SRCA NEWS AND NOTES

Dear Parish Family,   I'm praying for each household to know and respond to the abundant blessings of our almighty God as we celebrate this national day of Thanksgiving. As we gather to celebrate the day let us offer prayers of praise to God for all he has done and petitions on behalf of those who do not have the joy of gathering to celebrate.   This Sunday will be the first Sunday of Advent, marking the beginning the church year. Advent is a season of waiting, of expectation, of preparation. In a culture of instant everything from mashed potatoes to media, to instant gratification, we need ask ourselves, "Have we forgotten the value of waiting, of looking forward with expectancy." Advent is a season that had fallen out of favor (If it was ever in favor).   With the change of church seasons you will notice a change in the liturgy. We begin by incorporating our children in the lighting of the Advent wreath. Being a more penitential season, the confession is moved to the beginning of the service. A different Eucharistic prayer is used, one that is more muted in tone, more "basic." As in Lent, alleluias are dropped from the spoken liturgy, though we might still sing one on occasion. More silence is incorporated into the service, as we seek to remove ourselves from the frenetic pace of what I call the Christmas crazies. My prayer is that you will find refreshment for your soul in our time of worship together.   Our readings for Sunday include: Isaiah 2:1-5, Romans 13:11-14, and Matthew 24:36-44. Psalm 122 is the psalm appointed for the day. However, we will not use the psalm during Advent to permit a bit of silence in the service.   Let's look forward with expectation to the coming anew of Jesus into every heart as we worship him in Spirit and in truth.   Becki+   The Rev. Becki Neumann+ Rector, South Riding Church, Anglican Office 703-961-1983 Cell 240-217-4370 Home 717-762-0924 "When it's all been said and done; there is just one thing that matters. Did I do my best to live for truth, did I live my life for you?"

SRCA NEWS AND NOTES

Dear Parish Family,

Last Sunday we had a wonderful, brief, parish meeting where the revised core values and new vision and mission statements were shared. Thanks to all who were able to attend. 

On Saturday, December 4th we will be hosting "Breakfast with St. Nicholas (aka Bishop John Guernsey). This event is open to the young and young at heart, and to those in the community. We are praying that every member will forward the attached flier to friends and neighbors, and will also pick some up at church to give to those in your neighborhood. 

This Sunday we celebrate the last Sunday after Pentecost. Traditionally this Sunday has been called "Christ the King" Sunday. Our readings will include Jeremiah 23:1-6, Psalm 46, Colossians 1:11-20, and Luke 23:33-43.

Christ is King over all that is and was and is yet to be. His coming is promised in the Jeremiah reading for today and his crucifixion sets the scene for the gospel reading. In Colossians Paul extols some of Christ's characteristics in a beautiful Christ hymn. Jesus is the one in whom all things hold together – and he chooses to live in us! We do indeed have great treasure in clay jars.

As we come together to worship let's give thanks that we worship the King of Kings. As we join our voices let's remember that God inhabits the praises of His people; he is here in the midst of us.

Faithfully,

Becki+

--

Rev. Becki Neumann+

Rector, South Riding Anglican Church

Office 703-961-1983

Cell 240-217-4370

Home 717-762-0924

"When it's all been said and done; there is just one thing that matters. Did I do my best to live for truth, did I live my life for You?"

SRCA NEWS AND NOTES

Dear Parish Family,

 

We are quickly closing in on the end of the long "Season after Pentecost," with just today and next Sunday left. Our readings for this week, the 25^th Sunday after Pentecost, include Malachi 3:16-4:2a, Psalm 98, 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13, and Luke 21:5-19. In the readings we already begin to hear the overtones of Advent, with dire predictions about the end of time.

 

In the midst of those dire warnings we hear the best news – truly unbelievable news – that we are God's treasured possession. Though our righteousness is as filthy rags, we are God's treasure! We are treasured – blessed, not so we can boast, but so we, in turn, can be a blessing. 

 

Our church exists to bless others by helping them know Jesus. On Sunday we will be sharing important information about the future of the parish. Please stick around to hear it. You won't want to miss "being in the know!" The meeting will be short, and a light lunch will be served.

 

Faithfully in Christ,

Becki+

 

The Rev. Becki Neumann+
Rector, South Riding Church, Anglican
Office 703-961-1983
Cell 240-217-4370
Home 717-762-0924

"When it's all been said and done; there is just one thing that matters.
Did I do my best to live for truth, did I live my life for you?"

SRCA NEWS AND NOTES

Dear Parish Family,

 

This Sunday we celebrate All Saints' Day, which falls each year on November 1^st. All Saints Day is a time to recall what it means to have been transferred from the kingdom of this world into God's Kingdom. We live not as those cut off from God or oppressed by the enemy of our souls, but as those who are redeemed, forgiven, loved and free.  It is also a time to give thanks for those saints who have gone before us into the nearer presence of Jesus.

 

As a part of our worship sunday we will focus on recommitting ourselves to those promises made at our baptism and/or confirmation.

 

Our Bible readings for the day are those appointed for All Saints' Day, and include: Daniel 7:1-3, 15-18; Psalm 149; Revelation 7:2-4, 9-17; and Matthew 5:1-12.

 

My prayer as we gather is that we each prepare to welcome God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit into our midst. He longs to draw near to us. Let us long to draw near to him!

Blessings,

Becki+

 

The Rev. Becki Neumann+
Rector, South Riding Church, Anglican
Office 703-961-1983
Cell 240-217-4370
Home 717-762-0924

"When it's all been said and done; there is just one thing that matters.
Did I do my best to live for truth, did I live my life for you?"