Christmas 2017 1 The Chronicle

Rector’s Reflections - The Rev. Canon Susan Wells

The Chronicle St. Elizabeth’s Anglican Church

5324 Bromley Road, Burlington, ON L7L 3G4

Rev. Canon Susan Wells Phone: 905-637-6335

E-mail: stelizabethschurch@gmail.com www.stelizabeths.net

www.niagara.anglican.ca

Christmas 2017

Where Does the Birth of Christ Lead? Sometimes it is appropriate to look at the goal and then look at the steps we need to get there. Our goal is to follow Christ, to grow into the “full stature of Christ”, a journey of running and falling, of loss and hope, For the followers of Christ the Journey is led by the Light of Christ even though it sometimes feels like we are taking two steps forward and one step back. Yet nevertheless we continue to move forward. But what is the ultimate goal of Bringing forth the City of God Imagine what could happen if the world picked up the challenge to follow the words of the hymn, City of God, by Marty Haugan.

Bring forth the Kingdom of mercy, Bring forth the Kingdom of peace; Bring forth the Kingdom of justice,

Bring forth the City of God!

On November 26, Jesus clearly shows us our role in Bringing forth the City (Kingdom) of God. Our goal is found in this week’s Gospel for “The Reign of Christ”. The reading is from Matthew chapter 25 verses 31-40. This is one of the piv-otal readings in the Bible. Jesus showed the disciples how to live and how to treat others, then passed the torch to the disciples and now, through them the mantle is passed to us.

So where does our journey begin, what are the building blocks that we need to be the instruments of change, to acknowledge our dependence on God and to accept our role in bringing forth the Kingdom of God? As we look forward to Christmas we journey through Advent with reminders that Jesus the Light of the World comes to bring Hope, Peace, Joy and Love represented by the four candles of the Advent wreath, and the last candle we light at Christmas is Love which represents the coming of the Christ child to show us the way. Come Journey with Jesus this Advent and Christmas, become the Light fashioned after the Christ Child and bring Light to others as you journey to follow Christ and to accept God’s call. The call, like Jesus, to bring Hope, Peace, Joy and Love, to all you encounter on your journey. Wishing you and your loved ones a Holy and Blessed Christmas, Shine Bright Susan.

‘Enter, you who are blessed by my Father! Take what’s coming to you in this kingdom. It’s been ready for you since the world’s foundation. And here’s why: “I was hungry and you fed me, I was thirsty and you gave me a drink, I was homeless and you gave me a room, I was shivering and you gave me clothes, I was sick and you stopped to visit, I was in pris-on and you came to me.” “Then those ‘sheep’ are going to say, ‘Master, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you, thirsty and give you a drink? And when did we ever see you sick or in prison and come to you?’ Then the King will say, ‘I’m telling the solemn truth: Whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was me—you did it to me.’ (Matthew 25:31-39 The Message)

Christmas 2017 2 The Chronicle

Elizabethan Loafers at Pearl Butler’s House

2017 Beaux & Belles Bazaar

ACW - Centerpiece making workshop Parish Movie Night

Monthly Seniors’ Lunch

Christmas 2017 3 The Chronicle

Inspired by an article in the Niagara Anglican, St. Elizabeth Burlington

responds to the question Jesus is?? – see below (Nov 2017)

Jesus Is …….

• The way

• Love Pat H)

• Our Redeemer, God’s son

• ALL

• Love

• A friend

• Love .. (Jack)

• Peace

• Forever

• Love, Heart, Sacrifice

• My hope and joy

• Is in our lives everyday

• Here for everyone

• All loving

• Is forever with us and caring for us (Dorothy)

• Loving

• Lives in all of us, our enemies and our

friends so we should love them all (Irene)

• Life

• The Light (Marlis)

• My “ be all” and “end all” (Marguerite)

• My Lord and Saviour forever (Ron)

• My friend (Gerry)

• Kind to all (Isabella)

• The path to forgiveness

• Loving (Lilja)

• My Saviour and Lord always (Loretta)

• Love everywhere,

• The light of my life

• The Rose of Sharon

• Important to us (Madison)

• Is always Loveful to us (Danica)

• Peace

• Our Lord and Saviour

• Loving, powerful and our mighty Lord/

Saviour

• My help, my strength and my salvation

• Hope

• Love

• In my life and saved me in my life

• My loving Saviour

• My constant companion

• Love

• The Son of God and my refuge

• My Lord and Saviour

• Son of God

• Our Saviour

• Forgiving

• My very best friend

• Love

Kind, patient, gentle, good, Holy, healer,

perfect, awesome, love, joy, forgiving, friend,

all present (omnipresent), omnipotent,

omniscient, alpha, omega, counselor,

Prince of Peace, King of Kings, Lord of all,

Everlasting Father, Risen Lord, Mighty One,

Coming again. Our example, our Lord, our

Saviour, our Redeemer, our coming King,

Amen.

Christmas 2017 4 The Chronicle

Upcoming Holiday Events

Dec. 3rd: First week of Advent - 10:00 am Guest clergy - Rev. Lorraine Tadman

Dec. 10th: Second Week of Advent - 10:00 am Dickens, Lessons and Carols - 3:00 pm Church of the Epiphany -141 Bronte Rd Support our choir and readers. Free will Donations - proceeds to the Children’s Aid Foundation of Halton

Dec. 15th: Parish wine and cheese - 7:00 pm Sponsored by Parish Council All ages event with carol sing, quizzes and games

Dec. 16th: Dress rehearsal for Pageant - 11:00 am (TBC)

Dec. 17th: Third week of Advent - 10:00 am Christmas Pageant Hotdogs and potluck after service

Dec. 24th Fourth week of Advent - 10:00 am Family service - 4:30pm Candlelight service - 8:00pm

Dec. 25th Christmas morning service - 10:00 am

Dec. 31st First Sunday after Christmas - 10:00 am

Jan. 7th Epiphany - 10:00am The coming of the wise men