Waiting in Hope: The Season of Advent
The four Sundays of Advent are a time of waiting and expectation for the coming of Christ among us at Christmas. The readings, the sermon, and the music will focus on preparing ourselves for the Advent of the Holy One in our own hearts. We will light a candle on our Advent wreath each Sunday, as a sign of the Light coming among us. The color of the vestments and altar appointments are blue, signifying royalty. During this approaching winter season, with the colder, shorter, darker days, let us slow down, wait in the stillness, and make ready for the joy of Christmas!
Dorothy Matsuo
Dorothy Matsuo is recovering well and is now at Los Altos Subacute and Rehab Center, 809 Fremont Ave. Room 315 Los Altos, CA. Visits, and cards are welcome. Please keep her and the Matsuo family in your prayers.
Advent Study- Practicing Peace with all your Heart, Soul, Strength, and Mind
The Diocese is offering this Zoom Study on Mondays Dec 16, and 23, from 7:00- 8:00 p.m. Come join us as we look at the practice of peace in a divided world, and enter a season in which we find much joy, and yet, stress and sadness for some. There is a book which accompanies the course, which you can download for free. I would encourage you to participate. If you receive the weekly diocesan news email, the information about the course, how to register, and download your free copy of the book we are using is there. If not, you can find it on the diocal.org web site. If you are unable to access it, please see Mother Rebecca, and she can help you get signed up.
Sandwiches on Sunday – December 29th
Come join us! We will again assemble the sandwiches and brown bag lunches the day before, Saturday, December 28th, at the church from 9:00am – 11:00am. We will distribute them at the Fair Oaks Community Center in Redwood City on Sunday, December 29th, from 11:45 to 12:15 p.m. If you would like to help or have any questions, please contact Daniel Tate (cellular: 650-799-7084, email: dtate@ses.cdsp.edu)
Christmas Eve Service
On Tuesday, December 24 we will have a festival choral Holy Eucharist at 5:00. It will be preceded by a presentation of vocal pieces offered by the Star Valley Choir at 4:40. In addition to an anthem offered by the St. Ambrose Adult Choir, children from the Sunday School, Sea Breeze, and the community will present songs at the Offertory. All are warmly welcomed, so come and worship with us and celebrate the coming of Christ in our midst!
There will be no liturgy on Wednesday, December 25.
A Special Invitation for Children this Christmas Eve
St. Ambrose Episcopal Church Sunday School children will be singing some familiar Christmas songs as part of our service at 5:00 p.m. Christmas Eve. We invite all children to participate. There will be minimal rehearsal time. If your out- of- town guests have brought their children, they are also most welcome! If you would like to sign any children up to participate, or have any questions, please contact Kay Ballantyne (650)773-7972 (rose466@earthlink.net)
Catholic Charities Christmas Drive
We are partnering with Sea Breeze school to help families in need in our community. St. Ambrose has been asked to help with teenagers. They need teen hygiene items. Please bring women and men’s shampoo, and deodorant, and hygiene products for the young women. There is a box in the Narthex for the collection of these items.
Annual Christmas Cookie Sale- December 15
This year, the Altar Guild invites everyone to join our beloved bake sale tradition. On December 15th*, we welcome bakers and/or buyers to contribute 2-4 dozen holiday cookies or treats (non-perishable only, please) for our festive coffee hour. Enjoy filling holiday boxes with 18 delightful cookies, available for $20.00 per box. Payment can be made by cash or check.
*Please drop off your cookies on December 14th by 1pm at the parish hall or kitchen.
Get Ready for a Joyful Christmas Event!
Join us for a heartwarming evening of caroling at senior and residential homes in Foster City!
*When:* Friday, December 20th
*Time:* 4:00 pm (meet at St. Ambrose parking lot)
*Who:* Everyone’s welcome! Let’s all join some of the members of the choir to spread the cheer!
We’ll bring festive holiday spirit to those who need it most. Your voice, your smile, and your presence will make a difference in the lives of our
neighbors!
*Questions?* Reach out to:
Dulce (650-918-8691)
Mother Rebecca
2025 Stewardship Campaign
If you missed our Stewardship Ingathering on 11/24, it is not too late to submit a pledge of your time, talent, and treasure for 2025. You can mail in or bring in the pledge card you were sent, or if you did not receive one, there are extra ones in the Narthex. Thanks to those who have already pledged. We give thanks for God’s abundance in our midst! If you would like 2025
Epiphany Adult Formation Course on Episcopal Church Beliefs and Practices
During the Epiphany Season, Mother Rebecca will be offering a course on the faith of the Episcopal Church. We will be using the excellent book, “Walk in Love—Episcopal Beliefs and Practices,” by Scott Gunn and Melody Wilson Shoe. In this class we will reflect upon the teachings of the Church regarding the Scriptures, the sacraments, the marking of time, salvation, grace, and how we can grow as disciples as we seek to live out the Gospel in the world. The class will meet in person, and will run from January 19 through March 2, on a day and time to be determined. A sign-up sheet, which includes possible time slots, is in the Narthex. A copy of the book will be provided for each participant. This class is for everyone who wants to learn, grow, and deepen in his or her understanding of the faith, and especially for newcomers to the Episcopal Church, and those preparing for confirmation. If you have any questions, please see Mother Rebecca.
