ADVENT AND CHRISTMAS WORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
St. Paul’s and St. Mark’s
Blue Christmas Prayers:
Devotionals with scripture are available in the St. Paul’s Chapel throughout the Advent Season. Pray, light a Candle, and connect with our Lord. Know that Christ is Born anew in each of us.
Sunday Worship in Advent:
9:30 a.m. at St. Paul’s
11:30 a.m. at St. Mark’s
Christmas Concert:
Sunday, December 7, 7:00 p.m. Sonáre Chamber Ensemble at St. Paul’s
Free will offerings will support ABLE (ADVOCATES FOR BASIC LEGAL EQUITY)
Staff and Vestry Christmas Party:
December 16, 6:00 p.m. at St. Paul’s
Carols on the Green:
December 18, 5:30-7:00 p.m. in the Green Space at St. Paul’s
The community is invited to join us and the Dayton Metro Barbershop Chorus as we welcome the season with song!
Christmas Eve Worship Services:
5:00 p.m. at St. Paul’s
7:30 p.m. at St. Mark’s
Lessons and Carols Joint Service:
Sunday, December 28, 10:30 a.m. at St. Mark’s
NO WORSHIP AT ST. PAUL’S on December 28
The Arrival of the Wisemen: Sunday, January 4
9:30 a.m. at St. Paul’s
11:30 a.m. at St. Mark’s
Devotionals with scripture are available in the St. Paul’s Chapel throughout the Advent Season. Pray, light a Candle, and connect with our Lord. Know that Christ is Born anew in each of us.
Sunday Worship in Advent:
9:30 a.m. at St. Paul’s
11:30 a.m. at St. Mark’s
Christmas Concert:
Sunday, December 7, 7:00 p.m. Sonáre Chamber Ensemble at St. Paul’s
Free will offerings will support ABLE (ADVOCATES FOR BASIC LEGAL EQUITY)
Staff and Vestry Christmas Party:
December 16, 6:00 p.m. at St. Paul’s
Carols on the Green:
December 18, 5:30-7:00 p.m. in the Green Space at St. Paul’s
The community is invited to join us and the Dayton Metro Barbershop Chorus as we welcome the season with song!
Christmas Eve Worship Services:
5:00 p.m. at St. Paul’s
7:30 p.m. at St. Mark’s
Lessons and Carols Joint Service:
Sunday, December 28, 10:30 a.m. at St. Mark’s
NO WORSHIP AT ST. PAUL’S on December 28
The Arrival of the Wisemen: Sunday, January 4
9:30 a.m. at St. Paul’s
11:30 a.m. at St. Mark’s
2025 Contribution and Reimbursement Deadline
Please remember that in order to claim a charitable contribution tax deduction for 2025, all contributions must be received in the parish office or postmarked no later than December 31, 2025. The IRS has strict guidelines regarding this matter and no exceptions can be made.
Also, if you need to be reimbursed for any authorized church-related expenses that occurred in 2025, please complete a check request form (available in the parish office), attach your receipt, and turn it in to the parish office no later than December 31, 2025.
Your promptness is greatly appreciated!
Also, if you need to be reimbursed for any authorized church-related expenses that occurred in 2025, please complete a check request form (available in the parish office), attach your receipt, and turn it in to the parish office no later than December 31, 2025.
Your promptness is greatly appreciated!
Pledging is a gift to God
St. Paul’s Pledge Ingathering is this Sunday, December 7. Please bring your pledge cards to church at 9:30 a.m. so they may be blessed and offered up to God.
December 7 marks the official conclusion of the 2026 Stewardship Campaign. We give thanks for the many pledges that have been received and will be blessed today. If your pledge card is still in your “to do” file, it’s not too late to pledge. Click on https://vist.ly/4ei37 and select “Pledge Fund” from the drop-down menu. You also can set up a recurring gift to support St. Paul’s.
Although the tradition of gift giving during Advent varies throughout the world-wide Christian community, everyone anticipates with joy the birth of Jesus Christ, the greatest gift that God could give to mankind – the birth of his only son in human likeness. With thanksgiving and understanding that God also has generously blessed us with all that we have, let us take inventory of our spiritual resources at St. Paul’s, the strength of our community, and our capacity for generosity. There is now, and always has been, More Than Enough. Send in your pledge today!
December 7 marks the official conclusion of the 2026 Stewardship Campaign. We give thanks for the many pledges that have been received and will be blessed today. If your pledge card is still in your “to do” file, it’s not too late to pledge. Click on https://vist.ly/4ei37 and select “Pledge Fund” from the drop-down menu. You also can set up a recurring gift to support St. Paul’s.
