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ST. GEORGE'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH
4301 N. IH 35
Austin, TX 78722
Phone: 512.454.2523
stgeorgeaustin@gmail.com
Church office hours:
Monday - Thursday
9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
www.sgchurch.org
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Sunday Schedule
8:00am - Holy Eucharist Rite I
9:00am - Contemplative prayer
9:45am - Choir rehearsal
10:30am - Holy Eucharist Rite II
with Kids Word
4:00pm - St. Hildegard's Worship |
The Rev. Kevin LJ Schubert
Rector
The Rev. Judith Liro
Associate Rector & Minister to
St. Hildegard's Community
The Rev. John Brewer
Deacon
Anne Weaver
Music Minister
Vanessa Nering
Newcomer Minister/
Office Administrator
Kate Wright
Interim Day School Director
Vestry
Melissa Eason Brackin
Patsy Chandler
Herb Dickson
Scott Hoffman
David McGhee
Mary Stewart Miller
Alice Nelson
John Rickard
Trevor Thompson
Patsy Chandler
Senior Warden
Herb Dickson
Junior Warden
Melissa Eason Brackin
Financial Secretary
Frances Rickard, Treasurer
Mary Stewart Miller, Clerk
John Rickard, Day School Liaison
Josh Shipman
Seminarian
Ashley Urquidi
Seminarian
Laurence Wainwright-Maks
Seminarian
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MARK YOUR CALENDARS!
Click on the following links to find:
 Reader and Intercessor spots are available for December. Please consider becoming a part of this important ministry! Click here to sign up to be a reader or intercessor during our Rite I & II services. |
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January Banner Submissions
Deadline for news for the next issue of
The Banner is Friday, December 20th. Please e-mail information and articles you would like included in next month's edition to stgeorgeaustin@gmail.com .
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Christmas Services
Sunday, December 22nd
8:00 am - Holy Eucharist Rite I (No music)
10:30 am - Holy Eucharist Rite II,
with Lessons & Carols
Monday, December 23rd
6:30 pm - Children's Christmas pageant Tuesday, December 24th
7:00 pm -Christmas Eve Service, Holy Eucharist Rite II
10:30 pm - Christmas Eve Service, Holy Eucharist Rite II
Services will not be held Christmas Day |
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Church office closed
The church office will be closed in observance of the Christmas holiday from Wednesday, December 25th through Wednesday, January 1st. May you have a safe and blessed holiday and a very happy new year!
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Rector's Corner
Dear St. George's Family,
Sunday, December 1st marks the beginning of Advent, the beginning season of a new church year. Advent is a very special time in the church, and especially for St. George's. The word Advent comes from the latin word 'adventus' meaning coming. In reference to Christ, the first advent is his incarnation; the second is his future second coming. The season is a time of expectant waiting and anticipation for the coming of Jesus Christ, especially for the nativity scene on Christmas Day. The four Sunday's of Advent leading up to Christmas marks a time of patient anticipation that calls Christ believers to reverently and prayerfully prepare for Christ's entrance into the world. I especially invite each of you to participate in the season of Advent at St. George's. During this season we are usually bombarded with preparing our households for parties and big family meals, we rush to gather presents for loved ones, and decorate our homes for the celebration of Christmas. I invite you to take the time to prepare your heart, mind, and soul for the coming of Christ as well by attending Sunday morning worship at St. George's. By participating in the advent season we prepare ourselves to welcome Christ into our lives time and time again; noticing the ways in which Jesus continually transforms our life into a holy vessel for God's love to reside. May God bless you and your family during this Advent season!
Peace,
The Rev. Kevin LJ Schubert
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Poinsettias for St. George's
St. George's will be adorned with Christmas flowers and other decorations for our Christmas
celebrations of the Nativity of our Lord and throughout the Christmas season. If you
wish to make an offering for poinsettias, we invite you to do so.
 Complete one of the forms available on Sunday mornings of Advent and place it with your cash or check in the alms basin or mail it to the church office. Names of donors, along with any memorials or thanksgivings (optional), will be published in the Christmas service bulletins. Be sure to turn in your card by noon on Thursday, December 19th to have your name appear in the bulletin.
Suggested donation is $15 per plant. Make checks payable to St. George's and note "Poinsettias" on the memo line.
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Hallelujah Hour - Dec. 3rd
 Come and celebrate the season over a pint of ale, cider or mead! Parishioners will be meeting Tuesday, December 3rd at 5 pm at
(2310 Manor Road)
This monthly gathering is open to regulars & newcomers who wish to get to know each other in a relaxed
social atmosphere.
