DEAR FRIENDS 

There are far too many important items below for you to spend time reading my ramblings.  Please take the time to read through everything below and give each your prayerful consideration.  See you at mass.
 
Yours in Christ,
Fr. Wallace
 

CRÈCHE SERVICE THIS SUNDAY 

The very popular Crèche Service, at which the youth of the parish read lessons and place the figures in the manger, will take place this Sunday.  You won’t want to miss it.  A reminder to everyone involved─acolytes, children, choir─to be please be on time. Several groups need to use the church before mass this Sunday to rehearse.  Your timeliness makes it all work and avoids any conflicts.

HOLIDAY FAIR THIS SUNDAY!

Do you need last-minute gifts, decorations for your tree or home, and wrapping goodies galore?  Have no fear, St. Paul’s is here!  Stop by our Holiday Fair tables after mass this Sunday and shop till you drop─or least throughout our delicious Coffee Hour.

THE YOUNG NEW YORKERS’ CHORUS IN CONCERT 

The Women’s Ensemble of Young New Yorkers' Chorus, directed by St. Paul's Director of Music Alex Canovas, is in concert this Saturday, December 15th, at 7:30 p.m. at St. Peter's Episcopal Church (Chelsea, 20th Street between 8th and 9th Avenues).  The concert title is Time's Up, and features music on the themes of empowerment, love, motherhood, and sisterhood. Tickets are $20 in advance and may be purchased on line here; $25 at the door. 

CHRISTMAS FLOWERS 

Envelopes for Christmas flowers will be included again in this Sunday’s bulletin.  This is your voluntary gift to the Christ Child on his birthday and to help decorate St. Paul’s for the Christmas Season. Envelopes may be placed in the collection plate or mailed to the church, or you may use the Paypal function on the church’s website (please include the note Christmas Flowers).  If you would like to donate flowers in memory of someone or in thanksgiving, please print clearly on the envelope.  Checks should be made payable to St. Paul’s Church. Christmas flowers donations may be made at any time, but memorials received after Wednesday, December 21st, will not appear in the Christmas Eve bulletin.
 

FOOD DRIVE 

The Sunday School classes are sponsoring their annual Food Drive again this year in support of the food pantry at First Presbyterian Church.  Donations of non-perishable food items may be placed in the baskets in the rear of the church.  Of particular need are protein items (peanut butter, tuna, cans of Vienna Sausages, etc.). Please no opened or expired items. This year’s food drive will extend through the 12 Days of Christmas to Epiphany, Sunday, January 6.  Thank you all for you donations!!  If you have any questions or wish to help in any way, please contact Jean Del Colliano.
 

CHRISTMAS CHILDREN’S BOOK DRIVE 

St. Paul’s annual Christmas Children’s Book Drive continues until Sunday, December 16.  Donations of NEW children’s books (ages 4 to 18, with emphasis on elementary and middle school children), cash or checks (made out to St. Paul’s and labelled Book Drive) are most welcome.  Please note that paperbacks are the best choice for books. The books will be taken to the Miccio Community Center in Red Hook for distribution. 
 

ADVENT CONFESSION 

It is traditional for Christians to make their confessions at least twice a year, generally during Advent and during Lent.  Please contact Father Wallace to make an appointment for your Advent confession.  
 

STEWARDSHIP 

The Stewardship Committee continues to accept pledges for 2019.  If you have not yet turned in your pledge, please prayerfully consider doing so. Pledge cards are available on the table in the back of the church.  
 

SOCK DRIVE

St. Paul’s is collecting socks again this year to be distributed to the homeless during the winter months. The collection bin is in the Parish Hall.  See Eoin if you have any questions.  Socks will be collected through Epiphany, Sunday, January 6, 2019. 
 

BIBLE BASICS CLASS 

Fr. Wallace’s Bible 101 class continues Sunday, 1:00 pm, in the Library.  Newcomers welcome.
 

RETIREMENT SERVICE FOR FR. RON LAU 

Many of you know that Fr. Lau, Rector of Christ Church Cobble Hill, has announced his retirement. His farewell service will be Solemn Evensong, 3:00 p.m., Sunday, January 6, 2019, the Feast of the Epiphany.  Fr. Lau has been a good friend to St. Paul’s for many years, and we are honored to host this event.  Fr. Lau will sing Evensong with the choir master and choir from Christ Church.  Bishop Provenzano will be in attendance, as well.  Please plan to join us for this special event honoring Fr. Lau.
 

ADVENT & CHRISTMAS SERVICE SCHEDULE 

• Sunday, December 16, Advent III and Crèche Service - 11:00 a.m., High Mass 
• Sunday, December 23, Advent IV - 11:00 a.m., Sung Mass
• Monday, December 24, Christmas Eve -  5:30 p.m., Mass of Christmas for Families
  • 10:30 p.m., Carols to welcome the Birth of Christ (Please note earlier time)
  • 11:00 p.m., First Mass of Christmas
• Tuesday, December 25, Christmas Day -  9:00 a.m., Christmas Day, Low Mass (Lady Chapel)
• Sunday, December 30, Christmas I - 11:00 a.m., High Mass

PRAYERS FOR ST. PAUL’S DURING THE TRANSITION AND RECTOR SEARCH 

As you read the Eblast each week, it is a good opportunity to take 30 seconds and offer a prayer for St. Paul’s during its transition and for the members of the Search Committee. Prayers to that effect will be included each week in the Eblast.

• For St. Paul’s:
  O God, by whom the meek are guided in judgment, and light riseth up in darkness for the godly: Grant us, we beseech thee, in all our doubts and uncertainties, the grace to ask what thou wouldest have us to do, that the Spirit of wisdom may save us from all false choices, and that in thy light we may see light,, and in thy straight path may not stumble; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.
   
• For the Search Committee: 
  Direct the Search Committee, O Lord, in all their doings with thy most gracious favor, and further them with thy continual help; that in all their works begun, continued, and ended in thee, they may glorify thy Holy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

THIS COMING SUNDAY: December 16th, 2018

The Second Sunday of Advent: Gaudete Sunday, also called “Rose Sunday”
Holy Eucharist and The Preparation of the Crèche 

• Sunday's Appointed Readings and Homily
  • The First Reading— Zephaniah 3:4-20
  • Canticle—The First Song of Isaiah
  • Epistle—Philippians 4:4-7
  • The Gospel—Luke 3:7-18 
• Music
  • Organ Prelude:  Es ist ein Ros entsprungen—arr. Johannes Brahms 
  • Mass Setting: Merbecke’s Missa 
  • Entrance Hymn: “Rejoice! Rejoice believers,” Hymnal, 68
  • Sequence Hymn ““O come, O come, Emmanuel,” Hymnal, 56, verse 6
  • Anthem:  “Laetatus sum—Alessandro Scarlatti
  • Hymn at Communion: “Comfort, comfort ye my people,” Hymnal, 67
  • Music at the Blessing of the Crib:
    • “Go, tell it on the mountain”
    • “Jesus Christ the apple tree”
• Organ Postlude: “Wachet auf ruft uns die Stimme” (from Cantata 140)—J.S. Bach