Save the Date: Christ the King on January First... Sunday Jan. 1 10:00 a.m: Join us on Sunday Jan. 1st for a simple service (Morning Prayer) celebrating the Feast of The Holy Name. This will be the only service this day. Ron will be celebrating as we give the our vicar the week off! Oh, and this being Monday the 26th: Happy Boxing Day..!

Christmas Eve at St. Martha's Episcopal Church... Saturday Dec. 24: Join us at St. Martha's for this wondrous Christmas Eve. Join us amidst the increasing frenzy of a commercialized Christmas season. Seek out this silent and holy spot where we may stop to contemplate and meditate and pray and hope...

+ 5:00 p.m: Christmas Eve family service with Nativity play.
The Nativity play: Reenactment of the Nativity story by the parish children is an Anglican custom dating from at least the 1600s. This evening, the Gospel is being presented by St. Martha's Youth Chorale and guests. They've been working hard making ready their performance and we hope you enjoy this fine and uplifting Christmas tradition...

+ 9:30 p.m: A Ceremony of Carols.
Celebrate with music! Before the splendid 10:00 p.m. service, join us for carols in the church. Sing all your favorites. What a wonderful way to set the mood for our traditional service.

+ 10:00 p.m: Traditional Christmas Eve service.
Join us for a traditional and regal Episcopal Christmas Eve service; complete with the Choir of St. Martha's and parish candle lighting on this Silent Night. Make your Christmas truly special.

+ 11:15 p.m: Christmas Eve service in Spanish.
A vibrant Misa en Espa�ol. Feliz Navidad.

+ Christmas Day 10:00 a.m: The Holy Eucharist, Rite Two.
On this Christmas morning, join us for a quiet and respectful short spoken Eucharist; the perfect way to complement your celebration of Christmas at home.
episcopal christmas eve church service services west
Location...
St. Martha's Episcopal Church is located along the Walnut Creek, at 520 S. Lark Ellen Ave. in West Covina, California, just North of Cameron Park. Click for map and directions("http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?formtype=address&searchtype=address&country=US&addtohistory=&address=520+S.+Lark+Ellen+Ave&city=West+Covina&state=CA&zipcode=").
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St. Martha's Annual Christmas Dinner... Saturday Dec. 21 6:30 p.m: Amidst the increasing frenzy of a commercialized Christmas season, come to St. Martha's on Wednesday December 21st at 6:30 p.m. Friends, fellowship and a wonderfully relaxing evening await you...

This evening, St. Martha's Youth Chorale and guests will entertain you and brighten your holiday season with our parish Nativity Play. They've been working hard making ready their performance and we hope you enjoy this fine and uplifting Christmas tradition. During the Nativity play, we'll all join in and sing the Christmas carols. Perhaps we can convince Violet to play a few more to sing along to...

Bring your family and friends. Put on your holiday best and revel in the best gift of all - your fellow parishioners during this fine Parish Christmas Dinner evening - it just wouldn't be the same without you.

Deck the Hall... Monday Dec. 19 6:30 p.m: Come deck the parish hall in boughs of holly. It's parish hall decorating Monday. Everyone is welcome. We'll trim the tree with holly bright and sprigs of mistletoe then set the lights aglow. Food, fellowship and fun await you.

"Midnight Magic" Family Celebration... Sunday Dec. 18 2-5:00 p.m: The West Covina Rose Float Foundation invites you to free sneak preview West Covina's 2006 Tournament of Roses Parade float "Midnight Magic" at the float decorating tent across from the Rose Bowl. Visit with the Tournament of Roses Queen and her court. Choral performance by West Covina High School's "WestcovAires." Refreshments for all. A fun time for the entire family. Visit www.wcrosefloat.org for more information.

Here We come a Caroling... Saturday Dec. 17 5:30 p.m: Join us for a wonderful evening of caroling. Is there any better way to get into the Christmas spirit? Come wassail all o'er the town. We'll meet in the parish hall.

A Clean and Welcoming Place... Saturday Dec. 17 10:00 a.m: Come help clean and polish up the church in preparation of Christmas. All are welcomed and encouraged.

Coffee Hosts Schedules... Thursday Dec. 15: Coffee hosts schedules for 2006 (the entire year!) for the 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. services are now available for download under All About St. Martha's / Schedules & Downloads("http://www.stmarthas.net/all_about/downloads/index.html"). Go get 'em.

Have You Hugged your Choir Today..? Sunday Dec. 11 during the 10:00 a.m. service: Choir recognition and appreciation. Ah, the Choir of St. Martha's: From the beginning of the Church's history, music has played an important part in the worship of God. Our choir seeks to provide just such a mission, rehearsing throughout the year to enhance our weekly liturgy. Think of a nice tune of thanks to hum to 'em.

Las Posadas... Saturday Dec 10 5:00 p.m: A Latin American Advent tradition and holiday, Las Posadas ("the lodgings") reenacts the difficulties that Joseph and Mary faced in finding room in and celebrates their arrival in Bethlehem. We'll meet on the main patio. Join us for this wonderful time.

