November 17, Twenty-Third Sunday after Pentecost
The Holy Eucharist, 8 a.m., Rite I
The Holy Eucharist, 10 a.m., Rite II
Fr. John Thorpe, officiating
Choir Rehearsal 9 a.m. | Child Care 9:45 a.m.
Church School Pageant Rehearsal 10 a.m.
Pictured: Saint Luke
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Worship Notes
The Collect:
Blessed Lord, who caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning: Grant us so to hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which you have given us in our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
Amen
.
This week’s lessons: Malachi 4:1-2a; Psalm 98; 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13; Luke 21:5-19
Psalm 98:1-2
Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things. With his right hand and his holy arm has he won for himself the victory.
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The Gospel |Luke 21:5-19
When some were speaking about the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and gifts dedicated to God, Jesus said, "As for these things that you see, the days will come when not one stone will be left upon another; all will be thrown down."
They asked him, "Teacher, when will this be, and what will be the sign that this is about to take place?" And he said, "Beware that you are not led astray; for many will come in my name and say, `I am he!' and, `The time is near!' Do not go after them.
"When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified; for these things must take place first, but the end will not follow immediately." Then he said to them, "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and plagues; and there will be dreadful portents and great signs from heaven.
"But before all this occurs, they will arrest you and persecute you; they will hand you over to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors because of my name. This will give you an opportunity to testify. So make up your minds not to prepare your defense in advance; for I will give you words and a wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to withstand or contradict. You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, by relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death. You will be hated by all because of my name. But not a hair of your head will perish. By your endurance you will gain your souls."
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Schedule for November 17 - 23
Sunday, Christmas Pageant Rehearsal, 10 a.m.
Tuesday, 10:00 a.m., Julian of Norwich Prayer Group
Looking Ahead
Sunday, December 1, Advent I
Sunday, December 8, Lessons and Carols, 5 p.m.
Tuesday, December 24, Christmas Eve Services at 4 and 10 p.m.
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November 13 Vestry meeting Highlights
- Senior Warden Liz Edwards shared the report she recently submitted to the Diocese, describing happenings at St. Andrew's in 2019. She also confirmed that Fr. Thorpe will be with us through Epiphany Sunday.
- Kevin Babb, Chair of the Rector Search Committee, visited the meeting briefly to update the vestry on search activity.
- Parish Warden Walter Bohn reported several building issues have been addressed, including the problem of a light staying on in the church in spite of switches being turned off.
- Treasurer Riley Atwood shared progress on the transition to Aplos software and an example budget/expense report from the new software.
- Marian Smithson reported on closure of the Stewardship Campaign, Communications activity completed and planned going forward. including the distribution of updated parish and friends directories with the October 8 newsletter.
- Smithson also shared these parish statistics: 116 adults and 18 children are active participants, making up 80 family units. More than half of the parish, 75 individuals, are 60 years of age or older; 38 are 25 to 59 years of age; and 21 are 24 or younger.
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Christmas Pageant Rehearsals Underway!
Rehearsals are underway for this year's Christmas pageant, to be held Sunday, December 22, after the 10 a.m. service. If you would like your child to participate in the pageant, please make sure that they attend church school in November and December so that parts can be assigned appropriately. Questions about the pageant can be sent to Liz McKenney (
elizabeth.mckenney@gmail.com
) or Nichole DeWall (
dewall.n@gmail.com
).
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Advent is a Little More Than Two Weeks Away!
Advent is the first season of the church year, beginning with the fourth Sunday before Christmas and continuing through the day before Christmas. The name is derived from a Latin word for "coming." The season is a time of preparation and expectation for the coming celebration of our Lord's nativity, and for the final coming of Christ "in power and glory." This year it begins on December 1st.
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Concerning
The Book of Common Prayer
We’re all familiar with
The
Book of Common Prayer
as the official guide to worship in the Episcopal Church, but did you know there exists an imposing monument in its honor? It’s a 57 foot sandstone Celtic cross known as the “Prayer Book Cross” and it stands in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco. But more on that later.
While poking around in our library recently, I came across the latest issue of
The Missioner
, a magazine published for alumni and friends of Nashotah House seminary. In it is an article by faculty member Fr. Matthew Olver entitled “The Book of Common Prayer. History, Doctrine, Revision, Material History.”
