First Sunday after Christmas, December 31st, 2023

 First Sunday after Christmas, December 31st, 2023

In the Fourth Chapter of the Letter to the Galatians, we hear the following:  "God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ."   It is never good to be "full of ourselves."  In other words, we should never think too highly of ourselves than we ought, but when you consider the fact that God thinks so highly of His creation that not only did He send His Son into the world to save us, but that as a result we are now considered "sons" and "daughters" of God, the honour is beyond comprehension!  Think about it, God has chosen you . . . He has redeemed you . . . He has made you His very own child!  The only thing that we have to do is to respond and then act accordingly.  So often, when we are out and about, we may see a child in a store who is acting up and not listening to his parents.  And the first thought to our mind is:  "What an ungrateful child" or "what a spoiled child."  And, yet, when it comes to the spiritual life, are we not "spoiled children" to Our Heavenly Father?  Perhaps, we ignore God completely.  Perhaps, we only approach God when we want something.  Maybe, we don't hear God speaking to us because we are too far away and not paying attention.  We have to always remind ourselves on a daily basis the dignity and honour that God has given to each one of us by being called "son" or "daughter" of the Almighty.

St. Margaret of Scotland Anglican Church is a traditional Anglican parish, which uses the Anglican Missal and the 1928 Book of Common Prayer.  We also use the King James Version of the Bible.  We believe strongly in Our Lord's words . . .  "this is My Body and this is My Blood" . . . and believe that Our Blessed Saviour is truly present in the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar and we receive Him at Communion time.  Come join us every Sunday morning at 10:30 AM as we gather together as God's family to worship Our Blessed Lord.  We celebrate Mass in the Chapel at Marquette Manor, which is located at 8140 N. Township Line Road on the Northwest side of Indianapolis.

Fourth Sunday in Advent, December 24th, 2023

 Fourth Sunday in Advent, December 24th, 2023

It just seems to make common sense that you have to have all the parts in order to make something complete.  For example, if a bike is missing the wheels . . . .  it is incomplete.  How frustrating would it be to work on a 5,000 piece puzzle and discover some of the pieces were missing?  Or if you are in the kitchen, how are you going to prepare something if you do not have all of the ingredients?  I might have it in my mind to bake a cherry pie but what if I do not have any cherries for my cherry pie?  Again, it only makes sense that we must have all the parts or all the ingredients on hand if we are going to make something.  In essence, St. Paul is saying this to the Philippians in the fourth chapter of that epistle when he writes:  " . . . . but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made know unto God." (Philippians 4:6)  When it comes to prayer, very often we are missing some of the elements. Many people only pray when they need something.  Many of us only go to God when we are in need of a favor from Him.  And it is fine to go to God when you are in need of something . .. or in trouble . . . or in need of mercy . . . . after all, God is our loving Father and He wants to be there for His children.  But, that being said, we should not ONLY approach God solely when we need something.  That would be the equivalent of a neighbor who won't give you the time of  day but will only come to you when they need something.  Or having a relative that never contacts you except when they need to borrow some money.  We need to go to God in prayer not only when we need something from Him.  This is what St. Paul is saying.  We need to also praise Him when we pray.  And we certainly need to pray in Thanksgiving when we pray.  In other words, we need to thank Him for the many blessings He bestows upon us during our lifetime.  "Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving; and make a joyful noise to Him with psalms."  (Psalm 94:2)  Christmas is the season of giving.  Let each of us focus on giving more time to God.  Let us dedicate more prayer time to God.  Do not let the fast pace of the world and all the being busy in life keep us from approaching God.  Let us take time each day from our busy lives in order to dedicate that time solely to God.  

NOTE:  On Sunday, December 24th, 2023, Mass will be celebrated at our normal time of 10:30 am on Sunday morning.  On Monday, December 25th, 2023, Christmas Day, we will celebrate Mass at a special time of 11:00 am.  Please make a point of joining us one day or both days if you can.  

