This Sunday's Announcements

This Sunday, December 14:

Donations for The Heartwing Center
Saint Andrew’s Guild Stitchers have made animal themed book bags to donate to the Family Center Preschool Group at the Heartwing Center. We will bless and deliver them today, Gaudete Sunday. If you've brought a preschool bag to share, please add it to the altar.  
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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.

Directory Updates  - See Vestry Member in Narthex
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.

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] 

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 71 pledges, totaling $175,714.68. In this next phase of the campaign, our Fall Giving Campaign Team is reaching out individually by email, and inviting members to consider supporting our parish financially in 2026.  Thank you - it’s enormously exciting to think about what our giving can make possible! - Fall Giving Campaign Team



This week, December 15-20:

December 16 - Deadline for submitting Christmas Flowers
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. 

December 17 - Midweek Eucharist
Join us at 10 a.m. for Midweek Eucharist followed by coffee hour. 

Next Sunday, December 21:

Children’s Chapel at 10 a.m.
We invite children to gather for singing, stories, and crafts during the first half of Sunday services: 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].

Greening of the Church at 11:15 a.m.
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!

Notices:

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.

Annual Ministry Reports - due January 9
We ask that you please fill out each ministry team's annual report HERE by Friday, January 9. If you are unsure if you need to submit a report or have questions, please contact our Parish Administrator at [email protected]. 

Coming Soon

December 24 at 10 a.m. - Midweek Eucharist
Join us at 10 a.m. for Midweek Eucharist followed by coffee hour. 

December 31 - No Midweek Eucharist
Please note there will not be a midweek eucharist or service on December 31. Folks are 
encouraged to pray Morning Prayer at home. 

January 6 at 6:30 p.m. - Feast of the Epiphany in All Saints Chapel
Come join us for a special Feast of Epiphany worship in our cozy All Saints Chapel on Tuesday, January 6 at 6:30 p.m. Following the worship we'll gather in the Meeting Room for some herbal tea and French King Cake. The cake has a hidden baby figure inside, and the one who discovers it will be made 'Monarch' for the year. This is an opportunity to sing Epiphany hymns, break out our prayer books, and enjoy some time together in community. 

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 choral music)

Christmas Day
Dec 25 at 9:00am     Holy Eucharist (featuring music)
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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