Subversive Undercroft: Recent Episodes
Subversive Undercroft
We've decided that 250 seems like a good number and so after 5 years we've decided to take a break. In this episode we talk about what made this experience special for us. We're talking about doing some special projects in the future, and when we do we'll let you know!
image: that one time we were actually physically in the same place.
We've decided that 250 seems like a good number and so after 5 years we've decided to take a break. In this episode we talk about what made this experience special for us. We're talking about doing some special projects in the future, and when we do we'll let you know!
image: that one time we were actually physically in the same place.
We remember the Queen and then move into talking about misconceptions about the Bible before getting into the parable of the wicked servant.
Notes
Dorothy Day, founder of the Catholic Worker Movement said "I really only love God as much as I love the person I love the least."
Charles Spurgeon, a popular British minister and preacher said; "If I hate sin because of the punishment, I have not repented of my sin, I merely regret that God is just"
Visit us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/subversiveundercroft
Episcopal Handbook - Here
Music
Be Thou My Vision, Jaimie Jorge
Jesus On A Greyhound, Mark Fosson
image by Derek Maul
We remember the Queen and then move into talking about misconceptions about the Bible before getting into the parable of the wicked servant.
Notes Dorothy Day, founder of the Catholic Worker Movement said "I really only love God as much as I love the person I love the least."
Charles Spurgeon, a popular British minister and preacher said; "If I hate sin because of the punishment, I have not repented of my sin, I merely regret that God is just"
Visit us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/subversiveundercroft
Episcopal Handbook - Here
Music Be Thou My Vision, Jaimie Jorge
Jesus On A Greyhound, Mark Fosson
image by Derek Maul
Saints and sinners plus we dig into the parable of the two sons from Matthew
Notes Visit us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/subversiveundercroft
Episcopal Handbook - Here
Music Be Thou My Vision, Jaimie Jorge
Stump the Priest Theme, Kristin Burkholder
Sinner, Listen to My Story, Sons of Gospel
Saints and sinners plus we dig into the parable of the two sons from Matthew
Notes
Visit us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/subversiveundercroft
Episcopal Handbook - Here
Music
Be Thou My Vision, Jaimie Jorge
Stump the Priest Theme, Kristin Burkholder
Sinner, Listen to My Story, Sons of Gospel
Saints and sinners plus we dig into the parable of the two sons from Matthew
Notes Visit us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/subversiveundercroft
Episcopal Handbook - Here
Music Be Thou My Vision, Jaimie Jorge
Stump the Priest Theme, Kristin Burkholder
Sinner, Listen to My Story, Sons of Gospel
We're talking red doors and the parable of the mustard seed
Notes Visit us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/subversiveundercroft
Episcopal Handbook - Here
Music Be Thou My Vision, Jaimie Jorge
Stump the Priest Theme, Kristin Burkholder
We Walk by Faith, St John’s, L.A. choir
Lisa risks heat stroke to complete the episode where we learn the proper (actually over-the-top) way to hear a sermon and then we talk about three of Jesus's short parable about prioritizing our commitment to follow in His path
Notes
Visit us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/subversiveundercroft
Episcopal Handbook - Here
Music
Be Thou My Vision, Jaimie Jorge
Stump the Priest Theme, Kristin Burkholder
I Want to Walk As A Child of the Light, Union College Unionaires
Lisa risks heat stroke to complete the episode where we learn the proper (actually over-the-top) way to hear a sermon and then we talk about three of Jesus's short parable about prioritizing our commitment to follow in His path
Notes Visit us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/subversiveundercroft
Episcopal Handbook - Here
Music Be Thou My Vision, Jaimie Jorge
Stump the Priest Theme, Kristin Burkholder
I Want to Walk As A Child of the Light, Union College Unionaires
Lisa risks heat stroke to complete the episode where we learn the proper (actually over-the-top) way to hear a sermon and then we talk about three of Jesus's short parable about prioritizing our commitment to follow in His path
Notes Visit us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/subversiveundercroft
Episcopal Handbook - Here
Music Be Thou My Vision, Jaimie Jorge
Stump the Priest Theme, Kristin Burkholder
I Want to Walk As A Child of the Light, Union College Unionaires
We talk dogs and our ancestry before Jon get stumped and then we talk about the Parable of the Sower. check it out!
We talk about the heat, look over the tope ten Bible villains and then talk about one of Jesus' more straightforward parables.
Notes
Visit us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/subversiveundercroft
Episcopal Handbook - Here
Music
Be Thou My Vision, Jaimie Jorge
Stump the Priest Theme, Kristin Burkholder
Sinner, Listen to My Story, Sons of Gospel
Today we're digging into the parable of the Wise and Foolish Bridesmaids from Matthew's gospel, plus we look at Jesus' most rebellious actions.
Notes Visit us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/subversiveundercroft
Episcopal Handbook - Here
Jon's Convention coverage is at Episcopal Journal
Music Be Thou My Vision, Jaimie Jorge
Stump the Priest Theme, Kristin Burkholder
Bring a Torch Jeanette Isabella, Aaron Devries
Image: The Parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins (1822) by William Blake, Tate Gallery
We start off talking about time and sermon prep, and then face up to the challenges of working out of more than one office before kicking off our series on the parables with the Parable of the Lamp.
Notes Visit us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/subversiveundercroft
Episcopal Handbook - Here
Episcopal Questions Episcopal Answers – check it out here
Music Be Thou My Vision, Jaimie Jorge
Stump the Priest Theme, Kristin Burkholder
I Love to Tell the Story, Chris Rupp
image: বিশ্বজিৎ বৈশ্য, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
What are your Fourth of July plans? We'll be watching fireworks and growing our guitar collection! We close out our mini-series on hymns with one of Lisa's favorites, How Great Thou Art.
Hymn Breakdown LEVAS 60
O Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder Consider all the worlds thy hands have made, I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder, Thy power throughout the universe displayed:
Refrain
Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to thee: How great thou art! How great thou art! Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to thee: How great thou art! How great thou art!
When through the woods and forest glades I wander And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees, When I look down from lofty mountain grandeur, And hear the brook and feel the gentle breeze:
Refrain
And when I think that God, his Son not sparing, Sent him to die, I scarce can take it in, That on the cross, my burden gladly bearing, He bled and died to take away my sin.
Refrain
When Christ shall come with shout of acclamation And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart! Then *I shall bow in humble adoration, And there proclaim, My God, how great thou art!
Notes Visit us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/subversiveundercroft
Music Be Thou My Vision, Jaimie Jorge
Stump the Priest Theme, Kristin Burkholder
Just As I Am, River Pointe & West End Church
We talk about the changes brought by COVID, we learn the name of some cloth hangings and we talk about how the hymn "I the Lord of Sea and Sky" (aka "Here I am Lord") makes us cry and why we love it so.
Hymn Breakdown
WLP #812
I, The Lord Of Sea And Sky, I Have Heard My People Cry. All Who Dwell In Dark And Sin, My Hand Will Save. I Who Made The Stars Of Night, I Will Make Their Darkness Bright. Who Will Bear My Light To Them? Whom Shall I Send?
Refrain
Here I Am Lord, Is It I, Lord? I Have Heard You Calling In The Night. I Will Go Lord, If You Lead Me. I Will Hold Your People In My Heart.
I, The Lord Of Snow And Rain, I Have Borne My People’s Pain. I Have Wept For Love Of Them, They Turn Away. I Will Break Their Hearts Of Stone, Give Them Hearts For Love Alone. I Will Speak My Word To Them Whom Shall I Send?
Repeat Refrain
I, The Lord Of Wind And Flame I Will Tend The Poor And Lame. I Will Set A Feast For Them, My Hand Will Save Finest Bread I Will Provide, Till Their Hearts Be Satisfied. I Will Give My Life To Them, Whom Shall I Send?
Repeat Refrain
Notes
Visit us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/subversiveundercroft
Episcopal Handbook - Here
Music
Be Thou My Vision, Jaimie Jorge
Stump the Priest Theme, Kristin Burkholder
Veni, Sancte, Spiritus
We remember some good work we did in the past, then we ask why is the psalter in the BCP different from the one in most bibles before finally looking at one of Lisa's favorite hymns.
Hymn Lyrics Lord of all hopefulness, Lord of all joy, Whose trust, ever child-like, no cares could destroy, Be there at our waking, and give us, we pray, Your bliss in our hearts, Lord, at the break of the day.
Lord of all eagerness, Lord of all faith, Whose strong hands were skilled at the plane and the lathe, Be there at our labours, and give us, we pray, Your strength in our hearts, Lord, at the noon of the day.
Lord of all grace, Your hands swift to welcome, your arms to embrace, Be there at our homing, and give us, we pray, Your love in our hearts, Lord, at the eve of the day.
Lord of all gentleness, Lord of all calm, Whose voice is contentment, whose presence is balm, Be there at our sleeping, and give us, we pray, Your peace in our hearts, Lord, at the end of the day.
Notes Visit us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/subversiveundercroft
Episcopal Handbook - Here
Music Be Thou My Vision, Jaimie Jorge
Stump the Priest Theme, Kristin Burkholder
What Wondrous Love is This, Sounds Like Reign
Teen fandom, the "proper" way to sing a hymn, plus we look at #416 from Hymnal '82; For the Beauty of the Earth.
For the Beauty of the Earth (with Jon's animal blessing 3rd verse)
For the beauty of the earth,
for the glory of the skies,
for the love which from our birth
over and around us lies.
Lord of All, to thee we raise
this, our song of grateful praise.
For the wonder of each hour
of the day and of the night,
hill and vale and tree and flower,
sun and moon and stars of light,
Lord of All, to thee we raise
this, our song of grateful praise.
For the joy of furry love,
Scaly, feathered, lizards too,
friends on earth, and friends above,
the love we share comes from You,
Lord of All, to thee we raise
this, our song of grateful praise
Notes Our website https://www.subversiveundercroft.org
Visit us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/subversiveundercroft
Episcopal Handbook https://www.churchpublishing.org/episcopalhandbookrevised
Music Be Thou My Vision, Jaimie Jorge
Kumbaya, Mil Marie Mougeno
We compare notes on our Memorial Day weekends before getting into one of Lisa's favorite hymns, a traditional song from southern Africa
Notes * Episcopal Dictionary https://episcopalchurch.org/library/glossary/all * Episcopal Dictionary https://episcopalchurch.org/library/glossary/all + Also, just FYI The Nicene Creed describes the church as one, holy, catholic, and apostolic (see BCP, pp. 358-359). These four characteristics are the notes, or marks, of the church. The church is to be “notable” or distinguishable by its unity, holiness, catholicity, and apostolicity. * Visit us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/subversiveundercroft
Music Be Thou My Vision, Jaimie Jorge
Stump the Priest Theme, Kristin Burkholder
Wade in the Water, Ike Ndolo
We continue our summer series looking into our favorite hymns, plus we get a short lesson on the church's calendar of celebrations.
Notes Episcopal Dictionary https://episcopalchurch.org/library/glossary/all
BCP Online https://www.bcponline.org
Visit us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/subversiveundercroft
Music Be Thou My Vision, Jaimie Jorge
Stump the Priest Theme, Kristin Burkholder
Jesus on a Greyhound, Mark Fosson
We are continuing our look at our favorite hymns and spiritual songs and this week, Lisa's shares here very favorite, St Patrick's Breastplate. Plus we learn a little about different pulpits and more.
Notes Visit us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/subversiveundercroft
Episcopal Glossary
Northumbria Community links for all things Celtic
- website: https://www.northumbriacommunity.org
- Celtic Daily Prayer Book
- Celtic Worship CD
Music Be Thou My Vision, Jaimie Jorge
Stump the Priest Theme, Kristin Burkholder
Christ the Lord is Risen Today (alternate tune) The Cornish Hymnal
We're back and for our summer series we're taking a look at our favorite hymns, and first up is Amazing Grace.
Notes
Episcopal Dictionary https://episcopalchurch.org/library/glossary/all
Visit us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/subversiveundercroft
Music
Be Thou My Vision, Jaimie Jorge
Stump the Priest Theme, Kristin Burkholder
I Sing a Song of the Saints of God, Victoria Zalipsky
At long last, we wrap our examination of the BCP catechism. We'll be taking a short Easter break and then we'll be back.
Notes
Episcopal Dictionary https://episcopalchurch.org/library/glossary/all
BCP Online https://www.bcponline.org
Visit us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/subversiveundercroft
Music
Be Thou My Vision, Jaimie Jorge
Stump the Priest Theme, Kristin Burkholder
Come My Way, My Truth, My Life, Blackfriar Music
We begin by marveling at the inappropriateness of most teen culture from the 80's (AND BEFORE!). And then we continue our journey through the catechism and talking about what might await us on the other side of death plus a little detour into the place of the Bible in the life of faith.
Notes
Episcopal Dictionary https://episcopalchurch.org/library/glossary/all
BCP Online https://www.bcponline.org
Visit us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/subversiveundercroft
Music
Be Thou My Vision, Jaimie Jorge
Stump the Priest Theme, Kristin Burkholder
Soon and Very Soon, Les Petits Chanteurs de Montigny
Image Outtake from the movie Grease with Frankie Avalon as a guardian angel
We start with a plug for our northern neighbors before talking about what our deaths might bring; heaven, hell, or something else altogether?
