Human Beings - Spiritual Doings

 

Advent is a season of anticipation. The first season of the Church’s liturgical year, it occurs in “real time” at the very end of the calendar year. Only four short weeks long, it was once upon a time referred to as a “little Lent,” a season of penitence and self-denial in preparation for one of the two great feasts of the Christians yearly walk with God, The Nativity of Our Lord…Christmas. The origin of Advent as a liturgical season is lost in history. Some of the oldest usages go back to around year 490 of the Common Era, when the Bishop of Tours called for a season of penitence and fasting from the feast of St. Martin (November 11th) to the feast of the Epiphany (January 6th). We walk a ragged line with Advent between a season of penitence (those dark purples and the voices of strident preachers to forsake singing carols and hanging Christmas ornaments “until it is time to do so”) and a season of anticipation…singing carols, decorating trees and jumping headlong into holiday prep and celebration.

 

Now, in our time, Advent is a season that runs around like a sad and forgotten cousin to bigger and more important holidays and seasons. Those short, too short, weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas just don’t possess enough daylight hours for us to be able to accomplish or achieve all that needs to be done. Presents must be bought and wrapped, travel plans made and executed, visits to friends and colleagues arranged and reciprocated. Into this bedlam comes the lone voice of your preacher who calls upon you to “STOP” and to “LOOK” and to “WAIT” upon God.

 

You see, there is one firm promise God makes to us in Advent, no matter the cycle of readings we have in our Sunday bulletins. Whether it is an Old Testament prophet calling out to God “How Long O LORD, HOW LONG!!!” or John the Baptist crying out like a voice in the wilderness to prepare the WAY OF THE LORD, Advent is a time when we are exhorted to step away from our own busy lives to take a moment to dwell in God’s time and space, in purple/blue shaded expectation that God really is about to do a new thing among us.

 

St. Andrew’s hurtles into Advent this year consumed in an energy it has not felt in decades. We are truly Advent people. This season of anticipation has little to do with those ancient eight weeks of “Little Lent” that the Bishop of Tours exhorted his followers to over 1500 years ago. We are very future minded around here. The search committee is actively engaged in looking at candidates for the calling of a new rector. The School Board and Vestry are working hard in planning for the fiscal health of the parish. The staff and volunteers of the parish are working on lists an arm length long, preparing for the celebrations of the season, both liturgical and social. We are even now in the midst of our annual Stewardship Drive and hoping for a response that allows us to dream even more ambitiously with God about the future of St. Andrew’s ministries and programs…and all the while…we wait.

 

We wait on God to guide the spirit of the search. We wait on God to give us good news on the stewardship front. We wait on God for good weather for the holidays, for safe travel and warm returns of loved ones to home and hearth. We wait on God to be born so that we can release all this preparing and anticipatory energy…so that we can celebrate with abandon. We wait on God for so many things.

 

The thing is, can you imagine waiting passively for any of these things to come to pass? Absolutely not!  Like the prophets of old,

we DO call out “How Long!” Like John the Baptist we cry out with wilderness voices for God to be active here and now. Waiting is not a simple thing, nor is it easy…and in the face of that daunting task; it is easy to allow the rest of the holiday noise to sweep us away from being attentive to God being active in our lives.

Advent, now in this modern age, is a time to see the future…and to see where God is calling us. Don’t miss a moment of this season of anticipation!

 

I wish, however, to leave you with one of my favorite inspirational quotes to help you put all this “hustle and bustle” back into perspective and allow your minds to view the Christmas chaos from a healthier and more centered starting point:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


So, take a moment…or two…or three in the next couple of weeks to wait on God. What do you need to ask of God in this season of anticipation? What does St. Andrew’s need from you? What do you need from St. Andrew’s? Waiting is not hesitation…it is an active state and as spiritual beings it is our sacred call to answer in the season of Advent.

 

Marshall+

 

 

Warden’s Words

 

 

I recently visited my son and new grand-daughter in Minneapolis.  It was a great visit and the first time in ages that I had been an extended guest.  It caused me to reflect on the fact that in our four score years plus ten, we are all guests, in a sense.  While there, I was motivated to wash dishes, blow leaves, change diapers, cook, and in any way I could, “give back.”  Perhaps that’s what makes a visit memorable.  As we enter our season of Stewardship hopefully we will all reflect on giving to sustain our family and to make “a difference.” 

