ADVENT DEVOTIONAL BOOKS ARE NOW AVAILABLE in the back of the church. Pick one up this Sunday!
ADVENT REFLECTIONS ON THURSDAY EVENINGS beginning December 5th. Join us for three consecutive Thursday evenings, 7:30-8:30 pm, on Zoom.
Meeting ID: 821 6193 1714
Passcode: 049331
A MESSAGE FROM PASTOR KATHLEEN
Dear ones, we pray together no matter where we are, because we are always one in the Body of Christ. As we go forth each day to live and to serve and to care for others and ourselves, may we remember the hope to which we are called and be reminded of the coming of the Christ child.
Let us pray.
Holy Spirit, please bless these small gifts we give.
You set the table with plenty of love.
Prepare room in your home for my neighbor and me.
Prepare a place in your vision for my neighbor and me.
Prepare a seat at your table for my neighbor and me.
Holy Spirit, bless these gifts we give of ourselves and in the hope of the coming of Christ.
You set the table with plenty of love.
In Jesus' name we pray,
AMEN.
THE ADVENT AND CHRISTMAS SEASON
AT ST. TIM’S
DECEMBER 5 (THURSDAY): 7:30 to 8:30 pm BIBLE STUDY RETURNS, WITH A
FOCUS ON ADVENT REFLECTIONS.
DECEMBER 14 (SATURDAY): HOPE’S TABLE, 11 am to 1 pm. Come and bring a friend to our community lunch. On the menu: “Christmas Dinner”—ham, mac ‘n’ cheese, pineapple stuffing, birthday cake. (IF YOU’RE ABLE TO HELP SERVE OR TO COOK AHEAD OF TIME, PLEASE GIVE LIZ SOLTAN A CALL@ 215-828-1619).
DECEMBER 14 (SATURDAY): POP-UP COOKIE/BAKE/PLANT SALE (see story below)
DECEMBER 22 (SUNDAY): CHOIR SINGS AT SERVICE (see story below)
DECEMBER 22 (SUNDAY, AFTER SERVICE): DECORATING DAY Please plan to stay after our service to help decorate the church. Expect a warm feeling of Christmas cheer, with a side of pizza.
DECEMBER 24 (CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE, with Communion and special music from the choir) – 4 PM
Plan to come early to get a good seat.
’TIS THE SEASON TO SING—IN ST. TIM’S CHOIR
Like to sing? Timothy Brown, our music director, invites you to join the choir in December. The choir will sing during our services on the last Sunday of Advent (December 22) and Christmas Eve (4 pm). A congenial and hard-working group, the choir will meet for rehearsal after Sunday services in December.
FINANCE REPORT ON STEWARDSHIP FROM OUR TREASURER, KATHY SWIFT
Advent, Christmas, Epiphany … the church year has followed its cycle for centuries. With corresponding liturgical colors of blue, white, green, etc., we visually acknowledge the season.
The modern church throws an extra “season” into the mix with November traditionally focusing on Stewardship. Charts are displayed, letters are sent, pledges are made if that is customary for the denomination or congregation. Note my use of the word if--if that is customary.
I have experienced them all in past churches--have received the letters, presented the charts, and filled out the pledges. However, I’ve never experienced any of these here at St. Tim’s. That is a relief to me quite honestly.
Stewardship is more than giving money. Stewardship is also about taking care of what God has provided, for example, our church building. It’s giving of our time to help out in
a program or activity, such as Hope’s Table. It’s using our talents to lead or assist, as in Vacation Bible School, or to glorify God, for instance, singing in the choir. Stewardship is all-encompassing -- more than just dollars and cents.
Don’t get me wrong. We surely could use an increase in offerings to maintain our building and pay the bills. But we also need YOU. St. Tim’s needs you to say yes when asked to volunteer, to share an idea, to invite a friend--to use your time and talents to help St. Tim’s build community and share the Good News in our little corner of the world.
