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.

Sunday, December 30, 3012: First Sunday After Christmas
First Lesson: (Isaiah 61:10-62:1-3)
Psalm 147: 13-21, Page 805, BCP
Second Lesson: Paul's Epistle (Galatians 3:23-25; 4:4-7)
The Holy Gospel Of Our Lord Jesus Christ According To John (1:1-18)
Suggested Readings For The Week
Monday 2 Corinthians 5:16-6:1-2; Tuesday Colossians 2:6-12; Wednesday Hebrews 11:1-12; Thursday Hebrews 11:13-22; Friday Hebrews 11:23-31; Saturday John 15:1-16.

Sunday, December 23, 2012: Fourth Sunday Of Advent
First Lesson: (Micah 5:2-5a)
Canticle 15, Page 91, BCP
Second Lesson: Paul's Epistle (Hebrews 10:5-10)
The Holy Gospel Of Our Lord Jesus Christ According To Luke (1:39-45)
Suggested Readings For the Week
Monday Revelation 22:12-17, 21; Tuesday John 4:7-16; Wednesday Acts 6:1-7; Thursday John 13:20-35; Friday Matthew 18:1-14; Saturday Revelation 1:1-8.


Sunday, December 16, 2012: Third Sunday Of Advent
First Lesson: (Zephaniah 3:14-20)
Canticle 9, Page 86, BCP
Second Lesson: Paul' Epistle (Philippians 4:4-7)
The Holy Gospel Of Our Lord Jesus Christ According To Luke (7-18)
Suggested Readings For the Week
Monday 2 Peter 1:1-11; Tuesday 2 Peter 1:12-21; Wednesday 2 Peter 2:1-10a; Thursday 2 Peter 2:10b-16; Friday 1 Peter 1:3-9; Saturday Jude 1-12. 

Sunday, December 9, 2012: Second Sunday Of Advent

First Lesson: (Baruch 5:1-9)

Canticle 16, Page 92, BCP

Second Lesson: Paul's Epistle (Philippians 1:3-11)

The Holy Gospel Of Our Lord Jesus Christ According to Luke (3:1-6)

Suggested Readings For The Week

Monday 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11; Tuesday 1 Thessalonians 5:12-28; Wednesday 2 Thessalonians 1:1-12; Thursday 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12; Friday 2 Thessalonians 2:13-3:1-5; Saturday 2 Thessalonians 3:16-18.

Sunday, December 2, 2012: First Sunday Of Advent

First Lesson: (Jeremiah 33:14-16)

Psalm 25:1-9, Page 614, BCP

Second Lesson: Paul's Epistle (1 Thessalonians 3:9-13)

The Holy Gospel Of Our Lord Jesus Christ According To Luke (21:25-36)

Suggested Readings For The Week

Monday 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10 ; Tuesday 1 Thessalonians 2:1-12; Wednesday 1 Thessalonians 2:13-20; Thursday 1 Thessalonians 3:1-13; Friday 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12; Saturday 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18.

NEWS AND EVENTS

Sandy Hook Elementary School

The tragic killing that took place in Newtown, Connecticut leaves us stunned. Words cannot express our deep sorrow for all the people who were killed. Innocent children were in a place that everyone considered and yet they were cut down. Braves teachers and administrators were killed for no other reason than they were in the path of this evil being. We at St. Monica's cannot comprehend the grief of those who lost love ones. But we can say to them that our heavy hearts are filled with love for them.

From The Desk Of The Rector

Genesis 22:1-14. This story of God asking Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac is known as the testing of God of Abraham. I am using it in the context of our trusting God when we come to worship on Sundays and weekdays. Clearly it is God who provides the sacrifice and it is out of the graciousness of God that we give him His worth (worship). Hebrews 10 helps us to understand that in Jesus we have the perfect sacrifice and that must lead us to a confidence in worship, verse 19, which involves the giving of ourselves with 'true hearts in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water...' verse 22. We are totally involved in our worship of God and in offering ourselves to Him, we must trust Him who will give us that which we need and enables us through the Holy Spirit to 'run the race that is set before us. ' A race that also involves us being the hands, feet, eyes, etc., of God where we find ourselves. We dare not separate our worship of God and our service to our neighbors. 1 John 4:20 puts us in our place for it reminds us that we are liars if we say loving God whom we have not seen and hate our brother whom we see; the commandment we have is that we who love god must love our bothers and sisters also, verse 21.

