The Lancaster Heritage Chorale will present their final concert of the 2013 Christmas season on Sunday, January 5th beginning at 4:00 pm in the nave.
Lancaster Heritage Chorale Concert
The Lancaster Heritage Chorale will present their final concert of the 2013 Christmas season on Sunday, January 5th beginning at 4:00 pm in the nave. This is a wonderful way to bring closure to the Christmas season. Light refreshments will be served following the concert. Everyone is welcome to attend.
There will be a 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. service of Word and Sacrament on Christmas Eve, Tuesday, December 24. We will celebrate the festival of The Epiphany of Our Lord on Sunday, January 5th at 9:30 a.m.
Christmas Eve Services
There will be two services of Word and Sacrament on Christmas Eve, Tuesday, December 24. The 6:00 p.m. service will be geared toward families with children. The children will assist the pastor in presenting the Christmas message and will include the singing of Silent Night by candlelight. The 10:00 p.m. service will be the traditional liturgy as well as the singing of Silent Night by candlelight. Plan now to attend one or both services. To take in the full effect of the later service, come early to hear wonderful music which will prepare us for worship. Of God.
Epiphany of Our Lord
We will celebrate the festival of The Epiphany of Our Lord on Sunday, January 5th at 9:30 a.m. beginning with the service of Word & Sacrament. Following worship an all-congregation event will be held in the narthex featuring a craft, music and the Rite of the Blessing of Our “House” for the new year.
Advent and Christmas, prepare us, inspire us and unite us in order to be more faithful disciples; better equipped for the future, and better prepared to serve our world.
I suppose I could use this space this month to lament about the over commercialism of Christmas (saw my first Christmas shopping commercial before Halloween this year). Or I could use the space to chide those who think Advent is not very necessary and gets in the way of “my” Christmas (remember it’s not your Christmas, it’s Christ’s).
No, I don’t think I’ll do that this year (unless I already did!). Instead I think it is necessary for us to see that these two unique seasons, Advent and Christmas, prepare us, inspire us and unite us in order to be more faithful disciples; better equipped for the future, and better prepared to serve our world.
Advent is a season to prepare and also to reflect upon the majestic work of God in our lives and how God’s love for us leads into God’s greatest act of love, providing a Savior to all of humanity. During the four weeks we intentionally take the time to meditate on this gift of God, and yes, prepare to celebrate the arrival of this gift.
Christmas allows us to share with the world the good news of great joy of the birth of Christ just as it was first announced to the shepherds. As I have mentioned in previous newsletters, now is the best time for us to invite and to include our neighbors and friends into the fellowship at Holy Spirit, so that Christ’s love may be shared and together we head out upon the road of service and witness.
Barb and I are excited about spending our first Advent and Christmas at Holy Spirit. Let us pray for the Spirit’s guidance as we actively prepare and celebrate like those shepherds, by sharing this good news with everyone we meet, and inviting them to be with us to be part of the heavenly hosts singing praises about the arrival of the Savior!
CLIFTON D. ESHBACH
Pastor
Are you ready for a fall season filled with awesome times of learning? This year, you can be part of an exciting line up of presentations: scripture study, special guests, and a variety of topics, spiced with healthy portions of good will, good humor and good people. (Not to mention coffee. There has to be coffee!)
Adult Education at Holy Spirit Fall 2013*
(*Adult education happens after Sunday worship, about 10:45 a.m.)
Are you ready for a fall season filled with awesome times of learning? This year, you can be part of an exciting line up of presentations: scripture study, special guests, and a variety of topics, spiced with healthy portions of good will, good humor and good people. (Not to mention coffee. There has to be coffee!)
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * DECEMBER* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
A Study of the Season of Preparation and Watching
December 8, 15 and 22: The Meaning of Advent in Our Lives
Advent is a most spiritual time of reflection about who we are, where we are, and what we hope for in the future. Each week a different theme will be presented. They include: The Gospel Texts of Advent, The Music of Advent, concluding with The Hope of Advent. Don’t rush past Advent. Waiting for Christmas has special significance for Christians, which you will appreciate as we move through the season.
December 29: No class. Merry Christmas!
Stay tuned for the Winter/Spring 2014 Term!!!
Check out when it’s your turn. Thanks for being a part of Holy Spirit’s Ministry!
| November 2013 Worship Assistants | |||||
| Nov. 3 | Nov. 10 | Nov. 17 | Nov. 24 | Dec. 1 | |
| Acolytes | Evan Widdall | Jeff Reed | John Schmitt | Ed Smith | Evan Widdall |
| Deacons | Barb Eshbach Pat Cauler | Bryan Walton Ed Smith | Barb Eshbach Doug Dandridge | Hannah Lefever Candy Steiner | Marilyn Knaub Sandy Stouffer |
| Lectors | Suzann Schwenk | Erin Himes | Bonnie Guirlando | Walker Phillips | Noelle Dandridge |
| Greeters | Mary Ann Russell Dee Mumma | Glenn & Miriam Nauman | Sue Large Janet Wiegand | Linda Schmitt Ruth Rhoads | Ruth Davis Donna Null |
| Ushers | Ray Brunner Walker Phillips | Don Eckert Bob Slade | Walt Hurst Pat Cauler | John Schmitt Deb Cibik | Mike & Kathy Mast |
| Nursery Assistants | Patti LaPorte Andrew Knaub | Linda Rogers Shayla Calvetti | Jan Wacker Nancy Landis | Patti LaPorte Andrew Knaub | |
| Altar Guild :Set-up | Barb Widdall | Diana Thompson | Wilma Houser Mary Jane Lynch | Candy Steiner | Barb Widdall |
| :Clean-up | Linda Sutcliffe Shirley Bodish | Nancy & Walt Hurst | Bob & Linda Slade | Candy Steiner | Linda Sutcliffe Shirley Bodish |
| Council Person | Pat Winters | Marilyn Knaub | Nancy Landis | Suzann Schwenk | Patti LaPorte |
| Note: If you are unable to serve when you are scheduled please make an effort to find a substitute. If you are able to find a substitute notify the Church office of the change so that the bulletin can reflect the change If you cannot find a substitute please contact one of the persons below. Thank you. | |||||
| Sandy Rohrback (Lectors & Deacons) | |||||
| Sayre Turney (Acolytes, Greeters, Ushers, Nursery Assistants & Altar Guild) | |||||
| Bob Slade (Ushers) | |||||
