|
DEAR FRIENDS
Thanks, thanks, and more thanks. It’s that very thankful time of year. On behalf of the congregation, I want to thank everyone involved in the Preparation of the Crèche portion of mass this past Sunday, especially Jean Del Colliano, Cynthia Racine, and Catherine Torrey for all their hard work with the children. One parishioner remarked that he had been watching this for years, but this was the first year it had really moved him. Well done and congratulations all around!
Secondly, I want to thank Marlene Donnelly, Sandy Miller, and Heather Peshkin for the beautiful scarf they knitted for me as a Christmas gift on behalf of St. Paul’s and presented to me at Coffee Hour this past Sunday. I’ve been wearing it everywhere and proudly showing it off to everyone. It is made from baby alpaca wool and is absolutely perfect. I am very, very grateful (and warm!).
Thirdly, a huge thank you in advance to all of the members of the music staff choir, Altar Guild, and Acolytes Guild for all of their extra work in making Christmas the joyous occasion it will be for all of us. We couldn’t do what we do so well at St. Paul’s without these dedicated people.
Many of you are travelling this weekend and will not be at St. Paul’s on Christmas, and we pray, as always, for travelling mercies (that’s a very old term, but I like it). Where ever you find yourself, remember your obligation to attend mass on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. It’s a paradox of our modern age that we get so busy with Christmas that we forget about Christmas. The best gift you can give to yourself and to the Christ Child on the anniversary of his miraculous Incarnation and birth is to be in church. Come let us adore him!
Yours in Christ,
Fr. Wallace
CHRISTMAS FLOWERS
We are still accepting donations for Christmas flowers. Envelopes are available on the back table.
NO BIBLE BASICS CLASS
This Sunday, December 23rd or Sunday, December 30th
Fr. Wallace’s Bible 101 will resume on Sunday, January 6, 2019, 1:00 pm, in the Library.
NO SUNDAY SCHOOL
This Sunday, December 23rd or Sunday, December 30th
Sunday School will resume on Sunday, January 6, 2019
CHRISTMAS CHILDREN’S BOOK DRIVE SUCCESS!
The Christmas Book Drive was again a huge success; your generosity yielded about 60 donated books and over $300. That means that over 120 books for children and teenagers (labeled and wrapped) were delivered to the Miccio Center in Red Hook. Thank you all for helping with this annual outreach!
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.
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.
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.
RETIREMENT SERVICE FOR FR. RON LAU
Solemn Evensong, 3:00 p.m, Sunday, January 9, 2019, at St. Paul’s
Many of you know that Fr. Lau, Rector of Christ Church Cobble Hill, has announced his retirement. 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 choirmaster Don Barnum and choir from Christ Church; our Nathan Taylor will play; and Bishop Provenzano will be in attendance, as well. Please plan to join us for this special event honoring Fr. Lau.
CHRISTMAS SERVICE SCHEDULE
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.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
Sunday, January 6, 2019: The Feast of the Epiphany
11:00 a.m, Solemn High Mass
3:00 p.m., Solemn Evensong
Sunday, January 27, 2019: The Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul and the Annual Meeting
11:00 a.m., Solemn High Mass
12:15 p.m., Annual Meeting
THIS COMING SUNDAY: December 23rd, 2018
The Fourth Sunday of Advent: 11:00 a.m., Sung Mass
- Appointed Readings and Sermon
The First Reading—Micah 5:2-5a
Psalm 80:1-7
Epistle—Hebrews 4:4-7
The Gospel—Luke 1:39-55
Sermon—Fr. Wallace
Music
Organ Prelude: Prelude and Fugue in F, BWV 556–Johann Sebastian Bach
Mass Setting: Merbecke
Entrance Hymn: “Tell out, my soul, the greatness of the Lord,” Hymnal, 438
Sequence Hymn “O come, O come, Emmanuel,” Hymnal, 56, verse 7
Hymn at the Offertory: “The angel Gabriel from heaven came,” Hymnal, 265
Hymn at Communion: “Creator of the stars of night,” Hymnal, 60
Hymn after the Dismissal: “Come thou long-expected Jesus,” Hymnal, 66
Organ Postlude: “Pièce Héroïque” (from 3 Pièces pour grand orgue)–César Franck
CHRISTMAS EVE: December 24, 2018
10:30 p.m, Carols to welcome the birth of Christ
11:00 p.m., Solemn Mass of Christmas
- Appointed Readings and Sermon
The First Reading—Isaiah 9:2-7
Psalm 96:1-8
Epistle—Titus 2:11-14
The Gospel—Luke 2:1-20
Sermon—Fr. Wallace
Music
Organ Prelude: Greensleeves, arr. Richard Purvis
Choral Prelude: “A magnum mysterium” from Christmas Cantata—Daniel Pinkham
Mass Setting: Willan
Entrance Hymn: “O Come all ye faithful,” Hymnal, 83
For the Gloria: “Gloria” from Christmas Cantata—Daniel Pinkham
Sequence Hymn “On this day, earth shall ring,” Hymnal, 92
Anthem: “Quem vidistis pastores” from Christmas Cantata—Daniel Pinkham
Hymns at Communion: “What Child is this,” Hymnal, 115’ & “Away in a manger,” Hymnal, 101
Hymn after the Dismissal: “Joy to the world,” Hymnal, 100
Organ postlude: Bring a Torch Jeanette Isabella—arr. Keith Chapman
|
