First Sunday of AdventFirst Sunday of Advent

MASS SCHEDULE Saturday Vigil Masses: 5:00, 7:30 p.m. Sunday Masses: 7:00, 8:30, 10:00, 11:30 a.m., 1:00 p.m., 3:30 p.m. (Spanish) 5:00 p.m.

Daily Masses: 6:30, 8:00 a.m. Monday through Saturday

First Friday Masses: 6:30, 8:00 a.m., 7:30 p.m.

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION CLASSES

Religious Education Director, Mr. Reyes Ruiz In Case of Absences - CCD Office - 703-880-4307

September - May Grades K-4 Pre-School Saturday 9:00-10:15 a.m. Ages 3-5 Grades 5-8 Sunday during Monday 7:15 - 8:30 p.m. the 10:00 a.m. Mass Tuesday 7:15 - 8:30 p.m. Religious Education Secretary - 703-880-4305

YOUTH MINISTRY Director of Youth Ministry: Mr. David Bristow, 703-880-4309 Jr. High School Youth - Grades 7-8 High School Youth - Grades –9-12

www.sjcherndon.org\youth

NEW PARISHIONERS: All are welcome! Please call or register at the Church Office. Remember, just attending church here does not automatically make you a registered parishioner.

PASTORAL TEAM Rev. Mike Ciski, T.O.R., Pastor Rev. Alberto Bueno, T.O.R., Parochial Vicar Rev. Tom Bourque, T.O.R., Parochial Vicar

ROOM/HALL RENTALS - PRIVATE BOOKINGS Call Mr. Danny Rucker - 703-880-4340 PARISH OFFICES - Hours - 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Monday - Friday CHURCH OFFICE: 703-880-4300, FAX: 703-880-4320 Facility Superintendent: Mr. Danny Rucker 703-880-4340 Kitchen Manager: Mr. Jim Klenk 703-880-4312 Network/IT Manager: Mr. John Peitler 703-880-4356 Finance Administrator: Ms. Teresa Westhues 703-880-4313 Finance Assistant: Mrs. Cynthia McLaren 703-880-4355 Asst. Bookkeeper and Mrs. Beth Covert 703-880-4357 Child Protection Liaison Music Director: Mrs. Alice Eelman 703-880-4321 Religious Education Dir. Mr. Reyes Ruiz 703-880-4332 Religious Ed. Secretary Mrs. Rosalind Murphy 703-880-4305

Parish Secretaries: Mrs. Jeanne Nappier 703-880-4304 Mrs. Mary Kirby 703-880-4302

St. Joseph Church 750 Peachtree Street

Herndon, VA 20170-3798 703-880-4300

Visit us on our website: www.sjcherndon.org

EUCHARISTIC ADORATION: Wednesdays in the Church 7-9 p.m.

NOCTURNAL ADORATION - following First Friday Mass

CONFESSIONS: Saturday: 3:30 p.m. Eve of First Fridays: 6:30 p.m.

BULLETIN DEADLINE: The deadline for copy material is Mon-day before the Sunday it will appear. Any announcements re-ceived after Monday will be in the next bulletin. Please submit material in writing or via e-mail at mkirby@sjcherndon.org.

MARRIAGE: Arrangements must begin at least (6) months in advance of the date of the wedding. This is a Diocesan require-ment. Call the Church Office for an appointment.

BAPTISMS: Held Sunday at 2:00 p.m. in the church. Call the Church Office at least one month in advance. For parishioners who are asked to be Godparents either in the Parish, or outside the Parish, please contact the Church Office no less than 3 weeks before the event takes place to see if you meet the Dioc-esan requirements.

BAPTISMAL CLASSES: Baptismal classes are required for all parents and God-parents prior to the child being baptized. The next Baptismal Class held here at St. Joseph is December 7, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. in parish meeting room 209.

