George Herbert (1593-1633)
Gratefulnesse

THou that hast giv’n so much to me,
Give one thing more, a gratefull heart.
See how thy beggar works on thee
                                              By art.

He makes thy gifts occasion more,
And sayes, If he in this be crost,
All thou hast giv’n him heretofore
                                              Is lost.

But thou didst reckon, when at first
Thy word our hearts and hands did crave,
What it would come to at the worst
                                              To save.

Perpetuall knockings at thy doore,
Tears sullying thy transparent rooms,
Gift upon gift, much would have more,
                                              And comes.

This notwithstanding, thou wentst on,
And didst allow us all our noise:
Nay, thou hast made a sigh and grone
                                              Thy joyes.

Not that thou hast not still above
Much better tunes, then grones can make;
But that these countrey-aires thy love
                                              Did take.

Wherefore I crie, and crie again;
And in no quiet canst thou be,
Till I a thankfull heart obtain
                                              Of thee:

Not thankfull, when it pleaseth me;
As if thy blessings had spare dayes:
But such a heart, whose pulse may be
                                              Thy praise.

THE PARISH PRAYER LIST
We pray for those who are sick and for those in any need or trouble. We pray for those celebrating birthdays and anniversaries this week; for those living with drought, storm, flood, fire, and earthquake; and we pray especially for:

Patrick, Penny, Nora, Emily, Theodore, Michael, Joe, Monique, Joyce, Brad, Samantha, Frank, Harry, Helen, Loretta, Clark, David, Gigi, Julie, Carole, Helga, Gina, Maria, Pat, Ava-Grace, Alejandra, Opal, Charlotte, Greg, Eric, Carlos, Christopher, Luis, Barbara, Shalim, Greta, Liduvina, Quincy, Laverne, Dan, The Morris Family, Margaret, and Emil; Lind, deacon; Matthew, Scott, Rick, and Peter, priests, and for the repose of the soul of Lewis Raymond Anderson.

We give thanks for God’s many blessings, especially for the gifts of life; of abundance; of prayer; of music, art, and beauty; of this parish community; and for the many volunteers—both members and friends of this parish—who gave of their time this week in support of this parish’s ministries.

We pray for all those murdered this week in acts of violence and hatred, and we pray for an end to gun violence.

IN THIS TRANSITORY LIFE

Lewis Raymond Anderson (June 4, 1943–November 21, 2022), the father of Bradley Anderson, died on Monday at the Hope West Hospice Center in Grand Junction, Colorado, after a long illness. Please keep Lewis, Brad, their family, and friends and all who mourn in your prayers.

FOR THE ELECTION OF A BISHOP ON DECEMBER 3, 2022

Almighty God, giver of every good gift: Look graciously on your Church, and so guide the minds of those who shall choose a bishop for this Diocese, that we may receive a faithful pastor, who will care for our people and equip us for our ministries; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

ADVENT BEGINS

Sunday, November 27, is the First Sunday of Advent, a joyful time of preparation for Christmas, during which the readings at Mass and at the Daily Office are appropriate for this time of attentive, even joyful, expectation. The first Sunday of Advent marks the beginning of the church year. The Eucharistic Lectionary will be Year A (BCP 889) and the Daily Office Lectionary will be Year One (BCP 936). Note well: at Saint Mary’s we do not use the Revised Common Lectionary (RCL) for the Eucharistic lectionary. We use the lectionary which appeared until recently in all Books of Common Prayer 1979. Recent editions of the Prayer Book contain the RCL. You may always access the readings on our website if you are uncertain. Any member of the clergy would be happy to help you navigate the online lectionary in order to find the desired readings.

ADVENT QUIET DAY

On Saturday, December 3, Father Sammy Wood will lead a Quiet Day here at the parish. The theme of the day will be “All Things Well.” The day will begin around 9:00 or 9:30 AM, will include the Holy Eucharist, lunch in Saint Joseph’s Hall, several talks by Father Wood, and time for prayer and reflection in the church and in the Hall. If you would like to attend, please send an e-mail to the parish office.

THIS WEEK AT SAINT MARY’S

Sunday, November 27, The First Sunday of Advent (Eucharist Year A and Daily Office Year One) Adult Education 9:30 AM in Saint Benedict’s Study in the Parish House; Solemn Mass 11:00 AM. The readings at the Solemn Mass are Isaiah 2:1–5; Psalm 122; Romans 13:8–14; Matthew 24:36–44. Father Wood will preach. Evening Prayer is said in the church at 5:00 PM.

Commemorations this week: Monday, November 28, Kamehameha, King of Hawaii, 1863, and Emma, Queen, 1885; Wednesday, November 30, Saint Andrew the Apostle; Thursday, December 1, Nicholas Ferrar, Deacon, 1637.

