Greetings and salutations as we approach the second week of Advent!
The Season of Peace
Last Sunday (12/03), was the first Sunday of Advent, and we lit the first candle in the Advent wreath – the candle of hope. Sometimes also called the Prophecy candle, it reminds us of the foretelling of the birth of Christ by the Old Testament prophets, and of all the promises God gave us which would be fulfilled in the birth of Jesus. Our sermon reminded us that even in a chaotic world, we do have hope in Christ, and this hope we have needs to be shared with the rest of the world!
This Sunday (12/10), marks the second week of Advent. The second candle in our Advent wreath will be lit – that which symbolizes peace. Often called the “Bethlehem Candle,” it reminds us of Mary and Joseph’s journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem before Mary gave birth to Jesus. It also builds on the meaning of the Prophecy Candle, recalling that after the division, destruction, and dispersion of the kingdom in the Old Testament, there might finally be peace on Earth. (hallow.com)
To mark this liturgical season, we will celebrate using Rite I during our Sunday Eucharistic services.
Way of Love in Advent – Week 2
This week, you are all invited to focus on Mary and Elizabeth: journeying with family and friends (Luke 1:39-56). You are encouraged to read and reflect on this passage of scripture each day throughout the week. Mary said “yes” to the call to birth Jesus, God’s Word, into the world and immediately went in haste to share her good news with her cousin, Elizabeth, who lived in the Judean hills, a four-day journey. Isn’t that what happens when we hear good news? We are driven to go and tell others. The Way of Love is good news that demands to be shared.
• Mary notices that Elizabeth is on the journey of love. Whom can you invite on this journey on the Way of Love? Or, whom can you join on the Way of Love?
• Mary runs to share her good news with Elizabeth. What good news do you have to share with one another?
• In religious art, Mary and Elizabeth are often portrayed in a supportive embrace. How might you support one another?
• Elizabeth says those who believe are blessed. How have you experienced your faith or trust in God as a blessing?
Prayers for the Week: God made known in the friendship of women, the word of greeting and unseen life enwombed: give us the courage of the teenage mother who brings into the world a song of joyful revolt and a God who needs her love; through Jesus Christ, the one who is to come. Amen.
O God of Elizabeth and Mary, you visited your servants with news of the world’s redemption in the coming of the Savior: Make our hearts leap with joy, and fill our mouths with songs of praise, that we may announce glad tidings of peace and welcome the Christ in our midst. Amen.
The Way of Love is a program which emphasizes setting aside time each day to focus on living a Jesus-centered life. The seven practices of the Way of Love are
- Turn – pause, listen, and choose to follow Jesus
- Learn – reflect on scripture each day
- Pray – dwell intentionally with God each day
- Worship – gather in community weekly to thank, praise, and dwell with God
- Bless – share faith, and unselfishly give and serve
- Go – cross boundaries, listen deeply, and live like Jesus
- Rest – receive the gift of God’s grace, peace, and restoration
The Way of Love invites us to a rule of life that leads to incarnating Divine Love in the world, so it is appropriate to initiate a journey on the Way of Love during Advent, the season we slow down to get ready to welcome Jesus, God incarnate, anew. Now, and through December 24, multiple opportunities to participate in the Way of Love series will be offered. Ron Parker will post daily thoughts on Facebook and Instagram; both he and Shelby Mancell will collaborate to post a devotional video on Wednesday of each week; and, together, we will journey through the first two chapters of the Gospel of Luke in these weekly newsletters.
Faithful Innovation
How do we discover God’s mission in the world beyond our congregations? What is God calling us into? Where might we meet Lydia along the way? Faithful Innovation is a program designed to help congregations (especially small ones) discover new ways in which they might begin to move out into their communities.
This Saturday, December 9, The Rev. Canon Steve Carlson, Canon for Congregational Vitality, will meet with us in the Parish Hall from 10am – 2pm for the first of three Faithful Innovation training sessions. Subsequent meetings will take place at various locations on the following dates: Saturday, January 27, 2024, and Saturday, April 27, 2024. Between each meeting, participants will have community experiments to complete before attending the next session. This initiative is lay-led, clergy supported.
Anyone interested in participating in this collaboration is welcome to join us. Lunch will be provided.
Advent IV / Christmas Eve Service
Join us on Sunday, December 24 at 5:30pm for a special candlelight service of Lessons & Carols which will mark the transition from Advent to Christmas. “And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son full of grace and truth.” ~ John 1:14
Fr. Bill’s Retirement Celebration
Make plans to join us on Sunday, January 7, 2024 at 9:30am to celebrate with Fr. Bill and Carole as they move on to the next phase of their life in ministry. The Rev. Canon Betsy Randall will be with us; and, in true St. Paul’s fashion, there will be wonderful food!
Let Us Pray
- Lift up all those traveling throughout the holiday season
- Pray for the victims of the war in Ukraine
- Remember the victims of the war in Gaza
- Pray for our congregation as we explore our dreams and discern where God is leading us next.
- For the needs of the members, family, and friends of our congregation, specifically Nancy S/ Velma/ Jim/ Judy/ Ani/ Aaron Blum/ Robert/ Jim Walker/ Lloyd/ Patricia/ Marie/ Russell/ Virginia/ Barbara/ Grace/ Lauren/ Cindy/ Anne & her family/ Sarah/ Matthew & Rushda/ Christoph & Jenn/ Teddy & family/ Linda, Ken, & their family/ Amy, Bill, & their family/ Stephen/ John/ Tom Patterson/ Jan/ Tom/ Bob & family/ Jean/ Al/ Carol W/ Mark/ Caroline & Rudy/ Bicky & Spencer/ Brian/ Pat/ Mark H/ Mike/ Chris
If you have prayer requests you’d like to add to the Newsletter, email them to Clergy@stpaulsclaremore.org or reply to this email.
Save the Dates
- Saturday, December 9 @ 10:00am-2:00pm – Faithful Innovation (Parish Hall)
- Sunday, December 10 – Second Sunday of Advent: Peace
- Sunday, December 17 – Bishop’s Committee Meeting; & Decorate for Christmas Eve service
- Sunday, December 24 @ 5:30pm – Advent IV/Christmas Eve Service (no AM service)
- Sunday, December 31 – 1st Sunday after Christmas (normal service time resumes)
- Saturday, January 6, 2024 – Epiphany
- Sunday, January 7, 2024 – 1st Sunday after Epiphany, and Fr. Bill’s retirement celebration
- Saturday, January 27, 2024 @ 10am – Faithful Innovation (location TBA)
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