St. Joseph - National Blue Ribbon School OFFICE: 703-880-4350, FAX: 703-880-4320

Grade School K-8 Principal: Mrs. Joan Cargill Assistant Principal: Mrs. Cindi Conroy Secretaries: Mrs. Mary Lewis Mrs. Barbara Beech Office Aide: Mrs. Debbie Lizama

www.sjschoolva.org

ST. JOSEPH’S CHURCH Visit us on our website! HERNDON, VIRGINIA http://www.sjcherndon.org December 1, 2013

Monday, December 2 6:30 a.m. + Michael Mai Thanh by The Mai Thanh Family 8:00 a.m. - Alex Young by The Young Family Tuesday, December 3 6:30 a.m. - Ana Raffucci by The McCollim Family 8:00 a.m. + Sawyer Conrad by The Rother Family Wednesday, December 4 6:30 a.m. + Michael Mai Thanh by The Mai Thanh Family 8:00 a.m. + Grace Ruyak by The Jennings Family Thursday, December 5 6:30 a.m. - All Priests by The Mai Thanh Family 8:00 a.m. + Carolyn Trehy by Eleanor Hart Friday, December 6 6:30 a.m. - All Priests by The Mai Thanh Family 8:00 a.m. + Gloria LaPlante by The Kirwan Girls 7:30 p.m. + Lance Partain by Francis Santayana

Saturday, December 7 6:30 a.m. - All Priests by The Mai Thanh Family 8:00 a.m. - Viggo Gunio by The Francis Santayana 5:00 p.m. - Living and Deceased Parishioners of St. Joseph Parish 7:30 p.m. + Melody Paige Klinker by The Klinker Family

Sunday, December 8 7:00 a.m. + Edward Wagner by Ann Krantz 8:30 a.m. + Irene Sprungle by Jay & Martha McCarthy 10:00 a.m. + Mary Lucille Keppel by Tom Keppel & Girls 11:30 a.m - Nancy Bence by Rachel Laughrige 1:00 p.m. + Fr. Louis McIntyre, T.O.R. by The Nocturnal Adoration Society 3:30 p.m. - Spanish Mass 5:00 p.m. + Grandparents of Gina Centeno

MASS INTENTIONS FOR THE WEEK

In Baptism we are reborn as children of God, made members of His Church, and heirs to the Kingdom of Heaven. With this in mind, we

welcome this child of God who was baptized on November 24, 2013: Emma Loddo Forbes daughter of Gregory & Diana

Well, not only is the month of November a thing of the past but so are the Green Vestments of Ordinary Time. We’re now entering into the season of Advent and the beginning of a new Church year. For those who know me, Advent is a difficult time for me, Advent screams to us, ‘SLOW DOWN’ and ‘PREPARE THE WAY.’ Yet, I want to jump right into Christmas (24 more days to go). I admit, I don’t like seeing the Christmas commercials or the commercialism we see and hear about, but I want to get to it, I mean our Savior was born, let’s celebrate! But there is a reason we celebrate Advent, as we begin December here in the Northern Hemisphere we recognize the days are shorter and shorter. The darkness now comes more quickly and stays for a longer period of time than in our summer months. This longer period of darkness inspired one of our more prominent Christian traditions; the Advent Wreath. It’s beginning while not Christian took on a new meaning as people began to look for the True Light of the World. Similar to a wedding band which reminds us that of the never-ending love of husband and wife, the circle of greenery (evergreens) in an Advent wreath also represents the eternal nature of God who has no beginning and no end. However the greenery (green is a color for hope) also reminds us of our eternal hope in heaven. The symbolism of the candles can sometimes elude us in our culture where in the darkness we flip on the light switch, grab a flashlight, or find that app on your phone to light up the way. The lighting of the candles week by week leads us from dimness to light (our journey from darkness to Jesus). I’ve read a couple of articles that say one tradition is that each of the four candles represent one thousand years, the sum of four thousand years from Adam and Eve until the birth of Christ. The purple color of the candles is the penance and prayer we do as we continue on our journey, while the rose color represents our half way point to our celebration of Christmas. Also to help us on our journey this Advent season we have copies of The Word Among Us in the back of the Church. Take one home with you and begin to spiritually prepare yourselves for our celebration of Christmas. This tool contains both readings of the day (first reading and Gospel) and also a one page reflection to help us keep our hearts and minds focused on what we should be about during this time. May our hearts be truly prepared so that as we continue on our Advent journey we become more spiritual people who recognize at a deeper level who Jesus was and what he did for us.

Happy and Blessed Advent!

The Mass readings for the Immaculate Conception will be on Monday, December 9th; however, it is not a Holy Day of obligation.

