For Want of a Trailer

I remember an old Seinfeld episode, the one where we were introduced to “Festivus,” an invention of George Costanza’s father. The dilemma for George wasn’t so much his eccentric father, but that he was working for a firm that gave gifts at Christmas. George decides to pull a fast on each of his co-workers, giving them a Christmas card that read, “A donation has been made in your name to the Human Fund.” There was a lot of groaning once they opened their cards. Of course no such organization existed and George gets caught.

At the end of each year, my wife Robin and I give to several truly wonderful organizations that provide food and shelter to the disadvantaged, as well as a sustainable way to make a living - “don’t give a boy a cup of milk, give him a cow.” For a full rundown of those groups see her blog at http://www.robinmcquayandersonphotography.wordpress.com/

It’s Christmas; a time of reflection and celebration for the life perfected in us by Christ. A chance, even for a brief moment, to promote peace and goodwill in a world that often rejects such notions.

Feeding Bodies Feeding Souls, Resurrection Protestant Episcopal Church’s (St. Augustine, FL) outreach ministry to the homeless, has added tremendous value to the lives of many people in this community, not just to those being served, but to the servers as well.

Lon Barfield, Resurrection’s Senior Warden, is continuing his ministry to the homeless and is fundraising to purchase a trailer to be used for collection and distribution of food, clothing, and other items for the disadvantaged. It will also be used as a mobile kitchen to provide hot meals in and around St. Johns County, FL during the week.

Lon has raised over $2000.00 for the cooking equipment and needs another $4000.00 to buy the trailer. It’s a worthy cause, and it’s a gift that will impact the lives of many for years to come.

Pray about it; if you’re looking to make a difference beyond Christmas, make your tax deductible donation payable to Resurrection PEC

MEMO: Trailer Fund
Send to: Diocesan Center, 163 Palencia Village Drive, Suite 104, St. Augustine, FL 32095

Unlike the Seinfeld character George, are you adding real value to the lives of others? Are people growing because of your impact?

“A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.” (Proverbs 11:25 NIV)

Be Generous,

+Ian

Advent 3 - Be Prepared

As original Anglicans, we celebrate all the seasons of the church year with each season corresponding to the life of Christ. We now find ourselves in week 3 of Advent. It is the week to be prepared.

The 1928 Book of Common Prayer gives us three looks, if you will, in the birth of Jesus the Messiah. First, we look back to the incarnation, the birth of King Jesus. Looking back provides us with the opportunity to be thankful for what Jesus has done. Next, we also look with great expectation to the return of King Jesus. As we look ahead we have the opportunity to ask God to make us ready for Jesus’ return.

Between these bookends of first and second comings our prayer book admonishes us to take a look at our lives, to be prepared. Are we ready for Christ’s second coming? Are we faithful? Are we living according to His purposes? Are we ourselves showing a reflection of Christ to the world?

Advent literally means “coming.” When we enter into this joyous season we look to the prayer book lectionary. It has scriptures which describe to us the coming of Jesus as Messiah. The days that precede Christmas provide us an opportunity to reflect and ponder the promises of God from beginning to end.

“Behold I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.”
Gospel for the Third Sunday in Advent, 1928 BCP pg. 94

The Christmas Season can easily become a fast paced blur of parties, school functions, and endless shopping. We are bombarded by retail “XMAS” madness everywhere we turn. Advent, and especially Advent 3, is God’s invitation to shut the door on the busy world, to quiet our hearts and rediscover the meaning and the wonder of the coming of God’s Messiah.

Be Quiet, Be Listening, Be Ready,


+Ian

Advent 2 - "Bible Sunday"

Blessed Lord, who hast caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning: Grant that we may in such wise hear, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that by patience, and comfort of thy holy Word, we may embrace, and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which thou hast given us in our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
Collect for Advent 2, 1928 BCP Pg. 91

The Second Sunday in Advent is traditionally known as "Bible Sunday". The collect, which dates from the Reformation, asks for God's grace that we might "...read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest..." the sacred scriptures. Thomas Cranmer (First Archbishop of Canterbury under Henry the VIII) issued a decree that an English Bible should be placed in every church. One of the great things about the Reformation was that its leaders wanted to give the Bible to the people. The problem was most of the people couldn’t read…. so the bible became the reading primer of the day. Imagine that in today’s modern public schools.

Cranmer also made sure scripture would be the foundation of our prayer book. From its beginning in 1552 the prayer book was and is still two-thirds direct scripture, while the remaining third is scripture put into a devotional form. That means that all the prayers, collects, thanksgivings, invocations, litanies etc., as well as the responses of the people are biblically based.

So there you have it - Bible Sunday but there’s more to the story! (Cue the scary music and dim the lights.) The Gospel of St. Luke 21:25 has Jesus talking about the end of the world; the prophesy of destruction, and the end of all things. But it is not just about end times - all that scary passing away of stuff and the final judgment of this and that. It’s also about Christ coming in power and glory! The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand, now all earthly things are passing… But Jesus is forever. His words will never pass.

The Epistle appointed for Advent 2 is also perfect for the Christmas season. Romans 15:4-13 also tells us that Advent is a season of hope, faith, and expectation to both Jews and Gentiles. Paul speaks of the promises of God, referring to Isaiah's prophecy:

There shall be a root of Jesse,
And he that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles,
In him shall the Gentiles hope.

Advent 2 is indeed Bible Sunday; a book full of promises fulfilled, and some yet to come. What a joy to know that we are heirs of those universal promises, that by patience, and comfort of thy holy Word, we may embrace, and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which thou hast given us in our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen
Collect for Advent 2, 1928 BCP Pg. 91

Be hearing, be marking, be learning…

+Ian