Since its initial publication in England in 1549, the
BCP
has undergone numerous revisions and national adaptations. The Episcopal Church in the United States, having separated from the Church of England as a result of its successful war of independence, adopted its own version of the
BCP
in 1789 which was based on the English edition of 1662, with modifications taken from the version used in Scotland, where Samuel Seabury, the first bishop of the Episcopal Church in the United States, had been consecrated. Subsequent U.S. editions followed in 1892, 1928, and 1979.
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Fr. Olver notes that the US Episcopal Church is currently considering further revision of its
BCP
and is clearly unenthusiastic about the prospect. He notes that it would be “an enormous scholarly undertaking” and doubts that the necessary talent is available. Moreover, it would be expensive, costing in the vicinity of 7-9 million dollars, money which, he believes, would be better spent on evangelization.
But the crux of his opposition to
BCP
revision is his belief that the younger generation of Episcopalians, both clerical and lay, is seeking “that ole-time religion,” marked by “traditional liturgy and a substantive commitment to classical doctrine,” in contrast to its “Boomer Generation” forebears, who eschewed history and tradition in favor of “a progressive approach to doctrine and morals” reflected in a more “relevant” liturgy. He quotes a young priest, who informed him that “If I’m going to give my life to serve as a priest, I want to give myself to a Christianity that actually has something to teach, has liturgy that takes me out of the banal humdrum of my life, and that has a doctrinal and liturgical tradition that is robustly connected to historic Christianity throughout time.” Professor Olver doubts that these are the priorities of those who favor
BCP
revision.
But back to the Prayer Book Cross. It was presented to the city of San Francisco in 1894 by the Church of England in commemoration of the first use of
The Book of Common Prayer
in California by Sir Francis Drake’s chaplain, when the English freebooter and explorer came ashore in San Francisco Bay in 1579. Not surprisingly, the cross has generated some opposition in that hotbed of progressivism. Although it has been permitted thus far to remain on public land, heavy tree growth has been allowed to obscure its visibility. Many visitors to the park are unaware of its presence.
Olver does not mention the Prayer Book Cross, but its fate can serve as a symbol of what he sees as a “progressive” effort to dilute the doctrinal and liturgical richness of the foundational document of the Episcopal Church. -Jim Weingartner
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Update Your Contact Information
If you have a new email address or phone number, please let the church know by using the online “Send Us a Message” form at standrews-edwardsville.com.
Scrip Purchases Support
St. Andrew’s, Outreach
Please think about doing your grocery, gas, and holiday gift shopping with the scrip program. Either JoAnn or Fredna is usually at the scrip table after Sunday services.
Many local businesses participate: Walgreen, Panera, Starbuck’s, Kohl’s and more. Circle K cards are now available to use at the former Shell stations around Edwardsville and other places.
Another alternative is to purchase Scrip cards online. You will get your cash back or frequent flier miles and still help St. Andrew’s. Using your credit card will require enrolling online. For information and instructions, go to ShopWithScrip.com/CreditCard.
–Fredna Scroggins
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Food Donations Needed at
Glen Ed Pantry!
Food and toiletries are critically low at the pantry right now. Some items needed are listed below. You may drop them off at the Pantry, 125 Fifth Avenue in Edwardsville, or put them in the basket by the back exit from Pearson Hall.
- Rice, oatmeal, noodles
- Canned fruit, applesauce
- Canned vegetables, chili beans
- Boxed potatoes, stuffing mix
- Soups, chicken broth
- Cranberry sauce, pumpkin, pie filling
- Pancake mix, syrup
- Beef stew, chicken and dumplings
- Pasta sauce, spaghetti
- Laundry detergent, dish soap
- Paper towels
- Coffee, tea
- Deodorant, hand soap, body wash, shampoo, conditioner, shave cream
Donate Gloves and Scarves to the
Scarf Project!
With the unusually cold weather, please remember that donations are needed for the Scarf Project at the downtown library!
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The St. Andrew's Week-End Update
, a weekly emailed newsletter, is designed to keep parishioners up to date on church activities. Please send news items to Editors Marianne Cavanaugh and Jane Weingartner by 11 a.m. on Tuesday to have them appear in the following Friday's newsletter.
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St. Andrew's Episcopal Church
406 Hillsboro Avenue Edwardsville, Illinois
618-656-129
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