† Christmas Pageant 2011 † This Week at St. Paul's
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December 15, 2011 www.saintpaulsbrookfield.com (203) 775-9587 † Christmas Pageant 2011 † This Week at St. Paul’s Thu., Dec. 15 - 7:00 pm - Healing Team Party, Guild Room 7:30 pm - Property Committee, Upper Classroom 7:30 pm - Music Night, Sanctuary Sat., Dec. 17 - 7:30 am - Men’s Prayer Breakfast, Parish Hall 10:00 am - Saint Paul’s Quilters, Parish Hall Sun., Dec. 18 - Fourth Sunday of Advent 8:00 am - Traditional Eucharist 9:15 am - Adult Christian Education, Guild Room 9:15 am - High School/Young Adult Bible Study, Youth Lounge 10:30 am - Sunday School 10:30 am - Contemporary Eucharist 5:00 pm - Youth Group 6:15 pm - Vespers Mon., Dec. 19 - 7:00 pm - Stephen Ministry, Guild Room Tue., Dec. 20 - 9:15 am - Ladies Bible Study, Guild Room 7:00 pm - Grief Group, Guild Room Wed., Dec. 21 - St. Thomas, the Apostle 10:00 am - Holy Eucharist and Healing Rumor has it we will have a special visitor during the Children’s Sermon on Sunday. Could it be St. Nicholas? Lessons & Carols 2 † Special “Behold the Lamb” Vespers This Sunday his Sunday, December 18th, we’re doing something a little different for our T Vespers service. Over the past few years, we’ve offered a handful of songs from Andrew Peterson’s “Behold the Lamb of God”, but this year we’ve added a little to it. A group of 10 people from St. Paul’s and the surrounding area have come together to offer more selections of this musical cycle. For me personally, this is an exciting endeavor. This musical song cycle is my favorite music for this time of year. If you’re not familiar with it, the 12 songs in the cycle start with the Israelites in Egypt, take you through the prophesy of Christ’s coming, and end with the birth of our Savior. For vespers on Sunday, we won’t do the entire cycle, but we are offering eight of the songs, and will have some readings to complete the True tall tale of the coming of Christ. I invite you to join us Sunday evening, whether this is your first vespers service, or your sixth, it promises to be a service unlike any other this season. - Patrick O’Connors 3 † Choir Practice for Sword Points Readers (click on the red links below to begin practice on this Sunday’s 8 am hymns) Opening Hymn O Come, O Come Emmanuel Gradual Hymn Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus Offertory Hymn Blest Be the King Whose Coming Closing Hymn O Come, O Come Emmanuel “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel" is an Advent hymn with Christian Latin tune name "Veni Emmanuel" (Come God with Us.) Its history originates in the medieval Roman Catholic Church, c.12th century. It was translated into English by John Mason Neale (1818-1866). During the Advent season, the hymn began as a series of Antiphons -short statements sung at the beginning of the Psalm or of the Magnificat at Vespers. Each of the Antiphons greets the Savior with one of the various titles He is referred in the Scriptures, names such as "Emmanuel," "Lord of Might," "Key of David," and "Rod of Jesse." The text melody was originally a Plainsong or Chant, which is the earliest form of singing in the church. During the 19th-century there were Anglican ministers and scholars who developed a keen interest in translating into English many of the ancient Greek, Latin and German hymns, and made available the rich heritage of these Greek and Latin hymns. John Mason Neale was one of them. Neale was born in London, England, on January 24, 1818, a gifted scholar, he edited his own handwritten family magazine before he was 10 years old. He also translated into English other hymns: "The Day of Resurrection," "All Glory, Laud and Honor," and "Art Thou Weary?" † 4 CHURCH SCHOOL NEWS Christmas Pageant 5 † Official Prayer of the Sword Points Editorial Board lmighty God, keep us, we pray thee, from thinking of ourselves more highly than A we ought to think, and ready at all times to step aside for others, that the cause of Christ may be advanced; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 6 † Sunday’s Readings (click on the red links below to go directly to the text) Annunciation 2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16 n our Hebrew scriptures the enemies of David have been subdued and David turns his I thoughts