Readings, News & Announcements November 27- Dec 4

News and Announcements:

Sun      Nov 27              Early Service – 7:45am

                                    Celebration Service – 9:00am

                                    Advent Wreath making – 10:00am

                                       Traditional Service – 11:00am

Mon    Nov 28               Bible Study – 7-8:30pm

Wed    Nov 30              Bible Study 4-5om

                                    Eucharist 5-6pm

                                    Celebration Band 6:30-7:15pm               

Thur    Dec  1               Choir Practice – 7:00pm                       

Sun     Dec   4               Early Service – 7:45am

                                    Celebration Service – 9:00am

                                       Parish Meeting – 10:00am

                                    Traditional Service – 11:00am

                                                Celtic Service & Reception 6:00pm

Advent Wreaths

Well, its getting to be that time again.  What time is that, you say?  Advent!  The time we wait with joyful anticipation for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, I say.  And how do we mark the time, you say?  With Advent wreaths, I say. I would once again like to gather all who are interested to make fresh Advent wreaths for your homes. I think it was a great success last year.

The cost this year to make a wreath will be $12.00/ea. Please bring cash, or make a check out to me, Ray Locke. If you wish to take part in this CEC tradition please let me know no later than November 20^th. Call me at home, or see me at church, anytime between now and then.

Young Adult Service Corps
The Episcopal Church offers untold opportunities for young adults to provide service and share their expertise worldwide through the Young Adult Service Corps.
Commonly known as YASC, applications are now being accepted for the Young Adult Service Corps from young adults between the ages of 21-30.

Click onto the link for further details and application form

http://episcopalyoungadults.blogspot.com/2011/08/scholarships-now-available-through.html

Dear Christ Church members,

Please note that on Saturday December 10^th the day of the Christmas Parade when we will be promoting Christ Church with our participation in the Christmas Parade,  it is also the Kiwanis Santa’s Breakfast from 8am to 10am that morning, at the Smithfield Center.  Enjoy a delicious breakfast and the opportunity for our young children and grandchildren to visit the best Santa in town!  Many of our Christ Church family will be helping at this event, so come along too and show the town another way that our church members continue to support our community.   All the proceeds from the event go towards helping underprivileged children in IOW County, including providing Christmas Gifts for over 300 children so they too can experience the joy of Christmas Morning. Tickets are $5.00 and they can be purchased in advance from any Kiwanis member, or you can pay at the door. What better way to begin a day that exemplifies just what out great town is all about!  And after the Parade, enjoy lunch at Christ Church, and give Mom the day off during the busy Christmas Season!

Thank you.

Blessings,

Angie.

It is time to order poinsettias for Christmas.  The cost for each plant will be $15.50.  All orders must be turned in by December 4th, so that the total order may be placed on December 7^th

***Order forms can be found in our Church Hall under the poinsettia poster.

Completed forms can be placed in Judy Cutler’s box

December 10 at 11:00 am

CHRIST CHURCH ENTERS FLOAT IN CHRISTMAS PARADE - NOON FISH FRY

Those interested in helping with float design, building, or assisting with the parade, please call:  Michel Lujan,  757-279-0124  or  Tammie and Roger Ash, 757-357-2718 or call our church office and leave your name and number.

           

ON PARADE DAY

Come and warm-up after the Christmas Parade and enjoy a fish fry lunch with Gene Lowery’s famous hush puppies, coleslaw, and a drink for  $7.00.  Baked goods available for purchase.  Lunch and church tours begin at noon.

Those who would like to participate by helping with the Fish Fry set-up, assisting Gene with the cooking, and providing customer service to our guests, please call:  Donna or Gene, 757-357-5879 or Mary Cole, 757-675-5777, or leave your name and number at the church office.

BAKERY GOODS TO BE SOLD ON PARADE DAY

Those who can donate bakery goods to be sold on parade day, please get in touch with:  Deborah Webb at the church office:  757-357-2826 or Judy Cutler, 757-357-5133.

CHURCH TOURS & ART EXHIBITION

Those who would like to give, or assist with Church Tours and Church Beautification call:  Pam Glanville, 757-773-2700 

All proceeds after expenses will go towards the renovation and beautification of the remainder of the church interior – one room at a time.

Thank you for your participation and fellowship.

December 2nd & 3rd

CHRIST CHURCH OPENS TO GREET THOSE ON HISTORIC HOMES TOUR

HOT COFFEE/CHOCOLATE  & SNACKS

CHURCH TOURS

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December 4 at 6:00 pm

CELTIC EVENSONG SERVICE FOLLOWED BY CELTIC CONCERT AND RECEPTION

Sunday, December 4 at 6:00 pm, Christ Church will offer a Celtic Evensong service which will commemorate St. Andrew, the patron saint of Scotland, whose feast day is a few days before the December 4^th date. 