This tradition dates back to the sixteenth century and Fr. Ignatius Loyola, who used the festival to teach about the birth of Christ. What started as a Roman Catholic novena, or nine days of prayer, eventually moved from the church to the community and was celebrated in people's homes.

Las Posadas includes a procession led by children, followed by adults and musicians, traveling from home to home in the village or neighborhood looking for lodging. Arriving at the final location, the evening begins with prayer; soon after, the celebration begins, full of music, food, candy, and treats for all. Children and adults alike anticipate this joyous religious occasion.

All I Got was a Lump of Coal... Friday Dec. 9: Alec is at it again. The 12 year-old West Covina boy is out selling lumps of coal.

Last year, Alec grabbed international media attention by selling coal for Christmas, 50 cents a bag -- and he made some $600. He's keeping his prices the same this year and he'll be out there on the weekends through Christmas, near his home in the 400 block of North Neil Street, just off Rowland Avenue, selling his small bags of coal.

How sales will go this year? The Traweek Middle School seventh-grader isn't sure, but he's made an investment, noting "I spent $100 on getting coal."

Hand-Crafted Gifts at Citrus... Wednesday Dec. 7 11:00 a.m-7:00 p.m: Want to avoid the crowded shopping malls and busy department stores this holiday season? Unique, one of a kind handmade gifts are available at the Citrus College Art Department's annual holiday ceramics sale. 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wed. Dec. 7 and Thurs. Dec. 8 in the Art Department's Room AC 117 at Citrus College in Glendora. For more information, call (626) 914-8526.

The $16,000 Christmas Card... Sunday Dec. 4 2005: Although wood engravers produced prints with religious themes in Europe in the Middle Ages, the first commercial Christmas cards are believed to have been made in 1843. A 162 year-old Christmas card, perhaps the first commercial card produced for the season, sold at auction in England on Saturday for $16,000.

Commissioned by Londoner Sir Henry Cole (recognized as the inventor of the commercial Christmas card, and the first director of London's Victoria and Albert Museum), the card, printed on a lithograph stone before being hand-colored, is one of about 10 surviving from the original run of 1,000 printed in 1843.

Showing a family celebrating around a table, this card drew some criticism from prudish Victorians because it shows some of the family enjoying a glass of wine, but that didn't stop the practice of sending cards from catching on.

The auctioned card was originally sent to one Miss Mary Tripsack. And just what is printed on this first commercial Christmas card? Well, "A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to You" of course.

Sunday School Bake Sale... Sunday Dec. 4 after the 10:00 a.m service. St. Martha's Sunday School is having a bake sale. They're taking orders now and they'll be baking everything themselves (mmm, kid flavored)!

Sunday Advent Series... Every Sunday of of Advent 9 to 9:30 a.m: Join our Vicar Conrads for her Advent Series "Preparing your heart for the coming of the Christ Child." A wonderful way to bring more meaning to this holiday season.

More Advent Lessons and Carols... Sunday Dec. 4 5:00 p.m: Lessons & Carols with the Coventry Choir. Music of Palestrina, Ledger, Tavener, Brahms, Casals and Howells at All Saints Episcopal Church, 132 N. Euclid Ave., Pasadena. 626.583.2725. http://www.allsaints-pas.org

Advent Lessons and Carols... Sunday Dec. 4, 5:30 p.m: The combined parishes of Christ Episcopal Church, Ontario and St. Mark's Episcopal Church, Upland invite you to attend a service of Advent Lessons & Carols. A reception will follow. Childcare will be provided. St. Mark's Church, 330 East 16th St., Upland. 909.920.5565.

It's a Chorale Christmas... Saturday Dec. 3 6:30 p.m: Join St. Martha's Youth Chorale for their Christmas party in the parish hall. Everyone is welcome.

"Winterfest" in West Covina... Saturday Dec. 3 1-6:00 p.m: West Covina's Winterfest celebration will be held Saturday Dec. 3rd, from 1 to 6:00 p.m. in the West Covina Civic Center Courtyard; 1444 W. Garvey Ave. The annual civic advent will include arts & crafts, food booths, photos with Santa, and 60 tons of snow (including an 80 foot sled run and two snow play areas)!

Diocese Convention... Beginning Friday Dec. 2-3: The Diocese of Los Angeles meets in convention December 2-3 at the Riverside Convention Center, Riverside, California. More information: www.ladiocese.org; www.episcopalnews.com.

Fire at St. George's Episcopal Church... Thursday Dec. 1: A fire which broke out early Tuesday morning destroyed facilities at St. George's Episcopal Church in Hawthorne.

The blaze, which may have been caused by an electrical short-circuit in a hallway, destroyed the parish hall, the church offices, and the Chapel of St. Anne.

Among the items lost were dozens of teddy bears, handmade quilts and other items that St. George's had collected to be given to a local domestic violence shelter as Christmas gifts.

