Advent Family Gatherings on Wednesdays

Advent Family Gatherings will take place on Wednesdays in December.

December 6th, 13th and 20th.

Mark your calendars now to join us on Wednesday nights during Advent for some intergenerational fun and fellowship. All adult and youth will meet in the Fellowship Hall.Our theme this year will be, "Whose Birthday Is It Anyway?"

Please join us for Advent. All ages are welcome. Look for more details to come in the bulletin, on the web and as special announcements.


~BUILD FAITH~~NUTURE HOPE~~SHARE GOD'S LOVE~

The Chrismon Tree

The Youth of St. Andrew's will be decorating the Chrismon Tree as part of the Advent Family Gatherings. We normally think about a Christmas Tree and the modern meaning that it has...sparkly lights and shiny ornaments. Some trees are even coordinated to go with the theme or colors of our homes. We should think about the real meaning of Christmas when it comes to the tree as well. This year consider a Chrismon tree that will proclaim the name, the life, and the saving acts of Jesus the Christ.

In 1957, Francis Kipps Spencer created the first Chrismon tree. She coined the term Chrismon as a combination of Christ + monogram to reflect her desire to create decorations for Christmas trees that “proclaim the name, the life, and the saving acts of Jesus the Christ.” The purpose was to make homemade ornaments to show central symbols of the Christian faith. Chrismons are traditionally white and gold to reflect the colors of the Christmas season.

The symbols can include historic symbols of the faith. Crosses are often prominent on Chrismon trees. Other historic symbols are often included, such as Trinitarian symbols or the Chi-Rho abbreviation for the name of Christ in Greek (Xristos or Christos). New symbols are also created to illustrate biblical texts and to point to central elements of the Christian faith. The Chrismon tree is one way in which churches try to avoid the commercialization of the Christmas season by pointing to the message of the Christmas season.

Some of the symbols used on the Chrismon tree are here:

From left to right

• Cross Botonnée
  (Preparation for worship)
• Cross Patée
  (Pastoral liturgies)
• Anchored Cross
  (Baptism and reaffirmation of the baptismal covenant)
• Chi Rho
  (Abbreviation for the name of Christ)

This next set is very often used as well:

From left to right:

• Celtic Cross
  (Service for the Lord’s day)
• Jerusalem Cross
  (Resources for the liturgical year)
• Cross Crosslet
  (Daily Prayer)
• Maltese Cross
  (The psalms)

Source: PC(USA) O Chrismon Tree


~BUILD FAITH~~NUTURE HOPE~~SHARE GOD'S LOVE~

Poinsettias

In keeping with tradition, we will once again decorate the sanctuary with poinsettias during the Christmas season. Everyone is welcome to participate by providing one or more flowers.

You may designate your poinsettia in memory or in honor of someone, or just as a token of love for the church. The cost for each poinsettia will be $11.00, and you may take it home after the Christmas season.

To place an order, fill out this form and put it in the offering plate along with your payment, or return it to the church office by December 17th.



Name: _____________________________________

I wish to order ______ poinsettias. I have enclosed $_______ with this order.


______ In memory of: ___________________________________

____________________________________________________

____________________________________________________

____________________________________________________

____________________________________________________


______ In honor of: ___________________________________

____________________________________________________

____________________________________________________

____________________________________________________

____________________________________________________

______ As a token of love for the Church.

Deadline: December 17th, 2006

~BUILD FAITH~~NUTURE HOPE~~SHARE GOD'S LOVE~

Christmas Gift Making Workshop

The Youth will host a Christmas Gift Making Workshop for the children of St. Andrew's on Saturday, December 2nd from 10AM-2PM. $10 donation per child to cover the cost of supplies.

Children 4 years old through 5th grade are invited to come and make Christmas presents, have lunch and maybe even watch a movie. The youth will be helping the younger children and they should leave with several presents for their special folks--wrapped and ready for placement under the tree!

Parents! What a great opportunity for you to do some shopping, take a nap, catch up on some chores or your reading--the possibilities are endless! Children will need to be dropped off and picked up from the fellowship hall.

