ADVENT I


For the next four weeks you are going to hear multiple times that we are in either “the holiday season” or “the Christmas season.”  Both are incorrect. What begins on Sunday, 30 November is the season of Advent. In the life of the Church Advent is not, as the popular culture presents it, a season of preparation for the celebration of Christmas. None of the collects or Gospels assigned to the Sundays in Advent refer to the celebration of Christmas. The common theme of the four Sundays of Advent is rather the need to be prepared for the end of time, for Christ's return and final judgment.

The Gospel appointed to be read on the First Sunday in Advent is from Matthew 21, the story of Jesus' Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday and how He “... went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the money-changers, and the seats of them that sold doves ...”

To Jesus and the Jews of His day the Jerusalem Temple was the holiest building on the holiest spot in the holiest city in the holiest country in the world, and yet he saw, as did many others, that the religious establishment which staffed and oversaw it had become in many ways corrupt and in need of radical self-examination, repentance, and change.

It seems to me perfectly appropriate to begin the Church's year by acknowledging our failures and inadequacies and by recognizing that our only hope for becoming what God intends us to be lies not in our efforts but in his Grace.

I urge you for your soul's good to keep a serious Advent. Take to heart its call to recognize our dependence upon God for our spiritual health in this world and our eternal life in the next. Advent is, among other things, a reminder of the need for humility in order to walk more closely in the ways God has prepared for us. That humility, which includes both repentance for our own sins and the knowledge that only God Himself can deliver us from the difficulties and confusions of our human condition, is a necessary part of the best attitude in which to approach both the expectation of Christ's royal return at the end of time and also the annual remembrance of His birth in a stable.

  --  Father Bragg +

All things come of thee, O Lord, and of thine own have we given thee 
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SERVICES & EVENTS

This Sunday November 30, Advent I & St. Andrew's  Day, 7:45 AM Service; 9:00 AM & 11:15 AM Services with Bishop Johnson's Annual Visitation wit Confirmations and Receptions.  (for online participation for the services go to: https://www.facebook.com/saintsofscotland)

This Sunday November 30, 7:00 PM, Kirkin o' the Tartan with Evening Prayer, Bagpiper, more Scottish music, great reception with Scottish foods and beverages. Bring your tartans to be blessed, and wear your kilts. And it's not too late to invite your relatives, friends and neighbors for a great time!

Monday, December 1, Fr. Bragg continues his study and discussion on the Saints, 7:30 PM, undercroft. If you couldn't make it to the first one, you're still welcome to attend this one and the following ones.

Note change in time for funeral service at church: Requiem Service for Lucia Abell will be held at the Church on Tuesday, December 2, at 5:30 p.m. 
A burial service will take place at Arlington National Cemetery on Wednesday, December 3, at 2:30 PM. – please arrive at Arlington Cemetery by 1:45 p.m. on December 3 via the Hatfield Gate to check in at the security checkpoint using a Real ID or passport.  

Saturday December 6, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, DMAS Advent Retreat, St. Alban's
Church, 4006 Hermitage Rd., Richmond, VA 23227, The theme "The Coming of Christ,” invites us to reflect on His arrival in three dimensions: looking back to His first coming, forward to His Second Coming, and embracing His presence in our lives today. A children’s program will be focused on Advent, featuring crafts and activities. Each child will receive a kit to create their own Advent wreath to take home. A continental breakfast and lunch will be served. $20 for adults, free for children. Registration form at  http://www.dmas-acc.org 

Saturday December 13, 8:30 AM, Men's Breakfast,  church undercroft,  breakfast Chef Extraordinaire Claude Crump and Bible study by Fr. Bragg. Great breakfast, great Bible study, and great fellowship. Men please feel free to invite friends.

Monday December 15, 7:30 PM, VESTRY MEETING, undercroft

Friday December 19, 6:30 PM, Caroling in the neighborhood, meet at the church

Christmas Services to be announced

Sunday December 28, 9:00 AM , Service of Lesson & Carols
Women’s Retreat to be held on Saturday, January 31, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Church of the Ascension in Centreville, VA. Details to follow as the date draws near

 
MaRIH Crisis Pregnancy Center Still Needs More! 
Thank you for all those who helped these past 2 weeks. If you weren't able help or want to help more, MaRIH Center still has a great need for several items:
Diapers, sizes 4, 5 and 6
Jackets (Boys & Girls), sizes 12 month, 18 month and 2T 
Winter clothing, 3- 6 months and size 2T 
Wipes
Baby Blankets
There are two options for helping the Center with this need! 
 
Option 1 
Amazon has all the specific items needed.  You can order the specific item(s) and have them delivered directly to the Center.  

The MaRiH Center
3230B Duke Street
Alexandria, VA 22314-4521
703-370-4774

Option 2 
Drive to your local store, purchase the items requested and drop them off at church on Sunday. We will deliver them to the MaRIH Center.
 

Food Bank Needs
 
The food bank appreciates the generosity of our parish.Please help this month with a food donation if you are able. Those we help feed are very thankful for the food we provide to them each month. Please also buy low sugar cereals (and not the kid's types that have lots of sugar). 

Current needs include the following:
canned meats (chicken, corned beef, spam)
peanut butter
jelly
tuna
canned vegetables (corn, green beans - (regular and low sodium)
individual fruit cups (low sugar)
canned fruit (low sugar)
canola or vegetable oil (48 oz)
boxed cereal (low sugar) and instant or old fashioned oatmeal (18 oz or 42 oz)
pasta (regular and gluten-free):
instant potatoes
single serving fruit juice
macaroni & cheese
soups: Chunky or Progresso,noodle soup; chicken broth, cream of mushroom
coffee, cooking oil, flour, sugar
 
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Our mailing address is:
St. Andrew & St. Margaret of Scotland
1607 Dewitt Avenue
Alexandria, VA 22301-1625