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The VOICE of St. Luke's
December 18, 2011 |
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Christmas | |
Christmas Eve
Christmas has a darkness
Brighter than the blazing noon,
Christmas has a chillness
Warmer than the heat of June,
Christmas has a beauty
Lovelier than the world can show:
For Christmas brings us Jesus,
Brought for us so low.
Earth strike up your music,
Birds that sing and bells that ring;
Heaven has an answering music
For all angels soon to sing:
Earth put on your whitest
Bridal robe of spotless snow:
For Christmas brings us Jesus,
Brought for us so low.
Christina Rossetti
Christmas for me is best expressed, not in the holiday hoopla and frenetic activity, nor even in grand theological pronouncements, but in art and music and poetry. The marvelous story of Jesus' birth has inspired some of the most beautiful efforts of human creativity. I recently listened to a piece of music for Christmas written in the 12th century which is the earliest written example of four part harmony in existence and it still speaks eloquently and beautifully of the joy of Christmas. At our Advent retreat we heard contemporary examples of Christmas music that speak just as powerfully.
I think that is what draws us year after year to the darkened church on Christmas Eve. In the beauty of the liturgy, the poinsettias, the carols and the candles, we find again the sacrament of God's love made manifest. The mystery of Christmas cannot be comprehended with the mind alone, but by the heart and spirit as well.
I pray that you may experience the joy and love of Christ's birth in mind and heart and spirit this Christmas and always.
--Fr. Eric |
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You are invited ... | |
Join in fellowship with your Church Family
for an Advent Open House
Sunday, December 18th, from 5 - 8 pm
at the Rectory, 311 Crossman Street
(Just off of Lakeview Ave)
Casual Dress
Share the Joy of the Season!
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Christmas at St. Luke's | |
4th Advent 12/18 10:00 am
 Special Service of Lessons & Carols with Communion
Christmas Eve Sat. 12/24 
4:00 pm Family Service with pageant
11:00 pm Festival Service with Carols & Communion
Broadcast live on WJTN 1240 AM, and SE 93.3 FM
(note: there will be incense at the 11 pm service)
Those who can are asked to help distribute Poinsettias to
our homebound parishioners. Please come up to the chancel at the conclusion of
the 11 pm service for a card and plant for someone in your neighborhood.
Christmas Day Sun. 12/25
10:00 am Communion Service in the Chapel
(No 5 pm Saturday or 8 am Sunday services)
Wishing you and your dear ones a Blessed Christmastide!
The Parish Office is closed Monday, December 26th |
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Join our list
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Church Calendar | |
SUN, Dec 18th
4 Advent
8 am HE - Chapel
9 am Adult Forum;
Church School; Pageant Rehearsal
10 am Lessons & Carols w/HE - church
1:45 pm meet at church to go Caroling @ Tanglewood
MON, Dec 19th
12noon Staff Lunch
6 pm Property Meeting - Library
TUES, Dec 20th
9 am - 12 noon
Thrift Shop Receiving
WED, Dec 21st
No Men's Bible
Study
6:30-8:30 pm
Youth Group
Christmas Party @
the Williams'
THURS, Dec 22
No Women's Bible Study
9 - 11 am
4th Street Cafe
10 am - 2 pm
Thrift Shop Open
12:05 pm
HE w/ prayers for healing - chapel
7:00 pm Choir
FRI, Dec 23
10 am - 2 pm
Thrift Shop Open
10 am Christmas flower delivery & unpacking
4 pm Decorate altar for Christmas eve
SAT, Dec 24th
4:00 pm Family
Christmas Eucharist & Pageant - church
11:00 pm
Festival Eucharist -
Church
Sun, Dec 25th
10 am HE - Church
(No 8 am service) |
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Prayer List | |
Please include in
your prayers:
Carol Barr;
Neal Gustafson;
Donna Vanstrom;
Bethine Grunewald;
Barbara Peterson;
Rachel Ditzler;
Dorothy and Richard
Meier; JoAnn Call;
Patricia Nagle;
the family of Jeanne Grouley; Caleb; Mark; Charlotte; and Kathleen. |
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Join Bishop Franklin's Journey | |
You're invited to subscribe to the blog and comment on his posts. You'll find the subscription box on the blog's homepage at www.jerusalem-crossing.com. |
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Our Christmas Pageant! | |
We'll be rehearsing on both Saturday the 17th from 9:30 - 11:30 am, and again on Sunday morning the 18th at 9 am for your Christmas pageant.
