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 Block Print by Mike Newman

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Follow the Star

Daily meditations in words and music.  

Sacred Space

Your daily prayer online, since 1999

"We invite you to make a ‘Sacred Space’ in your day, praying here and now, as you visit our website, with the help of scripture chosen every day and on-screen guidance."

Daily C. S. Lewis thoughts

Saints of the Week, Jan. 22 – 29

Jan. 22 -Third Sunday after the Epiphany  

From Last week… 

Sunday, Jan 22  Epiphany 3   

We served 145 people on Jan 18, 2017. This compares with 88 in January, 2016 and 65 in January, 2015. It is the second largest month in this ministry’s history behind Nov. 2016. Over the last 12 months we have averaged 122 people per distribution.  We had 10-15 people helping out with the distribution.

The church purchased 1,180 pounds for the event at $143.56 or 7.7 pounds per person. It included 672 pounds of produce, 347 pounds of mixed groceries and 161 pounds of meat. It was well above Jan., 2016 at 600 pounds. We have averaged 1072 pounds over the last year.

The Week Ahead…

Jan . 25 -10:00am,  Ecumenical Bible Study

Jan . 18 -25, Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

Jan . 26-28  – Annual Convention at Reston

Jan . 29 -10:00am, Godly Play  

Jan . 29 -11:00am, Morning Prayer (No 9am Eucharist) 

Sunday,  Jan 29  Readings and Servers  

February newsletter

February Supplemental Newsletter 

Newsletter highlights

1. Marching in God’s light twice
2. Events in Feb including The Presentation Feb. 2, Souperbowl Feb. 5, St. Matthias Feb. 24
3. Souperbowl and Food Insecurity in our area
4. Thanks yous – to and from
5. Vestry
6. Why I love St. Peter’s
7. Lenten Study in March
8. ECW events

Supplemental Newsletter

1. Recipe of the month – King cake a New Orleans Favorite
2. Gospel in February – Sermon on the Mount
3. Poem of the Month – “A Psalm of life”
4. A Hymn of the Transfiguration – “O wondrous sight, O vision fair” 

Professor M. Andrew Holowchak, editor of the recent anthology, Thomas Jefferson and Political Philosophy , will deliver this year’s Jefferson Lecture entitled, “Jefferson and Jesus.” Dodd Auditorium, George Washington Hall, University of Mary Washington, Thursday, January 26, 2016, at 7:30 PM

Catherine’s sermon about Jefferson and Monticello is here.

Annual Convention, Jan 26-28

Annual Convenction page at the Diocese

“Annual Council” is now “Annual Convention.” Before the Civil War, the annual Diocesan meeting was known as a convention. During the war, the meeting was called a council, a custom that continued until last year, when clergy and lay delegates voted to return to the term Convention as the way to refer to the annual gathering of Diocesan representatives.

Annual Convention is like a giant congregational meeting for the whole Diocese. This year’s Diocese of Virginia Annual Convention is meeting in Reston, VA. Catherine Hicks and Susan Tilt will be attending.

Annual Convention features addresses and meditations by the Bishops. People are elected to serve on the Standing Committee (the Vestry of the Diocese), the Trustees of the Funds, and the Virginia Diocesan Homes. Annual reports for the year just past are available. (These reports are also available online.) The budget for the coming year is debated and ultimately approved.

Read more about the convention

Lectionary for the 4th Week of Epiphany 

I.Theme –   The Way of Life –  the Beatitutes

The lectionary readings are here  or individually: 

1.  Old Testament – Micah 6:1-8
2.  Psalm- Psalm 15
3.  Epistle – 1 Corinthians 1:18-31
4.  Gospel – Matthew 5:1-12 

The readings this week are like a mission statement – what should we do. The setting is important for the Old Testament and the Gospel – the Mountains. That’s traditionally where God is , a place of learning, a place where justice is fostered

The prophet Micah speaks to a people who have been led astray by other gods and by leaders who have failed to look to God’s ways. Micah declares that all of creation is listening; the mountains are acting as a jury in which the people and God come together with their conflict. Micah calls upon the people to set aside the religious practices of the peoples around them, which include giving of the harvest, burnt offerings, even one’s own firstborn child—and instead do what the Lord requires: to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with God.

Psalm 15 speaks of those who will abide with God: the ones who practice God’s ways of righteousness and justice, who live out of honesty and give out of their hearts. This psalm is a song of preparation, for those to come before God, they must live into God’s ways.

1 Corinthians 1:18-31 continues Paul’s discourse to the Corinthian church

Proclaiming Christ crucified is the message that should unite the Corinthians—above all else, they follow a Savior who died for them. Corinth is a divided place – it was a diverse group, comprising slaves, freemen, Jews, Greeks, and others.

