Thoughts from Lori+
Well, Bill had his second cataract surgery early this morning. It was quite successful, and after a brief time of enduring a little scratchiness, his vision will be close to 20/20 – after wearing glasses since he was three years old! It’s been fascinating to listen as he describes the experience.
You understand, cataracts develop over years until eventually one’s vision is clouded, even somewhat blurry. But because it happens so gradually, one hardly notices. In Bill’s case, he did become aware that reading had become more difficult and signs a bit harder to see from a distance. But he couldn’t have told you why or what he was missing. Until, that is, he sight was restored.
Through the medical miracle of new lenses in each eye, one at a time (and in Bill’s case, a four weeks apart) he can now see clearly. It’s as if, he says, a dirty window has been cleaned. Colors are brighter, images are sharper. What a gift!
At the risk of an obvious analogy, we can have the same kind of spiritual experience, especially those of us who have been raised and formed in the faith all along. We can keep on keeping on for so long that we don’t notice that our spiritual lives have become clouded, even dull. It’s not that we can’t see; not that we don’t appreciate the church; not that we don’t love God. It’s just that… well, nothing about it is very exciting.
Now, I’m not one to suggest that our faith depends on excitement or on getting emotionally worked up. But I would suggest that our spiritual vision needs to be tended to as carefully and intentionally as our eyesight. When was the last time you had a spiritual check-up; a spiritual exam, so to speak? That could take the form of conversation with a spiritual director or your priest. (I’m available.) When was the last time you read your favorite gospel – all the way through? Or prayed the Psalms or read an uplifting book? (I can recommend a long list of possibilities. Just ask.) Or kept a gratitude journal? Or did something thoughtful for someone else… anonymously?
I am definitely not suggesting here that you feel guilty; a largely wasted emotion if ever there was one. Rather, I hope you feel motivated to engage in something that will provide you with a spiritual window washing; something that will sharpen your vision. Scripture calls it “having eyes to see.”
Faithfully,
ST. PAUL’S DIAPER DRIVE CONTINUES!
The summer months are vacation months for many of us including schools, organizations, and charities. Consequently there is little activity for donations and diaper drives. But as you know, baby’s bottoms don’t take vacations EVER and St. Paul’s diaper bank is in desperate need of children’s diapers sizes newborn, 2, 3, 4, and 5. [Note: at this time, we do not need adult diapers.] Our own St. Paul’s diaper drive will continue through July and August. Let’s make this a huge success for St. Paul’s diaper bank and remember, every little bottom counts!
Lessons and Hymns
by the Rev. William P. McLemore
THE SCRIPTURE LESSONS: Theme – “The Marks of a Christian Life.”
The First Reading: Hosea 11:1-11
The prophet likens Israel as a child to God and prophesies, “I led them with cords of human kindness, with bands of love.”
The Epistle: Colossians 3:1-11
St. Paul says, “If you have been raised with Christ, seek things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.” He insists that following Jesus leads us away from the ways of death, “anger, wrath, malice, slander…”
The Gospel: Luke 12:13-21
Jesus teaches warns about coving earthly goods at the expense of spiritual growth and salvation.
THE HYMNS:
HYMN AT THE PROCESSION: No. 537
“Christ for the World We Sing.”
Samuel Wolcott (1813-1886) wrote this hymn in response to a banner posted at a Young Men’s Christian Association meeting in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1869. The message read, “Christ for the world, and the world for Christ.” Legend has it that he formed the hymn walking home through the streets on February 9, 1869. It has been in the Episcopal hymnals since 1892. The tune, “Moscow” is named for the city where the composer, Felice de Giardini (1716-1796) died. The spirit of redemption in Christ as portrayed in our Gospel reading is expressed in the last verse, “With joyful song; the newborn souls, whose days, reclaimed from error’s ways, inspired with hope and praise, to Christ belong.”
