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Let us approach with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who has promised is faithful. And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching (Hebrews 10:22-24).

Last Sunday Fr. Zach spoke about the hope of putting God first in our lives. It is only through a relationship with Jesus Christ that we can become the folks that God calls us to be. We are not heading towards the outcome of a political race, but to the Kingdom of God. In today’s lesson we are asked to encourage one another to pray together, to love each other, and to help those in need. These are three goals that bring us to a place of purpose and meaning in our life. In my experience, bickering with one another brings only heartache. Imagining worst outcomes is not healthy. Put your trust in the Lord! Micah asks, “O mortal, what is good, and what does the Lord require of you, but to do justice and to love kindness and to walk humbly with your God?”

Being a Christian is rooted in our relationship with Christ. My biggest goal for next year is that you will strengthen your relationship with Christ. The bishop has requested that every member of the Episcopal Diocese of Long Island pray for one hour per day. Maybe you could start with a small prayer for your loved ones. A group of us meets for Morning Prayer at 9 AM every weekday on zoom. We pray for the sick and our loved ones by name. Pray at meals in thanksgiving for all you have received. End your day with a prayer to keep your loved ones safe. My great grandmother taught her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren to talk to Jesus in our prayers like Jesus is your closest friend. When troubles and fear come in your life, you will have an advocate to lean your head on.

Please join us in offering our hospitality and community to our guests. In the Episcopal Church, we say that all are welcome. Please reach out to new members and invite them to participate in your small group ministry. On December 3^rd and 10^th we will offer the Alpha Program. We request that you invite someone to deepen their faith through this program. You can also invite non-Christians to learn about our faith.

The bond that we form in groups like EFM, the ECW, the Thrift Shop, the Prayer Shawl Ministry, HIHI, and St. Hilda’s Guild create an atmosphere of faith and love. We grow together in the love of Christ by sharing our love with one another. Join us for HIHI every other week from 3 PM to 5PM starting Friday December 13^th. We will make 30 meals for the homeless and bring them to the Roadway Inn, where they are housed for the winter. Please sign up for a child to support in the Adopt-a-Family program during our coffee hour.

Thank you to all members of our congregation who have already pledged. Your generosity allows us to continue the faith and love that have been shared for the past 280 years. Finally, I ask you to attend this Sunday’s concert, Mass in Blue. Bring family or friends with you to enjoy a spectacular jazz concert featuring the Sound Vocal Jazz Choir and the Alex Pryrodny Quartet.

In Christ’s love,
Fr. Duncan