Directions To St. Monica's

For driving directions to St. Monica's, 3575 Main Street, Hartford CLICK HERE

Upcoming Events  

The Daughters of King Senior Dinner:  Saturday 8th.

Joint Prayer Service at St. Martin's of Hartford: Tuesday 11th at 7 p.m.
Acolytes Preparation for Christmas: Saturday 15th and Saturday 22nd at 1:00 p.m.
Novena: Begins Monday 17th.
Christmas Cheer Bus Ride: Monday 17th.
St. Thomas: Friday 21st.
Christmas Eve Service: 10:30 p.m.
New Year's Eve service: 10:30 p.m.

Food Pantry

Please continue to donate to the Ruth Small Food Pantry. Suggested items are canned or instant potatoes, canned meats (tuna, salmon, chicken(, canned sweet potatoes, soup, peanut butter,jelly and individual fruit cups. Thank you for your continued support.

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 schedule.

Poinsettias For the Christmas Season

Please see any Alter Guild member to donate the cost of the poinsettias for the Christmas season. Suggest donation is $20. The deadline for a mention of blessings of deceased loved ones is Tuesday, December 18th. For more information see or call either Lucy Fuentes or Hyacinth Tate.

Committee Reports

Committee reports for 2012 are due by Tuesday, January 15, 2013. Please see Marie Brown-Harvey if you have questions. 

Activity Calendar

Weekly: 1) Mondays-Prayer meeting at 6:30 p.m. 2)Wednesday-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 Says (Monthly): 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.

Birthday And Anniversary in December

Happy Birthday to: Marion Hanson and Stephanie Lightfoot 3rd; Cameron Jones 5th;  Beresford Mapp 6th; Jason Hall and Jefferson Mcalpine 7th; Brian Brito and Gladys Brown 8th; elliott Connor 9th; Juliet Mikell  and Joe Noel 9th; Joyce Samuels 12th; Gabrielle Irving 13th; Michelle Davis 15th; Ivy Anderson and Gwen Bailey 16th; Winnie Anderson 19th; Pamela Brown 20th; Julia Rankin and Sheena Petrolito 20th; Marcia Esson and Joyce Taylor and Erica Feurtado 21st; Whitworth Lewis and Cherell Russell 23rd;  Chris Toppin and Kurtis Webb 24th; Leover Neals and Norest Walter 25th; Maureen Evans, Asiente Asiedu and Verna Ferguson 26th; Courtney Samuda 28th; Nora Brown 29th; Julie-Ann Williams and Joyce Samuels 31st.

Happy Anniversary to: Calvin and Maureen Anderson 15th; Peter and Gloria Marsele 20th; Mr. and Mrs. Alan James 15th.

In Memory for December

In Memory of: Victoria Hicks 3rd; Brian Trapp 5th; Arlene Simmon, Scott Smith and Maxine Freeman 7th; Marion Hairston and Morris Holder 8th; William Wood 9th; Noel Cornwall and Michael Reid 10th; George Sergeant 12th; Oliver Stoney and Selvyn Clayton 13th; George White 24th; Leonard Anderson 25th;  Roger Douglas,Sr., Kathleen King and Daniel Wilson 27th;  David Lane 29th.

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,  Marie Brown-Harvey (Secretary), Patricia David, Evelyn Green, David Hickmon, Bates Lyons, Joe Noel, Peter Marsele, Terrie Thomas.

Music

Rochelle Holder - Youth Choir

Nathaniel Baker - Music Director/Organist

Rector Emeritus

Canon Cyril Burke

Email

monicahartford@gmail.com

 THE BOOK CORNER

Hedy's Folly: The Life and Breakthrough Inventions of Hedy Lamarr, the Most Beautiful Woman in the World
By Richard Rhodes

The title of Richard Rhodes' "Hedy's Folly" compounds the injustice against George Antheil. It was Hedy Lamarr who came up with the idea of spread-spectrum radio, the basis for wireless telephones and GPS devices, but it was antheil who devised a way for it to work practically. Just as Hedy's caused people not to take her seriously while she was alive, so her glamor and stardom blinded people today to the contributions of her collaborator, one onetime "Bad Boy of Music."

