Dear Friends,
The season of Advent gets everything backwards, at least chronologically. The first Sunday focuses on the future Second Coming of Christ. The second and third Sundays focus on the earthly ministry of the adult Jesus. The fourth Sunday focuses on his birth, the moment of incarnation when God’s presence is embodied in an infant.
This backwards telling of the life and ministry of Jesus invites us to appreciate fully the significance of his birth. By the time we get to Christmas, it is clear that Jesus is not simply a special child whose birth is foretold in Joseph’s dreams (Matthew 1:18-25) and Gabriel’s visit to Mary (Luke 1:26-38). He is the Messiah who came into the world as the ancient prophets foretold. And he is the one who will come, the Son of Man through whom all of God’s purposes for creation will be fulfilled.
Because this Advent Christology starts with the Second Coming, it is easy to imagine Jesus as a powerful king reigning with glory. So, for example, in Charles Wesley’s great hymn, Lo, He Comes with Clouds Descending, we lavish Jesus with praise befitting a conquering monarch: “Yea, amen, let all adore thee, high on thine eternal throne; Savior, take the power and glory, claim the kingdom as thine own: Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Thou shalt reign, and thou alone.”
I love to sing this hymn, but we need to understand this image as a projection of our earthly understanding of power and glory which we have imposed on Jesus. In the gospels, he does not claim to be a king, not in the earthly understanding of kingship anyway. Instead of kingship, Jesus might more easily claim to be the head of the church, if we understand “church” very broadly to encompass all of God’s people whatever their religious leanings; and if we understand “head” to mean something other than the one at the top who arbitrarily distributes justice and salvation.
In a recent blog post, Diana Butler Bass wrote: “’head’ doesn’t mean ‘head’ as in Caesar holding dominion over people in a pyramid of power. It isn’t about Jesus being ‘head’ as in the CEO of a company. The use of ‘head’ here implies the head of a river, the source. This theological metaphor shifts power away from a top-down structure of dominion toward an organic and interconnected image, strengthening the notion of an Edenic reprise.”
Understood this way, we can reinterpret the story of Advent. It is not about power but about life, the divine life that flows from before time to the end of time. The divine life which was embodied in Jesus. The never-ending flow of grace, love and blessing which God offers us and all of creation.
Your Friend in Christ,
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UPCOMING EVENTS/ANNOUNCEMENTS |
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RECTOR'S FORUM
Sunday, December 4, 10:15-11a, Parish Hall
Join the Rev. John Denson, D.Min. for a conversation with time for questions and fellowship.
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CHRISTMAS FAMILIES PROJECT
December 4, 11 & 18, 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Burrows Commons
Outreach is sponsoring kindergarten children from School #43, and their siblings, who are in need. Parents of 70 children will be provided with a $100 Target gift voucher to help with Christmas. Please help us reach our goal by donating. Outreach committee members will be in Burrows Commons on the dates above to answer questions or take cash/check donations; online donations may be made below:
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ALTERNATIVE GIFT MARKET
December 4, 11, 18, 10 a.m.-12 p.m., Burrows Commons
The Outreach Committee will be matching your purchases from seven organizations this year: Craine House, Mission in Mombasa, Julian Center, The Damien Center, Indiana Youth Group, Dayspring Center and Coburn Place. Purchase a card for $5 and up and your gift will be matched dollar-for-dollar by the Outreach Committee. These cards are a great way to show someone you care this holiday season! Outreach Committee members will be in Burrows Commons after the 9 and 11:15 a.m. services on the above listed dates; online giving may be done below:
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ST. PAUL'S APPAREL
Order soon to ensure your items arrive before Christmas!
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CHOIR SCHOOL RECITAL
TODAY, Thursday, December 1, 7 p.m., Sanctuary
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DAYSPRING COLLECTION BOX
Starting December 1, Burrows Commons
Dayspring Center provides emergency shelter, clothing and three nourishing meals per day for homeless families with children in central Indiana. There will be a collection box in Burrows Commons where non-perishable food items and household items may be given for Dayspring families. Drop off on any Sunday and a volunteer from St. Paul's will deliver the items when the box is full. Below is a link to Dayspring's Wishlist:
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NOMINATIONS FOR VESTRY MEMBERS DUE TOMORROW
Vestry nominations are due on Friday, December 2
The Vestry is tasked with strategic oversight and communication toward objectives and goals in support of St. Paul’s mission. Members serve a three-year term and meet for several hours on the third Tuesday of most months. Click below to read more about the functions of our Vestry and to nominate someone you think would be an asset in this important role.
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CHRISTMAS MUSIC/FLOWER MEMORIALS DUE TOMORROW
Memorials due in the Church office by Friday, December 2
Honor loved ones by sponsoring music or flowers for Christmas Eve. Donations of $40/music and $50/flowers are appreciated. Email (flowers) Pamela Smith or (music) Meegan Kriner, or sign up below.
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BULLETIN COVER ARTWORK SUBMISSIONS DUE TUESDAY
Due by Tuesday, December 6
Children and youth are invited to submit artwork that can be featured on our Christmas Eve bulletin cover and in promotions. Artwork should in some way represent the Nativity Story. Pick up a printed artwork form in Burrows Commons or Sunday School classrooms, or download it below. Submissions may be turned into the Church Office; scanned artwork can be emailed to Barbara Bates.
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HANDEL'S MESSIAH CONCERT
Sunday, December 11, 4p, Sanctuary
St. Paul’s Choir, joined by a festival orchestra, sings excerpts from Part One of Handel’s Messiah, along with J.S. Bach’s exuberant Magnificat in D Major. Soloists are drawn from the staff singers in the choir to provide a concert perfect for the season. Admission is $15 (cash or check at the door)/$15.75 (credit sales - may be purchased below). Questions, email Meegan Kriner.
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LUNCH AND LEARN
Wednesday, December 14, 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m., Parish Hall
Join the Rev. Jeff Bower, Associate Rector and Director of Stewardship, and Dan Thompson, Senior Director of Parish Operations, as they outline the perks of giving a planned gift. The discussion will include benefits for donors in leaving a legacy, potential tax advantages and how a donor can designate future use of a gift. Also shared will be the importance of such gifts to the long-term vitality of St. Paul’s. Rev. Jeff and Dan promise to make it interesting (as interesting as tax planning can be) so please come to learn the basics and hopefully consider a planned gift to St. Paul’s! The cost of lunch is $5. Please RSVP by emailing Tana Hunnicutt below no later than Friday, December 9.
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LGBTQ HOLIDAY GATHERING
Thursday, December 15, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Youth Lounge (Parish Building, first floor)
LGBTQ+ persons are invited to join for a time of food, fellowship and reflection. All will discover together the theology and liturgical traditions of Advent and our own experiences of preparation during this holy season. Everyone is invited to bring an appetizer of their choice and an item to exchange (suggested value: less than $20). Please RSVP to the Rev. Jeff Bower below by December 11 if you plan to attend.
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CHRISTMAS PAGEANT ROLES
Sunday, December 18, 4p, Sanctuary
Sign up below if your child would like to participate in this year's Christmas Pageant. Children act out the story of Christmas. All ages are welcome and encouraged to be in this service that includes Christmas carols and prayers. Visiting friends and grandchildren are welcome to be a part of the pageant too! Questions, email Laurie Pierce.
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