LITURGY OF THE WORD AND WEEKLY READINGS

The Song of Mary: Magnificat (First few verses)

Luke 1:46-55 (pages 91 and 92 BCP)

My soul Proclaims the greatness of the Lord,

my spirit rejoices in God my Savior;

for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.

From this day all generations will call me blessed: the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his Name.

Saturday, December 31, 2011: New Years Eve

First Lesson: (Deuteronomy 11:8-12, 26-28)

Psalm 89:1-18, Page 713, BCP

Second Lesson: Paul's Epistle (Titus 2:11-14)

The Holy Gospel Of Our Lord Jesus Christ According To Luke (2:1-20)

Suggested Readings For The Week

Monday Acts 6:1-7; Tuesday John 13:1-7; Wednesday Matthew 18:1-14; Thursday John 2:1-11; Friday John 4:46-54; Saturday John 5:1-5.

Sunday, December 25, 2011: Christmas

First Lesson: (Isaiah 9:2-7)

Psalm 96, Page 725, BCP

Second Lesson: Paul's Epistle (Titus 2:11-14)

The Holy Gospel Of Our Lord Jesus Christ According to Luke (2:1-20)

Suggested Readings For The Week

Monday Acts 6:1-7; Tuesday Matthew 13:1-7; Wednesday Matthew 18:1-14; Thursday John 2:1-11; Friday John 4:46-54; Saturday John 5:1-5.

Saturday, December 24, 2011: Christmas Eve

First Lesson: (Isaiah 9:2-7)

Psalm 96, Page 725, BCP

Second Lesson: Paul's Epistle (Titus 2:11-14)

The Holy Gospel Of Our Lord Jesus Christ According To Luke (2:1-20)

Suggested Readings For The Week

Monday Acts 6:1-7; Tuesday John 13:1-7; Wednesday Matthew 18:1-14; Thursday John 2:1-11; Friday John 4:46-54; Saturday John 5:1-5.

Sunday, December 18, 2011:Fourth Sunday Of Advent

First Lesson: (2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16)

Psalm 89:1-4, 19-26, Page 713, BCP

Second Lesson: Paul's Epistle (Romans 16:25-27)

The Holy Gospel Of Our Lord Jesus Christ According To Luke (1:26-38)

Suggested Readings For The Week

Monday Luke 1:1-25; Tuesday Luke 1:26-38; Wednesday Luke 1:39-48a (48b-56); Thursday Luke 1:57-66; Friday Luke 1:67-80; December 24 Matthew:18-25.

Sunday, December 11, 2011: Third Sunday Of Advent

First Lesson: (Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11)

Psalm 126, Page 782, BCP

Second Lesson: Paul's Epistle (1 Thessalonians 5:16-24)

The Holy Gospel Of Our Lord Jesus Christ According to John (1:6-8, 19-28)

Suggested Readings For The Week

Monday Matthew 24:15-31; Tuesday Matthew 24:32-44; Wednesday Matthew 24:45-51; Thursday Matthew 25:1-13; Friday Matthew 25:14-30; Saturday Matthew 25:31-46.

Sunday, December 4, 2011: Second Sunday Of Advent

First Lesson: (Isaiah 40:1-11)

Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13, Pages 708-709, BCP

Second Lesson: Peter's Epistle: (2 General 3:8-15a)

The Holy Gospel Of Our Lord Jesus Christ According to Mark (1:1-8)

Suggested Readings For The Week

Monday Matthew 22:23-33; Tuesday Matthew 22:34-46; Wednesday Matthew 23:1-12; Thursday Matthew 23:13-26; Friday Matthew 23:27-39; Saturday Matthew 24:1-14.

NEWS AND EVENTS

Welcome From The Rector

Directions To Saint Monica's

The Rector's Desk

Advent Theme

Our theme for Advent is "Prepare for the Expected." We will look at our spiritual, physical/financial life as Christians. We will have our usual Novenas, December 16-24 at 6:30 a.m. and we will introduce different kind of coffee hour. We are also planning a prayer walk both as a spiritual and physical exercise.

Some Thoughts On "Prepare for the Expected"

Discernment as Wisdom

First, let God be God and man be man. This takes discernment regarding the distance between God and humanity. Even kings must recognize where true wisdom comes and that there are some concealed matters that belong only to God. the character needed is a heart that is submissive to the divine.