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The Angel Wreath Project
 The Outreach Committee Angel Wreath will sponsor St. George's Court this year with a $10.00 gift card from Wal-Mart or HEB for each resident. The stockings on the church bulletin board are for the gift card of your choice. Choose as many residents as you wish to sponsor. The list of residents will be on the table in the Narthex. Write your name beside the name of the resident(s) you wish to sponsor. Take the stocking(s) of your choice with you and store in the baggie to protect the decorations and as a reminder of your gift. Please return stocking(s) with the gift card enclosed in the baggie to the designated box in the Narthex or to the church office no later than Sunday, Dec, 15, 2013. If you have any questions, please contact Terry O'Donnell at t.odonnell@usa.net or 512-733-3653 or Hollie Gordon at hlemond@austin.rr.com or 512-922-2190. Thank you for your participation! -The Outreach Committee
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Pink Candle party - Dec. 155th
The four Sundays in Advent leading up to Christmas are generally a time of quiet reflection, except for the third Sunday, known as the "Pink Candle Sunday" which is a louder, celebratory day. The youth put on a fund-raiser luncheon for the congregation, have crafts, music and a fun party. The kids can decide on a charity to donate the proceeds to. In the past we have donated to the Heifer Project, Casa Marianella, the Humane Society and the Environmental Defense Fund. Our menus have been anything from soup and salads, to Mexican food, to Italian fare. All have been happily enjoyed. We will also have supplies on hand to decorate wreaths and/or Christmas ornaments. This is a nice opportunity for the children to say thank you to the congregation. It is always a lot of fun- hope to see you there!
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Neighborhood Christmas Caroling - Dec. 215th
Please join us on Saturday, December 21, for hot chocolate and neighborhood Christmas caroling. We will meet in the church, then will walk through the surrounding neighborhood singing our favorite Christmas tunes. All are welcome!
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Christmas Greening - Dec. 225th 
Christmas is coming! And one of the great Christmas traditions here at St. George's is the greening of the church. We'll gather after the 10:30 a.m. Liturgy on Sunday, December 22, to decorate our church for the Christmas season. If you have any questions, please email Mary Stewart Miller millerms@grandecom.netor talk to her after church. Thanks!
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Lessons and Carols - Dec. 22nd
St. George's will celebrate Lessons and Carols on Sunday, Dec. 22nd at the
10:30 am service. Anyone interested in lending their voice or playing an instrument is welcome at the choir's Tuesday evening and Sunday morning rehearsals. The choir is open to all members, regardless of music-reading and/ or choir experience.
So come and make a joyful noise! For more information, please contact
Music Minister Anne Weaver at annecw515@gmail.com
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Christmas pageant - Dec. 23rd
Be sure to attend church with your children
during Advent. Kidsword in Advent will be devoted to
learning songs sung at the pageant.
Rehearsal for the pageant will be
Saturday, Dec. 21st
from 10 am-noon in the church.
The Christmas pageant will be held
Monday, Dec. 23rd at 6:30 pm in the church.
Hot chocolate & cookie reception in the church will follow.
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5th Sunday potluck - Dec. 29th
As this month's 5th Sunday potluck falls in the thick of the  holiday festivities, please let us help you purge your refrigerators of all your leftover cookies and sweets. We would like to have a desserts-themed potluck luncheon after the 10:30 service on December 29th. Any contributions will be appreciated. Let's get our sugar on one last time for 2013!
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2014 Parish Directory 
It's time to prepare our 2014 directory! So we can update
your contact information, please complete the
and return by email to the church office.
This form can also be found on the tables at each entrance to the church.
The last day to turn in forms is Sunday, December 22nd.
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The flower chart for 2014 is now hanging in the narthex of the church. If you would like to give the altar flowers on any given Sunday, or the altar candles for an y given month, please sign up on the flower chart so you can be recognized in the Sunday service bulletin. Be sure to print clearly and note if you are giving the flowers or candles in memory of someone or in thanksgiving for some blessing in your life. A donation of $25 (for either flowers or candles) is requested; checks may be made payable to St. George's and placed in the alms basin on Sundays or mailed to the church office. Be sure to note on the memo line that the check is for altar flowers/candles.
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Epiphany Service - Jan. 6th
 This year the celebration of Epiphany will be held at
Casa Marianella (821 Gunter Street). The Epiphany service is a church festival celebrating the revelation of Jesus Christ to the entire world as represented by the coming of the Magi to worship the Christ child. The celebration will be held Monday, January 6th at 7 pm and will also mark the 28th anniversary of Casa Marianella's opening. Casa Marianella is a community that provides much-needed services to adult immigrants.
