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.”

Worship Services

December 10: Advent II

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

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

Isaiah 40:1-11

Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13

2 Peter 3:8-15a

Mark 1:1-8

From the Rector

When I began my time with you at Christ Church in February—Ash Wednesday—to be exact, I planned to occasionally share writings from some of my favorite people. Also, I intended to share my reflections as well…So, this week I offer you a short piece by Henri J. M. Nouwen.

---

Our final homecoming involves not just ourselves and our fellow human beings but all of creation. The full freedom of the children of God is to be shared by the whole earth, and our complete renewal in the resurrection includes the renewal of the universe. That is the great vision of God’s redeeming work through Christ.

Paul sees the whole created order as a woman groaning in labour, waiting eagerly to give birth to a new life. He writes: “It was not for its own purposes that creation had frustration imposed on it, but for the purposes of him who imposed it – with the intention that the whole creation itself might be freed from its slavery to corruption and brought into the same glorious freedom as the children of God” (Romans 8:20-21). All that God has created will be lifted up into God’s glory.

__________________________

ⁱ Nouwen, H. J. M., (1997) Bread for the Journey: A Daybook of Worship and Faith. HarperSanFrancisco. December 8th

End of Year Giving

Donations for the 2023 tax year can be dropped off at the church office before December 21st, or 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.

Academic Calendar

On Monday, December 4th, Christ Church ministry chairs got together for a planning session. From this meeting we created a schedule of events for the rest of the academic year (till June 2024). You will find this calendar attached at the link below, as well as printed in the Sunday, December 10th bulletin. Thank you to everyone who helped in the planning.

Academic Calendar

Audio/Visual Services

Sunday, December 10, 2023

Live-Streaming this week of the 10 a.m. worship service on December 10, 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 3, 2023 - Holy Eucharist

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

A Link to YouTube video that will begin Sunday, December 10th 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.

Evening Prayer

Evening Prayer at Christ Church on Mondays at 5:30 p.m. We invite you to join us.

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 meet on Tuesday, December 12th. 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.

CONSIDERING BAPTISM? 



Have you ever considered being baptized and just haven‘t gotten around to it? Well, now is the time. Fr Hal will hold a preparation class for you and parents and godparents/sponsors (for those individuals not capable of answering questions of faith). The class meets at 11:15am on December 10th, and 17th in the Sanctuary. The Sunday we celebrate Jesus‘s baptism, January 7th, we will baptize those who are interested.

Serving this week - December 10, 2023

Eucharistic Ministers: Stefani Carroll, Martin Holland, Sheri Gravett

Lectors: Bonnie Hanson, Martin Holland, Stefani Carroll

Acolytes: Maddie Yarbrough, Blake Yarbrough, Chip Whiting

Altar Guild: Phyllis Holland, Anne Reid, Mimi Allen, Pat Bezona

Ushers: JD Greneker, Mike Tanner, Paul Stevenson

Greeter: Julia Ariail

Coffee Hour: Sallie Honeycutt, Pat Denmark, Eric Nielsen, Ann Burnette, Mimi Allen

Audio/Visual Crew: Julius Ariail, Tom Carroll, Larry Wisenbaker

Serving next week - December 17, 2023

Eucharistic Ministers: Patricia Tyson, Nancy Lutsko, Maddie Yarbrough

Lectors: Maddie Yarbrough, Kathleen Parsons, Patricia Tyson

Acolytes: Joel Williams, David Holland, Holly Rogers

Altar Guild: Frances Guice, Krystle Black, Nikki Yarbrough, Martha Leake, Kathleen Parsons

Ushers: Trent Coggins, Cliff Baker, Jerry Byrd

Greeter: Michael Black

Coffee Hour: Krystle Black, Sue Ellen Rumstay, Stefani Carroll, Ruth Holland, Pat Bezona

Audio/Visual Crew: Julius Ariail, Ken Rumstay, Charles Whiting, Larry Wisenbaker

For many more serving opportunities see a Vestry Member.

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 3, 2023.

HEP Lunch Gathering



HEP Nooners (aka Happy Episcopal People) meet on Friday. Dec 15 at noon, at the home of John & Marića McRae. To add to the fun and fellowship of the HEP Lunch group, we will be wrapping Christmas gifts for the kids we do Lunch Bunch for. We have plenty of wrapping paper, bags and tape. Please bring your own scissors along with sandwiches to share. The hosts will have soup, teas, and desserts.

John and Marića McRae

2701 Green Meadow Dr.

229-220-5619

OPEN HOUSE AT RECTORY



Rev. Hal and Michelle Weidman are extending an invitation to an Open House at the Rectory on Friday, December 15^th from 6-8pm. Drinks will be provided, please bring an hors d’oeuvre to share. Childcare will be provided in the Gabard building from 5:30 – 8:30pm. 

ALTAR GUILD POLISHING PARTY

The Altar Guild will be having a polishing silver and cleaning hurricane globes party on Saturday, December 16th beginning at 10:00 to get ready for the Christmas season. If you would like to assist the Altar Guild you are welcome to attend. More hands make light work.

CHRISTMAS RECITAL

Our annual Christmas recital will be held on Sunday, December 17th at 3:00 p.m. The concert will feature festive organ music by Sue Ellen Rumstay.

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 10 - December 16, 2023



10 Bryant Alonso, Debbie McLeod

13 Maddie Yarbrough

15 Sheri Gravett

Anniversaries

December 10 - December 16, 2023

14 Lauren & Tanner Darby

15 Mike & Amber Tanner,

Alex & Jennifer Alvarez

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, Doug Mayer, 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:

Monday - Thursday: 9-3

 

Father Hal Weidman, Rector

[email protected] 

church office (229) 242-5115

Nancy Sartin, Deacon

[email protected] 

church office (229) 242-5115

Kim Dudley, 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

Abigail Easton, Interim 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