The service will include the lighting of candles for prayer and the opportunity for the laying on of hands in healing.  This is our third Celtic service which, no doubt, will continue to touch our hearts and souls as we behold the beauty around us and absorb the spoken word and music unique to such an experience.

CELTIC CONCERT TO FOLLOW SERVICE

9 Points of Roguery, a group of young Williamsburg musicians, will play traditional Irish and other Celtic music.  Formed in 2009 with a grant from the Williamsburg Area Arts Commission, 

9 Points of Roguery, is an ensemble of the Williamsburg Youth Harp Society.  The “Rogues” play harp, fiddle, mandolin, tin whistle, flute, piccolo, concertina, cello, accordion and bodhran (Irish drum).

The four harpists in the group played classical harp music together since they were in the 3^rd grade.  They decided to expand their range of musical experiences by playing the Celtic harp and music appropriate for this instrument.  They then added friends (and a brother!) who played other traditional Celtic instruments, and the “Rogues” were born!

Readings November 27 2011 9am

Reader:  A reading from Isaiah [64:1-9]

The people of Israel are suffering for the sins they have committed. On their behalf, the prophet pleads that God will be merciful to his children.

Reader: Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church.

People:  Open our ears to hear your Word.

Oh, that you would rip open the heavens and descend, make the mountains shudder at your presence—
As when a forest catches fire,
   as when fire makes a pot to boil—
To shock your enemies into facing you,
   make the nations shake in their boots!
You did terrible things we never expected,
   descended and made the mountains shudder at your presence.
Since before time began
   no one has ever imagined,
No ear heard, no eye seen, a God like you
   who works for those who wait for him.
You meet those who happily do what is right,
   who keep a good memory of the way you work.
But how angry you've been with us!
   We've sinned and kept at it so long!
   Is there any hope for us? Can we be saved?
We're all sin-infected, sin-contaminated.
   Our best efforts are grease-stained rags.
We dry up like autumn leaves—
   sin-dried, we're blown off by the wind.
No one prays to you
   or makes the effort to reach out to you
Because you've turned away from us,
   left us to stew in our sins.Still, God, you are our Father.
   We're the clay and you're our potter:
   All of us are what you made us.
Don't be too angry with us, O God.
   Don't keep a permanent account of wrongdoing.
   Keep in mind, please, we are your people—all of us.

Reader: Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church.

People:  Open our ears to hear your Word.

Readings November 27 7.45 & 11am

+The First Lesson: The people of Israel are suffering for the sins they have committed. On their behalf, the prophet pleads that God will be merciful to his children.

A Reading from Isaiah [64:1-9]

O that you would tear open the heavens and come down,

so that the mountains would quake at your presence--

as when fire kindles brushwood

and the fire causes water to boil--

to make your name known to your adversaries,

so that the nations might tremble at your presence!

When you did awesome deeds that we did not expect,

you came down, the mountains quaked at your presence.

From ages past no one has heard,

no ear has perceived,

no eye has seen any God besides you,

who works for those who wait for him.

You meet those who gladly do right,

those who remember you in your ways.

But you were angry, and we sinned;

because you hid yourself we transgressed.

We have all become like one who is unclean,

and all our righteous deeds are like a filthy cloth.

We all fade like a leaf,

and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away.

There is no one who calls on your name,

or attempts to take hold of you;

for you have hidden your face from us,

and have delivered us into the hand of our iniquity.

Yet, O LORD, you are our Father;

we are the clay, and you are our potter;

we are all the work of your hand.

Do not be exceedingly angry, O LORD,

and do not remember iniquity forever.

Now consider, we are all your people.

Reader: The Word of the Lord                                                                                           People: Thanks be to God  

Psalm 80:1-7,16-18  Page  702, BCP

Hear, O Shepherd of Israel, leading Joseph like a flock; *
shine forth, you that are enthroned upon the cherubim.

In the presence of Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh, *
stir up your strength and come to help us.

Restore us, O God of hosts; *
show the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved.

O LORD God of hosts, *
how long will you be angered
despite the prayers of your people?

You have fed them with the bread of tears; *
you have given them bowls of tears to drink.

You have made us the derision of our neighbors, *
and our enemies laugh us to scorn.

Restore us, O God of hosts; *
show the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved.

Let your hand be upon the man of your right hand, *
the son of man you have made so strong for yourself.

And so will we never turn away from you; *
give us life, that we may call upon your Name.

Restore us, O LORD God of hosts; *
show the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved.

+The Second Lesson: Paul gives thanks for new disciples who have received many spiritual gifts. He encourages them to remain faithful as they await the Lord’s coming.

A Reading from 1 Corinthians   [1:3-9]

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that has been given you in Christ Jesus, for in every way you have been enriched in him, in speech and knowledge of every kind-- just as the testimony of Christ has been strengthened among you-- so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ. He will also strengthen you to the end, so that you may be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful; by him you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Reader: The Word of the Lord                                                                                         

 People: Thanks be to God