Dear Creator Family,
I am delighted to introduce you to Leilani Allwine. After interviews with several highly qualified applicants, Leilani has joined our Creator Family as our new church secretary. She is a delightful person, eager to tackle the various and assundry of our parish processes. Cheryl Duhon, one of your vestry members and our “office volunteer” for the past several months, is spending this week helping Leilani get onboard. I am looking forward to working with Leilani as we strive to follow the Lord’s call for Creator. Please give her a call or stop by to welcome her to our parish home. We are also so happy for Delisa Downing on her long-anticipated move to Williamsburg. We are sorry to see her go but hope and pray for her and her family's happiness after so long a wait. Delisa served as our MCEF representative, so we are now in need of filling her service. Delisa was primarily responsible for taking our food donations to the food closet each month, as well as serving as our link to news and events. If you feel called to this ministry, please let the office know so we can help set you up. It is a valuable ministry to the needy in our own community, and it helps our parish live into its stewardship and outreach. I will be leaving for Maine next week for a week-long vacation, returning on Wednesday, August 7th. Details of next week's activities and the following Sunday service will be in our next Creator Calling. Peace in Christ to you all. Fr. Bill+
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Agape: Christian Charity
Many dictionaries define charity as “Christian love,” and in turn, Christian love is described as agape love -- "the love of Christians for other persons, corresponding to the love of God for humankind." (Webster's online Dictionary) Perhaps this is where we need to start then, not with charity, but with agape. Ancient Greek society understood eight different concepts of love, each embodied by a different word:
So often we are afflicted because we are trying to feel love or to make or manifest love in ourselves, thinking that this is what God wants. God knows that this is impossible for us and has told us so by offering himself to us. We urgently need to understand the right definition to love. Love isn’t self-determined, and much of what is called “love” isn’t love at all. Rather than turn to the noise of this world to tell us what love is, we must turn to God who properly defines love. Spoken of over 200 times in the Bible, Agape is the fatherly love of God for humans. It is the transcendent love of God that rises above the self to the good of the beloved. Agape is love at the highest level, a selfless, sacrificial love found in the very being of God and shown to us in the absolute sacrificial self-giving of Jesus. St. Paul describes this love in one of the most beloved passages in the New Testament, I Corinthians 13: 13 If I speak in the tongues[a] of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast,[b] but do not have love, I gain nothing. 4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. 11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. 12 For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. 13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. This is the love of God that we aspire to, this is the love we are called to, this is the likeness of Christ and communion with God. This love is all consuming and bears no likeness to selfish desire, warding or protectionism. This love is absolute. It would be hard to exaggerate the significance of charity (agape). It is from love that God bestowed His grace on His people (Eph. 1:4–5). It’s His love that gives rise to our love (1 John 4:10–11). It’s evidence of the Spirit’s life within (Gal. 5:22). It nourishes godliness in our hearts (Eph. 3:17). It’s the pathway we walk (Eph. 5:2), the contemplation for our mind (Phil. 4:8), the bridle for our tongue (Eph. 4:15), our protection in darkness (1 Thess. 5:8), the bond of our fellowship (Col. 2:2), and the measure of Christian perfection (1 John 4:18). Charity is, as Paul said, not only an excellent way but the most excellent way (1 Cor. 12:31–13:13). In Christian theology and ethics, agape is translated as charity since agape is not simply a feeling--far from it, agape is an action. Agape cannot be agape if love does not act, since agapic love is sacrifice. In this way, agape may be better understood as charity, as charity is understood as an act of caring and selflessness. St. Augustine summarized much of Christian thought about charity when he wrote: “Charity is a virtue which, when our affections are perfectly ordered, unites us to God, for by it we love him.” Using this definition and others from the Christian tradition, the medieval theologians, especially St. Thomas Aquinas, placed charity in the context of the other Christian virtues and specified its role as “the foundation or root” of them all. Writing in Mere Christianity, C.S. Lewis explains this foundational aspect in the modern sense: . . .'Charity' now means simply what used to be called 'alms'—that is, giving to the poor. Originally it had a much wider meaning. . . Charity means “Love, in the Christian sense.” But love, in the Christian sense, does not mean an emotion. It is a state not of the feelings but of the will; that state of the will which we have naturally about ourselves, and must learn to have about other people. I pointed out in the chapter on Forgiveness that our love for ourselves does not mean that we like ourselves. It means that we wish our own good. In the same way Christian Love (or Charity) for our neighbors is quite a different thing from liking or affection. We “like” or are “fond of” some people, and not of others. It is important