Rector’s Update: Eucharist today and Christmas Eve
Dear Restoration,
“Therefore stay awake- for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning- lest he come suddenly and find you asleep.” (Mark 13:35-36)
I have loved the special ‘Opening Sentences of Scripture’ that have welcomed us into morning and evening prayer during this Advent Season. I am praying for our church to to stay attentive and alert as we seek to vigilant in our faithfulness to God. The weariness of this pandemic grows, but our Lord tires not.
I am writing to tell you about 5 important things in our life together!
- Outdoor, Mid-Week, In-person Eucharists on Wednesdays at Noon.
- Vestry Election Results
- Glebe Star Tree Updates
- Let’s Talk about Heaven on Dec. 17
- The Plan for Christmas Eve
It really won’t take long to read and then you’ll know all that you need to know!
Outdoor, Mid-Week, In-Person Eucharists on Wednesdays at Noon
The first one is today in Restoration’s backyard. Last week, in response to the rise of COVID-19 cases in our region, our vestry decided to limit our in-sanctuary, in-person worship on Sundays to 25 people. You can sign up to be a part of this weekly, smaller congregation, here. Because the opportunities to worship indoors are more limited, the clergy intend to offer additional outdoor Eucharists. During the month of December, you are invited to take the Eucharist at 12pm on Wednesdays in Restoration’s backyard. It will be chilly but we will be together! I am leading the first one today. You are warmly(!) invited.
Vestry Election Results
To our slate of 6 candidates who stood for vestry, thank you. You have served our congregation in myriad ways and we are grateful for all of your time and effort. To our members who voted in the vestry election, thank you. It was a different way to do it this year and I appreciate your participation.
The following people were elected to the vestry class of 2023. They will serve for 3 years.
- Dennis Wong
- Karen McNeilly
- Mary Jo Binker
We give thanks to God for you!
Glebe Star Tree Updates: There are only six stars left! Be a superhero who swoops in to grab one of the remaining few!
The following days/times are the last chance to drop off gifts:
- Thursday, December 10 5-7p
- Saturday, December 12 9-11a
- Sunday, December 13 12-2p
- Tuesday, December 15 5-7p
- Wednesday, December 16 7:30-9a; 11:30a-1p
- Thursday, December 17 — LAST DAY!!!! 5-7p
Hand your gift to an adult under the tent in the Restoration parking lot.
Questions? Reach out to Louise.
Let’s Talk about Heaven! Addressing your Questions about Death, Heaven & Eternity
As we continue in our Advent sermon series on Heaven, we want to let you know about an opportunity to ask your own questions about death, heaven, and eternity. There will be a conversational gathering on Thursday PM, Dec. 17 at 7:30 PM (via Zoom) to help address your questions. It will be hosted by Nathan Dickerson, along with Dr. Tremper Longman (Distinguished Scholar and Professor Emeritus of Biblical Studies, Westmont College) and Rev. Mary Amendolia Gardner (DMin. candidate, Artist, & Spiritual Director with Coracle).
Please RSVP here, which will include a link to submit your questions.
The Plan for Christmas Eve
On December 24, Restoration will offer a combination of YouTubeLive and In-Person worship.
Outdoor, in-person Eucharist will be offered by 4 different members of the clergy at 12:00, 4:00, 5:00, and 6:00. Each of these will include hand-held candles, quiet acapella singing of Silent Night, and the Eucharist. Everyone who attends must wear a face-covering and please be sensitive to our neighbors in where you choose to park. The lot at Quincy and 15th will be open, but we will not have a shuttle.
At 3:00pm we will broadcast a service over YouTubeLive that is aimed at our kids and features our beloved Director of Kids’ Small Groups, Louise Brooks alongside Rev. Isaiah Brooms.
At 7:00pm we will broadcast a service over YouTubeLive that resembles our traditional Christmas Eve Lessons and Carols. I invite you to watch it on Christmas Eve or on Christmas Day with those who are gathered in your home. It will be an opportunity to hear the story read by all of our clergy and to sing (a lot of) the carols for which you have been patiently waiting during this Advent season.
Christmas Eve and Christmas Day will be different for all of us this year. The Restoration staff hope that these opportunities to worship both in person and over YouTube Live will help you remember our hope in the God who came for us by becoming one of us.
Thanks for staying connected to all of the things that are happening in our church. As always, feel free to reach out to me with questions or concerns.
-David
