The St. Paul's Epistle
December 1, 2006
Contents
Dear Members and Friends of St. Paul's
Advent Series
"Unto Us a Child is Born..."
The Fourth Sunday of Advent
Christmas Services
Welcome New Members
Deck the Halls Festive Dinner
Advent Lessons and Carols
ECW Holiday Bake Sale
Handel's Messiah
St. Paul's Stephen Ministry
Origin of our American Christmas
Traditions
Christmas Flowers
Church School Advent Outreach Project
SPY Hosts the Good Book Store
Kneeler Christmas Cards for Sale
Thank You Elizabeth & Patricia Tice
A Meal and More
St. Joseph's House
Young Stewards
Vestry Highlights
Looking Ahead
SPY Corner
Dear Members and Friends of St. Paul's
You should receive this issue of The Epistle just before we enter the season of Advent (this year Advent begins on December 3). The season of Advent, as we know it today, was the last liturgical season to develop in the Christian year, and, in fact, we're not exactly certain when it was first introduced into the life of the church. Before there could be a season of Advent, there had to be a celebration of the birth of Jesus, and that didn't develop until the beginning of the 4th century. The date for celebrating the birth of Jesus depended on where you lived: it was observed on December 25 in the West and on January 6 in the East. Thus it seems likely that Advent began to be observed sometime during the 4th century and became as we know it today, more or less, by the 11th century - a period of some 700 hundred years.
This somewhat confusing historical picture is mirrored in the actual observance of the season. In parts of the church, the season was one of great solemnity, a time of preparation to celebrate the birth of Jesus. Fasting was encouraged, but not on the order of fasting in Lent. By the 13th century, however, this had given way to the theme of the coming of the Lord in glory (adventus), and from the Eastern church, the West borrowed the theme of preparation for the birth of Jesus, not by penitence but with joyous expectation. The number of weeks also varied from place to place. In Gaul, Advent was forty-two days long - from November 11 to December 25; in the Roman church five Sundays were observed; and in the 11th century Pope Gregory VII (1073-85) fixed the season at four Sundays.
I mention this historical background because it is, in part, why Advent is one of my favorite seasons in the whole of the Christian year. I enjoy Advent's delightful mix of joyous expectation as we celebrate each year the birth of the Messiah and, at the same time, look expectantly toward the coming of the Lord at the end of time - the parousia. The exclamation - Maranatha! - was used by the early church. Drawn from the Aramaic in I Corinthians 16.22, the two words (maran atha) looked toward the future, "Come, our Lord." Yet, when transliterated into Greek, the phrase could also express an action already completed, "Our Lord has come." It is this dual meaning which lies at the heart of the Advent season.
At St. Paul's, we work to find ways to mark each season of the church year appropriately. In the course of recent conversations about what we have done in the past for Advent, a picture of a slightly different opening rite began to emerge. In engaging this more fully, we decided to make a few revisions to the opening rite. Much of what we have been accustomed to will continue - the hymn "O come, O come, Emmanuel" will be sung (with hand bells), not as the introit, but as the opening procession each week (we'll sing different verses to mark each week); the lighting of the Advent wreath will continue, but now as an integral part of the whole opening rite of the liturgy instead of being a kind of "prelude" to it. Our hope, as in all our liturgy planning, is to allow the unique characteristics of this Advent season to speak clearly to us through the presence of God's spirit.
As we enter this wonderfully complex season, listen to its themes in our scripture readings: "in those days Judah will be saved," "Prepare the way of the Lord," "Sing aloud, O daughter Zion," "My soul magnifies the Lord." With such preparation, who can resist singing, "Joy to the world! the Lord is come" on Christmas!
~ Thomas McCart
Advent Series
Thursdays, December 7, 14 and 21
"The Role of Mary in the Incarnation:
Implications for the 21st Century"
Join us for the Advent Series on Thursday evenings, December 7, 14 and 21. Evening Prayer begins at 6:00 p.m. followed by soup supper at 6:30 and the program at 7:00 presented by Dr. Eugen Baer, Professor of Philosophy at Hobart William Smith Colleges. To help with planning, please sign up in the Church Activity Book in the Sunday Office or call 271-2240 if you will be at supper.
~ Barbara Warner
"Unto Us a Child is Born..."
and there is room at the manger! Children, teens, and adults are welcome to come out as cast or crew for the Christmas Pageant.
The first rehearsal is Saturday, December 9, from 10 until noon for actors, narrators and crew. The dress rehearsal for all, including youth choir, angels, shepherds, and animals, is Saturday, December 16, from 10 until noon. A pizza luncheon follows each rehearsal. Sign up in the Parish Hall, call the Church Office 271-2240 or write barbara@stpaulsec.org.
