Sybil MacBeth, The Season of the Nativity: Confessions and Practices of an Advent, Christmas and Epiphany Extremist, p. 87 - Church of the ...
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Advent & Christmas 2018
Sybil MacBeth, The Season of the Nativity: Confessions and
Practices of an Advent, Christmas and Epiphany Extremist, p. 87
us, humanity. This amazing gift and surprise became Mary, the mother of God as she
from God is being extended to Mary (and responded with her “yes.” In Advent, we
us) because it is simply God’s nature and have the opportunity to make a place for
habit to give and love. All this can happen the Christ child to be born in our lives. We
because “nothing will be impossible with have options and choices: yes, no, not sure,
God.” Luke 1:37 thinking about it, not now; all are possibilities.
4th movement: “Here am I, the servant of This Advent, let’s try to slow down enough to
the Lord; let it be with me according to your hear the invitation, “Greetings favored one!”
word.” Luke 1:38 and ponder the truth that God wants to be
Inside This Issue I have often wondered how many teenage born within each and every one of us. From
Thinking About Advent p. 2 - 3
Thinking about (and Getting girls Gabriel had to ask before he found one there, it’s not such a reach to believe that
to say yes. If the above is true—we are all “nothing is impossible with God” and then
Prepare ye! Get ready! ... p. 3 - 5 Ready for) Advent in Four precious in God’s sight, made in the image we just might be able to say, “Yes, let it be.”
Outreach Sharing p. 6 - 7 Movements of God; loved by God who wants only good
The Holidays ... p. 7 things for us and is willing to lavish wonderful Blessings, grace and peace,
What You Give Away p. 8 gifts on us—then our chief part in this holy, Robert
Robert Childers, Rector
Youth Highlights & Activities p. 9 - 10 cosmic drama is simply to say “yes.” Mary
Music Notes p. 11
Though the world is already putting out 2nd movement: “You have nothing to fear. Prepare Ye! Get Ready! Pay Attention!
Christmas decorations and Christmas music God has a surprise for you” Luke 1:30 (The Kathleen Crevasse, Director of Christian Education
will soon be blasting out over the airwaves, Message)
the church—that sometimes stuffy, often Gabriel wanted to assure Mary that “A mystery can be hard to enter if you don’t get ready. People this time of year are hurrying
out of touch institution—says, “hold on; wait whatever was going to happen to her would around, shopping, going to parties, and they can walk right through this mystery and miss it
a bit.” We have this season of Advent that be good because it was coming from a God ... because they either don’t know how to get ready or maybe they’ve forgotten.”
comes first, let’s not get ahead of ourselves. who loved her dearly; a God who wanted (From the Godly Play Advent story)
Let’s get ready for what is to come—the to give her a very precious gift. Advent is a
birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. So, here are time for us to get ready for this gift; a time Ready or not, here it comes – Advent, the mystery of Christmas, the mystery of God choosing
some thoughts and tips on embracing this to ponder, consider and pray whether to to come among us in the most unimaginable way, God choosing to enter this world as a
upcoming season. accept this gift and, should we accept it, vulnerable human child, dependent for survival on the care and attention of others.
what might we do with it. There are many
1st movement: “Greetings, favored one! The choices for us in our daily lives coming to What will you do this Advent to get ready to come close to the mystery of Christmas? What
Lord is with you.” Luke 1:28 us from all kinds of places. Advent is a time needs rearranging in your life to clear the way for paying attention to the one who came so
This is what the angel Gabriel said to Mary for us to be thoughtful and open to the gifts long ago to the city of Bethlehem and is still coming today? The Church, in her wisdom, has
when he first approached her to discuss given to us and consider how we might use set aside the season of Advent as a time of preparation to help us not miss the mystery. Here
this Jesus thing. If we are all made in the them. at Good Shepherd there are many opportunities for honing one’s ability to pay attention.
image of God and all are God’s children, Advent is also “a season for the prophets, for the dreamers, for the poets. A great light has
then those words to Mary— “favored” and 3rd movement: “How can this be?” Luke 1:34 shown, but there is still so much darkness to pierce, so much gloom to overcome.” (Rachel
connected to the Lord—are also words to us. This is a fair and appropriate question to ask. Held Evans) The waiting for the always-coming king is joyful but it’s also watchful. Just as the
I, for one, believe these words are just as true Gabriel has answered the first question of king keeps coming again and again, the darkness of our world returns again and again. We
for us as they were/ are for Mary. The season why: because Mary is precious in the sight of are called to turn to the light, to look for the light, to be the light.
