All are welcome-No exceptions!
St. Richard of Chichester +SUNDAYS+ 9am
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[Sunday info in tab above]
ADVENT WREATH at home!
For your use at home. Use any four candles or purchase an inexpensive set online!
Blessing for Advent Wreath
Lord God, let your blessing come upon us as we light the candles of this wreath. May the wreath and its light be a sign of Christ’s promise to bring us salvation. May he come quickly and not delay. We ask this through Christ our Lord. R/. Amen.
Prayers for Advent Candle Lighting
First Week:
All-powerful God, increase our strength of will for doing good that Christ may find an eager welcome at his coming and call us to his side in the kingdom of heaven, where he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit one God, forever and ever. ~AMEN.
Second Week:
God of power and mercy open our hearts in welcome. Remove the things that hinder us from receiving Christ with joy so that we may share his wisdom and become one with him when he comes in glory, for he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. ~AMEN.
Third Week:
Lord God, may we, your people, who look forward to the birthday of Christ experience the joy of salvation and celebrate that feast with love and thanksgiving. We ask this through Christ our Lord. ~AMEN.
Fourth Week:
Father, all-powerful God, your eternal Word took flesh on our earth when the Virgin Mary placed her life at the service of your plan. Lift our minds in watchful hope to hear the voice which announces his glory and open our minds to receive the Spirit who prepares us for his coming. We ask this through Christ our Lord. ~AMEN.
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+ NOVEMBER 27th +
NOTE: Past homilies: above: click: "Sunday&Sermons"
Nov 27 - First Sunday of Advent
FIRST Sunday of the Church Year
YEAR "A" Cycle -- MATTHEW's Gospel
Readings:
https://www.lectionarypage.net/YearA_RCL/Advent/AAdv1_RCL.html
Homily for November 27: "Wait for it!"
LOOKING AHEAD: Dec 4th - 2nd Sun. of Advent --
https://www.lectionarypage.net/YearA_RCL/Advent/AAdv2_RCL.html
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Primer Domingo de ADVIENTO -- 27 Nov.
Lecturas:
Ciclo "A" - Evangelio de MATEO
https://www.episcopalchurch.org/es/lectionary/adviento-1a/
HOMILÍA - 27 noviembre: "Tiempo de Espera y de Esperanza"
Semana entrante - 4 diciembre-Adviento#2
https://www.episcopalchurch.org/es/lectionary/adviento-2a/
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Giving Thanks
THE BEACON - November 23rd
Good evening all!
Imagine all are either cooking or traveling to share Thanksgiving dinner and day with loved ones. Hope all will enjoy the day no matter what you are up to.
Considering Father Gary's homily last Sunday saying that we live in apocalyptic times, a time of great division and loud speaking with very few willing to listen. There have always been times of persecution and anger, times of threats and intimidation, war and the battles of nature trying to save itself in the form of microscopic bacteria and viruses. The world is home to all, the Blue Marble is our Garden of Eden.
Still in all times there have been shepherds working to protect the flock and to save them. A favorite image for me has always been The Good Shepherd seeking the one lost lamb and finding it, giving all it needs and carrying it back to safety. There are fewer and fewer church goers throughout the world; most notably in Christian communities. Although there are some who are loud and insistent on being "right" there are also the quieter and meek and those who continue to follow The Good Shepherd. The way we live our lives and the example of our devotion and the joy we find in life on a daily basis is, I believe what we are charged to do, Love thy neighbor as thyself. This is a great simplification and we all know that being a Christian is not always easy. Patience is not always immediately at hand, empathy seems a flagging part in many people these days, self-accountability is certainly a diminishing quality.
Have heard many descriptions of Jesus Christ...the Good Shepherd, rabbi, The Way, The Truth and The Life, the bringer of love. We are surely not unaware or the problems, threats and harm done in the world and yet we are the ones who will carry the messages given in our services...
"Rejoice in the Lord always, again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone"....
"Finally beloved , whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, what ever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you." Philippians 4:4-9
Our joint service with Rev. Bill Stanley and members of the Lake Arrowhead Presbyterian Church was a great evening. Our fellowship following the service even better! Getting to spend time with our brothers and sisters, comfortable conversations and laughter....how long it has been since our last gathering....a wonderful introduction to Thanksgiving week!
St. Richards may be a small part of the world but each part is important and each of us is a shepherd in our own way.. Wishing you all love and blessings and realizing our connection to all in the universe....we pray for peaceful coexistence, reconciliation and roles as shepherds in the care and keeping of all things.
Love and Blessings,
St. Richard's
Desiderata:
I shall pass this way but once.
Any good therefore that I can do,
or any kindness that I can show
to any human being,
let me do it now;
let me not differ it nor neglect it,
for I shall not pass this way again
Help out!
The Mountain Homeless Coalition ministry all started four years ago, when St. Richard's little Outreach Committee, along with a couple of our local Presbyterian friends, formed a 501c3 and by the grace of God connected with the county Homeless Services.
We were awarded a $1.1 million grant to purchase 8 units in Big Bear for permanent housing for the homeless. We work now with 50 new requests for assistance monthly.
More info OR care to HELP?:
https://www.mountainhomelesscoalition.com
Facebook site:
https://www.facebook.com/MountainHomelessCoalition/
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RAINBOW BRIDGE
The Rainbow Bridge Pet Sanctuary is this church's burial site for pets. Members and non-members are welcome to bury their beloved animals' ashes in our garden as well as place a brick marker engraved with the pet's name and dates of life with you.
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Thank You
Whether you help through monetary donations, volunteering your time, or spreading our mission through word-of-mouth, thank you. We couldn't accomplish our goals without the help of supporters like you.
[picture: McWhirter Memorial Garden for Burials of cremains of our Loved Ones.
Members and non-members welcome.]
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