 Third Sunday in Advent, December 17th, 2023

Have you ever been overjoyed by something and before you knew it, the joy had worn off?    As children, especially at Christmas time, we are overjoyed at what Santa Claus will bring us.  We anxiously look forward to all the presents under the tree and try to figure out what is wrapped inside.   Let's be honest, whether as children or adults,  . . .  whether it is a gift given to us or something we have purchased ourselves  .. . .  whether it is an actual physical product or whether it is simply a good meal that we look forward to devouring . . . . the point is the same:  things of this world do indeed bring us joy for a time but then the joy eventually fades.  Even if you look at it from the perspective of someone who turns to drink or drugs to find their "happiness,"  . . . . what happens when the effect of either drink or drug wears off?  That person goes back to feeling like they did before.  The "high" feeling . . .  the "drunk" feeling only lasts so long.  Things of the world . . .  whether they be electronics .  . . or food . . . . or clothing . . .  or positions of honour . . . . or titles at our jobs . . . or booze  . . . . or drugs . .  . all these things only bring temporary fulfillment.  They do satisfy, yes, but only for a time.  The joy we find in them  is only temporary, never lasting.

For the Christian, on the other hand, the joy that is everlasting is our relationship with God.  "Rejoice in the Lord, O ye righteous, for it becometh well the just to be thankful." (Psalm 33)  Our personal relationship with Our Blessed Saviour will never disappoint.  Our personal relationship with Our Lord and Saviour is one that will last an eternity.  While other things in this earthly life will fade away . . .  or be consumed . . . or rust away . ..  or go out of fashion . . . . the relationship that God offers to us is forever.  God will always be faithful to His people.  "Gaudete in Domino semper" ("Rejoice in the Lord always")  (Philippians 4:4-5)  Rejoice in the fact that God loves you!  Rejoice in the fact that God sent His only Son to die for you!  Rejoice in the fact that God offers you the possibility of eternal life!  Give your heart to the One that offered His Heart to you!  Give your life to Our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, and rejoice in the Lord always!

The Third Sunday of Advent is referred to as "Gaudete Sunday."  And this is because "Gaudete" is the Latin word for rejoice, which comes from the first word of the introit, "Rejoice ..  . . "  As such, the Church is past the midway point of the season of Advent, and we use this opportunity to take a breather, so to speak.  Remember, the season of Advent is supposed to be somewhat somber in nature . .   . this is why the liturgical colour during this season is violet or purple as it is in Lent.  But today the Church lightens its' mood just a bit and rose coloured vestments can be worn instead of violet for today. 

Make a point to join St. Margaret Church on Sunday, December 17th, 2023 as we continue our Advent journey.  Take time out of your busy schedule and dedicate that time to God.  Come listen to His Word and receive His Precious Body and Blood at Communion time.  St. Margaret Church worships at the beautiful Chapel at Marquette Manor, located at 8140 N. Township Line Road on the Northwest side of Indianapolis.  Mass begins at 10:30 am every Sunday morning.  Please make a point to visit us.

 

Second Sunday in Advent, December 10th, 2023

"WHATSOEVER things were written aforetime were written for our learning," (Romans 15:4)

How many products do we open up without ever reading the instructions?  In the world in which we live today it seems that every product comes with some kind of instructions or warnings or a list of ingredients.  Everything from food packages to the prescriptions we pick up.  Speaking of prescriptions, even the commercials for new prescriptions you see on TV list all kinds of warnings and information right there in the commercial.  Everything seems to come with some kind of warning, some kind of instructions, some kind of information which are placed there for our benefit but none of us rarely takes the time to read or take notice of what is given to us.  Sad to say but generally speaking God's Word sadly falls into this category as well.  How many people take time out of their busy schedule to read the "Good Book?"  How many people make a point to open up the Scriptures and learn what God is saying to them?   How many of us make the effort to learn from the Bible?  Of course many people do but I am speaking in general terms here.  I would dare say that most people treat the Word of God just like the informational printouts that the pharmacist gives them when they pick up their prescriptions.  Does anyone ever read the printouts that the pharmacist gives us with our prescriptions?  Does anyone ever take the time to read what is printed on a product we buy in the store?  Sadly, who takes the time in our day and age to read what God wants them to learn?  The Scriptures are there for our learning.  The Scriptures are presented for us to know the things of God.  The Word of God is given to us to know what God would have us know.  God speaks to us through the Word of God.  We should make a point to read and learn and hear what God is saying to us.

