 |
The voice of one crying out ...
Each year during Advent we hear again the story of John the Baptist, crying in the wilderness. John is an eccentric preacher who eats wild honey and locusts and wears a skin of camel hair. He preaches a gospel of repentance and the need for being baptized with water. John is a heralder of the kingdom of God, and of the coming of the one who would baptize with fire.
This man was the child who leapt in the womb of his mother Elizabeth when the pregnant Mary greeted her. Mary had just been visited by the angel and stayed for three months with her cousin Elizabeth. I have often wondered about their conversations; of joy, of mystery, and full of questions about what all of this means. And how did those two infants in the womb experience those conversations and emotions?
What else do we know of this preacher, other than his strange diet and yet expensive taste in jackets? Okay, that may be a bit much. Some say that John was a member of the Essene community, a religious sect of Judaism that had strict practices and an ascetic lifestyle. Clearly, he lived a different existence out in the desert and was preaching loud and long enough to be noticed. Scripture says that many were coming out to see and hear him. The scribes and Pharisees who went out to see him surely thought he was not quite right in the head, especially when he called them out in front of everyone.
We have all probably had our fill of loud voices this fall. The election campaign seemed to be a constant baiting session, with nothing but accusations and angry voices, each one claiming to have the truth and know the answers. No matter our candidate, we probably all felt that this was never helpful or clear. Many would like all the angry and unhappy voices to just go away. We would like the world to quietly go back to the good old days when politics were polite and life was better. But was it?
Some would prefer that Jesus only come in the quiet of Christmas morning -
the little Lord Jesus no crying he makes. The Advent season heralds both the coming of Jesus as the humble Christ child and Jesus whose kingdom will come. Sometimes it takes a little volume to get our attention. I know that sometimes I need to listen more intently and turn up the volume.
How do we discern THE voice among all the other voices - sometimes quiet and sometimes loud - that calls us into that kingdom? When have you heard the voice calling you to
... prepare the way of the Lord?
Sue von Rautenkranz
|
|
|
|
|
Where We Stand: Dollars and Sense ...
|
|
Our progress toward our financial goals is important to everybody at St. Dunstan's, since this determines our ability to do ministry and employ staff. If we close our funding gap, we hope to employ Sue von 10 hours per week for children's ministry here. If we achieve this goal, Sue will be away completely during January and February, recovering from hip surgery. Thereafter, she would spend her time on children's formation approximately two Sundays per month (Sunday School, inter generational activities), and perhaps one other day of the week.
The balance needed is the sum of pledges still needed to make our proposed budget, plus $20,000 to fund Sue von to staff our children's ministry.
Pledges still needed to fund original 2017 budget: $4,000
Additional needed for children's ministry staffing: $20,000
Additional received for children's ministry staffing: $17,000
Still needed for children's ministry staff: $3,000
Total still needed for budget and additional children's ministry staff:
$7,000
Note: This tally includes the use of a one-time gift for 2017 of $20,000. Without that gift, our need would be $27,000. Next year (2018), we'll need to cover that $20,000 with pledges- a big challenge.
If you haven't yet pledged, please do so now! If you can increase your pledge, we are grateful. Please contact treasurer Cliff White by email at [email protected]
|
|
|
|
|
|
Everyone will have an opportunity to make a difference this Advent season for those in need around the world. Choose from providing school scholarships for children in Ecuador, or help finance a business to feed a family in Indonesia, or give to Hurricane Matthew Flood relief in Haiti or North Carolina, or purchase clean water, a flock of chickens, plant a forest, or give medical care for infants. Make this Christmas special for those who need to experience the hope that Christ brings.
Visit the tree in the parish hall and add a tag to the tree!
|
|
|
|
Advent Resources 
It is one of the busiest times of the year, yet the Church hopes for us to slow down just a bit so that we might being again in one small way to focus each day on God. On the table in Founders' Hall are some suggestions and tools that might help each of us do just that each day. Pick up a calendar for your family, a daily meditation booklet, or go to one of the these websites to participate in an Advent discipline.
d365 -
Following the Star - a devotional for youth and young adults
Busted Halo - an Advent calendar from the Paulist Fathers
A continuing conversation about Refugee Resettlement
Sunday, December 4
9:50 - 10:35 a.m.
In November, we heard from representatives from St. Columba's about their year-long process of preparing for a refugee family to arrive. They are still waiting for their family to arrive. When that happens, we will have opportunities to assist in various ways and with different commitment levels.
This Sunday we talk about another way to engage through Lutheran Social Services and International Rescue Committee, who have been working together on these issues for decades. Come and hear about possible ways to volunteer and get engaged.
Ray Donnelly
|
|
|
|
Dunstan's Youth Group - December 1
All 5th through 12th graders!
Dinner at 6:30 p.m.
Program from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Who is Jesus?
So who is this person we follow and proclaim? Human and God in one. We will learn about his life story, his teaching ministry, and that when we chose to be his followers, we chose to be different and this is not an easy decision.
P.R.A.Y.
