Advent 2016 “Rebuilding God’s Church – Sharing God’s Love – Changing God’s World!” Page 1 The Shield “The Lord is my strength and my Shield” Psalm 28:7 St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, Pasadena MD Volume 48 No. 1, Advent, 2016 “PREPARE YE THE WAY OF THE LORD” “ADVENT”
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Advent 2016 “Rebuilding God’s Church – Sharing God’s Love – Changing God’s World!” Page 1
The Shield “The Lord is my strength and my Shield” Psalm 28:7
Advent 2016 “Rebuilding God’s Church – Sharing God’s Love – Changing God’s World!” Page 2
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The Ultreya at St. Martin’s in the Field, Severna Park will be January 20 at 7 pm. These meetings are open to all. Want to learn more about Cursillo? Come on out! Team Application and Applications for new Cursillistas can be found at: http://www.cursillo.ang-md.org/ Resources.html.
The Cross at Night
Cover Art by AMC
Birthday Wishes Please keep these fellow parishioners in your thoughts and in your prayers throughout the month. Send them a birthday card or, even better; wish them a happy birthday when you see them.
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“I Have Prepared You To Do This Work” The Venerable Carl Walter Wright
For my final “Shield” message to you, I’d like to share my dream that I shared Maryland Episcopal Cursillo #111 Clausura Service in November. I am moved to do this because, by some strange coincidence, at the Farewell Celebration Dinner, Bill Forkgen invited witnesses from various times in my life to give testimony to our shared ministry together. This moving experience was very similar to my dream. The Dream. While it often happened to St. Paul - for instance when God memorably told him, “My grace is sufficient for thee (2 Corinthians 12:9)” – it has rarely happened to me. While I have often asked God for a Sign, particularly when I’ve been confused or in trouble, I have rarely received One. So, I was truly shocked when God spoke to me. In the dream God showed me various scenes from various times in my life: earliest childhood at the St. James’ Lafayette Square Bible Camp; my first military assignment in remotest Turkey; my first parish, Emmanuel Episcopal Church, Cumberland, MD; my “German Family” at Ramstein Air Base, Germany; evading IEDs and mortars in Iraq; baptising soldiers and sailors in the waters of the Persian Gulf; St. Andrew’s Pasadena; and others. Notably, each scene wasn’t so much about the location as it was about the people who mentored me, most of whom are now with the Lord. Prior to this dream I had been a little anxious about my new calling to be “Armed Force Bishop.” But, this dream allayed my fears and brought peace to my soul. When it came to an end, God distinctly said, “See, Carl, you don’t have to worry; for, I have prepared you to do this work!” Wow! I suggest that this blessed assurance is not unique to me. I believe that in many ways my experience is your experience. At this time of the year (Thanksgiving through New Year’s) we quite naturally reflect on God’s goodness and our blessings. Many have remarked that Saint Andrew’s Pasadena has come a long way in a short time. Barely four years ago things looked so bleak that most of us were ready to throw in the towel. One by one we were falling away. But God gave us Signs: a wise and caring Bishop; a new determined Rector; an anointed remnant of faithful parishioners who refused to give up; new young families and new experienced Episcopalians; and most
importantly, a joyful Spirit! These elements combined to make this parish rise like a Phoenix out of the ashes! It is as if God was continuing to say, not just to the priest, but to all of Saint Andrew’s: “don’t worry; I have prepared you to do this work!” We are grateful to God for these Signs of His favour. These four years have shown us that if we are faithful, loving, cooperative, and open-minded, there’s not limit to what we can accomplish, not limit to our witness in Pasadena. Of course the ultimate Sign that God is with us and has prepared us to do our work is His Incarnate Son, Jesus Christ. Please apply to our immediate future the admonition the Angel of the Lord said in the distant past - in my words: “Don’t worry! For, Lord is with you! He has prepared you to do His work! (Luke 2:10)!”
