Advent Tells Us Christ Is Near;

The Sword of The Spirit

Advent - Christmas 2011 Saint Paul’s Church www.saintpaulsbrookfield.com (203) 775-9587

Advent tells us Christ is near;

Christmas tells us Christ is here….

“The Coming”

A voice cries out: "In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God." (Isaiah 40:3)

Dear Friends in Christ, Vol. XLXVII-No. 8 The coming of the Messiah. Like a light cleaving the darkness, the prophecy of Isaiah so many years ago would foreshadow a time where those sitting in darkness Inside this issue: for so long would see a great beacon ahead, one lowering the steep cliffs of despair, This Week 3 rendering the twisted paths straight and The Church Year 5 infusing hope for the world like never before. Christmas Calendar 8 "The Coming"…that is the meaning of Sunday School 11 the word, Advent. In Latin, adventus is the translation of the Greek word St. Paul‟s OWN 13 parousia, commonly used in reference Scholarly Speaking 15 to the Second Coming. Christians believe that the season of Advent serves Sunday Readings 19 as a dual reminder of the original Lay Schedule 22 waiting that was done by the Hebrews December 23 for the birth of their Messiah, as well as Calendar the waiting that Christians today display for the second coming of Christ. The season of Advent at St. Paul‟s is a time for reflective action: we reflect on the profundity of how Love came down, how God loved the world to the point of Incarnation, becoming one of us, in all of our glorious agony…and hope; and it is upon this reflection that we find our action, bringing our own incarnational ministry into the lives of others, as Christ dwells within us. Reflective action marks us as Advent people, where we celebrate the past while anticipating the future. Advent reminds us that it is love of the truth driving us from the world to God, and the truth of love driving us back from God to the world. As we make the journey together toward our Christmas celebration, may God reveal the light of Jesus to us all. Faithfully, St. Paul’s Church 174 Whisconier Road Brookfield, Connecticut 06804

(203) 775-9587 www.saintpaulsbrookfield.com

(The Rev.) Joseph Shepley The Rev. Joseph Shepley, Priest-in-Charge Priest-In-Charge Beth Miller, Parish Office Coordinator

2 † Covenant Envelopes

ovenant envelopes for 2012 will be at the back C of the church the beginning of December. Please take yours and those of any friends who may be absent, as this helps save on mailing costs. Please DO NOT use the 2012 BLUE envelopes until the new year, and DO NOT use the 2011 GREEN envelopes after December 31st. If you do not care to use covenant envelopes, as long as your gift can be identified, an account is set up in your name and you will receive quarterly statements. If you have any questions, please direct them to Carol Gurski, Financial Secretary; 203-775-1765.or [email protected].

† This Week at St. Paul’s

Thu., Dec. 1 - 7:30 pm - Mission Committee, Guild Room

7:30 pm - Music Night, Sanctuary Sat., Dec. 3 - 7:30 am - Men‟s Prayer Breakfast, Parish Hall Sun., Dec. 4 - Second Sunday of Advent 8:00 am - Traditional Eucharist 9:15 am - High School/Young Adult Bible Study, Youth Lounge 9:15 am - Adult Christian Education, Guild Room 10:30 am - Sunday School 10:30 am - Contemporary Eucharist 5:00 pm - Youth Group 6:15 pm - Vespers Mon., Dec. 5 - 4:30 pm - Christian Caring, Tuck Room 7:00 pm - Stephen Ministry, Guild Room Tue., Dec. 6 - 9:15 am - Ladies Bible Study, Guild Room Wed., Dec. 7 - 10:00 am - Holy Eucharist and Healing Thu., Dec. 8 - 1:00 pm - Dorothy Day Ministry, Danbury 7:30 pm - Music Night, Sanctuary

† Sword of the Spirit vs. Sword Points

or more than 50 years The Sword of the Spirit has served us well as our monthly F print newsletter. Two and a half years ago "Sword Points" was created to be a weekly media to move us into the age of faster electronic communications. Starting with this issue both publications will be combined at the beginning of each month and will be e-mailed to Sword Points readers and mailed to our remaining non-e-mail parishioners. The monthly The Sword of the Spirit will contain the monthly calendar, lay schedule, Rector‟s letter as well as the weekly items normally in Sword Points.

† Bishop Rowthorn Here on Sunday

his Sunday, December 4th, Bishop Jeffrey Rowthorn will be preaching and T celebrating with us at the 10:30 am service. The liturgy we will be using was authored by Bishop Rowthorn in his book “The Wideness of God‟s Mercy.”

† Off to Africa

athy and Bill Schrull left for Tanzania and the Kasulu C Bible College in Africa on Tuesday and will be there until Dec 15th. They have prepared a blog site that they will be updating each day during their stay. Click here to follow the Schrulls. † Your Prayers Are Requested For…

