LITURGY OF THE WORD 

Sunday, December 27, 2015: First Sunday After Christmas
First Lesson: Isaiah (61:10-62:3)
Psalm 147:13-21, Page 805, BCP
Paul's Epistle: Galatians (3:23-25;4:4-7)
The Holy Gospel of Our Lord Jesus Christ According to John (1:1-18)
Sermon By The Rev. Tracy Johnson Russell

Sunday, December 20, 2015: Fourth Sunday of Advent
Advent Candle Lighting
Today we light the first, second, third and fourth candles of the Advent wreath. Each candle has a meaning. The first candle is HOPE, the second candle is PEACE, the this candle is JOY, and the fourth candle is LOVE.

First Lesson: Micah(5:2-5a)
Psalm 80:1-7, Page 702, BCP
Paul's Epistle: Hebrews (10:5-10)
The Holy Gospel of Our Lord Jesus Christ According to Luke (1:39-45 [46-55])
A Christmas Pageant Presented by St. Monica's Youth

Sunday, December 13, 2015: Third Sunday of Advent
Advent Candle Lighting
Today we light the first, second, and third candles of the Advent wreath. Each candle has a meaning. The first is HOPE, the second is PEACE, and the third is JOY.

First Lesson: Zephaniah (3:14-20)
Canticle 9: The First Song of Isaiah (12:2-6), Page 86, BCP
Paul's Epistle: (Philippians 4:4-7)
The Holy Gospel of Our Lord Jesus Christ According to Luke (3:7-18)
Sermon by The Ann Perrott 

Sunday, December 6, 2015: Second Sunday of Advent
Advent Candle Lighting
Today we light the first and second candles of the Advent wreath. Each candle has a meaning. The first is HOPE, the second is PEACE.

First Lesson: Baruch (5:1-9)
Canticle 16: The Song of Zechariah (Luke 1:68-79), Page 92, BCP
Paul's Epistle: (Philippians 1:3-11)
The Holy Gospel of Our Lord Jesus Christ According to Luke (3:1-6)
Sermon by The Rev. Tracy Johnson Russell 

NEWS AND EVENTS

Sermons Of The Rev. Tracy Johnson Russell

To hear the sermons of The Rev. Johnson Russell CLICK HERE

St. Monica's Website

To visit St. Monica's website CLICK HERE.
 
Directions To St. Monica's

For driving directions to St. Monica's, 3575 Main Street, Hartford CLICK HERE
 
From The Desk of  the Priest-In-Charge

"And walk in love [esteeming and delighting in one another] as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us..."

Delight in One another

Have you ever thought about what it means to delight in others? Or, to esteem and honor the people God has placed in your life? Sometimes it's so easy to take our family and close friends for granted, but we must remember that God has called us to honor and value those around us. My friends, you each are God's representative on the earth, and when you make the effort to bless and encourage the people in your life no matter who they are, you are displaying God's love them and your love for God.

I want you to notice that the verse doesn't say "Walk in love as long as everyone acts the way you what them to." And it doesn't say "Esteem others as long as they treat you right." No, beloved of God, it simply says, "Walk in love as Christ loved." 

You see, there are no conditions to God's love, and there should be no conditions to our love for others either. Today, show love and sow love and watch how God pours out His love on every area of your life in return.

Blessings!

Rev. Tracy

Notice

There will be one service Sunday, December 20, 2015 at 9:30 a.m.
New Chairs

Donations are needed to replace the many worn chairs in the sanctuary. Donations of $35.00 should made by December 13, 2015. Share God's blessings; help us prepare the sanctuary for the Christmas Eve Service.

Praise and Worship

The Frances Willis Cornwall Chapter of the Order of the Daughters of the King will hold its second Praise and Worship Service on Monday, December 14, 2015 from 6:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. in the parish hall. Please invite others to join us.

Poinsettias for Christmas

Help the Altar Guild decorate the sanctuary with live poinsettias and mention your blessings and memorials in the Christmas Flower Booklet. Donations are $20.00 per plant. See any altar Guild member. Deadline is Sunday, December 20, 2015.

Christmas Bus Ride

Please support St. Monica's Annual Christmas Bus Ride to provide holiday meals for families with children in f neighborhood schools. Donations are needed to fill the baskets. Deadline for donations is Sunday, December 20, 2015.

Annual Reports
The annual reports of all organizations are due on January 10, 2016. 

Birthdays And Anniversaries In December

Happy Birthday to: Marion Hanson, Stephanie Lightfoot and Julie-Ann Williams 3rd; Cameron Jones 5th; Jason Hall and Jefferson McAlpine 7th; Brian Brito 8th; Connor Elliott, Juliette Mikell, Joseph Noel and Jevon Wildon 9th; Gordon Holder 11th; Frances Sharpe 12th; Gabrielle Irving 13th; Michelle Davis 15th; Ivy Anderson and Gwen Bailey 16th;  Ena Smith 17th; Winnie Anderson 19th; Pamela Brown and Julia Rankins 20th; Marcia Esson and Joyce Taylor 21st; Jane Collins and Ericka Feurtado 22nd; Whitworth Lewis and Cherell Russell 23rd; Christopher Toppin and Kurtis Webb 24th; Leover Neals and Norest Walters 25th; Ashante Asiedu and verna Ferguson 26th; Courtney Samuda 28th; Nora Brown 29th; Julie-an Wilson.