“PREPARE YE THE WAY OF THE LORD”
“A ‘Note Worthy’ December” Joan Wibbe Choir Master/Organist
For those of you for whom music is an important addition to worship, the month of December will be quite "note"worthy. On December 4th our talented Handbell Choir will provide a prelude fitting for the Advent season. On December 11th our resident trombonist, Matt Day, will be joined by our guest trombonist, Steve Dawson, in an accompaniment with the Adult Choir. On December 18th our favorite flutist, Emma Rose Bauman, will also be accopanying our choir. If you have not already seen it, please take the opportunity to read the article about Emma Rose in the Pasadena Voice (available in the Narthex). She will be honored to play in a concert with the Baltimore Symphony on December 1st. Lucky us to have her come back to St Andrew's! We are also fortunate to have Jack Mandley, an acoustic guitarist, return on Christmas Eve to play the carol "Silent Night" as it was first performed. We are so blessed to have Matt, Steve, Emma Rose, and Jack share their gifts with us during this very special season. Glory to God in the Highest!
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“PREPARE YE THE WAY OF THE LORD” WHAT IS ADVENT?
Advent is our New Year. Four weeks where we mark our anticipation of the coming of the Lord. Each week we light another candle. The first one offers a dim light. Each week as additional candles are lit the light grows. Jesus is coming. He is getting closer and closer. Advent culminates with the glorious light of Christ given to us on Christmas Morn. The word “Advent” is derived from the Latin word adventus, meaning “coming.” Advent was originally a season of preparation for the baptism of new Christians at the feast of Epiphany, the celebration of the visit of the Magi to the baby Jesus (Matthew 2:1), his baptism in the Jordan River by John the Baptist (John 1:29), and his first miracle at Cana (John 2:1). During this season of preparation, Christians would spend 40 days in penance, prayer, and fasting to prepare for this celebration. In the 6th century Roman Christians tied Advent to the coming of Christ. Not His first coming in the manger in Bethlehem, but Christ’s second coming in the clouds as the judge of the world. It was not until the Middle Ages that the Advent season was explicitly linked to Christ’s first coming at Christmas. In the Episcopal Church calendar, the Season of Advent begins each year on the Sunday that falls between November 27th and December 3rd. Advent lasts through the four Sundays leading up to Christmas. Advent is followed by the twelve-day celebration of Christmastide, which lasts from Christmas Eve until Epiphany on January 6. Advent symbolizes the present situation of the church in these “last days” (Acts 2:17, Hebrews 1:2), as God’s people wait for the return of Christ in glory to consummate his eternal kingdom. The church is in a similar situation to Israel at the end of the Old Testament: in exile, waiting and hoping in prayerful expectation for the coming of the Messiah. Israel looked back to God’s past gracious actions on their behalf in leading them out of Egypt in the Exodus, and on this basis they called for God once again to act for them. In the same way, the church, during Advent, looks back upon Christ’s coming in celebration while at the same time looking forward in eager anticipation to the coming of Christ’s kingdom when he returns for his people. In this light, the Advent hymn
“O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” perfectly represents the church’s cry during the Advent season:
O come, O come, Emmanuel, And ransom captive Israel, That mourns in lonely exile here Until the Son of God appears. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.
Collects For Advent First Sunday of Advent -Almighty God, give us grace that we may cast away the works of darkness, and put upon us the armor of light, now in the time of this mortal life in which thy Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the quick and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, one God, now and for ever. Amen. Second Sunday of Advent - Merciful God, who sent thy messengers the prophets to preach repentance and prepare the way for our salvation: Give us grace to heed their warnings and forsake our sins, that we may greet with joy the coming of Jesus Christ our Redeemer; who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. Third Sunday of Advent - Stir up thy power, O Lord, and with great might come among us; and, because we are sorely hindered by our sins, let thy bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with thee and the Holy Ghost, be honor and glory, world without end. Amen. Fourth Sunday of Advent - We beseech thee, Almighty God, to purify our consciences by thy daily visitation, that when thy Son our Lord cometh he may find in us a mansion prepared for himself; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
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UPCOMING EVENTS
Drop and Shop
On Sunday December 10, 2016St. Andrew’s will be hosting a “Drop and Shop” as a present to all families with young potty-trained children. The Drop and Shop will give young families the chance to slip out for an afternoon of shopping without the kids in tow. The children will be provided with Godly Play overseen by our Sunday School. Drop the kids at St. Andrew’s and Shop from 3:00 pm till 6:00 pm then bring the whole family together for our annual Christmas CoffeeHouse from 6:00 till 10:00.
