Fr. Ed at the Altar Serving Mass

Pending completion of the chapel, Deacon Ann and Fr Ed opened their home to friends for the purpose of celebrating the Holy Eucharist, the first “open house” or house church service being held on 20 December.

Its been quite a journey, not only rearranging the house to accommodate and Altar and small congregation, but in making the transition from another local organization that we were but a small part of until this last fall.  But then its been said that God never closes one door without opening  another, and in the

Fr. Ed serving Mass, without vestments. With Turkey in the oven in the next room, Fr. Ed took the advice of a visiting Bishop and celebrated Mass without vestments, rather than to take a chance of being overcome from heat.

case of Deacon Ann and Fr. Ed the dream of seeding small group ministries has taken the first step.

Until the building that has been acquired can be relocated to its future home.  Deacon Ann has graciously volunteered to open her home each Sunday.  For more information on the chapel see “The Chapel” (click here) to find out schedules and directions to Our Shepherd Of The Wilderness Road click on “Schedule” Above

Deacon Ann and I will be having services in our home Sunday 20 December at 11:00 am,  lunch to follow.  Everyone is invited but please let us know no later than Saturday if you are planning on attending so that we know how much food to prepare.

[NOTE: We were inspired by this excellent reflection by Fr Bob and with his permission have reprinted it here.]

A Reflection for the First Sunday of Advent 2009
Based on readings from : Jeremiah 33:14-16, 1 Thessalonians 3, Psalm 24, Luke 21
By Rev. Bob Johnnene, Mission Sts Sergius & Bacchus/ Franciscans of Divine Mercy

http://www.missionstsergius.org

The reading from St. Paul’s letter to the people of Thessaloniki is possibly one of the better instructions we can receive on the first week of Advent. Advent, a season the church sets aside and suggests we review our way of life in accord with the instructions Christ gave us to achieve eternal life. Advent literally means “to come” and is that time when we prepare to celebrate the birth of our redeemer and savior Jesus Christ. Continue reading »

Based on BCP Readings: James 2:1-5,8-10,14-18 – Mark 8:27-38

Once again the scriptures call upon those of us in the 21st century world to reevaluate the actions of not just ourselves but those of our brethren, who while professing to be born again Christians, simply fail to get the point that Christ was trying to make during his ministry.  The Holy Saints, Mark and James give us lessons that remind us of what Christians should do but as we can see many simply find it easier to do just the opposite. Continue reading »

Deuteronomy 4:1-9
Mark 7:1-8,14-15,21-23

In my opinion we obviously can find topics in both our Old Testament reading as well as the gospel reading that relate to the very core of the discussions and debate we find in our society today. Continue reading »

Exodus 16:2-4,9-15

Ephesians 4:17-25

John 6:24-35

The readings for today, when viewed as a whole provide an interesting lesson, not just of church history, but a lesson that has implications and relevance to our modern daily lives. This lesson, to me underscores the admonition of not putting new wine into old wineskins. Granted in context this saying of Jesus was one offered in defense of his disciples who were being criticized by the disciples of John, who somewhat like the Pharisees placed more value on the doctrines and discipline of man kinds religious traditions, — than they did on the esoteric teachings of Christ. But today just as then do we not have people that place a greater value self serving doctrine than on believing in Christ and attempting to do as he would have done or to walk in the figurative sense, as he would have walked? Continue reading »

Gospel lesson appointed for use on 21 June 2009
Mark 4:35-41;(5:1-20)

In today’s gospel reading we learn of our Lord calling demons out of a man.  The locals had tried to restrain this man but as the scripture points out he had broke the chains and shackles and had escaped them to live in and around the tombs and other desolate places of that region where he could be always heard  howling and bruising himself with stones.  When Jesus called the unclean spirit out he demanded of the spirit his name which the spirit replied, Legion for we are many. Continue reading »

As many of you who know me are aware, I like to use scenes from movies, popular culture so to speak, as analogies to further illustrate the topics I address in my homilies, sermons, and editorials.  In this light, at times such as this, I am reminded of the scene near the end of the movie Ghost Busters Continue reading »

by: Rev. Jim Wallis

God help the poor, for the rich can help themselves.
(Scottish proverb.)

I was a seminary student in Chicago many years ago. We decided to try an experiment. We made a study of every single reference in the whole Bible to the poor, to God’s love for the poor, to God being the deliverer of the oppressed. We found thousands of verses on the subject. The Bible is full of the poor. Continue reading »