Please arrive early so we can start and conclude on time!
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Church School is on hiatus until January 8th, 2012. | | |
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ADULT FORUM | |
Sunday December 18th the Adult Forum will conclude this series "Interfaith Dialogue: Continuing the Conversation."
Fr. Eric will lead a discussion pulling together what we have learned and discussed over the past couple of weeks with Maureen Rovegno and Fr. Michael Calabria and what possible next steps for us to consider. Join us at 9:00 am on the stage area of the Undercroft.
There will be NO Adult Forum on Sunday, December 25 nor on Sunday, January 1. The Forum will resume on Sunday, January 8. Merry Christmas from the members of the Forum Planning Committee - Janet Card, Linda & Peter Dawson, Jim Holton, Paul Johnson, Paula Pickett, and Barbara Bumsted! |
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Weekly Youth Night - Wednesdays | |
Adult volunteers are still needed to share in our Youth Nights. This group is for teens in grades 7 -12 and meets each Wednesday evening 6:30-8:30; the time is adjusted during Lent to coincide with the church's Lenten programming.
If you are a teen, this is the place for YOU! No judgement, just conversation. A safe place for you to be yourself, explore your faith, make and be friends to each other.
Regular meetings begin again January 11th; we'll be on break Dec 28th & Jan 4th. Want to know more? Talk to Miguel Covarrubias our director of Youth Ministry.
Youth Group Christmas Party on Wednesday, Dec 21st. |
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We're looking for a few good Episcopalians ... | |
St. Luke's Annual Meeting and Vestry elections in January.
At the annual meeting on Sunday, January 29th, 2012, the members of St. Luke's will elect: one warden, three vestry members, and three delegates to diocesan convention. All candidates should be adult communicants in good standing, meaning that they should be baptized or confirmed members who are faithful in attending worship and in "working, praying and giving for the spread of the kingdom." To nominate yourself or someone else for any of these positions, contact Donna Phillippi by phone at (716)386-3136 or email phillippi.donna@gmail.com.
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And, we're looking for a few NEW Episcopalians ! | |
You are warmly invited to join the "Journey of Faith," our course for adult membership in St. Luke's Church. This course is designed for 1) newcomers, 2) people who wish to learn more about the church, and 3) those who wish to formalize their membership. Those who complete the course will be eligible (but certainly not required) to be confirmed (if not already confirmed), received (if already confirmed in the Catholic or Lutheran tradition), or to reaffirm their Baptism vows when the bishop comes for confirmation in June. The class will be held in three sections.
Part I: On Wednesdays January 25, February 1, 8 & 15 from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm. This section will serve as an introduction and discussion about Christianity in general and the Episcopal Church is particular, but this class is really your chance to find out more about the church, your faith and to ask any questions you may have.
Part II: Will be our annual Wednesday Night Lenten Program which will run from February 29 through
March 28.
Part III: Will be a follow-up to the above with preparation for Confirmation or Reception into the Church. |
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Coming in JANUARY !! | |
Youth Overnight Event with Bishop Bill - Jan 20-21st at the Diocesan Ministry Center for grades 6-12; cost is $10 per person. Registration deadline is Monday, January 16, 2012.
AND, The Bishop's Ball is February 11,
7 -10PM at the Diocesan Ministry Center.
Open to grades 7- 12; the cost is $5. |
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The Rt. Rev. R. William Franklin, Bishop of Western New York. The Rev. Eric M. Williams, Rector. The Rev. Susan Anslow Williams, Associate Rector. The Rev. Deacon Cathleen Smith. The Rev. Barbara Baxter, Priest Associate. The Rev. Sandra N. Dower, Associate. Miguel Covarrubias, Youth Minister. Kim Johnstone Mann, Parish Secretary. Barbara Bumsted, Director of Adult Formation. Andrew Schmidt, Director of Music. Paula Pickett and Donna Phillippi, Wardens.
Office: 410 North Main St., Jamestown NY 14701
Phone (716) 483-6405 * Fax (716)483-6406
Learn more about us on our website: http://www.stlukesjamestown.org |
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