Todays sermon is taken from Matthew 2.

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Trust in the Lord

 

In the Year 2009, we of St. Paul’s Darien have found joy in trusting the Lord.  It has been the Year to Trust.  The goodness of God has been lavished upon us in His Son Jesus.  We have been protected by the Lord, provided for by the Lord and stretched by the Lord to trust Him for more.

From Proverbs 3:5-6 we read, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.”  In these months of economic challenges, extra stress on family, health issues, and an uncertain future, trust is the only way forward.  Not trust in self or in others, but in God alone.

How have you been able to trust God?  Think over the last twelve months and review yourself.  Ask yourself, “Do I get an ‘A’ or a ‘B’ or worse?”

Consider finishing this year with a renewed emphasis on trusting the Lord.  The Lord is ultimately in charge and He is supremely worthy to be trusted.  “Taste and see”, the Scriptures say, “that the Lord is Good!”  I wish you a happy end to 2009 and a prayerful consideration of where you have been and where you might follow the Lord.  He will make your paths straight if you trust in Him.

Your brother in Christ,

Christopher

The Rev. Christopher P. Leighton

Rector

What do you  hope for.

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Don’t Miss Out on

Christmas – Part II

The missionary teacher told her class about the real meaning of Christmas.  It is the celebration of the birthday of God’s Son Jesus.  The reason Christians give gifts to one another is in honoring Christ and the gift of eternal life.  The thoughtfulness and kindness toward others is a response to the grace we have received from God.

A few days later on Christmas Day there was a rare beautiful shell placed on her desk.  A smiling young boy stood beside it.  The teacher was truly moved because she knew the boy had travelled a long distance to the beach and back. When she commented on the effort, the boy replied, “Long walk part of gift”. 

Is all the effort you put into celebrating Christmas a response to God’s offer of grace in Jesus Christ?  Is your activity around gift-giving an expression of kindness toward others in Jesus’ name?  Are there certain things you should just stop doing?  Are there certain things worth taking on at this time?

We don’t want to miss out on Christmas!

Your brother in Christ,

Christopher

The Rev. Christopher P. Leighton

Rector

Dan Mohler of Neck Ministries preached at the two Sunday morning services.

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Don’t Miss Out on

Christmas

The young family set out one cold evening to go door to door caroling.  It didn’t matter to them that the father was Bing Crosby, the very popular singer and actor.  They just wanted to bring Christmas joy to those around them.

The family approached one fully-lit home and after several pushes of the doorbell a harried woman opened the door and said in an exasperated tone, “What is it?”

“We’re going door-to-door to bring Christmas joy.  We’d like to sing to you,” came the invitation from the family.

“No, no.  I’ve got company coming and there’s just too much to do,” said the busy woman as she shut them out, closing the door.  She missed out on being sung to by America’s top star and his family.

 

Do you think you might be shutting out of your busy life the possibility of real joy this Christmas?  Do a quick evaluation of your schedule and cancel any unnecessary activities.  If some activities are obligatory, consider appearing briefly, offering your regards, and moving on quickly. 

But do make keeping your appointment with God your top priority with prayer and scripture reading.  One person told me recently that, in response to a challenge offered by a Christian leader, she’s reading three chapters of the Bible every day.  Come to church and rest in the presence of the Lord!

 

Don’t miss out on the real joy of celebrating the birth of Jesus this Christmas!

Christopher

The Rev. Christopher P. Leighton

Rector

Dan Mohler from Neck Ministries spent the weekend of December 12th and 13th at St. Paul’s.

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Dan Mohler from Neck Ministries spent the weekend of December 12th and 13th at St. Paul’s.

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Fr. Christopher preaches on Luke chapter 3

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