Roseberry's Leaderboard

Dear Friends,

First of all, Happy New Year! The last few weeks have been a wonderful time for our church. We were together for Lessons and Carols and Christmas Eve in what I felt were two of the most uplifting, God-honoring, Christ-centered worship services that I have ever attended.

January is a great time to look backwards and forwards at the same time. Look back over the year just past. Do you see God’s redemptive hand at work in your life? Healing wounds? Teaching lessons of faithfulness? Do you sense that Christ was walking with you? Did you feel the presence of the Holy Spirit within you? Give thanks to God for these things. They are unique privileges that we have as Children who are born of God. (John 1:13)

Take a look at this video, too. Give thanks to God for this work here at Christ Church. Be sure to send this video off to your friends and family. What a great story we have to tell here!

[Video link: 2011 Year In Review]

The future? Well, that is in God’s hands too, as it should be. There is a well-known saying that is worth memorizing, “I don’t know what the future holds, but I know who holds the future.” The Great Apostle Paul had this to say about it in 1 Corinthians 2:9:

What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God as prepared for those who love him

And from the Book of Common Prayer (p.60), based on Ephesians 3:20-21:

Glory to God whose power, working in us, can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine: Glory to Him from generation to generation in the church, and in Christ Jesus…

Let’s pray about these things together…this weekend. But in the meantime, please know of my joy in sharing another year with this fine church.

Sunday School & Bible Studies

Ministry for every age and stage of life starts again for the new year. Children and Youth will be back in Sunday School January 8. Sunday Bible studies for adults begin the same day with 360 at 9:15 a.m. On Point Men’s Study and Women’s Bible studies will also begin next week.

Financial Peace

In addition, I am sure many of you made a commitment to get your financial life in order in 2012. Let me suggest Financial Peace University which begins this Saturday, January 7. It has made a tremendous impact on many in our congregation. Think about taking this course to learn more about faithful stewardship of the financial resources God has given you!

We Are Here For You

And, as always, our clergy and ministry staff are available for you if there is ever a moment when you need someone to come alongside you during a difficult season. They would find it a privilege to talk and pray with you.

• Prayer Line: (972) 491-7729
• Online Prayer Request »
• General Contact Form »

Happy New Year,

Fr. David+

Dear Friends,

My heart is full to overflowing from the worship we had together on Sunday morning. If there was ever anything that traced the pattern of God’s saving purposes, it was on display with the traditional lessons and carols Scripture reading. What a blessing.

And someone wrote me that they had discovered a new favorite Christmas carol. It was sung as an anthem. The music was beautiful, but the words themselves are gospel-rich. Read it as a poem…and thank Him (Father) who sent and Him (Jesus) to come, and He (Holy Spirit) who stays with us.

Dream Team

I want you all to know the joy that I have in being your rector. Each week I find new meaning and new joy as I search the Scriptures and ask God to convey his eternal truths through this all-too-human vessel. Thank you for the privilege of doing this in a church filled with grace. Thanks to our incredible staff. I have told many people this year that we have a dream team as at no other time in the life of our church. The right people doing the right thing. They are terrific. I love them and pray for them all.

Roseberry Family

Finally, we had a family-only surprise for Fran on a significant birthday of hers. All of our children came in to overwhelm her with love. Here is a shot of our family.

Taye and Tray on the left, Jed on the couch. His wife Stacy on the far right. Liz and Daniel on her left. That young lady on the couch next to the middle-aged bald guy…that’s Fran and me, joy-filled and full of thanks.

Merry Christmas!

+David

Dear Friends,

There is a lot going on, and all of it shows a healthy church getting ready for a great celebration as a parish family.

Away in a Manger

I was at the Christmas Pageant on Sunday afternoon to ‘behold’ the manger scene. It was beautiful. What a sweet, serious and beautiful offering it was. It seemed a bit old-fashioned, in a sense. I mean that in a good way. The script of Christ’s birth was taken from the King James Version. The children spoke their lines with a wonderful combination of nervousness and rehearsed confidence. The choir of shepherds was confident and firm as they sang the choruses of the carols. The sheep…well, the sheep were the cutest things I have seen in a long time. “Baaaaaing” their way through the whole performance while on stage. You may be able detect their bellowing on this short video clip.

