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April 14, 2025Today's Reading: John 12:1-23Daily Lectionary: Exodus 9:1-28; Lamentations 1:1-22; Hebrews 2:1-18“When the large crowd of the Jews learned that Jesus was there, they came, not only on account of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. So the chief priests made plans to put Lazarus to death as well,” (John 12:9-10)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.“He is Risen! He is Risen, indeed! Alleluia! Amen!” is a common response that we proclaim regarding the resurrection of Christ. Usually, this response is reserved for Easter Sunday and the seasons following Easter, and when the Sunday of Transfiguration arrives, we bury the Alleluias until Easter Sunday. The Monday of Easter draws our attention to another resurrection—the resurrection of Lazarus. Three times in John 12:1-23 Lazarus' resurrection is mentioned. Lazarus' resurrection was problematic. Everyone knew Lazarus had died and had been dead for four days in the tomb. He was not just dead but dead, dead, dead, dead. He was four days dead. Now, Lazarus is alive. He is alive and eating, and speaking, and living! The local church leaders had a problem with the resurrection of Lazarus. The chief priests need to kill Lazarus, too. He needed to die again. Our world around us does not want the resurrection. In sin, the world pursues the desires of the flesh. Philosophies advocate that we have one life and only one life, so we had better get out of it all we can before we die. The world teaches us to pursue the desires of the flesh. The world teaches you to serve yourself. The world teaches you that you are your own god. The Old Adam in us relishes those temptations and wages war with the New Man in Christ daily.You, too, have already died and will die. The old Adam is drowned daily in the waters of Baptism, and you will breathe your last breath of air at some point. You, too, have already been resurrected and will be resurrected from the dead. In Your Baptism, the New Man in Christ is resurrected. When Christ returns in all of His glory, you will be resurrected from the dead just as Christ came out of the tomb. We live in that tension of being dead and resurrected each day. On the Last Day, we know that just as Lazarus was called from the tomb, we, too, will rise from the dead. We will rise from the dead like Lazarus because Christ conquered death in His resurrection.In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.Almighty God, grant that in the midst of our failures and weaknesses we may be restored through the passion and intercession of Your only-begotten Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. (Collect for Monday of Holy Week)-Rev. Timothy Davis, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Athens, GA.Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.Visit the timeless rhythms of the Christian life with award-winning author Harold L. Senkbeil. As he addresses the concerns and pressures of the world today, you'll discover that even while the world is dying, Christ's death brings about life. True life. One that He offers to you. Order Now!
Summer Holidays!Lenten Hymns are my main preoccupation at the moment. I have a special bunch of Masses around the feast of the Annunciation this year.Turns out there are quite a few arrangements of Audi Benigne Conditor on CPDL.org, some of them for 3 parts and designed to alternate with the chant. I love this hymn. It's one I didn't know back when I assembled A New Book of Old Hymns.Back to the Little Office, January is still Christmas time or Office 3. The feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary, now known as the Presentation of Jesus, 2nd February is the last day for Office 3. The beginning of the changeover to Office 1 comes at the end of Compline. Instead of finishing with the Christmas antiphon Alma Redemptoris, you change to the next antiphon, Ave Regina Caelorum. Then the next hour, Matins, is Office 1.I often describe Ave Regina Caelorum as the Lenten antiphon, though that isn't strictly accurate. Purification to Sacred Triduum is a better description, but it's a bit more wordy. So this change doesn't catapult us into Lent or even Septuagesima. Septuagesima Sunday falls on 16 February this year, so your last Alleluias happen at None of Saturday 15 February. From Vespers Saturday 15 February, use the “Laus tibi Domine” options.With regard to my own Little Office PDFs and reprints, a keen reader found that I had left out the third collect for Compline, so that has been remedied. The up to date PDFs are always at https://littleoffice.brandt.id.au/#bookletsSomeone else noticed that a shop description of my truncated Benziger Brothers Little Office had a misleading description. It is a bit confusing. I have four variations of the Benziger 1915 Little Office:* The Little Office of the Blessed Virgin Mary - 257 pages, paperback - lulu or shop.jubil.us* Little Office of the Blessed Virgin Mary with Office of the Dead - 433 pages, paperback - lulu or shop.jubil.us* Little Office of the Blessed Virgin Mary, 1915 - 257 pages, hardcover - lulu or shop.jubil.us* The Little Office of the Blessed Virgin Mary, 1915, blue hardback - 257 pages, hardcover - lulu or shop.jubil.usSo only one of the four gives you the complete book with the extra commemorations and the Office of