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Advent Lessons and Carols, St. Stephen's Pro-Cathedral, Wilkes-Barre on December 14th

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St. Stephen’s Choir will present the annual Festival Service of Lessons and Carols for Advent on Wednesday, December 14 ^th at 6:00 p.m., led and accompanied by Canon Mark Laubach.  Offerings will support St. Stephen’s “Voice For Life” Fund and gifts of food and clothing will be received for those in need.  A reception will follow in the Auditorium.

"Come Meet John the Baptist at the Mall" Sermon for Advent 2

[By Canon Maria Tjeltveit, Rector of Church of the Mediator, Allentown]

Sermon
Second Sunday in Advent
December 4, 2011
Church of the Mediator
Mark 1:1-8

I admit I was pretty shocked to see it on the sign for the Lehigh Valley Mall. Right underneath “Come Meet Santa at the Mall” it said “Come Meet John the Baptist at the Mall.” This was a first!

I turned into the crowded parking lot and finally found a space. Inside the mall it wasn’t too hard to spot Santa. Actually I saw the line first; little kids fidgeting, their parents looking bored or trying to break up squabbles before they got out of hand. There was Santa seated on a large chair saying “Ho! Ho! Ho!” his white mustache and beard bouncing up and down. He welcomed a small child onto to his ample lap; her sticky hand grazing his red and white suit. I stopped for a while and listened as Santa asked each child if he or she had been good (they all had!) and what they wanted for Christmas. The lists seemed as long as the line: Let’s Rock Elmo!, Fijit Friends, Lalaloopsy Silly Hair Dolls and LEGO Ninjango, Leapfrog Leap Pad Explorer, Kidizoom Twist, and Harry Potter Scene It, Angry Bird toys, Barbie Doggie Water Park, Moshi Monsters Talking Plush, Baby Annabelle…and on and on. Each child seemed to want every hot toy there was. Santa smiled and patted their heads, then had the obligatory picture before each child moved on. The parents looked glad to get the ordeal over with as they took their children’s hands and the animated children dragged them off to the nearest toy store.

I had to look a little harder to find John the Baptist. He was over in a quieter corner of the mall next to the water fountain. I guess Jordan Creek is a little too cold this time of year for outdoor baptisms. John, too, had a line waiting for him, although the line was shorter and the people in it were older, a few children but mostly teenagers and adults. John was sitting on a folding chair, dressed in a loose camel hair outfit that was drawn together by a leather belt but still hung from his thin body. His dark hair and beard were unkempt but his face and eyes glowed with an inner light that was compelling. He seemed both young and old at the same time. Those who approached him did not try to sit on his knobby knees but sat on another folding chair across from to him. Again I stopped to listen.

John looked in the face of each person who came to him and said “What do you need to let God turn your life in the right direction?” The answers didn’t always come at once but John was patient. I heard one person speak of how he was estranged from his parents and needed reconciliation. Another spoke of wrestling with addition to alcohol and pain medications and needing to be freed. One spoke of being in grief during this time when everyone else was celebrating and needing to know God was there. A teenager spoke about feeling pressured to go further with her boyfriend than she felt comfortable and needing to be able to assert herself and live out her own values. Someone mentioned feeling overwhelmed by the amount of stuff he already had and needing to find how to give in a meaningful way to people who didn’t have enough. A child talked about how he and his sister were always fighting or mean to each other and needed to remember that they really did care about each other. One had been unemployed for months and needed to believe that there was hope. Another felt so rushed in this season that she needed to know how to make time for God…. Each person’s need was different, personal, and it seemed like just speaking it out loud to John broke something open for them.

John would listen to each person. Sometimes he would give advice on what they could do. Then he would take each to the water fountain and let the water run over their hands and head. He would say to each one, as he handed them a paper towel, “I have baptized you for repentance, for turning your life around, and for forgiveness, but this is just the beginning. Someone is coming who is greater than me. I have washed you with water but he is coming and will draw you to God with the Holy Spirit. He is coming soon. Wait for him. Look for him. Continue to work with God to turn your life in the right direction. The one who is coming will come to you.”

I can’t say that I understood all of what John was about. But the line of people stayed steady.

I wandered around the mall a little more, going into a few stores. As I got near the exit, I recognized some of the people who had been in the line to meet Santa. The parents were weighted down with bags and looked frazzled, sometimes dragging a reluctant child by the hand as he cried that he wanted something from Cinnabon and how could Mommy be so mean not to let him have it.