t is such an intimate time when praying for the health and I well being of others and such a privilege. The people that we lift up to The Lord are part of our hearts for all time. The Healing Please pray for… Ministry .….Dot Blake, convalescing from a offers short times of stroke at Filosa in prayer at Danbury. The 8 AM and 10:30 …..Christ Church, Bethany; St. Thomas‟, AM Sunday Services. Bethel; Christ Church, Bethlehem; Old St. Andrew‟s, Bloomfield. Once a month on …..Joe Cennamo, doing well after a recent open heart surgery. Healing Sunday 3-4 Pray for a full quick recovery. teams offer prayer at …..Daniel and Ruth Hatch, complete healing and peace. …..Doug Azzarito, healing of blood cancer. the altar. …..The Bishops‟ Fund for Children; all ministries for children at risk. Classes are held one …..Drew Crocker, for his continued healing, physically, Thursday a month for emotionally, and spiritually. the team. Special …..Kelly & Tim Malloy, their children and their team, safety in Jos, Nigeria. Thanksgiving that the situation there is retreats are held twice quiet for the moment. yearly. The basic healing course is † From the Prayer Chain offered every two ...Answered Prayers years for anyone e prayed for a parishioner travelling to Ecuador to interested in healing. W visit her grandparents. Her grandmother was suffering from a surgery gone wrong and was unconscious. For further Her grandfather was ill and had to have his prostrate removed. Upon her safe return she reported that her grandmother was information call walking and doing great, her grandfather was as well. Tara Shepley We have been (203) 267-3231 praying for Jim Beck to or the church office find employment. After (203) 775-9587 many prayers he has a job.

† The Church’s Year: Pageant or Remembrance?

Many older Episcopalians grew up being nurtured on the sentiments of Hymn 235 in The Hymnal 1940. (see page)

Advent tells us Christ is near; Christmas tells us Christ is here…. Holy Week and Easter then Tell who died and rose again.

e have experienced the Church Year as our yearly walk through the life of Jesus. W It is experienced as a historical drama. We begin with the announcement to Mary, move on to Jesus' birth at Bethlehem, see the arrival of the wise men, beneath the cross of Jesus we humbly take our stand, and we go with the women to find the tomb empty. Year after year we walk through the drama of redemption with all the thoughts, feelings, and emotions that the journey brings. Thoughtful clergy have tried many things to help us carefully make this journey. Services of lessons and carols, Christmas pageants, Three Kings cake, myriads of Lenten programs, Stations of the Cross, Tenebrae, three hour preaching services on Good Friday, and helium-filled balloons for the Ascension have all found their way into the churches. We have experienced these things to help us follow Jesus through his earthly life. Unfortunately many have gotten bored with the yearly drama. Children subjected to another session on the Church Year yawn and tell us they know the story. Yes, it is the drama of redemption, but many do not seem to be able to understand where they fit into it or where it fits into them. It all happened a long time ago and the Church Year often comes across as a long history lesson. History is a subject many people dislike intensely, and people still ask, "What has the past got to do with me?" Children and teenagers are loud in their expressions of boredom and rebellion. For adults the boredom is expressed in a "business as usual" attitude or in leaving the church to find Jesus in a fundamentalist or charismatic community. An example of this can be seen in the way the church keeps Lent. We don't keep it! The drama goes on in church but so do the bazaars, craft fairs, St. Patrick‟s Day dances, roast beef Suppers, and other examples of "business as usual." People want, or at least need, a deeper way of entering into the Church Year. They need to move from the yearly historical pageant into a deeper remembering (anamnesis). Anamnesis is the antithesis of amnesia. A person with amnesia has lost identity and purpose. To know who you are, to whom you belong, and where you are headed, you must remember.... A Christian is one for whom, through anamnesis, the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ is a present reality, and one who has already entered the Kingdom though it is not yet realized in its fullness. (Commentary on the American Prayer Book, Marion J. Hatchett, 1995, p. xi) The Jews understand this idea of anamnesis. At the Passover Seder they are reminded by the father "In every generation a man must so regard himself as if he came forth out of Egypt." Christians need to understand the Church Year not simply as journeying through the life of Christ but entering more deeply into OUR life in Christ. St. Paul expressed it well when he said, "It is not I who live but Christ who lives in me," and "I have been crucified with Christ...." St. Leo the Great put it this way: The body that lay lifeless in the tomb is ours. The body that rose again on the third day is ours. The body that ascends above all the heights of heaven to the right of the Father's glory is ours. It is not being a spectator but it is being a participant. We find our identity in living out (Continued on page 7)

† Lessons and Carols: Save the Date!

ur annual Festival of Lessons and Carols will be held on Sunday, O December 11, 2011 at 5:00 pm. Please mark your calendars and plan to attend this beautiful Advent service which consists of Scripture readings about the birth of Jesus interspersed with the singing of traditional carols led by our choir. What a truly wonderful way to prepare your heart, mind, and voice for Christmas! Or better yet, if you like to sing, you are welcome to join our special choir for this service. Rehearsal is on Monday, December 5th from 7-9 pm. The only prerequisites are as follows: 1) you like to sing Christmas music, and 2) you like to be around people who like to sing Christmas music. No previous participation in the music ministry required! It may be just the thing if you‟ve been looking for a small group to join for Advent! Please contact Kirsten Peterson for more details: [email protected]

Milestones - If one member suffers, all suffer together with it; if one member is honored, all rejoice together with it. 1 Corinthians 12:26. Married - Robert Zupnyk and Bethany Davis were married on November 20th Burial - Judith Lea Dale was interred in our Memorial Garden on November 25th.

