NEWSLETTER

December 2009

Advent / Christmas Programs

Nov. 28     First Sunday of Advent                                                                                                         

                           11:00  Lessons and Carols

Dec.  5      SACC sings at the Community Nativity

                             5:00  …..at the Mormon Church                                                                     

Dec.  6      Second Sunday of Advent                            

                           11:00  Rev. Carolyn Bullard, preaching

                           12:00  Annual Congregational Meeting

                             2:00  Worship at Prestonwood Court

                           5:30  Dinner and Advent Workshop

Dec. 13     Third Sunday of Advent

                           11:00  Chancel Choir—Christmas Cantata

Dec. 20     Fourth Sunday of Advent – Christmas Sunday

                           11:00  Worship

                             4:00  Caroling at Prestonwood Court

Dec. 24     Christmas Eve

                            5:00  Candles and Communion

Congregational Meeting – December 6

         The Annual Meeting of the Congregation of Saint Andrews Christian Church will be held immediately after worship on December 6.  Chairperson Melissa Rembecki will preside.  Patrick Morales will present the slate of nominees to serve on the Board in 2010, and George Tiegs will present the proposed budget for new year.

Young Adult Ministry

We had another great get-together for our Young Adults in November!  Erin and Michael Schaefer hosted a group of 12 for an Italian dinner and game night.  The food was DELICIOUS, and everyone had a great time!  Jeff Vick led Team 2 to a late-breaking win at the game of Taboo, and often the clues showed creativity and hilarity.  A fun time was had by all

In December, the group is planning a holiday potluck dinner at the church fellowship hall on Sunday, December 13th, 6 p.m.  Hosts are Amy Stephenson and Reggie McClendon, who will provide the entree.  Attire is casual.  Children and friends are welcome!  RSVP to Amy or Reggie at stephensona@ushealthgroup.com or jeanmatique@gmail.com. 

For to us a child is born,
       to us a son is given,
       and the government will be on his shoulders.
       And he will be called
       Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
       Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6

We’re about to celebrate one of the most exciting moments of the year! Christmas Eve represents the anticipation of what is to come combined with the awareness that something miraculous occurred on a night long ago…in so many ways, it’s the highpoint of the entire season!  A hushed anticipation of miraculous wonders…Historically, Christmas Eve has been considered the night of the “supernatural.” In Europe during the Middle Ages and beyond, it was thought that animals received the gift of speech and that on the stroke of midnight all cattle would recognize the birth of the King in some discernable way. According to Clement Miles’ Christmas Customs, the French of the 19th century looked for the discovery of unexpected treasures on the eve of the savior’s birth. Moreover, Miles notes that certain European countries have traditionally emphasized the influence of the supernatural during the entire period of time between Christmas Eve and the Epiphany—what we know as “The Twelve Days.”Enjoy this season of hope and miracles with your own traditions! In addition to a lovely Christmas Eve service at 5pm, St. Andrews will present a musical celebration of Christmas on December 13 at 11am. We’d love to see you ~ Warmest wishes of the season, Lisa Morales

Poinsettia News

As the Christmas Season approaches, the time is coming to think about poinsettias.  In the years past, we have ordered and cared for more than fifty plants, many of which are thrown away after Christmas. This year, as we think about so many folks in need, we would like to make some changes.  We will have a Poinsettia Fund which will be used to purchase a certain number of poinsettias for our Sanctuary.  Our members may contribute to the fund in honor or memory of friends or loved ones.  Names of those remembered and honored will be published in the bulletin as usual.  The funds not used for the poinsettias will be donated to the Christian Community Action Food Bank from the membership of St. Andrews Christian Church.  A suggested amount of $8 for each dedication will enable us to help others.  Please have all donations turned in by December 6th.

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Poinsettia Fund Donation

In honor of:______________________________

________________________________________

________________________________________

In memory of_______________________________________________

__________________________________________________________                                      

__________________________________________________________

Your name:________________________________________________

Amount Donated:___________________________________________

Mike’s Kids—What a Great Response!!       

