Christmas Service Schedule
 
Christmas Eve, Tuesday, December 24
5:00 pm Family Service with Christmas pageant.
9:00 pm Festive Eucharist with special choir program.
The late service is followed by hospitality - bring food to share!
 
Christmas Day, Wednesday, December 25
9:00 am Quiet Holy Eucharist.
 
Sunday, December 29
8:00 am Quiet Holy Eucharist
10:00 am Lessons and Carols.

Christmas/Year End Donations to St. George's
We welcome donations to St. George's for Christmas/Year End, to help with parish finances as we close out 2024 and set us up for a strong 2025. If you choose to make a donation, mark it either "Christmas" or "Year End" for tracking purposes. Many thanks for your generosity to St. George's. 

Confirmation Class Coming in January
Confirmation is how one officially becomes an Episcopalian if you are coming from another Christian tradition and an opportunity to make an adult commitment of faith. Confirmation at St. George's is offered for those in high school or older; classes start mid-January and meet weekly in preparation for the service at the Washington National Cathedral in mid-May. The class day/time will be determined by those participating in coordination with the rector. If you are interested in Confirmation 2025 please let the rector know HERE.

Christmas Flowers
Anyone who would like to is invited to make a donation for Christmas flowers, thanking God for an event or person in your life, or remembering someone who has passed away. All memorials and thanksgivings will be listed in the Christmas bulletin and can be submitted to the office via email HERE or via the paper form which can be found in a basket on the credenza. To be included in the Christmas bulletin, names should be submitted by Monday, December 16.

Bring your Baby Jesus in to be Blessed This Sunday
This Sunday we will bless the baby Jesus! If you have a nativity set and would like to have the Jesus figure blessed, bring him up at the time of birthday blessings for a special prayer. All Jesuses are welcome.

Christmas/Year End Donations to St. George's
We welcome donations to St. George's for Christmas/Year End, to help with parish finances as we close out 2024 and set us up for a strong 2025. If you choose to make a donation, mark it either "Christmas" or "Year End" for tracking purposes. Many thanks for your generosity to St. George's. 

Confirmation Class Coming in January
Confirmation is how one officially becomes an Episcopalian if you are coming from another Christian tradition and an opportunity to make an adult commitment of faith. Confirmation at St. George's is offered for those in high school or older; classes start mid-January and meet weekly in preparation for the service at the Washington National Cathedral in mid-May. The day/time of the class will be determined by availability of those interested in coordination with rector. If you would like to participate in Confirmation 2025 please let the rector know HERE. 

Christmas Flowers
Anyone who would like to is invited to make a donation for Christmas flowers, thanking God for an event or person in your life, or remembering someone who has passed away. All memorials and thanksgivings will be listed in the Christmas bulletin and can be submitted to the office via email HERE or via the paper form which can be found in a basket on the credenza. To be included in the Christmas bulletin, names should be submitted by Monday, December 16.

Bowie Food Pantry Collection This Sunday
The Bowie Food Pantry is looking for some different items for the December collection this Sunday. They would like granola bars, peanut butter and jelly, low sugar cereal, oatmeal, bar soap, toothpaste, and microwave popcorn (individual packets). They are grateful for the faithful support of St. George’s parishioners.
 
Learn About Our Campaign to Help Relieve Medical Debt in Prince George’s County This Sunday
St. George’s Justice League has launched our parish campaign to retire medical debt for many in Prince George’s County. Through the non-profit Undue Medical Debt, our goal is to raise $15,000. With that money, Undue Medical Debt can purchase and retire as much as $1.5 million in debt that burdens our community. Have questions? You can learn more this Sunday after church. Hope you will join the discussion!
 
Bring your Baby Jesus in to be Blessed on December 15
On Sunday December 15 we will be blessing the baby Jesus! If you have a nativity set and would like to have the Jesus figure blessed, bring him up at the time of birthday blessings for a special prayer. All Jesuses are welcome.

Confirmation Class Coming in January
Confirmation is how one officially becomes an Episcopalian if you are coming from another Christian tradition and an opportunity to make an adult commitment of faith. Confirmation at St. George's is offered for those in high school or older; classes start mid-January and meet weekly in preparation for the service at the Washington National Cathedral in mid-May. The day/time of the class will be determined by availability of those interested in coordination with rector. If you are interested in participating in Confirmation 2025 please let the rector know. 

Bowie Food Pantry Collection December 8
The Bowie Food Pantry is looking for some different items for the December collection on December 8. They would like granola bars, peanut butter and jelly, low sugar cereal, oatmeal, bar soap, toothpaste, and microwave popcorn (individual packets). They are grateful for the faithful support of St. George’s parishioners.