to understand that this natural “liking” is neither a sin or a virtue, any more than your likes and dislikes in food are a sin or a virtue. It is just a fact. But, of course, what we do about it is either sinful or virtuous. Natural liking or affection for people makes it easier to be “charitable” towards them. It is, therefore, normally a duty to encourage our affections—to “like” people as much as we can (just as it is often our duty to encourage our liking for exercise or wholesome food)—not because this liking is itself the virtue of charity, but because it is a help to it. . . . . . . The rule for all of us is perfectly simple. Do not waste time bothering whether you “love” your neighbor; act as if you did. As soon as we do this we find one of the great secrets. When you are behaving as if you loved someone, you will presently come to love him. If you injure someone you dislike, you will find yourself disliking him more. If you do him a good turn, you will find yourself disliking him less. . Consequently, though Christian charity sounds a very cold thing to people whose heads are full of sentimentality, and though it is quite distinct from affection, yet it leads to affection. The difference between a Christian and a worldly man is not that the worldly man has only affections or “likings” and the Christian has only “charity.” The worldly man treats certain people kindly because he “likes” them: the Christian, trying to treat every one kindly, finds himself liking more and more people as he goes on--including people he could not even have imagined himself liking at the beginning (Mere Christianity 115-117). American revivalist preacher, philosopher, and Congregationalist theologian Jonathan Edwards reflected on charity when he wrote that Christian charity “is one as to its principle, whatever the object about which it is exercised; it is from the same spring or fountain in the heart, though it may flow out in different channels and diverse directions.” There are many practical opportunities for you to show Christian charity. In your own family, in your circle of friends, and around you every day there are people in need of help. Charity begins by embracing a selfless perspective and seeing the other as a “beloved one,” not as a curtailer of freedom. You can offer your personal attention by helping at a soup kitchen, donating food or clothing, writing encouraging notes, volunteering at your church, and so on. Still, there are other forms of charity no less faithful to God, as long as the action is taken to the glory of God and without undue attention to self. Material gifts, donating money to the less fortunate or to the Church or Christian aid organizations is an acknowledgment of the blessing God has given you and your ability to reach out in Jesus' name. Jesus taught that love to God and love to neighbor are the greatest and second commandment: “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it: Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” (Mark 12:30–31. BCP pg. 324) Love is to characterize our relationship to God through Jesus Christ. Because we are united to Him, charity must also characterize the same in our relationships with those who bear His image. In this, love is upward and outward focused and characterizes every single relationship in our lives—marriage, parenting, friendship, and fellowship. In love and charity with the neighbor, Fr. Bill+ Dear Creator Family,
How fleeting and hot, hot, hot our days have been! It is a joy for me to be able to take time to slow down (and cool down) on Sunday morning as we gather in the Lord. Our time together is both a beckoning call and a refreshing balm where we are illuminated by God and soothed by the intervention of the Holy Spirit. Much has been happening at Creator between our Sundays with our ongoing office concerns, our building needs and our secretarial search. We have received six viable and exciting aspirants for this position, and I will be making a request to the Vestry to hire one of them next week. We are still in the stages of “clean out – clean up” with the classroom shed in the parking lot now almost empty. We have also removed most of the accumulation in the Parish Hall with a bit more to do. This is a very purposeful endeavor, as we are actively looking for a ministry to share our building. The Wednesday night Book Study is drawing to a close in just a few weeks and we will be excitedly launching Season 4 of The Chosen. Our Chosen study last year was both illuminating and joyful as we approached and received the Scriptures in this dramatic way. Be looking for our announcement for our start date and get your Bible and popcorn ready! Please continue to pray for each other and our Parish as we continue our labors. If you have time to help with putting our spaces to rights or tackling an office need, please reach out. I must say the list is long and we can always accomplish so much more when the company is plentiful. In the meantime, please pray for those on our prayer list and all of our endeavors here at Creator. Peace in Christ, Fr. Bill+ Happy Independence Day! July 4, 2024