Share the Celebration

This is all in preparation for the great moment on Christmas Eve when we gather to celebrate the Lord’s birth. We have four services; all of them are wide open to anyone. The 4 o’clock service is for small children and young families. It is a bit noisy, always fun, short and celebratory. The 6, 8 and 10 are beautiful and inspiring candlelight services.

Now that you know the schedule, I want to ask a favor. We have invested in some radio advertisement on WRR and KLTY to invite the wider community to our Christmas Eve services. But the most well received invitation will come from you. So please, invite your friends to celebrate with us on December 24.

Share the Christmas Eve event on Facebook »

Now, here are a few things you need to know.

Sermon Queries

My sermon on Sunday produced a number of requests for further information.

Shirt Pocket Quote
Moving from the sublime to the ridiculous, here is the quote I mentioned that I had carried in my shirt pocket for a week.

In the day-to-day trenches of adult life, there is no such thing as atheism. There is no such thing as not worshipping. Everybody worships. The only choice we get is what to worship. And an outstanding reason for choosing (God) is that pretty much anything else you worship will eat you alive.

I think it is a powerful reminder of the unfaithfulness of the gods of our own making. It is not something I would quote without some qualification. I cannot be sure of the writer’s specific intent. It is pretty depressing if you imagine a world without a true and sovereign God. I do know that the God I chose actually chose me; and He is faithful to the end.

(Find the source of the quote here. Reader warning. The context is from from a commencement address at Kenyon College by writer, David Foster Wallace. His speech is a bit colorful and profane at times. Without saying it, he is making a bold case for God.)

Monkey Brains
Now the ridiculous. Here is the recipe for what our children and grandchildren call “Monkey Brains” including a shot from the last time we made it (Thanksgiving).

Angel Tree Project ‘Wraps’ Up

I walked through the hallway between the Sanctuary and the Fellowship Hall between the 9:15 and 11 a.m. services. I thought for a moment I was at the North Pole at Santa’s staging area. What a display of generosity and love that so many of you gave this year. There were over 800 people served, and over 250 volunteers came together to make this Angel Tree event happen.

Thanks to Bill Boyd for the photography.

World Gift Market

And the World Gift Market was a great success. Many of you saw all the mission-oriented vendors and did some serious shopping. Again, the numbers show a congregation that is generous and giving and cares about mission.

If you are still looking for a gift for someone who has everything, consider a Gift of Hope. Order online by December 15 to receive in time for Christmas a beautiful card with details of the donation that can be given to the honoree.

Greetings from the Archbishop

The Sunday School class is receiving postcards from all over the world. Here is a kind note from our Archbishop, Robert Duncan.

Archbishop Duncan's card to the kids

That’s about it. Please pray for clarity this week as I begin to prepare for the Christmas Eve message.

In Christ,

David

Dear Friends,

One good man wrote me these words in response to my sermon on Sunday. “Your message of forgiveness is one that never gets old, or loses its punch. Especially for those of us who have much to be forgiven for, or worse, feel that we are beyond God’s grace.”

Yes, the words of John the Baptist, which seem so clear and direct, also provide the way for us to find this grace and mercy. Remember what John said, “After me comes one who is mightier than I.” He is speaking about the One; the One who has come and will come again.

Also, a member reminded me of this powerful prayer by Soren Kierkegaard:

Father in Heaven! Hold not our sins up against us but hold us up against our sins so that the thought of You when it wakens in our soul, and each time it wakens, should not remind us of what we have committed but of what You did forgive, not of how we went astray but of how You did save us!

And please remember this Collect for the Third Sunday in Advent. Remember my message of forgiveness. This is the Collect I have memorized and taken to heart.

Stir up your power, O Lord, and with great might come among us; and, because we are sorely hindered by our sins, let your bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen.

Now, here are some things you need to know.

Sacred Music Concert

Concert - Sacred Music in a Sacred Place

What a blessing it was to have so many of you at the concert on Sunday night. Well over 900 people were in attendance. It was a sacred night.

