Dear Friends,
These days have been full of expectation, preparation and excitement. Is that what Advent is about? As we prepare for Christmas celebrations we are also preparing for our move as a congregation to the Canterbury Campus. We get another glimpse of that this weekend with a Lessons and Carols Party on Saturday evening December 12 / 6-8pm (notice the time change) and a work day led by our fearless youth group on Sunday afternoon 2-6pm. Join us in these moments to get a feel for our new home. Additionally plans are underway for slight renovations and upgrades to the chapel space and acquiring all the things needed for a nursery and other miscellaneous items to make his move. (You can contribute to the Canterbury Fund - see below to help with the expenses)
There is a lot of work to make this happen and I can tell you it is a labor of joy as we look to the days ahead. We have talked for the last couple years of our "sojourn" as we have moved from place to place in our formation as a congregation in Oviedo. I eagerly anticipate our new home at Canterbury and worship in the St. Augustine Chapel. I am sure we will wander a bit still, figuring out the worship space, how to get people to us and more. Who would have expected things to unfold as they have? Certainly not I. What an amazing provision for us by God's hand.
I am reminded of another journey we remember this time of year; a couple from Nazareth traveling to Bethlehem. Twists and turns, humble beginnings, unexpected guests and circumstances fill this story. The climax is a Savior born to save, heal and redeem, to bless us with life abundant and eternal. I am confident in this journey we are on because the same Savior and Lord born in humility guides us as we go. So let us prepare with joy, hope, expectation, anticipation and excitement for the days ahead, pack our bags for the new season of our life full of peace, mercy, faith and love all because Jesus was born.
in the mission, JD+Fr. Jon / Vicar Collect for the week of Advent 2Merciful God, who sent your messengers the
prophets to preach repentance and prepare the way for our salvation:
Give us grace to heed their warnings and forsake our sins, that we may
greet with joy the coming of Jesus Christ our Redeemer; who lives and
reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. Readings for December 6th / Advent 2Zephaniah 3:14-20
Canticle 9 (Book of Common Prayer p.86)
Philippians 4:4-7
Luke 3:7-18 A Few Things...
Congratulations to Fr. Thomas...  Father Thomas Buchan celebrated his first Sunday Eucharist at Incarnation on Sunday. We are blessed to have him and his family in our midst. PERSONAL FINANCE I am keenly aware of the difficult economy we are facing as a nation and that there are many who find themselves living from pay check to pay check. A telling graphic about how unemployment has risen in the nation can be seen on the web CLICK HERE. I encourage you to participate in the Financial Peace University we will be offering in January. (Check out the announcement in the left column) This is an opportunity for all of us to grow in our stewardship as well as to reach out to friends, neighbors and colleagues who might be struggling in the same in their finances or simply want to build a more solid financial future. I hope for great participation by the congregation in this course. |
