The First Sunday of Advent
The First Sunday of Advent
During the four Sundays of Advent, the Church looks back on Christ’s coming to earth at Christmas in celebration, while simultaneously looking forward with anticipation to Christ’s second coming and the consummation of his eternal Kingdom. And during this season we examine ourselves and prepare our souls for both, though much emphasis is given in these weeks to the second (in fact, it wasn’t until the Middle Ages that Advent was linked officially to Christ’s first coming).
That’s why, on Advent 1 in this year’s lectionary cycle, we’re drawn to St Paul’s first letter to a young church at Thessalonica where Christ’s second coming is one of the most prominent themes. It’s mentioned in every chapter.
And from this book we will examine the passage assigned for Sunday to see if there may be something particularly helpful for us in this season of preparation.
Christ is All,
Steve+
Advent Devotional Resources:
While our culture fires up the Christmas Machine, the Church has a countercultural offer: slow down and anticipate Christmas with hope, not dread. Against the whirl of consumerism, adopt the steady rhythm of Advent. Enjoy the waiting game. Watch. Study. Listen.
The following resources are designed to help in these very things:
Encountering Jesus in John: An Advent Study by (“our”) Chrystie Cole. Encountering Jesus in John is a 4-week, self-paced, video-based study with 12 teaching videos and a downloadable 60-page workbook. This resource is designed to help you engage with the Scriptures and lead you to encounter Jesus as the Lamb of God, the Bread of Life, the Good Shepherd, and our Great High Priest. Encountering Jesus In John will help you rediscover the beauty, power, and provision of the gospel! Check it out here. Use promo code REDEEMER for a discount on the printable pdf version of this study with full access to the video teachings.
Christ Prepares His People: Four lessons from Luke 12 taught by our Bishop, Julian Dobbs. Christ Prepares His People is a four-part online video series. Access all four teachings here.
Daily Morning Prayer Live on Zoom—we pray together Tuesday-Friday mornings for a half hour beginning at 8:00AM. Join us here.
Pray the 2019 Book of Common Prayer Daily Offices—find them here.
Men’s Bible Study—Though not specifically an Advent study, weekly Bible study with Christian brothers is an excellent habit to begin and build during this season. Starting Thursday, December 5 we will study the book of Romans together in a 20-part series by John Stott in our Parish Hall, 7-8AM. Coffee provided. If you’d like to join us, email Steve Wishart here.
NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
Christmas Giving Opportunities—Redeemer is partnering with our neighbors at The Salvation Army Annapolis Corps (church) for two of their annual initiatives:
The whole year of services that The Salvation Army provides to our community is funded by their Red Kettle Campaign. The funds raised locally stay here. You can help by giving a little time—and having a lot of fun—as a volunteer bell ringer. Sign up at registertoring.com with your family or friends. It’s a great way to spread some Christmas cheer and fund services that are provided in Jesus’ name to our neighbors in need. Paid bell-ringing opportunities are also available (grab a flyer in the lobby).
You can help make a child’s Christmas wishes a reality by picking up a tag from the Angel Tree outside the sanctuary this Sunday and shopping for the gifts listed on it yourself, with your family, or together with another family. Needy families in our area have been interviewed by The Salvation Army and a wish list and tag created for each of their children. Please bring the unwrapped items you purchase to church by Sunday, December 8, along with the tag. The Salvation Army sorts and distributes them in mid-December. We are down to the final four tags, pick up yours this Sunday.
Redeemer Annual Meeting—Sunday, December 8 following worship and a light brunch.
Lessons and Carols—Tuesday, December 24, 5PM followed by a “favorite hors d’oeuvre” and wine reception.
Holy Communion—Christmas morning, 11:00AM.
Evening Prayer—beginning Wednesday, January 8 and continuing weekly, we will gather in our Sanctuary for Evening Prayer, 7-8PM.
2025 VESTRY NOMINEES
Erin Ball grew up in Joplin, Missouri, and has landed in Maryland these past 16 years after also living in Hungary, Missouri (again), and Alabama. She and Kevin have been married for 22 years and enjoy their three amazing and entertaining children, Doran, a junior at University of Tennessee Knoxville; Marilla, a senior at Annapolis Area Christian School; and Betsy, a sophomore at AACS.
Erin’s undergrad from University of Missouri is in agricultural economics, which eventually led to a professional life in food econ. Presently, Erin leads two related DC-based non-profits, one public relations-focused, and one nutrition science-focused, both existing to support the grain foods industry.
She also holds a Master of Arts in Theological Studies from Covenant Theological Seminary in St. Louis. She and Kevin have ministered together to college students (in Hungary) and to children, youth, and adults in churches in St. Louis, MO; Marion, AL; as well as here in MD.
In her free time, Erin is her kids’ fiercest supporter in their variety of activities, chases physical fitness alongside Kevin, reads as much as she can, and enjoys cooking for family and friends.
Stuart Caton was born in Kansas City, MO and quickly moved to Crystal Lake, IL. In 1967 his family moved to Annapolis where he has lived since. Stuart completed his undergraduate degree in 1980 at Western Maryland College (now McDaniel) and began leading his family’s business. In 2001 he joined Verint Systems where he has sold surveillance applications to the U.S. banking industry. He plans to retire from Verint at the end of January 2025.
After becoming a follower of Christ in his late 20’s Stuart married Joyce and they attended Bay Area Community Church and Annapolis EP Church (PCA) with their family before joining Redeemer Anglican in 2022.
After 35 years of marriage Stuart and Joyce treasure their three daughters, two sons-in-law, and seven grandchildren. Stuart served on the Board of Rockbridge Academy for 15 years while his daughters attended. The Catons were drawn to Anglicanism believing there must be more to church life and after experiencing its deeply historical tradition and the formative power of liturgical worship found Redeemer and now cherish the fellowship they have come to know. Stuart grew up sailing, loves studying and discussing theology and the Word and whenever possible visiting his daughters and their families in St. Louis, Dallas, and Seattle.
If you have questions or disqualifying concerns about either nominee, please contact Thomas Pfenson, Redeemer’s Senior Warden before Thursday, December 5 at: emailthomashere@gmail.com
Photo Credit: Anne Nygard/Unsplash