6 (Continued from page 5) The Church’s Year: the Church Year. We have begun to rediscover the relationship between identity and the sacraments of Baptism and the Eucharist and this deeper remembering (anamnesis). This issue lies behind much of past discussions about infant/adult Baptism, giving Communion to young children, and the meaning of and proper age for Confirmation. In that context, we must also look to renewing our understanding of the Church Year. If we look at the Book of Common Prayer, the seeds of that renewal may already be there. Though the BCP talks about the Church Year, it does not seem to look at the Church Year as a chronological procession through the life of Jesus. Rather, the Prayer Book speaks to "two cycles of feasts and holy days" (BCP p. 15). The first cycle is that of Easter, the second is Christmas. By entering into these cycles the Church remembers who she is. There is an overlapping of these cycles (the Annunciation always comes in the Easter cycle and St. Thomas always comes during the Christmas cycle) and this overlapping helps to keep them connected to each other. The Easter cycle, the Paschal cycle, is the celebration of the Passover of the Lord through death to life. The glory of the Lord is shown forth on the cross of Christ. His exaltation is celebrated on the day of resurrection. In the Exsultet we hear "How blessed is this night when earth and heaven are joined and man is reconciled to God" (BCP p. 287). This is the message of the whole Easter cycle, a cycle intimately connected with Baptism. Some Orthodox theologians even refer to Baptism as our Easter. God has acted. We have been reconciled to God through the life• giving cross of Christ. It isn't just history, it is our history. It is our identity. "This is the Passover of the Lord, in which, by hearing his Word and celebrating his Sacraments, we share in his victory over death" (BCP p. 285). "Christ is risen, we are risen..." says hymn 191 (The Hymnal 1982). This is the good news that we participate in through the Paschal cycle. We have died with Christ. We have new life in Christ. We are Easter people, alleluias from head to toe. As we do our work in celebrating the liturgies of the Prayer Book for the Paschal cycle all of this becomes a part of the "inscape of our existence", our "deep memory" (to borrow phrases from the late Urban Holmes). The second cycle, Christmas, proclaims the Kingdom of God. Jesus announced the kingdom in his preaching, "The kingdom of heaven is within you." Jesus manifested the kingdom in his healings and miracles. Jesus brought heaven to earth and earth to heaven in his death and resurrection. The Christmas cycle (Advent, Christmas, the twelve days of Christmas, Epiphany, the Baptism of the Lord, and Candlemas) summons us to enter into that kingdom life. Advent and Christmas keep our heads spinning. We remember the past, we live in the present, we look to the future. We remember Emmanuel, God-with-us in Christ Jesus, the inauguration of the kingdom. We look forward to the fullness of God's kingdom. We live in the present where our remembering enables the Church to be pregnant with Christ; it is empowered to be the 'theotokos' (the bearer of God in Christ). The wonderful Advent hymns beautifully address this. Phillips Brooks in his famous carol "O Little Town of Bethlehem" also refers to this. In the last verse Brooks writes "O holy Child of Bethlehem... Be born in us today." The Christmas cycle enables us to enflesh the kingdom in our world, even if not in its fullness. As the liturgies of the Christmas cycle feed our deep memory we are invited not simply to visit Bethlehem and see the baby lying in a manger but we are invited to allow (Continued on page 9) 7

† Christmas Giving Tree

nnually, Saint Paul‟s adopts families from Brookfield who are financially A struggling. The Sunday after Thanksgiving, there will be a tree in the back of the church with gift tags attached listing items requested by the families. If you would like to bring some extra joy to the families, please take a tag or two from the tree. The wrapped gifts are due back to church by Sunday, December 11th, with the tag attached (most important!). Please keep the maximum limit of $15-$20 per gift. Thank you in advance for showering Christmas blessings on the families.

† Greening of the Church † Christmas Memorial Flowers

lease join us at noon on here are envelopes on the back table for P Saturday, December T anyone wishing to have 10th, for the "Greening of the flowers in the church for Church" for the Christmas Christmas in memory of loved ones or friends. season. We will decorate Please place the the sanctuary, enjoy envelope in the offering plate or Christmas music, cookies, return to the office by December 18th in order to eggnog, and fellowship. be included in the Christmas Eve bulletin.

Christmas Calendar

Sun., Dec. 4 - Second Sunday of Advent 9:15 am - Youth Choir Rehearsal Mon, Dec. 5 - 7:00 pm - Lessons & Carols Rehearsal Sat., Dec. 10 - 10:00 am - Pageant Rehearsal 12:00 pm - Greening of the Church Sun., Dec. 11 - Third Sunday of Advent 9:00 am - Pageant Preparations 10:30 am - Christmas Pageant 12:00 pm - Advent Brunch 5:00 pm - Lessons & Carols Sun., Dec. 18 - Fourth Sunday of Advent 9:15 am- Youth Choir Rehearsal Sat., Dec. 24 - Christmas Eve 5:00 pm - Family Service 11:00 pm - Midnight Service Sun., Dec. 25 - Christmas Day 10:30 am - Holy Communion Service

8 (Continued from page 7) The Church’s Year: Christ to be born in us today. We are invited not simply to look at Mary, but to be Mary. We are empowered to be gospel to our neighbor and St. Francis tells us "You may be the only gospel your neighbor ever reads.'' It is through this remembering (anamnesis) that we are enabled to become who we are called to be. The medieval Jewish mystic known as the Baal Shem Tov said "Forgetfulness leads to exile, remembrance is the secret of redemption." All of this is not to play down the life of Our Lord or his place in the plan of redemption. It is to help us remember that the Church Year is not 'chronos' (chronology) but 'kairos'. It is God's time breaking into our lives and time. It is our lives and time being lifted up into eternity. "God became man so that man could become God" say the Fathers of the Church. We enter into that reality as we remember in the sacraments. We enter into that reality as we remember in the Church Year. Our prayer is expressed in the words of hymn 475 (The Hymnal 1982): "Let my soul, like Mary, Be thine earthly sanctuary.” No longer do we take our stand beneath the cross (as spectators) but we take up our cross daily (as participants). We are a remembering people who live the cycles of Pascha and Incarnation each year. In this remembering our lives are molded, conformed to Christ. The Church Year must not be simply a wonderfully choreographed pageant. Rather we must come to know it as "the secret of redemption." † Text of this article copyright © 2005, Consortium of Country Churches

Vespers is a time of worship and fellowship, with quiet moments to pray, and some upbeat music to lift our spirits.

