HI-Lights | Advent Meditation; Lessons & Carols Sunday

Click to watch Rabbi Phil Kranz speaking; concluding our 150th Anniversary preaching series!

Advent Reflection

Our Advent practice is to live a drama. We symbolically join the people of God who have waited in darkness. Whether that might be our ancient ancestors or our next-door neighbor. Advent is an invitation to the dark. To get in it. To name the dark as darkness. To call it what it is. Our first Collect for Advent calls us to suit up with light as “armor” and then we pray to God to “stir up his power.”

The work is internal.

It begins there, with a story that illuminates, a story of light and life. It is a story about your choosing, your volition, your dignity, your hope, and your choosing light in the darkness.

To keep hope alive and bear the darkness, the ancients would take a wheel from the idle winter carts, bring it in, and turn it flat on its side. A symbol of stillness and waiting; the quieting of marketplace and machinery. A centering piece decked with evergreens and wicks and firelight. We defy the power of darkness, with our wheel turned flat on the dining room table.

Like the ancients, we know the threatening darkness, we know the forces that risk our lives. Our Advent liturgy has us putting on light, “as armor,” to do battle with darkness.

So the work is external too.

We wear God for this work and become activists to dispel the darkness. We busy ourselves with outreach and social ministries in Advent because our king is coming. We know it. We sing it. His rule is “peace and freedom, justice, truth, and love.”

We position ourselves with people who are desperate to see God’s face. We’re finding our way in the dark, and imagining the earth filled with his glory, and we become activists to dispel the darkness. Our hearts pound with excitement. The King is coming. This is his Advent.

Excerpt from Celtic Ways to Pray.

Blessings,

Combined Sunday School Sunday
All ages from children to adults will meet for a joint Advent faith formation experience with a panel of youth and clergy. Kids will hang out for doughnuts and a craft before choir rehearsal at 9:30. All meet in Inglett at 9 am.

Pastoral Note
The funeral for Eleanor Bowles will be held at Holy Innocents this Sunday afternoon, December 18 at 2:00 pm. Please keep her family in your utmost prayers as they grieve her senseless death and the publicity it has brought upon them at this horrible time.
Rest eternal grant to her, O Lord;
And let light perpetual shine upon her.
May her soul, and the souls of all the departed,
through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

DONATE... If you would like to donate toward our Christmas Flowers in the church in honor or in memory of someone, please make a check to the church with the information provided or give online here.

Ventulett Gallery Opening | December 15
The Ventulett Gallery provides a venue of visual expression for Holy Innocents’ parish and the local community to inspire and promote curiosity. Witness the colorful Heaven & Nature Sing exhibit featuring works of art by Lorraine Kimsey and Beth Blackwell Cullen. Join us from 6:00-8:00 PM for wine, hors d’oeuvres, and a live performance by guitarist John Martin. Heaven & Nature Sing will run through January 23rd. You don’t want to miss it!

Ordination of Hannah Kelly | December 17
God, the Bishop, and the People willing, our recently graduated seminarian Hannah Kelly will be ordained a Transitional Deacon on Saturday, December 17 at 2 pm at the Cathedral of St. Philip. All are welcome to attend this wonderful and joy-filled day. Hannah is planning to become a Priest. The process includes a 6 month period of working as a Transitional Deacon to learn that a ministry of service is a deep part of the calling to the priesthood. Even if you cannot be present, please pray for the ministry of our friend Hannah!

Children's Choir | December 18

Our Children's Choir is singing this Sunday as part of the 10:15 Lessons & Carols! We have been working hard for weeks to learn this beautiful piece and we are so excited to give children this opportunity to shine. Please meet at 9:30 in the Chapel to warm up and rehearse. Kids will walk in the processional and then leave immediately for Children's Chapel and come in when it's our time to sing.

Stewardship Update

So far you have generously pledged over $1,850,320 to pay off our capital debt. The interest rate on the loan for building renovations has increased greatly, so principal payments make a big difference. As for our 2023 operating budget, we have over $1,115,670 in pledges!
Thank you!

Please consider pledging making a pledge here so that we can be Set Free to Serve!

Children's Christmas Pageant | December 24
Mark your calendars and prepare for a wonderful afternoon of children retelling the story of the Nativity. Children will rehearse for the pageant in Sunday school and Children's Chapel and friends and guests are invited to join in the fun anytime! The pageant begins at 3:00 PM.

Men's Dinner and a Book | January 10
The next Men's Dinner and a Book is Tuesday, January 10 at 6:30 pm and the book is "Never” by Ken Follett. Donley Klein is hosting. If you would like to attend, please contact Jeremy Webber at jhwwebber@gmail.com for details. All men at Holy Innocents are included and invited.

Lift Every Voice and Sing | January 20
Postponed from the pandemic, this interfaith event will feature a new Spelman College arrangement on “Lift Every Voice and Sing” by Dr. Kevin Johnson, Director of the Spelman College Glee Club. We will be joined by multiple choral ensembles for this event, accompanied by gospel instrumentalists. Join us at 7:00 PM at Sisters Chapel, Spelman College.

Women of HI: The Dignity Lens | January 26
Come join the Women of Holy Innocents for dinner and inspiration! Dr. Beth-Sarah Wright will be speaking on "The Dignity Lens: Bridging the Gap between your Hopes and Reality." Don't miss this special opportunity to learn effective strategies for living a more authentic life. The event is on Thursday, January 26th at 6:00 PM in the Bishop Commons. The cost is $25; it includes dinner and a presentation. Registration coming soon.

Annual Parish Retreat | February 10-12
We’ve reserved a spot for you at our Annual Holy Innocents’ Parish Retreat at Amicalola Falls State Park on February 10-12, 2023. This is simply a time of fun, fellowship, rest, worship and renewal together with your church family. There are activities for children and youth as well as the young at heart. What does it mean to have Open Minds and Full Hearts? Join us as we delve deeper into our church’s tag line. Our new Vicar Stewart will coordinate the retreat year with a fun planning team.

This Sunday
8:00 AM: Worship, Christ Chapel
8:45 AM: Donuts provided by Men of Holy Innocents', Bishop Commons
9:00 AM: Formation, Inglett Hall
10:15 AM: Worship, Nave
2:00 PM: Funeral, Nave
4:00 PM: Youth Christmas Party, Frost Youth Center
5:00 PM: Spanish-speaking Worship, Nave
6:00 PM: Celtic-style Worship, Christ Chapel

PRAYERS & BIRTHDAYS