For many, the Fourth of July means sun tans, parades and picnics, hot dogs and Coca-Cola, ice cream and apple pie, baseball and bombs bursting in air (Thank the Lord our framers signed the Declaration of Independence in July and not January!) For 248 years the significance and seasonal timing of Independence Day have made for the best outdoor celebrations of the year! As Americans, most feel a renewed sense of pride and accomplishment on the Fourth of July. Hearts and minds are enticed by stories of patriotic sacrifice and providential guidance, and we enjoy a moment of peace amidst the current political drama. For Christians, however, there may be an inner conflict simmering, an unease amidst the celebration. First, let’s be clear about where the Christian’s deepest identity lies. If we are in Christ, joined to him by faith, all other pledges of allegiance have been relativized, whatever our nation of origin or naturalization. We still love our country, are patriotic to the core, but all of our loyalties no matter how deep are subservient to the One. No one can serve two masters, Jesus said, only one can be primary. In Jesus, we have one final allegiance, and thus in this world we will always be, in some real sense, pilgrims, strangers and aliens, sojourners and exiles. As St. Peter proclaimed, Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul (1 Peter 2:11). For the Christian, our citizenship in any nation aims to be “worthy of the gospel of Christ” (Philippians 1:27), not merely worthy of that political state. At the most basic level, “our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,” who will do for us what no political entity in this world will ever do — “transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself”(Philippians 3:20–21). We proudly stand shoulder to shoulder as we sing the National Anthem together and pledge allegiance side by side and enjoy the parades and fireworks as we create and strengthen the ties of friendship and national unity, but that only goes so far. The blood of Jesus runs deeper than the blood that flows in defining or defending any nation. Our fellows in political liberty are important, but not as significant as our fellows in Jesus from every tribe and tongue. Yes, we seek to do good to our fellow Americans as we uphold and defend our home, but our deeper allegiance is to those who are of the worldwide household of faith. As St. Paul wrote, So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith (Galatians 6:10). It is good and healthy to have real affection for the nation we call our own. It is right for the Christian to be patriotic and reserve a special kind of love for city and country. In fact, it’s a sign that something may be amiss spiritually if the Christian doesn’t have some tempered but tangible sense of belonging to his “kin and country.” It’s not only okay for American Christians to enjoy being American on the Fourth; it’s commended. God means for us to be appropriately enmeshed in this world (as Jesus prays in John 17, not of the world, but sent into it). Christ and country aren’t irreconcilable. In Jesus’s perfect arithmetic, there is space not only to render God our everything, but render to Caesar his share as well, he said, "Show me the coin used for paying the tax.” They brought him a denarius, and he asked them, “Whose image is this? And whose inscription?” “Caesar’s,” they replied. Then he said to them, “So give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.” When they heard this, they were amazed. So they left him and went away. (Matthew 22:19–22). St. Paul made it clear that Christians render respect to whom respect is owed, and honor to whom honor is owed, “Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed” (Romans 13:7). Though there are times we may disagree and oppose the governing authorities, ultimately God is our guide and is our true King. Under His authority we live where we are and honor God’s plan (though we may not understand it). “Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor” (1 Peter 2:17). Third, it follows that as God’s common goodness is manifested in our political state, we should be genuinely grateful. We give thanks when thanks is owed. Perhaps we balk at being “proud to be an American”—and would prefer to be “humbled” by it. That’s wise and good. And we need not make any such alteration to the call to be thankful. Given the fallen condition of our world because of human sin, we should be amazed how much common goodness God continues to create and uphold in nations good and even bad. In the same breath St. Paul instructs Christians to be good citizens--“to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people” (Titus 3:1–2) — he also reminds us about our native condition: “For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy . . .” (Titus 3:3–5). Given our depravity, and the diabolical desires that have a foothold in humanity for now, it is extraordinary mercy not only that any are saved at all, but also that any of our nations aren’t in worse shape than they are. We betray the far-reaching effects of God’s kindness when we’re so consumed with frustrations about our homeland that we can’t see many good things to be grateful for. Finally, for now, it continues to be legal to speak the Gospel in public in these United States, and even to press for repentance and faith. This is a glorious liberty. Let’s make the most of it by remembering that we Christians have a true country, which will satisfy our inconsolable longing like no nation in the present can. And let’s double our joy by bringing as many others with us as we can. It’s hard to say it any better than C.S. Lewis: If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world. If none of my earthly pleasures satisfy it, that does not prove that the universe is a fraud. Probably earthly pleasures were never meant to satisfy it, but only to arouse it, to suggest the real thing. If that is so, I must take care, on the one hand, never to despise, or to be unthankful for, these earthly blessings, and on the other, never to mistake them for the something else of which they are only a kind of copy, or echo, or mirage. I must keep alive in myself the desire for my true country, which I shall not find till after death; I must never let it get snowed under or turned aside; I must make it the main