanksgiving Day

Almighty and gracious Father, we give you thanks for the

fruits of the earth in their season and for the labors of those

who harvest them. Make us, we pray, faithful stewards of

your great bounty, for the provision of our necessities and

the relief of all who are in need, to the glory of your Name;

through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with

you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Faithfully,

Fr. George