FOR THE LOVE OF MIKE Volume 67 Number 11
DECEMBER 2017
The Episcopal Church of Saint Michael and All Angels Pacific View Drive at Marguerite
Corona del Mar
California 92625
“O that you would tear open the heavens, and come down!” – Isaiah 64:1
By Dr. Ray Urwin, Director of Music
I
Continued on page 6
stmikescdm.ladiocese.org
“What Sweeter Music than a carol…”
FROM THE INTERIM RECTOR
always look forward to the season of Advent. It’s a season full of special, unique joys in the Church, like the beautiful, haunting Advent hymns, tinged with both hope and sadness, and the flickering candles of the Advent wreath. But one of the most lovely and moving aspects of the season for me is the great prominence of readings from the Bible’s book of Isaiah in the Sunday liturgies and in the Daily Office of Morning Prayer. Isaiah Chapters 40-55 show very clearly that Isaiah was not only a prophet, he was a poet as well. Under the inspiration of the Spirit his literary gifts blossomed, giving us an extraordinary testimony to Isaiah’s powerful desire for God. Isaiah’s dazzling poetry reminds me that the desire for God to come and to save us, to deliver us, to work in our lives, is the key to the spirituality of the season of Advent. The very word “advent” comes from the Latin root that means “a coming, an arrival.” Advent is for us a season of longing, of desire, of yearning for God to come and save us, from our sins, from our emptiness, from our relentless, exhausting pursuit of things and false pleasures and vain goals that mean nothing and bring us only spiritual death. So what are our desires? What do we really want, in our lives, in our relationships, in our experience at Saint Michael’s? The season of Advent invites us to “keep a spiritual eye on ourselves for a while,” to really check out what we desire and whether we’re
949.644.0463
W
CHRISTMAS WORSHIP 2017 Sunday, December 17 4 pm Children’s Pageant & Eucharist Christmas Party follows Sunday, December 24, Christmas Eve 4 Advent There will be no 8 am service today 10 am – The Holy Eucharist 5 pm – The Holy Eucharist with Carols (Nursery care) 8:00 pm – Music and Carols for the Season with St. Michael’s Choir and Strings 8:30 pm - Festival Eucharist with St. Michael’s Choir and Strings Monday, December 25, Christmas Day 10 am – The Holy Eucharist with Music Wednesday, December 27 Saint John, Apostle and Evangelist No noon service today Sunday, December 31 1 Christmas 8 am – The Holy Eucharist 10 am – The Holy Eucharist
* * * “And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.” --1 John 5:11
e will be doing a service of Advent Lessons and Carols on Sunday morning, December 10, at the 10am service. Much of our favorite congregational Christmas music consists of carols. Our previous hymnal, The Hymnal 1940, grouped all the carols together as a separate sub-section of the Christmas hymns section, and its Companion (commentary) described this section as “more truly congregational” than any other group of hymns in the book. The word may have been derived from the Greek “Kyrie eleison (Lord, have mercy), through later German and other languages “kyrieleison,” “kyrielle,” “arielle,” “Kariole,” “karole,” to “carol,” according to the Companion. But it is more likely derived from the Greek “chorales:” “choros” (choir) plus “aulein,” to play a reed instrument. Carols came into common use in Europe in the 14th century, as a result of the breakup of the Medieval church, the beginning of the Renaissance and the rise of nationalism, and the development of the vernacular languages. Some carols had texts that were “macaronic” - a mixture of two languages. “In dulci jubilo” ("Good Christian friends, rejoice," Hymn 107), originally in German, but with sporadic phrases in Latin, is the most famous of these, and this practice still survives today in a carol such as “Angels we have heard on high,” (96), with stanzas in English (originally French), but the refrain in the original Latin. Continued on page 6
BUILDING OUR F AITH: L OVING CHRIST AND SER VING OUR COMMUNITY FAITH: LO SERVING
FOR THE LOVE OF MIKE
THE 2017 VESTRY Senior Warden...................................Mark Peterson markpeterson@catespeterson.com.......949.252.2622 Junior Warden........................................Clyde Dodge clydedodge@cox.net..............................949.375.1530 Christian Education...........................Melinda Rader melindarader2244@gmail.com...............949.230.3644 Clerk of the Vestry.....................................Jill Faller jjfaller@gmail.com...................................949.706.9495 Building and Grounds........................Michael Kiper Islandmd1@aol.com ...............................949.350.2884 Communications..................................Norris Battin nbattin+SMAA@gmail.com..................949.500.2442 Evangelism...................................Anne Warmington amwarmington@hotmail.com................202.550.4100 Fellowship .............................................Beth Bianchi bethebianchi@gmail.com.......................949.721.0192 Finance.................................................................Open Worship...............................The Rev. Michael Seiler mseiler@stmikescdm.org........................949.644.0463 Mission................................................Kati Nicholson kmowat22@gmail.com............................949.300.3164 Stewardship.........................................Stacie Tibbetts sltibbet@uci.edu......................................714.544.8490 Ombudsperson....................................................Open
A GREAT CHRISTMAS GIFT!