When the strings were in full force, I leaned over to Fran and said, “This building was made for sounds like this.” Don’t you agree? Didn’t you notice the blending of the strings–-soft, long, elegant and smooth-–with the clear voices of the singers? We give thanks to God for His Glory which was so evident.

Be in the Know

I saw a regular visitor the next day at Home Depot, whom I hadn’t seen in church in a while. She had been working on Sunday mornings, but was looking forward to the Christmas concert. “When is it,” she asked. “Last night,” I said. “Oh no, darn. How come I missed it,” she asked. “Well, do you get The Call?” “No.”

You get the idea. If you know someone who is not getting The Call, please forward your copy to him or her. Or have them subscribe from our website.

Today is St. Nicholas Day

You probably know that St. Nicholas is the forerunner of Santa Claus. How St. Nick went from being a bishop of Myra (in Turkey) to a jolly fat man in a red suit is an interesting story of age, tradition, folklore and consumerism. It had little to do with Christmas, but everything to do with mercy and children and generosity. Read about it here and share the information with your children. St. Nicholas became (in Dutch) Sante Claus, who became Santa Claus. So yes, Virginia, there really is a Santa Claus.

A Cast of Children

If you were at the reception between the 9:15 and 11 a.m. service on Sunday, you saw angels and shepherds and even Magi walking around. In an act of genius, our Children’s Minister sent over the cast of the pageant to look for cookies. It was a reminder that these children are learning the gospel story. And it all comes together this Sunday at 4:30 for the Annual Christ Church Children’s Christmas Pageant. If you attend, you will see hundreds of children, hundreds more parents and even more video cameras.

Trivia Alert

Many long-time Anglicans know The Collect above as Stir-up Sunday. The tradition is not about forgiveness or grace, but a reminder to go home after church and stir up the batter for your rum cakes. I am not kidding. You can’t make this up. Go here for some background on the tradition of Stir-up Sunday. But it is also known as Gaudete Sunday based on the Latin wording of the traditional New Testament reading from Philippians 4:4. I rejoice, now you rejoice. In Latin, the phrase is written gaudeo, gaudete. Hence the name for the third Sunday in Advent, Gaudete Sunday.

(Yes, I’d win the trivia contest if they ask a question like this. Normally, I double-check the veracity of Wikipedia articles. In these cases, I think they have it right.)

Mail Forwarding

Can I remind people that we have moved? I am not fishing to get more Christmas cards, but many of you send us cards and updates on your family. We love to hear from you, and we try to respond with a card of our own. Please remember that Fran and I have moved to:

7709 Constitution Dr.
Plano, TX 75025

See you Sunday.

In Christ,
David

Dear Friends,

Someone asked me to sum up the Christian faith for them in a short, pithy phrase. Something small and portable that they could remember and tell their friends about. For reasons that I can’t really explain, the answer to their question came quickly and easily, and I think, accurately.

Here it is…

…the kernel of our faith, the mustard seed, so to speak: Jesus is King.

Maybe it was the book The King Jesus Gospel that implanted its message in me when I read it on a recent trip. Perhaps it was the current men’s On Point theme on the Kingdom of God. Maybe is was the residual unexpressed thoughts I had after The Evergreen Effect sermon series that just ended. But the awareness of this truth, the truest of all truths, is like a tiny nuclear reactor inside the human heart. If you are plugged in, it radiates and emanates the knowledge that Jesus is Lord and King over all things.

This is one reason I love Anglicanism. It allows us to apprehend this truth in the midst of the Christmas rush. You experienced it in the liturgy this past weekend. You will experience it again this weekend. I have the honor of liturgical leadership at Christ Church and the rich resources of Anglicanism are put to use in this season: prayers from 1662, the rite from the English Church, the Psalms of Ascent, hearing from John the Baptist, and music that touches our soul and spirit.

That is why you will find the concert this Sunday night, one of the most amazing experiences of this season. You will hear sacred songs in a sacred space as we invite the Holy Spirit to come and take us all to a new sacred place. It all sounds a bit esoteric, I know. But if you were there on Sunday, and if you make Advent your own personal journey to the manger at Bethlehem, you will know what I am talking about.