† The Christmas Pageant is Coming

e are beginning preparations for our w annual Christmas pageant. The pageant will take place on Sunday, December 11th during the 10:30 am service, and children should arrive at 9:45 am. All children will participate so we will not hold Sunday School or Nursery that Sunday. Our one and one only rehearsal for the pageant will be held Saturday, December 10th from 10- 11:30am. We ask that you make every effort to attend this rehearsal. Children will rehearse the music for the pageant on December 4th at 9:45 in the Level One classroom in the Sunday School wing. We look forward to seeing you at all of these exciting events.

The Advent Brunch Following the Pageant

We would like to invite the entire church parish to attend the annual Advent Brunch following the Children's Christmas Pageant on Sunday, December 11th. We will gather down in the parish hall to celebrate. We ask that you would use the following guide, by last name, to help us in providing the food for this grand event:

Last Names A-G… Finger Sandwiches (turkey, ham, pb&j, egg salad, tuna, etc)

Last Names H-M… Desserts (cookies, brownies, fruit salad, cupcakes, etc.)

Last Names N-Z…. Snacks (veggie tray, trail mix, chips, potato/macaroni salad, etc.)

Mark Your Calendars! No Sunday School classes or Nursery will be held Sunday, December 25th. There will be no Sunday School on January 1st, but there will be Nursery that day.

† Salvation Army Kettles n Sunday December 18th St. Paul‟s Kettle Campaign for the Salvation O Army will be here. Please make a donation to help a neighbor in His name.

† Sweet Potato Casserole Ingredients:

Filling: Directions: 3 c. sweet potatoes, mashed Pre-heat over to 350º. Using a mixer, combine filling ½ - ¾ c. white granulated sugar ingredients. Pour 2 eggs, beaten into a 9 x 13” pan. 1 T. vanilla ½ stick butter, melted Mix topping Pinch of nutmeg ingredients together with spoon. Topping: Sprinkle over 1 c. brown sugar filling and bake for 1/3 c. flour 35-45 minutes, 1 c. pecans, chopped until bubbly. 1 stick butter, melted

CHURCH SCHOOL NEWS

Mark Your Calendars! No Sunday School classes or Nursery will be held Sunday, December 25th. There will be no Sunday School on January 1st, but there will be Nursery that day.

† Adult Christian Education aptured live and unscripted, pastor and author C Timothy Keller meets with a group of people over six sessions to address their doubts and objections to Christianity. Using literature, philosophy, real-life experiences, and the Bible, Keller and the group explore the truth of Christianity. This class is being offered for us to consider how we can grow in our Christian apologetics (from Greek ἀπολογία, "speaking in defense"), which is one way we are called to "Give an account for the hope that is within us" (1 Peter 3:15). This week's video is entitled, "What Gives You the Right to Tell Me How to Live My Life?" Come join us in the Guild Room at 9:15 am on Sunday for what promises to be a lively discussion.

† Christmas Wreaths On Sale Again

hristmas wreaths are available for pickup starting this Sunday after C each service. There is still a small amount available to purchase if you haven’t yet ordered one. You can buy them on Sundasy , or by e- mailing [email protected] Proceeds will go towards the youth group’s Monadnock weekend.

This Saturday At OWN… utwardly "There will be FREE bagels, doughnuts and coffee (and O juice) from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. for the Youth on THIS Saturday at the church (for the Youth Group). itnessing W the Why? Because we will be getting the Christmas W wreaths on Friday and need to have them decorated by ews! Sunday. There's this saying...: many hands make light work. If you haven't heard of it, it means that the more people who work on a project, the less time N the project will take to complete. We're putting it to the test on Saturday!

Whether you can stay for forty minutes or four hours...please come and help us this weekend! You can let us know you're coming by saying you'll attend via the Facebook Event Page (https://www.facebook.com/#!/ events/196870697062342/) or by e-mailing us at [email protected]. We'll see you there!"

Daily Readings for November 28-December 4

Every day during the week, the youth group receives an e-mail with their daily bible reading in it, as well as some thoughts from Lindsay or Patrick. They also provide up-to-date news and reminders for the Youth. Are you receiving them? If not, let us know - we‟d be happy to add you to the list! Just e-mail us and say that you‟d like to receive the daily bible readings at [email protected].

This weeks’ readings: Monday: Judges 6:11-40 St. Paul’s OWN Tuesday: Judges 7:1-22 Wednesday: 1 Samuel 17:1-54 December 4th - Youth Group 5-7pm Thursday: Exodus 3:1-21 December 11th - Youth Group 5-7pm Friday: Exodus 4:10-17 Saturday: Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13 th December 18 - Youth Group 5-7pm Sunday: Mark 1:1-8 December 25th - NO Youth Group We need your HELP: January 1st - NO Youth Group Snack Volunteers needed: Dec 11th, Dec 18th, Jan th January 8th - Youth Group 5-7pm 8th, Jan 15th, Jan 22nd, Jan 29 If you‟d like to handle snack for one week (think chips, chex mix or drinks), please e-mail us at [email protected]! 13

† Sermon Shorts

ast week marking the beginning of the church year, Fr. Shepley exegetically (verse L by verse) teaches on Mark 13, highlighting the multi-layered meaning within the text against the backdrop of the meaning of Advent. With an emphasis on Christ as Judge, this sermon offers the hearer the salvation message and an opportunity for healing. To replay the full sermon follow this link for The Sunday Sermons each week.

