This Saturday, September 26, 11:00 AM, William F. Peyton Requiem Mass followed by reception in the undercroft

Trinity XVII: Grace Before Us, Grace Behind Us

This Sunday's readings all point to one Christian virtue: humility.

The Collect prays that God's grace may "always prevent and follow us." That sounds strange to modern ears, but in the language of the Prayer Book, "prevent" means to go before. (Noah Webster's 1828 dictionary, a wonderful companion for reading the King James Bible, defines it just this way.) We are asking God to go ahead of us, smoothing our path and opening doors to do good, and to follow behind us, supporting us when we fall and blessing our work.

Humility isn't named in the Collect, but it runs underneath. As St. Peter reminded us back on Trinity III, "God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble." Grace flows to those who humble themselves before Him.

In the Epistle, St. Paul urges the Ephesians to walk "with all lowliness and meekness," bearing with one another in love and keeping "the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." Christian unity is a long road, but the G4 jurisdictions (ACC, DHC, ACA, and APA) are taking real steps toward organic union. Please keep our Archbishop and the other G4 leaders in your prayers, that they may continue in humility toward this goal.

In the Gospel, Jesus heals a man on the Sabbath while proud dinner guests look on in silence. He then warns against grabbing the best seat at the table: "whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted." The proud lack mercy for their neighbors. The humble are like Christ, who "came not to be ministered unto, but to minister."

In a world where the loud and forceful often seem to win, humility can feel ineffective. But the virtues found in Scripture are like breadcrumbs, leading us through dark times toward God's grace. We may not see the whole picture yet. We are simply called to play our part.

This week, remember that God resists the proud but shows mercy to the humble, and that He forgives us and helps us live as servants to others.

--Fr Chris Fish

Sunday, 9:00 AM and 11:15 AM services, for online participation go to
https://www.facebook.com/saintsofscotland or to 
https://www.youtube.com/@StAndrewandStMargaret/streams

Nursery during both services

Sunday School, 10:30 AM

Tuesday, Sept 29, St. Michael's Day Service at 12 noon
 
Wednesday at Noon – Holy Communion and anointing for healing, for online participation go to https://www.facebook.com/saintsofscotland or to 
https://www.youtube.com/@StAndrewandStMargaret/streams
 
Wednesday, Sept 30, 7:30 PM, New Bible study starting on Jesus and David offered by Fr. Bragg in the undercroft

Saturday, Oct 3, 9:00 - 11:00 AM, Blessing of the Animals,  ALL pets are welcome. Bring your dogs, cats, rabbits, birds and even your pet photos! Please make sure your beloved pets are leashed or caged for their safety. In addition to the blessing there will be free pet medals, kerchiefs and treats for our furry friends! Invite friends and neighbors to being their pets too. To help set up please arrive between 8:30 & 8:45 AM.

Saturday, Oct 24, 8:30 AM, Men's Group Breakfast and Bible study with Fr. Bragg, good food, good fellowship and great Bible study.

Monday. Oct 26,  7:30 PM, Vestry meeting in the undercroft.

Wednesday, Oct 28, St. Simon & St. Jude, 12 noon 

And Save The Date: Saturday, Nov 7, DMAS Pre-Advent Retreat hosted by our parish, more details to follow


MaRiH Crisis Pregnancy Center: Updated Critical
Needs & More
 
Below are 2 recently updated lists: the critical needs list and the needs list. The all volunteer staff of the MaRiH Center and the families that they help are very thankful for the support that our parish continues to provide.

Critical Needs:
Diapers: sizes 5 and 6
Girls winter clothes: size 3-6 months 
Girls winter clothes: size 6 months 
Boys and girls winter coats: size 2T
Baby Wipes
Baby Blankets
Baby formula: Similac Advance Formula
Bibs: toddler
Baby shampoo
Diaper bags
Diaper rash ointment or cream
Car seat: infant
Other needs:
Diapers: sizes newborn, 1, 2, 3, 4
Spring/Summer Clothing: sizes 3-6 month, 9-12 month, 18-24 month, 
Bibs: infant
Maternity clothes: (Spring/Summer). (Fall/Winter)
Wash cloths
Hooded towels
Baby bottles
Baby formula: All other Similac & Enfamil types. Also accept Alimentum & Nutramigen. No other brands are accepted. Please make sure dates have not expired.
Sleep sack: 0-6, 6-12 month
There are two options for helping the Center with these needs:
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 
Go 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 
 
The food bank continues to need our assistance to feed the hungry. .

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). Also lower sodium products are better and more healthy.

Current needs include the following:
canned meats (chicken, corned beef, spam)
tuna (cans or foil packages)
peanut butter. jelly
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, chicken noodle soup; chicken broth, cream of mushroom. tomato
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