50 YEARS! .
Our parish history, “A Celebration of 50 Years,” is available for $15 from Lulu Press bit.ly/SMAAhistory. Twenty percent of the purchase price supports our parish budget. 51 pages of text, color photographs, and historical tables.
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO HAVE A PDF COPY of our Parish Directory, please send a request to nbattin+SMAA@gmail.com.
DECEMBER 2017
THE WORD BECAME FLESH AND LIVED AMONG US, AND WE HAVE SEEN HIS GLORY! JOHN 1:14A
Dear Friends in Christ,
A
s we celebrate the wondrous birth of our Savior Jesus Christ, we continue to pray in hope for the promise of peace with justice that God brings to all. Especially at this time, we, the staff of Saint Michael & All Angels, want to thank our beloved parish family for the opportunities to serve among you during the entire year. As we work together with you in our various ministries, we are able to bring the message of Christ beyond our parish into our community, our nation, and the world. We wish you a most happy and blessed New Year 2018! Michael, Ray, Susan C., Susan B., Maile, and the Westroms (Susan, Heidi, and Erik & Katie) Lord Jesus, Master of both the light and the darkness, send your Holy Spirit upon our preparations for Christmas. We who have so much to do seek quiet spaces to hear your voice each day. We who are anxious over many things look forward to your coming among us. We who are blessed in so many ways long for the complete joy of your kingdom. We whose hearts are heavy seek the joy of your presence. We are your people, walking in darkness, yet seeking the light. To you we say, “Come Lord Jesus!” --Henri Nouwen A SERVICE OF ADVENT LESSONS AND CAROLS Sunday , December 10, 10:00 am
2
DECEMBER ANNIVERSARIES Birthdays 5th - Tony Caldarone 6th - Bob Dell Angelo 7th - Corinne Stover 30th - Karlene Miller
Baptisms 2nd - Corinne Stover 2nd - Louise Stover 7th - Libby Keating 18th - Bob Dell Angelo 3rd - Murry McClaren Weddings
11th - Cliff & Teri Corbet 21st Dale & Joanne Woolley 28th Mark & Sondra Valentine NURSERY CARE IS AVAILABLE on Sundays from 9:30-11:30am. TIME AND TALENT: If you are thinking about volunteering with one of our Commissions at St. Mike’s, we need greeters, acolytes, coffee hosts, and ushers, and have other interesting assignments as well. Volunteering is a wonderful way to meet new people at St. Mike’s. Please call Anne Warmington with questions or to volunteer: 202.550.4100.
FOR THE LOVE OF MIKE is a publication of Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church, Corona del Mar, CA. Copy deadline is the second Wednesday of the month. We welcome letters and articles. Editor: Susan Beechner 949.644.0463 sbeechner@stmikescdm.org nbattin@gmail.com www.stmikescdm.ladiocese.org
FOR THE LOVE OF MIKE
FORWARD MOVEMENT PUBLICATIONS
DECEMBER 2017
Women's Fellowship Meet, Greet, Eat
The daily message from the venerable Episcopal Church publication, “Forward Day by Day,” appears each morning on the Daily Mike Facebook page. A ministry of The Episcopal Church, Forward Movement has been inspiring disciples and empowering evangelists around the globe since 1935 through our offerings that encourage spiritual growth in congregations and individuals:https://fowardmovement.org. Please check our Forward Movement display rack on the wall in Michael’s Room. Pick up a pamphlet or two to share with family and friends. We provide a donation box for your convenience. Thie month: The Rev’d R. Leigh Spruill writes a pamphlet with the intriguing title “Things Not to Do During Advent.” He reminds the reader that Advent “is less about preparing for the Christmas holidays than preparing for the Christ.” His Top Ten List includes the following: DO NOT forget your rituals. Place an Advent wreath, light candles, listen to Christian hymns. Share with your children what symbols of Advent mean. DO NOT try to be perfect for the holidays. DO NOT overdo your schedule. DO NOT overdo gifts. DO NOT expect the culture to follow your lead. Resist the commercial message. DO NOT forget the less fortunate.
Do you have a desire to make some new friends and deepen personal relationships with fellow parishioners? Enjoy relaxed conversation in small groups? Then Meet, Greet, and Eat is for you! We will organize small groups (6-8) for pot-luck meals to be held in homes. You may chose to host a group, but that is not necessary to participate. Singles and couples are welcomed! If you are interested, please contact Beth Bianchi, 949.636.3418.
* * * DO YOU HAVE A NEW EMAIL ADDRESS? Please contact sbeechner@stmikescdm.org with changes or additions.
