Thoughts from Lori
I bring you greetings from Bishop Lee and the 177th Convention of the Diocese of Chicago, which met last Friday and Saturday in Lombard. Our delegates were Deb Lang, Kathy Biggerstaff, Bill McLemore, and myself. We took care of the business of the Diocese: ratified the Bishop’s appointments, elected new members to various committees, voted on changes to the diocesan canons, debated local resolutions, and recommended a couple of resolutions to The General Convention (of the whole church) in 2015. It was a busy convention, and one that was clearly congenial.
Speaking for myself, the best parts of the Convention – and for that matter, all of these sorts of gatherings of Episcopalians – is the worship and the comradery. The prayers, the preaching, and the singing are fabulous. Especially the singing! And to gather with other Episcopalians from all over the Diocese is both inspiring and affirming.
In the opening of the Convention, there was an announcement about the success of the campaign, “Places of Grace and Gladness.” Four banners were carried to the dais in procession, each with the names of the participating churches. We who were your delegates were proud that the name of St. Paul’s, McHenry was among them. Thanks to your generosity, we will be sending over $500 ($225 from the vestry, wardens, and me; and more than $350 from your generous contributions). Thank you so much!
And speaking of your generosity, on or before our Pledge Sunday last week, we received twenty (20) pledges. (Our total number of pledges was 30 last year.) And of course, it’s not too late. We will gladly accept new or renewed pledges by mail, dropped off at the church office, or in the offering plate on Sunday morning. Your stewardship is a blessing not only to you as a spiritual practice, but to this parish. Thank you!
What a great parish this is! We are truly blessed in so many ways, and I am blessed to be with you. As you enjoy Thanksgiving this year, give thanks for St. Paul’s. I certainly will.
Faithfully,
Lori +
Collect for Thanksgiving
Almighty and gracious Creator, we give you thanks for the fruits of the earth in their season and for the labors of those who harvest them. Make us, we pray, faithful stewards of your great bounty, for the provision of our necessities and the relief of all who are in need, to the glory of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Check out the Northwest Herald for a story about our own BEN LUKAS
Most of us know Ben’s story: how he suddenly developed epilepsy at the age of 25. (For those of you who don’t know Ben, he’s the son of Beth and Jim Lukas.) His moving story is on the front page of the Northwest Herald today, Wednesday the 16th. If you don’t get the Herald, here’s the link:
http://m.nwherald.com/2014/11/25/crystal-lake-man-rejoins-workforce-after-2-years-without-seizures/ahqxxr1/
Coffee & Conversation for Advent
Join us for Coffee & Conversation on the four Sundays of Advent to discuss the Advent and Christmas stories in scripture and art. All are welcome for this informal opportunity for fellowship and learning.
Coffee & Conversation Revised
I could not call myself a minister of the Gospel if I fail to bring up subjects of peace and justice. In that spirit, and with the help of the Holy Spirit, I invite you to Coffee & Conversation this Sunday, Advent I, to reflect together on the events surrounding Ferguson, MO, and the country. Please join me to talk about this challenging and difficult matter. lml+
New Mothers Baskets Starts this Sunday!
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 (sizes 3 mos. to 1 yr. for clothing items) 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.!The Angel Tree
It’s almost time for what has now become our “traditional” Angel Tree. The tree will be set up in the narthex within the next two weeks, and we will decorate it with the angels that you have contributed. If you have not added yours to the tree yet, it’s never too late. If you’ve never brought one, or if you’d like to add another, angels of all sorts and sizes are welcome. Bring them with you to church or drop them off at the church office (Tuesdays through Fridays, 9am to 1pm – except this week, of course. The office is closed Thursday and Friday for Thanksgiving.)
Poinsettias for Christmas
Please take part in the beautification of the church for Christmas by donating $25 (each) for Poinsettias. Your donation may be given “in memory of” or “in thanksgiving for” someone in your life, or simply for this parish. A sign-up sheet is available in the narthex.
Servants Needed
Ushers, Lectors, Eucharistic Ministers, and Intercessors are needed for upcoming special services:
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…
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. Open House at “The Rectory”- Sunday, Jan. 4th Annual Parish Meeting- Sunday, Jan. 25th The Women’s Tea – Sunday, Feb. 8thLessons and Hymns, Sunday, November 30th (Advent I – Year B)
by the Rev. William McLemore
THE SCRIPTURE LESSONS:
The First Reading: Isaiah 64:1-9. The prophet calls for God to come down and make the divine presence known in and amongst the people who need salvation from their wayward ways.
The Psalm: Psalm 80:1-7, 16-18. The psalmist calls for God to shine forth and redeem the people: “Restore us, O Lord God of hosts; show the light of our countenance, and we shall be saved.”
The Epistle: I Corinthians 1:3-9. This is a portion of the opening of Paul’s letter to the Church at Corinth reminding them that “God is faithful; by him you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.”
The Gospel: Mark 13:24-37. Jesus reminds the people that God’s love is coming again and it’s important to be in expectation: “Beware, keep alert; for you do not know when the time will come.”
THE HYMNS:
PROCESSIONAL HYMN: No. 59. “Hark, A Thrilling Voice” This hymn has been attributed to St. Ambrose and comes from the 6th century A.D. It is based on Romans 13:11 and Luke 21:25. The words announce the coming of Jesus and reflect the penitential flavor of Advent. “Lo! The Lamb so long expected, comes with pardon down from heaven; let us haste with tears of sorrow, one and all to be forgiven.” The tune, “Merton,” is deliberate in meter and aptly conveys the spirit of Our Lord’s coming and the advent of God’s love.
THE SEQUENCE HYMN: No. 601. “O Day of God Draw Nigh.” This hymn was written by Robert Balgarnie Young Scott for the Fellowship of Christian Social Order in 1937. It is based loosely on Zechariah 1:14-18 in that it calls for a restored faith as part of the expected Day of the Lord.
PRESENTATION HYMN: No. 68. “Rejoice, Rejoice, Believers.” This hymn is a poetic cento from Laurentius Laurenti’s “Evangelica Melodica” (1700). It was translated by Sarah Findlater and appeared in her “Hymns from the Land of Luther” (1854). The imagery relies on the parable of the bridegroom found in Matthew 25:1-13. From the second verse: “The marriage feast is waiting, the gates wide open stand; rise up ye heirs of glory, the Bridegroom is at hand.” The 1982 Hymnal applies a different tune to this hymn than the 1940 edition, it’s a Welsh air named “Llangloffan.”
COMMUNION HYMN: No. 831 “Wonder, Love, and Praise”. “Ubi Caritas.” This will be the communion hymn for the Sundays in Advent. (Pending reproduction permission.)
RECESSIONAL HYMN: No. 74. “Blest be the King Who’s Coming.” This hymn was composed by Frederico J. Pagura, who is an Argentine religious leader and a champion of human rights. He was born in 1923 and became a Methodist as a teenager. After completing his higher education in Argentina, he traveled to the U.S. to earn an advanced degree and later was ordained a Methodist minister and then a bishop. He is a poet and avid musician putting a number of hymns to the tango beat of his home country. This particular hymn expresses his values about human rights with a stirring Latin syncopation.
Sunday Servants November 30th
Ushers: Beth Lukas, Jim Lukas Lector: Judy Robel Intercessor: Terry Jaworski Eucharistic Ministers: Charlie Boak, Al Robel Vestry Person of the Day: Pam Dietmeyer101 Reasons to be an Episcopalian
Reason 37
“Our eighth Sacrament: Fellowship and Good Food.”
Amanda Demers, Diocese of Texas
From the cartoons created by the Rev. William P. McLemore
1965 – 2014
