Announcements for the Week of December 18th

Martin Schongauer (German, ca 1448–1491). The Annunciation (panels from the Orlier Altarpiece, between 1470 and 1475). Musée d’Unterlinden, Colmar, France

Welcome to Saint Stephen's! We are look forward to having you worship with us. If you are visiting please take a moment to fill out one of our Visitor Welcome cards in the pew or sign our guest book so that we can keep in touch. We hope that you will feel at home.

If you are new to Saint Stephen's and would like to learn about becoming a member, or have your membership transferred here from another parish, please indicate on a visitor card or call the Parish Office.

Childcare is provided during Sunday Masses.

Christian Education is offered each Sunday beginning at 9 am. Children and youth meet in the Garrard Education Wing. Adults meet with Fr Yost in the Parish Library where they continue the series Anglican Essentials. All are welcome!

The Advent Wreath is given to the glory of God by Judy Devenport in loving memory of Claud Devenport.

Greening of the church & pot luck lunch follows the 10 am Mass this Sunday. Lend a hand as we prepare for the celebration of the Nativity!

The Rector's Ministry Fund provides for charitable assistance to members of the parish and others in our community as well as other missionary purposes that fall outside the parish budget. Each third Sunday of the month, the undesignated offerings are deposited in the Ministry fund. Your generosity is most appreciated.

If you have not yet returned your pledge card . . . Please do so this Sunday! Pledge cards may be found in the Parish Hall. For those who have made a pledge . . .Thank you!

Let's go caroling! The Youth Group will lead us in caroling this Sunday, leaving from the church at 5:15 pm after Evening Prayer. Everyone, young and old, is invited to join and share some cheer with our shut-in parishioners. Warming refreshments and Youth Group Christmas party will follow in the Parish Hall.

Vestry nominations are now being received for election at the Annual Parish Meeting in January. The nomination form is available in the Parish Hall and includes information regarding qualifications for service on the Vestry. Please note that because a public records background check is now required by the Diocese before anyone may be permitted to hold a position of Parish leadership, nominations at the Parish Annual Meeting cannot be made from the floor. Nominations should be submitted to the Parish Office or to the Senior Warden no later than January 8.

The Rector's Bible Study meets this Wednesday, December 21, at 10:45 am, following the 10 am Mass. We continue our study of the Gospel according to Mark. All are welcome!

Ladies' Night Out is this Wednesday, December 21, at 6:30 pm, hosted by Elizabeth Bennett, Judy Devenport and Rosemary Tasker at the home of Elizabeth Bennett in Van Alstyne. There will be a small gift exchange with the gift not costing more $20. All ladies of the parish are welcome to attend. Please sign the sheet in the parish hall. A car pool will leave from the church at 6 pm on Wednesday.

2012 Ordo Kalendars are here! These attractive calendars provide details of the feasts and fasts to be observed throughout the year along with the liturgical colors and other information. They are available in the Parish Hall or the Parish Office. The suggested offering is $2.00 each. Every home should have one!

Altar Flower and Shrine Flower Charts for 2012 are now posted in the Parish Hall. Make your flower gifts for 2012 early in order to have the date of your choice. The chart for altar flowers is the large one and the smaller is for shrine flowers. Your gift of flowers enables the Flower Guild to make our church more beautiful. The suggested donation is $50 for the altar and $25 for the shrine.

Coffee Hour hosts are needed for 2012. The new sign up sheet is posted in the Parish Hall. Keep it simple—coffee, juice, cookies, etc.

The Parish Office will be closed for Christmas holiday Friday, December 23, through Tuesday, December 27.


UPCOMING EVENTS

Sunday, December 18th
Pot luck lunch & greening of the church, 11 am
Caroling, 5:15 pm

Tuesday, December 20th
SOS, 12:15 pm, Parish Hall
Vestry, 6:30 pm

Wednesday, December 21st
Rector's Bible Study, 10:45 am, Parish Library
Ladies' Night Out, 6:30 pm, home of Elizabeth Bennett

Thursday, December 22nd
Men's Study Group, 6:30 am, Lupe's, 120 West Wall Street

Saturday, December 24th
Christmas Eve, 5 pm, Low Mass with Carols; 10:30 pm, Musical Prelude; 11 pm, Procession & Midnight Mass

Sunday, December 25th
Christmas Day, 8 am, Low Mass of the Dawn; 10 am, High Mass of the Day

Monday, December 26th
Saint Stephen’s Day, 10 High Mass, followed by a festive brunch