Let us Pray the Collect for the Fourth Sunday Of Advent
| Purify our conscience, Almighty God, by your daily visitation, that your Son Jesus Christ, at his coming, may find in us a mansion prepared for himself; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. |
NEWS Summary
The Church Office will be closed December 24—January 1. We hope you have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! If you have a pastoral emergency, please call 937-293-1154 and follow the prompt for pastoral care.
Thank you, Father Christian!
Father Christian’s last service with us will be Sunday, December 29. He has accepted a call to serve as Priest-in-Charge at All Saints located in the Pleasant Ridge area of Cincinnati. Please plan to attend to help us celebrate his time with St. Paul’s.
What’s Next?
The Vestry met with the Rev. Melanie Slane, transition minister for the diocese, on Tuesday, December 17 to begin discussions for the next steps forward in the life of St. Paul’s. From January 5-April 19, a team of local retired clergy, Jack Koepke, Mike Kreutzer and Greg Sammons, will rotate to preside on Sundays and provide pastoral care as needed. A schedule will be communicated soon, as well as any other related information.
Thank you, Father Christian!
Father Christian’s last service with us will be Sunday, December 29. He has accepted a call to serve as Priest-in-Charge at All Saints located in the Pleasant Ridge area of Cincinnati. Please plan to attend to help us celebrate his time with St. Paul’s.
What’s Next?
The Vestry met with the Rev. Melanie Slane, transition minister for the diocese, on Tuesday, December 17 to begin discussions for the next steps forward in the life of St. Paul’s. From January 5-April 19, a team of local retired clergy, Jack Koepke, Mike Kreutzer and Greg Sammons, will rotate to preside on Sundays and provide pastoral care as needed. A schedule will be communicated soon, as well as any other related information.
Let's Sing Christmas Carols Together Thursday, December 19
You are invited to bring yourself, your family, your friends and your neighbors to a caroling party at St. Paul's on Thursday, December 19 from 6-7:30pm. The night will include community outdoor caroling, hot (dogs and chocolate), and the Dayton Metro Barbershop Chorus. This event will be outside, but the church will be open. We hope you can join us as we sing and prepare for Christmas. This event is hosted by the Parish Life Committee.
Christmas Eve
6:40 pm - Prelude
7pm Worship
Our Christmas Eve 7:00 pm worship service will be preceded by a 20-minute prelude that will consist of vocal music, organ solos, and music for 2 violins. Be sure to arrive early and enjoy the prelude music, which promises to prepare your hearts and minds for the birth of our Savior.
A hymn which hasn’t been done at St. Paul’s will be raised in song on Christmas Eve, during communion. Take a moment to reflect on the beautiful text of hymn #104 from the 1982 hymnal:
Verse 1:
A stable lamp is lighted whose glow shall wake the sky;
The stars shall bend their voices, and every stone shall cry.
And every stone shall cry, and straw like gold shall shine;
A barn shall harbor heaven, a stall become a shrine.
Verse 2:
This child through David’s city shall ride in triumph by;
The palm shall strew its branches, and every stone shall cry.
And every stone shall cry. Though heavy, dull, and dumb,
and lie within the roadway to pave his kingdom come.
Verse 3:
Yet he shall be forsaken, and yielded up to die;
The sky shall groan and darken, and every stone shall cry.
And every stone shall cry, for stony hearts of men:
God’s blood upon the spearhead, God’s love refused again.
Verse 4:
But now, as at the ending, the low is lifted high;
The stars shall bend their voices, and every stone shall cry.
And every stone shall cry, in praises of the Child,
by whose descent among us the worlds are reconciled.
7pm Worship
Our Christmas Eve 7:00 pm worship service will be preceded by a 20-minute prelude that will consist of vocal music, organ solos, and music for 2 violins. Be sure to arrive early and enjoy the prelude music, which promises to prepare your hearts and minds for the birth of our Savior.
A hymn which hasn’t been done at St. Paul’s will be raised in song on Christmas Eve, during communion. Take a moment to reflect on the beautiful text of hymn #104 from the 1982 hymnal:
Verse 1:
A stable lamp is lighted whose glow shall wake the sky;
The stars shall bend their voices, and every stone shall cry.
And every stone shall cry, and straw like gold shall shine;
A barn shall harbor heaven, a stall become a shrine.
Verse 2:
This child through David’s city shall ride in triumph by;
The palm shall strew its branches, and every stone shall cry.