the Dead. The other three have been shortened to just the Little Office and they share a listing on Shop Jubilus - there's a drop down menu there to select which one you're after.As the school year resumes here in Australia, I have a new list of projects to work on:* a course on singing Roman Compline according to the 1962 rubrics* a video (or two) going through the rubrics section of the Benziger 1915 Little Office book* an explanation of how to sing PsalmsThese are responses to queries from kind readers like you. I live in a lovely bubble where I can go to the Latin Mass on Sundays and sometimes even on weekdays. My family sings Compline together most evenings. I've learned so much about chant over the past two decades, often volunteering for things way over my head - you don't know what you don't know. When you ask questions, it helps me reflect on my assumptions and track down the reasons for how I sing.It's still frustrating that a conventional Catholic education completely overlooks these aspects of the treasures of Catholic music. But again, you don't know what you don't know. It's by learning and passing on this information that one day maybe a good majority of Catholics will be able to sing together confidently, transcending boundaries of age and language with timeless repertoire. It will take a while for our Catholic education systems to catch on.So, I hope this message finds you well. Let's pray for each other that we may accomplish our goals in 2025!God bless. Get full access to Little Office of the Blessed Virgin Mary at littleoffice.substack.com/subscribe
Dementia practitioner Mary Anne Oglesby-Sutherly is on a mission to transform the landscape of dementia care. As co-founder of Veranda Ministries, a 501(c)3, Mary Anne has spent two decades telling the stories of people dealing with dementia. Supporting dementia caregivers is her gift, and helping them to remember their person's legacy is a top priority. Mary Anne got her start as a family practice nurse, and is now a Certified Dementia Practitioner as well as holding a triple certification as a PAC trainer, consultant, and coach in Teepa Snow's “Positive Approach to Care” (PAC). As the host of the highly acclaimed podcast, “Aging Angst and Alleluias,” Mary Anne provides invaluable support, education, and encouragement to care partners navigating the intricate journey of dementia care. The care Mary Anne and her team provide through Veranda Ministries recalls the personhood of their patients, validating who they are and promoting their dignity. What an amazing work and life legacy Mary Anne is creating for herself and her family. Here's how you can connect with Veranda Ministries: www.theverandaministries.org Proactive Perspective in Dementia Care Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61553996411093 Veranda Ministries Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheVerandaMinistries Veranda's Hidden Heroes Private Support Group on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/groups/1851833391499391 Listen to the Aging Angst and Alleluias podcast here. Find all the resources that Barbara Karnes has to offer at bkbooks.com. Purchase the End of Life Guideline Series Bundle here. Find Barbara's new booklet Always Offer, Never Force: Food at the End of Life here. Read Barbara's blog here. Connect with Barbara Karnes on social media: Facebook Insta LinkedIn Twitter Pinterest YouTube Order your copies of The Hospice Care Plan: A Path to Comfort here, now available in English and Spanish! Check out the free library of video tutorials from the creators of The Hospice Care Plan hospice nurses Nancy Heyerman and Brenda Kizzire here. Read more about Nancy and Brenda and their mission to improve hospice care here. Find Odonata Care on social media: Facebook YouTube IG TikTok Hospice Navigation Services is here for you. If you have questions about hospice care or need to troubleshoot the care you're already receiving, book a session with an expert Hospice Navigator at theheartofhospice.com. Book podcast host Helen Bauer to speak at your event or conference by sending an email to helen@theheartofhospice.com.
In this beautiful hymn written especially for the 2nd Sunday of Easter, John of Damascus proclaims that the rescue that God gave to Israel through the Exodus has been fulfilled in the rescue God has given to us through the resurrection of Jesus. The winter of sin and death has come to an end; new life has risen in Christ. For this reason, the faithful join together to sing the praises of the Lord Jesus as they gather to receive from Him the precious feast of HIs Supper. This brings the same peace to us today as the Lord once gave to His disciples in the locked room where they were hidden in fear. In that peace, we sing our “Alleluias” to our immortal King eternally. Find this hymn at hymnary.org/hymn/LSB2006/487. Rev. Carl Roth, pastor at Grace Lutheran Church in Elgin, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Lutheran Service Book #487, “Come, You Faithful, Raise the Strain.” Sharper Iron, hosted by Rev. Timothy Appel, looks at the text of Holy Scripture both in its broad context and its narrow detail, all for the sake of proclaiming Christ crucified and risen for sinners. Two pastors engage with God's Word to sharpen not only their own faith and knowledge, but the faith and knowledge of all who listen.
