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This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24 The Psalmist is not alone in this declaration. We hear of God’s sovereignty over everything throughout Holy Scripture, starting with “In the beginning…” (Genesis 1:1). God created and it was good—and it still is even after the fall and the breaking of God’s holy plan. Every day is God’s day. Every day is a day GOD has made. Every day is a GOOD day. But in times of trial, sickness, debilitation, fear and the like, it just doesn’t feel like it. When our trials and struggles define our days, when we focus on those awful life-sapping events and occurrences big and small, then our days are not “good.” We are faced with a life conundrum: If God has made the day and is found in it, regardless of our maladies, how can it be anything other than good? Long ago the church rejected the proposition that the spirit and the body are two different things, that the body was one concern and the spirit, separately, another. Yet, a degree of this separation is needed to answer the conundrum. When we are in a state, whatever state that may be—sickness, trial, tribulation—our concern must transcend our condition so our spirit can soar to God. The spiritual focus on God’s sovereignty, love, presence and concern will break through our debilitation, and the day, with all that it brings, can be nothing other than good. This spiritual focus requires our body, our mind, to reach out beyond ourselves. Our mind focused on God elevates our spirit and opens the door to redemption. Embracing each day thinking of the abundance of blessings in our lives cultivates a spirit of gratitude and reverence toward God. A sense of appreciation for the blessings and opportunities that come from God has the ability to change everything, as it changes the way we see and encounter the world. Remember your January challenge for our 60th Anniversary Observance! It’s printed in the bulletin inserts all month: make a list of 60 blessings. By starting each day with a heartfelt "Thank you, God," we acknowledge the abundance and beauty that surrounds us, recognizing the gift of life and the wonders of God’s creation. Expressing gratitude towards God is a reminder of the interconnectedness of all things and the presence of divine grace in our lives. It instills a sense of humility, wonder, and appreciation for the miracles that unfold in each and every moment. When we express gratitude for the gift of each new day, we open our hearts to the divine presence to enrich our lives and the lives of those around us. This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24 If asked, most of us would identify “worship” with Sunday morning. Worship is prayer and praise, singing and confessing, hearing the Word of God and receiving the Holy Eucharist; this is how we worship God. However, biblically, worshipping God is a lot more than just gathering on Sunday; worship is a way of being and a lifestyle of acknowledgement. We are called—given the opportunity—to live our devotion to God through every day, even, every-moment worship. Worshipping God Everyday One of my favorite simple devotional books is The Practice and Presence of God, by Brother Lawrence. Br. Lawrence was a French Carmelite monk who lived in the seventeenth century. In the monastery in which he lived, he worked in the kitchen washing dishes, preparing meals, and tending to the overall cleanliness of the refectory. Any of us who have done this type of work for a length of time can testify that the mundane repetition can be mind-numbing and emotionally debilitating. Not so for Br. Lawrence. In this seemingly lowliest of assignments, Br. Lawrence found a closeness with God and lived a life of constant worship. He found God present in every task, through the cleaning and scouring, God spoke to his heart, enlightened his spirit, and opened his mind. “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31) For Br. Lawrence, worshipping the Lord was simpler than we make it sometimes, and he found more of his devotion to God throughout his daily activities, such as washing dishes, than he did in the regular prayer times that marked his monastic life. Worshipping God, for Br. Lawrence, was something that could be done both in & through his regular work – even washing dishes and cleaning the kitchen. He did these things to glorify God, and he regularly practiced an awareness of God in everything, constantly drawing his mind back to God’s presence amid the busyness of life. How would it change your life today, and your work, if you practiced a regular recognition of God’s presence in all you do? In the chores of laundry, dishes, and cooking dinner? What if you could be worshipping God in all that you did today? “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” (Collosians 3:16-17). Worshipping God in our everyday life and work Lord of all pots and pans and things, Since I've no time to be A saint by doing lovely things, Or watching late with Thee, Or dreaming