Dear Faithful People of Saint Peter's:
The Fifty Days of Easter 2013 at Saint Peter's will conclude as exuberantly as it began with two major liturgies to mark the days.
Memorial Vespers
is on Saturday, May 18, 2013 at 4:00 p.m. With his usual preference for King James' English, Watson Bosler has given a theme, Compassed about with so great a cloud of Witnesses; and included in this liturgy music from the 1860s, music that would have been heard and sung by our forebears at Saint Peter's Church with Brahms, Liszt and Bruckner from our German heritage and songs of Stephen Foster and his contemporaries for our American Civil War-era New York context. These vespers continue to be one of the finest musical, liturgical and pastoral occasions of the year. I urge your attendance. Since we'll hear the thematic text read from the King James Version of the Bible, I thought you might also want to read, mark and inwardly digest that text from the NRSV as well. It's appropriateness for us on the 49th day of Easter is readily apparent.
Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God.
Pentecost, the Fiftieth Day of Easter, is celebrated at all our masses on Sunday, May 19, 2013. Our Bishop, Robert A. Rimbo, will preside at the 11:00 a.m. mass, 1:30 p.m. misa and be with us to sign the covenant between the synod, Sion and us at 12:15 brunch. At the 10:00 a.m. Forum in the Plaza Room, Ann Suriano will present part 2 of her earlier presentation: A Soul Searching Meditative Journey.
Our 11:00 a.m. mass will be slightly different from our usual (and very exciting) liturgies for Pentecost: In place of the fiery fabric hangings, Origami fiery cranes will adorn our Sanctuary. The appointed readings will be presented in a slight different way, emphasizing the "confusion of language" in the first reading (the Genesis story of the Tower of Babel) and the unity of proclamation in the Second Reading (Acts' story of the first Pentecost). Our response to these narratives, presented for us by Creative Proclamations, will include a rite of anointing with oil for renewal. Because we believe that through the Eucharist, the proclamation of the Gospel, the readings and this liturgical action will provide us with a full experience of the Gospel, no sermon or homily will be preached at this mass. Dance@SaintPeters and incense will also adorn this liturgy.
Brunch (FOOD4ALL) will celebrate our German parochial heritage, Sion's Latino heritage, and whatever desserts or side dishes members of our communities bring in. Pastor Stahler and I are providing Bratwurst, rolls, sauerkraut and German Potato Salad. Sion is providing empanadas etc. You provide things from your heritage for dessert or "other." (I'm hoping for some Parthian, Mede and Elamite goodies!). This will be a great day!
This Thursday's JAZZ ON THE PLAZA is presented by the New York Youth Symphony Jazz directed by Matt Holman, featuring Jon Gordon (alto sax).
Next Sunday, May 26 is the First Sunday after Pentecost celebrating the Holy Trinity. We'll have a guest youth choir at 11:00 that morning.
Peace and Joy,