Pastor Bob here – I’m taking some vacation time in the weeks after Christmas. We’ve got some great worship lined up for you on the two Sundays I’ll be out. If you’re in need of emergency pastoral care, just give the church office a call – I’m doing a covid staycation at home, and am still here if you need me.
Wishing you all a joyous new year!
Thanks to everyone who donated flowers to decorate our worship space this Christmas! Filming has wrapped in the sanctuary, and you are welcome to bring your Christmas flowers home to enjoy. Please call the office to schedule a pick-up time.
Join us this Christmas Eve for a beautiful candlelight worship – right from your own home! It’s easy and you don’t even need a computer or a smartphone.
You can join us live at 7:30 pm using the usual instructions for our Sunday morning worship, which can be found here.
And if your family likes a midnight mass or church on Christmas morning, our service will be available for you to watch and rewatch any time on YouTube.
Thanks to all of our talented worship leaders and musicians… we can’t wait to share this most special service with you!
Under the CARES Act, you can deduct up to $300 in donations to qualified nonprofits in 2020 – even if you take the standard deduction. Now is the perfect time to financially support your church’s ministry!
Visit the IRS website to learn more about this opportunity.
The world around you insists “it’s the most wonderful time of the year!” You try to smile politely, but inside your feelings of sadness, loss and loneliness seem to get worse around Christmas. You steel yourself up to “have a blue Christmas.”
If this is painfully familiar, we invite you to one of eight “Blue Christmas” or “Longest Night” services being offered by congregations around our synod. These services are intended to give those grieving a safe place to gather in God’s presence to receive comfort and encouragement during what can be a difficult season.
Especially convenient, you don’t even need to leave your home to attend.
If you’re struggling to put on a brave face this Christmas, why not let down your mask for a little while among people who understand what you’re going through, and hear the good news once again that Jesus is with you right where you are?
If you or someone you love is in need, the Monroeville Public Library maintains a list of resources in our area for seeking help.
We will not be able to provide gift bags to our homebound members this year for Christmas, SOOOO let’s shower them with Christmas cards! A list of our homebound members is available from Donna, our secretary. It is available as a paper copy or it can be emailed to you. While you are at it, think of some of our other members that could use some Christmas cheer and send them a card too!
Val Corbin has placed a sign by our church driveway entrance which contains FREE masks. She could use some help keeping it supplied. If you can help, there are Joann Fabrics gift cards available in the church office to help purchase supplies. Please call the office if you are interested.
Please wear your mask, limit group activities and stay 6 feet away!
Harvest Sunday was November 22 but we are continuing to collect non-perishable food and personal care items. These items will go to local food banks, restock the pantry at Good Shepherd and, be used to provide food for several families in the Gateway School District. Recently a request was made to the Monroeville Interfaith Ministerium. The Gateway School District asked for food and cold-weather clothing items for families in the district in need. The Service Committee used some of the money in their budget to purchase food and Giant Eagle gift cards. Bags were delivered to Ramsey Elementary on November 17th. Seven additional bags have been assembled and will be taken to University Park Elementary next week. If you have new or gently used hats, gloves, coats or boots that you can part with, we will be collecting those at Good Shepherd too. We will donate those to families in the school district as soon as we get more detailed information. Thank you for all that you do for our neighbors in need!
Did you pick up your Advent wreath making supplies yet? They are available in Fellowship Hall. Here is a picture of what one member did…
Show us what your family has created with your Advent Wreath!