* * * INKLINGS: Meets monthly on the third Thursday, 9:30-11am, in the Davis Library to read and study writings of C.S. Lewis. Susan Caldwell leads the discussion. A PRAYER FOR OUR PARISH Almighty and everliving God, ruler of all things in heaven and continuing on earth, hear our prayers for this parish family. Strengthen the faithful, arouse the careless, and restore the penitent. Grant us all things necessary for our common life, and bring us all to be of one heart and mind within your holy Church; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. --BCP page 816
3
VIMEO CATELOG Don’t have the Vimeo app? Get it from the App Store: http://bit.ly/vimeo_ios Fr. Michael’s Homilies https://vimeo.com/242720187 https://vimeo.com/241659903 Jazz Vespers https://vimeo.com/241657522. https://vimeo.com/233953954. https://vimeo.com/233787432 https://vimeo.com/233629564 http://bit.ly/2iHmTIB Ray Urwin Plays https://vimeo.com/240659178. Thanks to Clyde Dodge for capturing these videos
ACOLYTES NEEDED: Do you have one hour to offer this parish each month? Would you like to participate in the worship service on Sundays by carrying the Cross or lighting the candles? Acolyting is a valuable ministry in the life of Saint Michael & All Angels. Please contact Susan Caldwell if you are interested in learning more about this ministry or to volunteer! 949.644.0463 x12.
* * *
FOR THE LOVE OF MIKE - ADS WANTED: Our newsletter is printed by C & M Publications at no cost to St. Mike’s, thanks to the support of the local businesses whose ads are found on the back of the calendar each month. If you or someone you know might like to become a sponsor, please call Susan Beechner in the parish office for more information, 949.644.0463x10.
CHRISTMAS FLOWER REQUEST (Please Print)
Name:_________________________________________________________ Phone Number:_________________________________________________ In Memory of:__________________________________________________ In Thanksgiving for:_______________________ Please make your check payable to Saint Michael & All Angels and write “Christmas Flowers” on the memo line. You may place it in the collection plate or mail it to Saint Michael & All Angels Church, 3233 Pacific View Drive, Corona del Mar, CA 92625. Or send it to sbeechner@stmikescdm.org exactly the way you would like it to be printed. Deadline for Bulletin inclusion is Monday, December 18th.
FOR THE LOVE OF MIKE
SAINT MICHAEL AND ALL ANGELS
EPISCOPAL CHURCH 3233 Pacific View Drive Corona del Mar, CA 92625 949.644.0463 949.644.9247 FAX stmikescdm.ladiocese.org A CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY OF THE ANGLICAN COMMUNION
Our mission is to seek and share Jesus Christ as spiritual food for life’s journey.
The Rev. Michael Seiler Interim Rector [mseiler@stmikescdm.org] The Rev. Dr. Barbara Stewart Associate Rector [barbarastewart001@gmail.com] Susan Caldwell, M.A.Ed. Director of Christian Education [scaldwell@stmikescdm.org] Ray Urwin, D.M.A. Director of Music [raywurwin@gmail.com] The Rev. Glenn Libby Canterbury Irvine The Rev. Canon Ray Fleming Assisting Priest The Rev. Norm Freeman Assisting Priest Susan Beechner Parish Secretary [sbeechner@stmikescdm.org] Maile Jansen, Bookkeeper [MaileJansen@stmikescdm.org]
Sunday Sunday worship schedule Holy Eucharist 8am & 10am Sunday School 9:45am Adult Education 9am Nursery Care from 9:30am Wednesday Noon Holy Eucharist with Prayers for Healing-12 noon ABOUT SAINT MICHAEL AND ALL ANGELS CORONA DEL MAR We are a Christian Community of the Anglican Communion who come to hear God’s word and receive and share the Lord Jesus Christ. Our purpose is to have Christ live in us in order that in Christ we may live faithful and productive Christian lives. Our commitment to the Gospel is evangelical; our liturgical tradition, catholic; our theology orthodox, but open to thought, reflection, and spiritual endeavor. We care about the world and strive to serve Christ in it.
