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The week of Nov. 30-Dec. 6, 2015
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Considering Advent
Plans for Advent and Christmas
The Episcopal Church recognizes Advent, Latin for "coming," as the first season of the church year. Beginning on the fourth Sunday before Christmas, and continuing through the day before Christmas, Advent serves as a time of preparation and expectation for the coming celebration of our Lord's nativity. Accordingly, it signals the start of a busy worship schedule for St Paul's. As your Worship Committee continues to prepare for this important season, we wish to highlight the following events:
- Lessons & Carols, Dec. 20th at 10 a.m.: Our traditional Rite II service that includes nine lessons (i.e. readings from the Bible) accompanied by nine carols that celebrate the season. We will be joined by St. John's Brass Ensemble, so please be sure to mark your calendars.
- Christmas Eve Concert, Dec. 24th at 4:30 p.m.: An inspiring concert of sacred music accompanied by St. John's Strings Ensemble.
- Christmas Eve, Dec. 24th at 5:00 p.m.: Following the Christmas Eve Concert, we will hold our traditional Christmas Eve service with music.
- Christmas Day, Dec. 25th at 10 a.m.: A traditional Christmas Day service with music.
During Advent, we will also hold our traditional Soup & Worship Series on Wednesday evenings, as noted below. Starting at 5:30 p.m. on December 2nd, 9th, 16th, and 23rd, attendees can enjoy homemade soup prepared by participants, followed by an Advent-oriented reading and discussion. Be on the look-out for the Advent Supper sign-up sheet located at the Narthex.
Remember, the Worship Committee meets every fourth Monday of the month at 6 p.m., where we review the upcoming worship schedule, hymn selections, and the Altar Guild program. We rely on the involvement and input of parishioners to ensure that we're fulfilling and enriching their spiritual needs. We hope to see you at one of our meetings. --Mark Debald, Worship Committee Chair
Advent--a Warden's perspective
Here we are again, at Advent. Every year of course, we go through this cycle so this is not something new. Every year we light the Advent candles, and look forward to Christmas. Yet how often do we think about the color of the season? The color is purple, if you did not realize that.
find it interesting that the color purple is also the color we use during Lent. Why is that? That color is used as this is actually a penitential season. This season, while one of anticipation, is also one of reflection. Think about it: The winter is a season when work would cease and people would to wait for the renewal of life that they anticipated with the spring. For us, it is a time to think about where we have been and where we will go. (Remember we just finished our pledge drive!) So let us reflect on the year we have been through, and look ahead to the new year.
We have the "light at the end of the tunnel" for the renovation of parish hall; we have taken a fresh look at giving with the New Consecration Sunday program; and we have a new, updated website. We will have the opportunity to bring back our dinners; rent out our space and will be able to share the good news of our parish with ourselves and all those in our community. It is all good news, but as I reflect on it, we also have a lot to be thankful for and a lot of work to do.
I hope you're planning to help. --Warden Pete Bedrossian
Advent supper series features
meditations on The Magnificat
Each Advent season we organize a supper series including a light meal, Advent meditations and Compline to conclude our evening together. This year the meditations for Advent are drawn from a booklet published by Forward Movement (publishers of Forward Day by Day). The booklet is titled, "Soul Proclamations: Singing the Magnificat with Mary."
The first gathering of this year's Advent supper series is Wednesday at 5:30 in the parlor. Booklets will be distributed. Extras will be made available to the congregation.
All are welcome to attend.
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Messengers and their messages
Malachi 3:1-4;Canticle 16; Philippians 1: 3-11; Luke 3: 1-6
Throughout this week's readings we find messengers with news for us that will help us in our faith. Our collect reminds us that these messengers were sent "to preach repentance and prepare the way for our salvation." There are all kinds of other ideas about what God should do for us, but these messengers were clear: the path is repentance.
paints a vivid picture of the messenger's arrival in so stunning a manner "who can stand when he appears?" He compares the messenger to a refiner's fire and fuller's soap, purifying and refining the descendants of Levi "until they present offerings to the Lord in righteousness."
In place of a psalm today we find Canticle 16, the "Song of Zechariah." Zechariah was the father of John the Baptist, who anticipated his son would be "the prophet of the Most High." Zechariah, like Malachi, anticipated that the [people would receive salvation by the forgiveness of their sins."
The reading from Paul's letter to the Philippians asserts that the people of Philippi are sharing in the Gospel, the Good news, and he prays that their love of Jesus and one another will overflow.
John the Baptist ins introduced in our Gospel reading from Luke. In words utterly familiar we read, "He went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins."
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A prayer following the violence
at Planned Parenthood in Colorado
In response to the tragic violence at the Planned Parenthood Rocky Mountains Health Center in Colorado Springs, the Clergy Advocacy Board issued the following statement and interfaith prayer.
