“Stir up your power, O Lord, and with great might come among us; and, because we are sorely hindered by our sins, let your bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen.”
From the Book of Common Prayer
Tag Archives: joy
Joy?
Twelve years ago yesterday, I was ordained a priest in the Episcopal Church. It didn’t really hit me what day it was. I’ve been moving through my days doing what needs doing, trying to take care of me and the dogs and the house, but most of the time I feel only partially present. IContinue reading “Joy?”
Sanctified for Joy
“O God, the King of glory, you have exalted your only Son Jesus Christ with great triumph to your kingdom in heaven: Do not leave us comfortless, but send us your Holy Spirit to strengthen us, and exalt us to that place where our Savior Christ has gone before; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.” (Book of Common Prayer)
Now & Not Yet Joy
A sermon preached at St. Francis by the Lake Episcopal Church, Canyon Lake, Texas.The Lectionary readings for the Third Sunday of Advent are here. Joy. Joy to the World. All the boys and girls. Joy to the fishes in the deep blue sea, Joy to you and me … oh, wait, that’s the wrong song.Continue reading “Now & Not Yet Joy”
Remembering & Reflecting
A Sunday Reflection for the Sixth Sunday after the Epiphany.The Lectionary readings are here. The Gospel reading for today is the writer of Luke’s telling of what is more commonly known by the label we give to the writer of Matthew’s version: the Beatitudes. Luke’s version is shorter, a series of Blessings and Woes aContinue reading “Remembering & Reflecting”
Knowing Joy
It’s almost Christmas, y’all! And before I go any further, let me say I enjoy Christmas festivities, I really do, but over the past several years, I’ve embraced a simpler way of Christmas. I’m certain that the main reason is that as a priest, Christmas isn’t time off but a season of additional work. ButContinue reading “Knowing Joy”
Comfort, Joy, Peace
One of the (if not THE) most practical courses I had to take in seminary was one titled “Evangelism”. Of course, my evangelical-church-influenced childhood caused me to enter the class on the first day with arms folded and mind closed because the only idea of evangelizing I knew was to convince people, whether or notContinue reading “Comfort, Joy, Peace”
To Whom We Belong
I am regularly astonished by the thought of God knowing me, knowing my name, knowing the hairs on my head (even and perhaps especially the grey ones), wanting only the best for me. I’m also regularly amazed that God is willing to use my simple human efforts to bring about The Kingdom on earth asContinue reading “To Whom We Belong”
Joy Complete
Readings for the Sixth Sunday of Easter: http://lectionarypage.net/YearB_RCL/Easter/BEaster6_RCL.html Jesus’ words for us today are a continuation of what we began last week (and pair well with Tuesday’s and Thursday’s posts). Jesus is in Jerusalem with his closest disciples. He’s washed their feet and had what would be their last meal together before his arrest. AndContinue reading “Joy Complete”
Fire is Kindled
For me, the most significant sentence in the Book of Common Prayer is the rubric at the beginning of the Great Easter Vigil: In the darkness, fire is kindled. The Vigil is observed sometime between sundown on Holy Saturday and sunrise on Easter Sunday. Before the procession begins, the clergy make a small fire fromContinue reading “Fire is Kindled”
Mother Nancy's Coffee Thoughts 