Hello –
Every year at this time, I teach that Advent is the season when we prepare for the coming of Jesus both as a baby and his coming again to make things right. This morning, I wondered if that’s why the famous hymn, “O Come, O come Emmanuel repeats the words O Come. With that thought….
1. O Antiphons. Each year, in the 6 weeks before Christmas, we feature a different verse from O Come, O Come Emmanuel. This Sunday, it is the Wisdom from on High.
2. Advent Wreaths. Next Sunday, November 24th, Karin will have makings for Advent wreaths available after the 10am service, including the 4 candles to be lit in succession throughout December. My colleague the Rev. Lynn Oldham-Robinett, who used to be Associate at St. Paul’s and whom I respect and love, will be leading services that Sunday. I will be with my father to celebrate his 80th birthday.
3. Kits for the Homeless. On December 8th, after the 10am service, Kate and Karin will be leading the children in building little kits to help our homeless neighbors.
4. Christmas Caroling. On December 15th, after the 10am service, as has been our tradition, we will walk the small loop at the San Rafael Health Care Center singing Christmas Carols.
5. New Landmark. In the coming weeks, our RenewalWorks team will be shifting our attention to the 3rd of the 3 Landmarks they created in response to last year’s RenewalWorks Survey, which 84 of us took. The 3rd Landmark is Link Service to Jesus.
On a final note, I can’t be thankful enough to all of you for your generosity this year. Consecration Sunday gave us an 18% increase in giving over last year- from $175,000 to a projected total of $205,300. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Blessings,
Christopher
p: (415) 456-4842