Here are this week’s announcements. Be sure to view all upcoming events at christandstlukes.org/events. If you do not already get our weekly email updates, you can subscribe here.
Advent, Christmas & Epiphany Season Event Guide
We are entering the very exciting season of Advent, Christmas, and then Epiphany. Click here (or visit christandstlukes.org/christmas) to download the season event guide.
Music & Liturgy
Advent Lessons & Carols
Sunday, December 3, 5:30 p.m.
Please join us for our annual service of Advent Lessons & Carols with music by Paul Manz, Philip Stopford, Charles Wood, and more. This year we will be joined by the Choir from Eastern Shore Chapel, Virginia Beach. Free-will offering.
More Sacred Music Events in December
- December 10, 4:00 p.m.: The Virginia Chorale presents Sing We Nowell ($30 tickets through vachorale.org)
- December 17, 3:00 p.m.: The Virginia Arts Festival presents The King’s Singers ($55 tickets through vafest.org)
New Communion Procedures
You may have received an email earlier this week, detailing an upcoming shift in communion procedures, beginning this Sunday, December 3. We’re excited to welcome you all back up to the high altar for your reception of the sacrament. Click here for more details and to read Fr. Noah’s letter.
Formation
Everything You Need to Know About the Christmas Pageant
Boisterous shepherds, somber wise people, sweet angels, and the arrival of Baby Jesus are some of the hallmarks of this time old tradition. The Choristers will lead the music and children 3 years and older will play the parts. The story is told by narrators so no lines need to be memorized. Adults will be needed to shepherd, costume, and keep all the sheep in the fold. If your family would like to participate, please check the dates below to make sure you can attend at least two rehearsals and be here on Christmas Eve at 3:00 p.m.
- Sunday, December 10, after 10:15 a.m. service – Pageant Rehearsal
- Wednesday, December 13, 5:00 p.m. – Pageant Rehearsal
- Sunday, December 17, after 10:15 a.m. – service Pageant Rehearsal
- Wednesday, December 20 5:00 p.m. – Pageant Rehearsal
- Sunday, December 24, 3:00 p.m. – Dress Rehearsal followed by 4:30 p.m. Christmas Eve Service with Pageant
Contact Kathy Hanna with questions.
Advent Wreath Making
Sunday, December 3 in lower Lloyd Hall
Join us following the 10:15 a.m. service to create an Advent wreath to help you prepare for the Christ Child during this season of waiting and preparation. If you made one last year, start looking for your ring now. Please RSVP here to ensure we have adequate materials!
CSL Youth Event
Sunday December 10, 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
It’s Christmas morning for all CSL middle and high school students. Christmas breakfast will be served and Christmas games and movies will appear. Bring a wrapped gift ($10 limit!) for our Yankee Swap.
Childcare and Children’s Chapel
Sunday Opportunities for Children: Please note new times and locations for Fall Formation
- 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. Childcare The 3 and under crowd will meet in the Children’s Room (the blue room in the Parish House at the end of the hallway before the stairs) for childcare if their parents are attending adult formation or sing in the choir.
- 9:15 a.m. Children’s Formation Children 4 and older will gather in the meeting room (the gold room) for what was formerly known as “Sunday School.” We will explore scripture and the traditions of the Episcopal church through stories, music, and art response.
- 10:15 a.m. All children participate in a developmentally appropriate Children’s Chapel in their respective rooms. Children rejoin their families at the Peace. If you have a child under the age of 3 whom you would like to stay in childcare for the remainder of the service, just let Henri know when you sign them in!
View other children and youth updates here.
Adult Formation: The Greatest Story Ever Told
Sundays 9:15 a.m. in Lloyd Hall
We use stories to communicate deep and important truths that we want to be known, passed on, and held dear by others. The story of Christmas is perhaps the greatest example of that. This Advent, during our adult formation time, we’re going to have some fun reflecting theologically on some examples of how the story of Christmas has been told in a secular, popular context. Across four weeks we will focus on a series of classic Christmas books/movies and try to glean what they have to teach us about the meaning of the greatest story ever told.
- December 3: A Christmas Carol (Mtr. Katie Beth)
- December 10: How the Grinch Stole Christmas/Charlie Brown Christmas (Fr. Noah)
- December 17: Elf/Rudolph (Fr. Jared)
Administration
End of Year Giving
We know many of you make your financial gifts to the parish at the end of the year. We are always grateful to receive such gifts, but whether they are disbursements from IRAs, appreciated stock, or lump sum financial payments, we kindly ask that they be submitted well in advance of December 31st so that we have time to process them in the calendar year to which they are meant to be credited. That makes our bookkeeping work much more smoothly. Thank you!
Christmas Memorial Flowers
Envelopes may be found in the bell tower for those who would like to memorialize or honor a loved one with altar flowers this Christmas. Payment may also be made online here beginning December 3. The cost is $12 per individual name and $20 per couple. Please submit all names and payments by Sunday, December 17.
Church Phone Number
We switched to a different phone number during much of our renovation process, but we are returning to our original phone number now. Beginning Dec. 12, the current phone number will no longer work, so please update your contact info to use 757-627-5665.
Fellowship
December First Thursday Supper
Thursday, December 7, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
We hope you’ll mark your calendar for our next First Thursday Supper to be held Thursday, December 7, 2023 at the home of Michael and Judie Belka at 1108 Botetourt Court, Norfolk, VA 23507. If you’re new or have never been or haven’t been in a while, we hope you’ll consider this relaxed “no agenda” evening with friends old and new, a pot luck meal and plenty of fellowship. Come and join in the singing as we begin the Season of Advent. No sign up is necessary and all are welcome. For questions, please see a member of the committee – Ellen Sell 757-739-7735, LeeAnn Avery, B.J. Taylor or Betty Denniston.
Outreach
Exciting News from Caring for Creation
Christ & St. Luke’s has earned a Sustained Distinguished Performance River Star Business designation from the Elizabeth River Project. This award “represents completion of a significant new initiative by a River Star.” Thank you to all the members of the parish and the leadership who worked so hard to bring about the installation of the geothermal heating and cooling system that is environmentally sustainable. Now the redesign of the grounds is next! Great job, everyone!
Together for Kenya Angel Tree
Beginning Sunday, November 26
Together for Kenya’s Angel Tree begins November 26. Please help us support Kenyan children. This past year nutritious lunches were distributed to at-risk Kenyan children, scholarships were funded to continue children’s education and medical care…all made possible by your generosity! Your purchase of a Christmas ornament will help spread hope and joy this season. Join us at the Angel Tree.
Read the latest updates from Together for Kenya here.
