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DECEMBER 2017

Fish Tales

Episcopal Parish serving the Greater Bridgton Lakes Region since 1962

St. Peter’s Episcopal Church

42 Sweden Road Bridgton, me 04009

207-647-8549 E-mail’:

stpetersbridgtonmaine.com

St Peter’s Episcopal Church began as a summer mission in 1962. On September 8, 1974 St Peter’s- by –the- Lake held its first service of extended ministry. Since then, though it did not have a home of its own, the church has provided an Episcopal presence to summer and year-round residents of the Lakes Region by meeting in various locations including people’s homes, Bridgton Academy and local churches of different denominations. The first service in St. Peters Episcopal Church on Sweden Road, Bridgton, was held on May 25, 2008. The building and its contents were dedicated and consecrated on June 1, 2008

The season is upon us with all the expectations of Christs’ birth. It is the season of Advent. Advent may be best expressed by the wreath and its five candles as they are lighted over the four weeks. The first candle – the candle of hope

The second candle – the candle of preparation The third candle – the candle of joy The fourth candle – the candle of love The fifth and center candle – the candle of Christ

Why five candles? The first and second candles reflect our knowledge that God will keep his promise and God has kept his promise. The third and fourth candles express the good news of Christ’s birth with the singing of the angels. The fifth and white candle remind us that Christ’s birth was for his death, his death was for our birth (John 1:29)

Thoughts from the Senior Warden

The earth has grown old with its burden of care, but at Christmas it always is young. The heart of the jewel burns lustrous and fair, and its soul full of music breaks the air, when the song of angels is sung.

Phillips Brooks

CHURCH INFORMATION

St. Peter’s Episcopal Church 43 Sweden Road

(P.O. Box 134) Bridgton, Me. 04009

207-647-8549 E-Mail:

www.stpetersbridgtonmaine@gmail.com

OFFICE HOURS

Monday, Wednesday and Friday 9:00 AM to 1:00

Emergency contact

Sr. Warden Clark Lewis can be reached at: 207-710-6417

Or stpeters1700@gmail.com

Holy Eucharist

First and Third Sunday At 10:00 AM Morning Prayer Second and Fourth Sundays At 10:00AM

Director of Music Evan Miller

Vestry Senior Warden: Clark Lewis Treasurer: Eric Wissmann

Members: Ingrid von Kannewurff

Christine Molloy Fred Stewart Ray Turner

Coffee Hour Schedule

December 5th Bob and Norma Vivian Barbara

Marshall

December 10th Pat Sprackland Pat Bradshaw

December 17th In Reach

December 24th Margaret Reimer December 31st Volunteers needed

CHRISTMAS AT ST. PETERS

Christmas Eve December 24th

10:00 AM Morning Prayer 3:00 Children/Family

Gingerbread house making (Please let Sandy Wissmann know if you plan to attend sandywissmann@aol.com)

4:00 PM Lessons & Carols

Holy Eucharist

Christmas Day December 25th

No Service Scheduled

LESSONS FOR SUNDAYS AND CHRISTMAS DAY IN DECEMBER

December 3rd First Sunday of Advent Isaiah 64:1-9 1 Corinthians 1: 3-9 Mark 13: 24-37 Psalm 80: 1-7, 16-18

December 10th Second Sunday of Advent Isaiah 40: 1-11 2 Peter 3: 8-15a Mark 1: 1-8 Psalm 85: 1-2, 8-13

December 17th Third Sunday of Advent Isaiah 61: 1-4, 8-11 1 Thessalonians 5: 16-24 John 1: 6-8, 19-28 Psalm 126 or Canticle 15 (or 3)

December 24th

Fourth Sunday of Advent 2 Samuel 7: 1-11, 16 CHRISTMAS EVE Romans 16: 25-27 Luke 1: 26-38 Canticle 3 or Canticle 15 Or Psalm 89: 1-4, 19-26

LESSLESSON

LESSONS FOR SUNDAYS AND CHRISTMAS DAY IN DECEMBER

December 25th CHRISTMAS DAY Isaiah 9: 2-7 Titus 2: 11-14 Luke 2: 1-14 (15-20) Psalm 96 Or Isaiah 62: 6-12 Titus 3: 4-7

