I just got some wonderful news from one of the church planters we support—Pastor Garrett Craw in Santa Clarita, CA.   They have added their second pastor to the staff of Christ Church.  I pray that the additional help will multiply their opportunities for service in their community.  

You can read the full story and see the pictures from the ordination service here.

Our annual Christmas Lessons and Carols Service will be Sunday, December 20 at 6:00 PM. (Children’s Prelude starts at 5:40.) This is a festive carol and anthem celebration involving special music from four choirs (Adult, Youth, Elementary, and Preschool). Please note the following: 

1. Reception Help - Please sign up to bring cookies or finger food on a serving platter for the reception which will follow the service. Helpers are also needed to setup, cleanup, and serve refreshments. The signup sheet is on the WIC table in the narthex. See Ami Anderson for more information. 

2. Sunday School Rehearsals - Preschool and Elementary rehearsals begin at 10:50, Youth Choir at 11:30-12:00. Teachers, please attend with your classes. 

NOTE: On Dec. 13 and Dec. 20, Grades 1-6, the Youth Choir, and the Adult Choir will rehearse in the Sanctuary for the entire Sunday School hour, to run through the entire program. (The Preschoolers will join for a few minutes.) Teachers, please attend with your classes.

3. Youth Choir Dress Code (grades 7-12) - Ladies: white (or closest light colored) blouse or sweater, and black (or closest dark) skirt and hose. Gentlemen: white (or closest light colored) dress shirt, necktie, black (or closest dark) slacks, nice shoes, no jacket. Long sleeves are preferred. Use closest match available; no clothing purchases are expected.

4. Children’s Prelude - If your child is taking music lessons and would like to play a short Christmas carol (approx. one minute) as part of the Children’s Prelude, please notify Barb or Bill Hoover.

5. Schedule for Dec. 20 PM (Program Night):

4:00-4:45 PM Adult Choir rehearsal**

4:45-5:30 PM Youth Choir rehearsal**

5:30 PM Children’s Prelude participants report to choir loft

5:40 PM Children’s Prelude begins

5:45 PM Age 2 thru Grade 6 report to classrooms to line up

6:00 PM Lessons & Carols Service begins

** Sandwiches will be available beginning at 4:15 for singers and family members required to come at 4:45 PM or earlier.

I just returned from Brooklyn where I was privileged to take part in Brian Steadman's ordination service this weekend.  Brian was ordained as an Assistant Pastor at Park Slope Presbyterian Church in Park Slope, Brooklyn. A number of Brian's friends and former Providence interns were able to attend - Pastor Shane Gibson, Pastor Joshua Anderson, and Pastor Tim LeCroy.  Give thanks for Brian's new call and church family!

You can see more pictures in our photo gallery.

This past Sunday (October 25) we held a congregational meeting for the purpose of calling Joshua Anderson as our new Associate Pastor.  Josh has served as Assistant pastor since July 2008.  The congregation has been very receptive to his ministry and so voted to call him as their new Associate Pastor.  This past summer Joshua has taken over the ministry of Pastor Chris Smith, who has been devoted full time to our church planting effort in Carondelet.  

I've uploaded some images from the 2009 Harvest Party on October 10, 2009.  You can find them all at my SmugMug photo site.  You can find a representative collection in the members only section.