Happy Anniversary to: Calvin and Maureen Evans; Allan and Olive James; Peter and Gloria Marsele 21st; Lewis and Cynthia Timoll.

In Memory Of: Victoria Hicks 3rd; Brian Trapp 5th; Arlene Simmons, Scott Smith and Maxine Freeman 7th; Marion Hairston and Morris Holder 8th; William Wood 9th;  Noel Cornwall and Michael Reid 10th; George Sargent 12th; Selvyn Clayton 13th; Leonard Nelson 16th; Deborah Wells and Earnest Anderson 17th; Gwendolyn Brwn 18th; Frederick Fresco 21st; Gwen Stewart 22nd;  George White 24; Leonard Anderson 25th; David Lane 29th.

Family of Nancy Bailey
The family of Nancy Bailey would like to thank our St. Monica's Family for the calls, cards and other expressions of love. Our hearts are full with joy for the life of our mother/grandmother, and for the legacy of faith she instilled in each of us. thank you, The 
bailey/Green Families.

Vestry Members

Cyrus Aimey (Junior Warden), Winston Barnaby, Walter Benjamin (Senior Warden), Marie Brown-Harvey (Secretary), April Carter, Evelyn Green, David Hickmon, Stephanie Lightfoot, A. Bates Lyons, Joseph Noel, Evelyn Stewart, Terrie Thomas. Geraldine Williams.

Music

Rochelle Holder - Youth Choir

Nathaniel Baker - Music Director/Organist

Rector Emeritus

Canon Cyril Burke

Email

monicahartford@gmail.com

ITEM OF INTEREST

Advent is the beginning of the Church Year for most churches in the Western tradition. It begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas Day, which is the Sunday nearest November 30, and ends on Christmas Eve (Dec 24). If Christmas is a Sunday, it is counted as the fourth Sunday of Advent, with Christmas Eve proper beginning at sundown.

The Meaning of "Advent"
The word Advent means "coming" or "arrival." The focus of the entire season is preparation to celebrate the birth of Jesus the Christ in his First Advent, and the anticipation of the return of Christ the King in the second Advent. Thus, Advent is far more than simply marking a more than 2,000 year-old event in history. It is celebrating a truth about God, the revelation of god in Christ whereby all of creation might be reconciled to God. That is a process in which we now participate, and the consummation of which we anticipate. Scripture reading for Advent will reflect this emphasis on the Second Advent, including themes of accountability for faithfulness at his coming, judgment on sin, and the hope of eternal life.

In this double focus on past and future, Advent also symbolizes the spiritual journey of individuals and a congregation, as they affirm that Christ has come, that He is present in the world today, and that He will come again in power.

THE BOOK CORNER

 The Polar Express
By Chris Van Allsburg

It is easy to express cynicism about Christmas. Likewise, it is far too easy to put down the Christmas season as too commercial. and it is far too easy to dismiss a seasonal gem such as the Polar Express as simplistic and sentimental. But this tale is on of belief, of keeping something which is childlike, not childish, and that just doesn't grow old.

The narrator, a boy, lies awake listening for the sound of the bells on Santa's  sleigh, a sound a friend who doesn't believe in Santa Clause says he will not hear. Indeed, he does not, but what he does hear is even more wonderful and remarkable. He hears the hiss of steam and the squeak of metal, and when he looks out the window, he sees a train outside his house. It is the Polar Express, heading for the North Pole. 

Once aboard, he finds that it is full of children, all in their nightclothes. The sing Christmas carols, drink cocoa and eat candies as the train races northward. Finally, they arrive at the North Pole, and the narrator is selected to receive the first gift of Christmas. He asks for and receives from Santa Claus himself, a silver bell from the sleigh. 

Although the boy loses the bell on the way home, kindly Santa returns it to him, and the boy discovers that the bell has a remarkable quality. Only those who still believe in the wonder of Santa and the spirit of Christmas can hear hear the bell. His friends and his sister eventually cannot hear the bell, but even when he grows up "the bell still rings for [him] as it does for all who true believe.

The story is accompanied by beautiful pictures that capture the nighttime journey. the author employs somber tones in most of his scenes, speckled with snow and highlighted with starlight and the glowing lights of the train. He captures the cold and mystery of the night, contrasting it with the warm interior scenes. 

Every child should own this book. It is a magical story that they can appreciate for the rest of their lives.
Review by A Customer on October 17, 2000