 

My older daughter was able to join us in Minneapolis and she also richly enjoyed her visit, caring for baby Maggie, cooking, going to the park with Noah, and picking up toy trains.  Kate made the unsolicited observation that she too experienced a richer visit because she “gave back.”  That’s what really motivated me to craft this brief note.

 

Perhaps as we experience the grace and blessings of this good life here at St. Andrew’s we too could enrich our sense of being a loving, caring, family, and enhance the general sense of well-being by giving generously so that we sustain and grow this place where we experience community and family.

 

It is important and it is our opportunity to demonstrate to the world the depth of our commitment to a life in Christ.  I urge you to prayerfully and thoughtfully consider your financial contribution to the well-being of our Parish life.

 

Back here at home, on the campus of St. Andrew’s, we are still awaiting a survey of our roof/leak problems with another Contractor to come on Nov. 23.  We continue to work on balancing our heating problems (particularly in the Parish Hall), and expect to have some landscaping work done on the lower playground, soon. (See Buildings & Grounds Article for more details)

 

Advent is soon upon us and cold weather is coming.  Our Vicarage needs repair and life goes on.  But as we reflect on our “visit” here on this good earth, it is important that we give back to enrich our own lives and to continue to grow and develop our life in faith.

 

David Morris, Senior Warden

 

 

 

 

Stewardship

 

As we launch this year’s Stewardship Campaign we have already received the strong support of the Vestry, all of whom made their individual pledges over a month ago.  We have begun receiving pledge cards and are optimistic that the breadth of participation in our Parish will extend to all families.  It is a relatively common feeling, expressed by many, that there is more life, energy, caring, and Spirit among us in this past year.  There also has been some concern expressed that the momentum might not continue with the anticipated selection of a new Rector. 

 

However, we are and have been richly blessed.  There is much to do, and more resources are needed.  Our future outlook is within our own making. We can and we will continue to grow our spiritual life here at St. Andrew’s through the prayerful and careful consideration of a pledge: to help maintain, as well as, expand and grow our community of faith.  You can do us and St. Andrew’s  a favor and fill out your pledge cards and send them in to the office, or drop them in my mailbox in the Sacristy Hallway, as soon as possible.

 

Hamilton Slye, Stewardship  Chair

 

 

BROTHERHOOD OF ST. ANDREW

 

St. Andrew’s Chapter of the Brotherhood accepted two new members last month and began its first project: the painting of the upstairs hallway and the Sacristy hallway.  We will be meeting on November 20th and we invite all men to join us in the Parish Hall @ 8:30 am.  The President of our Priory, Mr. Bob Dennis has invited us to a Training Day in Woodbridge on January 8.  This meeting will give us an opportunity to meet with other Chapters in the Diocese and to jointly share ideas about this important men’s ministry. Please join us on the 20th or speak to any member about your interest in becoming a part of our local Chapter

.

Joe La Para, Sec. & David Morris, Chapter Pres

 

 

 

Buildings and Grounds

 

In the recent past we have had one contractor do a preliminary assessment of our roofing problems and he indicated a need to come back to “walk the roof.”  At this writing, that has not happened. But we continue to be optimistic that he will follow through.  We also anticipate another contractor review on Saturday, Nov. 20th.

 

As regards to our heating issue: we have on order a part that we are hopeful will solve our current heating problems in the Parish Hall, once and for all.  Keep your fingers crossed,

 and pray! 

 

Finally, we will be completing landscape work on the lower playground and expect to have a gate installed there shortly.

 

Each one of us at St. Andrew’s should express our appreciation to GOSA and the work they have done to prepare our grounds for Winter.