of Advent—meaning “coming”—is a time of God and dearly loved by God as well. And
preparation. Our first step in this preparation from that answer flows the second answer. Where will you shine your light this Advent season? How will you get ready? We invite you
is realizing and claiming who we are; favored This wonderful new reality can “be” because to partake in any of the many opportunities offered here at Good Shepherd in the Advent
and accompanied by God. How might we this loving and creative God wants it to be. season. Don’t be caught unprepared for encountering the mystery of Christmas. Make
open our eyes and hearts to that truth? Moreover, this God wants this to happen in your to-do lists, map your journey, mark your calendars. We’ve started a calendar for you
those who’ve been created in God’s image, here. Use the ideas and offerings below the calendar to fill in any days calling out to you for
2 3
preparing the way of the Lord. Contact Kathleen@gslookout.com if you’d like to volunteer
to (1) write a devotion, (2) set tables for Taizé services, (3) set up altar for Taizé services, (4)
set tables for Advent lunch, (5) lead Morning Prayer. Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
11/28 11/29 11/30 12/1
First Taizé Quiet Day
Important Dates Service at 9:30-12:30
1. Advent Quiet Day, Saturday, December 1, 9:30-12:30. RSVP to church. 6:45 pm.
2. Murder Mystery & Spaghetti Dinner Youth Fundraiser, Sunday, December 2, 6 p.m. Dinner 6 pm
3. Morning Prayer. M-F, 8:30 -9 a.m. in the Chapel. 12/3 – 12/22.
12/2 12/3 12/4 12/5 12/6 12/7 12/8
4. Amani free trade goods for sale after church on December 9.
Make Morning MP MP MP MP
5. Advent lunch. Monday, December 10, 11:30 a.m. Open to men and women. Amani
Advent Prayer (MP)
sale continues.
Wreaths begins. Taizé Angel Tree
6. Taizé services. Wednesdays, November 28, December 5 and 12. Dinner 6-6:40
9:15 - 10:15 8:30 - 9 am 6:45 pm presents
(reservations required). Service 6:45-7:30. Childcare begins at 6:30.
am in the Dinner 6 pm due to
7. All Parish Practice for Christmas Breakfast on December 16th between the 8 and 10:30
Chapel church
service.
Murder
8. Children’s pageant and caroling at Thrive at 1:30 p.m. Join us!
Mystery
Dinner
6 pm
Add to the calendar wherever you’d like:
• Pick up an Advent devotion book to read daily. 12/9 12/10 12/11 12/12 12/13 12/14 12/15
• Sign up to help set the tables for our Advent SNO dinners. Amani MP MP MP MP MP
• Add prayers to the prayer wall in the narthex. * Set up a progressive manger – first just Sale after Taizé GS School
the animals, then Mary and Joseph, then the sheep and shepherds and finally Jesus. church Advent 6:45 pm program
• Cut lengths of yellow yarn to children to place in the manger whenever they do a Lunch Dinner 6 pm 9:30 am
good deed, make a kind gesture. Help make a soft place for Jesus to rest his sweet ChattEY 11:30 am
head.
• Read favorite Christmas books to your kids or grandkids. Consider buying a favorite to 12/16 12/17 12/18 12/19 12/20 12/21 12/22
donate to Eastside Elementary families. Parish MP MP MP MP MP with
• Take an Angel Tree tag and make an outing with your kids to purchase the gifts. Breakfast Eucharist
• Light a candle and sit quietly in anticipation.
Christmas
Program at
Thrive
1:30 pm
12/23 12/24 12/25 12/26 12/27 12/28 12/29
Lessons Christmas Christmas
and Carols Eve Day Service
10:30 am Services 10 am
3:30 pm
Pageant
6:00 pm
Rite 2
10:30 pm
Rite 2
4 5
Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or supplement to the 605 pairs provided by Blue Cross Blue Shield. We will wrap the pajamas on
thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, a date to be announced. All wrapping supplies will be provided by Hamilton County.
or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers East Side will celebrate the holiday season with a Polar Express Party on December 18 or 19
and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ (depending on county scheduling). Each child will receive a gift of a new pair of pajamas
and do festive activities all day long. Please come help us that day by serving hot chocolate
Matthew 25: 31-40
and cookies. Times will be announced soon. Refreshments will be provided by Hamilton
Janice Robbins, Deacon County.
