Dear St. Patrick's,

Grace and peace. I cannot express how much I enjoyed being on pilgrimage in the

The Rev. Kurt Gerhard in Jerusalem

Holy Land with the Diocese of Washington these past two weeks. I stood at the site of Jesus's baptism, circumnavigated ancient Nazareth, touched the water of the Sea of Galilee, studied the ruins of Capernaum, drank water from Jacob's Well, looked out from the peak of Mt. Nebo (just like Moses), walked the Via Dolorosa in Jerusalem, and prayed at the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem.

With that experience, I am reinvigorated to minister here at St. Patrick's and to celebrate the incarnation of Jesus beginning this Friday afternoon and extending for the next twelve days. The incarnation is the celebration of God's presence in the world. It is more than a historical event that took place in Bethlehem 2000 years ago. Everyone receives this extraordinary gift, everyday. Our work as people of faith is to discover how best to respond to the gift of incarnation by fulfilling God's mission in the world around us.  This is not something done alone; we need the support of a community. St. Patrick's is such a community.

Please join your parish family at this yearly festival celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ as we consider how we might strengthen our spiritual lives through prayer, reflection, fellowship, and education.

Christmas Eve, December 24, 2010 (Friday)

            4:45pm            Christmas Concert with Brass

            5:00pm            Children's Service with Christmas Pageant

            9:30pm            Christmas Concert with Cantoris Choir

            10:00pm           Festive Candlelight Service with Sermon

Christmas Day, December 25, 2010 (Saturday)

            10:00am          Christmas Service with Familiar Christmas Music

Christmas I, December 26, 2010 (Sunday)

            8:00am            Holy Eucharist and Healing (All Saints Chapel)

            10:00am          Lessons and Carols with Holy Eucharist

Merry Christmas,

All children who are participating in the pageant are asked to arrive at 4:15 pm, on Christmas Eve, for costuming.  

Walk-ons are welcome, so invite visiting friends and family!  Casting is as follows:

3 & 4 Year Olds :  Sheep

Kindergarten - 3^rd Grade:  Shepherds OR Angels

4^th & 5^th Grade  -  Kings & Queens

6^th Grade  -  Speaking & Title Roles

The Christmas Concert with Brass begins at 4:45 pm, with the Pageant and Eucharist starting at 5 pm.

We pray for those travelling this Christmas season. 

Best Bake Sale Ever!

Many thanks to all of you who contributed to the success of last Sunday's bake sale.

Both bakers and buyers came out in force and we raised over $1250.00 - a new record. This was truly a group effort and we would like to thank everyone for their support. It was impossible to keep track of all the generous contributions (both baked goods and purchases), but you should all feel proud to have helped make this such a success. Special thanks go to Peggy Beers, Marilyn Mix, Marilyn Nowalk, Candy Fowler, Donna Murphy, Claire and Lily Keller, and Molly and Sophie Small for helping with set-up, pricing, selling, and counting the proceeds. Your efforts will provide much-needed help to people in Haiti and in the local community. Thanks again and Merry Christmas.

~Sally Fowler, Bake Sale Diva

Lay Eucharistic

Ministers:           Peter Jobusch, Carol Jobusch, David Beers

Altar Guild:         Karen Melchar

Ushers:              Miren Beitia, Carlos Zarabozo

Greeters:            Kankunda Klingenberg, Krystal Klingenberg

Readers:            Jim Davidson, Sandy Chamblee-Head

Intercessor:        David Lambert

Psalmist:            Emma Hurt

Server:              Peter Jobusch

Crucifer:             Charlie Black

Torches:            Parr McQueen, Liam Black

Flowers:             Christmas Flowers

Refreshments:     Christmas Eve Cookie Committee

8:00am Server:   Carol Hylton

Altar Guild:         Deborah Estes

Ushers:              Tucker Battle, Tony Lee, Dan Graham

Greeters:            Karen Melchar & Benno Schmidt

Readers:            Miren Beitia, Carlos Zarabozo, Carol Jobusch, Karen Melchar

Intercessor:        Not Needed

Server:              Peter Jobusch

Torches:            Not Scheduled

Flowers:             Christmas Greens

Vestry Person

of the Day:         Jay Sommerkamp, Virginia Murphy

Lay Eucharistic

Ministers:           Carol Jobusch, Benno Schmidt