This Sunday
- The Rev. Sheldon Hutchison will be preaching at both services.
- Sunday Worship: 8:00 a.m. Eucharist in the Chapel; 10:15 a.m. Choral Eucharist in the Church; Creative Holy Play for preschool through pre-teen during the 10:15 a.m. service; Youth Group meets after the 10:15 a.m. service.
- Choir Rehearsal: 9:00 a.m. in the Church
- The Forum: 9:00 a.m. in the Fireside Room. We continue this Sunday with our Advent Book Study, exploring the delightful Being Christian: Baptism, Bible, Eucharist, Prayer by former Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams. We had a wonderful discussion of the Bible last week and will talk about Eucharist this coming Sunday. Please feel free to join even if you haven't had a chance to read the book!
- Coffee Hour: in the Parish Hall following the 10:15 service
- Vestry Meeting: 12:00 p.m. in the Conference Room
- Convivium Rehearsal: 5:00 p.m. in the Parish Hall
- AA: 8:00 p.m. Co-Ed Step Study Group in the Fireside Room
- Sunday's lesson can be found online by clicking here
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Interfaith Vigil for Victims of Gun Violence
On Sunday, December 16th, vigils are being held at hundreds of locations nationwide to give voice to all victims and survivors of gun violence and together help #EndGunViolence in America. Several members of Christ Church plan to attend the Interfaith Vigil at Lytton Plaza in Palo Alto at 4:30 p.m. All are welcome to join! If you'd like to meet up with others from the parish or have questions, please contact Marcene Van Dierendonck (mvd1131@aol.com). Keep in mind that it will be getting dark at that time and will likely be cold, so best to bring a flashlight and some warm clothes.
Wednesday Advent Eucharists
Our final contemplative mid-week Advent Eucharist will be on Wednesday, December 19. The first two have been just beautiful. Each service includes a simple chant led by our Director of Music, Eric Tuan, and a brief homily. We gather in the Church from 12:00-12:30 p.m. All are welcome!
Ventana's Annual Holiday Sing Along
All of the Ventana classes are busy rehearsing for their annual holiday performance on Thursday, December 20! The morning will begin with a VePA-hosted (Ventana's parent association) Santa Lucia coffee hour and treats at 8:30 a.m. in the Fireside Room. The Holiday Sing Along will begin at 9:30 a.m. in the Parish Hall. A full house is expected, so you may want to arrive early to get a seat. All parishioners are welcome!
Christmas Pageant Dress Rehearsal
We will be having a Christmas Pageant dress rehearsal on Sunday, December 23, in the church following the 10:15 a.m. service. Even if you've missed our previous planning meetings, you are welcome to come to the dress rehearsal and join the cast. Can't make it to any meetings before the 24th? All children are welcome to participate in the pageant! Simply arrive by 3:30 p.m. on the 24th and we’ll provide a costume and some guidance.
Twelfth Night Celebration
Contrary to popular opinion, the Twelve Days of Christmas do not precede Christmas. In the liturgical season of Christmas, December 25, is the first day. The Twelfth Day of Christmas is January 5. It is an old English tradition to celebrate the Twelfth Night of Christmas with feasting and parties, including choosing a King and Queen to rule over the festivities. This is a tradition we have embraced and followed for many years at Christ Church. Please join us on Saturday, January 5, 6:00-8:00 p.m. to celebrate Twelfth Night. Bring your children and grandchildren, and a hearty appetizer or a dessert to share. We will drink wassail, sing carols, and reprise our medieval Herod Play. We then will follow the Magi into the church for a short candlelight service. Don’t miss this special evening!
Evensong Celebrating Those Married or Partnered 50+ Years
On Sunday afternoon, February 10, Grace Cathedral and The Rt. Rev. Marc Handley Andrus, Bishop of California, invite couples who have been married or partnered for 50 years or more to celebrate their years together. This festal Choral Evensong will be sung by the Cathedral Camerata. Couples are invited to renew their vows to each other during the service, and the bishop will pronounce God’s blessing. For more information and to receive an invitation, please click here.
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Save The Date - Upcoming Events
Monday, December 24, 4:00 p.m.: Family-friendly Christmas Eve service with pageant
Monday, December 24, 8:30 p.m.: Christmas Choral and Organ Concert
Monday, December 24, 9:00 p.m.: Candlelit Christmas Eve Eucharist with Parish Choir
Saturday, January 5: Twelfth Night Celebration
Sunday, January 27: Parish Annual Meeting
Sunday, February 3: Parish Dinner Potluck with speaker Sukey Bryan
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Pledge Update
Many and profound thanks to the 78 households that pledged their financial support to the mission and ministry of Christ Church in 2019! The vestry has been deeply moved by the generosity and enthusiasm of those giving to the parish. We're particularly thrilled to have had so many new members pledge along with long-time members pledge for the first time. With everyone's help, our 2019 pledge total is a little more than $444,000, an increase of $67,000 over last year (and $141,000 more than two years ago!)
The vestry is now working on the 2019 budget. If you have not yet pledged but intend to, please either submit your card ASAP or email Deanne (office@ccla.us) or Rev. Claire (claire@ccla.us) so that we can plan accordingly. Your offering, no matter the size, will be gratefully received.
Our budget alone could not possibly support the entire life of the parish. A Church is not only a religious non-profit: we are the body of Christ and a family in faith, where each person is called into ministry and every offering is both needed and welcomed. The pledge cards included space for members to let us know why they are giving, and also to indicate other ways they intend to contribute their time, energy and talents next year as a non-financial pledge. Here's a glimpse into those responses:
"Christ Church is the village that helped raise my children. They learned by example the value of unconditional love, service and compassion. I'm forever grateful to this Church."
"This church has become an important part of my life. I truly miss it when I'm traveling. I want the reminder of good in the world."
"I give to places I find inspiring. Places where I feel like my donations will make a difference. I'm inspired by Christ Church. I want to see us grow and I want to be a part of that."
In 2019, in addition to my financial pledge, I also offer: to serve on a committee; to sing in the choir; to help wherever I'm needed; to serve as a Eucharistic minister; to usher; to be on the Altar Guild; to volunteer in the office; to help with coffee hour; to assist with our outreach ministries; to help with Buildings and Grounds; to be a counter.
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n whose families are supported by Sunnyvale Community Services (SCS)! This morning, Santa Erin Sobota, along with Elves Rob and Matt Sobota, loaded up their Santa Van to deliver gifts collected through Wednesday to SCS. We have almost fulfilled all 100 ornaments given to us by SCS, just a few left on tree. All gifts are to be brought in 