So out of our abundance, we...Give monetary donations to Episcopal Reflief & Development If you’d like to be a part of either of these activities, please email Bena Devaney at
and the Hurricane Relief Fund. Give today to help our partners and dioceses reach davobena5@gmail.com. She will keep you informed of all the details.
vulnerable communities devastated by ravaging storms including Hurricane Michael and
Hurricane Florence. As needs in the areas are continually being assessed, a gift enables
us through ERD to respond now — and in the long run to aid in recovery. https://support. The Holidays are Just Around the Corner
episcopalrelief.org/hurricane-relief
Sandy Skorput, Director of Good Shepherd School
SO out of our abundance, we...Contribute canned and non-perishable goods to
Chattanooga Area Food Bank for Thanksgiving Deliver your contributions to the wagon in As many of you know, we participate in a food drive for Thanksgiving.
the narthex every Sunday through Nov. 19. Drop off can also be in the church office. The The children will present their gifts at the Thanksgiving Chapel, which
list below gives suggestions for items to bring—please watch expiration dates. (Note: Good is scheduled for Monday, November 12, 2018. Please send canned
Shepherd School food collection ends Nov.12.) goods or non-perishable food items on or before that date. There will be
containers outside each room for collection. This will help the Food Bank
Needed items at Food Bank to restock their shelves as the Thanksgiving rush will use up a lot of their
• Canned items: fruit [ex: applesauce/peaches]; vegetables [ex: tomato sauce; corn/ resources.
green beans/pintos]; soups and stews; chili; beef and chicken broth (Note: Canned
goods with pop-top lids are better than canned goods that require a can opener; Good Shepherd School will be closed November 21-23 for Thanksgiving
avoid glass jars.) Break. Happy Thanksgiving!
• Cornmeal/flour, grits
• Rice and pasta Once again, we are about to kick off this year’s Christmas Sharing
• Cereals, oats, quinoa for Families. We will be working with the Salvation Army and their
• Canned meats (ex: tuna/chicken/salmon) Angel Tree Program. In your classroom, beginning November19, there
• Dry beans will be tags displayed representing the needs of family members
• Olive or canola oil for Christmas. Please choose one and include them in your holiday
• Fruit/vegetable juices shopping. It is a wonderful practice to take your child along to
• Baking mixes that need only water purchase a gift or gift card for someone who would otherwise have
• Canned milk and milk substitutes very little for Christmas. This year’s gifts are due back to school,
• Kids’ snack items [juice boxes, applesauce, etc. unwrapped and marked with the tag you chose by Thursday,
• PEANUT BUTTER or other nut butters. December 6, 2018. (You can bring a gift bag if you’d like.) This is a
• Baby foods and juices NOT in glass jars community-wide endeavor so getting all the gifts to the distribution
point on time is important. Thank you for your generosity!
SO out of our abundance, we...Donate gifts to Salvation Army Angel Tree children and senior
citizens. Once again Good Shepherd Church and Good Shepherd School will participate in Good Shepherd School will be open for monthly Extended Care students only on December
the Salvation Army Angel Tree Program which helps provide necessities and Christmas gifts 20, 21, 27 and 28. We will close at noon on Wednesday, December19. We will be closed
for disadvantaged children from infants to age 12 and for senior citizens who are 60 years December 24, 25, 26, and December 31, January 1 & 2. We will re-open on Thursday,
and older. Angel tags containing an angel’s age, gender, clothing sizes and gift wishes are January 3, 2019. Merry Christmas!
signed up for in the Narthex after church. Collection is in Narthex; items MUST BE returned by
December 6.
Christmas at East Side will be cozy, warm, and full of joy so please come be a part of the
celebration! Good Shepherd will be purchasing 50 pairs of pajamas as an emergency
6 7
What You Give Away
Mac Brown, Assistant to the Rector
You won’t really get it until you realize that it Well, I didn’t get it until I had my own boys.
isn’t about what you get but about what you My father’s joy wasn’t about what he was
give away. going to receive. His joy bloomed from his
excitement about what he was giving away.