ADVENT PENANCE SERVICES Our Penance Service will be on Monday, December 16th at 7 p.m. This will be a wonderful opportunity for spiritual preparation before Christmas; ADVENT PENANCE SERVICES

IN NEIGHBORING PARISHES: December 5 - St. Thomas a’Becket - 7:00 PM December 17 - Christ the Redeemer - 7:00 PM December 17 - St. John Neumann, Reston: 7:00 PM

ST. JOSEPH’S CHURCH HERNDON, VIRGINIA FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT December 1, 2013

THE YOUTH CORNER “Revolving Our Lives Around Christ”

Visit us at www.sjcyouthministry.webs.com

Next Youth Event “Cleansing of the Church” Sunday, Dec. 8th

All High School Youth of the parish are welcome to join us this Sunday for a night dedicated to serving the parish. After a homemade dinner we’ll be assisting St. Joseph’s Church with cleaning the Church and vestibule along with some other minor clean-ups. Then we will partake of a few entertaining games to get your brains and bodies moving. The event takes place in parish hall C from 6:00-8:00 p.m. This event is free of charge and open to all high school youth of St. Joseph’s parish. For more information contact Mr. David Bristow at 703.880.4309 / d.bristow@sjcherndon.org.

Attention 8th-12th Graders – Are You Interested in Drama or Video Work? St. Joseph’s is putting together a “one-act-play” and “short film festi-val” for Saturday, Feb. 15th at All Saints Catholic Church. We want any and all 8th-12th grade students who might be interested in drama or making short films. You don’t need a background in either to par-ticipate – just a willingness to be part of a wonderful event. The one-act play and short video film festival are separate events, but they take place on the same day and location. If interested, please contact Mr. David Bristow at 703.880.4309 / d.bristow@sjcherndon.org.

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION NEWS (CCD)

Religious Education Thanksgiving Break November 30th through December 3rd is Thanksgiving Break and therefore no Class for Religious Education Classes (CCD) will be held. Link Toy Drive On December 7th, 8th , 9th , 10th the children who attend Religious Education classes are asked to help the needy families in our area by participating in LINK Toy Drive by having them bring in a new unwrapped toy to their catechist (teacher) or directly to the Religious Education (CCD) office. LINK is an all-volunteer organization of 15 churches in Western Fairfax and Eastern Loudoun counties which provides needy families with emergency food, furniture, and financial assistance throughout the year in addition to holiday seasonal items. Thanks in advance for all who would give. Religious Education Advent Penance Service In preparation of celebrating the First Coming of Christ Jesus on Christmas, all Religious Education(RE) students from 3rd through 6th grades will have Confession during class times on December 7th (Sat.), 9th (Mon.), and 10th (Tue.). The 7th and 8th graders will have their Penance Service during the Lenten Season in order to prepare for Easter and their forthcoming Confirmation. All Religious Education parents, as well as the 7th and 8th grade RE students, are strongly encouraged to attend the Parish Advent Penance Service on Monday, December 16th at 7:00 p.m.

Catechism Classes Resume after Thanksgiving Break December (Saturday) 7th, (Monday) 9th, & (Tuesday) 10th Last Classes of the Year before Christmas Break December (Saturday) 14th, (Monday) 16th, & (Tuesday) 17th Catechism Classes Resume January (Saturday) 4th, (Monday) 6th, & (Tuesday) 7th

The Reception of Holy Communion at Mass The Conference of Bishops of the United States has determined that in this country Communion will be received standing and that a bow will be the act of reverence made by those receiving. These norms may require some adjustment on the part of those who have been used to other practices, however the significance of unity in posture and gesture as a symbol of our unity as members of the one body of Christ should be the governing factor in our own actions.

Those who receive Communion may receive either in the hand or on the tongue, and the decision should be that of the individual receiving, not of the person distributing Communion. If Communion is received in the hand, the hands should first of all be clean. If one is right handed the left hand should rest upon the right. The host will then be laid in the palm of the left hand and then taken by the right hand to the mouth. If one is left-handed this is reversed. It is not appropriate to reach out with the fingers and take the host from the person distributing.

The person distributing Communion says audibly to each person approaching, ' The Body of Christ'. This formula should not be altered, as it is a proclamation which calls for a response of faith on the part of the one who receives. The communicant should audibly respond ' Amen,' indicating by that response his or her belief that this small wafer of bread, the wine in this chalice are in reality the body and blood of Christ the Lord.