in the dawnlight, Or storming heaven's gates, Make me a saint by getting meals, And washing up the plates! It is said that this well known twentieth century poem (often incorrectly attributed to Br. Lawrence because of the likeness of sentiment), was written by a nineteen year old domestic servant girl of a large home. Being found, it was copied and made its way through London’s kitchens and washrooms and now into volumes of literature. That young woman, and those who followed, sought to find enlightenment in the everyday routine. Where do we start? When you do anything, do it to the glory of God. Be a good representative of Jesus, with the goal of bringing glory & praise to Him. This is just how simple it is to worship God in our everyday life and work. When you take out the trash, praise God for the provision God has provided. When you're writing another email to the same person explaining the same idea for the fourth time, thank God for technology and a mind to interact. While meeting with the boss, honor God in how you respond. While driving, thank God for places to go and the beauty along the way. While fixing a meal—or eating one, praise God for the bounty of the earth and for those who till the ground. While taking a shower, marvel at the ability to be clean and give thanks to God for those who made this gift a priority for you. When dealing with a less-than-pleasant person, ask for Christ’s presence and pray for peace and patience for you both, praising God for the opportunity to witness. You get the idea, everywhere and at all times there is an opportunity for prayer and praise. Worshipping God in our everyday lives can be simple. It begins with turning your heart toward God amidst the busyness of life and choosing to direct your thoughts towards Him. And that begins with a simple prayer, inviting God into your work and asking the Holy Spirit to help you honor God in all that you do – just like the Scriptures say! When we invite God into our lives, and into our life and work, things begin to change for the better. Feeling burnt out? Feeling like you’re not making a difference? Pray to God for sight to see your purpose as you seek to worship through your actions. Make every stapled paper, sent email, lunch break, trash run, and wash load an act of worshipping God. You will surely be blessed! Worshipping God in your daily life and work begins with your desire to transcend the monotony and live in joy. Br. Lawrence and that young lady have helped show the way. May the Lord remind you today of the value of your work, your role, and your life as you begin worshipping through your everyday life and work. Praising God in all things, Fr. Bill+
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Almighty God, you have poured upon us the new light of your incarnate Word: Grant that this light, enkindled in our hearts, may shine forth in our lives; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. Collect for the 1st Sunday after Christmas
The Christmas “hoopla” is over. The lights will soon come down (or already have), and the new “toys” will soon be yesterday’s news. Our culture has done such a great job of commercializing Christmas that other countries have banned the appearance of Santa Claus for fear of the same fate we now suffer. For many people, Christmas is not a time of joy and satisfaction, but of loneliness and fear. Statistically, suicides and nervous breakdowns increase each year at Christmas, and law enforcement is stretched to keep up with the increased demand. For many, Christmas is a time of darkness. It is no wonder—our television and radio and internet proclaim family and fun, but for many, that is nothing but an illusion, a bad joke of what might have been. The holiday has a beginning and an end, a crescendo of joy breaking into a valley of despair, a roller coaster ride of emotion to match the screaming dervish of activity we cram into the little time we have—sounds great, huh? For some, Christmas leaves behind disillusionment and disappointment. And yet, there is good news for you! Whether you found joy at Christmas this year or did a fair job of faking it, or if it was a time you would rather forget, there is something here for you! God has poured upon us the new light…Jesus Christ our Lord! I know, I’m not saying anything new, but I’m not saying anything boring either. I’m not talking about Jesus with Santa in the background, and I’m not saying “believe now and you will suddenly be joyous” (although that is possible). What I am saying is that God has done something for you. For after the shock of the incarnation, the bold, sin-saving move of our audacious God, comes the enduring light. It is the light of Christ. It’s hard to look into that light. We have to squint and sometimes close our eyes or turn away. It takes time for our eyes to grow accustomed to the light, but we have to keep trying, squinting and straining to see where we are going. We all know that after a while, we do get used to whatever light there is, and we are lost and