Christmas CoffeeHouse
St. Andrew’s will be having its annual Christmas CoffeeHouse from 6:00 till 10:00 on Sunday December 10, 2016. This year we will be having a mix of music for the season and a Christmas Cookie Taste Off.
Invite your friends and family; all are welcome. Admission is free. However, free will donations will be accepted to benefit the music ministry.
Christmas Cookie Taste Off!
We are looking for people to provide cookies for the December 10th Christmas Cookie Taste-Off at the annual CoffeeHouse. Please pull out your favorite recipes and bake a couple of dozen cookies to enter. Winner will have the satisfaction of knowing that their cookies ‘are’ the best. There has been fierce competition in the past so dig deep and find your personal best.
WOSA Potluck Christmas Party
The Women of St. Andrew’s (WOSA) will be hosting a Potluck Christmas Party on Sunday December 11, 2016 beginning at 11:30 am. All women are invited to join in. Bring a pot-luck dish and come join the ladies. See Frannie Mudd for more details.
SPECIAL SERVICES
At 7:00 pm on Wednesday November 23, 2016 we will have a Thanksgiving Eve Service. Service will be Evening Prayer with Communion from Reserved Sacrament.
The First Candle will be lit on the Advent Wreath on Sunday November 27th. The season has begun, Prepare ye the way of the Lord!
Our Christmas Eve Service will be on Saturday December 24th at 7:00 pm.
Please note that on Christmas Day, Sunday December 25th , we will be having only one service, at 10:00 am.
MSBC Festival of Lessons and Carols
It may be a a bit early to talk about Christmas but, tickets are now on sale for the Maryland State Boychoir Festival of Lessons & Carols. Tickets sell out quickly so please don't wait to purchase tickets. Daniel Cox is making his debut with the Treble Choir of the Maryland State Boychoir. The performances will be at the Maryland State Boychoir, 3400 Norman Ave, Baltimore, MD.
Show times are:
Sunday, December 11, 2016 at 4:00 P.M.
Saturday, December 17, 2016 at 7:00 P.M.
Sunday, December 18, 2016 at 4:00 P.M.
Tickets can be purchased online at: http://www.marylandstateboychoir.org/shop
This is an amazing performance, so we hope that you will be able to attend one of the shows!
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St. Andrew’s Can Good Drive 2016
We exceeded our goal again this year. We collected
18 full bags of can goods and 7 boxes of food.
This is what our display looks like after the NEHS football team collects our goods in about 1 New York second.
The Lauer’s truck received lots of donations not only from our church, but also from spectators along the parade route.
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Father Carl’s Soiree
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NICHOLAS OF MYRA
GIVER OF GIFTS, (6 DEC 326) Nicholas was a native of the western part of what is now Asiatic Turkey. He became Bishop of Myra in the fourth century, and there are many stories of his love for God and for his neighbor. The best-known story involves a man with three unmarried daughters, and not enough money to provide them with suitable dowries. This meant that they could not marry, and were likely to end up as prostitutes. Nicholas walked by the man's house on three successive nights, and each time threw a bag of gold in through a window (or, when the story came to be told in colder climates, down the chimney). Thus, the daughters were saved from a life of shame, and all got married and lived happily ever after. Pictures of Nicholas often show three bags of gold next to him, and often these bags have become simply three disks or balls. We are told, but it is uncertain, that Nicholas was imprisoned for his faith before the accession of Constantine, and that he was present at the Council of Nicea in 325.