Plus, we apologize for Jon's sound quality - microphone issues :(
Notes
Episcopal Dictionary https://episcopalchurch.org/library/glossary/all
BCP Online https://www.bcponline.org
Visit us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/subversiveundercroft
Music
Be Thou My Vision, Jaimie Jorge
Come Away to the Skies, Maddy Prior and the Carnival Band
We learn a new definition for attrition plus we are.. underwhelmed by the opening of the BCP catechism section titled "Christian Hope."
Notes
Episcopal Dictionary https://episcopalchurch.org/library/glossary/all
BCP Online https://www.bcponline.org
Visit us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/subversiveundercroft
Music
Be Thou My Vision, Jaimie Jorge
Stump the Priest Theme, Kristin Burkholder
Swing Low Sweet Chariot, Westwood Bluegrass Band
Jon rambles on about his vacation, and we learn some new vocabulary before we get into what the BCP has to say about unction aka the anointing of the sick.
Episcopal Dictionary https://episcopalchurch.org/library/glossary/all
BCP Online https://www.bcponline.org
Visit us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/subversiveundercroft
West Virginia Institute of Spirituality Here
Also, just FYI
A bread box is a ciborium, and
A black “stole” is a tippet
Music
Be Thou My Vision, Jaimie Jorge
Stump the Priest Theme, Kristin Burkholder
Fix Me Jesus, Fix Me, Fools For Christ
Today we jump right into the rite for Reconciliation of a penitent, otherwise known as Confession.
Notes
Episcopal Dictionary https://episcopalchurch.org/library/glossary/all
BCP Online https://www.bcponline.org
Visit us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/subversiveundercroft
Music
Be Thou My Vision, Jaimie Jorge
Stump the Priest Theme, Kristin Burkholder
Just A Little Talk With Jesus, R.H. Harris & the Soul Stirrers
Lisa and Jon decide they'd be bad pioneers before getting into the catechism and what it has to say about marriage... and let's just say there's some disagreement.
Notes
Episcopal Dictionary https://episcopalchurch.org/library/glossary/all
BCP Online https://www.bcponline.org
Visit us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/subversiveundercroft
Music
Be Thou My Vision, Jaimie Jorge
Stump the Priest Theme, Kristin Burkholder
Wedding
We are back from our podcast sabbatical and kind of forgot how to do it, but we powered through and pick up our conversation on sacramental rites, focusing on confirmation and ordination.
Notes
Episcopal Dictionary https://episcopalchurch.org/library/glossary/all
BCP Online https://www.bcponline.org
Visit us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/subversiveundercroft
Music
Be Thou My Vision, Jaimie Jorge
Stump the Priest Theme, Kristin Burkholder
Come Thou fount of Every Blessing, Sarah Noelle
We begin our look at the sacramental rites in the BCP.
Notes
Episcopal Dictionary https://episcopalchurch.org/library/glossary/all
BCP Online https://www.bcponline.org
Visit us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/subversiveundercroft
Music
Be Thou My Vision, Jaimie Jorge
Stump the Priest Theme, Kristin Burkholder
Ho, Ho, So Merrily, Some serious folk and pernicious pennywhistle
We're continuing our look at what the BCP catechism offers on the sacraments, looking especially at the eucharist. Plus we talk a bit about snow and Lisa offers up a double-stumping. Check it all out.
Notes
Episcopal Dictionary https://episcopalchurch.org/library/glossary/all
BCP Online https://www.bcponline.org
Visit us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/subversiveundercroft
Music
Be Thou My Vision, Jaimie Jorge
Stump the Priest Theme, Kristin Burkholder
The E.U.C.H.A.R.I.S.T. Song, Marty Zitnik
We're talking baptism, the entry-way to life in Christ.
Notes
Episcopal Dictionary https://episcopalchurch.org/library/glossary/all
BCP Online https://www.bcponline.org
Visit us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/subversiveundercroft
Music
Be Thou My Vision, Jaimie Jorge
Stump the Priest Theme, Kristin Burkholder
Wade in the Water, Ike Ndolo
We're beginning our conversation on the sacraments, those mysterious moments when we recognize the spirit of God breaking out in our lives. Plus we talk about kissing in church and the virtue of tin cans and string as a communications device.
Notes
Episcopal Dictionary https://episcopalchurch.org/library/glossary/all
BCP Online https://www.bcponline.org
Visit us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/subversiveundercroft
Music
Be Thou My Vision, Jaimie Jorge
Stump the Priest Theme, Kristin Burkholder
Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silent, Donald McCullough & Master Chorale of Washington
We catch up on our All Hallows Eve celebrations, we talk church storage before getting into what the catechism has to say about Corporate Worship.
Notes
Link to photos from the All Hallows Vigil at Lisa's church HERE
Episcopal Dictionary https://episcopalchurch.org/library/glossary/all
BCP Online https://www.bcponline.org
Visit us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/subversiveundercroft
Music
Be Thou My Vision, Jaimie Jorge
Stump the Priest Theme, Kristin Burkholder
Let Us Break Bread Together, Les Petits chanteurs de Montigny
Jon is completely stumped by the glossary and then struggles trying to figure out why the BCP defines oblation as a kind of prayer
Notes
Episcopal Dictionary https://episcopalchurch.org/library/glossary/all
BCP Online https://www.bcponline.org
Visit us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/subversiveundercroft
In case you're looking to buy a zeon you can go HERE
Music
Be Thou My Vision, Jaimie Jorge
Stump the Priest Theme, Kristin Burkholder
Star in the East, Rose Ensemble
We get into a conversation about brands and foods that tests our friendship before moving onto the feasts anchored by All Saints before finally getting into what the BCP has to say about penitence as a prayer practice.
Notes
Episcopal Dictionary https://episcopalchurch.org/library/glossary/all
BCP Online https://www.bcponline.org
Visit us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/subversiveundercroft
Learn more about All Hallows-"Tide" HERE
Why Can't Church Be More Like an AA Meeting?
And Other Questions Christians Ask about Recovery
by Stephen R. Haynes
Music
Be Thou My Vision, Jaimie Jorge
Stump the Priest Theme, Kristin Burkholder
For All the Saints, Christopher Miner
We start by talking about the "how" of implementing of Jesus' vision doesn't always unfold as we might want it to before moving onto our continuing conversation on prayer, especially penitence.
Notes
Episcopal Dictionary https://episcopalchurch.org/library/glossary/all
BCP Online https://www.bcponline.org
Visit us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/subversiveundercroft
Music
Be Thou My Vision, Jaimie Jorge
Stump the Priest Theme, Kristin Burkholder
Come Thou Font of Every Blessing, Sarah Noelle
We're continuing our examination of prayer and its place as the cornerstone of life committed to following Jesus.
Notes
Episcopal Dictionary https://episcopalchurch.org/library/glossary/all
BCP Online https://www.bcponline.org
Visit us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/subversiveundercroft
Praying with Anglican Prayer Beads HERE
Music
Be Thou My Vision, Jaimie Jorge
Stump the Priest Theme, Kristin Burkholder
A Little Talk with Jesus, R. H. Harris &the Soul Stirrers
"What is the duty of Christians?", the BCP asks; Jon and Lisa offer their thoughts and reflect on the BCP's answer. Plus we talk about how much we love the word "wee."
Notes
Episcopal Dictionary https://episcopalchurch.org/library/glossary/all
BCP Online https://www.bcponline.org
Visit us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/subversiveundercroft
Jon’s Book: The Beginner’s Guide to Following Jesus
To learn more about the history of the Scottish Episcopal Church go here
And a correction, when speaking of the Non-Jurors, we mentioned their unwillingness to swear an oath to the king in the aftermath of the 1688 Glorious Revolution. Jon inadvertently said King Charles, but it was William and Mary to whom they wouldn’t swear allegiance to.
Music
Be Thou My Vision, Jaimie Jorge
Stump the Priest Theme, Kristin Burkholder
Of the Father’s Love Begotten, Church Folk
We have some technical difficulties before diving straight into our conversation about the (sometimes hidden) superheroes of the church - Deacons
Notes
Episcopal Dictionary https://episcopalchurch.org/library/glossary/all
BCP Online https://www.bcponline.org
Visit us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/subversiveundercroft
To learn more about deacons
- Association for Episcopal Deacons website
- Diakonia Link to final series installment HERE (with previous instalment links)
- Link to e-book version HERE
Music
Be Thou My Vision, Jaimie Jorge
Stump the Priest Theme, Kristin Burkholder
There’s Honey In the Rock, Nick Page
We're talking about the priesthood today, after we clear up a little misunderstanding with some preschoolers.
Notes Episcopal Dictionary https://episcopalchurch.org/library/glossary/all
BCP Online https://www.bcponline.org
Visit us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/subversiveundercroft
Music Be Thou My Vision, Jaimie Jorge
Stump the Priest Theme, Kristin Burkholder
Spring (Vivaldi), Free Tim
Image George Herbert, whose 17th century book, The Country Parson, has had an outsized influence on Anglican clergy
We check in on the effects of hurricane Ida at Lisa's church before we begin talking about the ministry of bishops.
Notes
Episcopal Dictionary https://episcopalchurch.org/library/glossary/all
BCP Online https://www.bcponline.org
Visit us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/subversiveundercroft
Music
Be Thou My Vision, Jaimie Jorge
Stump the Priest Theme, Kristin Burkholder
Come Ye Sinners, Reawaken Music (Nathan Drake)
Image
Consecration of Susan Haynes at her ordination to be Bishop of the Diocese of Southern Virginia, February 1, 2020. The official consecrators who will sign her certificate are in albs and copes. Others attending (with their backs to the camera) are wearing rochet and chimere. Screen shot from YouTube video.
We share our holiday traditions (or lack thereof) and Jon wishes he had taken Latin before we begin our conversation on the BCP catechism's take on the nature of ministry
Notes You can read about the Asparagus blessing at Worcester cathedral here
Episcopal Dictionary https://episcopalchurch.org/library/glossary/all
BCP Online https://www.bcponline.org
Visit us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/subversiveundercroft
Music Be Thou My Vision, Jaimie Jorge
Stump the Priest Theme, Kristin Burkholder
Star in the East, Rose Ensemble
We have a slightly extended check in after our two week break, then Lisa aces our glossary quiz and then we continue our look at what the BCP catechism has to say about the "church."
We continue our conversation on what "church" is, plus we offer a little insight into how our brains work and Jon gets stumped (again).
Notes The Yanny-v-Laurel word controversy is explained here
And the dress color debate is explained here
Episcopal Dictionary https://episcopalchurch.org/library/glossary/all
BCP Online https://www.bcponline.org
Visit us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/subversiveundercroft
Music Be Thou My Vision, Jaimie Jorge
Stump the Priest Theme, Kristin Burkholder
Jesus on a Greyhound, Mark Fosson
Funny dog stories, medieval leftovers and we begin to talk about this thing called "church," what the catechism says and what we think about it all.
Notes Episcopal Dictionary https://episcopalchurch.org/library/glossary/all
BCP Online https://www.bcponline.org
Visit us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/subversiveundercroft
Music Be Thou My Vision, Jaimie Jorge
Stump the Priest Theme, Kristin Burkholder
Rock of Ages, Reawaken Music
We finish out our look at the catechism's section on the Bible and explore what we mean when we say the scriptures are "inspired and more.
Notes Episcopal Dictionary https://episcopalchurch.org/library/glossary/all
BCP Online https://www.bcponline.org
Visit us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/subversiveundercroft
Music Be Thou My Vision, Jaimie Jorge
Stump the Priest Theme, Kristin Burkholder
This Little Light of Mine, Sam Cooke
We continue our look at what the catechism says about the bible by looking at the Apocrypha, plus an extra special Stump the Priest.
Notes Episcopal Dictionary https://episcopalchurch.org/library/glossary/all
BCP Online https://www.bcponline.org
Visit us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/subversiveundercroft
Music Be Thou My Vision, Jaimie Jorge
Stump the Priest Theme, Kristin Burkholder
Shofar Prayer, Yamma Ensemble
We're talking about the New Testament plus Jon whiffs the glossary question and we lament the challenges of technology in worship
Notes Episcopal Dictionary https://episcopalchurch.org/library/glossary/all
BCP Online https://www.bcponline.org
Visit us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/subversiveundercroft
Music Be Thou My Vision, Jaimie Jorge
Stump the Priest Theme, Kristen Burkholder
Glory, Glory, Roger McGuinn
We begin our look into what the catechism has to say about the Bible and more.
Notes Peterkin, which Lisa mentions in the opening outtake is the diocesan camp in West Virginia, which is named after the first bishop of West Virginian.
Episcopal Dictionary https://episcopalchurch.org/library/glossary/all
BCP Online https://www.bcponline.org
Visit us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/subversiveundercroft
image purchased from lightstock.com
Music Be Thou My Vision, Jaimie Jorge
Stump the Priest theme, Kristen Burkholder
I Love to Tell the Story, Chris Rupp
We continue our look into the BCP catechism, plus we talk about the perils of parish picnics and odd rituals involving the Holy Spirit and Satan
Notes Episcopal Dictionary https://episcopalchurch.org/library/glossary/all
BCP Online https://www.bcponline.org
Visit us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/subversiveundercroft
Music Be Thou My Vision, Jaimie Jorge
Stump the Priest Theme, Kristen Burkholder
There’s a Sweet, Sweet Spirit Adventist Vocal Ensemble and the congregation of St. John's, Hackney, North London
Image A page from the 15th century illuminated manuscript, Très Riches Heures du Duc de Berry, which appears to show a form of exsufflation with the exsuffler (is that a word?) squeezing and blowing the demon out of a woman.
