Bulletin Announcements

We extend our thanks this morning to:

Please sign the Ritual of Friendship (attendance) pad this morning before passing it to the person sitting next to you

Commemorative pens and 2009 pocket planners are available for $2 each on the table in the fellowship hall.

If your child becomes restless during the worship service, we have a nursery downstairs that you are welcome to use.  The worship service can be heard through the speaker system in that room.

Letters have been mailed concerning the 2009 budget.  Please give prayerful consideration to the details included in the letter.  If you have not yet returned the declaration of intention and the completed pledge card, we would appreciate your immediate attention to this matter.  These responses will be critical as we plan for the meeting on December 7^th to approve the 2009 budget.

A gentle reminder to the Elders and members of the Consistory Committee that their monthly meetings will be held tomorrow evening at 6:30 and 7 p.m., respectively.  If you will be unable to attend the meeting, please notify Scott Marshall or the church office as soon as possible.

Sunday School teachers:  If you are currently teaching or helping with our Sunday school or anticipate helping in the future, please come to a meeting on Tuesday evening, November 18^th at 7:30 p.m.  We would appreciate your input and any ideas you have as we look ahead and plan for our children’s Sunday school.

Any articles or announcements for the December, 2008 issue of the Chronicle  need to be submitted to the church office on or before Thursday, November 20^th.

The annual food drive will continue through Sunday, November 23rd.  Donations of non-perishable food items and paper products are being collected in the narthex.  Cash donations are needed to complete the baskets that will be given to four families in the Dexter area in time for Thanksgiving.

New Adult Class

Viewing Questions of Faith

The adult class will be meeting with Pastor Summers every Sunday morning at 9:30 am.  The adult class is beginning with a series entitled, Questions of Faith. The opening narration sums up the series with these words, "Throughout life, we find ourselves face to face with basic questions of belief and meaning. Sometimes we outgrow our answers. We may even decide the questions themselves don’t really matter any longer. But humans seem to thirst for meaning, and to find it, every generation must ask these questions anew in the light of their times. This series presents a variety of contemporary thinkers giving their responses. We hope that what they say will provoke responses in you and help in your struggle with the questions."

The video series topics will be:

November 23: "What’s Being Good Good For?"

November 30: "Who Needs Organized Religion?"

December 7: "What Matters, Anyway?"

All are welcome, and with this series don’t worry if you will miss

a class. Attend as often as you can!

On Wednesday, November 26, an Ecumenical Worship Service will be held at 7 p.m. at St. James Episcopal Church, 3279 Broad Street.  All are invited and encouraged to attend the community-wide worship service.  Our own Dr. Bob Summers will be delivering the Thanksgiving Message.

In James 5:14-15, the Bible states that when we need healing, to call the elders and the faithful and have them lay their hands on you, anoint you with oil, and pray for you. On Sunday, Nov. 30^th after the service, I am asking you to help me do what it says. Just remain in your seats when others go downstairs and Joanne will lead us in worship and prayer.  Anyone else in need of any kind of healing or prayer for themselves or someone they care for is welcome to join me in being blessed. Thank you,

Marcia Rankin

 Youth Ministry Update

Please help us welcome our new youth ministry team member John Marshall!  John brings his unique energy and musical gifts to our youth ministry program.  He joins us on Wednesday evenings at 7:30 pm for TGIF (Teens Gathering In Fellowship).  Please take time to thank John for joining St. Andrew's Youth Ministry.

Parents of Sunday school children:  When you bring your children to Sunday school, please take a moment to fill out an information sheet for our records.  Thank you.

Please help us continue to support our Ethiopian friend, Gudeta, by bringing your empty bottles and cans and placing them in the bin by the Sunday school rooms.

Reaching out to Dexter Families at Christmas.  Again this Christmas, St. Andrew’s has adopted families through Dexter Family Service.  We have three families, with a total of fourteen people, for whom we have promised gifts.  We have a need/wish list for each family member and that information will be available downstairs in the fellowship hall following today’s service.  Please stop by and lend your support by selecting one or more family members.  It is not required that all gifts listed be purchased, but perhaps by teaming up with another person or family, that might be possible.  Please see or contact Betty Davenport (426-4093) or Elaine Owsley (426-4980) if you have any questions.

“Seniors Get Stuffed” – Friday, November 28^th from noon to 2 pm at the Dexter Senior Center.  Once again this year our community leaders are coming together to deliver a traditional Thanksgiving feast to the seniors of our community.  Those 55 years of age and older or disabled are invited to attend this free dinner.  The WAVE bus will not be operating that day.  Homebound meals will be available; please contact Cindy at 426-5397 to have a meal delivered to your home.   Dexter – what a wonderful community!

Hanging of the Greens

Sunday, November 23, 2008

Luncheon and Decorating

Following the Worship Service

We are trying something different this year for the Hanging of the Greens decorating.  Following the worship service on Sunday, November 23^rd, we will be having chili, salad and bread at noon (beverages provided).  Decorators are asked to bring a small pan of chili to church that morning.  We will be mixing all of the chili together in one crock pot for a spectacular lunch.  After lunch, the decorating will begin and it should only take us a couple of hours to complete.

Even if chili is not your favorite meal, we will have plenty of salad and bread to fill you up.  So that we can anticipate how much salad and bread to purchase, please use the sign up sheet on the table outside the church office.  If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the church office during regular business hours.