ALTAR FLOWERS are given to the glory of God by Dorothy Martin in celebration of her birthday and to thank God for His continual blessings.
A REMINDER OF GOD’S LOVE The additional bouquet of roses on the altar are from the more than 150 bushes on our church campus. They are a reminder to us of God’s love and constant provision for all our needs.
OUR BLUE PARAMENTS The blue paraments adorning our altar, lectern and pulpit are gifts in loving memory of Dr. John Greenlee, 1911-1992. They are blue for Advent. Blue is the color for hope and expectation. Our particular parament set is called “Glory to God,” reminding us of the message of the angels to the Bethlehem shepherds. The altar parament includes the word “Gloria” (Latin for “Glory”) as well as the symbols of four advent candles. The lectern parament shows a 1st Century oil lamp (from a couple of Jesus’ parables), superceded by the Chi Ro (the Greek letters for the first three letters in the Name “Christ.”). The pulpit parament mimics the altar parament, with four advent candles, set into a wreath.
THE ADVENT WREATH One of the best known customs for the season is the Advent wreath. The wreath and winter candle-lighting in the midst of growing darkness strengthen some of the Advent images found in the Bible. The unbroken circle of greens is clearly an image of everlasting life, a victory wreath, the Crown of Christ, or the wheel of time itself. Christians use the wreath as a sign that Christ reaches into our time to lead us to the light of everlasting life. The four candles mark the progress of the four weeks of Advent and the growth of light. Sometimes the wreath is embellished with natural dried flowers or fruit. Its evergreen branches lead the household and the congregation to the evergreen Christmas tree. In many homes, the family gathers for prayer around the wreath.
FROM THE ALTAR GUILD PRESIDENT (ALSO KNOWN AS “FLOWER CHART ETIQUETTE”) The 2012 Flower Chart has been posted in the Narthex. PLEASE NOTE that weekly flower donations involve 2 bouquets at a total cost of $50.00. If you desire only one bouquet it is your responsibility to find someone to share your Sunday. Neither the Altar Guild nor the church can afford to cover the cost of one bouquet Sundays. Also, if someone has already signed up for a week you’d like to provide flowers, please first ask that person if they desire to share that Sunday – please do not just add your name to theirs.
CONGRATULATIONS! Congregational President and Elder, Gerald Freeny, was inducted into the John Muir High School Hall of Fame on Saturday 12 November. Congratulations!
“DOWNTOWN” AVAILABLE Issue #14 of “Downtown” newsletter, edited by Pastor Schaar, is available in printed form from the Information Rack in the Narthex.
THIS WEDNESDAY! Midweek Advent Services begin this Wednesday, at 12:00 noon and at 7:00 p.m. This week’s topic is “Waiting With Prayer.” Everyone is encouraged to attend one of these services!
ADVENT DEVOTIONALS Lutheran Indian Ministries, a mission of the Lutheran Association of Missionaries and Pilots, has printed a daily devotional resource for Advent. These free books can be found in the Information Rack in the Narthex.
2012 ENVELOPES Numbered contribution envelopes for 2012 can be found on the table in the Narthex. Please take only your box. Please pick yours up by Christmas!
CORRECTING CHRISTMAS CONSUMERISM Tired of being consumed by the “buy, buy, buy” mentality of Christmas? Looking for a gift that will bless others? Consider purchasing a “critter” from Lutheran World Relief. To honor folks at Christmas, you can purchase a “critter” (everything from worms to dairy cows are available, from $16.00 to $375.00) in their name and that critter will bless a family somewhere else in the world. Gift cards are provided to inform that special someone of that gift in their name. Purchase online at http://lwrgifts.org/critters.aspx or call 1-800-597-5972.
USHERS: TAKE NOTE Next week’s service will involve Usher Team #2 – Rogelio Douglas, Craig Daniels and Melvin Muse.