St. Thomas Newsletter December 2009 From The Pulpit | recently finished Dan Rather's book called | Remember. In it he tells about walking to school every morning in his old neighborhood. In a vacant lot he would come across the Flying Valentis practicing in their long tights and tank tops. The Flying Valentis were a troupe of circus acrobats who traveled and performed throughout the United States. Each morning was a great show without buying a ticket. They would catch each other from the flying trapeze and sometimes they would miss. We gasped when they fell into the safety nets. One thing he learned from them and used later in network television was that practice meant a lot of hard work. To be prepared and fine tuned was worthwhile but it took a lot of hard work. Things to do or try to get done during Advent, They will help you stay in tune with God as you prepare. On your list might be the following... *Make a commitment to read the Bible every day. *Each morning make out a prayer list. When you have a few spare moments that day, pull it out and pray for that person or situation. *Go Christmas caroling with a group. *Read the Christmas story from Luke to someone in the hospital or nursing home. *Make cookies for a family down the street and invite them to Christmas Eve worship. *Attend Bible Study. *Make a promise to God not to miss Sunday worship. The list could go on and on. That’s my Advent list. Make up your own list. Try something new each day or one thing new a week. You will be surprised that it does take hard work and preparation and discipline to carry through. But you will also be surprised that you will find yourself more in tune with God. And that is what Advent is all about. PASTOR MIKE Bi Anni i Birthdays Dec. 4" Cooper Stine Dec. 12” Bill Quayle Dec. 14” David Homsy Dec. 4" Angie Wiechers Anniversary None Ministry Schedules St. Thomas Lector Eucharistic Minister _Ushers/Greeters Accompanist Dec. 6" Bob Butcher Bill Quayle lane Lazzara / Shirley Hartlaub Bonnie Daniels Dec. 13" Mike Mabee Mike Mabee Bill & Lee Wahlers Jutie Quayle Dec. 20” Donna Becker Bob Butcher Jeff & Joy Roth Bonnie Daniels Dec. 24” David Barnes David Barnes Bob & Ann Butcher Julie Quayle Dec. 27" Bitl Quayle Bill Quayle Mike & Nancy Mabee Julie Quayle Oe RR OR ROR RR RR RR OR ROR Dates to Remember Dec. 6" — Ottawa County Holiday Bureau — See the bulletin board for more details Dec. 20" — St. Thomas - Decorate the Church for Christ's Birthday after 11:00 am Sunday Service Dec. 22", 23", 29" & 30" — No Bible Study Dec. 24" - Christmas Eve - Peace Lutheran Christmas Eve Service 5:00 pm St. Thomas Christmas Eve Service 10:00 pm Dec. 25" — Merry Christmas to All from Fr. Mike and the Staff of St. Thomas & Peace Lutheran Dec, 26" thru Dec. 31 — Fr. Mike will be on vacation Contact information Sunday Scripture Readings Dec. 6" Baruch 5: 1-9; Canticle St. Thomas Episcopal Church Philippians 1:3-11; Luke 3:1-6 214 East Second Street Port Clinton, Ohio 43452 Dec. 13" Zephaniah 3:14-20; Canticle 9; 419-734-3404 Philippians 4:4-7; Luke 3:7-18 419-734-0334 Fax st_thomas@cros.net e-mail Dec. 20" Micah 5:2-5a; Canticle 3; www.episcopalportclinton.com Hebrews 10:5-10; Luke 1:39-45 [46-55] Service Time: Sunday 11:00 a.m. Dec. 25" Isaiah 9:2-7; Psalm 96; Titus 2:11-14; Luke 2:1-14 [15-20] The Reverend Mike Wiechers 419-960-7052 Dec. 17" Isaiah 61:10 - 62:3; Psalm 147; wiechersmike@yahoo,cor Galatians 3:23-25; 4:4-7; John Office Hours: Monday & Wednesday ~ Peace Lutheran 9:00 -12:00 a.m. Tuesday & Thursday ~ St. Thomas 9:30 — 12:30 a.m. Friday — Day off St. Thomas Episcopal Church 214 East Second Street Port Clinton, Ohio 43452