Announcements for the week of July 29, 2007

Ninth Sunday after Pentecost

MISSION STATEMENT

The Church of the Holy Spirit (Episcopal) shares the love of Jesus through being a friendly community, participating in liturgically rich worship experiences, and by empowering individual ministries.

WORSHIP NEWS

A big thank you to Fr. Bob Bee for leading our worship while Fr. Bob Scott was away!

WELCOME NEWCOMERS
You are welcome to join us at the communion rail when it is time to receive Holy Communion. Our ushers and any member are happy to assist if you have any questions during our worship. Jesus loves you! We are glad you are here.

The Wedding of Christy Scott to Christopher Rogers is Saturday, August 4, at 3:00 p.m., at St. Andrews Episcopal Church. Christy is the daughter of the Rev’s Robert and Catherine Scott. You are invited.

To Help You: Sound enhancement ear phones and large print service books are available in the narthex. Ask an usher for assistance.


For The Sending Forth of Lay Eucharistic Visitors
DEACON: In the name of this congregation, I send you forth bearing these holy gifts, that (those to whom you go) may share with us in the communion of Christ’s body and blood.
CONGREGATION: We who are many are one body, because we all share one bread, one cup.

Got questions about our worship? Blue cards are in your pew holders. Ask question on card and put it in the collection plate. Each week we will briefly look at a question for discussion.

FELLOWSHIP

Newcomer’s Parish Welcome: Every 4th Sunday of the month, all new -
comers and guests are invited to join Fr. Scott in the chapel for an informal parish orientation and church tour. Questions are always welcome! We will meet in the chapel following the 10:30 worship.

Jeff & Jane Stangl will be the 8am Coffee Hour hosts today. Team 3 are the hosts following the 10:30 service.

Calling all crafters! Please join us (Carrie Feingold and Jane Stangl) in the
undercroft on Wednesday’s from 4:00 - 6:45pm (or any part of that time) now through September 19. Bring a project to work on, socialize, share some how-to’s. This would be a great time to work on items you plan to sell at the Fall Festival.

LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES

Thursday evening Book Study Group will soon be reading a new book, Amazing Grace, by Kathleen Norris. Norris writes about the reclaiming of her Christian faith after 20 years away and her difficulties with what she calls the “scary” words of Christianity - words like eschatology...antichrist...righteous...dogma...We meet on Thursday nights from 7-8pm. Join us if you can. The book lends itself to joining at anytime. Please see Deacon Diana or Toby Wingert for further information.

Wednesday Morning Bible Class: will resume study of the Book of Common Prayer on August 15, after the Eucharist. Please join us. Everyone is welcome, and there are no requirements (except for the wish to learn).

Wednesday Summer Evening Book Study Group: at 7- 8pm started June 6 - August 29 meets to discuss “How People Grow What the Bible Reveals About Personal Growth” by Dr Henry Cloud and Dr John Townsend. Concepts of the book include “the essential processes that make people grow and how those processes fit into biblical understanding of spiritual growth and theology” and “how spiritual growth and real-life issues are one and the same.” Please join the group for lively discussion, learning and growth and spiritual fellowship. If you haven’t signed up yet contact Pam Thatcher, (880-4706) for more information.

The Call to Ministry: You have a call to ministry by virtue of your baptism. Ministry may involve many things: listening to another’s story, caring for the young and old or those who are ill, working for justice and peace, seeking to create a healthy and safe environment, creating a home, praying for others, teaching someone to read, or feeding and clothing those who have special needs. In a word, ministry involves “action” as well as presence. Ministry also involves “being,” is being present with a person in crisis, being compassionate, and being open to the possibilities of God working in new unexpected ways and places. Ministry may happen in your work or play. The effects of ministry may be seen at unexpected moments or when you have worked hard to achieve something beneficial. In short, ministry is always a possibility. We are ministers when we offer ourselves as an action of will as well as when we act unconsciously out of the core of our being. EFM exists to help you in this journey of exploration and to provide you with resources for your ministry.

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION AND YOUTH

“Wednesday Journeys”
The following is the mission statement for our Wednesday Journeys:
St. Luke’s, St. Martha’s and Church of the Holy Spirit commit ourselves to a combined effort to better serve our youths, grades 6-12, in a safe, fun and challenging Wednesday night program that empowers their spiritual and personal growth. Pray for this wonderful program for our youth.


