Prayer for Israel and Palestine from Bishop Logue

“God of peace, we pray for the people of Israel and Palestine in this time of war.

For all who are fearful for the safety of their loved ones and themselves, we pray that the assurance of unfailing love, even in the midst of danger, settles upon them. Shelter them from despair and protect them from harm.

We remember before you the Anglican Archbishop of Jerusalem and the Middle East, the Most Reverend Hosam Elias Naoum, and the people of his churches, hospitals, and other ministries.

For all who have died, we pray they find rest.

For all who grieve, we pray they find comfort.

For all who are wounded, we pray they find healing.

For leaders on all sides, we pray for the will to lay down arms and for the conviction to embrace a path of reconciliation and peace that preserves the rights and dignity of all of your children.

God of justice, we pray with hopeful hearts that your beloved children of the Holy Land.

We ask all this in the name of your Son, Jesus. Amen.”

Church Office Hours:

The church office will be closed December 22-January 2, 2024 for the holidays.

Office hours for the interim period beginning January 3rd will be:

Monday - Thursday

10 am - 2 pm

Closed on Friday

Worship Services

December 24: Advent IV

8:00 a.m., Holy Eucharist, Rite I

10:00 a.m., Holy Eucharist, Rite II

2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16

Canticle 3 or Canticle 15

Romans 16:25-27

Luke 1:26-38

End of Year Giving

Donations for the 2023 tax year can be placed in the offering plate on December 24th or December 25th at the 10:00 a.m. worship service. The Church Office will be closed from December 25th - January 2nd. Donations may be dropped in the drop-box on the College Street office door after 12/21 but before 12/29, so they can be deposited before the 1st of January. Thank you for your continued support of Christ Church.

Audio/Visual Services

Sunday, December 24, 2023

Live-Streaming this week of the 10 a.m. worship service on December 24, 2023 will begin at 9:55 a.m. If for any reason we experience Technical difficulties with the Live-streaming, a recording of the service will be uploaded and a link sent to the congregation at a later time.

If you missed it, here is a video of the December 17, 2023 - Holy Eucharist

Link to the 10:00 bulletin for the December 24, 2023 service.

A Link to YouTube video that will begin Sunday, December 24th at 9:55 a.m. is here.

Feature for in-person worship - Our hearing assistance feature is available as part of our sound system. This feature uses your smartphone, earbuds, or hearing aids to bring the sound directly into your ears. An information sheet is linked here, and copies are also available from the ushers or the Audio/Visual booth staff.

Dear Christ Church Family,

First, THANK YOU to everyone who has pledged! Also, there is still time to get your pledge into Amy (you can email her)! Your pledges determine the level of funding we can provide for all of our programming.

The budget deficit grew between October and November, in part because we were waiting on reimbursement from the Diocese for College Ministry expenses; those came after November closed.  

Finally, many thanks to the Finance Committee; they are amazing and have put in many hours this year: Lindsey Alonso, Krystle Black, Brad Burnette, Amy Creasy (x1,000), and Hal Weidman.

As always, please let Amy or me know if you have any questions.

Stefani Carroll

November Totals

Evening Prayer

Evening Prayer at Christ Church on Mondays at 5:30 p.m. We invite you to join us. We will not hold evening prayer on Christmas Day, or New Year's Day.

Tuesday Night Bible study

Bible Study led by Willa Valencia, is held at 7:30pm at the home of Ron and Tammy Borders (1718 Williams St.). All adults are welcome. Please bring your Bible—any translation. 

The Garden Guild will take a break for the holiday season and will meet again Tuesday, January 9th. We focus on the church grounds. The Garden Guild meets each Tuesday from 10 - 12pm. More hardworking people are welcome to join us. Bring your gloves and tools.

Serving this week - December 24, 2023

Eucharistic Ministers: Phyllis Holland, Jeani Synyard, Mike Tanner

Lectors: Phyllis Holland, Mike Holland, Marcie Dennard

Acolytes: Nancy Lutsko, Haley Hood, Elizabeth Hood

Altar Guild: Debi Saeger, Julia Ariail, Lucy Tomberlin, BJ Mistick

Ushers: Alex Alvarez, Eric Nielsen, Delrick Bradley

Greeter: Julia Ariail

Coffee Hour: No Coffee Hour today, help Altar Guild decorate church for Christmas

Audio/Visual Crew: Julius Ariail, Ken Rumstay

Serving this week - December 31, 2023

Eucharistic Ministers: Eric Nielsen, David Sandbach, Patricia Tyson

Lectors: Ruth Holland, Patricia Tyson, David Sandbach

Acolytes: Nancy Lutsko, Phyllis Holland, Molly Stevenson

Altar Guild: Nancy Lutsko, Judy DeMott, Happy & Peter Ingeman, Frances Guice

Ushers: Stephen Sandbach, Tanner Darby, Martin Holland

Coffee Hour: No Coffee Hour today

Audio/Visual Crew: Ken Rumstay, Larry Wisenbaker

For many more serving opportunities see a Vestry Member.

