WE EXTEND OUR SYMPATHY AND PRAYERS to Phyllis Mueller and her family upon the death of her brother, Howard. The service to mourn his death and celebrate his life will be Thursday, November 20, 2014 at The Presbyterian Church of Morris, Illinois, at 11 o’clock in the morning.
Thoughts from Lori
This Sunday is PLEDGE SUNDAY. You may, of course, mail your pledge card or drop it off at the church office or bring it on any Sunday (hopefully soon). The purpose of having a Pledge Sunday is to provide an opportunity for us to offer our pledges in the context of worship and to bless them during the liturgy.
But what is most important is that you make an actual pledge. It’s a plan, a signed commitment* to the life of this parish. By so doing, you not only promise to contribute financially, but you also do these things:
You are enabling the Vestry to plan more effectively for the next year.
You are declaring that this parish belongs to you… and you to it… and staking your claim not only in our present life, but in our future.
You are strengthening your relationship to God and deepening your spiritual life by taking this leap of faith.
For me, that leap of faith means that I tithe. It was certainly a journey to reach this point, and trust me, even after years of this practice, it is still a leap of faith! The only way this works for me is to “give it off the top” – that is, make it the very first payment I make each time I receive my income. In scripture, this is called “first fruits,” giving from the best of what we have instead of the leftovers. Whatever you give, whatever you pledge, I encourage you to experience this particular practice: first fruits, off the top. It has transformed my giving and I predict it will transform yours.
Over the years, I have often been asked such questions as, “Do you figure your pledge before or after taxes?” or “Do you include other charitable giving as part of your tithe?” And my answer is always the same: If you and God are good with it, then that’s fine.
That’s the point, isn’t it: that you and God are good with it, with your giving. After all, that’s what makes stewardship a spiritual issue. And it is. May God bless you and your giving, and may your generosity be a reflection of God’s.
Faithfully,
Lori +
*Be assured that if your circumstances change you may adjust your pledge (up or down) by notifying the treasurer.
NEW MOTHERS BASKETS
Our Advent outreach project will be in the form of filling “Moses baskets” with items needed for new mothers who are without extended resources for all those many baby products that most of us took for granted. Can we fill FOUR of these! We will have them in the narthex all four Sundays in Advent, after which we will ask the Diaper Bank to distribute them to participants in their New Mothers program. In addition to the list below, we would love to include a handmade (knitted, crocheted, or otherwise) blanket in each basket. Here is the list of items needed:
Onesies Burp cloths Changing pads Receiving blankets Soft toys for newborns Baby bottles for water, juice, formula Wet wipes Baby lotion Diaper rash ointment Etc., etc.!Living Compass
We are continuing our Living Compass courses. 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.
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.
Servants Needed
Ushers, Lectors, Eucharistic Ministers, and Intercessors are needed for upcoming special services:
Thanksgiving Eve – Wednesday, Nov. 26th, 7:00 p.m. Christmas Eve – Wednesday, Dec. 24th, 9:00 p.m. Christmas Day – Thursday, Dec. 25th, 10:00 a.m.Signup sheets are located in the Narthex.
On the calendar for November and December
Vestry – Thursday, Nov. 20th, 7:00 p.m. Pledge Sunday – Nov. 23rd Eve of Thanksgiving service – Wednesday, Nov. 26th, 7:00 p.m. Thanksgiving Day – Dinner with Lori and Bill, 2:00 p.m.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 23rd
(Pentecost Last – Proper 29 A)
by the Rev. William McLemore
THE SCRIPTURE LESSONS:
The First Reading: The Track I readings are Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24 and Psalm 100; the Track II reading includes the Ezekiel passage and Psalm 95:1-7. The Ezekiel passage has the prophet revealing God’s word of promise to seek out his sheep, gather them, heal them, and set them up with one true shepherd, David. The Track I Psalm is the popular “Jubilate Deo” chant calling for joy in the Lord; The Track II Psalm is another chant, “The Venite,” calling for the faithful to sing unto the Lord.
The Epistle: Ephesians 1:15-23. Paul celebrates the faith of the people in the church of Ephesus and promises even greater faith as they learn the riches that Jesus has to offer.
The Gospel: Matthew 25:31-46. Here, Jesus tells of the Son of Man upon the throne with angels surrounding him as he separates the sheep from the goats of all peoples-the sheep on his right and the goats on the left. The principles of compassion, generosity, and love become the focal point of this judgment: “Just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.”
THE HYMNS:
PROCESSIONAL HYMN: No. 616. “Hail to the Lord’s Anointed.” This hymn was written in 1821 by James Montgomery to be used by a Moravian Settlement during the Christmas season. It is based upon Psalm 72. “He comes with succor speedy, to those who suffer wrong, to help the poor and needy, and bid the weak be strong.” The tune is an adaptation of a German folk song and should be sung happily with hearts of joy!
THE SEQUENCE HYMN: No. 450. “All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name.” The words to this hymn were finalized by a clergyman named Edward Perronet who was in the Anglican Methodist movement with John and Charles Wesley. He later broke off from the Church of England and formed his own independent chapel in Canterbury. The hymn reflects the majestic tone of the psalter and affirms Jesus as the final king, in David’s line, who truly saves and redeems all people. The tune “Coronation” was composed by Oliver Holden with the descant added by Michael E. Young for this 1982 hymnal. “Let every kindred, every tribe, on this terrestrial ball, to him all majesty ascribe, and crown him Lord of all!”
PRESENTATION HYMN: No. 493. “O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing.” This hymn was written by Charles Wesley (1707-1788), May 21, 1739, upon the first anniversary of his spiritual conversion. Wesley was ordained an Anglican priest in 1735 and came with General Oglethorpe to Georgia as his private secretary and chaplain. Because of the adverse reaction to his new environment, he returned to England. Even though tagged a “Methodist” for his support of a highly organized ministry, he refused to leave the Anglican church. He wrote over 6,500 hymns and 500 are still in common use. The fourth verse reveals the depth of his very personal conversion experience: “He speaks and listening to his voice, new life the death receive, the mournful broken hearts rejoice the humble poor believe.” The tune, ‘Azman,’ was composed by Carl Gotthilf Glaser (1784-1829).
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. 494. “Crown Him with Many Crowns.” This hymn was written by Matthew Bridges, an English poet and author who lived from 1800-1894. The hymn has been tampered with many times during the years, but remains very popular among Anglicans and Episcopalians. The entire hymn tells the wonderful benefits and results of God’s love in the Incarnate Christ. Hear these words from the second verse: “Who every grief hath known that wrings the human breast, and takes and bears them for his own, that all in him may rest.” The hymn is set to music by George Job Elvey, for many years the organist at St. George’s Chapel, Windsor, England. The tune reflects the majesty of God and is intended to be sung with spirit and movement!
November 23rd Servants
Ushers: Beth Lukas, Jim Lukas Lector: Rick Carlstedt Intercessor: Judy Robel Eucharistic Ministers: Charlie Boak, Nancy Backer Vestry Person of the Day: Beth Lukas101 Reasons to be an Episcopalian
Reason 98
“We change and transform lives in Christ.”
Amanda Demers, Diocese of Texas
From the cartoons created by the Rev. William P. McLemore
1965 – 2014