Sign up in advance is required. Please contact Pearl at the church office at 843-766-4262 for more information!

Christmas Gift Making Workshop Sign-up

Child's Name:________________________ Age: ________

Parents: ________________________________________

Phone #'s (home)_____________ (cell)________________

Food Allergies: ___________________________________

Emergency Contact:________________________________

Phone #'s (home)_____________ (cell)________________


~BUILD FAITH~~NUTURE HOPE~~SHARE GOD'S LOVE~

Sunday Sermon Summary #3

The sermon on Sunday, November 26th was entitled: Is This Good News?

Spike began the sermon by telling us he had a special relationship with an adorable little boy named Sully Carroll (a little boy of one of the church members). Last summer during VBS Spike and Sully were talking about the gospel lesson. Sully's understanding was that Jesus died, came back and is now the president. He is just a very little boy and his parents still have a lot to teach him about Christ, that He is Lord of Lords and King of Kings. What does that mean for us? Do we confess He is Lord of Lords and King of Kings? Do we understand our place in the world? Jesus is not valued at all until we value him above all. We really do not do this. He must be our first love. He gives us life and redeems us from sin.

In the scripture lesson for today (Revelation 1: 4-8), Paul is writing to the seven churches in the province of Asia Minor. There were more than seven churches during that time. The seven churches represent our struggles. The Asia in the Revelation passage is really Asia today. God speaks to us through his word and lets us know what is expected of us. Paul was specifically writing to the Laodicean Church. People during that time were still under the control of the Roman empire. Domitian was emperor at the time and he commanded that Caesar be worshiped as lord. He was first above all things.

Christians were not persecuted in ancient literature, instead they were persecuted for treason just like Benedict Arnold. We worship god and not Caesar. The Greek word martyr also has the meaning of 'witness.' Revelation was really written to people to people who knew that suffering in this world was not God's intention. Only God can validate our faithfulness and make us new. It is difficult to remain faithful in hard times. Keep the faith! God is with us. John begins his writing with grace and peace. They begin Paul's writing as well. Grace is God's free choosing of us because of God's love for us. We have peace in chaos with God's love. He is the God who is, was and is to come. This refers back to Moses and the burning bush.

In John 15, Jesus is the faithful witness. He takes witness to the heart of God for us. His love is unconditional. Jesus reveals that to as a faithful witness. Witness also means martyr. The Word became flesh and dwelled amount us. He was nailed to the cross and died for that witness. The One who loves us is still alive--he does not use past tense. He freed us from sin.

God calls for salvation and service. We are called to be a bridge. We are bridge builders to God's kingdom so when our family and friends are stuck in suffering, we are the bridge between them and God who loves us. What does it mean for people we meet everyday? 6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. When John thinks of the goodness of God he erupts into praise. Do we? Do we get excited about what he had done for us and given us? What kind of priest are we? What kind of bridge are we?

John offers words of assurance. ⁷Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindred of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen. Is this good news? We will be called to account and to answer to him as he is the first born--Lord of Lords and King of Kings! Is this good news?

Spike used to work for a moving company and he had a friend named Dennis during that time. Dennis wanted to make lots of money, have lots of nice things and have lots of girls. That may be typical of many men. Spike tried to show him a more excellent way...that he did not need all that money, stuff and girls. Dennis did not change his views at that time. He felt he was in his twenties and that was what his goals were. He indicated to Spike that the more excellent way would have to come later.

The same God, or Yahweh that delivered the slaves out of Babylon is the same god who offers us grace and peace. Grace and Peace are ours in the midst of trials. The baptism that was held a few minutes ago is indicative of promises the congregation makes to children through the sacrament of baptism. We make promises to children and we have to show them a more excellent way. Jesus loves us and has set us up free to be a bridgebuilder.


~BUILD FAITH~~NUTURE HOPE~~SHARE GOD'S LOVE~

A Thanksgiving Feast for All!

