In the Sunday Morning Together class we’ll be discussing the fourth week’s devotional reflections from Advent in Plain Sight by Jill Duffield. On Sunday we’ll be sharing our insights on “Trees,” from the readings pp. 83 -105. All are welcome to join us at 8:45 in the Meeting Room or on Zoom.

Children’s Sunday School

There will be no Sunday School class for grade-school aged children this Sunday. Class will resume on January 7th.

A Memorial Service for Elinor Bryan will be held at St. Andrews tomorrow, Friday, December 29th at 10:00 am. Elinor’s family will welcome friends for visitation in the Meeting Room at 9:30 am.

December 24, 5:00 pm and 11:00 pm

4:30 pm Cocoa and Crafts: Come Early for a time of fellowship to enjoy hot cocoa and make some crafts to use in worship and take home with you.

5:00 pm Candlelight Family Service: Everyone is invited to gather in the sanctuary for our early, casual Christmas worship as we sing carols and hear the Christmas story.

10:45 pm Organ Prelude: Candlelight prelude of carols

11:00 pm Worship and Communion Celebrating Christ’s Coming

December 24, 10 am

The 24th is the 4th Sunday of Advent. Worship will be in the sanctuary and online. YouTube.com/@sapctucker

Upcoming Events Please see our Christmas and Advent Webpage here

• December 19th- Caregiver’s support Group, 7:00 pm on Zoom
• December 20th- Longest Night, 6:30 pm
• December 29th- Memorial Service for Elinor Bryan, 10 am

As we approach the longest night of the year, we will pause to honor those who struggle, and through scripture, prayer, silence, and candle lighting, we will bear witness to the light that has come, and is coming, into the world. This brief service will create a safe and sacred space to lament and grieve the many losses we’ve experienced in this year and years past. All are welcome as we gather around the fire pit in the back parking lot, near the office building.

If you have not yet taken the VCI Congregational Survey online or in worship, Or, if you took home your survey last Sunday, please take the survey or return your copy by Sunday December 17th. This is your final opportunity to share your input, which we value and desire.

As part of the Vital Congregations Initiative, the Session of SAPC invites you to offer your perspectives and opinions as part of our congregational assessment. This survey was given live in worship last Sunday, and is available online until the 17th at the link here.

Please complete the assessment as soon as you are able. If you have already completed the survey in worship, or online do not take it again. It generally takes less than 20 minutes to complete.

This is not a test – of you nor of St. Andrews. There are no right or wrong answers. The purpose is to measure how you believe SAPC is doing on the seven Vital Signs (or marks) or congregational vitality: discipleship, outward focus, evangelism, servant leadership, worship, caring relationships, and ecclesial health. The gathered information will help your leadership in planning our way forward the next few years. Your participation is crucial to this work and planning. If you have any questions or would like to get involved in a deeper way in VCI at St. Andrews, please contact LaVerne, Pastor Camille or any Elder. Thank you for your prayerful participation.

This Sunday we will take our annual Christmas Joy Offering which benefits the PC(USA) Board of Pensions, providing assistance to retired church workers and clergy and to Presbyterian-related schools and colleges serving communities of color. Please put “Christmas Joy” on the memo line of your check, or use the envelopes available in the Narthex. If giving online, please use Mission and put Christmas Joy in the notes.

After Lessons and Carols on December 17th, St. Andrews hosts a Christmas Cookie Celebration. Please consider bringing a batch of your favorite cookies to share. Cookies can be dropped off in the kitchen of Heffner Hall, on Sunday morning (12/17), or before Lessons and Carols.

The Engagement Committee welcomes donations of cookie tins for distributing the extra cookies from the reception to local service organizations. You may leave your donated tins this Sunday in the collection box in the Narthex or drop them by the Church Office work room.

Need a ride to Lessons & Carols? We’re hoping for a big turnout at this year’s Lessons & Carols, Saturday the 17th at 6pm. To facilitate the attendance of those who prefer not to drive after dark, we’re proposing a SAPC ride-share system. This pilot system will work only if there is both the need, and the availability of drivers. If you would like a ride, Or, if you are willing to provide one, please contact the church office by next Thursday, December 14th

https://www.cliftonsanctuary.com/

We are collecting items for the men at Clifton Sanctuary Ministries December 10th – 17th. White t-shirts, boxers & briefs in sizes M-XXL are needed (No socks this year). Other items requested this year are adult backpacks, shower shoes, wallets and gloves. Please bring your donations of new, unwrapped items to the collection boxes in the narthex or outside the office door in the courtyard.