object of life to press on to that country and to help others to do the same. (Mere Christianity) Embracing, renewing and proclaiming such a perspective as sung about in the "Star-Spangled Banner" over our Independence Day celebrations with family and friends, we would find them richer than ever. We are profoundly grateful for the freedom we have in this country to recruit for the true one, and let’s be unashamed to seize upon our fellow Americans’ desire for life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, and show them in whom such joy is truly found. Our Country Tis of Thee, verse 4 Our father's God to, Thee, Author of liberty, To Thee we sing. Long may our land be bright With freedom's holy light; Protect us by Thy might, Great God, our King! The Star Spangled Banner, verse 4 O thus be it ever when freemen shall stand Between their lov’d home and the war’s desolation! Blest with vict’ry and peace may the heav’n rescued land Praise the power that hath made and preserv’d us a nation! Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just, And this be our motto - “In God is our trust,” And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave. In Christ Jesus, Fr. Bill+ Behold, I am doing a new thing;
now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. Isaiah 43:19 It seems like light years ago, the COVID lockdown. Those early days of fear and confusion, of being caught between the strangeness of the present and the uncertainty of the future. Still, as those days stretched into months and the danger was identified and categorized, something was becoming clear---potential. With totally unanticipated free time and unforeseen personal freedom, a new life was in the making. Who could have imagined, in our world of never-ending “things to do, people to see, places to go,” that we would be afforded a pause, a break in the non-stop routine. We all have our stories of that period, the things we did or didn’t do and how we found something thought lost to time. Now, as those days fade further into the folds of memory, many have found that they have changed more than they had realized. It has become obvious that some changes were deeper than imagined and we are just now realizing what that might mean. It is always this way with change, it happens fast, but not deep--it happens deep, but not fast. The change we think we know is really more shock and response than anything else, oh, there is true change there, but it is shallow at best. It takes time for the true abiding change to be made known, the change that was rooted deep down and required time to press its way to the surface. We become aware of it in little ways, small awarenesses. Like a tender shoot poking up through the undergrowth, mostly missable and unimportant, this change grows. We are miraculous creatures, able to encounter and overcome incredible adversity. We adapt and maneuver through our lives, instantly recognizing, prioritizing, saving and jettisoning new stimuli by the millisecond. When these small shoots of change grow large enough for true notice, they are delt with quickly, nurtured or trampled underfoot. We are vaguely aware, however, that those we dispatch with abandon are never truly gone, having timeless roots. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. Isaiah 43:19 God not only exists in the change that brought about the roots, but in the roots, the shoot and our moment of awareness. In fact, God is present through and through every moment of every encounter we have ever had and will ever have. Remember? God is. It is the truest thing that will ever be true, forever and for always. God is showing us the way through every way to God’s self and trying to teach us to slow down. God does not orchestrate crisis or chaos, God did not create COVID. No matter what the events of life, God uses every moment to create the possibility of change within change. God also creates the opportunity to recognize and prioritize at a slightly lower rate, with a bit more deliberation so as not to jettison that which should be fostered. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. Isaiah 43:19 After all we have been though, where is God showing us the blessing of the new thing? How we see and know God in the every moment of possibility is, in fact, the new thing God is talking about. Everything is connected. The all and the every lead back to God. If we dig down, delving to find the root of that little shoot, we will find a mighty root nurtured by a divine hand. We have had the experience, forced to slow down. Use what you know, slow down and dig, embrace the new thing. Slowly digging, Fr. Bill† God humbled you and let you be hungry, and fed you with manna which you did not know, nor did your fore-fathers know, that God might make you understand that man does not live by bread alone, but lives by everything that proceeds out of the mouth of the Lord. Deuteronomy 8:3
