The Grace Vine. December Rector s Writ

Transcription

1 The Grace Vine December 2015 Rector s Writ Our Church calendar begins a new year with Advent, and we hear familiar themes about being alert and prepared. At one level we know that preparation must include some spiritual study and nurturing; a time for listening and quiet reflection. The reason for such preparation is remembering and celebrating the birth of Christ. Yet the secular focus of Christmas is more than a subtle contrast to the paths we re to explore during Advent. Watch, wait, and prepare has become more of a focus on shopping, bargains, and the constant lure of retailers to buy early. We hear ads for Black Friday sales and we shudder over the thought of traffic and crowds. For those handy with the computer, gift shopping can be done on line in your pajamas if you want. The sales that lure shoppers, traditional or on line, seem to focus on items in big demand and short supply. God s love and goodness are NOT in short supply. The spiritual and worldly are in stark contrast. The Advent season of quietly preparing our hearts competes with a flurry of activity where we shop, party, bake, and get tired in the process. And the Church holds a quiet day in December of all times! WHO has time to be quiet?! Listening to and preparing for God are work worthwhile work with peace replacing anxiety. Our Church celebrates Christmas with a sense of joy and hopefulness; with music and singing; with fellowship and Communion gathering us close to God and one another. The pace and priorities of our secular world are transformed as we remember the humble birth of a promised Savior and Prince of Peace. Please be sure to invite and bring family and friends with you to Christmas Eve services. May God draw us near as we embrace the promise and hope of that holy night; as we receive, share, and rejoice in the Lord s love, joy, and peace. These are the real gifts of Christmas. A blessed Advent and Christmas to you and yours. Carol+ How silently, how silently, the wondrous gift is given! So God imparts to human hearts the blessings of his heaven. We hear the Christmas angels the great glad tidings tell; O come to us, abide with us, our Lord Emmanuel! (From O Little Town of Bethlehem, Phillips Brooks)

2 Service and Lay Ministry Schedule If you cannot serve when scheduled, please find a substitute and call the parish office with that person s name. Thank you for sharing in the liturgical ministry of Grace Church. Sunday, December 6 8:00 &10:00 AM Holy Eucharist 2 Advent Worship 8:00 Bette Brooks Leader 10:00 Carolyn Englert Greeters Nancy & Fred Lundgren Acolyte Jenna Summy Coffee Hosts 8:00 Joan & Frank Seman 10:00 John & Mary Jean McDonald Counters Carol Marotta & Kay Canan Brookdale Kathy Summy Bishop Hollingsworth s Visit Celebrant The Rt. Rev. Mark Hollingsworth Deacon The Rev. William Snyder Worship Ldr Sally Dier Greeters Mary Jean & John McDonald Acolyte Kevin Splinter Coffee Hosts 10:00 Hospitality Committee Counters Carol Marotta & Kay Canan 1 st Reading Baruch 5:1-9 Fred Lundgren Canticle 16 The Song of Zechariah (Luke 1:68-79) 2 nd Reading Philippians 1:3-11 Nancy Lundgren Gospel Luke 3:1-6 Sunday, December 13 10:00 AM Holy Eucharist 3 Advent Greening of the Church Worship 8:00 Bette Brooks Leader 10:00 Nancy Lundgren Greeters Jeff & Lisa Marsh Acolyte Phillip Crouse Coffee Hosts 8:00 Mike & Shirley Johnson 10:00 Hospitality Committee Counters Carol Marotta & Kay Canan Brookdale Bill Snyder 1 st Reading Zephaniah 3:14-20 Tim Splinter Canticle 9 The First Song of Isaiah (Isaiah 12:2-6) 2 nd Reading Philippians 4:4-7 Martha Croll Gospel Luke 3:7-18 Sunday, December 20 8:00 & 10:00 AM Holy Eucharist 4 Advent 1 st Reading Micah 5:2-5a Jeff Croll Canticle 15 The Song of Mary (Luke 1:46-55) 2 nd Reading Hebrews 10:5-10 Kathy Summy Gospel Luke 1:39-55 BISHOP S VISIT TO GRACE December 13th Bishop Mark Hollingsworth, Jr. will be at Grace Church on December 13 th. There will be one 10:00 a.m. service of Holy Communion. A covered dish luncheon reception will follow to celebrate our confirmands and welcome Bishop Hollingsworth. The bishop will meet with those to be confirmed BEFORE the 10am service and with the vestry and rector following lunch.