immobile when it is gone. God has poured a new light upon us so we can see where we are going, so we won’t trip or fall. It’s that light we celebrate, that gift of sight and companionship. It’s that illumination and warmth that sustains us; all the rest is illusion. So pack away those icicle lights and Christmas tree bulbs, all in a tangle that will have you muttering next Christmas, too. Put away the tinsel and tree decorations. And with it put away darkness, put aside despair. For Emmanuel, our God is with us. And put on the armor of light. God has poured upon us the new light…Jesus Christ our Lord, not so we can rise and fall on seasonal celebrations, but so we can live in the constant light of God’s love. Christmas, Easter, Lent, Advent are purposeful bumps in the road with only one intention: to help us remember the road. They are not an end in themselves; quite the contrary, they are reminders of something greater than themselves. The Light that shines in the heart of God is the light of love for you. I pray that for all of us, this light, enkindled in our hearts, may shine forth in our lives; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. In His Light! Fr. Bill+ Epiphany
As the Christmas season draws to a close, we enter the blessed season of Epiphany. Epiphany is one of the church’s most ancient and joyful celebrations, which even predates the celebration of Christmas. Originating in the late third century Egypt (the first Christmas celebration was some forty years later around 336 A.D.), the Feast of the Epiphany was a multi-focus event. The celebration of Epiphany, which means manifestation or appearance, was just what the word means, the manifestation of Jesus as Messiah of Israel, Son of God, and Savior of the world. The Feast of Epiphany celebrates the adoration of Jesus by the wise men (magi) from the East, Jesus’ baptism in the Jordan River, and his first miracle (showing that he was the Messiah) at the wedding feast at Cana in Galilee. Shortly after the feast of Christmas was initiated (in 336 under Emperor Constantine), the season after Christmas into Epiphany was referred to as the twelve nights. The twelve nights, known as Smoke Nights because they were filled with incense, were nights of special devotion and prayer. Beginning on Christmas Eve, Christians would burn incense each evening, moving through their homes and barns in a ritual of protection and blessing for twelve nights. Each night may have had a special emphasis or focus with opportunities for teaching and devotion. Prayers for divine protection, guidance, forgiveness, and praising God's light—the manifestation of Jesus, the light that overcomes the darkness— were filled with Psalms, biblical prophesies and traditional liturgies reflecting universal themes of seeking shelter in darkness and awaiting divine dawn. The eastern churches still celebrate Epiphany this way, with the emphasis on the multi-faceted manifestation of Christ throughout scripture. For us, Epiphany is all about the Magi or Kings or Wise Men. The three or two or eight (as have been depicted through the centuries) are representatives of the neighboring pagan religions who have come to find a divine manifestation proclaimed by the stars. They first go to Jerusalem to honor the King of the Jews, Herod the Great, who surely must know of this birth or may even be the father. Their journey, dangerous and long, is worth the risks because of the gravity of the event: a king has been born who will be the King of not only Israel, but of all nations. These sage visitors from around the (then) world carried the story of their devotion—their journey and the child they found— back to their people. Their seeking and finding Jesus means that pagans and people of all religions can discover Jesus and worship him as Son of God and Savior of the world. St. Leo the Great, Bishop and Doctor of the Church, wrote concerning Epiphany, A promise had been made to the holy Patriarch Abraham in regard to these nations. He was to have a countless progeny, born not from his body but from the seed of faith. Let the full number of the nations now take their place in the family of the patriarchs... let all people adore the Creator of the universe; let God be known, not only in Judaea, but in the whole world” (Sermon 3 in Epiphania Domini, 1: PL 54, 240). The promise made to Abraham is fulfilled through the womb of Blessed Mary. The birth of Jesus is the immutable plan of God first received by the Magi from the East and made available to all. The Star, once a beacon to the Magi, is supplanted by the light of Christ so clear and strong that all those who search for life and truth can come to contemplate the Savior of the world. Epiphany is our joyful celebration that God’s will is being done and that all people everywhere are invited into the household of God, in the blessed company of our Lord Jesus Christ. By His light, in His light, Fr. Bill+ Dear Creator Family,
