C alvary Episcopal Church

Calvary Episcopal Church

The Second Sunday of Advent "Growing Faith in Christ Through Worship and Community"

Sunday, December 10, 2017 10:15 AM -Rite II Eucharistic Prayer A * Year B www.calvaryepiscopalbatavia.church

Prayer for the Mission of Our Parish

Growing Faith in Christ Through Worship Join us for Worship

Loving God, Through your grace guide us, the people of Calvary Episcopal Church, to joyfully carry out our mission of growing faith in your Son, Jesus Christ. Fill us with your Holy Spirit that we may develop a living faith that deepens our understanding of you and strengthens our awareness of the needs of others. May we be a transforming light within our parish and within the community. All this we ask in the Name of your Son, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen

Communion Services Sunday: 8 AM and 10:15 AM Tuesday: 7 AM Wednesday: 9:30 AM Thursday: 1PM (Michealsen) 5:45 PM (Calvary) Join us for Study Adult Bible Study Classes Wednesday: 10:15 AM Sunday: 9:10 AM Children’s Christian Ed Sunday: 10 AM VBS: Jul/Aug 4th

Adult Christian Ed Monday of the Month: 7 AM

4th

Book Study Group Monday of the Month: 3 PM Spiritual Enrichment Seasonal Retreats

Join us in Our Outreach Programs Hesed House/PADS Mission Batavia Interfaith Food Pantry Literacy Programs International Mission Assistance Meal Assistance Join us in Fellowship Whenever we are together

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The Calvary Family is pleased to WELCOME you as we begin our exploration of the path leading to the birth of Christ during the season of Advent. On Sundays, we normally have two distinct liturgies (services). Both include the Eucharist (Communion). During Lent, our 8 AM Sunday Service celebrates the Eucharist with the words of our traditional Rite I liturgy from the Episcopal Book of Common Prayer. The 10:15 AM Service uses the more contemporary language of our Rite II Liturgy. During the Season of Pentecost, both Sunday services follow the Rite II Liturgy. Nursery care is available during the 10:15 AM Service as well as Sunday School for children and youth. Adults and Children of all ages are welcome to all the services at Calvary. We encourage you to try each of them and see which service fits you best. At Calvary, we believe that each member of our congregation should have an opportunity to celebrate the Eucharist. We pray that these worship experiences will be a wonderful way to connect all parishioners through a community of faith, hope and compassion at a church that welcomes all of God’s children. Please complete a visitor’s card found in the pew rack and place it in the collection tray. We invite you to join us following the service for coffee and fellowship in the south end of the Education Wing.

The Reverend Michael D. Rasicci, Rector 222 South Batavia Avenue, Batavia, IL 60510-2564 (630) 879-3378 * [email protected] www.calvaryepiscopalbatavia.church 3|Page Please turn off or silence all personal electronic devices

INFORMATION FOR PARENTS Our Responsibility: What better evidence exists to prove the Grace and Love of our Lord, Jesus Christ than the childhood development of our children? At Calvary, we take that responsibility very cheerfully, yet extremely seriously. Our Director of Youth Christian Ed, Adam McCluskey is a graduate of the General Theological Seminary in New York and completed his studies as a Seminarian at St. Ignatius of Antioch Episcopal Church in New York City. Adam is well trained for his role. The entire staff at Calvary as well as those volunteers directly responsible for your son or daughter’s Christian Education are subject to a background investigation and must complete the Keeping God’s Children Safe Program. Your child’s safety is as important to us as is his or her Christian Education. Your active participation is not only welcome, but is essential to your child’s Christian development!

INFORMATION FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH Nursery Care: Nursery Care is available for infants and toddlers during the 10:15 AM Sunday Service. Youth Christian Education: Youth Christian Education begins at 10:00 AM on Sunday. Our program provides the foundation for a life guided by Christ, emphasizing “love thy neighbor” and service to others. The program is focused on building new relationships and emphasizing that church is fun and that God loves everyone, without exception. Here, we invite all children and families into our ministry. At Calvary, we are grateful for the opportunity to serve God by teaching and forming the next ambassadors of the church. You are always welcome; please join us! First Holy Communion: Youth participation in preparation for their first Holy Communion is coordinated by the Director of Youth Christian Education. Adults should contact the Rector. Confirmation: Youth Confirmation is coordinated by the Director of Youth Christian Education. Confirmation for adults requires participation in Confirmation Classes scheduled in the Spring.