I love this verse, “He humbled you and let you be hungry, and fed you with manna which you did not know.” Several times over our Shrine Mont weekend, I found myself in conversations where this verse rang through. Even after I got home and faced a needful phone call filled with angst and uncertainty, I was answered by this verse, “He humbled you and let you be hungry, and fed you with manna which you did not know.” How our lives shift and change. How quickly the opportunities that bring hope and potential transmute into a miasma of doubt and uncertainty. In my sermon last Sunday I spoke about fear—that unwanted, un-looked-for creeping sensation of doom that forbodes failure—even destruction! Why is it so? We all know the answer, it lies deep within us and is a part of us, a result of the fall—self doubt. Perhaps that is too simplistic. though—self doubt as a result of fear. “Wow, I can't believe I can go, but what if…” “This is amazing! But, what should I do now?” “I was so happy when it happened, but now I am unsure…” It is the future! It is the uncontrolled, wild, untamed future where anything can happen. It is the fruition of, and the destroyer of, all plans. It is the random variable that teeters on the edge of the outcome and it preys upon us. “He humbled you and let you be hungry, and fed you with manna which you did not know, nor did your fore-fathers know.” God allows us to experience these feeling and face these questions, not that we might suffer, but that we might learn. God is present with us always and, through the Holy Spirit, is available to us for direction and peace. The lesson God sought to teach the children of Israel as they crossed the Sinai desert is the same lesson we are so in need of today. God humbled you and let you be hungry, and fed you with manna which you did not know, nor did your fore-fathers know, that God might make you understand that man does not live by bread alone, but lives by everything that proceeds out of the mouth of the Lord. God’s promise is holiness—that wanted, looked-for inflowing sensation of hope and peace. When the "other" shoe feels as if it is going to drop, call on God and seek his face, and he will give you peace. Seeking God, Fr. Bill+ Dear Creator Family,
Thank you all for your prayers this past week and on Sunday. I know it was a surprise when you arrived to a Sunday Morning Prayer service, but I hope you felt the presence of God. Our sanctuary is always a holy place, no matter how we worship; sometimes the more silent the time there, the more special it is. (Ask a member of the Altar Guild or anyone who has spent time there in silent prayer.) Still, as humans we fix on expectations and routine in ways that this change may have been unsettling. Thank you for keeping your eyes on God and your care for our little faith community. Unexpected change is always an opportunity to turn to God and find the comfort of the Holy Spirit. I am very grateful to Cheryl Duhon, who led both the 8:00 and 10:30 services, and I know you were blessed by her service. I also give thanks for the wise counsel of our senior warden, Stacy Rusch. And now for the weeks and months ahead! We know summer will fly by; it always does, and so I thought it perhaps a relevant and important time to lay out the parish projects before us. And yes, please, I do mean us. If you've ever wondered why it takes so long for things to get done around church, remember that there are a scant few doing them! Your vestry is but three members strong!! It may be time to revisit that, and it is certainly time to pray on it. We continue to field unexpected breakage and damage, maybe like your house. The good news is I've been working through them best I can and thanks be to God that these immediate ones are almost behind us. Once you get to the 4th bullet "Grounds," below, these are the larger and parish-wide concerns that will require more than me and a team of three in order to really take care of them. I out them in front of all so that each might find a way to contribute and help. ⦁ Plumbing: The upstairs urinal has been out of order for months and has now been fixed. The dishwasher has been clogged for weeks and is currently being worked on with the hopes it will fixed by Sunday. The hot water heater in the Sacristy ruptured several weeks ago; thankfully, Ron and Lea Gibson were in the Church and stopped what would have been a disaster. A new hot water heater has been installed. ⦁ Electrical: Maybe you've heard several of the cove lights in the Church humming; unfortunately, that does not mean they're humming their prayers, it means a failing ballast. We are in the process of having those changed out. Further, there is a possible power fluctuation in the Church, indicating a failing breaker, and we hope to have that changed this week. ⦁ Structural: A brief, but intense storm managed to blow several shingles off the Church roof. We have contracted a roofer and have fixed the damage. The gate to the play yard and a storage door are in desperate need of attention, we will begin a repair on both this week. ⦁ Grounds: There are several areas of concern as well as the routine management we are looking at. First, the parking lot weed infestation must be controlled and we are assessing options while we fight it back. Second, the bush behind the mailbox is actually a Bradford Pear tree. Apparently, when you cut down a Bradford Pear, but do not remove the root, it can resurrect itself as a creeping bush that, if left alone, would take over the world! We have no doubt that Creator will be consumed if we do not act. We are looking at all options—mostly dramatic. Caring for our diverse and beautiful flora and fauna is a full-time job, how blest we are to have parishioners who devote such love and attention to God’s house. Sharon and Jay Warren have been tireless “church mice” tending and caring for our grounds. The beautiful portico and the longevity of the Crepe Myrtle tree are a testament to their tireless devotion. I have been told “trimming must occur!” so we are currently looking for a solution to this need. ⦁ Technical: In the effort of cutting overhead costs and being wise stewards, we are reviewing many of our technical services, such as phone, internet, and cable. We have already made modifications and will continue find the best cost solutions for our parish. This is a Vestry agenda item if you would like input or information. It directly relates to our monthly operating costs. ⦁ Relational: Over the past year we have been looking for a partner organization, such as a pre-, nursery, or