It is so cliché to say things like, “Here we are again at the break of a new year,” and yet we are (at least the secular celebration of such). The new year brings new opportunities, possibilities and availabilities. For people of faith, this newness cannot be overrated. As we live out our lives of faith in Christ Jesus, God has made many promises of help and aid along the way. God’s promises of healing and wholeness are a proclamation of hope in which we return from desperate times or events, back to being ourselves. Our faith in God’s provision is strong, but our language is flawed, for God does not promise us a return, but a newness. Holy Scripture repeatedly uses the language of newness as God leads us through life. God gives us a new birth (John 3:3), a new heart (Ezekiel 36:26), a new life (2 Cor. 5:17), a new hope (Rom. 5:2), and a new task (Matt. 28:19-20). Finally, when our heart has beat its last, He will give us a new body in a new home called heaven. In fact, God says “Behold, I am making all things new” (Rev. 21:5). Still, knowing this truth and living the promises are two different things. Our lives also bring new challenges and burdens, new disappointments and failures. There is often a disconnect of the promises of God from the daily lives we live. It’s not hard, when surveying the world around us and the difficulties of life, to go from “How can that be?” to “How can He be?” God knows (just read Scripture) that we need concrete reminders of God’s presence. It is amazing to me that we can ever forget or overlook the constant love and promises of God as we mark time, day to day, year to year. No subtle reminder this; we literally mark our lives by it and often record it ourselves. 2026 Or more accurately, Anno domini nostri Iesu Christi' duo milia viginti sex-- The year of our Lord Jesus Christ two thousand and twenty-six Sixth-century Scythian monk Dionysius Exiguus introduced "Anno domini nostri Iesu Christi'" (the year of our Lord Jesus Christ) in his Easter tables calendar, thus marking years by Christ's Incarnation. By the time of Charlemagne in the ninth century, his calendar and this basis for delineating the days (A.D. and B.C) was universally accepted. Sadly today, the actual meaning of this phrase has been lost to many who believe it is only “The year of our Lord,” but people of faith know better. Every day we mark and repeat, perhaps dozens of times, the awesome truth that even time itself is marked with the victory of our Jesus Christ at Calvary. Every year belongs to Jesus as we make our proclamation that he is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords! Our calendar is a proclamation of the Gospel itself! You remember that when Jesus burst onto the scene in public ministry in Nazareth, he quoted the words of the prophet Isaiah when he announced, The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me. He has sent me to preach good news to the poor, to proclaim release to the prisoners and recovery of sight to the blind, to liberate the oppressed, and to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor. – Luke 4:18–19 In these words, Jesus was referring to the Old Testament “Year of Jubilee,” in which every seven years, wonderful things happened! Debts were forgiven, slaves were set free, and everything returned to the rightful owners. It was a huge year of celebration! When Jesus quoted Isaiah, he was saying that he had come to bring one massive Year of Jubilee to this world, and that because of what he would do at Calvary, we would live every year as a Year of Jubilee. Because of his victory over sin and death, today Jesus Christ is the Lord of time, the Lord of space, the Lord of every relationship, the Lord of every good thing, and the Lord of us. This year will certainly bring blessings to you, and it may also bring apparent evil. Whatever the Lord may allow to come to you in this new year, trust in him. Commit yourself to him. Never let go of Christ’s hand of love, because he will never let go of you. Take hold of this bold concrete reminder that God’s promises are present and true. Start each day, prompted by your calendar, with the certainty that Jesus is your Lord and Savior and that, come what may, he is with you always. Look for God’s grace, love, peace, and companionship in all things at all times, and may 2026 truly be “The year of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Heavenly Father, Thank You for making all things new! As another new year begins, help me live each day for You. May I continually have a new song in my heart to sing to You, no matter what comes my way. I trust in You because I know that Your mercies are new every morning, and nothing ahead of me will take You by surprise. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. —Joan Walker Hahn Happy New Year in nostri Iesu Christi', Fr. Bill+ In religious communities, great Cathedrals and small chapels around the world, the Proclamation of Christmas will be joyfully sung or read on Christmas Eve or Christmas morning. From ancient times, this has been the way the Church begins its celebration of this glorious day.