Second, Remember that good companions encourage righteousness. On the other hand, wicked companions will bring corruption and then destruction. The character needed is self-discipline to rid oneself of evil influences, whether it be so-called friends or aspects of culture. Maintain righteousness through good companions.

Third, always take the humble position. By taking the best seat in the house (either literally or figuratively), one could be asked to move to the back in humiliation. Let praise of you come from others. Do no promote yourself. thew character needed, of course, is genuine humility of heart and spirit.

Thought to remember: Discernment is part of wisdom.

Source: 2011-2012 Standard Lesson Commentary - September 25, 2011.

Third Annual Christmas Bus Ride

Saint Monica's Annual Bus Ride will be Tuesday December 20, 2011. We will visit a few Hartford schools to share Christmas cheer. Each member is asked to fill a Christmas basket/box with food items worth about $60. Over fifty families are depending on your support, so please do not disappoint them.

The basket (laundry basket) should include:

1) A gift certificate for Stop n' Shop for meat.

2) Potatoes or rice or macaroni and cheese.

3) Vegetables (canned, fresh or frozen).

4) Fruit juice (100% juice only).

5) 2 dozen rolls.

6) Dessert.

The basket may also include foods that children eat during the vacation. For example:

Cereal, peanut butter, jelly, cocoa (hot chocolate), soup, bread, crackers, fruit juice (100% juice only), fresh or canned fruits and vegetables.

Please confirm your seat reservation by Sunday, December 11th. On Tuesday, December 20th, dress warmly and arrive promptly at 5:15 p.m. to load the baskets on the bus.

Christmas and New Year's Day

This year Christmas Day and New Year's Day will be on Sundays. We will have our usual Christmas Eve Service at 11:00 p.m. and our New Year's Eve Service at 11:00 p.m. On Christmas Day and New Year's Day we will have one service at 9:30 a.m. Holy Innocents Day is December 28th; we will have a service for our children and youth at 6:30 p.m.

Food Pantry

We always need non-perishable food to provide healthy meals for the families who come to our food Pantry. Please bring food or money to the altar every Sunday for the pantry.

Weekly suggestions: Sweet potatoes, cranberry sauce, canned green vegetables, evaporated milk, instant mashed potatoes, boxed dressing, canned and/or packaged gravies.

Rescheduling Meetings

Fr. Davidson needs our cooperation if we wish to reschedule a meeting on Monday or Wednesday between 5:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. Fr. Davidson schedules interviews and pastoral counseling either before or after Prayer Meetings on Monday. He may also schedule interviews and pastoral counseling on Wednesday. He schedules events when there is no Bible Study. As a courtesy, please call Fr. Davidson to verify if he has anything scheduled.

Activity Calendar

Weekly: 1) Mondays-Prayer meeting at 6:30 p.m.; 2) Wednesdays-Bible Study at 6:30 p.m.

Special Days (Weekly): 1) Wednesdays and Fridays-Food Pantry opens 10:00 a.m. to noon.

2) Every other Thursday-Pro's and Con's Task Force at 6:30 p.m.

Special Days (Monthly): 1) First Thursday-Stewardship Committee at 6:30 p.m.; 2) Second Thursday-Vestry Meeting 6:30 p.m.; 3) Third Tuesday-Women of Valier; 4) Third and fourth Saturday opens at 12:00 noon to 1:00 p.m.; 5) First Saturday-Episcopal Church Women (ECW) at 12:00 noon

Birthdays and Anniversaries in December

Happy Birthday to: Marion Hanson and Stephanie Lightfoot 3rd; Cameron Jones 5th, Jason Hall and Jefferson McAlpine 7th; Brian Brito 8th; Connor Elliott, Juliett Mikell, Joseph Noel and Jevon Wilson 9th; Gordon Holder 11th; Frances Sharp 12th; Gabrielle Irving 13th; Michelle Davis 15th; Ivy Anderson and Gwendolyn Bailey 16th; Winnie Anderson 19th; Pamela Brown, Julia Rankin and Sheena Petrolito 20th; Marcia Esson and Joyce Taylor 21st; Jane Collins and Erika Feurtado 22nd; Whitworth Lewis and Cherell Russell 23rd; Christopher Toppin and Kurtis Webb 24th; Leover Neals and Norest Walters 25th; Maureen Evans, Asante Asiedu and Verna Ferguson 26th; Courtney Samuda 28th; Nora Brown 29th; Lloyd Samuels 31st.