Contact Information Position Rector

Name Email Address Fr. Michael D. Rasicci [email protected]

Senior Warden Junior Warden Vestry Clerk

Brandon Crawford Erik Turner S&H Dalmasso

Treasurer Joe Nemedi Dir Youth Christian Ed Adam McCluskey Musician Office Manager Sexton

[email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

Tx. Number Ext W: (630) 879-3378 302 H: (630) 879-5178 C: (630) 338-7324 C: (312) 505-0299 C: (630) 621-7961 H: (630) 326-9860

Matthew Blanks [email protected] Dave Evensen [email protected] [email protected] Jeremy Barkei [email protected]

H: W: C: C: W: C: C:

(630) 466-0168 (630) 879-3378 303 (330) 277-6368 (301) 221-0068 (630) 879-3378 301 (630) 215-3222 (630) 806-6171

Dave Sperry Jennifer VanDuyn Heather Dalmasso Craig Keller David Bald Joel Montgomery Patti Lackman Fr. Michael D. Rasicci

H: H: H: C: C: C: H: W:

(630) 879-2323 (847) 742-4324 (630) 326-9860 (847) 774-9833 (630) 945-5652 (630) 639-7337 (630) 879-1539 (630) 879-3378 302

Ministries Buildings & Grounds Christian Ed Adult Communications Finance Outreach Stewardship Welcome Care Comfort Worship

[email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

The Diocese of Chicago www.episcopalchicago.org (312) 751-4200 The Episcopal Church www.episcopalchurch.org (800) 334-7626 www.calvaryepiscopalbatavia.church Follow us on Facebook Receive weekly news via email or traditional mail


+The Word of God+ Advent 2

Rite II

Opening Hymn “Comfort Ye My People”

Hymn 67

[All hymns may be found in the Blue Hymnal located in the pew racks unless otherwise indicated]

Priest: Blessed be God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. People: And blessed be his kingdom, now and for ever. Amen.

Collect for Purity Priest: Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy Name; through Christ our Lord. All: Amen.

Kyrie Eleison


The Collect of the Day Priest: The Lord be with you. People: And also with you. Priest:

Let us pray.

Eternal God, in the advent of your Christ you have laid the foundations of a new heaven and a new earth: Let your word of tender consolation draw us to seek your glory, so that we may live with hope as citizens of your new earth, where justice will make its home; through the same Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. People: Amen. Isaiah foretells the end of the exile of God's people in Babylon. The Lord will pardon his people and lead them to freedom. 7|Page Please turn off or silence all personal electronic devices

Please be seated.

The First Reading LEM:

Isaiah 40: 1-11 A reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah

Comfort,

O comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her that she has served her term, that her penalty is paid, that she has received from the LORD's hand double for all her sins. A voice cries out: "In the wilderness prepare the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain. Then the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all people shall see it together, for the mouth of the LORD has spoken." A voice says, "Cry out!" And I said, "What shall I cry?" All people are grass, their constancy is like the flower of the field. The grass withers, the flower fades, when the breath of the LORD blows upon it; surely the people are grass. The grass withers, the flower fades; but the word of our God will stand forever. Get you up to a high mountain, O Zion, herald of good tidings; lift up your voice with strength, O Jerusalem, herald of good tidings, lift it up, do not fear; say to the cities of Judah, "Here is your God!" See, the Lord GOD comes with might, and his arm rules for him; his reward is with him, and his recompense before him. He will feed his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms, and carry them in his bosom, and gently lead the mother sheep. LEM: The Word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God. 8|Page Please turn off or silence all personal electronic devices

The Gradual Psalm

1

2

8

9

10

11

12

13

Psalm 85: 1-2, 8-13

You have been gracious to your land, O LORD, * you have restored the good fortune of Jacob. You have forgiven the iniquity of your people * and blotted out all their sins. I will listen to what the LORD God is saying, * for he is speaking peace to his faithful people and to those who turn their hearts to him. Truly, his salvation is very near to those who fear him, * that his glory may dwell in our land. Mercy and truth have met together; * righteousness and peace have kissed each other. Truth shall spring up from the earth, * and righteousness shall look down from heaven. The LORD will indeed grant prosperity, * and our land will yield its increase. Righteousness shall go before him, * and peace shall be a pathway for his feet. 9|Page

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If the Lord appears to be delaying his coming, it is only to give his people time for repentance. By leading lives of holiness, Christians ensure their readiness.