3 Friday, December 24 7:00 pm Holy Eucharist Christmas Eve Worship Ldr Nancy Lundgren Greeters Nancy & Jim Ervin Acolyte David Miller Counters Frank Seman & Steve Merrill 1 st Reading Isaiah 9:2-7 Fred Lundgren Psalm 96 2 nd Reading Titus 2:11-14 Nancy Lundgren Gospel Luke 2:1-20 Friday, December 24 10:30 pm Music 11:00pm Holy Eucharist Christmas Eve Deacon The Rev. William Snyder Worship Ldr Sally Dier Greeters Lisa & Jeff Marsh Acolyte Phillip Crouse, Eric & Kevin Splinter, Sarah Beth & Rachael Audet Counters Frank Seman & Steve Merrill 1 st Reading Isaiah 9:2-7 Tim Splinter Psalm 96 2 nd Reading Titus 2:11-14 Carolyn Englert Gospel Luke 2:1-20 Sunday, December 27 8:00 & 10:00 AM Holy Eucharist 1 Christmas Deacon The Rev. William Snyder Worship 8:00 Sally Dier Leader 10:00 Steve Merrill Greeters Nancy & Jim Ervin Acolyte Jeff Marsh Coffee Hosts 8:00 TBD 10:00 Gail Richards & Carol Marotta Counters Frank Seman & Steve Merrill 1 st Reading Isaiah 61:10 62:3 Jeff Croll Psalm nd Reading Galatians 3:23-25; 4:4-7 Martha Croll Gospel John 1:1-18 Sunday, January 3 8:00 & 10:00 AM Morning Prayer 2 Christmas Officiant The Rev. William Snyder Worship 8:00 Bette Brooks Leader 10:00 Carolyn Englert Greeters Nancy & Fred Lundgren Acolyte David Miller Altar Guild TBD Coffee Hosts 8:00 Joan & Frank Seman 10:00 Lisa, Taylor, & Paige Paxton Counters TBD Emeritus Kathy Summy 1 st Reading Jeremiah 31:7-14 Nancy Lundgren Psalm 84 2 nd Reading Ephesians 1:3-6, 15-19a NFred Lundgren Gospel Matthew 2:1-12

4 Did You Know?... The month of November began on a very sad note for Grace. On November 1 st (All Saint s Day) our much loved Reba Cook died. It was such a shock to all of us. Her funeral was held here at Grace Church on Saturday, November 7 th. The church was full with family and so many friends--it was a packed house. Reba was involved in so many aspects of our Ravenna community as well as here at church; where she was a long time member and served as both senior and junior wardens. Her grandson, A.J. Cook and her niece Stacey Albright both took part in the service by reading the lessons, and granddaughter Jacquelyn Cook read a poem. Her son Rick gave a heartfelt message for us all. Many thanks to everyone who took part in the service. Rev. Carol had a beautiful homily; Bette Brooks and Deacon Bill Snyder served at the altar. Nancy Lundgren & Cindy Hoskins, our altar guild members, did double duty on that day. Getting all the fall decorations and hangings down and replacing all the hangings for the funeral and then putting everything back for Sunday services. On top of that Nancy & Fred Lundgren were ushers. Reba s family and friends chose the music and some of it was not in our hymnal, so our organist Tim Lewicki did his usual magic and made everything work. A reception following the service was held at the Ravenna Elks club. The food was catered, drinks deserts and overseeing the meal was provided by Grace s Hospitality Group headed by Nancy Ervin. Along with Nancy, her husband Jim, Cindy Hoskins, Mary Jean and John McDonald were responsible for setting out the food and keeping the serving dishes full. The church and its members, in true Grace fashion, furnished delicious cookies, cakes, and desserts. Reba would have loved all those sweets This November election proved to be a big win for one of our members. The new mayor of Ravenna is now our own Frank Seman. Congratulations, Frank!! It was an interesting mayoral race (even according to the Record Courier) Frank and his opponent are good friends. And many of the homes in Ravenna had Frank s posters and Roger Boltz posters in the same yard. No negative ads here. How nice to have that happen now if only our national election would take note It was wonderful to have Janet Hughes s friend Jane Borden Lucas here from Columbus to spend some time her and with us. Jane was a member of Grace Church many years ago and even sang in the choir. Janet & Jane hadn t seen each other in over forty years and it was wonderful to see old friends together again. Jane also mentioned that she now attends church with Larry Harper who was also a member here several years ago Steve Barna called the office to say that he was on the mend after his accident putting up hay at his home. Steve broke ribs & collar bone, among other injuries and was in the hospital for many days. He also mentioned that the EMS team that came to take him to the hospital came back to his home and finished putting the hay up for him. That is truly remarkable there are good people in this world Mike & Shirley Johnson spent time in southern Ohio visiting antique stores and going to an insulator show, and while down there they visited with Alice Boydell at her home in Mason, Ohio. They report that Alice is doing well and would like some visitors Barb Popiel spent time in Florida visiting with her daughter Michele and her husband Dave. When the office called Barb to sign a vestry letter she assured them she would not leave Florida early for that. But she enjoyed the time with the family Marsha Snyder spent time with her daughter Jill and granddaughters Ellie & Lilly in Miamisburg, Ohio. It was great seeing the girls again and shopping took up much of their time, because that s what Grandma does with teenage girls Nancy Ervin, Janet Hughes, and Judy Canan picked up Irene Machisko from her residence and took her to lunch. What nice idea thanks ladies. I m sure Irene really appreciated having lunch out with the girls Marcia & Tim Splinter are very proud of their boys, Eric & Kevin who earned all A s this semester.

