The Messenger November 30, 2018 Volume 38, Number 46
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SAINT ANDREW’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH THE MESSENGER November 30, 2018 Volume 38, Number 46 DECEMBER 2, 2018 Advent: Celebrating who Jesus is by The Rev’d Jake Worley THE FIRST DAY OF ADVENT As we begin the Advent season we find profound truths which can encourage 8:00 a.m. and a new year in the life of the the faithful. And they are the things that the Holy Communion Church, our thoughts and hearts Church has believed from the beginning and 8:45 a.m. are naturally drawn to Christ’s were codified and subscribed to since the Nicene Parish Breakfast first advent. The birth narratives Creed was written. in the Gospels are beautiful, and 8:50 a.m. “. call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from Prayer Troop Service* we tend to look primarily at the their sins.” (vs. 21) The angel tells Joseph to name Him Gospel of Luke because of the 9:15 a.m. Jesus because it speaks of his office and what He will Adult Education astounding amount of detail that do. Jesus is the anglicized version of the Hebrew name is given there. It’s in Luke that we Yeshua which means “God delivers or saves.” Jesus is the 9:15 a.m. read of the prophetic anticipation Youth Education* Savior. He saves his people from the guilt of sin. He does of His birth; the detail of the census called by Caesar this by washing them in his own blood as the perfect, 9:15 a.m. Augustus which necessitated Mary and Joseph’s travel Children’s Education* undefiled Lamb of God at the Atonement. He saves his to Bethlehem; and the image of the angels proclaiming people from the control of sin. He does this by sending 10:30 a.m. His birth to the shepherds. Holy Communion* His Spirit into our hearts and sanctifying us; making 10:30 a.m. However, I am also drawn to Matthew’s account of us holy. He saves His people from the consequences of Preschool Chapel* Jesus’ birth. It is a shorter version, but no less packed sin. And He will do this ultimately by one day giving 10:50 a.m. with profound details - take a look: us a glorious new body at the Resurrection when He Second Hour comes again - His second Advent! Whenever we say Sunday School* Matthew 1:18-25 the name Jesus, we are proclaiming the very purpose 11:15 a.m. 18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in of the incarnation, and when we hear that name on Elementary Children’s this way. When his mother Mary had been the lips of fellow believers, we are being encouraged to Second Hour Program* betrothed to Joseph, before they came together rejoice in what He has done for us. 12:00 p.m. she was found to be with child from the Holy But He is also called Immanuel. “. the virgin shall Nativity Pageant Spirit. 19 And her husband Joseph, being a just conceive and bear a son, and they shall call His name Practice & Lunch* man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved Immanuel.” (vs. 23) This name speaks of Christ’s nature 5:00 p.m. to divorce her quietly. 20 But as he considered and person. He is both God and Man at the same Choral Evensong these things, behold, an angel of the Lord time. The Creed of Athanasius restates the truth that is 6:30 p.m. appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, being revealed here, “He is God, of the Substance of the Youth SNL son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your Father, begotten before the worlds: and he is Man, of *A nursery is provided wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Substance of the Mother, born in the world; Perfect the Holy Spirit. 21 She will bear a son, and you God: perfect Man, of reasoning soul and human flesh shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his subsisting.” Immanuel means “God with us.” While people from their sins.” 22 All this took place to Jesus was with us in human flesh and blood, He is at fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: the same time God. 23 “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear As fully human, Jesus felt what we feel. Jesus wept. a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” Jesus knows pain. Jesus knows hunger and fatigue. (which means, God with us). 24 When Joseph Jesus was fully man born of the Virgin Mary. woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord But, because He is also fully God, Jesus knew the commanded him: he took his wife, 25 but knew hearts and thoughts of the people around Him. He her not until she had given birth to a son. And he performed miracles. Angels nourished Him in the The Lectionary called his name Jesus. desert. And he is completely perfect and sinless. He The angel of the Lord who appeared to Joseph Zechariah 14:4-9 said, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one tells him to name the child Jesus. But that isn’t comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6) 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13 the only name given! He’s also called Immanuel. And the Word of God says of Him, “15 He is the Luke 21:25-31 These two names tell us so much about the Christ. Just in the names of Christ presented here image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all Psalm 50 or 50:1-6 (cont’d on page 2) (Advent: Celebrating Who Jesus Is, cont’d from page 1) creation. 16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and His nature, His person, His office - I am overcome with joy and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or I want to worship. It gives me excitement to see Him at work in rulers or authorities— all things were created through him and the people around me as their savior, their Lord and their God. for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold And when I then step back and recognize again that the Church at Advent calls us to first see these things and then also consider together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the that Advent celebrates Jesus’ second coming, I want to share that beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he good news with everyone who will hear. might be pre-eminent. 19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell.” (Colossians 1:15-19) My prayer is that He will write the glory of these truths on our When I read these things, and I consider the glory of Christ - hearts, and that this Advent we celebrate Jesus for who He is. Making Room Opportunities for Listening: by Glenda Robinson, Organist and Children’s Choir Director What does music do for us? Why is the scripture filled with so many admonitions to sing and make music? What is the purpose of music in worship? Music is not a filler, like the stuffing in an Oreo cookie. It is not just something extra to fill empty spaces. Its purpose is not just to bring beauty to the service or to cover silence Advent while the offering is gathered or communion is served. Hymns are not included in the service just to give us a break between readings and prayers. Music in worship is not a filler. It is an invitation to empty our minds of lesser things so we are able we make room to hear God’s voice. Evensong Quiet, reflective music can increase our focus, improve our mood, and lead us to a state of calm. Happy music can increase creativity, decrease stress, and remind us to be grateful for the blessings in our lives. Music is Food for the Brain. Music creates many pathways in the brain. Listening to music can increase the size of the hippocampus where new memories are stored. Scientists have “discovered” that the biblical mandate is true; we should sing! Singing impacts the brain in a different and more powerful way than speaking or reading the same words. The words we learn while singing stay with us longer than those we learn in other ways. Music is used as a rehabilitation tool for those who have suffered memory loss as well as for insomnia, depression, The Annunciation, Workshop of Robert Campin, 1420 and anxiety. Alzheimer’s patients often find it impossible to communicate with words but they can sing all the words to Sunday, December 2, 2018 songs they sang in their youth. Let us put that to heart; Sing Five o’clock in the evening in the Church what you want to remember Forever. Come begin your journey through Advent in the beauty of holiness Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote that “It is the voice of the Church Nursery and Child Care Provided that is heard in singing together. It is not you that sings, it is the Church that is singing, and you, as a member of the Church, may share in its song.” What is the Church’s song? According to hymn writer Carl Schalk, the Church’s song “is ADVENT MUSIC the sweeping narrative—the rich, deep, multi-faceted story RT Opportunities for of God’s plan of salvation for the world.