April 14, 2024Today's Reading: Luke 24:36-49Daily Lectionary: Exodus 32:15-35, Luke 6:39-49“See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me, and see. For a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.” And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. And while they still disbelieved for joy and were marveling, he said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?” (St. Luke 24:39–41)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. “Have you anything here to eat?” That's the strangest thing ever to hear from the Risen Lord after the resurrection, isn't it? But He has a good reason to ask: “a spirit does not have flesh and bones.”This Jesus that appears to the disciples (hidden away behind locked doors, no less!) isn't some spiritual apparition. He isn't a figment of their imaginations. He stands before them in the flesh, and, as we all know, you have to eat to live in this world. The risen Jesus needed to eat just as much as you do, because He is a real, living person.And that is the comfort in these words. That Jesus, risen from the dead—the one who bore all your sins in His body, who died a horrible death upon His cross, who descended into Hell and came back, who conquered death, who rose from the dead and lives even now—needed a snack. Even in His resurrection, He identifies so closely with His creatures, He is still so completely man (while being completely God) that He eats with his closest friends.Truth be told, He kind of has to; because they are still a bit unsure if this is all real. St. Luke says they “disbelieved for joy.” That is, they were so absolutely stunned and overjoyed to see Jesus again that they couldn't believe their good fortune. You know how that works, right? You get news about something that is so astounding and so earthshaking that you can't believe it is real, even as you jump for joy upon hearing the news.How does Jesus calm them down and remind them that He is indeed with them in the flesh? By eating with them. By doing the most human thing possible; sharing a meal with those He loves. Don't forget in this Easter season of glory and Alleluias that your Lord Jesus needed to eat because He became man for you; to bear your sin, to wash you with His blood, to fulfill God's Law for you, and ultimately to make a place for you at His eternal table. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.O God, through the humiliation of Your Son You raised up the fallen world. Grant to Your faithful people, rescued from the peril of everlasting death, perpetual gladness and eternal joys; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. (Collect for the Third Sunday of Easter)- Pastor Duane Bamsch is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church in Grass Valley, CA.Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, Ky.A Complete Guide to Christian Symbols This collection of over 600 hand-drawn Christian symbols by artist and author Edward Riojas will teach you the extensive history of the imagery of the Church. Each symbol is a beautiful and historical connection to generations of Christians that have worshiped before you. A Complete Guide to Christian Symbols. Now available from Concordia Publishing House.
And the Bells are back! As are the Alleluias of course. Here's the music listened to with Nick and Tim on this week's episode of the Liturgical Looking Glass 1. Alleluia from Mozart's Exsultate Jubilate sung by Anna Moffo (1958 recording) 2. The Introit for this Sunday Sung by Stefan Ansinger O.P. & Alexandre Frezzato O.P. 3. Hans Leo Hassler: "Christ Ist Erstanden" • mixed choir, a cappella 4. J.S. Bach: Christ ist erstanden, BWV 627 · Simon Preston 5. Traditionnel: Dimanche de Quasimodo - Communion: Mitte manum tuam · Choeur des moines de l'Abbaye de Solesmes · Dom Joseph Gajard 6. James MacMillan's Strathclyde Motet sung by The Sixteen with Harry Christophers from the album Bright Orb of Harmony 7. William Byrd's setting of the Ave Maria, with an appended Alleluia from Stile Antico 8. Vivaldi's Credo, the movement Et Incarnatus est, from the album Gloria, performed by Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir · Tallinn Chamber Orchestra 9. Hallelujah Chorus from Handel's Messiah 10. Regina Caeli from the Nuns of St Cecilia's Abbey
This joyous Easter hymn resounds with Alleluias at what our Lord Jesus has done in His resurrection. His victory over death and the grave is made ours by His grace. His suffering on the cross has redeemed us from all that we lost under sin. His sufferings, death, and resurrection have won our salvation, which is ours eternally because He reigns forever. As His love for us is eternal, so our praises to Him are eternal as we sing to the Triune God with all the heavenly host forever. Find this hymn at hymnary.org/hymn/LSB2006/457. Rev. Philip Hoppe, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Colby, KS, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Lutheran Service Book #457, “Jesus Christ Is Risen Today.”
Easter is the day of Alleluias, which just means "Praise the Lord!" The good news of Easter is that all people can be made alive in Christ, who died and rose again. "Christ being raised from the dead will never die again. Death no longer has dominion over him!" Easter is not just a celebration of Christ's resurrection, but also a celebration of our resurrection in Christ.
Lent was a season of "burying the alleluias". With Christ's resurrection, we have the best reason to sing ALLELUIA!
