Posted: December 21, 2023

News for Sunday, December 24, 2023

Christmas Services Schedule
This year, the fourth Sunday of Advent falls on December 24th. There will be one Advent IV service (Spoken | Chapel) at 8:00 a.m. before transitioning to our Christmas Eve observance.

12/24       3:00 p.m.    Christmas Pageant and Holy Communion  (Choral | Church)
12/24       5:00 p.m.    Lessons & Carols (Choral | Church)
12/24     11:00 p.m.   Holy Eucharist  (Choral | Church)
12/25     10:00 a.m.   Christmas Day: Holy Eucharist* (Choral | Chapel)
12/31     10:30 a.m.   New Year’s Eve: Holy Eucharist* (Choral | Chapel)
*One service only.

On Christmas Eve, childcare will be provided for up to age 7 and will be available from 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. There will not be childcare on Christmas Day or New Year’s Eve. There will be no 8:00 a.m. Morning Eucharist on Wednesday, December 27th, 2023.

Sunday Bulletins are posted by Friday at ghtc.org/bulletin.

Highlights

Christmas Services Schedule
This year, the fourth Sunday of Advent falls on December 24th. There will be one Advent IV service (Spoken | Chapel) at 8:00 a.m. before transitioning to our Christmas Eve observance.

12/24       3:00 p.m.    Christmas Pageant and Holy Communion  (Choral | Church)
12/24       5:00 p.m.    Lessons & Carols (Choral | Church)
12/24     11:00 p.m.   Holy Eucharist  (Choral | Church)
12/25     10:00 a.m.   Christmas Day: Holy Eucharist* (Choral | Chapel)
12/31     10:30 a.m.   New Year’s Eve: Holy Eucharist* (Choral | Chapel)
*One service only.

On Christmas Eve, childcare will be provided for up to age 7 and will be available from 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. There will not be childcare on Christmas Day or New Year’s Eve. There will be no 8:00 a.m. Morning Eucharist on Wednesday, December 27th, 2023.

Priest-in-Charge Discernment Committee
The Vestry is pleased to announce the formation of the Priest-in-Charge Discernment Committee, composed of the following parishioners:

Clay Hilbert, Chair, Debra Cole, Susan Hankins, Megan Lecky,
Chase Peak, Courtney Scottow, & Harold Williams.

Please keep the Discernment Committee in your prayers as they begin their important work together on behalf of Grace & Holy Trinity Church.

Adult Formation Sunday Series Offerings in January
Discover meaningful insights and deepen your faith with engaging presentations and conversations as part of the Adult Formation Sunday Series. In January, the forum will explore the following topics:

01/07        No Adult Formation
01/14        Epiphany & Baptism of our Lord, led by The Rev. Paul Evans
01/21        Episcopal 101: The Book of Common Prayer, 1979, led by The Rev. Bruce Birdsey
01/28        Episcopal 101: Church History, led by The Rev. Charles Joy

Episcopal Church Women: Twelfth Night Tea – Friday, January 5
The Episcopal Church Women (ECW) will host a traditional English afternoon tea in the Parish Hall on Friday, January 5th from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. All are welcome to attend, and you can arrive anytime between 4:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. To RSVP, please contact Catherine Perrin.

Parish Breakfast – Resumes Sunday, January 7
After pausing for the holidays, the parish breakfast will resume on Sunday, January 7th at 9:00 a.m.

Children & Youth Formation – Resumes Sunday, January 7
Sunday School for children and youth will resume Sunday, January 7th at 10:30 a.m. Parents should escort their children and youth to their Sunday School classrooms where they will begin church with their teachers before joining their families in time for communion. For more information about formation for these age groups, contact Director of Formation Kate Given by visiting ghtc.org/contact and selecting her name from the drop down menu.

Youth Mission to St. Andrew’s Episcopal School – Sunday, January 7
On Sunday, January 7th, high school youth are invited to help tend the gardens at St. Andrew’s School by planting bulbs. The group will meet at church at 9:00 a.m. for breakfast before walking a few short blocks to the school where they will get to work at 10:00 a.m. GHTC will provide hot cider and snacks. Pick up is around noon at St. Andrew’s. To register your high school youth, contact Neely Dykshorn.

Parents’ Night Out – Friday, January 19
Our Parents’ Night Out series continues on Friday, January 19th. Childcare, dinner, and a variety of activities are provided at church while the parents head off to social hour hosted by clergy or church staff. Keep your eye out for more information coming in the new year. If you have questions or would like to volunteer with the children, please visit our website at ghtc.org/contact  and select Director of Formation Kate Given.

Men’s Group Coffee – Saturday, January 28
The Men’s Group will meet at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 27th, location TBD. For more information, please visit our website at ghtc.org/contact  and select Men’s Group from the drop down menu.

Confirmation Retreat – Sunday, February 4
On Sunday, February 4th from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., we will hold our next Confirmation Retreat at the Church. The candidates for confirmation will be exploring what it means to be an Episcopalian. As we have previously communicated, we are repeating the same four retreats held last year in anticipation of a Bishop’s visit on Sunday, April 28th at the 10:30 a.m. service to confirm our candidates. Please register online using the link in the eNews or by scanning the QR code by Wednesday, January 31st. To learn more about confirmation, please visit our website at ghtc.org/contact  and select Associate Rector Paul Evans from the drop down menu.

Other Communications

Beware of Phishing & Other Scams
Please beware of any communication (email, phone calls, texts) purporting to be from members of our clergy, staff, or someone communicating on our behalf. No member of the Grace & Holy Trinity clergy or staff will ever contact you asking you “for a favor,” such as purchasing gift cards. Scammers use these tactics and are more common than you might think. Please be cautious and use good judgment.

Update Your Information in Shelby (Church Directory)
Please take a moment to log into the church’s database and confirm or update your contact information. The church utilizes the address on file to mail parish communications such as newsletters, postcards, and financial statements. Visit our website at ghtc.org/member to log in. Questions? Please contact Kyle Reed at ghtc.org/contact. If you need assistance with your password, please contact Judy Bowman at ghtc.org/contact.

Please Wear Your Name Tags
This is a gentle reminder to please wear your name tags when you come to church. Grace & Holy Trinity is fortunate to have visitors and new parishioners joining us each week. Wearing your nametag is an important part of our hospitality to all and a visible reminder to newcomers and lifelong members alike that we are an open and welcoming community. Please pick up your name tags along the wall in the hallway as you enter from the Cherry Street parking lot, and please leave them there when you leave church. If you need a name tag for the first time or if you have misplaced yours, please contact Communications Associate Tyler Brady, ghtc.org/contact.

For more information, visit the News page.