All Souls Weekly Volume 2, Number 6, January 4, 2009
What's in a name?
January 1 is New Year’s Day, but the church has named it in several different ways through the years.As early as the 4th century, the church tried to offer something to counter the pagan celebrations of the New Year.St. Augustine preached, “Let them [the pagans] give new year’s gifts: you should give alms.Let them sing boisterous songs: you should open your hearts to the word of God. Let them rush to the theater: you should rush to church. Let them get drunk: you should fast.”
The church in Rome understood that the best way to counter a party, was to throw another party, and so January 1 became dedicated to the Virgin Mary, possibly influenced by earlier celebrations of the Annunciation and the Assumption in the Eastern Church.This day became known as the Anniversary of the Mother of God.The Roman Catholic Church still observes January 1 as a Feast of Mary; but also, in recent years, has used that day to encourage Christians to work for world peace and the relief of poverty.
Yet another feast was observed on January 1 in Spain and Gaul, from at least the 6th century.This came to be known as the Circumcision of the Lord, following Luke 2:21 in which Mary and Joseph bring Jesus to the Temple, eight days after he is born.By observing the Circumcision of Jesus or the Presentation of Our Lord Jesus Christ in the Temple, the church reminds itself of the humanity of Jesus, of his following the ordinary course of religious and social rituals in his day.
When the Book of Common Prayer was revised for the Episcopal Church in 1979, the calendar listed January 1 as “The Holy Name of Our Lord Jesus Christ.”Especially in parts of England since the 15th century, Christians have placed special emphasis upon the power of the name of Jesus (Joshua in Hebrew), a name that means “savior” and “deliverer.”
On Holy Name, we celebrate the name of Jesus—the name that saves us and delivers us.At the beginning of this New Year, we can give thanks that we are baptized into that Holy Name and that, whatever the New Year may bring, we rest and grow in the one who calls us by name, this day and into life eternal.John Beddingfield
Your prayers are asked for . . . Libby Davis, Harriet Martin, Dorothy Whitmore, Susan Morrison, Sydney Ponturo, 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 . . . Those who have asked for contributions envelopes for 2009 may pick them up from the table in the Undercroft . . . Attendance on Sunday, December 28 at the 8:30 a.m. Mass, 22; at the 11 a.m. Mass, 112; Attendance on Christmas Eve at the 4 p.m. Mass, 68; at the 11 p.m. Mass 150; Attendance on Christmas Day at the 10 a.m. Mass 24 . . . Total pledge offerings this week were $14,023.30. The plate offering this week was $4,264.00.
Ministry Leadership . . . There will be a short meeting with the Newcomers Ministry at 10 a.m. on Sunday, January 11 in the Conference Room to discuss preparations for the Ministry Day to be held between services on Sunday, January 25, 2009.
Liturgical Notes . . . The flowers at the High Altar are given to the glory of God and in celebration of the engagement of Amanda Harmel and Andy Domenico, given by Martha and Tony Domenico . . . The Sanctuary Candle is offered to the glory of God and in memory of Jim Barnett, given by Betty Bird.
Foyer Dinner Registration . . . One of the best ways to get to know others from All Souls (and to eat some very good food) is to become a part of the Foyer Dinner Program.The insert in this Weekly explains more about the program and how to be included.The program also needs people willing to be “captains,” who help coordinate a specific group.If you have additional questions or ideas, please speak with Kathleen Scholl or Butch Bradburn, coordinators.
Endowment Grant Applications . . . Applications for grants from the All Souls Endowment Fund for 2009 are available in the parish office. Grants may be made for projects in ministry or mission as well as for capital improvements. All applications are due in the office by February 7, 2009 and will be acted upon by the Board and Vestry.
Stewardship update . . . To date, we have received 156 pledges, totaling $493,290.00. Our goal is 175 pledges & $657,963. Even though 2008 has ended, if you have not filled out a pledge card, it’s never too late to help us plan for 2009.
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.
Readings for the Daily Office . . . come from the lectionary in the back of the Book of Common Prayer.Psalms are traditionally read according to the headings in the Prayer Book corresponding to the day of the month.For example, the heading for Psalm 69 on Page 679 in the Prayer Book is, “Thirteenth Day: Evening Prayer,” which would be the psalm appointed for February 13 in the evening.In keeping with the rubrics on page 934, we read the Gospel in the morning.The readings listed in the Morning Prayer column below are those read at All Souls Tuesday through Friday at 7:15 a.m.
January 4, 2009
Morning Prayer
Evening Prayer
The Epiphany (observed)
The Second Sunday after Christmas Day
Ecclus. 3:3-9,14-17, 1 Jn. 2:12-17
John 6:41-47
Monday of Christmas
Joshua 1:1-9, Heb. 11:32-12:2
John 15:1-16
The Epiphany of Our Lord Jesus Christ
Isaiah 52:7-10, Rev. 21:22-27
Matt. 12:14-21
Wednesday after the Epiphany
Isaiah 52:3-6, Rev. 2:1-7
John 2:1-11
Thursday after the Epiphany
Isaiah 59:15-21, Rev. 2:8-17
John 4:46-52
Friday after the Epiphany
Isaiah 63:1-5, Rev. 2:18-29
John 5:1-15
Saturday after the Epiphany
Isaiah 65:1-9, Rev. 3:1-6
John 6:1-14
Calendar for the Week
January 4, 2009, The Second Sunday after Christmas Day, observed as the Epiphany
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.
No Adult Forum this Sunday.
Children’s Sunday School 11:00 a.m.
Coffee Hour in the Undercroft follows the 11 a.m. Mass.
A.A. Meeting, conference room, 3 p.m.
Monday
A. A. Meeting, conference room, 8:30 p.m.
Tuesday
Matins, 7:15 a.m.
Wednesday
Matins, 7:15 a.m., Mass, noon
Christ House Breakfast, 7 a.m.;
Christ House dinner, 4 p.m.
Thursday
Matins, 7:15 a.m., Mass 7:30 a.m.
Friday
A.A. Meeting, conference room, 8:30 p.m.
Saturday
No Farmer’s Market until May 2009
Liturgical ministers for the Second Sunday after Christmas Day
Acolytes:
8:30 a.m. Robin Jones, Gary O’Neill
11:00 a.m. CR1-Mark Hoffman, T1-Charles Clark, Joe Howell
