VERITAS, CARITAS, ET RISUS

In the Anglican tradition, the Sunday before the beginning of Advent was informally known as “Stir-up Sunday.” The name derived from the first pair of words in the gathering prayer, the “collect,” used annually on that Sunday: “Stir up, we beseech thee, O Lord, the wills of thy faithful people; that they, plenteously bringing forth the fruit of good works, may by thee be plenteously rewarded...” This collect came from the 1928 version of the Book of Common Prayer. It did not survive the 1979 revision, but a prayer reminiscent of it is now used on the Third Sunday of Advent. So there is still some stirring up going on, albeit a bit later in the season.

The image of stirring was often applied to the mixing of the Christmas pudding, with family members all ideally lending a hand to stir that holiday pot. Whether that is the only pot being stirred depends on the family. The stirring is intended to be not of caldrons of domestic tension, but of the spirit in anticipation of Christmas morning and the birth of Jesus.

With the holiday fast approaching, it certainly seems that this year has sped along. It was filled with details and distractions, like the cluster of notes, reminders, and other scribblings that seem to breed on my desktop. Lists of chores grew perilously long, hopefully conquered for a while or at least skirmished to a standstill. The holidays do not ease this queuing of “To Do’s,” but the emphasis begins to shift. We are stirring all of this up, for soon we will be gathering together.

The holidays, at least for me, are a comfortable pattern of expected events. There is a plan to it, a script that I know so well and that I cherish mightily. The dining room is emptied of projects in progress and items migrating to various parts of the house. A shockingly large Italian feast is to be prepared, with old favorites seen only at holiday time. The food is stirred on the stove, but I know it is truly me that is stirred by recollections of years past.

For our hearts can be stirred by these simple, familiar events. As we gather to eat traditional holiday foods, we are reminded of those with whom we have shared a table. What prompts memories may be the balsam fir in the living room, or the scent of turkey browning in the oven. It could be a cold bit of winter wind churning up the last few fallen leaves. It might be seeing someone walk through the door, or remembering when someone did so for the last time. Those memories may be joyous or bittersweet, but there they are, stirred up once again.

Time moves on for each of us, but the holidays can slow it down a bit, opening up the past like a window. We flip back through the pages of our lives even as we read from the pages of scripture. We hear about a new life that came into being under a bright star on high, a life that changed so much for so many. We drift back through that well-known story of a babe in a manger for there was no room at the inn, of shepherds and kings come to see what had happened in their midst.

Christmas is about thinking back to what happened one night and what that night has meant ever since. We are joined to the story of Joseph and Mary and little baby Jesus. We become a part of it, whether we are sitting there in the pews singing “Silent Night,” sipping a cup of hot cider with cinnamon, or gathering about a table once again to feast in memory of our great Teacher. These days should stir us up. These days should gather together our thoughts of family and God. Advent may come at the end of a busy year, but it is the beginning of what truly matters in any year.

God bless, Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year to all, Mark

OUR SCRIPTURES FOR THIS SEASON

December 4: Isaiah 40:1–11; Mark 1:1–8; Psalm 85.

December 11: Isaiah 61:1–4, 8–11; Luke 1:46b–55; Psalm 126.

December 18: 2 Samuel 7:1–11, 16; Luke 1:26–38; Psalm 89.

December 25: Isaiah 62:6–12; Luke 2:1–20.

COFFEE HOUR AFTER THE SUNDAY SERVICE

Everyone is welcome at coffee hour. This month the volunteers in charge of refreshments are: the Shihs on December 4; the Isaacs, December 11; Nan St. Goar and the Bakers, December 18. There will be no coffee hour Christmas Day. We thank all the host families for their participation!

Sally Baker
Carol Lohe

ALTAR FLOWERS FOR DECEMBER 2011

December 4: The flowers are given in loving memory of Isabelle Marckwald Bushnell by her family.

December 11: The flowers are given in loving memory of Nelson Gildersleeve and Harris J. and Geraldine S. Nelson by their family.

December 18: The flowers are given in loving memory of Mr. and Mrs. Edwin S. Webster by Dorothy Baldini.

December 25: The flowers are given in loving memory of Katharine and Edwin Hiam by Dorothy Baldini.

Advent In-gathering

During Advent the Youth Group will be collecting new warm socks, especially adult sizes, for people who are homeless, including the Outdoor Church participants and others in shelters in the Boston area. If you would like you to contribute some socks, just put them in the box so marked in the parish hall. Many thanks.

BIBLE STUDY

Bible study meets in the parish hall at 10:00 a.m. each Thursday. We are reading the Book of Exodus, and all are welcome.

TAIZE SERVICE DECEMBER 21

On Wednesday, December 21, at 6:00 p.m., we will once again celebrate a service in the tradition of the Taizé community. Primarily about music, the service will be led by Ja-Naé Duane and Sam Adams. There will be chants (no musical ability required), silent meditation, brief scripture readings, and spoken prayers by the service leader and the congregation. This is a lovely and moving service—peaceful and inspiring. And the more voices there are, the richer the sound.

USHERS

December 4: Sally Baker December 24: David Brooks

December 11: John Welch December 25: No usher

December 18: Herbert P. Dane

CHRISTMAS CELEBRATIONS AT THE FIRST CHURCH

Sunday, December 11: 10:30 a.m. Morning prayer, followed by Christmas caroling in the parish hall,

holiday refreshments, and the hanging of the greens.