charter school to share our Parish Hall. Our search has led to an ongoing discussion with a Christian Tutoring School who is looking for a new home. I will keep everyone appraised of any development. I could certainly use the help on "selling" our space to a renting organization. ⦁ Along those lines, we are looking for a possible Church partnership in which we could offer our sanctuary for afternoon worship. This is an ongoing search and it is a very exciting possibility. Again, I could certainly use the help. ⦁ Communication: Every week we publish “Creator Calling, "our electronic newsletter. That is our main vehicle for information, calendar items, parish news and messages. I pray you all are receiving it each Tuesday around noon. This is our way of updating and notifying the congregation of news and events that effect our lives. ⦁ Secretary: Since Mary resigned, we have been blessed by the hard work and dedication of Cheryl Duhon who has been volunteering as our Parish Secretary. Cheryl has helped to keep us on track and is a dedicated servant of the Lord. With valuable help, next week we will be re-addressing our search process for a new Parish Secretary. In the past we have been blessed by our parishioner helping to find the right person for the position. If you know of someone you think is a good fit for our needs, please let me know. The job description and requirements will be posted, and we will soon send you a link on where to find them. I did not mean for this update to read like a giant "to do" list, but I must confess there are days I come to work feeling it ever before me. It's important that we who share a common life (a common Altar and therefore a common life) know the state of the parish, know and care for our fellow members of our congregation, and feel the needs of our people and our parish personally. God has entrusted this faith family to all of us. Let's take this season to renew and recommit to taking care of God's house. Faithfully in Christ, Fr. Bill+ Liturgical Colors Through the Year Each Sunday we read from scripture the lessons and witness of God interacting with humanity. As we follow the life and ministry of Jesus the church emphasizes certain events and times of his life so that we can focus more intently on our own. To draw our attention to the different lessons, the church changes the color of the season as a visual reminder and spiritual touchstone.
The living colors of the church year are important for us, especially if they are mixed, as they are right now as being red and green. More than just aesthetic choices, deep with spiritual significance, the colors are a witness of the rhythm, life and mood of our growth in Christ. They serve as an exterior sign that invites us to an interior reflection. As we explore the meanings behind these colors, we’ll see how they can deepen our understanding of our faith. The Significance of Colors (note: I have separated the reds and purples into their appropriate sub colors) Royal Purple or Royal Blue: Repentance and Preparation Following the tradition of the Sarum Rite (an old English rite), Royal Blue is the color for Advent. During the Middle Ages, when blue was too expensive to reproduce, “royal purple” (purple mixed with blue) was often used instead. This is why you still see some churches using purple in Advent (though usually not the correct royal purple). Theologically blue reflects tranquility, hope, anticipation, expectation, and confidence and a shade of blue is associated with the Blessed Virgin Mary. Royal Blue in Advent is appropriate as we emphasize Mary’s journey as she awaits the arrival of the Incarnate God. White: Purity and Joy White is probably the most recognized of the liturgical colors. It is used during the most joyful times in the Church calendar, such as Christmas and Easter. It is also worn at baptisms, weddings, and funerals to symbolize the Resurrection. In the Bible, white garments are often associated with purity, holiness, and new life. In the book of Revelation, we find, “They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.” (Revelation 7:14) Green: Ordinary Time After the Christmas and Easter seasons, the Church returns to what’s called Ordinary Time. This period, represented by the color green, isn’t “ordinary” in the sense of being common or mundane. Instead, it’s a time for growth and maturation in our faith, much like a plant grows in the natural world. As the Holy Spirit blows across the world, Green signifies this hopeful, unfolding journey of discipleship. Orange Red: The Holy Spirit Orange Red is the color of the fire of the Holy Spirit. It is used on Pentecost, when we celebrate the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles. Orange Red brings to mind the Holy Spirit, who gives us the courage to witness to our faith, even to the point of sacrificing our lives. The Bible tells us, “When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father—the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father—he will testify about me.” (John 15:26) Red or “Blood” Purple: Royal Sacrifice Blood Purple is traditionally associated with royalty and suffering, making it an appropriate choice for Lent. It reminds us of Christ's passion and the sovereignty he claimed through his suffering and resurrection. In the context of Lent, Blood Purple also symbolizes penance, repentance, and renewal. And they clothed him in a purple cloak, and twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on him. And they began to salute him, “Hail, King of the Jews!” And they were striking his head with a reed and spitting on him and kneeling down in homage to him. And when they had mocked him, they stripped him of the purple cloak and put his own clothes on