Paul now wants to show them how their faith distinguishes them from others, or how their faith has changed their orientation within their own tribe or family.  For Paul it is all about knowing – “how do we know God, how to we apprehend God?”  Paul surmises that the Jews have knowledge about God through the Law, and that the Greeks attempt to know God through philosophical dialogues.  Into this sophisticated world, Paul inserts an embarrassing and even upsetting notion – that the cross (stumbling block and foolishness) is the real wisdom of God. 

The focus this week will be on the Beatitudes.  Here Jesus is teaching the disciples like a rabbi.  Jesus is like the new Moses standing on a new Sinai (The Sermon on the Mount), announcing a new set of values for the Reign of Heaven.  The text below is from Progressive Involvement 

"These beatitudes introduce the Sermon on the Mount, which is the first major speech, of five, in Matthew’s gospel.

"Our text follows immediately upon a summary statement of Jesus’ ministry in chapter 4:  "And (Jesus) was going about in all of Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, healing all disease and all sickness in the people." (4:23)  This unabashed good news is called the gospel.  

"The Beatitudes which follow are not, themselves, the gospel.  In Lutheran terms, they are "law."  They tell us what we ought to do.  

Read more about the lectionary

Conversion of St. Paul, Jan. 25

On January 25 we remember how Saul (or Paul) of Tarsus, formerly a persecutor of the early Christian Church, was led by God’s grace to become one of its chief spokesmen. Here are two art works that depict the event :

“The Conversion on the Way to                              "The Conversion of St. Paul" 
 Damascus” Caravaggio 1601                                  Nicolas-Bernard Lepicie, 1767

 "and suddenly a light from heaven shined round about him. And falling on the ground, he heard a voice saying to him: Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? Who said: Who art thou, Lord? And he: I am Jesus whom thou persecutest. " Acts 9: 3-5

Italian painter Caravaggio painted the one on the left in 1601 for the Cerasi Chapel of the church of Santa Maria del Popolo, in Rome. The painting depicts the moment recounted in Chapter 9 of Acts of the Apostles when Saul, soon to be the apostle Paul, fell on the road to Damascus.

Caravaggio is close to the Bible. The horse is there and, to hold him, a groom, but the drama is internalized within the mind of Saul. There is no heavenly apparition. He lies on the ground stunned, his eyes closed as if dazzled by the light.

Caravaggio’s style featured a dark background with usually one point of breaking light. Paul is flung off of his horse and is seen on his back on the ground. Although Paul reflects the most light out of all the characters, the attention is given to him in a strange way. Because Paul is on the ground, he is much smaller than the horse, which is also at the center of the painting but he is pictured closer to the viewer.

The second painting constrast with Caravaggio in the use of color and light. This one has some of the most vibrant colors.  Heaven’s light is shown coming dynamically from left to right.  The painting is like the key frame in a movie on the conversion.  At the time Lepicie was a professor at the  Royal Academy of Painting and Sculpture in Paris

Read more about the conversion

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity Jan 18-25, 2017

The 2017 theme for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity has been selected. On the occasion of the 500th anniversary year of the beginnings of the Reformation, the theme: "Reconciliation – The Love of Christ Compels Us" (2 Corinthians 5:14-20) has been chosen. A commentary on the scripture is here. The traditional period in the northern hemisphere for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is 18-25 January. Those dates were proposed in 1908 by Paul Wattson to cover the original days of the feasts of the Chair of St. Peter (January 18) and the Conversion of St. Paul (January 25) , and therefore have a symbolic significance.

The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity gives Christians an annual opportunity to continue their quest for the unity they already share in Christ. It is also a time to gather in praise of the Triune God and to deepen the understanding of the ecumenical movement.

The Week of Prayer also invites those who participate to use it as an opportunity to examine the effectiveness of the ecumenical movement in seeking to end the divisions among Christians. From the smallest to the largest communities, from all cultures, races and language groups, from all the baptized to all those in ordained ministry, the Week of Prayer is also an opportunity to ask examine the level of support they have given to this important movement in the life of the Church.

Here is a link for the resources for the week.

Activities for the Week of Prayer and Unity

More activities here

Day 1 – Plan to mark Holocaust Memorial Day

Day 2 – Send an appropriate care package to the refugee camps at a European crossing point such as Calais.

Day 3  Watch this clip to view how Damascus has been devastated by conflict.

Pray for the Damascus Road conversion required for peace to be realised. Prayers are available from Christian Aid.

Day 4 – Look through an old photo album and reflect on those places and people who have shaped and taught you.

Day 5 – Spend time connecting with creation today, for example, by watching a nature documentary, visiting a local park or going for a walk in a woodland.

Day 6 – Read about the work of reconciliation in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories. Here is the background of the struggle.

Explore the different ways people can be discriminated against.

Day 7  -Ask someone for something you need today.

