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The Beacon Newsletter 12/19/2023
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This will be the last Beacon of 2023. Look for the next edition the first week of January 2024.

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The Beacon Newsletter 12/13/2023








































































This Week at St. Christopher’s…


















































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































Week of December 18th

Monday (12/18/2023) 

Mitford Series Reading Group – 1 pm


Tuesday (12/19/2023) 

Faithful Living–  6:15 am


Wednesday (12/20/2023) – Katharina von Bora Luther; died 1552

Widows/Widowers Support Group – 1:30 pm

Choir Practice – 3:30 pm


Thursday (12/21/2023) – St. Thomas, Apostle

Worship Band – 3:15 pm

Evening Prayer – 5:00 pm

AA Meeting – 6:00 pm


Friday (12/22/2023)

Clergy Sabbath


Saturday (12/23/2023) – Thorlak, Bishop of Skalholt; died 1193

Church office closed

   

Sunday (12/24/2023) 

Morning Prayer – Canceled

Contemplative Eucharist – Canceled

Adult Bible Study – Canceled

Choral Eucharist – 10:30 am

Children’s Sunday School – 10:30 am

Christmas Candlelight Service  – 4:00 pm *

Christmas Candlelight Service – 6:30 pm

Church office closed


*On our website, church app, Facebook, or Vimeo.

** Via Zoom. Requires a free Zoom account for security purposes.
































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































…Check out the Happenings at StC Page! Please check out the Happenings at StC Page

below the “Did you know?” section for major announcements.


… St. Christopher’s end-of-year giving campaign! Please be on the lookout for an invitation to make a special contribution to our ministries and outreach! Arriving in your mailbox this month. Thank you for all your generosity, everywhere.


…Christmas Trivia: People have been sending Christmas cards since 1843

In 1843, the custom of sending Christmas cards began. At the time, Sir Henry Cole worked as a senior civil servant and had helped set up what would become the Post Office, and he wanted to try and encourage it to be used by ordinary people.


His idea of Christmas cards was created, and they were initially sold for only 1 shilling each, and the custom slowly became more popular throughout the years! Now almost 170 years later, we still love to send our beloved friends and family a Christmas card to wish them well and let them know we’re thinking of them!


…St. Christopher’s ministered to over 700 in one week! –  Last week with the couple of memorial services, the Live Nativity, Blue Christmas service, Advent Quiet Day, plus our regular worship and programs, St Christopher’s reached out to over 700 people on one week! That’s 1400% over our usual Sunday worship attendance! Simply amazing. Our hope is that people felt God’s unconditional welcome and Christ’s loving grace in all our encounters.


…2023 Live Nativity: The 2023 Live Nativity was a huge success, with 175 people attending. Thank you to all who volunteered to assist with the event. We couldn’t have done it without your help!










…Humbug Day: December 21st recognizes the Ebenezers, the Scrooges, grinches, and curmudgeons who suck the joy out of the holiday season. Sometimes, even the most joyous of us all get bitten by the hum-bug. Regardless, it’s essential to do our best to remember all those who suffer from it the most. Spread some joy their way and bring the holiday spirit into their lives. However, the day was created to express our frustrations, to let the Scrooge in all of us out, and let him reveal himself. Whether we declare it through a humbug or two or just avoid the people-y places, the day gives us a break from the hustle and bustle of activity that comes with the season.






































St. Chris’ Advent Calendar via Text Message


Receive daily Scripture and reflections for Advent based on the Jesse Tree sent right to your phone! Then, receive similar devotions for the Twelve days of Christmas!



Just text

ADVENTCAL

to 360-810-3292.

Text STOP ADVENTCAL at any time.


Texts begin on Dec. 3rd. (Advent 1) 

Texts end after January 6th.



Articles this issue…                           

















































The Beacon Newsletter 12/13/2023


Dec 13, 2023 02:01 pm


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Happenings at StC


Important Announcements & News…


2024 Pledge of Giving:  It’s time to make your 2024 Pledge of Giving. Please prayerfully consider your support of St. Christopher’s. Your giving is needed to support worship, staff, education, evangelism, and outreach. You can complete your 2024 Pledge Card by filling out a blue pledge card found near the bulletins at church or electronically in CCB by clicking here.  Then set up your online giving by clicking here. This is a two-step process. If you need help, contact Fr. James, Tucker, or Jodi.


Wednesday, December 20th Is The Last Day For Poinsettias for Christmas: The giving season is upon us and we look forward to remembering our loved ones with a poinsettia on the altar at Christmas time. If you would like to sponsor a poinsettia in commemoration of a person or event, you can make your donation online using this form. Or, if you prefer there are envelopes on the back table in the church. If you are using an envelope to make a donation, please write the name of the person or event on the envelope and  “Altar Guild Poinsettias” on your check’s memo line or the envelope if you are using cash. We are looking forward to the beautiful poinsettias at the altar this Christmas!


Hot Meals Outreach: Join St. Christopher’s in providing hot meal outreach at Community Lifeline of Mason County a non-profit human services organization providing food, 24-hour shelter, and other assistance for those in need.


We serve dinner on the 4th Wednesday of the month.

3:45 pm to 5 pm – cook and set up

5 pm – 6 pm – Serving

6 pm – 7 pm – Cleanup


If you are interested in serving with this group, please reach out to Will Mayes at mithra651@yahoo.com.


