December 2, 2008

Dear Parishioners and Friends,

The season of Advent marks the beginning of a new liturgical year. Advent is a time to look at our lives and listen to the ways that the gentle spirit of God's love invites us to change. God wishes each of us to achieve our full potential so that we might reflect God's greatness by becoming fully the unique creatures that God has created us to become.

THEME FOR THE SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT

In the Gospel reading from Mark we are introduced to the figure of John the Baptist who comes as a new Isaiah announcing the coming of the Lord. As John prepared the way for Jesus, we are meant to prepare a place for Christ to be born in our lives. In the Collect we pray: "Merciful God, who sent your messengers the prophets to preach repentance and prepare the way for our salvation: Give us grace to heed their warnings and forsake our sins, that we may greet with joy the coming of Jesus Christ our Redeemer; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen."

The reading from Isaiah expresses the contrition of those who have done wrong and their hope that God will forgive and make us new: "We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a filthy cloth. We all fade like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away ... Yet, O LORD, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand. (Isaiah 64:1-9)

The reading from Isaiah calls us to look at our lives and see what is out of balance and what needs to be straightened out. God comes to renew us as individuals and as a people: A voice cries out: "In the wilderness prepare the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain. Then the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all people shall see it together for the mouth of the LORD has spoken." (Isaiah 40:1-11)

Psalm 85 affirms God's goodness and generosity: "You have been gracious to your land, O LORD, you have restored the good fortune of Jacob. You have forgiven the iniquity of your people and blotted out all their sins ... Mercy and truth have met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other. Truth shall spring up from the earth, and righteousness shall look down from heaven."

The second epistle of Peter calls us to be alert to opportunities to serve God each day: "In accordance with his promise, we wait for new heavens and a new earth, where righteousness is at home. Therefore, beloved, while you are waiting for these things, strive to be found by him at peace, without spot or blemish; and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation." (2 Peter 3:8-15a)

The Gospel reading from Mark presents John the Baptist who comes as a new Isaiah proclaiming the way of the Lord and God's presence on the earth: "John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. He proclaimed, 'The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.'" (Mark 1:1-8)

During the Advent season let us prepare the way for Christ to be born into our lives. Please join us for worship this Saturday at 5 pm, Sunday at 10:30 am, and Sunday at 6 pm.

Sincerely, David A. Killian Rector

For the Collect of the Day, Scripture Readings, and Psalm, click here. Please note that the we are now using the Revised Common Lectionary (RCL) reading. For Story from this Sunday's Gospel by Becky Taylor, Director of Children, Youth and Family Ministry, click here.

worship services for

The Second Sunday oft Advent
December 6-7, 2008
Saturday, December 6, at 5:00 pm - Preacher: The Rev. David A. Killian
Sunday, December 7, at 10:30 am - Preacher: The Rev. David A. Killian
Sunday, December 7, at 6:00 pm - Preacher: The Rev. Leslie K. Sterling

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