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As Advent moves closer to Christmas, we tend to get more focused on the arrival of Christmas, or in the church calendar, Christmas Eve and it's glorious worship service. In my own life, though, there is always a detour on the way to Christmas Eve - December 22, my daughter Noelle's birthday. We halt the journey to Christmas, pull out birthday wrapping paper, and sing "Happy Birthday" instead of Christmas carols. This year, we have added her graduation from Texas A&M this Friday as another very important, but non-Advent event. Sometimes, I find it hard to shift out of the adept/Christmas mode to birthday mode then back to Advent. Wouldn't it be nice if all we had to focus on during Advent is the anticipation of God arriving in Bethlehem and how that impacts our lives? Instead, events in our lives become entangled with our celebration of God's coming in Christ. Perhaps those entanglements correctly reflect the God of incarnation who chooses to join us in flesh in the birth of Jesus Christ. The baby in the manger does not come to live an idyllic, fairytale life. Christ joins us in all the moments of our lives - the glorious, the mundane, and the challenging. As we arrive in Bethlehem, so to speak, this year, look for the one who desires to be a part of every aspect of our lives.
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Christmas Joy Offering
Sunday, December 17
The Christmas Joy Offering will be received Sunday, December 17 at the 10:30am worship service. The Christmas Joy Offering honors current and retired church workers and their families especially in times of need. You can give to this offering by picking up an envelope in the pews and placing your donation with "Christmas Joy Offering" written on the memo line. Children may give to the offering by picking up a bank in the Narthex.
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Christmas Eve Morning Worship Service
Sunday, December 24
10:30am, Sanctuary
Join us for a casual service
of Christmas stories and hymns.
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St. Andrew Scenes Spectacular
The St. Andrew Scenes Spectacular team would like you to be a part of "Our Favorite Things" and we are beginning preparations for our next show in the spring of 2018! We are hoping to welcome new cast members (singers, dancers, and actors), volunteers, and backstage crew members for our annual musical theater performance. Visit us at our table in the Narthex, starting 1/3/2017 for more information and to sign up with your special talent. Please keep an eye out for future announcements.
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Ushers Needed
Volunteers are needed to serve as ushers during 2018. If you are interested, please contact Jonny Ramsey at jramsey18@verizon.net.
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Updated!
Need Help Signing Up on St. Andrew Connect?
St. Andrew Connect is a new way for the church to better serve its members. Using St. Andrew Connect, we can share information between groups (committees, Sunday School classes, Youth Group, etc.) more easily. Members can also update their contact information and set up online giving themselves.
Check your email inbox for your St. Andrew Connect invitation. You'll be able to update your information for our new printed membership directory. After you've created your login and password, be sure to navigate to the "edit profile" button on your profile page to update your contact information. Be sure to also click on the "manage privacy" button on your profile page to select the privacy level that shares as much information with the congregation as you feel comfortable sharing.
If you haven't received an invitation to Realm already, please contact the church office. After you've signed up, be sure to download "Realm Connect" from the app store on your phone to take to take St. Andrew with you on the go.
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LIFETOUCH Directory Pictures Have Arrived!
Many of the Lifetouch pictures have arrived at St. Andrew and are ready to be picked up. They may be claimed at the St. Andrew Connects table in the Narthex before and after worship this Sunday, December 10. If you have not checked your membership information for accuracy and learned about St. Andrew Connects, this will also be the perfect time to update your personal records! After Sunday, the pictures may be picked up in the church office, where you will need to initial your name when you claim them.
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Birthday Endowment Fund
This endowment was established in 2007 and provides income to fund mission efforts not covered by the annual mission budget. Income has been used in previous years to send children and sponsors to Mo-Ranch's Worship and Music Conference, as well as for mission projects such as water filtration systems for people in Guatemala. Traditionally, members contribute an amount equal to the number of years being celebrated. So on your next birthday remember this endowment and contribute toward making a lasting difference in the lives of others.
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Give a Meal a Month
October-November 2017
In October and November, our congregation and Circle #1 donated $151.00 to the Food Center. The 176 pounds of food collected in October and November is the largest two-month total for 2017. Since January, we've given 696 pounds of food and have donated a total of $1,256.00. Thank you to everyone who made a food contribution!
Remember, a contribution of $10 buys $70-$80 worth of food. Please help those in need this holiday season with a monetary contribution to our Give a Meal a Month program.
Food Fact #1: Since the Denton Community Food Center buys 65% of their food from the Tarrant Area Food Bank, $2.29 feeds one person for 5-7 days.
Food Fact #2: Last year, the Denton Community Food Center served almost 4000 different families.
Food Fact #3: In 2016, approximately $90,000 worth of groceries was distributed by the Denton Community Food Center.
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December Give-a-Meal
Chicken and Dumplings or Beef Stew, Canned Carrots, Canned Pears
Optional: Coffee, Dry Milk, Cooking Oil
Please return your non-perishable donations for the Denton Community Food Center to the collection bin by the Coke machine near Fellowship Hall. Thank You!
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Sunday, Dec. 17
9:30am Sunday School
10:30am Worship Service
Scripture Readings:
Matthew 11: 2-6,
Matthew 3: 1-12
Sermon Title:
Interrupting with Hope
Calendar
Youth Family Christmas Party
Sunday, December 17
12pm, Rec Center
Theology on Tap
Christmas Party
Monday, December 18
6:30pm, Caldwell Residence
1407 Linden Drive
Christmas Eve Morning Worship Service
Sunday, December 24
9:30am, Pastor's Class
10:30am, Sanctuary
Christmas Eve
Sunday, December 24
Morning Worship Service
10:30am, Sanctuary
Candlelit Services
5:00pm, Sanctuary
7:00pm, Sanctuary
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