Christ centered, Biblically based, spirit filled and a place of simple hospitality, we have shared our communal life with our church,our community, and those in need. Your presence enriches us. This has been a wonderful Christmas week!
Sunday, December 21, 2014 – the Christmas Play
As we have done in the past, the adults and children came together to tell the story of Christ’s birth on 4th Advent, Dec. 21. Highlights included Mary and Elizabeth’s moving dialog, Alex rendition of Angel and Mary and Joseph doing well with a crying baby Jesus.
Christmas Eve, 2014
We had 56 at the Love Feast on Dec. 24. We hoped you enjoyed our blending of the Episcopal service with Moravian traditions. Thanks to Marilyn, Amy, Helmut and Brad who provided the music before the service and the choir during the service. The Love Feast required many hymns!
We would also like to thank the following who contributed to the Love Feast. Helmut for his candle holders (that would cause any Moravian to be envious!). Particularly for those who served the Love Feast – Cookie, Johnny, Eunice, Andrea, Kimberly, Tucker.
Some Links:
1. What is a Love Feast? and Our invitation for the 24th
2. Description of the Christmas Eve Service
3. Bulletin
4. Photos
Christmas , December 25, 2014
Explore Christmas Eve– A study of the scriptures, art and the meaning of the Christmas Scriptures.
Explore the Art of the Nativity from 1200-2002 How the Nativity has been viewed by artists for 800 years. Go to the presentation
Unlikely Christmas Carols: Bruce Cockburn’s "Cry Of A Tiny Baby"
A post from teacher and theologian David Lose: "So maybe I shouldn’t describe this Christmas carol as “unlikely” in that Bruce Cockburn has explored the Christian story and theology, along with issues of human rights, throughout his forty-year career. But it may very well be unfamiliar to you. If so, you’re in for a treat, as the Canadian folk and rock guitarist, singer-songwriter’s beautiful retelling of the Christmas story blends elements of both Luke’s tender narrative of the in-breaking good news of God to the least likely of recipients – a teenage girl, her confused fiancee, down-and-out shepherds – with Matthew’s starkly realistic picture of a baby that threatens kings by his mere existence. Here’s the link to a video with the words .
For more David Lose writing about the Christmas Eve and Christmas readings, check out the "Christmas sermon I need to hear."
"A makeshift Christmas tree abounds with love and meaning" – Meghann Cotter (Free Lance-Star)
"I was the messenger, stopping by the home of a formerly homeless pair on a chilly December morning. But just as I crossed the threshold, I was struck by a wild configuration of evergreen, bushing and bowing like no holiday tree I had ever seen. “Oh, a Charlie Brown Christmas tree,” I thought.
"But then I looked more closely. A slender stem speared up the center. And just where the branches would have have resided, a single crossbow settled across the middle. Lights wound their way to the top, while an array of recycled ho-ho gear twisted throughout the greenery.
“What’s this?” I said.
“Ya like it?!” one roommate proudly proclaimed. “We didn’t have enough branches for a Christmas tree, but we had enough for a cross.”
“That’s the reason for the season after all, isn’t it?” the other roommate asked.
Dec. 28, 2014 – 11am -A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols is the Christmas Eve service held in King’s College Chapel, Cambridge England and was introduced in 1918.
Kings College Cambridge holds this service every Dec. 24. The main gate to Kings College opens at 7:30am for the 3pm service. Many people get in the line by 5am for a 10 hour wait!
Here is their 2014 page with bulletin. The 2014 service is available in audio. Another radio version of the 2013 service is here. The most recent video performance is from 2012.
It was conceived by Eric Milner-White, the Dean of the College, for Christmas Eve 1918 whose experience as an army chaplain in World War I had led him to believe that more imaginative Christmas worship was needed by the Church of England. He actually reached back to an earlier time for a service structure.
The original service was, in fact, adapted from an Order drawn up by E.W. Benson, later Archbishop of Canterbury, for use in the wooden shed, which then served as his cathedral in Truro, at 10 pm on Christmas Eve 1880. AC Benson recalled: ‘My father arranged from ancient sources a little service for Christmas Eve – nine carols and nine tiny lessons, which were read by various officers of the Church, beginning with a chorister, and ending, through the different grades, with the Bishop."
The story of the fall of humanity, the promise of the Messiah, and the birth of Jesus is told in nine short Bible readings from Genesis, the prophetic books and the Gospels interspersed with the singing of Christmas carols, hymns and choir music. The readings can vary as can the music. Traditionally, "Once in Royal David City" is the opening hymn. Beyond that the service is flexible.
An opening prayer that is used provides a focus:
"We gather here to recall the mystery of our redemption.
Though sin drew us away from God, he never stopped loving us.
The prophets told of the coming of a Messiah
who would initiate a reign of justice and peace.
This promise was fulfilled in the incarnation of Jesus Christ.
Let us now reflect with joy on this wondrous mystery."
Here are the 2013 readings for St. Peter’s service. The 2013 bulletin is here. Pictures from the services are here.
Lessons and Carols is usually done at the beginning of Advent as an introduction to Advent or towards the end as a summary of all that has happened.
This St. Peter’s service is the perfect culmination of your Christmas week, a joyous celebration along with thoughtful, introspective moments. Plan now to attend.
New Year’s Eve Gala in the Parish House Dec. 31, 6pm
The end of the year celebration is this Wed., Dec. 31, 6pm. The celebration starts at 6 pm with wine and cheese. Bring your favorite drink or enjoy eggnog and wine that will be available. Bring a dish to share for the meal which will start about 6:45pm. Here is last year’s event:
A spirited group ended the year in style. About 25 were in attendance at Fall Hall for a evening of fellowship and some great eating at the end of last year.
The evening started with a combination of Cookie’s ham biscuits, Bill Wick’s "Wicked Egg Nogg", Mike’s peanut soup and a tray of shrimp. After that we had Johnny’s venison, assorted vegetables (Catherine’s grit casserole), salad and cookies and a some cake to top it off.
Catherine’s sister’s family dropped in from Staten Isle on their way back. Those that went on the mission trip in 2012 remember them. The conversation extended on until 9pm.