The E-pistle

Friday, December 13th, 2024

A Note from Father Sam

Dear friends in Christ,

On Sunday, we will light the third candle of our Advent wreath. This candle is different from the other three—it is rose-colored, or we might just say pink! We call this day Gaudete Sunday, from the Latin word for joy. Gaudete, literally, is the imperative command: rejoice! Be joyful! On Sunday, we will hear St. Paul’s words to the Philippians, “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.” As we continue this season of quiet expectation, we are implored to be joyful. Being commanded to rejoice may sound as insensitive as being told to “just be happy” when we’re depressed or anxious, and so this season is as good a time as any to remind ourselves that joy and happiness are not necessarily the same. For the Christian faith, the longing for Christ’s coming again—this “Second Advent”—is marked not by fear, or dread, but by joy! Christ returning to earth to judge the living and the dead, Christ bringing God’s reign of justice and peace, ought to fill our hearts with joy. Just as the angels sang songs of glorious joy to the shepherds to announce the birth of Christ, we can sing joyfully as we look for the signs of God’s kingdom coming, even here and now. This does not mean that we will always, or should always, be happy. Among the things that break our hearts is the world of injustice and sin that we are longing for Christ to make right. As we watch and wait for Christ’s coming, and as we follow him by living in the kingdom of God now, may we rejoice, for the Lord is near.

May you know something of the joy that Phillips Brooks wrote 0f in his beloved “O little town of Bethlehem:”

Where children pure and happy pray to the blessed Child,

where misery cries out to thee, Son of the mother mild;

where charity stands watching and faith holds wide the door,

the dark night wakes, the glory breaks, and Christmas comes once more.

Faithfully,

Father Sam

Sunday, December 15th, 2024

8:00 AM Holy Eucharist Rite I

10:00 A.M Holy Eucharist Rite II

Stir up your power, O Lord, and with great might come among us; and, because we are sorely hindered by our sins, let your bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen.

Scripture for the Third Sunday of Advent: Zephaniah 3:14-20, Philippians 4:4-7, The First Song of Isaiah, Luke 3:7-18

Serving this week, Dec 15 (8:00 a.m.)

Celebrant: The Rev’d Samuel T. Vaught

Preacher: The Rev’d Jane G. Tillman

Verger/Acolyte: Darryl Lafferty

LEM: TBD

Lector/Intercessor: Darryl Lafferty

Greeter: TBD

Altar Guild: TBD

Serving next week, Dec 22 (8:00 a.m.)

Celebrant/Preacher: The Rev’d Samuel T. Vaught

Verger/Acolyte: Darryl Lafferty

LEM: TBD

Lector/Intercessor: Darryl Lafferty

Greeter: Jorja Marsden

Altar Guild: Jennifer Carmichael

Serving this week, Dec 15 (10 a.m.)

Celebrant: The Rev’d Samuel T. Vaught

Preacher: The Rev’d Jane G. Tillman

Acolyte: TBD

LEM: Brett Roberts

Lector: Virgil Stucker

Intercessor: Martha Bodine

Musician: Nancy King

Greeters: Jim Wade and Liza Picoli

Fellowship: Patty Melville

Altar Guild: TBD

Serving next week, Dec 22 (10 a.m.)

Celebrant/Preacher: The Rev’d Samuel T. Vaught

Acolyte/LEM: Kendra MacLeod

Lector: Frank Smith

Intercessor: TBD

Musician: David Smith

Greeters: Kim and Don Savery

Fellowship: Brett Roberts

Altar Guild: Jennifer Carmichael

Parish Prayer List

Those who are ill or in need of intercession

Charles, Jacob, Kathleen, Donna, Cynthia, Cindy, Lori, Elaine, Kit, David, Ann, Jessica, Heidi, Lisa, Shawn, Betty Jo, Celia, Anne, Dawn, Natalie, Bill, Tom, Ginger, Tracey, Mary, Allen

Those who have recently died

Those who have asked for our long-term prayers

Rick, Doug, Allie, Ginger, Joan, Duncan, Bernadette, Ray, Piers, Katrina, Rich, Karen, Michael, Khali, George, Barbara, Christy, John, Anthony, Astrida

Those celebrating birthdays or anniversaries

Libby Wade, Anders Tierney, Bill Drumm

Diocesan Cycle of Prayer (Week of 12/15)

Congregations, Ministries, and Partners in Ministry

Episcopal City Mission, Boston

Ministry Development Grant Committee

The Church and Wider Mission

Episcopal Service Corps

Anglican Cycle of Prayer

Sun 12/15: The Anglican Church of Tanzania

Mon 12/16: Diocese of Kongor (South Sudan)

Tues 12/17: Diocese of Kontagora (Nigeria)

Wed 12/18: Diocese of Kootenay (Canada)

Thurs 12/19: Diocese of Kowloon (Hong Kong)

Fri 12/20: Diocese of Western Kowloon (HK)

Sat 12/21: Diocese of Krishna-Godavari (S. India)

Mark your Calendars: Advent and Christmas

Advent and Christmas are here! Mark your calendars for these special events, and stay tuned for more information in the coming weeks:

Saturday, December 14: Oakes and Smith Annual Holiday Concert, 7:30 p.m. in the Church

Tuesday, December 24: Christmas Eve services at 5:30 and 10:30 p.m.