Make a point to join St. Margaret Church on Sunday, December 10th, 2023 as we continue our Advent journey.  Take time out of your busy schedule and dedicate that time to God.  Come listen to His Word and receive His Precious Body and Blood at Communion time.  St. Margaret Church worships at the beautiful Chapel at Marquette Manor, located at 8140 N. Township Line Road on the Northwest side of Indianapolis.  Mass begins at 10:30 am every Sunday morning.  Please make a point to visit us.

First Sunday in Advent, December 3rd, 2023

 First Sunday in Advent, December 3rd, 2023

The Thirteenth Chapter of St. Paul's Epistle to the Romans is the passage appointed for the First Sunday in Advent.  Personally, if I was forced to "name" this specific chapter, or this specific passage, I would probably call it the "Challenge Passage."  Why?  Because in this chapter St. Paul tells the Romans . . . . and not just them, but us as well . .. . that we are called to love one another.   In this passage that we hear today, it begins with St. Paul writing:  "Owe no man any thing, but to love one another;  for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law." (Romans 13:8)  And then he continues after that by writing:   ". . . therefore love is the fulfilling of the law" (Romans 13:10)  And, once again you ask, why would I call this particular chapter the "Challenge Passage?"  Well, quite frankly, it is difficult to love a lot of people in this world, isn't it?  There are certain people in our life that are very easy to love.  These people are kind.  These people are gentle.  They might be generous to us by giving us their time.  They might show us love first.  They might be fun to be around.  etc.  It's easy to love people described above.  But what about loving those people who do not fit the above description?  What about those people who are rude?  what about those people who are mean to us?  What about the people that, quite frankly, could be described as "jerks?"  How easy is it to "love" these people?  Truth be known, every single one of us could come up with a list of people whom we consider great . .   . . . in other words, the people that make it easy to love them . . . . and a list of people that we can't stand . . . .  in other words, the people that are very hard to love.  And yet, we know from Scripture and specifically this Thirteenth Chapter of the Epistle to the Romans that " ..  . .  love is the fulfilling of the law."  Why should we do this?  Well, quite frankly, because we are commanded to do so as Christians.  But, in my humble opinion, more importantly, we need to do it because we need to follow Our Blessed Lord's example.  In other words, He did it.  He loved those who did not love Him.  He showed love to those who did not show love to Him.  We don't know why sometimes, but God loves even those who do not deserve love, at least in our way of thinking.  This is proven in the fact that God sent His only begotten Son into the world on behalf of all men . . . . not just on behalf of kind men . . . .  not just on behalf of friendly men . . . .  not just on behalf of men who first do things for us . . . . He sent His Son into the world on behalf of ALL humanity, not just some.  Let us spend this holy season of Advent preparing ourselves for the coming of the Christ Child.  Let us welcome Him into our heart and prepare by imitating Him in our love of others.  Not just love for those who deserve our love  . . . . but working on loving those who do not show love to us because this is what Our Saviour did . . . .  He loved those who did not even love Him.

St. Margaret Church worships every Sunday morning at 10:30 AM at the Chapel at Marquette Manor, which is located at 8140 N. Township Line Road on the Northwest side of Indianapolis.

NOTE:  Keep in mind that we must enter in the main entrance of the lobby and sign in before we go to the chapel.  

Please Join us as we gather together as God's family to:  hear the Word of God; listen as God speaks to each one of us in our hearts; worship God in song and in word; listen to the King James Bible and the 1928 Book of Common Prayer; and, finally, receive Our Blessed Lord in Holy Communion so that we can be nourished for the journey we call life.  Take one hour out of your busy schedule to worship God, to honour God, to acknowledge the need for God in your life. St. Margaret Church worships every Sunday morning at 10:30 AM at the Chapel at Marquette Manor, which is located at 8140 N. Township Line Road on the Northwest side of Indianapolis.