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"Moses said, 'Show me your glory, I pray.' And he said, 'I will make all my goodness pass before you, and will proclaim before you the name, 'The Lord,' and I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy to whom I will show mercy.'" (Exodus 33:18-19)
Dearly Beloved,
If you've ever attended a big concert with a famous musician or spotted a movie star in public, you know that everyone is paying attention. Because when someone with wealth, power, and prestige enters the room, we feel their presence. Their popularity and prestige leads to a kind of visible splendor. You've probably heard someone say, "And there he was, in all of his glory!"
After interceding on Israel's behalf, asking God to remain present with his people despite their disobedience, Moses makes a strange request. "Show me your glory, I pray." To which God replies, "I will make all my goodness pass before you." Moses wants to see God's visible splendor, but God says, "I can't show that to a human being--you would die!" In telling Moses that he'd show him his goodness, then proclaiming that he would be gracious and merciful, God is sending a message: My inner-glory is my goodness. It's my character to forgive, embrace, and show mercy. This is a different kind of glory than we see in Tom Cruise or The Beatles!
In the Old Testament, God had to conceal his visible splendor in a cloud, the tabernacle, and the temple. The key was hidenness. It was impossible for the holiness and splendor of God to come into direct contact with sinful human beings, so God, while present, had to "keep a distance" so as not to destroy anyone! Well--what would it take for this glory and splendor to come close?
Saint John writes, "And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory" (John 1:14a). When God takes human flesh in Jesus, his glory is veiled in skin and bones, but comes close! He lives among human beings. He is able to bring his holiness and his goodness to us. This is nothing short of amazing! And just as God proclaims his mercy and grace to the people of Israel, in Jesus he extends that mercy and grace beyond Israel to all of the world.
So, God's Word challenges us to understand glory in a new way. God's glory is manifest in his embrace of sinners--those who are unlike God, those who have run away from God, turned their backs on him. We see it most powerfully as Jesus hangs on the cross and cries out, "Forgive them, Father. They don't know what they're doing." It is this enemy-love, the embrace of those who have hurt us, offended us, insulted us, that we as followers of Jesus are called to embody.
Imagine a world where people began to embrace their worst enemies! Such a world would point to the New Creation where God's Peace will reign forever. And such a vision starts with the Church--a.k.a. You and Me. Embracing with mercy and compassion those we find it most difficult to love and forgive is not easy, but it is the only way. It is the way of the cross. And it is the way God's glory will be put on display in this hurting world.
In Jesus' Name,
Fr. Cameron+
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YOUTH BREAKFAST TEAM!!
Ayla van Hissenhoven (who makes those amazing cookies and waffles) is heading up our new Youth Breakfast Team. Be sure to come out for a breakfast treat next Sunday, October 29 at 8:30 am (eggs, bacon, sausage, waffles - the works!) If you know of any youth who would like to help out let the Parish Office know and they will forward the info to Ayla.
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NOVEMBER 5
If you would like to have the names of loved ones who have passed into the nearer presence of the Lord mentioned at the altar on All Saints Day please remember to fill out the bulletin insert, indicating which service you will be attending.
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Clocks change on November 5
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CLERGY CONFERENCE - OCTOBER 23-25
Rev'd Sarah, Fr. Cameron, and Deacon Dick will be attending the Clergy Conference at Canterbury Monday thru Wednesday of this week. Tuesday and Wednesday Noonday prayer will be appropriately lay led. Rev'd Sarah and Fr. Cameron will be back in the church office on Thursday, October 26.
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The 30 Day Praise Challenge begins November 1! This is one possible resource to join me (Rev'd Sarah) in thirty days of praising God.
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COMPETITION RULES
Competition limited to 12 contestants
(open to non-parishioners also)
Each contestant will make 1 full pot of chili for judging and sampling later
Contestants must have chili ready for judging by 4:45
Judging takes place between 5:00 pm and 6:00 pm
Winners announced at 6:15 pm
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DESSERT AUCTION!!!
Calling all bakers! And there are lots of you!!! Looking forward to our annual fun dessert auction: cookies, chocolate cakes, banana puddings, bundt cakes, etc. Bring a dessert and some $$$ to spend :-)
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ADULT SPIRITUAL FORMATION
Sundays at 9:00 am in Roberta's Hall
"HOW THE IRISH SAVED CIVILIZATION"
We will explore Celtic Christian spirituality through the lives of Celtic saints and the ordinary Celtic
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Christians as they went about their everyday lives: their life of prayer, their missionary zeal, their deep-seated faith in the triune God and what we can learn from a spirituality that was foundational in the church in England of which we are inheritors.
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Clergy
The Rt. Rev’d Gregory O. Brewer, Bishop of Central Florida
The Rt. Rev’d William Folwell, The Rt. Rev’d John Howe, and the Rt. Rev’d Hugo Pina-Lopez, retired Bishops
The Rev’d Sarah L. Bronos, Rector
The Rev’d Cameron MacMillan, Curate
The Rev’d Dick Costin, Deacon
Diocesan Cycle of Prayer
St. Mary of the Angels Church, Orlando
St. Matthew’s Church, Orlando
The Nation and Those in Authority
The President, Governors, Representatives, Congressmen and women, and the Mayors of Sanford and Windermere
Prayers for Healing and Other Needs
Evelyn, Dick, Nancy, Charles, Daniel, Dee, Scott, Dean, Elizabeth, Becky, George, Joan, Dottie, Sandy, Mary Jo, Deacon Dick, Valerie, Frances, Evelyn, Kaimeko, Lillian, Pete, Marianne, Heather, Peggy, Faye, Millie
Military Personnel and Families
Matthew Meszaros, Kate Pierce, Brigit Kincaid, and Dennis Glasgow
Our College and Seminarian Students
Karissa Ashcraft, Patrick Van Hissenhoven, Laura Harris, Stephen Gant, Donny Lisle, Ray Lisle, Debora Lisle, Abbei Moye, Kyra Ashcraft, Rose Thatcher, Nicole Folsom, Tyler Powell, and Jim Louttit
Our Diocesan Missionary
The Reverend Stephen and Mary Dass, and the street children of Brazil
Birthdays
Jane Smith, Analise Van Hissenhoven, Mark Graham
Anniversaries
Gordon and Terri Sims
Safe Travel
Millie Dzurus
Thanksgiving/Praise
Michael, Nancy
If you have any prayer requests please visit our website and complete the Prayer Request Form.
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