 

David Morris, Senior Warden

 

 

Coming Events

 

November 28:    8:00am Service GREAT LITANY& Holy Eucharist     FIRST ADVENT

 10:00am Service GREAT LITANY& Holy Eucharist

 11:30am Advent Wreath Making  (after 10 am service)

                         4 pm EVENSONG Feast of St. Andrew Celebration & Potluck Dinner

December  5:      8:00am Service Holy Eucharist     SECOND ADVENT

 10:00am Service Holy Eucharist  YOUTH CHOIR SINGS    St. Nicholas’ Visit

Cookies for the Troops (drop off - Sunday and Monday-mailed Tuesday  the 7th)

December 12:     8:00am Service Holy Eucharist     THIRD ADVENT

 10:00am Service     Decorating the Chrismon Tree,  Chrismon Refreshments

                           Narrative Rehearsal (after 10 am service)

December 18:     10am -12 noon Narrative Rehearsal, Costumes distributed

December 19:     8:00am Service Holy Eucharist     FOURTH ADVENT

                         10:00am Service    Lighting of the Chrismon Tree

December 22:     6:00PM (Wed) Greening of the Church & Pot Luck Supper

December 24:     3:15pm  Cast MEET in the Parish Hall   CHRISTMAS EVE

  4:00pm Christmas Narrative (w/ live sheep) & Holy Eucharist

  9:00pm  Christmas Carols

  9:30pm  Festal Eucharist

December 25:     9:00am Holy Eucharist    CHRISTMAS DAY (Nativity of our Lord)

December 26:    8:00am Service Holy Eucharist     FIRST CHRISTMAS

                         10:00am Service    LESSONS & CAROLS (Youth Readers)


 

 

 

Cookies for the Troops

 

WHAT BETTER WAY TO SAY THANK YOU FOR KEEPING US SAFE THIS HOLIDAY SEASON, THAN SENDING COOKIES TO THE TROOPS?

 

Though it can not truly make up for the warmth of sharing the holidays with loved ones...it WILL let them know that we think about them... and care about them... and that we are grateful for all that they do to make our holidays safe here at home.   So bake some cookies and send HOLIDAY CHEER to the men and women serving in the military.  Bring your cookies to church on Sunday Dec. 5th, & Monday the 6th.  Chris Friedlander and her volunteers will box them and send them on Tue. Dec. 7th.  Want to help box up cookies on the 7th?   

 

To Sign up, please call: Chris Friedlander          (908) 464-0324

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 


Sunday School Spirit

By Joyce Kern

           

 

Advent Wreath Making, Sunday November 28

 

Join us for a festive time of making an Advent wreath for your home to light during the Advent season. We will gather in the Parish Hall at 11:30 on November 28 after the service. Advent Wreath forms are on pg. 17 of this NET and in the Weekly Reminder to order a wreath. Return the form to the church office early so we can have wreath supplies for you. Karen Talbot is advising and  instructing our  volunteers this year.

 

Thanks to everyone!

 

       

St. Nicholas Sunday, December 5

 

St. Nicholas will make a visit at the 10am service. After the service he will have St. Nicholas gifts for children in the tradition of long ago. St. Nicholas was known for doing good deeds for others, particularly children and seafarers.

 

 

Decorating The Chrismon Tree, December 12

 

The word “Chrismon” means Christ’s Monogram.

 

You are invited to come and help the children decorate the Chrimon Tree! It is a Christian Tree with symbols in gold and white to honor Christ.

 

The “Decorating of the Chrismon Tree” will be held on December 12 during the 10:00AM worship service.

 

This year we will decorate the tree in a new way!

 

Ornaments from 1999-2003 will be given to individuals upon entering the 10am services, they will go up front and put ornaments on the tree before the service begins. When the Sunday School children enter the services, they will place the ornaments they decorated this year on the tree. Come early and join us!

 

Symbols and Chrismons

 

A Chrismon is a SYMBOL that tells or COMMUNICATES something about Christ.. We fill our tree with Chrismons just as we try to fill our lives with Christ during the holiday season. When we place our ornaments on the tree it becomes a BANNER

Did you know?

·        Banners are rooted in symbols and can be traced to drawings on cave walls

·        Banners are more than decorations. They SIGNIFY something, they COMMUNICATE thoughts and ideas

·        Banners were teaching tools for the congregations long ago, most of who could not read or write.