Don’t throw out those soda cans or The sacristans for December are Deborah Delaventura, Lois Hunt, Diane Loring, and Gail Winkley. water bottles!

hen you are here Monadnock Bible Conference at St. Paul’s W s of this publication, this January, St. Paul‟s please look for this OWN will be headed to Jaffrey, NH for a recycle bin in the A weekend full of games, fellowship and worship. We‟re kitchen for your used looking at the weekend of January 13th – 15th, (MLK soda cans or water weekend) and the weekend is open to any and all youth bottles. If you would in grades 6-12. Registration and deposit needs to be in like to drop off your soda by Sunday, December 11th. cans or water bottles from home they can be placed For a downloadable flier on the weekend, click here here too! The return money will be used to help To see what happens on an MBC weekend, check support your St. Paul’s Youth Group. Thank You! out this YouTube video

† Scholarly Speaking Wise and Foolish Versions II

few weeks ago I wrote about English Bible translations from the Anglo-Saxon A period through the reign of Elizabeth I. Since that time English versions have been far more numerous. Let us continue by looking at the first of these, the Authorized, or King James, Version of 1611. By the end of Elizabeth‟s reign most of the English people were (at least nominally) Anglican, but like Anglicanism today this encompassed a wide range of views. On the one hand were the Puritans, who espoused Calvinist views and who clearly felt that the Reformation had not really accomplished its work. They already tended towards positions which became much stronger in the following reigns: opposing bishops, the Prayer Book, and vestments though they had not yet actually rejected them. For this group the Geneva Bible was the preferred version but not entirely satisfactory. There was also a more traditional or High Church party which favored all three (though vestments usually just meant surplices) and tended to prefer the Elizabethan “Bishops‟ Bible.” When James acceded to the English throne in 1603 he called leaders of both factions to a conference at Hampton Court, and while little else was accomplished there was general agreement that a The title page to the 1611 first edition new version of the English Bible was needed, and of the Authorized Version Bible by thus our KJV was born. Cornelius Boel shows the Apostles It is commonplace that a camel is a horse that was Peter and Paul seated centrally above put together by a committee, but King James formed the central text, which is flanked by a committee of 47 scholars* including both Puritans Moses and Aaron. In the four corners and High Churchmen, and the durability of their work sit Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, illustrates a famous exception to that rule. They authors of the four gospels, with their began their work in 1604, and the draft translations symbolic animals. The rest of the Apostles (with Judas facing away) were completed in 1608. An editorial committee then stand around Peter and Paul. At the reviewed the whole work for consistency and the first very top is theTetragrammaton. edition appeared in 1611. The rules for the From Wikipedia commons translators included a direction that that no notes be included (an obvious reaction to the sometimes offensive notes of both Geneva and Tyndale) and that theological terms should be translated in the customary manner (e.g. ekklesia as church, not congregation, and episkopoV as bishop). The pilgrims who settled Plymouth, and later most o you have a question you of New England, were Separatists (radical Puritans who D would like answered by our had simply left the Church of England) and, partly Scholar-in-Residence? Send your because of the use of the terms church and bishop, it ecclesiastical, liturgical, doctrinal, was usually the Geneva Bible that they brought with historical or other inquiries to: them. Interestingly, John Alden, who was not a pilgrim [email protected]. but an Anglican member of the Mayflower crew, and only later chose to stay in Plymouth, brought both a King James and a Geneva Bible, and both of these survive today. In 1769 a revised version appeared in which the spelling and punctuation were updated – I am unaware of any changes in actual wording, but the Apocrypha was also often omitted – (Continued on page 17)

† November Vestry Minutes November 9th, 2011

The meeting was opened at 7:30 pm with group prayer led by Fr. Shepley, who chaired the meeting. Fr. Joe led a devotional written by Bishop Rowthorn. Ken Kumerle shared his thanksgivings. Minutes from the October 12th meeting were approved. TREASURER’S REPORT (Ken Kumerle): Year to date through October we are about $56,000 in the red. This is due to a variety of reasons, some of which is from 2010 mission payments that were made in early 2011, higher than normal copier costs and the addition of paid Youth ministers. Through October, ‟10 we were $25K in the red. $20K has been transferred from investment funds into checking. The Finance Committee is meeting on November 15th to discuss the matter. COMMITTEE REPORTS: Property (Mike Chengeri): The church property and grounds faired very well during the surprise snow storm. We recently switched our electric service provider to CON ED at a rate of 8.6 cents per kilowatt hour, a savings of 6.3 cents per hour. The refurbishment project of the front doors is progressing but was affected by the week‟s power outage which minimized V&V‟s ability to fabricate components. Will get back on track as they can rework their schedule. The Property Committee has gathered several estimates to replace the carpet in the classroom wing hallways, both staircases and the area in front of the Vesting room. Preliminary figures are in the $7000 range. The Property Committee is in the early discussion/consultation phases of developing a long term, comprehensive Capital Improvement plan. The committee is requesting the Finance Committee explore available options of funding for this major undertaking. Multiple repairs and minor projects have been prioritized on a Property Committee Priority Working List. This document will change on a monthly basis. Please encourage all who use our home to be good stewards by turning off lights, closing curtains, cleaning up after themselves and locking doors when they are leaving, especially as cold weather and dropping temperatures consume more energy. Next year the committee is changing its meeting date to earlier in the month before the Vestry meeting. David Szen has been in touch with the Diocesan insurance provider re: a claim for water damage to carpets, walls, carillon, organ etc. from our fall storms. PRIEST-IN-CHARGE REPORT: The Youth Vesper service is awesome, “evolving and developing.” Bishop Rowthorn will be here on December 4th (2 Advent) at the 10:30 service and will meet with the vestry afterward. A general discussion was held concerning our expired DEPO agreement with the Diocese and other questions we might want to discuss with Bishop Rowthorn. NEW BUSINESS: Decision on replacing hallway carpeting was postponed until after the Finance Committee meeting later in the month. CLOSING: Being no further business, the meeting ended at 8:44 pm after Jim Castronova closed with prayer.

