The Collect. 
LORD, we beseech thee, grant thy people grace to withstand the temptations of the world, the flesh, and the devil; and with pure hearts and minds to follow thee, the only God; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Epistle. 1 Corinthians i. 4 - 8
The Gospel. St. Matthew xxii. 34 - 46
“Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.”

--- The Epistle of Saint James, 4: 8

 

In last week's letter I wrote concerning the altar “While it is a reminder of the table around which Jesus and His disciples sat at the Last Supper, it is also symbolic of the Jerusalem temple, of Mount Calvary, the place of Jesus' Crucifixion, and of the Messianic Banquet, the great heavenly feast which He so often referenced as a metaphor for life with God hereafter.” This week I'd like to elaborate on that a bit more.

The Prayer Book order for the celebration of the Mass is divided into two distinct halves. The first half consists of prayers, hymns, readings from Scripture (always including a Gospel reading), and a sermon. This is a reflection of the sort of Sabbath day synagogue worship that Jesus knew and in which, as a faithful Jew, he participated. Note Luke 4:16, “And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read.”

The second half of the service begins with the celebrant moving up to the altar and calling for the offertory. This is far more than just a gathering of funds. It is a symbolic act by which we tell God that we are offering not merely funds for the use of the church but “... ourselves, our souls and bodies, to be a reasonable, holy, and living sacrifice unto thee.” (“Reasonable” here means not “moderate,” but “conscious, intelligent, and intentional.”) The model for our service has now shifted from the synagogue service to the Jerusalem Temple services of sacrifices made on behalf of the people. The Temple was in Jesus' day the only place that Jews could offer sacrifice to God. We believe that these sacrifices were ordained by God as a model and precursor to the ultimate perfect sacrifice of Christ that He was to offer on the Cross. The New Testament book of Hebrews is quite elegant and explicit in asserting this.

The altar thereby becomes a symbolic representation of both the sacrificial altar in the Jerusalem Temple on the Temple Mount and of Mount Calvary where Jesus was crucified as well as the Upper Room where, at the Last Supper, Jesus foretold His coming sacrifice and instituted the Sacrament of his Body and Blood in bread and wine.

It has always seemed to me significant that each member of the congregation moves to the altar rail to receive the Body and Blood of Christ. Christ comes to us to offer Himself to us, but we must also choose to move towards Him in order to receive Him. This is not merely a ritual requirement, it is an expression of a constant spiritual truth. He offers us guidance, comfort, strength, and assurance, but if we are to enjoy and profit from these we must choose to move toward Him in faith. He will not force us to accept any of His gifts to us, but He will present them to all who choose to receive them and strive to draw closer to Him.

--  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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A note from Fr. Bragg 

After the last class on the book of Jonah I asked those in attendance to let me know what they might like to do next. Somewhat to my surprise, most of those who have responded have said they would like something about the saints.

It seems to me that a good way to approach that might be chronologically, trying to put different saints in the context of their times and places in Church history.

I propose to begin on the evening of Monday, November 10th, meeting in the undercroft from 7:30 until 9 PM on Monday evenings (with the exception of. November 24 due to the Vestry meeting at that time).
 -- Fr Bragg+

Services & Events

This Saturday, October 18, 8:30 AM, Men's Group Breakfast, undercroft, great breakfast by Chef extraordinaire and Grill master Claude Crump (maybe grits by Fr. Roddy), fellowship, and Bible study and discussion by Fr. Bragg.  Invite male family, friends, and neighbors.

Visit by Bishop Andrew of Pakistan – Following the Provincial Synod in Charleston, S.C., Bishop Andrew will be visiting our Parish from October 17-21., Special coffee hours this Sunday October 19 after 9:00 AM & 11:15 AM Services. To make  a special contribution to Bishop Andrew's work in Pakistan, please use the donate button in this newsletter and then click on the drop-down menu and choose ACC Pakistan/ Bishop Andrew.

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

Nursery, 9:00 & 11:15 AM services (lower level)

Sunday, November 16, Dedication Organ  2:30 PM, Organ Dedication Concert by Dr. John C. Wulff followed by a wine and cheese reception (with soft drinks also), please attend and invite friends, neighbors,and relatives

Sunday School, 10:30 AM

Ladies’ Brunch Potluck – Saturday, October 25, at 11:00 a.m. in the church undercroft – delightful company, food, coffee/tea, crafting, and chatting! Bring a fun and easy craft, such as cross-stitch, and/or an item for the potluck. Plan to attend and bring a friend or relative. Contact samantha.a.champagne@gmail.com with questions or RSVP.

Monday October 27, 7:30 PM, Vestry meeting, church undercroft, all parishioners welcome

Saturday November 1, 12 noon Service, All Saints' Day

Monday November 3, 7:00PM Service, All Souls' Day

Sunday, November 16, 2:30 PM, Organ Dedication Concert by Dr. John C. Wulff, followed by a wine and cheese reception (non-alcoholic drinks also). Please attend and invite music loving friends, neighbors, and relatives.

Sunday November 30, St. Andrew's  Day with Bishop Johnson's Annual Visitation, those wishing to be confirmed or received please let Fr. Roddy know ASAP

Sunday November 30, 7:00 PM, Kirkin o' the Tartan with Evening Prayer, Bagpiper, more Scottish music, great reception with Scottish foods and beverages. Bring your tartans to be blessed, wear your kilts, invite your relatives, friends and neighbors for a great time!


UPDATED NEEDS FOR MaRiH CRISIS PREGNANCY CENTER

 MaRiH Center is very thankful for the help that our parish provides to them. The volunteers provide mothers-to-be with a friendly ear and help. 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 and 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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