The Chrismon Tree
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
The Youth of St. Andrew's will be decorating the Chrismon Tree as part of the Advent Family Gatherings. We normally think about a Christmas Tree and the modern meaning that it has...sparkly lights and shiny ornaments. Some trees are even coordinated to go with the theme or colors of our homes. We should think about the real meaning of Christmas when it comes to the tree as well. This year consider a Chrismon tree that will proclaim the name, the life, and the saving acts of Jesus the Christ.In 1957, Francis Kipps Spencer created the first Chrismon tree. She coined the term Chrismon as a combination of Christ + monogram to reflect her desire to create decorations for Christmas trees that “proclaim the name, the life, and the saving acts of Jesus the Christ.” The purpose was to make homemade ornaments to show central symbols of the Christian faith. Chrismons are traditionally white and gold to reflect the colors of the Christmas season.
The symbols can include historic symbols of the faith. Crosses are often prominent on Chrismon trees. Other historic symbols are often included, such as Trinitarian symbols or the Chi-Rho abbreviation for the name of Christ in Greek (Xristos or Christos). New symbols are also created to illustrate biblical texts and to point to central elements of the Christian faith. The Chrismon tree is one way in which churches try to avoid the commercialization of the Christmas season by pointing to the message of the Christmas season.
Some of the symbols used on the Chrismon tree are here:
From left to right
- Cross Botonnée
(Preparation for worship) - Cross Patée
(Pastoral liturgies) - Anchored Cross
(Baptism and reaffirmation of the baptismal covenant) - Chi Rho
(Abbreviation for the name of Christ)
From left to right:
- Celtic Cross
(Service for the Lord’s day) - Jerusalem Cross
(Resources for the liturgical year) - Cross Crosslet
(Daily Prayer) - Maltese Cross
(The psalms)
posted by Coleman @ 11/28/2006 08:19:00 PM,
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Thanksgiving in the Bible
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
What should I be thankful for?
- T___________________ James 1:2-4
- H___________________ John 14: 26, 16:13; Romans8:26,27
- A___________________ Ephesians 5:20; 1 Thessalonians 5:18
- N___________________ Mark 1:15
- K___________________ Hebrews 12: 28
- S___________________ Hebrews 2:3
- G___________________ 1 Corinthians 1:4; 2 Corinthians 12: 9
- I___________________ Ephesians 6: 4
- V___________________ 1 Corinthians 15:57; 2 Corinthians 2:14
- I___________________ Colossians 1:12; Ephesians 1:18
- N___________________ Psalm 75: 1, 100: 4; Philippians 2: 9-11
- G___________________ 2 Corinthians 9: 15
posted by Coleman @ 11/15/2006 10:37:00 PM,
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Pass the Deer and Eel Please!
Wednesday, November 08, 2006
"Pass the deer and eel please!" Are these words you would expect to hear around your Thanksgiving dinner table?
When most people think of a traditional U.S. Thanksgiving dinner, they think of turkey, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and maybe apple pie. The original American Thanksgiving dinner in 1621, however, was very different. In the fall of 1621, 52 Pilgrims and 90 Native Americans came together in Plymouth, Massachusetts, for meals celebrating the harvest. Although Thanksgiving did not become an official holiday until 1863, most Americans consider the Plymouth feast as the first Thanksgiving.
The food that these early Americans shared was not what most people would expect. Pilgrims and Native Americans probably ate turkey. Mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and apple pie, however, were not on the menu. In 1621, potatoes were not part of the Pilgrims' diet. Potatoes grew only in South America until the late 1600s.
The Pilgrims and Native Americans may have eaten cranberries, but certainly not cranberry sauce. Sugar, an important ingredient in cranberry sauce, had probably not yet traveled to the New World. But the Pilgrims must have eaten apple pie? Surprisingly, they did not. Apples do not naturally grow in North America. The fruit didn't come to the United States until years later.
So what, then, did people eat at the first Thanksgiving? The meals and festivities lasted for three days. During that time, the early Americans ate a lot of food. They probably had deer, clams, dried berries, corn, wild turkeys, and fish such as cod, sea bass, and eels. And the meat did not come in packages from the grocery store.