Luke 2: (1-7) 8-20 Psalm 97 Or Isaiah 52: 7-10 Hebrews 1: 1-4 (5-12) John 1: 1-14 Psalm 98

December 31st Frist Sunday after Christmas Isaiah 61: 10-62:3 Galatians 3: 23-25, 4: 4-7 John 1: 1-18 Psalm 147 or 147: 13-21

V

Emily St. John

Mark Williams

Christine Molloy

Faith Hall

The Reverend Daniel Warren

At the November 19th service we began to see a brighter light at the end of the tunnel. It was announced that on the 14th of January 2018 The Reverend Daniel Warren will be joining St. Peter’s Church as the interim, part-time, priest–in-charge. Reverend Warren will officiate at our Sunday services and be available during the week to administer to our parish needs. We welcome Reverend Warren knowing that God has heard and answered our prayers.

St. Peter's Vestry Meeting

October 15, 2017

---- PRESENT: Senior Warden Clark Lewis, Treasurer Eric Wiismann, Fred Stuart, Ingrid von Kennewuff

and Interim Clerk Christine Molloy. Also present were Jan Boole, Barbara Collins, Joan Lewis and a

new parishioner Priscilla Berman.

ABSENT: Junior Warden Nell Ely and Ray Turner. The meeting was

opened with prayer.

Barbara Collins reported on the Living Local Joining God (LLJG) conference recently held in

Waterville. The emphasis was on hearing as opposed to listening. Locally, we can be involved with a

Christmas Craft party and a Veterans Day Service. The next LLJG meeting is scheduled for next

Sunday. The report was approved upon motion by Eric Wiismann.

TREASURER'S REPORT: Approximately $2100 was earned from the turkey supper. Eric noted that

over the last five years income from this supper only fluctuates within $75.00. A number of donations

were received. With the moving of the Women's Initiative to the Community Center, that expense is no

longer on the books. The Senior Warden

suggested the money be left there a little while longer. Income is down a little.

Office supplies exceeded the budget as checks and letterhead and an

$80.00 ink cartridge were needed. An electric stapler is still needed. The complete report for September

had been e-mailed to Vestry members.

OLD BUSINESS: The granite sign was delivered last week. Installation will be a one- or two-day project.

Discernment Committee: An orange sheet was distributed today to gather input for the November 5'h

meeting with Canon Michael Ambler.

Building Security: Building Security is still an issue. After some AA meetings, the alarm is not

being set.

Heating Contract; No report.

NEW BUSINESS: The lawn tractor needs to be sold; however, the engine needs an overhaul. Eric

suggested contacting a Bill Bailey, who does small engine repair.

A newspaper ad will be placed to find someone to plow and sand the parking lots.

This year's ecumenical Thanksgiving service will be held on Thanksgiving Day at 7:00 a.m. at St.

Joseph's Catholic Church. Stewardship Sunday: November 1J'i' is designated as Stewardship Sunday.

Pledges will be received within two weeks.

Diocesan Convention: Margaret Reimer_asked to be relieved as an alternate delegate. She is being

replaced by Pat Bradshaw. Another delegate is needed to replace Deb Ripley who resigned. Joan Lewis

was proposed to serve as the third delegate. Upon motion by Christine Molloy and seconded by Eric

Wiismann, it was so VOTED.

OPEN DISCUSSION: Clark received an inquiry from Canon Michael Ambler regarding interest in an

interim priest who might be interested in serving St. Peter’s. Clark called him but has not received a

response. Upon motion made by Fred Stuart and seconded by Christine Molloy, it was VOTED to

adjourn.

The next meeting will be held on November 19th.

