Apalachicola, Florida...................................................November 29, 2019
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Remember
Saint Andrew
as we Reflect on
the Year Ending...
or the Year
Just Begun
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Dear Friends in Christ
Above is pictured the flag of Scotland. The white X is the St. Andrew’s cross found in the British Union Jack and in the shield of the Episcopal Church. Saint Andrew is the patron saint of Scotland and many other countries and causes including fishermen, fishmongers, spinsters, sore throats and gout, to name just a few.
November 30
th
is Saint Andrew’s Day and because it is November 30
th
, it can be either the first or last saints’ day of the year. It falls either just before Advent or within the first few days of Advent. It is an important day of remembrance and for we who live by the Liturgical Year should remember St. Andrew as we reflect on the year that is ending or the year that has just begun.
I read an article that began, “If you heard of a great new restaurant in your neighborhood that offered unbelievably great tasting and healthy food for free, would you actually go to the restaurant or be content to just hear about it? Wouldn’t you not only go, but also tell your family and friends and try to bring them too?” IN a way that is the story of Andrew.
On November 30
th
, we read Andrew’s call in Matthew’s Gospel. As Jesus walks along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, he notices two brothers, Simon Peter & Andrew, toiling away at their daily work of fishing. As Andrew & Peter cast their nets, Jesus calls to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fish for people!” This call must have caught the brothers’ attention because it is just plain weird and perhaps just a bit crazy - what can it mean to fish for people?
And yet Andrew followed Jesus - without reservation or hesitation - with lots of curiosity & devotion - immediately leaving his nets. In Saint Andrew we find a young man who heard, followed, and brought others to Christ; most notably his brother, Simon Peter. These two fishermen would become followers of Christ and fishers of men.
Andrew must have had a heart that was yearning to hear and receive Jesus’ call with his whole being. I believe that since Andrew’s heart was prepared for Jesus, he did not have to be in a particularly holy place or be engaged in a “holy activity”. Andrew heard Jesus call in the midst of an ordinary day in his very ordinary life.
Andrew’s heart was fertile to receive Christ’s invitation as he lived the truth of which Moses speaks in the lesson from Deuteronomy 6:5:
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your might.”
Andrew also knew Leviticus 19:18:
“You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against any of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord
.”
These two passages lie at the very heart of Judaism and when tested by a lawyer, Jesus combines these two into the Great Commandment in Matthew 22:37:
He said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment.
And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”
These words – these snippets of Scripture were, and are, instructions for living in a way that brings us closer to God and our neighbor. As a Jew, studying God’s word was an important part of the life of this future saint. Perhaps Deuteronomy 30:14 “
the word is very near to you; it is in your mouth and in your heart for you to observe.”
allowed Andrew to respond to Christ’s call. Andrew was able to perceive the Word made Flesh, Jesus Christ, in the midst of an ordinary, routine day as he hears a weird and crazy call to fish for men.
That Word was made Flesh and dwelt among us. That Word, Jesus the Christ, is still very near to s…still calling to us through our sacred scripture…through the Bread and Wine… through the hugs shared at the Peace…through the voices joined in prayer and song … and the people who intrigue or annoy you, here in church and in your everyday life.
As we begin the season of Advent, as we prepare for the coming of Christ, remember that, “
the word is very near to you; it is in your mouth and in your heart for you to observe”
and listen for the call in the ordinary times of your life, and then follow that call. Follow it like the shepherds unto Bethlehem. Follow it like the disciples up until Good Friday and then follow it like Mary of Magdala on to Easter and on to eternal life. Listen, heed and follow, but not alone. Like Andrew tell others to come and see a community built on love and abundant life here, now and forever.
Wishing you a tranquil, holy, and blessed Advent,
Eric+
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2019 -- An Eventful Year at Trinity
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Trinity's Annual Meeting will be held on Sunday, December 8, following the 10:30 service. It has been an exciting year, as we welcomed our new Priest, the Rev. Eric Zile. Please make plans to attend this important gathering where we will:
- Review highlights of our eventful year of 2019
- Receive Trinity's Annual Report document that describes the wide variety of activity, including committees, Vestry, Tour of Homes & Auction, Outreach, and Penny's Worth.
- Hear financial updates, including the 2020 budget
- Elect three new Vestry members to replace the three retiring members - Patti McCartney, Paul McAbee, and Senior Warden Gary Ulrich; the five nominees are Lee Bettis, Mickey Harris, Caroline Kienzle, Bonnie Stewart, and Steve Watkins (watch for a 'Special News' early next week with background/biographies of the nominees).
Following tradition, the meeting will also include a potluck dinner; Please bring your favorite side dish, salad, or dessert; fried chicken will be provided.
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Delicious & Delightful Thanksgiving Potluck
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Trinity's Annual Thanksgiving Potluck attracted close to 80 parishioners & friends who enjoyed great food, congenial fellowship, and good-hearted clean-up.