Wednesday, December 25: Christmas Day service at 10 a.m.

“Lord, teach us to pray:” Advent Series on Prayer

Are you looking to deepen your prayer life? Would you like to explore new ways of praying with others? This Advent, Join Father Sam for a three-part series all about prayer. We’ll meet on three Sundays in December after the 10:00 Eucharist: December 1, December 15, and December 22 (skipping Dec 8 for the Stockbridge Main Street at Christmas festivities).

In Advent, we slow down to watch and wait for the coming of Christ, both in our annual remembrance of Christmas and in our anticipation of Christ’s second coming. Amidst what is sometimes a busy season, it is the perfect time to take a pause, breathe deeply, and join with those first disciples of Jesus who asked him, “Lord, teach us to pray.”

Sunday, 12/1: The Lord’s Prayer

Sunday 12/8: break–no session

Sunday 12/15: Praying with Scripture

Sunday 12/22: Praying with Beads: The Rosary

Pre-Christmas Polishing Party

To ensure the season is merry and bright, the altar guild will be hosting a polishing party. The guild cordially invites everyone to join them on Tuesday, December 17th beginning at 10:30 am in the church. You may arrive and depart at any anytime. Polishing supplies will be provided.

St. Thomas’ Day with Special Guest Dr. Jeremy Ridenour

Our next red letter day falls next Saturday, December 21, the feast of St. Thomas the Apostle. We will celebrate the Holy Eucharist at 10 a.m., followed by a conversation with our friend Dr. Jeremy Ridenour of the Austen Riggs Center. Dr. Ridenour is a psychologist with strong theological interests, and a member of the Stockbridge Congregational Church. On this shortest day of the year, join Dr. Ridenour for a discussion about mental illness, darkness, light, and the theology of the cross. Consider bringing your questions about mental illness for an open-ended conversation following worship.

 Christmas Giving Tree gifts due this Sunday

Thank you to everyone who has signed up to purchase Christmas gifts in support of our Haitian immigrant neighbors. Please return all items to church by this Sunday, December 15th. Thank you Patty Melville for organizing this incredible project!

Update From the Stewardship Committee

The Stewardship Committee is grateful to report the preliminary results of our 2025 pledge campaign. So far, we have received 39 pledges, totaling $130,386 pledged for the mission and ministry of the church in the coming year. Of those 39, an astounding 15 are first-time pledges! Of the remainder, 17 pledges represent an increase over last year. We are humbled by your generosity and the trust that you place in the work we all do here together to be the heart and hands of Christ for Stockbridge and the wider world.

This week, the Vestry approved a budget for next year with a pledge income of $148,000. With expected pledges that have not yet come in, we believe that we will meet and exceed that target. If you have not yet submitted your pledge, we ask that you prayerfully consider what you can give to St. Paul’s for the coming year. If we somehow missed getting you a Pledge Card, please reach out to Brett Roberts at brett.roberts25@gmail.com or Fr. Sam. We will get you a Pledge Card to fill out. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you again.

Upcoming Events

+ Saturday, December 14: Oakes and Smith Annual Holiday Concert, 7:30 p.m. in the Church

+Saturday, December 14: St Paul’s serves at the Lee Food Pantry, 9:30 AM

+Tuesday, December 24: Christmas Eve services at 5:30 and 10:30 p.m.

+Wednesday, December 25: Christmas Day service at 10 a.m

Two Opportunities to Pray Together Each Week

Wednesday: Morning Prayer at 8:30am (Online)



Every Wednesday, a group of parishioners meet at 8:30am to pray Morning Prayer online via Zoom. All are warmly welcome to join via the Zoom link on our website. Thank you Darryl Lafferty for continuing to lead this weekly offering.

Friday: Intercessory Prayer at 8:30am (In-person)

Some may remember that several years ago, a group of parishioners met each week to pray for the needs of those on the parish prayer list. All are invited to join on Friday mornings in the church as we revive this tradition of intercessory prayer. Thank you Alice Wohl for your leadership in reviving this weekly offering.