St Christopher’s Christmas Plans: 


    

  • 4th Sunday of Advent – 10:30 am, Dec. 24th.
    • 

  • Christmas Eve In-Person – 4:00 pm and 6:30 pm Candlelight Services (Note: The 4 pm service will be live streamed, as well)
    • 

  • Christmas Day – No services
    • 



St. Christopher’s Needs Your Help:


    

  • Interested in being a Coffee Hour Host?  If you would like to volunteer to be a Coffee Hour Host, please sign up in CCB by clicking here or using the link in the email that you received.
    • 

  • Interested in acting as a Greeter? Contact Pat Kelley. Text 360.359.6973
    • 

  • Interested in acting as a Reader? If you are interested in reading at one or more services, please sign-up on the list by the sign in book in the church. If you have questions, please contact Marcia Rugg at 206.200.5536 or via email at ruggmbeach@comcast.net.
    • 



Text Message Reminders about Worship. Would you text message invitations to our online and in-person services? Receive reminders on your phone by texting WORSHIP to (360) 810-3292 or clicking this link https://mtxt.cc/list/join/360.810.3292/worship. You can opt out anytime by texting STOP or text HELP to see other options.





































































In our Prayers


Prayer of the Week: Stir up the wills of your faithful people, Lord God, and open our ears to the words of your prophets, that, anointed by your Spirit, we may testify to your light; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.


In Our Prayers: 


Marty Walther


Congregational Cycle

Tucker Smyth


Diocesan Cycle

St. Stephen’s, Longview

St. Peter’s, Seaview


Synod Cycle

Naselle Lutheran, Naselle

Ocean Park Lutheran, Ocean Park


Daily Scripture Lessons


Regular time in scripture and prayer are some of the ways we grow as people of faith: here is a list of suggested daily readings to complement this week’s readings in worship.


Monday

Psalm 125

1 Kings 18:1-18

Ephesians 6:10-17


Tuesday

Psalm 125

2 Kings 2:9-22

Acts 3:17—4:4


Wednesday

Psalm 125

Malachi 3:16—4:6

Mark 9:9-13


Thursday

Psalm 89:1-4, 19-26

2 Samuel 6:1-11

Hebrews 1:1-4


Friday

Psalm 89:1-4, 19-26

2 Samuel 6:12-19

Hebrews 1:5-14


Saturday

Psalm 89:1-4, 19-26

Judges 13:2-24

John 7:40-52















































Next Week at St. Christopher’s…


















































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































Week of December 25th

Monday (12/25/2023) – The Nativity of Our Lord

Mitford Series Reading Group – Canceled


Tuesday (12/26/2023) – St. Stephen, Deacon & Martyr

Faithful Living –  Canceled


Wednesday (12/27/2023) – St. John, Apostle and Evangelist

Widows/Widowers Support Group – 1:30 pm

Choir Practice – 3:30 pm

Hot Meals Outreach – 3:45 pm


Thursday (12/28/2023) – The Holy Innocents, Martyrs

Fellowship Breakfast – 9:00 am

Worship Band – 3:15 pm

AA Meeting – 6:00 pm

Evensong: Feast of the Holy Innocents – 7:00 pm


Friday (12/29/2023) – Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury, Martyr; died 1170

Clergy Sabbath


Saturday (12/30/2023) – 

Church office closed

   

Sunday (12/31/2023) 

Morning Prayer – Canceled

Contemplative Eucharist – 8;00 am

Adult Bible Study – Canceled

Choral Eucharist – 10:30 am

Children’s Sunday School – 10:30 am

Evensong: Eve of the Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus – 7:00 pm

Church office closed


*On our website, church app, Facebook, or Vimeo.

** Via Zoom. Requires a free Zoom account for security purposes.













































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































First Week of January at St. Christopher’s…


















































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































Week of January 1st

Monday (01/01/2024) – The Holy Name of Jesus

Mitford Series Reading Group – Canceled

  

Tuesday (01/02/2024) – Johann Konrad Wilhelm Löhe, Pastor; died 1872

Faithful Living – 6:15 am


Wednesday (01/03/2024) – Charles Porterfield Krauth, Teacher; died 1883

Widows/Widowers Support Group – 1:30 pm

Choir Practice – 3:30 pm


Thursday (01/04/2024) 

Worship Band – 3:15 pm

Evening Prayer – 5:00 pm

AA Meeting – 6:00 pm


Friday (01/05/2024) – Kaj Munk, Martyr; died 1944

Clergy Sabbath


Saturday (01/06/2024) – The Epiphany of our Lord

Evensong: Feast of the Epiphany – 7:00 pm


Sunday (01/07/2024) 

Morning Prayer – 7:00 am (Online only)

Contemplative Eucharist – 8:00 am (In-Person only)

Adult Bible Study – 9:00 am

Choral Eucharist – 10:30 am (Virtual* and In-Person)

Children’s Sunday School – Children and youth will worship in the sanctuary with the congregation.   

   


*On our website, church app, Facebook, or Vimeo.

** Via Zoom. Requires a free Zoom account for security purposes.

































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































Contact Us:

(No solicitations, please.)


(360) 866-2111


Office@StChristopherOlympia.org


St. Christopher’s Community Church

7902 Steamboat Is. Rd. NW

Olympia, WA 98502





















































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