For a printable PDF version of this week’s newsletter, please click Engaged Weekly 120918

As the Lord comes to enlighten and brighten our lives and the world with the presence of God that exalts the lowly and humbles the exalted, feeds the hungry and awakens the full, forgives the sinner and subdues the proud.  Mark your calendars now to share in any or all of the following events that will help introduce the faith formation resources for the focus Bible passage for each week during the season:

Weekly Devotional Videos and Texts
Sign up on the All Good Gifts card, at the Ministry Sign-up Table or at email@engagedbygrace.org to have your cell number included for a weekly introductory devotional video message on Thursdays with a follow-up text on Tuesdays during the season.

Devotional Printed Materials
Find all seasonal devotional materials in printable format on the church website at www.engagedbygrace.org

Hanging of the Greens and Candle-making Event
From 9:00 – 11:00 am on Saturday, December 1, join all ages in the congregation for a Hanging of the Greens and Candle-making Event with special music and seasonal refreshments.  In addition to decorating the church and putting up the hat and mitten tree, we will be making candles to use during our own devotions during the season with extras to be delivered as gifts to our homebound friends.

Advent Worship with Holden Evening Prayer
From 6:30 – 7:00 pm on Thursday, December 6, share with all people of all ages in a sung Advent worship service drawn from evening prayer at the Holden Villages Retreat Community in the state of Washington.

Christmas Caroling and Candle Delivery
From 2:00-4:00 pm on Sunday, December 9, caravan with people of all ages to sing Christmas carols for our homebound friends and neighbors, sharing handmade devotional candles with them as well.

Holiday Camp-in
From 7:00 pm, Thursday, January 3 through 10:00 am Friday, January 4, engage with people of all ages in an evening and morning of Bible games, group activities and fellowship, camping out in Grace Hall or commuting back and forth to your own bed as you desire!

Please see any of the Advent, Christmas and Epiphany creative team members with questions, suggestion and offers to help with these activities:  Mike Christman, MaryAnn Erdmann, Liz and Jim Roth, Director for Equipping Ministers Laura Hudson, Minister of Music Josh Brodbeck, Vicar Andrew Potsko or Pastor Steve Wachtman.

If you would like to purchase a poinsettia to beautify the sanctuary on Christmas Eve, please contact the church office or sign up at the Collection & Sign up Corner.  The cost is $8 per plant.

Sign-up sheets are now available for 2019 altar flower memorials and dedications.  The cost is $30 and checks can be made payable to Holy Trinity with “flowers” noted in the memo line.  Thank you for supporting this ministry!

On Sunday, December 16 the Delaware Chorus, under the direction of Joshua Brodbeck, will present their holiday concert. Performances will take place at Asbury United Methodist Church, 1586 Clifton Ave. Delaware, Ohio at 3:00 pm and at 5:00 pm.  The Chorus, accompanied by a chamber orchestra, will feature John Rutter’s “Magnificat” as well as carols by Rutter and delightful songs of the season. Tickets may be purchased through individual chorus members or at www.delawarechorus.com.  Tickets are also available at the door as they are available.

Invite your friends and family to join us for any of our three worship opportunities on Monday, December 24:

• 4:00 pm – Children’s Candlelight Christmas Eve Service
• 8:00 pm – Candlelight Christmas Eve Service with Communion and Choir
• 11:00 pm – Candlelight Christmas Eve Service with Communion and Choir

You may have noticed some new faces in the choir at the 8:30 & 10:30 worship services. They are choral scholars from Capital University. Jane, Hannah, Drew and Gareth all study music at Capital and will be singing on Sunday mornings so we can have a choir at both services. We would love to have more people join us in this important ministry. Please see Joshua Brodbeck for more details or email at joshua.brodbeck@engagedbygrace.org.

It’s December and preparations for Christmas are underway.  Unfortunately, for some, this is a period of great stress, inadequate sleep, and too much busyness.  Is this what Advent is all about?  Jesus said, Here I am!  I stand at the door and knock.  If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with Me (Revelation 3:20).  What a pleasant request!  Shut the door of the world.  Open the door of your heart.  Enjoy the fellowship with Jesus! For more information on stewardship, please contact Max Buban .

For a printable PDF version of this week’s newsletter, please click Engaged Weekly 120218

Monday, December 3, 2018 at 7:30 pm:  Community Messiah Sing

Friday, December 7, 2018 at 7:30 pm:  “Out of Darkness Comes the Light: Lessons and Carols for Advent and Christmas”featuring the Wittenberg Choir, Wittenberg Handbell Choir, Wittenberg Singers, Imani Gospel Choir, and the Wittenberg Chamber Orchestra (Pre-service music begins at 7:00 pm).

Both events take place at Weaver Chapel, 4 East Campus Drive, Springfield, OH.  For more information, please contact Weaver Chapel, 937-327-7411. or www.wittenberg.edu.