St. Paul's Episcopal Church

 Be still … Hark! … Pay close attention … Listen … Quiet us, Lord, that we might be able to hear, over the noise of our busy lives, beyond the clutter of our Christmas preparations; Help us to become still, even for a moment, that we might hear the herald of your angel voices: “Glory!” … “Peace on Earth” … “Mercy” … “Reconciliation” … “Joy!” … “Christ is born.” The message of the ages still rings out for those willing to listen. This is our desire. Open us that we might hear. Today … Now. We pray this in the name of the One who was born where he was welcomed: a garage out back. Come, Jesus, into our home. Welcome! Amen.

At St. Paul’s the ancient, hand-made crech figures-the shepherds and the sheep, the village folk, Mary, Joseph and the donkey,  the three Kings- all have begun their travels from different parts of the sanctuary to meet, once again, at the manger on Christmas Eve. 
To those of his own time-Jews and Romans alike-as to still others today, Jesus was just another baby, nothing very special at all. Concerned with things past and things future, the babe in their midst was of little consequence. Preoccupied with what used to be, obsessed with what might yet be, they and we fail to see and savor what simply is.  
Those who lingered around the manger in Bethlehem knew somehow that God was present, that a powerful reconciliation was beginning, a gap bridged between what has been and is yet to be. Come to the manger again, hold the baby in mind and heart, and realize once again that God is with us.
Rev Christine Soule
 
Outreach Committee
The Outreach Committee met and decided the following distribution of the Third Quarter Outreach Offering of $600:
Local: Cheney Outreach – $150, Cheney Food Bank – $75, Medical Lake Outreach & Food Bank – $75
International: Haiti School Project, St. Andre’s School in Cazale, c/o St. John’s Cathedral – $300.
 
Christmas Gifts for Cheney Kids – Please bring your gifts to St. Paul’s no later than Sunday, December 11, for children ages birth through high school.  Gift suggestions include books, toys, sports equipment, crafts, warm clothing. Distribution will take place at the Wren Pierson Multi-purpose Room, 615 Fourth Street, on Wednesday, December 14.  Last year, over 200 needy families took part in this program under the auspices of Cheney Outreach.
 
Cheney High School Special Needs kids continue to come each Wednesday to help clean the church, under the supervision of a school staff member and myself, the purpose being to teach skills and good work habits.
 
Submitted by:
Susan Durrie,
Outreach Committee
2011 Pledges
Please do all you possibly can to fulfill your pledge of financial support for 2011 by December 31.  It is difficult with our software to enter payments made after the 31st in our 2011 ledger.  Your cooperation is greatly appreciated. 
 
2012 Annual Meeting
We will hold our 2012 annual meeting on Sunday, January 29 following our traditional mid-day potluck dinner after our church service.  Those submitting reports need to have 20 copies to George Durrie by Wednesday, January 18 so that the materials can be assembled and made available to the congregation by Sunday, January 22. ‘We will also elect members to the Bishop’s Committee and select our delegates and alternates to the 2012 Diocesan Convention.  If you are willing to serve in one of these governance ministries at St Paul’s, or need more information about them, please contact either Rev. Christine Soule or George Durrie.’
 
BISHOP’S VISIT/CONFIRMATIONSBishop Waggoner is scheduled to preside and preach at St Paul’s on Sunday, February 19, 2012, at 11am.  At this service the Bishop will confirm Kathi McKinley, Lyn Megow, and hopefully, J W Dalton.  Please mark your calendars for this very special celebration Sunday. We will have a potluck in honor of the confirmands!!
 
CAMPUS NEWS
EWU students at St. Paul’s are halfway through their study of each faith belief (about 40 in all) from the book Religious Literacy by Stephen Prothero. We meet each Monday at 5pm for dinner, study, service. The student’s service project has been to serve in the kitchen at the monthly FEED CHENEY dinners. A special thanks for their good work!!
 
PRAYERS
Sara and Faron Link continue to live at the Willow Springs. Kathy Lamphere and Christine+  have been taking home communion to them weekly as Faron has had some breathing problems. They hope to attend Christmas Eve services.
 
Brock Byers has come through a couple of serious heart surgeries. We are thankful he is on the mend reported by Evalyn.
Kathy Lamphere will take over the service at the Cheney Care Center starting this Sunday, December 18th. Ever faithful organist Ruth Blackshaw and Lea Simpson will assist.
 
 
In you we find our true joy, O God. From you we receive real peace, O Christ. Through you we step out in faith, O Spirit. Forgive us when we seek joy where it cannot be found. Forgive us when we derive peace from the things which do not make for it. Forgive us when we walk without the power or direction to really move. May this worship, Lord God, be a time of seeking and finding, asking and receiving, knocking and opening. For those willing to enter your ADVENTure, these things you have promised. And you are faithful, even when we are not. Thank you, and praise you. Amen.

Please join us for dinner each Monday evening at 5 pm in the parish hall.  Following dinner we will have a short bible study and/or worship service.  Bring a friend!

Students here is an opportunity to serve the community. We need volunteers-that’s you-to serve on the last Monday of each month-5-6 pm at the Cheney Recreation Center.

 This program is supported by
St. Paul’s. Rev Christine Soule 235-6150

St. Paul's, Cheney, WA

• Service Times: Sundays at 11 a.m.
  
• Ministry: Rev. Christine Soule, Community Priest [E-mail]
  Rev. Killy Balabanis, Deacon
• Location: 625 ‘C’ Street, Cheney, WA 99001 [map]
  
• Telephone: 509.235.6150
• Newsletter: News from St. Paul’s [Past Newsletters] [Adobe Reader]