him. And they led him out to crucify him. (Mark 15:17-20) Rose Candle: Joy Within Preparation Rose is used just twice a year: once during Advent (Gaudete Sunday) and once during Lent (Laetare Sunday). On these Sundays, the Church takes a brief pause from her penitential posture to rejoice in the coming joy of Christmas or Easter. The rose color signifies this sense of joy and anticipation within a season of preparation. Black: Mourning and Remembrance While not commonly used, black can still be worn for services of mourning, Lenten services and for All Souls’ Day. It is a stark reminder of human mortality and the transient nature of earthly life. While it may seem bleak, it is also a reminder that our ultimate hope lies in the Resurrection. As St. Paul writes, “If for this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied. But in fact, Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have died.” (1 Corinthians 15:19-20) It’s essential to remember that the use of liturgical colors is not a matter of divine command but a tradition developed over centuries to enrich our worship. The colors are not strictly necessary for the seasons, but they hold a cherished place in the Church’s life, offering visual cues that lead us into a deeper experience of the mysteries of faith. The liturgical colors are a vivid tapestry that marks the ebb and flow of the Church’s life. Like the rich symbolism found throughout Scripture and Tradition, they invite us into a more profound and meaningful relationship with God. Through them, we are drawn into the beauty and depth of the liturgy, which is the corporate expression and offering of God’s people to God. In this way, something as simple as color can lead us to contemplate the inexhaustible richness of God’s love and mercy. In Living Color, Fr. Bill+ When you were Baptized you got it, since then you’ve had it, it’s time to better understand it, so you can truly live it.
You are sealed by the Holy Spirit in Baptism and marked as Christ’s own forever. BCP. Pg. 308 What does it mean to be “sealed by the Holy Spirit”? St. Paul writes in the Letter to the Ephesians, “…when you heard the word of truth, the Gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, you were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit.” (1:13) In the Greek, “promised” (epaggelía) literally means “announces what is fitting.” Here, St. Paul is saying that the Holy Spirit, or the presence of the Holy Spirit, is the announcement of the seal which is the Holy Spirit’s presence. In adult Baptism this makes sense since the adult “heard…and believed” and asked for the Holy Spirit to come. In infant Baptism it is a bit more complicated in that, since the infant or child could not make such a proclamation, the parents act as a proxy, inviting the Holy Spirit to dwell with the child. Now, my purpose here is not to elaborate on the question of infant Baptism, rather I am addressing the indwelling reality of the Holy Spirit. Suffice to say then, as the Holy Spirit honors the prayers of the parents, the Holy Spirit enters into a new relationship with the child and is the same epaggelía as with the adult. Further along, in St. Paul’s Second Letter to the Corinthians he writes, Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a pledge, guaranteeing what is to come. (1:21-22) The word “pledge” in this passage is arrabón in the Greek and literally means, “an earnest-money payment given in advance as a security that the whole will be paid afterwards.” This partial payment or pledge is the presence of the Holy Spirit, assuring the complete communion and fellowship of God in eternity. As this has taken place, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit (infant or adult), the individual has access to the Holy Spirit in a blessed and unique Way through which choices can be made. Through the process of growth—the maturity of the years, we grow in knowledge and wisdom through which we make our choices. As people of faith, our choices are to be informed first by our devotion to Christ and this is aided by the indwelling Spirit. This message of Christ first is written throughout the New Testament and is ubiquitous with life. We are sealed, (sphragizo) and in this seal we are marked and Christ’s own, literally we belong to him. This is why St. Paul admonishes us, “do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.” (Ephesians 4:30). Our lives are to be lived as Christ’s own possession and our decisions are to be made in concert with the Holy Spirit who dwells in us. So great a gift is the Holy Spirit and so available is the companionship of God that we are extolled that “the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.” (Romans 8:11) Every day, every moment we are blessed by God and empowered to give God glory as we witness the Good News of Christ Jesus! By giving us the Holy Spirit, God seals or stamps us as his own and the Holy Spirit continues to testify, authenticating the reality of this relationship by making us more and more like Jesus. To be sealed with the Holy Spirit is the gracious gift of God, whereby he demonstrates the authenticity of the believer’s relationship with him and his authority, ownership, and commitment to his people. To be “sealed by the Holy Spirit” is to live as a child of God and heir of the Kingdom. It is to be aware of God’s presence with us and to make that presence known. Strengthen, O Lord your servants with your Holy Spirit; empower them for your service; and sustain them all the days of their life. Amen Baptism BCP 309 May the Holy Spirit, who has begun a good work in you, direct and uphold you in the service of Christ and his kingdom. Amen Baptism BCP 310 Sealed by the Holy Spirit, Fr. Bill† Come Holy Spirit Come!
