Advent / Christmas 2005

In Search Of Our Kneeling Places

In each heart lies a Bethlehem,

an inn where we must ultimately answer

whether there is room or not.

When we are Bethlehem-bound

we experience our own advent in his.

When we are Bethlehem-bound

we can no longer look the other way

conveniently not seeing stars,

not hearing angel voices.

We can no longer excuse ourselves by busily

tending our sheep or our kingdoms.

This Advent let's go to Bethlehem

and see this thing that the Lord has

made known to us.

In the midst of shopping sprees

let's ponder in our hearts the Gift of Gifts.

Through the tinsel

let's look for the gold of the Christmas Star.

In the excitement and confusion, in the merry chaos

let's listen for the brush of angels' wings.

This Advent, let's go to Bethlehem

and find our kneeling places.

Ann Weems
Kneeling in Bethlehem

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Dancing With God

When I meditated on the word Guidance, I kept seeing "dance" at the end of the word. I remember reading that doing God's will is a lot like dancing. When two people try to lead, nothing feels right. The movement doesn't flow with the music, and everything is quite uncomfortable and jerky. When one person realizes that, and lets the other lead, both bodies begin to flow with the music. One gives gentle cues, perhaps with a nudge to the back or by pressing lightly in one direction or another. It's as if two become one body, moving beautifully. The dance takes surrender, willingness, and attentiveness from one person and gentle guidance and skill from the other. My eyes drew back to the word Guidance.

When I saw "G: I thought of God, followed by "u" and "i" - "God, "u" and "i" dance" - God, you, and I dance. As I lowered my head, I became Willing to trust that I would get guidance about my life. Once again, I became willing to let God lead.

My prayer for you today is that God's blessings and mercies be upon you on this day and everyday. May you abide in God as God abides in you. Dance together with God, trusting God to lead and to guide you through each season of your life. This prayer is powerful and there is nothing attached.

If God has done anything for you in your life, please share this message . with someone else, for prayer is one of the best gifts .we can receive. There is no cost but a lots of rewards; so let's continue to pray for one another. And I Hope You Dance!

Anonymous

ADVENT PROGRAM

This year we will re-institute a very special Advent Program. Our visiting priest, Bol Deng, will be speaking to us about his experiences as one of "The Lost Boys" of the Sudan; he escaped to Ethiopia and returned to build schools and become an ordained priest and Archdeacon of the Church of Sudan's largest diocese. The program will cover three Wednesdays: November 30, December 7 and December 14.

We will begin with a soup supper at 6:00 p.m., with the program t6 follow at 6:30 p.m. We will end the evening around 8:00 p.m. with the reading of Compline. Please sign up to bring soup, bread and fruit on the sheets posted on the kitchen door.

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PLEDGE CARDS FOR 2006

If you have not yet turned in your blue pledge card for 2006, it's not too late. It is important to get the pledges as soon as possible in order for the Vestry to come up with the budget for 2006. Speaking of pledges, don't forget that we are rapidly approaching the end of 2005. If yours isn't up to date, please try to bring it up by the end of the year.

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SCHEDULE for ADVENT and CHRISTMAS 2005

Wednesdays in Advent: November 30, December 7 and 14
6:00 p.m. - Soup Supper
6:30 p.m. - Program: The Rev. Bartholomayo Bol Deng
8:00 p.m. - Compline

First Sunday of Advent: November 27
8:00 and 10:30 a.m. - Holy Eucharist and Sermon

Second Sunday of Advent: December 4
8:00 and 10:30 a.m. - Holy Eucharist and A Visit From St. Nicholas!

Third Sunday of Advent: December 11
8:00 and 10:30 a.m. - Holy Eucharist and Sermon; Preacher: Timothy H. Grayson, Seminarian

Fourth Sunday of Advent: December 18
8:00 and 10:30 a.m. - Holy Eucharist and Sermon

Greening of the Church: Thursday, December 22
6:30 p.m. - The Eating of Pizza
7:00 p.m. - The Greening of the Church
(De-greening, Sunday, January 1, 2006 - 12 noon)

Christmas Eve: Saturday, December 24
5:00 p.m. - Children's Liturgy for Christmas Eve
10:30 p.m. - Holy Eucharist with Sermon and Festival Music

Christmas Day: Sunday, December 25 10:00 a.m. - Holy Eucharist and Homily

New Year's Day - Feast of The Holy Name:
Sunday, January 1, 2006
8:00 and 10:30 a.m. - Holy Eucharist and Sermon (Preacher: Amy L. Spagna)

In the Atrium . . .

We conclude our Voyage to Narnia program, an exploration of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C. S. Lewis on Sunday, December 11^th. A group from All Saints - Sharon Chapel will attend a screening of the new Narnia movie, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe, at the AMC Hoffman Center theater (map). Ticket reservations required. We will gather after church for a bring-what-you-can potluck lunch and then go to the 4:30 p.m. showing. For more information, see Davette Himes.

Annual Meeting

The All Saints - Sharon Chapel annual meeting will be held Sunday, February 5th, 2006, following the 10:30 worship service. Please plan to attend so we can conduct church business with a maximum of participation.

Christmas Trees

It's an All Saints - Sharon Chapel tradition. Advent Season means trees, at Sharon Chapel and parishioner volunteers awaiting our friends and neighbors who come every year to buy their tree from All Saints. The Christmas tree sale was held to raise money to save an old oak tree on the church's property; part of that tree is now the wooden cross that hangs over the altar in the sanctuary. Please volunteer to man the stand and buy your tree at our Christmas tree sale.