Historic St. George's               Episcopal Church Celebrate Your Faith, Come and Share our Joy.  A special invitation to come and Renew Your Spirit 

 Rector’s Christmas Message 2011

The message of Christmas has as one of its pivotal characters a young woman named Mary. She is described as coming from a small, remote village of Nazareth, way removed from the centers of political and religious power in Jerusalem.

Luke tells us in the first chapter of his Gospel that an angel named Gabriel suddenly appeared to Mary and said “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.”

Thus begins, for Mary, the journey of soul searching which issues forth in faith, obedience, humility, motherhood, heartache, pain, grief, joy and glory; the life of a woman, mother of the Jesus of Christmas.

Mary lived in “Occupied Palestine”; and a very oppressive and far-reaching occupation it was. The few at the top of the power structure made life miserable for the large percentage at the bottom. Rights were negated, humanity was ignored and need was great. And the people longed for a Messiah. Why this particular young lady was chosen to be an instrument of God’s rescue plan we do not know. The angel never said why Mary was favored. Mary herself did not seem to know, for in response to the title heaped upon her she was perplexed, disturbed, troubled, upset, and she pondered, wondered and asked herself, “what could this mean”, “why me”?

How sufficient were the answers she received? We do not know. But in a supreme act of faith this young woman surrenders to God’s will and took on the risks, challenges and burdens of the “theotokos” (God-bearer), Mother of our salvation. She, in her simplicity, made herself available to God.

Today, as we approach Christmas, we live in a world, in many ways not dissimilar to the one in which Mary lived. Extreme poverty abounds, political corruption is rampant, exorbitant greed and the lust for power stifle the humanity of both the players and the played. In the midst of this occupation God seeks willing instruments of justice and love to aid in the “salvation project;” to be his vehicles for hope, joy and peace. Any takers? Any willing Marys or Josephs?

Will we be disciples of the Christmas Gospel or consumers of the Christmas farce? Can we be both? Can we really serve God and mammon?

Let us, like Mary, ponder these things in our hearts, and pray that we have the courage to surrender to that which we understand to be God’s will for us and our hurting world.

A blessed Christmas is wished for you.

The Very Rev. P. Allister Rawlins.

Rector.

Boy Scout Troop 300 - Summer Camp at Onteora.  Click on the following link to see more pictures of our Scouts at Summer Camp.

Historic St. George's Church

At St. George's Church the emphasis is on unconditional love and acceptance for members of the congregation and for members of the community.  Visit us and discover boundless opportunities for personal and spiritual growth, along with meaningful ways to make a real difference in your community.  You'll be greeted
with genuine warmth and embraced by a supportive extended family.

  Support our Ministries by making an online donation. 

All things come of thee, O Lord, and of thine own have we given thee.

Directions

Click here for Google Map Directions

wORSHIP sCHEDULE

Sunday:

8:00am - Early Worship

10:00am - Church School

10:15am - Worship Service

Wednesday:

10:00am - Holy Eucharist

7:00pm - Prayer Meeting / Bible Study

Saturday:

10:00am - Holy Eucharist