The Last Sunday after Pentecost

Christ the King

Holy Eucharist 9AM

Diocesan Prayers

St. Andrew’s, Little Compton; and St. Andrew’s School, Barrington

Serving in the Armed Forces of our country

Colby Glod and Joshua Lausier

Homebound

Elaine DaRosa, Virginia Holt,

and The Rev. Deacon Betsy Lesieur

In Need of Healing

Jack Batista, Tom Boss, Susan C., Ruth Conlin, Joan Desmarais,

Art Fletcher, Jane Gauvin, Susan Glaude, Bob Grundner, Mary Lancaster, 

Jonathan Lausier, Bill & Delores Moore, Dave Moore, Jim Mongeau, 

Christopher Parent, Anita Parmentier, Nancy Rogers, and Leslie Willis

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Altar Candles are given in memory of

Margie (Read) Anctil, Walter C. Read, and Gerard Anctil

Altar Flowers are given in memory of

Elaine Shorten Dame and Barbara & Harold Schwenk, Jr.

Baldwin School, Pawtucket

At this time of year, it is more noticeable how many children and families need assistance. Ashlee (Whitehead) Hudson is a 2nd grade teacher at Baldwin School in Pawtucket. Each year the teachers try to give to all the needy students and their families, but this year the teachers are asking for more help from the community. They’re requesting donations of money or gift cards to local stores such as Target, Walmart, and grocery stores like Stop and Shop. Whatever you can give would be most appreciated by the families as well as the teachers! Donations can be given to Pam Whitehead or brought to the parish office with my name on it and yours so we can personally thank you!! December 10 is the deadline.    Thank you and Merry Christmas!! --Pam Whitehead

Diocesan Coloring Book

The Sacred Stories coloring book is 12 stained glass sketches created by Thea Ernest from different Episcopal churches in the state of RI (including Christ Church in Lonsdale!) - travel from north to south of our state- create your own vision or visit the churches themselves. $20.00 per book - all proceeds go towards Episcopal Charities! Archdeacon Grace will have some to sell at church on December 10th or books can be ordered through the Parish Office. Checks payable to Episcopal Charities.

Updating Envelope Numbers

With many parishioners giving their pledges electronically, either through the church or through their own bank eliminates the need for the annual box of envelopes. If you currently have #56-75, your number will be reassigned for 2024. This will help eliminate some unnecessary costs for the church. If you give regularly by cash or check to you’re encouraged to continue to receive and use envelopes. If you have any questions, please contact the parish office.

Food For Our Neighbors

Nonperishable foods of all types are being collected in the Narthex (front hallway in the church). Food is donated monthly to St. Luke’s in Pawtucket for their food pantry and meal site. 

Pledge Cards

Please remember to circle the frequency of your giving so it may be properly recorded. Also please check whether or not you’d like to receive budget envelopes. Contact the office if you have any questions 725-1920 or [email protected]

How Can You Serve?

Acolytes lead us to worship. The crucifers proudly carry the cross leading the way. Crucifers also the assist the priest during the gospel reading at the altar during communion. The torch bearers literally and symbolically carry the light of Christ into the church with their torches and the lighting of the candles.

Lectors read the assigned Scriptures for the day, proclaiming the Word of God by reading from both the Old and New Testament at church services throughout the year. Lectors also lead the Prayers of the People.

Eucharistic Visitors bring communion to our sick and homebound.

The Altar Guild cares for our altar, vestments, vessels, flowers, and altar linens. Members prepare for services and clean up afterwards. (see Jean Kay)

Greeters arrive early on Sunday morning to welcome people, hand out bulletins, and answer any general questions to newcomers. (see Pam Whitehead)

Our Thrift Shop can always use extra hands. An hour a week, several hours a week; whatever you can spare. No job is too big or too small. (see Priscilla Sankey)

If you would like to participate in or would like more information about these ministries, please see the ministry leader, Fr. Al or contact the parish office.

29th - Christopher Angell, Leslie Gnys

30th - Cathy Salerno, Roberta Simanski

2nd - Bob Grundner, Patricia LaFleche, Martha Punchak

Fr. Al's Sermon

November 19, 2023 - Pentecost 25

We are only two Sundays from the beginning of Advent, and I have seen Christmas decorations in some stores. 

And I want to tell you, I am getting excited.

As you know, I do not moan each year about how commercial Christmas is becoming or how we all push the season forward.

I love getting ready for Christmas.   

As you also know, my family makes fun of me because I'm the guy who starts buying Christmas ornaments around Labor Day. By the way, I got some very nice ones from Martha's White Elephant table at the Bazaar – vintage glass ones. I have my Christmas list done and start shopping for gifts. That way, I can enjoy the season. 

I can also tell you that some of the hottest items on Facebook and Instagram for gifts this year are sweatshirts and jogging pants with photographs of your cat or dog. (You now know what Fr. Al does in his free time when the door to his office is closed.) I am hinting rather broadly to my family that a photo of my new puppy, Mabel Rose, would look very cute on a hoodie for me.

However, by this time, you must be asking yourself why Fr. Alvin is banging on about Christmas. It's only the third Sunday in November. We aren't even into Advent yet. 

Well, today, I want to talk about anticipation, the wonder and tension involved in waiting for something anticipated, something almost magical that begins to transform our experience of the present. Taking on board what's coming and what we expect can make our run-up to Christmas particularly joyful and meaningful. 

Both the Gospel and the New Testament reading speak about the promise of future things. The property owner trusted his workers with something of value to do with as they liked. As we are given the Good News of Christ to invest, to grow, in other words, so that it can become something richer. St. Paul speaks to the new church in Thessalonica, reminding them that they are: …are all children of light and children of the day; …not of the night or of darkness, as they anticipate the coming of our Lord.

We are just about to enter a joyful season of waiting – Advent. 

Perhaps the readings appear at this place in our lectionary to remind us to truly anticipate what is to come in just over a month…the birth of our Lord and Savior.   

Perhaps we are to offer God the same excited expectation we have for the secular Christmas to the coming of Jesus. We are advised to both prepare and anticipate. 

On Advent Sunday, I will have a gift for anyone who is interested. I know it's a bit early for gift-giving, but this gift will help us all anticipate the coming of Christ at Christmas and the joyous day through Twelfth Night on January 6, Epiphany.   

As we enter the holiday season, everyone starts getting busy—making travel plans, buying gifts, cooking meals, decorating, etc. There's not enough time to do it all!

In the midst of all the busyness of this time of year, one of the best things we can do for ourselves and each other is to sit back and observe our surroundings.  

Is everything exactly what we assume it to be?

Or could God be using something in our everyday circumstances to call out to us and remind us about what is really important?

Could God be whispering in a still, small voice? We will only know if we take the time to watch and to listen … and to anticipate. 

Let us pray: 

Father, as we approach this season of Advent,

we prepare our hearts for your coming. 

You are the vine; we are the branches. 

Come and tend us, prune us, clean us. 

Discard in us everything that does not bear fruit,

Nourish in us everything that bears much fruit. 

Nurture in us expectant hearts, O Lord. 

Cultivate in us a deep longing for more of you. 

Until that Day when you burst through the heavens, 

And flood our horizons with your glorious splendour. 

For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory, 

throughout all ages and generations. 

Amen.