Don't miss our Memorial Garden as a place for quiet contemplation.
Saint Andrew's-in-the-Valley Thursday MEMO
June 9, 2011
This coming Sunday, June 12th, is the Day of Pentecost, a principal feast day of the church year. Join us for worship (services at 8 and 10 AM) as we celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit and the birthday of the church. Remember to wear red in honor of the occasion!
A Pentecost special: Click here! for fashion tips for Sunday!
Remember... Friday, June 17th is the date for our Chicken Barbecue. This is the second in our 2011 FUN-Raising dinners; the time is 6 PM. Plan on picking up a flyer to post or use as an invitation. 50% of the proceeds will go to support the work of local and international organizations, extending our hearts and hands as the body of Christ in the world.
The Bishop Search Process is now underway. A dozen of us represented Saint Andrew's at the Convocation meeting and forum held here last Tuesday. Special thanks to those of you who contributed food and helped with set-up and hospitality. Now it's your turn! The Search Committee would like everyone in the diocese to respond to a questionnaire, the responses from which will guide the the shaping of our new Diocesan Profile and help the Search Committee as they begin the process of selecting candidates. Click here to respond to the confidential (anonymous) survey. Hard copies will be in the mail boxes of members who are not "on line," and additional paper copies are available at church as well. Surveys are due by July 2nd.Readings for Sunday: Acts of the Apostles, 2:1-21, Psalm 104:25-35, 1 Corinthians 12:3b-13, John/Ioannes/Juan/Johannes/Jean/Giovanni 20:19-23
Food for thought and prayer for the Day of Pentecost from George Herbert (1595-1633)...
[While we associate the color red with this day, in the English tradition this feast day is also known as "Whitsunday," the "white" referring to the baptismal garments worn by those who are to be baptized on this day.]
[George Herbert was an important and exquisite poet and priest of post-Reformation Church of England, the period in which distinctively Anglican positions began to emerge in matters of spirituality and devotional practices, as well as theology and church order. Our hymnal includes five of his poems set to music, most of which are among our repertoire. ]
WHITSUNDAY
Listen sweet Dove unto my song, And spread thy golden wings in me;
Hatching my tender heart so long,
Till it get wing and fly away with thee.
Where is that fire that once descended
On thy Apostles? thou didst then
Keep open house, richly attended,
Feasting all comers by twelve chosen men.
Such glorious gifts thou didst bestow,
That th' earth did like a heav'n appear;
The stars were coming down to know
If they might mend their wages, and serve here.
The sun, which once did shine alone,
Hung down his head, and wisht for night,
When he beheld twelve suns* for one
Going about the world, and giving light.
But since those pipes of gold**, which brought
That cordial water to our ground,
Were cut and martyred by the fault
Of those, who did themselves through their side wound,
Thou shutt'st the door, and keep'st within;
Scarce a good joy creeps through the chink:
And if the braves*** of conqu'ring sin
Did not excite thee, we should wholly sink.
Lord, though we change, thou art the same;
The same sweet God of love and light:
Restore this day, for thy great name
Unto his ancient and miraculous right.
* The 12 Apostles
* The apostles as channels of grace.
** Challenges, threats.
May the Holy Spirit empower us all for the gifts of ministry!
Blesings,
Heidi+
