St. Dunstan's Weekly Message 
December 23, 2009        

I think that one of the most wonderful things about Christmas is that this holy day reminds us that Jesus was born in a particular place at a particular time. The story of Christ is not a metaphor for some eternal truth or an abstract philosophical system. Jesus’ life, death and resurrection give us access here and now, in history, in time and in our real, everyday lives, to the power, beauty and love of God.

While it is true that God is present to each of us, we don’t all experience God in the same way or to the same degree. In our congregation we have people who are very committed and knowledgeable followers of Jesus. We also have people who know very, very little about Jesus or God. We have people who have a strong faith in God’s power to bring love to the world and we have people who are not sure God is real, or are not sure that God is really present in their life. Skepticism, wonder and faith all come together in harmony here at St. Dunstan’s.

I hope that you are looking forward to opening a present or two on Christmas morning. There is something delicious and wonderful about tearing the paper off a package to discover a gift. I also hope that you will find a spiritual gift here at St. Dunstan’s in this next year. Wherever you are in your spiritual journey, I pray that by worshiping, studying, working, eating and playing with the people of St. Dunstan's Church you will deepen your knowledge and experience of God. I am convinced that that is what we are here for. All this activity – the worship, the outreach work, the care we give to those in need, the teaching of our children – all these things are meant to bring us closer to God and to one another. May God bless you and make his love known to you.

Your brother in Christ,
The Rev. David Marshall

Joy to the World – this is our prayer and our mission on Christmas Eve. We will experience and give Joy in our worship, our prayers, the wonderful music, and in our fellowship as followers of Jesus. Both the 4:00 pm and 10:30 pm services will start with Christmas Carols, and special musical offerings. We are planning for children at the 4:00pm service, with activities planned for small hands and a sermon that will inspire their imaginations.

The 4:00 pm service will be held at St. Dunstan's Church. The 10:30 pm service will be held at the Henry Chapel in the Highlands. We will have maps at the church for those who need help finding the chapel.

I would like to take this opportunity to wish all of you a very blessed and Merry Christmas.  As we celebrate the birth of our Lord, Jesus Christ, we are reminded of how much God loves us and how much we all have to be grateful for.  We at St. Dunstan’s have worshipped together and felt the presence of God all around us. 

As we approach the end of the year and reflect back on recent months, we realize that there is still work to be done.   Our Fill the Gap campaign is ongoing and I want to thank each one of you that have contributed to it.  I am asking everyone to please help us in this effort.  We do not want to end this year in debt.  I am hoping and praying that this is the last year at St. Dunstan’s that we will be faced with this situation.  As we plan for the budget for next year, we are going to be diligent so that hopefully we will not have a shortage.

On Sunday, January 24th, 2010, we will have our annual meeting following the 9:30 service.  You are all most welcome and encouraged to join us.  There is a great deal involved in the management of our church and this meeting provides you with an opportunity to take an active part.  Please, do join us.

I am so blessed to be a part of the community of St. Dunstan’s.  You have all made my life so rich in so many ways and I thank you for that.  I wish you and your family a joyous holiday season and I look forward to sharing a fantastic New Year with you. 

God bless you and keep you, now, and for always.

Mary E. Pacher
Senior Warden

Please join me in thanking the children, parents, volunteers and teachers in our Sunday School and Youth programs who gave us such a beautiful pageant this last Sunday. The program was beautiful, but what I loved the most was the sincere joy I saw in those children’s faces. And, from where I was sitting, I could see all your faces so I know you loved it too!

I would also like to thank Jeff Buol and the other members of the “Order of the Tie”, who, along with the Altar Guild, put up the Christmas greens and decorations. Hopefully the “Order” will wear their famous ties so we can thank them in person!

In my work as a priest and as a chaplain, I have seen many deaths. Some might think that this would be difficult, but honestly, being with people at the time of their death is a great privilege. A good death is a beautiful way to end a life and ministering to people at these times is a joyful experience. Another thing I have learned is that those who have honestly and prayerfully faced their death have a peaceful, even a joyful passing. Those who deny death until it is upon them, find themselves lost, or even bitter. We can plan to have a good death.

