Download November 27, 2011 - Trinity Episcopal Church

Trinity Episcopal Church, Dallas, Texas
November 27, 2011
TRINITY WEEKLY NEWS
From Canon Rob...
Welcome Visitors!!!!
Advent
Advent has always struck me as an odd season of the year. The word “Advent”
comes from the Latin, adventus, which means arrival or approach. Our minds and
our hearts are turned towards the Advent of Christ at Christmas, yet the great Advent themes expressed in our lectionary are the coming of Christ at the end of the
world and the accompanying themes of death, judgement, heaven and hell.
In conversation today with our appliance repairman the discussion turned to the
stress people feel around this time of year. What was on his mind was the first of
the Advent themes, death, and the implication of judgement, heaven and hell.
Having had conversations with him a couple of times before, I wasn’t entirely surprised. One of the things that we were discussing was the moment of dying. One
minute the person is there; the next moment the person has left and only the shell
remains.
We talked about what happens when we die. My repairman friend is badly
crippled and he is looking forward to being absent from his body and alive in
heaven with Christ Jesus, and he looks forward to having a new physical body
with legs that are fit for running and jumping.
It turned out that there was a serious point behind all this. My friend’s older
brother died last week. One minute he was there and the next moment he was
gone and only his worn out body remained.
All of that comes crashing home during the Christmas season as a counterpoint
to Christmas joy. Christ comes to be born in the world just as we experience it.
It helps a great deal to understand that it’s not about shopping, gifts, Christmas
Muzak in the stores, and eating enough to make us nauseous, although we will
in all likelihood do all these things.
Consider the nature of this Advent of Christ, called Christmas, or more accurately The Incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who comes to be born a human
child, God uniting himself with our flesh for
ever. That act of humility is incredible. In a
lovely poem Christina Rossetti wrote:
Lord God of Mary,
Whom His lips caress
While He rocks to rest
On her milky breast
In helplessness.1
In the midst of the inevitability of death we
celebrate the birth of Christ Jesus in Bethlehem, a historical act that is eternally present.
Rejoice. The King is Coming.
Christina Rossetti, “A Christmas Carol”, Christina Rossetti: The Complete Poems, (London: Penguin, 2005), p. 383
1
We are so happy to have
you worship with us today.
Be sure to sign our guest
register and pick up a
newcomer brochure. Please
call the church office if you
have any questions.
Sunday Bible Study
Adults and older
children are encouraged to come to the Sunday
Bible Study beginning at 9:15
am. We are currently studying
“The 39 Articles” and “The
Church in Ephesus.”
Wednesday Bible Study
The Alpha Course meets
every Wednesday at
6:30 pm. A catered meal is
served, so please email npark
[email protected] to RSVP.
For Children
Sunday School
Sunday school is
available for younger children
at 9:15 every Sunday morning.
Child Care
Child care is provided during
the 10:30 service each week in
classroom 6.
Benedictines Meet
Trinity’s Benedictine
chapter normally meets
on the 2nd and 4th
Sunday every month at 4 pm in
the church. However, they will
not meet today, November 27,
because of the Thanksgiving
holiday.
Please contact the church
office if you would like
2012 pledge envelopes.
News and Notes
Thanksgiving Sunday
Thanks to everyone who helped with the Thanksgiving lunch: setting up, bringing food, serving, and cleaning up! We
are particularly thankful for Judith Rovello and Barb DiDonato, who planned this event.
Christmas Angel Tree
Our Angel Tree is up in the narthex and needed items are hanging on it.
Please select the item or items you wish to provide and return to the church
office no later than Sunday, December 18. Since we are providing only
meals this year, there are no gifts listed.
Morning Prayer at Trinity
The Vestry has decided to postpone the start of a Sunday Morning Prayer
service until after the first of the year so they can spend more time discussing the best time for this service. The Chapel (formerly classroom 4) is complete and ready for use. If you haven’t seen it, stop by and take a look.
Pictured (above): Michael Mills and Canon Rob
during the Restoration of a Priest service. (below):
Marilyn Watson has graciously offered her home, 10404 Boedeker, for our The Rev. Mills giving the blessing before our
parish Christmas party. Plan to bring an hors d’oeuvre or a dessert to share Thanksgiving lunch.
Trinity Christmas Party
and join us at 7 pm on Saturday, December 10. A signup sheet is hanging
on the information board in the hall by the church office.
Christmas Altar Flowers
Christmas is a wonderful time to remember or honor loved ones with an
altar flower donation. Donation envelopes are available in the narthex or
call the church office to make arrangements.
An Evangelism Conference Featuring Rebecca Manley Pippert
Contact Canon Rob if you would like to attend this event (see the poster on
the information board) on Saturday, December 3, at Incarnation.
Serving Today, Sunday, November 27
Sermon
Missal
Canon Rob T. Hall
Chalice
Altar Guild Lector
R. Crawford Team 3
J. Page
Tellers
Ushers
Clean Up
D. Anderson & R. Bayh B. Bowling & H. Lewis J. Page & C. West
Serving Next Sunday, December 4
Canon Rob J. Page R. Bayh
Team 1
T. Benson
G. West & C. West
Email Outreach
One of the many church growth ideas that the Vestry is considering
is reaching out to potential new members via email. Each week
Luan emails our Sunday insert to a group of former members. If
you know anyone, former member or prospect, you would like to
add to this list, send their address(es) to [email protected].
Prayer Requests
Please pray for: John; Lynn; Peggy; Amy and Megan;
Marlene; Sondra; Estelle; Ben; Debbie; Graeme; Gerry; Amy;
Marsha; Debbie; Greg; Rachel and her family; Cheryl; Lara; all
who are struggling financially; and all those in areas of conflict
around the world.
If you or someone you know would like to be on our prayer
list, please contact the church office.
B. Bowling & H. Lewis H. Lewis & M. Sellers
Trinity Episcopal Church
12727 Hillcrest Road
Dallas, TX 75230
972.991.3601
tecdallas.org
Priest-in-Charge
The Rev. Canon Dr. Robin (Rob) P. Smith
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 214.906.5656
Deacon, The Rev. Phil Snyder
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 972.423.2384
Parish Administrator, Luan Hardy
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 972.991.3601 ext. 102
Parish Secretary, Nanci Parkhurst
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 972.991.3601 ext. 101