Obeying the Lord's Command

Have you ever noticed that the clergy speak of “conducting” or “leading” Morning or Evening Prayer or “officiating” at a wedding or funeral but that we always “celebrate” a Mass? There's a reason for that.

The best definition of “celebrate” that I have come across is “to remember together with joy something of importance to those present.” Each part of that definition is significant.

“To remember” Any celebration involves the remembrance of a past event. It may be something many years past, such as The Fourth of July, or something in the immediate past, such as a sports team celebrating a victory, but it is something that has actually happened.

“Together” A celebration implies being with others who share our desire to remember the event being celebrated. Cake and ice cream eaten alone on one's birthday is not much of a party.

“With joy” We celebrate only those things that give us pleasure to remember. On Memorial Day we remember those members of the armed services who have lost their lives in our country's many conflicts, but that is a commemoration rather than a celebration. It is, or should be, a solemn recognition of our obligation to render due honor to the memory of those who accepted the burden of military service and who lost their lives in the discharge of their duty.

“Something of importance” We do not celebrate trivialities. Celebrations are ways to mark significant events in the lives of individuals, families, institutions, or communities.

“To those present” A celebration is a shared group experience, and the group is not a random gathering of random individuals. Those present will know what is being celebrated, why it is important, and why it is a cause for rejoicing.

The Eucharist clearly meets all of these criteria for defining a celebration, and our Book of Common Prayer specifically uses that term in the Prayer of Consecration:

“Wherefore, O Lord and heavenly Father, according to the institution of thy dearly beloved Son our Saviour Jesus Christ, we, thy humble servants, do celebrate and make here before thy Divine Majesty, with these thy holy gifts, which we now offer unto thee, the memorial thy Son hath commanded us to make; having in remembrance his blessed passion and precious death, his mighty resurrection and glorious ascension; rendering unto thee most hearty thanks for the innumerable benefits procured unto us by the same.”

What better word could there be to describe what we do when we obey the Lord's command to remember the mighty acts by which He ensured our access to His grace in this life and our assurance of our eternal salvation in the next?

Father Bragg+

 
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Upcoming Events

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

Wednesday at Noon – Holy Communion and anointing for healing ( for online participation see above)

May 22, 7:30 PM, Vestry meeting

Men's Group: No Men's Bible Breakfast during May; one is being planned for June.
 
Your support of the Food Bank and MaRIH Crisis Pregnancy Center is greatly appreciated. The lists below tell what is needed.  The MaRIH Center list has been recently updated.  If you cannot bring items to the church, you can also click on the donate button above and then on the drop down menu that appears on the donation page choose Charity and Mercy to give a cash donation.  In the comment box you can specify if the donation is for the Food Bank and/or for the MaRIH Crisis Pregnancy Center.  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 
Recently 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
Baby shampoo
Baby blankets
Spring/Summer clothing for 0-3 months and 2T*
Sleeping -- Pack-n-Play*
(Bold and  * are a critical need.)

Clothing
Bibs
Sleep Sacks: Girls 0-6 mos.
Socks: Boy/Girl 2T
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St. Andrew & St. Margaret of Scotland
1607 Dewitt Avenue
Alexandria, VA 22301-1625