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St. Mark's Episcopal Church, Highland, Maryland
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 Now that I'm retired, I am finding even more time to devote to pursuits such as organizing photos and cleaning up music playlists. One of my playlists is titled Contemporary Christian Music. Somewhat serendipitously I was listening to those songs in the background while flipping through files of photos on my computer. 

One of my favorite songs is The Servant Song (I like the version on the album New Zealand Sings Worship by the Mission Worship Praise Band:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dg94_XN7uEc  ). That song always reminds me of the St. Mark's J2A Pilgrimages and especially the one my son Cameron took in 2009 to Belize. 

Like many teenage boys, Cam was not typically enamored with church attendance and pretty resistant to the concept of a spiritual or service pilgrimage. He was much more interested in playing soccer, hanging out with friends, and generally being a pretty self-absorbed teenager.  I'm not going to lie—it took a great deal of wheedling and out right bribery to get him on board with the concept of participating in the Pilgrimage and the various fundraisers, etc., leading up to it. MUCH heartfelt thanks goes to the J2A leaders at the time (Lisa Viglotti and Mike Looney) and of course Sally Swygert who excited and inspired him to join in. Even so, I wouldn't characterize Cam as being overly excited as the group departed BWI for their Pilgrimage that July.  

However, the transformation we observed in him when we met him at the airport after the completion of the week apart was AMAZING and still brings tears to my eyes!  He bounded over to us, grabbed us in a huge hug and said "Thanks for making me go Mom, this was awesome!"  Of all the pictures and reflections he and others shared from the Pilgrimage, the attached picture of Cam and his temporary "little sister" touches me the most. Even though, as is normally the case, the "revival" like feeling of his pilgrimage faded with time, whenever I look at that photo and see the true joy and empathy on his face for another, I am filled with the certainty that at least a little piece of that servant spirit will remain with him always. Seeing that picture and hearing that song during this Lenten season are good reminders for me too to renew my own relationship with God and re-commit to loving and serving others as Christ loves and serves us. 

—Andy Britton

 

From The Servant Song:

"Won’t you let me be your servant.

Let me be as Christ to you.

Pray that I might have the grace

To let you be my servant, too.

 
We are pilgrims on a journey. 

We are brothers on the road.

We are here to help each other

Walk the mile and bear the load.

 

I will weep when you are weeping.

When you laugh, I'll laugh with you.

I will share your joy and sorrow

Till we've seen this journey through."


 
40 Days Through the Gospels
Reading for February 23:
Matthew 14-15
 
Notes:
  • These daily assignments (generally 2 chapters per day) will take you through the entirety of the four Gospels in sequential order during the season of Lent with two exceptions:
    • The Passion narratives will be read in Holy Week.
    • The Resurrection narratives will be read in the four days following Easter..
  • When you get to the website with the readings, we strongly recommend that you keep the "Headings" set to "on".  It makes the reading a little easier.  Click the gear icon above the Scripture passage select your preferred page options.
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