to building a temple to the Lord. Through the prophet Nathan, God declares to David that the construction of an earthly temple is not among the purposes for which God has anointed David. God has chosen David from among the lowly, a mere shepherd boy, and given him victory over his enemies. Now God will make of David a great house, securing the hopes of the people of Israel. David’s throne shall be established forever, the prophet Nathan declares. Psalm 89:1-4, 19-26 The Lord is praised for faithful love and mighty justice. As a Father, God promises to the anointed servant David an everlasting kingdom. Romans 16: 25-27 In words that close his long letter to the community in Rome, Paul reminds the new Christians of the mystery now disclosed to all nations, bringing them to faith and obedience. Although the secret had long been kept in silence, the promise of the eternal God has been revealed and is made known through the prophetic scriptures. Glory to God who enables disciples to stand firm in the good news of Jesus! Luke 1: 26-38 Our gospel relates the story of the visit to Mary by an angel: Gabriel tells her that she is to bear Jesus, who will be called the Son of God. This happens Click on during the sixth month of the pregnancy of Elizabeth, a kinswoman of Mary, who will soon Leonardo give birth to John the Baptist. Mary is assured of God’s favor and that this is the work of da Vinci’s the Holy Spirit in fulfillment of the prophecy to David of an eternal kingdom. The narrative Annunciation points to the transcendent origin of this child born into history. above. † Pick Up Your Copy Today! Synthesis CE Study Guides for each weeks readings will be available at the back of the church. 7 † Happy Birthday to You! atalina Schappac celebrates today! Friday is the big N day for Dot Blake & Jean Letizia. Norma Schofield will be blowing out candles on Saturday. Sunday John Skewis will be another year older and wiser. Remember to wish Rose Barrett a happy birthday on Monday. Gregory Schofield will be opening presents on Tuesday. Herman Silva will celebrate next Wednesday. Have a blessed day each one of you! 8 utwardly O Pick Up Your Wreath Already! W Have you picked yours up? itnessing the Thank you to everyone who supported our very ews! successful wreath sale this N year! You’ve helped raise some funds to send 17 very excited kids to a snowy New Hampshire mountain this January! There are still a few wreaths left at the church which are already purchased, but awaiting to be taken to their new home! Please pick your wreath up by this Sunday. Daily Readings for December 5-11 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: Matthew 6:1-15 Tuesday: Matthew 6: 16-24 St. Paul’s OWN Wednesday: John 6: 1-15 Thursday: Deuteronomy 15:11 December 18th - Youth Group 5-7pm Friday: Philippians 4: 4-8 December 25th - NO Youth Group Saturday: Psalm 89:1-4, 19-26 Sunday: Luke 1:26-38 January 1st - NO Youth Group January 8th - Youth Group 5-7pm We need your HELP: e’re looking for more snack volunteers for January 13-15th - MBC Retreat the months of January and February. If nd W January 22 - Youth Group 5-7pm you’re able to provide a snack for 15 hungry teens one Sunday evening this winter, please contact us at [email protected]. 9 † Vestry Tackles Finances at December Meeting Vestry Meeting Minutes will be offered in the spring. The Alpha December 14th, 2011 program will be offered in the fall. A newcomers class and confirmation will take Treasurers Report place in the spring. And, Fr. Joe is excited Year to date through November we are about the upcoming Christmas services. in the red by about $58,000. This is due to a variety of reasons: one of which reflects a OLD BUSINESS: Cathy Schrull updated $35,000 decrease YTD in income; some of everyone on their trip to Tanzania. They which is $12,500 that was for 2010 mission were encouraged by their meeting with the payments that were not made until early in new bishop. He would like us to continue 2011; another part reflects the addition of to focus our support of the Kasulu Bible paid Youth ministers and finally we paid College, noting that going forward KBC approximately $7,000 of the Priest-in- will have a separate checking account Charge’s 2010 social security payment in without donated monies passing through the this year.