The Second Sunday of Advent:
We light the candle of Peace.
On the second Sunday of Advent, the St. Gregory’s family joins Christians throughout the world in lighting the candle of Peace.
This Sunday’s gospel introduces the prophetic voice of John the Baptist – a radically wild contemporary with Jesus – proclaiming the baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. Harking back to the words from the prophet Isaiah, we hear, “The voice of one crying out in the wilderness: 'Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways made smooth, and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.'"
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Most trees in most places in the northern hemisphere drop their leaves gradually. But late November, every year in seminary, this ginkgo tree, as all ginkgo trees do, would drop all of its leaves at once. Anna and the kids and I would marvel at the sight of this glorious tree dropping its color to the ground in one moment. Witnessing the power of newly bare branches pointing heavenward with its yellow solace lying on the ground. What if the ginkgo is the John the Baptist of trees? The ascetic who learned to live in the desert of life, in the veins of winter trees, so that the fullness of love could fully manifest?
This Sunday we embark on the body of Christ, the bread of Peace. And we follow John the Baptist who makes a crooked path straight for Jesus who will eventually utter, “Come, follow me.” May we find the holy release in the consent of Peace this week.
Fr. Ben+
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The Consent
By Howard Nemerov
Late in November, on a single night
Not even near to freezing, the ginkgo trees
That stand along the walk drop all their leaves
In one consent, and neither to rain nor to wind
But as though to time alone: the golden and green
Leaves litter the lawn today, that yesterday
Had spread aloft their fluttering fans of light.
What signal from the stars? What senses took it in?
What in those wooden motives so decided
To strike their leaves, to down their leaves,
Rebellion or surrender? and if this
Can happen thus, what race shall be exempt?
What use to learn the lessons taught by time,
If a star at any time may tell us: Now.
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About the Poet Howard Nemerov
Howard Nemerov was an American poet. He was twice Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry to the Library of Congress, from 1963 to 1964 and again from 1988 to 1990. For The Collected Poems of Howard Nemerov, he won the National Book Award for Poetry, Pulitzer Prize for Poetry, and Bollingen Prize.
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A Message From Tim
This year, we will be experiencing the Christmas season in our beautiful newly renovated sanctuary with its greatly improved acoustical environment making the music of the church sound even more glorious than ever! The organ and choir truly sound like they are in a cathedral. In order to bring you the finest and most inspiring music possible, I hope you’ll consider making a special contribution towards our Christmas Eve music which includes not only our Festal Choral Eucharist at 10:30 pm but also our Christmas Pageant service and our Lessons and Carols. Your gifts will help to bring the most beautiful music possible to St Gregory’s and to the City of Boca Raton this Christmas Eve as we celebrate the birth of the Christ child and our new beginnings in our newly renovated sanctuary.
Blessings to all,
Tim Brumfield
Director of Music Ministries,
Organist, and Choirmaster
Click here to support the Christmas Music Fund or the Christmas Flower Fund.
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Let There Be Peace On Earth |
We hope you enjoy this extended arrangement of
Let There Be Peace on Earth by Tim Brumfield.
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Advent and Christmas at St. Gregory's
Sunday, December 3
First Sunday of Advent (Hope)
8:00 am and 10:00 am - Holy Eucharist
9:45 am - Youth Christmas Party at the Rectory
Open House at the Rectory following each Morning Service
6:00 pm - Evening Eucharist
Sunday, December 10
Second Sunday of Advent (Peace)
8:00 am and 10:00 am - Holy Eucharist
6:00 pm - Evening Prayer
Sunday, December 17
Third Sunday of Advent (Joy)
St. Gregory's Homecoming and 70th Anniversary Sunday
Service and Celebration
10:00 am - Join us for this very special service as we re-enter our beloved, newly renovated Sanctuary, celebrating 70 years of faith and service. Following the service we will join together for a potluck lunch and time for reconnection and fellowship. (Please bring your favorite dish!) Everyone is welcome so please invite your friends, neighbors, family, and other loved ones to join us for this milestone celebration.
Sunday, December 24
Advent IV (Love) and Christmas Eve
8:00 am - Holy Eucharist
10:00 am - Holy Eucharist
4:00 pm - The Christmas Story
(Christmas Pageant with Eucharist)
7:00 pm - A Service of Lessons and Carols
10:30 pm - Prelude featuring the Choir of St. Gregory's, Strings, and Organ.
11 pm - The Christ Mass (Festal Choral Eucharist and Sermon with Incense)
Monday, December 25
Christmas Day
10 am - Christmas Day Eucharist
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Help Make St. Gregory's Christmas Services
Even More Memorable While Honoring Your Loved Ones
Donations are currently being welcomed for Christmas Music and Flowers, enriching our holiday services with beautiful music and floral arrangements. These offerings are a meaningful way to honor, celebrate, or remember someone special to you while also helping St. Gregory's offset the increased costs of our Christmas services.
Consider making a donation as a gesture of thanks, love, or remembrance. Those honored will be listed in our Christmas Eve bulletins. The deadline to submit the names of those you are honoring and your donation is Sunday, December 17.
Donating is easier than ever before.
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Donating online: To submit the names being honored, your message, and your donation(s), please click here and follow the instructions to donate online.
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Or, donate via the church office or plate: If you prefer, please contact the church office at (561) 395-8285 or office@st-gregorys.com by Sunday, December 17.
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Please specify the names of those you're honoring and the message: Specify the name(s), chosen fund, and whether your gift is in memory, honor, or celebration. Donations can be added to Sunday's plate or dropped off at the office.
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Thank you. Your support greatly contributes to the spirit and beauty of our Christmas celebrations. Thank you for your generosity.
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