Although the tradition of gift giving during Advent varies throughout the world-wide Christian community, everyone anticipates with joy the birth of Jesus Christ, the greatest gift that God could give to mankind – the birth of his only son in human likeness. With thanksgiving and understanding that God also has generously blessed us with all that we have, let us take inventory of our spiritual resources at St. Paul’s, the strength of our community, and our capacity for generosity. There is now, and always has been, More Than Enough. Send in your pledge today!
accepting nominations for vestry and convention delegates
The following parishioners have graciously agreed to serve on the Nominating Committee:
Charlie Campbell, Chair
Linda Bumiller
Mary Beth Coker
Jim Filson
Micky Neben
Margaret Sampson
Cheryl Strine
Please prayerfully consider helping St. Paul's move forward into our second century by serving on the Vestry or as a Delegate to Convention in 2026. You are invited to nominate yourself or someone else (please ask their permission before doing so) for the following positions:
Nominations should be sent to Charlie Campbell (phone: 937-657-9052 or charliec@ameritech.net) before December 15, 2025. The Nominating Slate will be posted on December 31, 2025, and voted upon at our Annual Meeting on Sunday, February 8, 2026.
If you have any questions, please reach out to one of the committee members or a current member of Vestry.
Charlie Campbell, Chair
Linda Bumiller
Mary Beth Coker
Jim Filson
Micky Neben
Margaret Sampson
Cheryl Strine
Please prayerfully consider helping St. Paul's move forward into our second century by serving on the Vestry or as a Delegate to Convention in 2026. You are invited to nominate yourself or someone else (please ask their permission before doing so) for the following positions:
- Senior Warden, one-year term beginning in Feb. 2026
- Junior Warden, one-year term beginning in Feb. 2026
- Three Vestry members for three-year terms beginning in Feb. 2026
- Four Delegates for the 2026 DSO Convention
- Two Alternate Delegates for the 2026 DSO Convention
Nominations should be sent to Charlie Campbell (phone: 937-657-9052 or charliec@ameritech.net) before December 15, 2025. The Nominating Slate will be posted on December 31, 2025, and voted upon at our Annual Meeting on Sunday, February 8, 2026.
If you have any questions, please reach out to one of the committee members or a current member of Vestry.
Parish Life Events
Advent Book Study
Christmas: The Season of Life and Light
by Emily Hunter McGowin
We’ve been discussing how God changes our human existence, our glories, His expression of love. Join Kathleen and Laura Walters in the cloister at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church on Mondays at 5pm. The remaining dates are Monday, December 8, 15, and 22nd.
Advent and christmas resources
CRAZY CHRISTIANS BY MICHAEL CURRY - This book will change your Advent and Christmas because it helps us better understand how Christ will be born anew in us. Books are available in the church office for $10.
In addition to our Advent book study opportunity, you may want to take advantage of these Advent and Christmas resources offered by the Episcopal Church.
In addition to our Advent book study opportunity, you may want to take advantage of these Advent and Christmas resources offered by the Episcopal Church.
Christmas Flowers
Would you like to remember - or give thanks for - a loved one(s) this coming Christmas season? Consider a donation to the Altar Guild Sanctuary Fund for the Christmas poinsettias that will adorn the altar area. ($40 suggested minimum) The name of the loved one(s) you would like to honor/remember will also be included in the Christmas bulletin. Please respond by Friday, December 12 in one of several ways.
- Mail donation and names to be honored/remembered to the church. Put “Christmas Flowers” in the notes
- Use the St. Paul's App or visit stpauls-dayton.org. Click the Giving button and complete the form. Remember to select Flowers-Christmas. Indicate the name(s) in the Notes section. (First-time users will need to create an account and will have the option to pay the 1.5% fee to maximize their donation to St. Paul's).
- Pick up an envelope in the Narthex and complete. Mail to the office or place in the offering plate.
New Outreach Opportunities
Coming Soon: Joint Outreach Project with St. Mark's
We Ride Together: Where Hearts Carry the Weight and Hope Leads the Way
Dayton Children’s Hospital has 12 inpatient rooms on the oncology floor, each home to families facing the overwhelming reality of a childhood cancer diagnosis. This holiday season, we hope to bring comfort and joy to these families by gifting each one a foldable, easily stored wagon filled with thoughtful items. Each church will be responsible for filling six of the wagons. Sign up sheets will be posted soon for necessary items; monetary donations are also welcome. Look for further details in next week’s e-newsletter.
Dayton Children’s Hospital has 12 inpatient rooms on the oncology floor, each home to families facing the overwhelming reality of a childhood cancer diagnosis. This holiday season, we hope to bring comfort and joy to these families by gifting each one a foldable, easily stored wagon filled with thoughtful items. Each church will be responsible for filling six of the wagons. Sign up sheets will be posted soon for necessary items; monetary donations are also welcome. Look for further details in next week’s e-newsletter.
