The Mouse for
December 12, 2021
"We have Abraham as our ancestor."

— Luke 3:8
Advent 3
Sermon: "Lenses of the past"

The readings for Advent 3 present a fitting way to wrap up Advent. (Next Sunday is Lessons and Carols.) The texts talk of faith, repentance, change of life, and the coming of Christ, themes we have been hearing for a few weeks now.

As if with one voice the texts say that faith trumps ancestry, change of life must follow repentance, and that preachers must preach Christ, not themselves.

What this means is that we are not determined by birth, race, history, family, or culture. Most important of all, we are not determined by sin.

Come hear (or live stream) this Sunday's sermon to find why the coming of the Christ frees us from the lenses of the past.

Sunday, December 12, 2021

Holy Communion, 8 a.m.
Morning Prayer, 9:30 a.m.
Coffee Hour, after church.

Upcoming:

Sun., Dec. 19, Holy Communion, 8 a.m.,
Lessons & Carols, 9:30 a.m.
Fri., Dec. 24, Christmas Pageant, 4 p.m.
Fri., Dec. 24, Holy Communion, 10 p.m.
Sat., Dec. 25, Holy Communion, 8 and 9:30 a.m.
Sun., Dec. 26, Holy Communion 8 a.m.,
Morning Prayer, 9:30 a.m.
(Nastia Khlopina speaking at both services.)

Youth Acolyte, Readers, Coffee Hour, and Ushers schedule here.
"Christmas Homecoming"
A benefit concert for the Christ Church Homeless Shelter

Sunday, December 12th at 8:00 p.m. at Christ Episcopal Church

Music of the Season performed by The Brasiles Ensemble,
the Christ Church Choir, and friends.

Nany Vanderlee, singing

Suggested donation at the door: $15.
Catechism Corner

The Vicar continues his weekly exposition of the Catechism, found in the Book of Common Prayer, pp. 845-862.

The New Covenant (pp. 850-851)
 
Q.       What is the New Covenant?
A.       The New Covenant is the new relationship with God given by Jesus Christ, the Messiah, to the apostles; and, through them, to all who believe in him.

The new relationship is really a restored old relationship between the human race and God. That new relationship can be summed up in one word: friendship. After the fall and before the coming of Jesus Christ, God and man were enemies. Now they can be friends again.

The Old Covenant acknowledged the brokenness of the relationship, but its attempt to broker peace through repeated sacrifices of animals could only keep God’s wrath at bay. No animal’s death could ever restore the friendship lost by Adam. But the new Adam, Jesus Christ, fully God and fully human, embodies the new relationship between God and man in His very person.

—JWD.
Online Giving

St. Peter's is pleased to offer the convenience of online giving via our website. You may make a pledge payment or a one-time gift either by ACH or credit card. From the website menu, click on Serve > Make a gift online, or click here.
Flowers at St. Peter's

The floral guild is always grateful for donations. If you are interested in dedicating flowers in memoriam or for a special occasion, such as a birthday or anniversary, please send an email to stpeterschurch@optonline.net with the date and the name(s) to whom you would like to dedicate the arrangements.

You can either send a check to St. Peter’s (PO Box 1502, Millbrook, NY 12545) or put the check in the weekly offering with "flowers" on the memo line. You may also add a dedication in the bulletin or leave it anonymous.
Collect for Advent 3

Stir up thy power, O Lord, and with great might come among us; and, because we are sorely hindered by our sins, let thy bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with thee and the Holy Ghost, be honor and glory, world without end. Amen.
Text or call the Vicar at (845) 745-8160, or email him at jdell@stpeterslithgow.org, for prayer or a pastoral visit.
To remember St. Peter's in your estate plans, please consider joining The Lithgow Society. To find out more, click here.
Questions about the parish? Please email:
stpeterschurch@optonline.net

The Mouse is compiled and edited each week by the Vicar. He asks that submissions to The Mouse be made by the Wednesday prior to Friday's edition. Please send submissions to jdell@stpeterslithgow.org. Thank you.