A St. Peter’s Advent and Christmas
Advent is a season of preparation for the coming of Jesus as one of us. Jesus brought God’s light into the world during his lifetime and we expect him to return to reign in glory at the end of time.
1. Choir Retreat – Fri Dec 1,10:00am – The choir will be gathering to rehearse Christmas music followed by lunch. Set aside some time to pray this morning for Brad Volland, our organist, and our dedicated choir.
2. Dickens A Christmas Carol and Bible” – Sunday mornings 10am, Dec. 3, 10
Where to find it ?
2 The book and audio are available free at Project Gutenberg on the web. It is available in plain text, formatted text, Kindle for book readers (with or with images). It is available in in audio in mp3 format and itunes audiobook
3. Port Royal Christmas Lighting – Fri. Dec. 8, 5:30pm-8pm – at the town Fire Hall. Food , games, songs and the lighting of the Christmas tree.
4. Dec. 10 – Poinsettia form , ECM Christmas donations due
5. Dec. 17 – Endowment Fund gifts due
6. Christmas Play on Advent 3 – Sun. Dec. 17, 11am. Each year it’s unique and at the same time a wonderful introduction to Christmas week.
7. Everett’s Christmas – Sun. Dec. 17, 5:30pm. Gather round the Everett’s table for a delicious pot luck dinner, over the top Christmas decorations, and Christmas caroling. All are welcome.
8. Christmas Eve – Sun., Dec. 24, 4:30pm – Holy Eucharist Rite II. Celebrating Christ coming among us.
9. Lessons and Carols – Sun. Dec. 31, 11am. This traditional Anglican service, developed in England, gives us the opportunity to hear the story of our salvation in Jesus Christ through scripture and song.
10. New Year’s Eve Gala – Sun. Dec. 31, 6pm. Parish House
Choir Retreat, Dec. 9, 10:30am
Sat’s choir retreat has been an annual event for several years. It is a combination of a separate practice away from the demands of Sunday to concentrate on the Christmas music as well as an opportunity to prepare a meal and enjoy each other’s company.
This year’s retreat will be held again at Brad’s home in Stafford :
54 Woodbourne Lane
Stafford VA 22554
Home 540-659-8568
Cell 540-223-0127
Sunday, Dec. 3, Readings and Servers
Advent in 2 minutes Check out this Youtube video
Advent in 1 minute– A 2015 video from St. Mary’s Cypress
Bishop Goff on Advent – the most wonderful time of year
Diocese of Va. Advent Meditations, Week 1
Explore Advent, Part 1– Over the next 4 Sundays there will be a presentation each week focusing on that week’s scriptures, art and commentary and how they demonstrate the themes of advent. Let’s get started with Advent 1.
Advent is the time when we change to a different year in the Lectionary. This year we move from Year A to Year and from a concentration on the Gospel of Matthew to Mark. This year we move from Year A to B and from a concentration on the Gospel of Matthew to Mark. Here is an introduction to the Gospel of Mark. There are several articles which are a general introduction to Mark 1. Shortest from christianity.about.com 2. Longer from the Catholic Bishops 3. Longest from a Catholic portal. Each of the readings is covered separately
Interested in the Church calendar ? Matthew’s interest about time in First Advent lends itself to understand how we measure time.
Advent resources from the Episcopal Church Foundation.
The Season of Advent is alive with colors, candles, wreaths and song. David Bratcher has written a wonderful article on Advent traditions.
There are several articles/presentations about the infancy narratives 1. Brief summary between Matthew and Luke 2. Longer comparison 3. Web comparison
Advent is a time when we take on different disciplines. Here is Rev. Brad Jackson’s 20 minutes of Advent a day
Advent is a time of meditations.
There will be a number of these meditations added through the season.
1. From Kentucky Crescent Hill Baptist which has meditations from Advent 1 through Christmas.
2. From Creighton University, a Jesuit college – Praying Advent
3. From Wales, Advent Themes and Resources. This has a "pop-up" lectionary at the bottom.
4. From the Episcopal Church Foundation’s Vital Practices –
A. What Fresh Hell is This – The wait demanded of us in Advent is a more difficult one with no tangible outcome accessible to us. A reflection to think about Advent through Joseph’s eyes as he travels to Bethlehem with Mary.
B. Secrets of the Advent Artichoke. Feeling pressure to have everything done already? “Secrets of the Advent artichoke” for a season in which we prepare and anticipate
C. Taking Advent to the Streets. Some real Advent actions throughout the season
5. Barbara Crafton on spiritual discipline in Advent (Credo)
6. Reflection on Advent – Rowan Williams, the former archbishop of Canterbury shares an Advent Reflection.
Advent is a time of music. Here is a link to National Cathedral’s Advent Lessons and Carols held on First Advent.This is the one held Nov. 27, 2016
Advent is a time of learning.
Trinity Church in New York is releasing a video series by Dr. Michael Battle entitled "The Book of Revelation: The End of the World or Heaven on Earth?". It is based on his book Heaven on Earth: God’s Call to Community in the Book of Revelation.What if Revelation is not about end times, but rather a guide to how we create heaven on earth, right now?
