“We do not speak great things, but live them.” - Cyprian of Carthage

The above quote from St. Cyprian gets at something very true and beautiful about the church. Embodiment. Inhabiting something grand and great.

I might add the word “merely” to that quote, “we do not merely speak great things,” but live them, embody them together in our life. This is what the church is given to do and be, a community that proclaims and announces, but more than that, a community that in its very life is caught up in and inhabiting the truth of the Gospel, that God is making his reign and rule real through Jesus Christ.

This is what I see God doing in our midst at COTC, by His grace and through his Holy Spirit. It’s not a work of our doing, but as we worship together, as we share things in common, as we extend ourselves in sacrificial service and generosity, and as we devote ourselves to the teachings of our faith and the life of prayer together, God is faithfully grafting us together into his most wonderful story, a story of great things.

This truth is what was so exciting to share with some of y’all this week at our membership class, and so exciting to experience as we worship and share life together. This truth has also required and continues to require our generosity and sacrifice. Our community was born out of the sacrificial generosity of so many people, even outside of our immediate church, who have given of themselves, financially, in service, in prayer, to contribute to the establishment of this community. This legacy has been built up over the years as you all have taken your place and continued on in generosity, contributing to COTC’s vibrancy and life.

We are coming to the close of a calendar year and I wanted to communicate my gratitude for the ways you’ve given and supported the church in 2019. As we approach the end of the year I wanted to encourage you in finishing the year well and to consider how God might be calling you to support our life together at COTC for the first time or in a more extensive way. We in leadership are excited about what is happening at COTC and we base our budget and initiatives based on your generosity.

As a reminder, any gifts you’d like to see reflected in your 2019 tax receipt need to be either into the church by or postmarked for December 31st, 2019. You can send gifts to the Parish House, give online, or during worship on Sundays. Giving reports and receipts will be sent early in the New Year. If you have any questions or concerns please don’t hesitate to let me know.

This Advent and Christmas, as we anticipate and celebrate, the greatest thing, God’s giving of himself to us in Jesus, I’m grateful for the ways you as a community reflect God’s sacrificial generosity, and praying for you to have the experience of living great things.

In Christ,

Peter+

Ps. We have another opportunity this season to bear witness to Jesus through generosity to some in our community. Through our ongoing and developing relationship with Harris Elementary in Windsor Park we have the responsibility to provide some Christmas presents for a family in need at the school.

Did you know that 96% of the students at Harris qualify for free or reduced lunch? We’ve created this wishlist that accords with this particular family’s needs and you can simply purchase one of the items here and have it delivered to the Parish House, from there will plan to pass the gifts on to this family. Thanks for considering and contributing!