All are welcome for the pageant on December 17 at 4 p.m. Stay for supper and carols immediately following the pageant.
~ Barbara Warner
The Fourth Sunday of Advent
Sunday, December 24
10:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist
(One Service Only)
Christmas Services
Christmas Eve
| 3:30 p.m. - | Children's Service |
| & Holy Eucharist | |
| 5:30 p.m. - | Holy Eucharist - |
| All Choirs and Brass | |
| (Child care available) | |
| 10:45 p.m. - | Choir Carols |
| 11:00 p.m. - | Holy Eucharist - |
| Senior Choir and Brass |
Christmas Day
| 10:00 a.m. - | Holy Eucharist |
The First Sunday After Christmas
| 8:00 a.m. - | Holy Eucharist |
| 10:00 a.m. - | Lessons & Carols |
| (Child care available) |
Welcome New Members!
Please welcome the following into the St. Paul's community:
Bruce, Patti and Kate Blaine, Transfer
Deck the Halls
Festive Dinner
December 8 is the date of our annual festive dinner, and it will be a gala affair. We will wine and dine you, offer the table decorations for you to purchase for your own home holiday décor, and then entertain you with the world-famous St. Paul's Singers, who will offer lusty and enthusiastic singing of Christmas Carols. Please call me soon for a dish assignment - you don't want to miss this!
~ Gail Bush - 377-5129
Advent Lessons and Carols
Sunday, December 3 at 4 p.m.
St. Paul's Choir, David Fetler, conductor
Adam Peithmann, organist
Derrick Smith, bass
The Angel Gabriel
Adam Lay Ybounden
Behold, The Days Are Coming
Organ selections and Advent Readings
ECW Holiday Bake Sale
ECW will be holding its annual Bake Sale December 10 following both Sunday services. This is a fine opportunity to pick up some holiday gifts as well as to stock the freezer for those last-minute hostess gifts or occasions of unexpected guests. Your family will be pleased that you dropped by, too!
Please visit us in the Parish Hall to treat yourself and your friends to some home-made holiday wrapped delicacies to include candy, cookies, quick breads, pies, and brownies. We'll be happy to see you!
~ Mary Critikos
Handel's "Messiah"
Handel's popular Messiah with St. Paul's Choir will be presented with the Rochester Chamber Orchestra on Sunday, December 10, 3:00 p.m. at the Hochstein Music School, 50 N. Plymouth Avenue. Tickets are available at Wegmans or by calling Julie Doescher at 442-9778.
~ David Fetler
St. Paul's Stephen Ministry
What People Are Saying About Stephen Ministry:
- I thank God everyday for my Stephen Minister. I was ready to give up. But my Stephen Minister kept encouraging me and gave me the motivation to keep going. She opened the door for God's healing.
- Stephen Ministry is an incredible opportunity being offered to me. It helps me look more openly at my faith and how I live it. It also helps me look at my prayer life. After our sessions, I am quite conscious of things which I haven't been before.
- My Stephen Minister is a wonderful gift to me. I look forward to seeing her each week. I have many friends, but only one Stephen Minister.
- I was alone and very lonely. Then I called the Rector. Now I look forward to my Stephen Minister's weekly visits for hearty discussions and sharing of views and opinions. I am a stimulated and grateful Stephen Ministry Receiver.
- I never felt so alone as after my wife died. My Stephen Minister helped me work through the painful feelings and he helped me find hope again.
- All I can say is thank you. I was so overwhelmed I didn't know where to begin. My Stephen Minister helped me sort through my challenges and regain my faith in God.
~ Judy Carpenter, Sally McGucken, Anne Refermat & Tom McCart
Origin of Our American
Christmas Traditions
Christopher Bensch, Vice President of Collections at the Strong National Museum of Play, will be our guest speaker December 7 at 1:00 p.m. in the Parish Hall following the ECW Luncheon at noon. His topic will be American Christmas Traditions and How They Took Shape. He is an engaging speaker on a variety of topics (his first of what is anticipated to be several visits to Episcopal Church Women).
One of his questions to us all will be to identify the Top Ten Toys in the Toy Hall of Fame. It's not as easy as you might think! It's serious business taking on the solemnity and focus one might find studying seemingly more profound fields of concentration.
It is appropriate that Victorian customs will be discussed in December in our newly-renovated Victorian space!
As always, if you plan on Luncheon at noon with ECW, please confirm your reservation through the Church Office at 271-2240 by Monday, December 4.
