| | A Voice in the Wilderness2019-12-17 | |
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| | Refiner's Fire He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, and they will bring offerings in righteousness to the LORD. (Malachi 3:3 ESV)
She fired up the torch and held the small crucible full of silver in the flame until it melted. I expected it to be shiny, but instead this nasty black crust floated to the surface. "All the impurities," I heard her say. Quickly and carefully she removed the dross and revealed the shimmery silver below. "Now it's ready."
This image of being purified is both inviting and a bit terrifying at the same time. The biblical texts about purifying and refining are not punitive (as I once believed). They reflect the deep desire of God that nothing might come between himself and the people He loves.
And yet I hesitate -
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| | I hesitate because I don't have to look too deep to see the impurities ("things done, and left undone") that mar and disfigure my life. Pride, shame, denial, fear - attitudes and actions revealing my methods and motives, my beliefs and behaviors. These are the impurities that keep me from accepting the daily invitation of the Master Craftsman to be passed though the fire... and the very reasons I need to be purified. Purified, not punished.
Oh to be like silver in God's crucible that our dead and dreadful dross might rise to the surface and be skimmed off! Imagine the glory that awaits us when we have been passed through God's refining fire and our heart hears the long awaited words, "Now you are ready."
Purify our conscience, Almighty God, by your daily visitation that your Son Jesus Christ, at his coming, may find in us a mansion prepared for himself; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (Collect for the Fourth Sunday of Advent, BCP pg.212) Blessings, Matthew+ | | |
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| | | Journeying the Way of Love: Advent Curriculum Why not make the Way Of Love part of your Advent practice of getting ready. During Advent, Journeying the Way of Love offers four sessions to be explored as we await the coming of Christ by moving through the first two chapters of the Gospel of Luke. Grab a cup of coffee and join us as we walk The Way of Love together. | | |
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| | | Christmas Eve Services Come celebrate the Christmas with us! Cranmer Chapel at 4:00 PM St. John's Granby at 8:00 PM | | |
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| | | Epiphany Celebration Come bring the Christmas season to a close at 10:00 AM on Sunday, January 5th as we celebrate Epiphany together with at Trinity in Kremmling. Communion, fellowship, fun, and King’s cake… a partnership event not to be missed. Mark your calendar and make plans to join the celebration! | | |
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| | | Hick’s Hall Transformed Into Santa’s Workshop Sunday morning, December 8th was magical as members of St. John the Baptist rolled up their sleeves to wrap gifts for the five families and 12 children the church adopted as a part of our Giving Tree efforts to support those in the community seeking assistance. In spite of heavy snowfall in the early morning, hardy souls and members of St. John’s showed up for the festivities and enjoyed food and fellowship while working on making some children’s dreams come true during the holiday season. Although the gifts are blessings for the families receiving them, the gift of giving was a true blessing for those who participated either by donating gifts, or wrapping the gifts or simply praying for the process. It is true that in giving we frequently receive more than we give! Gifts have been delivered to Mountain Family Center for the families. You can find pictures on our facebook page here! | | |
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| | | Cranmer Dinners We had a great kick off to the 21st year of the Cranmer Dinners. We served over 150 meals at this years Thanksgiving Dinner. Read about it in the Sky-Hi News here and the Winter Park Times here. | | |
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| | | City Market Rewards Program Do you shop at City Market or King Soopers? If you do, St. John's can benefit benefit every time you go grocery shopping. We are participating in City Market Community Rewards program. You can be part of this by enrolling here. Once you enroll, look us up by our Organization name: St. John's Episcopal Church or Organization Number: TU289 |
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| | | Church Directory We are in the process of updating our church directory. Please click here to fill out your current information. | | |
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| | © Copyright, 2019, St. John the Baptist Episcopal • 390 E Garnet Ave, Granby, CO 80446 You are receiving this email because you requested to receive news from St. John the Baptist Episcopal.
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