We've had some technical challenges of late, but we're back and in this episode we learn a handy Latin term describing why church sometimes drives one crazy and we begin our conversation on what the catechism has to say about the Holy Spirit
Notes Episcopal Dictionary https://episcopalchurch.org/library/glossary/all
BCP Online https://www.bcponline.org
Visit us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/subversiveundercroft
Music
Be Thou My Vision, Jaimie Jorge
Stump the Priest Theme, Kristen Burkholder
Every Time I Feel the Spirit, Roger McGuinn
We close out our conversations on the creeds by talking about the Athanasian creed (which isn't really a creed nor was it written by Athanasius) plus we highlight an ancient heresy and Lisa delights to learn Jon was wrong* in a previous episode.
Notes
- *Thanks to Jaan Sass for clearing up (in a FB message) that the updated eCP app subscription is $9.99 per year, not per month
- Also thanks to listener Kristen Burkholder for composing, singing, and sharing the new "Stump the Priest" theme song!
- Episcopal Dictionary https://episcopalchurch.org/library/glossary/all
- BCP Online https://www.bcponline.org
- Visit us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/subversiveundercroft
Music
Be Thou My Vision, Jaimie Jorge
We Walk by Faith, St John's, LA, Choir
Welcome to our 200th episode and thanks for being in the journey with us. This week we're continuing our exploration of the creeds, inspired by the catechism, focusing on the Apostle's and Nicene creeds. Plus we learn a bit of Roman history.
Notes
Episcopal Dictionary https://episcopalchurch.org/library/glossary/all
BCP Online https://www.bcponline.org
Visit us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/subversiveundercroft
Music Be Thou My Vision, Jaimie Jorge
Lord’s Prayer in Aramaic, Archimandrite Seraphim & parishioners in Qanda
We get into Jesus' words (commands, advice?) to his followers plus we talk about what, if any, beliefs are needed to be Episcopalian and more on our new favorite TV show.
Notes Episcopal Dictionary https://episcopalchurch.org/library/glossary/all
BCP Online https://www.bcponline.org
The Chosen: https://watch.angelstudios.com/thechosen
Music Be Thou My Vision, Jaimie Jorge
Come My Way, My Truth, My Life, Blackfriar Music
What does it mean to love as Jesus commands? Check out this episode to hear our take on this core message of the Good News. Plus, Jon gets excited about a TV show and learns some classic church architecture.
Notes Episcopal Dictionary https://episcopalchurch.org/library/glossary/all
BCP Online https://www.bcponline.org
Music Be Thou My Vision, Jaimie Jorge
Here is Love Vast as the Ocean, Abby Scott & Chris Eaton
Exorcism!! Plus we're still talking about what the catechism has to say about Jesus.
Notes
Episcopal Dictionary https://episcopalchurch.org/library/glossary/all
BCP Online https://www.bcponline.org
Here's what the Book of Occassional Services has to say about Exorcism
The practice of expelling evil spirits by means of prayer and ritual derives its authority from Christ Jesus, who understood power over these forces as a sign of Messianic identity. The Church in succeeding centuries recognized this power of Christ in their shared life but reserved the rites of exorcism to its bishops. Later still the bishops began to delegate this authority to select presbyters and others deemed competent.
In accordance with this established tradition, someone in need of such a ministry, and anyone desiring to exercise it, makes the matter known to a presbyter, who in turn consults with the bishop. The bishop then determines whether exorcism is needed, who is to officiate at the rite, and what prayers or other formularies are to be used.
Music Be Thou My Vision, Jaimie Jorge
A Little Talk With Jesus, RH Harris & The Soul Stirrers
This week we talk about penmanship, what's a-happening, and Jesus, plus Jon and Lisa disagree on the relationship of Jesus to the Covenant
Notes Episcopal Dictionary https://episcopalchurch.org/library/glossary/all
BCP Online https://www.bcponline.org
Music Be Thou My Vision, Jaimie Jorge
If You Believe and I Believe
We do some venerating before we continue to talk about what the BCP catechism has to say about Jesus.
Notes Episcopal Dictionary https://episcopalchurch.org/library/glossary/all
BCP Online https://www.bcponline.org
From way back in the archive (Episode 38), we talk about the readings for this Sunday, Year B Easter 3: https://www.subversiveundercroft.org/e/you-are-witnesses-to-these-things/
Music Be Thou My Vision, Jaimie Jorge
All Who Love and Serve Your City, Erik & Elisa Dunkin
Lisa and Jon check in on Easter, Jon whiffs an easy one from the glossary, and the conversation about Jesus, as presented in the catechism, continues.
Notes Episcopal Dictionary https://episcopalchurch.org/library/glossary/all
BCP Online https://www.bcponline.org
You can also check out our archive episodes about Easter
- 2020 He Is Not Dead
- 2019 Why Look For the Living Among the Dead?
- 2018 He Is Alive!
Music Be Thou My Vision, Jaimie Jorge
Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee , Reawaken Music
It's our Holy Week and Easter episode and we're seeing what the catechism has to say about Jesus plus we learn something about Christian meditation and talk about the beautiful quirkiness of Episcopal parishes.
We diss Hymnal 1982, learn about edifying tales and pious poetry, plus we continue with the catechism to talk about Jesus
Notes Episcopal Dictionary https://episcopalchurch.org/library/glossary/all
BCP Online https://www.bcponline.org
Check out our Archive Lent Episode on Generosity
Music Be Thou My Vision, Jaimie Jorge
When Peace Like A River, Martin Chalk Music
When is a sacrament really a sacrament? Plus we cap off our discussion of the catechism's section on sin and redemption by talking about Jesus
Notes * Episcopal Dictionary https://episcopalchurch.org/library/glossary/all * BCP Online https://www.bcponline.org * Check out our archived special Lent episode on Generosity * Story on the priest who was not "validly" baptized Here
Music Be Thou My Vision, Jaimie Jorge
Jesus Loves Me, Jeremy Camp feat. Bobbie Lancaster
We swap stories about Presiding Bishop's we've met, talk about one of Jon's favorite Holy Week services and then get into what the catechism has to say about Redemption.
Notes Episcopal Dictionary https://episcopalchurch.org/library/glossary/all
BCP Online https://www.bcponline.org
Praying Our Days by Frank T. Griswold
Book of Occasional Services (pdf)
Check out our Special Lent Episode on Service
Music Be Thou My Vision, Jaimie Jorge
Jesus Calls Us O’er the Tumult, St George Winyah Episcopal Church
We talk about the importance of knowing yourself before doing ministry, we untangle the many James's and we begin to look at what the catechism has to say about sin.
Notes Episcopal Dictionary https://episcopalchurch.org/library/glossary/all
BCP Online https://www.bcponline.org
Also, check out our special Lenten episode on Prayer from the archive
Music Be Thou My Vision, Jaimie Jorge
Come Ye Sinners, ReAwaken Music
We start with a Lenten check in, learn a bit about what Jesus was up to while he was among the dead, and finish up our conversation on the decalogue as presented in the BCP catechism.
Notes Episcopal Dictionary https://episcopalchurch.org/library/glossary/all
BCP Online https://www.bcponline.org
Music Be Thou My Vision, Jaimie Jorge
Benedictus, The Tudor Consort
Image Detail of a miniature of the Harrowing of Hell (1420). Image taken from f. 137 of Meditationes vitae Christi (Le Livre doré des meditations de la vie de nostre seigneur Jesu Christ). Written in French and traditionally attributed to St Bonaventure.
We learn a little about funny priest hats plus we get into a wide ranging conversation reflecting on the first four commandments as presented in our catechism.
Notes Episcopal Dictionary https://episcopalchurch.org/library/glossary/all
BCP Online https://www.bcponline.org
Music Be Thou My Vision, Jaimie Jorge
Com My Way, My Truth, My Life, Blackfriar Music
Image Jon in his biretta on Ash Wednesday (he also has on a zucchetto under the biretta because it was REALLY cold) photo by Carolyn Muratore
We're preparing for Ash Wednesday and Lent plus talking about the stone tablets of Moses
Notes * Episcopal Dictionary https://episcopalchurch.org/library/glossary/all * BCP Online https://www.bcponline.org * Want to hear us talk about the readings for the Last Sunday of Epiphany?Check out Episode 85 Down In the Valley
Music Be Thou My Vision, Jaimie Jorge
Amazing Grace, Kevin McLeod
Celtic Hymn, Aural Axiom
Snow, sunshine, cool vestments, and what the covenants of the Hebrew Scriptures have to do with our faith today.
Notes Episcopal Dictionary https://episcopalchurch.org/library/glossary/all
BCP Online https://www.bcponline.org
Music Be Thou My Vision, Jaimie Jorge
Shalom Aleichem, Mayaan Band
Psalm 150, MIQDEM
We look at a cherished but historically questionable doctrine of Anglicanism plus we continue through the catechism with more Qand A about God the Father.
Notes Episcopal Dictionary https://episcopalchurch.org/library/glossary/all
Want to hear our thoughts on this Sunday's readings? Check out episode 27
Music Be Thou My Vision, Jaimie Jorge
Pachelbel’s Canon in D, Aitua
Immortal, Invisible Nathan Drake
After a short discourse on thermostat settings and monastic wardrobes, we begin the conversation on God the Father from the BCP catechism.
Music
Be Thou My Vision; Jaimie Jorge
Waiting In the Rain, Lee Rosevere
Grace Fully, Wildlight
Notes Episcopal Dictionary https://episcopalchurch.org/library/glossary/all
BCP Online https://www.bcponline.org
Visit us on Facebook at the Subversive Undercroft
ps Lisa was describing a devotional scapular, worn by lay persons as a form of devotion as she described; which isn't included in the definition found at the Episcopal Glossary.
We check in with each other after a tough week; we discover what a fermentum is and we talk some more about human nature and the relationship with God from the catechism.
We are back with new episodes! And we're trying something different as we begin our fourth year of episodes. Have a listen and tell us what you think.
Notes If you're missing our conversation about Epiphany Sunday check out episode 77
The Episcopal Glossary can be found HERE
The Online BCP is HERE
Music Jesus On A Greyhound, Mark Fosson
Greensleeves, Roger McGuinn
Of The Father’s Love Begotten, Church Folk
We look back on our episode devoted to prayer.
Music Bring a Torch Jeanette Isabella, Aaron Devries
Go Tell it On the Mountain, Roger McGuinn
Gabriel’s Message, Good Shepherd Band
Notes Jon's Book: The Beginner's Guide to Following Jesus
Mary knew, and she accepted anyway
Lisa and Jon are on a podcast sabbatical for Advent and Christmas, so we're drawing on our archive of great conversations. This one is from Advent last year, and we're talking about the Song of Mary, the Magnificat
We're taking a little podcast sabbatical during Advent and Christmas. So we’ve gone into the dusty corners of the undercroft to dig out some of our favorite conversations from previous episodes.
This one is from nearly two years ago; and was a really good conversation about death and the promises that lay on the other side of that.
MUSIC Oh Death, Emlyn Regan
Over in the Glory Land, Hillbilly Thomists
Swing Low, Sweet Chariot, Westwood Bluegrass Band
Lisa and Jon are on a podcasrt sabbatical during Advent and Christmas, so we're offering this special episode from material recorded in January of 2019.
MUSIC Poor Wayfaring Stanger, Hillbilly Thomists
Here is Love Vast as the Ocean, Abby Scott & Chris Eaton
Ol’ Saint Peter, Digital Primitives
Notes Forma website: https://www.forma.church
READING Luke 5:1-11
Once while Jesus was standing beside the lake of Gennesaret, and the crowd was pressing in on him to hear the word of God, he saw two boats there at the shore of the lake; the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little way from the shore. Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat. When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, "Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch." Simon answered, "Master, we have worked all night long but have caught nothing. Yet if you say so, I will let down the nets." When they had done this, they caught so many fish that their nets were beginning to break. So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both boats, so that they began to sink. But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, "Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!" For he and all who were with him were amazed at the catch of fish that they had taken; and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. Then Jesus said to Simon, "Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching people." When they had brought their boats to shore, they left everything and followed him.
Jesus' incarnation shows us that human-ness itself is not the barrier to living into God's hope for us. We can overcome, through our own effort and walk by faith; And when we do it gladdens the heart of God.
READING Matthew 25:31-46
Jesus said, “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, and he will put the sheep at his right hand and the goats at the left. Then the king will say to those at his right hand, ‘Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?’ And the king will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.’ Then he will say to those at his left hand, ‘You that are accursed, depart from me into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not give me clothing, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ Then they also will answer, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not take care of you?’ Then he will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’ And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”
MUSIC Jesus on a Greyhound, Mark Fosson
Come My Way, My Truth, My Life, Blackfriar Music
Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing. Sarah Noelle
The treasures of faith aren't meant to be hidden away
READING Matthew 25:14-30
Jesus said, “It is as if a man, going on a journey, summoned his slaves and entrusted his property to them; to one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. The one who had received the five talents went off at once and traded with them, and made five more talents. In the same way, the one who had the two talents made two more talents. But the one who had received the one talent went off and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money. After a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them. Then the one who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five more talents, saying, ‘Master, you handed over to me five talents; see, I have made five more talents.’ His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’ And the one with the two talents also came forward, saying, ‘Master, you handed over to me two talents; see, I have made two more talents.’ His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’ Then the one who had received the one talent also came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew that you were a harsh man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter seed; so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.’ But his master replied, ‘You wicked and lazy slave! You knew, did you, that I reap where I did not sow, and gather where I did not scatter? Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and on my return I would have received what was my own with interest. So take the talent from him, and give it to the one with the ten talents. For to all those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away. As for this worthless slave, throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’”
MUSIC All Who Love and Serve Your City, Erik & Elisa Dunkin
Come Thou Long Expected Jesus, Reawaken Music (Nathan Drake)
Fix Me Jesus, Fools For Christ
What awaits us beyond the great mystery of death?
