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The week of Dec. 14-20, 2015
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'Blessed are you among women!'
 An icon showing Mary greeting Elizabeth
This week's readings:
Micah 5:2-5a; Canticle 15; Hebrews 10:5-10; Luke 1:39-45
The cousins share their joy
We have already spent time this Advent exploring the ministry of John the Baptist. This Sunday, at least at the 8 am service, we meet him before his birth. Our Gospel reading relates that Mary, pregnant with Jesus, went to visit her cousin Elizabeth, who was pregnant with Jesus' cousin John the Baptist. The sentence in the Gospel that everyone responds to is, "When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the child leaped in her womb."
Our 10 am service will be comprised of the readings from the traditional Anglican Service of Lessons and Carols. The Gospel reading in that service will be the text which precedes the 8 am Gospel. These lessons relate to the Magnificat, the prayer of praise Mary sings when she learns she is to bear the child of God, Jesus. We are studying the Magnificat at our Wednesday Advent Supper Series this year.
It requires a little mental agility to appreciate what is going on. First is the story line. When it is handled chronologically it is easier to follow. But our lectionary presents John the Baptist as an adult first because the significance of the pre-natal John the Baptist depends on a foreknowledge of Jesus. The awareness of the coming Messian, of course, is what drove John's ministry.
For those who have been through the delights of the Advent and Christmas cycle more than a few times it is both obvious and joyful. But for all the thrill of recognition of the impending birth of our Savior lifts our spirits and our hopes for the future.
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Advent and Christmas Fare
- Advent Supper Series on Wednesday Dec. 16 and Dec. 23. Starting at 5:30 p.m. attendees can enjoy homemade soup prepared by participants, followed by an Advent-oriented reading and discussion
- Lessons & Carols, Dec. 20th at 10 a.m.: Our traditional Rite II service that includes nine lessons (i.e. readings from the Bible) accompanied by nine carols that celebrate the season. We will be joined by St. John's Brass Ensemble, so please be sure to mark your calendars.
- Christmas Eve Concert, Dec. 24th at 4:30 p.m.: An inspiring concert of sacred music accompanied by St. John's Strings Ensemble.
- Christmas Eve, Dec. 24th at 5:00 p.m.: Following the Christmas Eve Concert, we will hold our traditional Christmas Eve service with music.
- Christmas Day, Dec. 25th at 10 a.m.: A traditional Christmas Day service with music.
Animo et Fide
It is Advent, which is a season of both anticipation and reflection. So I have been reflecting and want to share some that that reflection.
have been reflecting on the difficult times we live in and the concomitant posturing of some presidential candidates, fanning the flames of anger and hate. It troubles me greatly, I must admit. However it led me to reflect on why this is bothering me. Then I realized, it is from Roosevelt's first inaugural address: "...the only thing we have to fear, is fear itself..."
A time of widespread fear is where we are, and where some would lead us. It is this fear which drives us to vilify those not like us and deviate from Christian principles like love your neighbor. So what we need to do is step back and think, not simply react.
We need to have both courage and faith. We need to rely on our faith and let it lead us in the right path, and we must have the courage follow that faith even though others question us.
Oh, and by the way the title of this piece is just that: With Courage and Faith.
--Warden Pete Bedrossian
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THE WEEK AHEAD
This week's calendar from our parish bulletin:
Monday, Dec. 14 5 pm Stewardship Committee
Tuesday, Dec. 15 2 pm Outreach Committee-Christmas basket planning
6 pm Seekers
Wednesday, Dec. 16 10 am-2 pm Christmas basket packing
12:15 pm Healing Service
5:30 pm Advent Supper Series
Sunday, Dec. 20 8 am Rite I
10 am Lessons and Carols, Rite II
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