The Second Reading

2 Peter 3:8-15a Reader: A Reading from the Second Letter of Peter:

Do not ignore this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like one day. The Lord is not slow about his promise, as some think of slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish, but all to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a loud noise, and the elements will be dissolved with fire, and the earth and everything that is done on it will be disclosed. Since all these things are to be dissolved in this way, what sort of persons ought you to be in leading lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set ablaze and dissolved, and the elements will melt with fire? But, in accordance with his promise, we wait for new heavens and a new earth, where righteousness is at home. Therefore, beloved, while you are waiting for these things, strive to be found by him at peace, without spot or blemish; and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation. Reader: The word of the Lord People: Thanks be to God.

The Gospel Acclamation “There’s a Voice in the Wilderness Crying”

Hymn 75

Verse 1 10 | P a g e Please turn off or silence all personal electronic devices

The Holy Gospel

Mark 1: 1-8 +The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to

Priest: Mark. People: Glory to you, Lord Christ.

The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. As it is written in the prophet Isaiah, "See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way; the voice of one crying out in the wilderness: 'Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight,'" John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. He proclaimed, "The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit." Priest: The Gospel of the Lord. People: Praise to you, Lord Christ.

The Gospel Acclamation “There’s a Voice in the Wilderness Crying”

Hymn 75

Verses 2 and 3

The Homily

Fr. Rasicci 11 | P a g e


The Nicene Creed Priest: Let us profess our faith in the words of the Nicene Creed. All: We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen. We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father. Through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven: by the power of the Holy Spirit he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary, and was made man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. 12 | P a g e Please turn off or silence all personal electronic devices

He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified. He has spoken through the Prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.

The Prayers of the People Priest: Gracious God, through your messengers the prophets, you have called your people to prepare the way of the Lord, and to welcome the Good News of Jesus Christ, your Son: Speak tenderly to your people that we may wait for and hasten the coming day, saying: Mercy and truth have met together, righteousness and peace have kissed each other. LEM: Indwelling God, you have baptized your Church with the Holy Spirit: Inspire us to lead lives of holiness and godliness as we prepare for new heavens and a new earth, that as Christ comes he finds us to be a people of peace and justice. [Pause for silent prayer…] Mercy and truth have met together; People: Righteousness and peace have kissed each other.

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LEM: Holy and Mighty God, open the ears and eyes of the leaders of all the nations that they may listen to what the Lord God is saying, for you are speaking peace to your faithful people and to those who turn their hearts to you. [Pause for silent prayer…] Mercy and truth have met together; People: Righteousness and peace have kissed each other. LEM: Compassionate God, look upon the needs of all humanity: Feed your flock like a shepherd; gather the lambs in your arms and carry them in your bosom, gently leading the mother sheep, that all may know the comfort of your strength. [Pause for silent prayer…] Mercy and truth have met together; People: Righteousness and peace have kissed each other. LEM: Ever-present God, lift up your voice with power to herald good tidings to the people of this community to cast out all fear as we listen for the happy cry of your coming salvation. [Pause for silent prayer…] Mercy and truth have met together; People: Righteousness and peace have kissed each other. LEM: Glorious God, come with might in your divine recompense to reveal your glory to al who look to you in hope, as we pray for those on the Intercessory Prayer List, those whose names and needs are inscribed in the Intention Books or in this week’s bulletin, and those we wish to mention now: ……………………. Mercy and truth have met together; People: Righteousness and peace have kissed each other. 14 | P a g e Please turn off or silence all personal electronic devices

