Epiphany will be celebrated with a Noonday Mass, Friday, January 6, 2023.

A Prayer for Epiphany
 
“Almighty and everlasting God, who has made known the incarnation of thy Son by the bright shining star, which when the wise men beheld they adored thy majesty and presented costly gifts:  Grant that the star of thy righteousness may always shine in our hearts, and that for our treasure we may give to thy service ourselves and all that we have; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.”
 
There are a treasure trove of wonderful prayers and collects to convey the significance of the Epiphany, or the Manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles.  Perhaps I am partial to this prayer because it is so ancient.  It is translated from the Gelasian Sacramentary, the second oldest surviving liturgical book of its kind.  A sacramentary contains those parts of the rites (Daily Offices, Eucharist, and Pastoral Offices) read by the celebrant.  The prayers in the Gelasian Sacramentary date back as far as the early 600’s A.D. I can imagine the authors of these ancient prayers writing from a perspective that was so much closer to the historical events of Jesus’ life and ministry; that they were somehow more attuned to a sacredness that has been faded with time.  This of course is not true!  The significance of Christ’s earthly ministry is just as real and powerful today as in any day of the past.  It is timeless of course!  
 
The Epiphany is God’s gift of light to the entire word; the signal that this small, helpless child born of a virgin in the humblest of surroundings, is our King of Kings, our Messiah and Savior.   The wise men brought this child savior “costly gifts” as a sign of gratitude and respect.  God does not expect the same from us.  We simply have to accept into our hearts the light from “the star of thy righteousness.”  The events of the Epiphany are just as significant today as they were when the wise men made their visit, and when the unknown clerics wrote the prayers of the Gelasian Sacramentary.  In 2023 there are more people on this Earth hungering for the Good News of that Light than in any time in the Church’s history.  And there are plenty who have heard and forgotten this gift of Epiphany.  So for this Epiphanytide let us focus on being beacons of this Gift, this Divine Revelation and Light, to those who seek out this Light and to those who are yearning to break free of the darkness.  We must ensure that our hearts are open to receive God’s gift for us.  We can achieve this by heeding the wisdom of St. Leo the Great:  
 
“As the wise men fell down and worshiped Him in a manger, so let us fall down and worship Him, enthroned omnipotent in heaven. As they opened their treasures and presented unto him mystic and symbolic gifts, so let us strive to open our hearts to him, and offer him from thence some worthy offering.”
 
--Fr. Dcn. Chris
 
All things come of thee, O Lord, and of thine own have we given thee
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UPCOMING EVENTS

Friday, January 6,  Epiphany Service 12 noon,

Sunday Services: 7:45 AM, 9:00 AM, & 11:15 AM  (for online participation for the services go to: https://www.facebook.com/saintsofscotland/ )

Wednesday at Noon – Holy Communion and anointing for healing

Saturday January 21, 8:30 AM, Men's Group in the undercroft (that means basement) with breakfast by Chef Claude Crump and Bible Study with Bob Boyd. Start the year off right with food, fellowship and Bible study with other men of the parish.

Next Vestry Meeting – Monday, January 23, at 7:30 p.m. in the church undercroft.

Annual Parish Meeting – Sunday, January 29, 2023 -- following a combined 10:00 a.m. service. If you will not be able to attend this meeting, it is very important that you fill out a proxy form, copies of which may be found on the narthex table and on top of a cabinet in the undercroft. If you are a communicant member of the parish, you can also respond to this email and indicate that you are giving your proxy for the annual meeting to the Rector, the Senior Warden or another parish member but please specify whom.

Donations to the Food Bank and Marih Center are greatly needed.  Across the country, crisis pregnancy centers have been attacked or vandalized.  The needs are great.  Please help with either a goods donation or a monetary donation.  You can give through the donation button in this newsletter and use the drop down menu to choose "Charity & Mercy."   Thank you.
 
Food Donations 
Please help this month with a food donation if you are able. Christ House is 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)
• cereal (low sugar)
• pasta (regular and gluten-free)
• instant potatoes
• Macaroni & cheese kits
• Coffee, cooking oil, flour, sugar 
 
Updated List of Needs for MaRIH Center (crisis pregnancy center)
MaRIH Center with its all volunteer staff has been providing help to mothers-to-be and mothers in need.  If you can provide some of the items that are needed, please do so. (You can leave the donations where the food for the food bank is collected on the pew in the undercorft.)

Especially Needed
Baby wipes* (an ongoing great need)
Diapers (sizes 1*, 2, 3*, 4, 5*, & 6*)
Diaper rash ointment
(Bold and  * are a critical need.)

Clothing
Bibs
Clothing for boys and girls (0-6 months)
Sleep Sacks: Girls 0-6 mos.
Socks: Boy/Girl 2T

Other
Baby shampoo

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St. Andrew & St. Margaret of Scotland
1607 Dewitt Avenue
Alexandria, VA 22301-1625