(Continued from page 15)

and it is this form which became the standard for almost all English speaking protestants, and is still in wide circulation today. Indeed it was only after the appearance of this update that the titles „King James Version‟ and „Authorized Version‟ came into general use rather than simply „English Bible.‟ As many of you know, I continue to use the KJV on a regular basis; partly because of familiarity (I grew up with it after all), and partly because the archaic language has a precision which modern versions often lack. For example „thou‟ is not a special term for God, but an indication that an individual is being addressed, and the indifferent use of „you‟ loses this distinction. There are problems with this version, however, and I cannot accept the view that it is the inspired form of the Scriptures. The underlying Greek of the New 'The Translators Presenting Bible To James I.' Testament is based on late manuscripts – as we have discovered and studied a large body of much earlier ones it seems clear that a number of copying errors had occurred. The most common of these are the inclusion of phrases not found in earlier texts (a classic example is the long ending of the Lord‟s Prayer at Matthew 5:13, a form first found in worship texts and later copied into some Greek Bibles). Fortunately very few of these change the underlying meaning but they do illustrate some of the problems of interpreting the Bible. Fr. Bill Loring, Scholar in Residence

*The scholars and their subcommittees were: First Westminster Company, translating from Genesis to 2 Kings: Lancelot Andrewes, John Overall, Hadrian à Saravia, Richard Clarke, John Layfield, Robert Tighe, Francis Burleigh, Geoffrey King, Richard Thomson, William Bedwell; First Cambridge Company, translated from 1 Chronicles to the Song of Solomon: Edward Lively, John Richardson, Lawrence Chaderton, Francis Dillingham, Roger Andrewes, Thomas Harrison, Robert Spaulding, Andrew Bing; First Oxford Company, translated from Isaiah to Malachi: John Harding, John Rainolds (or Reynolds), Thomas Holland, Richard Kilby, Miles Smith, Richard Brett, Daniel Fairclough, William Thorne; Second Oxford Company, translated the Gospels, Acts of the Apostles, and the Book of Revelation: Thomas Ravis, George Abbot, Richard Eedes, Giles Tomson, Sir Henry Savile (the only layman in the group), John Peryn, Ralph Ravens, John Harmar, John Aglionby, Leonard Hutten; Second Westminster Company, translated the Epistles: William Barlow, John Spenser, Roger Fenton, Ralph Hutchinson, William Dakins, Michael Rabbet, Thomas Sanderson (who probably had already becomeArchdeacon of Rochester); Second Cambridge Company, translated the Apocrypha: John Duport, William Branthwaite, Jeremiah Radcliffe, Samuel Ward, Andrew Downes, John Bois, Robert Ward, Thomas Bilson, Richard Bancroft (Archbishop of Canterbury and general chairman).

† Where Did You Go To Church Last Sunday Reading, MA

ail and Don Winkley attended service this past Sunday at G Church of The Good Shepherd, Redding, MA. They had accepted an invitation from Bill Webb, one of our guests at our recent Faith Alive Weekend. “A beautiful stone structure in the Anglican tradition - reminded us of St. Paul's - parish is 100 years old - beautiful stained glass windows - felt very much at home.”

† Choir Practice for Sword Points Readers (click on the red links below to begin practice on this Sunday‟s hymns)

Opening Hymn Prepare the Way, O Zion Gradual Hymn On Jordan‟s Bank the Baptist‟s Cry Offertory Hymn There‟s a Voice in the Wilderness Crying Closing Hymn Hail to the Lord‟s Anointed

“Advent Tells Us Christ Is Near”

fter the Thanksgiving Day service last week, a couple Sword Points Editorial A Board members were trying to recollect a poem we were taught in church school that we used to learn the Christian Calendar year. SiR+ came to the rescue, pointing out it was a song from the 1940 Hymnal, #235 to be exact. Click on the box below to hear the tune we used to sing this hymn to. Advent tells us Christ is near; Yes, and Christ ascended, too, The hymn was Christmas tells us Christ is here! to prepare a place for you; written by Catherine In Epiphany we trace so, we give him special praise, Hankey in 1888. for the all the glory of his grace. after those great Forty Days.