Respectfully Submitted,

Christine Molloy

LIVING LOCAL: JOINING GOD

The Guiding Team met November 12th with coach Peter Bickford. This is a time for reflection and listening while we look for a new direction and guidance from God. There is no master plan of ministry. This is a process where each church in the Maine Diocese identifies his own community. We encourage reading Luke 10. Our new approach is to do WITH others, not to do FOR others. Does that make sense to you? We want to shout out a HUGE and GRATEFUL thank you to SR Clark and the Vestry members for providing a stable transition period, for scheduling a relief priest and for reminding us of our Christian values and mission at St. Peter's. Fr. Tim Parsons, Rev George Westerberg, Bob Vivian, Margaret Reimer and Clark Lewis have lead us in meaningful worship - many congregants continue their ministries daily and weekly in quiet dedication. We want to THANK everyone Yes, God is here, right here, right now

The Mission of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church

St. Peter’s Episcopal Church is a congregation that meets to worship God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. It is a place where everyone is welcome. We find our strength in the Eucharist. We pray that we may use our time, talent and resources for the benefit of our community. We gather to seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit, to uphold and support each other and to reach out in service to others

Mini Work Day

Last week we found that the weight of all the silverware pushed the bottom of the middle drawer out. We

removed all the silverware, and Clark repaired and reinforced the drawer. Clark and Elna removed a portion

of the knives, forks, and spoons, etc., to lighten the load, and now there are only 100 of each type in the

drawer with the balance of the silverware in plastic boxes on the shelves in the hallway.

There was discussion about the weight of all the plates in the wall cabinets which may lead to a similar

problem. We think we should lighten the load and redistribute the plates so that all of the large, heavy plates

are not all in one cabinet.

Eric has loaned the church a ladder that will reach all of the way up to the high ceiling to change light

bulbs. While the drawer was being fixed by Clark, Tom and Matthew set up the ladder and changed two light

bulbs which went well.

We also took down the tattered American flag and plan to put up a new one.

Tom Stone

Advent and Christmas Books

All are available for checkout in the narthex.

NEW The First Christmas: what the Gospels

really teach about Jesus’s birth

This book brings a fresh perspective to the Christmas

narrative, successfully showing that “the Christmas story,

read in its original context, is far richer and more

challenging than people imagine.” Written by well-

known scholars Marcus J. Borg and John Dominic

Crossan.

Advent and Christmas Wisdom from Henri J.M. Nouwen

Inspirational reading from one of the most beloved and

well-read spiritual authors of our time.

Watch for the Light: readings for Advent and Christmas

An anthology offering a spiritual reading for every day of the holiday season. Included are

authors Thomas Merton, Madeleine L’Engle, Kathleen Norris and many others.

Advent and Christmas with Thomas Merton

Daily meditations that include a scriptural quotation, a

thought from the writings of renowned monk Thomas

Merton, and a prayer for the day. “In a spirit of monastic

simplicity, Merton reveals the humble way in which we

can invite the Savior into our hearts—without all the clutter,

noise and anxiety.”

Love Came Down: Anglican readings for Advent and Christmas

A thoughtful collection of meditations, drawing on the best sermons, books, poems and hymns

from some of the most gifted Anglican writers of past centuries.

Barbara Mortenson

Parish Librarian

December 2017

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 26 27 28 29 30 1 2

12:00- 1:00 AA

3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10:00

Holy Eucharist Rev George Westerberg

12:00- 1:00 AA

12:00- 1:00 AA

12:00- 1:00 AA

12:00- 1:00 AA

12:00- 1:00 AA

10 11 12 13 14 15 16 12:00- 1:00

AA 10:00-12:00

Prayer Shawl

12:00- 1:00 AA

12:00- 1:00 AA

12:00- 1:00 AA

12:00- 1:00 AA

Calderwood Consort

2:00

17 18 19 20 21 22 23 10:00

Holy Eucharist Rev Tim Parsons

12:00- 1:00 AA

12:00- 1:00 AA

12:00- 1:00 AA

12:00- 1:00 AA

12:00- 1:00 AA

24 25 26 27 28 29 30 10:00

Morning Prayer 4:00

Lessons & Carols and

Holy Eucharist

Christmas Day 12:00- 1:00 AA

12:00- 1:00 AA

5:30

Community Dinner

12:00- 1:00 AA

12:00- 1:00 AA

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