by James Kiefer
PRAYER - Almighty God, who in thy love didst give to thy servant Nicholas of Myra a perpetual name for deeds of kindness on land and sea: Grant, we pray thee, that thy Church may never cease to work for the happiness of children, the safety of sailors, the relief of the poor, and the help of those tossed by tempests of doubt or grief; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
STEPHEN
DEACON AND PROTOMARTYR (26 DEC NT) All that we know about Stephen the Protomartyr (that is, the first martyr of the Christian Church) is found in chapters 6 and 7 of the Book of Acts. Stephen was an eloquent and fiery speaker, and a provocative one. His blunt declarations that the Temple service was no longer the means by which penitent sinners should seek reconciliation with God enraged the Temple leaders, who caused him to be stoned to death. As he died, he said, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them." We remember Stephen on December 26, the day after Christmas. Hence the song “Good King Wenceslas” describes an action of the king on the day after Christmas Day. The tune used with this song is older than the words and was previously used with a hymn often sung on the feasts of Stephen and other martyrs. It begins:
Christian friends, your voices raise. Wake the day with gladness. God himself to joy and praise turns our human sadness: Joy that martyrs won their crown, opened heaven's bright portal, when they laid the mortal down for the life immortal.
by James Kiefer
PRAYER - We give thee thanks, O Lord of glory, for the example of the first martyr Stephen, who looked up to heaven and prayed for his persecutors to thy Son Jesus Christ, who standeth at thy right hand: where he liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting.
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“What’s Happening at St. Andrew’s?” The Season after Pentecost and The Season of Advent (Ordinary Time)
*SUNDAY, 6 NOVEMBER: XXV SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST (PROPER 27) Holy Eucharist, Rite I, 8:00 a.m. ‘Holy Eucharist Rite II, Sermon and Choir with Handbell Choir 10:00 a.m. Sunday School and Child Care, 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, 8 NOVEMBER: Vestry Meeting, “The Way Forward” 7:00 p.m. *SUNDAY, 13 NOVEMBER: XXVI SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST (Proper 28) Holy Eucharist, Rite I, 8:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist Rite II, Sermon and Choir, 10:00 a.m. Sunday School and Child Care, 10:00 a.m. *SUNDAY, 20 NOVEMBER: XXVII SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
(PROPER 29) (HEALING SUNDAY) Holy Eucharist, Rite I, 8:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist Rite II, Holy Unction, Sermon and Choir, 10:00 a.m. Sunday School and Child Care, 10:00 a.m. Annual Parish Meeting and Luncheon, 11:00 a.m. *SUNDAY, 27 NOVEMBER: FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT Holy Eucharist, Rite I, 8:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist Rite II, Sermon and Choir, 10:00 a.m. Sunday School and Child Care, 10:00 a.m. *SUNDAY, 4 DECEMBER: SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT Holy Eucharist, Rite I, 8:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist Rite II, Sermon and Choir, 10:00 a.m. Sunday School and Child Care, 10:00 a.m. *SUNDAY, 11 DECEMBER: THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT Holy Eucharist, Rite I, 8:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist Rite II, Sermon and Choir, 10:00 a.m. Sunday School and Child Care, 10:00 a.m. *SUNDAY,18 DECEMBER: FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT Holy Eucharist, Rite I, 8:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist Rite II, Sermon and Choir, 10:00 a.m. Sunday School and Child Care, 10:00 a.m. *SUNDAY, 24 DECEMBER: CHRISTMAS EVE Holy Eucharist, Rite II, Children’s Pageant 6:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist Rite I, Sermon and Choir, 10:30 p.m.
