Whitsunday: The Fire of God Within Us
The Right Reverend Jeffrey S. Johnson, Bishop Ordinary,
Diocese of the Mid-Atlantic States

Have you ever seen someone who seemed to glow? A mother expecting a long-awaited child, a young woman newly engaged, a friend overflowing with joy—there is a radiance that seems to come from within. In such moments we catch a faint reflection of the love and light of God.

Scripture tells us that God is pure holiness, pure light, and pure love. The Book of Revelation describes heaven as filled with dazzling beauty, where sorrow and death are no more, and the glory of God illumines everything. That same divine light, astonishingly, is given to us through the Holy Spirit.
This is the wonder of Whitsunday.

On the Day of Pentecost, the disciples were gathered in prayer when the sound of a rushing mighty wind filled the house. Tongues of fire appeared and rested upon each of them. This was not merely a dramatic sign. It was the visible declaration that God Himself had come to dwell within His people.
The same God who spoke from the burning bush and led Israel by a pillar of fire now placed His Spirit upon ordinary believers.

What an extraordinary truth: God does not merely guide us from a distance. He lives within us.
The disciples were not gathered in ideal circumstances. They were fearful, uncertain, and vulnerable. They faced rejection, persecution, and the loss of security. Yet once the Holy Spirit filled them, they were transformed. Fear gave way to boldness. Anxiety gave way to praise. Weakness gave way to strength.
The Holy Spirit enabled them to proclaim “the wonderful works of God.”

This remains the Spirit’s work today. He gives believers courage when life is difficult, peace when circumstances are troubling, and joy that does not depend on outward success. He teaches us, comforts us, and empowers us to live as faithful disciples of Jesus Christ.

The Holy Spirit is also the supreme evidence of God’s love for us.

Before His crucifixion, our Lord promised, “I will not leave you comfortless.” He fulfilled that promise by sending the Comforter to dwell in our hearts. Through the Spirit, God is not merely near us; He is in us. The Creator of heaven and earth makes His home in His people.

This indwelling presence changes us in ways others can see.

Many Christians can recall times when someone noticed a peace, joy, or steadiness that could not be explained naturally. The observer was really seeing the presence of the Holy Spirit. Sometimes our witness begins not with words, but with a life quietly transformed by God.

There is great power in seeing the Holy Spirit at work in another person.

On Pentecost, the crowd was drawn not only by the sound of the rushing wind, but by the visible transformation of the disciples. Their Spirit-filled lives prepared hearts to hear Peter’s sermon. The same Holy Spirit who empowered the apostles also pierced the hearts of those listening, leading three thousand people to repentance and faith in Christ.

This is how the Body of Christ continues to grow.
 
All things come of thee, O Lord, and of thine own have we given thee
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Services & Events

Sunday Services,  9:00 AM and 11:15 AM Services, for online participation go to
https://www.facebook.com/saintsofscotland or to 
https://www.youtube.com/@StAndrewandStMargaret/streams

Nursery during both services

Sunday School, 10:30 AM, Rectory, Lower level

Monday, May 25, Memorial Day Service, noon, for online participation go to https://www.facebook.com/saintsofscotland or to
 https://www.youtube.com/@StAndrewandStMargaret/streams

Wednesday at Noon – Holy Communion and anointing for healing, for online participation go to https://www.facebook.com/saintsofscotland or to 
https://www.youtube.com/@StAndrewandStMargaret/streams

 Wednesday, 7:30 PM, undercroft, Discussion on the Saints, with Fr. Bragg, all are invited even if you have not been to prior discussions. Fr. Bragg’s class takes a chronological approach to the study of the saints, placing them in the context of their times and places in church history.  For online participation go to https://www.facebook.com/saintsofscotland or to
 https://www.youtube.com/@StAndrewandStMargaret/streams

Thursday, 7:30 PM to 8:30 PM, undercroft, Inquirers class (everyone invited): Since Bishop Johnson will visit the Parish on Sunday, June 14 to offer the rites of Confirmation and Reception. Father Chris is offering an Inquirers’ Class leading up to the Bishop's visit. This class introduces and explores the life, faith, and practice of the Anglican tradition using Archbishop Haverland's primer, Anglican Catholic Faith and Practice. Together we look at the foundations of the Christian faith, the meaning of the sacraments, the structure of the Church, and the distinctive spirituality of Anglican worship shaped by the Book of Common Prayer.  While the class  prepares those who wish to be confirmed and received into the Anglican Catholic Church, anyone who wants to learn more about Anglican faith and practice is warmly invited. If you are new to the parish, exploring Anglicanism for the first time, or attending for years and like a deeper understanding of the Church’s life and teaching, this class is for you. 

Monday, June 1, 7:30 PM,  Vestry Meeting  in the undercroft

Sunday, June 14, Bishop Johnson’s Visitation. If you wish to be received or confirmed by the Bishop, please see Fr. Chris as soon as possible.
 
MaRiH Crisis Pregnancy Center: Updated Critical Needs & More

Below are 2 updated lists: the critical needs list and the needs list. Both have been updated:

Critical Needs:
Diapers, sizes 5 and 6
Spring/Summer clothing (Boys & Girls), size 0-3 months, size 2T 
Baby Wipes
Baby Blankets
Baby formula: Similac Advance Formula
Bibs: toddler
Car seat: infant
Other needs:
Diapers, newborn, 1, 2, 3, 4
Spring/Summer Clothing, 3-6 month, 9-12 month, 18-24 month, 
Bibs, infant
Maternity clothes (Spring/Summer)
Wash cloths
Hooded towels
Diaper rash ointment
There are two options for helping the Center with these needs:
Option 1 
Amazon has all the specific items needed. You can order the specific item(s) and have them delivered directly to the Center.  

The MaRiH Center
3230B Duke Street
Alexandria, VA 22314-4521
703-370-4774

Option 2 
Go to your local store, purchase the items requested and drop them off at church on Sunday. We will deliver them to the MaRIH Center.
 
Food Bank Needs
 
The food bank continues to need our assistance to feed the hungry. Please help this month with a food donation if you are able. Those we help feed are 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). Also lower sodium products are better and more healthy.

Current needs include the following:
canned meats (chicken, corned beef, spam)
tuna (cans or foil packages)
peanut butter. jelly
canned vegetables (corn, green beans - (regular and low sodium)
individual fruit cups (low sugar)
canned fruit (low sugar)
canola or vegetable oil (48 oz)
boxed cereal (low sugar) and instant or old fashioned oatmeal (18 oz or 42 oz)
pasta (regular and gluten-free):
instant potatoes
single serving fruit juice
macaroni & cheese
soups: Chunky or Progresso, chicken noodle soup; chicken broth, cream of mushroom. tomato
coffee, cooking oil, flour, sugar
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Our mailing address is:
St. Andrew & St. Margaret of Scotland
1607 Dewitt Avenue
Alexandria, VA 22301-1625