Welcome to the Season of Advent!  “The first season of the church year, beginning with the fourth Sunday before Christmas and continuing through the day before Christmas. The name is derived from a Latin word for “coming.” The season is a time of preparation and expectation for the coming celebration of our Lord’s nativity, and for the final coming of Christ “in power and glory.” (An Episcopal Dictionary of the Church)

The Gospel this Week: ³⁷And what I say to you I say to all: Keep awake.” Mark 13. Patience is a hard-earned virtue, and many of us are deeply wearied by all the waiting we’ve had to do, all the times we’ve had to say no to ourselves and our children this year in order to stay safe and keep others safe. It might feel like 2020 is a year out of time, a wasted and empty expanse that consisted of nothing but life on hold. Waiting upon the Lord is no easy task – especially given our rapidly-shrinking attention spans and the challenges of this past year. What is one thing you can do to wait more patiently and lovingly?

Virtual Worship Service: In this time of pandemic, our church in-person gatherings and worship life may look a little bit different. As some of you are aware of, we have shifted back to our online (zoom) worship service on Sunday morning, 9:30. You may consider this online platform as an opportunity to reach out to more people by inviting them to join us during the service. This online platform can be an effective tool for church evangelism and mission. I encourage you, sisters, and brothers in Christ, to invite and share your faith experience to others. We are happy to welcome and support people seeking a church family who will journey with us. 

Church Donations: We would also like to invite you to make an offering to support the ministry of the church by sending your titles, pledges and donations through one of the following: Pre-Authorized donations, e-transfer, mailing your offering envelopes, or dropping-off your envelopes in the church mailbox. Please contact the Wardens for details. We appreciate your stewardship!

A Reminder: 2020 Tax Receipts must be in the offering plate by Sunday Dec. 27^th to count as a 2020 donation.

Prayer: Hope-bringer, you in whom we live and move and have our being, may your advent revive our waning spirits, so that we may embody your hope anew to a fearful and weary world. We ask this in the name of God with us, Jesus the Christ. Amen. St. Hildegard’s Sanctuary “All Are Welcome”, 2018 M. Calabrigo.