News
Come Worship With Us!
Join us for Worship at our Franciscan Chapel, 1004 N. College Avenue in Columbia, Missouri.
Saturday mass is at 5pm, followed by fellowship (about 90 minutes.) Tuesday and Thursday mass at Noon (about thirty minutes)
All baptized Christians are welcome to receive Holy Communion
December 8-15, 2019
Hello to all! We are heading to the Third Sunday of Advent, traditionally called Gaudete (Rejoice) Sunday. It is famous for using the "pink" candle or ribbon and signifies we are halfway through our Advent preparation time. I trust Advent has drawn each of us deeper in our relationship with The Lord.
Our Scriptures are Isaiah 35: 1-10; psalm 146; James 5: 7-10 and Matthew 11: 2-11. The first reading is the Isaiah reading about a blooming wilderness. It challenges us, the fearful-hearted, telling us to be strong and not fear. It refers to the healing of the blind, the lame, and the dumb. It talks about a "way", a road called the 'Highway of holiness' and has us redeemed-ones singing as we come back to Zion. (Wonderful imagery about the coming Day of Messiah!)
The second reading strongly counsels patience and perseverance as we establish our hearts waiting for the coming of the Lord. (Don't you like that phrase 'establish your heart'? It is a good brief description of why we do Advent.)
The gospel is very sacramental. I will explain. John the Baptist from prison sends his disciples to Jesus to ask if He is the 'Coming One'. Jesus points out that John should read the 'sign events' that accompany Jesus: the healing of the blind, the lame and the dumb. And then He asks John, His prophetic forerunner, to draw his own conclusions.
Chapel Schedule for the week
Tuesday and Thursday noon Eucharist (December 10 and 12)
Wednesday Evening prayer at 5 pm (December 11)
Saturday Eucharist at 5 pm followed by fellowship. (December 14)
Be sure to pray with and for all who are part of Room At The Inn, our winter ministry to the homeless. It has begun December 8 and goes to early March.
Also, thanks to all who held me and are holding me in prayer as I deal with my artificial hip that does go out with regularity.
I believe that is all I have. Enjoy your Advent preparation. Love to all!
- Fr. John, OFP
NEW CEC NEWSLETTER! The CEC is now offering an electronic newsletter which features news and information from CEC churches world-wide. Sursum Corda (Latin for "Lift Up Your Hearts") is available by e-mail FREE from the denomination web site. To subscribe, go to www.iccec.org/sursum-corda.
CHECK OUT THIS NEWS FEATURE ABOUT US:
http://columbiafavs.com/2014/02/15/christian-traditions-converge-charismatic-episcopal-church/