DECEMBER 2017
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
Susan Caldwell
The Bread from Heaven is Jesus
T
his is a unique Advent season we’re having this year. The four Sundays all fall in December, and one of them falls on Christmas Eve Day. Advent is a season that points to the coming of the Christ. God intercedes in our world and his humanity is made known through the sign of a baby in the manger. But there are other signs of Jesus being the Messiah, The Anointed One. In my last For The Love of Mike article, I addressed the topic of how five Challah loaves could have been given to the poor and needy instead of ending up uneaten and in the trash. This Thanksgiving week I was in Goleta visiting my daughter. In Goleta, there were people who said they were in need of money and food. They could be seen holding their cardboard placards in the Sprouts’ parking lot with young children at their side. What to do about this? I asked my daughter Jacqueline, who is in her senior year at UCSB, how she goes about helping the poor who live in Isla Vista and co-exist among the college students. She said the best thing to do is to give money to the shelters. “This way they will get the help they need.” The homeless go to shelters when their resources are depleted. Also, the shelter is a team approach, and it helps the giver not to be taken advantage of, as there are some on the streets who will use the money they have been given on drugs or alcohol - items perhaps the giver may not have intended them to buy. I have thought about how to go about helping people who are in need. There are tangible gifts that can be given and then there is the conversation about how to be connected to God. Since my heart is in the constant state of compassion, and the needs before me often stretch more than my pocket book, I have thought about and pondered what I have to give that is greater than money. What I have to share with people is my faith in and love of God. I note that the grand connection that links both Old and New Testament is centered on the particulars of bread. The Old Testament speaks of the Bread of the Presence, or in Hebrew, “The bread of the face” Continued on page 7
4
PRAYERS HEALING Brad Nadine Suzie Teri Michele Joanne Polly Theo Norm Ron Herb Olive Mark Burton Jay Carolyn Keith Rebecca Cathy Sandra Jamie Parker Michael GUIDANCE Whitney Scott, Samantha, Shelby Cliff Dale Mari Lynn & Jim Diane Joan Jim REPOSE Craig Kennedy Robert Hoffman Carole Palda THANKSGIVING For the lives of and in loving memory of - The McNamee Family for Davis Patterson (Pat) McNamee; - The Stover Family for the Life and Ministry of Frances Irene Fukuda; - Deacon David W. Steadman; - Jim & Dottie Valentine Call Esther McNamee for prayer requests 949.640.1749
FOR THE LOVE OF MIKE
SENIOR FITNESS: An exercise class for seniors meets for an hour every week on Tuesdays at 1:30pm in the North Wing. If you would like more information and are interested, please contact Peggy Montgomery, 949.644.2239.
* * * HELP FOR HUNGRY PEOPLE: We are always in need of donations for replenishing our food cupboard. Please call the parish office with any questions or to learn what types of food are currently needed. THANK YOU ALL for your help with this project.
* * * AFTER THE RECENT FIRES, HURRICANES, AND EARTHQUAKES: If you are thinking about making a donation to help with relief and recovery efforts in California, Texas, Mexico, Florida, Puerto Rico, the Caribbean and beyond, consider visiting the following website: Episcopal Relief & Development.
* * * READ BISHOP TAYLOR’S POSTS to the diocese at our Facebook page, and check it every day. The Daily Mike h t t p s : / / w w w. f a c e b o o k . c o m / SMAAdailymike/timeline. #bishopcoadj.
* * * A DAILY DEVOTIONAL FROM The Living Church is published on the Daily Mike Facebook page. https:// www.facebook.com/SMAAdailymike/ timeline. You can also read the day’s morning and evening prayer there.
* * * UNITED THANK OFFERING (UTO) is a ministry of the Episcopal Church for the mission of the whole church. Through United Thank Offering, men, women, and children nurture the habit of giving daily thanks to God. These prayers of thanksgiving start when we recognize and name our many daily blessings. Those who participate in UTO discover that thankfulness leads to generosity. United Thank Offering is entrusted to promote thank offerings, to receive the offerings, and to distribute the UTO monies to support mission and ministry throughout the Episcopal Church and in Provinces of the Anglican Communion in the developing world.
DECMBER 2017 5
Celebrate the Season at the Corona del Mar Christmas Walk on Sunday, December 3rd! Everyone is encouraged to join Saint Michael & All Angels’ choir members and parishioners in offering Carols for the Season at the 39th Annual Corona del Mar Christmas Walk Sunday, December 3rd. We will be singing from 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm in front of Sherman Library and Gardens look for the Saint Michael & All Angels’ banner! You don’t want to miss out on this very festive event! If you have questions, please contact Anne Warmington at (202) 550-4100.
PLEASE REMEMBER Saint Michael & All Angels has a Parish Emergency Fund funded by parishioners and available to parishioners facing financial emergencies and needing economic assistance. Requests should be directed to our rector or any member of our Vestry. If you are able to contribute to this fund, all gifts are welcome!
* * * REMINDER Please wear your name badge on Sundays.
* * * ONLINE LEARNING - TRY CHURCHNEXT: We continue to explore the resources for online learning available to us through "The Well," which is our parish's module within the ChurchNext website. ChurchNext has a number of offerings and is constantly being updated and expanded. A number of our parishioners have participated. Please take a moment to obtain a user name and become familiar with the offerings. The website offers a wealth of opportunities for reflection and learning both in a group and individually. If you need any assistance or have any questions, please contact Susan Caldwell, 949.644.0463 ext. 12, or scaldwell@stmikescdm.org.
MISSION COMMISSION NEWS & ACTIVITIES Coming up: Homeless CarKit Drive; and Adopt a Family (or 5) for Christmas. Organizations St. Mike’s currently sponsors: Canterbury Irvine (UCI), HomeAid Orange County, Compass Rose Society, Share Ourselves (SOS), United Thank Offering, Camp Stevens, and Theological Education. Fundraising opportunities: Amazon Smile (.5% of qualifying purchases donated to Saint Michael & All Angels), Youth Car Wash, Paint Night Out, and Kids Learn to Knit. To volunteer, contact Kati Mowat, 949.300.3164, or kmowat22@gmail.com.
