Yesterday s Pain. ~ Ann Weems

Transcription

1

2 Yesterday s Pain Some of us walk into Advent tethered to our unresolved yesterdays the pain still stabbing the hurt still throbbing. It s not that we don t know better; it s just that we can t stand up anymore by ourselves. On the way to Bethlehem, will you give us a hand? ~ Ann Weems This poem by Ann Weems, author of Kneeling in Bethlehem and Psalms of Lament (on the death of her 21-year-old son), perhaps will speak to some, or perhaps many, of you. With time lived, the years speed by and we find ourselves not fully prepared to enter the changing seasons. This year, particularly, I ve felt a bit behind, as if there are many unresolved yesterdays to be tidied up and put aside in order to address the present moment. I speak only for myself, but perhaps that is the place in which I need to be for the disruption that is Advent to have its full force. Maybe you find yourself there, too? Where were Mary and Joseph, Elizabeth or Zechariah, when the angel of the Lord came to announce startling news? I wonder if they didn t have their own tetherings to deal with, their own anxieties about work and family, culture and society politics and world affairs to be fretful about. Advent begins as a disruption. It begins with the forth-telling of Isaiah: O that you would tear open the heavens and come down, so that the mountains would quake at your presence to make your name known to your adversaries, so that the nations might tremble at your presence! Advent ends disrupting not only Mary, but also the entire world: Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end. How does his coming disrupt you? In the family, ~ Chris+ 2

3 Advent Devotional Suggestions Slow down. Quiet. It s Advent! The Children and Family ministry is offering families the Slow down. Quiet. It s Advent! Advent calendars again this year. They are a great way to stop and take some time each day as a family to focus on the meaning of Christmas. The daily ideas are for the whole family. The Advent calendars may be found on the credenza by the office. What We Do in Advent A fun-filled activity book for kids is a great way to focus on the true meaning of Advent and Christmas. Includes how to make an Advent wreath, plus mazes, crossword puzzles, connect -the-dots, and word searches. Advent Presence Bud Holland has created a way to walk through Advent as if you were walking with an old and trusted friend. His gentle in sights in to the season are personal, inspiring, and filled with quiet beauty. This is a walk you will want to take more than once. Waiting for the Wonder Whitley places herself in the hearts and minds of the biblical characters who played parts in the Christmas narrative. She weaves stories, solidly based in Scripture, that are at once compelling and thought-provoking. 3

4 Let Every Heart Prepare Advent Devotional Suggestions Based on beautiful seasonal hymns. Crafton s daily meditations on faith, prayer, forgiveness, and healing for Advent and Christmas make an excellent companion for the season. Descriptions of the Advent devotionals are from Church Publishing Incorporated. Advent Sunday Formation ~ The Incarnation Meets the Neighborhood ~ December 10 & 17 We will have two adult Sunday sessions in Advent this year. On December 10 and 17, Chris Ditzenberger will lead two discussions around how the Incarnation of Jesus motivates us to a life of engaging our communities. We will view two videos, one per Sunday, followed by imagining how to tie Let s Create Something Beautiful with the good news of Christmas and the needs of a hurting world. The first week we view The Both/And of the Gospel by Pastor Tim Keller. The second week will be stimulated by three examples of neighboring; learning from the insights offered but more critically exploring together what we might be called to individually and collectively. Saint Teresa Room. See you then! - Fr. Chris Bake Sale December 10 during Coffee Hour Parishioners are invited to bake items for Saint Gabriel s annual celebration of sweet treats and deliciousness! Bring your favorite baked good to sell on December 10, and be sure to browse the selection to take something home! Proceeds will supplement the Christmas Marketplace earnings, allowing us to make an even more substantial gift. Baked goods may be dropped off Sunday December 10 prior to the start of service. Please label what you made. If you need to drop off your item on Saturday, please call or Sheila Martin. smartin@stgabriels.org 4

5 Bishop Nicholas ~A Saint We Celebrate Both saint and bishop, Nicholas of Myra (in modern day Turkey) lived in a formative time when Christian life, practice and doctrine took on the shape that we know today. He died on December 6, around the year 340. During his lifetime he witnessed the acceptance of Christianity in the Roman Empire, and participated in the great Council of Nicea. Saint Nicholas is known for his generous heart, his love for children, and his close connection with the sea. His story is involved, but our view of when beloved Nicholas become Santa Claus looks back to 1823 when a professor of biblical languages at The General Seminary of the Episcopal Church, Clement Clarke Moore, penned Twas the night before Christmas. To our great delight, Bishop Nicholas returns to Saint Gabriel to be with old and young alike on December 3, during the 10:30 am service! Christmas Marketplace ~ December 3 and 10 during Coffee On November 19 families came together to prepare items for Saint Gabriel s seventh annual Christmas Marketplace. This year we looked at creating items that will help care for ourselves and make us feel better; items for the house; dog treats; ornaments and Advent wreaths, both fresh or artificial. We imparted love and care into all the objects and hope you find them useful and beautiful. All proceeds from the marketplace will benefit the Village Resource Center (VRC). VRC is a partnership of seven churches in Greenwood Village area including Saint Gabriel) in a mission to offer emergency financial assistance and help individuals connect with other resources in our community with help to get back on their feet. Instead of each church having a small fund to offer assistance, the churches are combining their financial resources into one fund called The Village Fund. The fund is administered by case worker, Diana Huerta. We will purchase food cards and gas cards so that Diana will be able to help those in need right in our neighborhoods. Thank you!! (The description of the VRC was taken from the Presbyterian Church of the Covenant website) 5