READING 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about those who have died, so that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have died. For this we declare to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will by no means precede those who have died. For the Lord himself, with a cry of command, with the archangel's call and with the sound of God's trumpet, will descend from heaven, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up in the clouds together with them to meet the Lord in the air; and so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage one another with these words.
MUSIC Ain’t Got Time to Die, Acapella Spirituals
Swing Low Sweet Chariot, Westwood Bluegrass Band
Over in the Glory Land, Westwood Bluegrass Band
It's All Saints (& All Hallows Eve and All Souls) and we take a minute to wonder at the amazing web of relationships that takes us all back to Jesus' side.
READING The collect assigned for the Feast of All Saints.
Almighty God, you have knit together your elect in one communion and fellowship in the mystical body of your Son Christ our Lord: Give us grace so to follow your blessed saints in all virtuous and godly living, that we may come to those ineffable joys that you have prepared for those who truly love you; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.
MUSIC St Patrick’s Breastplate, Jean Watson
Bi Thusa Mo Shuile, Maire Brennan
Slane, Bobby Horton
The King of Love My Shepherd Is, IKOS
It's easy to love God, much harder to love the people life sends your way
READING Matthew 22:34-46
When the Pharisees heard that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together, and one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. “Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?” He said to him, “’You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”
Now while the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them this question: “What do you think of the Messiah? Whose son is he?” They said to him, “The son of David.” He said to them, “How is it then that David by the Spirit calls him Lord, saying,
‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at my right hand,
until I put your enemies under your feet”’?
If David thus calls him Lord, how can he be his son?” No one was able to give him an answer, nor from that day did anyone dare to ask him any more questions.
MUSIC There’s Honey in the Rock, Nick Page
Wade in the Water, Roger McGuinn
Star in the East, Rose Ensemble
Curiously, selfishness seems to bring little actual delight and joy into our lives
READING Matthew 22:15-22
The Pharisees went and plotted to entrap Jesus in what he said. So they sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that you are sincere, and teach the way of God in accordance with truth, and show deference to no one; for you do not regard people with partiality. Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to the emperor, or not?” But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, “Why are you putting me to the test, you hypocrites? Show me the coin used for the tax.” And they brought him a denarius. Then he said to them, “Whose head is this, and whose title?” They answered, “The emperor’s.” Then he said to them, “Give therefore to the emperor the things that are the emperor’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” When they heard this, they were amazed; and they left him and went away.
The building site for the kingdom can get a little messy and chaotic sometimes
READING Isaiah 25:1-9
O Lord, you are my God;
I will exalt you, I will praise your name;
for you have done wonderful things,
plans formed of old, faithful and sure.
For you have made the city a heap,
the fortified city a ruin;
the palace of aliens is a city no more,
it will never be rebuilt.
Therefore strong peoples will glorify you;
cities of ruthless nations will fear you.
For you have been a refuge to the poor,
a refuge to the needy in their distress,
a shelter from the rainstorm and a shade from the heat.
When the blast of the ruthless was like a winter rainstorm,
the noise of aliens like heat in a dry place,
you subdued the heat with the shade of clouds;
the song of the ruthless was stilled.
On this mountain the Lord of hosts will make for all peoples
a feast of rich food, a feast of well-aged wines,
of rich food filled with marrow, of well-aged wines strained clear.
And he will destroy on this mountain
the shroud that is cast over all peoples,
the sheet that is spread over all nations;
he will swallow up death forever.
Then the Lord God will wipe away the tears from all faces,
and the disgrace of his people he will take away from all the earth,
for the Lord has spoken.
It will be said on that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, so that he might save us.
This is the Lord for whom we have waited;
let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation.
MUSIC Ye Watchers and Ye Holy Ones, Yello Cello Music
We Walk By Faith, St John’s, LA Choir
Ode to Joy, Vallès Symphony Orchestra, the Lieder, Amics de l'Òpera and Coral Belles Arts choirs
Our struggles with belief should not be barriers to living the life Jesus showed us
READING Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20
Then God spoke all these words:
I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery; you shall have no other gods before me.
You shall not make for yourself an idol, whether in the form of anything that is in heaven above, or that is on the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.
You shall not make wrongful use of the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not acquit anyone who misuses his name.
Remember the sabbath day, and keep it holy. For six days you shall labour and do all your work.
Honor your father and your mother, so that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.
You shall not murder.
You shall not commit adultery.
You shall not steal.
You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or male or female slave, or ox, or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.
When all the people witnessed the thunder and lightning, the sound of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking, they were afraid and trembled and stood at a distance, and said to Moses, “You speak to us, and we will listen; but do not let God speak to us, or we will die.” Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid; for God has come only to test you and to put the fear of him upon you so that you do not sin.”
MUSIC Jesus Remember Me, St. Thomas Music Group, Woodford Green
King David, Yamma Ensemble
Marching to Zion, Gary Chapman
The mission of God, through Christ, is to bring about beloved community through individual transformation.
READING Ezekiel 18:1-4,25-32
The word of the Lord came to me: What do you mean by repeating this proverb concerning the land of Israel, “The parents have eaten sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge”? As I live, says the Lord God, this proverb shall no more be used by you in Israel. Know that all lives are mine; the life of the parent as well as the life of the child is mine: it is only the person who sins that shall die.
Yet you say, “The way of the Lord is unfair.” Hear now, O house of Israel: Is my way unfair? Is it not your ways that are unfair? When the righteous turn away from their righteousness and commit iniquity, they shall die for it; for the iniquity that they have committed they shall die. Again, when the wicked turn away from the wickedness they have committed and do what is lawful and right, they shall save their life. Because they considered and turned away from all the transgressions that they had committed, they shall surely live; they shall not die. Yet the house of Israel says, “The way of the Lord is unfair.” O house of Israel, are my ways unfair? Is it not your ways that are unfair?
Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, all of you according to your ways, says the Lord God. Repent and turn from all your transgressions; otherwise iniquity will be your ruin. Cast away from you all the transgressions that you have committed against me, and get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit! Why will you die, O house of Israel? For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone, says the Lord God. Turn, then, and live.
MUSIC Dry Bones, Delta Rhythm Boys
Ain’t Got Time to Die, Acapella Spirtuals
Come Ye Sinners, Norton Hall Band
LINK Episode 141
Does Jesus get what he deserves? And since his life is the archetype and model for our own; why should we expect different?
READING Matthew 20:1-16
Jesus said, “The kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. After agreeing with the laborers for the usual daily wage, he sent them into his vineyard. When he went out about nine o’clock, he saw others standing idle in the marketplace; and he said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.’ So they went. When he went out again about noon and about three o’clock, he did the same. And about five o’clock he went out and found others standing around; and he said to them, ‘Why are you standing here idle all day?’ They said to him, ‘Because no one has hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard.’ When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his manager, ‘Call the laborers and give them their pay, beginning with the last and then going to the first.’ When those hired about five o’clock came, each of them received the usual daily wage. Now when the first came, they thought they would receive more; but each of them also received the usual daily wage. And when they received it, they grumbled against the landowner, saying, ‘These last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat.’ But he replied to one of them, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong; did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage? Take what belongs to you and go; I choose to give to this last the same as I give to you. Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or are you envious because I am generous?’ So the last will be first, and the first will be last.”
MUSIC Slane, Bobby Horton
Greensleeves, Roger McGuinn
God Be Merciful Unto Us, Guildford Cathedral Choir, directed by Barry Rose
God's love is for all but it's up to you to live into that love
READING Exodus 15:1b-11,20-21
“I will sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously;
horse and rider he has thrown into the sea.
The Lord is my strength and my might,
and he has become my salvation;
this is my God, and I will praise him,
my father's God, and I will exalt him.
The Lord is a warrior;
the Lord is his name.
“Pharaoh's chariots and his army he cast into the sea;
his picked officers were sunk in the Red Sea.
The floods covered them;
they went down into the depths like a stone.
Your right hand, O Lord, glorious in power--
your right hand, O Lord, shattered the enemy.
In the greatness of your majesty you overthrew your adversaries;
you sent out your fury, it consumed them like stubble.
At the blast of your nostrils the waters piled up,
the floods stood up in a heap;
the deeps congealed in the heart of the sea.
The enemy said, ‘I will pursue, I will overtake,
I will divide the spoil, my desire shall have its fill of them.
I will draw my sword, my hand shall destroy them.’
You blew with your wind, the sea covered them;
they sank like lead in the mighty waters.
“Who is like you, O Lord, among the gods?
Who is like you, majestic in holiness,
awesome in splendor, doing wonders?”
Then the prophet Miriam, Aaron's sister, took a tambourine in her hand; and all the women went out after her with tambourines and with dancing.
And Miriam sang to them:
“Sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously;
horse and rider he has thrown into the sea.”
MUSIC Go Down Moses, Louis Armstrong
Go Down Moses, Texas Cowpatti
Pharaoh, Pharaoh
Image Moses by Rae Chichilnitsky
Time to move into the good news
READING Matthew 18:15-20
Jesus said, “If another member of the church sins against you, go and point out the fault when the two of you are alone. If the member listens to you, you have regained that one.
But if you are not listened to, take one or two others along with you, so that every word may be confirmed by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If the member refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if the offender refuses to listen even to the church, let such a one be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.
Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. Again, truly I tell you, if two of you agree on earth about anything you ask, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.”
MUSIC Jesus Calls Us Over the Tumult, St Georgy Winyah Episcopal Church
Lay Me Low, jazzbanjorex
Jesus Loves Me, Jeremy Camp feat. Bobbie Lancaster
The story of Moses and the burning (not burning!) bush sparks a wide ranging conversation about God's presence and movement in our lives
Reading Exodus 3:1-15
Moses was keeping the flock of his father-in-law Jethro, the priest of Midian; he led his flock beyond the wilderness, and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire out of a bush; he looked, and the bush was blazing, yet it was not consumed. Then Moses said, “I must turn aside and look at this great sight, and see why the bush is not burned up.” When the Lord saw that he had turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.” Then he said, “Come no closer! Remove the sandals from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.” He said further, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God.
Then the Lord said, “I have observed the misery of my people who are in Egypt; I have heard their cry on account of their taskmasters. Indeed, I know their sufferings, and I have come down to deliver them from the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land to a good and broad land, a land flowing with milk and honey, to the country of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites. The cry of the Israelites has now come to me; I have also seen how the Egyptians oppress them. So come, I will send you to Pharaoh to bring my people, the Israelites, out of Egypt.”
But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh, and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” He said, “I will be with you; and this shall be the sign for you that it is I who sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall worship God on this mountain.” But Moses said to God, “If I come to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your ancestors has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ what shall I say to them?” God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” He said further, “Thus you shall say to the Israelites, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’“ God also said to Moses, “Thus you shall say to the Israelites, ‘The Lord, the God of your ancestors, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you’:
This is my name forever, and this my title for all generations.
Music Listen, God is Calling (Swahili), St Paul Lutheran Church
The God of Abraham Praise, Sean Jackson
Go Down Moses, Louis Armstrong
Is Jesus of the past or is He the living God right now, and tomorrow?
READING Matthew 16:13-20
When Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, but others Elijah, and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” Then he sternly ordered the disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.
MUSIC What Wondrous Love is This, Sounds Like Reign
What a Friend We Have In Jesus, Hillbilly Thomists
Jesus on a Greyhound, Mark Fosson
What can the story of Joseph, sold into Egypt, tell us about God's actions in our own lives?
READING Genesis 45:1-15
Joseph could no longer control himself before all those who stood by him, and he cried out, “Send everyone away from me.” So no one stayed with him when Joseph made himself known to his brothers. And he wept so loudly that the Egyptians heard it, and the household of Pharaoh heard it. Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph. Is my father still alive?” But his brothers could not answer him, so dismayed were they at his presence.
Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Come closer to me.” And they came closer. He said, “I am your brother, Joseph, whom you sold into Egypt. And now do not be distressed, or angry with yourselves, because you sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve life. For the famine has been in the land these two years; and there are five more years in which there will be neither plowing nor harvest. God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant on earth, and to keep alive for you many survivors. So it was not you who sent me here, but God; he has made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house and ruler over all the land of Egypt. Hurry and go up to my father and say to him, ‘Thus says your son Joseph, God has made me lord of all Egypt; come down to me, do not delay. You shall settle in the land of Goshen, and you shall be near me, you and your children and your children’s children, as well as your flocks, your herds, and all that you have. I will provide for you there—since there are five more years of famine to come—so that you and your household, and all that you have, will not come to poverty.’ And now your eyes and the eyes of my brother Benjamin see that it is my own mouth that speaks to you. You must tell my father how greatly I am honored in Egypt, and all that you have seen. Hurry and bring my father down here.” Then he fell upon his brother Benjamin’s neck and wept, while Benjamin wept upon his neck. And he kissed all his brothers and wept upon them; and after that his brothers talked with him.