Sunday, December 18: Morning prayer and the children’s Christmas pageant.

Wednesday, December 21: 6:00 p.m. Taizé music service.

Saturday, December 24: 4:30 p.m. Christmas Eve Candlelight Vespers.

10:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Communion Service.

Sunday, December 25: 9:00 a.m. Christmas Day prayer service (summer service format)*

Sunday, January 1: 10:30 a.m. Morning prayer and service of Christmas carols.

*This year Christmas Day falls on Sunday. We will gather early at 9:00 a.m. for a special, shorter service along the lines of our summer sessions. The following Sunday, New Year’s Day, we will have morning prayer at the usual time with singing of carols.

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

During Advent the children will be preparing the Christmas pageant. The pageant is based on the nativity stories in the Gospels of Luke and Matthew. This year the accent will be on hearing the Word of God. A few stories heard earlier this year will be included, broadening the dramatic setting of the nativity story. Bell ringing as well as viola and piano pieces are in the works, so we will have a variety of music. No prior experience or Sunday school attendance required! This is a wonderful time and way for children of all ages to enjoy the Christmas story. Parents and grandparents are welcome to join us too!

December 4: Pageant rehearsal in class.

December 11: Pageant rehearsal in class; lunch provided at 11:15 a.m.;

DRESS REHEARSAL 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

December 18: 9:00 a.m. Children arrive to don costumes;

9:30 Pageant rehearsal with Quartet;

10:30 a.m. Morning Prayer service with pageant.

Youth Group: Many thanks to all who brought in food and toiletries for the Newton Centre Food Pantry. We had a wonderful time helping restock the shelves and encouraging “shoppers” to choose from the various categories of food.

Rev. Caggiano sent the Youth Group on a surprising and educational scavenger hunt in the church. There is a wealth of treasures to discover in our sanctuary. We then climbed the stairs to the bell tower (many thanks to Dana Flynn for cleaning the area before we got there!) and were amazed at the size and thickness of the bell. We want to “polish” the bell, if that is an option, and take rubbings of the Paul Revere name.

Happy Advent to all, Joan Hunt, DRE

READING GROUP

We are reading Let the Great World Spin by Colum McCann and will meet January 10; details in the January bulletin.

OUTREACH COMMITTEE

In September the Standing Committee approved the formation of a new committee, the Outreach Committee, whose function is to coordinate outreach activities, including the major fund-raising event for outreach, the Thanksgiving Food and Flower Sale. Starting in January, the Committee will post opportunities for volunteers to participate in church-affiliated service projects. These activities will be open to all members and friends of the congregation. If you are interested in being a member of the Outreach Committee to plan and oversee our outreach program, please contact Sally Baker. Sally Baker, Outreach Committee Chair

2011–2012 Annual Appeal

Earlier this month you received our letter asking you to respond to the Annual Appeal. We’ve had an exciting year, with new members and new programs—but that also means increased expenses. We hope everyone will do their part; even a small gift will help ensure the continuing vitality of our church. Many thanks.

Carol T. Lohe, Standing Committee Chair, and Judith K. Wyman, Treasurer

GREAT BOOKS DISCUSSION GROUP

Our book for December is Aristotle’s On Tragedy (selections). We will gather for discussion at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 28. Everyone is welcome.

SnowStorm Policy

Services are not formally canceled for snowstorms. As a standing policy, I will open the church on Sunday mornings regardless of weather. However, because neither the church grounds nor the surrounding streets may be plowed in time for church, parking may not be available. Each person should decide what to with an eye firmly on safety. I would rather have fewer people in the pews than any one of you in an orthopedist’s office. Be safe, be warm. Mark

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Music for decemBER 2011

December 4 (Advent II)

Preludes: “From heaven came the angel host” ― Bach

“Sheep may safely graze” ― Bach

Anthem: “Mercy and truth are met” ― Rorem

Response: “The only Son from heaven” ― Bach

Anthem: “Benedictus” (Requiem) ― Mozart

Choral Amen: “Fourfold” ― Barrow

Postlude: “Toccata in E Minor” ― Pachelbel

December 11 (Advent III)

Preludes: “Jesus I will never leave” ― Walther

“Noel for the Reed Stops” ― Daquin

Anthem: “When the Lord turned again” ― Batten

Response: “Jesus I will never leave” ― Bach

Duet: “And His mercy is on them that fear Him”

(Magnificat) ― Bach

Choral Amen: “Threefold” ― Traditional

Postlude: “Praise to the Lord” ― Walther

December 18 (Advent IV -- Christmas Pageant)

Preludes: Prelude of Christmas Vocal Music

Anthem: “Thou art the glory of their strength” ― Handel

Response: ”What can I give Him?” ― Holst

Anthem: “A dove flew down from heaven”

German carol, arr. ― Brahms

Choral Amen: “Sevenfold” ― Stainer

Postlude: “In dulci jubilo” ― Bach

December 25 (Christmas Day)

Preludes: “Noel for the Flutes” ― Daquin

“In dulci jubilo” ― Bach

Carol Sing: A selection of Christmas music and carols

Postlude: “In Thee is gladness” ― Bacb