* * * PHONE TREE MINISTRY: NEW MEMBERS NEEDED. Our goal is to contact every parishioner by phone once a month. This is a great opportunity to get to know others better and to share information, needs, and suggestions about Saint Mike's. Please contact Ruth Poole at 949.644.9263.
* * * A Word From Stacie Tibbetts, Our Stewardship Commissioner Please turn your pledge cards in as soon as possible if you haven’t already done so. The Vestry needs to plan the 2018 Budget. Additional pledge cards and time and talent cards are available on the back rail. Thank you very much! Amazon donates to Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church when you shop @AmazonSmile. http://smile.amazon.com/ch/330512534 #YouShopAmazonGives MEN’S GROUP: Meets on Thursdays at 7:30am in the Davis Library to discuss questions relating to theology, science, and philosophy. All men are welcome.
* * *
THERE IS a lost and found box in Michael’s Room.--Look for it there!
FOR THE LOVE OF MIKE Advent continued from page 1
living out those desires. We need to take a look at what in our lives is welcoming to Jesus, and what isn’t. We need to take a look at our attitudes, at our relationships, at what we strive for, at how we spend our time and our money, and check out whether the way we’re running this or that part of our lives is really tuned into the fact that Jesus is coming. Because he is coming! NOW, and he’s coming HERE. Yes, the first Advent that Isaiah prayed and longed for happened two thousand years ago; Christ really did “tear open the heavens and come down” to be born for us by the power of the Holy Spirit and the faithful obedience and self-giving of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Yes, the second Advent that we pray for in the Lord’s Prayer will happen – some time. But there is a third, mysterious, subtle, powerful Advent, and it’s happening right HERE and right NOW. Right now God is seeking a place to come home to. Right now Jesus is seeking to bring everything about us that is still outside his will and his blessing into the light of his presence. Right now, the Holy Spirit is searching for ways to make our lives more hospitable to Christ’s power and guidance in the depths of our hearts. That’s the Advent that happens for us when we pray, “thy kingdom come, thy will be done” and then live it out, in our desires and in our lives. Advent happens for us when we believe that Christ desires, yearns, longs to come to us, and then we welcome him into our lives by obedience. If you want to understand Advent a little more deeply, if you want to experience the coming of Christ more fully, if you want God to tear open the heavens and come down to you, then be faithful to the Gospel in some small, definitive, new way this Advent. This Advent, spend one less day shopping and one day more alone with your kids. This Advent, spend ten per cent less on Christmas gifts than you did last year and put that money to work on behalf of the poor through the outreach ministries of this parish. This Advent, throw or attend one fewer holiday party and come to church one more Sunday instead. This Advent, take a day off from work to prepare for Christmas, not by wrapping gifts or cooking or shopping, but by taking some time out for prayer or to spend time with a friend who’s also interested in seeking Christ more deeply. Seek after Christ who came, seek Christ who will come again, seek Christ who even now is seeking you. Advent is here. Christ is coming. It’s time for us to rise from our spiritual slumber, shake ourselves awake, and go out to welcome him. Amen.
DECEMBER 2017
6
Carols continued from page 1
It is all but forgotten that there were carols for all the major seasons and festivals of the Church (for a Pentecost carol, see Hymn 230). They were also written for some historical occasions, such as the Battle of Agincourt in 1415. But, of course, most that have come down to us today are for the Christmas season. Many early carols had a refrain or “burden” and were sung responsorially (as we sometimes do with the Psalms), the stanzas (and more difficult music) by soloists or choir, the burden by all. Many were meant to be danced as well as sung, and for this reason they were considered too secular and frivolous and were repressed in the late Middle Ages, as well as under Oliver Cromwell’s reign in England (16491660), and the Puritans in America. But they have always come back, an irrepressible expression of the people of the Church. Because of the ever-present Muzak, shopping during the Advent and Christmas season can be an excruciating experience for classical musicians in general, and organists and choral singers in particular! Perhaps it’s not quite as bad as the usual slaughtering of the national anthem at most sporting events. But one constantly hears homogenized pop versions of all the most familiar carols, to and past the saturation point. Regardless of their inherent [original] musical styles, they are usually set into International Muzak Language: either a big-band sound from the Swing era, a small nightclub jazz piano trio, or