"Beware, Keep Alert" - The Rev. Dr. Kurt Gerhard, November 27, 2010

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Isaiah 64.1-9, Mark 13.24-37

“Beware, keep alert; for you do not know when the time will come.” Amen.

The Prophet Isaiah by Tiepolo, 1729

Today, we begin the season of Advent, the first season of the Church year. The Church marks the seasons in a way that helps us reflect on God’s involvement in our lives. This first season is an odd time:

1. It is a season of preparation for the birth of Christ. You can say that takes lots of time because we dig deep into storage to find the right decorations for the home. There is a certain type of music and lots of shopping. Advent is one of the top economic seasons of the year. I missed the opportunity to shop on Black Friday, but I bet some of you were there. Hopefully, you didn’t bring your pepper spray.

We wear certain things during the season in preparation for the celebration of Jesus’ birthday. Some wear certain shades of green and red, possibly with a snowflake or two. There are even special hats that a few especially spirited people wear. There is also food and drink that represent the season: cookies in the shape of Rudolph and covered with sprinkles and creamy eggnog with a shot or two of liquor.  With all of these outward trappings, it would seem that the Advent season is a time to warm our hearts with joy and love and, of course, gifts.

This Week at St. Patrick's November 23, 2011

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This Week at St. Patrick's November 16, 2011

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"Be all that God created you to be." - Henry McQueen, November 13, 2011

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Matt 25:14-30

I love the words of todayʼs collect, and they bear repeating: Blessed Lord, who caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning: Grant us so to hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them.... And for me, it was rewriting the Gospel lesson in my own words in a Midrash that allowed that prayer to be fulfilled. So let us all hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them as I share with you todayʼs Gospel story in my own words.

There was a land owner with three laborers. Not accustomed to explaining himself he was ready to leave town for parts unknown and return as he chose. Prior to leaving he entrusted his land to his laborers and gave each of the three a small packet of seeds.

Irv Lindenblad, 1929-2011

Irv Lindenblad and Jo Waters in 2010

The Rev. Irv Lindenblad, parishioner at St. Patrick's and Palisades Community Church, died at Sibley Hospital on the evening of November 11, 2011. Irv was a regular at the 10am service until just a few weeks ago. He was a career scientist at the Naval Observatory and a long-time pastor at the Palisades Community Church, where he was named Pastor Emeritus in February of 2011. He began a relationship with St. Patrick's when he married long-time parishioner Jo Waters after his first wife died. Jo died in 2010. Please keep the Lindenblad and Waters family in your prayers especially Irv's sons Irv, Jr. and Nils and close friend Sheryl Niernberger.

A memorial service for Irv will be held at Palisades Community Church (5200 Cathedral Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20016) on Friday, November 18, 2011 at 11:00am. A viewing will precede the service at 10:30.  

"May his soul, and the souls of all the departed, rest in Peace."

Irv Lindenblad and Kurt Gerhard 2010

This Week at St. Patrick's, November 9, 2011

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