(Potomac River
Anglican
[
Area
-Amazing-Awesome] Youth) 
December 18
-
Christmas
Caroling at Sibley Hospital
2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Join in with other youth from our different congregations to carol for the folks at The Oasis at Sibley Hospital. The Oasis is the Alzheimer
unit. This will be a great way to give during the season of Advent. There is no cost for this event. Youth will be able to receive Community Service hours for attending this program. Bring your form so it can be signed that afternoon. Please sign up by emailing Sue or at the table in Founders' Hall.
Please put the following dates on your calendar for these joint youth events:
January 16 ( Monday) - MLK Day of Service
February 12 + March 19 + April 9 + May 21
Friends are always welcome at any youth program!
L. Sue von Rautenkranz
Christian Formation Coordinator
|
|
|
|
New Christmas Musical!
Saturday, December 17
5:00 p.m. followed by Chili Supper
New music written by Jeff and Michael will add a new flare and fun to our Christmas pageant this year. Our junior choir has been learning these new songs and will be our music leaders for the evening. And the camel is a must see!
Let us know how your children will participate by replying through this simple form.
Join the Children's Choir for the Musical!
If you are not currently in the choir - you are welcome to join us for the remainder of our practices which are held on the following Thursdays - December 1, 8, and 15 from 5:45-6:30 p.m. A simple supper follows for all each evening and we conclude with Advent Pajama Prayers at 7:00 p.m. This short prayer time in the church is a great way to end an evening with your children. Join us!
Singing with Michael this Sunday!
For those unable to join the choir - there will still be a time to learn the choruses of these songs during Children's Formation on Sunday, December 4.
Come on the day of the Musical and join in!
All children are always invited to join the cast of animals, angels and shepherds on the day of the event.
All participants are asked to arrive at the church by 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 17 if they want to participate in this year's production. This will be our one and only dress rehearsal for all.
L. Sue von Rautenkranz
Christian Formation Coordinator
|
|
|
|
Economic Justice Meeting
The next meeting of the Justice League is scheduled for
Tuesday, December 6 at 7:00 p.m. at the church. We will continue our dialogue on helping to settle refugees.
Men's Group
The St. Dunstan's men's group will meet on Saturday, December 3, at 9:00 a.m. in the kitchen.
Glimpses of God- Cancelled
Glimpses of God group will not meet on Tuesday, December 6, at 7:30 p.m. in the sanctuary.
|
|
|
|
 Sermon from the Bishop's Visit
To read the sermon delivered by Bishop Mariann Budde, on Sunday, November 20, click
here.
_________________________________________________________________
I was in prison, and you visited me.
On Monday December 5, come to Bethesda Public Library for the film Incarcerating US at 6:30 p.m., followed by a panel discussion until 9:00 p.m. Admission is free. The panelists are Tracey D. Syphax, Eric E. Sterling, Kevin Ring, and José Santos Woss. The event sponsor is Bethesda Friends Meeting (Quaker). For more information call 202.365.2420.
Incarcerating US is a feature-length documentary that exposes America's prison problem and explores ways to unshackle the Land of the Free through vital criminal justice reforms. With 2.3 million people behind bars, the U.S. has the largest prison population in the history of the world.
____________________________________________________________________
 Walk- In Funds Needed
'Tis the season for giving. The walk-in funds are in need of donations. Every week we are solicited by people in need. The walk- in fund provides us with funds to give them for transportation, food, and even medicine. Every little bit helps. Please consider donating any amount to the fund. You can place you donation in the collection plate, leave it with Jeff or Sue, or leave it in the staff office. Be sure to mark it "walk-in fund".
Kim Matthews
Parish Administrator
|
|
|
|
|
Hopes and Prayers on our Journey ...
|
 I
n Need of Healing:
Don Larrabee,
infirm in nursing care
Curt Shively,
husband of Susan Burkhalter,
in nursing care
Penelope McCormick
, mother of Ryan McCormick
John Riordan,
father of Meghan Jarvis, ill
Ken Farnsworth
, ill at home in Wheaton
Maureen Lake
, ill
Sue Carroll
, knee surgery
Wynn and Carmine Smith,
brother and mother of Nancy Douglas, ill
Donna Courtney,
ill in ICU, no
visitors please
Troy Kravitz,
brain surgery
Kody Kramer,
friend of Kate Hannah, cancer
The flowers
are given to the glory of God.
We pray for St. Dunstan's Missionaries,
Cameron and Roberto Vivanco, who serve in Quito, Ecuador, and the parish of Buen Pastor.
If you or someone you know is in need of prayer, please complete our prayer request form by clicking
here.
|
|
|
|
|
The Second Sunday in Advent
December 4, 2016
9:00 a.m. Family Eucharist
9:50 a.m. Life-long Christian Formation
10:45 a.m. Traditional Eucharist
12:00 noon Fellowship
The readings for this Sunday are:
Isaiah 11:1-10, Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19,
and Matthew 3:1-12.
|
|
|
|
|
Sunday Schedule of Ministries ...
|
Serving this Sunday
Host Family: Sather
Liturgical Coordinator: Sue Newman
Eucharistic Minister: Carl Adams
Prayer Minister:
Sue Newman
Lector: Ann Boyd
Altar Guild
:
Jackie Karlin
Flower Guild: Ann Boyd
Tellers:
Donna Alvarez
and Bob Boyd
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