Read this this year, read it aloud and with all your heart. Amidst the important events of our lives came the most important child to all humanity. The words of the Proclamation offer us a sense of the place in human history that the birth of our Savior has and invite us to rejoice eternally. Today, the twenty-fifth day of December Unknown ages from the time when God created the heavens and the earth And then formed man and woman in his own image. Several thousand years after the flood, When God made the rainbow shine forth as a sign of the covenant. Twenty-one centuries from the time of Abraham and Sarah; Thirteen centuries after Moses led the people of Israel out of Egypt. Eleven hundred years from the time of Ruth and the Judges; Oné thousand years from the anointing of David as king; In the sixty-fifth week according to the prophecy of Daniel. In the one hundred and ninety-fourth Olympiad; The seven hundred and fifty-second year from the foundation of the city of Rome. The forty-second year of the reign of Octavian Augustus; The whole world being at peace, Jesus Christ, eternal God and Son of the eternal Father, Desiring to sanctify the world by his most merciful coming, Being conceived by the Holy Spirit, And nine months having passed since his conception, Was born in Bethlehem of Judea of the Virgin Mary. Today is the nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ according to the flesh. Amen. I pray that you all have a most blessed Christmas celebration this year! Allow the innocence you once had to ignite your joy in the birth of eternal innocence made manifest for you. Go to the cradle as a child and receive the baby from the arms of the Savior. Merry Christos Maesse, Christ-Mas to you all! Fr. Bill+ As we near the end of the Advent season, I find myself reflecting on the unique and wondrous perspective that children bring to this special time of year. I was walking through Walmart last week when I overheard a conversation between a little girl and boy and their mother. I can’t recall all the details except to say it was all about Christmas, or rather the build-up to Christmas, that which we call Advent.
They never used the word “Advent” (I did tell them about it later on), but the excitement and joy that they were expressing about the lights and the music and the feeling was delightful. When I turned the corner and saw them, the look in their eyes was of joy and awe and excitement, seeing the world with a sense of wonder that often fades as we grow older. Children approach Advent with an open heart, eagerly anticipating the joy and mystery of Christmas. They marvel at the twinkling lights, the stories of angels and shepherds, and the promise of something magical just around the corner. Their belief in the goodness and beauty of the season is pure and unfiltered. We have a little time left in this Advent season, and for some, the “chores” of Christmas preparation have taken a toll. I invite you, with the time we have left, to embrace the childlike wonder that children naturally possess. Slow down these last few days and take in the simple joys: the glow of a candle, the sound of a favorite carol, the warmth of a shared moment with loved ones. By seeing Advent through the eyes of a child, you can rediscover the profound sense of hope and anticipation that this season brings. To help you along the way, I have posted below the link to a video telling of the Birth of Christ. It is a joyful rendition of Christmas told by children and acted out by adults (quite the switch around). Take a few minutes and enjoy this, and then allow yourself to be captivated by the story of Christ’s birth anew, like you were when you were a child. Through the eyes of the child you once were, find joy in the small, everyday miracles and hold onto the belief that something wonderful is always possible. May these last Days of Advent be an awakening for you, and may the birth of Jesus be to you as to a child, filled with wonder and joy! Seeking God as a child, Fr. Bill+ Here is the link, enjoy! The Christmas Story - through the eyes of a child I believe that I shall see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!
