Fr. Christopher Leighton – January 22nd
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Meeting
By Fr. Christopher P. Leighton, January 22, 2012 9:40 am
A meeting, according to the dictionary, is an act of coming together or assembly of persons for a purpose. It can also describe a body of persons or an assembly for religious worship, for example, Quakers meeting. I like this definition: a meeting is a place or point of contact, junction, union, as in the meeting of two roads or the meeting of the waters.
Today, immediately following the 10:30 service, St. Paul’s will have its Annual Parish Meeting. Let’s anticipate that we will be meeting with God and with one another as we finish the Year of Freedom, 2011, and enter into the fullness of 2012, the Year of Expansion.
At our meeting, we have much to celebrate and to discuss regarding what the Lord has done for us, is doing, and is about to do. As we meet, let us give Him thanks.
See you at the meeting,
Christopher
The Rev. Christopher P. Leighton
Rector
Fr. Christopher Leighton – January 1st
Fr. Christopher Leighton and Rev. Gabrielle Beam – December 31st
Fr. Christopher Leighton – Christmas 2011
It’s Not Too Late!
By Fr. Christopher P. Leighton, December 11, 2011 12:20 am
The woman had just minutes to go before the guests arrived for the Christmas party. She had cleaned and cooked. Now she had to hurry to dress for the occasion. Then the doorbell rang. With irritation just below the surface, she opened the door. There before her was a family who wished to sing a Christmas carol to her. “Oh, no. Not now. I just don’t have the time. Thank you anyway,” she said as she closed the door.
Bing Crosby and his wife shook their heads and gathered their children to go on to the next house. The woman had just missed the opportunity to be sung to personally by one of America’s greatest singers. Why? She just didn’t have the time!
Christmas Day is just two weeks away. It’s not too late to plan to make yourself available to God. You have enough control of your schedule to make and to keep appointments with God. Otherwise the real meaning of Christmas will be missed and it will be too late to receive Jesus who is being sent by the Father as your Christmas gift.
Have a blessed Advent season of preparation.
Christopher
The Rev. Christopher P. Leighton
Rector
Fr. Christopher Leighton – December 11th
Fr. Christopher Leighton – November 27th
Let the Church Help
By Fr. Christopher P. Leighton, November 26, 2011 11:58 pm
My favorite church bulletin blooper is, “Don’t let worry kill you, let the church help.” After a laugh you realize that it is an offer not to go it alone.
The holidays are coming – let the church help. For many of us, this time of year is a mixture of blessing and hardship. Let the church help. I find God when I am with the people of God – we are the church. The church has helped me overcome past wounds and disappointments. The church has helped me have realistic expectations. The church has provided me with opportunities to worship Jesus Christ, and to serve others, which helps me get out of myself. Here are some ways the church will be available for you in this Advent season:
•• Regular Sunday worship and fellowship
8:45 Holy Eucharist
10:00 Fellowship
10:30 Holy Eucharist & Sunday School
• Tuesday Healing Service and Agape Meal
(Next Tuesday, November 29, a special seminar:
“Turn Your Holiday Blues into Red & Green” -
Christopher & Janet Leighton
• Friday, December 2, 6:30 p.m. “Transformation: A Service Of Hope and Recovery”, 20 Concord Ave., South Norwalk
• Sunday, December 4, 12:00 p.m. – St. Nicholas celebration for all ages
• Sunday, December 18, following the second service – Caroling in downtown Darien
• Saturday, December 24
4:30 p.m. – Pageant and Holy Eucharist
10:30 p.m. – Festival Eucharist
• Sunday, December 25, 10:00 a.m. – Holy Eucharist and Outreach meal
• Saturday, December 31 – time to be determined – New Year’s Eve celebration
• Sunday, January 1, 2012 – 10:00 a.m. – Holy Eucharist
These are all opportunities offered for worship, fellowship, and service. In addition there will be the Dove outreach to help local families in need through Person-to-Person.
If you need prayer, counsel or even the opportunity for confession, the clergy and trained lay leaders are available for an appointment; just contact us through the church office.
Our hope is that Christmas will be a greater blessing for you; let the church help.
Your brother in Christ,
Christopher
The Rev. Christopher P. Leighton
Rector
November and Giving Thanks
By Fr. Christopher P. Leighton, November 13, 2011 4:14 pm
“Give thanks to the Lord for He is good. His love endures forever.” Psalm 136:1
One of the reasons I love the month of November is that it climaxes with the national holiday of Thanksgiving. There is the food, the cooking, the company of family and friends, even football! I especially appreciate the fact that our nation stops to give thanks – many even include giving thanks to God!
I encourage you to make this act of giving thanks something you do each day this month – it just may become a habit!
Lastly, ask the Lord to bring to your mind the person He is leading you to contact and to offer your thanks to them for sharing their faith with you. Several years back, Reg Jones took this advice and contacted Renny Scott, a former St. Paul’s clergyman. Renny and Reg renewed an old friendship as a result.
Let’s give thanks together!
Christopher
The Rev. Christopher P. Leighton
Rector
Themocracy