 

From :  The Complete Banner Book by Janet Litherlano, where many of the ornament designs for our tree were found

 

Lighting of the Chrismon Tree, December 19

 

This is the Fourth Sunday in Advent.

 

The 2004 Theme is Church Seasons

 

Joyce Kern designed the ornaments and theme

 

Margery Ashmun and Elizabeth Jordan volunteered to help prepare the ornaments this year for the children that represent the seasons of Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, Lent, Easter and Pentecost. Grades Toddler to Grade 7 decorated the Chrismon ornaments at a workshop held Nov. 7th and learned about the church seasons that the ornaments symbolize.

 

Operation Christmas Child Appreciation

 

Thanks to everyone who participated in the Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Gifts for children in need around the world…filled with educational supplies, toys, clothing and other necessities of life!

 

The 2004 “Shoebox Gifts” are now on their way, sending a Christmas message to others about Love and God’s Gift to us…Jesus Christ. Adults and children experience the joy of giving from the church school Christmas Shoebox project to help others.

 

This year there will be 80 smiles on the faces of children when the 80 Shoebox Gifts are opened around the world!

 

Thanks to Chairpersons Jennifer Carriker, Cynthia Macdonald and Maggy Taylor for helping to coordinated this Sunday School Outreach Project that goes around the world at Christmas. Our gratitude to the people of St. Andrew’s Church, Sunday School and Nursery School who packed an Operation Christmas Child Shoebox for a child in need at Christmas.

 

Christmas Blessings to All,

 

Joyce Kern

 

 

 

Do You Hear What I Hear?

 

Can that be the voices of excited children as they prepare for the annual St. Andrew’s tradition of the Christmas Narrative?

 

 

It’s almost that time of year!

 

 

This heartwarming tradition provides our younger church members with the important job of retelling the story of the first Christmas.  It is always a joy to see the little ones shield their eyes and look with awe upon the angel of the Lord, gently cradle the Baby or present the gifts of kings. It is also a joy to see the older cast members directing the efforts of the younger children in roles that they themselves once played.

 

 

Plan to join us as a cast member, adult helper, or as a member of the audience!

 

 

Important Narrative Dates:

 

Nov. 21st, 28th, and Dec.5:

Sign up sheets distributed during Sunday School.

 

December 7th:

The final day that sign up sheets can be accepted.

 

December 12th:

Rehearsal following the 10:00 a.m. service.

December 18th:

Dress rehearsal from 10:00 a.m. until noon.

 

December 24th:

The Narrative begins at 4:00 p.m.  All cast members are asked to arrive at 3:15.

 

 

Eileen Fairchild, Director of ’04 Narrative

 

NURSERY SCHOOL NEWS

 

It seems like we just decorated our classrooms with brightly colored leaves, jack-o-lanterns, and spooky ghosts and quickly we move into Thanksgiving and Christmas. 

I enjoy the excitement the children experience while baking cornbread, grinding cranberries to make relish, and playing in teepees.  The children are also learning; Native American games, sign language, songs and finger plays and that the Native Americans earned the feathers on their headbands. I invite all to visit our classrooms and experience what our children are learning each day!

St. Andrew’s held a Crisis Management drill for “severe weather” on November 9 and 10.  The faculty, staff, and the children performed this drill successfully.  Everyone did a terrific job on proceeding to the scheduled “safe area” and sitting quietly...in UNDER 7 MINUTES!

I am actively involved in arranging tours for our nursery school and kindergarten for the 2005-2006 school year.  Prospective parents tour the school facilities while in session and observe the educational and social experiences that we offer the children.

Kindergarten Open House was held on Wednesday, November10 and we had a great showing of our St Andrew’s parents and families from our surrounding communities. We our very proud of the unique and innovative program that is offered to kindergarten children!

The Christmas season will be upon us in just a few weeks and we are excited about the many events that the church and school have supported through the years. Your support and volunteerism through the many Parent Association events and our Outreach Giving Tree project is truly a “work of heart”.

St. Andrew’s Nursery School and Kindergarten wishes you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year.