Psalm 27:13-14 Advent is about waiting. Traditionally, this season in the calendar of the Church has been about leading believers to live faithfully in the present, and to do this, the attention of believers is turned both to past promises fulfilled and to promises made for a bright but unrealized future. During Advent, Christian waiting is shown to be not a passive exercise in keeping busy while staying put, but an intentional practice of keeping faithful while moving forward. As we approach Christmas, we look back on the world as it waited in desperation for the Son of God. The posture and the prayers of God’s people then, who would leap for joy at the birth of Christ, become the posture and the prayers of God’s people now, who are waiting for the day of his return. The fulfillment of past promises becomes the fuel of present hope. This sounds easy enough, but waiting is difficult, perhaps never more so than in the culture we live. In its pace and its relentless commitment to immediacy, our world seems to loathe both waiting and the conditions that can make it fruitful. The rose-colored lenses we look at our past through only make the present more painful. So, nostalgia drives our history. Rather than learning from the pains of the past, we only inherit its false promises. “Those were the days,” means these aren’t them. The best Christmas season is usually behind us. Without a promising present, we then might barrel forward into the future. If we cannot recreate the past, we just might be able to surpass it. The next Christmas season can be the best one. The present thus passes in a snap. Pulled to the past and the future so forcefully, we never seem to find enough time to linger in all the unique joys and frustrations and hopes of today. Christian waiting turns the directions of these currents completely around. It is not blind to the past or ignorant of the future, but neither is it living in either of them. Christian waiting does the pulling. It takes the prayers and the posture of faith’s past and the vision of faith’s future as the substance and the mandate of faith’s present. This is active work. It requires reflection and intention and patience. I think this can be hard for us for a lot of reasons. One of them is the pressure to make the Christmas season culturally profound. We have a vision for what Christmas should be in front of us for weeks. In the shows we watch on our TVs, in the speakers at the shops whose aisles we drift through – the world has an idea of what the season should feel like, and our options seem to be experiencing that or accepting the failure of our exhaustion or poverty or loneliness or hurt. But this is a worldly pressure that we often accept, one that Advent invites us to shed. It is in waiting where we discover that the pain our seasonal consumerism attempts to numb actually holds the key to the joy we’re truly after. By inhabiting the story of the past, we can cherish God’s present faithfulness as we anticipate His promised future. You don’t get to truly savor what you haven’t anticipated. And it is in this often painful or frustrating waiting where the joy of the Lord grows sweeter. This is ultimately the promise of Advent. Rather than uniting us around one culturally-driven vision of a successful Christmas, like the people of Whoville singing around their tree, we find that the joy of the season gathers around us – right where we are, right as we are. To help focus our mind and spirit, in an amazing way, as we wait for Christ, Christ waits with us. James Smith, philosopher and author, wrote in his book How to Inhabit Time: While God is eternal, creatures are seasonal, and thus our relationship to God is characterized by a seasonality that is natural, expected, and good. In the same way that you relate differently to a parent when you are eighteen versus forty-eight, so it is natural to relate differently to God at different points in the journey of creaturehood through time. In some ways, this might be experienced as an ebb and a flow, with varying waves of intimacy and distance, enthusiasm and struggle. When one cultivates some expectation of this, the seasons of ebb and distance need not be alarming, even if they might be difficult and puzzling. But the seasons of relating to God might also be varying dynamics of how one experiences God's presence… God's nearness looks and feels different depending on the season you're in. During this pre-Christmas season, our culture will tempt you to look away, to numb your waiting by crafting a perfect Christmas that looks like a nostalgic past or a vision board future. But Advent invites you instead to see clearly, to feel deeply, and to let God find you in the picture imperfect of your life. Our past is redeemed and our future anticipated in the blessed now. We will see the goodness of the Lord, not at some distant time around a tree or at a party, but now as we wait with Christ. Waiting with Christ, Fr. Bill+ I am the resurrection and the life, saith the Lord;