sumptuous, luxurious strings, perhaps with the tune by a piano, vocal soloist, synthesizer, or wind instrument - all intended to sooth us, uplift our spirits, and of course influence us to buy more. It is never good loud, and is meant to be “overheard” rather than consciously listened to with attention, this quintessential background music. (I am here criticizing not the music or musical taste, but rather the lack of variety and interest of the arrangements - many of these beautiful tunes deserve much better treatment than they get.) In past years I had to make a concerted effort to tune it out, but recently have listened more closely. One time I was surprised to hear “Once in royal David’s city,” of all things! I’d not thought of it as shopping music or as part of the Christmas tune repertoire of the larger
public. But, I’ve also heard some very fine arrangements sung by a good choir and orchestra. We may have become more sophisticated with our aural carols consumption (I believe we have), but those people are a distinct minority, and that fact is not lost on the retailers! But perhaps the public taste is evolving, or perhaps we are satiated with the well-loved and very familiar tunes all in the same style and need some new melodies or a least better arrangements for our Christmas Muzak. I don’t know which. Perhaps both? All this is by way of preface to the following, by Dr. Gerald, former music director at Christ Church Cathedral in Montreal. For me it expresses with eloquence many church musicians’ feelings at this time of the year. The Power of the Carol, “Hark, the herald angels sing” - and having seemingly heard it for the thousandth time in a store or over loudspeakers, one begins to wonder about the real message of Christmas. Is it purely a commercial festival? However, it is an established fact that background Christmas music stimulates store sales, contributions to Christmas charity appeals, and other senses of giving. Perhaps the simple and well worn carol jolts our consciences. Perhaps the warm “Christmas glow” which we fell when we hear or sing carols is really a sign that we are spiritually more aware of the meaning of the birth of Christ. For some people, participation at a carol service is a good way of being a “fringe” Christian - the limited involvement required is all that he or she has to give. For others, carols transcend many doubts and make the message of Christmas seem vivid and real. Does a choir director tire of Christmas carols? Yes, he does. But every year I am never prepared for that one rare moment in a carol or Christmas hymn when I again learn of the amazing power of God to speak to all through the wonderful music of the Church, often in its simplest form. And we know the message is always there if you are prepared to listen to it, whether in King’s College Chapel, Cambridge, or amid the plastic holly of Woolworth’s. Come and sing with us at Christmas services, for it’s one of the gifts which costs so little. And, as Robert Herrick (15911674) wrote: What sweeter music can we bring, Than a carol for to sing The birth of this our heavenly king?
Merry Christmas! Ray Urwin
Calendar of Ev ents At Saint Mic hael & All Ang els Events Michael Angels
IN THE COMING WEEKS
Fri. & Sat., Dec. 1st & 2nd, Diocesan Convention, 10:00 a.m., Ontario Sun., Dec. 3rd The First Sunday of Advent - Begin Year B The Holy Eucharist at 8:00 & 10:00 a.m. Sunday The Holy Eucharist at 8:00 a.m. & 10:00 a.m. Sundays-at-Nine, DL Sundays-at-Nine, 9:00 a.m., DL CdM Christmas Walk, 12:30 at Sherman Gardens Nursery Care from 9:30-11:30 a.m. Carole Palda’s Funeral, 10:00 a.m., Sanctuary Fri., Dec. 8th Sunday School, 9:45 a.m. Organ Tuning, 1:00 p.m. Godly Play, children 4-11, YR th Sat., Dec. 9 Robert Hoffman’s Funeral, 2:00 p.m., Sanctuary Formation, 5th-8th grade, GR th Sun., Dec.10 The Second Sunday of Advent Youth Group, high school 1st & 4th Sundays, BR The Holy Eucharist, 8:00 The Holy Eucharist, 10:00 a.m. with Tuesday Senior Fit, 1:30-2:30 p.m., SW Advent Lessons & Carols AA Meeting, 7:00 p.m., SW Adult Christian Ed. Com., 11:20 a.m., CR Wednesday AA meeting, 7:00-8:00 a.m., SW Wed., Dec. 13th Senior Ministry, 2:00 p.m., CR Staff Meeting, 10:00 a.m., DL Deadline for January For the Love of Mike, 5:00 p.m. The Holy Eucharist with Prayers for Healing, Noon Vestry Meeting, 5:30 p.m., CR SAA meeting, 7:30-9:00 p.m., SW th Sun., Dec. 17 The Third Sunday of Advent The Holy Eucharist, 8:00 & 10:00 a.m. Thursday Men’s Group, 7:30-9:00 a.m., DL Worship Commission, 11:30 a.m., CR Choir Rehearsal, 7:00-8:30 p.m., Sanctuary Children’s Christmas Pageant, 4:00 p.m., Sanctuary Christmas Party follows Friday AA meeting, 7:00-10:00 p.m., SW th Mon., Dec. 18 Deadline for Chirstmas Flowers for Sanctuary Donations st Saturday Coptic Christian Church, 7:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m., Sanctuary Thurs., Dec. 21 Inklings, 9:30-11:00 a.m., DL Sun., Dec. 24th Christmas Eve, 4 Advent (No 8:00 a.m. service today) IN THE COMING MONTH (No Sundays-at-Nine) The Holy Eucharist, 10:00 a.m. Mon., Jan. 1st Happy New Year 2018! The Holy Eucharist with Carols, 5:00 p.m. (Nursery Care) Parish Office Closed 8:00 p.m. Music and Carols for the Season Sat., Jan 6th The Epiphany with St. Michael’s Choir & Strings 8:30 p.m. Festival Eucharist with Choir & Strings th Mon., Dec. 25 Christmas Day (Parish Office closed) MEETING ROOMS: The Holy Eucharist with Music, 10:00 a.m. AAC - All Angels’ Court DL - Davis Library th Tues., Dec. 26 Parish Office closed RR - Red Room, AAC CRR - Corner Room SW - South Wing th MR - Michael’s Room YR - Yellow Room, AAC NW - North Wing Wed., Dec. 27 No noon service today Sun., Dec. 31st 1 Christmas - The Holy Eucharist, 8:00 & 10:00 a.m. GR - Green Room, AAC CR - Conference Room BR - Blue Room