Last Sunday evening was our Thanksgiving dinner. This blog reporter had the pleasure of attending. It began at 6:00pm in the Fellowship Hall. It was the final celebration that ended our Every Member Canvas. There were turkeys enough for an army, baked as well as fried. There were side dishes of every sort, from vegetables to salads to yams. Can we say yummy?! To top it all off there were desserts galore! Good food and fellowship was had by all.

Pastor Spike Coleman giving the Welcome and Blessing

The line to get food was quite a long one. Wow! Look at all those intent
faces! Dinner is a serious thing!

~Turkey Facts~
Turkeys have heart attacks. When the Air Force was conducting test runs and breaking the sound barrier, fields of turkeys would drop dead.
Did you know turkeys can drown if they look up when it is raining?
A spooked turkey can run at speeds up to 20 miles per hour. They can also burst into flight approaching speeds between 50-55 mph in a matter of seconds.
~Benjamin Franklin wanted the national bird to be a turkey.~




These girls have the right idea!
Good food and good friends equal fun.




Smile! You are on "turkey camera!"




~Turkey Cooking 101~

Be sure you know the difference between a turkey and a chicken
when you begin to fry it.
A turkey fried on top of the stove in a frying pan
has the consistency of shoe leather
and will result in broken teeth.
(It was one of my first attempts at cooking when I was in middle school)
I thought it was a chicken--just a large one!




Some of the most important work after a wonderful dinner.
Cleanup!
The meal was wonderful and so was the fellowship.
If you were not able to attend this year,
be sure to mark your calendar for next year!

~BUILD FAITH~~NUTURE HOPE~~SHARE GOD'S LOVE~

Isaiah 58: 1-14

This was the homework for this week...to read this passage daily. Were you able to read it? It is never too late to start. Jesus IS Lord!

True Fasting

1 "Shout it aloud, do not hold back.
Raise your voice like a trumpet.
Declare to my people their rebellion
and to the house of Jacob their sins.

2 For day after day they seek me out;
they seem eager to know my ways,
as if they were a nation that does what is right
and has not forsaken the commands of its God.
They ask me for just decisions
and seem eager for God to come near them.

3 'Why have we fasted,' they say,
'and you have not seen it?
Why have we humbled ourselves,
and you have not noticed?'
"Yet on the day of your fasting, you do as you please
and exploit all your workers.

4 Your fasting ends in quarreling and strife,
and in striking each other with wicked fists.
You cannot fast as you do today
and expect your voice to be heard on high.

5 Is this the kind of fast I have chosen,
only a day for a man to humble himself?
Is it only for bowing one's head like a reed
and for lying on sackcloth and ashes?
Is that what you call a fast,
a day acceptable to the LORD ?

6 "Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:
to loose the chains of injustice
and untie the cords of the yoke,
to set the oppressed free
and break every yoke?

7 Is it not to share your food with the hungry
and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—
when you see the naked, to clothe him,
and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?

8 Then your light will break forth like the dawn,
and your healing will quickly appear;
then your righteousness will go before you,
and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard.

9 Then you will call, and the LORD will answer;
you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.
"If you do away with the yoke of oppression,
with the pointing finger and malicious talk,

10 and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry
and satisfy the needs of the oppressed,
then your light will rise in the darkness,
and your night will become like the noonday.

11 The LORD will guide you always;
he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land
and will strengthen your frame.
You will be like a well-watered garden,
like a spring whose waters never fail.

12 Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins
and will raise up the age-old foundations;
you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls,
Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.

13 "If you keep your feet from breaking the Sabbath
and from doing as you please on my holy day,
if you call the Sabbath a delight
and the LORD's holy day honorable,
and if you honor it by not going your own way
and not doing as you please or speaking idle words,

14 then you will find your joy in the LORD,
and I will cause you to ride on the heights of the land
and to feast on the inheritance of your father Jacob."
The mouth of the LORD has spoken.

~BUILD FAITH~~NUTURE HOPE~~SHARE GOD'S LOVE~