This Sunday's message, "The Feet" by Josh, was recorded on Sunday the 24th of March 2024.This message is the fifth in our series, "From Ashes to Alleluias" as we head towards Easter.This week's Communion talk by Jason has also been included in this podcast.Please reach out to us if you have any feedback.For more information, visit www.westcitychurch.com.au©Westcity Church 2024
This Sunday's message, "The Silver" by Ky, was recorded on Sunday the 17th of March 2024.This message is the fourth in our series, "From Ashes to Alleluias" as we head towards Easter.Trigger warning: there is a reference to Judas' suicide.This week's Communion talk by Ash has also been included in this podcast.Please reach out to us if you have any feedback.For more information, visit www.westcitychurch.com.au©Westcity Church 2024
This Sunday's message, "In the Waiting: Lessons from Lent" by Kelley, was recorded on Sunday the 10th of March 2024.This message is the third in our series, "From Ashes to Alleluias" as we head towards Easter.This week's Communion talk by Naomi has also been included in this podcast.Please reach out to us if you have any feedback.For more information, visit www.westcitychurch.com.au©Westcity Church 2024
This Sunday's message, "The Hidden Triumph of the Cross" by Kathleen, was recorded on Sunday the 3rd of March 2024.This message is the second one in our new series, "From Ashes to Alleluias" as we head towards Easter.This week's Communion talk by Sally has also been included in this podcast.Please reach out to us if you have any feedback.For more information, visit www.westcitychurch.com.au©Westcity Church 2024
This Sunday's message, "Jesus Enters the Temple" by Theo, was recorded on Sunday the 25th of February 2024.This message is the first one in our new series, "From Ashes to Alleluias" as we head towards Easter. This week's Communion talk by Phil has also been included in this podcast.Please reach out to us if you have any feedback.For more information, visit www.westcitychurch.com.au©Westcity Church 2024
Norman Mellish preaches on the events surrounding the return of Christ to earth as recorded in Revelation Ch 19 – the 4 Alleluias, the marriage of the Lamb, the battle of Armageddon, the beast and the false prophet cast into the lake of fire, and the judgement of the living nations – all of which precede the inauguration of the 1,000 reign of Christ in His kingdom. (Message preached in Stark Road Gospel Hall, Livonia, MI, USA, 24th Oct 1998) The post The Worship, the Wedding, the War (27 min) first appeared on Gospel Hall Audio.
So that I don't assume that everyone has heard the news. On Monday night I announced my resignation to the Vestry. My last Sunday in the serving all of you will Next Sunday, May 28th. The last service I will participate in is the Worship night on May 31st. In June, I will take my vacation and use that as a time of transition. I apologize if this is the first time you are hearing about this. But let me take the moment to say that if this is the case, you really do need to sign up for our mailchimp email correspondence through our website. With that being said, I know that the question on everyone's mind, is why?I have taken a position Middleburg, Florida a suburb of the Jacksonville area. The church is called Good Samaritan Anglican Church. It is a part of the Gulf Atlantic Diocese of the Anglican Church in North America. When you look up the church you will see that it is smaller than St. Barnabas and I know you will ask again, why?This is a fair question and one that can only be answered by saying Susan and I both feel that this is God's call for us and for our family. Not to go would be disobedience to the direction of God's purpose and plan for us. ...They followed Him. Surrendered in worship and God began to lead them to accomplish all that He had prepared in advance for them to do. They followed where God led, how God led, and when God led and God work in unimaginable ways that the nations of the world would come to see and hear they invitation of God's great love in Jesus through them. They Listened and heard Jesus Speak. They Surrendered in worshiped and prayer and God prepared them. They followed God's leading and were filled with the Holy Spirit; The presence, the Power, and the Purposes of God. And you and I are here today because they choose to be obedient to they path God placed before them.I know for many there are all kinds of emotions yet to be processed. But I hope you will be encouraged to listen to God speak, Surrender to him in worship and prayer, follow where God leads and you will experience God unimaginable power, presence, and purposes remaining alive and well here at St. Barnabas and in your own lives you will see experience God doing a new work in you that is greater than anything you could think or imagine for His sake and for His glory.Listen, Surrender, and Follow I promise as you turn around and see where and what God has done, the Alleluias will resound. Amen. Support the show
The first episode since Lent, Nick and Tim celebrate the Alleluias once more.
He is risen! This Easter Sunday, Dean Peet reminds us that our cries for salvation are fully met in the risen Christ.
The Door is locked out of fear. Who are they afraid of? The Religious Authorities? Or is it Jesus? In truth, Easter absorbs both the joy and triumph as well as the fear and disbelief, and is irreducible to just one experience of it. It would be easier if Easter were only the trumpet blasts and Alleluias. Or, it might even be easier if Easter were only fear and disbelief. But Easter is all of this, it holds all of it, even the contradictory emotions, and makes them one. - In Easter, Jesus is called “Teacher,” “Lord,” and “My God.” What do each of these titles mean? Is he teacher, Lord, and God? What does it mean to my life if he is all of these things? - Doubt is the pathway to faith. When we doubt, we probe, question, and search. How do you experience doubt?