LEM: Accept our glad tidings for those who offer you their gracious thanksgivings, especially for Roger Vogtmann and Mary Ann Kendall celebrating their birthdays, and Donald and Betty Cress celebrating their wedding anniversary: Are there others …………………………….? And be mindful, Lord, of the Diocese of Western North Carolina, its bishop, people and clergy; bless the ecumenical relationships of the Episcopal Church. [Pause for Silent Prayer…] Mercy and truth have met together; People: Righteousness and peace have kissed each other. LEM: Bring into your everlasting reign those who have died, especially Virginia Simonetti, Anne Marie Triola, Jean Selby, Joseph Daguanno, those who have given their lives in service to their country in recent days, and those for whom we now pray: …………………………… Give them rest eternal with all the elect and the saints, especially with Blessed Karl Barth and Blessed Thomas Merton, whom the Church remembers today. Mercy and truth have met together; People: Righteousness and peace have kissed each other. Priest: O Holy One, look upon your creation and comfort your people. Let every valley be lifted up and every mountain and hill be made low; let the uneven ground become level and the rough places a plain, that all people may see the revelation of the glory of God in the power of the Holy Spirit, through Jesus Christ our Savior. People: Amen. 15 | P a g e Please turn off or silence all personal electronic devices

Prayer for Mission [The Mission Prayer may be found on the inside front cover of this Bulletin]

The Confession of Sin Priest:

Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor.

[Pause for silent examination of conscience]

All: Most merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us; that we may delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of your Name. Amen. Priest: Almighty God have mercy on you, forgive you all your sins through our Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen you in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep you in eternal life. People: Amen.

The Peace Priest: The Peace of the Lord be always with you. People: And also with you.

+The Holy Communion+ Offertory Versicle 16 | P a g e Please turn off or silence all personal electronic devices

Priest: Lord, accept our praises. People: Have compassion on our human frailty, and, since we have nothing of ourselves to offer, let your mercy make us acceptable in your sight; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Offering Hymn

Choir Anthem

The Great Thanksgiving+

Eucharistic Prayer A

[Please stand]

Priest:

The Lord be with you. 17 | P a g e


People: And also with you. Priest: Lift up your hearts. People: We lift them to the Lord. Priest: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. People: It is right to give him thanks and praise. Priest: It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere to give thanks to you, Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, through Jesus Christ our Lord. When first he came to us in the lowliness of our human body, he accomplished the work you planned so long ago and opened for us the way to salvation; so that when he comes again in majesty and glory, your work may be completed and we who now dare to wait in hope may receive in its fulness the salvation you have promised. Therefore we praise you, joining our voices with Angels and Archangels and with all the company of heaven, who for ever sing this hymn to proclaim the glory of your Name:

Sanctus



Priest: Holy and gracious Father: In your infinite love you made us for yourself; and, when we had fallen into sin and become subject to evil and death, you, in your mercy, sent Jesus Christ, your only and eternal Son, to share our human nature, to live and die as one of us, to reconcile us to you, the God and Father of all. He stretched out his arms upon the cross, and offered himself, in obedience to your will, a perfect sacrifice for the whole world. On the night he was handed over to suffering and death, our Lord Jesus Christ took bread; and when he had given thanks to you, he broke it, and gave it to his disciples, and said, “Take, eat: This is my Body, which is given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.” [Acolyte strikes the chime to remind us of Christ’s presence under the form of bread]

After supper he took the cup of wine; and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and said, “Drink this, all of you: This is my Blood of the new Covenant, which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink it, do this for the remembrance of me.” [Acolyte strikes the chime to remind us of Christ’s presence under the form of wine]


Priest: We celebrate the memorial of our redemption, O Father, in this sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving. Recalling his death, resurrection, and ascension, we offer you these gifts. Sanctify them by your Holy Spirit to be for your people the Body and Blood of your Son, the holy food and drink of new and unending life in him. Sanctify us also that we may faithfully receive this holy Sacrament, and serve you in unity, constancy, and peace; and at the last day bring us with all your saints into the joy of your eternal kingdom. All this we ask through your Son Jesus Christ. By him, and with him, and in him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit all honor and glory is yours, Almighty Father, now and for ever. People: Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer Priest: say:

And now, as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to 21 | P a g e


All: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

Fraction Anthem “Jesus, Lamb of God”


The Invitation to Holy Communion Priest: The Gifts of God for the People of God. Take them in remembrance that Christ died for you, and feed on him in your hearts by faith, with thanksgiving. [In the Episcopal Church, all baptized Christians are welcome to receive Holy Communion. If you cannot receive the Body and Blood of Christ, you may come forward as others do and kneel at the Communion Rail, crossing your arms over your chest, and receive a blessing]

Communion Hymn “Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence”

Hymn 324

The Prayer after Holy Communion Priest: Let us pray. All: Filled with the food and drink which nourishes the spirit we pray to you, Lord: Grant us wisdom to live in this passing age and inspire us with longing for the age to come; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Announcements The Solemn Blessing Priest: May Almighty God, by whose providence our Savior Christ came among us in great humility, sanctify you with the light of his blessing and set you free from all sin. People: Amen.