If you are interested in finding out how to volunteer or donate, please contact their offices at info@casamarianella.org or by phone at (512) 385-5571. |
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New Worship Service to Begin in January!
St. George's has a great opportunity for growth & vitality through the community of our beloved school and surrounding neighborhoods. Through the three year Strategic Mission Grant awarded to us by the diocese many initiatives have begun. One of those initiatives will be a new worship service offered to young families of our church, school, and neighbors. Beginning Sunday, January 19th, St. George's will offer a 5 pm Family Service in addition to our regular Sunday morning services. The Family Service will focus on community building and children as we worship God and share our faith through word, action, and service. The  first thirty minutes of the service will consist of prayers, readings, sermon, and songs directed toward children and their families. The service will then move into a special table liturgy; sharing communion alongside a pot-luck meal. To begin, the service will be held in Kleberg Hall once a month, and as energy and participation develop around the worship, additional services will be offered each month. The service will provide families an opportunity to worship God through community while not disrupting children's nap time and Sunday morning activities; as well as providing a meal before bedtime. Through good communication with the St. Hildegard's Community, the time and location of the service has been solidified. So, come and enjoy the 5 pm Family Service of St. St. George's on Sunday, January 19th!
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Annual Parish meeting - Jan. 12th
St. George's annual parish meeting will take place Sunday, January 12th. On this Sunday we will have brunch together and take care of some church business. The annual parish meeting is the time we elect members of the Vestry, select Diocesan Council delegates, hear reports on various parish activities, and discuss other church business. All ministry leaders are encouraged to submit reports to the church office by Tuesday, January 7th for printing purposes.
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News from
St. George's Episcopal School is having
their "Hearts & Minds" Annual Fund Drive
running through the month of December.
The campaign funds drive improvements for the school and playground.
This year, we are hoping to earn the ability to plant trees to develop into
natural shade trees for our playground, purchase a laminating machine,
and a letter, number, and shape die-cut system. We would also like to
expand our connection with nature by adding birdhouses and feeders outside,
and expand our gardening beds!
Tax deductible donations can be made directly to the school or through their website: stgeorges-austin.org
FOOD AND TOY DRIVE! The school is also collecting donations of non-perishable food items and
new, unwrapped toys for those less fortunate in Austin now through December 17th.
 The children's Christmas Pageant will take place on Friday, December 20th at 1:30 pm in St. George's chapel. The Pageant
will be followed by cookies and warm hugs as we say goodbye
until after the New Year.
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St. George's History
St. George's office has received some historical documents of our great church!
The files we received are invaluable to understanding our past. The history of St.
George's is rich and interesting, and should be shared with all! So, each month Father
Kevin will choose a piece of that history to include in the monthly Banner. Please click on the link below for the retyped historical piece. We hope you enjoy these installments of our history, and gain insight into our beloved church.
Historical account of St. George's Episcopal Church
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December Birthdays and Anniversaries
We wish the following parishioners a very happy December birthday:
Meera Manahan, Judith Liro (Dec. 2), Brian Wolfe (Dec. 3), Louann O'Bannion (Dec. 4), Henry Thompson (Dec. 5), Alexandra McGhee (Dec. 6), Katherine McGhee (Dec. 6), Raul Carrera (Dec. 15), Belinda McGhee (Dec. 18), Alec Nelson (Dec. 20), Shirley Haulotte (Dec. 22), Lesa Sayer (Dec. 23), Josefina Castillo (Dec. 24), Patsy Chandler (Dec. 26), Trevor Thompson (Dec. 27), Miriam Long (Dec. 31), Sharyn Shappah (Dec. 31)
And to those who celebrate their anniversary:
Nancy & Raul Carrera (December 27)
Congratulations!
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Hildegard's Illumination: Advent
Open us to visions we have never known
strengthen us for self-givings we have never made
delight us with a oneness we could never have imagined
that we may truly be born of You
makers of peace.
Amen
John Philip Newell
Advent is a favorite time of year and we always enjoy our meditative Sunday liturgies. This year we are also continuing two traditions:
We are looking forward to our Advent Silent Retreat at Cedar Brake Retreat Center in Belton December 3-5. We begin with dinner on Tuesday and end after lunch on Thursday. If you are interested, contact Pat ggpat77@gmail.com soon in order to meet the center's deadline.
This will be our third year to celebrate the Feast of the Virgin of Guadalupe. Instead of having it on Sunday, we are having it on her actual feast day of December 12 at The Rev. Virginia Marie Rincon's home. We're hoping for fair weather so we can be outdoors. We'll also enjoy homemade tamales and Mexican chocolate.
May you know the blessings of God's new beginnings!
Judith
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