Episcopal Church in Snellville, GA
Sixteen youth and adults were confirmed or received and one infant was baptized at the Holy Eucharist service on June 9, the Day of Pentecost, celebrated by The Right Reverend Robert Wright. Twenty-three individuals were reaffirmed. The joyous service of celebration of the coming of the Holy Spirit ended the fifty days of Easter in the liturgical calendar.
To view photos of this important day in St. Matthew’s, click here.
Click here to check out the end-of-year committee reports and the approved 2019 budget, and meet your newly elected vestry members.
http://www.stmatthewssnellville.org/resources/annual-parish-reports/
The liturgy of the Episcopal Church is participatory– that is, those attending take part in the service by singing, praying, listening and responding to what is happening during the service. The goal of Junior Worship is to help children understand the parts of the service, to help get them ready to sit and worship with their families on Sundays through the whole service. Junior Worship occurs during the first part of the 10:30 service on Sundays. Children ages 5-8 (through 3rd grade) follow the verger out of church and return to their families at the Peace so they can take Communion with their families.
Junior Worship follows the outline of a regular church service. The lead can wear a chasuble much like what Mother Liz wears. The kids get a kick out of it! They even have our own bulletins. The kids enjoy the up-close approach to the altar where they can touch everything and ask questions. They walk into the classroom down the center aisle of their “pews”; they sing, light candles (battery operated of course) and follow along in their bulletins as they would in “Big” church. They say the Children’s Creed, the Prayers of the Children (Prayers of the People), the I’m Sorry (confession), and the Lord’s Prayer.
Lessons in Junior Worship are different from what the children are learning in Sunday School. What we’re trying to teach are the “nuts and bolts” of the church, answering questions they may have while they sit in service with their families. Hopefully, once they understand what is happening, when, and why, they will be better equipped to sit all the way through service. Remember, the service can sometimes seem long to adults, too!
Check out the pictures for a little taste of what we’re doing!
The season of expectation, called Advent, is upon us. Advent begins the fourth Sunday before Christmas and marks the start of a new liturgical year. This new year, which we begin on this Sunday, is noted as Year C, and our gospel focus moves from the Gospel of Mark (Year B), to the Gospel of Luke.
The four Sundays of Advent are also commemorated by the lighting of the Advent Wreath. According to information provided on Wikipedia[i], the concept of the Advent Wreath originated with the Lutherans during the 16th century. It was a way to mark time from the first Sunday of Advent to Christmas. The original Advent wreath had 20 small red and four large white candles. A small candle was lit successively on weekdays and Saturdays and on Sunday a large white candle was lit. The use of the wreath changed to marking only the four Sundays in Advent, and some churches added a fifth white candle in the center, which was lit on Christmas. The Roman Catholic Church in Germany adopted the custom in the 1920’s and it spread to the United States sometime in the 1930’s.
Today, many denominations use an Advent wreath during Advent. The wreath is circular, representing eternity. Four or five candles are arranged on the wreath, depending on whether a center candle for Christmas is used. Set on the outer wreath are four candles: three are either blue or purple, and one is rose. One candle on the outer ring is lit each Sunday. Whether the wreath uses four or five candles, the idea is that the wreath, and the lighting of the candles successively each Sunday, represents the light of Christ coming into the world.
The first blue or purple candle that is lit is called the “Prophecy Candle”, reminding us of the prophets who foretold the coming of the Messiah. This first candle represents HOPE. The second purple or blue candle that is lit represents LOVE. Some traditions have named this candle the “Bethlehem Candle”, representing Christ’s manger. On the third Sunday, the rose candle is lit. This candle is called the “Shepherd’s Candle” and it represents JOY. The fourth candle is often referred to as the “Angel’s Candle”, and it represents PEACE. On Christmas Eve, the white center candle is lit. This candle is called the “Christ Candle” and represents Christ coming into the world[ii].
Using an Advent Wreath at home is a wonderful way to mark the season. You can find advent wreaths in many craft shops, in Christian Bookstores, and on-line. There are also some available at the Cathedral Bookstore at St. Philips in Atlanta. The candles are often sold as a four pack, with three blue or purple and one pink or rose in the box. You can set the wreath on a plate or a charger, and then decorate the wreath with Christmas greenery. The candles can be lit in the same way we light them on Sunday. On Sunday evening, perhaps before dinner, light one or more of the candles, depending on which Sunday it is, and share a prayer of either thanksgiving (how has God blessed me this week), or a prayer of hope (what does it mean to you that Christ comes into the world?).
The Advent wreath is a home tradition that I adopted many years ago. It has infused an added level of spirituality and reflection in what would otherwise be a very hectic season. I highly recommend it!
Advent Blessings, Mother Liz+
[i] Wikipedia, “The Advent Wreath”, found at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advent_wreath, accessed 11-30-18.
[ii] “The Advent Wreath”, Terra Sancta Guild.
Advent, the start of a new year for the church, begins four Sundays before Christmas. During this season, we wait, prepare, reflect, and watch hopefully for the coming of God through Jesus in the real world- a world filled with good and bad, happiness and sorrow. Advent is the time for us to celebrate “God with us,” which is the literal translation of “Emmanuel.” The colors of Advent are either purple (symbolizing suffering/repentance/Christ’s royalty/the connection between the birth and death of Jesus) or dark blue, like a predawn winter sky before the sun rises/the light of Christ comes (symbolizing expectation/hope of faith/heaven/the Virgin Mary).
The altar flowers for Advent reflect the darkness before Christ and get lighter each Sunday. Below is a guide for the Advent altar flowers.
First Sunday of Advent/Hope: Dark blue, dark purple, dark green.
Second Sunday of Advent/Preparation: Lighter blue, lighter purple, lighter green.
Third Sunday of Advent/Gaudete or Rejoice/Joy: Lighter green, pink/rose and even a little white for the Virgin Mary.
Fourth Sunday of Advent/Love: Light blue light purple, light green.
References:
Angelicanchurchtwente.com, “Advent.”
Fairchild, Mary (Dec. 12, 2017) ThoughtCo., “Three Main Advent Colors Packed With Meaning.”
Stmargarets.org, “Advent”
Stpaulsivy.org, “Did You Know Series: Advent/ Why Blue for Advent?”
1st & 2nd Sundays in Advent
8:00 and 10:30 a.m. Holy Eucharist
Epiphany Choir will play Dec 9 at 10:30 a.m.
3rd Sunday in Advent, December 16
8:00 and 10:30 a.m. Holy Eucharist
5:30 p.m. Service of Lessons & Carols—
Nursery provided through age 6
4th Sunday in Advent, December 23
Holy Eucharist at 8:00
Holy Eucharist at 10:30 a.m. with Baptism
Christmas Eve, December 24 **
4:00 p.m. Family Eucharist Service
with Christmas Pageant, Junior Choir
and Cherubs
7:30 p.m. Holy Eucharist
11:00 p.m. Festive Holy Eucharist
(with incense), Sanctuary Choir
and Hand Bell Choir
Prelude starts at 10:30 p.m. with Carols
Christmas Day, December 25**
10:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist with Carols
1st Sunday After Christmas Day, December 30
10:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist (One Service Only)
**Please note there will be no nursery available on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day so that nursery volunteers may attend church with their families. ALL children of all ages are welcome in church. Nursery is available for ages 6 mos. through age 4 on regular Sundays at the 10:30 service.
