The Fourth Sunday of Advent

The Fourth Sunday of Advent December 20, 2015
8:00 am Traditional Eucharist
9:30 am Joyful Noise Eucharist
10:30 am Community Eucharist 

From the Rector
Mary and Joseph
Today we are following Mary and Joseph as they make their way to Jerusalem. Their walk must have been full of tension, back pain and worry. They had been recently reconciled after Mary was found to be pregnant before she had married Joseph, and now they are making a major trip to Joseph’s home town, Bethlehem. Mary is heavily pregnant, the roads are busy
as everyone is going home for the census and they are not sure where they will stay.
Can you imagine what they were thinking about? The bible records visions of angels encouraging them to go on together and raise this child together, but it cannot have been easy. When we start out on the journey of life we can have a very clear idea of our goal, but then nd the going gets tough. Parenting is hard, work can be a challenge, we tell ourselves that wrestling with our inner emotional life should be easier, but it never seems to be.
I like to think that Mary and Joseph had resources to draw on from their faith. We know that Mary prayed, we know that Joseph was sensitive to the guidance of God. We know they both had visions. But can visions sustain us in the di cult ‘one step after another’ nature of life?
How many times would Joseph have liked to take back his promise to care for Mary? How many times would Mary wish she had said no to the Angel?
They kept on to Bethlehem. Keep on with them. Love,
Matthew+ 

News & Announcements
Advent Outreach - the Giving Tree
Gifts for the Homeless Prenatal Program in San Francisco and Haven of Hope Homes in Santa Cruz are due back to church TODAY, Sunday, Dec. 20 and will be distributed
this week. Thanks to all who have given so generously!
Snow Day- Thanks!
A great Snow Day event yesterday! Thank you to George Philipp and all of the volunteers and Snow donors!
Christmas Pageant rehearsal today Virginia Fox has cast the pageant and speaking parts rehearse today after the service. Everyone else is welcome to come on Christmas Eve at 3:30 and take part.
Men’s Retreat: Roots
Where are your roots? Have you ever
been uprooted? When did you put down
new roots? Come and explore the idea
of rootedness at our Men’s Retreat, St. Dorothy’s Rest, Jan 8-10, 2016. A great gift for guys and a great way to start the new year. Registration forms are available today.
Annual Meeting
Our annual meeting takes place on Jan 31st after a combined service at 10am. We will share brunch and take time to re ect on our parish ministry, review our nances and elect parish leadership for the next year.
Nominations are open for the Vestry and Deanery Representatives posts, if you are interested in running for any of these roles, speak to any of our Nominating Committee members: Jan Jensen, Keith Jobe, Virginia Fox, Claudia Dierkes-Banks and George Philipp.

Join us for Christmas Season services!
Christmas Eve Pageant & Joyful Noise Eucharist
Thursday, December 24, 5:00pm
This is a wonderful service for children from ages0-99. ComeandseetheChristmasstory unfold. Join in if you’d like! We have many costumes, just join us for the rehearsal at 3:30pm to nd a part.
Christmas Eve Festival Eucharist
Thursday, December 24, 10:00pm with musical introit beginning at 9:45
For sublime music and thoughtful preaching about the nativity of our Lord, come to this service. It is a wonderful tradition for Christmas Eve and a great blessing to those who have come over many years.
Christmas Day Eucharist
Friday, December 25, 10:00am
A fun and relaxed service for those who like to start Christmas Morning with thoughtful worship and playful prayers. Children are welcome and asked to bring a gift along to show and tell, and we will hear about the Christmas Story in a gentle way amongst friends.
First Sunday after Christmas
Sunday, December 27
8am Traditional Eucharist 10am Community Eucharist
Join us on the First Sunday of Christmas to sing more carols and deepen your contemplation of the wonder of the incarnation.
Epiphany Sunday
Sunday, January 3, 2016 8am Traditional Eucharist 10am Community Eucharist
with Epiphany Potluck following
The Wise People return (having made a cameo at the Pageant on Christmas Eve),
​nd out about their gifts and what they tell us about the child born in Bethlehem.