From the Pastor
Rev. Dr. Sonja Tobey
This Sunday is the Third Sunday of Advent, and our Advent worship series Prepare the Way for the Lord: Advent and the Message of John the Baptist. In this Sunday's sermon, we explore the ministry of John the Baptist, which proclaimed baptism for the forgiveness of sins and a call to action, bearing fruit worthy of repentance.
As part of this series, we will have daily readings and we have begun providing bulletins. You can get these in person at the church or by downloading them at www.stpaulslawton.org/onlineworship. You can find them under the heading, "Daily Readings and Bulletins for the Worship Series." In addition to the order of worship, the bulletins will have announcements and information about things going on at St. Paul's.
We have many things going on in Family Ministries. We just had a wonderful Jingle Jam! Tonight there will be Kid's Night Out - a time of popcorn, pizza, pajamas, movie (The Grinch Who Stole Christmas), and crafts. It is 5:30 to 9:00 p.m. RSVP your kids to stpaulslawtonchildren@yahoo.com.
On Wednesday the 14th, we will have our last Midweek of this year. We will have pizza then the children and youth will have a Nativity Escape Room. Adults will have discussion on relevant topics as we have been.
On Friday the 16th, we will be showing Disney's "A Christmas Carol." This is a great retelling of the Charles Dickens classic. We will be watching in the sanctuary. You can bring your own movie time snacks and enjoy the movie!
It is a busy month! We have many things going on. Be sure to check out the church calendar and the December Events Newsletter.
See you Sunday!
Grace and peace,
Rev. Dr. Sonja Tobey
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It's Angel Tree Time
 Incarceration can strain family ties to the breaking point. By providing Christmas gifts on behalf of incarcerated parents, Prison Fellowship Angel Tree allows local congregations to extend the hope of the Gospel to families with loved ones in prison.
St. Paul's will be participating with Prison Fellowship Angel Tree virtually. Following this LINK will take you to the St. Paul's Angel Tree page. There will be a pop up that asks whether you want to sponsor specific children or you can enter how many you would like to sponsor and they randomly pick for you. If you want to specifically donate to children in Comanche County, then click the button that says, "choose specific children to sponsor." Then you can tell them that you want to find children in Oklahoma, Comanche County. You can further narrow it down by gender and age.
You will be given the opportunity to give a gift card to the child's caregiver as well. It isn't required, but it is a nice gesture to care for those who care for others.
Once you have made your selections and are ready to check out, on the payment page it will ask if you are giving as an individual or collectively as a church/organization. Please let them know you are giving collectively with a church. You will be emailed a receipt for this tax deductible gift. If you have difficulty with the process, please contact Maurine Wiseman (580-585-5975)
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We will be showing Disney's "A Christmas Carol" on Friday, December 16th at 6 p.m. This is just a fun time for the church family to get together and watch a movie. Bring your favorite movie snacks. We will be in the sanctuary. No need to bring chairs or blankets unless you just want to. I hope you will join us.
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Not everyone is up and cheery for the Christmas holidays. Dealing with the death of a loved one, facing life after divorce or separation, coping with the loss of a job, living with cancer or some other dis-ease that puts a question mark over the future, and several other human situations make parties and joviality painful for many people. Additionally, there are people who struggle with seasonal sadness around Christmas and during winter. This service is sacred space for people living through such times. A reflective service, that accepts where we really are, and holding out healing and hope.
December 21st is the Winter Solstice or the longest night of the year. It is also the traditional feast day for Saint Thomas the Apostle. There are connections between Thomas's struggle to believe the tale of Jesus' resurrection, the long nights just before Christmas, and the struggle with darkness and grief faced by those living with loss.
Join us for a meaningful service to remember the hope the season provides.
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Advent Worship
Prepare the Way for the Lord: Advent and the Message of John the Baptist.
December 11, 2022 – John’s Ministry and Preaching
Text: Luke 3:1-8
December 18, 2022 – Compassion and Generosity: Fruits Worthy of Repentance
Text: Luke 3:7-14, Mark 6:14-29
December 24-25, 2022 – Witnesses, Testifying to the Light
Text: John 1:1-14, John 3:22-30, Matthew 3:13-17
New Year's Day Service will be online only at 11:00 a.m.
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 Christmas Caroling
December 18th at 4 p.m.
We will be caroling to those in our community who are unable to get out much. We will leave the church at 4 p.m. We will take the bus and we will also take personal cars. Be at the church by 3:50 p.m., and join us!
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This week at St. Paul's
12/11-17/2022
It's Family Promise Week
Sunday -
9:30 a.m. Sunday school
10:45 a.m. In person worship
11:00 a.m. Online worship starts
4:00 p.m. Youth Group
5:30 p.m. Zoom Bible Study
Monday -
10:00 a.m. to Noon - Church Office Open
Tuesday -
6:00 p.m. Emmaus
7:00 p.m. Prayer
Wednesday -
10:00 a.m. to Noon - Church Office Open
5:30 p.m. Midweek at St. Paul's (Pizza Party)
Friday -
6:00 p.m. - Movie Night - Disney's "A Christmas Carol."
Coming Up
December 18th at 4:00 p.m. - Christmas Caroling
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December 21st at 6:00 p.m. - A Winter Service of Healing and Hope (formerly a Blue Christmas Service)
December 24th at 6:00 p.m. - Christmas Eve Candlelight Service
December 25th at 10:00 a.m. - Christmas Day Communion Service
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