6 Youth Christmas Party Put on your ugliest Christmas sweater and join us at Christ Church Denver for a Youth Christmas party extravaganza! There will be a white elephant gift exchange so please bring a gift ($10 or less thrift store finds are often the most entertaining!) Pizza dinner will be provided! Feel free to invite your friends. Please RSVP to Rachel (rwhipp@stgabriels.org) so we know how much pizza to order. We are excited to see you! Wednesday, December 13/6-8:30 pm Christ Church, Denver/ 2950 S. University Boulevard/ Denver/ CO/ Christmas Caroling ~ Saint Gabriel Youth Join Theresa s Treasures Christmas Caroling: Come Join Theresa s Treasures (Junior Daughters of the King) December 9 at 6:15 pm at Holly Creek (5500 E. Peakview Ave./ Centennial/ 80121). No singing tone necessary. Come enjoy and rejoice in traditional-and-the-not-sotraditional carols!! Advent Quiet Morning The Saint Gabriel chapter of the Daughters of the King will host an Advent Quiet morning on Saturday, December 9, from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm. The Reverend Nina Stasser will lead the retreat. This retreat time is open to anyone who would like to participate. For questions, please contact Sarah at Hanging of the Chrismons ~ December 3 Our tradition is to decorate our tree with Chrismons, or Christ Monograms. Each Chrismon represents a symbol of Christian faith. On December 3, you are invited during coffee hour to hang the Old Testament Chrismons on the tree; then, on Christmas Eve, parishioners will add Chrismons from the New Testament. 6

7 Hanging of the Greens ~ December 16 We ll be decorating the Church with greenery on Saturday, December 16 at 11am for an hour give or take. Please come join us for some merry-making of our own, with cookies, hot cocoa and Bing Crosby in the background as we make God s house festive for Christmas. One of the nicest tasks of being the Junior Warden is the hanging of the greens. Ah, that wonderful time of the year! Personally, I like the look and feelings surrounding Christmas trees and garland. I have been in Miami in December when they decorate the palm trees, and Phoenix where they string lights on the cactus, but to my eye, it s not the same. So, whether you like festive ornamentation or prefer a simpler, more spiritual season, keep the meaning behind all those warm feelings and kind intentions toward everyone in mind. That s the greatest gift of Christmas for anyone. ~ Philip Jolas, Junior Warden The Village Resource Center Christmas Outreach One of the many ministries we support is the Village Resource Center (VRC). This Christmas the Children, Youth & Family program is collaborating with VRC on two different initiatives. We have a toy drive going. We will be collecting toys for children ages 8-12 through Sunday, December 3. Suggested items are sports balls and jewelry making kits. Please, no board games or Barbie dolls. We will then deliver the toys to Saint Peter Lutheran church to be organized and distributed to families. In addition, we will be collecting gas cards and King Sooper food cards in values of $10.00 through Sunday, December 24 for the Village Resource Center. We are pleased to partner with the Villas at Cherry Hills and Griffis Belleview Station, an apartment community near by. For more information, contact Sheila (smartin@stgabriels.org), Rachel (rwhipp@stbgabriels.org) or Sarah (sdougherty@stgabriels.org). 7

8 Worship, Advent and the Altar Guild Advent expectant waiting and preparation of the Nativity of Jesus at Christmas. As we begin a new church year on December 3 rd, the first Sunday of Advent, the altar guild begins a month of preparation for the coming of the Christ child. Advent is a time of spiritual preparation, penitence, and fasting and the church takes on a more austere appearance. The cloth on the altar is changed to rough woven linen as is the cloth covering the small table in the narthex. We put away the beautiful silver chalices and communion vessels and bring out the plain pottery chalices. The brass offering plates are put away, replaced by plain baskets. All these changes remind us of the seriousness of the season. We use the color blue during advent which differentiates it from the season of Lent when we use purple. Blue is a symbol of heaven, eternity and truth. It is also symbolizes the Virgin Mary. In art she is often depicted wearing blue. Next time you are near the votive stand in the narthex note the retablo of the Annunciation. The most visual reminder of the season is the Advent wreath placed next to the altar. There are four candles, three blue and one rose, plus the white candle in the middle. The four candles represent the four Sundays in Advent. The white Christ candle is lit on Christmas Eve. This year the 4 th Sunday of Advent falls on Christmas Eve. After the morning service the altar guild will transform the sanctuary. The altar will be covered in the fair linen that we us only at Christmas and Easter. The blue frontal and hangings are replaced by white, which symbolizes the purity of the newborn Christ. The pottery is put away, the silver chalices and communion vessels return to be used at the Christmas services. At last, the time of preparation is over and we rejoice in the birth of Jesus! ~ Sharon Stewart 8