USCCB. (2010). The reception of Holy Communion at Mass. Retrieved from http://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/the-mass/order-of-mass/liturgy-of-the-eucharist/the-reception-of-holy-communion-at-mass.cfm

ST. JOSEPH’S CHURCH HERNDON, VIRGINIA FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT December 1, 2013

St. Joseph Men’s Society - In need of a weekly spiritual battery charge? Join our Tuesday Morning Prayer Hour, held every Tuesday, at 7:00-8:00AM in Room 210. We begin with a group prayer, readings from the Magnificat, a short analysis of next week's Gospel, and then a roundtable discussion. Every Tuesday, throughout the year, the opportunity to join other men of the parish to "Put the family in the hands of the Father" is there for the asking.

Sanctuary Flowers - If you would like to donate flowers for the Sanctuary in honor or in memory of a loved one, or for some special occasion, call Jeanne at 703-880-4304. Please call at least two weeks prior to arrange for flowers. A note in the bulletin will mark your generosity and the event for which the flowers were given.

Incredible Service Coming! Stroke Scan, Inc will be at St. Joseph December 2 – 7 performing 8 ultrasound screenings (day & evening appointments available). Do you have high blood pressure or high cholesterol, diabetes, or do you have a family history of heart disease, stroke, or internal cancers? If so, do not miss this opportunity for early detection of a possible serious disease. These screenings are typically NOT performed at annual check-ups, nor will insurance companies pay for them unless you are symptomatic. Collectively, these screenings cost thousands. Stroke Scan will be offering them to you for a $145 for all 8 combined. If you pre-register for the $145 complete pkg. you will also receive a free Atiral Fibrillation screening. Insurance is NOT necessary to receive this discount. However, pre-registration IS necessary and appointments are limited. Please call 1- 866-935-7226 to schedule an appointment today or simply scan the QR code here:

THANKS TO OUR SPONSOR OF THE WEEK

The parish recently purchased new CDs from Lighthouse Catholic Media.

Sacred Christmas Songs In these traditional holiday selections from her Christmas collection O Holy Night, Kitty Cleveland moves us with beautiful arrangements that will help draw you into the Christmas spirit. For over twenty years, Kitty has been inspiring audiences with her classically-trained angelic vocals. This CD also includes an excerpt from her stirring testimony of her own conversion. For more great works by Kitty, go to kittycleveland.com. Track Listing: 1. O Little Town of Bethlehem 2. The First Noel 3. Away in a Manger 4. What Child is This? 5. O Holy Night 6. Silent Night 7. We Three Kings 8. Ave Maria

ONLINE GIVING With the busy Holiday Season right around the corner, enrolling in Faith Direct is a great way to take one item off your weekly to-do list. Pick up an enrollment form from the parish office today or enroll online at www.FaithDirect.net, our church code is VA101. Already using Faith Direct? Don’t forget to add your Christmas or End of Year contributions to your account this fall. Thank you in advance for your support and for using Faith Direct! God Bless You, Fr. Mike

The Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe is on December 12th at 8:00 p.m. There will be a Rosary at 7 p.m. followed by a Mass. During the entrance procession, people will be dressed in their native costumes. During Mass, there will be a procession with roses. All are invited and encouraged to attend.

The Boy Scouts, BSA Troop 913, will be collec ng poinse a dona ons. The Poinse as will be used to adorn the altar for the Christmas season. Please check next week’s bulle n for more details.

ST. JOSEPH’S CHURCH HERNDON, VIRGINIA FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT December 1, 2013