Trudy James, hospital chaplain, will facilitate a planning group at St. Dunstan's in January during the Adult Education Class on Wednesdays. I will be participating and supporting this work. This group will look at the “Five Wishes” we need to make known to facilitate a gracious end to our lives. This is, admittedly a difficult topic, but together, as a group, we can have a very positive and uplifting experience as we consider these ultimate questions. If there are others who would like to explore the possibility of forming a group to meet weekends or evenings, please call Trudy at 206-985-0400 or tell the office.

Peace be with you,
David.

Surely the Christmas story is the most beloved of all our Gospel stories. The beauty of the lessons for Christmas is that they show so clearly the connection between Jesus and the Old Testament. Jesus is the fulfillment of all that God has done and is doing.

Read the Lessons for Christmas here.

The first Sunday after Christmas we hear the fabulous opening of John’s Gospel. “In the beginning was the Word…” This poetic proclamation so clearly shows us how God is creator and God is still creating. The Messiah is the incarnation of God. The Messiah is God’s love becoming flesh.

Read Next Sunday’s Lessons here.

Please give Generously to our Christmas Offering - The next year for St. Dunstan’s promises to be blessed with hope, fellowship, love and spiritual growth. Thank you for being a part of this blessed community. As we end this year we are working to overcome a budget deficit and to insure that we do not have a deficit again next year. Your generous Christmas offering will allow us to start the New Year with the financial means to continue God’s work in our congregation and in the world.

God is with us in real life, today, tomorrow, and always!  However, the Wednesday “God in Real Life” discussion group will be taking the next two weeks off. Plan to join us January 6th, 13th, and 20th, 2010, when Trudy James will lead the group to examine how we can prepare for a good departure whenever it happens by asking questions, deciding who will speak for us if we cannot, and getting our own wishes in writing.

Christmas Outreach Program Results! On Thursday, December 17th, I had the pleasure of delivering the gifts that St. Dunstan parishioners had most generously donated for the Christmas outreach program. In additions to several boxes full of assorted gifts including footballs, bats, dolls, stuffed animals, board games, art supplies, gloves & scarves, bath sets and more, there were $380 worth of gift cards for various stores.  A check in the amount of $879.00 was also presented to the Matthew House to be used for gift cards or presents.  Thank you to everyone who participated. When the program started I really didn’t know what to expect, but knew that whatever we could collect would be better than not.  I’m very happy to report that this year exceeded all expectations and turned out to be a great year.    I never ceased to be amazed by and grateful for your caring response to this program.  Thank You!  Kathy Newman

Hail!  To David Lepse, our interim organist and music director, who will be joining us January 3rd. Many of us met David when he substituted for Marion last fall, and we look forward to sharing his musical gifts.

And farewell!  This is Marion Anderson’s last Sunday with us, since he is retiring as our music director. We feel sorrow for ourselves as we lose his talents, his wisdom, and his regular presence in our lives, but we share his excitement as he starts a new phase of his life. Please join us after the 9:30 service this Sunday at a special reception to thank Marion and wish him Godspeed.

Upcoming Event from the Youth Group!  Please mark your 2010 calendars for Sunday, Jan 10th.  The Youth Group will be sponsoring a "Pancake Brunch" immediately following the 9:30 service to offset the deficit.  Your donations to the "cause" would be much appreciated, plus it plans to be a WONDERFUL social hour....   The Youth of the parish will be cooking pancakes, plus serving fruit, coffee and tea. A small auction will also be a part of this grand event.

Please join the Northwest Chorale on Tuesday, December 29, 2009 at 7 p.m. right here at St. Dunstan’s for a glorious evening of sing along and play along of the majestic Handel’s Messiah. There will be full musical scores available for those who want to use them, and we can all experience the thrill of singing and listening to this wonderful music.  The Messiah is, as Deacon Jerry Garman pointed out, entirely composed of scripture.  The Northwest Chorale exists to gather donations for Northwest Harvest.