DOCSLIB.ORG

Christmastide

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Christmastide the MessengerJANUARY 2021 THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN PHILADELPHIA ESTABLISHED 1698 ˘ Christmastide Annual Giving 2021 Update As of December 28, we have received 118 pledges for a total of ontinuing the theme of my But if we are viewing time as a $408,403. Thank you to all who have December note to you means of marking our faith, or rather, if pledged to our 2021 Annual Giving regarding orienting faith shapes how we view time, we are campaign! ourselvesC to the turn of the year by all in a grounding cycle of time—the observing that, for Christians, the first months aren’t meaningless, they are For the first time in recent Sunday of Advent represents the start instead way-stations on our journey of memory, we sent end-of-year letters of a new year, now is the time when I faith. to pledgers and contributors just should wish you Merry Christmas. before Christmas, to support our When we view time from the lens members’ giving. “But wait,” you may think, of faith, the different seasons shape our “Christmas was last week!” practice. Lent truly can be a season of We need your pledge—it’s not penitence. Advent truly can be a season too late to pledge for 2021! You may Yes, Christmas Day was last week, of anticipation. Easter truly can be a pledge online (fpcphila.org/make-a- but Christmastide extends well into the season of celebration. pledge). new year, until Epiphany, which is always January 6, twelve days after And Christmas truly can be a Visit the Annual Giving page of Christmas (hence the assorted fowl, etc., season of giving. our website (fpcphila.org/annual- of the song). giving) to learn more about giving at I shared a well-known poem by First Rather than bore you with arcane Howard Thurman with our Session in Church and liturgical trivia, let me come to my December. I’d like to share it with you to watch point: Christmas allows us to mark our now. I hope it will, as it does me, orient our short time by our faith, as do Advent, your way of thinking of Christmastide: Annual Epiphany, Lent, Easter and Pentecost. Giving That has been on my mind this year The Work of Christmas videos. If when time has lost its customary When the song of the angels is stilled, you have markers. It’s easy to wind up When the star in the sky is gone, any disoriented to the day when all the days When the kings and princes are home, questions look the same. I don’t know whether When the shepherds are back with their about how flock, The work of Christmas begins: to pledge, that is the case for you. To find the lost, what you I feel fortunate, in a way, that a To heal the broken, To feed the hungry, have weekly schedule of writing and To release the prisoner, pledged in the past, or ways to give, recording, viewing, praying, and To rebuild the nations, please contact Patti Sassoli repeating, grounds me in time. But To bring peace among others, ([email protected]), chair of when I take time off from work, it’s To make music in the heart. Annual Giving. easy to drift into a directionless way of —Patti Sassoli being. —Baron Mullis January 3, 2021 January 10 January 17 January 24 January 31 Second Sunday of Christmas Baptism of the Lord 1 Samuel 3:1-10 Jonah 3:1-10 Deuteronomy 18:15-20 Jeremiah 31:7-14 Genesis 1:1-5 Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18 Psalm 62:5-12 Psalm 111 Psalm 147:12-20 Psalm 29 1 Corinthians 6:12-20 1 Corinthians 7:29-31 1 Corinthians 8:1-13 Ephesians 1:3-14 Acts 19:1-7 John 1:43-51 Mark 1:14-20 Mark 1:21-28 John 1: 1-18 Mark 1:4-11 LECTIONARY THE MESSENGER Access to Sacred Space America and Although the building is closed for regular worship due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we wish to advise congregation members that access to our Its Guns sanctuary is available by appointment only to individuals and households to fulfill their spiritual This month and continuing into early February, the needs, subject to the following guidelines: Adult Christian Education committee is partnering with the 1. Congregation members (individuals or FPC Gun Violence Prevention Task Force to study the households) who wish to access the prevalence of guns in our country and the consequences of sanctuary must make an appointment in both gun violence and careless gun use. As we learned from advance. members of the task force who spoke during the Minute for Mission on Sunday, December 13th, there were over 2,000 2. A designated area in the sanctuary will shooting victims in the city of Philadelphia this year as of be made available for short intervals, the end of November. This is an increase of 53% over the with a time cushion between same period in 2019. The tragedy behind these numbers is appointments. A self-guided liturgy will almost impossible to process when it doesn’t happen in front be provided. of us, and we don’t learn about what is usually not in the 3. Because the church is being used at news: how families and whole communities are various times for recording of our traumatized, with symptoms that affect the rest of their worship videos, appointments will be lives. We were asked to begin to acknowledge that this loss scheduled only during available times. and devastation deprives us of future talent and leadership, When you sign up to schedule an which we and the rest of the nation need. As we gather for appointment, you will be contacted by these upcoming classes, we will consider how we as people the church office to select an available of faith can begin to grapple with this grim and entrenched time slot. problem. 