FOR THE LOVE OF MIKE Volume 66 Number 11
DECEMBER 2016
The Episcopal Church of Saint Michael & All Angels Pacific View Drive at Marguerite
Corona del Mar
California 92625
...From the Desk of the Rector
BELOVEDS IN CHRIST -
O
ur Winter Solstice on the 22nd of this month means that this is a dark time of year. The world around us seems “dark,” as well; we’ve got climate change, cyber attacks, random violence, global terrorism and more. We are living in a world that feels like the first verse of “The first Nowell the angel did say... on a cold winter’s night that was so deep.” Deep, deep darkness. Remember comedian George Carlin’s line: “When you’re experiencing darkness in your life, pray for God to free you from it. If you are still in darkness ... make sure you’ve paid the electric bill!” Certainly, you will understand that we’re not the first people to face dark days. Hebrew Scriptures present numerous examples. In the prophet Isaiah’s time, about seven hundred years before the birth of Christ, people “walked in THE WORD BECAME darkness ...{and}... lived in a land of FLESH AND LIVED deep darkness ”(9:2); God seemed AMONG US, absent and people saw “only distress AND WE HAVE SEEN HIS and darkness, the gloom of anguish; GLORY! and they were thrust into thick JOHN 1:14A darkness” (8:21-22). We know what this feels like. Anxiety and insecurity about relationships, jobs, Dear Friends in Christ, health, retirement and fear about the future lead us to feel as though we are As we celebrate the wondrous being “thrust into thick darkness.” birth of our Savior Jesus Christ, We need illumination. we continue to pray in hope for The people of ancient Israel looked the promise of peace with justice for a ray of light. “For a child has been that God brings to all. Especially born for us, given to us,” says the at this time, we, the staff of Saint prophet (9:6), “authority shall rest upon Michael & All Angels, want to his shoulders; and he will be named thank our beloved parish family Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, for the opportunities to serve Everlasting Prince of Peace” (9:7). This among you during the entire year. was their “FutureHope.” As we work together with you We have so many reasons for hope in our various ministries, we are today. From a TED talk by authorable to bring the message of comedian-entrepreneur Baratunde Christ beyond our parish into our Thurston, I learned about three community, our nation, and the teenagers: American Taylor Wilson world. who said to himself, “I’m going to We wish you a most happy and design a new, safer, more efficient blessed New Year 2017! nuclear reactor,” and did; Kenyan Richard Turere who feared that lions Peter, Ray, Susan C., Susan B., would devour his family’s livestock, so Marybeth, and the Westroms (Susan, Heidi, and Erik & Katie) Continued on page 3
949.644.0463
stmikescdm.ladiocese.org
CHRISTMAS WORSHIP SCHEDULE 2016 Sunday, December 11 5pm Lessons & Carols in our Sanctuary
Sunday, December 18 8 & 10am Holy Eucharist 4pm Children’s Christmas Pageant & Eucharist in Saint Michael & All Angels’ Sanctuary (nursery care available)
Saturday, December 24 Christmas Eve Worship
5pm Festive Choral Eucharist with Gift of Music (nursery care available) 8pm Solemn Choral Eucharist with Soloists
Sunday, December 25 Christmas Day
10am Holy Eucharist with Carols & Sermon
Merry Christmas! CELEBRATE THE SEASON! Everyone is encouraged to join SMAA parishioners, and families and friends in offering Carols for the Season at the 38th annual Corona del Mar Christmas Walk on Sunday, December 4th. We will be singing from 12 noon to 2pm in front of Sherman Library and Gardens.--Look for our Saint Michael’s banner! Please Save the Date for this festive event! …Anne Warmington (202.550.4100)
BUILDING OUR F AITH: L OVING CHRIST AND SER VING OUR COMMUNITY FAITH: LO SERVING