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DEAR FRIENDS
Merry Christmas to everyone, and many thanks to everyone who made our Christmas services beautiful and meaningful, as always. Don’t forget that Christmas is not just one day, but a season, lasting for twelve days, and we are just now at Day Three (three French hens, I believe, according to the song). People always expect clergy to say that, I know, but it is true. Christmas is supposed to be the beginning of a joyous and celebratory twelve-day season, not the end of an hectic and stress-filled few weeks; joy at Christ’s birth, not relief that it’s all over for another year. But more importantly than whether you can mange to celebrate all twelve days or not is to remember that Christ came into the world, the Incarnate Son of God, “to share our human nature, to live and die as one of us” (BCP, p. 362, Rite II, Prayer B) because he loves us. And that is something to be celebrated throughout the entire year and throughout our lives.
2019 PLEDGE ENVELOPES AVAILABLE
They will be on a table at Coffee Hour. Please pick yours up as soon as you can. 2019 is nearly here!
NO BIBLE BASICS CLASS THIS SUNDAY
December 30th
Fr. Wallace’s Bible 101 class will resume on Sunday, January 6, 2019, 1:00 pm, in the Library.
NO SUNDAY SCHOOL THIS SUNDAY
December 30th
Sunday School will resume on Sunday, January 6, 2019
RETIREMENT SERVICE FOR FR. RON LAU
Solemn Evensong, 3:00 p.m, Sunday, January 6, 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 own 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.
FOOD DRIVE ENDS SOON!
Last Day: Sunday, January 6
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 ENDS SOON!
Last Day: Sunday, January 6
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
We are now at 94% of our stewardship goal for 2019! Won’t you help us make the last 6%? 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.
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!
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:
Eternal God, the foundation of all wisdom and the source of all courage: enlighten with your grace the Search Committee of this congregation, and so rule their minds, and guide their counsel that in all things they may seek your glory and promote the mission of your Church, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
UPCOMING IMPORTANT DATES
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 30th, 2018
The First Sunday After Christmas: 11:00 a.m., Sung Mass
- Appointed Readings and Sermon
The First Reading—Isaiah 61:10-62:3
Psalm 147
Epistle—Galatians 3:23-25;4:4-7
The Gospel—John 1:1-18
Sermon—Fr. Wallace
Music
Mass Setting: Willan—Missa de Santa Maria Magdalena
Entrance Hymn: Angels from the realms of glory,” Hymnal, 93
Hymn at the Offertory: “Of the Father’s love begotten,” Hymnal, 82
Hymn at Communion: “O little town of Bethlehem,” Hymnal, 78
Hymn after the Dismissal: “God rest you merry, gentlemen,” Hymnal, 105
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