From Deacon Ron Reno:
Good morning! The weather is a far cry from last Wednesday; at least we were blessed with a Fall for once and not go directly from summer to winter. We had the Deacon’s liturgy with the lighting of the first purple candle for Advent 1. We are blessed that David (Skip) has started acolyte training and is doing very well. It is a blessing to this mission church to have someone go through the confirmation process, lay reading, acolyte training and all for the glory of God. We are blessed to have Julie, David’s wife who did the greenery for the altar. She did a beautiful job. We are blessed to have Deb who gave David some direction on lighting the Advent candles. We are blessed to have Osiris, Jeffery, John, Lynda, Julia, Nick, Deacon Ted, Sue and the Roberts family in our midst. We have much to be thankful for.
Advent means “Coming,” He promises to come again and He won’t be hidden away. He won’t be in swaddling clothes but He will be wearing a Judge’s robe. Advent is a good time to remember that He is coming again. During the first weeks of Advent; try putting off Christmas music a little while and maybe play Handel’s Messiah. Take time to read your Advent readings and remember He will fulfill what He promised. Remember the first commandment “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with thy whole heart and with thy whole soul and with thy whole mind.” In the homiletics class with Bishop Ashman, he discussed the importance of charity in our lives. Charity being patient, being kind, giving, and thinking of no evil but rejoicing in the Truth that God loves us. Have charity in your heart this Advent and Christmas season. May God continue blessing this mission church.
Two homilies for you to reflect on.