December 18, The Fourth Sunday of Advent

Daily Scripture Readings;  bookofcommonprayer.net/daily_office.php

See the different options.  There is full morning and evening prayer.  There is also the option of the readings only.  There is also an app for receiving the daily readings by email, or on a mobile device

 Sunday Scripture Readings:  bookofcommonprayer.net/lectionary.php

Set it for 1979 Contemporary, and the Bible version used in Church is Revised Standard Version

Christmas at COA  2016

Fourth Sunday of Advent

Saturday December 17: 9:00 a.m.  Decorate the Church for Christmas

             The Altar Guild will lead a group of volunteers of all ages to prepare the Church for Christmas.  Everyone is invited to help, and we do need people to come out.  We need help with hanging the decorations, as well as setting up and decorating the Christmas trees in the front of the Church.   The Church decorating is always fun and it’s great to have children and young people help as well.   So everyone in the parish is invited to come and help.  It only takes a couple of hours, and together we’ll make the Church look magnificent.

Sunday December 18:  The Fourth Sunday of Advent 

7:45 a.m.  Holy Eucharist

10:15  a.m. Advent Lessons and Carols with the Holy Eucharist. 

             We conclude Advent with our Liturgy of Lessons and Carols.  The Liturgy of the Word contains the stories of Creation and the Fall, and the Advent Prophecies from Catechesis of the Good Shepherd;  the Star, the Light, the City, the Mother and the Names, followed by the Annunciation Gospel from St. Luke.  Between the readings we will sing hymns reflecting what we’ve heard.  This is always a powerful way to close Advent and make us ready for Christmas. 

Christmas Eve

December 24, Christmas Eve

4:30 p.m.  The Children’s Christmas Eve Liturgy

             The Children’s Christmas Eve Liturgy reflects our children’s “religious potential” in that much of the liturgy is their own creation.  Children from Levels 2 & 3 will choose the readings and read them to us.  They will choose the carols and sing them with us.  Children from all three levels will compose the Prayers of the People.  A catechist will give the Nativity Presentation in the crossing of the Church with the children sitting close and participating.  Children from all three atriums will assist in the service.   Children from the Level 1 Atrium will assist me in the Preparation of the Gifts of the Altar, and others will do all the jobs that make the service go.   At the Offertory we will have a procession to present the books  we’ve collected in Advent for Global Hands of Hope.   The books should be brought to the Church unwrapped. 

 There will be nursery care at the 4:30 p.m. service. 

10:00 p.m.   Choral Holy Eucharist.

             Our Christmas Liturgy is truly nourishing Christ’s people from the riches of his grace.  The Liturgy of the Word is composed of readings from a variety of Christian spiritual writers through the ages.  Between the readings there will be Choir anthems and congregational singing of favorite Christmas carols.  At the conclusion of the Eucharist we will give each person a candle and then process out of the Church and circle the Angel singing “Silent Night.”  On the patio after the liturgy we will serve hot cider  and we will have a fire going in a portable fire place.   This is an incredibly beautiful liturgy and it really does touch people deeply. Please recommend it to people you know and invite friends. 

Christmas Day

 Sunday December 25:  10:15 a.m.

             Fr. Bob will celebrate a quiet Holy Eucharist at 10:15.  There won’t be any music.  People are welcome to join him in the Choir Stalls for  contemplative and reflective service

Epiphany

Sunday January 8: 

7:45 & 10:15 a.m.  Holy Eucharist

2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.   Open House at the Rectory

             We will celebrate Epiphany two days late.  While we really like celebrating the 12 days of Christmas, we also like having as many of us gather as possible so this year it will be 14 days!   We’ll do the Annual Epiphany Open House at the Rectory that Sunday afternoon from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.  Bring some treats to share and enjoy each other as we close out Christmas.  We especially hope that those of you who are new among us, will come and that we can all know each other better.  Everyone of all ages is invited. 

