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Next Sunday’s Readings

The time of waiting is almost through. Our hopes and expectations are about to be fulfilled. Sunday begins the fourth and final week of Advent. Isaiah predicts the birth of the messiah to a young woman, Paul gives us the blessing that comes from Christ and Matthew tells the story of Jesus’ birth.

Read Next Sunday’s Lessons here.

Last Sunday’s Sermon

In a moment of doubt, John the Baptist sent his disciples to Jesus to ask if he is the one who would usher in God’s kingdom. The answer Jesus gives must have been puzzling to John and his disciples. Jesus points to the ways that God has been revealed through Jesus, but these signs are not what John would have expected. Instead of great political acts of power Jesus reveals God through small, intimate acts of kindness and compassion.

Listen to Last Sunday's Sermon Here.

Christmas Blessings

Dear Friends,

Last Sunday, many of us enjoyed one of the traditions of Advent Season here at St. Dunstan’s Church. We were blessed with the wonderful voices of our choir and our readers as we listened to Lessons and Carols. Afterwards we enjoyed the fellowship of our fellow parishioners and welcomed many new faces into our midst. The occasion put many of us truly into the spirit of Christmas.

As we move forward to December 25th, let each one of us be ever mindful of all of the blessings that have been bestowed upon us. Let us also remember that by sharing those blessings with others, we are able to touch their lives in a wonderful way. God gives us His gifts so that we may enjoy them, but also so that we may share them. As we open our hearts to Christ’s love, this becomes even more apparent.

Our Stewardship Campaign continues until the end of the month. I want to thank each one of you that has turned in your pledge. Your generosity enables us to build a vibrant congregation and do the work that we are called to do. Thank you so very much.

God will share His boundless love and grace with each of us, today, tomorrow and always.

Blessings,

Mary E. Pacher

2011 Stewardship and Budget Update

Many thanks to everyone who has turned in their pledge card. As of December 15, we have:

Target pledge goal for 2011 Budget: $228,902

Total amount pledged: 92 pledges totaling $203,619 representing 57% returned with 29% increased for 2011

Number of New pledges: 8

Average pledge: $2189

Number of Pledging Households that have not yet pledged: 14

We expect 2011 to be challenging in terms of finances so it is vitally important that we receive everyone's pledge as soon as possible. In order to cover projected costs, we need to increase our income target by 12% to avoid cutting projected expenses. If you can increase your pledge, even by a small amount, it would be most appreciated. If you find you cannot pledge at all in 2011, please let us know because this information is crucial for our budget forecasting.

When we work together as a group, we are more powerful spirtually and materially. On behalf of the Vestry, thanks for your support!

Diana Rall, Stewardship Co-Chairperson

Peace and a New Light

No doubt you have been shopping and planning and cleaning in anticipation of Christmas. This is a busy time of year. We are bombarded with advertisements and commercials trying to lure us to one store or another. We brave the crowded malls and shops. We make travel arrangements, and reorganize our homes to make room for visiting friends and family.

I would like to offer you a moment of peace – a brief refuge from the busyness and noise of the season. Come to services this Sunday, the fourth week of Advent, as we joyfully anticipate the birth of Christ. Give yourself the gift of an hour of worship. You will hear the story of Jesus’ birth, join in the singing of carols, and enjoy a little peace before you brave the final five shopping days before Christmas.

We have very special worship planned for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. I encourage you to invite your family, friends, co-workers and neighbors to experience our joyful celebrations. All the shopping, cleaning, and activity we endure at this time of year have a purpose. We prepare our hearts and homes for the celebration of a great Truth: With the birth of Christ a new light has begun to shine. 

The new light is what God is doing. In Jesus, God’s Spirit has begun to shine into the world in a new and life giving way. We come together in worship, prayer and mission to participate in this new life. Together, supporting one another, learning from one another, loving one another, we create openings for that light to shine into the world. This is too great a task to attempt alone and too important a task to neglect. 

So come and bathe in the light. Let the light shine through you. Experience the sacred mystery of God’s love, revealed in human form with the birth of Jesus.
 

Your brother in Christ,

The Rev. David Marshall

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Christmas Worship Schedule

Community Engagement

Thank you for your support of Matthew House!

Our annual Christmas outreach program was an unqualified success this year. It just may have been our best year ever. Cash donations totaled $1035. These funds were used to buy a large assortment of gift wrap, gift tags, ribbon and bows, as well as a wonderful variety of gift cards. The gift cards largely targeted the teenagers, but there were also cards for the moms and cards from grocery stores for the families to buy food for Christmas dinner. St. Dunstan parishioners also donated a great selection of toys, books, and other assorted gifts for the kids, along with some nice candles and gift baskets for the moms. Sincerest thanks to everyone who donated a gift or money. Your generosity is amazing! Special thanks to the St. Agnes Guild for their continued support. Also, a special thanks to Lynford Donivan and Joe Waltz. They hosted a holiday party and asked guests to bring a gift or gift card for the Matthew House. Their party was a real boost for our outreach program. It was such a wonderful idea (one I plan to steal next year!).

Sincerely,

Kathy Newman 

Donations Continue for the Greenwood Food Bank!

Thank you for your continued donations! Let's continue to fill up our wooden box every Sunday to help those in need have a wonderful holiday season. Ideas for donations are posted on the table beside the box.  For cash donations, please make checks out to "St. Dunstan's Church" with a memo note "Food Bank".

Handel's Messiah Sing Along