9 OH! THE HOLLY AND THE IVY!!!! Tis that time for us to prepare to GREEN OUR CHURCH. Contributions can now be made (envelope on the bulletin board or you can place your check in the collection plate with Greens in the memo area) for greens, poinsettias, and yes, holly and ivy. Let s make this the best greening as we prepare to celebrate the birth of our Lord, Jesus Christ. Make sure you write your name on the sign up on the bulletin board in the parish hall or it to Sarah Dougherty at sdougherty@stgabriels.org, and your name will be listed in the Christmas bulletins. ~ Kay Ward Christmas Service for the Homebound ~ Worship December 22, 11:00 am Saint Gabriel provides an opportunity for home-bound parishioners to attend Christmas worship a few days before Christmas Eve. This service is made possible through the help of parishioners who are scheduled to drive homebound parishioners to Saint Gabriel. This may be the only time that some people are able to attend a Christmas service, and is a warm and caring ministry. If you are able to help, sign up in the parish hall! All are welcome to attend. Please contact Sarah Dougherty if you have questions A Family Christmas Eve ~Journey to Bethlehem ~ December 24, 4:00 pm In the season of Advent, we are invited to re-enter the wonderful mystery of the nativity of our Lord. On Christmas Eve, during the family service at Saint Gabriel, the children will help create the final steps of our journey. Mary & Joseph will arrive in Bethlehem after a long journey only to find no room left for them to rest. Animals, shepherds, angels and kings all help recreate the story of the birth of God s Son Jesus Christ. All children present are welcome and invited to participate. 9

10 Christmas Eve Service ~ December 24, 8:00 pm A festive service to welcome the newborn King. On this night we will worship the newborn King with the honor and glory due his Name with a service of readings from the gospel account of Jesus' birth, hear from the ancient prophets, enjoy joyful music from writers and composers of profound faith, and reflect together on all of this in the sermon. The service includes Holy Communion and a light use of incense. At the close of this service, as the church lights dim, we sing Silent Night surrounded by flickering tapers. To bring our community gathering to a close we hear afresh the words of John 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. Christmas Day Service with Holy Communion ~ DECEMBER 25, 10:00 am December 25 is known in the Christian world as the Feast of the Incarnation, or The Nativity, the birth of Jesus. On this day we celebrate the sending of God s Son into the world. The word Christmas, Christ s Mass, comes from the Latin meaning the sending of the anointed one. We welcome you on the day of Our Lord s birth! We celebrate the good news spoken by an angel of the Lord in Luke 2:10-12, Don t be afraid; for see I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah (Christ), the Lord. Holiday Season Sunday Worship Schedule Please note that on Sunday, December 24, we will have one service in the morning at 9:00 am, followed by our two traditional Christmas Eve services at 4 and 8 pm. Also, on Sunday, December 31, we will have one morning service at 9:00 am. 10

11 December 2017 Sunday, December 3 Sunday, December 10 Saturday, December 16 Sunday, December 17 Friday, December 22 Sunday, December 24 Monday, December 25 Tuesday, December 26 Wednesday, December 27 Sunday, December 31 Monday, January 1 Advent I Christmas Marketplace Let s Create Something Beautiful Stewardship In-Gathering Brunch Advent II Christmas Marketplace & Bake Sale Baptism Hanging of the Greens Advent III 11:00 am Special Christmas Service Advent IV & Christmas Eve 9:00 am Holy Eucharist 4:00 pm Family Christmas Eve Service 8:00 pm Christmas Eve Service CHRISTMAS 10:00 am Christmas Day Service Office Closed Office Closed Office Closed NEW YEAR S EVE 9:00 am Holy Eucharist NEW YEAR S DAY Office Closed 11

12 The Episcopal Church of Saint Gabriel the Archangel 6190 East Quincy Avenue, Cherry Hills Village, Colorado Telephone website: CLERGY The Rev d Christopher Ditzenberger, Rector The Rev d EJ Rivet, Assisting The Rev d Deacon Cammie Houpt, Deacon STAFF Sarah Dougherty, Parish Administrator Sheila Martin, Children, Youth and Family Coordinator Rachel Whipp, Youth Leader Sharon Stewart, Bookkeeper Officers Margaret Kremers, Senior Warden Philip Jolas, Junior Warden Kay Ward, Treasurer Linda Cole, Clerk and Secretary Vestry Sue Coombs Linda Cole Larry Ellis Gina Fielder Bret Fox Zac Hood Tracy Methe Tess Vonfeldt-Gross Linn Wilson Weekly Service Times Sunday, 8:00 & 10:30 a.m. Holy Eucharist Wednesday, 7:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist & Men s Group Monday, 7:30 a.m. Morning Prayer Friday, 8:00 am Morning Prayer 12