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Dear Friends in Christ,
What are your standard Christmas songs? The songs you return to year after year after year? One of our family standards is Amy Grant’s “Tennessee Christmas.” Which is strange considering we’ve never spent Christmas in Tennessee and almost certainly never will. But after decades of listening to Amy Grant sing as we decorate our Christmas tree, this song drips with nostalgia.
All holidays carry some weight of nostalgia, but Christmas takes it to another level. This is true at church as much as it is at home. Singing “Silent Night” with the lights dimmed during the 11 p.m. Festival Eucharist on Christmas Eve is absolutely required. At least it is if a rector wants to keep his job!!
But nostalgia isn’t the goal. Christmas celebrates the wonder of the Incarnation; of God the Creator becoming flesh and dwelling among us (John 1:14); of God arriving as an infant to live among us in both the good and the bad of our world as well as the joys and the sorrows of our lives. At its best, Christmas inspires awe that God loves us enough to dare to do such a thing.
Branching out beyond the standard Christmas carols helps us detach from our nostalgia, at least for a few moments. During the 11 p.m. service on Christmas Eve we will sing “A Stable Lamp is Lighted,” a hymn that will never make anyone’s list of most popular Christmas carols. Yet, its very unfamiliarity invites us to pay closer attention. David Hurd’s lovely music and Richard Wilbur’s powerful text speak to the true purpose of the Incarnation. There is nothing nostalgic about the third stanza in which Christmas is connected to Good Friday. As we sing, we are reminded that the God who is born to dwell among us is also the God who suffers and dies for us.
Yet he shall be forsaken,
and yielded up to die;
the sky shall groan and darken,
and every stone shall cry.
And every stone shall cry
for gifts of love abused;
God’s blood upon the spearhead,
God’s blood again refused.
But thanks be to God the hymn doesn’t end there. The final stanza reminds us that the birth, life, and death of Jesus are all part of God’s plan of reconciliation, a plan which includes us. How can we not be in awe as we sing these words?
But now, as at the ending,
the low is lifted high;
the stars shall bend their voices,
and every stone shall cry.
And every stone shall cry
in praises of the child
by whose descent among us
the worlds are reconciled.
Your Friend in Christ,
The Rev. John Denson, D.Min., Rector
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ADVENT 4 WORSHIP IN PARISH HALL
Sunday, December 24, 10 a.m., Parish Hall
Join us in the Parish Hall for a simple Holy Eucharist service celebrating the Fourth Sunday of Advent. There are no 7:45 or 11:15 a.m. services on Sunday.
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CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES
Sunday, December 24, 3, 5 & 11 p.m., Sanctuary
Click here for full Christmas Pageant, Festival of Lessons & Carols and Festival Choral Eucharist details.
Click here to learn more about/sign children up for a role in the 3 p.m. Christmas Eve Pageant. Walk-on roles are also available.
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CHRISTMAS DAY AND CHRISTMAS 1 WORSHIP
Monday, December 25, 10 a.m., Sanctuary
Sunday, December 31, 10 a.m., Sanctuary
- Join us for a Holy Eucharist service to celebrate the First Sunday after Christmas. There are no 7:45, 9 or 11:15a services on December 31.
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CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY OFFICE HOURS
The St. Paul's office will be open through Thursday, December 21 at 4 p.m.
The office will close at 4 p.m. on Thursday, December 21 and will be closed through Monday, January 1. The office will reopen on Tuesday, January 2 at 9 a.m. If there is a pastoral need, you may call the office at 317.253.1277 and press "1" to reach clergy on-call.
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YEAR-END GIVING
We give gifts to celebrate our lives in relationship with others. Your gifts today provide for our ministry tomorrow and beyond. Please consider making a gift this season to ensure our ability to be a church transforming the world around us. The following are ways to give:
• Text MYGIFT to 97000
• Give checks/cash to St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 6050 N. Meridian St. Indianapolis, IN 46208
• Make gifts online, stpaulsindy.org/give
• Automatic Debit
• Online Banking
• Stocks
• Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) from an IRA: click here to learn more
Charitable gifts are tax deductible in accordance with IRS regulations: click here to learn more
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DECEMBER 31 DEADLINE FOR SPANISH
Wednesdays, January 10-February 28, 6-7:15 p.m. or
Thursdays, January 11-February 29, 2024, 6-7:15 p.m.
CRR (Second floor, Parish Center Building)
There are a few spots left to register for Spanish classes - come together and embark on a cultural and linguistic journey! Parishioner and Cathedral High School Spanish teacher, Cindy Seley will lead eight weeks of Spanish lessons (designed for all levels). Choose from Wednesday or Thursday classes for the low cost of $40. Please click below to register by Sunday, December 31. Questions, click here to email the Rev. Jeff Bower.