The Financial Page

Completing Pledges for 2016

If necessary, please complete you Annual Giving Pledge for 2016 in the next several weeks.   We will be sending out statements to show your giving up to this time.   In January after we close the books for 2016, we will give you a year end statement of your giving to Church of the Angels.   Everyone’s gift is necessary, and we appreciate your support

 Flowers and Decorations for Christmas

            If you signed up to donate to the flowers and decorations for Christmas, please be sure to make you check to Church of the Angels, and mark it.  Christmas Flowers.

 Church of the Angels Annual Giving for 2017

Here is a “gentle reminder” that we really need  everyone to make an Annual Giving Pledge for 2017.   A parish of our size must have the support of all its members in order to do all the things that make the parish so wonderful. 

 So, if you haven’t yet made a pledge for 2017, you can pick up a pledge card at the back of the Church, or online as   This year we have added something to make the process of Pledging even more gentle.  In addition to our regular mailing with a pledge card and return envelope, we have made it possible to submit your pledge on line.  We have a link to our website which you can go to, fill out, and submit your pledge. 

 To access on line pledging go to : :  http://www.coa-pasadena.org/pledge

 When you press the “Submit” button your pledge card will automatically go to an email address specifically for the Parish Treasurer. 

 We do the Annual Giving Drive in a very low-key way and through the years, parishioners have generously supported the parish with their tithes and offerings.  Year by year when Bill talks to us, he simply states the facts, and invites all to join in and take part.

             If you have already submitted your Annual Giving Pledge for 2017, we thank you.  If you haven’t yet, please make use of the on line pledge link.  The mail in cards are fine too.  If you’ve never make an Annual Giving Pledge before, we urge you to consider doing so.  In a parish our size, everyone’s contribution is vital.

Outreach:  Mission Giving

 Christmas Books for Suubi School in Uganda

  It’s Advent, and the Outreach Committee is preparing a Christmas tree of ornaments and book suggestions to help you and your family gift the students at Suubi School in Uganda.  This year the greatest need is for early readers and they need hardback books. (There are lots of students reading the early reader books!!)   

 Hardback books aren’t always available without ordering, so choose and order books from your favorite bookstore early.  We suggest going as a family to a local, independent bookstore such as “Once Upon a Time” in Montrose, “Vroman’s” in Pasadena or “San Marino Toy and Book Shoppe” in San Marino  to choose your favorite early readers, or pick a couple off the tree knowing you may need to order them.

 We have included some African fable books that may no longer be published, so if you buy a used book (and this is perfectly fine!!!) please buy one in Very Good condition.

 The first floor of the new elementary school has been completed and a gift to their Christmas party also helps to furnish the new classrooms.  If you would like to make a student and student's family very happy, please donate here: https://mystory.lifesongfororphans.org/stories/christmas-blessings-hope-2016/

 The children at Suubi are incredibly grateful for your love and prayers, books and donations.  You can be assured that you are making a difference in the life of a child!

 For more information talk to Tracy Gaestel, Kate Kahler-Rickman or Amy Riker after church.

 Thank you for your generosity.  You have blessed Suubi with Read-Alouds, Board Books and books for the classroom and you are helping to move them into a culture of reading.

Emmaus Road:  Monday December 19, 7:00 p.m.

The Great Courses:  Reading Biblical Literature from Genesis to Revelation

Emmaus Road begins a program looking at portions of a new class from The Teaching Company’s Great Courses.  Reading Biblical Literature From Genesis to Revelation.   The Great Courses are lectures on a wide range of subjects given by outstanding, award winning college professors.  The lectures are a half hour in length.   We will jump around the course on the Bible and viewing specific topics in order of interest rather than chronology.  The lecture for Monday will be:  St. Paul..   No reading is involved, Everyone is welcome to participate and you can come to any or all.

Music with the Angels   Sunday, January 1, 4:00 p.m.

Harpsichord Music by Girolamo Frescobaldi

 Professor Robert Zappulla of Claremont Graduate University will perform a harpsichord recital of music by the Italian Baroque master, Girolamo Frescobaldi in Pasadena's historic Church of the Angels, constructed in 1889. Zappulla, a former pupil of the late, world-renowned harpsichordist Gustav Leonhardt, will play on a fine instrument based on 17th-century Italian models.  Admission free.  Call 909-607-3289 for more information.