WEEKLY RECTOR’S MESSAGE – December 13th – Fr. Thomas.
WEEKLY RECTOR’S MESSAGE – December 13th – Fr. Thomas.
Some years ago the newsletter of Holy Trinity Church, Vicksburg, Miss., provided this tale: A man was trying hard to get the ketchup to come out of the bottle. During his struggle the phone rang, so he asked his four year old daughter to answer the phone. “It’s the Rector, Daddy,” the child said to her father. Then she added, “Daddy can’t come to the phone to talk to you right now. He’s hitting the bottle.”
“Out of the mouths of babes,” as they say! Regardless of how we celebrate the Christmas season – the birth of God’s Son into the world, and His continued entry into our lives on a daily basis is the message we need to hear and proclaim throughout the entire year. Joy is a fruit of the Spirit, and true joy is a gift from God. It does not flow from what’s happening outside of us; it flows from the DNA of God Himself.
To give C.S. Lewis the last word: “If we find ourselves with a desire that nothing in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that we were made for another world.” This is why God came into our world to begin with. With two weeks left before Christmas, it’s not too late to re-evaluate our priorities in preparation for the celebration of Christ’s birth. If we learn nothing else at this Christmas season, then we will have discovered that true joy which enlightens the world at all times.
NOTICES:
Video Viewing Options for Sunday’s mass – there are three different ways to view our videos: 1) our church website; 2) our Facebook page; and 3) our YouTube channel. See the links listed below.
Opportunities for Giving – there are several options that safely and efficiently expedite your generous donations: electronic bank transfers or automatic bank transfers via personal accounts or credit/debit cards; personal checks delivered by USPS; and our favorite through joining our giving family online through our website or at www.myEoffering.com with our secure vendor Church Envelope Budget Company, who provides you with yearly offering envelopes. Please do NOT leave any envelopes with checks/cash unattended at church mailboxes.
Sandwiches for St. George’s: We will continue making sandwiches at least through December. Please bring them to St. David’s parking lot each Wednesday morning from 8:30 to 9:30 am. St. George’s is trying to begin serving to-go dinner meals but is not getting enough of the parishes and other groups to support that yet. So the hot lunches with to-go sandwich bags for a later dinner will continue for a while. Thank you for the ongoing support! We continue to provide 300± sandwiches every week. If you are working and cannot come Wednesday mornings please feel free to call me to set up a Tuesday night drop off.
Volunteers to Decorate the Church: Christmas is only two weeks away and we’re asking for volunteers to help Saturday morning at 9 for about 2 hours to decorate the church, set up the tree, hang lights, etc., particularly in preparation for the day school Christmas programs next week.
Christmas Flowers: We are collecting donations of $25.00 for Christmas flowers starting this week. Please fill in a form, and leave it in the plate. The deadline is December 15th.
Sunday School is back in operation with the necessary protocols in place.
Saturday, December 19 from 8-11am Church cleaning and decorating. Everyone welcome and please come wearing mask.
The Annual Living Nativity will again be held on Saturday and Sunday evenings, December 19th and 20th for one hour beginning at 7:00 p.m.
Offering Envelopes: If you use the offering envelope, please contact the office at your earliest convenience.
Holy Eucharist:
PLEASE PRAY – For the sick: Ashlyn, Beth, Charlotte, Debbie, Donna, Francis, Iliana, Jeanne, Jim, Joaquin, Kim, Theda.
For birthday celebrations: Robert Bresnahan, Reagan Bresnahan, Elyssa Beresford, Eli Carter, Neville Tinglin.
For our expectant mothers: Ashley, Andi, Mayoli.