In the wake of the violent assault on the Planned Parenthood clinic in Colorado Springs, our hearts go out to the victims and their families. We pray healing for the injured, comfort for those who mourn and give thanks for the devoted staff of Planned Parenthood Rocky Mountain and first responders who put themselves in harm's way to protect and defend their fellow citizens. We stand with Planned Parenthood and their continued commitment to provide care in the safe, supportive environment that millions of people rely on and trust for quality healthcare. We also pray for an end to the climate of violence and polarization that grips our nation -- asking for the will and wisdom to overcome hatred with hope, fear with trust and violence with compassion.
And so we pray with heart and mind that God of many names, look with compassion on the whole human family; take away the arrogance and hatred which infect our hearts; break down the walls that separate us; unite us in bonds of love; and work through our struggle and confusion to accomplish your purposes on earth; that all nations and peoples may make known your values of love, hope and justice. Amen.
THIS SATURDAY!
ST. PAUL'S CHRISTMAS BAZAAR
& INDOOR YARD SALE
Saturday, December 5 - 10am-3pm
SMALL BLESSINGS SHOP WILL BE OPEN
Saturday promises to be a big day at St. Paul's. Everyone who wanted a fall yard sale -- now is your chance. If you haven't signed up for a table yet, it isn't too late. No charge for parishioners, only a 10% donation of your profit. Just call Bobbie Gordon (797-8102).
Maybe you don't want to have your own table, but have items to donate to the Parish Aid Table. There will also be tables for:
CRAFTS (Judy Lovelace)
BAKED GOODS(Deb Williams)
TREASURES(Janet Quade)
CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS and
RAFFLE ITEMS.
Vendors are wanted for this event also.
The charge is $15.00 for a table. Do you know someone who might be interested? Encourage them to call the church for information. Soup and sandwich lunch (Debbie Pitcher) will be served in the parlor. There are many ways you can participate in this new event - post a flier, take a yard sale table, bake something for the bake sale table, contribute something for the other tables, and/or make sandwiches for lunch.
Most of all you can help by being there. This is your chance to enjoy a day at St. Paul's Church. There will be something for everyone.
Donate Christmas Dinner for Neighbors in Need
Each holiday season, dozens of families come to St. Paul's for help with  Christmas dinner. Starting this Sunday, there will be an angel tree and a sign-up sheet in the Parlor. Please sign up to provide one or more families with a turkey or ham. If you want to do more, pick up an information sheet that lists what other foods are needed to give each family the makings for a holiday celebration.
We expect to be giving food to as many as 100 families this season. We will need help packing and distributing the "Christmas baskets." Please speak to Molly about how you can help.
Benjamin Franklin visits St. Paul's
We are taught that Benjamin Franklin had the Route 9 milepost markers installed, the ones that look like little stone houses. Franklin was then the postmaster of the newly formed United States. We aren't that mindful of any other involvement in the area by him.
Would you be interested to know that Benjamin Franklin dropped by St. Paul's recently?
One recent Monday while the Sunday collection was being counted and the sign was being changed and the newsletter was being written there came a knock at the door (or maybe a ring of the doorbell). There stood a man with a regular white envelope. He asked for the chief care giver. The pastor had answered the door, so he identified himself. The visitor thrust the envelope in the pastor's hands and turned to go. The pastor asked who the envelope was from and was told, "Benjamin Franklin." Looking into the envelope the pastor recognized Benjamin Franklin on a $100 bill. As the donor walked away the pastor inspected the envelope more closely and discovered four other $100 bills.
The anonymous $500 donation will go a long way to helping us fill the requests for holiday food baskets for our Food Pantry families. Many thanks to Benjamin Franklin and his anonymous friend.
CONSECRATION SUNDAY UPDATE
What a special day November 22 was! The service with our guest leader, The Rev. Dr. Matthew Calkins, the additional familiar hymns and special music selection by Maris Kristapsons was especially uplifting. Then there was that delicious luncheon provided by Just Gourmet Caterers - a treat for everyone! Extra thanks to the Consecration Sunday Committee, Stewardship Committee, Committee Chairs and Vestry for their help in making Consecration Sunday a success. A special thank you to Janet Quade, Deb Williams and Shawn Prater-Lee for arranging for the meals.
We received 36 pledges that day for $50,498.00. 26 parishioners increased their pledge from last year. If you were unable to attend Consecration Sunday, you should have received your Estimate of Giving Card in the mail by now. Please return it as soon as possible so that we can close our pledge campaign for this year. Remember to ask, 'what is God calling me to give at St. Paul's in Poughkeepsie?" --Bobbie Gordon, New Consecration Sunday chair
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THIS WEEK'S CALENDAR
Calendar for Nov. 30-Dec. 6, 2015
Nov. 30 5 pm Stewardship
Dec. 1 6 pm Evangelism
Dec. 2 12:15 pm Healing Service
5:30 pm Advent Supper Series
Dec. 5 9 am Buildings and Grounds
10 am Christmas Bazaar and Indoor Yard Sale
10 am Block cleanup
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