Day 8 – View the Tree of Life – an example of what was meant for destruction bringing restoration

 Block Print by Mike Newman

Projects 

Link to the reports from Jan 15 Annual Meeting

Daily "Day by Day"

Follow the Star

Daily meditations in words and music.  

Sacred Space

Your daily prayer online, since 1999

"We invite you to make a ‘Sacred Space’ in your day, praying here and now, as you visit our website, with the help of scripture chosen every day and on-screen guidance."

Daily C. S. Lewis thoughts

Saints of the Week, Jan. 15 – 22

Jan. 15 -Second Sunday after the Epiphany  

Scenes of Epiphany 2 – 1. Clouds and cold in the morning. At the end of the service the light was seen at an angle through the stained glass and created a wonderful effect. 2 Two of the youth were helping our youngest acolyte through the ropes. 3. Best communion bread this side of the Rappahannock – braided, home made bread, an ample supply

From Last week… 

Sunday, Jan 15  Epiphany 2, Parish Meeting   

The Week Ahead…

Jan . 18 -10:00am,  Ecumenical Bible Study

Jan . 18 -25, Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

Jan . 18  – 3:30pm-5pm , Village Harvest Food Distribution

Sunday,  Jan 22  Readings and Servers  

Confession of St. Peter

"St. Peter"- Peter P. Rubens

This is the week to remember the confessional of St. Peter.  We remember how the Apostle Peter was led by God’s grace to acknowledge Jesus as the Christ from Matthew –Matthew 16:13-20. There was a sermon in 2014 that was all about Peter. Here’s the link. More information on St. Peter is found here.

Jan 18 is the day appointed for this event. A collect – "Almighty Father, who inspired Simon Peter, first among the apostles, to confess Jesus as Messiah and Son of the living God: Keep your Church steadfast upon the rock of this faith, so that in unity and peace we may proclaim the one truth and follow the one Lord, our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. "

Lectionary for the 3rd Week of Epiphany

I.Theme –   Call to service with a call for unity

The Calling of the Apostles Peter and Andrew" – Duccio de Buoninsegna (1308-1311)

The lectionary readings are here  or individually: 

1. Isaiah 9:1-4- Isaiah
2.  Psalm- Psalm 27:1, 5-13 Page 617
3.  Epistle – 1 Corinthians 1:10-18
4.  Gospel – Matthew 4:12-23 

Isaiah provides the foretelling of Christ even at a time of defect.

The relationship between John the Baptist and Jesus continues and takes a new turn in the lesson this week. After John baptizes Jesus (Epiphany 1), John then announces and calls attention to Jesus’ identity (Epiphany 2), and in this passage, the news of John’s arrest is the occasion for Jesus to leave his home in Nazareth and begin his public ministry. The mission begins where Jesus will ultimately give the Great Commission, at the conclusion of Matthew’s Gospel (28:16-20).

Note, last week we had John’s version of the calling of the first disciples – this week is Matthew in the calling of Andrew and Peter.

John the Baptist’s  death was the spark that caused the ministry to begin. It was necessary to emphasize in this beginning that Jesus’ ministry is aligned with God’s purpose as it is revealed in the Scriptures.   

When the news comes to him about John’s arrest, he makes a different choice,  by withdrawing to Galilee, where he calls his first disciples, preaches the Sermon on the Mount, begins his ministry of healing, and teaches what it means to be the Messiah who is "God with us." 

Unlike the Gospel of John, Matthew does not identify Jesus as the light of the world. Nonetheless, the prophecy from Isaiah makes clear that Jesus’ return to Galilee will be the occasion for those who sit in darkness to see "a great light" (Matthew 4:16-17). No doubt Jesus’ ministry of teaching and healing is the basis for that light.

Jesus calls people as they are, from where they are, being who they are.  At the same time, however, as the gospel narrative proceeds, readers learn that it is the followers of Jesus who bear his light in the world by their own (collective) way of life. In the sermon on the Mount, Jesus tells the people, "You (plural) are the light of the world,. . . Let your light shine before others so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven" (Matthew 5:14-16). Jesus’ proclamation that the realm (kingdom) of heaven has come near is the first flicker of a light that will grow and burn among his followers until they are able to "proclaim  

Those first disciples, for their part, might have preferred to keep their jobs, to remain with their families, to stay with the life that they knew. When they see Jesus and hear his words to them, they make a different choice, however; they take a risk, step out in faith, leave behind that which is comfortable and secure. They choose to follow Jesus. 

Paul 25 years after Christ wants the message of Christ to come through despite division in Corinth. Christ name was synonomous with the Church. There was some fragmentation. The Corinthians were putting certain leaders into a place that really belonged only to God. In that sense they were becoming ‘cult figures’. Jesus role needs to be restored. 