 

Diane Kostibos, Director of the Nursery School

 

Parent's Night Out
 
On Friday November 12 the nursery school and kindergarten hosted their second Parents Night Out. From 6:00 - 8:30 P.M. students and their siblings (ages 2 ½ -10) came and enjoyed a fun filled evening at St. Andrew's  with the “babysitters” (who are volunteers from within the community of St. Andrew’s  teachers and parents) while their parents enjoyed a couple of hours of "adult time".  We are looking forward to our spring Friday Night Out in May. Parent’s Night Out is offered three times a year, Oct. Nov. and May. Contact the school office for more information.
 
Mary Engelbrechtsen, Chair
 

Cookie Dough Fundraiser

 

The cookie dough fundraiser was a big success!!  Almost $4,500 was raised for the school by parents of students and church members.  It was a great cooperative effort by all and the money raised will be used for teacher education, scholarships and classroom and playground equipment.  

 
Annette Emanuel, Chair
 
Christmas Luncheon
 
On Thursday December 16 the St. Andrew’s Nursery School  & Church (teachers and office staff) will enjoy a festive holiday catered luncheon with assistance from the Parents Association.  While parent volunteers provide classroom coverage the entire staff will enjoy lunch together in the Parish Hall.  It's a way for all of us at St. Andrew's to say not only Happy Holidays but also thank you for another great year!      
 
Amy Evans, Chair

 

 

 

 

St. Andrew’s Parent’s Association Events

 

 

Deck the Halls Holiday Ornament Sale

 

 

Tuesday Dec. 7th & Wednesday Dec. 8th

In the parish hall

(during scheduled school hours)

 

 

·         Please look through your holiday decorations and donate to the school either new or slightly used ornaments.  Please bring them to the nursery school office before Friday Dec. 3rd.

·         See first hand the smiles on the children’s faces when they go shopping for their own ornaments! We need people to donate their time during the school day to help them select their ornaments.

 

The ornaments will be on display in the parish hall and the children, with the help of parent volunteers, will be able to purchase them for $1.00 each during a scheduled time of the school day.  The ornaments will be wrapped and the children can bring them home as a special gift for their families.

 

All proceeds go directly to St. Andrew’s Nursery School & Kindergarten

 

Thank you for helping make this event a success. We hope to make this holiday season special for all!

 

 

Therese Farid 973-635-0655 or

Christine Pitarresi 908-665-2227

Co Chairs St. Andrew’s Nursery School

 

First Ever Cookie Exchange

 

December 14  from 9:15 am- 2 pm.

 

Please bring in at least three dozen cookies, in bags of 12 with recipe attached. Take home the same amount that you brought in! Make it great--please no chocolate chip or slice and bake! If you have questions or would like to volunteer to help: Please call Sally Schacht at 973-301-9154 or email her at schacht@patmedia.net.  Thanks in advance for your participation!

 

Joint Outreach Opportunities

 

Helping Hands Program

 

St. Andrew’s Nursery School and Kindergarten is proud to announce the introduction of its most recent outreach endeavor, the Helping Hands Program.  This program is intended to provide assistance in a variety of ways to St. Andrew’s Nursery School and Kindergarten families suffering from illness, death of a family member, birth of a baby or any other kind of temporary disability.  There have already been an overwhelming number of nursery school and kindergarten parents volunteering to provide assistance to families in need.  If you wish to learn more about this program or have any questions: Please contact Mary Engelbrechtsen  (908)898-0014 (mrsengee@comcast.net) or Sari Zimmerman (908)790-9338 (SBZ60@aol.com)

 

Holiday Giving Tree

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Our actions DO make a difference. Read Father Pozo’s letter and find out how our outreach programs improve the lives of the small children  in the Trenton area.

 

Keep giving!

 

 

Children First Academy

Academia Primero Los(as) Ninos(as)

CARE FOR CHILDREN TODAY, THEY WILL CARE FOR US TOMORROW”

 

MY DREAM CAME TRUE

 

Children’s laughter makes us happy and children’s success make us proud. Therefore, if we want our children to be happy and successful, we have to take good care of them.

