Reflection from your Co-Pastors - December 21, 2020
Luke 1: 39-45
Everyone Deserves an Elizabeth
In this endearing and well known passage from Luke's Gospel, the two cousins, Mary and Elizabeth, are brought together in this Divine coupling as ministers of the Word to each other, and to us.
The angel Gabriel has informed Mary that "Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren. For nothing will be impossible for God."
So Mary sets out in haste to visit Elizabeth and to care for her until the birth of John the Baptist.
At the Annunciation, the angel Gabriel has shared the good news that Elizabeth is with child and God has seen fit to take away the disgrace of her barrenness before others. But nowhere does scripture tell us that Elizabeth has been told that Mary is pregnant with the Son of God, the Messiah. Zechariah, was told by Gabriel that John would be "filled with the Holy Spirit even from his mother's womb" and this is exactly what happened as soon as Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting. The baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth herself was filled with the Holy Spirit. She cried out in a loud voice, "Most blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb." She recognized Mary as the mother of her Lord, the mother of the Messiah.
Now what are the chances that an older woman would greet her teen-aged cousin who showed up unannounced and pregnant at her door with these words? I envision her saying, "What has happened to you child? Who have you had relations with? Do your parents know? Are you
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trying to hide out here and implicate Zechariah and I as accomplices to this out-of- wedlock pregnancy? You could be stoned? What were you thinking? " and on and on…
But no. Elizabeth is a safe refuge for Mary the Mother of God. She is a believer. After all, what she has thought to be impossible, her own pregnancy, has become possible in her advanced years. Nothing will be impossible for God.
And so Elizabeth blesses Mary... "Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb," and "Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled"
With this unequivocal, unconditional, non-judgmental and loving support from Elizabeth, Mary is empowered to use her voice, the voice heard round the world for centuries on end…
"My soul flowers in the light of your love, my God, and my spirit sings Alleluia in the reality of your joyful presence, because you have chosen my kinswoman Elizabeth and me with the summons of your eyes.
Yes, we are known now and for all time.
We are known as women blessed.*
Everyone deserves an Elizabeth in their lives.
Amen
*(The "Magnificat of Friendship" by Ann Johnson from Miryam of Nazareth)
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Christmas Week Calendar - Dec 21 - 27 |
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301 Faith Partners
Inviting all to a
Live Nativity
Starting new Christmas traditions
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Live Nativity – Dec 19 to 24 – 4:00 to 6:00 pm |
301 E. Stuart Street, Fort Collins
Come and create a new Christmas Tradition for you and your family!
301 Faith Partners presents the inaugural Live Nativity! Real live people! Real live animals!
Covid – Safe, Meaningful, and Accessible! Viewers will stay in cars, sing carols, and be able to drive past the portrayal of the First Christmas.
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Advent booklet discussion groups
Dec. 22, Tuesday ONLY at 9:00am
Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82709740353
Join us for this last Advent booklet discussion!
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Dec 25 - Christmas Day Service - *11:00 am* Hosted gathering via Zoom with music, liturgy and homily from Christmas Eve - https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81256935449, Phone (audio): +1 669 900 6833, Meeting ID: 81256935449#
Dec 27- Christmas Day Service - 5:00 pm Feast of the Holy Family
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Is the Holy Spirit Calling You? |
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Join the Regional Bishop Election Team |
The Bishop Call Committee (BCC), in conjunction with the Rocky Mountain Regional Council (RMRC), are calling for members from the Rocky Mountain Region ECC communities to join the Regional Bishop Election Team. This team will determine and implement a voting process so as to be inclusive and transparent as possible.
The specific duties of the team will be:
* Provide guidelines on conducting the election at each community.
* Create, disseminate, count ballots.
* Communicate
The committee is asking for one representative from each community. If you are interested in serving on this committee, reach out to Pastor Jane at 973-610-6104 or committee contact Dennis Giblin at this email or at 720.234.8068 by January 9th.
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Prayer Requests and Service Links |
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Prayers for Michael - husband of Linda Joyce. For Aidan - grandson of Mother Kae. For Diane Arnette - friend of Kerrie Anderson - currently very ill. Prayers for Lisa McCann - member, for personal challenges this year.
For im Berry - member, for his new journey to chaplain. For Lauren Roob entering into new cancer treatment- friend of Rosanna Bateman.
Healing prayers for Dianna Padilla, sister of Lisa Jones, who underwent surgery for cancer. For Liz and Ken Zornes and family, friends of Sandra and Dick Life, whose daughter is struggling with addiction.
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For Michael Keefe, son of member Yvonne Keefe. For Dona Bosse - community member and Rosemary - Fr Michael's mother. For Dani - Niece of the Cloyds and Mary Crosby – parishioner.
For Ruth Parker, sister of Dori Carroll. And Leo Six – father of Michael Six, Mike Gudim, Suzanne King, Robert Browel
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For peaceful repose for the souls of those who've passed and comfort for the families.
For the peaceful repose of souls for those who've passed and comfort for the families.
For Rita Ortiz, friend of Deacon Rosean, for Margie Weitz - member. Chris Bachman, friend of Lisa Jones.
Bob, husband of Joyce Dehaven -
friend of Cathy Engel
David Heyman - member
Teri Kent - member
Bill McClellan - Father of Jennifer Pfeister, member
Father of Julie Shoenbauer, member
Edwin White - brother in law of Pastor Jane
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Sunday Service Recordings
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For all bulletins, reflections, Sunday recordings during our hiatus from celebrating together, visit our webpage. Please contact us with questions, concerns and ideas for better connection with and for the community - marymagdalafc@gmail.com
Newsletters of Trinity Lutheran Church and the St. Paul's Episcopal
What are our partners in ministry here up to? Go here for the Trinity Lutheran Church monthly newsletter, "Tidings". And here is St Paul's weekly bulletin
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