The Arrows to Aerospace Parade is Aug. 25, 2007. We want to start plans now. We want as many of our children and youth to participate as possible. What we need to begin collecting right now are big bags of candy (dollar store has some) and one gallon ice cream containers to carry the candy in. We also need cases of bottled water. Any donations would be greatly appreciated. The candy and gallon containers can be set just inside the Christian Ed Office on the counter, and the water placed on the floor. Last year we ran out of candy so we need lots and lots. The water is for the walkers. Thanks so much for your continued support. Questions or comments should be directed to the members of the committee: Kristi Smith, Joan Wood, Wendy Lee, Doug Clark, or Jennifer Wilson.

DIOCESE OF NEBRASKA UPCOMING YOUTH EVENTS!
Sep 1-3 Happening #29

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED - GROUNDS
Volunteers needed for cleaning the weeds out of the flower boxes around the church. These need to be weeded out prior to the Open House the end of August. Please contact Phil Scarbrough, 505-9235 or phillip.scarbrough@cox.net if you can help out!

LOOKING AHEAD

Eastern and Southeastern Deanery Meeting
August 25, 2007, St.. Andrew’s Episcopal Church-925 S. 84th St., Omaha, NE 68114 - (402) 391-1950. Registration 8:45 - 9:00 am - Deanery Meeting 9am-Noon, lunch included. Spirituality Gathering Noon-3:30 pm
Stewardship and Spirituality, A Special Pairing
Please encourage the following to attend: Stewardship Committee and Spiritual Growth Committee members, Daughters of the King, and Brotherhood of St. Andrews, and anyone who has made a Cursillo or is considering attending a Cursillo.
For deanery and program information contact: Sandra Squires, sksquires@earthlink.net or (402) 397-4059.

There is a Needs List for the September 22, Renaissance Faire and Bazaar
Scrap lumber (at least 2 ft. long) * Empty 1 or 2 lb coffee tins * Wooden 1"-2" dowels, or old broom, mop or shovel handles * Paint and paint supplies * Crepe paper ribbon (blue, red, black) * Divider Screens * Laser printer paper, 11X17, 24lb. wt. Please see Judy Darrell


OFFICE

TODAY, SUNDAY, JULY 29, IS THE DEADLINE FOR THE FLAME! And that’s important why? Because your anxious editor has received very few communications from the various activity leaders of the congregation. I’m very sorry to have to sound like mean ol’ school teacher, but I must: If the story’s not in by the end of the day today, it won’t be in this issue. Thanks.

Annual Open House and Parish Picnic
Please join us for our Annual Open House and Parish Picnic on Sunday, August 26. We plan to hold one service, at 10:30 a..m., on this date and encourage you to invite your family friends, colleagues and neighbors to come and join us for an inspirational worship service followed by a fun potluck parish picnic, complete with games (and a dunk tank!) on our church lawn. Be sure to mark your calendars and begin to invite those around you that don not have a church family of their own to consider joining ours on August 26, for a wonderful late summer event. Watch the bulletin for additional information in the weeks to come!

VESTRY

Your Rector and Vestry invite you to consider an open Vestry position. The building care position is open. A job description is on the clipboard table in the undercroft. The main responsibility is keeping a close eye on our church building. Let a vestry member know if you are interested.

This week we ask that you keep the following family and friends in your prayers: Patrick A., Kim R.& family, Sheila M., Toby & Chuck Wingert, Christian Overly, Beth Evans, Karen S., Howard & Sharon Verdery, Pat Tarleton, Howard Schoech, Jame’s father, Leah H,, Carolyn Siburg, Dan, Dee Gidney, Bill Sheldrick, Laurel, Janet Gillian, David, Mark, Carol & family, Mabel Hagen, Sally Davis, Dan, Della Lee, “Indigo”, visitors & newcomers, for all refugees & those who assist them, for all victims of natural disasters around the world, for all travelers, for all those deployed, especially: Gordon, Justin, Martin M., Andrew C., Luke, Scott, Jay S, Craig R..

Our prayers of thanksgiving are offered with those who are celebrating birthdays this week, especially: Elijah Cameron (Jul 29), Rick Sanders (30), Drew Miller, Joan Olander, Jean Schaefer (Aug 1), Annaclarice Miller, Ian Tuttle (3), Sandra Tuttle (4).

Our prayers of thanksgiving are also offered with those who are celebrating wedding anniversaries this week, especially: Karen & Stuart Campbell (Jul 30), Mary & Charles Davis (31),Joan & Dean Olander (Aug 2), Eileen & Bill Sheldrick (4).

Please join us for coffee in the undercroft after the Sunday Services.
Qualified Nursery and Toddler care is available in the undercroft.
Please sign your children in and out