Sunday School of St. Those three Sundays before Lent Then, he sent the Holy Ghost, Peter‟s Parish, Eaton will prepare us to repent; on the Day of Pentecost, Square, London. It was that in Lent we may begin with us ever to abide; originally printed on a earnestly to mourn for sin. well may we keep Whitsuntide! card, together with a melody composed for Holy Week and Easter, then, Last of all, we humbly sing these lines by Miss tell who died and rose agin; glory to our God and King, Hankey. It was first O that happy Easter Day! glory to the One in Three, introduced in the Hymnal "Christ is risen indeed," we say. on the Feast of Trinity. of 1916. It was dropped from the current hymnal, partly because of its reference to the three Sundays of Pre-Lent that are now observed as the last Sundays of Epiphany. “Kate” Hankey (1834-1911) was born at Clapham, England and her full giving name was Arabella Catherine. Her father, a banker, was a member of the Clapham Sect of Evangelicals, under the guidance of William Wilberforce, founder of the Christian Observer. The group was mainly known for its anti-slavery and pro-missionary stances. As a result of this influence, Miss Hankey became deeply interested in religious work, organizing Bible classes both among her own social circle and among working girls. While on a trip to South Africa, her attention was turned to missions, and she devoted all receipts from the sale of her writings to the support of missionary activities. In her early 30‟s, Hankey contracted a severe illness. During her protracted recovery, she wrote a long poem about Jesus. It is in two parts, with the first, 50 stanzas in length, asking about Him, and the second answering the question. Two well known hymns, “I Love to Tell the Story” and “Tell Me the Old, Old Story,” both come from this poem. †

“The Sacred Walk” Grief Support Group Meets the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each Month in the Guild Room at 7 pm. It will be a time of encouragement and comfort, a blessing to our spirit, heart and soul as we deal with our grief.

† Sunday’s Readings (click on the red links below to go directly to the text)

Prepare!

Isaiah 40:1-11 The first reading is a message of comfort and new hope to God‟s people. The time of exile in Babylon is coming to an end. A new way is made through the desert and the mighty Lord comes, bringing peace and pardon to Jerusalem. Though all human powers fail, the Lord‟s word will stand. Like a shepherd, God will care for the people. Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13 The psalm both celebrates and prays for Proverbs 30.5: the Lord‟s gracious favor, for God‟s forgiveness, deliverance and justice. Every word of God proves true; 2 Peter 3:8-15a This lesson is a reminder that the divine he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. perspective on time can be very different from that of human beings. Many wonder why the Lord seems so slow to fulfill the promises of salvation and judgment. God, however, is patient and has divine purposes. Still, the day of the Lord will come suddenly, bringing a new heaven and earth. Christians must live both in patience and with a zeal for righteousness and peace in readiness for that judgment. Mark 1:1-8 The Gospel of Mark begins with the ministry of John the Baptist. He is the messenger spoken of in the scriptures, the voice that cries aloud in the wilderness. He is sent to prepare the way of the Lord through his call for repentance and baptism in water for the forgiveness of sins. The people flock to him, but he tells of a mightier one still to come who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.

† Pick Up Your Copy Today! Synthesis CE Study Guides for each weeks readings will be available at the back of the church.

† Announcement Deadlines For the Sunday bulletins please submit your information by the preceding Monday to [email protected]. For Sword Points please submit it by Wednesday afternoon each week to [email protected].

† Saints of God December 1 Nicholas Ferrar & Charles de Foucauld

icholas Ferrar (1592–1637) was the founder of a religious community at Little N Gidding, Huntingdonshire, England, which existed from 1626 to 1646. His family had been prominent in the affairs of the Virginia Company, but when that company was dissolved, he took deacon‟s orders, and retired to the country. At Little Gidding, his immediate family and a few friends and servants gave themselves wholly to religious observance. They restored the derelict church near the manor house, became responsible for services there, taught many of the local children, and looked after the health and well-being of the people of the neighborhood. A regular round of prayer according to the Book of Common Prayer was observed, along with the daily recital of the whole of the Psalter. The members of the community became widely known for fasting, private prayer and meditation, and for writing stories and books illustrating themes of Christian faith and morality. One of the most interesting of the activities of the Little Gidding community was the preparation of “harmonies” of the Gospels, one of which was presented to King Charles I by the Ferrar family. The community did not long survive the death of Nicholas Ferrar. However, the memory of the religious life at Little Gidding was kept alive, principally through Izaak Walton‟s description in his Life of George Herbert: “He (Ferrar) and his family ... did most of them keep Lent and all Ember-weeks strictly, both in fasting and using all those mortifications and prayers that the Church hath appointed ... and he and they did the like constantly on Fridays, and on the vigils or eves appointed to be fasted before the Saints‟ days; and this frugality and abstinence turned to the relief of the poor ...” The community became an important symbol for many Anglicans when religious orders began to revive. Its life inspired T.S. Eliot, and he gave the title, “Little Gidding,” to the last of his Four Quartets, one of the great religious poems of the twentieth century.

harles de Foucauld, sometimes referred to as Brother C Charles of Jesus, was the inspiration behind the founding of new religious communities for both men and women and is often credited with the revival of desert spirituality in the early twentieth century. Born in France in 1858, Charles was orphaned at age six and raised by his grandparents. As a young man he lost his faith, and in spite of the discipline of his grandfather, whom he deeply respected, Charles lived a life that was a curious mix of laxity and stubbornness. Against advice, he took a risk-laden journey to Morocco in the early 1880‟s. There he encountered devout Muslims whose practice of their faith inspired Charles

(Continued on page 21)

Each year on the Sunday closet to St. Andrew’s Day (Nov. 30) parishioner Chuck Connors entertain us with his bagpipes.

