Fruits of the Spirit
July 20, 2008
Bible Reading: 3He shall be like a tree, planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper. 4 The ungodly are not so, but are like the chaff which the wind drives away. 5 Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. 6 For the LORD knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the ungodly shall perish.… Psalm 1:3-6
Bonus Readings: Psalm 92:13-15 ; Proverbs 1:30-32; St John 15:1-2; 8; 15-16; Colossians 1:5-7
Two well-known people—John Wesley and Mark Twain—vividly demonstrate the contrast between godly and ungodly yield—fruit—in their life, clearly portrayed in Psalm 1. When Wesley, who had been joyous, energetic, and effective even in his 88th year, was dying, he suddenly sat up, looked at the people weeping at his bedside, and said, “Best of all, God is with us!” True to the prediction made in Psalm 92, Wesley was able to “…yield fruit in old age,” and “be full of sap and very green.” Obviously, he was still able to yield the Fruit of the Spirit in his life, even when facing death. He crystallized the priorities of pursuit of God’s purpose in life when he said, “Give me one hundred men who fear nothing but sin and desire nothing but God, and I care not whether they be clergyman or laymen, they alone will shake the gates of Hell and set up the kingdom of Heaven upon the earth.”
In stark contrast was Mark Twain, who, despite his singular wit and notable celebrity, was morose and weary of life well before his death at 75. He penned, “A myriad of men are born; they labor and sweat and struggle for bread; they squabble and scold and fight; . . . age creeps upon them; infirmities follow; . . . those they love are taken from them, and the joy of life is turned to aching grief. . . . Release comes at last—the only unpoisoned gift earth ever had for them—and they vanish from a world where they were of no consequence; . . . a world which will lament them a day and forget them forever.” Although loved and admired by many of his time, he felt the produce of his life was of no consequence. Lacking the fruit of a God-centered life, Twain’s wry humor was reduced to fatalism.
If we trust God and live for Him, filled and empowered by the Holy Ghost, we will—like Wesley—resemble stately trees that are lively and fruitful through all time and eternity. We can—and will—experience that fruit in our lives, producing joy and peace even in difficult times.
If, on the other hand, we reject God to “do our own thing,” then, even if we are in church every time the doors are open, our lives will resemble windblown chaff, forever empty and unsatisfying, with little or no fruit. Lacking God’s sap in our branches, we will lack the flexibility to bend and move with the tribulations of life that our Lord promised would come our way. The options are clear, then—will it be faith and everlasting joy—or unbelief and eternal regret? What will we invest ourselves in?
It’s our option, then—which one will it be for us?
Contemplative Prayer: “Holy Spirit, help me live the words of St. John Baptist in everything I do—I must decrease, so He may increase. Show me and empower me to live for God’s purpose—and not my own.”
All love in the Beloved, Chip+
Liturgy Lesson for the Ninth Sunday after Trinity: Sanctus Bells
July 18, 2008
Sanctus bells are chimes rung during the Sanctus [Holy, Holy, Holy] and have been part of worship in the Holy Eucharist for over 800 years. At All Saints, we ring them just before the consecration, signaling we’re about to enter the holiest portions of the service—tasking us to devotion to the Lord’s Presence as the priest elevates the consecrated host and chalice. It’s also a joyful noise to the Lord, obedient to Scripture and heralds the supernatural at the Holy Table, when we call the Holy Spirit down into the elements at the Epiclesis, transforming them from mere wine and bread to containing the Real Presence of the Lord! Bells are mentioned in the Old Testament—notably in Exodus 28:33-35, describing Aaron’s vestments to enter the Holy of Holies: “On its skirts you shall make pomegranates of blue and purple and scarlet stuff, around its skirts, with bells of gold between them, a golden bell and a pomegranate, round about on the skirts of the robe.” They were likely used for two reasons. First, worshipping with a joyful noise to God, (Psalm 98:4) and, secondly, apotropaic—warding off unclean spirits—to protect Aaron as he entered God’s Presence. They also signified adoration to God during early times, according to Zechariah 14:20. Ancient cymbals in Psalm 150:5-6 resembled modern bells and led to using bells in the Church as early as the fifth century, when Saint Paulinus, Bishop of Nola, rang them to call monks to worship. Sounding bells during Communion derives from the tintinnabula (tiny bells) in ancient Judaic worship and were brought indoors by English churches, who originated our custom here. They are, then, both joyful and reverent, tasking us to devotion and attention to an act of our supernatural God—granting us His Presence in the Communion, so we can have His life in us by partaking. Consequently, we are very orthodox (rightly glorifying) when we join the psalmist in saying, “Praise Him with sounding cymbals; praise Him with loud clashing cymbals! Let everything that breathes praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!”
The Bell: I Know Who I Am
July 17, 2008
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THE BELL |
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~ Author Unknown
Why Worry?
July 16, 2008
“God is my Father, He loves me, I shall never think of anything He will forget, why should I worry?” ~ Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest, July 16
Sunday School News
July 14, 2008
Our Sunday School kicked off the Precepts for Kids version of Jonah by watching Veggie Tales. We had popcorn and lemonade and giggled through the whole movie. I think everyone has memorized the “Jonah” song. Now each child will be working through their own workbook learning about Jonah. It is proving to be a very entertaining ride!
