Entries for 12-2-2018, the 1st Sunday of Advent

Rev. Brian's sermon for 12-2-2018, the 1st Sunday of Advent. The usual recording of the service lost due to the recording PC having a memory problem.
The scripture for the day:
• 1st Reading: Jeremiah 33:14-16
• Psalm: Psalm 25
• 2nd Reading: 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13
• Gospel: Luke 21:25-36
The text may be found at The Lectionary Page website:

12-2-2018 Announcements 1st Sunday of Advent.pdf
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Happy Advent!  Here is the news of the week from St. Mark's Chapel:
 

• Your generosity for the ADOPT-A-FAMILY giving trees has been overwhelming. Boxes and bags of presents have arrived in the office.  Joan Doiron and Kathy Pepin hope you can bring your gifts this Sunday.  The Town has asked that all gifts be returned by December 10 but the committee is working to get them delivered earlier.  Delivering small batches rather than several at once makes things much easier.  
• And there is one tag left on the tree--a request for movie passes.  Any gift cards to Shop and Stop, Big Y, Blaze Pizza, Subway are also so very appreciated.  
• And speaking of this Sunday:  it will be busy!  The Stewardship Celebration in Goodwin Hall will feature quiches, fruit and other treats.  Advent Wreathes will be made in the Sunday School classrooms.  The children will make enough for families to take one home.  They will be available at the brunch.  And Pageant Casting will also happen during Sunday School time.  And finally Charlie Houmard will be working with the children who are singing at the Holiday Organ and Brass Concert of December 14.  
• UConn A cappella groups, the UConn Brass Ensemble and the children of St. Mark's will present an exciting concert of carols and readings on Friday, December 14.  There will be candlelit Christmas readings from Dickens, William Wordsworth, ee cummings, Louisa May Alcott and Dr. Seuss.  It will be magical.  Suggested donation of $20 helps support the organ maintenance fund.
• The concert will be followed by a festive reception with punch, cocoa, cookies and all manner of holiday treats.  Kathy Pepin is chairing the reception and is looking for volunteers to help set up, decorate,  and then finally clean up.  Donations of cookies or punch fixings are also appreciated. Please reach out to Kathy if you can help.
• The church is beautifully decorated at Christmas with poinsettias, greens and lights in celebration of the Nativity of our Lord. Donations to these decorations may be made in memory of departed loved ones or in Thanksgiving for special persons or events in your life.  Please look for the green form in your bulletin this Sunday.
• Homosexuality and the Bible--what does scripture really say?  How does this inform what we believe?  Rev. Brian will lead a discussion on Wednesday, December 12 at 7pm.  
• WAIM Work Day is Saturday, December 8 from 9-12 in Willimantic.  Volunteers sort clothes, kitchen items and other donated goods to help local families.  Please speak with Rev. Brian for more information--he is on the Board of WAIM and encourages young and old alike to participate.
• Another celebration to look forward to:  ECCT (The Episcopal Church in Connecticut) is planning a Golden Wedding Anniversary Celebration for couples married 50 years or more.  The date is Sunday, May 19, 2019 at 3pm at  Christ Church Cathedral in Hartford.  They also plan to recognize those same sex couples who have been together for 50 years and are now married.  Please let the office know if you wish to receive an invitation.