FROM THE RECTOR:

This year there are four full weeks of Advent.  Although there are always four Sundays in Advent, it is only when Christmas falls on a Sunday that we have four full weeks of the Advent season.  The only reason why this might be important is that we have a little more time to contemplate the coming of the Messiah and Son of God into our world and into our lives.

We have the traditional symbol of Advent to remind us of the time the world waited for the coming of Jesus.  The Advent Wreath with its four candles calls to mind the thousands of years between God’s promise and its fulfillment in the Incarnation and I recommend its use not only in Church but at home.  Even if you don’t light the wreath every day its presence alone should bring to mind the coming of the Lord into our lives.

A group of your fellow parishioners have been studying the Nicene Creed since September and it has allowed us to reflect upon some of the great mysteries of our faith.  The Incarnation is one of those great mysteries, one that we might take for granted.  The eternal Son of God takes on flesh and becomes human for our salvation.  Just stop and reflect on that one sentence for a moment.  Recently, one parishioner asked me what I considered the most amazing thing about God.  Almost without hesitation I responded, “that God cares for me personally.”  That is what the  Incarnation is about.  God caring for us so personally that the Son of God stripped himself of glory and restored our friendship with God by his death on the cross.  I encourage you to reflect on this mystery during the weeks of Advent and thereby be more prepared to celebrate Christmas when it comes.

Speaking of celebrating Christmas, on Saturday evening, December 24, at 10:30 p.m. we will have the service of Lessons and Carols along with the celebration of Holy Communion as the first proclamation of the birth of Christ.  Although Christmas is on a Sunday this year, we will have only one service on Christmas morning at 10 a.m. instead of the usual two. This will allow those of you who wish to attend a Sunday/Christmas service to do so.

During the week immediately before Christmas we will have our annual Decorate the Church for Christmas party on Tuesday evening, December 20 beginning at 6:30 p.m.  As most of you know we begin by decorating the sanctuary and proceed to the parish hall for refreshments and perhaps some entertainment.  Mark your calendars.

PLEDGE CARDS 

If you have not yet done so, please submit your pledge card for 2006.  At the December Vestry meeting the Vestry will discuss the budget for the coming year and we need to know what we will have in the way of funds on which to operate.  Your contributions to the church are important but your tithes to the Lord are really what counts.           

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

A word of congratulations to Lyle and Jennifer Garrison, new parishioners, whose son, Luke, was baptized into the Body of Christ on November 27.

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION NEWS

As is customary, the number of activities for the children and youth of St. Francis increases during December.

Christmas Program: As part of the church decorating festivities on December 20, the children and youth will present God’s Family Tree: Come to Our Reunion. During this program, our Christmas tree will be decorated with various symbols representing our family tree from Adam and Eve to the birth of Jesus as the children and youth describe each symbol and recite the accompanying Bible passages. Included will be an enactment of the Christmas story with some of the participants dressed in period costumes. Practices will be held after the 11:00 service Dec. 4, 11, and 18th. All children and youth are invited to participate.

Main Street Bethlehem: An expedition to Burnet to tour Main Street Bethlehem is planned for Sunday, December 11. This is an outdoor production by First Baptist Church of Burnet that re-enacts Bethlehem the night Christ was born and includes people in period costumes, live animals, and Middle Eastern music. Plans are to meet and car pool to Burnet around 3:30 (arriving around 5:30) and return to Austin around 10 PM. Please let Amy Crandell know if you are interested and to get the details for the trip.

Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe: This movie is scheduled to be released early December. Plans are in the works to go as a group to watch the movie on December 17 or 18th. Again, let Amy Crandell know if you or your child would like to go.

The Sunday school classes will continue through December. As part of the observance of Advent, each class will construct an Advent wreath and have a short service where the candles are lit each Sunday in Advent. Thanks to the Rev. John Stults the Rev. John Stults for leading our youth class, and Pam and David Stephan for leading the elementary-aged class. We will take a break for Christmas on the 25th and January 1. Classes will pick up again on January 8, 2006.

CHURCH DECORATING PARTY

The annual Church Decorating Party will be held on Tuesday, December 20 beginning at 6:30 p.m. The focus begins in the church with the goal being to transform the Sanctuary into a burst of color and festivity in preparation for the Christmas Eve service. As this usually doesn’t take too long, the activity then shifts over to the parish house for the party portion of the evening. The food is potluck – bring a festive food or drink to share. Pizza will be provided as well. During this time, the children and youth will present their Christmas program and there will be lots of carol singing. This is always a fun occasion. Please plan to attend.

GAMES NIGHT

On the first Friday of each month, Games Nights is held in the parish hall from 6:30 to 8:30. The order for the evening begins with a light potluck dinner and ends with everyone breaking up into groups and choosing a board game to play. This is always an enjoyable evening of merriment and fellowship. If you enjoy this sort of activity, please join the fun on December 2nd.

CALENDARS

Church calendars may be purchased again this year. The cost is $6.00 and there is a sign-up sheet in the Parish Hall. See Nancy Jones or C.J. Wright for more information.

BOSOM BUDDIES

Merry Nell Drummond co-founded and leads a Christ-centered breast cancer support group named Bosom Buddies. Their mission is to ‘celebrate life in Jesus Christ.’ They do this through group sharing of prayer, scriptures, laughter, tears, as well as their experience, strength and hope. The only requirement for attendance is a stringent one: a person must have had breast cancer at some point in their lives! Bosom Buddies will mark its tenth anniversary this August. The group meets every Monday at noon at Westlake United Methodist Church in the library. For information, please call Merry Nell at 327-3363.

December Birthdays

4 Michael Faught
Elizabeth Douglas

5 Wanda Stults
James Rambin

11 Rebecca Hoard

14 Mildred Farris

18 Karl David Stephan
Angie McCown
Elaine Williams

21 Patricia Denslow

25 Dayna Moss

28 Rev. John Stults

29 Bill Burrow

30 Suzanne Faught

December Anniversaries

7 Craig and Jill Brasuell

21 Kyle and Leanne Read

30 Arthur and Audrey Woodgate