he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live; and whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. John 11:25 St. Paul wrote these words as a statement of fact and to comfort those who were grieving. When a Christian dies to this earthly life, earthly grief follows, but grief is not a concession to despair; rather, it is simply a confession of emotional pain. For the Christian, earthly death is simply a state of temporary separation. For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself. For if we live, we live unto the Lord. and if we die, we die unto the Lord. Whether we live, therefore, or die, we are the Lord's. Romans 14:7-8 While we are apart and see each other here no longer, we are not bereft of consolation and peace, for those are the promised gifts of our Lord. Jesus gave Himself up for us that we would live forever with Him, and with each other in the Heavenly country. Our Parish Family is grieving the earthly death of three of our beloved members, Carroll Jones, Sam English and Jack Hardy. Carroll and Elizabeth Jones were members at Creator for over thirty years. Devoted attendees of the 10:30 service, servers of multiple parish ministries, and bringers of genuine companionship to all they knew. Several years ago, Carroll and Elizabeth retired to the Richmond Masonic Home and so have been absent from our Church services, but never from our hearts. Carroll died to this earthly life two months ago and received services from Grace Church in Purdy, Virginia, where he and Elizabeth had lived. Jack Hardy was an original member of Creator and constant attendee of the 8:00 Sunday service. Jack had served in multiple positions through the years until he left the parish several years ago. Jack was a delightful companion, always ready with a smile and good humor. Jack was a “keeper of the history” of Creator and a guardian of the hopes and dreams of our Parish. Of the many gifts Jack gave to our Parish, the blue Advent accouterments which currently adorn the Church were a special gift in memory of his wife Shirley. Sam English was also one of Creator’s original members. Sam was an attendee of the 8:00 service and a beloved servant of the Lord. Always available to help, Sam was on speed dial for those times when a sage point of view and friendly assurance were needed. Carroll, Jack and Sam are here no longer, they are with the Lord! Our grief is that of separation, but our celebration is the victory over death and the assurance of the joyful expectation of eternal life with those they love. BCP pg. 481 Please continue to pray for all who are grieving this earthly separation. Jack Hardy’s visitation is scheduled from 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, December 3, 2025, at Monaghan Funeral Home, 7300 Creighton Parkway, Mechanicsville, VA 23111. A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. on Thursday, December 4, 2025, at Signal Hill Memorial Park, 12360 Hanover Courthouse Rd, Hanover, VA 23069, followed by a reception at Monaghan Funeral Home. Link to Jack Hardy's obituary Sam English’s visitation is scheduled from from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday, December 7, at the Mechanicsville Chapel of Bennett Funeral Home, 8014 Lee-Davis Road. A funeral service will be held at 9:30 a.m. Monday, December 8, at The Episcopal Church of the Creator, 7159 Mechanicsville Turnpike. Entombment will follow in Signal Hill Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Virginia Thoroughbred Project (virginiathoroughbredproject.org). Link to Sam English's Obituary Carroll Jones’ obituary is below. https://www.owenfh.com/obituaries/carroll-jones Elizabeth lives at the Masonic Home (15 minutes from the Church, and you can find more information here). You can visit her or send correspondence (she loves cards) to: Elizabeth Jones MAHOVA 500 Masonic Lane Richmond, VA 23223 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. He that raised up Jesus from the dead will also give life to our mortal bodies, by his Spirit that dwelleth in us. Wherefore my heart is glad, and my spirit rejoiceth; my flesh also shall rest in hope. Thou shalt show me the path of life; in thy presence is the fullness of joy, and at thy right hand there is pleasure for evermore. BCP pg. 484-485 O Almighty God, the God of the spirits of all flesh, who by a voice from heaven didst proclaim, Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord: Multiply, we beseech thee, to those who rest in Jesus the manifold blessings of thy love, that the good work which thou didst begin in them may be made perfect unto the day of Jesus Christ. And of thy mercy, O heavenly Father, grant that we, who now serve thee on earth, may at last, together with them, be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light; for the sake of thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. BCP pg. 486 Peace in Christ, Fr. Bill+ Christus panis vevus
“I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever.” John 6:51 The Eucharist is immortal food and the food of immortality. Jesus took bread at the Passover feast and made it his spiritual body. He told the disciples, and therefore us, that when it is received with faith in supplication, the eater will have eternal life. Often, when I am contemplating the Holy Eucharist, I think about what food is and what it is for. There are a myriad of products that are called “food,” many, if not most, of which barely scratch the surface of what food is intended to be, so I do not waste my time thinking about them. I reflect on real food, the food God intended us to eat, with the intended result. Food is life. Given by God, that which is food to us empowers us, gives us energy, and makes us strong. Food satisfies our bodily needs to operate and perform in the ways God intended. But if that was all food was, God could have made us able to absorb sunlight or cosmic radiation or air. Food provides all that our bodies need to function (yes, water is considered