MUSIC Ye Sons and Daughters, Christendom College Choir and Schola Gregoriana
When I Survey the Wondrous Cross, musicworks(arranged by David Ervin)
Yesu a Lobaki, Jose Konda
We had some issues related to damage from Hurricane Isaias, but we muddled through somehow, thanks be to God :)
Reading 1 Kings 19:9-18
At Horeb, the mount of God, Elijah came to a cave, and spent the night there. Then the word of the Lord came to him, saying, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” He answered, “I have been very zealous for the Lord, the God of hosts; for the Israelites have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. I alone am left, and they are seeking my life, to take it away.”
He said, “Go out and stand on the mountain before the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.” Now there was a great wind, so strong that it was splitting mountains and breaking rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a sound of sheer silence. When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. Then there came a voice to him that said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” He answered, “I have been very zealous for the Lord, the God of hosts; for the Israelites have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. I alone am left, and they are seeking my life, to take it away.” Then the Lord said to him, “Go, return on your way to the wilderness of Damascus; when you arrive, you shall anoint Hazael as king over Aram. Also you shall anoint Jehu son of Nimshi as king over Israel; and you shall anoint Elisha son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah as prophet in your place. Whoever escapes from the sword of Hazael, Jehu shall kill; and whoever escapes from the sword of Jehu, Elisha shall kill. Yet I will leave seven thousand in Israel, all the knees that have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him.”
Music Amazing Grace, Jimmy Cousins
Come My Way, My Truth, My Life, Blackfriar Music
Poor Wayfaring Stranger, Hayde Bluegrass Orchestra
Now may be a time when it's difficult to offer praise; but the story of God is the story of triumphant hope
READING Psalm 145: 8-9, 15-22 Exaltabo te, Deus
8 The Lord is gracious and full of compassion, *
slow to anger and of great kindness.
9 The Lord is loving to everyone *
and his compassion is over all his works.
15 The Lord upholds all those who fall; *
he lifts up those who are bowed down.
16 The eyes of all wait upon you, O Lord, *
and you give them their food in due season.
17 You open wide your hand *
and satisfy the needs of every living creature.
18 The Lord is righteous in all his ways *
and loving in all his works.
19 The Lord is near to those who call upon him, *
to all who call upon him faithfully.
20 He fulfills the desire of those who fear him; *
he hears their cry and helps them.
21 The Lord preserves all those who love him, *
but he destroys all the wicked.
22 My mouth shall speak the praise of the Lord; *
let all flesh bless his holy Name for ever and ever.
MUSIC Praise to the Living God, Andrew Remillard
From All That Dwell Below the Skies, musicworks (arr by David Ervin)
All Creatures of Our God and King, Reawaken Music (Nathan Drake)
LINKS The Beginner's Guide to Following Jesus
Jesus' parable today remind us to keep our eyes open for God's invitation and to respond wholly when we see it
READING Matthew 13:31-33,44-52
Jesus put before the crowds another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that someone took and sowed in his field; it is the smallest of all the seeds, but when it has grown it is the greatest of shrubs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches.”
He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed in with three measures of flour until all of it was leavened.”
“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which someone found and hid; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.
“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls; on finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it.
“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and caught fish of every kind; when it was full, they drew it ashore, sat down, and put the good into baskets but threw out the bad. So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous and throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
“Have you understood all this?” They answered, “Yes.” And he said to them, “Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like the master of a household who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old.”
Music All Who Love and Serve Your City, Erik and Elisa Dunkin
Be Thou My Vision, Norton Hall Band
Come Ye Sinners Poor and Needy, Reawaken Music (Nathan Drake)
Notes Nigella Lawson's basic bread recipe can be found here
Jon's book can be ordered here
God doesn;t ask us to be heedless of danger and peril; but rather to not let it stop us from putting our love into action
READING Isaiah 44:6-8
Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel,
and his Redeemer, the Lord of hosts:
I am the first and I am the last;
besides me there is no god.
Who is like me? Let them proclaim it,
let them declare and set it forth before me.
Who has announced from of old the things to come?
Let them tell us what is yet to be.
Do not fear, or be afraid;
have I not told you from of old and declared it?
You are my witnesses!
Is there any god besides me?
There is no other rock; I know not one.
MUSIC My Wealth Comes to Me, Ben Sollee & Daniel Martin Moore
Shofar Prayer, Yamma Ensemble
Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing, Sarah Noelle
Soils change with climate and season; but the love of God remains steadfast and true
READING Matthew 13:1-9,18-23
Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the sea. Such great crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat there, while the whole crowd stood on the beach. And he told them many things in parables, saying: “Listen! A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seeds fell on the path, and the birds came and ate them up. Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and they sprang up quickly, since they had no depth of soil. But when the sun rose, they were scorched; and since they had no root, they withered away. Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. Other seeds fell on good soil and brought forth grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. Let anyone with ears listen!”
“Hear then the parable of the sower. When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what is sown in the heart; this is what was sown on the path. As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet such a person has no root, but endures only for a while, and when trouble or persecution arises on account of the word, that person immediately falls away. As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the lure of wealth choke the word, and it yields nothing. But as for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.”
MUSIC Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken, St. Paul's Chamber Choir, conducted by John Smedstad
All Hail the power of Jesus Name, Brentwood Stair
Arise, Jesus Miracle Harvest Church Int'l
The Bible is clear that working for the collective good is God's will for human society
READING Romans 7:15-25a
I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. Now if I do what I do not want, I agree that the law is good. But in fact it is no longer I that do it, but sin that dwells within me. For I know that nothing good dwells within me, that is, in my flesh. I can will what is right, but I cannot do it. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I do. Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I that do it, but sin that dwells within me.
So I find it to be a law that when I want to do what is good, evil lies close at hand. For I delight in the law of God in my inmost self, but I see in my members another law at war with the law of my mind, making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. Wretched man that I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!
MUSIC The King Shall Come, Trevor Thompson
What Wondrous Love is This, Minnesota Choral Singers
What A Friend We Have in Jesus, Hillbilly Thomists
The Love of God isn't a "give-and take," it's just a "give"
READING Genesis 22:1-14
God tested Abraham. He said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” He said, “Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains that I shall show you.” So Abraham rose early in the morning, saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and his son Isaac; he cut the wood for the burnt offering, and set out and went to the place in the distance that God had shown him. On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place far away. Then Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey; the boy and I will go over there; we will worship, and then we will come back to you.” Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on his son Isaac, and he himself carried the fire and the knife. So the two of them walked on together. Isaac said to his father Abraham, “Father!” And he said, “Here I am, my son.” He said, “The fire and the wood are here, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?” Abraham said, “God himself will provide the lamb for a burnt offering, my son.” So the two of them walked on together.
When they came to the place that God had shown him, Abraham built an altar there and laid the wood in order. He bound his son Isaac, and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. Then Abraham reached out his hand and took the knife to kill his son. But the angel of the Lord called to him from heaven, and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” He said, “Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me.” And Abraham looked up and saw a ram, caught in a thicket by its horns. Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son. So Abraham called that place “The Lord will provide”; as it is said to this day, “On the mount of the Lord it shall be provided.”
MUSIC Rejoice the Lord is King, iMusico David
Shalom, Aleichem, Mayaan Band
Psalm 150, MIQDEM
The Lord's justice will be done; we can be ready and welcome it or we can stand against it; but it will come nonetheless.
READING Jeremiah 20:7-13
O Lord, you have enticed me, and I was enticed; you have overpowered me, and you have prevailed. I have become a laughingstock all day long; everyone mocks me. For whenever I speak, I must cry out, I must shout, "Violence and destruction!" For the word of the Lord has become for me a reproach and derision all day long. If I say, "I will not mention him, or speak any more in his name," then within me there is something like a burning fire shut up in my bones; I am weary with holding it in, and I cannot. For I hear many whispering: "Terror is all around! Denounce him! Let us denounce him!" All my close friends are watching for me to stumble. "Perhaps he can be enticed, and we can prevail against him, and take our revenge on him." But the Lord is with me like a dread warrior; therefore my persecutors will stumble, and they will not prevail. They will be greatly shamed, for they will not succeed. Their eternal dishonor will never be forgotten. O Lord of hosts, you test the righteous, you see the heart and the mind; let me see your retribution upon them, for to you I have committed my cause. Sing to the Lord; praise the Lord! For he has delivered the life of the needy from the hands of evildoers.
MUSIC Oh Freedom, Roger McGuinn
Be Thou My vision (Bi Thusa Mo Shuile), Maire Brennan
Wade In the Water, Ike Ndolo
Jesus sent out his disciples for a "trial run" in doing ministry; what can learn from their example to guide us in being agents of Christ's love in the world?
READING Matthew 9:35-10:8
Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and curing every disease and every sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”
Then Jesus summoned his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to cure every disease and every sickness. These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon, also known as Peter, and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon the Cananaean, and Judas Iscariot, the one who betrayed him.
These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Go nowhere among the Gentiles, and enter no town of the Samaritans, but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. As you go, proclaim the good news, ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. You received without payment; give without payment.
MUSIC Sinners Like Me, Brother Timothy Clark
Shine For Me, Evie Sands
Poor Wayfaring Stranger, Hayde Bluegrass Orchestra
Our conversation about the Great Commission wanders far and near
READING Matthew 28:16-20
The eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
MUSIC Come My Way, My Truth, My Life, Blackfriar Music
Just a Little Talk With Jesus, RH Harris & the Soul Stirrers
Kumbayah, Mil Marie Mougeno
Whether magnificent or minuscule; each of us has something to contribute to the building of God's kingdom.
Reading 1 Corinthians 12:3b-13
No one can say “Jesus is Lord” except by the Holy Spirit. Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. To one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the discernment of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. All these are activated by one and the same Spirit, who allots to each one individually just as the Spirit chooses.
For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in the one Spirit we were all baptized into one body-- Jews or Greeks, slaves or free-- and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.
Music The God of Abraham Praise, Sean Jackson
I Want Jesus To Walk With Me, Noah Stewart & Adventist Vocal Ensemble
Tell Out My Soul, St Anne's Cathedral, Belfast
Jesus' Ascension should be a hopeful message that the mission of Jesus can be carried on even by us quirky, fallible humans.
READING Acts 1:6-14
When the apostles had come together, they asked Jesus, “Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?” He replied, “It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” When he had said this, as they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. While he was going and they were gazing up toward heaven, suddenly two men in white robes stood by them. They said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up toward heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”
Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a sabbath day’s journey away. When they had entered the city, they went to the room upstairs where they were staying, Peter, and John, and James, and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James son of Alphaeus, and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. All these were constantly devoting themselves to prayer, together with certain women, including Mary the mother of Jesus, as well as his brothers.
MUSIC Jesus on a Greyhound, Mark Fosson
The King shall Come, Trevor Thompson
Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God, The VGK-Sarepta Children Choir at Bellville SDA Church
IMAGE Christ's Ascension, by Salvador Dali
What does it mean to love and to love God?
READING John 14:15-21
Jesus said, ”If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever. This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, because he abides with you, and he will be in you.
”I will not leave you orphaned; I am coming to you. In a little while the world will no longer see me, but you will see me; because I live, you also will live. On that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. They who have my commandments and keep them are those who love me; and those who love me will be loved by my Father, and I will love them and reveal myself to them.”
MUSIC Seek Seek, The Swan Silvertones
There’s Hone In the Rocks, Nick Page
We Need Love, The Relatives
Sometimes, our moments of greatest challenge, are opportunities for the greatest witness to our faith.
READING Acts 7:55-60
Filled with the Holy Spirit, Stephen gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. “Look,” he said, “I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!” But they covered their ears, and with a loud shout all rushed together against him. Then they dragged him out of the city and began to stone him; and the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul. While they were stoning Stephen, he prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Then he knelt down and cried out in a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he died.
MUSIC Onward Christian Soldiers, Brad Sondahl
Of the Fathers Love Begotten, Church Folk
When the Saints Go Marching In, NOLA Brass Band
Image Stoning of St Stephen by Melani Pyke
In this in-between time, there are constants we can hold onto and those constants revolve around the person and promise of God
READING 1 Peter 1:17-23
If you invoke as Father the one who judges all people impartially according to their deeds, live in reverent fear during the time of your exile. You know that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your ancestors, not with perishable things like silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without defect or blemish. He was destined before the foundation of the world, but was revealed at the end of the ages for your sake. Through him you have come to trust in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are set on God.
Now that you have purified your souls by your obedience to the truth so that you have genuine mutual love, love one another deeply from the heart. You have been born anew, not of perishable but of imperishable seed, through the living and enduring word of God.
MUSIC Ol’ St Peter, Digital Primitives
Amazing Grace, Jimmy Cousins
Amen, Soweto Gospel Choir
Belief and faith in difficult times can be hard, but if we can lift our eyes just a little, when can see the presence of God come to us.
READING John 20:19-31
When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you." After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you." When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained."
But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord." But he said to
MUSIC Spring from Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, Free Tim
Jesus Calls Us O’er the Tumult, St George Winyah Episcopal Church
The King of Love My Shepherd Is, IKOS
Notes Jon's Book: Beginner's Guide to Following Jesus
In a period of widespread uncertainty and fear not known for several generations, we may be experiencing an Easter unlike any we've known but more like that first Easter too. But even now, he is not dead, he is Alive.
