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Regula Vitae the Parish Magazine of Saint Paul’S Anglican Church 7200 N Regula Vitae The Parish Magazine of Saint Paul’s Anglican Church 7200 N. Wickham Rd., Melbourne, FL 32940 vol. 1, issue 3 december 2018 To the Faithful of Saint Paul’s Church, In This Issue liturgical theology December is one of the craziest months of the year. Within it, the Church celebrates two special seasons: Advent and The Third Sunday in Advent, p.2. Christmastide. The season of Advent has long since been pastoral theology forgotten by the world. This is evident by the many Epiphany Potluck Luncheon, Christmas decorations that appeared all around us the day p.3. after Thanksgiving. The loss of Advent has severely seasonal poetry wounded the culture of our nation. The only preparation Christmas Day, p.4. for Christmastide that is undergone by most is the frantic preparation of purchasing material gifts for friends and Upcoming Events family. The loss of Advent has made many sigh on christmas dinner December 26th, saying, “I can’t believe Christmas is over.” December 15th — 3:00-6:00pm The good news is that Christmas is not over on the 26th, midnight mass but is rather, just beginning! Christmastide is a joyous December 24th — 11:00pm season that begins on December 25th and goes on until Epiphany Season, which begins on January 6th. As Advent potluck sunday comes to a close, don’t forsake to prepare for the coming of January 6th — 11:15am Christ on Christmas Day, so that you will be ready to celebrate not just for a few hours on the 25th, but for the whole remainder of this month and on into the next! The Lord be with you, Tyler W. Phass Vicar vol. 1, issue 3 december 2018 liturgical theology special set of lights are lit to assist the The Third Sunday in Advent faithful in their preparation for the coming The Rev’d Tyler W. Phass of the Lord. This “set” is made up of 4 a a lights and 2 colors. In every Advent wreath there are three ften times, we go through the violet candles and one pink candle. The liturgicalO year without understanding violet lights are lit on the First, Second, many of the meaningful rituals it contains. and Fourth Sundays in Advent. On the We miss out on the symbolism that is Third Sunday in Advent, the pink light is presented to us and simply drift as the lit. liturgical year passes us by. Ever year, we are presented with opportunity to dive When the Advent Season was !rst deeper into the rich life of the Church, established in the life of the Church, the allowing her signs and symbols, rituals and liturgical traditions that belonged to the rites, to further penetrate our souls. Every Season of Lent were carried over. As you year, our understanding of “why” we do know, the liturgical color for Lent is violet. things ought to be increasing along with This is the color of royalty, repentance, our understanding of “what” we do. It is and preparation. common for “traditional” parishes to Because Advent is a Season that is know “how” things ought to be without dedicated to our preparation for the understanding “why.” It is important to threefold coming of Christ, violet is the understand both. To be truly “traditional” perfect liturgical color. In some ways, is to understand both: it is to live the life of Advent is sort of like a miniature Lent in the Church. that it is a time of great introspection and One such example of a tradition within preparation. By sharing the liturgical color the life of the Church that is often missed of violet, these two seasons are linked to is the meaning behind the Advent one another. Wreath. During the Season of Advent, a –page 2– liturgical theology– The Third Sunday in Advent According to ancient custom, the liturgical pastoral theology color for the Third Sunday in Lent shifted Epiphany Potluck Luncheon from violet to rose. Tradition says that on The Rev’d Tyler W. Phass this day the Bishop of Rome encouraged a a the faithful to remember that even in the penitential seasons of Lent and Advent, January 6th is the !rst Sunday of the joy is present. On the Third Sunday of month, and as is our custom, we will Lent and the Third Sunday of Advent, celebrate with our monthy potluck rose vestments, therefore, are prescribed. luncheon! As you remember the gifts that the Three Wise Men this Feast of the This is how rose made its way into the Epiphany, please don’t forsake to Advent wreath. Rose is the color