food), but God gave us so much more than food when He gave us the need to eat. Food is a social catalyst and an emotional experience; food provides opportunity and encourages relationship. When Jesus took the bread–the food, and added his life–his spirit, He made that food as sustenance to feed not only body and mind, but spirit. Where bread by itself provided nutrients, this bread would provide the essence of eternal life. In John 6:51, Jesus tells us, “I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever.” So, yes, this food is what sustains us now and brings us to live eternally in God’s heavenly Kingdom. Jesus has given us this bread in the midst of our devotion and supplication to be the food of eternal life. For over two thousand years, the Holy Eucharist, the food of immortality, has nourished God’s children. It is the means by which the Kingdom has been carried down through generations. When we “eat this bread,” the food of immortality, we know his presence through obedience and grow in our likeness of him in spirit. The bread of life draws us through the mystical presence of our King to a deeper understanding of ourselves as the focus of Christ’s sacrifice. Come to Church on Sunday and take and eat the living bread of Christ’s sacrifice. Jesus waits for you. Christus panis vevus, Fr. Bill+ Peace that passes all understanding
What a premium we place on peace. We talk about achieving it, we expend large amounts of energy to possess it, and we cherish it when we have it, but how often do we really…have it? I remember back when the “peace” was introduced to the Sunday service. Following the new 1979 BCP, the “peace” was inserted in the middle of the service and caused no small amount of confusion, tension, and anger. Imagine that: angry because peace was shared in the worship service. The interruption to the normal flow of the service resulted in a monumental distraction that overshadowed the entire service and debilitated parishioners. As one person was not-to-quietly overheard saying, “what’s the point in coming at all?!” Many years have passed since this “innovation” was introduced (really it was a resurrected tradition from the earliest days of the church), and I have seen the mid-service “peace” grow and then lose meaning as a witness to the larger reality that is actually quite difficult to grasp: God’s Peace. In relationships, especially marriages, we fool ourselves into believing that we have peace when there is no conflict, but this is a lie. Peace is not the absence of conflict—not in the Christian sense—peace is the actual presence of the Holy, the presence of God in our midst. You see, Jesus doesn’t promise us the peace we understand—that is the lie. He promises us the peace beyond our understanding—that is the gift. When we substitute the peace of “mediocre acceptance” for the palpable peace of Christ, then we have settled for far less than we have been promised and live our lives disquieted and unsettled. Sadly, over time, as we grow to accept the “the lack of conflict is peace” lie, the whole of our lives must compensate. Our acceptance of the lie results in a dumbing down of the words of Christ to the point at which they become meaningless. After all, He didn’t deliver on what he promised. The infection of distrust and disbelief that follows is so subtle that we nearly miss it. Without realizing it, we start saying to ourselves (and others) that the Gospel is metaphor or that it simply does not apply to our modern time. The truth of the matter is that Jesus promised us miraculous gifts, and they are ours for the taking, but we must be able to recognize them in order to receive them. We must have eyes to see into our own souls and be willing and able to read the biblical directions to the fulfillment of life. We must follow in trust, not forge ahead on our own. The dumbing down of Jesus—His life and His words—must be fought with everything we have, and accepting His peace is a great place to make our stand. To accept His peace, we must stop trying to dictate the manner in which we will receive it. The truth is, we want it on our terms and in a manner that pleases us with as little effort as possible, but that is not how God has chosen to give His gifts. If we put as much effort into our life in Christ as we do into our avoidance techniques, if we expend as much energy in our search for greater depth in God as we do in suppressing our emotions during those periods of “lack of conflict,” then we would have all that we so desire—and more, more than we can understand. The “Peace” is a little thing, really, just a minute to turn to one another and pray for them—pray that they have the Peace of Christ. This is a divine opportunity to witness out of love for Christ, His promise of true Peace. In those few moments, we are given the opportunity to embrace the reality of the Peace of Christ as beyond our comprehension, and we are to be bathed in the presence of the Holy Spirit. C.S. Lewis was fond of saying that if we live a certain way, we will soon be the way we live. Perhaps, as we live the peace of Christ in the midst of our services, it will help us embrace the peace of Christ in the midst of our lives. Once this true peace is known to us, the days of settling will be a part of the disquieted past, and the rest of His words, no longer regarded as metaphor, will ring with divine truth. Peace be with you, Fr. Bill+ |
AuthorFather Bill Burk† Archives
January 2026
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