Christmas Week Services
Christmas Week Schedule
Sunday December 22 ADVENT 4
8:00 am: Holy Eucharist
10:00 am: Holy Eucharist with Nativity Pageant
No Church School; Nursery Available
Tuesday December 24
4:00 pm: Family Christmas Eve Holy Eucharist
9:00 pm: Choir and Candlelight Christmas Eve Holy Eucharist
Nursery Available at 4:00 pm Service
Wednesday December 25
9:00 am: Holy Eucharist with Carols
Sunday December 29
9:00 am: Holy Eucharist: The Rev. Jorge Gutierrez Presiding
NOTE ONE SERVICE ONLY
No Church School or Nursery
"The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness cannot overcome it,"
"The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness cannot overcome it," Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop and Primate Michael Curry said in his Christmas Message 2019.
The video of the Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop and Primate Michael Curry’s Christmas Message 2019 is found here. The text of the message follows:
In the first chapter of John's Gospel, sometimes referred to as the prologue to the Gospel, sometimes spoken of as the whole Gospel in miniature the Gospel writer says this. As he reflects on the coming of God into the world in the person of Jesus. As he reflects on Christmas. He says, the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness cannot overcome it.
I don't think it's an accident that long ago, followers of Jesus began to commemorate his coming into the world when the world seemed to be at its darkest.
It's probably not an accident that we observe Christmas soon after December 21, the winter solstice. The winter solstice being in the Northern Hemisphere the darkest time of the year.
Undoubtedly, these ancient Christians who began to celebrate the coming of God into the world, they knew very well that this Jesus, his teachings, his message, his spirit, his example, his life points us to the way of life itself, a way of life, where we take care of each other. A way of life, where we care for God's world. A way of life, where we are in a loving relationship with our God, and with each other as children of the one God, who has created us all.
They also knew John's Gospel and John's Christmas story. Now there are no angels in John's Christmas story. There are no wise men coming from afar. There's no baby lying in a manger. There's no angel choir singing Gloria in excelsis Deo in the highest of the heavens. There are no shepherds tending their flocks by night. Matthew and Luke tell those stories. In John, it is the poetry of new possibility, born of the reality of God when God breaks into the world.
It's not an accident that long ago, followers of Jesus began to commemorate his birth, his coming into the world. When the world seemed darkest. When hope seemed to be dashed on the altar of reality. It is not an accident that we too, commemorate his coming, when things do not always look right in this world.
But there is a God. And there is Jesus. And even in the darkest night. That light once shined and will shine still. His way of love is the way of life. It is the light of the world. And the light of that love shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not, cannot, and will not overcome it.
God love you. God bless you and may you have a Merry Christmas and may this world be blessed. Amen.
The Most Rev. Michael B. Curry
Presiding Bishop and Primate
The Episcopal Church
Merry Christmas from El Ocotillo
May the Lord Bless You!!
Elvin David Argueta Nolasco, one of our university students in El Ocotillo sent this Christmas message. David is majoring in English.
We always have a lovely reception following the service, and we rely on those attending to bring food to share. Please consider bringing a finger food (savory or sweet) to share with others. And feel free to bring beverages – cider, wine, seltzer – as well! This festive afternoon always brings joy to those who attend and fills us with the Christmas spirit in lessons, carols, and fellowship.
Liturgy for Advent Services
Common Worship: Times and Seasons
The liturgy for the four Sundays in Advent will be drawn from Church of England’s Common Worship: Times and Seasons, Church House Publishing, UK.
Christmas Flower Dedications
December 16 deadline
If you would like to contribute to Christmas Flowers for decorating the Sanctuary, please fill out a small red form available at the ushers’ table and put it in the collection plate or leave it under the office door. Checks should be made out to the church with Christmas Flowers in the memo line. You can also email Laura Brock with your dedication. Dedications must be received no later than 9:00am Monday December 16 to ensure they will be included in the holiday publications. Contributions should be made as soon as possible so that flowers can be ordered.
We are a family of immigrants; we are all one in the eyes of God
Immigrant Sunday, December 1
At Good Shepherd we are so enriched by the life stories we all bring to our faith community. In December, as we prepare to recount the story of Mary and Joseph’s journey from their home to strange lands, we will make visible the stories of the members of our community who left the homes of their birth to come to the United States. On December 1st we will share a video interview of six of our friends who were born in Cuba, Nigeria, Palestine, England and India. We hope you can join us to hear their stories! For the month of December, a new bulletin board in the parish hall will feature a world map with photos and a bit of information about parishioners who are immigrants. If you are an immigrant, we’d love to include you in this display. Please send a photo to Barb Magee or reach out to her to ask questions or to have your picture taken. The goal is to have it complete by Immigrant Sunday December 1.
I was cold and you clothed me
Warm coats, hats, mittens and scarfs needed
On Sundays December 1 and 8, we will be gathering gently-used winter children's and men's clothing for the Church of San Lucas, Chelsea, MA. This is a tangible gesture of our solidarity while many struggle with fear of anti-immigrant violence and rhetoric. Winter coats, hats, mittens and scarfs for children and adults are needed.
The Daily Office
If you are interested in praying the Daily Office, here's the audio link. Another resource for reading the office on your own can be found here.
Our choir rehearses Wednesday evenings at 7:15 pm.
Our choir rehearses Wednesday evenings at 7:15 pm.
I look forward with great anticipation to enriching congregational worship with music from our choir, as well as other voices and instrumentalists within our ranks! A present opportunity is upon us. The first Sunday of the month (until further notice) is Mission Service. The choir will be prepared to present a choral anthem, but I would like to encourage those soloists, guitarists, clarinetists, trios and more to also share their talents! Before we know it, the holidays will be upon us. Have you ever had the desire to sing with the choir but can’t commit to the whole church year? Well, you’re in luck! Join the Christmas Choir! Only four Wednesday rehearsals: November 27, December 4, 11 and 18, ages 14 and above. Please contact me with your particular talent and abilities for future services.
Christ’s love,
Deborah Colageo
classicaldeb@gmail.com