Piety Hill Musings

The ramblings of the Rector of St. John's Church in the city of Detroit. Piety Hill refers to the old name for our neighborhood. The neighborhood has changed a great deal in the over 165 years we have been on this corner (but not our traditional biblical theology) and it is now known for the neighboring theatres, the professional baseball and football stadiums and new hockey/basketball arena.

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Location: Detroit, Michigan, United States

Sunday, December 06, 2015

Advent stuff - Rector's Rambling for December 6, 2015

As we continue our march through this relatively short Church season of Advent, we have several things of interest to note liturgically, as well as in the life of the parish.
First, the Teaching Note on page 4 points out the use of last Sunday’s Collect every day until Christmas.  Be sure to read that article.  That collect sums up the theme of the season, and repeating it daily helps to form our hearts and minds in preparation for His coming.
Secondly, the St. Catherine’s Guild of the Episcopal Church Women is especially busy this time of the year.  They host the Advent Soup Luncheons.  Please be sure to come downstairs to enjoy a bowl of soup, and while down there, please sign up to make soup for the coming weeks.  They also have a Holiday Bazaar for your shopping needs, and have organized the Giving Tree.  Your donations for the bowl of soup and your support of the Bazaar supports the outreach ministries of the Guild.  After you have returned your unwrapped gifts to the Giving Tree next week, and the items are taken to the shelter, it becomes the Mitten Tree for your donations of new or used hats, scarves, gloves and mittens.
Thirdly, the season of Advent has some great Holy Days interspersed in it.  Today is the Feast of St. Nicholas, next Sunday it’s St. Lucy’s Day.  Other Feast Days celebrated will be St. Ambrose of Milan (December 7), the Conception of Mary (December 8), and St. Thomas’ Day (December 21).  Remember that Holy Communion continues to be celebrated Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday for your deepening devotion.
Finally, NOW is the time to be inviting your friends and family to join us for Christmas Eve services!  The 4:00 PM Service has the children doing a Pageant instead of the readings, and the main service on Christmas Eve begins with Carols at 8:30 PM, followed by the grand Holy Communion service.  A simple Low Mass, at which we will sing some carols, is held on Christmas Day in the chapel at 11:00 AM.  Make your plans and invite others to join us!


posted by StJohnsPriest | 9:07 PM