Thanksgiving Day & Nov. 28-1st Sunday of Advent

Announcements for 
Thanksgiving Day, November 25, 2021, &
The First Sunday of Advent,
November 28, 2021
Thanksgiving Day Worship at 10a.m.
Let us join together in giving thanks for our many blessings, including God's abiding presence through days of sorrow and hardship, as well as for the beauty and bounty of God's Creation.  We'll sing the great hymns of Thanksgiving, hear Governor Wilbur Cross's classic and timely Thanksgiving proclamation of 1936, and offer the Great Thanksgiving.  You can participate in-person and online.  
Have a Blessed and Safe Thanksgiving!
Harrison+
 
First Sunday of Advent, November 28 begins a new year in the life of the Church, and also begins the celebration of Hanukkah for our Jewish neighbors -- another celebration of light against the darkness of the world. Thanks to our Altar Guild team, this Sunday the Advent wreath returns, as do our beautiful indigo hangings and vestments.
      If you follow these things, we'll move into Year C in the Revised Common Lectionary -- the cycle of readings we share with liturgical English-speaking denominations for Sundays and major holy days, and Year 2 in the Prayer Book's Daily Office lectionary. . 

"Grateful for All God's Love"
-- our Stewardship Program for 2022 -- began to receive our Giving Estimate Cards on Christ the King Sunday, with a powerful and challenging sermon from the Rev. Ellen Tillotson.  Thanks to all who offered their Gift Estimates for 2022.  As previously noted, we will continue to receive cards throughout Thanksgiving Week and into Advent. 
      Outside of service times, the side door, closest to the Guild Room, is open daily between 10am and 3p.m. so you may have personal prayer-time in the church, and to offer your Giving Estimate on the altar.

Gift cards for Thanksgiving Food Baskets --
Again this year, the Guilford Food Bank invites us to provide grocery store gift cards between $10 and $25 for their Holiday Food Basket program.  The Food Bank will provide supported households “with a turkey, fresh vegetables and a gift card for participants to purchase their own non-perishables according to their own dietary needs and family traditions.” 
     Your gifts may be left on the altar, placed in an offering basin, or delivered to the Parish Office.  Please make checks payable to Christ Church with "Food Basket" on the memo line, and we'll purchase cards for you.
     This is the Guilford Food Bank’s one appeal to support their food basket programs for both Thanksgiving and Christmas.  Thanks to all who have responded so generously! 

Big News from Shoreline Interfaith Resettlement
Shoreline Interfaith Resettlement (SHIR) has received confirmation of a family for to co-sponsor with IRIS: A family of 11 - parents, four daughters, ages 19, 17,13 & 5, and five sons, ages 15, 11,10, 9 & 7!  This week SHIR signed a lease for a four-bedroom house in New Haven's Beaver Hills neighborhood.
Thanks to all Christ Church parishioners who have provided such generous financial support!  As you can imagine, the needs for this family will be significant!
Other ways to help:  SHIR is asking for coats/hats/gloves and NEW underwear, socks and pajamas.  Please leave them by the Children's Altar. The needed furnishings have been received.
Shoreline Interfaith Resettlement includes First Congregational Church of Guilford, St. George Catholic Church, Temple Beth Tikvah, North Madison Congregational Church, Christ Church and other community individuals and groups. 

Episcopal Church Women Announcements:
Dear Ladies of Christ Church, You all are invited to the ECW's December 9th Annual Christmas Luncheon!  Fliers are available in the church and parish hall, and just outside the parish office. 
The ECW will also offer their “Cookie-Less Cookie Boxes" again this year.  Reserve yours now in the parish hall or on December 3rd, to support the ECW's high school scholarship program. 
Holiday cardholders will also be available on the table in the Parish Hall.  There will be honor-system collection boxes for each.   

Christmas Wreaths may be ordered on Sunday morning; forms are available in the church or outside the Parish Office, and sample bows are displayed next to more forms in the Parish Hall.  Wreath decorating will happen on Thursday, December 2, between 3 and 6p.m.; all are invited!  Wreaths may be picked up then, or during the Chili-to-Go Event between 5 and 7p.m. on Friday, December 3.

Christmas Market -- December 3, 5-7p.m.
Your Tag Sale Team is trying something new!  Come and see ouroutdoor Christmas Market during Chili-to-Go, and the Wreath and Cookie-Box Sales.  The Market will feature holiday entertaining and decorating items, as well as NEW gifts and holiday baskets.  Proceeds will fund needed building improvements.  Thank you for your support!

From Cecelia:  Poetry Retreat/Poetry Table
Hello Christ Church! As a lover of the arts and creativity, I often find that one of the ways I most easily connect with God is while reading or writing poetry. There's just something about these little packets of words that seem to hit right where and when I need them to. Poetry, for me, is often an answer to prayer and it is a gift I would love to bring to Christ Church during my time here. That being said, you can look forward to a poetry table located under the balcony with copies of poems on different topics that I hope God may use to speak into your life.  Additionally, you can look forward to a Poetry Retreat, now moved to Saturday December 11th from 11-1 where we will talk and experiment in more depth with the ways poetry can connect us with God, each other, and ourselves. 
 
Tag Sale Jewelry Pop-up Sale Come see our costume jewelry display in the Parish Hall!  There were many nice pieces left from our September sale and all items are reasonably priced.  Display will be refreshed with new items frequently, so check back often.  Please use the RED box on the table for your “honor system” payment.  Thank you from your Tag Sale Team!

The Path: Journey through the Bible --  Chapter 5
-- will resume on Monday, November 29 and Thursday, December 2 with a discussion of the first part of the first group of stories about the King-who-did-not-know-Joseph, the Israelites, and Moses.  Click here for the Zoom link to both.
 
Intercessory Prayer: Please help shape the Prayers of the People, by replying to this message with the people, birthdays, anniversaries, and concerns you would like included in the Prayers of the People.
      The door nearest the Guild Room is unlocked daily between 10a.m. and at least 3p.m., for a time of quiet in the church or to listen to Mark rehearse.