First Sunday of Advent

The following Advent Litany was used this morning at church. Enjoy! And may Advent Blessings be upon each and every one of you!

Advent Litany -

Among the Poor, "Cloth for the Cradle"

Iona Community, p. 31

Among the poor,

among the proud,

among the persecuted,

among the privileged,

Christ is coming,

Christ is coming to make all things new.

In the private house,

in the marketplace,

in the wedding feast,

in the judgment hall,

Christ is coming,

Christ is coming to make all things new.

With a gentle touch,

with an angry word,

with a clear conscience,

with burning love,

Christ is coming,

Christ is coming to make all things new.

That the kingdom might come,

that the world might believe,

that the powerful might stumble,

that the humble might be raised,

Christ is coming,

Christ is coming to make all things new.

Within us,

without us,

among us,

before us,

in this place,

in every place,

for this time,

for all time,

Christ is coming,

Christ is coming to make all things new.

Christ the King

Yesterday's Feast of Christ the King marked the last Sunday of our liturgical year. Our rector, Elizabeth Bloch+ preached on Matthew the Apostle being our guru which according to the sources at Wikipedia is a person who is regarded as "having great knowledge, wisdom and authority in a certain area, and who uses it to guide others." And he did his job well!

Rev. Bloch+ also reminded us that Jesus is not Big Brother who is watching for us to slip in order to mark down where we have failed but that every single one of us bears the sacred image of Jesus. We are the body and blood of Christ. Read the rest of her sermon here to learn more about our King and His Kingdom.

Pentecost +27

Gene Holly's sermon covered those typical Christian topics that we are famous for - Murder, Mayhem, Deception and Violence! Many commentators believe that the Parable of the Talents from Matthew 25 are the abilities God has given us - and that we will be judged by how well we used them to further God's Kingdom. And yet, could there be another point of view? What do you see in the picture? We know which servant angered his master but which servant did the right & commendable thing?

Pentecost +26

The title of Elizabeth's+ sermon today was "Scared Silly"....and reading through the parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins found in Matthew 25, one can't help but wonder - "Will I be ready?" "Will I be judged?" It is enough to make you scared silly! But was that the author's intent? Could there be another way to interpret this text? Click here to find out about the party!

All Saint's Day

What a glorious day at St. Paul's! For when the saints came marching in for the service they were greeted and surrounded by the communion of saints who have gone on to be with Christ.

Just walking into the sanctuary was a moving experience. The walls were covered with the names of the saints we have known,loved and cherished as well as those of the historical variety.

We are so blessed! But what did Christ consider to be our true blessings? Read Elizabeth's+ sermon to find out!