Fr. Harrison's Letter for the First Sunday in Advent

For First Sunday of Advent, 2015
A Season of Preparation, Indeed!
November 28, 2015
Dear Hearts,

First of all, heartfelt thanks to all who piled gifts of food around the Children's Altar to help more of our neighbors enjoy Creation's bounty at Thanksgiving!  And what a beautiful Thanksgiving Day and Day-after we enjoyed!  We did right by the great harvest hymns on Thursday; and Beth Stevens treated us to John Rutter's lovely "For the Beauty of the Earth."

This Sunday may be the Sunday after Thanksgiving, and a day of travel, rest and/or football for most.  It is all that and more for the Church. On Sunday we begin a New Year in the Church's calendar.  Although our program year, beginning in September, follows the academic calendar; and our fiscal year, beginning in January, follows the secular calendar; the Church's Year, beginning four Sundays before Christmas, follows events in the life of Jesus.  So the Church's Year begins  with a season of preparation and watchful waiting. 

Perhaps the chief symbol of Advent is the Advent wreath.  In the midst of a world of darkness, both literal and figurative, we light candles to proclaim the coming birth of new light in our midst.  In keeping with this new season, the celebratory white vestments for Thanksgiving and Christ-the-King Sunday have been put away; the green vestments of the Season after Pentecost are also stored away.  In their place come the brilliant indigo blue vestments, the color of the night sky just before dawn.  In place of the Jubilate, the Hymn of Praise at 8a.m. will be the Song of Zechariah after the birth of John the Baptist.  In place of the soaring service music by Healey Willan during the 10a.m. service, we will move to the haunting service music of Archangelsy and Schubert.  Pay attention to the overtones, they hint that something/someone extraordinary is "adventus," i.e.coming.

For Christ Church, we have a special week of preparations ahead:  We will be busy getting ready for theGuilford Tree-Lighting Chili Supper, ECW Cookie Sale, Youth Wreath Sale and Santa's Gift Shoppe, all from 5-7p.m. on next Friday, December 4.  In addition, we can look forward to the great fun of 4, 6 and 8 hands playing one piano, when sFOURzando -- featuring our own Vicky Reeve -- take to the Steinway on Friday at 7:30p.m.   Be sure to invite your neighbors to come in out of the cold, and warm up with chili, hospitality, great gifts, and awesome music!
 
After the busy-ness of Friday, plan to enjoy our Choir's Musical Advent Celebration, on Sunday, December. 6th at 6p.m.  We will celebrate the special character of Advent with readings from Scripture, choir anthems, organ music, and congregational hymns — a wonderful opportunity to step away from the hustle and bustle of the pre-Christmas season. Another opportunity to invite friends and family to share a lovely evening at Christ Church.
In faith and hope,
Harrison+
YFNR
 
P.S. Just in time for Cyber Monday:  Do your Amazon shopping via Amazon Smile, and Christ Church will receive a premium of 0.5%! Just access Amazon via the church's Amazon Smile code (click through on the link).

Nothing will be added to what you pay. The key thing is to access Amazon via the link; it can't be added at checkout.  However, once you've accessed Amazon via this route, your Amazon purchases will earn the 0.5% for a year.  I have just told you everything I know.  Please direct any questions to digital guru Jane Ferrall at christchurchguilfordct@gmail.com  And thank Jane for making this happen for us!

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