of joy, remember bringing a meal to the potluck! and as the Epistle for the Fourth Sunday in These events are wonderful opportunities Advent will soon exhorts us, we ought to for fellowship and for “living life together” “rejoice!” as Advent draws to a close. as we ought. This potluck luncheon, I Joy is an important part of our preparation want everyone to spend some time for both the birth of Christ on Christmas interacting with someone who is outside Day and His return on the Last Day when of their usual “crowd.” If you are an 8am- He shall judge the quick (living) and the er, go and sit with a 10am-er, and if you are dead. May we all look forward to the close a front pew sitter, go hang out with some of Advent joyfully as we hope for our of those back pew folk! It is easy for all of salvation, which is nearer to us each day us to get used to our “comfort zones” and than when we !rst believed. forsake to acknowledge those who are not a part of our usual social circle. We must remember that the this parish is our Christian family and that we all need one another. Lets show each other the love of Christ. –page 3– vol. 1, issue 3 december 2018 seasonal poetry “Tis not," the Christ the Lord:"— Christmas Day With !x’d adoring look Blessed John Keble The choir of Angels caught the word, www.lectionarycentral.com/christmas/Keblepoem.html a a Nor yet their silence broke: But when they heard the sign, where W hat sudden blaze of song Christ should be, Spreads o’er th’expanse of Heav’n? In sudden light they shone and heavenly In wave of light it thrills along, harmony. Th’angelic signal given— “Glory to God!" from yonder central !re Wrapp’d in his swaddling bands, Flows out the echoing lay beyond the And in his manger laid, starry quire; The hope and glory of all lands Is come to the world’s aid: Like circles widening round No peaceful home upon his cradle smil’d, Upon a clear blue river, Guests rudely went and came, where slept Orb after orb, the wondrous sound the royal child. Is echoed on for ever: “Glory to God on high, on earth be peace, But where Thou dwellest, Lord, And love towards men of love—salvation No other thought should be, and release." Once duly welcom’d and ador’d, How should I part with Thee? Yet stay, before thou dare Bethlehem must lose Thee soon, but Thou To join that festal throng; wilt grace Listen and mark what gentle air The single heart to be thy sure abiding- First stirr’d the tide of song; place. “Tis not,"the Saviour born in David’s home, “To whom for power and health obedient worlds should come:"— –page 4– seasonal poetry – Christmas Day Thee, on the bosom laid O faint not ye for fear— Of a pure virgin mind, What though your wandering sheep, In quiet ever, and in shade, Reckless of what they see and hear, Shepherd and sage may !nd; Lie lost in wilful sleep? They, who have bow’d untaught to High Heaven in mercy to your sad annoy Nature’s sway Still greets youwith glad tidings of And they, who follow Truth along her immortal joy. star-pav’d way. Think on th’eternal home, The pastoral spirits !rst The Saviour left for you; Approach Thee, Babe divine, Think on the Lord most holy, come For they in lowly thoughts are nurs’d, Two dwell with hearts untrue: Meet for thy lowly shrine: So shall ye tread untir’d his pastoral ways, Sooner than they should miss where Thou And in the darkness sing your carol of dost dwell, high praise Angels from heaven will stoop to guide them to thy cell. Still, as the day comes round For Thee to be reveal’d, By wakeful shepherds Thou art found, Abiding in the !eld. All through the wintry heaven and chill night air, In music and in light Thou dawnest on their prayer. –page 5– Saint Paul’s Anglican Church news and announcements christmas “midnight” mass Join us on December 24th at 11:00pm as we at last join together to celebrate the Holy Eucharist in honor of the birth of our Lord! The “midnight” mass will be preceded by a time of Christmas Carols before the mass. Please, join us for both. Mass will also be o#ered on December 25th at 10am for those who cannot attend the “midnight” mass. visiting clergy – jan. 6th On January 6th, the Feast of the Epiphany, The Rev’d Brian W. Old"eld will be visiting Saint Paul’s. Father Brian is a candidate for the vacant rectorship and will be meeting with the Vestry and Search Committee during his visit, in addition to celebrating both Sunday masses.
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