Reflections on The Season of ADVENT
Dear Beloveds,
The Collect for this coming Sunday, ADVENT III, is one of my favorites:
“Stir up your power, O Lord, and with great might come among us; and, because we are sorely hindered by our sins, let your bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen.
How we need this Spirit to continue to “stir things up” towards peace, equality, healing, patience and mercy! We read of John the Baptist again this week. John proclaims that he has come as “one crying out in the wilderness”….. as one who is “unworthy to untie the thong of Jesus’ sandal”.
John was baptizing across the Jordon in Bethany – John said “I baptize with water”. How John the Baptist stirred up the water!
Our own baptisms call us to stir things up; as the late John Lewis said: “to make good trouble.” To stir up the water. We are called, by our baptism, to, like John, make straight a highway for Our Lord.
I hope and pray that you all are continuing to be vigilant in this raging surge of the pandemic. Please continue best practices and if, at all possible, stay away from crowds and, as difficult as it is, don’t gather for the holidays. Gather in the Spirit – we are unified in Christ, Our Lord.
God bless you and keep you in the palm of God’s loving hands.
Jane+
Gentle Reminder
Dear All,
I wish to give a personal word of sincere thanks to all who have responded to the Pledge Campaign for 2021 by mailing in your Estimate of Giving Cards. Thank you!
To those of you who have not yet returned your pledge card, I encourage you do so at your earliest convenience. It is only by the information of the amount of the pledges that the Vestry and Finance Team are able to set up a budget for 2021.
It is truly imperative to know these numbers to craft the budget; so, please, a gentle reminder, to mail in your Estimate of Giving Cards.
If you have misplaced your card, please do not hesitate to call the church office, 610-967-1450, and leave a message; or email the office at smec@rcn.com. We will happily mail another to you.
As we continue in our journey in Christ, let us give God hearty thanks and praise for St. Margaret’s Church and her future.
Let us give God thanks for our beloved faith community.
Faithfully, Jane+
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