Priest: May he whose second Coming in power and great glory we await, make you steadfast in faith, joyful in hope, and constant in love. People: Amen. Priest: May you, who rejoice in the first Advent of our Redeemer, at his second Advent be rewarded with unending life. People: Amen. Priest: And the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be upon you and remain with you for ever. People: Amen.

Closing Hymn “Tell Out My Soul the Greatness of the Lord” Hymn 437

The Advent Dismissal Priest: Let us bless the Lord. People: Thanks be to God.

Calvary Community Connection Calvary connects with our community through its Mission of “Growing Faith in Christ through Worship and Community” every day. To learn more: Please continue reading! 24 | P a g e Please turn off or silence all personal electronic devices

CALVARY CURRENT Adult Christian Education This Week Sunday Adult Bible Study Continues Today at 9:10 AM. Adult Bible Study will be held this week on Wednesday at 10:15 AM. 2018 Altar Flowers. The sign-up list for 2018 Altar Flowers is now available in Memorial Hall. Please place your name on the list next to the date on which you wish to sponsor flowers. Also, you should fill out an Altar Flower (postcard) Form which provides spaces to show how you would like your bulletin listing to read as well as the disposition of the flowers after Sunday services. You may submit your payment when you submit your Flower Form to the Parish Office, otherwise payment is due by the end of the month of the sponsorship. 2018 Stewardship Campaign has begun. Please, prayerfully consider what you will pledge to the parish and, ultimately, to God, of your time, your talents, and your treasure for our next year together. Our community of faith has been serving God and the world in and around Batavia for over 162 years. Won’t you consider making it possible to continue our growth and service as the Lord leads? We thank you for your patience, kindness and generosity.


Christmas Offering, Christmas Flowers and 2018 Altar Flowers. Envelopes for Christmas Flowers and your special Christmas Offering are now available in the pews. Please submit your Christmas Flower requests no later than December 17th. (The suggested minimum donation is $10.00) The 2018 Altar Flower Reservation List is now available in Memorial Hall. Please write your name on the reservation list next to your date of choice. If you are sharing the date with someone else, please write both names on the list. We suggest you fill out the reservation postcard at the same time and either place it in the collection plate or forward it to the Parish Office. Payments for altar flowers ($50.00) may be submitted with the reservation but are due at the end of the month of the date requested. Batavia Toy Access. As we have in the past, Calvary is supporting the Batavia Toy Access which provides Christmas gifts to Batavia City and Township families in need. Please bring your unwrapped gift to Calvary and place it under the Christmas Tree in Memorial Hall no later than next Sunday the 17th so that we can get the gifts to the Access folks in time for their distribution before Christmas. Calvary Christmas Stockings This Christmas we are trying out what we hope will become a new tradition here at Calvary. An anonymous donor has provided Christmas Stockings for all the Calvary Kids which will be hung in the Education Hallway. (The stockings will be hung, 26 | P a g e Please turn off or silence all personal electronic devices

not the kids) We have entered into an arrangement with Santa to fill these stockings on Christmas Eve between the morning services and the 5:00 PM Family Eucharist when no one is here at Calvary. (Santa does not like an audience peering over his shoulder.) Our kids will be able to check the stockings out after the Family Service. Another anonymous donor has offered to underwrite half of the cost by matching dollar for dollar all donations made for this event up to $125.00. (The overall cost is expected to be $250.00) The special collection stocking for this is right outside of the Parish Office. Thanks.

CALVARY CREDITS Thank you, Bev and Dave Sperry (8 AM) and Jessica Murabito and Erich Keime (10:15 AM) for hosting Coffee Hour Fellowship last Sunday. Thanks to Ginger Arndt for organizing our very first Cookie Exchange last Sunday. Special thanks to those who baked and exchanged cookies for this event. Thanks to Calvary Youth for decorating this year’s Christmas Tree.