† Happy Birthday to You!

alter Wolk celebrates today! Harriet Jennings will be W blowing out candles tomorrow. Saturday, Leena Bernardo will be opening presents. Have a blessed day each one of you!

(Continued from page 20) to begin a search for the faith that was his own. Upon returning to France, he continued his quest, and in 1886, at age 28, re-discovered God and made a new commitment that would guide the rest of his life. A pilgrimage to the Holy Land deepened his commitment still further. Charles entered the Cisterian Order of Strict Observance, the Trappists, first in France and then in Syria, a commitment of seven years. He then returned to the Holy Land and lived as a servant to the convent of the Poor Clares in Nazareth. It was there that he began to develop a life of solitude, prayer, and adoration. The Poor Clares saw in him a vocation to the priesthood, encouraged him in spite of his reluctance, and Charles was ordained a priest in 1901. Charles then moved to the Sahara where his desire was to live a “ministry of presence” among “the furthest removed, the most abandoned.” He believed his call was to live among those whose faith and culture differed from his own. To witness to Christ among them was not to be eloquent preaching or missionary demands, but “to shout the Gospel with his life.” Charles sought to live so that those who saw his life would ask, “If such is the servant, what must the Master be like?” †

21 December Lay Schedule 2011

Lectors, Intercessors, and Lay readers, please remember to check in before the service in the Vesting Room. Thank You! December 18, 2011 December 4, 2011 Healing Sunday

8:00 AM 8:00 AM Welcoming: Norma Schofield/Phil Welcoming: Barbara A. & Vincent Cappiello Barackman Acolytes: O‟Hara Girls Acolytes: O‟Hara Girls Lector: Isaiah 40:1-11 Mike Ecsedy Lector: 2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16 Pam Szen Intercessor: Sharon Simon Intercessor: Linda Pendergast Lay Reader: Harlan Jessup Lay Reader: Lois Hunt Lay Reader: Michael Kirner Lay Reader: Debbie Barackman

10:30 AM 10:30 AM Welcoming: Doug Melody/Vito Barbieri Welcoming: Bruce & Donna Betts Acolytes: Rachel Melody Acolytes: Catherine Richmond Lector: Isaiah 40:1-11 Phil Hannah Lector: 2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16 Betty Gardner Intercessor: Betty Gardner Intercessor: Phil Hannah Lay Reader: Jim Castronova Lay Reader: Patricia Jennings Lay Reader: Mike Chengeri Lay Reader: Joe Bernardo

Christmas Eve

December 11, 2011 December 24th, 5:00 PM December 24th, 11:00 PM

Welcoming: Pat Brought 8:00 AM Welcoming: Doug Melody Acolyte: David & Joe Shepley Welcoming: Rich & Joyce Emmett Acolyte: Sarah Shepley Acolytes: O‟Hara Girls Lector: Isaiah 9:2-7 Lector: Isaiah 62:6-12 Lector: Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11 Mary Perry Mary Perry Sandy Chaleski Intercessor: Phyllis Baskett Intercessor: Phil Hannah Intercessor: Linda Pendergast Lay Reader: Susan Howell Lay Reader: Ray Ferro Lay Reader: Michael Chengeri Lay Reader: David Baskett Lay Reader: Harlan Jessup Lay Reader: Don Winkley

10:30 AM Welcoming: Dave & Connie Williams Acolytes: Stephen Werneburg December 25, 2011 Lector: Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11 Rose Barrett Christmas Day Intercessor: Connie Williams Lay Reader: Ray Ferro 10:30 AM Lay Reader: Jim Castronova Welcoming: Pat Brought Acolytes: Venus Okwuka Lector: Isaiah 52:7-10 Pam Szen Intercessor: Ray Ferro Lay Reader: Don Winkley Lay Reader: Susan Howell 22 23

Just For Fun ! (And Christian Fellowship)

† Pearly Gates man died and went to heaven with Saint A Peter meeting him at those pearly gates. St. Peter said to the man, "Here's how it works. You need 100 points to make it into heaven. You tell me all the good things you've done, and I give you a certain number of points for each item, depending on how good it was. When you reach 100 points, you get in." "Okay" the man says, "I attended church every Sunday." "That's good, says St. Peter, " that's worth two points." "Two points?" he says. "Well, I gave 10% of all my earnings to the church." "Well, let's see," answers Peter, "that's worth another 2 points. Did you do anything else?" "Two points? Golly. How about this: I started a soup kitchen in my city and worked in a shelter for homeless veterans." "Fantastic, that's certainly worth a point," he says. "hmmm...," the man says, "I was married to the same woman for 50 years and never cheated on her, even in my heart." "That's wonderful," says St. Peter, "that's worth three points!" "THREE POINTS!!" the man cries, "At † Brookfield Community Christmas Concert this rate the only way I get into heaven is by the grace of God!"

here will be a Community Christmas Concert at St. "Come on in!" T Joseph’s Church on Sunday, December 4th at 2:30 pm.

† It Takes An Editorial Board Contributors to this Weeks Sword Points:

Chris Barrett, Barbara DeAnzeris, Lynne Donnelly, Ray Ferro, Carol Gurski, Lori O‟Hara, Diane Loring, Bill Loring, Beth Miller, Linda Pendergast, Kirsten Peterson, Bill Schrull, Joe Shepley, David Szen, Pam Szen, Walter Von Egidy, Marie Williams, Don Winkley and Gail Winkley.