5 Thank You! Thank You! Thank You! Please join us in saying THANK YOU to people serving god at Grace Church and in our community in a variety of ways: Jim Ervin for taking all the non-perishable food items to the Center of Hope Nancy Ervin and the Hospitality Committee for all their work on Reba s funeral reception To everyone who bake enough cookies and brownies for the funeral service Altar Guild for all their hard work Sue Ahrens & Chris Stickle for their love with the children involved in Christian Education Sally Dier and Nancy Lundgren for keeping Gracie s Back Door open on Saturdays during the fall. Tim Lewicki for all the extra practice he did on the funeral music. To everyone who participated in the UTO Fall Ingathering. Please call the office or us a note if you know of any volunteers we need to thank for work, donations, or other good deeds. Birthdays 7th Roberta O Keefe 9th Amir Amiruzzaman 11th Kay Canan 16th Shirley Johnson Tim Scibelli 21st Beth Dier Congratulations! and many happy returns... Anniversaries 17th Bruce & Sue Ahrens Steve & Susan Merrill 22nd Jim & Amy Neely 27th Rev. Lloyd & Roberta O Keefe Baptisms 3rd Rev. Carol Evans 13th Mike Johnson 22nd Michael Canan 23rd Mechele Novak Sorry that we didn t have Judy Watkins birthday on the November list for the 18th. Hope it was a happy one, Judy! Please let the office know (in writing) if there are any birthday or anniversary dates we need to add or correct on our list. Actually both earned a 4.3; they re carrying weighted classes. Tim s been busy singing with a group that will performing at Christ Church, Warren the first two weekends in December. They will also be hosting a foreign exchange student soon Nancy & Jim Ervin enjoyed Nancy s birthday when their sons Mike and Scott and their wives took the couple to dinner. They had a wonderful evening. Jim really enjoyed the steak Paige Paxton is in an accelerated history class at Stow High School and the class took a trip to Washington D.C. to see all the sites and learn more about our history. While there they visited Annapolis and after seeing the place Paige mentioned she might like to live there. When asked Why Annapolis?, she said it was because they have a lot of cute boys there. I m sure they do and they are all in uniform The Diocesan Convention was held in Cleveland on November 13 & 14 th. Representing Grace Church were Frank & Joan Seman, Fred Lundgren, and Marsha Snyder and of course The Rev. Carol and Deacon Bill Snyder.

6 The Bulletin Board Breakfast with St. Nicholas On December 6 th St. Nicholas (Steve Merrill) will be visiting Grace Church and will preach at both the 8:00 and 10:00 a.m. services. A pancake breakfast will be served from 9:00-10:00. Please be sure to bring family and friends to come and enjoy St. Nickolas s visit and the breakfast. coming. More information will be Advent Quiet Day December 5, :00 a.m. 11:30 a.m. Eucharist at 11:30 a.m.

