From Father Michael Long: This Sunday begins a new Church year, as it is the First Sunday of Advent. This is from the “Episcopal Dictionary of the Church” on the national website: “The first season of the church year, beginning with the fourth Sunday before Christmas and continuing through the day before Christmas. The name is derived from a Latin word for “coming.” The season is a time of preparation and expectation for the coming celebration of our Lord's nativity, and for the final coming of Christ ‘in power and glory.’” [A little note: this year December 24 is on Sunday, so it's The Fourth Sunday of Advent in the morning and Christmas Eve that night. More about this later.]
Renovations Updates: The walk through with DC Restoration was done on Wednesday, November 29, 2023. DC made a check list of things to be repaired. Their workers are in the process of repairing those items now.
SUNDAY, November 26, 2023 Attendance: 37 In Church 11 On Zoom 48 Total
Those scheduled to serve this coming Sunday, December 3rd are:
Layreaders……….Carol and Jim Weathers Ushers…………….Deana Geuther Acolyte…………...Grady Gonzales Altar Guild……..Cecile Gloier and Sherry Musgrove VOPD…………….Rachel Bryson Coffee Hour…….Linda Dyke and Carol Weathers
We pray for those traveling this week.
We pray in thanksgiving for the birth of Nathan Ash Rubio, on Wednesday, November 29, and with Bobbie Clear who celebrates her birthday on Friday.
And we also bless thy holy Name for all thy servants departed this life in thy faith and fear, especially Sarah Buckner and Peggy Moore, beseeching thee to grant them continual growth in thy love and service; and to grant us grace so to follow the good examples of the Blessed Virgin Mary and of all thy saints, that with them we may be partakers of thy heavenly kingdom. We pray also for those who mourn their passing.
An urgent reminder from the Treasurer to PLEASE PLEASE to return your signed Pledge Cards as soon as possible. They will be working on the budget for 2024 very soon and need your pledge cards for budget planning. You can drop them in the collection plate during Sunday services or drop them off at the church office. Thank you in advance!
Also, please remember to fill out the Suggestions for Vestry Nominations form (located in the Narthex). You can either put the nomination form(s) in the offering plate or drop it off in the church office.
Children who would like to attend “children’s services” during the regular Sunday services can meet with Nancy Heuss in Class Room “B” (next to the Library in the administration building). She will have Sunday Children’s Worship Bulletins for ages 3+ and ages 7+.
Bishop Doyle has requested a parish photograph to be submitted by December 15. So, please make a special effort to be at church this Sunday, December 3 for the photo shoot - - right after the service. This photo was requested in preparation for the upcoming 175th celebration of the Episcopal Diocese of Texas. Please plan to be a part of the Epiphany Photo!
The 175th Diocesan Council will be held on February 9-10, 2024 in the Waco Convention Center, Waco, Texas. Registration is open now for the “Early Bird” fee of $240/person. If any members from the congregation would like to attend, please contact Janet Wilton, Parish Administrator by calling the office 512-756-2334 or by email: [email protected]. Reservations have been made for two rooms at the Hotel Indigo in Waco located 0.4 mile from convention center. Reservations for hotel rooms go quickly so please let Janet know if you would like to attend. All registration fees and rooms are paid for by the attendee(s).
Bishop Kai Ryan will be at Epiphany on Sunday, January 21, 2024. That means Confirmations and Receptions in to the Episcopal Church. If you are interested in being Confirmed, or have a family member who might be, please contact Janet Wilton, Parish Administrator by email, [email protected] or call the office 512-756-2334. Father Michael and Ashley Harper-Oberle will set up classes to prepare you for that important step.
Carol Weathers is coordinating the ordering of Christmas Poinsettias again this year. There will be a signup sheet for ordering and purchasing Christmas Poinsettias in the Narthex. They are $10 each. Please sign the sheet with how many you want to order and with the dedication of the flowers to whomever you wish. The poinsettias will be delivered to the church around mid-December. Deadline for ordering is December 17.
Daughters of the King will meet this Sunday, December 3rd in the Library immediately following the service and congregational photo.
Please continue to pray for all in need of comfort, healing, and support. We are all God’s children and are called to serve Him in any way we can.
Janet Wilton Parish Administrator
“It is necessary to understand that the whole of our life must be an ‘Advent,’ a vigilant awaiting of the final coming of Christ.” --Pope St. John Paul II