John 20:19-31When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors on 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 them, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my fingers in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.”A week later, his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt, but believe.” Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.”Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in his book. But these are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name. This day when the story of Thomas comes up for us – a week after The Big Day of Easter's celebration – is always so timely. I don't want to rain on what is still supposed to be our Easter parade, but just look at what has happened since we last gathered – or what has not happened, as the case may be – death and its grief are still around. Loved ones are still sick. That war still rages. It snowed on Easter Monday and Netflix is probably going to start adding commercials, for crying out loud!It's no wonder so many still struggle to believe what we celebrated so beautifully and with so much joy, just a week ago.If our faith is only – or mostly – or too precariously – wrapped up in the happy, happy, joy, joy stuff of Easter lilies, chocolate bunnies, and easy Alleluias, faith and belief can be a hard sell to anyone who's paying attention to the world around them.It's why I love that Thomas wanted to see scars, wounds, clotted blood and bruises to know the story of Jesus was true.I'm sure it drove the other disciples crazy that he wouldn't take their word for it; that he demanded his own proof; that he wanted to see for himself; that he doubted. We know people like this, don't we? Maybe we are – or have been – like those disciples … the ones who just want someone in our life to have the kind of faith we have, on our good days, anyway. Or maybe we are – or have been – like Thomas, who just doesn't buy it, who asks hard questions no one can answer, who needs more proof or more evidence or more whatever.And why would Thomas, why should he have believed the disciples, anyway? We all know they were a bunch of knuckleheads, really. Deserters … Deniers … Doubters just as seriously as Thomas was, himself. They'd fallen asleep on Jesus in the garden, remember. Peter had pretended not to know him. Time and time again, right along with Thomas, the other disciples mistook his teaching or misunderstood the prophets or missed the point altogether.At the very moment we read about in this Gospel story, it seems like they were still hiding in that room for some reason. Why are you still locked up and hidden away a week after the Son of God has been raised from the dead and then showed up to tell you about it? What in the world were they still afraid of? I wouldn't have believed them, either.So I wondered this time around if Thomas' doubts were about more than just the facts of the resurrection. Like I said, I like that Thomas wanted to see scars, wounds, clotted blood and bruises to know that the story of Jesus was true.I wonder if his need for that particular kind of proof was more than just about forensic evidence. I mean, I kind of doubt that Thomas was counting the stripes or measuring the holes to see if they matched the size of the spikes they used on Friday, or that he was looking for specific type of splinter in the brow of Jesus.What if he really wanted to know that the suffering was as real as the resurrection? What if he really wanted to confirm that this was the kind of God they were dealing with? What if he needed to see and touch and feel for himself – not just that Jesus had come back to life – but that the God of the universe had really gone to such lengths … had really suffered so mightily … had actually sacrificed and bled and died, as he said he would, for the sake of these people; and for the sake of the world; for Thomas, himself?“Unless I put my fingers in the marks of the nails… and my hands in his sides, I won't believe.” What I mean is, Thomas didn't want to hear Jesus' voice or ask him some questions. He wanted evidence of the suffering he'd endured. And that seems meaningful to me.That, to me, is as hard to believe as any of this, honestly. That the God of the universe would suffer like that… that power is made perfect in weakness… that mercy is mighty, somehow… that sacrifice is the way, in this selfish world… that humility matters in a world of egos… that the last will be first and the first will be last in a world that convinces us to win at all costs.“This is not how gods behave,” Thomas might have thought. This is not how the world works, we all know. This goes against the grain and against the way we've been trained to be in every other realm of our lives. So, I need to see it, to touch it, to feel the Truth of it before I'll stake my life – let alone my intellectual assent – on it for one more moment.