READING Matthew 28:1-10
After the sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. And suddenly there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord, descending from heaven, came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. For fear of him the guards shook and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for he has been raised, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples, `He has been raised from the dead, and indeed he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him.' This is my message for you." So they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them and said, "Greetings!" And they came to him, took hold of his feet, and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me."
MUSIC Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring, Lee Rosevere
Love’s Redeeming Work Is Done, High Street Hymns
Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee, Reawaken Music
Christ the Lord Is Risen Today (He is Alive), NCC Worship
Are we followers of Jesus, or merely his admirers?
Join us as we mark the Sunday of the Passion, Palm Sunday
READINGS The Passion of Christ, according to St Matthew
Matthew 27:11-54
MUSIC Were You There, Peguero Sisters
Oh Death, Emlyn Regan
Lord’s Prayer in Aramaic, Archimandrite Seraphim & parishioners in Qanda
Ezekiel's prophecy to the dead reminds of the possibility and promise of God's love and the new life to come
WorstLentEver
READING Ezekiel 37:1-14
The hand of the Lord came upon me, and he brought me out by the spirit of the Lord and set me down in the middle of a valley; it was full of bones. He led me all around them; there were very many lying in the valley, and they were very dry. He said to me, “Mortal, can these bones live?” I answered, “O Lord God, you know.” Then he said to me, “Prophesy to these bones, and say to them: O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord. Thus says the Lord God to these bones: I will cause breath to enter you, and you shall live. I will lay sinews on you, and will cause flesh to come upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and you shall live; and you shall know that I am the Lord.”
So I prophesied as I had been commanded; and as I prophesied, suddenly there was a noise, a rattling, and the bones came together, bone to its bone. I looked, and there were sinews on them, and flesh had come upon them, and skin had covered them; but there was no breath in them. Then he said to me, “Prophesy to the breath, prophesy, mortal, and say to the breath: Thus says the Lord God: Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live.” I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood on their feet, a vast multitude.
Then he said to me, “Mortal, these bones are the whole house of Israel. They say, ‘Our bones are dried up, and our hope is lost; we are cut off completely.’ Therefore prophesy, and say to them, Thus says the Lord God: I am going to open your graves, and bring you up from your graves, O my people; and I will bring you back to the land of Israel. And you shall know that I am the Lord, when I open your graves, and bring you up from your graves, O my people. I will put my spirit within you, and you shall live, and I will place you on your own soil; then you shall know that I, the Lord, have spoken and will act,” says the Lord.
MUSIC What Wondrous Love is This, Hillbilly Thomists
Swing Low Sweet Chariot, Westwood Bluegrass Band
Dry Bones, Delta Rhythm Boys
NOTES Beginner’s Guide to Following Jesus By Jon White
Faith calls us to perceive the world differently, to take it in as God does
READING John 9:1-41
As Jesus walked along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned; he was born blind so that God’s works might be revealed in him. We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world"....
MUSIC We Walk By Faith, St John’s LA Choir
There’s A Wideness In God’s Mercy, Brad Sondahl
What Wondrous Love is This?, Sounds Like Reign
We lament God's absence while shutting our eyes to the divine presence all around us.
READING Exodus 17:1-7
From the wilderness of Sin the whole congregation of the Israelites journeyed by stages, as the Lord commanded. They camped at Rephidim, but there was no water for the people to drink. The people quarreled with Moses, and said, “Give us water to drink.” Moses said to them, “Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you test the Lord?” But the people thirsted there for water; and the people complained against Moses and said, “Why did you bring us out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and livestock with thirst?” So Moses cried out to the Lord, “What shall I do with this people? They are almost ready to stone me.” The Lord said to Moses, “Go on ahead of the people, and take some of the elders of Israel with you; take in your hand the staff with which you struck the Nile, and go. I will be standing there in front of you on the rock at Horeb. Strike the rock, and water will come out of it, so that the people may drink.” Moses did so, in the sight of the elders of Israel. He called the place Massah and Meribah, because the Israelites quarreled and tested the Lord, saying, “Is the Lord among us or not?”
MUSIC My Wealth Comes to Me, Ben Sollee & Daniel Martin Moore
Wade in the Water, Roger McGuinn
Rock of Ages, Reawaken Music
What does Jesus mean about being reborn? How do our lives in faith differ from a life without?
READING John 3:1-17
There was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. He came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do apart from the presence of God.” Jesus answered him, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother’s womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not be astonished that I said to you, ‘You must be born from above.’ The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can these things be?” Jesus answered him, “Are you a teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand these things?
“Very truly, I tell you, we speak of what we know and testify to what we have seen; yet you do not receive our testimony. If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. “Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.”
MUSIC King David, Yamma Ensemble
Come Ye Faithful, Carver Blanchard
Fix Me Jesus, Fools For Christ
Jesus' temptations tells us it's important to not shortcut God's dreams for us.
READING Matthew 4:1-11
Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. He fasted forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was famished. The tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread. But he answered, “It is written, ‘One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
Then the devil took him to the holy city and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, saying to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down; for it is written, ‘He will command his angels concerning you,’ and ‘On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.’” Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”
Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor; and he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.” Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! for it is written, ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.’”
Then the devil left him, and suddenly angels came and waited on him.
MUSIC I Want To Walk As A Child of the Light, Union College Unionaires
Agnus Dei, Tudor Consort
Waiting, David Szesztay
LINKS Jon mentioned "In the Name of Jesus" by Henri Nouwen, a reflection on Christian leadership drawn from the story of the wilderness temptations. It is a very thoughtful work with examples of Christian practices to overcome these temptations (and it's short!)
God's seeks to shine the light of love into our lives
READING 2 Peter 1:16-21
We did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we had been eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received honor and glory from God the Father when that voice was conveyed to him by the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is my Son, my Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.” We ourselves heard this voice come from heaven, while we were with him on the holy mountain. So we have the prophetic message more fully confirmed.
You will do well to be attentive to this as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. First of all you must understand this, that no prophecy of scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, because no prophecy ever came by human will, but men and women moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.
MUSIC Shall We Gather At the River, Makanja & Chiragi. A
Heaven’s Light Is Shining On Me, Sons of Gospel
Listen, God is Calling, St Paul Lutheran Church
God continually offers the choice to thrive or to wither; to walk in the way of the Lord or to stumble on our own pathway
READING Deuteronomy 30:15-20
Moses said, “See, I have set before you today life and prosperity, death and adversity. If you obey the commandments of the Lord your God that I am commanding you today, by loving the Lord your God, walking in his ways, and observing his commandments, decrees, and ordinances, then you shall live and become numerous, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land that you are entering to possess. But if your heart turns away and you do not hear, but are led astray to bow down to other gods and serve them, I declare to you today that you shall perish; you shall not live long in the land that you are crossing the Jordan to enter and possess. I call heaven and earth to witness against you today that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Choose life so that you and your descendants may live, loving the Lord your God, obeying him, and holding fast to him; for that means life to you and length of days, so that you may live in the land that the Lord swore to give to your ancestors, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.”
MUSIC Oh Freedom, Roger McGuinn
Go Down Moses, Texas Cowpatti
Jesus On A Greyhound, Mark Fosson
Whether salt or light, the people of Jesus are meant to make a difference in this life
READING Matthew 5:13-20
Jesus said, “You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled under foot.
“You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.
“Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not one letter, not one stroke of a letter, will pass from the law until all is accomplished. Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, will be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”
MUSIC Honey In the Rock, Nick Page
Shine On Me, Evie Sands
This Little Light of Mine, Sam Cooke
The stories of Simeon and Anna in the temple with the newborn Jesus reveal to us the power of faith in daily life and the wisdom of the overlooked
LINK "Expecting God to act" essay from the Anglican Journal
READING Luke 2:22-40
When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, the parents of Jesus brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the law of the Lord, "Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord"), and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, "a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons."
Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Messiah. Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the law, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying,
"Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace,
according to your word;
for my eyes have seen your salvation,
which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
a light for revelation to the Gentiles
and for glory to your people Israel."
And the child's father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, "This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed-- and a sword will pierce your own soul too."
There was also a prophet, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped there with fasting and prayer night and day. At that moment she came and began to praise God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.
When they had finished everything required by the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.
MUSIC Come My Way, My Truth, My Life, Blackfriar Music
Be Though My Vision, Jaimie Jorge
Celtic Hymn, Aural Axiom
Everyone has a role in the kingdom of God, what's yours?
READING Matthew 4:12-23
When Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. He left Nazareth and made his home in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, so that what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled:
“Land of Zebulun, land of Naphtali, on the road by the sea, across the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles—
the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light,
and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned.”
From that time Jesus began to proclaim, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” 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. As he went from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John, in the boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets, and he called them. Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.
Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and curing every disease and every sickness among the people.
MUSIC Ye Sons and Daughters, Christendom College Choir and Schola Gregoriana
We Walk by Faith, St John's LA Choir
Yesu A Lobaki, Jose Konda
We look at the joy of beloved-ness in psalm 40, reflecting on our own experiences of God's presence
READING Psalm 40: 1-12
I waited patiently for you, O God; *
you stooped to me and heard my cry.
You lifted me out of the desolate pit, out of the mire and clay; *
you set my feet upon a high cliff and made my footing sure.
You put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God; *
many shall see, and stand in awe, and put their trust in you.
Happy are they who trust in you; *
they do not resort to evil spirits or turn to false gods.
Great things are they that you have done, O God,
how great your wonders and your plans for us; *
there is none who can be compared with you.
Oh, that I could make them known and tell them, *
but they are more than I can count.
In sacrifice and offering you take no pleasure *
(you have given me ears to hear you);
Burnt-offering and sin-offering you have not required, *
and so I said, “Behold, I come.
In the roll of the book it is written concerning me: *
‘I love to do your will, O my God; your law is deep in my heart.’ ”
I proclaimed righteousness in the great congregation; *
behold, I did not restrain my lips, and that, O God, you know.
Your righteousness have I not hidden in my heart;
I have spoken of your faithfulness and your deliverance; *
I have not concealed your love and faithfulness from the great congregation.
You are the Holy One; do not withhold your compassion from me; *
let your love and your faithfulness keep me safe for ever.
MUSIC Amazing Grace, Jimmy Cousins
Here is Love Vast as the Ocean, Abby Scott and Chris Eaton
Gabriel’s Message, Good Shepherd Band
The Holy Spirit continues to invite us into deeper relationship and deeper understanding of God's vision for us individually and for God's people
READING Acts 10:34-43
Peter began to speak to them: “I truly understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. You know the message he sent to the people of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ--he is Lord of all. That message spread throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John announced: how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power; how he went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. We are witnesses to all that he did both in Judea and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree; but God raised him on the third day and allowed him to appear, not to all the people but to us who were chosen by God as witnesses, and who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one ordained by God as judge of the living and the dead. All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”
MUSIC Ol’ St. Peter, Digital Primitives
Every Time I Feel the Spirit, Roger McGuinn
Jesus' fragility at his birth reminds us that hope is something to be protected and cared for, not something to take for granted.
READING Matthew 2:13-15,19-23
After the wise men had left, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, "Get up, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him." Then Joseph got up, took the child and his mother by night, and went to Egypt, and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet, "Out of Egypt I have called my son."
When Herod died, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt and said, "Get up, take the child and his mother, and go to the land of Israel, for those who were seeking the child's life are dead." Then Joseph got up, took the child and his mother, and went to the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus was ruling over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. And after being warned in a dream, he went away to the district of Galilee. There he made his home in a town called Nazareth, so that what had been spoken through the prophets might be fulfilled, "He will be called a Nazorean."
MUSIC I Saw Three Ships, Ben Devries
We Thee Kings, RTists for Christmas
The King Shall Come, Trevor Thompson
The Incarnation speaks as much about what human life means as it does God's power
READING Galatians 3:23-25; 4:4-7
Now before faith came, we were imprisoned and guarded under the law until faith would be revealed. Therefore the law was our disciplinarian until Christ came, so that we might be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer subject to a disciplinarian.
But when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, in order to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as children. And because you are children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!" So you are no longer a slave but a child, and if a child then also an heir, through God.
MUSIC Jesus Loves Me, Jeremy Camp feat. Bobbie Lancaster
Star in the East, Rose Ensemble
Ho, Ho, So Merrily, Some Serious Folk and Pernicious Pennywhistle
Where do we find hope when we look around and feel its absence?
READING Psalm 80:1-7, 16-18
Hear, O Shepherd of Israel, leading Joseph like a flock; *
shine forth, you that are enthroned upon the cherubim.
In the presence of Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh, *
stir up your strength and come to help us.
Restore us, O God of hosts; *
show the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved.
O Lord God of hosts, *
how long will you be angered despite the prayers of your people?
You have fed them with the bread of tears; *
you have given them bowls of tears to drink.
You have made us the derision of our neighbors, *
and our enemies laugh us to scorn.
Restore us, O God of hosts; *
show the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved.
Let your hand be upon the man of your right hand, *
the son of man you have made so strong for yourself.
And so will we never turn away from you; *
give us life, that we may call upon your Name.
Restore us, O Lord God of hosts; *
show the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved
MUSIC Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence, Donald McCullough & Master Chorale of Washington
Christmas Eve, Borrtex
Bring A Torch, Jeanette Isabella, Aaron Devries
It's third Advent and we're all about Mary
READING The Song of Mary Magnificat
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
my spirit rejoices in God my Savior; * for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed: * the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his Name.