 

I dreamt about starting an excellent day care, where our children can grow, play and learn in a safe environment. At Children First Academy we believe each child is special and is a very important person; therefore, they deserve a special treatment. The most important time in the development of a person is the first years, we want all parents and teachers to understand that the first years of care and of school are great and the best time to affirm the self-esteem of children, to make them know that they have a home away from home with caring responsible adults who will not let them down.

 

The poor children in the city of Trenton need to know that somebody cares about them; that someone will stand up for them and not desert them under pressure. Some children in urban areas have been tossed about so much they don’t know what stability means. In our day care, because we love them, we are patient with them. We are not going to substitute the love of their parents, but we are going to help them to love each other more.

 

We started with 5 children, and only one of them could pay $50 per week, but we did not turn away any child. We are here to serve them. We were asking for help and God answered our prayer through Saint Andrew’s Nursery School. Since the first time Diane Kostibos heard about us, she offered to help us in every way, from toys to furniture to money. Last September, our center had 45 children  and was approved as an Abbott District. Now we received funds from the state to hire teachers and assistants.

 

From the bottom of our hearts, we want to thank you for your compassion and great support helping our community to see the dream come true.

 

May God continue blessing you.

 

The Reverend Dr. Francisco Pozo

Director

 

 

Louise Larson Anderson Memorial Organ Fund



Thanks to the generosity of parishioners and friends of St. Andrew’s a new organ will no longer be a dream but a reality!  Just under $76,000 has already been pledged or contributed.  In addition, we had $7,000 in the fund before our campaign started and the show, “To Whom It May Concern” brought in approximately $3,000.  We are confident that the small sum needed to complete the purchase will be donated prior to delivery of the instrument.

 

 

The organ will be walnut with a light oak interior and rosewood sharps and stops.  It will have three manuals with a floating solo division that can be used from any of the three manuals.  We will have new, non-functional brass-colored pipes encased in cabinets that will match the wood on the wall.  New storage cabinets will be below the pipes.  Because of the advances in electronics that have been made since our current organ was installed, the speakers will be much smaller than our existing ones.  Hence, we will have more storage space in the cabinets.  Speakers will be placed in the front and rear of the church. 

 

 

The sound from the organ, an Allen Quantum, will be truly remarkable.  It will be adjusted for the acoustics of our sanctuary and promises to produce an amazing sound.  Delivery will be next February or March.

 

 

Thanks to all of you for your support, enthusiasm, and encouragement.  Special thanks go to Marshall, our Interim Vicar, and the Vestry who supported the idea of a short campaign for funding at this time.  Another special thank you goes to the members of the cast of  “To Whom It May Concern” and to Carl Santiago whose vision it was to produce the show. 

 

Margaret Miano, Organ Fund Committee Chair


 

 

Music

 

The Great Litany

 

We will begin our celebration of the Advent season on Sunday, November 28 with the Great Litany, an ancient prayer of the church.  This chanted litany will be shared by multiple people singing portions from various locations in the nave of the church.  The other music for the Advent season is more solemn than that which we have been using in Pentecost.  The sung parts of the service will be chanted in Plainsong.  The use of Alleluias will be stopped until the Festival of Christmas.  All of this is to prepare ourselves for the coming of the Christ Child.

 

Christmas Music

Our choral celebration of Christmas will begin with the Festival Eucharist of Christmas on December 24.  We will start the celebration of the birth of Christ with singing of Christmas Carols at

9:00 pm in the sanctuary.  This will be followed by the Festal Eucharist at 9:30 pm.  This service will be a glorious celebration including appropriate anthems and Christmas Carols. 

 

 

Evensong Service

 

Our first Evensong of this program year is scheduled for the first Sunday in Advent, November 28.  4:00pm, Please mark your calendars now to reserve the date and join us for an inspiring musical service.  We will be singing music appropriate to the Advent season – a season which is rich in choral music.  Plan to relax at the end of the Thanksgiving holiday weekend with this beautiful traditional Anglican service. The service will be followed by one of our warm and wonderful  pot luck suppers – always a fun experience at St. Andrew’s church.  An evening not to miss: Music, food and fellowship!