“Unless I touch the wounds …” “Unless I see the marks …” “Unless I feel the fullness of what I've been told to believe… How can I buy it? How would I follow it? Why would I dare to live that way?” It makes no sense.It makes me think of anyone we admire who has chosen to live selflessly and sacrificially for the sake of the world and others in it – and who has the wounds to prove it. Mahatma Gandhi who was assassinated for living a life of non-violent protest and resistance to colonialism and civil rights abuses in India. Dietrich Bonhoeffer who was martyred opposing the Nazis during World War II. Martin Luther King, Jr., who gave his life for the sake of civil rights in our own country. Mother Teresa who gave it all up to love orphans, care for lepers, feed the hungry, comfort the dying. These are the extremes of course … the martyrs and the saints … but there are others, we know, closer to home. Someone who is generous “to a fault” as they say, but who is also content in ways that are enviable;Someone who has more than enough, not because they're rich, but because they've decided for themselves what “enough” means for them;Someone who is happy with themselves and their life in the world, even if they have some wounds to show for their faithfulness.Don't you know people like that? Don't you know someone who has given up something for somebody else in a way that has changed their own life – or that someone else's life – for the better, because they wanted to, not because they had to? Even when it was hard? Even if it hurt? Even if it left a wound or two behind?I think of the foster parents… the missionaries… the kidney donors; I think of the single moms and dads… the grandparents who do more than their share… every volunteer who puts in more time than it seems they could possibly have… the tithers.This is the good news and the holy challenge of an Easter faith. And it can be so hard to believe sometimes that, like Thomas, we have to see it, touch it, feel it to believe that God's ways are different; that God's love is counter-cultural; that God's grace is unlimited; that sacrifice and generosity are, actually, the way; that death leads to life; that giving and loving, that living and dying – like Jesus did – and like we're called to do – really can change the world.Amen
On Easter Sunday, come and step inside the empty tomb and see that Jesus is not dead, He is alive! The silence of His death on Good Friday is met with Angels and Alleluias on Easter Sunday. What does it all mean for us? And why do we need Jesus, on Easter Sunday?
I need to rely on the Holy Spirit to move and bring the awe that comes with a rolled-away stone. Easter isn't just about one Sunday; it's about the journey He took all the way to the cross. How will you get your hearts ready for Easter?Leave your answer on todays post: https://incourage.me/?p=222620
On the very first episode of Aging, Angst and Alleluias - we're happy to have Debra Talley, one of Gospel Music's greatest voices and people. Her story of caregiving for her mother-in-law features the warmth, love and dedication of the best daughter-in-law a mother could have. Join Mary Anne Oglesby-Sutherly and Debra on this beginning of a journey into the blessing of aging. www.theverandaministries.org
Main Points-1. Will you praise God -now-- -vv. 1-6--2. Will you attend the marriage supper of the Lamb -later-- -vv. 7-10-
Main Points-1. Will you praise God -now--- -vv. 1-6--2. Will you attend the marriage supper of the Lamb -later--- -vv. 7-10-
Main Points-1. Will you praise God -now-- -vv. 1-6--2. Will you attend the marriage supper of the Lamb -later-- -vv. 7-10-
W kręgach Alleluja. Improwizacje na flet altowy i organy / Encircling Alleluias. Improvisations for treble recordes and organ Flet altowy / treble recorder: Paulinus Greenwood OSB Organy opactwa w Tyńcu / organ of Tyniec Abbey: Bernard Sawicki OSB Realizacja nagrań / sound engineer: Marcin Domżał Opracowanie graficzne: Ewa Natkaniec Słuchasz fragmentu płyty "W kręgach Alleluja" / "Encircling Alleluias", która jest dostępna w wersji plików mp3 do pobrania. Lista utworów: 00:00:00 Alleluja Bożego Narodzenia / Alleluia of Christmas 00:05:41 Alleluja Wigilii Paschalnej / Alleluia of the Paschal Vigil 00:12:17 Alleluja wielkanocne (A) / Alleluia of Easter (A) 00:14:38 Alleluja Poniedziałku Wielkanocnego / Alleluia of Easter Monday 00:19:49 Alleluja II Niedzieli Wielkanocnej / Alleluia of the Second Sunday of Easter 00:24:41 Alelluja Zielonych Świąt / Alleluia of Pentecost
Mark 16:1-8 When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. 2 And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. 3 And they were saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?” 4 And looking up, they saw that the stone had been rolled back—it was very large. 5 And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe, and they were alarmed. 6 And he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; he is not here. See the place where they laid him. 7 But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.” 8 And they went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had seized them, and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.
Sometimes we're just not ready to receive what God wants to give us!
