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| Last Sunset before the snow |
The
readings for this Sunday are Isaiah 2:1-5, Psalm 122, Romans 13:11-14,
Matthew 24:36-44.
A
reminder to all licensed Lay Eucharistic Ministers, Lay Visitors, and Lay
Worship Leaders: On
Sunday, December 7, as we do each year on the first Sunday in December, we will
be commissioning all licensed lay ministers during the 9 AM liturgy. This is an
opportunity for the congregation to see and appreciate the work that you do,
and to offer their prayers of support.
The
Holiday Fair at Saint Andrew’s (formally known
as Boughs and Bonbons) is next weekend: Saturday, December 6th
from 9 to 3! Come, be a part of this spirited, annual event! This year the
committee has some new additions planned, including serving a simple chowder
lunch in the Prince Room, which will be beautifully decorated for Christmas.
Wreath Decorating event: Thursday, Dec.
4 from 9 to noon.
Come lend a hand under Barbara Lord’s skilled guidance as we add magic to our
simple balsam wreaths.
Now’s the time
for Cookie Baking! It
would be great if you could contribute 4-5 dozen of your family favorite.
Please tag your cookies with your name and a brief description, including
ingredients, and drop them off by 9 am on Friday, Dec. 5.
Items are in the Prince Room that need
to be taken home. While it is very generous thinking
that we could repurpose dishes in the church kitchen, we are very well-stocked
and do not have extra room for any additional odd dishes, or equipment. With
Christmas Fair upon us, which uses the kitchen, Prince Room and Parish Hall, please
reclaim your dishes this weekend. Thank you.
The final session of the group Embracing an Alternative Orthodoxy will be next Wednesday, December 4, from
11 to 12:30. Please feel free to bring a sandwich if you’d like to stay longer
for more conversation. We will be exploring “Mysticism Over Moralism.” In
preparation, take a look at the Food for
Thought poem that follows. You also might like to look at the these three
scripture passages in the NRSV, the RSV, and The Message: Galatians
2:19-21, Romans 7:4-6, 2Corinthians 12:7-10.
December Sunday calendar reminders:
On the 3rd Sunday of Advent, December 14th, our Bishop, Rob Hirschfeld, will be with us for his biennial parish visit to baptize, confirm, receive, preach, celebrate, and visit with us. We will have ONE service only at 10 o’clock. Please mark your calendars and do your best to be with us that Sunday as we welcome him to Saint Andrew’s and share the Advent season with him.
On the 3rd Sunday of Advent, December 14th, our Bishop, Rob Hirschfeld, will be with us for his biennial parish visit to baptize, confirm, receive, preach, celebrate, and visit with us. We will have ONE service only at 10 o’clock. Please mark your calendars and do your best to be with us that Sunday as we welcome him to Saint Andrew’s and share the Advent season with him.
On the 4th Sunday of
Advent, December 21st, we will again have a
single service at 10:00 for our Greening of the Church liturgy, at which, within the liturgy, we
prepare the church for Christmas. This is a wonderful opportunity for those who
will be out of town for the actual Christmas holiday to share in the joys of
the season here at home.
Food for thought from Richard Rohr…
“No More Counting”
Here in this second half of life –
the mystical, the contemplative, the adult Christian –
You stop counting and let God stop counting.
Here in this second half of life –
the mystical, the contemplative, the adult Christian –
You stop counting and let God stop counting.
The counting game
is over.
The ego counts; the soul experiences.
It lets it be and learns from it, but it doesn’t weigh and measure.
The ego counts; the soul experiences.
It lets it be and learns from it, but it doesn’t weigh and measure.
Here in this American
culture of entitlements –
people counting what they deserve
and think they have the right to –
entitlement creates unlikable people.
We worry about our children growing up
in an entirely entitled society.
people counting what they deserve
and think they have the right to –
entitlement creates unlikable people.
We worry about our children growing up
in an entirely entitled society.
But then there’s the
world of grace –
the world of the gospel,
the world of mercy.
It’s all gratitude and confidence,
the confidence
given by God’s gratuitous choice and love
to use you as an instrument,
to dwell in you.
the world of the gospel,
the world of mercy.
It’s all gratitude and confidence,
the confidence
given by God’s gratuitous choice and love
to use you as an instrument,
to dwell in you.
Validated at the
deepest inner level:
no need to be rich,
no need to be famous,
no need to be good-looking,
no need to think that I’m better than you.
The need itself is taken away.
no need to be rich,
no need to be famous,
no need to be good-looking,
no need to think that I’m better than you.
The need itself is taken away.
If you can just
notice in your own mind and emotions
whenever you’re counting
or think God is counting,
that’s not where you want to be.
It’s a waste of time.
It’s finally self-defeating.
Organized religion can create membership requirements,
and then you’re right back into counting.
whenever you’re counting
or think God is counting,
that’s not where you want to be.
It’s a waste of time.
It’s finally self-defeating.
Organized religion can create membership requirements,
and then you’re right back into counting.
The gospel
is a great leveling
of the playing field.
All of us equally carry that divine image.
All you can do is give thanks, because it’s totally undeserved.
It has nothing to do with you:
gift, gift, gift, gift, gift.
is a great leveling
of the playing field.
All of us equally carry that divine image.
All you can do is give thanks, because it’s totally undeserved.
It has nothing to do with you:
gift, gift, gift, gift, gift.
The grace of God
freeing us
from the burden of counting.
from the burden of counting.
Happy Thanksgiving
Weekend, and a Blessing Advent to you and yours!
See you in church!
Heidi+
See you in church!
Heidi+
St.
Andrews-in-the-Valley, P.O. Box 436,
Tamworth, NH 03886
Office hours: Tuesday-Friday 9-Noon
Phone: 603-323-8515
Office Administrator: Debra Hoyt
Office hours: Tuesday-Friday 9-Noon
Phone: 603-323-8515
Office Administrator: Debra Hoyt