Happy Anniversary to: Mr. and Mrs. Calvin Anderson, Mr. and Mrs. Calvin/Maureen Evans, and Mr. and Mrs. Allan James 15th; Mr. and Mrs. Peter Marseles 21st.

In Memory For December

Victoria Hicks 3rd; Brian Trapp 5th; Maxine Freeman, Arlene Simmon and Scott Smith 7th; Marion Hairston and Morris Holder 8th; William Wood 9th; Miceal Reid 10th; George Sargeant 12th; Selvyn Clayton and Oliver Stoney 13th; Ernest Anderson and Deborah Wells 17th; Gwendolyn Brown 18th; Frederick Brescoe 21st; Gwende Stewart 22nd; George White 24th; Leonard Anderson 25th; Roger Douglas, Sr., Kathleen King and Daniel Wilson 27th; David Lane 29th.

Condolences

We record the death of Mildred Hunter. We extend our sincere Christian sympathy to her family and friends. May she rest in peace.

ITEMS OF INTEREST

Advent

The word Advent comes from the Latin Adventus, which means "Coming." It is the first season of the Church year. Advent begins four Sundays before Christmas and ends on Christmas Eve. The color of Advent is traditionally purple, marking the preparational aspects of the season. In Advent we prepare for our Lord's coming in three ways: at Christmas; for his coming into our hearts; and for his coming again at the end of time.

Advent Wreath

A wreath with four or five candles, used in most Episcopal churches and in some homes during the season of Advent. Four candles are placed in a circle, and a fifth may be placed in the center. One candle is lit on the first Sunday in Advent, two on the second Sunday, three on the third and four on the fourth Sunday in Advent. On Christmas day, the fifth candle is lighted.

Source: The Church of the Holy Cross, Sullivan's Island, Daniel Island and I'On Community near Charleston S.C.

Advent Colors

"Two different traditions are followed in the Episcopal Church concerning the seasonal color of Advent. Some churches adhere to the medieval Roman custom of purple vestments and altar hangings. Purple was a royal color in ancient times, and the purple in Advent may be thought of as preparing the throne room for the coming of our king., but it has often been called a penitential color because of its dark and somber tone. Alternatively, many churches follow the ancient English custom of using blue in Advent. Blue symbolizes heaven and is also associated with the Virgin Mary, so Advent may be seen as Mary's season and the season when heaven comes to earth. Candles in the Advent wreath can be either blue or purple-or even white or whatever is available.

Another Roman Catholic custom is the use of a pink or rose-colored candle on the third Sunday of Advent. This use of a lighter color symbolizes a lightening of the Advent penitence. Unless people are deep in penitence-unusual in this era-there seems little reason for it. "

Source: Christopher L. Webber. Welcome to Sunday (Harrisburg, PA: Morehouse Publishing 2003) pp. 44,45.

Clergy

The Rev. Charles Davidson

Vestry Members

Carol Anderson, Cyrus Aimey (Junior Warden), Veronica Airey-Wilson, Joyce Asiedu, Walter Benjamin (Senior Warden, Nora Brown, Terry Brown (Treasurer), Marie Brown-Harvey (Secretary),Evelyn Green, Shannon Holder, Bates Lyons, Joe Noel, Peter Marsele Terrie Thomas, Herbert Bowen (Hon)

Music

Rochelle Holder - Youth Choir

Nathaniel Baker - Music Director/Organist

Rector Emeritus

Canon Cyril Burke

Email

monicahartford@gmail.com

THE BOOK CORNER

The Gift of the Magi

By O. Henry

In a shabby New York flat, Della sobs as she counts the few coins she has saved to buy a Christmas present for her husband, Jim. a gift worthy of her devotion will require a great sacrifice: Selling her long, beautiful hair. Jim, meanwhile, has made a sacrifice for Della that is no less difficult. As they exchange gifts on Christmas Eve, the discovery of what each has done fills them with despair, until they realize that the true gifts of Christmas can be found more readily in their humble apartment than in any fine store. O. Henry paints a masterly portrait of unfaltering love, a haven from the harsh world outside. The poignancy of his story is captured in P.J. Lynch's eloquent art, wherein every glance, every gesture, tells a subtle truth.

From the book's description