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Church program illuminates the start of Advent
The Vindicator (Youngstown)
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Pat Griffith (left) and Jim Griffith (right), of Boardman, sing with their grandchildren, Christian and Matthew Bittler, of Austintown, during a service marking the first Sunday of Advent at St. John Episcopal Church in Youngstown on Sunday afternoon.
By Sean Barron
YOUNGSTOWN
Now that Black Friday has passed and the holiday season is in full swing, much focus of the next several weeks will be on erecting Christmas trees and decorations, sending cards to family and friends and hitting the stores to take advantage of the best bargains.
All of those, of course, are traditional activities for many people in the days and weeks leading to Christmas.
Nevertheless, Advent means a lot more than buying the latest Xbox game or biggest flat-screen TV for someone and splurging with a credit card.
Its true meaning lies in having people re-examine their lives and priorities while preparing for the coming of Jesus Christ.
That was the main message gleaned through hymns and Bible passages that were sung and told during Sunday’s “Advent Lessons and Carols” program at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 323 Wick Ave., on the city’s North Side.
A few dozen people attended the one-hour afternoon gathering at the 113-year-old church, which featured the prophesies and music of Advent sung by the congregation and choir. The program was based largely on a service that originated at King’s College in Cambridge, England.
This also was the first of four Sundays of Advent.
One of the Bible readings came from Mark 13:24-37, which talks mainly about the return of Christ and how things need to be set right before final judgment is pronounced, noted the Rev. Bradley W. Pace, rector.
Another was taken from Zechariah 9:9-12, which tells of cutting off instruments of war and making peace a way of life for all countries. It reads in part: “I, the Lord, will take away war chariots and horses from Israel and Jerusalem. Bows that were made for battle will be broken. I will bring peace to nations.”
Other passages were from the Books of Baruch, Genesis, Isaiah and Luke.
The readings “explore the scope of salvation history as Christians understand it,” the Rev. Mr. Pace noted. Most of them talk about peace and how God uses the prophets to communicate that many things need to be made right, he continued.
Similar themes ran through the musical selections that included titles such as “Savior of the Nations Come,” “The King Shall Come when Morning Dawns” and “Comfort, Comfort Ye My People.”
Many of the songs spoke, among other things, about peace for those in darkness, as well as the light and triumphs that await as Christ is born.
During the program, one of four candles was lighted to symbolize the start of Advent. The event also featured a final responsory and closing prayer.
Attendees were asked to remember those who are poor, oppressed, lonely, hungry and sick.