Upcoming Events
December 2 – The First Sunday of Advent
Lo! He comes on clouds descending.
December 9 – 10AM – Bishop’s visitation Sunday
Eight youth will be confirmed and one adult will be received!
Also, a visit from St. Nicholas for the children during coffee hour
December 10 – 5PM-9PM – East Parkside Dinner
Share a meal with our long-standing friends & neighbors.
December 16 – Pageant Sunday
Our children will tell the story of Christmas.
December 16-31 – Connect-by-night (see announcement)
Our homeless friends need a place to stay the last half of December.
December 21 – Christmas Caroling & Party
December 24 – Christmas Eve services 4PM and 10PM
December 25 – Christmas Day service 10:15AM
Worship
† Bishop Gutiérrez will visit CHA on Sunday, December 9th for Confirmations and a New Member Reception.
† Morning Prayer is offered at 8:30AM on most Sunday mornings. No Morning Prayer on December 9th.
Outreach
† The East Parkside Citizens Association is celebrating their annual holiday party and has invited us to celebrate with them once again this year on Monday, December 10th, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. We will meet at the church at 5 p.m. to travel together, or you can come to Christ Community Baptist Church, 1224 N 41st St., Philadelphia PA 19104. We usually bring side dishes and are also collecting turkeys as gifts to members of their community in need. There is a sign-up sheet in the Parish Hall. They are determining whom they will honor this year and will let us know how we can participate in that.
† The Connect by Night shelter program does not have a host for the month of December due to emergency repairs in one of their churches. After some careful consideration on the vestry, we have decided to offer to be their host for the last 2 weeks of the month over the holidays (December 16th-31st). They will use a combination of the Church and Parish Hall for accommodations during that time, and we will do our usual lunch preparation. There is a sign-up list in the parish hall and online.
Children and Youth
† Nursery childcare is available during the 10:00 a.m. Sunday service for children ages 3 and younger in the Godly Play Room.
† Sunday School: Children Preschool – 2nd grade and 3rd – 8th grade attend Sunday classes at 10:00 a.m., the same time as the church service starts; children join their parents in the church in time for communion. Classes are held on the 1st, 3rd, & 4th Sundays of the month. On 2nd Sundays children attend church with their parents, either the 10:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist service or the 5:30 p.m. Family Worship Service. When there is a 5th Sunday, children attend church with their parents, with some of the children taking part in leading the service.
† The Holy Apostles Choir School pilot program will start February 5, 2019. It is an after-school program on Tuesday and Thursdays. Students, grades 1 – 5 will receive homework assistance and then study music using the Royal School of Church Music, Voice for Life curriculum. If your student is interested in participating in the program, please return the attached application to drstambaugh@gmail.com.
† The Choir School will accept only 20 students for the pilot semester. Placement preference will be given to members of the Church of the Holy Apostles. More information is available at https://holyapostlespa.org/choir-school/. Please forward this information to friends and neighbors who may be interested. If a child needs transportation assistance, please contact drstambaugh@gmail.com.
Parish Life
† Help Needed for Festive Coffee Hours on December 9th and 16th:
On Sunday, Dec. 9th, during Coffee Hour we will be celebrating the visitation by Bishop Daniel, the confirmation of eight of our young people, and the reception on a new member to the parish — and as a special treat for our children, there will be a visit by St. Nicholas. Will you help to provide special refreshments for that day? We will be serving tea and would like to have a variety of tea sandwiches, fruit (such as grapes and berries), and appetizers.
On Sunday, Dec. 16th, our children will be presenting the Christmas Pageant during the 10:00 service. During the Coffee Hour following that service, we would like to thank them with a festive reception in which the entire parish can share.
If you can help in providing refreshments for either or both of these coffee hours, or have questions, please contact Judy Jervis at (610) 348-5529 or tuesbowler@outlook.com.
† Christmas Flower Memorials: Please submit the names of loved ones to be included on the Christmas Flowers Memorial List to the Parish Office by Thursday, December 20th. The cost is $5.00 per name.
Education
† Fall Reading: We finally received our copies of The Apostles’ Creed: A Guide to the Ancient Catechism by Ben Myers. Those of you who ordered a book, please pick them up. If you want, get started on reading it, and stay tuned as we figure out a time to discuss this wonderful book.
† Advent Soup Group
Like a Rolling Stone & The Rock That Doesn’t Roll: Stones in the Bible
Wednesday, December 5th, at 6:30 p.m.
Thursday, December 12th, at 6:30 p.m.
Wednesday, December 19th, at 6:30 p.m.
Bible Study
Thursdays, 11:00 a.m.
Join us as we take a deep dive into the Acts of the Apostles
Around the Diocese
DIOPA Men’s Fellowship Group
Dear Brothers in Christ,
We have started a men’s fellowship group within the DIOPA to encourage fellowship and spiritual development through good works. We have a literacy project scheduled for MLK Day of Service in Darby, PA. Our steering committee will meet on Friday December 7, at 7 am. We will enjoy a breakfast at IHOP in Ardmore, while we discuss supporting Fr. John Daniels and the young men of Church Farm School is this worthy endeavor. If any men from your church would like to learn more, please contact me. If there is interest in attending this meeting to plan the event, please join us for breakfast.
Peace,
Austin Hepburn
St. David’s Church, Wayne
A Highland Christmas: A Benefit for St. James School
Friday, December 7th, 2018 at 6:00 p.m.
St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, Ardmore
Advent Lessons and Carols at 6:00 p.m. will be followed by A Highland Christmas celebration, including a cocktail party, dinner buffet, silent and live auctions, and special live entertainment. Tartan attire encouraged. Honorees: Kathryn Miani, St. James Volunteer; Leslie Murray, Parent of St. James Graduate; Ed and Jean Conroy, Society of St. George Supporters; and Andrew F. and Debbie Webster, English-Speaking Union Supporters. Tickets are $95 per person and $175 per couple. Sponsorships start at $250. To purchase tickets. Please call 215.226.1276 or visit stjamesphila.org/highlandchristmas.
Church of the Holy Apostles 