Sunday Announcements
Note: Personal phone numbers are removed from the Web version of the Sunday announcements. Please consult your Parish Directory, use e-mail if an address is given, or call the parish office at 919-929-2193 to find out more about the news.
Archives
Today, Dec. 20 - The Fourth Sunday of Advent
7:30 am Baptism and Holy Eucharist Rite I
Mr. Elkins-Williams
9:00 am Holy Eucharist Rite I
Ms. Lee
11:15 am Holy Eucharist Rite II
Ms. Lee
5:15 pm Holy Eucharist Rite II
Ms. Lee
Readings: Micah 5:2-5a, Psalm 3 or Psalm 15 or Psalm 80:1-7 or Canticle 3, Hebrews 10:5-10, Luke 1:39-45,(46-55)
Services This Week
Mon., Tues. & Wed.
5:15 pm Evening Prayer
Monday, Dec. 21
7:00 pm Special Service for People with Developmental Disabilities
Dr. Joyner
Wednesday, Dec. 23
St. Thomas the Apostle
10:00 am Holy Eucharist Rite 1928
Mr. Elkins-Williams
Thursday, Dec. 24
The Eve of the Nativity
2:00 pm Holy Eucharist Rite I (Carol Woods)
Ms. Jamieson-Drake
3:00 pm Christmas Pageant
5:00 pm Christmas Pageant
7:30 pm Holy Eucharist Rite II
Mr. Frazelle
11:00 pm The Christ Mass
Mr. Elkins-Williams
Friday, Dec. 25
The Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ
10:00 am Holy Eucharist Rite II
Mr. Elkins-Williams
Next Sunday, Dec. 27 - The First Sunday after Christmas
7:30 am Holy Eucharist Rite I
Ms. Jamieson-Drake
10:00 am Holy Eucharist Rite II
Ms. Jamieson-Drake
5:15 pm Baptism & Holy Eucharist Rite II
Ms. Lee
Readings: Isaiah 61:10–62:3, Psalm 147, Galatians 3:23-25;4:4-7, John 1:1-18
Events and Meetings
Today
7:00 pm Orange County AA Group
Monday, Dec. 21
7:00 pm Boy Scout Troop 9 Leaders
Tuesday, Dec. 22
5:00 pm Centering Prayer
6:30 pm Boy Scout Troop 9
Wednesday, Dec. 23
7:30 pm Senior Choir Rehearsal
Thursday, Dec. 24
7:00 pm AA Meeting
Friday, Dec. 25
1:00 pm SAA Meeting
Saturday, Dec. 26
6:30 pm NA Meeting
Today
IFC Needs
The IFC request for this week is spaghetti. Donations may be left in baskets at entrances to the church.
Environmental Stewardship Green Tip:
Decorate with energy-saving "LED" lights this year. They use 90% less energy than conventional holiday lights, helping to protect our climate and save you money.
Adult Education Today
Advent Poetry with Michael McFee (chapel)
Adult Education Next Week
No Adult Education Classes
Annual Christmas and Advent Poetry Gathering
For the 12th year, poet and parishioner Michael McFee will host a sharing of seasonal poetry. Please join us in the Chapel this morning at 10:20 for a reading of favorite Advent, Christmas and Epiphany poems.
Episcopal Youth Community
Pageant Practice! EYC will meet from 5 - 7 on 12/20. Those who have not been assigned roles will meet in the Dining room. If you already know your job in the pageant please head to the campus center to find your costume. We will follow practice by sharing a meal. Dress rehearsal is on 12/22 at 3:45. Folks participating in the pageant will need to arrive at 2:15 on 12/24.Please contact Caren Parker at with any questions.
This Week
Special Worship Christmas Pageant
The annual Special Worship Christmas Pageant will be on Monday, Dec. 21, at 7:00 pm at the Chapel of the Cross. Join us in the church where, for the one time in the year, we celebrate with costumes, a play, Christmas carols, and special music from the great organ. This monthly service of worship, songs, and stories especially for our neighbors and friends with developmental disabilities happens on the third Monday of each month and all are welcome! It is even followed by refreshments!
Next Week
No Church School
There will be no Church School on Dec. 27 and Jan. 3. Both Sundays will offer worship at 7:30, 10:00 and 5:15. Following the 10:00 service on Jan. 3, there will be an intergenerational carol sing. Several parish musicians will play their instruments and lead us in favorite carols of this shortest liturgical season, the 12 days of Christmastide. Please bring an appetizer to share for the buffet.