4. Masks must be worn during the entire ➡ On Tuesday, January 5, at 7 PM we invite you to a visit and social distancing guidelines discussion of the documentary film Trigger: The Ripple Effect must be observed if you encounter staff of Gun Violence. Produced by the Presbyterian Church USA at any time during your visit. as a part of its campaign to end gun violence, the film frames the issue as both a disaster and a public health crisis. Please 5. To minimize cleaning/disinfecting register for the film discussion using the link on our website requirements, access to, and lingering in, (fpcphila.org/events/2021/1/5/gun-violence-film- other parts of the building (including discussion). Participants will receive a link to the film to restrooms) without an urgent need is view it on their own platforms before the virtual discussion. strongly discouraged. ➡ On January 12 and the following three Tuesdays at 7:00 6. Finally, we note that the sanctuary is PM, a book club will feature America and its Guns: A outfitted with equipment we need to Theological Perspective by James Atwood, a Presbyterian record the virtual services, so it may look pastor who brings a biblical and theological understanding a little different than what you are in his portrayal of the impact that guns have on our society. accustomed to. Please register for the Book Club using the link on our If you have a spiritual need to access the website (fpcphila.org/events/2021/1/12/gun-violence- sanctuary, please visit our website (fpcphila.org/ book-club). Registrants will receive a copy of the book at no access-to-sacred-space to schedule an cost. Each week’s discussion will cover approximately 50 appointment. If you prefer to call the church, pages of the book. please leave a message (215-567-0532). Please note that there are separate registrations for the Please stay safe. film discussion and the book club. Please join us. —Carol Cook —Stella Tsai and Gary Christensen, for the Building Reopening Task Force 2 THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN PHILADELPHIA JANUARY 2021 Test Your Gun Violence Knowledge Q: Which is the most frequently used murder weapon? Hartung and Rachel Stohl, “Hired Guns”, Foreign Policy, (a) handgun; (b) assault rifle; (c) shotgun; (d) knife. May/June 2004.) As guns and small arms are placed in A: (a) handgun; (Source: FBI, 2008 Uniform Crime Report, the hands of vindictive militias and child soldiers, even if Expanded Data Table 8, as cited in the Presbyterian the country should side with us in “our global war on Peace Fellowship Toolkit) terror,” the already high death rates of women and children in those regions escalate even further. Q: True or False? The Second Amendment guarantees law-abiding American citizens the right to own any Q: A gun kept in the home for self-defense is __ times type of firearm with no restrictions. more likely to be used in a murder, accidental shooting, suicide attempt, or be stolen and used in a A: False. The Supreme Court in 2008 interpreted the Second crime than to stop an intruder. Amendment as an individual right, overturning 200 years (a) 5 times; (b) 7 times; (c) 11 times; (d) 22 times of judicial history, but providing limitations on the right. Justice Antonin Scalia, writing for the 5-4 majority stated, A: (d) 22 times. Lengthy studies indicate every time a gun in “Like most rights, the Second Amendment right is not the home was used in a self defense or legally justifiable unlimited.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • CHRISTMAS-CAROLS-Notes-Rev.Pdf
    CHRISTMAS CAROLS Although any Christmas song might be called a ‘carol’ these days, the word actually refers to an ancient English song-form where a refrain or chorus repeated after every stanza (or verse) and is often connected to celebrations like Christmas or Easter. The word carol is derived from the Old French word carole, a circle dance accompanied by singers (in turn derived from the Latin choraula). Carol’s origins are complex and disputed. Some of our familiar Christmas carols were originally pagan songs, sung at the Winter Solstice celebrations They were very popular as dance songs from the 1150s to the 1350s, after which their use expanded as processional songs sung during festivals, while others were written to accompany religious mystery plays. Whatever the origin, composers all over Europe started writing carols but most people could not understand them since they were written and sung in Latin. This changed in the early 13th century when St. Francis of Assisi introduced Christmas songs in church services in Italy for the first time — and true Christmas carols were officially born. In Assisi’s Nativity plays, which began in 1223, actors sang songs that described the scenes in the plays. Although the choruses were sometimes in Latin, the songs were usually written in the language that people could understand. The actors composed Christmas carols to sing during their Nativity plays and, later, they would walk through the streets still singing. It didn’t take long for these plays to spread to France, Spain and the rest of Europe. The tradition of singing Christmas songs in native languages became well established.
