From Canon Selvage …
Dear Friends in Christ,
On Sunday, December 2 – the First Sunday of Advent – we begin a new Church Year. As the church moves through the liturgical year, we strive to see the saving action of God that was once present to the world in Jesus of Nazareth present today in the Holy Spirit. Thus, the liturgical year is not for remembering something that happened a long time ago, but for recognizing what is happening now. The liturgical year is not meant to give us a history lesson, but to facilitate an experience.
Accordingly, there emerged in the life of the early church, a pre-Christmas season, a season to make ready for the anniversary of the Lord’s birth. Initially, this season was not penitential in tone. Gradually, however, some penitential customs “seeped” into the observance of Advent, leaving us with a somewhat conflicted liturgy. For example, the Gloria is not sung during Advent, just as it is not sung during Lent; however, Alleluia is sung in Advent, while in Lent it is not. And now, many parishes – including St. Paul’s – use blue vestments in Advent rather than purple (the color of Lent) to distinguish these two seasons and, especially to deemphasize the penitential quality of Advent. Thus, in Advent we experience a blended liturgical season: a season with a slight penitential tone, and yet a season of joyful anticipatory preparation for the birth of the Christ Child.
Having shared Advent’s rather complex history, I would now like to take this opportunity to urge you to make use of this spiritual time to prepare for Christmas. Not only as a time for shopping, decorating, baking, and so forth; but as a time for prayer and the reading of Holy Scripture. If we do not do this, there is a strong possibility that we shall arrive at the day after Christmas feeling exhausted and drained, promising ourselves never to do it again.
Finally, as we approach year’s end, I want to thank you for the opportunity to serve as your priest. Thank you for all of the hard work that you do to support the mission and ministry of St. Paul’s parish. Thank you for your support in time, talent, and treasure that permit us to be a light shining in the darkness of this world.
God Bless!
Daniel+
Advent/Christmas Schedule
10:30 AM … Sunday, December 2 – Advent I – Holy Eucharist
10:30 AM … Sunday, December 9 – Advent II – Holy Eucharist
10:30 AM … Sunday, December 16 – Advent III – Morning Prayer
10:30 AM … Sunday, December 23 – Advent IV – Holy Eucharist
5:00 PM … Monday, December 24 - Christmas Eve – Festive Choral Eucharist
Note: All are invited and encouraged to share in our weekly services of worship during Advent, Christmas and the Holiday season. Join with us to be nourished in Word and Sacrament. The seasons of Advent and Christmas offer an excellent opportunity for inviting others to join you in attending church. Accordingly, we encourage you to do so!
Concerning Christmas Worship …
St. Paul’s celebration of the Christ Mass has been scheduled for 5:00 PM on Christmas Eve, Monday, December 24. This festive liturgy will include beloved carols of the season, special musical offerings, and Canon Selvage’s Christmas sermon. Please plan to join us for this very special service of worship: come and enjoy our beautifully decorated church, come and be nourished in God’s Word and Holy Sacrament; come and celebrate the birth of the Christ Child!
Contemplate Advent with readings from Awaiting the Wonder, a daily devotional booklet by Tim Wesemann; free copies are in the vestibule. Then place a glass votive inside our printed devotional Advent Wreaths, also in the vestibule. Enter the time of waiting for the Christ-child with prayers and quiet joy.
Stewardship Update …
Parish treasurer, Charlie Conway, reports that the annual stewardship campaign has been very successful, but he also notes that several “regular” pledges have yet to be received. If you have already returned your 2013 pledge card, thank you! If not, please be sure to return your signed pledge card at your earliest convenience. Your cooperation in this matter will allow the vestry to formulate next year’s budget in a timely manner.
Thank You’s
Thank you to everyone who helped with the fall parish clean-up day. Great progress was made in removing over a half ton of old electronics and junk from our closets and the Cave. The electronics were recycled properly. Inside, everything in the worship space received a thorough dusting, and vacuuming, too. Outdoors our shrubs were all trimmed and the benches were put away for the winter. Thank you all for your generous gifts of time and talent.
Thank you also to everyone who helped with the Soup Sale December 1st. We sold out by about noon, and raised $111.00. Yummy varieties included: vegetarian lentil soup, potato-bacon soup, and vegetarian Gypsy soup. Next year, my goal is to make at least twice as much soup and freeze it – we later learned that people stopped by after we had closed down for the day, looking for St. Paul’s soup.
Thank you all for donating toward Episcopal Relief and Development’s (ERD) Hurricane Sandy Relief fund. In times of huge losses for fellow human beings, it is good to know that we can send help through a reputable group that doesn’t swallow up donations in huge overhead costs. May those we have assisted in our small way feel our prayers and support, now and in the future.
Annual Meeting Announced …
The Vestry has announced that the Annual Meeting of St. Paul’s parish will be held on Sunday, January 20, 2013. The meeting will be convened immediately following the 10:30 AM Holy Eucharist. Per requirements of our by-laws, reports will be received, budgets will be reviewed, and elections will be held for the Vestry. Accordingly, anyone interested in serving on the Vestry should make his or her wish know to our acting Senior Warden, Claudia Horner, at their earliest convenience. Following the meeting, a pot-luck luncheon will be served. Please plan to attend this important gathering. There will be a sign-up sheet in the vestibule beginning in January.
Holiday Break for Gentle Yoga and Mindfulness Meditation
Our community offering of gentle yoga and mindfulness meditation will take a break for the holidays. We will continue to meet Monday evenings in the church at 7:00 p.m. through Monday, December 17. We will resume meeting in the new year beginning Monday, January 7, 2013 at 7:00 p.m. in the church. While there is no charge for this class, which is intended to improve well-being and reduce stress, there is an opportunity to contribute toward St. Paul’s operating expenses through a free-will offering. We are thankful for all those who contribute!
A New Computer for the Office Next Year!
We are thankful to have received a diocesan Project Grant that will allow us to install a new computer, related equipment, and a projector in our office at St. Paul’s. We will be assisted by the diocese with the purchase and the installation process, and will be able to communicate better with the diocese electronically. It also will provide us the opportunity to computerize and centralize our records, and to become a regional site for on-line diocesan training for part-time priests, a project that is in development at this point.
Concerning Christmas Poinsettias …
Donations are now being received for the Christmas Poinsettias that will be used to grace our church and altar for the Christmas liturgies. The cost is $11.00 per plant. Should you wish to order one or more plants, please complete this order form and return it to the church or mail it to: Phyllis Durost, 219 Kennedy Ave., Mill Hall, PA 17751. NOTE: Checks should be made payable to: St. Paul’s Episcopal Church with the memo line marked: Poinsettias. Thank you.
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Poinsettia Order Form – Christmas 2012
FROM: ______
Please order ______Christmas Poinsettias @ $11.00/plant. I have enclosed my check
made payable to St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in the amount of $______. These
plants are being offering to the Glory of God and in loving memory of:
______
______
And/or in thanksgiving for:
______
______
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church
P.O. Box 206
Lock Haven, PA 17745