This week’s “Rector’s Message” comes from my wife Erin, whose poetic skills are evident once again in this poem which the young people recited at the 10 a.m. mass last week.

MERRY CHRISTMAS 2020!!!

T’was the night before Christmas
And throughout the earth
God’s children were waiting
For our Dear Savior’s birth

The people in 2020
Had been through quite an ordeal
The COVID pandemic
Their hearts would try to steal

But God in His mercy
Gave strength and His love
To all His Children
To trust in above!

They would gather in small groups
Or meet via Zoom
Nothing could dampen their faith
Even if they weren’t in the same room

Instagrams, texts, phone calls
And only greetings by Skype
Could not put a damper
On the impending blessed night!

Much care was taken to decorate
And bring out the best
In the year of the Coronavirus
That had put all to the test!

So, as we prepare our homes
With tinsel and colored lights
Let us not forget what we celebrate
On this great Holy Night

Mary’s “Yes” at the Annunciation
Is what paved the way
For the world’s greatest gift
Given that first Christmas day

It was God incarnate, in the person of Christ
Who humbled Himself and came to earth
Mercifully bringing salvation to mankind
Through the Blessed Virgin’s Birth

So, God bless you and your families
At this Christmas and beyon’
And many prayers for a healthy and holy
Twenty twenty-one!

NOTICES:

Video Viewing Options for Sunday’s mass – there are three different ways to view our videos: 1) our church website; 2) our Facebook page; and 3) our YouTube channel.  See the links listed below.

Opportunities for Giving – there are several options that safely and efficiently expedite your generous donations: electronic bank transfers or automatic bank transfers via personal accounts or credit/debit cards; personal checks delivered by USPS; and our favorite through joining our giving family online through our website or at www.myEoffering.com with our secure vendor Church Envelope Budget Company, who provides you with yearly offering envelopes. Please do NOT leave any envelopes with checks/cash unattended at church mailboxes.

Sandwiches for St. George’s: We will continue making sandwiches at least through December. Please bring them to St. David’s parking lot each Wednesday morning from 8:30 to 9:30 am. St. George’s is trying to begin serving to-go dinner meals but is not getting enough of the parishes and other groups to support that yet. So the hot lunches with to-go sandwich bags for a later dinner will continue for a while. Thank you for the ongoing support! We continue to provide 300± sandwiches every week. If you are working and cannot come Wednesday mornings please feel free to call me to set up a Tuesday night drop off.

Christmas Flowers: We are collecting donations of $25.00 for Christmas flowers starting this week. Please fill in a form, and leave it in the plate, or call the office. The deadline has been extended to Sunday, December 20 th.

Sunday School is back in operation with the necessary protocols in place.

The Annual Living Nativity will again be held on Saturday and Sunday evenings, December 19 th and 20 th for one hour beginning at 7:00 p.m.

Offering Envelopes: If you use the offering envelope, please contact the office at your earliest convenience.

Christmas Eve Mass:
Thursday, December 24th at 7:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m.

Christmas Day Mass:
Friday, December 25 th at 10:00 a.m.

Holy Eucharist:
Tuesdays: 8:30 a.m.
Wednesdays: 6:30 p.m.

PLEASE PRAY – For the sick: Ashlyn, Beth, Charlotte, Debbie, Donna, Francis, Iliana, Jeanne, Jim, Joaquin, Kim, Theda.

For birthday celebrations: Marilyn Perakos, Sherry Richardson, William Jackowski III, Allison Owen, Megan Jacques, William Owen, Jr., Austin Ward.

For expectant mothers: Andi, Ashley, Katherine, Mayoli.

WEEKLY RECTOR’S MESSAGE – December 13^th – Fr. Thomas.

Some years ago the newsletter of Holy Trinity Church, Vicksburg, Miss., provided this tale:  A man was trying hard to get the ketchup to come out of the bottle.  During his struggle the phone rang, so he asked his four year old daughter to answer the phone.  “It’s the Rector, Daddy,” the child said to her father.  Then she added, “Daddy can’t come to the phone to talk to you right now.  He’s hitting the bottle.”

“Out of the mouths of babes,” as they say!  Regardless of how we celebrate the Christmas season – the birth of God’s Son into the world, and His continued entry into our lives on a daily basis is the message we need to hear and proclaim throughout the entire year.  Joy is a fruit of the Spirit, and true joy is a gift from God.  It does not flow from what’s happening outside of us; it flows from the DNA of God Himself.

To give C.S. Lewis the last word:  “If we find ourselves with a desire that nothing in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that we were made for another world.”  This is why God came into our world to begin with.  With two weeks left before Christmas, it’s not too late to re-evaluate our priorities in preparation for the celebration of Christ’s birth.  If we learn nothing else at this Christmas season, then we will have discovered that true joy which enlightens the world at all times.

NOTICES:

Video Viewing Options for Sunday’s mass – there are three different ways to view our videos: 1) our church website; 2) our Facebook page; and 3) our YouTube channel.  See the links listed below.

Opportunities for Giving – there are several options that safely and efficiently expedite your generous donations: electronic bank transfers or automatic bank transfers via personal accounts or credit/debit cards; personal checks delivered by USPS; and our favorite through joining our giving family online through our website or at   www.myEoffering.com with our secure vendor Church Envelope Budget Company, who provides you with yearly offering envelopes. Please do NOT leave any envelopes with checks/cash unattended at church mailboxes.

Sandwiches for St. George’s:  We will continue making sandwiches at least through December. Please bring them to St. David’s parking lot each Wednesday morning from 8:30 to 9:30 am. St. George’s is trying to begin serving to-go dinner meals but is not getting enough of the parishes and other groups to support that yet. So the hot lunches with to-go sandwich bags for a later dinner will continue for a while. Thank you for the ongoing support! We continue to provide 300± sandwiches every week.  If you are working and cannot come Wednesday mornings please feel free to call me to set up a Tuesday night drop off.

Volunteers to Decorate the Church: Christmas is only two weeks away and we’re asking for volunteers to help Saturday morning at 9 for about 2 hours to decorate the church, set up the tree, hang lights, etc., particularly in preparation for the day school Christmas programs next week.

Christmas Flowers:  We are collecting donations of $25.00 for Christmas flowers starting this week.  Please fill in a form, and leave it in the plate. The deadline is December 15^th.

Sunday School is back in operation with the necessary protocols in place.

Saturday, December 19 from 8-11am Church cleaning and decorating.  Everyone welcome and please come wearing mask.

The Annual Living Nativity will again be held on Saturday and Sunday evenings, December 19^th and 20^th for one hour beginning at 7:00 p.m.

Offering Envelopes:  If you use the offering envelope, please contact the office at your earliest convenience.

Holy Eucharist:

PLEASE PRAY – For the sick: Ashlyn, Beth, Charlotte, Debbie, Donna, Francis, Iliana, Jeanne, Jim, Joaquin, Kim, Theda.

For birthday celebrations: Robert Bresnahan, Reagan Bresnahan, Elyssa Beresford, Eli Carter, Neville Tinglin.

For our expectant mothers: Ashley, Andi, Mayoli.