Preparing for Advent at St. E's

Next Sunday, December 2, 2007, will begin a new Liturgical Year in the Church. We return to Cycle A in the lectionary, the Gospel of Matthew. Matthew's Good News is a teaching gospel and it also has a lot to say about the community of believers. The Liturgy Committee has decided to focus on the aspect of community this year and we have planned what, we hope, will be a meaningful activity that will stay with you throughout the Advent Season and enrich your lives.

Our Advent theme this year is:

~ Our Family, Our Parish Family, The World Family and God's Family ~

Since Advent is a season of preparation for the celebration of the coming of the Messiah, we looked to the Old Testament prophecies of Isaiah for our inspiration. In the readings for the second Sunday of Advent, Isaiah speaks of the shoot that will sprout from the stump of Jesse. (Is 11:1) Christian scholars see these words as a reference to the coming of the Messiah. Jesse was the father of King David, from whose royal line the Saviour would be born.

When you come to church next Sunday, you will see a scraggly looking Jesse Tree near the Advent candles. Instead of the usual Jesse Tree ornaments, we will begin with a bare tree. As you come in, the ushers will hand you a construction paper leaf and a pencil if you don't have one of your own.

On the leaf, we would like for you to write a word or a phrase that describes what you wish to accomplish during this Advent time. Here are some suggestions to help you decide the direction you want to go.

Is there someone you need to forgive? Adopt someone you will pray for during Advent. Give someone in need an anonymous gift. Bring a friend to church. Children and young people can take over chores for their parents. Take a bag of groceries to the Food Bank. There are so many other possibilities. We ask you not to sign your name. Only YOU will know what you will offer to God this Advent.

After Communion, people will be asked to bring their leaves to the Jesse Tree and attach them to its branches. Soon you will see this bare tree sprouting the leaves that will show what our parish community hopes to accomplish this Advent Season.