Dear faithful people of Saint Peter’s Church:
The Second and Third Sundays in Advent are always festive Sundays at Saint Peter’s. The setting for each Sunday is the ministry of John the Baptist calling us to “prepare the way.” With that setting, there are two communal celebrations.
On December 9, the Second Sunday in Advent, we celebrate the 41st anniversary of the Consecration of Saint Peter’s Church. It is a Sunday for particularly spectacular music and our cantor, choir, and orchestra — the Saint Peter’s Collegium — joyfully respond. At 11:00 a.m. this Sunday, they will present Cantata BWV 36 based on the hymn “Savior of the nations, come” which we sang with such gusto last Sunday.
…and while that’s happening, Dance@SaintPeter’s will accompany our liturgy with Scandinavian and Mexican dance tying together within this liturgy the Advent stories of Saint Lucy (watch for the candle-bearing crowns!) and of Our Lady of Guadalupe whose icon, adorned with a floral wreath provided by our Synod’s Sent Committee, will hold prominent place in the Sanctuary.
…and this liturgy will begin with the Baptism of José Javier Mata Posada, ward of Roberto Lara and Christopher Vergara. José’s sponsors are Pastor Fabián Árias and Iris Abeiro. José is an incredibly fine young man, a refugee and asylum-seeker from Honduras. He has chosen full-immersion as his mode of baptism. In my mind, José embodies those we sing of “who mourn in lonely exile” and find a place to abide in the community of God’s faithful people.
At the 1:30 Misa, 25 young adults will be confirmed.
At 6:00 p.m. Jazz Vespers, Grammy-nominated Sarah Caswell and her string quartet will be accompanied by Hannah Barnard and Dance@Jazz for another deeply moving and inspiring liturgy.
At our 10:00 a.m. Forum, Imam Shaykh Dr. Ibrahim (95 years old!) and Imam Muhammad Hattim will present “How my Muslim faith helps me get through these days,” part 3 or a four-part series.
And the Third Sunday in Advent, December 16? Hanging of the Greens adorns that day and our 10:00 a.m. Forum speaker will be Rabbi Rachel Ain of Sutton Place Synagogue on the topic "How my Jewish faith helps me through these days.”
OCTOBER 2019 TRIP TO CENTRAL EUROPE
Would those of you interested in this trip please meet with me at Brunch this Sunday? We’ll arrange a few tables near the red doors for us. If you are interested in the trip but unable to be with us, shoot me an email this month.
Please continue to pray with confidence:
Stir up your power, O Lord, and come. Protect us by your strength and save us from the threatening dangers; for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen
COMING UP
Tuesday, December 11:
- Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe (Our Lady of Guadalupe) Mass at 6:00 p.m. and processions with dance throughout the evening — a fantastic celebration!
Saturday, December 15:
- Cookie baking! Again this year, the Cookie Bake team of Eric Stenshoel, Kit Kreilick, and Janet Ziff will be coordinating baking and decorating Christmas cookies the day before our Hanging of the Greens celebration on Sunday Dec. 16. We’ll start cutting and baking at 10:00 a.m. and expect to finish by 3:30 p.m., and you are welcome to join us for as much or as little time as you can!
Wednesday, December 19:
- Caroling in the Plaza! Now that the Plaza is open once more, we will sing carols led by Roosevelt André Credit at 5:00 p.m., followed by Advent Vespers in the Sanctuary at 6:00 p.m.
Peace and Courage!