Saturday, December 3, The Election of a Bishop Coadjutor for the Diocese of New York. Saint Mary’s will be represented by Father Smith, Father Jacobson, Mrs. Grace Mudd, and Ms. Mary Robison. Father Sammy Wood is not canonically resident in the diocese and is not entitled to vote. He will, however, be at Saint Mary’s that day, leading the Advent Quiet Day.

Saturday, December 3, 9:30 AM to 2:30 PM, Advent Quiet Day: “All will be well,” led by Father Sammy Wood. See above for details.

CONCERTS AT SAINT MARY’S

On Saturday, December 3, 2022, The New York Repertory Orchestra (NYRO) will play an all-Wagner Concert:  Das Rheingold, Entry of the Gods into Valhalla and Die Walküre, Act I (complete). David Leibowitz, music director; Sarah Cambidge, soprano, and Kyle van Schoonhoven, tenor. Saint Mary’s parishioner Mark Risinger, bass, will also sing at this concert.

There is no charge for admission to NYRO concerts. However, a $15.00 donation will be much appreciated.

AROUND THE PARISH

Three members of the clergy will celebrate the anniversaries of their ordination to the priesthood in December: Father Sammy Wood, December 8, 2007; Father Jay Smith, December 9, 1989; and Father Peter Powell, December 18, 1976.

The Reverend Dr. Tony Lewis, who preached for us at the Sung Mass on Michaelmas, celebrates the fiftieth anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood next week. His anniversary will be marked by a Service of Evensong and Benediction at Saint Paul’s, K Street, Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, November 30, at 6:45 PM. The preacher at the service will be the Most Reverend Michael Curry, Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church. Father Jay Smith will represent Saint Mary’s at the service.

HOLY LAND AND ANGLICAN HERITAGE PILGRIMAGES: DEADLINES APPROACHING

For twelve days in March 2023, Renee and I are again leading a pilgrimage to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher and to many other sites in the Holy Land. For information, please see this brochure. If you have questions, send me an email or speak with me in person on a Sunday. The deadline, December 14, is fast approaching, so I would be glad to speak to you about the pilgrimage and I would love to share these holy sites with you during Lent, as we prepare for Easter. — Father Sammy Wood

Additionally, the Living Church is hosting an Anglican Heritage Pilgrimage from late May-early June 2023, and the deadline for this is similarly approaching on December 15. The itinerary includes Canterbury, Oxford, Norwich, Walsingham (for the Feast of Our Lady of Walsingham), and many more sites. Click here for more details or call 607-544-4300 with any questions. Saint Mary’s is a sponsor of the Living Church.

FROM THE FLOWER GUILD

Volunteers are needed for Christmas flowers and decorations. Preparations will begin on Saturday, December 17, with work continuing daily through December 24, with particular need for people of any skill level (no flower arranging happening) to help unpack deliveries, move materials into place, and hang greenery on Saturday, December 17 from morning through afternoon; Sunday, December 19 in the afternoon; and Tuesday, December 21 in the morning. Anyone interested in creating flower arrangements, of any skill level, is also welcome during the production week. Please contact Brendon Hunter if you are able to help or have any questions.

Many Sundays and feast days in 2023 are available to donate the altar flowers, including the Epiphany and Baptism of Our Lord, January 6 and 8; Sundays January 15 and 22; Candlemas, February 2; Sundays February 5, 12, and 19; and the Annunciation, March 25. Please contact Chris Howatt if you would like to make a donation for one of the available dates.

ADULT EDUCATION 2022–2023

This coming Sunday, November 27, at 9:30 AM, in Saint Benedict’s Study (Parish Hall, 145 West 46th Street), Father Peter Powell will continue his series of classes on several of the so-called Deutero-Pauline Letters. This Sunday, Father Powell will continue to provide some background and give members of the class some interpretive tools for reading these letters before turning to the biblical texts themselves. This week, Father Powell plans to undertake a closer look at the Letter to the Colossians.

We hope you’ll be able to join us in Saint Benedict’s at 9:30 AM on Sunday. Coffee available. All are welcome. Questions and discussion encouraged.

To find Saint Benedict’s Study, please enter Saint Joseph’s Hall via the entrance at 145 West 46th Street, bear right and head down the long hallway which takes you past the rest rooms, the windows, and then head toward the Sacristy. The classroom is located on your left, just short of the doors to the Smoke Room, the Control Room, and the Sacristy.

NEIGHBORS IN NEED, SAINT MARY’S OUTREACH MINISTRY

There will be two Drop-by distributions of clothing and hygiene items in December. The first, which is planned for Tuesday, December 13, is designed primarily for families with children, especially for those seeking asylum now sheltering in our neighborhood. The second will take place on Friday, December 16, and will be primarily for the guests, mostly single adults, whom we’ve served for some time now. This two-part distribution system will allow us to prepare somewhat different items for each group and to provide Spanish-speaking interpreters for those who have come from South and Central America, many of whom have limited English.

If you would like to ask questions about volunteering for any of our Neighbors in Need activities or if you would like to volunteer, please send us a message at neighbors@stmvnyc.org.

