The Collect. 
O GOD, who declarest thy almighty power chiefly in showing mercy and pity; Mercifully grant unto us such a measure of thy grace, that we, running the way of thy commandments, may obtain thy gracious promises, and be made partakers of thy heavenly treasure; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Epistle. 1 Corinthians xv. 1 - 11
 The Gospel. St. Luke xviii. 9 - 14.

Sermon by The Most Rev. John T. Cahoon, Jr.,Metropolitan, Anglican Catholic Church, given at St. Andrew & St. Margaret of Scotland  on Trinity XI, August 10, 1997

Today's Gospel is a parable of the greatest importance. It describes the basic story of the gospels in a nutshell, and it gives the simple and direct Christian answer to the most fundamental of all religious questions: "Assuming there is a God, how can I get myself into a proper relationship to him?"

A person who knows the New Testament gospels only casually is always in danger of shock when Holy Week rolls around. Here is that nice man who was always helping and comforting -- how could those horrible savages treat him that way?

If you read the gospels, you realize that the crucifixion of Jesus was the end of a long and nasty process which involved constant squabbling between him and the people with whom he disagreed. The people with whom he disagreed sniped at him and tried to outdebate him, and they kept doing that for a fairly long time. When they finally realized that they were never going to beat him at that game, they knew the only thing left to do was kill him.

What was the basic issue of conflict? One way to look at it is to say that they were fighting over the fundamental meaning of the Jewish religion. Was it a system of rules which allowed some people to lord it over others because they were better at keeping the rules? or was Judaism the way God's people could learn about his compassion and his power?

Religious disputes among first century Palestinian Jews have a special claim on our attention. They matter because they are in the New Testament, but they are in the New Testament because they have do do with fundamental conflicts which go on in all human organizations -- especially religious ones -- and which go on to one degree or another in the heart of every human being.

The parable makes all that a bit clearer. St. Luke tells us what the audience for the parable was: "certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others." That gives the game away.

"Righteous" in this context means "in a proper relationship with God." So the parable is directed at people whose certainty that they are ok with God makes them look down on other people. I am not giving away too much when I tell you that this is not the group Jesus prefers.

At any rate, two men are praying in the temple. One of them is a tax collector and the other is a Pharisee. The Pharisees were the Jewish group which took the most care to obey not only all of the laws in the Old Testament, but also all the laws the rabbis taught.

The Pharisee tells God that he is grateful that he is not a great sinner as so many other people are--like this tax collector, for example. Then he rattles off all of his religious accomplishments. The tax collector cannot even look up, as he beats his breast and says, "God be merciful to me a sinner."

Now we know very well what is coming. But let us spend a moment admitting to ourselves that we have a certain sympathy with the Pharisee. We aren't such bad people ourselves when it comes to spiritual accomplishments -- and we would certainly have only a very little trouble pointing out people who are much worse. Why is all that so wrong?

Jesus, of course, says that the tax collector went home in a good relationship to God and the Pharisee did not. Was it because the Pharisee had lied about his good deeds? No. Was it because the tax collector had really done a lot more good deeds that the Pharisee had so he was really a better person? There is no reason to think so.

The tax collector was better off for a couple of reasons. First of all, he did not compare himself to other people, he compared himself to God. Compared to other people he might be better and he might be worse. So what? God is looking at how you handle what he has given you to do.

The main thing God wants you to realize is that nobody is perfect, and because nobody is perfect, nobody has anything to brag about in front of God -- who is perfect. The difference between God and us is that his perfection doesn't make him look down on our imperfection. Instead, he wants to share his perfection with us.

The way he shares his perfection with us is to get us to ask for it by admitting that we need it. We can't do it alone. We fail. We need forgiveness and help. The tax collector understood that, and the Pharisee did not. That is why the tax collector went home justified.

The Epistle to the Hebrews has this to say, "He that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him." In other words, if you are going to get serious about God, you have to think he is really there, and that he will help you if you seek him out.

The Pharisee and the publican both believed God was there, and they both wanted a reward. The problem was that one wanted congratulations and the other wanted forgiveness. God's word for those who want congratulation is, "They have their reward". For the rest of us, "This is a true saying, and worthy of all men to be received, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners."

 
To do good, and to distribute, forget not; for with such sacrifices God is well pleased
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Services & Events
 
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 is on recess and will start again in September

Nursery 9:00 & 11:15

September 12-13, DMAS Men's Retreat at Camp Hanover, 3163 Parsleys Mill Road, Mechanicsville, VA.  The cost of the retreat is $85 and covers accommodations and three meals (dinner, breakfast and lunch). For more info copy this link into your browser: https://dmas-acc.org/upcoming 

Saturday September 20, 8:30 AM,  Men's Group,  church under croft, great breakfast, fellowship and Bible study with Fr. Roddy.

Sunday September 21, Church Picnic at Fort Hunt Park after combined 10 AM service, (no 9 AM & 11:15 AM services) invite friends and neighbors too:  Great BBQ, hamburgers, hot dogs, sausages and so much more. A sign-up sheet for appetizers/side dishes and desserts is posted on the bulletin board in the undercroft. 

Monday September 29, 7:30 PM, Vestry meeting, church undercroft, all parishioners welcome


NEWLY UPDATED NEEDS FOR MaRiH CRISIS PREGNANCY CENTER

 MaRiH Center has made some changes and additions in its critically needed items. The Center provides help to mothers-to-be and mothers in need.  Please provide some of the items that are needed..They are very greatly appreciated. (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 with an asterisk are a critical need. Please note changes in diaper needs and additional items.

*Diapers ( newborn, 1, 2, *3, *4, *5, & *6)
*Lovies, Rattles, Teethers
*Baby wipes
Diaper rash ointment
Baby shampoo
*Baby blankets
Baby bottles
Bibs: infant, *toddler
*Formula: *Simulac Advance Formula
Formula: other but not recalled
Diaper rash ointment
Wash clothes
Hooded Towels
Spring/summer clothing: 0-3 mo, 3-6 mo, 9-12mo, 18-24 mo, 2T
Fall/winter clothing: 6-9 mo, 9-12 mo, 12-18 mo, 18-24 mo
Winter coats: all sizes up to including 2T
*Grocery gift cards
Baby Food (make sure not expired)
Shoes: toddler

Food Bank Needs

The food bank appreciates the generosity of our parish.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). 

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)
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,noodle soup; chicken broth, cream of mushroom
coffee, cooking oil, flour, sugar
 
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St. Andrew & St. Margaret of Scotland
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Alexandria, VA 22301-1625