No doubt you have started out at the supermarket, filling a cart, when you come to the realization that before you is a preferred product and you will now need to dispose of the other. So you put the no-longer-needed thing in a wrong place on the shelf or hidden out of the cashier’s sight off the rolling belt at the checkout.

How much of life is lived “until something better comes along”?

• I’ll go to the party until something better comes along

• I’m at this job until something better comes along

• I’m with this person until something better comes along

• I’m in this church until something better comes along.

Is it conceivable that I’m with this god until something better comes along?

There is a critical juncture in Jesus’ ministry when many turn away and leave Him. At this point He turns to the Twelve and asks “Do you want to leave, too?” Peter answers, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” [John 6:67-68.]

The 12 disciples had committed to Jesus and there was no turning back. As a follower of Christ we realize that our tendency to drift along and to dabble now must end or we will not be following Him.

Your brother in Christ,

Christopher

The Rev. Christopher P. Leighton

Rector

Here is a big holiday, one that makes me think about how our faith relates to our citizenship as Americans.  There is much to be weighed about our nations’ beginning and how we have lived out the Christian faith for over 300 years.

Frankly, if we lived in 1776 it would be difficult to decide our allegiances.  As Anglicans with a duty to obey the King, ours would be a mixed response to the violent overthrow of the government.  Over 30,000 Anglicans fled the colonies to live in Canada.  Of course, there were faithful ones who chose to remain here and fight.  Many of the patriot leaders were Anglican Christians.

Today, we find ourselves desiring to be faithful to Christ and His teachings and to be loyally committed as citizens of our country.  We love our nation and its heritage.  Yet, we also find disagreement about public policies and we know how very imperfect our government is.  If it can be said we are , or were, a Christian nation, it must also be said with humility that we are not what we were meant to be.

I think this fact leads us to see the need to pray.  We look at the way things are and we cry out to God to have mercy upon us.  We see all of the advantages our nation possesses and we see our need to be faithful stewards of what God has given to us.  In prayer, we remember our faithful forbearers who have dearly loved liberty and pain its price, even with their lives, and we thank God as we ask for help to serve others.

Americans are flawed like all people,  but we are also a blessed people who have a history of service to the nations of the world.

The Collect from the Book of Common Prayer for July 4^th helps us pray:

“Lord God Almighty, in whose Name the founders of this country won liberty for themselves and for us and lit the torch of freedom for nations then unborn:  Grant that we and all the people of this land may have grace to maintain our liberties in righteousness and peace;  through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.  Amen.”

Christopher

The Rev. Christopher P. Leighton

Rector

Outreach is something the Lord Jesus calls His followers to do.  It is just part of the Christian faith to live for others.  Archbishop William Temple once said that the Christian faith is the only group in history that exists for the benefit  of those outside itself.

Outreach at St. Paul’s has always been of highest value;  our mission statement “to know Christ and to make Him known” reflects the essence of outreach.  Everything we do is measured by how well an activity helps us to know Christ and to share Christ.

For three weeks this summer a service to children and their parents will be held at St. Paul’s.  It is called Camp Mighty Mind.  The founders, Aileen Tisser, MA, PT and Cindy Freedman, OTR, approached us to host this camp for children with special needs.  When they heard we would welcome the camp and would like to minster in the name of the Lord, their response was emphatic:  “That’s  the one missing component!  Yes, please come and pray for us.” So, each day of the camp will begin with chapel and each child will receive the laying on of hands for healing.  There is a need for volunteers to help with the chapel.  If you are interested, please call the church office.

Please pray for this unique opportunity.  The camp will be held at St. Paul’s beginning on July 26 and ending August 13^th.

Your brother in Christ,

Christopher

The Rev. Christopher P. Leighton

Rector

 

Due to circumstances over which we have no control, there will be no more mission trips for this summer.  However, domestic mission opportunities abound! 

One of the greatest ways to see God work in parish life and in our community is through the Vacation Bible School.  This year the theme is Baobab Blast .  [The Baobab tree is the center of community in the African savannah where it grows.]  We plan to come together as the body of Christ, welcoming guests and serving them as we Know Christ and Make Him Known.  There is always need for more helpers.  Perhaps you would like to help with snacks in the kitchen?  Or with Fr. Alex who is leading games.  Or with Meg Newton in one of our classrooms.  Sometimes the greatest need is simply a person to show kindness to a child who might be having a difficult day .  Debbie de la Rivera, our coordinator, will attest that some of our greatest helpers come on Friday night to help serve dinner and clean up afterwards.  Last year there were nearly as many volunteers as campers.  I often meet people in the community who tell me their children are still singing last year’s songs. 

So if you can make time in your schedule during the week of August 16 through 20, call the church office and register to assist.

By the way if your children or grandchildren are planning to come, or if you have a neighbor you think would enjoy VBS,  register them soon!  We are filling up quickly.

As your rector, I charge all members of St. Paul’s to be in prayer about Vacation Bible School!  Pray for the Lord to bless the children through teaching, worship, and fellowship.  Pray for safety, good health and good weather, and for the joy of the Lord to increase greatly!

Your brother in Christ,

Christopher

The Rev. Christopher P. Leighton

Rector

In 1871, Horatio Spafford tragically lost his son, and in October of that same year the Great Chicago fire destroyed almost all of the real estate investments he held.  Spafford was a wealthy Chicago Lawyer who was a devout Christian man and good friends with D. L. Moody. 

In 1873, Spafford sent his family on a trip to Europe for a much needed respite after enduring such tragedy; he would join them later after completing some work.  Days later he received word that the ship his family was on had sunk; his four daughters were lost at sea and only his wife survived.  As he traveled the long boat journey he penned this song:

It Is Well With My Soul

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way, 

When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,  

It is well, it is well with my soul.

Refrain:            It is well (it is well),with my soul (with my soul),

It is well, it is well with my soul.

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come, 

Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ hath regarded my helpless estate, 

And hath shed His own blood for my soul.

My sin, oh the bliss of this glorious thought!  

My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to His cross, and I bear it no more, 

Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live:  

If Jordan above me shall roll,
No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life  

Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.

And Lord haste the day, when my faith shall be sight,  

The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,  

Even so, it is well with my soul.

While I have never experienced tragedy of this magnitude, the recent days have been filled with great sadness as we approach our departure from St Paul’s. I think of all that I could say, all that I want to say and this song sums it up well.  IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL!  No wind, rain, colliding ships, or anything the enemy attempts, can undo what the Lord has planted in me over the past eleven years.  Nothing can take away the joy that I have had teaching, challenging and leading you, or the growth that has happened in you over the past eleven years.  This is because:  "the favour of the Lord God is upon you and His goodness surrounds you like a shield."(Jan Nel).

Psalm 30:5 says: "For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favour lasts a lifetime; weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning." This is God’s promise to us if we will always see him in the storm, if we would choose to trust and follow him through the storm. His favor far outweighs any momentary sorrow. Will you trust Him with me for the future? Will you become a lover of His word and a doer of His will? Will you revel in His joy and peace.  If so, you will face any challenge life can throw you with this refrain:  “BE IT CHRIST HENCE TO LIVE; IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL!”

Be Blessed,

Dan

The Rev. Daniel C. Morgan

Rector-elect, All Saints Church, Dale City VA.