I also recognized some of the people who had been in line to meet John the Baptist. Some of them were holding a bag or two, a few holding a child’s hand. Their hair was still damp, but their faces showed a kind of serenity and hope and they smiled at the people they passed as they went out into the cold air.

I watched for a few minutes and then I went and got in line to talk to John. What do I need to let God turn my life in the right direction?

Yuletide Recital by Aram Basmadjian December 11th on Trinity, Bethlehem's newly restored organ

Time: December 11, 3:00 p.m.

Location: Trinity Episcopal Church, 44 E. Market St., Bethlehem, PA 18018

Trinity Episcopal Church in Bethlehem will celebrate both its newly restored Aeolian-Skinner organ and its new Artist-in-Residence, Aram Basmadjian. Aram is renowned among organists for his exciting and spectacular CD recordings and nation-wide tours using Allen theater and church organs. He currently  manages the custom organ department for Allen Organ Company in Macungie, PA.

This concert of seasonal and classical music will mix traditional and modern compositions, including Bach’s Sinfonia from Cantata 29 “We Thank Thee, God”, Frederick Delius’ “Winter Night”, and “Carol Rhapsody” by Richard Purvis, and a chance for the audience to sing along to Christmas carols. A reception with Yuletide treats will follow the performance.

Tickets are at the door, suggested donation $15, children under 12 free.

For further information, contact Mother Laura Howell, info@trinitybeth.org or 610-867-4741

Christmas Reflections with Michael Bodnyk at St. John's, Palmerton, December 10th

Advent Festival of Lessons and Carols, Mediator, Allentown on December 4th

Diocesan Life for December 2011/January 2012

Open publication - Free publishing - More floods

You can download a .pdf of the file here: Download DECEMBER2011_DiocesanLife_SMALL

Advent music program: A Procession with Hymns, Carols & Lessons, St. Gabriel's, Douglassville, November 27th

You know it's almost Christmas when St. Paul's Montrose makes its wreaths

[From Paul Walker, Rector of St. Paul's, Montrose]

Members of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Montrose, met recently for an afternoon of making pinecone wreaths for their Christmas bazaar called The Country Store, to be held at the church, located at 276 Church Street, on Saturday, December 3 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.  The participants from left to right are Margaret Burgh, Rita Leigh, Lynne Graham, Carol Marker, Jennie Bowen, and Ed and Karen Smith, front.

 

Quiet Christmas at Moravian Theological Seminary

A Quiet Christmas service is one of reflection, reading, prayer and healing.  It is designed for those who may have suffered losses in the past year – losses of loved ones, health, employment.  There are seasons in our lives when quiet reflection is more appropriate than festivities.  There will be a harpist and a violinist to provide music, scripture, candle lighting, readings to remember the light in our lives.

All are welcome!

Bahnson Center is accessible for individuals with mobility impairments. Moravian Theological Seminary encourages persons with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation or have questions about the physical access provided, please contact Amanda Griesser at 610-861-1519 at least one week prior to the event.

Lessons and Carols in Wilkes-Barre

[From Andrea]

Wednesday, December 15 at 6:00 p.m. at St. Stephen's Pro-Cathedral, Wilkes-Barre. This is an annual program we do to commemorate the beginning of Advent.  This year, however, will be extra special because it is our Organist/Choirmaster Mark Laubach's 25th anniversary at St. Stephen's.  Mark will perform for the first time ever a brand new commissioned piece by David Briggs, an accomplished organist from Great Britain, who performed at our last silent film showing last year.
 
Find below a memo from Mark with a listing of songs we will be performing. The memo als invites you to join the choir. So, if you don't plan on that, kindly disregard the info there.

Download Advent Lessons and Carols 2010.doc

There is no admission, but as usual, the Choir will collect free will contributions that will go towards our music activities. You are free to give as much or as little as you'd like. Free parking is available next to the church.

Trinity Revels feature Cambiata

[From Mo. Laura Howell]

Trinity Bethlehem’s Annual Yuletide Revels will be held on Saturday,
December 4, beginning at 5:00 pm. Trinity  co-sponsors this evening of
traditional and early music with Moravian College's Undergraduate
Conference on Medieval and Early Modern Studies.