HYMN AT THE READING OF THE GOSPEL: No. 440
“Blessed Jesus, At Thy Word.”
This hymn was written in German by Tobias Clausnitzer (1619-1684) and translated by Catherine Winkworth who was a very notable English song writer and translator. She is also known for her passionate and ardent support of women in higher education. The tune, Leibster Jesu” is a melody by Johann Rudolph Ahle (1625-1673) and later harmonized by George Herbert Palmer in the early 20th century.
OFFERTORY HYMN: Hymn 379
“God is Love, Let Heaven Adore Him.”
This hymn was written by Timothy Rees, the Anglican Bishop of Llandaff, a distinguished speaker in English and Welsh and respected hymnographer. This beautiful hymn covers many aspects of God’s love and is appropriate for reflecting on Chapter 13 of St. Paul’s letter to Corinth. Cyril V. Taylor composed the tune, “Abbot’s Leigh,” in May of 1941 when he was working for the Religious Broadcasting Department of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC).
COMMUNION HYMN: No. 343
“Shepherd of Souls, Refresh and Bless.”
This hymn is from a 1832 Moravian hymnbook and the text is generally believed to have been written by James Montgomery (1771-1854). The tune, “St. Agnes,” was composed by John Bacchus Dykes (1823-1876) for another Christian hymn but it’s strength of meter lends it to be used with this hymn as well. It relates well to receiving communion, “Shepherd of souls, refresh and bless thy chosen pilgrim flock with manna in the wilderness, with water from the rock.”
HYMN AT THE RECESSION: No. 450
“All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name.”
The words to this hymn were finalized by a clergyman named Edward Perronet who was in the Anglican Methodist movement with John and Charles Wesley. He later broke off from the Church of England and formed his own independent chapel in Canterbury. The hymn reflects the majestic tone of the psalter and affirms Jesus as the final king, in David’s line, who truly saves and redeems all people. The tune “Coronation” was composed by Oliver Holden with the descant added by Michael E. Young for this 1982 hymnal. “Let every kindred, every tribe, on this terrestrial ball, to him all majesty ascribe, and crown him Lord of all!”
All in the Family
Bill and Lori are shown with their grandson, Felix Curtis, serving as crucifer for this past Sunday’s service.
Layreader, Charles Boak, kindly surrendered the cross carrying duties for the occasion. (Photograph courtesy of Nan Patnaude).
Diaper Bank Auction
Please join us on Saturday, September 21, 2013!
We are hosting our first-ever County-wide Benefit Auction and we need you to join us!
It’s at D’Andrea Banquets, 4419 Northwest Highway, Crystal Lake, from 7:00-11:00 pm.
Our Benefit will feature Live and Silent Auction items, as well as raffles and games, and will be an evening full of fun! Come and enjoy a Bountiful Hors d’oeuvres Banquet (Come HUNGRY!) and a 4-Hour OPEN bar! The best part? As we celebrate this evening together, we’ll be helping many in our county, as well as strengthening the Diaper Bank for future mission.
Check out ALL the details! Click here!
There’s so many ways you can help! And your help will go a VERY LONG way for our small organization and the people we serve! Pitch in, any way you can, and we will be grateful!
With Thanks and Hope!
Phyllis
Summer Liturgy
During July and August, we will be using both Rite One and Rite Two. The first Sunday of each month – July 7th and August 4th – we will worship using Rite One. The other Sundays will be Rite Two. Rite One is the more traditional of the two liturgies; Rite Two, the more contemporary. We hope both will be meaningful for all concerned.
101 Reasons to be Episcopal
Reason 12
I’m an Episcopalian because of the incredibly profound understanding of authority in the Anglician Communion. The three-legged stool – with its stout legs of Scripture, tradition, and reason, supported by (also firmly joined by) the seat of experience and prayer – is perhaps Anglicanism’s most glorious contribution to theology.
Paul M. Johns
Diocese of Olympia
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