 

A Festival of Lessons and Carols

 

The 10:00 am service on Sunday, December 26 will be highlighted with a traditional service of Christmas Lessons and Carols.  Included will be selected  passages from scripture, seasonal carols and choral anthems.

 

I would again like to invite members of the parish to join us in presentation of the Christmas season music.  If your schedule does not permit regular choir rehearsal attendance, or if you just want to try us out, please see me after any service and we can discuss your participation in the holiday music presentations.  We will welcome one and all with open arms!

 

Junior Choir Update

 

We will be initiating our Junior Choir with a presentation currently scheduled for the second Sunday in Advent, December 5.  While we need a minimum of ten young people to make the Junior Choir a regular offering, we are going to start with the eight we have on file, hoping the numbers will grow in the immediate future.  The first rehearsal will be on Friday afternoon, November 19 at 3:15 pm in the Choir Room.  There will not be a rehearsal on November 26 due to the Thanksgiving holiday.  The next rehearsal will be on December 3rd, same time and place. 

 

 

If there are any young people who would like to join with us who have not yet turned in the yellow form to Joyce Kern, please see either Joyce or me to enroll.  We would like to make this a significant part of our offering for young people.

 

 

Choir

 

We would welcome the participation of members of the congregation who are unable to join the choir on a regular basis in our choir concert on April 17.  The music, by Mendelssohn and Leavitt, is challenging and quite interesting.  Both numbers this year will be in English.  We started rehearsing after church on Sundays, and will start alternate Saturdays in January.  We would very much enjoy having some of our excellent singers from the congregation join us.  Please see any choir member or me if you would like additional information.

 

As you could see from the size of the choir in recent weeks, we are still in need of new members.  Many of our members have business, family and personal matters that require them to be away at various times.  With our small numbers these absences are quite noticeable, particularly when several people have to be out at the same time.  We particularly need additional voices in the women’s sections (unusual for a church choir!), but would welcome additional people in any of the voice parts, male or female.  Please see me or any choir member, or just come to a rehearsal on Thursday night at 8:00 p.m.

 

Howard Dreizler   Minister of Music

 

MUSICAL SUCCESS

 

Many, many, many thanks to our parishioners for your support during our production of To Whom It May Concern.  Your enthusiasm was very important to the cast and support people.  Special thanks to Marian Bahler, June deBang, and David Waite for their tireless assistance at show time.  And we could never have done all we did without the hard work of Laura Shelly, Kathy Murano and Rick Anderson.  The whole experience was very satisfying to those of us in the cast as well as to the parish as a whole.  We were able to provide over $3,000 for the Organ Fund out of the net proceeds of the show.  Thank you again!!  

 

Carl Santiago, Executive Producer

Howard Dreizler   Producer

 

 

GOSA REPORT
 
Gardeners of St. Andrew's
 
GOSA volunteers have been involved in fall cleanup of the St. Andrew's gardens, getting ready for winter. We will shortly be planting some spring flowering bulbs, in some of the beds. We still have a couple projects on our master list that we would like to try to complete. We plan to have one more meeting, before winter arrives.
 

If you have an interest in taking part in our GOSA activities, please contact Joyce Kern (973) 635-1892 or Rick Anderson (908) 464-8911

 

 

 

Flowers for the Altar

 

As the Holiday season approaches I know many parishioners think of donating money to help purchase the flower arrangements which give the church it’s holiday cheer.  Did you know though, that you could have a turn placing the flowers there in celebration of other special events, perhaps personal ones in your life: in thanksgiving for a dear friend or meaningful experience... and/or a remembrance of a loved one who has passed  throughout the year (not just at the holidays.) I am quite sure everyone admires the beauty of the altar adorned with fresh flowers each Sunday morning. It is a lovely way to express your feelings of support for our church while beautifying the Lord’s house!

If you wish to have flowers at the altar in honor of your loved one or special event ...OR just to show appreciation for St. Andrew’s in your life:

 

Procedure for ordering flowers...anytime of year:

·         Please choose a date

·         Enclose a check for $45.00 (bring to office)

·         Give desired color choice or favorite flower