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ALL-PARISH COFFEE HOUR/EPIPHANY TEA
Sunday, January 7, 10:15-11 a.m., Lilly Room
Join us after the 9 a.m. service for an old-fashioned Epiphany tea! The Intergenerational Team will host this All-Parish Coffee hour that will include special refreshments – even Epiphany Cake. Mix and mingle and learn more about this Epiphany tradition. Questions, click here to email Laurie Pierce.
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GREEN TEAM MEETING
Sunday, January 7, 12:30-2 p.m., Roberts Library (first floor, Church building)
The Green Team meets on the first Sunday of each month. All are invited to assist in the planning of environmental projects benefiting St. Paul’s, its parish family and the community. Questions, click here to email Mark Carpenter.
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EPIPHANY LESSONS & CAROLS & BSA TROOP RECEPTION
Sunday, January 7, 4 p.m., Sanctuary
St. Paul’s Choir sings a reflective candlelit service of scripture and song, reaching beyond the Nativity story to the Flight into Egypt, the appearance of the Magi, and Jesus being presented in the Temple. Epiphany celebrates the appearance of God’s glory in the world through the birth of Jesus, our Emmanuel (“God with us”), and the revelation of the incarnation. The Greek word epiphany means literally “sudden appearance” and refers above all to the manifestation of God. Featuring music by Stanford Scriven, Kerensa Briggs, James Whitbourn, Philip Stopford, Wayne Marshall and more.
All are invited to a fireside hot chocolate reception, outside following the service. BSA Scout troops #73 & #173 will host this fundraiser to support their programming. They will be providing to-go dinner options for purchase ($15/ea for chili - meat and vegan, chicken pot pie or beef stroganoff over rice or noodles). Baked goods and handmade items will also be for sale. If you don’t wish to purchase to-go dinner that evening, please do stop by for free hot chocolate and to meet the scouts. Questions, contact Hilary Vargo, hilariella@hotmail.com.
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NEWCOMER LUNCHEON
Sunday, January 21, 12:30-2 p.m., Lilly Room
If you are new to St. Paul's, or have been attending for a while, you are invited to join staff and clergy for an informal time of gathering and to share a lite meal. Children and teens are encouraged to attend with parents; materials will be provided to engage them throughout the lunch. Nursery care is also available if requested. Please RSVP below or call the church office at 317.253.1277.
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FAMILY MINISTRY & YOUTH GROUP 2024 MAGNET
Households with young people/grades 6-12 are invited to pick up 2024 event magnets in Burrows Commons. Click here for a digital copy. Record and save the dates for Parents Group & Superhero Kids Party, Pancake Supper/Mardi Gras Celebration, Holy Week events, Stewardship Potluck and Project, Youth Ice Skating with MLK Center, Youth Cincinnati Trip, Moms/Dads nights out, BINGO and more. If you wish to receive Family Ministry and/or Youth Group monthly newsletters, please click here to email Laurie.
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ABC CHOIR
Children (ages 4–7) are invited to join for fun-filled evenings of singing, musical activities and free dinner. No commitment is necessary! Starting January 18, ABC Choir will meet weekly on Thursdays from 5:15–6 p.m. in the music room. From Burrows Commons, take the stairs or elevator up to the music offices, and you won’t miss it. After rehearsal, ABC choir kids join the St. Paul’s choir kids for dinner from 6-6:30 p.m. in the Lilly Room. If you are interested or have questions, please click here to email ABC Choir Director Emma Page.
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GIFT NEW YORK POLYPHONY CONCERT TICKETS!
Saturday, February 17, 7 p.m., Sanctuary
Don’t miss the opportunity to see New York Polyphony in concert! This male classical vocal quartet, based in New York City, is one of the foremost vocal chamber ensembles active today. Founded in 2006, the quartet’s growing discography includes two GRAMMY-nominated albums, and many of their releases have topped the “best of” lists of The New Yorker, Gramophone, and The New York Times. Click here to learn more about New York Polyphony. Tickets are $25/each (cash/check) or $25.75 (credit card). Click below to purchase tickets now:
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GET INVOLVED, STAY INVOLVED | |
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SUPPORT SCHOOL #43
St. Paul's Outreach team continues to provide math and reading support to students in different grades at School #43. Additionally, support is offered to new teachers at the school and supplies and materials are provided to classrooms in need. Staff, students and families are so appreciative of our the help. If you are interested in volunteering or providing support to School #43, please click here to email Janie Frazier.
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MEAL TRAIN
"Meal Train" allows volunteers to support others by bringing food. The Meal Train Ministry would love to have you on the team. Email notifications arrive when there is a new meal train, and you may view details and decide if the dates listed will work for you to deliver a homemade or store-bought hot meal. Email Laurie Pierce if you would like to be added to the team. Please let Clergy or Laurie know if there is someone in our church community that could benefit from a Meal Train.
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MLK CENTER
Help to nurture the relationship between MLK Center and St. Paul's. If you would like to help deliver food from the MLK Center to School #43 on Tuesdays, Wednesdays or Thursdays from 4:30-5:30 p.m., or have general questions, click here to email Laurie.
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