This Week at the Church of the Redeemer

Stewardship 2009

Treasure for the Heart, the Soul, and the Mind

We offer our sincere thanks to all of the Captains and Parishioners who sent in their pledges during the Annual Pledge Drive.  In order to draw up the parish budget for the forthcoming year, it is extremely important that we hear from everyone who is still considering a pledge.  Funds to fulfill your gift may be paid through December 31, 2009.

If you are unsure how to pledge, or if you would like further information about Stewardship   2009, please contact either Elliot Davis or Rick Weed, Stewardship Co-Chairs.  We would be glad to assist you in every way possible. 

The strength of our parish depends on you.  Please be generous as you consider your gift to Stewardship 2009. 

 Yours in Christ,

 Elliot Bostwick Davis                                                       Rick Weed 

Celebrate this Christmas with a Gift of Poinsettias

Did you know that this year the beautiful poinsettias, which adorn the Church of the Redeemer at Christmas, will be made possible by many financial donations from our Parishioners?

Our Christmas flower donations are made as a lovely way to remember those who are special to us, but gifts may be made “in celebration of” an event or important milestone as well as “in honor of,” “in memory of,” or “in thanksgiving for” loved ones.

Names that are received by December 21^st will be printed in the Christmas worship service leaflets.

We suggest $50 for the first listing, $10 for each additional one, but, of course will welcome ANY AMOUNT.

We hope that you will contribute to the glorious celebration of Christmas at the Redeemer with a memorial gift.    The results of your generosity will be enjoyed by all who visit us at Christmas time. 

Thank you.

Designation: ___________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

Donor Name(s): ______________________________________________

Daytime Telephone (____) ________________

Amount enclosed $ _____________

Redeemer’s Annual Christmas Book

Collection for the Children of St. Stephen’s Afterschool Program

We are again organizing a Christmas Book collection for the Children of the St. Stephen’s After School Program.  Please look for the Christmas Book Collection display board in the Parish Hall and consider purchasing a book as a Christmas present for a child at St. Stephen’s.  At the display board you can sign-up to purchase a hard-cover or several paperback books ($15-$20) for one of the children. Please return your wrapped book to the Redeemer Office by Friday December 19^th.   There are still a number of children unspoken for – so please sign –up on the display board in the Parish Hall!  The books will be given to the children during the St. Stephen’s Christmas Party on December 23^rd.  The children love receiving these books!  If you have questions, please contact Pam Mathews (pam@mathewshome.net or Laura Patton laurated@rcn.com ).

Christmas Pageant 2008

Please encourage your children to join us for the Christmas Pageant. 

 To participate, your child must be:

·       4 years old

·       Able to come to rehearsal Sat, Dec 20th

8:30-11:30 am. (9-11:30 for non-speaking roles)

DATES & TIMES TO REMEMBER:

 9:30 Sundays, Children’s Choir practices all songs.

Children who are not in the Children’s Choir and who would like some extra practice learning the Christmas Pageant songs are welcome and encouraged to attend rehearsals on Sunday mornings in the Old Parish House from 9:30 am – 10:15 am

 December 7 –During Church School

·       Parts will be handed out during church school for Speaker and Reader roles

·       Angel, shepherd & animal sign-up

 December 14 –During Church School

·       Angel, shepherd & animal sign-up

·       Rehearsal for Speakers and Readers

 Saturday, December 20th

8:30 am Speakers/Readers Rehearsal

9:00 – 11:30 am Everyone in Pageant Rehearsal

 Sunday, December 21st

10:15am Children gather in the undercroft.

 If you can help on the 20^th and/or the 21st, we will need 1-2 parents for each of these tasks: 1) checking costumes (early December) 2) angel leader 2) shepherd leader 3) animal leader  (Each “leader” is in charge of corralling the group at rehearsal and before pageant.)

Please contact: Maisie Pollard mpollard@bidmc.harvard.edu, (617) 731-8171 or Amy Luster, atluster@rcn.com, 617-734-6818.

Baptisms 2008-2009

For those who might be interested, baptisms are currently scheduled to take place  on the following dates:

Sunday, January 11th at 10:30 am

Saturday, April 11th at 6:00 pm

Please contact the office for more information.