And every stone shall cry. Though heavy, dull, and dumb,
and lie within the roadway to pave his kingdom come.
Verse 3:
Yet he shall be forsaken, and yielded up to die;
The sky shall groan and darken, and every stone shall cry.
And every stone shall cry, for stony hearts of men:
God’s blood upon the spearhead, God’s love refused again.
Verse 4:
But now, as at the ending, the low is lifted high;
The stars shall bend their voices, and every stone shall cry.
And every stone shall cry, in praises of the Child,
by whose descent among us the worlds are reconciled.
First Sunday of Christmas
On Sunday, 12/29, the first Sunday after Christmas, come to church ready to name your favorite Christmas hymn. In place of the homily that day, we will hold a Christmas hymn sing-along. Your selection may be chosen and sung by the congregation. There is no choir that day, so we will count on the congregation to lead the singing. We hope to sing at least 5 carols (in addition to the ones already being sung that day). Be thinking about it ahead of time and be ready to share! The hymns already chosen for that day are:
Opening hymn #87: Hark the Herald Angels Sing
Gospel hymn #101: Away in a Manger
Offertory hymn #115: What Child is This?
Communion hymn #112: In the Bleak Mid-Winter
Closing hymn #99: Go Tell it on the Mountain
Just a reminder…be sure to choose a hymn other than the ones listed above. We hope to see all of you there and we can’t wait to hear your choices!
Opening hymn #87: Hark the Herald Angels Sing
Gospel hymn #101: Away in a Manger
Offertory hymn #115: What Child is This?
Communion hymn #112: In the Bleak Mid-Winter
Closing hymn #99: Go Tell it on the Mountain
Just a reminder…be sure to choose a hymn other than the ones listed above. We hope to see all of you there and we can’t wait to hear your choices!
December Birthdays
Happy Birthday to those born in the month of December!
Colin Cunningham 12/01
Isla Lewis 12/01
Cynthia Butt 12/04
Ann Couch 12/05
Bob Couch 12/08
Carol Powell 12/09
Lisa Hamm 12/10
Jennifer Harrison 12/12
Stan Alexander 12/12
Holly McDowell 12/15
Deborah Shuler 12/16
Charles Boyer 12/17
Faye Trombley 12/19
Linda Bumiller 12/25
Bev Parker 12/25
Randy Young 12/26
Diana Sebaly 12/26
Sam Davis 12/28
Colin Cunningham 12/01
Isla Lewis 12/01
Cynthia Butt 12/04
Ann Couch 12/05
Bob Couch 12/08
Carol Powell 12/09
Lisa Hamm 12/10
Jennifer Harrison 12/12
Stan Alexander 12/12
Holly McDowell 12/15
Deborah Shuler 12/16
Charles Boyer 12/17
Faye Trombley 12/19
Linda Bumiller 12/25
Bev Parker 12/25
Randy Young 12/26
Diana Sebaly 12/26
Sam Davis 12/28
Food Bank Donations - Your efforts make a difference!
Please continue to fill yellow donation bags with food (no glass jars please) and personal care items and bring them to church to be blessed and delivered to the Food Bank. If you'd like to see the difference being made (it is astounding!), please go to the Food Bank's website: thefoodbankdayton.org THANK YOU!
Reminder - 2024 Contribution & Reimbursement Deadline
In order to claim a charitable contribution deduction for 2024, contributions must be received in the church office or postmarked no later than December 31, 2024. The IRS is very firm that churches adhere to this policy. Monies arriving after the deadline will be posted on your 2025 statement.
Reimbursements for pre-approved, church-related expenses in 2024 must also be received in the Accounting Office no later than 12/31/2024.
Reimbursements for pre-approved, church-related expenses in 2024 must also be received in the Accounting Office no later than 12/31/2024.
A Yes Message from the Sr. Warden/Pledge Chair
The scripture we hear during Advent on Sundays, and in daily reflections, offers opportunities to ponder themes of spiritual preparation, journey, expectation, and the willingness to acknowledge/engage and say “yes." Those themes invite us all to walk in love during Advent. Particularly this year.
