THIS WEEK (AND BEYOND) AT ST. DAVID’S: Rector’s Christmas Message to the Parish, Christmas services, and…

December 21 – January 4, 2008

RECTOR’S CHRISTMAS MESSAGE TO THE PARISH

Christmas 2008

Dear Members and Friends,

I write this in the aftermath of a significant ice storm.  We were lucky here.  Others are suffering from power outages that have lasted far too long.  Now, looking out my office window one is struck with awe and respect.  It is a scene that is both beautiful and dangerous.  Most striking are the tree branches weighed down with ice – a rare and amazing sight as the sun’s rays cause them to glisten.  Yet, one must not be fooled by the ice’s beauty – some branches are bending and could take out numerous power lines.

Needless to say, it makes one grateful for many things that are normally taken for granted.  It is a similar gratitude I feel as I write this message to you and think of all we are sharing together on this amazing journey of our Christian faith.

Just this morning I found a note on my office door that read, “Caution!  Rector Praying”.  No one has ever left me a message like that before!  Maybe it wasn’t meant for me.  At first I chuckled but then I got to thinking.  Perhaps there are times when, like the ice on the trees, we underestimate both the significant wonder and danger of prayer.  Wonder in the sense of prayer’s ability to fill the ordinary with great beauty; danger in the sense of prayer’s ability to radically transform the world in both magnificent and earth shattering ways.

And so, this Christmas season, I hold each and every one of you in my prayers (along with our staff, our bishop and diocese, our neighbors, our nation and world) hoping that we all might experience the holy wonder and power of God’s radically transforming presence.

Even so … come, Lord Jesus.

Godspeed to those who are traveling during the holidays.

Blessed Christmas.  Joyous New Year.

David DeSmith+
Fifth Rector

SUNDAY,  DECEMBER 21:  4 Advent
8 AM – The Holy Eucharist
9:15 AM – Choir Rehearsal
10:15 AM – Church School for Grades K -- 8
10:15 AM – The Holy Eucharist
11:30 AM –Coffee Hour & Greening of the Church – Decorating for Christmas:  wreaths go up, candles in place, stable figures go outside, 2 new trees to be assembled – Your help will be greatly needed and appreciated.
1:30 PM – Burial Rite for Edward V. Quinn, widower of Margaret “Cricket” Quinn

MONDAY, DECEMBER 22
12:15 PM – Noonday Prayer

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 23
12:15 PM – Noonday Prayer
 
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 24: CHRISTMAS EVE
4:30 PM – Family Communion with Church School Pageant
7:30 PM – Candlelight Communion with the Parish Choir

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 25: CHRISTMAS DAY
10 AM – Christ Mass with Carols

Please note:
The Parish office will be closed on Thursday and Friday, December 25 & 26 for the Christmas holiday.

The Rector will be away on vacation from Sunday afternoon, December 28 through Saturday evening, January 3.  In case of pastoral emergencies that week contact Linda O’Connor, Senior Warden at 973-728-1474.

This Week at St. David’s will be sent again during the week of January 4th.

ON THE HORIZON
Sunday, December 28: 1 Christmas
8 AM – Holy Eucharist
10:15 AM – Christmas Lessons and Carols with Holy Communion; 11:30 AM – Parish Carol Sing (with other seasonal songs)
 
PLEASE PRAY AND ACT ON OUR MILLENIUM DEVELOPMENT GOALS FOR ADVENT AND CHRISTMAS:  #4 Reduce child mortality and #5 Improve Maternal health

SOME PARTING WORDS
“The story of Jesus’ birth is a worldly, earthy story: a man and woman pushed around by impersonal political dynamics, powerless victims of Roman imperial decrees; a long, arduous journey; an inn already crowded with guests; a birth out back in the dirt and chaos of a cow barn.  God with us.” – John M. Buchanan

Thanks for reading!