Passiontide The final stage in the journey of Lent toward Easter is Passiontide, which will begin this coming Sunday. Judica is the 5th Sunday in Lent, also called “Passion Sunday.” A review of the season, its special rubrics, and its significance follows. During Passiontide the crosses and statues are veiled, and every instance of the Gloria Patri disappears. It is appropriate that even the Trinitarian doxologies of any hymns be omitted. A question commonly asked is “Why do we drape and cover the crosses as we get closer to Good Friday, as our attention upon the last hours and the sufferings of Our Lord increases?” We do this in part to remember that we don't deserve even to look upon the Holy Cross. We are not worthy of the Sacrifice. The crucifix has from the earliest days of Christendom been our greatest and most cherished symbol. So it is partially taken away from us for a short time, that we might learn the better to appreciate it when it returns. The crosses are not taken away completely. They are not removed; they are covered. We can see outlines of the crosses, but their beauty and details are fuzzy. This reminds us that in a way our grief itself prevents us from seeing clearly, until the Good Friday liturgy and, of course, Easter. It also reminds us of Our Lord's actions in response to the violence of the people, in the Gospel for Judica Sunday: the Lord “Jesus hid Himself.” That is why it is customary to place these veils not before but during the Service directly after the reading of the Gospel. The idea of removing the Gloria Patri is much the same. Jesus revealed for us the Holy Triune Name on the day of His Ascension: this is the fullest and complete revelation of God's Name given to men. To take away the Gloria Patri for two weeks is a bit jarring. It is particularly awkward when we omit it at the end of the Nunc Dimittis. Because this removal is so stark, it has the counterintuitive effect of drawing our attention to it. All of this is that we would learn to mortify our own flesh and to depend ever more upon the grace of God in Christ. For never, even in our most somber of ceremonies, is the Church in doubt about the end. Jesus died but is not dead. Jesus lives. Easter is coming. We wait, as it were, with bated breath. The Alleluias (which we have not sung at all throughout Lent), the Gloria Patris, the crosses, the self-denied foods: all these shall return, and because they were removed for a short time, their return becomes all the more worthy of celebration. But even better than that, we shall have them all forever when our own resurrections occur at the Last Day. Passiontide extends through Holy Week and the Triduum Sacrum (“three holy days”—which includes Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday). The single exception to these Passiontide rubrics is that at Maundy Thursday evening mass the Greater Gloria (Gloria in Excelsis) is sung. Then comes the close of the Maundy Thursday evening Mass, which liturgically continues throughout the Triduum. For this reason it has no Benediction. Immediately following the Benedicamus, therefore, the celebrant and attendants remove their Eucharistic Vestments, the Altar is stripped, and any remaining Sanctuary decorations are removed, while the congregation sings a Psalm (traditionally, Psalm 22, without Gloria). The only remaining items in the Sanctuary (chancel) are the immovable pieces of furniture, laid bare. The congregation departs in silence afterwards. On Good Friday, all remains bare, although a minimal use of linens is acceptable and proper if the Sacrament is celebrated during this time; and indeed some parishes have an entire set of black paraments for this day. The presiding minister or celebrant and his attendants enter in silence and prostrate themselves before the entrance to the Sanctuary (chancel) while silently praying a psalm, such as Psalm 51. The silence is deep. The opening collect for Good Friday is appropriately a prayer for “this Thy family,” suggesting a funeral. During the Service even the customary introductions and responses are removed from the readings. The organ is not played; all singing is a capella. Silence is kept at various times throughout. The entire atmosphere is somber, as befits a solemn funeral. Afterwards the congregation departs in silence. The prevailing mood is one of utterly humble gratitude. The intensity thus builds from Passion Sunday until the Great Vigil of Easter on Holy Saturday, when we finally arrive with the women at the empty tomb to observe, during the Service, the point at which Lent ends and Easter begins. Throughout Passiontide, which leads intensely to its close, there are therefore additional modes of “fasting,” although we hasten to add that it is never appropriate to “fast” from the Blessed Sacrament, since we confess that even in our darkest moments Christ is always with us, especially when we arrive at the Altar. He is always there for us in His life-giving, sin-forgiving, holy Body and Blood. At the very conclusion of Passiontide and of Lent itself, the lights are turned up and the announcement breaks forth, “Christ is risen!” to which comes the hearty reply, “He is risen indeed. Alleluia!” The special rubrics and detail of Passiontide serve to make this moment and all that follows the more heartfelt and festive.
Preached at 8:00 for the First Sunday of Advent (2020-11-29). Readings: Isaiah 64:1-9 | 1 Corinthians 1:3-9 | Mark 13:24-37 | Psalm 80:1-7, 16-18
This 30-min podcast delves into the stories of Jesus after his resurrection. Take a few minutes to look at the stories in each of the four Gospels. Are they alike? What if we had only one Gospel account? Why do all of the little details in John's Gospel give us assurance that these are true eyewitness accounts? Fr. Philip Smith and Donna Couch have spent a lifetime with these stories, yet always provide fresh insight. Have a listen and then share with a friend!
Today doesn’t much feel like Easter. That is, apart from our readings, songs, and shouts of Alleluias. But the gusto, the warm sun-drenched sanctuary, the familiar faces, the sounds of the organ–all that Easter good-ness seems more like a broken Alleluia. Yet, here we are. We’re doing something together...