EACH WEEK
DECEMBER 2017
S T. M I C H A E L & A L L A N G E L S W O U L D L I K E T O T H A N K T H E S E B U S I N E S S E S F O R M A K I N G O U R N E W S L E T T E R P O S S I B L E
THE HEARTHSTONE
NEWPORT FINE PROPERTIES A TRUSTED NAME IN REAL ESTATE
Fireplace Fixtures
673-7065
2711 East Coast Highway
DON SHEETZ
Quality Home Care You Can Trust®
Broker
949.500.0800 Cal BRE:01268002
Parishioner for 30 Years Owned & Managed by Judy Brady Saint Michael’s Parishioner for 35 Years • Personal Care, Bathing, Dressing • Medication Reminders • Respite for Families • Errands & Appointments • Doctor Visits • Light Housekeeping • Meal Preparation • Companionship • Lic. #304700091
Piano Instruction by Jennifer Hassett
Private at-home lessons programs for all levels 949.374.0323 jhassett@inbflat.com
UNLIMITED PLUMBING CO. Complete Plumbing Service 9 855-6000 4 9 363-5556 Lic. #618320
Lance McRoberts
Call Today for a Free In-Home Assesment
949.650.2550
Our services are always confidential. 881 Dover Dr. Ste. 300 • Newport Beach www.assistinghands.com/newport-beach
Balboa Island Board & Care Balboa Island Registry, Inc. Board & Care Service Hospice, Respite Care, In-Home Care • Part-time of 24 hours R.N.'s C.N.A.'s • Home Health Aides & Companions All with DOJ & CCL Clearance
949-673-8589 Cyndy Barton R.N. Ca St. Lic. #300606338
300 Apolena Ave. Balboa Island Most Insurance Accepted
Mark D. Peterson • Business Disputes William L. Cates • Estate Planning Kathleen O. Peterson • Family Law
4100 Newport Place Ste. 230, Newport Beach 949-724-1180 • www.CatesPeterson.com
ST. MICHAEL AND ALL ANGELS EPISC / 68
www.cmpublications.com
For advertising information, please call (951) 776-0601
FOR THE LOVE OF MIKE
DECEMBER 2017
Continued from page 4
St. Mike’s Social Media For parish events and activities: www. facebook.com/ SMAACDM For daily worship and meditations plus news from our diocese, the Episcopal Church, the Anglican Communion, and global religion news: The Daily Mike www.facebook.com/ SMAAdailymike/timeline http://bit.ly/DailyMike (free daily newsletter) And also: SMAA Friends of Music www.facebook.com/ SMAAFriendsofMusic St. Mike’s website: www.stmikescdm.ladiocese.org Parish email: smaa@stmikescdm.org For the Love of Mike online (color edition with live links and back issues): Use the Issuu app on either Facebook page
Instagram: Stmikessocal
In the King James, it is called the “Shewbread” or “Showbread.” This continual offering of twelve loaves of bread occurred in the Temple. This bread was to be made of high quality flour, “a type such that would be given to royalty or set on a table for honored guests.” The Interpreter’s Dictionary of the Bible: An Illustrated Encyclopedia goes on to explain how this “Showbread” was stacked in two piles. Josephus, a firstcentury Roman-Jewish scholar, historian and hagiographer, said that these loaves were unleavened. Frankincense was also placed on the table next to the bread. The Bread of the Presence could be seen as a thank offering to God. How do we see the face of God in the New Testament? Jesus on more than one occasion takes bread, after having given thanks, breaks it and passes it to those in his midst. “Take eat of my body, which is broken for you. Do this in Remembrance of me,.” he says. Again Jesus said, “I am the Bread of Life. Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness and they died. This is the bread which comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. I am the living bread, that came down from heaven: if anyone eats of this bread, he shall live forever; and the bread also which I shall give for the life of the world is my flesh.” John 6:48-51. Mary Bailey, who sings in the Saint Michael’s Church Choir, can often be heard each Sunday singing in her lovely voice these words at the time of Communion, “My Flesh is food indeed, and My Blood is drink indeed.” Jesus was very keen to overlap the daily necessities of eating bread and the daily devotion to one God and one King. May our loyalty always stay intertwined with our daily need and our commitment to Christ, the baby in the manger, who drank of his mother’s milk, and when it came time, he ate the Passover bread the same unleavened bread his forefathers spoke to him about in the home and in the synagogue. At this time of year, may we think on this Bread of Life and be enriched by it and share it with those who are in need.