    [Show full text]
  • Advent/Christmas
    Theme: Advent/Christmas Objective To experience the Christmas story through song and movement Overview In this event, families gather to focus on the birth of Jesus through the singing and acting out of traditional Christmas songs. Groups of families will be assigned a Christmas song, prepare the presentation of the song using props, drama, etc., and lead the large group in song while acting it out. The event will close with singing of Happy Birthday to Jesus, and sharing of cake and refreshments. EVENT PLAN Prior to Family Faith Event 1. Invite all families with kindergarteners to register. 2. Choose a location that has a large enough meeting space for your group, with space for small groups to plan their part of the evening festivities, and a stage area for the song dramatizations. 3. Decorate the gathering space for Christmas, including a Christmas tree, crèche, and other symbols of the season. 4. Gather dress-up or costume options, materials for make-shift props, and art supplies for the families to use in presenting their songs. Remember, this is not a Hollywood production; kindergarteners are very creative and they love to play dress-up. Try not to give in to the temptation to provide “ready-made” costumes and props. Part of the fun of this event is in the planning and creating that the family groups will do together to present their songs. 5. Create a workshop area in the event space for costume creation, art, and props. 6. Make song booklets that contain the lyrics for the Christmas songs you have chosen.
    [Show full text]
  • 2020 Advent & Christmas Worship Guide
    Advent, Christmas & Epiphany 2020 An Annotated List of Worship Resources With all that 2020 brings, how much we need to hear anew the promises of God through the words of the prophets, to experience again the star’s light illuminating the night, and to know more fully the presence of Emmanuel, God-with-us! The following resources invite us all into reflection, repentance, renewal and celebration through the Advent, Christmas and Epiphany seasons. As you plan worship this season, I challenge you to: à Think beyond the walls of the church building. Our neighbors long for hope, peace, joy and love too. Our communities need to know Jesus. Think of ways you can celebrate Advent and Christmas on the front lawn of the church, at the community park, in the town square, and in people’s living rooms. Go where people are, and take the good news of Jesus Christ with you! à Think beyond spoken words. We are all drowning in words right now – news headlines, talking heads, stump speeches and social media posts. The Advent and Christmas narratives overflow with imagery. In Jesus, God’s Word takes on flesh; he lives and moves and acts. Consider the ways that visual images, instrumental music and meaningful action may draw us deeper into the mystery of God dwelling among us. Incorporate these into your worship alongside the traditional spoken and sung liturgy. I have collected an extensive list of Advent, Christmas and Epiphany liturgical resources below. Feel free to contact me if you’re looking for something specific that you can’t find here! I’d be glad to help you find or develop the resources you need.
