Thoughts from Lori
It’s only two weeks until Thanksgiving! That seems incredible to me, but I guess that’s partly because I lost half of October traipsing around the country between here and Georgia and Florida and back. I’m still trying to catch my breath and make plans all at the same time! So here are some plans that you should know about, and in which you will join us:
We are invited to the 8th annual (new to me!) Community Interfaith Thanksgiving Service on Sunday evening, November 23rd at 7pm, Blue Lotus Temple, 221 Dean Street, Woodstock. The theme is “Melodies of Gratitude.” The offering will benefit area food pantries.
Our own EVE OF THANKSGIVING service will be on Wednesday the 26th at 7pm. This is our opportunity to give thanks for our abundant blessings the evening before Thanksgiving Day.
On Thanksgiving Day, Bill and I will host a Thanksgiving Dinner at the church for those who have little or no family in the area with whom to share a Thanksgiving feast. We will provide the turkey and ham; those who sign-up to come can bring a dish to share. Sign up on the sheet on the narthex table or call Lori or Bill at 815-322-2972. P.S. We’ll be inviting the veterans living at Betts’ Place.
Meanwhile, the parish calendar and the liturgical calendar (for the whole Church) includes the following:
The Baptism of Caroline Ann Germann, daughter of Devon and Daniel Germann, and little sister to Harper; The Feast of Christ the King, which is the last Sunday after Pentecost and the end of the liturgical year; The funeral service for George Boehlke on Saturday, November 29th at 11am; And the First Sunday of Advent (Rite One) on November 30th.The life of the parish is rich and full. Your participation makes it even more so.
Peace and blessings,
Lori +
LAST CHANCE TO MEET THE VESTRY CHALLENGE
The Vestry has challenged you to meet their personal pledges to the diocesan campaign called Places of Grace and Gladness. See more on the Diocese of Chicago website: www.episcopalchicago.org
Our total so far is $350! If you haven’t already done so, please add your contribution. The Diocese does so much for us; let’s do our bit!
We began our introductory Living Compass course last Sunday, and 25 people come to Coffee & Conversation to find out what all the hoop-de-la was about. Twenty-five! It’s not too late. This is an informal offering on spiritual practices, so join us this Sunday for conversation about balance and wellness in our lives, and how spiritual practices can contribute to that.
Announcing a Special Event: The St. Paul’s Women’s Tea At “The Rectory”
On Sunday afternoon at 4 o’clock
February 8, 2015
Tickets will be $20 for parishioners and $10 for their guests. Proceeds will be used through Episcopal Relief and Development to benefit women in developing countries as they work to establish small business. Mark your calendars early! More information as the event approaches.
On the calendar!
November:
Finance Committee – Tuesday, Nov. 18th, 6:30 p.m. Vestry – Thursday, Nov. 20th, 7:00 p.m. Pledge Sunday – Nov. 23rd Eve of Thanksgiving service – Wed., Nov. 26th, 7:00 p.m.December:
Women’s Wednesday – Wednesday, Dec. 3rd, 7:00 p.m. Men’s Breakfast – Saturday, Dec. 6th, 8:00 p.m. Vestry – Thursday, Dec. 11th, 7:00 p.m. Christmas Eve service – 9:00 p.m. Christmas Day service – 10:00 a.m.Lessons and Hymns for Sunday, November 16th
(Pentecost XXIII – Proper 28 A)
by the Rev. William McLemore
THE SCRIPTURE LESSONS:
The First Reading: The Track I readings are Judges 4:1-7 and Psalm 123; the Track II readings is Zephaniah 1:7,12-18 and Psalm 90:1-8, (9-11), 12. Judges has the story of Deborah, a prophetess, whom the people come to for judgment. The Zephaniah reading is another description of the Lord’s Day of Wrath. The Track I Psalm seeks the mercy of God, and the Track II Psalm ends with, “So teach us to number our days that we may apply our hearts to wisdom.”
The Epistle: I Thessalonians 4:13-18. Paul tells of the “Day of the Lord.”
The Gospel: Matthew 25:1-13. Here, Jesus tells the parable of the talents entrusted to various slaves, and the master’s rage with the one who was “afraid and buried his talent.”
THE HYMNS:
PROCESSIONAL HYMN: No. 460. “Alleluia, Sing to Jesus.” This majestic hymn was written by an English businessman, William Chatterton Dix, who sold insurance, but had a hobby of writing hymns based on his personal faith. This particular hymn is based on Revelation 5:9, “for you were slaughtered and by your blood you ransomed for God saints from every tribe and nation; you have made them to be a kingdom and priests serving our God.” The tune “Hyfrydol” by Rowland Hugh Prichard is remarkable in that it limits itself to a range of only a fifth, save for the final phrase which rises to the sixth (D). Having celebrated God’s “goodness and mercy,” we go forth singing: “Hark! the songs of holy Zion thunder like a mighty flood; Jesus out of every nation hath redeemed us by his blood.
THE SEQUENCE HYMN: No. 536. “Open Your Ears, O Faithful People.” This hymn was written by Rev. Willard Francis Jabusch, He is a Roman Catholic priest born in 1930 and educated at Mundelein Seminary, Loyola University, and received his Ph.D. from Northwestern University in 1968. His education was enhanced at the University of London, and as a composer at the Chicago Conservatory. The words celebrate the coming of the Messiah and include the Hebrew affirmation, “Torah Ora,” which means “The Law is Our Light.” The tune, “Torah Song,” is a Hasidic melody arranged by Richard Prouix (1937-2010).
PRESENTATION HYMN: No. 9. “Not Here for High and Holy Things.” This hymn was written by Geoffrey Anketell Studdert-Kennedy around 1921 as a six verse poem. Our 1940 hymnal only included the last three verses which began, “Awake, Awake, to Love and Work.” Here we sing all six of the verses. The hymn reflects the glorious creation of Almighty God and points to the beauty found in the seasons and all the changes during the years. The tune, “Morning Song,” is an old shape note southern spiritual found in Davisson’s “Kentucky Harmony,” (1816).
COMMUNION HYMN: No. 712 “Dona Nobis Pacem.” This hymn was discussed earlier and will be our regular communion music for the month of November.
RECESSIONAL HYMN: No. 368. “Holy Father, Great Creator.” When this hymn written by Alexander Viets Griswold (1766-1843) appeared in an 1835 worship book it was titled “A Hymn to the God of Christians.” Griswold was one of the early bishops of the Episcopal Church and served as the Presiding Bishop from 1836-1843 when he dropped dead at the door of a newly elected bishop, Manton Eastburn. The tune, “Regents Square” was composed by Henry Thomas Smart (1813-1879) for the English Presbyterian 1867 Psalter.
November 16th Servants
Ushers: Bill Backer, Rick Carlstedt Lector: Jill Harrison Intercessor: Ann Byers Eucharistic Ministers: Deb Lang, Pam Dietmeyer Vestry Person of the Day: Deb Lang101 Reasons to be an Episcopalian
Reason 44
“We promise to welcome you in Christ’s name. We will honor the gifts you bring. We will invite you into our community, or wish you well if you choose another path.”
Dorothy Isabel Crocker, Huron, Canada
From the cartoons created by the Rev. William P. McLemore
1965 – 2014