CALVARY CHRISTIAN EDUCATION Calvary Study Group. The Calvary Study Group meets on the 4th Monday of the month at 3:00 PM in Memorial Hall. Led by Gary Leonard, the group reads, studies and discusses books across a wide spectrum of issues considered important today. The Group has just finished reading “They Poured Fire on Us from the Sky, a compelling 27 | P a g e Please turn off or silence all personal electronic devices

story of the Lost Boys of the Sudan. Stay tuned for their next book selection. This group will next meet on February 26, 2018. Adult Bible Study. Calvary offers two opportunities to read and study the Bible in a small and friendly group setting each week. The Sunday group is led by Jennifer VanDuyn and meets the 1st, 2nd, 4th and 5th Sunday of each month between the two Eucharist Services starting at 9:10 AM. The Wednesday Group is led by Fr. Mike and meets on Wednesdays throughout the year. (The 1st, 3rd, 4th and 5th Wednesdays of each month.) E-U Class. The official name of this class is Everything You Wanted to Know About the Church but Never Had the Time to Ask. Led by Fr. Mike, this class helps individuals gain a greater understanding of our church home and its place in the Episcopal Church of America and in the Worldwide Anglican Communion. It is an unscripted attempt to answer whatever questions are important to you. Held on the 4th Monday of the month at 7:00 PM. Calvary Library. Our Library is open for business whenever the church is open. In it, you will find reference materials, various versions of the Bible, historical non-fiction, works of fiction as well as videos and books on tape of spiritually themed topics. The library, when it is unstaffed, is happily self-help with instructions detailing check-out procedures. When our Librarian, Amy Cooper or any of her 28 | P a g e Please turn off or silence all personal electronic devices

volunteers, are at the Librarian’s desk, they will be happy to assist you however they can.

WEEKLY BIBLE READINGS Day Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday

1st Lesson

Response*

2nd

The Gospel

Isaiah 35: 1-10

85: 8-13

Luke 5: 17-26

Amos 5: 18-24

50: 7-15

Matthew 18: 12-14

Isaiah 40: 25-31 103: 1-10

Matthew 11: 28-30

Isaiah 41: 13-20 145: 1-4, 8-13

Matthew 11: 7-15

Isaiah 48: 17-19 1

Matthew 11: 16-19

Sirach 48: 1-11

Matthew 17: 9-13

80: 1-3, 14-18

Isaiah 61: 1-4, 8-11 126

1 Thess 5: 16-24 John 1: 6-8, 19-28

The response is from Psalms unless otherwise noted.

Sunday Bible Lessons and Gospel. The Sunday Bible Readings are available in advance on the table outside of Rectors’ Hall.

OUR COMMEMORATIONS FOR THE WEEK Sunday Wednesday Thursday Saturday

Thomas Merton * Contemplative and Writer Karl Barth * Theologian St. Lucia * Martyr at Syracuse Juan de le Cruz * Mystic Ralph Adams Cram * Architect Richard Upjohn * Architect John LaFarge * Artist

1968 1968 304 1591 1942 1878 1910 29 | P a g e


Please hold these people in your daily prayers. We also ask that you pray for the forgotten, the poor and the oppressed.


Growing Faith in Christ- Through Community Special Collections. Each month, on the 4th Sunday, our Outreach Ministry directs a special “Red Bowl” collection be taken to support local, national or global charities or philanthropic initiatives. Our 2017 Collection Results are: January 24 February 19 February 26 March 26 April 23 May 28 June 25 July 23 August 27 September 3 September 24 October 22 November 26 December 24

Companion Dioceses √ ($400.00) Bishop’s Discretionary Fund √ ($258.00) World Mission Sunday √ ($244.00) Easter Baskets for Batavia √ ($309.00) Interfaith Food Pantry √ ($364.00) Mutual Ground √ ($ 99.00) Tri-City Health Partnership √ ($ 79.00) Tri-City Family Services √ ($ 204.00) Lazarus House √ ($ 151.00) Hurricane Victims- Episcopal Relief √ ($497) Food for the Poor √ ($125) CASA √ ($218) Chip-In √ ($134) Suicide Prevention Services

Rector’s Discretionary Fund. On the 3rd Sunday of each month, any money placed in the collection plate not designated by the giver as a pledge is directed to the Rector’s Discretionary Fund. Fr. Rasicci has 31 | P a g e Please turn off or silence all personal electronic devices

provided direct payments to those in need to assist with transportation, medical, housing and food costs. Since 2011, $43,975 has been given to assist those in immediate need within our community. Compassion International.

