Remember that December 3, 2017 is the First day of the Church year Advent.

FROM FATHER JOHN

December is a busy and exciting month at St. Timothy’s, and gives us an opportunity to exercise our gift of hospitality to the Board of Trustees, the churches of our Deanery, and our Bishop and friends and donors who will be with us for our anniversary celebration (see other articles).   A thank you in advance to all those who are making these events possible.  On December 17th, Gus Flomo and his family from Liberia will be with us and offer a special message at morning worship.    The 4th Sunday of Advent also happens to be Christmas Eve this year (this happens about every six or seven years).   We will have Morning Prayer that morning at 10:00 a.m. with Ted Fryer preaching, and the Family Christmas Eve service at 5:00 p.m.   I’m very proud of this congregation, not to mention our well cared-for buildings and beautiful new grounds.   It’s a privilege and pleasure to be your priest.   In the words of little Timmy Cratchett, in Dicken’s Christmas Carol, “God Bless us, one and all.”

 ADVENT SERVICE OF LESSONS AND CAROLS

In between Thanksgiving and Christmas in the church year is the brief, four-week Season of Advent. The focus of the entire season is preparation for the celebration of the birth of Jesus the Christ in his First Advent, and the anticipation of the return of Christ the King in his Second Advent.   It offers the opportunity to sit back, take a deep breath, and relax a little bit before the frenzy of Christmas shopping and holiday meals totally consumes us.

This year, St. Timothy’s Church will be hosting a service of Advent lessons and carols, sponsored by the ten congregations of the Central Deanery of the Diocese of Northern California.  This service focuses on the writings of the prophets, the hope for a Messiah and the promise of the Coming of Christ.   Traditional carols of Advent are interspersed throughout, and the service offers an opportunity to focus on what we are really looking forward to at Christmas – Jesus Christ, Son of God, Prince of Peace.

We’re looking forward to this time of fellowship with our brothers and sisters of the Deanery.  Please be there to enjoy the scripture and music.

ST. TIMOTHY’S 60TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church will be celebrating its 60th anniversary as a congregation, and celebrating the completion of its renovated church yard on December 10th, 2017, with a Sunday morning celebration of Holy Communion by the Bishop Beisner.   The Bishop will also preach and administer the Sacramento of Confirmation to Dale Hutchinson, and formally receive Mark and Susan Prendeville into the communion of the Episcopal Church.  The service will begin at 10:00 a.m., and will be followed at 12:00 noon by the Celebration of the New Church Yard and a luncheon.   There will also be recognition of the donors to the renovation.  Everyone please join us!

ST. TIMOTHY’S TO HOST DIOCESE BOARD OF TRUSTEES

 St. Timothy’s will be hosting the Board of Trustees of the Diocese of Northern California, which will be having its regular meeting here on December 9th.   The Board of Trustees is the vestry of the Diocese.  It’s an honor to have them visit us at St. Timothy’s.

  GERS DONATIONS

Please take a look at the bulletin board for the schedule of distributions of food baskets by Gridley Emergency Relief, on December 9th.   Donations may be made for this food outreach by addressing a check to St. Timothy’s, and putting “GERS” in the memo portion on the check.   We’ll be asking the Vestry to match gifts received by December 10th. 

"The Odyssey

A Monthly Series"!

MY take on the Convention

 This was my first attendance at a diocesan convention. I was impress with the attendance, enthusiasm,  the coffee, booths that were set up outside the floor and there were even cookies (free).

  Our group of delegates were Bill Madsen, Margie Daddow, Deacon Dan, and myself. Deacon Mary was there as well. I remember that Feb 2016 I agreed to be a delegate i said I might be confirmed by then. 

  There were several speakers including Bishop Berry and the Lutheran Bishop, Mark Holmerud. 

  The Two articles on the Canons to be amended passed easily. The elections for the Board of Trusties and Standing Committees were held the first day. there seemed to be no real animosity anywhere. Two were promoted to Arch-Deacon and Canons. 

  Bishop Berry "officially" announced his retirement, which started the 2 years process to select a new Bishop, BTW, there are still forms for you to sign up to be a part of the search committee to make St. Timothy's voice heard in the process.

   The convention also celebrated the 500th anniversary of Martin Luther's 95 Theses, nailed to the Church door. Which of course led to the church as we know it now. 

Next Month: Random Thoughts

ANNOUNCEMENTS

If you know anyone who needs prayers, please let me know. Or if know of anyone  who can be removed from the prayer list. Dale  or 530-353-3375

Vestry meeting for December is 12-17-17.

Please remember to thank JoAnn Teesdale for all the work she does to recycle our cans and bottles. 

Also thank Lisa Van De Hey for her work with the Hotel Hazel. 

I can be reached for articles, complaints,or any reason at: article@1crs.bz, dale@1crs.bz, op-ed@1crs.bz. by phone at 353-3375 or Cell 403-9760, or tell me during Coffee Hour (make sure I write it down.)

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. 6 There was a man sent from God whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. 8 He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light

John 1:1-8  NIV