A Voice in the Wilderness

2019-12-04

Asking for Directions

In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."   Matthew 3:1-2 

It's an old joke: "Men never ask for directions."  
 
How many comedy sketches have been based on exactly this premise?  But what if we think of "men" not as a statement of gender but rather as the collective term for all of humanity: WE don't ask for directions. (We don't take direction very well, either!)
 
There are lots of voices telling us which way to turn, offering a shortcut, suggesting an easier, softer way.  A miscalculated step here, a wrong choice there and before we know it we are lost.

A change of course is needed.   This is why God sends his messengers: the prophets.  To point out we are headed the wrong way.  To "preach repentance and prepare the way for our salvation."  But just exactly how do we make the needed changes? How are we to know which way to go?
 
If only we had a "Google Maps" for our life with God.
 
Advent offers us an opportunity to let God reset our GPS.  Far from being a joke, asking direction from our most reliable source is critical. During this season of Advent we are "Journeying the Way of Love" to help us be intentional in allowing God to shape and direct our path
 
For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.    Romans 15:4 ESV
 
Merciful God, who sent thy messengers the prophets to preach repentance and prepare the way for our salvation: Give us grace to heed their warnings and forsake our sins, that we may greet with joy the coming of Jesus Christ our Redeemer; who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.   Amen. 
​(Collect for the Second Sunday of Advent, BCP pg.159)  

Blessings,

Matthew+

Coming up...

Stewardship wrap-up

Thank you to all of you who have already turned in your pledge for the coming year. If you have not yet turned in your pledge card for the coming year, please do so by December 8th. This will help the Finance committee to finalize the budget for the coming year.

If you did not receive a letter and pledge card, let us know and we will be happy to send one to you.  You can also find a digital copy of them by clicking the links that follow.

2019 Stewardship Letter

St. John’s pledge card

It's a WRAP! (a Wrapping Party that is) 

Everyone is welcome to stay and wrap gifts (and drink hot chocolate) after the service this Sunday, December 8th, as we "wrap up" the MFC Holiday Gift Project (see the article below). 

Season of Giving 

St. John’s members are actively involved in a number of activities with the Mountain Family Center (MFC):

 Holiday Gift Project:

 Thank you to everyone at St. John’s and Trinity (Kremmling) who are sponsoring families through the MFC Holiday Gift Project. Gifts along with the ornament tag should be returned no later than December 8^th to the church and placed under the Giving Tree. We will have a wrapping party that day from 11 AM-1PM. If you have questions and/or wish to donate a monetary gift for the purchase of gifts, please contact Elaine Skoch at 785-218-5599 or pfyre@centurylink.net

 Support for Seniors:

Each year Grand Seniors/MFC provide a holiday gathering (a meal and a small gift) for seniors. They also provide transportation throughout the year for various needs. In addition to monetary donations, MFC is also seeking donation of Socks for Seniors (new men’s and women’s heavy/Christmas socks) to pass out to attendees at the annual dinner, which will be held December 15^th.  Anyone who wishes to volunteer to serve at the event should contact Elaine (above).  Socks may be brought to the church on or before December 8^th and placed under our Giving Tree as well.

The holiday season is always a good time to take stock of our many blessings and to share with those who are less fortunate. Thank you to all of you who so generously give to make life a little better for those around us

Mountain Family in-gathering 

The anawim  are those from the Old Testament who remained faithful and awaited the good things of the Lord to fill their emptiness, as the gospel of Luke tells us (Lk 1:53).

This coming weekend is our in-gathering for Mountain Family Center. We may be asked to do many things this time of year, but we cannot forget those who are in need.  Please let us not forget the anawim. Let us be Christ for them in not letting them be hungry. 

Thank you for all you give,

Deacon Kaye

Journeying the Way of Love: Advent Curriculum

Why not make the Way Of Love part of your Advent practice of getting ready.

During Advent, Journeying the Way of Love offers four sessions to be explored as we await the coming of Christ by moving through the first two chapters of the Gospel of Luke.

Grab a cup of coffee and join us as we walk The Way of Love together. (We will gather right after the Wrapping Party is done.)

Christmas lights

We have a Christmas tree to decorate outside the church that is in need of some new LED lights. Do you have a strand that you might be willing to donate?

Journey to Faith:
The Five Thresholds

Recently, Melodie Marske, a Regional director at InterVarsity gave a presentation after the service on how to help people on their journey to faith. If you missed the presentation or want to revisit the videos you can find them here.

Cranmer Dinners

We had a great kick off to the 21st year of the Cranmer Dinners. We served over 150 meals at this years Thanksgiving Dinner. 

Read about it in the Sky-Hi News here and the Winter Park Times here.

Church Directory

We are in the process of updating our church directory. Please click here to fill out your current information.

© Copyright, 2019, St. John the Baptist Episcopal • 390 E Garnet Ave, Granby, CO 80446

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