He has mercy on those who fear him * in every generation.
He has shown the strength of his arm, * he has scattered the proud in their conceit.
He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, * and has lifted up the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things, * and the rich he has sent away empty.
He has come to the help of his servant Israel, * for he has remembered his promise of mercy,
The promise he made to our fathers, * to Abraham and his children for ever.
MUSIC What Child is This, Alison Crowe
In the Bleak Midwinter, Lily & Madeline
Go Tell It On the Mountain, Roger McGuinn
What is the nature of the freedom Jesus is offering to us?
READING
Isaiah 11:1-10
A shoot shall come out from the stump of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots. The spirit of the Lord shall rest on him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding,
the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord. His delight shall be in the fear of the Lord. He shall not judge by what his eyes see, or decide by what his ears hear; but with righteousness he shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth; he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall kill the wicked.
Righteousness shall be the belt around his waist, and faithfulness the belt around his loins. The wolf shall live with the lamb, the leopard shall lie down with the kid, the calf and the lion and the fatling together, and a little child shall lead them. The cow and the bear shall graze, their young shall lie down together; and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. The nursing child shall play over the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put its hand on the adder's den.
They will not hurt or destroy on all my holy mountain; for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea. On that day the root of Jesse shall stand as a signal to the peoples; the nations shall inquire of him, and his dwelling shall be glorious.
MUSIC Watchmen Tell Us of the Night, Aaron & Ben DeVries
What Wondrous Love is This, Hillbilly Thomists
What Child is This?, Allison Crowe
Image by Jacquelynne Kosmicki Pixabay.com
Anticipation, penitence, hope... it's the beginning of Advent!
READING
Matthew 24:36-44
Jesus said to the disciples, “But about that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. For as the days of Noah were, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noah entered the ark, and they knew nothing until the flood came and swept them all away, so too will be the coming of the Son of Man. Then two will be in the field; one will be taken and one will be left. Two women will be grinding meal together; one will be taken and one will be left. Keep awake therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. But understand this: if the owner of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour.”
MUSIC
Poor Wayfaring Stranger, Hayde Bluegrass Orchestra
Rejoice, the Lord is King, iMusico David
Sinners Like Me, Brother Timothy Clark
Christ is king, but what kind of king exactly and how does his reign inform our lives today?
READING
Colossians 1:11-20
May you be made strong with all the strength that comes from his glorious power, and may you be prepared to endure everything with patience, while joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light. He has rescued us from the power of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; for in him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers-- all things have been created through him and for him. He himself is before all things, and in him all things hold together. He is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he might come to have first place in everything. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him God was pleased to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, by making peace through the blood of his cross.
MUSIC
Soon and Very Soon, Les Petits Chanteurs de Montigny
Over In the Glory Land, Westwood Bluegrass Band
Come My Way, My Truth, My Light, Blackfriar Music
A weekly exploration of the message of Jesus and its meaning for our lives in the here and now
A weekly exploration of the message of Jesus and its meaning for our lives in the here and now
A weekly exploration of the message of Jesus and its meaning for our lives in the here and now
A weekly exploration of the message of Jesus and its meaning for our lives in the here and now
A weekly exploration of the message of Jesus and its meaning for our lives in the here and now
A weekly exploration of the message of Jesus and its meaning for our lives in the here and now
A weekly exploration of the message of Jesus and its meaning for our lives in the here and now
A weekly exploration of the message of Jesus and its meaning for our lives in the here and now
We may not be culpable for the systemic evil that surrounds us, but we are too often complicit.
READING
Amos 8:4-7
Hear this, you that trample on the needy, and bring to ruin the poor of the land,
saying, "When will the new moon be over so that we may sell grain;
and the sabbath, so that we may offer wheat for sale?
We will make the ephah small and the shekel great, and practice deceit with false balances,
buying the poor for silver and the needy for a pair of sandals, and selling the sweepings of the wheat."
The Lord has sworn by the pride of Jacob:
Surely I will never forget any of their deeds.
MUSIC
When the Saints Go Marching In, NOLA Brass Band
Ye Watchers and Ye Holy Ones, Yello Cello Music
Come My Way, My Truth, My Life, Blackfriar Music
A weekly exploration of the message of Jesus and its meaning for our lives in the here and now
A weekly exploration of the message of Jesus and its meaning for our lives in the here and now
A weekly exploration of the message of Jesus and its meaning for our lives in the here and now
We talk about how Jesus teaches to see the people and not the systems they're mired in that we might be agents of good and light.
READING
Luke 13:10-17
Now Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath. And just then there appeared a woman with a spirit that had crippled her for eighteen years. She was bent over and was quite unable to stand up straight. When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said, "Woman, you are set free from your ailment." When he laid his hands on her, immediately she stood up straight and began praising God. But the leader of the synagogue, indignant because Jesus had cured on the sabbath, kept saying to the crowd, "There are six days on which work ought to be done; come on those days and be cured, and not on the sabbath day." But the Lord answered him and said, "You hypocrites! Does not each of you on the sabbath untie his ox or his donkey from the manger, and lead it away to give it water? And ought not this woman, a daughter of Abraham whom Satan bound for eighteen long years, be set free from this bondage on the sabbath day?" When he said this, all his opponents were put to shame; and the entire crowd was rejoicing at all the wonderful things that he was doing.
MUSIC
The King of Love My Shepherd Is, IKON
Poor Wayfaring Stranger, Hayde Bluegrass Orchestra
What Wondrous Love is This, Sounds Like Reign
A weekly exploration of the message of Jesus and its meaning for our lives in the here and now
A weekly exploration of the message of Jesus and its meaning for our lives in the here and now
Letting go of our fears and anxieties is not just the path to a better way of life; it is the prerequisite of a society rooted in peace, justice, and abundance
READING
Luke 12:13-21
Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” Jesus replied, “Man, who appointed me a judge or an arbiter between you?” Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.” And he told them this parable: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’ “Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain. And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.”’ “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’ “This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.”
MUSIC
Bi Thusa Mo Shuile, Maire Brennan
Be Thou My Vision, Norton Hall Band
Shine For Me, Evie Sands
A weekly exploration of the message of Jesus and its meaning for our lives in the here and now
A weekly exploration of the message of Jesus and its meaning for our lives in the here and now
A weekly exploration of the message of Jesus and its meaning for our lives in the here and now
A weekly exploration of the message of Jesus and its meaning for our lives in the here and now
A weekly exploration of the message of Jesus and its meaning for our lives in the here and now
A weekly exploration of the message of Jesus and its meaning for our lives in the here and now
A weekly exploration of the message of Jesus and its meaning for our lives in the here and now
A weekly exploration of the message of Jesus and its meaning for our lives in the here and now
A weekly exploration of the message of Jesus and its meaning for our lives in the here and now
A weekly exploration of the message of Jesus and its meaning for our lives in the here and now
A weekly exploration of the message of Jesus and its meaning for our lives in the here and now
A weekly exploration of the message of Jesus and its meaning for our lives in the here and now
A weekly exploration of the message of Jesus and its meaning for our lives in the here and now
A weekly exploration of the message of Jesus and its meaning for our lives in the here and now
A weekly exploration of the message of Jesus and its meaning for our lives in the here and now
A weekly exploration of the message of Jesus and its meaning for our lives in the here and now
A weekly exploration of the message of Jesus and its meaning for our lives in the here and now
A weekly exploration of the message of Jesus and its meaning for our lives in the here and now
A weekly exploration of the message of Jesus and its meaning for our lives in the here and now
A weekly exploration of the message of Jesus and its meaning for our lives in the here and now
A weekly exploration of the message of Jesus and its meaning for our lives in the here and now
A weekly exploration of the message of Jesus and its meaning for our lives in the here and now
The love of God is strength for the journey that is life
READING
Psalm 63:1-8
O God, you are my God; eagerly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my flesh faints for you,
as in a barren and dry land where there is no water.
Therefore I have gazed upon you in your holy place, that I might behold your power and your glory.
For your loving-kindness is better than life itself; my lips shall give you praise.
So will I bless you as long as I live and lift up my hands in your Name.
My soul is content, as with marrow and fatness, and my mouth praises you with joyful lips,
When I remember you upon my bed, and meditate on you in the night watches.
For you have been my helper, and under the shadow of your wings I will rejoice.
My soul clings to you; your right hand holds me fast.
MUSIC
A Little Talk With Jesus; RH Harris and Soul Stirrers
Just As I Am, River Pointe Church
The King of Love My Shepherd Is, Ikon
In this third special episode during Lent we explore the spiritual practice of prayer. Be sure to check out our prayer practices page for more ideas on how to pray.
READING
Luke 11:1-13
Jesus was praying in a certain place, and after he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, "Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples." He said to them, "When you pray, say: Father, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone indebted to us. And do not bring us to the time of trial." And he said to them, "Suppose one of you has a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say to him, 'Friend, lend me three loaves of bread; for a friend of mine has arrived, and I have nothing to set before him.' And he answers from within, 'Do not bother me; the door has already been locked, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot get up and give you anything.' I tell you, even though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, at least because of his persistence he will get up and give him whatever he needs. "So I say to you, Ask, and it will be given you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. Is there anyone among you who, if your child asks for a fish, will give a snake instead of a fish? Or if the child asks for an egg, will give a scorpion? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"
MUSIC
Kumbaya, Mil Marie Mougeno
Pater Noster, Tudor Consort
Fix Me Jesus, Fools For Christ
A weekly exploration of the message of Jesus and its meaning for our lives in the here and now
A weekly exploration of the message of Jesus and its meaning for our lives in the here and now
A weekly exploration of the message of Jesus and its meaning for our lives in the here and now
A weekly exploration of the message of Jesus and its meaning for our lives in the here and now
A weekly exploration of the message of Jesus and its meaning for our lives in the here and now
O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?
We're talking death, resurrection, grief, and hope in the assurance of God's promises.
READING
1 Corinthians 15:35-38,42-50
Someone will ask, "How are the dead raised? With what kind of body do they come?" Fool! What you sow does not come to life unless it dies. And as for what you sow, you do not sow the body that is to be, but a bare seed, perhaps of wheat or of some other grain. But God gives it a body as he has chosen, and to each kind of seed its own body.
So it is with the resurrection of the dead. What is sown is perishable, what is raised is imperishable. It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power. It is sown a physical body, it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a physical body, there is also a spiritual body. Thus it is written, "The first man, Adam, became a living being"; the last Adam became a life-giving spirit. But it is not the spiritual that is first, but the physical, and then the spiritual. The first man was from the earth, a man of dust; the second man is from heaven. As was the man of dust, so are those who are of the dust; and as is the man of heaven, so are those who are of heaven. Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we will also bear the image of the man of heaven.
What I am saying, brothers and sisters, is this: flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable.
MUSIC
Oh Death, Emlyn Regan
Over in the Glory Land, Hillbilly Thomists
Swing Low, Sweet Chariot, Westwood Bluegrass Band
What brings joy in our lives; where can true peace, confidence, and hope be found?
READING
Jeremiah 17:5-10
Thus says the Lord:
Cursed are those who trust in mere mortals and make mere flesh their strength, whose hearts turn away from the Lord.
They shall be like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see when relief comes.
They shall live in the parched places of the wilderness, in an uninhabited salt land.
Blessed are those who trust in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord.
They shall be like a tree planted by water, sending out its roots by the stream.
It shall not fear when heat comes, and its leaves shall stay green;
in the year of drought it is not anxious, and it does not cease to bear fruit.
The heart is devious above all else; it is perverse-- who can understand it?
I the Lord test the mind and search the heart,
to give to all according to their ways, according to the fruit of their doings.
MUSIC
Be Thou My Vision, Jaimie Jorge
I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light, Union College Unionaires
Be Thou My Vision, Norton Hall Band
NOTES
Marie Kondo's website if you want to see what we're talking about
We don't need to go looking for God, God is present with us at all times. We only need eyes willing to see.
READING
Luke 5:1-11
Once while Jesus was standing beside the lake of Gennesaret, and the crowd was pressing in on him to hear the word of God, he saw two boats there at the shore of the lake; the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little way from the shore. Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat. When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, "Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch." Simon answered, "Master, we have worked all night long but have caught nothing. Yet if you say so, I will let down the nets." When they had done this, they caught so many fish that their nets were beginning to break. So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both boats, so that they began to sink. But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, "Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!" For he and all who were with him were amazed at the catch of fish that they had taken; and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. Then Jesus said to Simon, "Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching people." When they had brought their boats to shore, they left everything and followed him.
MUSIC
Poor Wayfaring Stanger, Hillbilly Thomists
Here is Love Vast as the Ocean, Abby Scott & Chris Eaton
Ol’ Saint Peter, Digital Primitives
How do we turn Christ's imperative to respond with love into concrete actions?
READING
1 Corinthians 13:1-13
If I speak in the tongues of mortals and of angels, but do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give away all my possessions, and if I hand over my body so that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.
Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. But as for prophecies, they will come to an end; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will come to an end. For we know only in part, and we prophesy only in part; but when the complete comes, the partial will come to an end. When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child; when I became an adult, I put an end to childish ways. For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then we will see face to face. Now I know only in part; then I will know fully, even as I have been fully known. And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love.
MUSIC
Lay Me Low, Jazzbanjorex
What Wondrous Love Is This? Sounds Like Reign
We Need Love, The Relatives
NOTES
Deeyah Khan produced two documentary films, White Right: Meeting the Enemy and Jihad: A Story of the Others (both of which are currently streaming on Netflix). Here is the Vox article on Khan and her films.
