Dear Friends,

We enter the season of Advent.  A familiar path to many of us as we begin preparations for Christmas.  It is a time of hope, expectation, anticipation and should stir in us some excitement.  In my sermon on Sunday (click here)
 I asked us all to make this a season of prayer listening to and seeking the Lord as to what our next steps are in the journey as a congregation.  As we enter 2012  how are we to grow deeper in our knowledge and love of the Lord? How are we to grow as a congregation expanding our impact and outreach to the community and the world?  This growth involves our presence on the Canterbury campus, master planning, stewardship of resources, ministries and outreach and more. How are you to participate?  What can you contribute in terms of time, talent, skills and resources? All of this is not merely to grow the church but rather to see the Kingdom of God expanded in us and through us as we submit our lives to the Lordship of Christ.

There is a corporate aspect to this journey,  We walk together on this road to Bethlehem to greet the Incarnate Lord Jesus.  I am also keenly aware that each of us walk with the Lord in a personal way as well. Some struggle with fears and doubts.  We dare to hope and believe that God would meet us in this journey and that his loving kindness would comfort and heal us.  Some may feel like outcasts who cannot fathom God reaching out to us.  Beloved, that is what the Incarnation is - Almighty God taking on humanity so that we may feel the embrace of his love and be complete and secure in the redemption and reconciliation he provides.   These next few weeks can be a time where faith, hope and love are kindled afresh in us.  This is my prayer for all of us.    

May God grant us grace in the journey and may He find us faithful in each moment...   

in the mission,

Father Jon+   

Advent Wreath workshop was another brilliant success - Special thanks to all those who contributed to the day especially Pastor Robin in her leadership. In recent years my Advent journey has been influenced by Robert Webber and his book Ancient Future Time (Click here for an excerpt) 

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Gary and Christina Jackson are looking to rent their home (very close to Canterbury)  Click here for a description  If interested please contact us @ (863) 534-3179 or (407) 810-8474.
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CHRISTMAS IN THE CITY
We will be supporting and working again with The Hope Foundation and the  Christmas in the City event in our community.  CLICK HERE for more information or to volunteer,   In the rear of the chapel there is a HOPE TREE - please take a card (or 2 or 3) and provide food, Christmas gifts and needed items for those who are in need,  For more information contact Father Jon.

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 CHRISTMAS PAGEANT 
One of my favorite moments in the celebration of Christmas is the pageant and this year Lisa Hines and Heather Starr are coordinating and directing a wonderful production. They need volunteers, so here is an opportunity to get involved and help tell the amazing story of the INCARNATION!  To volunteer and assist in this effort contact Heather Starr or Lisa Hines  

a picture from a past pageant to inspire you...