This November was not filled with charts, letters, and pledges. Rather this November was filled with thanksgiving for what we have here at St. Tim’s and hope and faith for what we might become.
POP-UP CHRISTMAS COOKIE/BAKE SALE: HOW YOU CAN HELP
Who doesn’t like Christmas cookies???
Hopefully, no one! But I’m sure you have a favorite kind or two!
Share your baking talents at St. Tim’s December Pop-Up Christmas Cookie sale!
Kathy and Steve Swift will man the outdoor bake sale table –
weather permitting—on Saturday, December 14 from 11:00 to 1 pm. Here’s how you can help: You can bring your packaged and priced cookies to the table that morning or drop them off to the church office Thursday morning (December 12).
Please let Kathy Swift know what you’re baking and how many. Call or text 215-813-0824 and leave a message.
There may even be more surprises in store that day.
Guess you’ll just have to attend to find out! –Kathy Swift
PRESCHOOL NEWS: TEACHING CHILDREN THE REASON FOR THE SEASON
Linda Yesenosky, preschool director, reports that our little scholars will enjoy lessons with Pastor Kathleen in the sanctuary on December 2 and December 16.
The children also will rehearse their re-telling of the Christmas story throughout the month, culminating in the performance on Friday, December 20, at 9:15 am (or shortly later, depending on when the novice performers are ready). All are invited.
And because Christmas is also about the joy of giving, the children will be able to purchase gifts for their families at a Secret Santa Shop (December 6 and 9).
Christmas break begins December 20, and preschool resumes January 6, 2025.
CATCHING UP WITH ACTIVITIES AT ST. TIM’S
The Thursday Bible Study group had a post-election discussion about how to respond as a Christian to political differences.
Hope’s Table volunteers turned a trunkful of groceries into a festive Thanksgiving lunch
Volunteers traveled to Mayfair to pack 48 boxes of food for distribution and to assist clients at Feast of Justice food pantry.
Mission Makers created “Birthday Bags” to help clients of food banks give their loved ones a special celebration.
See our Facebook page for more photos: www.facebook.com/sttimslutheranchurch/foxrok
WHO’S WHO ON COUNCIL
If you have a question or concern, reach out to any member. If you wish to attend a Council meeting—usually held the third Monday of the month-- please let us know beforehand.
SUSAN FEOLA (PRESIDENT) -- 215-718-9600 or suefeola07@msn.com
VANESSA FINEBERG (VICE PRESIDENT) —215-605-2653 or vfineberg@comcast.net
CAROLYN DENZEL (SECRETARY)-- 215-205-4187 or cdenzel03@gmail.com
KATHY SWIFT (TREASURER) –215-813-0824 or kswift6267@comcast.net
JOHN CREEDON (PROPERTY) –267-249-8369 or creedonsr@comcast.net
TINA SNYDER (PARISH LIFE/SERVICE) – 267-879-4637 or jimntina87@comcast.net
ELISA DAVIS (WORSHIP) —215-532-1773 or edsmjjd@gmail.com
PASTOR KATHLEEN KERRIN –201-638-8217 or kathkerin@gmail.com
THE NEXT CHURCH COUNCIL MEETING IS MONDAY, JANUARY 20, AT 3:30 PM
PRAYER MINISTRY
The Prayer Team is ready to lift you or your concern in prayer. No concern is too small or insignificant. If you need prayer, talk with one of our team members: Carolyn Denzel, Sue Feola, Vanessa Fineberg, Barbara Huber, Isabel Hyczko, Tom Lyden, Tina Snyder, Rich Soltan, Verna Clohecy, and Pastor Kerin.
LECTIONARY READINGS
DECEMBER 1
DECEMBER 8
Baruch 5:1-9 (alternate)
DECEMBER 15
DECEMBER 22
Psalm 80:1-7 (alternate)
DECEMBER 24 (Christmas Eve)
DECEMBER 29
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