St. Paul's Episcopal Church 301 E. Stuart Street, Fort Collins, CO 80525 Phone: 970-482-2668 Email: [email protected] - Website: www.stpauls-fc.org View as Webpage

The Third Sunday in Advent -- Reflection by Rev. Lyn This Sunday, we will light the third Advent candle – the rose colored candle. Known as Gaudete Sunday, this Sunday signifies the nearness of the Lord’s coming. It is the one Sunday of Advent when the penitential theme is lifted for a time of rejoicing. The theologian  Henri Nouwen  describes the difference between joy and happiness like this: While happiness is dependent on external conditions, joy is "the experience of knowing that you are unconditionally loved and that nothing – sickness, failure, emotional distress, oppression, war, or even death - can take that love away." I pray that you all know that at this time. Advent is a very mixed bag, I think … external conditions can make this season emotionally difficult for many, especially if they have experienced a significant loss during the course of the year. It’s a time when memories are often particularly vivid, when we miss those we love. Yet it’s also a time of rejoicing – of gathering with family and friends, of celebrating all the blessings of our lives and being thankful for God’s infinite goodness to us. I wonder if you are aware of the joy each one of you brings to me, and to those you encounter. As we rejoice together this Sunday, may you know the depth of your blessedness, your gifts and your beauty.  Blessings,  Lyn+

To Clarify We will be having a celebration of Rev. Lyn's ministry this Sunday after the 9 am service. However, Lyn's last regular services with us will be on December 23. On that day we will have a special litany of farewell during the services, and will also, as a congregation, bless Lyn.

A Letter from Deacon Jim "First, thank you for the wonderful celebration of Ministry. You overwhelmed both Merry Rue and me on December 2 with your kind words, the wonderful brunch, and gifts." Read the full letter HERE 

Your Wardens' Update "Advent at St. Paul’s – A time when we together “come to” the special celebration of our God’s coming to us in the person of Jesus Christ, our Savior – annually an adventure for us as we wait and prepare our hearts and souls for what this will mean for us in the coming year. How will we greet and meet God in the coming year?" See the full article HERE

Ushers Needed Be the face of welcome for those visiting St. Paul's by helping people to feel comfortable in our worship services. Hand out bulletins, pass offering plates and help people to know when to come up for communion. Express our value of abundant hospitality. To sign up, talk to Pony Davis

This Sunday! Celebrate Rev. Lyn's Time With Us Join us after the 9 am service to celebrate and thank Rev. Lyn for her time of inspired and deeply supportive leadership of the St. Paul's community. A light breakfast will be hosted. Do you have questions about any aspect of this celebration? Contact Beth Etter

St Paul’s Giving Tree  St. Paul's Giving Tree provides much needed supplies to the Voices Carry Child Advocacy Center in Fort Collins. All the needed items can probably be found in the grocery store. There are still tags. Please take one from the tree in the narthex and return the item  unwrapped  no later than Monday, December 17. If you have any questions ,please contact Joan Stephenson . Thank you for your support!

Soup Suppers and Taize Services On December 19, Trinity Lutheran, St. Paul’s Episcopal, and Mary of Magdala Ecumenical Catholic Community will join for our last evening of fellowship and contemplation. A simple soup supper in the Fellowship Hall at 6 pm will be followed by Taize worship at 6:45 pm. Sign up sheets are on the counter in the narthex for those who wish to contribute soup or volunteer to help set up or clean up the soup suppers.:

Calling All Coffee Hour Fans Signing up to bring snacks for Sunday Coffee Hour is now super fast and easy. Just click HERE , choose a date, and sign up. (The SignUpGenius will even send you a reminder email.) Don’t delay - these “Coffee Hour Host" slots are going fast, only three more are available for 2018!

Habitat for Humanity Opportunities Two new Habitat for Humanity homes, built in part by St Paul’s parishioners, will be dedicated on Sunday, December 16. At the dedication, the new occupants and their homes will receive blessings from the faith groups that built them. Please join us in these home dedications! Contact Gray Currier And read his full article HERE

Christmas Poinsettias Christmas is just around the corner, and that means it is time to order poinsettias to decorate the sanctuary for the season. With five or more blooms per plant, these gorgeous, red poinsettias stand 15”-19” tall with lush foliage, and are wrapped in red foil. A check MUST accompany your order! Orders must be received by Sunday, December 16. Please bring or mail a note to St. Paul's Office, 301 E Stuart St., Fort Collins, 80525, stating your name , your phone number and whether your gift is in honor of, in remembrance of or in celebration of someone and listing their name. Tell us how many plants you would like to order (at $13 each) and include a check made out to Saint Paul's Church , with poinsettia in the memo line.

Christmas Worship Services St. Paul's Children’s Pageant – Monday, December 24, 1:30 pm St. Paul's Christmas Eve Caroling and Eucharist – 10:30 pm St. Paul's Christmas Day Service – 10:30 am (followed by a Festive Lunch) Trinity Christmas Eve Worship Services -- December 24 at 3:30 and 5:30 pm Mary of Magdala Christmas Day Service -- 9 am

Christmas Day Festive Lunch   St. Paul’s is organizing a Festive Lunch at noon on Christmas day after our Christmas Day service . Everyone is invited – whether you wish to come for a cup of eggnog and snacks or to eat a full meal. There will be a variety of Christmas and non-Christmas dishes, as well as gluten-free and vegetarian dishes. Please join us with your friends. If you are able to contribute to the lunch in any way, there will be a sign-up sheet in the narthex this Sunday. Any questions, please contact Rev. Lyn

Thank You from the Lago Vista Neighbor Program Dear Trinity & St. Paul's families, Thanks to you, the Lago Vista Neighbor Christmas Project was a huge success. Fifty families from the Lago Vista Mobile Home Park were able to select gifts for each of their children (120 children in all). There were enough gifts to go around and the money you contributed will be used to enhance Lago Vista Neighbor's weekly programs that include homework help and mentoring, computer labs, games, leadership training, and much more. If you are interested in helping with tutoring or anything else at Lago Visita Neighbor, please check out lagovistaneighbor.org  Merry Christmas, Brenda Fosse, Barb Klaman, Anya Reiten, & Margaret Wick The Lago Vista Neighbor 2018 Christmas Project Committee

Trinity Book Group: The Book of Joy Members of MOM and SPE are invited to join the Trinity book group on Monday, January 7th, at 9:30 a.m. in the Fireside Room to discuss  The Book of Joy.  Two global heroes, the Dalai Lama and Desmond Tutu, look for answers to one burning question: How do we find joy in the face of life's inevitable suffering? Questions? Call Nadine Hunt at 825-3730.

Betsy Perna's Himalayan Singing Bowls will be in the Sun Room one time in December, December 15, 11 am - 12:30 pm

 "The Small Miracles" "In thinking about the small miracles Luke weaves through his story of Jesus the Messiah, I have evolved in my understanding." -- Laurie Gudim writes for Speaking to the Soul at the Episcopal Cafe. Read the full reflection, HERE .