Read more about the lectionary

Some background over the Fishermen

"As he walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea—for they were fishermen. And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fish for people.” Immediately they left their nets and followed him." – Matthew 4:18-20

The Roman government created an economy which benefited themselves. They imposed taxes on everything – we complain about taxes, but back then it was much worse. Fishermen had to pay taxes on their equipment; if they owned their boat, they paid taxes on it and if they rented it, they had to pay usage tax. Then they had to pay for a fishing permit. Afterward, when they brought in their haul, even if their net was full of fish they didn’t end up with much: there was an official on shore who counted every single fish caught and the fishermen had to pay a tax for each fish! And on top of that, all citizens were expected to pay a sort of tribute tax to honor their rulers’ authority.

Tax collectors could humiliate you and beat you up in the street with immunity if you tried to evade paying taxes. No wonder they were so reviled!

By the time the fisherman was on his way home after a day of hard work, he didn’t have much to show for it income-wise. In fact, he would end up with less money than the minimum wage of those days for the same amount of work. There was no prestige to being a fisherman – it was a very lowly job.

Perhaps this is why Jesus chose his first disciples among this class of people. There wouldn’t have been much incentive to stay in that profession, especially if Jesus had already attained some notoriety so they’d already heard of him and his message, knew he was legit. If Jesus was already known, Zebedee may have encouraged his sons to go with him. Here was hope, the opportunity to make a better life, to be part of a movement.

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity Jan 18-25, 2017

The 2017 theme for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity has been selected. On the occasion of the 500th anniversary year of the beginnings of the Reformation, the theme: "Reconciliation – The Love of Christ Compels Us" (2 Corinthians 5:14-20) has been chosen. A commentary on the scripture is here. The traditional period in the northern hemisphere for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is 18-25 January. Those dates were proposed in 1908 by Paul Wattson to cover the original days of the feasts of the Chair of St. Peter (January 18) and the Conversion of St. Paul (January 25) , and therefore have a symbolic significance.

The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity gives Christians an annual opportunity to continue their quest for the unity they already share in Christ. It is also a time to gather in praise of the Triune God and to deepen the understanding of the ecumenical movement.

The Week of Prayer also invites those who participate to use it as an opportunity to examine the effectiveness of the ecumenical movement in seeking to end the divisions among Christians. From the smallest to the largest communities, from all cultures, races and language groups, from all the baptized to all those in ordained ministry, the Week of Prayer is also an opportunity to ask examine the level of support they have given to this important movement in the life of the Church.

Here is a link for the resources for the week and also an introduction to the theme

Activities for the Week of Prayer and Unity

More activities here

●Day 1 – Plan to mark Holocaust Memorial Day

●Day 2 – Send an appropriate care package to the refugee camps at a European crossing point such as Calais.

●Day 3 Watch this clip to view how Damascus has been devastated by conflict.

Pray for the Damascus Road conversion required for peace to be realised. Prayers are available from Christian Aid.

●Day 4 – Look through an old photo album and reflect on those places and people who have shaped and taught you.

●Day 5 – Spend time connecting with creation today, for example, by watching a nature documentary, visiting a local park or going for a walk in a woodland.

●Day 6 – Read about the work of reconciliation in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories. Here is the background of the struggle.

●Explore the different ways people can be discriminated against.

● Day 7  -Ask someone for something you need today.

● Day 8 – View the Tree of Life – an example of what was meant for destruction bringing restoration

 Block Print by Mike Newman

Projects 

Daily "Day by Day"

Follow the Star

Daily meditations in words and music.  

Sacred Space

Your daily prayer online, since 1999

"We invite you to make a ‘Sacred Space’ in your day, praying here and now, as you visit our website, with the help of scripture chosen every day and on-screen guidance."

Daily C. S. Lewis thoughts

Saints of the Week, Jan. 8 – 15

Jan. 15 -Second Sunday after the Epiphany  

"2016"

What’s in store for St. Peter’s 2017 ? Who will be the new members of the Vestry ?  What the key things that happened in 2016 ?

These are other questions will be part of the 2017 congregational meeting held after the 11am service.   We will be electing two members of the Vestry and be hearing reports of the happenings of the ministries in  2017.  

June 8 -First Sunday after the Epiphany – Baptism of Christ

"Baptism of Christ" – Dave Zalenka

A snowy Sunday

From Last week…

Epiphany service, Jan 6 

Sunday, Jan 8  Baptism of Christ 

Epiphany service, Jan 6  Check out the details – description, photo gallery, readings

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The Week Ahead…

Jan . 9  – TBA – Vestry

Jan . 11 -10:00am,  Ecumenical Bible Study

Jan . 13 – 7:30am, ECM

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Next Sunday…

Sunday,  Jan 15  Readings and Servers  

January Food Village Harvest Food Distribution — Next Sunday, please bring paper towels and toilet paper for the distribution. On Wednesday, January 18th at 2PM, all are welcome to help prepare the bags for distribution.

