NOVEMBER 19, 2017 TWENTY FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

Thank you for being with us today!St. Columba’s is a welcoming Christian community that seeks to be open in spirit, deep in faith, rich in worship, active in service. People of all ages and abilities are invited to fully participate in worship. You may stand, sit or kneel as you are able.Large print bulletins, hearing amplification devices, children’s activity sheets and crayons are available from ushers. Please see the back page for a guide to our “newcomer” resources.We hope you will join us after our morning worship for coffee, doughnuts and fellowship!

It is my great joy to welcome you to this Sunday celebration! Your presence here is a gift. St. Columba’s is a lively community of faith engaged in many ministries. If you are seeking …• comfort and care in a time of personal crisis or need,• a way to support and partner with neighbors in need, to strive for

justice and peace, or care for creation,• a Christian community that embraces and nurtures your child in all

her or his liveliness,• to deepen your practice of prayer and follow the path of Christian

discipleship,• glorious worship and music-making in an energetic, welcoming,

inclusive community,… we are here for you!As the Spirit moves you, I invite you to join us this Pentecost season and in all the seasons of your life. Participate with us and share the story of God’s love. Learn more about us at www.columba.org.

May the peace of Christ be with you,The Rev. Ledlie Laughlin

Welcome!

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In this stewardship season, we are thankful for the abundance of fellowship and spirit in our parish community.

This WeekWEEKDAY LITURGYin St. Aidan’s ChapelMorning Prayer Mon.- Fri., 8:45 am.

MONDAY (NOVEMBER 20) 6:25 pm Centering Prayer & Lectio Divina, Rm 202. 7 pm St. Columba’s Ringers, Bell Rm. 7 pm Food Addicts, Rm 205. 8:30 pm Living Proof (NA), Rm 203.

TUESDAY (NOVEMBER 21) 1 pm Freedom Circle Group, Rm 203

WEDNESDAY (NOVEMBER 22) (No music groups are meeting)

THURSDAY (NOVEMBER 23) AND FRIDAY (NOVEMBER 24) Parish office is closed in observance of Thanksgiving Day. For pastoral emergencies when the office is closed, please call 202-669-4856 to reach a member of the clergy.

Today’s Worship8 am Eucharist, Church Nave. Presider & Preacher: Ledlie Laughlin9 am Eucharist, Church Nave. Presider: Susan Flanders &

Preacher: Ledlie Laughlin9:15 am Eucharist for preschool children and their families, Great Hall.

Presider: Jason Cox & Story: Brooks Hundley11:15 am Eucharist, Church Nave. Presider: Susan Flanders &

Preacher: Ledlie Laughlin11:15 am Eucharist for preschool children and their families, Great Hall.

Presider: Jason Cox & Story: Brooks HundleyMeet our entire team in the Staff Directory @ Columba.org!Children are welcome at all services. Child care is available for infants and children up to age 3 this Sunday morning from 8:45 am to 12:45 pm in Rm 322, on the third floor of the building (Albemarle Street wing).

You are invited to join us ...For coffee, doughnuts and fellowship in the Common after each service.

All Morning Youth Ministry Christmas Wreath and Poinsettia Sale, Common.10:15 am Sunday Forum: St. C’s Annual Meeting and Vestry Elections,

Church Nave. Voting in the Common closes at 1 pm.Sunday School: All classes learn about Elijah and Ezekiel (See Room locations on bulletin boards)Youth Sunday School: Rite 13, Rm 203 & 220; J2A, Rm 212; YAC, 202.

10:30 am Adult Bible Study, Game Rm, Friendship Terrace.11:15 am Genesis Ringers, Bell Rm.

Welcome Newcomers! Ken Hergenrather, Chevy Chase, MD; Dan & Julie Pascu, Bethesda, MD; Laura Slover; Jean Snider, Rockville, MD; Deyasso Wondimu, DC. Thank you for visiting!

Welcome New Members! Kate and Grace Enright, DC; Jeanne Marcus, DC; Amma, Noel, Seretse and Septima Maurer, DC.