Adult Education After Christmas
There is no adult ed program following next week’s 10:00 service. Please join us following the 10:00 service on Jan. 3 for the Intergenerational Carol Sing (please bring an appetizer or sweet to share)
Parish Notes
2009 Year-End Giving
In order to be included in 2009 contribution records for both operating and tax records, gifts must be received by December 31, 2009. Checks must be dated in 2009 and must be in the parish office or, if mailed, postmarked before January 1, 2010. Stock gifts which are electronically transferred to the Chapel of the Cross must be received in the Chapel of the Cross brokerage account before January 1, 2010.
Stock Gift Procedures
From time to time, it may be advantageous to make gifts to the Chapel of the Cross in the form of appreciated securities. The normal procedure for making these gifts is to ask your broker to transfer them electronically to the Chapel of the Cross brokerage account at Edward Jones, account number 293-00200-1-7, DTC number 0057, and to notify the parish accountant, Debby Kulik, that such a transfer has been made, with instructions as to the use (2009 pledge, 2010 pledge, capital gift, etc.) of the gift. More detail is on the parish web site at http://www.thechapelofthecross.org/content/view/479/406
Annual Giving Update
We have reached 83% of our current pledge base. That includes 70 new pledgers. About 35 of that group had pledged by In-Gathering Sunday, while the rest have recently come in . We wish to have at least 50-100 more new pledgers. Then, we have 102 pledgers from 2009 that have not yet pledged for 2010. Given these facts, our current pledges are valued at $1,250,000. As we look at budget projections, we would hope that with continued work and new commitments from this parish, we could reach a pledge stretch goal of $1,500,000. It would be a tight budget, but we could meet our obligations in so many areas. – Kristine Dahlberg, Director of Stewardship and Development
Advent Offering Boxes
Offering boxes used for the Advent season to benefit a variety of programs in Chapel Hill can be returned anytime between now and Jan. 3.
Share Christmas With A Local Child
The Chapel of the Cross will once again collect toys and books during our two Christmas Eve pageants. Families are encouraged to bring a small, unwrapped gift to present during the 3pm and 5pm services. The gifts will be donated to Christmas House, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization supported by the Chapel Hill Service League. Christmas House has helped create a brighter holiday for Orange County’s most financially disadvantaged families for over 55 years, this year serving over 850 local children. Thank you for your generous support.
A New Tradition
Advent is a time of preparation. This year the children of the parish will help us to prepare for Christmas by gradually building the manger scene from Sunday to Sunday. Each week, children will bring forward one or more items to add to the table display near the pulpit. This will be done during the lighting of the Advent wreath while the congregation is singing the Advent hymn. Watch the scene unfold until all the props and figures are in place. If your child would like to participate, there is a sign up sheet posted on the Christian Formation office door.
Join the Loaves and Fishes Committee
Through the simple act of offering a fresh cup of coffee on Sunday mornings, the mission of the Loaves and Fishes Committee is to nurture parish hospitality. We can be found every Sunday morning after the 9:00 service providing either coffee, from Sept. to mid-June, or lemonade, from mid-June to Sept. The sharing of food and drink is a fundamental way in which we develop bonds within our parish family. Please contact Ellen Cole at [Contact the parish office at 919-929-2193 for phone numbers.] if you are interested in joining us in our work.
Thank You For Project 5000
Many thanks to everyone who participated in this year’s Project 5000. We contributed a total of 265 food boxes to the Inter-Faith Council Food Pantry.
Mark Your Calendar
Intergenerational Sing Along
Following the 10:00 service on January 3, there will be a carol sing in the dining room and parlor. Parish musicians will play instruments and lead us in some favorite carols. Nancy Nelson will share her talent of accompaniment with trumpet, violin, mandolin, clarinet, and accordion. Each family unit is asked to bring an appetizer to share for the buffet.
Chapel Of The Cross: On The Map In Honduras
In the middle of ongoing political crisis in Honduras, Chapel of the Cross funds and parishioners continue to be active agents in that country’s struggle for justice, prosperity and peace. On Jan. 10 at 10:20 am in the chapel, discover the projects and places where our parish is at work. Speakers will include Dr. William H. Joyner on the city orphanage of El Hogar; Ann Henley, lead parishioner for Honduras, on the parish of San Patricio and the rural orphanage of La Esperanza de Jesus; newcomers Becky and Paul Haley on the Choloteca medical mission with which they have been involved; and the Rev. John M. Keith, priest associate and long-time Central American missionary, on Diocesan Grants to a variety of project in Honduras.
