DEAR FRIENDS 

One of the paradoxes of Thanksgiving is that people are often “give thanks” and are “thankful” without any particular thought about where or to whom their “thanks” should be “given.”  Our increasingly secular society generally thinks of “giving thanks” as some form of internal feeling of gratitude and happiness.  That is not incorrect, as far as it goes, but it misses the point entirely. “Giving” is an external action—the “gift” of our gratitude and thanks should go somewhere, and not just “somewhere” as in some vague notion of sending our good thoughts out into the universe, but somewhere specific.  Fortunately, we are Christians, and we know exactly where and to whom our “thanks” should be “given”:  the One in whom “we live and move and have our being” (Acts 17:28), Our Lord, who loves us, provides for us, and gave himself for us that we might live. 
 
Here is the Collect for Thanksgiving Day (BCP, p. 194) for you to use at your Thanksgiving Table:

Almighty and gracious Father, we give thee thanks for the fruits of the earth in their season and for the labors of those who harvest them.  Make us, we beseech thee, faithful stewards of thy great bounty, for the provision of our necessities and the relief of all who are in need, to the glory of thy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. 

Happy Thanksgiving! See you at mass.

Yours in Christ,
Fr. Wallace
 

BIBLE BASICS CLASS 

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

THANKSIVING DAY

There will be no Morning Prayer or Open Door on Thursday, November 22nd, Thanksgiving Day, and the church and church offices will be closed.  The Low Mass on Friday, November 23rd, will occur as normal.

IT’S THAT VERY AUCTION TIME OF YEAR!

Saturday, December 1, doors open at 5 p.m.  

• Mark your calendars, invite your friends, and buy tickets now for St. Paul’s Annual Auction on Saturday, December 1st!  Celebrating its 30th year, the auction is our major fundraiser and relies on your participation and support to make it a wonderful night.
• Tickets going fast! Contact Rob to reserve tickets.
• Volunteers Needed:  If you’d like to volunteer to help set up, assist the kitchen crew, and work on the night, please contact Sandy Miller, Rob Snyder, Madge Willner, or JillEllyn Riley.
• Preview Catalog here.

CALLING ALL YOUNG SINGERS!  

We are very excited to announce that the younger children will be singing again this year at the Crèche Service on December 16.  This year we also want to organize the 9-17 year olds to sing, as well.  Cynthia Racine will work with the younger students during Sunday school, and rehearsals for the youth will be 12:45-1:30 after church (hopefully giving everyone enough time to grab a snack and listen to announcements).  If you have any questions, please contact Catherine Torrey or Cynthia Racine.

CHRISTMAS CHILDREN’S BOOK DRIVE 

St. Paul’s annual Christmas Children’s Book Drive will begin next Sunday, November 25, and continue 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. 

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 Sunday, January 6, 2020. 

MARK YOUR CALENDARS

• Saturday Evening, December 1:  Auction 
• Sunday, December 2: First Sunday of Advent
• Sunday, December 9:  Dessoff Choirs in concert at St. Paul’s; 3:15 pm pre-concert lecture; 4:00 concert; tickets $20-$40; more information at http://www. dessoff.org
• Sunday, December 16: Rose Sunday and Crèche Service

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: November 25, 2018

Christ the King

• Sunday's Appointed Readings and Homily
  • The First Reading—Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14
  • Psalm 93
  • Epistle—Revelation 1:4b-8
  • The Gospel—John 18:33-37
    Sermon—Fr. Wallace 
• Music
  • Organ Prelude: “Rhosymedre”—Ralph Vaughan Williams
  • Hymn at the Procession: “All hail the power of Jesus Name,” Hymnal, 450
  • Anthem:  “My Song is Love Unknown”—John Ireland
  • Hymn at Communion: “Jesus shall reign where’er the sun,” Hymnal, 544
  • Hymn at the Dismissal: “Crown him with many crowns,” Hymnal, 494
  • Organ Postlude: “Festival Voluntary”—Flor Peeters