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A Message from the WardensFor the week of December 20, 2020 Dear Parishioners and Friends of St. Mark’s Anglican Church in Barriefield, On the 4th Sunday in Advent the Gospel reading is about the events involving Mary and Joseph that led directly to the birth of Jesus. The Advent season is an invitation for us all to choose to set aside the fear and uncertainty that has defined 2020. It’s a chance to be intentional about taking our focus off of the hustle of the Christmas season. We can also give to God the sadness that many may be feeling as many of us will need to observe the holiday season differently this year. This fourth Advent Sunday we are reminded that Jesus offers us peace in every season and nothing is impossible with him! The fourth candle of Advent is called the Angel Candle” and symbolizes peace. This name comes from the fact that the angels announced that Jesus came to bring peace. This week we are reminded that Jesus came to bring peace to our hearts and to our world! Lord, we pray that you would bring your strength and peace to your people! That your presence would be felt by all who seek you in a powerful way in this Advent season. Turn the hearts of mankind towards you. We pray that the lost turn to you and find an unshakable peace that nothing else in this world can offer. Amen. Christmas Day – The Birth of Jesus Christ I n the days when Herod was king of Judea, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth in Galilee to announce to a virgin named Mary, who was betrothed to a man named Joseph, that a child would be born to her and she was to name him Jesus, for he would be the son of God and rule over Israel forever. Blessing and honour and glory and power be to our God, for our salvation, for bringing joy and peace into our world; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Praise be to God in his great love for us. He has entered our darkness with his great light. He comes as our God and yet as a child. Lord, help us and your whole church to walk as children of the light. Teach us to see your presence in each other: to be aware that what we do to each other we do to you. We give thanks for the word spoken by the prophets, but above all for the Word made flesh dwelling among us. May your whole church proclaim this Good News with joy. Lord Jesus, born of the Virgin Mary, be born in us today. Amen. **************************************************** The Wardens are grateful to you for maintaining your financial commitment to St. Mark’s. The Pre-authorized Payment system, your personal cheques and donations through the CanadaHelps program are necessary for us to continue ministry. Sincerely, we thank you. Please make your cheque payable to: St. Mark’s Church, 268 Main Street, Kingston ON K7K 6W4. Or drop in the mailbox at the church gate. Donations can also be made online through CanadaHelps https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/st-marks-anglican-church-barriefield. BE KIND, CARING AND PATIENT THE BEST THING YOU CAN GIVE THIS SEASON IS LOVE OUR WISH FOR YOU IS FOR A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS! |