ADVENT III

In the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. Amen.

In Sunday’s Collect, first, it mentions for the first time the Coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Not only the 1st Advent but the 2nd Advent as well. Second, to some of the Jews, they didn’t believe Jesus is the Christ. For the Christians, they saw Jesus as the Messiah but only as the Lamb, even today. But Jews and Christians forget that in the Book of Revelation, Jesus is called the Lion of Judah because at that time, Jesus will not be coming as a sacrificial lamb. He is coming as a Lion with his Army during the Armageddon to fight the anti-Christ. And third, ministers and stewards need to be faithful to God’s mysteries. What are these mysteries? Deity of Jesus as God & Man and the Holy Spirit within us.

In Sunday’s Epistle, first, Paul’s speaks to the Church in Corinth regarding jealousy, divisiveness, sexual immorality, and failure to discipline church members. This sounds like today’s church – doesn’t it? He brings with him Apollos and Cephas (aka Peter) as ministers and stewards of God’s mysteries. Second, again, what are the mysteries? 1 Corinthians 2:7, speaks of the God’s mystery as hidden wisdom. This would be the Trinity, the Deity of Jesus Christ, Jesus Christ’s resurrection, and the Holy Spirit within us. However, these hidden mysteries are revealed after the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Third, the ministers and stewards would be faithful to the mysteries. So what is a minister? An agent appointed to manage the affairs under the authority of another. And what is a steward? A steward is more as an attendant like a flight attendant. The steward takes care of our safety and needs on the flight concerning: bags, drinks, foods, and pillows. We trust them to provide and they trusts us to follow directions. In other words, they are faithful to us of our needs. And this is the same thing with Christian stewards as they are faithful to the mysteries of God.

And fourth, but then Paul says it is a small thing to be judged by you the people. He says this because he doesn’t judge himself because he knows nothing “for I know nothing against myself.” But the one judging him is the Lord himself. Therefore, Paul tells us to judge nothing before the coming time of our Lord Jesus - because the Lord will bring “light the hidden things in darkness and make the counsels of the heart.”

In the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. Amen.
-- Fr. Anton

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

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Upcoming Services & Events

Saturday December 16, Neighborhood Caroling, From Clint Taylor: Meet at church to drop off snacks 545-615, grab songbooks, and assemble at that little park/square on Mt.Vernon Ave at 630,  near Cheesetique (I forget the cross street).  We'll sing there for 30 minutes then come back down Mt Vernon and through the neighborhood.  Should get back to church around 8pm. For more details contact Clint Taylor (clintonwtaylor@gmail.com)

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

Sunday School at 10:30 AM

Monday December 18, 7:30 PM, Vestry Meeting

Wednesday at Noon – Holy Communion and anointing for healing (for online participation, check info under

Sunday December 24 (Advent IV), services will be held at 7:45 a.m. and a combined service at 10:00 AM

Christmas Services: Christmas Eve, Sunday, December 24 at 7:00 PM &11:00 PM                                  
                                    Christmas Day, Monday, December 25, at 12:00 noon

Each month parishioners provide food for the Christ House food bank and things needed for babies and infants to the local crisis pregnancy center. Donations have really dropped off. St. Andrew & St. Margaret parish has a long history of helping others in the community.  Please take a look at the lists below and, if you can, please provide some of the needed items.  You can also help by donating money  through the secure donation button in this e-letter by selecting Charity & Mercy in the drop down menu on the donation page. Your help is needed. Thank you.
 
Updated List of Needs for MaRIH Center (crisis pregnancy center)
MaRIH Center with its all volunteer staff provides 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
 In Bold and  * are a critical need.

Diapers (sizes newborn, 1, 2, 3, 4*, 5*, & 6*)
Lovies
Baby wipes*
Diaper rash ointment
Winter Clothing:0-3 mo*, 3-6 mo*, 12-18 mo*, 2T*
Baby shampoo
Baby blankets*
Bibs
Formula: Simulac Advance Formula*
Formula: other but not recalled
Wash clothes
Hooded towels
Grocery gift cards*

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
 
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