Sending you blessings as we enter the third week of Advent!
The Season of Joy
Last Sunday (12/10), was the first Sunday of Advent, and we lit the second candle in our Advent wreath – 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 Hope/Prophecy Candle, recalling that after the division, destruction, and dispersion of the kingdom in the Old Testament, there might finally be peace on Earth.
This Sunday (12/17), marks the third week of Advent, when we light the candle of Joy. Sometimes also called the “Shepherd’s Candle,” we are reminded of the joyful anticipation of the shepherds who journeyed to see Jesus in Bethlehem. Because of the joyous occasion, this third Sunday of Advent is also known as “Gaudete Sunday,” meaning rejoice or praise; and the candle for this week is pink, the liturgical color for joy. (hallow.com)
***To mark this liturgical season, we will celebrate using Rite I during our Sunday Eucharistic services.
Way of Love in Advent – Week 3
This week, you are all invited to focus on the birth of John the Baptist: journeying with community (Luke 1:57-80). You are encouraged to read and reflect on this passage of scripture each day throughout the week.
The witness of Zechariah and Elizabeth who bring infant John to the Temple to be circumcised reminds us of the importance of our faith community to sustaining the Way of Love. Just as the community did for John’s family, communities provide a place for discernment, sometimes challenging us and other times affirming us. Communities celebrate and mark important moments along the journey.
The story of John the Baptist’s birth suggests that this journey of the Way of Love is best done and sustained in the context of our faith community. Zechariah’s song joins Mary’s voice in proclaiming the coming of a savior. The final verse in this passage “he grew and became strong” is echoed later in Luke about Jesus. Both reflect the reality that we grow in faith through the support of community.
• Recall the following from the reading:
-Elizabeth’s neighbors rejoiced with her
-On the eighth day, they circumcised him
-They asked the father what he wanted to name the child
-They pondered Zechariah’s words
Which moment most resonates with your own experience?
What role was community playing in your life?
• What was the role of the members of the community in this story, especially in the lives of Elizabeth, Zechariah, and John?
• How does our community celebrate joy together? How does our community support others in their joy?
• New phases of life may come unexpectedly. How does our community support those entering into a new phase of life, like parenthood, graduation, retirement, or a call to a new ministry?
• Who in our faith community has a prophetic voice?
• How are we as a faith community proclaiming the arrival of the Kingdom of God?
Prayers for the Week: God of community, whose call is more insistent than ties of family or blood: May we so respect and love those whose lives are linked with ours that we fail not in loyalty to you but make choices according to your will. Amen.
Merciful God of peace, your word, spoken by the prophets, restores your people’s life and hope: Fill our hearts with the joy of your saving grace, that we may hold fast to your great goodness and proclaim your justice in all the world.
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 & God Chat
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.
As part of this initiative, St. Paul’s has a lay-led team which will be providing opportunities for the entire congregation to talk about what God is doing in our congregation as well as in our community. Be on the lookout for ways that you can engage in this exciting and ongoing conversation!
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
***Note: There will be no morning service or class on this day.
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 for this festive occasion!
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 Miranda & Brayden/ 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/ the souls of Diana Reeves and Jean
If you have prayer requests you’d like to add to the Newsletter, email them to Clergy@stpaulsclaremore.org .
Save the Dates
- Sunday, December 17 – Third Sunday of Advent: Joy; 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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