As Jesus prepared to lay down His life for us, He promised His disciple, “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever” (John 14:16). In this translation (NIV) the word παράκλητον--paraklēton or paraclete in English, is translated advocate, but just as often is translated comforter or helper. The word paraclete comes from two Greek words, para meaning "alongside of" and clete meaning "come." So, the Holy Spirit comes alongside us to be with us through the course of our lives. The Paraclete is the Advocate, the Counselor, the Helper, not a spiritual force, but the divine person of God who does the work of the Father and the Son here on earth as He walks with us through life. The person and work of the Holy Spirit is the fulfillment of Jesus’ divine promise (to send another) and the only Way to grow and deepen our relationship with God. At all times we must remember that the Paraclete is God and that the power of God is present in our lives. Through the Holy Spirit all things came into being, as we are told in Genesis 1 and declare each Sunday through the Nicene Creed. The Holy Spirit is the power which created you and me, as witnessed by Job when he said, “The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life" (Job 33:4). Through the power of the Holy Spirit, everyone who believes in Jesus is reborn, and we are empowered to live in obedience to God as the Holy Spirit indwells us (John 3:5-8). And we are assured of our salvation by St. John, “Truly, . . . the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world" (1 John 4:4). Most importantly, Jesus gave us the Holy Spirit so that we might know Him. The Holy Spirit reveals Christ to us through the Bible, softening our hearts and opening our eyes to the Gospel Truth, so that we can love, obey, and live for Jesus. Indeed, the Holy Spirit authored all of Scripture for this purpose to inspire all people from different backgrounds, professions, locations, and periods so that we would grow in God, in Christ Jesus our Lord. We are all called to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus” (2 Peter 3:18) and to “live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God” (Colossians 1:10). The Holy Spirit enables us to pursue godliness and to become more like Christ is the process by being conformed to the likeness of the Lord Jesus Christ through obedience and trust in God. We are told that
Breathe into me, Holy Spirit, that my thoughts may all be holy. Move in me, Holy Spirit, that my work, too, may be holy. Attract my heart, Holy Spirit, that I may love only what is holy. Strengthen me, Holy Spirit, that I may defend all that is holy. Protect me, Holy Spirit, that I may always be holy. Saint Augustine On my knees before the great multitude of heavenly witnesses, I offer myself soul and body to Thee, Eternal Spirit of God. I adore the brightness of Thy purity, the unerring keenness of Thy justice, and the might of Thy love. Thou art the Strength and Light of my soul. In Thee I live and move and am. I desire never to grieve Thee by unfaithfulness to grace, and I pray with all my heart to be kept from the smallest sin against Thee. Mercifully guard my every thought and grant that I may always watch for Thy light and listen to Thy voice and follow Thy gracious inspirations. I cling to Thee and give myself to Thee and ask Thee by Thy compassion to watch over me in my weakness. Holding the pierced Feet of Jesus and looking at His Five Wounds and trusting in His Precious Blood and adoring His opened Side and stricken Heart, I implore Thee Adorable Spirit, helper of my infirmity, so to keep me in Thy grace that I may never sin against Thee. Give me grace O Holy Ghost, Spirit of the Father and the Son, to say to Thee always and everywhere, "Speak Lord, for Thy servant heareth." Amen. Amen. Amen. Fr. Bill+ |
AuthorFather Bill Burk† Archives
July 2024
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