Through the offices of Compassion

International, Calvary has supported children in Guatemala for over ten years giving over $4,000. Our support provides food and educational financial resources for the child to thrive. We are now supporting our second child in this program. Melany is 10 years old and lives with her brothers, sisters and parents in the State of Huehuetenango in western Guatemala. This program is supported by voluntary giving by parishioners. The collection jar is on a table outside of the Sunday School Room containing a display about Melany. Your giving is appreciated. Public Action to Deliver Shelter/PADS.

HESED House in Aurora

provides temporary shelter to those who would otherwise be homeless in the southern Fox Valley Region of Kane and Kendall County. Hesed House relies on a strong partnership between them and faith based and corporate sponsors who provide daily staffing of the shelter each evening. Calvary Hesed House rotation is the third Tuesday of every second month. We also routinely collect items essential to the operation of Hesed House as well as clothing for the 32 | P a g e Please turn off or silence all personal electronic devices

guests. Our dates for 2017 were: January 17, March 21, May 16, July 18, September 19 and November 21 and were successfully completed. The Batavia Interfaith Food Pantry. The mission of the Food Pantry is to provide food relief to the economically disadvantaged residents of Batavia and Batavia Township. The Food Pantry is a 501(c)(3) notfor-profit, volunteer agency that is directed and operated by community and local church volunteers residing throughout the greater Fox Valley. Those who visit and use the Food Pantry are neighbors and friends and people with disabilities, seniors, low income families, and families who have lost their jobs. The Batavia Food Pantry has been in operation for over 30 years. Currently it serves over 1200 individuals monthly. This would not be possible without the active support of community volunteers like Calvary who donate people, time and money. We staff the Pantry on the fourth Tuesday of each month, and Donna Womack is our Food Pantry Volunteer Coordinator.

Calvary Support of Other Faith Based OrganizationsThe following organizations are co-located in our church and provide the listed services or functions. The Just Food Initiative. JFI maintains their offices here at Calvary and schedules periodic demonstrations within our facility. The Just Food Initiative of the Fox Valley is a not-for-profit, faith-based organization 33 | P a g e Please turn off or silence all personal electronic devices

of individuals committed to building just and sustainable food systems. The Batavia Islamic Center. Calvary has enjoyed a very friendly relationship with the Muslims of the Islamic Center for over 30 years. Both have shared celebrations and opportunities to learn and understand more about each other. In 2016, the Islamic Center joined Calvary in supporting the PADS Mission at Hesed House. What You Should Know Before You Give: Recognizing there is a tax advantage to charitable giving, and that giving requires detailed records, we routinely provide Giving Statements to parishioners and guests. In order to properly identify the donor, we ask that you provide a check or place your gift in a Special Giving Envelope found in each pew where you can indicate your name and address and how you would like the gift to be used. Or you may use a numbered envelope available to parishioners at the beginning of the year. If you give cash and want to receive tax credit for it, you should use a special or numbered envelope. Loose cash placed in the collection plate is provided to the general fund. Every 3rd Sunday, the Open Plate Collection (meaning loose cash) placed in the plate is directed automatically to the Rector's Discretionary Fund. During a special Red Bowl Collection (generally occurring on the 4th Sunday of the month), all gifts (checks and cash) are provided to the announced charity which is listed in the bulletin. And, as always, thank you for your generous financial support!





The Collection Bin Will Be in Memorial Hall

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Please Make Every Effort to Fulfill Your 2017 Pledge. Your Generosity is Appreciated!

In order to make your financial support of Calvary’s Mission a much easier process for your pledged and special holiday giving, consider using TITHE.LY. TITHE.LY may be obtained from your Apple or Android APP Stores.

www.calvaryepiscopalbatavia.church
