Announcements for the week of December 7, 2008

Second 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

It’s The Most Wonderful Time of the Year!
Please plan to join us for our 4th Annual Youth Christmas Caroling event on Wednesday, December 17 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. CHS Youth grades 5th through 12th, Journeys Youth and friends and family of all are welcome to come and spread the joy of Christmas in our CHS neighborhood. We will meet at CHS at 6:30 p.m. for a brief “warm up” and then head out into the neighborhood for caroling. We’ll return to pizza, soda and goodies. A sign up sheet will be passed at this week’s services and Journey’s classes so we can plan the food appropriately. For more information, please contact Kristi Smith or Jennifer Wilson. See you there!

CHRISTIAN ED OPPORTUNITIES

ATTENTION! The Christmas Program is next Sunday, 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 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.

We will not serve at Francis House in December. They are having a special event on our night to serve. (We will serve in Jan.).

An Opportunity to be Christ’s Hands in the World - We will be gathering donations for two Habitat families through Dec 22. Due to the economy, we will be purchasing a gift certificate from Walmart for one family to enable them to buy food and other items as needed. We will be donating money to Habitat to help pay the mortgage payment of the other. There is a tree in the undercroft with gift tags on it. Please give whatever you wish; no amount is too small. If you place a check in the collection plate, please note Habitat Christmas on it. If you have questions, see Jan Sinram (291-8235).

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

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.

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 December all religious items over $5 will be $3 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: David Cosgrove, Steven Janca (Dec 8), Tom Adams, Karen Campbell (9), Pam Thatcher (12), Judy Thompson (13).

The Nave Altar Flowers for this week are given to the glory of God and in thanksgiving for the arrival of Heidi Katherine Austin, by her grandparents, Hank & Charlotte Austin

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.

VESTRY NOMINATIONS
Each year the vestry seeks out members of our parish who feel called to take an active role in the leadership of our community and who are willing to fill vestry positions being vacated as other’s term of service comes to an end. If you think God is calling you to serve in this capacity, or you see this gift in a member of our parish, please contact Dean Olander or Fr. Tom.