The Back Pew, December 2005

Expectations are always high during the Christmas season. We look forward to spending time with family and friends, decorating homes, cooking special food, sharing traditions, and celebrating the birth of Jesus. When the season finally ends, we often wonder what happened. Instead of feeling renewed, we sometimes feel let down and tired. The list of things left undone seems longer than the list of things done.

One resource I found to help me begin the season right, with thoughtful Advent preparations and a shift in expectations is a book by Terry Parsons entitled Whose Birthday Is It, Anyway? It includes timely ideas for putting Christ in the center of the holidays, beginning with the first Sunday in Advent and continuing through the Feast of the Epiphany. In an opening letter in the booklet, Parsons, a stewardship officer for the Episcopal Church, passes along a suggestion used in her own family. “We have stopped asking, ‘What are you getting for Christmas?’ We ask instead, ‘What are you giving this Christmas?’” Discussions with children centered on decisions about to whom they plan to give gifts, what a gift might be, and how much to spend if the gift cannot be hand-made. One of Parson’s nephews decided to give the entire family a gift of baby chicks through Heifer Project (www.heifer.org). Just meditating on the title of Terry’s book is enough to help any family or individual move toward “active waiting” and allow for taking actions that reflect the true meaning of the season.

Advent Calendars

Attractive Advent calendars entitled “What A Wonderful Gift!” have been purchased for each parish family with children. For the younger families, a small advent booklet with 28 brief devotions based on the sounds one might have heard at the first Christmas such as the clip-clop of Mary’s donkey will accompany the calendars. If your family did not receive your calendar in November please stop by the church office or ask Shirley Mustard or Carol Martin for yours.

St. Nicholas Day Celebration
Sunday-December 4

Remember to bring either a new toy, book, or game on Sunday, December 4 as part of the St. Nicholas Day Celebration. Children will gather on the front lawn to greet St. Nicholas just before the 10:30 AM Service.

For more information about St. Nicholas go to: www.stnicholascenter.org

Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany Services at St. John’s

Advent Christmas Pageant

On the last Sunday in Advent, the 18^th of December, at the 10:30 AM Holy Eucharist Service, a cast of children and adults will present a Christmas Pageant entitled “Journey to Bethlehem” directed by Dana and Shawn Tickle. Certainly “The story” as told by our own parishioners is an important part of the Advent season as we ready ourselves for the greening of the church and the Christmas Eve and Christmas Day services. Families are encouraged to bring their relatives, neighbors, or friends to any or all of these services.

Christmas Eve

St. John’s will hold two services on Christmas Eve, December 24th. The earlier 5 PM service has become well attended by our younger families and others who find the earlier time best suits their schedule. The 5 PM family-style service is a less formal Rite II Holy Eucharist Service using both contemporary and traditional music. Fr. Tom will use a Godly Play format to tell the Christmas Story which includes participation by the younger children. Karen Nichols will be our guest vocalist, pianist, and guitarist along with other guest vocalist, including Fr. Tom and daughter Molly McAuliffe.

The second service begins with a musical presentation by the St. John’s Choir, accompanied by our organist Mary Ann Eubank. The music begins at 10:30 PM followed by Holy Eucharist at 11:15 PM.

Christmas Day

On Christmas Day, Sunday the 25^th of December, there will only be one service. The Holy Eucharist will be at 10:30 AM and follow the style of the usual 8:00 AM Sunday morning service. No nursery will be provided.

Lesson and Carols Service

Sunday, January 1^st, will be the Christmas Service of Lessons and Carols. There will be no Christian Formation Classes or nursery provided.

Epiphany Service and Family Supper

The annual Epiphany Supper and Service will be held on Friday, 6th of January. At 6:00 PM simple meal of soup, salad, and dessert will be served in the parish hall for a nominal cost followed at 7:00 PM by a Holy Eucharist, ending with a candle lit nave. Please mark your new 2006 calendars for this special service.

Sacred Spaces in Our Home

Creating sacred spaces in the home can call us into God’s presence throughout the day. What does a sacred space look like? It could be anywhere. Where in your home do you find a sense of solace or peace? Set it apart by placing objects there that draw you to God, such as candles, icons, a cross, plants or flowers. Consider using different colored cloths for different seasons in the Church year.

If it is a space shared by the household, encourage family members to contribute items that they find along their daily paths: a beautiful fall leaf, a drawing, a poem.

A youth created a sacred space on a shelf in her bedroom. A friend created space in his home office where he prays daily using a service from a website—a saint’s icon is his computer desktop background. A family uses an entry hall table, gathering there each morning to pray before everyone leaves for the day. Find a space, create, worship

and enjoy! —Anne Kitch (taken from the Episcopal Teacher-vol. 18, no.1)

Need a gift idea?

St. John’s Pewter Ornaments and Tom’s Blessing are for sale. Each of these items sell for $15 each or two for $25. If you would like to purchase an ornament or blessing see Flo Minnix or contact Barbara Martin in the church office.

COLORING BOOKS

(Contact the Church office for the member password.)