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Lectionary for the 2nd Week of Epiphany   

Considering the Annual meeting this coming week and the current request for those to serve at St. Peter’s in the coming year, the lectionary message this week  is timely.  The Gospel details the calling of the first disciples to serve. "Come and see."

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I.Theme –   Call and response to service

 

"Jesus and John" – Hagia Sophia, Istanbul 532

The lectionary readings are here  or individually: 

1.  Isaiah 49:1-7 – Isaiah

2.  Psalm- Psalm 40:1-12

3.  Epistle – 1 Corinthians 1:1-9

4.  Gospel – John 1:29-42

Isaiah is there to call Israel back to God. He identifies himself as chosen before he was born (like Jeremiah, Paul and John the Baptist) and even named (like Jesus). At the first level, in vv. 8-13 God invites the exiles to return from Babylon But note also “a time of favor” (v. 8) and “a day of salvation”: these terms speak of the end times. God saves both now and in the era to come. 

In the Psalm, God has snatched a human being out of the realm of death and has given life back to him. This is the origin of this thanksgiving. But this thanksgiving is not ‘a return,’ a human answer or ‘offering’…— Yahweh has put the song of thanksgiving into the mouth of the singer which begets new obedience." The self-recognition or self-discovery in the Psalm is an experience every Christian faces.

Paul is called to be an “apostle”, one sent out by Christ to perform a special mission to the Corinthians.  God has strengthened them through their telling of the good news.  He has called them into “fellowship”, union with other believers which is union with Christ. It will be Christ who will really put them on a firm footing when he comes and God is the one we need to rely on ultimately. God is the one who really constitutes the community as a community of Christ, a Christian community. It began with God through Paul and it ends with God.

The Gospel’s includes John’s version of the baptism of Jesus and the calling of the first disciples, with an emphasis on the meaning of the events. In the Gospel, those who are called gradually accept the identity of the one who calls them. With that goes whatever service the Lord calls us to.  There are three themes in the passage: John’s witness to Jesus, Jesus’ epiphany and identification, the call to discipleship. In this passage, Andrew and Peter are called to be disciples. 

Read more about the lectionary

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Remembering Martin Luther King on his birthday, Jan 15,

King would have been 88 on this birthday.  His genius is not only what he said and did but his inspiration for others.

Ernest Green was the first black student to graduate from all white Central High School in Little Rock, Ark in 1959. Green talked many years to UMW in Fredericksburg and provided the crowd five characteristics agents of change a leader must possess.

The first one was this – One must ask “why not” when faced with a challenge, a lesson learned while still in high school in Little Rock when he upset the status quo.  King spoke about people like Green in his last speech before he was assassinated." The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy." When Green graduated in 1959, King was in the audience. Green’s last characteristic of change was this – One must remember they are not alone in the fight for change.

You can read about all the agents of change here.

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 Block Print by Mike Newman

Projects 

Daily "Day by Day"

Follow the Star

Daily meditations in words and music.  

Sacred Space

Your daily prayer online, since 1999

"We invite you to make a ‘Sacred Space’ in your day, praying here and now, as you visit our website, with the help of scripture chosen every day and on-screen guidance."

Daily C. S. Lewis thoughts

Saints of the Week, Jan. 1 – 8

Looking back- People of 2016

While bricks and mortar provide the foundation for our wonderful 1836 church, it is the people that sustain it year after year, creating its life and character. We are a diverse congregation of age, race, economic standing as well as in political and social beliefs. The Bible, Book of Common Prayer, our hymnals, worship and as well as our ministries of outreach, pastoral care and education with our ties to the Anglican communion help to bridge our differences, connect us and  created who we were in 2016 and provide a starting point for 2017.

From Last week…

New Year’s Eve Gala  Description with photos 

Sunday, Jan 1  Description with photos 

Jan. 2017 newsletter  and supplement 
 

The Week Ahead…

Jan . 4 -10:00am,  Ecumenical Bible Study

Jan.  4 – 5:00pm,  Village Dinner – Parish House

Jan . 5 – 6:45pm, Peumansend Jail ministry

Jan.  6 – 7:00pm, Epiphany service

Jan.  8 – 10:00am, Godly Play, God’s Kids

Jan.  8 – 11:00am, Holy Eucharist, Baptism of Our Lord

Sunday,  Jan 8  Readings and Servers  

Check out the details – description, photo gallery, readings

Epiphany –  January 6 until Lent  begins March 1, 2017

 Block Print by Mike Newman

Projects  

Lessons in how to read music from the weekly bulletin.

Current Lesson, Part 15, Aug. 28, 2016 – "Brethren, We Have Met Together"   

We have a repository of favorite book titles and authors. More information..

Submit your favorite book(s) to our growing repository.