The diocese has established a fund to help rebuild St. George's facilities. Contribution checks may be made payable to Treasurer of the Diocese and sent to: Michael Cunningham, Cathedral Center of St. Paul, 840 Echo Park Avenue, Los Angeles 90026. Please write "St. George's, Hawthorne" in the memo line.

Annual Thanksgiving Day Broadcast... Thursday Dec. 1: "The Episcopal Church Presents: Gulf Coast Thanksgivings," documenting the challenges of rebuilding the Gulf Coast is now available at www.comeandgrow.org("http://www.comeandgrow.org/") as a webcast in Windows Media and Real Media versions, in both high and low speeds.

Produced by the church's Office of Communication, the 30-minute program, also features excerpts from a November 17 concert at New Orleans' Christ Church Cathedral performed by a 16-member big band from the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra. The concert was part of four days of celebrations marking the cathedral congregation's bicentennial.

Did you know... The first photographic film was invented by an Episcopal priest in the 1880's who wanted to project Bible illustrations for kids? From medieval stained-glass to modern digital images, visual art shapes our faith.

Christmas Greenery... Thursday Dec. 1: It is that time of year again. The Youth programs of Our Saviour Center at Emmanuel Episcopal Church in El Monte, the non-sectarian community outreach of the Episcopal Church of Our Saviour in San Gabriel, is holding its annual Holiday Evergreen fundraising drive. To see the greenery the group is offering, visit www.episcopalnews.com Orders may be e-mailed to jovega@oursaviourcenter.org or mcastaneda@oursaviourcenter.org or call 626.579.1191 x 131 for more information.

Home for the Holidays @ St. Martha's... A formatted downloadable St. Martha's holiday 2005 schedule, for your very own home, is available at All About St. Martha's / Schedules & Downloads("http://www.stmarthas.net/all_about/downloads/index.html").

Save the Dates + St. Martha's Holiday Season 2005 Schedule...

Sunday Nov. 27 The First Sunday of Advent 8:00 a.m: The Holy Eucharist, Rite One. 10:00 a.m: The Holy Eucharist, Rite Two. 12:00 p.m: The Holy Eucharist, Rite Two in Spanish.

Saturday Dec. 3 4:30 p.m: Cookie baking in the kitchen for the Sunday School bake sale. Contact Margaret Lesh.

Saturday Dec. 3 6:30 p.m: A Youth Chorale Christmas party in the parish hall. Contact Violet Mandeson.

+++++

Sunday Dec. 4 The Second Sunday of Advent 8:00 a.m: The Holy Eucharist, Rite One. 10:00 a.m: The Holy Eucharist, Rite Two. 12:00 p.m: The Holy Eucharist, Rite Two in Spanish.

Friday Dec. 9 5:30 p.m: Food preparation for Las Posadas in the kitchen. Contact Belinda Peniche.

Saturday Dec. 10 5:00 p.m. Las Posadas. Meet on St. Martha's main patio. Contact Martha Lacomba.

+++++

Sunday Dec. 11 The Third Sunday of Advent 8:00 a.m The Holy Eucharist, Rite One. 10:00 a.m: The Holy Eucharist, Rite Two. 12:00 p.m: The Holy Eucharist, Rite Two in Spanish.

Sunday Dec. 11 after the 10:00 a.m. service: Gift preparation for caroling in the parish hall. Contact Martha Lacomba.

Monday Dec. 12 6:30 p.m: St Martha's Choir Christmas party at the Mandeson home. Contact Eric or Violet Mandeson.

Saturday Dec. 17 10:00 a.m: Church clean up. Meet in the Nave. Contact our Vicar.

Saturday Dec. 17 5:30 p.m: Caroling. Meet in the parish hall. Contact Martha Lacomba.

+++++

Sunday Dec. 18 The Fourth Sunday of Advent 8:00 a.m: The Holy Eucharist, Rite One. 10:00 a.m: The Holy Eucharist, Rite Two. 12:00 p.m: The Holy Eucharist, Rite Two in Spanish.

Monday Dec. 19 5:30 p.m: Parish hall decorating. Contact Eric Mandeson.

Tuesday Dec. 20 7:00 p.m: The ECW's annual Christmas Party at the Salem home. Contact Lorraine Salem.

Wednesday Dec. 21 6:30 p.m: Parish pot luck supper & Nativity play. Contact Violet Mandeson.

Saturday Dec. 24 5:00 p.m: Christmas Eve family service with Nativity play.

Saturday Dec. 24 9:30 p.m: Traditional Christmas Eve service with caroling.

Saturday Dec. 24 11:15 p.m: Christmas Eve service in Spanish.

+++++

Sunday Dec. 25 Christmas Day 10:00 a.m: The Holy Eucharist, Rite Two (only service this day).

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Sunday Jan. 1 Christ the King 10:00 a.m. Morning Prayer (only service this day).

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