~ Mary Critikos
Christmas Flowers
Each year we fill the church with Christmas poinsettias, wreaths and greens in memory of loved ones and in thanksgiving for God's many blessings. Envelopes for donations to this year's Christmas Flower fund will be found on tables around the church on Sundays and in the office during the week. Please print clearly the names of those you wish to honor - we do not want to guess at the correct spelling of a name. Make checks payable to St. Paul's Episcopal Church and write Christmas Flowers on the memo line. The deadline is Monday, December 18.
Good Enough to Eat!
The Church School Advent
Outreach Project
As visions of sugar-plums dance in your head this Advent, consider also cans and boxes of foods. Bring donations of food for the SEM Food Cupboard to the Parish Hall stage during Advent, beginning December 3. Young people from the Church School will be happy to exchange the food for ornaments they made. Help decorate the tree. With our help, the tree will be festive and the SEM Food Cupboard will be well stocked.
~ Barbara Warner
SPY Hosts the Good Bookstore
On Sunday, December 3, the Good Bookstore will be visiting St. Paul's. There will be a wide selection of items available for sale in the Parish Hall between 8:30 a.m. and noon. You will find books for all ages, music, gifts and jewelry. Come do some Christmas shopping, and at the same time, support St. Paul's Youth (SPY) fund raising efforts. The Good Bookstore will contribute 10% of the total sales to the SPY Mission Trip Fund. Payment by cash, checks, VISA or MasterCard will be accepted.
Kneeler Christmas Cards for Sale
It is not too late to place an order for St. Paul's kneeler Christmas cards. Samples of the eight cards available can be seen in the Parish Hall on Sundays after the 8:00 and 10:00 a.m. services.
All proceeds from the sale of note cards will be directed to the SPY Mission Trip Fund. Support SPY as we continue to raise money for our February 2007 mission trip to Navajoland. If you need additional information, please contact Laura Hayden at 383-8808.
~ Laura Hayden
Thank you...
...to Elizabeth and Patricia Tice, for once again creating
a beautiful Thanksgiving Altar display for all to enjoy!
A Meal and More
A Meal and More depends on St. Paul's to provide the turkeys and roasts for their Holiday meals. We can do this again this year if you will please write a check for $10 or more to St. Paul's Episcopal Church, with A Meal and More in the memo line. It is nice to know that we help make it possible for others to enjoy a festive meal this holiday season.
St. Joseph's House
Thanks to Chris Curtis for providing cookies in November and to Virginia St. Denis for providing cookies in December. However, we are still looking for someone to provide home baked cookies for St. Joseph's House the first Saturday of the month. The next date we are trying to fill is January 6, 2007. The cookies could be picked up and transported for you, if you are not in a position to transport them yourself. We would truly appreciate anyone who would be interested in helping us by providing home baked goods for our guests at St. Joseph's House. Please call Jane Smith (385-4012) or Mary Ellen West (442-9632) if you have any questions or to volunteer.
~ Jane Smith
Young Stewards
Students in the Church School continue to give weekly offerings - pennies, quarters, and even a Chucky Cheese token will do. In making these contributions, our young people receive their own gift. They learn to be givers, supporting the work of God through the church. To date, we have a total of almost $100. Please ask teachers for additional offering envelopes.
~ Barbara Warner
Vestry highlights
- Vestry approved a designated fund for the Director of Music Position used to collect direct donations to support the position.
- Vestry gathered for their annual Fall Vestry Retreat in Wainright Hall on October 6 and 7, led by Krista Cameron. Communications Committee and New Member Ministry made presentations.
- The Audit for 2005 was completed, approved and accepted by the Vestry on October 10, 2006.
- The Vestry approved and will act immediately to switch our utilities suppliers to work directly with Energy Solutions to help lower our utilities bills.
~ Charlotte Kimberly-Haag, Clerk of the Vestry
Looking ahead
There are no Church School classes on Sundays, December 24 or 31 so that families can worship together.
Babies and young children are welcome in the nursery.
~ Barbara Warner
SPY Corner
Serve at St. Joseph's House
On Saturday, December 2 we will meet in the Parish Hall at 8:45 a.m. for breakfast. At 9:30 we will head down to St. Joseph's House where we will prepare and serve the mid-day meal. Pick up time will be 1:00 p.m. at St. Joseph's House, 402 South Avenue (between Comfort and Byron Streets).
Please RSVP to Laura Hayden by Friday, December 1
(383-8808 or lhayden@rochester.rr.com)
Save the Date:
December 10, Movie & Dinner Night
Information about this event will be forthcoming in the next SPY newsletter.