In any case, Rhodes' book is a swift, entertaining read about how these two unlikely inventors discovered one other the most important technological advances in history.  I didn't understand the pages filled with technological information, but I accepted them as necessary to pinpointing the importance of what lamarr and Antheil did. My one complaint against the book is that there is much more to be told here--not only about spread-spectrum radio, but about Lamarr and Antheil, fascinating characters who both deserve full- length biographies in the own right. But there is enough in Rhnodes' book, at least, to get started.
Review by Miles D. Moore

LITURGY OF THE WORD AND WEEKLY READINGS

Sunday, November 25, 2012: Last Sunday After Pentecost
Fr. Davidson was away; the Rev. Judith Alexis was the celebrant.

First Lesson: 2 Samuel (23:1-7)
Psalm 132:1-13, Page 785, BCP
Second Lesson: Revelations (1:4b-8)
The Holy Gospel Of Our Lord Jesus Christ According To John (18:33-37)
Suggested Readings For The Week
Monday Luke 18:15-30; Tuesday Luke 18:31-43; Wednesday Luke 19:1-10; Thursday Luke 19:11-27; Friday 1 Corinthians 4:1-16; Saturday Luke 19:41-48. 

Sunday, November 18, 2012: Twenty Fifth Sunday After Pentecost
First Lesson: 1 Samuel (1:4-20)
Psalm 16, Pages 599-600, BCP
Second Lesson: Paul's Epistle (Hebrews 10:11-14, 19-25)
The Holy Gospel Of Our Lord Jesus Christ According To Mark (13:1-8)
Suggested Readings For The Week
Monday Luke 16:19-31; Tuesday Luke 17:1-10; Wednesday Luke 17:17-19; Thursday John 6:26-35; Friday Luke 18:1-8; Saturday: Luke 18:9-14.

Sunday, November 11, 2012: Twenty Fourth Sunday After Pentecost
First Lesson: Ruth (3:1-5; 4:13-17) 
Psalm 127, Page 782, BCP
Second Lesson: Paul's Epistle (Hebrews 9:24-28)
The Holy Gospel Of Our Lord Jesus Christ According To Mark (12:38-44)
Suggested Readings For The Week
Monday Luke 14:12-24; Luke 14:25-35; Wednesday Luke 15:1-10; Thursday Luke 15:1-2, 11-32; Friday Luke 16:1-9; Saturday Luke 16:10-17.

Sunday, November 4, 2012: Twenty Third Sunday After Pentecost
First Lesson: Wisdom of Solomon (3:1-9)
Psalm 24, Page 613, BCP
Second Lesson: Revelations (21:1-6a)
The Holy Gospel Of Our Lord Jesus Christ According to John (11:32-44)
Suggested Readings For The Week
Monday Luke 12:49-59; Tuesday Luke 13:1-9; Wednesday Luke 13:10-17; Thursday Luke 13:18-30; Friday Luke 13:31-35; Saturday Luke 14:1-11.

NEWS AND EVENTS

From The Desk Of The Rector

All Saints Day, the day on which Christians celebrate all the saints, known and unknown, is a surprisingly old feast. It arose out of the Christian tradition of celebrating the martyrdom of saints on the anniversary of their martyrdom. When martyrdoms increased during the persecutions of the late Roman Empire, local dioceses instituted a common feast day in order to ensure that all martyrs, known and unknown were properly honored. By the late fourth century, this common feast was celebrated in Antioch, and Saint Ephrem the Syrian mentioned it in a sermon in 373. In the early centuries, this feast was celebrated in the Easter season, and the Eastern Churches, both Catholic and Orthodox, still celebrate it then.

The current date of November 1 was instituted by Pope Gregory III (731-741), when he consecrated a chapel to all the martyrs in St. Peter's Basilica in Rome and ordered it to be celebrated on November 1. The vigil or eve of the feast, October 31, is commonly known as All Hallows Eve, or Halloween.

Directions To St. Monica's

For driving directions to St. Monica's, 3575 Main Street, Hartford CLICK HERE

The Rev. Judith Alexis
The Rev. Judith Alexis is the priest in charge of the Haitian Episcopal community in Connecticut; she worships at St. John's Church in Stamford. The Rev. Alexis was ordained a deacon on July 274, 2006 in the diocese of South East Florida and a priest on April 13, 2007.