THE WEEK AHEAD Sunday, December 1 - First Sunday of Advent Donut Sunday sponsored by Men’s Society (HALL C) Second Collection: Parish Facility Fund 10:00 a.m. - No Preschool CCD (SCH) 12:30 p.m. - Secular Franciscan Order (SFO) Mtg. (Rms. 205,208,212) 12:30 p.m. - CS913, Den 7 (Rm. 214) 1:30 p.m. - Spanish Youth RCIA (SCH) 2:00 p.m. - CS913, Den 10 (Rm. 215) 6:00 p.m. - Youth Group (Hall C) 7:00 p.m. - Great Adventure Bible (Rm. 210) 7:30 p.m. - Adults Only Open BB (GYM) Monday, December 2 7:00 p.m. - Great Adventure Bible Series (Acts of the Apostles) Rm. 209) 7:00 p.m. - CS913 Committee Mtg. (Rm. 217) 7:00 p.m. - Spanish Choir Practice (CH) 7:30 p.m. - CS913 Leader’s Mtg. (Rm. 208) 7:15 p.m. - No Religious Education Class - CCD (SCH) Tuesday, December 3 7:00 a.m. - Men’s Society Tuesday Morning Prayer Group (Rm. 210) 9:00 a.m. - Little Messengers (Rms. 214-217) 1:30 p.m. - Great Adventure Bible Series - Psalms (Rm. 210) 7:00 p.m. - Spanish RCIA (Rm. 205) 7:15 p.m. - No Religious Education Class - CCD (SCH) 7:30 p.m. - Adult Handbell Choir (Rms. 216-217) 9:30 p.m. - Men’s BB II (GYM) Wednesday, December 4 7:00 p.m. - Youth Group Gathering (Rms. 206 & 209) 7:00 p.m. - BSA 913 Troop Mtg. (HALL C) 7:00 p.m. - Eucharistic Adoration (CH) 7:00 p.m. - English RCIA (Rm. 205) 7:30 p.m. - ESL Classes (SCH) Thursday, December 5 6:00 p.m. - CS913, Den 5 (Rm. 216) 6:30 p.m. - First Friday Confessions (CH) 6:30 p.m. - Knights of Columbus Mtg. (Rm. 205) 7:00 p.m. - Great Adventure Bible Study (Rm. 209) 7:30 p.m. - Choir Rehearsal (CH) 7:30 p.m. - ESL Classes (SCH) Friday, December 6 8:30 a.m. - Great Adventure Bible Series (Book of James) (Rm. 210) 9:30 a.m. - School Mass (CH) 1:15 p.m. - Great Adventure Bible Series (Book of James) (Rm. 209) 4:30 p.m. - CS913, Den 1 (Rm. 217) 6:15 p.m. - Adult Bible Study (Rm. 205) 9:30 p.m. - Men’s BBII (GYM) Saturday, December 7 9:00 a.m. - 10:15 a.m. - Religious Education - CCD (SCH) 9:00 a.m. - Spanish Legion of Mary (Rm. 210) 3:30 p.m. - Confessions (CH)

CHRISTMAS/NEW YEAR’S SCHEDULE

Masses for Christmas Eve, Tuesday, December 24

4:00 p.m. Mass in Parish Hall 4:00 p.m. Mass in Church

6:00 p.m.; 7:30 p.m.; 9:00 p.m. with choir; Midnight Mass with choir

Spanish Midnight Mass in Parish Hall

Masses for Christmas Day, Wednesday, December 25, 2013

8:00 a.m.; 10:00 a.m.; 11:30 a.m; 1:00 p.m. ; 3:30 p.m. Spanish Mass

(No 5:00 p.m. Mass on Christmas Day)

Tuesday, New Year’s Eve December 31, 2013

Vigil Mass for New Year’s Day 5:00 p.m.

Feast of the Solemnity of Mary the Holy Mother of God

Wednesday, New Year’s Day, January 1, 2014

Feast of the Solemnity of Mary The Holy Mother of God

8:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1:00 p.m., Spanish 3:30 p.m.

(No 5:00 p.m. New Year’s Day Mass)

Gift For Life Christmas Tree – It’s Advent and time once again for us to help support Gabriel Project/Project Rachel of Arlington (the Diocesan organizations working to help unwed mothers with their medical expenses & emotional healing). These organizations are in need of your generous support and St. Joseph’s parishioners have always come through most generously. Gabriel Project volunteers will set up our yearly “Gift For Life Christmas Tree” in the foyer of the church with pre-addressed envelopes as its ornaments. The Tree will be in place for two weeks (Nov. 30 through Dec. 13). Please take an envelope home with you and consider a tax-deductible donation to these most worthy causes. Place your donation in the envelope provided and mail it directly to Gabriel Project/Project Rachel. Thank you for your generosity during this giving season. God bless. PLEASE DO NOT LEAVE AN ENVELOPE WITH YOUR DONATION ON THE TABLE. MAIL IT FROM HOME.

OTHERWISE, IT COULD EASILY BE LOST. THANK YOU!

