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Dear Friends,

There is so much going on around the parish this weekend.

On Saturday, we will celebrate the feast of Sam Shoemaker.

Sam Shoemaker was one of the great rectors of Calvary Church and is considered a tremendous spiritual influence upon Alcoholics Anonymous. The day begins at 9 a.m. and will be filled with insightful lectures on the universality and spirituality of The Twelve Steps.

I also want to remind everyone that we have only one service this Sunday: St. George’s Church at 11 a.m.

Immediately following the service is the annual meeting of the parish. I really want to encourage you to stay and participate in the meeting. We have some great people who have been nominated for vestry. I will also distribute a parish-wide survey and cast the vision for 2020. It is shaping up to be another great year of mission and ministry.

Finally, this Sunday is also The Feast of the Presentation.

This is the 40th day after Christmas and is considered the height of the Epiphany Season. This Sunday, we will remember that, in accordance with the Mosaic Law, Jesus was presented in the temple. St. Matthew tells us that Joseph and Mary “offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the Lord” a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons. This offering was, according to the Law for Mary’s purification, 40 days after the birth of a child. Now, one of the interesting things about this passage is that Joseph and Mary only offer two young pigeons, instead of a lamb. If you were wealthy, you would have also offered a lamb. This tells us that they were part of a poorer class. However, that is not what is powerful about this passage.

What is powerful is that, most likely unbeknownst to them, there was a lamb in their midst: the lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. In their very midst was Jesus, who would not only cleanse Mary, but the whole world by his sacrifice. When you read the text from this lens, it brings is such power to the prophecy of both Simeon and Anna, who approach the humble and holy family that day in the temple.

Simeon prophesizes:

“Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples.”

Join us this Sunday as we join Simeon and Anna, and not only see our salvation--in bread that is his body and wine that is blood--but once again hear about our salvation in the Gospel preached and given in its totality to you. You don’t want to miss it.

Pax,

Jacob