All Souls Weekly Volume 2, Number 4, December 21, 2008
The Joy Continues
While the Third Sunday of Advent is a day of particular rejoicing, we continue to anticipate the joy of Christmas with prayers and songs and signs. On December 21, the Fourth Sunday of Advent, the scripture and readings point us to the Blessed Virgin Mary, and we will hear two Ave Marias: a solo by Marcel Dupré during the Prelude, and a choral setting by Franz Biebl during Communion. Father Worthley will preach and celebrate both Masses.
At 4 p.m. on Christmas Eve we celebrate the Children’s Mass with the Blessing of the Crèche and Holy Communion. We will sing familiar carols, bless the nativity scene, hear a Christmas story from the Rector, and celebrate the first Christmas Communion.
Later on Christmas Eve we will be blessed with extraordinary music. The prelude begins at 10:30 p.m. with carols for the congregation and a larger work for choir. Gaudete (Rejoice) is a suite of 10 Christmas Carols arranged by the Swedish composer Anders Öhrwall. The choir is joined by an ensemble of flute, oboe, and bassoon. Music for the High Mass (that begins at 11:00 p.m.) includes French baroque composer Marc-Antoine Charpentier's Messe de Minuit sur des Airs de Noël. (Midnight Mass based on French Christmas Carols). This tuneful setting of the Mass features several carol melodies which were popular in late 17th century Paris, lending an even yet more joyful atmosphere to our worship. Join us when you can, this Advent and Christmastide. John Beddingfield
Your prayers are asked for . . . Peter Bennett, Harriet Martin, Dorothy Whitmore, Libby Davis, Susan Morrison, Chris Cobb, Suzanne Eyman, Landis Vance, Vickie Drell, Stephanie Russell, Ruth & Fred Huber, Jim St. George, Martha Holdgate, Chip Meyers, Mary Backus, Anne Marie Morotte, Ron Biggs, Steve Coon, Dorothy, Cindy Harvey, Jerome & Mary Ann Gariff, Carol Atnip, Walter Jason, Arthur Andrew Warren, Robert Osborne, Mary Beth McCutcheon, Bryan Powell, Regina Dading, Julia Gutierrez, and Ted Field. Pray also for the members of our Armed Forces on active duty, especially Jack Severson, David Jones, and Timothy Zlatich . . . If you wish to participate in our ongoing Internet Prayer Circle please contact Vicki Lowe at lowevg1@verizon.net.
Around the Parish . . . The Adult Forum this Sunday is led by Joe Howell on the Oxford Movement, the theological, spiritual, and liturgical movement that has significantly shaped Anglicanism. Join us in the Undercroft at 10 a.m . . . Please recall that the church does not provide childcare for Christmas Eve . . . Attendance on Sunday, December 14 at the 8:30 a.m. Mass, 41; at the 11:00 a.m. Mass, 195 . . . Total pledge offerings this week were $11,395.40. The plate offering this week was $3,513.00.
Liturgical Notes . . . On the First Sunday after Christmas Day, December 28, we celebrate with a Service of Christmas Lessons & Carols followed by Mass . . . The Sanctuary Candle is offered to the glory of God and in loving memory of Joan Kennedy Meyers on the second anniversary of her death, given by Melissa Meyers, Josie Martin, and Eleanor W. Martin.
Thanks Department . . . Thanks to Marcia Anderson, St. Nicholas, and all of those who helped make the children’s Christmas party such a success . . . Thanks to Carlos Guerra, who arranged and decorated the Christmas tree in the Mary Chapel . . . Many thanks to Jennifer Johnston, Arlin Winefordner, Daniel Callis, and Tom Mabon who helped clean the church last Saturday . . . Thanks to Robin Jones, Susan Morrison, Tom Mabon, Gary O’Neill, and all who helped to cook and clean for the Advent Wednesday evening dinners and Bible Studies . . . And finally, thanks to Gary O’Neill and Robin Jones for polishing the altar silver (while the chicken was cooking.)