Thomas Nee Commission recipient Celeste Oram presents a new concerto for orchestra, violin soloist Keir GoGwilt, and three offstage voices. Series: "La Jolla Symphony & Chorus" [Show ID: 35502]
Thomas Nee Commission recipient Celeste Oram presents a new concerto for orchestra, violin soloist Keir GoGwilt, and three offstage voices. Series: "La Jolla Symphony & Chorus" [Show ID: 35502]
Thomas Nee Commission recipient Celeste Oram presents a new concerto for orchestra, violin soloist Keir GoGwilt, and three offstage voices. Series: "La Jolla Symphony & Chorus" [Show ID: 35502]
Thomas Nee Commission recipient Celeste Oram presents a new concerto for orchestra, violin soloist Keir GoGwilt, and three offstage voices. Series: "La Jolla Symphony & Chorus" [Show ID: 35502]
Thomas Nee Commission recipient Celeste Oram presents a new concerto for orchestra, violin soloist Keir GoGwilt, and three offstage voices. Series: "La Jolla Symphony & Chorus" [Show ID: 35502]
Thomas Nee Commission recipient Celeste Oram presents a new concerto for orchestra, violin soloist Keir GoGwilt, and three offstage voices. Series: "La Jolla Symphony & Chorus" [Show ID: 35502]
Sermon for the Christmas Cantata
A church of christ sermon on the subject of broken Alleluias.
Join Pam and Fr. Tim as we learn to celebrate Easter for 50 days. Peace be with you.
All Saints’ Episcopal Church, Atlanta is a vibrant, progressive community that welcomes all – wherever they may be on their spiritual journey. We are called to know, to love, and to serve God and our neighbors. In all that we do, we honor All Saints’ abiding commitment for justice and peace for all people in Atlanta and across the world. Visit us online at https://allsaintsatlanta.org
Sermons from All Saints' Episcopal Church - Atlanta
The Blessing Book now brings us to the actual “Revelation of Jesus Christ” – His second coming, for which the church has prayed for 2,000 years. Acts 1:11, John 14:3, Revelation 1:7, Matthew 26:64 In Revelation 19, we see the first “Hallelujah” in the New Testament, for the kingdom of God will now fill the earth with God’s glory!
The Blessing Book now brings us to the actual “Revelation of Jesus Christ” – His second coming, for which the church has prayed for 2,000 years. Acts 1:11, John 14:3, Revelation 1:7, Matthew 26:64 In Revelation 19, we see the first “Hallelujah” in the New Testament, for the kingdom of God will now fill the earth with God’s glory!
How do you keep the joy of Easter happening for all 7 week? Lydia and Becca discuss some ideas of how to keep the Easter celebrations going. Or maybe you can spend the Easter season preparing for Pentecost.
Easter and Easter Vigil can be some of the most fun creative worship services of the year. Becca and Lydia talk about some things you can do to share the good news of the empty tomb in creative and fun ways.
8 ways to set apart Lent as a special season of the year: omit prelude/postlude musicchange to a simpler musical styleuse simple a cappella musicuse a setting of the service music that is reserved for penitential seasons. In churches that don't use service music (such as a Gloria), sing the same hymn every week of Lent, such as during the offertory or at communion.at the beginning of choir rehearsals, lead the choir in a Lenten prayer or a short devotionalexplore hymn themes outside of the "Lent" section of the hymnal (but watch out for sneaky Alleluias!)if you use prelude music during Lent, play longer preludes (10-15 minutes) as a mediation time for the congregation, perhaps including hymn texts or scripture in the bulletin to complement the musicif your church observes Laetare Sunday, use bolder music to distinguish it from the other Sundays of Lent Enjoying this podcast episode? Click here to find other Music and the Church episodes, or subscribe to the show wherever you listen to podcasts. Try This at Church: Host an easy sing—here's a 3 step guide!
While putting Oh Come To The Altar through the Praise Song Cruncher Pastor Wolfmueller accurately predicts, that is guesses correctly, when the song will divulge into the obligatory repetitive Alleluias. He’s so mystical! ;-)
Walkthrough of Matthew 3 & 4, plus a farewell to Alleluias.
The season of Lent sees a few changes in our Liturgy. We have removed the “Alleluias” from the service, we are using the Penitential Rite which moves the Confession up... Read More
Kathy Deyer Boulduc is a nationally recognized author and speaker in the field of disability ministry, concentrating on disability’s impact on the family system, and ways in which churches can become more welcoming of families that live with disability.