Birdwatching trip to St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge

Join us for Birdwatching trip to St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge and boat trip at Wakulla Springs, January 1st. Meet at Christ Church parking lot at 8:30 a.m. 

Bring food to share at lunch. Come for all or part of the day. 

See John or Phyllis Hiers for more information.

Epiphany Pageant

The children’s pageant will take place on the Feast of Epiphany this year. Mark your calendars to attend the 10am service on Saturday, January 6^th and plan to stay for a Brunswick Stew lunch! (Contact Molly Stevenson if you can provide a pot of Brunswick Stew or a pan of cornbread - (229 292-8215… text or call)

The Stitchers of Love need your donations of new or gently used stuffed animals to donate to the Children's Advocacy Center to comfort and soothe abused children. Contact Deacon Patricia Marks at 229-630-8644 or bring the animals to the office.

Madison Hood donated 3 large bags full of stuffed animals to the Children's Advocacy Center. The CAC was astonished at her generosity and sent her a thank you note and a small gift. She is our youngest donor so far and gave the most stuffed animals. Thank you Madison! (Photo from livestream camera.)

Sunday Evening Vespers - a group of Christ Church members meet on Zoom (2nd, 4th, and 5th Sundays) at 6:00 p.m. to read the Compline Service, pages 127-135 in the Book of Common Prayer and for friendly conversation afterwards. The first and third Sundays of the month we will meet in-person, but will make an audio recording available after Vespers for those unable to attend in-person. To join the group and receive the link to the weekly gathering, contact Phyllis Hiers or call 229-563-2464.

Ever wondered what Vespers was all about? Here is Audio Recording from December 17, 2023.

Leading with Grace

The Diocese of Georgia’s Leading with Grace Saturday workshop series aims to train lay and ordained people to lead graciously in a variety of areas, including congregational development and vitality, group facilitation, prayer practices, forming relations across difference, and transforming conflict. Although the themes for each workshop are related, participants may attend any or all of the standalone, one-day workshops. After each workshop, LWG trainers are available to consult with participants about how to apply what they have learned in their home parishes. Registration will cost $35/person per workshop or $100 for all four. Follow this link to sign up and get involved.



Leading with Grace link.

HEP (Happy Episcopal People) Party  

Saturday, December 23, 2023 beginning at 6:00 p.m.



H.E.P. Party: Adult Friends and Family Welcome

Saturday, December 23, 2023 at 6:00 PM at

David and Elise Sandbach's - 2607 Pebblewood Dr .

Please mark your calendar and plan to come and enjoy an evening of Christmas Cheer .  

Drinks will be provided, please bring an hors d'oeuvre to share.

Remember this is an adult only gathering. Childcare will be provided at the church in Gabard Building.

Birthdays

December 24 - December 30, 2023



24 Olivia O’Connor

26 Melanie Ford

28 Mary Gray

30 Irene Dodd

Anniversaries

December 24 - December 30, 2023

28 Katie & Hudson Tanner

30 Julius & Julia Ariail

Contact the church office to update our records if we missed your Birthday or Anniversary

Remember in Your Prayers

Ann Burnette, Alexis Carr, Presiding Bishop Michael Curry, Allan Dear, Irene Dodd, Gene Greneker, Louise Harden, Michane James, CathyAnn Kautter, Mike Lassen, the Long family, Doug Mayer, the McCrary family, Gnann Moser, Ray Murphy, Brett Nelson, Rocky, Burt Tillman, Willa Valencia, Sue Marie Waddell, Michelle Weidman, Chuck Whiting 

Lorri McCrary – deceased – (Sister of Troy Long)

We are keeping those in need of prayer on the list for 1 month. We ask you to renew the need for continued prayer by calling the office. - Fr. Hal

Clergy and Staff of 

Christ Episcopal Church

Church Office Hours for interim period:

Monday - Thursday: 10-2

 

Father Hal Weidman, Rector

[email protected] 

church office (229) 242-5115

Nancy Sartin, Deacon

[email protected] 

church office (229) 242-5115

Position Available, Administrator

[email protected] 

church office (229) 242-5115

Amy Creasy, Bookkeeper

[email protected] 

bookkeeper's office (229) 242-0616 

Michelle Weidman, Director of Christian Education

[email protected]

mobile (229) 262-0426

Position Available, Director of College Ministry

[email protected]

church office (229) 242-5115

Elise Sandbach, Director of Preschool

[email protected]

mobile (229) 460-4738

Sue Ellen Rumstay, Organist

[email protected] 

church office (229) 242-5115

Issa Young, Choir Director

[email protected] 

church office (229) 242-5115

Nancy Lutsko, Verger

[email protected] 

home (229) 241-7527