Advent 2 - Rector's Rambling for December 4, 2016

Advent at St. John’s got off to a powerful and poignant start last week with the death last Sunday morning of life-long parishioner Liz Oates.

Liz’s nearly four weeks in Intensive Care after a fall in her house was a time of great angst and anxiety for her, the family, and for the people of this parish who loved her dearly.  Despite the intense medical intervention, the damage done to her spine was permanent which caused other complications with her being able to breath.  She passed away shortly after 9:00 AM on Sunday.

Being the First Sunday in Advent last week, we start with the “not yet” of  Advent, the Second Coming of Jesus Christ to judge the living and the dead, and our need to be prepared to see Jesus.  And, of course, the corollary of that is that we don’t know when we may die and go to meet Jesus first.  The sorrow of the news of Liz’s death drove home the importance of this reality.  On Sunday, October 30, she was in church, at her usual helpful place organizing Coffee Hour with Chris Golembiewski and others, and on November 1, her life changed in a catastrophic moment.  On December 17, at 1:00 PM, we will gather to pray, and to remember the great gift she was to us as wife, mother, friend, and sister in Jesus Christ.  Life is precious, and even fragile.  Let us live it fully in the love of Jesus Christ.

————————————————

We thank all those who participated in yesterday’s Women’s Advent Tea.  It is the first time this has been tried at St. John’s, and we look forward to its return next year, God willing.

Remember to purchase your tickets for this Saturday’s concert at St. John’s.  Carol singing begins at 1:15 PM, the show at 2:00 PM.

And it is not too early to start inviting people to join you for Christmas services at St. John’s!  Christmas Eve – 4:00 PM Children’s Pageant Service, 8:30 PM Carol Prelude, 9:00 PM Solemn High Mass.  Christmas Day – 11:00 AM Low Mass with carols.