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IMPORTANT DATES IN DECEMBER-JANUARY
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Trinity Annual Meeting & Potluck Dinner
–
Sunday, December 8
following the 10:30 am service. Bring your favorite side dish, salad, or dessert; Fried chicken will be provided.
Polar Express Event
– Tuesday, December 10, 5:30 pm at Brown Elementary School for Franklin County Pre-K students & families.
INConcert Baroque Era Christmas --
Tallahassee Bach Parley, December 8, 4:00 pm at Trinity
Bay Area Choral Society Christmas Concert
--
December 15, 4:00 pm at Trinity
Greening of the Church
– Sunday,
December 22, following the 10:30 am service
Christmas Eve Service
– Tuesday, December 24, 6:00 pm
Christmas Day Service
– Wednesday, December 25, 10:30 am
Feast of the Holy Name
– Wednesday, January 1, 2020, 12 noon
Feast of the Epiphany
– Monday, January 6, 2020, 7:00 pm
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OOPS!
If you parked your car behind the Church Office last Sunday and returned to find a white shopping bag in the seat, please call Paul McAbee at 617-504-9329. He will explain everything!
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Literacy Award for Franklin County
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Bring Me A Book Franklin (BMABF) received the 2019 Library of Congress Best Practices Literacy Award at a ceremony in Washington, DC. An affiliate of the Bring Me A Book Foundation, BMABF was established locally in 2009 by Michaelin & Dave Watts, along with Marie Marshall.
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Pictured
(left to right)
are
Karen Kessel,
Program Coordinator,
Michaelin Watts, and Judy Koch,
President of the Bring Me A Book Foundation.
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The Magic of Christmas
isn’t What you Get…. It’s What You Give
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The Apalachicola Bay Charter School (98 12th Street in Apalachicola) has a giving tree at the School. Please stop by
Monday – Friday between 8 am & 3 pm t
o pick a name and add some holiday joy
to a family in need.
Call 850-653-1222 for more information.
Return your gift items to the school by December 6.
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Baroque Era Christmas Concert December 8
A Baroque Era Christmas is the theme for the first concert of the Ilse Newell 2019-2020 season at Trinity on December 8 at 4pm.
The Tallahassee Bach Parley will perform French Noels by Michel Corrette & Marc-Antoine Charpentier; the “Christmas Concerto” by Arcangelo Corelli; and a Christmas sonata by Georg Muffat.
Doors open at 3:40 pm.
Admission is $10 per person at the door, cash only. Open seating. A reception will be held in Benedict Hall after the performance.
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Classic
Christmas Concert December 15
The Bay Area Choral Society will perform a Christmas Concert at Trinity on December 15 at 4pm.
Featured in the concert is a cello/piano duet of “O Come, O Come Emanuel” with cellist Lauren Mullinax and pianist Janis Ramos. In addition, many soloists from the Bay Area Choral Society will be featured.
A $5 per person donation will be accepted. Open seating. A reception will be held in Benedict Hall after the performance.
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Giving Tuesday
is an international day of giving back which encourages people to do good and celebrates the incredible generosity of supporters like you!
Elder Care Community Council of Franklin County. (ECCC) invites you to make a gift on (or before) Giving Tuesday, December 3.
21% of the population here in Franklin County lives below the poverty line; a number that is higher than the national average of 13.4%.
This Giving Tuesday, help us give the gift of bridging the gaps for the most needy seniors in our county.
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Please go to:
www.ecccfranklin.org
and click on 'Donate' to make your donation between now and December 3. Or, put a check in the mail: E Triple C, PO Box 335, Eastpoint, Florida 32328.
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December 2019
If you have a conflict, please get someone to cover for you and call the office with the changes.
December 1
Acolyte: Cathy Buell
Lectors: P. McCartney & R. Edwards
Prayers: Ralph Wagoner
Greeters: R. Wagoner & T. Edwards
Chalice: C. Springer & G. Austin
Healing: Kristin Anderson
Altar Guild: N. Morgan & S. Galloway
Hospitality: Vestry
December 8
Acolyte: Paul McAbee
Lectors: G. Rudo & D. Crusoe
Prayers: Tom Edwards
Greeters: S. Watkins & K. Brown
Chalice: D. Crusoe & G. Austin
Healing: Kristin Anderson
Altar Guild: N. Morgan & S. Galloway
Hospitality: Tour of Homes
December 15
Acolyte: Debbie Flowers
Lectors: R. Wagoner & C. Springer
Prayers: Tom Edwards
Greeters: Ralph & Susie Wagoner
Chalice: P. Marler & K. Hadaway
Healing: Kristin Anderson
Altar Guild: N. Morgan & S. Galloway
Hospitality: ECW
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Sunday Services are 8 am & 10:30 am, Eastern time
Church address: 79 6th Street, Apalachicola, Florida 32320
Office address: 76 5th Street, Apalachicola, Florida 32320
Mailing address: PO Box 667, Apalachicola, Florida 32329
Phone number: (850) 653-9550
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