Here are a few things you should know:

Angel Tree

The Angel Tree project is well underway. I am excited to know that our teenagers are fully participating in this ministry. They get to go shopping! I appeal to our parents to help their child make the jump to our ministries here. Things are going great with our new staff leadership.

Young Leaders and the Ministry

I have started a mentoring group for young leaders who are praying about entering the ministry in the Anglican Church. The numbers have grown, and Fran and I are opening our home to some 20+ future leaders. In other words, Christ Church may be pregnant with many more leaders in the years to come.

Speaking of Pregnancy

I found this video to be among the sweetest, life-affirming, joyous works I have ever seen on the internet. What a project, and what a message! Enjoy it. It should remind you of Advent and Christmas!

Tell Us

In recent days (like yesterday!), I have been talking with a number of our members, and a theme is emerging. People often do not let our staff know of challenges and hardships they face. It is always tempting to suffer in silence, but please let the parish staff know how best we can pray for you. We want to walk with you, uphold and sustain you and your family in difficult times. Here are some ways to reach us:

• Congregational Care
• Life Care Classes
• Prayer Requests: online or call our 24-hour prayer line at 972-491-7729
• General Inquiries

Sacred Music in a Sacred Place

Someone close to the music ministry wrote me a text a few days ago that said something like this: “By God’s grace, the Sunday night concert may be one of those God-moments that we think about for years to come and give thanks for.” I pray it is, and that I’ll see you there. It will be a great event for you to invite your friends, co-workers and neighbors.

I hope to see you all over the weekend, and of course, on Sunday night at 7 p.m. for our concert.

In Christ,

David+

Dear Friends,

I write on the eve of the eve of Thanksgiving. I am so eager to share the time with you tomorrow at 7 p.m. Every year we gather together to ask the Lord’s blessing, and He is true to his promises. He blesses us mightily. So I will see you tomorrow night.

In the meantime, please allow me to express my own sincere thankfulness to God for all of you. Last night, the vestry met to approve the 2012 budget, and we reflected a bit on what God is doing here. Here are some things we observed:

I could go on—but you get the idea.

What do you think? How do you see God moving here at Christ Church? Use the comment box below to enter your thoughts. I’d appreciate hearing from you.

Now, here are a few things you need to know.

Advent Begins

This Sunday is the start of the Season of Advent. I have taken care to modify a few things that will enhance our worship. I have compiled a liturgy using sources from the Church of England with some historic prayers from the original prayer book of 1662 in a slightly different order. I believe it will help us enter the season of Advent with joy and expectation.

We can be certain that the 1662 Prayer Book, which set the standard for five centuries, got the gospel right. The prayer of consecration contains the whole message of salvation and the hope of eternal life. It is the gospel truth.

Almighty God, our heavenly Father, who, in your tender mercy, gave your only Son our Savior Jesus Christ to suffer death upon the Cross for our redemption: who made there a full satisfaction, perfect self-offering and sufficient sacrifice, for the sins of the whole world; and instituted, and in his holy Gospel commanded us to continue, a perpetual memory of his precious death, until he comes again.

Traditions

I am bending a tradition this year and putting up most of our nativity set from Bethlehem this Sunday. I know it is still Advent, but this hand-carved artwork is amazingly beautiful. And frankly, I don’t think we can look at it too much. It is a great blessing to have it.

Five Weeks and Counting

This weekend, I mentioned that Christmas Eve was only five weeks away. The response was a notable sigh of disturbance. We all knew it was around the corner, but this year it seems to be sneaking up on us, at least on me.

That is why I think our Christmas concert is a must for everyone. It will help transform the hurried pace of the holiday rush into something of profound spiritual significance. You know that Christ Church has been blessed with a tremendous music ministry. We are led in worship every week by devoted and talented musicians. But a few times a year they prepare something amazing. This year is no exception.

Fran and I give thanks for you and for the impact you are helping to make on a world in need. I join St. Paul in saying, “I thank God in all of my remembrance of you.” (Phil 1:7)