Questionable Text/Emails
There is a text and scam email that is circulating, signed Rev. Rebecca Goldberg, which requests a copy of the Church directory. Please delete it. None of the St. Ambrose or Sea Breeze staff will send you an email asking you to divulge personal information, or contribute funds to a questionable cause. Please let Mother Rebecca know if you have any questions.
Mother Rebecca’s office hours
Starting July 1st, Mother Rebecca will be in her office on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday 9:30-4:30. She can be reached during office hours at 650-574-1369. If you have a pastoral emergency, please call 650 291-5289 revrebecca@stambrosefostercity.org
Coffee Hour
Join us for Coffee Hour after mass at 11:00 am in the parish hall. Coffee hour will be hosted by the Vestry on the first Sunday of the month. Please volunteer for the other weeks by using the link below or by the signup sheet in the Narthex by the Reflections & Gratitude Board: Sign UpGenius https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0D4FA5A82CA0F94-coffee1
Sunday School 10 AM
Sunday school is at 10:00am every week Please contact Raphael Gerber raphaele.gerber@gmail.com
Worship Leaders Needed
Please sign up as a Lector for our 10:00* am Mass by emailing office@stambrosefostercity.org or the Church signup sheet. We also need Worship Leader volunteers for our 10:00 am Mass. There are openings for Intercessors, Lectors, Greeters, Ushers and Acolytes, and Livestream Technicians. Contact us at office@stambrosefostercity.org or use the following link to signup: Signup Genius or Click on the following link https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0D4FA5A82CA0F94-worship
Prayer Support Group
Every 1st and 3rd Sunday after the service at 11:30am, we will be meeting in the Fellowship Hall to have a prayer meeting. Please join us any time as you are able. For questions, please contact Daniel Tate at 650-799-7084, or dtate@ses.cdsp.edu
Contemplative Meditation
Every Wednesday 10am-11am we meet for Contemplative Meditation on Zoom. We read a variety of authors. We have read Jimmy Carter’s book ‘Faith’; a couple of prayers from Jean-Pierre Isbouts ‘Ten Prayers That Have Changed The World’. We are currently reading David Brooks’ ‘How to Know a Person…’
If interested, please contact Hamilton Fong. hfongster@gmail.com
Please send an email to Hamilton Fong (hfongster@gmail.com) or to Nilda Chong (nchongmd@gmail.com) if you wish to be included in the Zoom invitation.
Bible Study
Every Tuesday at 1:00pm, we meet for Bible Study on Zoom and discuss the Scriptures for the upcoming Sunday Service. Join us! For questions, please contact Daniel Tate at 650-799-7084, or dtate@ses.cdsp.edu or Warren Wong at wwong@nd.edu
Weekly Calendar
We have heard from some of our clergy that parishioners are having a hard time logging onto Zoom calls. Below please find clear, hopefully easy instructions on how to join a zoom call. Feel free to share with your parishioners. For more thorough instructions, click here.How to join Zoom by computer
- Make sure all other programs on your computer that uses your camera are closed first (ex: Facetime, Skype, etc.)
- Have a headset available if possible to minimize feedback – your cellphone earbuds will work well.
- Click the Zoom link that’s been sent to you in an email, and Zoom should automatically and quickly download to your computer.
- In Downloads on your computer, click Zoom_launcher.exe.
- Once Zoom has launched, a screen should pop up asking for your name. This will identify you during the meeting.
- You should now be part of the meeting. Click the green button that says “Join Audio By Computer”.
Join by tablet or smartphone
- If you choose to use your tablet or smartphone, be sure to download the Zoom app ahead of time.
- Once you have downloaded the Zoom app, follow the “Join by computer” instructions above.
Join by telephone
- First, dial the phone number provided in the Zoom email.
When prompted, dial the meeting ID number that is also provided.
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COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS
HIP Housing is a Non-Profit Organization in San Mateo County:
The purpose of this non-profit is to connect people with extra living space in their homes with people who are looking for a room to rent. A flier about HIP Housing is posted in the Parish Hall on the Community News Bulletin Board. To contact HIP Housing call 650-348-6660. To schedule an appointment to discuss home sharing opportunities or other available affordable housing visit www.HIPhousing.org. On this website you will also find information about Rooms For Rent Providers and Rooms for Rent Seekers.