Advent Program on Mondays: Words for the Beginning
Advent is a season of endings and beginnings. As the calendar year comes to a close, a new church year rushes in. Christ’s birth ushers us into new ways of living and loving—and yet, we feel the weight of many things coming to an end. What are the words we need to hear again and again as we begin a new season? What words might Mary speak to her newborn son? What scriptures and stories would she impart to him? This is the content of our Advent program Words for the Beginning, with its themes including “you are a blessing,” “we can’t go alone,” “do the good that is yours to do,” and “hope is worth the risk.” Devotional booklets are available now– pick one up today! There are many ways to participate from Advent through Epiphany, including reading the devotional booklet, the Advent Quiet Morning on December 14, and gathering on Mondays at 7:00 pm via Zoom HERE. The signup sheet is available now. See Jocelyn Tidwell, Terry Doyle, Karen Horrocks or Connie+ if you’d like to learn more. 

Bring your Baby Jesus in to be Blessed on December 15
On Sunday December 15 we will be blessing the baby Jesus!  If you have a nativity set and would like to have the Jesus figure blessed, bring him up at the time of birthday blessings for a special prayer. All Jesuses are welcome.

Can you Lead the Christmas Pageant?
It is a beloved tradition at St. George's to have a Christmas Pageant on Christmas Eve at the 5 pm Family Service. We'd like to do it this year - could you help? We are looking for someone to organize and direct the pageant as well as participants. The sign up sheet is up. Let's make this happen!

The St. Nicholas Party is Saturday, December 7
St. George's annual St. Nicholas party will be held on Saturday, December 7 from 4:00 - 7:00 pm. All children and their adults are invited to come decorate the parish tree, engage in crafts, food and fun, and see if Bishop St. Nicholas makes an appearance. There are sign-up sheets to let us know how many can attend as well as volunteers needed to bring food and help with setup and cleanup. All are invited to bring a food donation for the Bowie Food Pantry and/or bring children's hats, scarves, and mittens for the international students of Prince George's County schools.

Jacket and Warm Clothing Drive
From now through the end of November, we are collecting warm clothing, primarily outerwear, in support of the International Students Admission & Enrollment Office (ISAEO) of the Prince George’s County School System. ISAEO registers and provides support services for newly arrived international PGCPS students and their families. They've registered close to 3,000 students so far, including large families from Afghanistan, Venezuela, Guatemala, Mexico, and Cameroon. These families often arrive with almost nothing, and need clothing appropriate for Maryland winters. You can help these children and their families by donating new or gently used coats and jackets (pre-school sizes through adult medium), as well as hats, scarves, and gloves. Please be sure any used items are clean and in good condition (zippers work, no missing buttons, no rips or tears, etc.). Donations go in the bin in the narthex. For those who prefer, we are also collecting $25 Target gift cards to purchase other items students might need, such as boots and uniforms; see Tom Beal to buy cards through St. George's scrip program and give the cards directly to Randy or Donna Haselton. Please see Donna Haselton if you have any questions. Thank you for your generosity!

Interfaith Thanksgiving Service This Sunday at 4 pm!
This year's Bowie area interfaith Thanksgiving service is this Sunday at 4 pm, hosted by Christian Community Presbyterian Church, 3120 Belair Drive in Bowie. The speaker will be County Councilwoman Ingrid Watson. A community potluck dinner will follow the service. The collection at the service will go to the Bowie Food Pantry, and the service will be livestreamed HERE. All are welcome!

Advent Program Starts This Monday: Words for the Beginning
Advent is a season of endings and beginnings. As the calendar year comes to a close, a new church year rushes in. Christ’s birth ushers us into new ways of living and loving—and yet, we feel the weight of many things coming to an end. The world as we know it spins madly on. What are the reminders we will need in order to move faithfully through this threshold? What are the words we need to hear again and again as we begin a new season? What words might Mary speak to her newborn son? What scriptures and stories would she impart to him? This is the content of our Advent program Words for the Beginning, with its themes including “you are a blessing,” “we can’t go alone,” “do the good that is yours to do,” and “hope is worth the risk.” There will be many ways to participate from Advent through Epiphany, including reading the devotional booklet, the Advent Quiet Morning on December 14, and gathering on Mondays at 7:00 pm via Zoom starting this Monday. Join HERE. The signup sheet is available now. See Jocelyn Tidwell, Terry Doyle, Karen Horrocks or Connie+ if you’d like to learn more. 

Advent Wreath Making on Sunday, December 1
On Sunday, December 1, the first Sunday of Advent, there will be materials available to make an Advent wreath in Miller Hall after services. Bring your ring if you have one; rings and sets of candles will be available to purchase. If you have greens from your yard to contribute, they are most welcome!

The St. Nicholas Party is December 7 – Sign up Today!
St. George's annual St. Nicholas party will be held on Saturday, December 7 from 4:00 - 7:00 pm. All children and their adults are invited to come decorate the parish tree, engage in crafts, food and fun, and see if Bishop St. Nicholas makes an appearance. There are sign-up sheets to let us know how many can attend as well as volunteers needed to bring food and help with setup and cleanup. All are invited to bring a food donation for the Bowie Food Pantry and/or bring children's hats, scarves, and mittens for the international students of Prince George's County schools.