7 Christmas Eve & Christmas Day Services December 24th 7:00 p.m. Christmas Family service of Holy Eucharist (with organist) 10:30 p.m. Midnight Christmas Holy Eucharist Service with Choir (Carols and Anthems 10:30-11:00) December 25 th 10:00 a.m. Christmas Day Eucharist (spoken) ECW News The ECW would like to thank all 21 participants who donated to the United Thank Offering Fall ingathering with a total of $ collected. The kick-off for the Episcopal Church Women s annual cookie sale began on November 15 th and order forms and sign-up sheets were available at that time. We are looking forward to your help as always. Because of the Bishop Hollingsworth s visitation on December 13 th we will not be distributing cookies until December 20 th. Again this year the ECW is supporting the Lillian Vallely School and we are asking for gently used children s books (1 st through 5 th grade), and box tops to help support this Episcopal school in the Blackfoot Indian Reservation, in Idaho. At our last meeting it was decided to also support the Center of Hope with a cash donation. We are also asking everyone in Grace Church to bring in children s underwear and socks to the church on or before December 6 th to be distributed to the County Clothing Center. Boxes will be in the narthex and in the parish hall. Please be generous. All the women of the church are invited to join us at any of our meetings we d love to have you with us.

8 Fathers (and Mothers) and Friends By Bette Brooks They lived not only in ages past; there are hundreds of thousands still. The world is bright with the joyous saints who love to do Jesus' will. Finnian of Clonard December 12 Considered one of the fathers of Irish monasticism, Finnian of Clonard (not to be confused with Finnian of Moville) was born around 470 AD to Rudraigh, an Ulster nobleman, and his wife Telach of Leinster. As an Irish noble, he was baptized and as a young child was educated by a local bishop. This early introduction to the Christian Church awakened in him a desire for greater learning. He traveled to the great monastic center of Tours, founded by St. Martin. Monasticism at Tours was noted for its austerity and for its sacrifice of physical comfort for spiritual gain. And Finnian felt at home here. He was then directed to proceed to Wales to develop even greater personal holiness and sacred knowledge under the great saints of that country. He continued his studies with Cadoc the Wise, and remained in Wales for about thirty years. At this point, he returned to his native Ireland and became an itinerant preacher, teaching and founding churches. One of these, Skellig Michael (Great Skellig) is 8 miles off the coast of County Kerry and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. He then began to establish monasteries and additional churches, first in County Wicklow then in Dunmanogue and then on to the town of Kildare where he studied and taught at St. Brigid s monastery. But he was still not settled where he felt God wanted him to be. Despite the high regard with which he was held, he left St. Brigid s house around 520 AD and settled on the River Boyne at Clonard, County Meath. The fame of his learning and holiness drew many to him and, in time, scholars of all ages flocked to his monastic retreat. At one point there were no fewer than 3000 men receiving instruction at Clonard. These included the often-called twelve apostles of Ireland, some of whom we will read about in future entries. Finnian s gift for teaching and his absolute dedication to God inspired a whole generation. The men who sat at his feet took the seeds of knowledge abroad with great success. It is thought that Finnian died around 552 AD of The Plague. His burial place was in his own church at Clonard. Today, the site of Finnian s monastic center is located on the grounds of the Church of Ireland at Clonard.

9 December The Grace Vine 2015 Sun Mon Tues Wed Thurs Fri Sat 6 2 Advent 8am HE 9am St Nicholas Breakfast 10am HE with St. Nicholas 11:15 Coffee 13 3 Advent Bishop Hollingsworth 10am HE 11:15 Luncheon Noon Vestry 20 4 Advent 8am HE 9am Coffee 9:45 Ch Ed 10am HE 11:15 Lunch ECW Cookies! 27 1 Christmas 8am HE 9am Coffee 10am HE 11:15 Coffee Office Closed until Jan. 4th 1 10am-3pm Advent Clergy Day 7pm MAC Meeting at Wadsworth 1-3pm Sit & Stitch 7pm Vestry 1-3pm Sit & Stitch Gracie s Back Door 10-2 Gracie s Back Door 10-2 Gracie s Back Door Gracie s Back Door pm Choir 7pm Choir 8am Retired Men s Breakfast 7pm Choir 7pm Family Service 10:30pm Carols and Anthems 11pm Midnight Service w/ Choir am Advent Quiet Day 11:30 Holy Eucharist am ECW Cookie Packing 25 Christmas 10am Eucharist 26

10 Grace Episcopal Church of Ravenna The Rev. Carol Evans Rector The Rev. William Snyder Marsha Snyder Secretary Tim Lewicki Organist Martha Croll Choirmaster Phone: Web Site: The Vestry of Grace Episcopal Church Fred Lundgren (2015) Steve Merrill (2015) Frank Seman (2015) Barb Popiel (2016) Carol Marotta (2016) Kay Canan(2017) Bette Brooks(2017) Carolyn Englert(2017) Grace Episcopal Church 250 W. Cedar St. Ravenna OH 44266