Youth Bible Study 

The Youth Bible Study is for students in the 6^th grade and up which meets Sunday morning in the back classroom at 9:40am.  In November, the Bible study continued examining the book of 1 Samuel.  We studied the rise and fall of King Saul and the rise of King David.  In December, we will continue looking at King David as a faithful, but flawed, leader of Israel.  We will conclude the month by looking at King Solomon.  King Solomon is the last king of a united Israel in the first temple period.  This seems like a good place to pause in our study of the Old Testament, and take up the New in the winter and spring.  In January, we will begin our study of the Gospel of Mark.  As always, we will complete our Bible Study with a Bible oriented game like Bible Pictionary, Jeopardy, or charades.  The Bible Study is also continuing its work of writing prayers for the All Parish Eucharist.  Bible Study will meet this month on December 14^th and 21^st.  Please have your youth join us for fun and learning.               

Confirmation Class

The Confirmation Class had a great month in November as we began looking at the Church’s authority based on scripture, tradition, and reason.  So far we have covered scripture and tradition and will conclude our study of the “Anglican Stool” by looking at reason in December.  We originally had an academic class scheduled for the 14^th, but because our class will conflict with the Christmas Caroling and supper, I am rescheduling the academic part of the class.  Instead, we will join the rest of the parish caroling through the neighborhood. We will sing, enjoy some nice hot chocolate, and conclude with a parish dinner.  It should be a lot of fun.  Speaking of fun, the Confirmation Class had a movie night on November 14^th which was a great chance for the students to spend some time together.  Thanks to everyone who participated. 

Confirmation Class Dates Currently Scheduled for December

12/14                   4:30   Christmas Caroling and Supper (All are invited)

Christmas Caroling and Dinner!!

 On December 14^th Youth and Family Fellowship will team up with the Fellowship Committee, and the Confirmation Class, to storm the neighborhood with good cheer.  We will meet at 4:30 to warm our voices and then we will set off to do some old fashioned caroling.  We will have some nice warm cocoa available, and we will conclude the night by enjoying a hot meal together in the parish hall.  It is going to be so much fun.  How often have you watched an old movie featuring caroling and said to yourself, “I wish we still Christmas Caroled!”  Well, this is your opportunity to take part in a wonderful Christian tradition dating back to the middle ages.  If you are interested in participating, please e-mail me at meames@redeemerchestnuthill.org, or sign up on the sheet in the office hallway.  I will see you there. 

2008-2009

Concert Series II

Sunday, January 25, 2009

4:00 pm

Edwin Barker, Double Bass

Keisuke Wakao, Oboe

Debbie Emery, Piano

 ab

Concert Series III

To be announced

Save the Date!

Inaugural Japanese-American Cultural Concert

Sunday, April 26, 2009

4:00 pm 

The Redeemer’s Christmas CD will be available again at this year’s Christmas Market.  

The CD contains all your favorite carols such as: Once in royal David’s city, Hark! the herald angels sing,  O come, all ye faithful, God rest ye merry gentlemen, Angels we have heard on high, and many others, as well as beautiful choral Christmas anthems, all recorded with our heralded choirs, and accompanied by our majestic organ, brass and timpani!!!    

The CD’s sell for $20.00 each.  If you purchase the “Stocking Stuffer Package” (5 or more CD’s in the same transaction) then you will receive 5% off – that’s quite a savings!!!!!!

This recording is a spectacular memoir of our Christmases together as a parish. Purchase your copies NOW!!! 

       1-4 CD’s                                                               $20 each

   “Stocking Stuffer Package”

5 or more CD’s                                                    $19 each

I would like to purchase_________ CD’s (which are ready any time for pick up at the Church).

Enclosed is a check for _________.

Name______________________________________

Address____________________________________

Phone_____________________________________

Email______________________________________

Christmas Worship Schedule

Thursday, December 18th

7:30 pm Carols by Candlelight: A Festival of Nine Lessons & Carols

preceded by a light supper at 6:30 pm

 Wednesday, December 24th

4:00 pm Family Eucharist

10:00 pm Choral Prelude

10:30 pm Festal Eucharist

The church school area will be available for

children who need a break from these services.

 Thursday, December 25th

10:30 am Holy Eucharist

those who are ill: