“Friendship is unnecessary, like philosophy, like art, like the universe itself (for God did not need to create). It has no survival value; rather it is one of those things which give value to survival.” --- C. S. Lewis, The Four Loves, page 71

I exhort you that you so give the foremost place to virtue, without which friendship cannot be, that, with the sole exception of virtue, you may think nothing to be preferred to friendship. ”  --- Marcus Tullius Cicero De Amicitia, XXVII

The references to Abraham in the Epistle two Sundays ago have led me into thinking a good deal about his importance to us, and one phrase especially kept coming back to me. In the Book of Isaiah and Second Chronicles in the Old Testament as well as in The Epistle of Saint James in the New Testament Abraham is referred to as “a friend of God.”

This phrase may not have the resonance and depth of meaning to us that it would have had to both Jews and pagans in the ancient Greco-Roman world, both of whom saw friendship as a relationship which imposed upon each party serious obligations to one another.

In the fifteenth verse of the fifteenth chapter of Saint John's Gospel Jesus tells His disciples at the Last Supper, “Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.” Given that He had in the same address told them that “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends” (Saint John's Gospel 15:13), this is clearly a prediction of His death as well as the establishment of a new status for the disciples, a status which they would only partially comprehend until after His Resurrection. They would then recognize that because of His divinity to be a friend of Jesus was to be an equal to Abraham as a “friend of God,” one who could depend upon God in all things.

And yet they, and we, have been given much more than that at the Institution of the Eucharist at the Last Supper. Jesus tells us that in eating His flesh and drinking His blood our lives are joined with His in such a fashion that we will have Him alive within us, and that despite our errors, misdeeds, and misunderstandings our status with God will be derived from His righteousness rather than our own sinfulness. This is a solemn and profound mystery, and to recognize it as such opens us up to depths of gratitude, strength, and meaning beyond any other human experience.

--Father Bragg+
 

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 Events

Men's Group Breakfast & Bible Study, Saturday September 16, 8:30 AM, church undercroft.  special breakfast  and then Bible Study conducted by Bob Boyd.  All men of the parish are cordially invited.

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)

Next Vestry meeting, Monday September 25, 7:30 PM, all parishioners are invited

Annual Pet Blessing, Saturday, October 7, between 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. To volunteer, please email Deacon Chris at scotlandsaints@gmail.com

Annual Parish Picnic, Sunday October 8 at Fort Hunt Park off George Washington Parkway, following a 10 AM combined service (no 9:00 AM or 11:15 AM services that day)
 
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 

The list for MaRIH Crisis Pregnancy Center's needs was recently updated.  The items in bold type are in critical need.  If you can, please donate those items.
 
Recently 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  * are a critical need.

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