Parish News December 20, 2009




Flowers for December 20, 2009:
One altar vase in memory of David Baxley given by June Baxley. One altar vase in memory of Anni Hertz Von Soosten given by Ellie Zeltman and family.

Newly elected members of the Church Council for 2010 are: Joe Fisher, Sarah Fitch, Karen Geils, Nancy Romness and Andrea Summer. The 2010 Council will be installed January 10th. The church staff would like to thank those members of the Council who are ending their term of service: Chris Altman, Ed Puckhaber, Fred Renken and Janelle Othersen, with a special “job well done” to Janelle for her leadership as Council President.

Kay Smith was elected to serve on the Emergency Fund Committee. Welcome aboard, Kay!

Wednesday Advent Services for December 23 are at 12:10 pm (in the Chapel) and 6:30 pm (in the Sanctuary).

BELLS for Christmas Eve –
A reminder for the children to bring their bells for the 4:30 pm Christmas Eve Children’s Service! The worship folder will indicate the right times for the children to ring the bells in celebration of the Christ child’s birth!

As always, the St. Matthew’s and the 2009 “Holy City Ornament” (as well as 2003, 2007 St. Matthew’s ornaments) are available for purchase at the Outreach Center. For more information, please call 579-0420.


Advent Devotions for all ages are available in the Education hallway. In addition to attending Advent worship on Wednesdays in December, consider taking time for daily study and prayer. The new recording of A Christmas Carol is online! Go to www.kirkenmin.com Choose "listen now" on the home page. Choose "listen now" again on the Christmas Carol page and the play should start to upload. It may take 10-12 minutes on some computers. Enjoy!

Part of the Doscher Collection of the Holy Family is on display in the Fellowship Room.


The new recording of A Christmas Carol is online! Everyone did a remarkable job in speaking, timing, singing, sound effects, and everything else. Go to www.kirkenmin.com Choose "listen now" on the home page. Choose "listen now" again on the Christmas Carol page and the play should start to upload. It may take 10-12 minutes on some computers. Enjoy!

December Nursery Schedule for childcare:
TODAY 8:00AM – 12:30PM
6:15 – 8:15PM (Festival of Nine Lesson & Carols 7:00PM with Pre-Service Music 6:45PM)
Wednesday, December 23, 6:30 – 9:15PM (6:45PM Advent Vespers/Choir)
Thursday, December 24 – No childcare provided on Christmas Eve
Sunday, December 27, - 8:00AM – 12:30PM


STARS! ANGELS! SHEPHERDS! KINGS!
A Children’s Christmas Musical
Written by Patrick Messick
TODAY , 9:45AM in the Auditorium

The Christmas story is told through carols and songs from the viewpoint of the stars (Ages 2-3, 4K-5K), the angels (grades 1-2), the shepherds(grades 3-6) and kings (high school). The Education Ministry Board will provide refreshments following the performance. Come join the celebration!

Spark! Story Bible
(for ages 2 – grade 2) is available to purchase for $15 in the Education Hallway. This is a great gift idea.

We Care for Our Troops Prayer Wall -
Please add names, addresses and pictures of anyone you know who is serving in the military to the Prayer Wall on the first floor of the Education Building by the elevator.  Sondra Pfaehler and John Burbage are team leaders. For updates and interest, please contact pfaehlers@bellsouth.net (766-3225) or jburbage2@comcast.net (766-4715).
Shepherd Ministry
The purpose of St. Matthew’s Shepherd Ministry is to create, maintain and sustain loving and caring relationships within the life of our church family.  If anyone in the congregation has not been contacted by their Shepherd, please call the Shepherd Leader, Janelle Othersen 722 -5939
                                                                                     
 

Christmas Finale: The Day of Epiphany
Wednesday, January 6 - All Church Event

5:30 – 6:30PM Activities for all ages and dinner in the Auditorium. Joan Holling will prepare dinner and it will be served by the Education Ministry Board. Please make your reservation for dinner on the Sunday Record on December 27 or January 3 or call the church office by noon on January 4. Cost: $5 Ages 12 – Adult $3 ages 3-11, under age 3-free. 

6:30 – 7:30PM All ages gather for Worship in the Nave. Childcare in the nursery provided.


TONIGHT
6:45 PM – PRE-SERVICE MUSIC 7:00 PM – FESTIVAL OF NINE LESSONS AND CAROLS SANCTUARY


THOSE SERVING IN WORSHIP TODAY

The Rev. Dr. Robert Wallace, Pastor
Mr. W. Douglas Ludlum, Organist/Director of Music


Cantors: 8:30 am Jess Murden
11:00am Jess Murden

Welcome Tent
8:30 am Barbara Brown
11:00 am CM & Marilyn Williams

Prayer Partners 8:30 am Paul Bendt
11:00 am Carol Koon

Lay Readers 8:30 am David Hill
11:00 am Mary Moser

Oblation Bearers
8:30 am Curtis & Jilema Joyner
11:00 am Kerry & Carol Koon

Acolytes 8:30 am Miranda Schwacke
Douglas Singletary

11:00 am Sarah Ayres
Courtney Linkous

Council Members 8:30 am Ross Campbell
Wayne Weart
Lisa DeHaven

11:00 am Fred Renken
Ed Puckhaber
Nancy Romness




Upcoming Events

Advent Worship
Wednesdays, Dec. 23
12:10 pm – Holy Eucharist
6:30 pm - Vespers


Thursday, December 24
4:30 pm – Children’s Worship
8:00 pm - Family Carol Eucharist
10:30 pm – Pre-Service Music
11:00 pm – Candlelight Festival Eucharist






Parish News is a publication of
St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church
405 King Street, Charleston, SC 29403.
Please direct any questions or comments to
Debarah Harbuck, Parish Secretary, 843.723.1611 Ext. 16.


The Reverend Dr. Robert W. Wallace, Pastor
rwallace@smlccharleston.org




THE WEEK AT A GLANCE


Sunday, December 20 - Fourth Sunday of Advent
8:30am Holy Communion
9:45am Christmas Musical - Auditorium
11:00am Holy Communion
6:45pm Pre-Service Music
7:00pm Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols

Monday, December 21
9:30am Food Pantry (until noon)
5:00pm Finance Committee
6:00pm Executive Committee
7:00pm Church Council

Tuesday, December 22
8:00am Men’s Work Crew
10:00am Staff Meeting
10:00am Women’s Bible Study

Wednesday, December 23
9:30am Food Pantry (until noon)
12:10pm Advent – Holy Eucharist
6:30pm Advent – Vespers

Thursday, December 24
3:00pm Church Office closes
4:45pm Children’s Service
8:00pm Family Carol Eucharist
10:30pm Pre-Service Music
11:00pm Candlelight Festival Eucharist

Friday, December 25
Church Office Closed – MERRY CHRISTMAS

Saturday, December 26
11:00am Women’s AA

Sunday, December 27 – Christmas 1
8:30am Holy Communion
11:00am Holy Communion