At its next meeting, on February 2nd, the Select Vestry will revise the Register of Vestry members as it is required to do annually under the Constitution of the Church of Ireland.  If you are not already registered, are over 18 years of age, and would like to become a registered vestryperson please obtain, complete and return the necessary form which can be obtained from either the churchwardens or the Rector.
If you are registered this entitles you to vote at the Easter General Vestry (AGM) and to become eligible for election to the Select Vestry.

By all accounts it is a pantomime not to be missed – performances of the St Paul’s Theatre Group’s production of Sleeping Beauty continue this week. The remaining show times are:

• Wednesday 11th January 8pm
• Thursday 12th January 8pm
• Friday 13th January 8pm
• Saturday 14th January 3pm & 8pm

Booking office: 083 825 4033. Adults €10; Child/Concessions €8

Whether it brought you happiness, sadness, or a mixture of both, come to St Paul’s at 11.45pm this Saturday, December 31st, to say goodbye to 2016. And then toast the new year with hope and joy as our church bells ring it in at midnight. Refreshments will be served. All very welcome.
A Service of the Word on Sunday, January 1st – at the later time of 11.30am – will welcome in the new year. This will be followed by refreshments. There will also be a service of Holy Communion at 8.15am as usual but there will be no evening service.

The church is all decorated and waiting for the First Eucharist of Christmas, which will start at 11.30pm on Christmas Eve. This will be followed on the morning of Christmas Day by an 8.15am service of Holy Communion with carols and then a 10.30am Family Service – come early to get a seat.

The evocative service of Nine Lessons and Carols at 7pm this Sunday, December 18th, is one of the highlights of the church year for many people and there will be a retiring collection for the Capuchin Day Centre for homeless and needy people in Bow Street, Dublin 7. The service is followed by the serving of mince pies and mulled wine in the Parish Centre. All very welcome.
One reason this service is so popular is that each member of the congregation is given an individual candle. We want to be able to maintain this tradition.
While acknowledging that it can be difficult to hold a service sheet in one hand and a candle in the other, please exercise care at all times with your candle. Make every effort to hold it as straight as possible throughout the service, keep the drip mat in place and try not to splash any wax on either the furniture or the floor as it is very difficult and time consuming to remove it.  The candle should easily last for the duration of the service.

The key dates for worship in St Paul’s over the Christmas period:
Sunday, December 18th 8.15 am Holy Communion (One) 10.30 am Family Service with Holy Baptism
7 pm Service of Nine Lessons with Carols by Candlelight
Monday, December 19th 7 pm Rathdown School Carol Service
Wednesday, December  21st 11 am Holy Communion
Saturday, December 24th 11.30 pm Christmas Eve First Eucharist of Christmas
Sunday, December 25th Christmas Day 8.15 am Holy Communion (One) 10.30 am Family Service
Wednesday, December 28th 11 am Holy Communion; 4pm Wedding
Saturday, December 31st 11.45 pm Ringing in the New Year: a short service to welcome the New Year with the ringing of the Chimes at midnight. Followed by refreshments.
Sunday, January 1st The Second Sunday of Christmas 8.15 am Holy Communion (One) 11.30 am Service to mark the beginning of the New Year, followed by refreshments. 7 pm No Service

Throughout Advent and over Christmas you are invited to support the ongoing work of Bishops’ Appeal.  Envelopes can be found on the pews in the church.  Please put any contribution you may like to make into one of these envelopes and place it on the offertory plate.  The Church of Ireland Bishop’s Appeal is the Church’s World Aid and Development programme.  If you would like to know more about Bishop’s Appeal and the projects it supports check out its new website at:  bishopsappeal.ireland.anglican.org

The St Paul’s choir is joining the choir of St Patrick’s Dalkey to lead an Advent Carol Service in the Dalkey church for the cluster of Church of Ireland parishes in our area this Sunday, November 27th at 7pm. All are very welcome. There will be no evening service in St Paul’s this Sunday.

There’s a chance this Saturday morning, November 19th,  to start your day with sumptuous singing, exquisite organ music and delicious home-baked cakes and coffee! It’s a fund-raising event for the Pipeworks Organ Festival.
Come along  and hear the St Paul’s choir singing and renowned organist Mark Duley, the festival’s artistic director, performing works by Faure, Bach, Stainer, Rutter, Vierne and Goodall.
Date:  November 19th
Time: 11am
Venue: St Paul’s Church, Glenageary
Tickets: €10 at the door
Tea, coffee and cakes served after recital in the parish centre.

If you have service medals that belonged to a relative or friend you might like to wear them at our Remembrance Service at 10.30am this Sunday, November 13th, in their honour and in memory of all those who have served. The Act of Remembrance will be within the service of Parish Communion.
 Meanwhile, the children will go to Sunday Club,where the talk will be about standing firm when you are afraid and remembering Jesus is with you. In the Gospel reading of the day (Luke 21. 5–19) Jesus tells his disciples that despite war, famine and fearful events, that if they stand firm in their belief of Him, they will gain life. As a Remembrance Sunday activity, the children will be remembering those who have died.