Christmas & Holiday Events 2023
 THE BEACON WEEKLY St. Chris’ Advent Calendar via Text MessageReceive 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… Synod eNews – Week of December 3, 2023 Advent 2023: An Advent Message and Appeal from Bishop Skelton The Beacon Newsletter 11/29/2023 This Week at St. Christopher’s… Week of December 4th Monday (12/04/2023) – John of Damascus, Priest; died ca. 760 Mitford Series Reading Group – 1:30 pm  Tuesday (12/05/2023) – Clement of Alexandria, Priest; died ca. 210 Faithful Living – 6:15 am Wednesday (12/06/2023) – Nicholas, Bishop of Myra; died ca. 342 Widows/Widowers Support Group – 1:30 pm Choir Practice – 3:30 pm Worship Committee Meeting – 5:00 pm Thursday (12/07/2023) – Ambrose, Bishop of Milan; died 397 Worship Band – 3:15 pm Evening Prayer – 5:00 pm  AA Meeting – 6:00 pm Friday (12/08/2023) Clergy Sabbath Saturday (12/09/2023) Grounds Setup – 9:00 am Sunday (12/10/2023) Morning Prayer – 7:00 am Contemplative Eucharist – 8:00 am Adult Bible Study – 9:00 am Choral Eucharist – 10:30 am Children’s Sunday School – 10:30 am Grubby Sunday – 12:00 pm *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 launches 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. …December Trivia: On December 5, 1901, a little magic came into the world along with the birth of Walt Disney. Disney released his first cartoon, featuring Mickey Mouse, called Steamboat Willie at the age of 27. By the time he was 54, the Disney empire grew in size with the construction of Disneyland in Anaheim, California. Today Disney is a common word in households around the world thanks to the endless number of books, cartoons, films, and other forms of entertainment created by the Walt Disney Company…. Rusher Frevert was commissioned as Acolyte on 12/3/2023! Many thanks to Fr. Pete Van Zanten for overseeing this ministry. As you will see below, our acolyte crew is fabulous!   …Saint Nicholas Day: On December 6th, Saint Nicholas Day recognizes the third-century saint who became an inspiration for the modern-day Santa Claus. St. Nicholas is known for selling all his possessions and giving his money to the poor. Raised as a devout Christian, St. Nicholas dedicated his whole life to serving the sick and suffering.Traditionally, families left their shoes by the fires at night so that they could dry. On three separate occasions, Ol’ St. Nicholas provided a dowry for each girl. Legend says he made gold appear in their shoes, drying by the fire.While St. Nicholas Day is not to be confused with Christmas, some similarities do exist. Traditions include leaving gifts in shoes (or stockings) or the exchange of small gifts. Another tradition suggests leaving treats for good boys and girls. However, the naughty ones receive a twig or chunk of coal. …Several St. Christopher’s families at Steamboat Island Christmas Tree Lighting, Dec. 2, 2023. Sponsored by the Griffin Neighborhood Association, hosted at Companion Cove Pet, Garden, & Feed, and serenaded by the Griffin 7th & 8th grade bands, our community rolled out the red carpet to the holidays. Besides St. Chris, the Griffin FD was present and so was Santa Claus!  Interesting facts associated with St. Nicholas:He is the patron saint of a great many causes. Some of the causes include sailors, travelers, clergy, school children, and thieves, to name a few.He was born in the village of Patar, located on the southeastern coast of modern-day Turkey.Buried in a tomb in Myra, water believed to have healing powers formed in his grave. It is called the Manna of Saint Nicholas.December 6th is also known as The Feast of St. Nicholas, is widely celebrated in Europe.  