December 29, 2009

Dear Parishioners and Friends,

Please join us for Nine Lessons and Carols on Sunday, January 3, at 10:30 am. This beautiful worship service features the Scripture readings that tell the Christmas story interspersed with the great music of this holy season.

I invite you to join Laurie Rofinot, Philip Major, and me for Journeys in Faith, the popular course for adults who wish to be baptized, confirmed, or received into the Episcopal Church. We will meet on Mondays, January 25 to March 29, from 7:00 to 9:00 pm. For more information, please click here.

SCRIPTURE READINGS FOR THE SECOND SUNDAY AFTER CHRISTMAS

The reading from Jeremiah talks of the new era of God's Kingdom: "See, I am going to bring them from the land of the north, and gather them from the farthest parts of the earth, among them the blind and the lame, those with child and those in labor, together; a great company, they shall return here. With weeping they shall come, and with consolations I will lead them back, I will let them walk by brooks of water, in a straight path in which they shall not stumble; for I have become a father to Israel, and Ephraim is my firstborn ... They shall come and sing aloud on the height of Zion, and they shall be radiant over the goodness of the LORD, over the grain, the wine, and the oil, and over the young of the flock and the herd; their life shall become like a watered garden, and they shall never languish again. Then shall the young women rejoice in the dance, and the young men and the old shall be merry. I will turn their mourning into joy, I will comfort them, and give them gladness for sorrow. I will give the priests their fill of fatness, and my people shall be satisfied with my bounty, says the LORD." (Jeremiah 31:7-14)

Psalm 84 describes the joy of entering God's temple: "How dear to me is your dwelling, O LORD of hosts! My soul has a desire and longing for the courts of the LORD; my heart and my flesh rejoice in the living God. The sparrow has found her a house and the swallow a nest where she may lay her young; by the side of your altars, O LORD of hosts, my King and my God. Happy are they who dwell in your house! they will always be praising you. Happy are the people whose strength is in you! whose hearts are set on the pilgrims' way ... For one day in your courts is better than a thousand in my own room, and to stand at the threshold of the house of my God than to dwell in the tents of the wicked."

The reading from Ephesians speaks of our dignity as adopted children of God: "He destined us for adoption as his children through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace that he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, and for this reason I do not cease to give thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers. I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him, so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe." (Ephesians 1:3-6,15-19a)

The Gospel of Luke tells the story of Jesus lost in the temple: "Now the parents of Jesus went to Jerusalem every year for the festival of the Passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up as usual for the festival. When the festival was ended and they started to return, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it. Assuming that he was in the group of travelers, they went a day's journey. Then they started to look for him among their relatives and friends. When they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem to search for him. After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. When his parents saw him they were astonished; and his mother said to him, 'Child, why have you treated us like this? Look, your father and I have been searching for you in great anxiety.' He said to them, 'Why were you searching for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?' But they did not understand what he said to them. Then he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them. His mother treasured all these things in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom and in years, and in divine and human favor." (Luke 2:41-52)

God wishes to "find" us and bring us into God's holy dwelling place. Please join us for the Holy Eucharist on Saturday at 5:00 pm and for Lessons and Carols on Sunday at 10:30 am.

Sincerely,

David A. Killian
Rector

Worship Services for

The Second Sunday after Christmas, January 2-3, 2010
Saturday, January 2, at 5:00 pm: Preacher -- The Rev. Laurie Rofinot
Sunday, January 3, at 10:30 am - Nine Lessons and Carols

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