Mike’s Kids—a mission program sponsored by the North Texas Area of the Christian Church—gathers toys and clothing for the children of refugee families in south Texas.  The recipient agency is Good Samaritan Ministries in Los Fresnos, Texas.  Please bring your gifts and place them in the banana boxes in the narthex at church.   Boxes need to be filled early in December.  The last time for bringing items for Mike’s Kids is Sunday morning, December 13.  To read more about the program, go to www.mikeskids.org .

        We appreciate the strong support of the congregation and groups including Christian Men’s Fellowship, Christian Women’s Fellowship, and Senior Fellowship.  CYF students and sponsors will be using $500 raised to provide needed items for Mike’s Kids.

Test your knowledge.  How many can you answer?  Researching the Good Book is allowed.  Answers found below.

1. What did the ark represent?
2. Who said, and to whom:  “Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord”?
3. True or false?  There were only three wise men.
4. How did Joseph know that Herod was set to kill Jesus?
5. Where did Joseph, Mary and Jesus flee to as refugees?
6. After Joseph learned that Herod was dead, where did he settle down  with Mary and Jesus?
7. To whom did Jesus say, “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?”
8. Who baptized Jesus?
9. True or false?  John the Baptist wore clothing made of sheepskin.
10. What did people see coming down on Jesus after he was baptized?

Answers to this month’s quiz:

• The presence of God
• The angel, to the shepherds
• False.  We are not told how many wise men there were.
• The Lord warned him in a dream
• Egypt
• Nazareth
• Mary
• John the Baptist
• False.  He wore clothing made of camel’s hair (John  3:4)
• The Holy Spirit in the form of a dove

2010 Camping Schedule

Disciples Crossing
Athens, TX
Office: (903) 675-3692
After office hours: (903) 316-2032

All camps are open to campers from any of the three supporting Area Ministries: North Texas Area, Northeast Area, Trinity-Brazos Area.

* Camp staff by North Texas Area

Youth News and Notes                                                                                                    

I am thankful for everyone who helped cook, provided food, dined, cleaned up, and donated money at our 2nd Annual Senior Fellowship Thanksgiving Dinner.  The meal which included an 18lb turkey with all the trimmings was lovingly prepared by our CYF youth group.  Thanks to the generous donations from the seniors and the men’s & women’s fellowship groups, we raised $500 which will be spent on toys for Mike’s Kids!!! 

 What a wonderful thing to have so many different fellowship groups at Saint Andrews!!!  Thank you for your support!   The CYF group will be going shopping at Walmart (Park & Tollway) immediately following the All Church Christmas Dinner on Sunday December 6th @ 5:30PM.  We also would like to volunteer to do your Mike’s Kids shopping for you and will collect money at the dinner if you are interested.     

Amy E. Stephenson     ........  OK; but don't forget Reggie.......

Mary’s Dream

    I had a dream, Joseph.  I don’t understand it, not really,

but I think it was about a birthday celebration for our Son.      

I think that was what it was all about.  The people                                                                                          

had been preparing for it for about six weeks.  They

had decorated the house and bought new clothes. 

They’d gone shopping many times and bought elaborate

gifts.  It was peculiar, though, because the presents                                                             

weren’t for our Son.  They wrapped them in beautiful paper

and tied them with lovely bows and stacked them under a

tree.  Yes, a tree, Joseph, right in their house.  They’d

decorated the tree also.  The branches were full of glowing

balls and sparkling ornaments.  There was a figure on the

top of the tree.  It looked like an angel might look.  Oh, it

was beautiful.  Everyone was laughing and happy.  They

were all excited about the gifts.  They gave the gifts to each

other, Joseph, not to our Son.  I don’t think they even knew

Him.  They never mentioned His name.  Doesn’t it seem odd

for people to go to all that trouble to celebrate someone’s birthday if they don’t know Him.  I had the strangest feeling that if our Son had gone to this celebration He would have been intruding.  Everything was so beautiful, Joseph, and everyone so full of cheer,  but it made me want to cry.  How sad for Jesus-not to be wanted  at his own birthday celebration.  I’m glad it was only a dream.

How terrible, Joseph, if it had been real.

Another special Christmas Message from your friends at Bethany Farms

Box 311, Carrollton, IL  62016 

(from Etta Marie Coyle)