ADVENT II

The Words of Jesus in The Gospel According to Saint John, Chapter 10, verses 1-16:

  1. “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.
  2.   But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.
  3. To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.
  4. And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.
  5. And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.”
  6. This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them.
  7. Then said Jesus unto them again, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.
  8. All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them.
  9. I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.
  10. The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
  11. I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.
  12. But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.
  13. The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.
  14. I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.
  15. As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.
  16. And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.”

It is important to realize that Advent, which has come to be overwhelmingly emphasized as a season of preparation for Christmas, is perhaps much more importantly a season of preparation for Christ's return at the end of time.

The purpose of the Church is to prepare us for the eternal life beyond this temporary one by glorifying God in worship and by attempting to lead our lives in accordance with His will. The culture in which we live is profoundly anthropocentric, and most modern churches have conformed to that secular worldview and consequently are focused almost entirely on the here and now, with the result that their moral teaching, such as it is, deals almost exclusively with current social and political issues. Virtue is equated with taking the politically correct position on these issues and the purely temporal goals which they pursue in the belief that the attainment of those goals will make this world better than it is. This is not so much a perversion of Gospel and Biblical teaching as it is a complete abandonment of it.

Classical Christian doctrine holds that God is concerned with our eternal well-being as individuals, not as members of any earthly political, national, or ethnic group. This is clearly shown in the tenth chapter of the Gospel of Saint John, in which Jesus tells us that he is the Good Shepherd who knows His sheep and calls them by name, that is, as discrete and unique individuals, not as members of this or that group. In verse sixteen of the same chapter He goes on to say, “And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.” The earthly groups to which we have belonged will be of no relevance when all of those who follow Christ are united in one eternal group, the one “fold” of His body, the Church.

Christ's mission was and remains to offer each human being the opportunity to finally stand before God fit to share in His eternal kingdom by becoming one with Christ, members of Christ's own divine, perfect, sinless body. We experience this union with Him only imperfectly in this life by attempting to discern and to do His will for us and by availing ourselves of the power and grace of His Sacraments, but our final and eternal destiny is to experience it fully and perfectly.

During Advent our task is one of repentance from those shortcomings of intellect and virtue which inhibit our union with Him here and now and preparation to receive the fullness of His grace in the next life. It should be a joyful season of recognition and confident expectation: recognition both of the imperfection of our fallen nature and of the grace that can ameliorate the results of that imperfection now, and confident expectation of the final grace that will bring us to perfection in God's eternal presence.

-- Father Bragg+

REMEMBER THE WORDS OF THE LORD JESUS, HOW HE SAID, IT IS MORE BLESSED TO GIVE THAN TO RECEIVE

Please click here to help St. Andrew & St. Margaret of Scotland. Your support is needed and greatly appreciated.

A big thank you to all of you who helped make the St. Andrew's Day Kirkin of the Tartan and following reception so successful.  Great music, great service, great sermon, great food, drink, and fellowship. More than 90 attended.  It went on to about 10:30 PM.  It was a great time.  If you didn't have the opportunity to attend this year, it's held every November 30th so you can put it on your schedule  for next year.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Sunday Services, 7:45, 9:00 & 11:15 AM nursery care provided during 9 & 11:15 AM services  (for online participation for the services go to: https://www.facebook.com/saintsofscotland/ )

Sunday, 10:30 AM, Sunday School

Wednesday at Noon – Holy Communion and anointing for healing

Saturday, December 10, 8:30 AM, Men's Group, Breakfast & Bible Study, come enjoy a great breakfast, fellowship, and an interesting and thought provoking Bible study

Saturday, December 17, 4:00 PM – Caroling in Del Ray, Stay tuned for further details, and plan to join in!

Next Vestry Meeting – Monday, December 19, 7:30 PM . in the church undercroft.

Christmas Services: Christmas Eve, Saturday, December 24, at 7:00 PM and

11:00 PM

Christmas Day, Sunday, December 25, at 12:00 noon


Donations to the Food Bank and Marih Center are greatly needed.  Across the country, crisis pregnancy centers have been attacked or vandalized.  The needs are great.  Please help with either a goods donation or a monetary donation.  You can give through the donation button in this newsletter and use the drop down menu to choose "Charity & Mercy."   Thank you.
 
Food Donations 
Please help this month with a food donation if you are able. Christ House is very thankful for the food we provide to them each month. Please also buy low sugar cereals (and not the kid's types that have lots of sugar).  Current needs include the following:
• canned meats (chicken, corned beef, spam)
• peanut butter
• jelly
• tuna
• canned vegetables (corn, green beans - (regular and low sodium)
• individual fruit cups (low sugar)
• canned fruit (low sugar)
• cereal (low sugar)
• pasta (regular and gluten-free)
• instant potatoes
• Macaroni & cheese kits
• Coffee, cooking oil, flour, sugar 
 
Updated List of Needs for MaRIH Center (crisis pregnancy center)
MaRIH Center with its all volunteer staff has been providing help to mothers-to-be and mothers in need.  If you can provide some of the items that are needed, please do so. (You can leave the donations where the food for the food bank is collected on the pew in the undercorft.)

Especially Needed
Baby wipes (an ongoing great need)
Diapers (sizes 1, 4, 5, & 6)
Diaper rash ointment

Clothing
Bibs
Clothing for boys and girls (0-6 months)
Sleep Sacks: Girls 0-6 mos.
Socks: Boy/Girl 2T

Other
Baby shampoo
 
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Our mailing address is:
St. Andrew & St. Margaret of Scotland
1607 Dewitt Avenue
Alexandria, VA 22301-1625