Animals were often cooked with heads and feet still attached. The 'humbles' (what we would call guts) were cooked and eaten as well. This Thanksgiving, as you dig in, be thankful you're eating turkey and pie and not baked humbles!(National Geographic)
posted by Coleman @ 11/08/2006 10:05:00 PM,
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Advent Family Gatherings
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
Advent Family Gatherings will take place on Wednesdays in December. December 6th, 13th and 20th. Mark your calendars now to join us on Wednesday nights during Advent for some intergenerational fun and fellowship. All adult and youth will meet in the Fellowship Hall. Our theme this year will be, "Whose Birthday Is It Anyway?" Please join us. All ages are welcome. Look for more details to come in the bulletin, on the web and as special announcements.
posted by Coleman @ 11/07/2006 03:11:00 PM,
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Youth Tree Trimming
Monday, November 06, 2006
posted by Coleman @ 11/06/2006 02:46:00 PM,
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Christmas Gift Making Workshop
Sunday, November 05, 2006
The Youth will host a Christmas Gift Making Workshop for the children of St. Andrew's on Saturday, December 2nd from 10AM-2PM. Sign-up Deadline: November 20th. $10 donation per child to cover the cost of supplies.Children 4 years old through 5th grade are invited to come and make Christmas presents, have lunch and maybe even watch a movie. The youth will be helping the younger children and they should leave with several presents for their special folks--wrapped and ready for placement under the tree!
Parents! What a great opportunity for you to do some shopping, take a nap, catch up on some chores or your reading--the possibilities are endless! Children will need to be dropped off and picked up from the fellowship hall.
Sign up in advance is required. Please contact Pearl at the church office at 843-766-4262 for more information! You can use the following form to sign up. Just print and drop it in the offering plate when you come to church!
Christmas Gift Making Workshop Sign-up
Child's Name:________________________ Age: ________
Parents: ________________________________________
Phone #'s (home)_____________ (cell)________________
Food Allergies: ___________________________________
Emergency Contact:________________________________
Phone #'s (home)_____________ (cell)________________
posted by Coleman @ 11/05/2006 06:29:00 PM,
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God Make My Life a Little Light
Saturday, November 04, 2006
by M. Bentham-Edwardsthat
Within the world to glow;
A tiny flame that burneth bright
Wherever I may go.
God make my life a little flower,
That giveth joy to all,
Content to bloom in native bower,
Although its place be small.
God make my life a little staff,
Whereon the weak may rest,
That so what health and strength I have
May serve my neighbors best.
posted by Coleman @ 11/04/2006 02:20:00 PM,
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Gardening God's Way
Friday, November 03, 2006
Plant three rows of Peas:
Peace of Mind
Peace of Heart
Peace of Soul
Plant four rows of Squash:
Squash Gossip
Squash Grumbling
Squash Indifference
Squash Selfishness
Plant four rows of Lettuce
Let us be Kind
Let us be Faithful
Let us be Obedient
Let us Love one another
No Garden is complete without Turnips:
Turn up for Service
Turn up for Meetings
Turn up to led a Helping Hand
To conclude our planting...
We must have Thyme:
Time for God
Time for Study
Time for Prayer
Water freely with Patience and Cultivate with Love. There is much fruit in Your Garden because you Reap what you Sow.
posted by Coleman @ 11/03/2006 08:13:00 PM,
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Advent Art Work
It is hard to believe that we are already thinking about preparing for Advent and Christmas! Yet, we are! What we're asking is for all children and youth to share their creative gifts with us. We would like to feature your art work on the front of the bulletins during Advent. To participate please do the following:~Read Matthew 1:18-2:12
~Choose a part of the story ( ex. Mary & Joseph on their way to Bethlehem, The Wise Men bering gifts, the stable where Jesus was born, etc.) and draw a picture about it.
~Draw your picture on a piece of paper 7"X7".
~Make sure the lines are dark so it will show up when it is copied-it's best to use dark colors or outline with a dark color.
~Put your name and age on it somewhere
~Turn it in to Ms. Pearl no later than November 20th
~Come to church every week and se which week your picture is used!
posted by Coleman @ 11/03/2006 06:59:00 PM,
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Be Thankful For What We Have
Thursday, November 02, 2006
God Loves You!
posted by Coleman @ 11/02/2006 01:50:00 PM,
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Trip to Presbyterian Home
The youth will be going to the Presbyterian Home on November 19th from 2:00PM - 4:45PM. All youth need to meet at the church at 2:00PM. Arrival time back at St. Andrew's is 4:45PM. The youth will be visiting with the residents and assisting with a bingo game. Drivers are needed for the trip. Please contact Pearl if you can help with driving that day. Thanks!
posted by Coleman @ 11/02/2006 01:40:00 PM,
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