Announcements for the week of November 30, 2008

The vestry of the Church of the Holy Spirit is proud to announce that we have called the Reverend Thomas Jones ( “Father Tom”) as the 6th priest to serve as rector of our parish. After about 8 months of work using tools that came as a result of a parish wide survey, along with focus groups, the search committee was able to recommend Father Tom to the vestry.

We are excited about Father Tom’s joining our Parish as he has an excellent background that blends leadership and management experience as a retired Air Force officer with proven pastoral youth capabilities as a 2nd career Episcopal priest. Most recently he served as curate under Father Grant Wiseman at St. Andrews, Omaha, where he directly contributed to the significant growth of their parish. At St. Andrew’s, he worked with Christian Education and Youth, sponsored mission trips and ministered to the parish. He is local, knows our community and the Diocese and will relate well to parishioners of all ages.

This weekend, November 29th and 30th, will be Father Tom’s first Sunday to celebrate with us. We cordially invite all of our parish to come and greet Father Tom and his wife Sharon.

If you are or have been an active five o’clock communicant, please join Father Tom and Sharon at the 5 o’clock service and for coffee and cookies after the service.

There will be time after each service on Sunday morning to enjoy refreshments and meet both our new rector and his wife

Father Tom has the strength and vitality to help us grow and prosper for years to come. We encourage you to come and start this journey with us this weekend.

Dean Olander
Senior Warden


First Sunday of Advent

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 AND VISITORS
Please feel free to join us at the communion rail when it is time to receive Holy Communion. Our ushers and any member will be happy to assist if you have any questions during our worship. Jesus loves you! We are glad you are here.


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

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
Thank you to all pledging members who have given your estimates for 2009. We are still are expecting 16 more estimates in from members who submitted them last year so please do get those in the offering or to the office this week. With those estimates in we will reach 65 estimates – 5 short of our goal. We still have approximately 34 member-families who did not pledge last year and we hope you will take the opportunity to support our financial strength and submit your estimate this year. With our new rector, Fr. Tom, joining us, your estimate, no matter the amount, will make a world of difference for the entire community. Please see Ruth Richter, Stewardship Commissioner with any questions you have.

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 used 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.


Ladies: Don’t forget our luncheon, Dec 14 at 11:30am. We will have a babysitter available, and, we hope the “Offuttaires”. Our guest of honor will be our new Rector’s wife, Sharon. We are so glad she can come! Everyone is welcome, members and guests.

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: Brenda Warner (Dec 1), Scott Adams (4), Georgia Cosgrove (6).

Our prayers of thanksgiving are also offered with those who are celebrating wedding anniversaries this week, especially: Howard & Pat Tarleton (Dec 5).

The Nave Altar Flowers for this week were given to the glory of God and in thanksgiving for Ean’s birthday by the Vassar family.

Due to changes in hospital policy, hospitals no longer contact the church when people are admitted. Whenever possible please contact the church office to let us know so that our prayer chain can pray for you and so that Fr. Tom can know to stop by for a visit.