Precious Ramotse, Detective, and Sharita Womack, Scientist: Two Ways Of Looking at Botswana
The opening scenes in the film of The Number One Ladies’ Detective Agency based on Alexander McCall Smith’s novels, show Precious Ramotse remembering as a child her love for her father and Botswana, her country. Dr. Sharita Womack, a parishioner of St. Martin’s Church in Charlotte, a professor, a scientist, and a traveler who has fallen in love with Botswana, will share her investigations on HIV/Aids projects and the developing sister relationship between the diocese of North Carolina and the Anglican diocese of Botswana. We won’t be selling popcorn, but do come to see and hear the insights of two investigators.
ABC Sale 2010...SAVE THE DATE!
As we enter the holiday season and the end of the year, perhaps you’re thinking of clearing out some of the extra treasures in your life that you don’t need, use or love. It’s never too early to think about setting those items aside for our 2010 ABC Sale! Our sale date is set for Saturday, April 17. We’re looking for your high quality merchandise that we can sell at a good price. Please save your best donations for us! Proceeds benefit well-deserving organizations in our community that really make a difference. Also, we ask that you mark your calendars now because volunteers are the key to a successful sale. Contact sale Co-Chairs Christina Balderson or Perri Kersh with questions.
Stewardship Opportunities
Sharing and Caring - An Alternate Gift
Looking for the perfect gift to honor a dear one? Try Sharing and Caring, the alternate giving plan at The Chapel of the Cross. And it’s so easy to do. Pick up one of the brochures in the church pews, at the back of the chapel, or at the Outreach Ministry Table. Select one or more of the five designated charities you wish to support. Fill in the brochure and take it along with your check (or cash!) to the Outreach Ministry Table in the dining room (or to the office during weekdays.) They will, in turn, give you gift cards you can send on to the persons of your choosing. How simple is that? And remember, you are giving TWICE! Organizations being supported this year are Kwasa School in South Africa, Inter-faith Council (IFC), Freedom House, Club Nova, and the Family Violence and Rape Crisis Service. Sharing and Caring will be available for the next two Sundays leading up to Christmas.
A Christmas Request for Our Refugee Families
Please consider buying a gift card to Wal Mart, Target or Food Lion to help our two refugee families have a happy holiday season. Between the two families, there are six children and seven adults. Gift cards would go a long way toward buying warm coats and nourishing food for the winter months. Gift cards can be left in the church office. If you have questions, please call Gale Gilchrist (call church office for her phone number). Thank you so much.
Holiday Meal Coupons
For a contribution of $25, the IFC can provide a holiday meal for an entire family. If you would like to share your blessings in this way, it’s easy: pick up a coupon with instructions from the Outreach Ministry table, or from the committee’s bulletin board, both in the dining room, or directly from the IFC web site. Fill out the form and send, with your check, to the IFC at 110 W. Main Street, Carrboro, NC 27510. You will make someone’s holidays much brighter.
Community Notices
Farmers Market Food Drive
The Carrboro Farmers Market Farmer FoodShare is holding a “Fresh Food for the Holidays” food drive every Saturday that the market is open in December. We are trying to raise enough food for 600 meals (or 1000 pounds) to feed the hungry during the holidays. Shoppers can make tax-deductible donations of food or cash to purchase fresh or prepared food and our volunteers will deliver it the IFC and other local hunger relief organizations. Every Saturday in December that the market is open, from 9:00 am until noon. The only Saturday that the market is closed is on Dec. 26.
Enjoy Good Jazz and Support The Interfaith Council
There will be a Benefit Concert for the InterFaith Council for Social Services on New Year’s Eve at 7:00 pm at United Church of Chapel Hill (1321 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.). The Bradshaw Quartet will be showcasing selected jazz standards, new
interpretations of R&B and pop classics, and original compositions. In addition, jazz singer Christen Campbell will sing. Over the past 10 years this concert has become a holiday tradition. Come, listen to jazz, support the work of the InterFaith Council and enjoy an early evening event on New Year’s Eve. There is no entry fee or tickets but a freewill offering will be received. Questions, call 942-3540 or go to www.unitedchurch.org.
College Scholarships
The Martin Luther King Scholarship Fund awards college scholarships to students in local high schools. The MLK Scholarship Banquet will be held Sunday, Jan. 17 at 6:00 pm. Tickets are $25 and can be ordered by contacting Teddy Lovejoy.
Of the Incarnation
O God, who wonderfully created, and yet more wonderfully restored, the dignity of human nature: Grant that we may share the divine life of him who humbled himself to share our humanity, your Son Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Book of Common Prayer, p.252
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