    [Show full text]
  • Enjoy Christmas Music Kay Nelson
    South Dakota State University Open PRAIRIE: Open Public Research Access Institutional Repository and Information Exchange SDSU Extension Circulars SDSU Extension 1961 Enjoy Christmas Music Kay Nelson Follow this and additional works at: http://openprairie.sdstate.edu/extension_circ Part of the Agriculture Commons Recommended Citation Nelson, Kay, "Enjoy Christmas Music" (1961). SDSU Extension Circulars. 615. http://openprairie.sdstate.edu/extension_circ/615 This Circular is brought to you for free and open access by the SDSU Extension at Open PRAIRIE: Open Public Research Access Institutional Repository and Information Exchange. It has been accepted for inclusion in SDSU Extension Circulars by an authorized administrator of Open PRAIRIE: Open Public Research Access Institutional Repository and Information Exchange. For more information, please contact [email protected]. EXTENSION CIRCULAR 597 Enjov I •:-:.:::.:.::.: \Mu~ ·:=:··· \\ -<f::''?''''':,::,,i,,,:;::,,,:.,.,. Kt !x~!ii,;f!CE U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Enjoy Christmas Music By MRS. KAY SHARP NELSON, Associate Specialist Today it is hard to realize that The St. Nicholas figure, from Christmas was once a subject of which Santa Claus developed, was strenuous controversy. Its religious brought to the American colonies as observance was the source of bit- a mixed religious-folk figure. He ter denominational quarrels during had long been popular in several the seventeenth and eighteenth European countries. During the past centuries. Large groups of colonists 50 years Santa Claus has become a objected to Christmas at that time. symbol of charity and generosity. For the Church of England, the To children he expresses affection I Feast of the Nativity was one of the and devotion. He depicts the "spirit" most important of th~ year, yet the of Christmas.
    [Show full text]
  • Christmas Pageant
    University of Montana ScholarWorks at University of Montana Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers Graduate School 1959 Christmas pageant Conrad Sandvig The University of Montana Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.umt.edu/etd Let us know how access to this document benefits ou.y Recommended Citation Sandvig, Conrad, "Christmas pageant" (1959). Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers. 1799. https://scholarworks.umt.edu/etd/1799 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate School at ScholarWorks at University of Montana. It has been accepted for inclusion in Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks at University of Montana. For more information, please contact [email protected]. A CHRISTMAS PAGEANT by CONRAD SAND7IG B. A. St. Olaf College, 19)0 Presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Music MONTANA STATE UNIVERSITY 1959 Approved by Chairman, Board of Examiners Dean, Graduate School AUG 2 1 1959 Date UMI Number; EP36569 All rights reserved INFORMATION TO ALL USERS The quality of this reproduction is dependent upon the quality of the copy submitted. In the unlikely event that the author did not send a complete manuscript and there are missing pages, these will be noted. Also, if material had to be removed, a note will indicate the deletion. UMT UMI EP36569 Published by ProQuest LLC (2012). Copyright in the Dissertation held by the Author. Microform Edition © ProQuest LLC. All rights reserved. This work is protected against unauthorized copying under Title 17, United States Code ProQuest LLC.
    [Show full text]
  • Jingle Bell Jukebox
    Jingle Bell Jukebox Christmas is comin‟ and the time is right To celebrate the season, make spirits bright. It‟s time to start the party, let the music play. „Cause everybody‟s gonna have a happy holiday Around the jukebox, the jinglebell jukebox Put a quarter in and let the Christmas spirit begin. Everyone here has got a favorite song, So gather „round the jukebox and sing-a-long. Just put your money in to make the vinyl spin. Come hear that Christmas music now, let the fun begin Around the jukebox, the jinglebell jukebox Put a quarter in and let the Christmas spirit begin. We‟re singing “Jingle Bell Rock” and Santa, “Frosty” and Mr. Grinch. “Jolly Old Saint Nicholas” and some other ones that you know. The jingle bell jukebox plays a rockin‟ beat, So find yourself a partner and get on your feet. Everybody lindy hop, jump, and jive. We‟ll shimmy shake together, bring the holidays alive Around the jukebox, the jingle bell jukebox. Put a quarter in and let the Christmas spirit begin. Put a quarter in and let the Christmas spirit begin. Yeah! Frosty Hand Jive F, I said F-R I said F-R-O, I said F-R-O-s F-R-O-S—-T-Y! Doing the Frosty hand jive. Frosty, the snowman, he was a jolly happy soul, With a corncob pipe and a button nose and two eyes made out of coal. Frosty, the snowman, he is a fairy tale they say, He was made of snow but the children know that he came to life one day.
