Announcements for the week of November 23, 2008

Last 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

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.

YOUTH
What a beautiful fall day we had for this year’s Youth Rake and Run, a service project run by the CHS Youth Group. This year, we were able to provide raking services to 4 CHS families who needed assistance with their leaf collection. We raked nearly 70 bags of leaves in 4 hours and also enjoyed Subway for lunch and ice cream after. Our small but hardworking crew included Sabrina and Josh Reynolds-Wallace, Amanda, Emily and Chris Brockinton, Shiloh Thacker, Amber, Crystal and Myrt Kunkel, Wendy Lee, and Della and Jennifer Wilson. Thanks to all who participated – we’re proud of our Youth!

St. Andrew’s Pre-Christmas Lock In! For grades 6 thru 12, beginning Friday, Dec 5 at 6:30pm until Sat, Dec 6 at 8am. Sign up sheet is on the clipboard table in the undercroft.

CHRISTIAN ED OPPORTUNITIES
ATTENTION! The Christmas Program has been changed to December 14. It will take place during the 10:30 service.

COMMUNICATIONS
Thank you to the CHS 10:30 congregation for their warm reception and generous contributions to the Journeys Program. The youth worked hard on the service presented in October and you all responded beautifully. Your praise of the youth was wonderful and your reception of them and their families at Holy Spirit was warm and loving as usual. On December 3, the Journeys group will be back at CHS on Wednesday nights for the next three months. Feel free to come by and visit any Wednesday night.

100 REASONS WE GIVE TO CHS Please submit your reason(s) why you Give to CHS on a 3x5 card - state why you give to CHS or why you come to CHS - what does CHS mean to you? We’ll be collecting them through the end of the month or until we have 100 reasons - you can submit more than one card! Please find extras and put your completed cards in the small bag sitting on the “clip board” table in the undercroft.
Update on Estimate of Giving Collection
We continue to receive Estimates of Giving from members – thank you all so much! If you have not given your estimate of your giving for 2009 as of yet. Please do take the time and submit one.

Farewell/Retirement Reception! Today after the 10:30 service there will be a farewell/retirement reception for Mother Ruth and our Music Director Marian Barnett. Two envelopes are available for contributions. See Kristi Smith or Lynda Wyant.

Thanksgiving is almost here once again, and in keeping with our CHS tradition, we will have an Order of Worship (Eucharist) for the Evening on Wednesday, November 26, at 7:00 PM, to give thanks for the blessings in our lives. Please join us for the service and afterward for the Pie Celebration. Bring a pie of your choice to share with others...let’s get a head-start on Thanksgiving dessert!

Wednesday Morning Bible Class will take their usual holiday next Wednesday, Nov 26. Happy Thanksgiving to all and see you again on Dec 3.

Financial Statements are available in the undercroft. They are year to date as of Nov 9, 2008. Please pick yours up!

CHS Outreach has sent $100.00 to Fr. Daniel’s Sudanese Ministry. Deacon Robin McNutt will be traveling to the Sudan in December. The Sudanese have requested knitting supplies such as yarn and knitting needles. They have also requested use eyeglasses and reading glasses. Please bring these items to CHS and place them in the basket in the undercroft. If you would prefer to donate money, please put your check in the collection plate. Be sure to note Fr. Daniel’s Sudanese Ministry on the check. If you have questions, please contact Jan Sinram (291-8235).

Handel’s Messiah: December 6, 7pm at the Holland Performing Arts Center. Maestro Thomas Wilkins conducting. Tickets start at $15: (402) 342-3560. 25% off for groups of 10+ (402) 342-3836 x121.

Women of the church: Ladies, please put your vote for this year’s Woman of Spirit in the box on the Secret Sister table soon. Don’t forget that it’s a one-time thing. Please don’t vote for the ones who’ve already received the award. Thanks.

The Flame needs a photo person to help with final copy photographs (produced on the office copier). If you can help, you will receive another star in your crown!

Anyone interested in being an Acolyte please call or email Christine Brockinton, 291-1274 or scbamanda@cox.net.

THE CHS SHOP “DOLLAR OFF DAYS”
For the month of November all religious items over $5 will be $2 dollars less - ie: prayer books, religious jewelry, episcopal items, cookbooks, aprons, house blessings and more (excluded are all consignment items from our parishioners. We need to give them the monies earned by their items.) Reva & Ruth are looking for new shop manager(s). The person(s) would open the shop after the 10:30am service - and we will give the new person training . Interested people, please stop by the shop and we will explain more fully about the job. Questions?
Call Ruth at 291-1437.

Our prayers of thanksgiving are offered with those who are celebrating birthdays this week, especially: Fr. Tom Jones, Louise Hamilton (Nov 23), Sharon Jones (24), Michael Reavis, Eric Siburg (26), Donna Boettcher, Mary Reavis, Carla Smith (28).

Our prayers of thanksgiving are also offered with those who are celebrating wedding anniversaries this week, especially: Jim & Lori Stevens (Nov 26).

The Nave Altar Flowers for November 9 were given to the glory of God and in thanksgiving for Alyson’s birthday by the Vassar family.

The Nave Altar Flowers for November 16 were given to the glory of God and in thanksgiving for their granddaughter’s, Elizabeth Austin’s, seventh birthday. And in memory of their grandson, Philip Meade Austin, by Hank & Charlotte Austin.