Dear Christ the Saviour family & friends,

One of the amazingly wonderful things about being part of Christ the Saviour Anglican Church and the ministry we have together is seeing the hand of God at work among us and in the world around us.  Part of that wonder is knowing that encountering the living God is not simply a theological proposition.  It is real.  Grace Happens!  Amazing Grace Happens!  We see it all around us all the time.  Let me give you a short cataloging of what I'm talking about.  Also, know this is not an exhaustive list.  

VICAR'S LETTER

29 MAY 09

“And while staying with them [Jesus] ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, "you heard from me; ... But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." (Acts 1:4 and 8)

Dear Christ the Saviour family & friends,

There's a saying I ran across a few years back that goes like this: “It is no more possible for a Christian to grow in the faith and love of Jesus Christ by simply sitting in a pew than it is for one to become a car by sleeping in a garage.” I may not have quoted that word for word but you get the idea. Jesus does not call us to be bench (pew) warmers. Being Christian is not a passive posture but instead is pro-active. Jesus calls us to himself for healing, wholeness, redemption, forgiveness and, ... hear this ... to do ministry in His name. You shall be my witnesses (translate: slaves, servants, martyrs), he declares to the disciples as they prepare for the promise of the Father.

VICAR'S LETTER

21 May 09

Dear Christ the Saviour family & friends,

ALLELUIA! CHRIST IS RISEN!

THE LORD IS RISEN INDEED! ALLELUIA!

Question: What do Smokey the Bear, Winnie the Pooh and John the Baptist have in common? Don't strain yourself trying to figure it out. By the way, this is not a theological question. Answer: [At the bottom of the last page of this newsletter.]

Why are we oblivious to the obvious? Why is it so hard to see the obvious when it is right in front of us? Dr. Samuel Johnson, 18^th century English poet, essayist, moralist, novelist, literary critic, biographer and editor, observed “Never be afraid to state the obvious. It's what most people have forgotten.”

Dear Christ the Saviour family and friends,

Last Sunday we experienced an extraordinarily powerful event on the occasion of Bishop David Bena's visitation.  I commented to this effect at the announcements after the Confirmations were completed.  I am not the only person holding that view.  Several folks have emailed, called or spoken directly with me or Vicki to voice a similar view.  One man said that there seems to be a new and amazing surprise every time he attends.  Another woman spoke about the impact not just of the service but of the church as a whole on her children.  Another said it was wonderfully moving.