    [Show full text]
  • Christmas and Epiphany G E N E R a L E D I T O R Robert B
    Christmas and Epiphany G E N E R A L E D I T O R Robert B. Kruschwitz A rt E di TOR Heidi J. Hornik R E V ie W E D I T O R Norman Wirzba PROCLAMATION EDITOR William D. Shiell A S S I S tant E ditor Heather Hughes PRODUCTION ASSISTANT Elizabeth Sands Wise D E S igner Eric Yarbrough P UB li SH E R The Center for Christian Ethics Baylor University One Bear Place #97361 Waco, TX 76798-7361 P H one (254) 710-3774 T oll -F ree ( US A ) (866) 298-2325 We B S ite www.ChristianEthics.ws E - M ail [email protected] All Scripture is used by permission, all rights reserved, and unless otherwise indicated is from New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. ISSN 1535-8585 Christian Reflection is the ideal resource for discipleship training in the church. Multiple copies are obtainable for group study at $3.00 per copy. Worship aids and lesson materials that enrich personal or group study are available free on the Web site. Christian Reflection is published quarterly by The Center for Christian Ethics at Baylor University. Contributors express their considered opinions in a responsible manner. The views expressed are not official views of The Center for Christian Ethics or of Baylor University. The Center expresses its thanks to individuals, churches, and organizations, including the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, who provided financial support for this publication.
    [Show full text]
  • CHRISTMAS Christmas with Naxos
    CATALOGUE 2018 CHRISTMAS Christmas with Naxos Christmas is one of the most richly celebrated seasons around the world. While its focus rests on just a few days of the year, the wealth of music that has been written to mark its spirit and story is astonishingly plentiful and varied. Musicians continue to be inspired by the message of Christmas: in the following pages you will find examples of contemporary choral works by British composers John Tavener, James MacMillan and Sasha Johnson Manning alongside the established masterpieces of composers such as J. S. Bach, Handel and Berlioz. The Christmas story has also been recorded in opera, ballet and instrumental music, in a range of expression that runs from piety to jollity. Easy-listening compilations are well represented in the listings, including regional collections and the gamut of carols that are annual favourites, heard either in the splendour of Europe's historic cathedrals or in the local community. We hope our catalogue will serve you with music that is both comfortingly familiar and refreshingly novel. May you spend a very happy Christmas with Naxos. Contents Listing by Composer ...............................................................................................................................4 Collections .............................................................................................................................................15 Audiovisual ............................................................................................................................................27
    [Show full text]
  • Using Christmas Carols to Evangelize
    Using Christmas Carols to Evangelize Many of us experience difficulty concentrating on a prayerful and penitential Advent, especially in a society flooded with yuletide decorations, Christmas cookies, and flavored candy canes well before Thanksgiving. But both realities may be addressed and reconciled if we recall the roots of Advent and prepare ourselves to share its meaning with the world around us. "Advent's intention is to awaken the most profound and basic emotional memory within us, namely, the memory of the God who became a child. This is a healing memory; it brings hope." [Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger (Pope Benedict XVI) Seek That Which is Above, Ignatius Press, 2007] This memory is already being awakened by the Holy Spirit as millions of people search the Internet during December for the words and music of long forgotten religious Christmas carols. Christmas music surrounds us in stores, malls, and in the media. What if individuals, families, small groups, ministries, and parishes were to build upon this as a God-given evangelistic opportunity to invite acquaintances, friends, and relatives to experience Jesus-centered carols during the pre-Christmas season? At the heart of the most enduring Christmas Carols and their imagery is the core belief that “Jesus Christ is Lord.” (Phil. 2: 11) This expression is a shorthand version of the Christian creed and is at the heart of our Baptismal Vows. These four small words can guide us in using carols to share Christ. The name “Jesus” comes from the Hebrew, “Yeshua,” and means “God saves”. Carols that help us see Jesus include What Child is this? and Silent Night.
