This Sunday's Announcements

This Sunday, December 7:

Children’s Chapel at 10 a.m.
We invite children to gather for singing, stories, and crafts during the first half of Sunday services: Dec 7, 21; Jan 4, 18; Feb 1, 22; Mar 1, 15, 29; Apr 12, 26; May 3, 17.  If you have questions or interest in volunteering to help with Children's Chapel, please contact Cara Hins at [email protected].

Coffee & Conversation at 11:30 a.m.
Join us after worship for coffee and conversation in the Whiteman Room. To volunteer or learn more contact Allyson Michal at [email protected].  

Fall Giving Campaign Shifts into Next Phase
Thank you to all who have pledged to support our parish in the coming year. The campaign’s offering now totals 67 pledges, totaling $170,614.68. In the next phase of the campaign, our Fall Giving Campaign Team will reach out individually by email, and invite new and potential returning pledges for 2026. A letter will be sent in the mail to all who pledged giving thanks, and noting the amount pledged and pledge number. Please be in touch if you have any questions or concerns.  Thank you - it’s enormously exciting to think about what our giving can make possible! - Fall Giving Campaign Team

This week, December 8-13:

December 10 - Midweek Eucharist
    Join us at 10 a.m. for Midweek Eucharist followed by coffee hour. 

December 11 at 11 a.m. - Green Team: 11th Hour Calling
Join the Green Team on Thursday, December 11 at 10:50 a.m. to ring the bell at 11 for 11 minutes. We are part of the world-wide 11th Hour Calling movement to raise awareness about and call for urgent climate action. Ringing the bell is an act of spiritual awareness and a protest. All are welcome!

Next Sunday, December 14:

Donations for The Heartwing Center
Saint Andrew’s Guild Stitchers are making animal themed book bags to donate to the Family Center Preschool Group at the Heartwing Center. We will bless and deliver them on the 3rd Sunday in Advent, December 14th, Gaudete Sunday. If you would like to add to the joy, please bring in a preschool book to add to the bags. About The Heartwing Center: In October 1993, in response to violence in the Turners Falls community, caring members of several local parishes bonded together to create the “Outreach Project” to immediately assist a community in crisis. Some years later, the name evolved to Montague Catholic Social Ministries. While their roots in community service began with Catholic volunteers and the tireless work of local parishes, in 2024, they renamed the organization to better reflect who they are and the nondenominational, inclusive nature of their programming. Today, they are The Heartwing Center.

Youth Group at 11:30 a.m.
Join parish youth from 5th-12th grade for lunch and activities from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the following dates: 12/14, 12/21. There will also be a Teen Confirmation Class from 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. continuing early next year.  To learn more contact Reynolds Whalen: [email protected] 

Notices:

Christmas Flowers - due December 16 
Consider giving flowers for Christmas in thanksgiving for/or in memory of a loved one. We encourage you to use our online form to submit your memorials and thanksgivings HERE. It will help us be accurate. You can also make a donation using the Christmas Flower envelopes available in the church entry. Place your envelope in the collection plate or return to the office by December 16.  Please write ‘Christmas flowers’ in the memo line of your check. 

End of Year Donations - Please Review Dates
A friendly reminder that all cash/check donations need to be received by December 21st in order to be counted on your 2025 Pledge Statement. If you pay via Tithe.ly, deadlines are different due to how Tithe.ly first holds and then processes payments. If your payment to Tithe.ly is made by credit or debit card, please make your payment before December 25th. If you make your Tithely payment directly from your bank account (ACH), you must make the payment by December 15th.

Directory Updates  - due December 28
The 2026 Directory will be published and distributed at our Annual Meeting and we are currently seeking directory edits and updates. On Sundays December 14, 21, and 28 a Vestry member will be present with our most up to date contact information, and will ask folks to confirm it is correct. There will be a form to fill out for anyone with updates. If you do not plan to be present on those Sundays, and are unsure what information we have on file, please contact the office at [email protected] by December 28.

Paper Bags Collected for Second Helpings
The Second Helpings feeding ministry will continue to collect paper shopping bags in the bin outside the church office. Since we do not need as many now that Sunday Sandwiches has ended, please do not feel you need to request paper bags if you would normally utilize reusable bags. However, if you regularly get paper bags, we are happy to reuse them.

Coming Soon

December 21 - at 11:15 a.m. - Greening of the Church
Help needed. After worship, we will prepare the church for Christmas.  The Flower Guild and Altar Guild would love to have help draping garlands, hanging swags, installing aisle candleholders, hanging wreaths, and more.  They would especially appreciate having volunteers who are handy with tools, tall, and/or comfortable climbing ladders.  No need for prior signups - just plan to remain after the service.  Many hands make light work!

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Christmas Worship 

Come worship with us during the 12 Days of Christmas to celebrate the coming of Christ in the nativity and Christ's coming again in power and great glory. All are welcomed at the manger.  

Attend worship in-person or virtually via YouTube: @churchofsaintsjamesandandrew/live
Leaflets may be found on our website: www.saintsjamesandandrew.org 

Worship Times
Christmas Eve
Dec 24 at 4:00pm      Family Service with Holy Eucharist and Carols
Dec 24 at 8:30pm      Prelude of Carols
Dec 24 at 9:00pm      Holy Eucharist (featuring music)

Christmas Day
Dec 25 at 9:00am     Holy Eucharist (spoken service)
Dec 25 at 12:00pm   Bell Ringing 
Parishioners will gather to ring the bell for ten minutes at 12 p.m., as churches across Greenfield ring their bells on Christmas Day. 

First Sunday of Christmas
December 28 at 10:00am Lessons & Carols with Holy Eucharist
Please note the office will be closed December 24-January 1. 

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