Upcoming Events Clergy Retreat: November 6-8 

Thanksgiving Pie Sale: 

Diversity Sundays:

1. Brazil November 11th

2. Barbados November 25th

Young People's Fellowship will hold its annual Thanksgiving pie sale. Orders will be taken up through Sunday, November 11, 2012.

Calendars for 2013

Religious calendars for 2013 are now available at a cost of $10 each. Please see Euna Farrell or Arlette Hurdle.

Food Pantry

Please continue to donate to the Ruth Small Food Pantry. Suggested items are canned or instant potatoes, canned meats (tuna, salmon, chicken(, canned sweet potatoes, soup, peanut butter,jelly and individual fruit cups. Thank you for your continued support.

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 schedule.

Activity Calendar

Weekly: 1) Mondays-Prayer meeting at 6:30 p.m. 2)Wednesday-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 Says (Monthly): 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 November

Happy Birthday to: Myrtle Senior and Darryl Burke 1st; Cyril Burke and Pat Nelson 3rd;   
Evelyn Green 4th; Carmen Brown 5th; Scott thornton 9th; Marcus Clark 11th; Rory Elliott and Lucy Fuentes 13th; Hylton Cooke-Hylton 15th; George Jordon 19th; Bates Lyons 20th; Carol Anderson 24th; Blondell Thornton 25th; Andre Branch 26th; Austin Tagbo 27th; Verona Francis 29th and Kenneth Lambert 29th.

In Memory for November

In Memory of: Gwendolyn Elison, Mary Jackson and Carlton Airey 1st; Ambrose Watkins 2nd; Gertrude Smith 6th; Michael Mitchell, Jr. 6th; Fitz T. Hickson 7th; Macheek Jennings 8th; Milton rice 9th; Dorothy Wiggins 11th; Frank Davis 12th; Solon Taylor and Frank Davis 12th; Adolphus Griffin and Rosalee Bracey 15th; Dorothy Cunningham 17th; Edith Duval 19th; Walter Mitchell 21st; Zulietta Burke, Elizabeth Taylor, Sydney Lopez and Elizabeth Davis 22nd; Robert Camby 24th; Mary Winfield 25th and London Duval 25th; Ivan Hoe Stewart and Pedro Hester 26th; Louis Camby 27th; John West and Gladys Brown 29th.

ITEMS OF INTEREST

I Wonder

This is an occasional column that answers interesting questions.

We in the Episcopal Church know what Pentecost means to Christians but what is the Jewish Pentecost?

Shavu'ot, the Festival Of Weeks, is the second of the three major festivals with both historical and agricultural significance (the other two are Passover and Sukkot). Agriculturally, it commemorates the time when the first fruits were harvested and brought to the Temple, and is known as Hag ha-Bikkurim (the Festival of the First Fruits). Historically, it celebrates the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai, and is also know as Hag Matan Torateinu (The Festival of the Giving of Our Torah).

The period from Passover to Shavu'ot is a time of great anticipation. We count each of the days from the second day of Passover to the day before Shavu'ot, 49 days or 7 full weeks, hence the name of the festival. The counting reminds us of the important connection between Passover and Shavu'ot: Passover freed us physically from bondage, but the giving of the Torah on Shavu'ot redeemed us spiritually from our bondage to idolatry and immorality. Shavu'ot is also known as Pentecost, because it falls on the 50th day; however, Shavu'ot has no particular similarity to the Christian holiday of Pentecost, which occurs 50 days after their Spring holiday.

The source of this information will be found at the website Judaism 101. To go to the site CLICK HERE

Clergy

The Rev. Charles Davidson

Vestry Members

Carol Anderson, Cyrus Aimey (Junior Warden), Veronica Airey-Wilson, Joyce Asiedu, Walter Benjamin (Senior Warden), Nora Brown, , Marie Brown-Harvey (Secretary), Patricia David, Evelyn Green, David Hickmon, Shannon Holder, Bates Lyons, Joe Noel, Peter Marsele, Terrie Thomas.

Music

Rochelle Holder - Youth Choir

Nathaniel Baker - Music Director/Organist

Rector Emeritus

Canon Cyril Burke

Email

monicahartford@gmail.com