In Children’s Church, the children are studying the Nicene Creed and learning what it means to their faith. They are also learning John 3:16 in the light of their own salvation (age appropriate of course). We encourage you to ask your children what they are learning and have them recite verses and parts of the Creed to help them memorize and imprint it in their hearts. We are also having LOADS of fun singing. I didn’t know it was an interactive sport!
Thank you for the support of the children’s education through your participation!
Youth Education
WATCH FOR KIDS SHOWTIME IN SEPTEMBER!!
July Epistle Online
July 14, 2008
The July issue of the All Saints Epistle is online.
Liturgy Lesson for the Eighth Sunday after Trinity: Approaching the Holy Table
July 11, 2008
We approach the Holy Table—after hearing the Word proclaimed, asking for mercy in the Kyrie, declaring our Faith in the Creed and even confessing/being absolved—with the Prayer of Humble Access, our admission of unworthiness of the privilege God affords us by His Sacrament—where we partake of His life-giving nature in the Real Presence. Since it prepares us to receive that infusion of life He promised us in it, our prayerbook very appropriately makes this the last thing we do before actually receiving the Lord’s Presence in the consecrated elements. It calls us to examen—asking God the Holy Ghost to show us the places in our lives where we need His help to change, in order to avoid eating or drinking unworthily at the Lord’s Table. This is an important concept, because Scripture teaches if we have unresolved sin (or its attendant attitudes, such as bitterness or unforgiveness) in our hearts, we are more liable to incur God’s judgment from Communion than His blessings—not a pleasant prospect. After this last spiritual “attitude check” then, we rightly approach by reverently and humbly kneeling (making ourselves small before God), taking the bread in palms open and lifted high to His ministry and grace, and not manipulated with closed fingers. Likewise, we take the cup firmly, with both hands, embracing Christ’s nature to replace our own, praying silently the devotion St. John Baptist gave us, “More of Him…Less of Me.” No wonder we usually follow with the ancient Gloria in Excelsis (High Gloria)—we’ve received our magnificent Lord entirely by His Grace and not by our own merits—joining in the ancient angelic praise—“Glory be to God on high”— recharged by the Holy Ghost via the Sacrament!
What are Healing Prayers?
July 10, 2008
Q: The bulletin says healing prayers are available between Sunday services or any time requested. What are healing prayers and how do I request them?
A: Scripture tells us:
Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. (James 5:14-15)
Our clergy and prayer intercessors are always ready to call on the power of the Holy Spirit in prayer to bring healing of body, mind, and spirit. We know that God always heals. Read the stories of God Working in Our Lives for personal testimonies of parishioners who have experienced the healing power of the Lord. We acknowledge, however, that God’s healing may come in our earthly life or in our heavenly life. If He does not heal us immediately, He will give us the strength to handle our illness. We are to “call the elders;” the elders (priests) are to “pray and anoint with oil.” Healing comes from God.
The clergy may also administer Holy Unction, the sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick. In An Outline of an Anglican Life, Louis Tarsitano describes Holy Unction this way:
This sacrament consists of the anointing with oil and (or) laying on of hands by a bishop or priest, as the outward and visible sign of the healing power of God, both physical and spiritual, given as God determines is most expedient for the person receiving it.
If you need healing prayer, ask one of the clergy between Sunday services or after Koinonia or Wednesday evening services. You may also call the office to request healing prayer.
Still Time for Kids to Attend VBS the Rest of the Week
July 8, 2008
Father Chip says the VBS folks, under the leadership of Emily Pratt, are doing a fabulous job. The curriculum is great, the teachers are dedicated, the place is filled with the Spirit, and the kids are having fun.
It’s not too late for your kids, grandkids, neighbors, friends—all the children you know between the ages of 3 and 10—to join the fun learning adventure.
Vacation Bible School runs all week, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM each evening. Round up all the kids you know—they’ll be glad you did!
Contact Emily Pratt vbs@allsaintsanglican.net for more information.
Why do we have Communion every week?
July 7, 2008
Q: When I was growing up in the Episcopal Church, we had Communion only twice a month. When I first started to coming to All Saints, it was the same. Now we have Communion every week. Why?
A: Although Holy Communion (Eucharist, Mass) may not have been regularly celebrated in many churches in recent years, throughout history it has been the primary service of the Church. In the 1928 Book of Common Prayer, the services for Morning and Evening Prayer are “Daily Morning Prayer” and “Daily Evening Prayer.” Another indication that these “daily offices” are to be used daily rather than on Sunday is that there is no provision for a sermon. On the occasions we’ve had Morning Prayer at All Saints, the bulletin reads “Morning Prayer and Sermon” because Morning Prayer doesn’t call for a sermon. The Morning Prayer service concludes, then the sermon is preached.
Celebrating the Mass weekly was the practice of the early Church as well as the Anglican tradition. We need to spiritually nourish ourselves with the Body and Blood of our Lord on a regular basis. Jesus told us to “do this in remembrance of Me.” We celebrate the Eucharist every week in remembrance of Him.