What is the role of scripture in our lives and what should our relationship with the Bible look like?
READING
Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10
All the people of Israel gathered together into the square before the Water Gate. They told the scribe Ezra to bring the book of the law of Moses, which the Lord had given to Israel. Accordingly, the priest Ezra brought the law before the assembly, both men and women and all who could hear with understanding. This was on the first day of the seventh month. He read from it facing the square before the Water Gate from early morning until midday, in the presence of the men and the women and those who could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive to the book of the law. And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people, for he was standing above all the people; and when he opened it, all the people stood up. Then Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God, and all the people answered, "Amen, Amen," lifting up their hands. Then they bowed their heads and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground. So they read from the book, from the law of God, with interpretation. They gave the sense, so that the people understood the reading.
And Nehemiah, who was the governor, and Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, "This day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn or weep." For all the people wept when they heard the words of the law. Then he said to them, "Go your way, eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions of them to those for whom nothing is prepared, for this day is holy to our Lord; and do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength."
MUSIC
Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken, St. Paul's Chamber Choir, conducted by John Smedstad
Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God, The VGK-Sarepta Children Choir at Bellville SDA Church
Jesus Loves Me, Jeremy Camp feat. Bonnie Lancaster
image from lightstock.com
Collects, the brief prayers usually heard at the beginning of a service are short statements packed with a lot of meaning and purpose for God's people.
"READING"
Collect for the Second Sunday after the Epiphany Book of Common Prayer
Almighty God, whose Son our Savior Jesus Christ is the light of the world: Grant that your people, illumined by your Word and Sacraments, may shine with the radiance of Christ's glory, that he may be known, worshipped, and obeyed to the ends of the earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
MUSIC
Slane (Instrumental), Bobby Horton
Collect, Tudor Consort
Come My Way, My Truth, My Life, Blackfriar Music
We look at the 29th psalm and the role of suffering in our lives
READING
Psalm 29
Ascribe to God, you heavenly beings, ascribe to God glory and strength.
Ascribe due honor to God’s holy Name; worship the Most High in the beauty of holiness.
The voice of God is upon the waters; the God of glory thunders; God is upon the mighty waters.
The voice of God is a powerful voice; the voice of God is a voice of splendor.
The voice of God breaks the cedar trees; God breaks the cedars of Lebanon;
God makes Lebanon skip like a calf and Mount Hermon like a young wild ox.
The voice of God splits the flames of fire; the voice of God shakes the wilderness; God shakes the wilderness of Kadesh.
The voice of God makes the oak trees writhe and strips the forests bare.
And in the temple of the Holy One, all are crying, “Glory!”
God sits enthroned above the flood, enthroned as Sovereign for evermore.
God shall give strength to the people; God shall give the people the blessing of peace.
from the St Helena Psalter
MUSIC
Frustration with Skype, Jon White
Star in the East, Rose Ensemble
How Great Thou Art, Lauren Daigle
Wade in the Water, Roger McGuinn
The Epiphany is bold reminder about what's important and meaningful to God.
READING
Matthew 2:1-12
In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, "Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage." When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They told him, "In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet:
“And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel.”
Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, "Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage." When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.
MUSIC
We Three King, RTists for Christmas
Watchmen Tell us of the Night, Aaron & Ben DeVries
The King of Love My Shepherd Is, IKON
Through Jesus, in faith, we are called to relationship, community, and unity
READING
Galatians 3:23 - 4:7
Now before faith came, we were imprisoned and guarded under the law until faith would be revealed. Therefore the law was our disciplinarian until Christ came, so that we might be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer subject to a disciplinarian, for in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith.
As many of you as were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus. And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to the promise.
My point is this: heirs, as long as they are minors, are no better than slaves, though they are the owners of all the property; but they remain under guardians and trustees until the date set by the father. So with us; while we were minors, we were enslaved to the elemental spirits of the world. But when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, in order to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as children. And because you are children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!" So you are no longer a slave but a child, and if a child then also an heir, through God.
MUSIC
Go Tell It On The Mountain, Roger McGuinn
I Saw Three Ships, Ben DeVries
All Who Love and Serve Your City, Erik & Elisa Dunkin
It's our Christmas episode! Join us as we celebrate the coming of God in vulnerability and love.
READING
Isaiah 9:2-7
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light;
those who lived in a land of deep darkness--on them light has shined.
You have multiplied the nation, you have increased its joy;
they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as people exult when dividing plunder.
For the yoke of their burden, and the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian.
For all the boots of the tramping warriors and all the garments rolled in blood
shall be burned as fuel for the fire.
For a child has been born for us, a son given to us;
authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
His authority shall grow continually, and there shall be endless peace
for the throne of David and his kingdom. He will establish and uphold it
with justice and with righteousness from this time onward and forevermore.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.
MUSIC
Ho Ho So Merrily, Some Serious Folk and the Pernicious Pennywhistle
What Child Is This? Allison Crowe
Go Tell It On The Mountain, Roger McGuin
Christ's invitation is to change ourselves so that together, we might change the world.
READING
Micah 5:2-5a
You, O Bethlehem of Ephrathah,
who are one of the little clans of Judah,
from you shall come forth for me
one who is to rule in Israel,
whose origin is from of old,
from ancient days.
Therefore he shall give them up until the time
when she who is in labor has brought forth;
then the rest of his kindred shall return
to the people of Israel.
And he shall stand and feed his flock in the strength of the Lord,
in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God.
And they shall live secure, for now he shall be great
to the ends of the earth;
and he shall be the one of peace
MUSIC
Hyfrodol
Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silent, Donald McCullough & Master Chorale of Washington
In the Bleak Midwinter, Lily & Madeleine
In this season of Advent we're invited to stop and really think about how our faith is translated into our everyday lives.
READING
Luke 3:7-18
John said to the crowds that came out to be baptized by him, "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruits worthy of repentance. Do not begin to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our ancestor'; for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. Even now the ax is lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire."
And the crowds asked him, "What then should we do?" In reply he said to them, "Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none; and whoever has food must do likewise." Even tax collectors came to be baptized, and they asked him, "Teacher, what should we do?" He said to them, "Collect no more than the amount prescribed for you." Soldiers also asked him, "And we, what should we do?" He said to them, "Do not extort money from anyone by threats or false accusation, and be satisfied with your wages."
As the people were filled with expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Messiah, John answered all of them by saying, "I baptize you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire."
So, with many other exhortations, he proclaimed the good news to the people.
MUSIC
Come Ye Sinners, Poor and Needy, Reawaken Music (Nathan Drake)
Sinners Like Me, Brother Timothy Clark
Gabriel’s Message, Good Shepherd Band
The new life we're called to isn't in heaven, it's today, tomorrow and the day after that too.
READING
Baruch 5:1-9
Take off the garment of your sorrow and affliction, O Jerusalem, and put on forever the beauty of the glory from God.
Put on the robe of the righteousness that comes from God;put on your head the diadem of the glory of the Everlasting;
for God will show your splendor everywhere under heaven. For God will give you evermore the name, "Righteous Peace, Godly Glory."
Arise, O Jerusalem, stand upon the height; look toward the east, and see your children gathered from west and east at the word of the Holy One, rejoicing that God has remembered them.
For they went out from you on foot, led away by their enemies; but God will bring them back to you, carried in glory, as on a royal throne.
For God has ordered that every high mountain and the everlasting hills be made low and the valleys filled up, to make level ground, so that Israel may walk safely in the glory of God.
The woods and every fragrant tree have shaded Israel at God's command.
For God will lead Israel with joy, in the light of his glory, with the mercy and righteousness that come from him.
MUSIC
We’re Marching to Zion, Gary Chapman
Fix Me Jesus, Fools For Christ
Over in the Glory Land, Westwood Bluegrass Band
Troubles are going to come; Jesus calls on us to hold fast to faith as they do and to live in the kingdom anyway.
Reading
Luke 21:25-36
Jesus said, "There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on the earth distress among nations confused by the roaring of the sea and the waves. People will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see 'the Son of Man coming in a cloud' with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near."
Then he told them a parable: "Look at the fig tree and all the trees; as soon as they sprout leaves you can see for yourselves and know that summer is already near. So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.
"Be on guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life, and that day catch you unexpectedly, like a trap. For it will come upon all who live on the face of the whole earth. Be alert at all times, praying that you may have the strength to escape all these things that will take place, and to stand before the Son of Man."
Music
Come Thou Long Expected Jesus, Reawaken Music
What Wondrous Love is This? Hillbilly Thomists
Come Ye Sinners, Norton Hall Band
We're marking Christ the King Sunday and asking; what does it mean that Christ is our Lord?
READING
John 18:33-37
Pilate entered the headquarters again, summoned Jesus, and asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus answered, “Do you ask this on your own, or did others tell you about me?” Pilate replied, “I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests have handed you over to me. What have you done?” Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not from this world. If my kingdom were from this world, my followers would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here.” Pilate asked him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.”
MUSIC
The King of Love My shepherd Is, IKON
Wade in the Water, Ike Ndolo
Kumbaya, Mil Marie Mougeno
Jesus continually reminds us that putting our faith in human built things means trusting in what is bound to disappoint and fail
Reading
Mark 13:1-8
As Jesus came out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Look, Teacher, what large stones and what large buildings!” Then Jesus asked him, “Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone will be left here upon another; all will be thrown down.”
When he was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked him privately, “Tell us, when will this be, and what will be the sign that all these things are about to be accomplished?” Then Jesus began to say to them, “Beware that no one leads you astray. Many will come in my name and say, ‘I am he!’ and they will lead many astray. When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed; this must take place, but the end is still to come. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be earthquakes in various places; there will be famines. This is but the beginning of the birth pangs.”
Music
Rock of Ages, Reawaken Music
Holy, Holy, Holy, Norton Hall Band
Christ the Lord is Risen Today, Spirit Juice
Show Links
Adam Hamilton
Rather than sacrificing to God, we are invited into sacrificial service for God's creation
READING
Mark 12:38-44
As Jesus taught, he said, “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, and to have the best seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets! They devour widows’ houses and for the sake of appearance say long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.”
He sat down opposite the treasury, and watched the crowd putting money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which are worth a penny. Then he called his disciples and said to them, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury. For all of them have contributed out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.”
MUSIC
‘Tis the Gift to Be Simple, Sabbathday Lake, ME Shaker community
Amazing Grace, Kevin MacLeod
Come Ye Sinners Poor and Needy, Reawaken Music
We're marking All Saints, the day we especially remember that in Christ, the barrier between life and death is dissolved. Plus, a special All Saints Litany.
READING
Deuteronomy 6:1-9
Moses said: Now this is the commandment--the statutes and the ordinances--that the Lord your God charged me to teach you to observe in the land that you are about to cross into and occupy, so that you and your children and your children's children, may fear the Lord your God all the days of your life, and keep all his decrees and his commandments that I am commanding you, so that your days may be long. Hear therefore, O Israel, and observe them diligently, so that it may go well with you, and so that you may multiply greatly in a land flowing with milk and honey, as the Lord, the God of your ancestors, has promised you.
Hear, O Israel: The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might. Keep these words that I am commanding you today in your heart. Recite them to your children and talk about them when you are at home and when you are away, when you lie down and when you rise. Bind them as a sign on your hand, fix them as an emblem on your forehead, and write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.
MUSIC
Jerusalem, J Michael Thompson · The Schola Cantorum of St. Peter's in the Loop
O Sons and Daughters (O filii et filiae), Daughters of Mary
God Be Merciful Unto Us, Guildford Cathedral Choir, directed by Barry Rose
For All the Saints, Christopher Miner
You can find a copy of the St Stephen and Incarnation church Litany here
Jesus asks what can he do for us - the only limit is the boundary of our faith
READING
Mark 10:46-52
Jesus and his disciples came to Jericho. As he and his disciples and a large crowd were leaving Jericho, Bartimaeus son of Timaeus, a blind beggar, was sitting by the roadside. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Many sternly ordered him to be quiet, but he cried out even more loudly, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” Jesus stood still and said, “Call him here.” And they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take heart; get up, he is calling you.” So throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus. Then Jesus said to him, “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man said to him, “My teacher, let me see again.” Jesus said to him, “Go; your faith has made you well.” Immediately he regained his sight and followed him on the way.
MUSIC
Leaning On The Everlasting Arms, Hillbilly Thomists
Fix Me, Jesus, Fools for Christ
Amazing Grace, Kevin MacLeod
Grace, Fully, Wildlight
Everyone has a role in the body of Christ, what's yours?
READING
Hebrews 5:1-10
Every high priest chosen from among mortals is put in charge of things pertaining to God on their behalf, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. He is able to deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is subject to weakness; and because of this he must offer sacrifice for his own sins as well as for those of the people. And one does not presume to take this honor, but takes it only when called by God, just as Aaron was.
So also Christ did not glorify himself in becoming a high priest, but was appointed by the one who said to him, “You are my Son, today I have begotten you”; as he says also in another place, “You are a priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek.”
In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to the one who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. Although he was a Son, he learned obedience through what he suffered; and having been made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him, having been designated by God a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek.
MUSIC
Just As I Am, River Pointe Church
Jesus Calls Us O’er the Tumult, St George Winyah Episcopal Church
All Who Love And Serve Your City, Erik & Elisa Dunkin