This year, the featured performers will be Cambiata, with a program of
Yuletide music and antics. The group uses a variety of colorful period
instruments to bring the Renaissance to life through music. They have
been introducing audiences of all ages to sights and sounds from
Renaissance Europe's royal courts to its rural hamlets.

Festivities continue in the parish hall after the concert, with a
Boar's Head in Procession, flaming Christmas pudding, wassail, nog,
ginger cake, and other traditional Yuletide treats.

The Morning Call has an article on the Conference and Concert at
http://www.mcall.com/news/local/bethlehem/mc-moravian-medieval-20101127,0,4573850.story.

Suggested donation is $12.00.

For more information contact Laura Howell laura@trinitybeth.org,
610-867-4741 X304.

Location: Trinity Episcopal Church, 44 E. Market St., Bethlehem, PA 18018 

Advent Quiet Day at Trinity Bethlehem

Please see the following for the Advent Quiet Day to be led by The Rev. Canon Cliff Carr

Jesus' birth exalts the poor

From the Lectionaries
Jesus' birth exalts the poor
by Archdeacon Howard Stringfellow
Advent 4 –– Luke 1:39-45 (and 46-55)
20 December 2009

Our Lady headlines the Gospel this week, replacing John the Baptist who held center stage for two Sundays. Enduring, however, are the comparisons and contrasts between John and Jesus except they are made between their parents, Zechariah and Elizabeth, and Mary and Joseph. Before Luke 2:1, the beginning of the “Christmas” story, Joseph has but one brief mention (1:27) and does not appear.

When Gabriel announces the birth of John to Zechariah, and Zechariah disbelieves the announcement, he is struck dumb (1:20). When Gabriel announces the birth of Jesus to Mary, she doesn’t disbelieve but asks “how” (1:34). And when she visits Elizabeth, she bursts into the Magnificat, the opposite of having her mouth closed for her.

A prophet with a new message, but he's not the Savior

From the Lectionaries
by Archdeacon Howard Stringfellow
Advent 3, Luke: 3:7-18
13 December 2009

John the Baptist headlines today’s Gospel as he did on Advent 2. But he may not be the Baptist you have come to know. Luke robs him of his scratchy clothes and his edgy diet. He has a new message though he appears as one of the old prophets. He doesn’t baptize Jesus. Though his and Jesus’ birth stories entwine, at each intersection Luke distinguishes and separates John from Jesus.

O' Come All Ye Faithful – Celtic Woman

[Thanks to Kelly Harris of the Diocese of West Texas]

Lo He Comes With Clouds Descending – Lichfield Cathedral Choir

[Thanks to Kelly Harris of the Diocese of West Texas]

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel – Casting Crowns

[Thanks to Kelly Harris of the Diocese of West Texas]

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel – Enya

[Thanks to Kelly Harris of the Diocese of West Texas]

Bishop Paul –– Fear and the Future

Fear and the Future
By Bishop Paul V. Marshall
[Diocesan Life, Diocese of Bethlehem, December 2008]

I tend to feel sharply contrasting emotions around Christmastime, and feel them simultaneously, as do many of us, I suspect.

Darkness
This is our first holiday period after my father’s death. As Advent comes upon us, I feel rather than see the darkness.

Of course that happens every year. In the northern hemisphere, Advent comes as the world is darkening, as things always appear to be dying. I am particularly aware this year that someday Advent will arrive and I will not be here to greet it because I, too, will be dead.

On the road to acceptance of one’s mortality there are feelings of futility, of cynicism, of anger. My light shines so dimly; and the darkness, the afternoon darkness, the winter darkness, the last darkness, seem likely to overcome it.

So, one old prayer for Advent began, “Stir up, we beseech Thee, Thy power, O Lord, and come.” Advent is first and foremost about humanity in the darkness, longing for light to come, longing for God to act. Advent is permission, invitation, for each of us to enter the heart’s fearful dark places that we try so hard to ignore most of the time, and to cry out, “Stir up your power, Lord, and come.”

Advent Resources

[From Canon Kitch] Download below an Advent Wreath Devotion Booklet that you can print. To print this booklet, you will need to use legal size paper. Once you have the four pages, you can copy them double sided and fold into a booklet. Advent and Christmas resources for children and adults for your use may also be downloaded below. Have a Blessed Advent --
Anne Kitch

Download advent_booklet_08.pdf

Download advent_and_christmas_resources_for_all_ages.pdf