Epiphany Service, Saturday January 6, 12 noon
Save the date -- Wednesday January 17, 7:00 PM Evening Prayer followed by special reception.  Details forthcoming.

A Prayer for Epiphany

“Almighty and everlasting God, who has made known the incarnation of thy Son by the bright shining star, which when the wise men beheld they adored thy majesty and presented costly gifts:  Grant that the star of thy righteousness may always shine in our hearts, and that for our treasure we may give to thy service ourselves and all that we have; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.”
 
There are a treasure trove of wonderful prayers and collects to convey the significance of the Epiphany, or the Manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles.  Perhaps I am partial to this prayer because it is so ancient.  It is translated from the Gelasian Sacramentary, the second oldest surviving liturgical book of its kind.  A sacramentary contains those parts of the rites (Daily Offices, Eucharist, and Pastoral Offices) read by the celebrant. 

The prayers in the Gelasian Sacramentary date back as far as the early 600’s A.D. I can imagine the authors of these ancient prayers writing from a perspective that was so much closer to the historical events of Jesus’ life and ministry; that they were somehow more attuned to a sacredness that has been faded with time.  This of course is not true!  The significance of Christ’s earthly ministry is just as real and powerful today as in any day of the past.  It is timeless of course! 
 
The Epiphany is God’s gift of light to the entire word; the signal that this small, helpless child born of a virgin in the humblest of surroundings, is our King of Kings, our Messiah and Savior.   The wise men brought this child savior “costly gifts” as a sign of gratitude and respect.  God does not expect the same from us.  We simply have to accept into our hearts the light from “the star of thy righteousness.” 

The events of the Epiphany are just as significant today as they were when the wise men made their visit, and when the unknown clerics wrote the prayers of the Gelasian Sacramentary.  In 2023 there were more people on this Earth hungering for the Good News of that Light than in any time in the Church’s history.  And there are plenty who have heard and forgotten this gift of Epiphany. 

So for this Epiphanytide let us focus on being beacons of this Gift, this Divine Revelation and Light, to those who seek out this Light and to those who are yearning to break free of the darkness.  We must ensure that our hearts are open to receive God’s gift for us.  We can achieve this by heeding the wisdom of St. Leo the Great:  “As the wise men fell down and worshiped Him in a manger, so let us fall down and worship Him, enthroned omnipotent in heaven. As they opened their treasures and presented unto him mystic and symbolic gifts, so let us strive to open our hearts to him, and offer him from thence some worthy offering.”


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

Please click here to donate to St. Andrew & St. Margaret of Scotland.

Services and Events

Saturday , January 6, 12 noon service, The Epiphany, or the Manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles

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

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

Wednesday, January 17, 7:00 PM Evening Prayer followed by special reception.  Details forthcoming.

Monday, January 22, 2024 Vestry meeting, 7:30 PM, church undercroft, important for all vestry members to be in attendance

January 28, 10:00 AM Combined Service followed immediately by annual meeting of the parish

Each month parishioners provide food for the Christ House food bank and things needed for babies and infants to the local crisis pregnancy center. 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

 
Copyright © 2024 St. Andrew & St. Margaret of Scotland, All rights reserved.

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