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Our location: Edgcumbe Road 1 block west of South Snelling Avenue and immediately west of Highland High School. Click the map above to see an interactive map.

Edgcumbe Presbyterian Church
Midweek Update – December 4, 2019

In this issue:
• Willingness
• Gratitude and Christmas Eve
• Bible Study change
• New Member Exploration
• Advent Giving: sheets & blankets
• Night of Peace at HPHS
• Snow shoes!
• Concert invites
• Birthdays and Anniversaries

WILLINGNESS
In his daily devotional today, Todd Barnes accurately writes, “Many of us want to change without changing.” We want our lives to be better, our diet to be better, the world to be better—all without changing anything about ourselves. We like our routines, our habits, our thinking, our judgments, our comforts.
Julie and I often mention the quote we saw on a building in the months before we started at Edgcumbe Church thirteen years ago: “If we want the world to be better, we need to be better. If I want the world to change, I need to change.” This echoes what John the Baptist says to the crowds coming to the Jordan River to be baptized: “Change your hearts and lives! Here comes the kingdom of heaven!”
What does it take to change? It’s very simple really. It takes willingness. Say to yourself five times: “I am willing to change.” Just saying that is powerful. Notice how you feel as you say it. Do you feel more relaxed? resistant? accepting? fuzzy? focused? Try saying it five more times. Feel free to make it a mantra for yourself today. If you do, I can guarantee the Holy Spirit is listening.

GRATITUDE AND CHRISTMAS EVE!
• Thank you so much to everyone who helped at both the Thanksgiving Day Gratitude meeting and at last Sunday’s Brunch and Decorating. Both events were wonderful and the church now looks festive for the holidays.
• Dec. 24: Christmas Eve Worship at 4pm. Please join us and invite friends and family to this candlelit service of wonder and music and worship. We will have four guest musicians and the choir will sing and we will circle in the dark with candles in our hands and prayers in our hearts.

BIBLE STUDY MOVED TO AFTER WORSHIP
This week’s Bible Study will move from 6:30pm to after worship this Sunday to accommodate Pastor Phil’s schedule. Anyone is welcome to join us in the Parlor from about 11:20am until 12:15pm!

NEW MEMBER EXPLORATION CLASS-JAN. 12
If you are interested in attending a class to explore membership at Edgcumbe Church, please talk to either Pastor or any Elder (Eleta, Jay, Fred, Meredith, or Connie). The date for the class will be Sunday, January 12, after worship.

ADVENT GIVING OPPORTUNITY
Gently-used (or new) Twin Size Fitted Sheets and Warm Blankets Needed
Project Home, the mission of Interfaith Action who houses homeless families in the buildings of two faith communities each month, is in desperate need of bedding for the children and parents staying with them, specifically twin-sized fitted sheets and warm blankets (twin or full size). Bedding can be new or gently-used with no rips or stains. We will collect these items for the next few weeks. Put the items into a paper bag to place under the tree in the sanctuary.

NIGHT OF PEACE AT HPHS-TONIGHT
Jews, Christians, and Muslims in St. Paul's Highland Park neighborhood are gathering together for a Night of Peace and Goodwill THIS EVENING, December 4, 6:00-8:00 PM, at the Highland Park High School cafeteria, hosted by the High Park District Council. Pastor Julie will be one of the speakers.

SNOW SHOES
does anyone have any snowshoes in your lives looking for a new home?? there is a hope that we can have a couple of pair of snowshoes available to use for winter time walking on the meditation paths in the backwoods. please talk to pastor julie with any possible leads. thank you!!

CHRISTMAS CONCERTS
Isaac’s college choir concert, Christmas in Christ Chapel at Gustavus Adolphus
The GebbenGreens are going to watch Isaac’s choir in person on Sunday afternoon. If you want to catch a web version of the concert on Saturday evening, go to this website: https://gustavus.edu/events/ccc/ and click on the Watch Online link in the upper left to sign up for free.

Songs of the Season, sponsored by the Schubert Club—FREE!
December 19 at 7pm at Central Presbyterian Church, 500 Cedar Street, St. Paul, MN 55101
Featuring PETER MAYER (and Leslie Snow will be in the choir of back-up singers for Peter!)

DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO:
Micah GebbenGreen– December 12
Warner Gunsell – December 16
Tierra Hunt – December 27

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO:
Lorenz Fett & Ngoc Nguyn – December 13

Giving Tree – NEW Pajamas & Socks
Remember what it was like as a kid to get a new pair of pajamas and socks, especially at Christmas time? We would like to give that warm, fuzzy feeling to ALL of those staying with Project Home – children and adults alike. Now through December 15 we are collecting NEW pajamas and socks in hopes of providing a fresh, new set to each person staying in the program through the holiday. There are approximately 40 people, children from infant through teenagers, mothers, fathers and grandmothers. Scout the sales now, purchase what you can, and bring the unwrapped gifts to the Sanctuary to stick under the tree (or on the Sanctuary steps if the tree isn’t up yet). (Please note – they DO NOT need gloves, mittens, hats or scarves as they already have an abundance that was recently donated, so stick to pajamas and socks.)