In your prayers this week, please remember ...In thanksgiving ... for the birth of Elle Waters Lucas, granddaughter of Jill and Bill Lucas; the successful surgery of Pattie Ames; the Nursery School leadership that met yesterday; the stewardship visitors; and Anne Brainard’s successful medical treatment.For those who need our prayers ... Ann, Bill, Ed, Greg, Judy, Jan, Katherine, Kayla, Lily, Melvin, Anna Awimbo, Tom Bauder, Henry Beale, Scott Carlson, Rory Davenport, Keith Dillard, Jay Hundley, Darby Henegan, Christopher Imbrie, Jay Liesener, Louise Lusignan, Cheryl Morning, Lee Morse, Lynn Neff, Sue Nolan, Ramer Simpson, Marie Stevanus, Bill Thornton, and Linda Yangas. as of Thursday, November 16 at 11 am

This Sunday

Brooks Hundley

The worship is over, the service begins ...

This Sunday

Today is Commitment Sunday Today, we’ll celebrate and bless our pledge offerings at the Offertory, and express gratitude for the generosity of our parish family. If you have not yet submitted a pledge, you may place it in the collection basket today - pledge cards are available in the Church Nave, the Great Hall and in the Common. Alternatively, you can mail a pledge card, call the parish office, or pledge online at www.tinyurl.com/StCStewardship St. Columba’s Annual Meeting and Vestry Elections Rector Ledlie Laughlin extends a personal invitation to come to the St. Columba’s Annual Meeting on Sun., Nov. 19 at 10:15 am, in the Church Nave. Together, we will offer thanks to those stepping down from leadership roles; offer prayers for those stepping up; receive an update on our financial giving and annual budget; elect new vestry members; and rejoice in the wondrous ways that the Holy Spirit is moving among us, enlivening our faith and lives together.

Vestry Elections Vote today in the Common! All votes must be in by Sun., Nov. 19 at 1 pm. Contacts: Joe Kolar and Shelby Tarkenton (nominating@columba.org)

Youth Christmas Wreath Sale Today is your last chance to purchase your Christmas wreaths and poinsettias in the Common between services. Support St. C’s Youth Ministry summer outreach projects! Sale closes on Nov. 20 at 1 pm. You may also place your orders online at: www.tinyurl.com/columbawreathsale. Orders may be picked up on Sun., Dec. 3 after services or choose home delivery for a fee. Contact: Kelly Crabtree (kcrabtree@columba.org)

42nd Street Fellowship Join us for lunch on Sun., Nov. 19, 1 pm at Clyde’s (5441 Wisconsin Ave., Chevy Chase). Meet in the Common after the 11:15 am service to carpool. The 42nd Street Fellowship invites all of those who are widowed, divorced, separated or always single to join in their events. Contact: Rosemary Ryan (42ndstreet@columba.org)

Next Sunday

Getting Ready for Advent! In preparation for the season of Advent, join fellow parishioners in the Great Hall on Sun., Nov. 26 at 10:15 am for Advent wreath-making, singing and fun for all ages. Please

bring your own greens and some to share, and we supply the rest. Music director Anne Timpane will be in the Church Nave from 10:15-10:40 am to play and talk about the music that prepares us for Christmas. More activities for children will be in Rm 215 and 205.Advent, Christmas and Epiphany Booklets will be available beginning on Sun., Nov. 26, in the Common and in the Great Hall. These booklets are designed for children ages 3-10 to celebrate Advent, the 12 days of Christmas and Epiphany at home. Please take one for each child. Contact: Pattie Ames (pames@columba.org)

STEWARDSHIP 2018: Our Hands were Empty and You Filled Them ...Today is Commitment Sunday!“Ginni and I started attending St. Columba’s in late 1969 so that St. C’s could help us in the scary and arduous process of adopting children. The adoption effort was successful, and we have been regular contributing members since that time.St. C’s has been an important part of our family life. Our children attended St. C’s wonderful nursery school, and then progressed to Sunday School, choirs, acolytes, SCAP, ski trips, etc. They received wonderful education and support from Judy Dodge, Wayne Fowler, clergy and other Columbans. Both were married at St. Columba’s. Through the years, our family participated in parish retreats and courses, taught Sunday School, worked at Christmas in April/Rebuilding Together homes and similar activities. Nearly 40 years ago, we started a book

group of St. Columba’s members which is still going strong.In our later, more “senior” years, St. C’s continues to be a major focus of our lives with activities such as counting Sunday contributions, ushering and Water Ministry. We are deeply grateful to the St. Columba staff and to the whole parish for the support we and our children have received, and for the benefits that the church provides to its parishioners and to the community around it. For these reasons we have happily supported St. C’s both financially and by our participation in some of its activities, and we intend to continue to do so.“From Ginni and Jeff Gorman

Our hands were empty and You filled them ...