ABOUT THE MUSIC AT THE SOLEMN MASS ON SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 27

Sunday’s organ voluntaries are two of the three settings of Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland from the Great Eighteen Leipzig Chorales of Johann Sebastian Bach (1685–1750). The chorale (54 in The Hymnal 1982) is Martin Luther’s sixteenth-century adaptation of the fourth-century Latin hymn Veni Redemptor gentium attributed to Ambrose of Milan (55 in The Hymnal 1982). BWV 659, played for the prelude, presents a poignant ornamented version of the chorale melody above a walking bass and two accompanying voices. BWV 660, played for the postlude, is an animated trio featuring an ornamented version of the chorale melody above two quasi-canonic accompanying voices played by the left hand and on the pedals. 

The setting of the Mass on Sunday morning is Intercession Mass by David Hurd, organist and music director at the Church of Saint Mary the Virgin. This setting of the Rite II Ordinary was originally named Mass 1974, having been composed in that year for use at the Chapel of the Intercession (Trinity Parish), Manhattan, where Dr. Hurd was Director of Music from 1973 to 1978. Although the setting was originally designed for congregational singing with choral and organ support, additional layers of choral and instrumental content soon were added to the Gloria in excelsis and Sanctus movements, making the setting more desirable for festive occasions. Since its publication in 1979, when it was renamed at the publisher’s request, individual movements of this setting have been included in various liturgical music collections. The Lord’s Prayer from Intercession Mass, for example, is found at S 150 in The Hymnal 1982. The Sanctus of this Mass is especially notable for its bold opening with brightly animated organ accompaniment which merges into a gentler mood at Benedictus qui venit. On Sunday, thes first Sunday of Advent, Kyrie, Sanctus, and Agnus Dei will be sung.

During the administration of Communion at the Solemn Mass on Sunday, the choir will sing Laetentur coeli by William Byrd (1543–1623). Byrd, like the slightly older Thomas Tallis, enjoyed the favor of Queen Elizabeth I and composed extensively for both the Anglican and Latin Rites of his time. This Latin motet from Byrd’s Liber primus sacrarum cantionum of 1589 is in five voices. The text of the motet is derived from Isaiah 49:13 and Psalm 72:7. It is, both textually and musically, an exuberant expression of seasonal hopeful expectation.

STEWARDSHIP UPDATE

As of November 22, we have received 53 pledge cards for a total of $285,011. This represents 71% of our $400,000 goal. Your pledge is a way that you can actively support the spiritual work we do to make Christ present and to provide meaning to all who worship here or value our worship and outreach. Click here to submit your pledge online.

COMING UP

Thursday, December 8, The Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mass 12:10 PM, Organ Recital 5:30 PM, Solemn Mass 6:00 PM.

Sunday, December 11, Third Sunday of Advent, Solemn Mass 11:00 AM. A Service of Lessons and Carols will comprise the Liturgy of the Word at the Solemn Mass.

Saturday, December 24, Christmas Eve, Music 9:30 PM, Procession and Solemn Mass 10:00 PM

Sunday, December 25, Christmas Day, Solemn Mass 11:00 AM

ORGAN RECITALS AT SAINT MARY’S

Wednesday, 8 December, Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary 5:30 PM
Michael Hey, Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, New York City

Friday, 6 January, The Epiphany
Gail Archer, Barnard College, New York City

Thursday, 2 February, The Presentation
David Hurd, Church of Saint Mary the Virgin New York City

AT THE MUSEUM OF JEWISH HERITAGE

A Virtual Event–The History of Antisemitism: Blood Libel

Tuesday, November 29, 7:00 PM EST
A $10.00 donation is welcome

From the museum website, “Throughout history, Jews have been accused of using the blood of non-Jews for ‘rituals.’ This accusation, which has come to be called ‘blood libel,’ dates to the second century BCE and continued to grow with the spread of Christianity. In the Middle Ages, the motif made its way into art and literature like Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales. These charges continued through the Nazi era; there was even an accusation in upstate New York in 1928. Today, the Roman Catholic Church repudiates blood libel, but accusations continue throughout the world.

“Join the Museum for a panel discussion about this history and the role it plays in contemporary antisemitism with Edward G. Berenson, author of The Accusation: Blood Libel in an American Town; Magda Teter, author of Blood Libel: On the Trail of an Antisemitic Myth; and Francois Soyer, author of Popularizing Anti-Semitism in Early Modern Spain and its Empire: Francisco de Torrejoncillo and the Centinela contra Judios (1674). Moderated by Sara Lipton, author of Dark Mirror: The Medieval Origins of Anti-Jewish Iconography.”

Prior registration is required and is may be accomplished here.

This edition of the Angelus was written and edited by Father Jay Smith, except as noted. Father Matt Jacobson also edits the newsletter and is responsible for formatting and posting it on the parish website and distributing it via mail and e-mail, with the assistance of Christopher Howatt, parish administrator, and parish volunteer, Clint Best.