Congratulations to Philip Cave . . . Our music director and organist, PhilipCave, has completed a Doctor of Musical Arts at the University of Maryland. His dissertation is entitled, “Philippe Rogier (c. 1561-1596): Missa Inclita Stirps Jesse. A Critical and Performing Edition with Performance Commentary.”Congratulations and blessings to our Dr. Cave.
Mary Blackwelder Memorial . . . Mary G. Blackwelder, widow of the Rev. Francis W. Blackwelder, Third Rector of All Souls Parish, died at the age of 95 on August 13, 2008. Her interment will be at All Souls on Tuesday, December 23, 2008 at 11 a.m. and a reception in the Undercroft will follow.
Stewardship update . . . To date, we have received 141 pledges, totaling $481,224.00. Our goal is 175 pledges & $657,963. If you have not filled out a pledge card, please help us plan for our 2009 budget. The Vestry has adopted a provisional budget which includes the recommended cuts of the Finance Committee, though further cuts may be necessary if additional pledges are not received.
Year-end Financial Alert on Contributions . . . If you wish to make additional contributions to All Souls in 2008, please be reminded that IRS rules are very specific. Contributions must be credited in the year in which they are received. The only exception is at year-end when a contribution is postmarked by December 31, 2008 . . . Also, if you wish to use contributions envelopes in the new year, you must let the office know. If you completed a pledge card and marked the box requesting envelopes, you are already on our list. Anyone else should call the office to make a request. Envelopes are primarily for the identification of those making cash contributions. If you are making a contribution by check, you do not need an envelope.
Christmas Flowers for Sale . . . Paperwhite Ziva bulbs and a limited number of red amaryllis bulbs are available for purchase in the Undercroft. The bulbs are pre-planted and will bloom shortly. Proceeds support the work of the Garden Guild.
Special Christmas Donations . . . If you would like to contribute to the Christmas decorations or special music in memory of, or in thanksgiving for a loved one, or thanksgiving for a special event, please mail your check to the parish office with a note including the name of the person or persons you are honoring or remembering. Make checks payable to AllSoulsChurch and specify a donation for flowers, music, or both. Donations will be accepted until the end of the year, but must be received by December 21 in order to be acknowledged in the bulletin.
Toys for the St. John Hospital . . . Help provide stuffed animals or art supplies for the pediatric patients at the St. JohnHospital in Jerusalem. Bring the items to the Undercroft during Advent. Our gifts will be shipped with medical supplies to the hospital after January 1, 2009. Thank you for your caring support. Pat Dresser Readings for the Daily Office
December 21, 2008
Morning Prayer
Evening Prayer
The Fourth Sunday of Advent
Isaiah 42:1-12, Eph. 6:10-20
John 3:16-21
Monday
Isaiah 11:1-9, Rev. 20:1-10
John 5:30-47
Tuesday
Isaiah 11:10-16, Rev. 20:11-21:8
Luke 1:5-25
Wednesday – Christmas Eve
Isaiah 35:1-10, Rev. 22:12-17, 21
Luke 1:67-80
Thursday – Christmas Day
Zech. 2:10-13, 1 John 4:7-16
John 3:31-36
Friday – St. Stephen’s Day
2 Chron. 24:17-22, Acts 6:1-7
Acts 7:59-8:8
Saturday – St. John’s Day
Prov. 8:22-30, 1 John 5:1-12
John 13:20-35
Calendar for the Week
December 21, 2008, The Fourth Sunday of Advent
Low Mass, 8:30 a.m., High Mass, 11 a.m.
Child care provided for both worship services
Continental breakfast in the Undercroft follows the 8:30 a.m. Mass
Choir Rehearsal 9:15 a.m.
Adult Forum 10 a.m. Topic: The Oxford Movement
Children’s Sunday School 11:00 a.m.
Coffee Hour in the Undercroft follows the 11 a.m. Mass.