7
EPISCOPAL FOOD MINISTRIES HELP NEIGHBORS GIVE THANKS AFTER CALIFORNIA WILDFIRES [Episcopal News Service] Emma Green was scrolling through her Facebook news feed about 9:30 p.m. in early October when she first learned about the Northern California fires in Napa, Sonoma, and Solano counties. Throughout that harrowing first night, she and her fellow volunteers connected about 2,000 people requesting help to those asking how to help. Green is poised to provide efficient aid like few people are — all because she’s the Community Meal Program coordinator at the Episcopal Church of the Epiphany in Vacaville, a town in Solano County. With fewer than 100 members, her church is small, but that community program is mighty. “Because we feed the homeless on a regular basis, we already have that network of contacts in place. If a caterer makes food, with one text we can have that in 20 minutes,” Green told the Episcopal News Service. “Our network for our little meal program was what kicked in that first night, that first 24 hours,” Green said. “I was so proud of our little church.” You’d think Thanksgiving, a holiday to celebrate God’s gifts of abundance, might be hard this year for these fire victims and volunteers. When it comes to food and drink, many Episcopalians in the fireravaged area lost so much, yet they gained community support they never expected. Not to minimize the traumatic disaster that took more than 40 lives and ravaged 245,000 acres, but the galvanizing of volunteers and donations since then has touched the hearts of many. At St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Calistoga, there was an interfaith Community Thanksgiving Service with drinks and dessert two nights before Thanksgiving, Episcopalians joined members of other faith communities for an early Thanksgiving dinner Nov. 18 sponsored by the Napa Interfaith Council. (article edited for length)
DECEMBER 2017 8
FOR THE LOVE OF MIKE
SOCIAL MEDIA SCOREBOARD: During the past month, the boosted post ($20, thanks Clyde) of Ray Urwin’s performance of Bach’s Toccata and Fugue in D Minor (played following worship for this video) was the most viewed on the St. Mike’s Facebook page. A background piece on Israel, posted ahead of the December parish pilgrimage to the Holy Land, was the most viewed on the Daily Mike page.Watch for posts from the pilgrimage on both Facebook pages. Publicity for the gift fair (also boosted -- that is paid for by a parishioner) also scored well. Join us on Facebook …it’s not just for kids anymore! Check out our Instagram page, too: https:// www.instagram.com/stmikessocal/. And don’t forget our website http://stmikescdm.ladiocese.org/.We update it regularly
ST. MIKES ADOPT-A-FAMILY FOR CHRISTMAS This year we have adopted 3 families! 2 with 12 members and 1 single mom with 4 kids! Please consider signing up to purchase a gift or gift card to help these families have a wonderful Christmas this year. Kati Nicholson
* * * ST. MIKES IS ESTABLISHING A GIRLS FRIENDLY SOCIETY CHAPTER! Look for more information as we lay the groundwork. Contact Beth Bianchi 949-636-3418. GFS is an old fashioned name for tomorrow's leaders. The organization is 140 years old, but is always looking to the future. Activities and programs teach the Bible, Christian service, and current issues at appropriate age levels to girls age 5-18.
* * *
ST. MIKE’S COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION is looking for volunteers to help in the parish’s marketing, advertising, and public relations efforts. If interested, please contact Norris Battin at 949.500.2442, or nbattin+SMAA@gmail.com.
ADVENT BIBLE STUDY WITH THE REV. DR. BARBARA STEWART Enjoy the season of Advent! Please join Mother Barbara Stewart for this special study as she gives insight and understanding to the Advent Lectionary readings. The Monday night study (which began November 27) meets at Ruth Poole’s house in Newport Beach, 6:00-7:00 p.m. on the evenings of Nov. 27, Dec. 4, Dec. 11, and Dec. 18. Mark your calendar and be sure to arrive a few minutes early to enjoy the refreshments and fellowship. If you have any questions or need directions, please contact Susan Caldwell at 949/644-0463 Ext. 12, or email scaldwell@stikescdm.org.
FOR THE LLO OVE OF MIKE Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church A Christian Community of the Anglican Communion 3233 Pacific View Drive Corona del Mar, CA 92625
In the December Issue:
Articles on P age 1: Page The Interim Rector’s Advent Message Ray Urwin Asks “What Sweeter Music than a Carol?” STAY CONNECTED to St. Mike’s: website: stmikescdm.ladiocese.org email: smaa@stmikescdm.org www.facebook.com/SMAAdailymike www.facebook.com/SMAACDM Instagram: stmikessocal
Pray for and R emember our P arish Emergency FFund und Remember Parish