    [Show full text]
  • Download Under the Mistletoe
    Under the Mistletoe Not every romantic evening goes as planned. A Romantic Comedy in Two Acts by James Hutchison Also available from www.jameshutchison.ca A Christmas Carol – Two versions available. Every man has the power to do good. When Scrooge’s nephew Fred finds some letters Scrooge had written to his sister Fan a long time ago the past is unlocked, and Scrooge learns how his fear of poverty and pursuit of wealth have cost him a chance for love and genuine happiness. CAST OF 10+ - Two Act Drama, 6M, 4W, Multiple Sets, 120 minutes CAST OF 25+ - Two Act Drama, 15M, 10W, Multiple Sets, 120 minutes What the Dickens! Even Scrooge got a second chance. When Marty Fisher gets caught kissing his stage manager Samantha and the actor playing Scrooge shows up drunk Marty has to scramble to save the opening night production of a Christmas Carol and his engagement to his fiancée Tami. Two Act Comedy, 6M, 3W, Multiple Sets, 120 minutes Heart of Stone: A Jessica Quinn Mystery Trusting the wrong person can be deadly. When Jessica Quinn uncovers the truth about her father’s killer and the truth behind a woman claiming to be the long-lost daughter of her client Mary McConnell more than one person ends up dead. Two Act Mystery, 7M, 3W, Multiple Sets, 120 minutes Stories from Langford Every town has its secrets. Six characters from Langford tell stories from their lives: stories about, jealousy, revenge, love and forgiveness. Two Act Drama, 1M, 1W, Simple settings, 120 Minutes Death and the Psychiatrist Even Death Could Use a Friend Feeling depressed about having a job where no one likes him Death goes into therapy with Dr.
    [Show full text]
  • Christmas Carols & Carol Singing
    Christmas Carols & Carol Singing Helen Yeomans Copyright © 1987-2016 by Helen Yeomans Table of Contents Introduction ................................................................................................................................ 1 Angels from the Realms of Glory ............................................................................................... 4 Angels We Have Heard on High (Les Anges dans Nos Campagnes) .......................................... 5 As With Gladness ....................................................................................................................... 6 Away in a Manger ...................................................................................................................... 7 Christians, Awake ...................................................................................................................... 8 Christmas is Coming .................................................................................................................. 9 The Little Drummer Boy .......................................................................................................... 10 Jingle Bells ............................................................................................................................... 11 Deck the Hall ........................................................................................................................... 12 Ding Dong! Merrily on High ...................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Christmas Music
    HARK! THE HERALD ANGELS SING GOD REST YOU MERRY, GENTLEMEN Hark! The herald angels sing: “Glory to the newborn King: 1. God rest you merry gentlemen, Peace on earth, and mercy mild, Let nothing you dismay; God and sinners reconcile!” Remember Christ our Savior was born Joyful all ye nations rise, on Christmas Day Join the triumph of the skies: To save us all from Satan’s power when With angelic hosts proclaim: we were gone astray. “Christ is born in Bethlehem!” Hark! The herald angels sing, O tidings of comfort and joy, “Glory to the newborn King.” Comfort and joy; O tidings of comfort and joy. Christ, by highest heav’n adored, Christ, the everlasting Lord: 2. From God our heavenly Father a Late in time, behold him come, blessed angel came, Offspring of a virgin’s womb. And unto certain shepherds brought Veiled in flesh the Godhead see! tidings of the same, Hail the incarnate Deity! How that in Bethlehem was born the Pleased as man with us to dwell; Son of God by name. Ref. Jesus, our Emmanuel! Hark! The herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King.” IT CAME UPON A MIDNIGHT CLEAR Hail the heaven born Prince of Peace! It came upon the midnight clear, that Hail the Sun of Righteousness! glorious song of old, Light and life to all he brings, From angels bending near the earth to Risen with healing in his wings. touch their harps of gold: Mild he lays his glory by, “Peace on the earth, goodwill to all from Born that we no more may die, heaven’s all gracious King;” Born to raise us from the earth, The world in solemn stillness lay, to hear Born to give us second birth.
    [Show full text]