I’m drawn to scripture that provides a glimpse into those moments when a person’s faith is embodied with some expression of embracing the plans God has set in motion. I think of those expressions as yes moments. For example, when Mary hears the angel Gabriel say “Greetings, favored one” and learns of the journey that God has planned - her response, "Here I am Lord…” is a yes moment. Joseph too says “yes” when he embraces what he is called to do in a dream and takes Mary as his wife. When shepherds learn of the Messiah’s birth, their journey to Bethlehem to see the child, is yet another affirmation moment when they choose to “go and see." Granted, heavenly heralds had much to do with the yes moments mentioned. However, I would suggest that heavenly invitations abound in our communities today. When we commit to walking in love, we open ourselves up to those yes opportunities to lend our wealth, works, and wisdom to a world in need. Imagine what God is calling us to say “yes” to as we walk in love during Advent and in the year ahead.
The work on the rebirth of our dear St. Paul’s Church has already begun this Advent season, and we will ask for your generous support of the 2025 Stewardship campaign. In partnership with the Diocese of Southern Ohio, your vestry will work side by side with you and our friends at the Diocese, to breathe new life into our church and our community. We are now moving ahead, taking us to an abundant and joyous future, while we celebrate the birth of Baby Jesus.
Jay Woodhull, Sr. Warden
I’m drawn to scripture that provides a glimpse into those moments when a person’s faith is embodied with some expression of embracing the plans God has set in motion. I think of those expressions as yes moments. For example, when Mary hears the angel Gabriel say “Greetings, favored one” and learns of the journey that God has planned - her response, "Here I am Lord…” is a yes moment. Joseph too says “yes” when he embraces what he is called to do in a dream and takes Mary as his wife. When shepherds learn of the Messiah’s birth, their journey to Bethlehem to see the child, is yet another affirmation moment when they choose to “go and see." Granted, heavenly heralds had much to do with the yes moments mentioned. However, I would suggest that heavenly invitations abound in our communities today. When we commit to walking in love, we open ourselves up to those yes opportunities to lend our wealth, works, and wisdom to a world in need. Imagine what God is calling us to say “yes” to as we walk in love during Advent and in the year ahead.
The work on the rebirth of our dear St. Paul’s Church has already begun this Advent season, and we will ask for your generous support of the 2025 Stewardship campaign. In partnership with the Diocese of Southern Ohio, your vestry will work side by side with you and our friends at the Diocese, to breathe new life into our church and our community. We are now moving ahead, taking us to an abundant and joyous future, while we celebrate the birth of Baby Jesus.
Jay Woodhull, Sr. Warden
Church Financials
St Paul's Episcopal Church
Financial Executive Summary - October 2024
Provided by Randy Young
Total income including plate and pledge was $63.4K for the month of October vs budgeted $34.7K for a $28.7K favorable balance.
Expenses were $40.9K actual vs $45.1K budgeted for a $4.2K favorable balance.
Total monthly income exceeded expenses for a $27.4K favorable balance for the month. See summary below.
Year to date income through October was $382.9K vs YTD expenses of $460.9K for a YTD unfavorable balance of <$78K > for the 10-month period 2024.
*(Amounts shown are rounded up or down to the nearest $100)
Summary: October income exceeded expenses, in large measure due to our receiving nearly $30K from the Diocese to reimburse us for Fr. Christian's services as well as our having drawn our normal quarterly income from the rental property and investments. Pledge and plate offerings along with non-pledge income came to $19.8K in October, below the $28K budgeted.
Given that we had a budget at the beginning of the year that had a built-in deficit of <$129K>, and we are on track to coming in at the end of this year in the mid <$60K> range, we have something to be thankful for.
This projection is predicated on the usual proforma that November and December see 20 to 30% of our pledge income realized.
Financial Executive Summary - October 2024
Provided by Randy Young
Total income including plate and pledge was $63.4K for the month of October vs budgeted $34.7K for a $28.7K favorable balance.
Expenses were $40.9K actual vs $45.1K budgeted for a $4.2K favorable balance.
Total monthly income exceeded expenses for a $27.4K favorable balance for the month. See summary below.
Year to date income through October was $382.9K vs YTD expenses of $460.9K for a YTD unfavorable balance of <$78K > for the 10-month period 2024.
*(Amounts shown are rounded up or down to the nearest $100)
Summary: October income exceeded expenses, in large measure due to our receiving nearly $30K from the Diocese to reimburse us for Fr. Christian's services as well as our having drawn our normal quarterly income from the rental property and investments. Pledge and plate offerings along with non-pledge income came to $19.8K in October, below the $28K budgeted.
Given that we had a budget at the beginning of the year that had a built-in deficit of <$129K>, and we are on track to coming in at the end of this year in the mid <$60K> range, we have something to be thankful for.
This projection is predicated on the usual proforma that November and December see 20 to 30% of our pledge income realized.