Ongoing Outreach Opportunities
Socks for Tots
"THANK YOU so much for the huge number of sock donations. They will be appreciated by all. Continuing contributions of kids and adult socks would be wonderful. God Bless.”
Please consider donating Socks for Tots, homeless preschool children at St. Vincent de Paul’s homeless shelter. They are ages 2 - 6 years old. With the colder temperatures coming these socks will warm small feet. There will be a Socks for Tots box in the Narthex. Thank you!
"THANK YOU so much for the huge number of sock donations. They will be appreciated by all. Continuing contributions of kids and adult socks would be wonderful. God Bless.”
Please consider donating Socks for Tots, homeless preschool children at St. Vincent de Paul’s homeless shelter. They are ages 2 - 6 years old. With the colder temperatures coming these socks will warm small feet. There will be a Socks for Tots box in the Narthex. Thank you!
Food Bank Donations - Your Efforts Make a Difference!
Please continue to fill yellow donation bags with food (no glass jars please) and personal care items and bring them to church to be blessed and delivered to the Food Bank. If you'd like to see the difference being made (it is astounding!), please go to the Food Bank's website: thefoodbankdayton.org THANK YOU!
Please continue to fill yellow donation bags with food (no glass jars please) and personal care items and bring them to church to be blessed and delivered to the Food Bank. If you'd like to see the difference being made (it is astounding!), please go to the Food Bank's website: thefoodbankdayton.org THANK YOU!
Request From the Procter Center
The Procter Center Farm is requesting donations of empty dozen-egg cartons to support their work. They can reuse your clean, old egg cartons for selling free range chicken eggs at markets. The farm is a production and educational, six-acre, diversified vegetable and livestock farm in central Ohio and is part of the ministry of the Diocese of Southern Ohio.
If you’d like to donate your clean dozen-egg cartons, please drop them on the table next to the library off the Parish Hall. Vestry member Chris Brandt will take them to the Procter Center and is available to answer any questions!
The Procter Center Farm is requesting donations of empty dozen-egg cartons to support their work. They can reuse your clean, old egg cartons for selling free range chicken eggs at markets. The farm is a production and educational, six-acre, diversified vegetable and livestock farm in central Ohio and is part of the ministry of the Diocese of Southern Ohio.
If you’d like to donate your clean dozen-egg cartons, please drop them on the table next to the library off the Parish Hall. Vestry member Chris Brandt will take them to the Procter Center and is available to answer any questions!
LIONS Recycle For Sight....and St. Paul's Helps!
Do you have old or extra eyeglasses you no longer use? Please bring them to St. Paul's and deposit them in the Lions Club box in the Narthex. This will be an ongoing opportunity to help others! Thank you!
Do you have old or extra eyeglasses you no longer use? Please bring them to St. Paul's and deposit them in the Lions Club box in the Narthex. This will be an ongoing opportunity to help others! Thank you!
vestry meeting Minutes
The Vestry is eager to establish better communication with the Parish, and will be making the minutes to Vestry meetings more accessible. Prior meeting minutes are posted on the St. Paul's website, click HERE to view. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to your Wardens and Vestry members with any questions.
Financial Report
The Financial Executive Summary for September 2025 from Finance Chair Randy Young is below.
Diocese of Southern Ohio eConnections Newsletter
Keep up with what is happening in the Diocese of Southern Ohio by subscribing to their eConnections Newsletter! It is published every other Tuesday and is filled with news, events, and opportunities around the Diocese and beyond.
Follow St. Paul’s on Social Media
Did you know you can follow St. Paul’s on social media? You can find videos from Rev. Jean, posts on upcoming events, and pictures from St. Paul’s all on Facebook and Instagram. Click the buttons below to follow St. Paul’s today!
November Birthdays
Happy Birthday to those born in the month of December!
Colin Cunningham 12/01
Cynthia Butt 12/04
Carol Powell 12/09
Deborah Shuler 12/16
Charles Boyer 12/17
Faye Trombley 12/19
Linda Bumiller 12/25
Beverly (Bev) Parker 12/25
Randal (Randy) Young 12/26
Sam Davis 12/28
Colin Cunningham 12/01
Cynthia Butt 12/04
Carol Powell 12/09
Deborah Shuler 12/16
Charles Boyer 12/17
Faye Trombley 12/19
Linda Bumiller 12/25
Beverly (Bev) Parker 12/25
Randal (Randy) Young 12/26
Sam Davis 12/28