DEAR FRIENDS 

This year, the Feast of the Epiphany lands on a Sunday, and we will celebrate it will all the liturgical pomp and ceremony as befits a Major Feast.  It’s the first Sunday of the month, so we’ll sing the St. Paul’s Service for the mass, which was commissioned by St. Paul’s in 1999 from composer David Hurd in honor of the 150th anniversary of the founding of the Parish.  We will also begin mass with a festal procession and stop at the Crèche where we will, joining The Three Kings, bless and present the gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh to the Christ Child.  Last year, we introduced the ancient Epiphany tradition of blessing chalk.  This proved very popular, so we will do it again this year. The Blessed chalk will be available at the door and at Coffee Hour, one piece to each family.  The chalk is taken home and a short inscription, which has the year and the initials of the Magi, are written over or near your front door as a house blessing, asking God to protect your home and family during the year. Instructions and the prayer to say as you write the inscription will also be distributed with the chalk.  If you would like to read more about this tradition, there are a number of articles online, including this one from the Church Times in 2016.
 
Also, this Sunday we are honored to host the retirement service for Fr. Ronald Lau, Rector of our neighbor parish, Christ Church Cobble Hill:  3:00 p.m., Solemn Evensong.  More details are below, but it will be a grand occasion, and we will be joined not only by members of Christ Church and the Cobble Hill/Carroll Gardens communities, but also by Bishop Provenzano and other clergy from this Deanery.  Fr. Lau has been a good friend to St. Paul’s, to Fr. Cullen, and to me, so we hope for a good turnout of St. Paul-ians, as well. 
 
Yours in Christ,
Fr. Wallace
 

WILLING HEARTS AND HANDS (AND ARMS) NEEDED!

8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Saturday, January 12

The 3rd-floor apartment in the Rectory will soon be undergoing some renovation work, so Fr. Wallace is moving to the 4th-floor apartment, and we need ALL HANDS to help with schlepping his stuff up one flight.  Many hands make light work.  If you can help, please coordinate with Madge Willner, mwwillner@rcn.com, 718-596-9573..

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, and our own Nathan Taylor will hold forth from the organ.  Bishop Provenzano will be in attendance, as well, so we’d like to have a good St. Paul’s turn out. A reception for Fr. Lau will follow in the Parish Hall.

WE ARE SO CLOSE! 

Pledges for 2019 continue to come in.  We are now at 96% (!) of our stewardship goal for 2019!  Won’t you help us make the last 4%?  2019 pledges can be made at any time.  Pledge cards are available on the table in the back of the church, or may you pledge through the website.  

BIBLE BASICS CLASS RESUMES THIS SUNDAY

January 6, 1:00 pm in the Library.   

This is the last class of this session.  Fr. Wallace is looking for a topic for a spring class.  If you have any ideas, please let him know.
 

SUNDAY SCHOOL RESUMES THIS SUNDAY

9:45 a.m., December 30th

FOOD DRIVE ENDS THIS 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 THIS 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. 
 

2019 PLEDGE ENVELOPES AVAILABLE

They will be on a table in the back of the church.  Please pick yours up as soon as you can.  2019 is here!
 

FATHER WALLACE AWAY 

Fr. Wallace will be away on Sunday, January 13.  Fr. Garenton will celebrate mass, and Lilo Carr Rivera will preach.  Please express your gratitude to both them for filling in.
 

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 DATE

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: January 6, 2019

The Feast of the Epiphany 

• Appointed Readings and Sermon
  • The First Reading— Isaiah 60:1-6
  • Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14
  • Epistle—Ephesians 3:1-12
  • The Gospel— Matthew 2:1-12
  • Sermon—Fr. Wallace 
• Music
  • Mass Setting: Hurd—St. Paul’s Service
  • Organ Prelude: “Nimrod,” from Enigma Variations—Edward Elgar
  • Hymn at the Procession: “We three Kings,” The Hymnal, 128
  • Offertory Anthem: “Brightest and Best”—Malcolm Archer
  • Hymn at Communion: “What star is this, with beams so bright,” Hymnal, 124
  • Hymn after the Dismissal: “As with gladness, men of old,” Hymnal, 119
  • Organ Postlude: Paean—Kenneth Leighton