Link to the reports from Jan 17 Annual Meeting

Daily "Day by Day"

Follow the Star

Daily meditations in words and music.  

Sacred Space

Your daily prayer online, since 1999

"We invite you to make a ‘Sacred Space’ in your day, praying here and now, as you visit our website, with the help of scripture chosen every day and on-screen guidance."

Daily C. S. Lewis thoughts

Saints of the Week, Dec 25 – Jan. 1

December 25, 2016 (full size gallery)

Dec. 31 – 6:00pm – New Year’s Eve Gala

Jan. 1 – 11:00am, Lessons and Carols   

Christmas Day at St. Peter’s, Dec 25

We had 27 this morning, a warm service and a very happy gathering. And for good reason – we celebrated the Tilt’s wedding anniversary – 52 years and going strong!

The last verse of "All Come All Ye Faithful" provides a wonderful view of Christmas morning – "All Hail! Lord, we greet Thee, Born this happy morning, O Jesus! for evermore be Thy name adored. Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing; O come, let us adore Him.."

From the sermon on voices- "Today’s Christmas readings are full of voices! Isaiah talks about the messenger who brings good news and announces salvation… And the psalmist says “Sing to the Lord a new song for the Lord has done marvelous things!”.. The writer of Hebrews tells us that God sustains all things through God’s powerful word…And then we come to the gospel according to John, with that incredible opening that begins with THE WORD.God’s voice spoke all things into being at the beginning of time, and God did this through the WORD.

"And when we remember that God’s word called each one of us into being, then we can use the unique voice that God has given us to praise God and to tell the great story of God’s salvation for each one of us and for all of creation.

"To spread the word—to speak God’s language of love, mercy, compassion and peace into the world, to add our unique voices to the Human Voicebank that is love. The world needs our voices speaking God’s language of love. Maybe our voices will help others find their voices, so that they too can speak with love to the world. "

1. Photos

2. Sermon

3. Description

Christmas Eve at St. Peter’s, Dec 24

52 enjoyed a wonderful collection of Christmas carols, a dramatic retelling of the Luke Gospel story, a sermon on Father Damien and the shepherds concerning fear, the celebration of Cookie and Johnny’s anniversary and, of course, Silent Night – all within the elegantly decorated St. Peter’s nave. 

1. Photos

2. Sermon

3. Description

New Year’s Eve Gala in the Parish House, Dec. 31, 6pm

This event originated around 2003 when there was no priest after Karen Woodruff left. It was a way for keeping the congregation together and for enjoying each other’s company in fellowship.

Please bring a dish to share

Here is a last year’s event:

Most noticeable this year was Andrea’s New Year’s costume with hat and stole. Also, after dinner, Ken Pogue kept a number of people in stitches with stories of his college life and beyond.

There were some repeats in food – Johnny’s venison, Bill Wick’s deadly egg nogg and the many assorted desserts. This year they included an extremely large Whitman’s samplers box and a chocolate cake. Rounding off the meal were Barbara Wisdom’s hot wings, Cookie’s bread and assortment of vegetable casseroles.  Just before the meal there was a wonderful plate of salmon and cheese and crackers.

See the pictures..

Jan 1, 2017 – 11am -A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols is the Christmas Eve service held in King’s College Chapel, Cambridge England and was introduced in 1918.  

Kings College Cambridge holds this service every Dec. 24. The main gate to Kings College opens at 7:30am for the 3pm service.  Many people get in the line by 5am for a 10 hour wait!

Here is their 2015 page with bulletin.  Here is the audio and a video

It was conceived by Eric Milner-White, the Dean of the College, for Christmas Eve 1918 whose experience as an army chaplain in World War I had led him to believe that more imaginative Christmas worship was needed by the Church of England.  He actually reached back to an earlier time for a service structure.

The original service was, in fact, adapted from an Order drawn up by E.W. Benson, later Archbishop of Canterbury, for use in the wooden shed, which then served as his cathedral in Truro, at 10 pm on Christmas Eve 1880. AC Benson recalled: ‘My father arranged from ancient sources a little service for Christmas Eve – nine carols and nine tiny lessons, which were read by various officers of the Church, beginning with a chorister, and ending, through the different grades, with the Bishop."

The story of the fall of humanity, the promise of the Messiah, and the birth of Jesus is told in nine short Bible readings from Genesis, the prophetic books and the Gospels interspersed with the singing of Christmas carols, hymns and choir music. The readings can vary as can the music. Traditionally, "Once in Royal David City" is the opening hymn. Beyond that the service is flexible.

An opening prayer that is used provides a focus: 

"We gather here to recall the mystery of our redemption.
Though sin drew us away from God, he never stopped loving us.
The prophets told of the coming of a Messiah
who would initiate a reign of justice and peace.
This promise was fulfilled in the incarnation of Jesus Christ.
Let us now reflect with joy on this wondrous mystery."