ARTICLES: Synod eNews – Week of December 3, 2023 Advent 2023: An Advent Message and Appeal from Bishop Skelton The Beacon Newsletter 11/29/2023 Banns of Marriage: I hereby publish the Banns of Marriage between Michael David Walther of Port Angeles, Washington (formerly of Steamboat Island, Olympia, WA) and Shawna Lee Rogers Port Angeles, Washington (formerly of Los Angeles, CA.) If any of you know just cause why they may not be joined together in Holy Matrimony, you are bidden to declare it. This is the third time of asking. The Rev. James L. Thibodeaux+ Happenings at StC Important Announcements & News… Giving Tree: The giving tree is up and we still have tags left. Thank you everyone who already took one. Please return wrapped gifts with tags taped to the package to the church during the week of December 10th. Delivery of wrapped gifts is planned planned for December 20th. Grubby Sunday, Dec. 10: It is time to make the grounds festive for the winter season and begin preparations for the live nativity. We will have a work party after the 10:30 am service on Sunday, December 10. Tasks will be available for all ages and abilities. Please join us! Saturday, Dec. 9, from 9-11 am is also an option to make the grounds festive if you’re not available on Saturday and want to help. If neither day works and you would like to help reach out to Laura Johnson at 703-424-8664 or lawigand@gmail.com. 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. 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 on the envelope if you are using cash. We are looking forward to the beautiful poinsettias at the altar this Christmas! St Christopher’s Christmas Plans: Blue Christmas Service – Dec. 13th @ 7:00 pm (online and in person) Live Nativity – Dec 16th from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm (in-person)4th Sunday of Advent – 10:30am, Dec. 24th.Christmas Eve In-Person – 4:00 pm and 6:30 pm Candlelight Services. 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 360.359.6973Interested in acting as a Reader? If you are interested in reading at one or more services, please sign up here. 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: Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light, now in the time of this mortal life in which your Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. In Our Prayers: Marty Walther Congregational Cycle Doug Smith Diocesan Cycle Holy Spirit, Battle Ground St. Matthew’s, Castle Rock Synod Cycle Amazing Grace, Aberdeen Chinook, Chinook Daily Scripture LessonsRegular 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 79 Micah 4:1-5 Revelation 15:1-8 Tuesday Psalm 79 Micah 4:6-13 Revelation 18:1-10 Wednesday Psalm 79 Micah 5:1-5a Luke 21:34-38 Thursday Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13 Hosea 6:1-6 1 Thessalonians 1:2-10 Friday Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13 Jeremiah 1:4-10 Acts 11:19-26 Saturday Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13 Ezekiel 36:24-28 Mark 11:27-33Next Week at St. Christopher’s…Week of December 11th Monday (12/11/2023) – Lars Olsen Skrefsrud, Missionary to India,; died191O Mitford Series Reading Group – 1:30 pm Bishop’s Council Meeting – 7:00 pm Tuesday (12/12/2023) Faithful Living – 6:15 am Wednesday (12/13/2023) – Lucy, Martyr at Syracuse; died ca. 304 Widows/Widowers Support Group – 1:30 pm Choir Practice – 3:30 pm Blue Christmas – 7;00 pm Thursday (12/14/2023) – John of the Cross, Renewer of the Church; died 1591 Fellowship Breakfast – 9:00 am Worship Band – 3:15 pm Evening Prayer – 5:00 pm AA Meeting – 6:00 pm Friday (1215/2023) Clergy Sabbath Advent Quiet Day – 9:30 am Griffin Wyldlife – 7:00 pm (cafeteria) Saturday (12/16/2023) Live Nativity – 5;00 – 7;00 pmSunday (12/17/2023) – O Sapientia 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 – 10:30 am St. Kitt’s Guild – 12:00 pm *On our website, church app, Facebook, or Vimeo. ** Via Zoom. Requires a free Zoom account for security purposes. Helpful Links: Our Website Download Our Church App Church Community Builder: Our Member’s Portal Online Giving AND 2023 Online Pledge Form Online Worship Get Worship Reminders & More Via Text Message Contact Us: (No solicitations, please.)(360) 866-2111 Office@StChristopherOlympia.org St. Christopher’s Community Church 7902 Steamboat Is. Rd. NW Olympia, WA 98502 Find Out the Current News & More Copyright © 2023 St. Christopher’s Community Church, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you’ve signed up to receive email notifications from St. Christopher’s. Our mailing address is: St. Christopher’s Community Church 7902 Steamboat Island Road NW Olympia, WA 98502 Add us to your address book |
