01/01/2012@AlpineAnglican Church of the Blessed Trinity
Ordination and Confirmations
Alpine Anglican Church of the Blessed Trinity invites you to attend the ordination of Gregory N. Chase to the Diaconate in Christ and the Right Reverend Winfield Mott will Confirm Nancy Graham, Chris Ruiz, and Louis Ruiz on Sunday, January 15, 2012 10:00am. The service is being held in our regular place for Sunday worship, Alpine Elementary School Auditorium, 1850 Alpine Blvd., Alpine 91901.
You are also invited to the dinner following at the Acker House if you would like to meet Bishop Mott, congratulate our newly Confirmed members and our new Deacon. (For directions please call the Church phone 619-722-1772)
January 1, 2012
Today may be New Year’s Day but in the Church Year we’re celebrating the Eighth Day of Christmas and the Feast of the Circumcision of Christ. Yes, a very politically incorrect thing to celebrate as most of people are removing their Christmas decorations and making noise that circumcision is child abuse.
The Church’s celebration of Christmas is about God coming to us, being made visible in the flesh and in keeping with the Law Jesus was circumcised in the flesh so as to be marked as one of God’s covenant people. This feast brings to our attention several important elements of Christian belief.
God came in real human flesh in the specific person we know as Jesus. It wasn’t just an outward appearance. Jesus became a real human being and he kept the Law given by God to his covenant people that they might be a holy people, a people set apart for God. Unlike other human beings Jesus kept the whole Law—He was without sin. So in Jesus, God not only gave us the Law, but fulfilled the Law on our behalf.
A point often over looked is that in Jesus’ life we can see the nature of God. Jesus reveals to us the face of God in terms we can see and understand. It is significant that Jesus knows what difficulties we face in our human frailty. Jesus knows our loneliness, our hunger, our pain, and everything else that makes us human.
Have a blessed Christmastide and a joyous Epiphany!
Worship Weather Report
It is an Alpine Christmastide! At 10am this morning it was bright, clear and a lovely 75 degrees. Yes, even with everyone moving a little slow after celebrating the Eve of the Circumcision (known to many as New Year’s Eve), we were happy to continue the Christmas festivities.
The Worship Cam was having some stormy weather today. The Padre forgot to give it to our great photographer (Jan M) until we got to the Epistle. Then it stopped taking pictures during snack time. So we don't have as many pictures of today's event. Hopefully, the camera will get rebooted and we'll be back on track for next week.
Music Report
Nick P and the Padre were rocking some Christmas Carols and Christmas songs: Hark the herald angels; First Noel; Angels we have heard on high; and Mary’s Boy-Child. Maryanne was playing some of our Christmas favorites: O come, all ye faithful; O little town of Bethlehem; and What child is this.
Next week we’ll be in the last phase of our Incarnation cycle in the Christian Year and arrival of the Magi and of course, more good music.
Propers for Today
The Feast of the Circumcision of Christ
Link to the Collect (prayer) and Bible Readings
Greg C was our reader for this morning.
Today’s Message:
Alive in Christ (a Christmas renewal)
Snack Report
Nancy G made her delicious mac ‘n cheese (with the Padre getting to take home some leftovers—yesss!) and cookies. Greg slaved over a hot register at the donut shop, providing a treat to our donut lovers. He also had some other snacks ready to go, but unfortunately they decided to stay at home when Greg hopped in the car this morning.
Epiphany
Friday, January 6th is the Feast of the Epiphany. We’ll have Morning Prayer (9am) and Holy Communion (9:30am) at Victoria Chapel which is our usual Friday service time.
LORD, grant us a vision of your being and beauty, that in the strength of it we may work without haste or worry.