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Dearly Beloved,
If last week's parable was about preparedness, this week's parable is about fruitfulness. Jesus tells us of three slaves who are given "talents" (a large sum of money) and sent out to make a profit. Two of them do well, making a 100% profit, and one, out of fear and selfishness, buries his money and refuses to make wise use of it. When the Master returns, the two who were fruitful are rewarded with more responsibility, and the unfaithful slave is cast into "outer darkness."
What does the story tell us? A life of faithfulness is not possible apart from a life of fruitfulness. The two are not exclusive. Those who have been given much (salvation/grace/the Kingdom) are expected to produce fruit for the King! In John 15, Jesus says, "Those who abide in me bear much fruit." So, what does it mean to bear fruit?
While part of bearing fruit for the kingdom is to make disciples by inviting people to follow Jesus, be baptized, and obey his commandments (Matthew 28:16-20), it also involves taking the earthly talents and resources we've been given and using them to bless our communities. Fruit-bearing could be starting a small business for the underemployed, tutoring kids at an after-school center, building bridges between different ethnic groups in your community, or gathering resources for refugees. Fruit-bearing is anytime we take our own God-given resources and passions and connect them to the needs of the world around us in Jesus' name. Remember--God is redeeming all things, and the final vision of Scripture is a beautiful city where the community of God's people flourish in every way--spiritually, physically, economically, etc.
Jesus' parable is both an encouragement and a warning. The faithful fruit-bearing servants are invited to "enter in the joy of your master." Because it is always a joy to partner with God in his work in the world. But the fruit-less servant is cast into outer darkness, because his life was not a proper response to God's gift. Jesus' intent is to get us asking ourselves, "How can I be a more faithful fruit-bearer for God's kingdom?" Only when we start answering that question with action will we share in the joy of our Lord who is making all things new.
In Jesus' Name,
Fr. Cameron+
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A wonderful retreat day with centering and circling (caim) prayers, inspirational music by Hannah, devotional knotwork teaching/praying by Mary Fleeson, and fabulous food by Joann and Val. We had participants from Church of the Messiah, St Peter's, and St Richard's besides those from our own parish family. If you see various celtic knotwork on stones or other medium around the campus you know people have been at prayer there :-)
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BEAUTIFY OUR CAMPUS WORKDAY - DEC 2
8:30 am - Noon
Join us as we get our campus ready for our annual Live Nativity. Bring garbage bags, rakes, clippers, whatever you have to help make our campus shine for our visitors
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Character orientation and costume fitting for Live Nativity cast members!!!!
Sunday, December 3rd in Roberta's Hall after the 10:00 am service.
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Clergy
The Rt. Rev’d Gregory O. Brewer, Bishop of Central Florida
The Rt. Rev’d William Folwell, The Rt. Rev’d John Howe, and the Rt. Rev’d Hugo Pina-Lopez, retired Bishops
The Rev’d Sarah L. Bronos, Rector
The Rev’d Cameron MacMillan, Curate
The Rev’d Dick Costin, Deacon
Diocesan Cycle of Prayer
Grace Church, Port Orange
Church of the Nativity, Port St. Lucie
The Nation and Those in Authority
The President, Governors, Representatives, Congressmen and women, and the Mayors of Lake Mary and Longwood
Prayers for Healing and Other Needs
Yvonne, The Aycock Family, Margot, Tony, Ayla, Bev, Barbara, George, Joan, Olivia, Scott, Janine, Elizabeth, Sue, Karissa, Lyn
Military Personnel and Families
Matthew Meszaros, Kate Pierce, Brigit Kincaid, and Dennis Glasgow
Our College Students
Karissa Ashcraft, Patrick Van Hissenhoven, Laura Harris, Stephen Gant, Donny Lisle, Ray Lisle, Debora Lisle, Abbei Moye, Kyra Ashcraft, Rose Thatcher, Nicole Folsom, Tyler Powell
Our Diocesan Missionary
The Reverend Stephen and Mary Dass, and the street children of Brazil
Birthdays
Tom Harkenrider, Holly Eckart
Safe Travel
Deacon Dick and Sandra Costin
If you have any prayer requests please visit our website and complete the Prayer Request Form.
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