Here are the 2014 readings for St. Peter’s service. The 2014 bulletin is here. Pictures from the services are here.

Lessons and Carols is usually done at the beginning of Advent as an introduction to Advent or towards the end as a summary of all that has happened.

This St. Peter’s service is the perfect culmination of your Christmas week, a joyous celebration along with thoughtful, introspective moments. Plan now to attend.

King’s College Cambridge – As you have never seet it

The famous church in England, home of Lessons and Carols, built by Henry VII is altered by projectionist, Miguel Chevalier. 

To illustrate Stephen Hawking’s research about black holes, Miguel Chevalier imagines an immersive environment made up of thousands of constellations that plunge the guests into the mystery of the universe.

Video Link

More examples

 Block Print by Mike Newman

Projects  

Lessons in how to read music from the weekly bulletin.

Current Lesson, Part 15, Aug. 28, 2016 – "Brethren, We Have Met Together"   

We have a repository of favorite book titles and authors. More information..

Submit your favorite book(s) to our growing repository.

Link to the reports from Jan 17 Annual Meeting

Daily "Day by Day"

Follow the Star

Daily meditations in words and music.  

Sacred Space

Your daily prayer online, since 1999

"We invite you to make a ‘Sacred Space’ in your day, praying here and now, as you visit our website, with the help of scripture chosen every day and on-screen guidance."

Daily C. S. Lewis thoughts

Saints of the Week, Dec 18 – 25

 Block Print by Mike Newman

Projects  

Lessons in how to read music from the weekly bulletin.

Current Lesson, Part 15, Aug. 28, 2016 – "Brethren, We Have Met Together"   

We have a repository of favorite book titles and authors. More information..

Submit your favorite book(s) to our growing repository.

Link to the reports from Jan 17 Annual Meeting

Daily "Day by Day"

Follow the Star

Daily meditations in words and music.  

Sacred Space

Your daily prayer online, since 1999

"We invite you to make a ‘Sacred Space’ in your day, praying here and now, as you visit our website, with the help of scripture chosen every day and on-screen guidance."

Daily C. S. Lewis thoughts

Saints of the Week, Dec 11 – 18

 Block Print by Mike Newman

Projects  

Lessons in how to read music from the weekly bulletin.

Current Lesson, Part 15, Aug. 28, 2016 – "Brethren, We Have Met Together"   

We have a repository of favorite book titles and authors. More information..

Submit your favorite book(s) to our growing repository.

Link to the reports from Jan 17 Annual Meeting

Daily "Day by Day"

Follow the Star

Daily meditations in words and music.  

Sacred Space

Your daily prayer online, since 1999

"We invite you to make a ‘Sacred Space’ in your day, praying here and now, as you visit our website, with the help of scripture chosen every day and on-screen guidance."

Daily C. S. Lewis thoughts

Saints of the Week, Dec 4 – 11

 Block Print by Mike Newman

Projects  

Lessons in how to read music from the weekly bulletin.

Current Lesson, Part 15, Aug. 28, 2016 – "Brethren, We Have Met Together"   

We have a repository of favorite book titles and authors. More information..

Submit your favorite book(s) to our growing repository.

Link to the reports from Jan 17 Annual Meeting

Daily "Day by Day"

Follow the Star

Daily meditations in words and music.  

Sacred Space

Your daily prayer online, since 1999

"We invite you to make a ‘Sacred Space’ in your day, praying here and now, as you visit our website, with the help of scripture chosen every day and on-screen guidance."

Daily C. S. Lewis thoughts

Saints of the Week, Nov 27 – Dec. 4

 Block Print by Mike Newman

Projects  

Lessons in how to read music from the weekly bulletin.

Current Lesson, Part 15, Aug. 28, 2016 – "Brethren, We Have Met Together"   

We have a repository of favorite book titles and authors. More information..

Submit your favorite book(s) to our growing repository.

Link to the reports from Jan 17 Annual Meeting

Daily "Day by Day"

Follow the Star

Daily meditations in words and music.  

Sacred Space

Your daily prayer online, since 1999

"We invite you to make a ‘Sacred Space’ in your day, praying here and now, as you visit our website, with the help of scripture chosen every day and on-screen guidance."