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	to Edgcumbe Presbyterian Church SUNDAY SERVICE at 10AM We are an active, intimate fellowship seeking to be faithful disciples through celebration, study, prayer and service. We are an inclusive community where all persons of differing backgrounds and life situations are welcome. We are a committed people who serve Jesus Christ through outreach and community involvement, worship and study. Our mission: By encountering Christ in our church, we share God’s Word in the community to heal and change lives Join us Christmas Eve at 4PM in the Sanctuary for music and worship	Our location: Edgcumbe Road 1 block west of South Snelling Avenue and immediately west of Highland High School. Click the map above to see an interactive map. Edgcumbe Presbyterian Church Midweek Update – December 4, 2019 In this issue: • Willingness • Gratitude and Christmas Eve • Bible Study change • New Member Exploration • Advent Giving: sheets & blankets • Night of Peace at HPHS • Snow shoes! • Concert invites • Birthdays and Anniversaries WILLINGNESS In his daily devotional today, Todd Barnes accurately writes, “Many of us want to change without changing.” We want our lives to be better, our diet to be better, the world to be better—all without changing anything about ourselves. We like our routines, our habits, our thinking, our judgments, our comforts. Julie and I often mention the quote we saw on a building in the months before we started at Edgcumbe Church thirteen years ago: “If we want the world to be better, we need to be better. If I want the world to change, I need to change.” This echoes what John the Baptist says to the crowds coming to the Jordan River to be baptized: “Change your hearts and lives! Here comes the kingdom of heaven!” What does it take to change? It’s very simple really. It takes willingness. Say to yourself five times: “I am willing to change.” Just saying that is powerful. Notice how you feel as you say it. Do you feel more relaxed? resistant? accepting? fuzzy? focused? Try saying it five more times. Feel free to make it a mantra for yourself today. If you do, I can guarantee the Holy Spirit is listening. GRATITUDE AND CHRISTMAS EVE! • Thank you so much to everyone who helped at both the Thanksgiving Day Gratitude meeting and at last Sunday’s Brunch and Decorating. Both events were wonderful and the church now looks festive for the holidays. • Dec. 24: Christmas Eve Worship at 4pm. Please join us and invite friends and family to this candlelit service of wonder and music and worship. We will have four guest musicians and the choir will sing and we will circle in the dark with candles in our hands and prayers in our hearts. BIBLE STUDY MOVED TO AFTER WORSHIP This week’s Bible Study will move from 6:30pm to after worship this Sunday to accommodate Pastor Phil’s schedule. Anyone is welcome to join us in the Parlor from about 11:20am until 12:15pm! NEW MEMBER EXPLORATION CLASS-JAN. 12 If you are interested in attending a class to explore membership at Edgcumbe Church, please talk to either Pastor or any Elder (Eleta, Jay, Fred, Meredith, or Connie). The date for the class will be Sunday, January 12, after worship. ADVENT GIVING OPPORTUNITY Gently-used (or new) Twin Size Fitted Sheets and Warm Blankets Needed Project Home, the mission of Interfaith Action who houses homeless families in the buildings of two faith communities each month, is in desperate need of bedding for the children and parents staying with them, specifically twin-sized fitted sheets and warm blankets (twin or full size). Bedding can be new or gently-used with no rips or stains. We will collect these items for the next few weeks. Put the items into a paper bag to place under the tree in the sanctuary. NIGHT OF PEACE AT HPHS-TONIGHT Jews, Christians, and Muslims in St. Paul's Highland Park neighborhood are gathering together for a Night of Peace and Goodwill THIS EVENING, December 4, 6:00-8:00 PM, at the Highland Park High School cafeteria, hosted by the High Park District Council. Pastor Julie will be one of the speakers. SNOW SHOES does anyone have any snowshoes in your lives looking for a new home?? there is a hope that we can have a couple of pair of snowshoes available to use for winter time walking on the meditation paths in the backwoods. please talk to pastor julie with any possible leads. thank you!! CHRISTMAS CONCERTS Isaac’s college choir concert, Christmas in Christ Chapel at Gustavus Adolphus The GebbenGreens are going to watch Isaac’s choir in person on Sunday afternoon. If you want to catch a web version of the concert on Saturday evening, go to this website: https://gustavus.edu/events/ccc/ and click on the Watch Online link in the upper left to sign up for free. Songs of the Season, sponsored by the Schubert Club—FREE! December 19 at 7pm at Central Presbyterian Church, 500 Cedar Street, St. Paul, MN 55101 Featuring PETER MAYER (and Leslie Snow will be in the choir of back-up singers for Peter!) DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO: Micah GebbenGreen– December 12 Warner Gunsell – December 16 Tierra Hunt – December 27 HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO: Lorenz Fett & Ngoc Nguyn – December 13 Giving Tree – NEW Pajamas & Socks Remember what it was like as a kid to get a new pair of pajamas and socks, especially at Christmas time? We would like to give that warm, fuzzy feeling to ALL of those staying with Project Home – children and adults alike. Now through December 15 we are collecting NEW pajamas and socks in hopes of providing a fresh, new set to each person staying in the program through the holiday. There are approximately 40 people, children from infant through teenagers, mothers, fathers and grandmothers. Scout the sales now, purchase what you can, and bring the unwrapped gifts to the Sanctuary to stick under the tree (or on the Sanctuary steps if the tree isn’t up yet). (Please note – they DO NOT need gloves, mittens, hats or scarves as they already have an abundance that was recently donated, so stick to pajamas and socks.)

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