Make your pledge today! Fill out your pledge card in the Common or pledge online at: www.tinyurl.com/StCStewardship Questions? Speak with a clergy member or contact the Stewardship leaders: Paul Barringer, Chris Luckett or Lisa Whelan (stewardship@columba.org)

St. Columba’s is a welcoming Christian community that seeks to be open in spirit, deep in faith, rich in worship, active in service.

4201 Albemarle Street NW n Washington, DC 20016 n 202-363-4119 n Columba.org

Let us carry our faith into the week!

Greetings to Newcomers! We look forward to meeting you and invite you to learn more about us. The first step in making this connection is filling out a welcome card that is found in our pews and at our Welcome table in the Common. Our Welcome team will be there to greet you and to answer any questions you have. St. Columba’s is a vibrant parish with many opportunities for worship, music, education and service. Take a look at our full array of ministries at Columba.org. You may also visit tinyurl.com/ColumbaNewcomers for specifics on how to get involved. The Welcome area is happy to guide you in whatever direction you are interested. Please contact them at welcometeam@columba.org.

You’re Invited

Flower and Music Donations Parishioners are invited to donate toward special flowers and music for the Christmas season. Dedications “In memory of” and “In thanksgiving for” will be acknowledged in the Christmas bulletins. Please sign up in the Common on Sundays, Nov. 26, Dec. 3 and 10. Deadline for listings in the Christmas bulletins is Mon., Dec. 11. Donations and payments may also be made online at Columba.org. Contacts: Betty Arbuckle and Cindy Anderson (flowerdonations@columba.org)Mothers’ Group Do our parenting approaches sometimes run the gamut from “helicopter” to “free range?” On Wed., Nov. 29, Danielle Meitiv, aka the Silver Spring “Free-Range Mom,” will speak about her own choices, as well as how her brush with social services was tied to her decision to run for public office. Join us at 10 am in Rm 203. Newborns are welcome to join us, and child care for children ages 1+ is located just down the hall. Contact: Alecia Brinkerhoff (mothersgroupleader@columba.org)

Ways to Serve !

The Most FUN You Can Have In CHURCH! If you are looking for a new way to meet more parishioners and be in service to the Liturgy, consider joining the Altar Guild! Commitment is light: setup/cleanup for one service a month, with 1-2 other members of the Guild. Contact: Florri Decell and Betsy Hawkings (altarguildleader@columba.org)

Sunday Forum: An Advent Conversation with Ray Suarez On Sun., Dec. 3 at 10:15 am, don’t miss this St. Columba’s tradition as we prepare our hearts for the coming of Jesus, in the Church Nave.

Reach out in Advent: Imagine the possibilities! Your donation to Reach Out in Advent benefits our outreach at St. C’s. You may donate in the Common on Dec. 3 and 10, or give online: tinyurl.com/StCsDonation. This year our special “Reach” project is to relocate the Water Ministry laundry facilities. The cost for this work is estimated at $17,000. Your donation will help us meet this goal. Contact: Jason Cox (jcox@columba.org)

Advent Lessons & Carols On Sun., Dec. 3 at 5 pm, St. Columba’s choirs will lead a service of hope and anticipation for Christ’s coming at Christmas. Glorious carols for choirs and congregation will be woven together with the story of our salvation from the Garden of Eden to Christ’s coming reign of peace. A festive reception follows. Contact: Anne Timpane (atimpane@columba.org).

Slow Down. It’s Advent. You are invited on Sat., Dec. 9, 9:30 am-12:30 pm to an Advent morning of reflection. Simple instructions will be provided for making Advent prayer beads. Soft music will be offered in the Great Hall to walk the labyrinth. Guided meditation will be given from 10-10:30 am in Rm 220. Children with adults are welcome for all these activities, and take-home labyrinths and coloring activities provided. Contact: Suzi Kindervatter (labyrinthleader@columba.org)Blue Christmas Service of Hope and Healing Join us for a holiday service for those who aren’t so happy during “the holidays” on Sun., Dec. 10 at 5 pm in the Church Nave. There is space for feelings of grief and anxiety as this service moves us out of despair into hope, out of darkness into light.Decoration Sunday On Sun., Dec. 17 at 10:15 am, join in merriment and fun as we prepare the Church for Christmas! There will be activities for all ages. Meet in the Common at 10:15 am to connect with one. Contact: Jennifer Turner (jturner@columba.org)

Advent is Just Around the Corner