Daily C. S. Lewis thoughts

Saints of the Week, Nov 6 – Nov. 13

November 6, 2016 (full size gallery)

Sunday, November 6  Description with photos 

Nov.9, 10am – Ecumenical Bible Study

Nov.11, 7:30am – ECM at Horne’s

Nov. 13, 10am  – Godly Play (preschool through 2nd grade)

Nov. 13, 10am  – God’s Kids (3rd grade and up ) 

Nov. 13, 11am – Holy Eucharist, Rite II

Complete Calendar

Sunday,  Nov. 13  Readings and Servers  

More Fall Colors, Nov.4, 2016

We easily get impatient waiting for the best colors since fall seems to unveil its beauty gradually.  We never know when the peak of color is. Here are some from Friday, Nov. 4 that show fall is advancing…

Fall, Nov. 4, 2016

"Let Us Beat Swords into Plowshares"                       "Tragedy of War"-Michael LaPalme

Veterans Day Sunday, Nov. 13 

From a Litany for Veterans by Robb McCoy-"God of love, peace and justice, it is your will for the world that we may live together in peace. You have promised through the prophet Isaiah that one day the swords will be beaten into ploughshares. Yet we live in a broken world, and there are times that war seems inevitable. Let us recognize with humility and sadness the tragic loss of life that comes in war. Even so, as we gather here free from persecution, we may give thanks for those that have served with courage and honor. "  Here is an English Veterans’ Service.

All gave some, Some gave all.

Season of Giving began October 30 and continues through November

"We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give."

The season of giving is almost upon us! Part of holy living is to share our resources with others. The Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons give us the opportunity to do just that. During the next few weeks at St. Peter’s, you can choose one or more of several ways to help people close to home and those around the world by participating in these various opportunities. At a glance:

Read more about 2016’s Season of Giving…

Ordinary Time, Nov 13, 2016 

I.Theme –   Emphasizing the Divine over the Secular

 "Pantocrator – Christ"  -El Greco, 1600

This portrait is of Christ as the ruler, the resurrected presence, who in God form, speaks to us. The scripture reading for today from Luke is a hard one, in which Jesus warns his disciples of hard tests ahead. This painting provides a vision of a savior who will sustain, and in the end, triumph over suffering and death. 

The lectionary readings (Proper 28) are here  or individually: 

Old Testament – Malachi 4:1-2a 
Psalm – Psalm 98 Page 727, 728 BCP 
Epistle –2 Thessalonians 3:6-13 
Gospel – Luke 21:5-19 

This week begins apocalyptic readings that will continue through Advent 1. The faithful are the targets, here. What to do in contemporary crises? Don’t panic, Don’t give up the work you have been doing. Praise God and relish in his power and majesty.  The tone of the readings coincide with the increasing darkness and shorter days in this season.   

The readings are to counter the problem of the delayed return of Christ. Paul expected the second coming of Jesus very soon, initially certainly in his lifetime. However as the event was delayed, some used Paul’s writing as abandononing his work.

The Old Testament reading of Malachi provides speeches in dialogue style, where the prophet scolds the priests and the congregation about various malpractices and against tired religious scepticism. This passage seems a conclusion of these speeches contrasting the fate of the evil doers with those of the obedient faithful, destruction for the first and healing for the second.  

The best is yet to come as shown in Psalm and the Gospel

A second theme is God’s power and magesty which will be the heart of next Sunday. This best seen in the Psalm This psalm is an eschatological hymn, culminating in shouts of praise at the coming of God, the ruler of the world and all creation to judge the world with justice and fairness. Only a new song can begin to describe the wonders of God’s power.

Just as 2 Thessalonians admonishes us not to grow tired in doing good, so Luke reminds us today to look at hardship and persecution as a chance to tell the gospel, the good news. Jesus tells us again: Do not be afraid! Not a single hair of our heads will be lost and standing firm will bring us through the trouble and to life.

The when and how of Christ’s second coming is not our concern. What is our concern is the faithfulness with which we pray, sing, tell and live love until he comes.   

Read more…

Matthew’s Infancy Stories, Nov. 20, 27, Dec. 4, 11

Adoration of the Magi (1481) – Leonardo da Vinci

Last year at Advent we studied Luke’s account of the birth of Christ. This year the lectionary switches to Matthew’s Gospel so we will consider his version.

Matthew’s Christmas story is much shorter than Luke. It is different – no angels, shepherds, instead a star and visitors from the East. Jesus is born in a house, not a stable. Where Mary is the focus in Luke, it is Joseph who dominates Matthew’s account. Luke is more about joy. In particular Matthew brings up the theme of conflict with Herod trying to destroy Jesus and the Holy family’s trek to Egypt and back.

Both stories of Jesus’ birth are about fulfillment and both use light effectively in their works.

We will look at Matthew Chapter 1 and 2 over 4 weeks  two weeks for each chapter at 10:0am in the Parish House:

Nov 20, Nov. 27- Matthew, Chapter 1

Dec. 4, Dec. 11 – Matthew, Chapter 2

There are two major purposes:

->What did Matthew’s story mean to1st century Christians? Much of Matthew’s account is a fulfilment of Old Testament scripture. Matthew took liberally from these sources.

->What does it mean to us today? One writer has simply said “the purpose of Advent and Christmas is to bring the past into the present”