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*SUNDAY, 25 DECEMBER: CHRISTMAS Holy Eucharist, Rite I, 8:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist Rite II, Sermon and Choir, 10:00 a.m. Sunday School and Child Care, 10:00 a.m.
“SAVE THE DATE!”
Wednesday November 23rd, Thanksgiving Eve Service 7:00 pm.
Sunday November 27th. The season of Advent begins.
Saturday December 24th Christmas Eve Service 7:00 pm.
Sunday December 25th , Christmas Day there will be only one service, 10:00 am.
TAKE NOTICE!
NEW TEMPORARY OFFICE HOURS, MON – TUE, 9:00 A.M. TO 12:00 NOON UNTIL DECEMBER 25th FATHER CARL MAY BE SEEN BY APPOINTMENT, (210) 363-0182. [email protected]. Thanks for your understanding.
13 14 15 16 17 18 19 8:00 am Holy Eucharist I 10:00 am Holy Eucharist and Holy Unction 10:00 a.m Sunday School and Child Care
Father Carl’s day of rest Office Hours: Mon – Tue, 9:00 – Noon All others by appointment 6 pm Girl Scouts T 4991
2 pm Prayer Warriors 7 pm Girl Scout Cadet 473
7:00 pm Handbell Practice
7:00 pm Choir Practice
7 pm Boy Scout Troop 870
8 am Men’s Study Group 10:30 am AA Meeting
20 21 22 23 24 25 26 8:00 am Holy Eucharist I 10:00 am Holy Eucharist and Holy Baptism - Cooper 10:00 a.m Sunday School and Child Care
Father Carl’s day of rest Office Hours: Mon – Tue, 9:00 – Noon All others by appointment 6 pm Girl Scouts T 4991
2 pm Prayer Warriors 7 pm Girl Scout Cadet 473
7:00 pm Handbell Practice
7:00 pm Choir Practice
7 pm Boy Scout Troop 870
8 am Men’s Study Group 10:30 am AA Meeting
27 28 29 30 8:00 am Holy Eucharist I 10:00 am Holy Eucharist and 10:00 a.m Sunday School and Child Care
Father Carl’s day of rest Office Hours: Mon – Tue, 9:00 – Noon All others by appointment 6 pm Girl Scouts T 4991
2 pm Prayer Warriors 7 pm Girl Scout Cadet 473
7:00 pm Handbell Practice
NOVEMBER 2016 at St. Andrew’s Note: This Calendar is for information purposes. The official calendar is maintained at the Parish Office. Call 410-255-1070, or Email [email protected] for a more complete listing. To add items to this calendar call or email your Shield editor
Advent 2016 “Rebuilding God’s Church – Sharing God’s Love – Changing God’s World!” Page 15
DECEMBER 2016 at St. Andrew’s Note: This Calendar is for information purposes. The official calendar is maintained at the Parish Office. Call 410-255-1070, or Email [email protected] for a more complete listing. To add items to this calendar call or email your Shield editor
7:00 pm Choir Practice
7 pm Boy Scout Troop 870
8 am Men’s Study Group 10:30 am AA Meeting
4 5 6 7 8 9 10 8:00 am Holy Eucharist I 10:00 am Holy Eucharist II Sermon & Choir 10:00 a.m Sunday School and Child Care
Father Carl’s day of rest Office Hours: Mon – Tue, 9:00 – Noon All others by appointment 6 pm Girl Scouts T 4991
2 pm Prayer Warriors 7 pm Girl Scout Cadet 473
7:00 pm Handbell Practice
7:00 pm Choir Practice
7 pm Boy Scout Troop 870
8 am Men’s Study Group 10:30 am AA Meeting
11 12 13 14 15 16 17 8:00 am Holy Eucharist I 10:00 am Holy Eucharist and Holy Unction 10:00 a.m Sunday School and Child Care
Father Carl’s day of rest Office Hours: Mon – Tue, 9:00 – Noon All others by appointment 6 pm Girl Scouts T 4991