Here we go, we are entering the season of He and my mother had worked hard for the
getting it. For the parents of young children, cash to buy them, they had hidden them
we have been in this season for a while. I from the family in plain sight in his garage,
think my boys first asked how many days until and with silent steps they placed the presents
Christmas sometime after the youngest one’s in the den by the fireplace to wait for our joy
birthday in March. It’s on the tv and has in the morning. It wasn’t about what he got,
long been on the store shelves. I’m sure ads but about he gave away.
are popping up on your browser or in your
social media feed. Our society is obsessed This summer, my dad called me to ask what I
with getting it season. We have special wanted for my birthday. I embarrassingly told
holidays for getting it, ‘Black Friday’ or ‘Cyber him I didn’t know what I wanted, I hadn’t
Monday’. Even back in July there was a thought about it. He was shopping at an
‘Prime day’, a black Friday for the summer. outdoor store and was looking at something
All focused on convincing us that the stuff he thought I may want/need. (The boys in
we need is there and on sale even. If we get my family always ‘need’ some new hunting/
there early enough, devote enough time, hiking/outdoor gear.) After a moment of
focus on the website, get their emails, we will thought, I asked him about this old map
be ready to get that stuff we think we need of the Smoky Mtns he had. It had hung in
at a better price than others allowing us my grandfather’s best friend office, then in
then, to get more stuff. Don’t get me wrong, my grandfathers, then in my fathers. It isn’t
I fall victim to our desire for stuff. I buy toys special, its even outdated, it doesn’t show
for my boys that they don’t need and worse, I-40, so it isn’t very good as a map any more.
don’t use. I even have big boy toys I bought But that isn’t the point. It’s meaning, and
on a cyber Monday that I haven’t opened. I purpose had shifted. So, for my birthday, I
want to get my kids and family the presents got that map, and a snake bite kit. (notice
they want, and I don’t want to break the his humor referencing the snake encounter
bank either. How are we to do this? I had over the summer of which I have
preached)
As a child, I recall the interest I had in the
fact that Christmas Eve is my father’s favorite So maybe sometimes it is about what you
day of the year. Yes, there was duck hunting, get. But not because of what it is, but
and family together at dinner and at church, because of how it was given. In this season of
all beloved traditions, but that wasn’t what getting it, lets make sure we get it by giving
my father enjoyed so much. He said it was it away. Give away something meaningful
the anticipation he loved. A man so antsy to you to someone meaningful as well.
he can’t sit still unless he is asleep, LOVED Give away your time to someone who is
the anticipation?!? As a kid, I hated the as valuable. Give away your time to those
anticipation. It kept me up late at night on who have thought they have no value. Your
Christmas Eve, which meant the night passed money too has value beyond its economic
more slowly and I had to wait, and wait, prowess. Give it away to those who can use
and wait. What was I going to get? What?? I it, to those who do work that is meaningful to
never got it. you. Give away those things that you have
been blessed with so that others may share in
those blessings. Give it away so that you can
realize that that is how you get it.
8 9Music Notes
John Wigal, Director of Music
TRINITY NEWS
Trinity Kids at Thankful Church
The Trinity Kids will provide music for Thankful Memorial Episcopal Church on Sunday,
November 18 for their 10 a.m. worship. All children participating in the program are part
of this opportunity. This is the second year that kids from Thankful have participated in our
Wednesday afternoon program and this is a way of sharing with the congregation there.
Christmas Pageant
Rehearsals for the annual Christmas Pageant will begin on November 28, 4:30-5:30 pm. The
kids will present the pageant twice, on Sunday, December 16 following church the pageant
will travel to Thrive to present the pageant to the residents there. The pageant will also be
presented on Christmas Eve at the 3:30 pm Service.
RUTTER REQUIEM SUCCESSFUL
A big Thank You to members of
our adult choir for their hard work
culminating in the presentation
of the Requiem by John Rutter on
November 4. About 300 listeners
from across the Chattanooga
and surrounding communities
attended the concert. The
choir extends its appreciation
and thanks to Nina and Pat
Brock for their sponsorship of the
program and reception! The
choir continues its practice on
Wednesday from 6:45 pm to 7:30
pm and no audition is required!
We welcome new members
anytime!
MUSIC FOR ADVENT AND CHRISTMAS
In a bit of a change from our usual pattern, the service of Advent Lessons and Carols will be
offered at the 10:30 am Eucharist on Sunday, December 23. The Adult Choir, soloists and
congregation will offer musical responses to the Advent lessons that lead us to the birth of
Christ.
The Adult Choir with string quintet will offer special pre-service music before both the 6:00
and 10:30 pm Holy Eucharist services at 5:45 and 10:15 pm respectively. The musical prelude
will include the “Christmas Hymn” by Ralph Vaughan Williams.
10 11The Church of the Good Shepherd 211 Franklin Road Lookout Mountain, Tennessee 37350 Return Service Requested
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