Christ Episcopal News and Forward Day by Day for November 24, 2019

CEC Breaking News!

… The Rt. Rev. Bishop Jacob “Jake” W.  Owensby will visit us on Sunday, December 8^th, 10am, to celebrate with us.  A luncheon is planned for all to attend.  Jim & Brenda Funderburg volunteered to organize our Luncheon with the Bishop.  A sign-up sheet for ‘what to bring’ is in the Parish House.  Or, you may contact Brenda or Jim directly at bfun@me.com.

 … Father Riley will lead us in Holy Eucharist December 1, 15; 24 !!!

…The crèches will go up the first Sunday in Advent, December 1^st.  If you want to help put the outside crèche together, see or contact Sam (318-766-0998) or corsonsam@gmail.com .  The outside crèche was planned and given by Mrs. Allein Watson.

… It is time for our annual giving campaign.  Pledge letters and cards have been mailed.  If you did not receive a letter and pledge form and wish to donate for 2020, please contact Mrs. Brenda Funderburg at bfun@me.com   All donations help us continue our mission in Tensas Parish and are greatly appreciated. Thank You.

Reading & meditation from Forward Day by day

SUNDAY, November 24

Last Sunday after Pentecost

Colossians 1:19-20a For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him was pleased to reconcile himself to all things.

Division and enslavement by sin is the default human condition. It dogs us every day of our lives and at every level of our lives. It mars relationships between people in families, in local communities, among nations, and yes, even in churches. In the collect for today, we acknowledge that the peoples of the earth are “divided and enslaved by sin,” and we implore God to be “freed and brought together under [the] most gracious rule” of “the King of kings and Lord of lords.”

Reconciliation is critical. Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury, has repeatedly said that reconciliation is not just part of the gospel; reconciliation is the gospel. But, in both our catechism and in Colossians, this restoration to unity happens in a very particular way—in Christ. It is “in him” that the “fullness of God” is found, and “through him” that restoration to unity takes place. It flows from the cross of Christ.