Next Week - Catholic Charities Christmas Collection December 8-9 “Catholic Charities is the heart of our diocesan Church, bringing Christ’s love and desperately needed services to the poor of body, mind and spirit. Catholic Charities touched the lives of 78,608 individuals last year by providing food and emergency assistance, housing homeless families and adults, offering Catholic-integrated mental health counseling, as well as many other professional and life transforming services. Please remember to support those served by Catholic Charities during its annual second collection on December 7th and 8th.” Most Reverend Paul S. Loverde, Bishop of Arlington

ST. JOSEPH’S CHURCH Visit us on our website! HERNDON, VIRGINIA http://www.sjcherndon.org December 1, 2013

From the Office of Vocations Saturday, December 21 – Men’s Group: Day of Discernment Meet Christ in the Sacraments, and meet in fraternity with seminarians and other men discerning their vocation. Mass, penance, and adoration will all be included in the day, which runs from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Saturday, December 21, at the beautiful Franciscan Monastery in D.C. Visit www.arlingtonvocations.org for more details. RSVP with the Office of Vocations at (703) 841-2514 or by email at vocations@arlingtondiocese.org. Sunday, December 22 – Women’s Day of Discernment Are you listening for God’s call? Consider attending this day of prayer for women at the Dominican Retreat House in McLean: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., Sunday, December 22. Visit www.arlingtonvocations.org for more details. Sign up with the Office of Vocations at (703) 841-2514 or by email at vocations@arlingtondiocese.org.

The 2014 Diocesan Science Fair Needs Judges We need individuals with a science background to help judge seventh and eighth grade students' research projects for the 2014 Science Fair. These projects encompass such categories as botany, health, chemistry, zoology, behavioral science, engineering, physics, math and other areas of life and physical science. If your calendar allows you to spend the morning (8 a.m. – 12 p.m.) on Saturday, April 12, 2014 at Paul VI High School in Fairfax to judge projects, please call Janet Vetrano at the Office of Catholic Schools (703) 841-2560.

Catholic Charities needs your help! Sleeping Bags for the Homeless needed! To donate a sleeping bag to Christ House in Alexandria, please contact Diego Marquez at dmarquez@ccda.net. Are you called to Help the Elderly? Volunteers are needed at St. Martin de Porres Senior Center in Alexandria. Contact Lindsay at Isanford@ccda.net. Volunteer to Help Immigrants on the Path to Citizenship! Volunteers are needed at monthly Hogar Legal Services Natualization Workshops to help clients fill out applications for U.S. citizenship. No previous experience or foreign language skills necessary. Training is provided the morning of each workshop. Contact Richard at 703-534-9805, ext 239 or reldridge@ccda.net.

Music & Liturgy Notes For Advent During this season of Advent, we prepare for Christ’s coming into the world. Our celebrations echo a feeling of expectation and hope about Christ’s return and our preparation for his return. This is the time we prepare ourselves. Throughout, the season of Advent we will sing the same entrance song each week: “ Come, Lord! Maranatha composed by Ricky Manalo, CSP. Each week there are 4 different verses that coincide with the readings. We will sing all 4 verses each week. The melody remains the same ; occasionally the rhythm changes to accommodate the words. Our Advent Gospel Acclamation utilizes the tune of “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” which is familiar to all. During Advent, the cantor will intone the Alleluia and then ask the congregation to repeat it. The Gloria is not sung or spoken during the season of Advent except on the days celebrating the Immaculate Conception which falls on Dec. 9th this year, and thus is not a holy day of obligation, and the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. The Gloria is brought back at Christmas and sung with all its joy!

READINGS FOR THE WEEK Monday: Is 4:2-6; Ps 122:1-9; Mt 8:5-11 Tuesday: Is 11:1-10; Ps 72:1-2, 7-8, 12-13, 17; Lk 10:21-24 Wednesday: Is 25:6-10a; Ps 23:1-6; Mt 15:29-37 Thursday: Is 26:1-6; Ps 118:1, 8-9, 19-21, 25-27a; Mt 7:21, 24-27 Friday: Is 29:17-24; Ps 27:1, 4, 13-14; Mt 9:27-31 Saturday: Is 30:19-21, 23-26; Ps 147:1-6; Mt 9:35 — 10:1 Sunday: Is 11:1-10; Ps 72:1-2, 7-8, 12-13, 17; Rom 15:4-9; Mt 3:1-12

ADVENT Let’s approach Christmas with an expectant hush, rather than a last-minute rush. —Anonymous

Ecumenical News: Annual Lutheran, Anglican (Episcopal), Roman Catholic, United Methodist, LARCUM, Conference

will be held Saturday, December 7, 2013 in Winchester, VA 22601. Registration $35.00, includes lunch. Speaker is Reverend Doctor Frank T. Griswold, III, who was the 25th Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church, USA, 1998-2006. The theme of the conference is “How has Vatican II helped form public worship, and the understanding and practice of personal spirituality outside the Roman Catholic tradition and in the other Churches”.