Beautiful Altar...

All dressed and ready to celebrate Christmas Eve and Day at St. Alban's! Hope you will be with us!

Christmas Eve

Noel: Christmas Eve 1913, sung by John Denver

By Bridges/Holdridge

                                   

A frosty Christmas Eve, when the stars where shining,

I traveled for the home, where westward falls the hill.

And for many, many a village, in the darkness of the valley,

distant music reached me, peels of bells were ringing.

Then spread my thoughts to olden times, to that first of Christmases

when shepherds who were watching, heard music in the fields.

And they sat there and they marveled, and they knew they could not tell

whether it were angels, or the bright stars a singing.

But to me heard a far, it was starry music,

the singing of the angels, the comfort of our Lord.

Words of old that come a traveling, by the riches of the times,

and I softly listened, as I stood upon the hill.

And I softly listened, as I stood upon the hill.

From Bishop Jake and St. Alban's on Christmas Eve!

Bishop Jake Owensby's Christmas Eve Sermon. 

Pelican Anglican: Christmas Lights, a Junkyard, and the Manger: My eyelids sprang open at three in the morning. Christmas morning. I was seven years old. My half brother Joel—already twelve and too cool ...

St. Alban's Episcopal Church, Monroe, Louisiana will celebrate Christmas on Christmas Eve, December 24 with a Family Holy Eucharist at 5:30 p.m., Midnight Mass with hymns at 10:30 p.m. and the Eucharist at 11:00 p.m. and on Christmas Day with Holy Eucharist at 10:30 a.m. We hope that you will join us.

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Liturgies and Project!

Christmas Caroling with Friends

The folks from St. Alban's, St. Thomas', and Grace Episcopal will join together on the front lawn of Grace Episcopal Church at 5:00 p.m. on Monday, December 22 to carol the Garden District! Following the caroling, we will share treats, tales, and time together back at the church. Wear something festive and fitting for the season!

Shabbot Shalom

Have a peaceful Saturday and we'll see you tomorrow for the Third Sunday of Advent. Shabbot Shalom is a Jewish expression, "Sabbath Peace!" 

Join us!

Join us tomorrow for the Second Sunday of Advent!

Waiting for Jesus!

World AIDS Day

World AIDS Day is on Monday, December 1. GOCARE, our local HIV/AIDS service provider, will host a World AIDS Day remembrance in Forsythe Park (near the bandstand) at 7:00 p.m. The event is open to the public. Come walk the Labyrinth of Remembrance. 

Father Whit serves on the GOCARE Board of Directors and will lead prayers at the event.

Happy Thanksgiving 2014

Blue Advent...

Yes, I know it isn't even Advent yet. Yes, I know it is a long way till Christmas. The point is... We will have a BLUE Advent at St. Alban's!

Come join us this Sunday, The First Sunday of Advent, for the blessing and first use of our beautiful new Blue Advent Frontal, Pulpit and Lectern Hangings, Advent Wreath Candles, Veil, Burse, and Vestments.

Kinda makes my lip quiver...

Litany of Thanks!

Sharing this "Litany of Thanks" from a long-time friend. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving! With prayers if you are traveling.

Bayou-Diversity (24 November 2014) SENSES OF THANKSGIVING

Thank you, O Lord, in this bountiful season for the five senses to relish your world.

Thank you for the succulent smells of the fruits of the earth in the kitchens of our mothers and wives. Thank you for the odor of rich delta dirt on a warm, foggy winter morning. Thank you for the smell of wood smoke, especially that tinted with lightered pine. Thank you for the stew of odors distinct to our rivers and bayous— cypress needles, primal water, mud and decay, life and life to be.

Thank you for the sound of voices of those who came before us and those who will carry our legacies into the future— our parents, grandparents and our children. Thanks for the muffled wings of waterfowl above an overflow swamp and the belligerent snort of a doe at dusk. Thank you for haunting sounds of great horned owls and distant thunder.

Thank you for the taste of spring mayhaws and autumn muscadines in the jellies of a late November Thursday. Thank you for the abundance of other native flavors, subtle and brash— breast of teal, pecans, filet of bass. Thank you for the taste of contentment.

Thank you for the feel of a driving north wind as an Arctic front races for the gulf. Thanks for the textures of sweet gum balls, feathers, gumbo clay, and beech bark. Thank you for the heat of an open fire and the warmth of an open heart. 

Thank you for the sight of falling leaves, fattening squirrels, and rising waters that foretell the change of seasons. As the sun approaches the solstice, thank you for lengthy shadows and longer sunsets. Thanks also for fleeting glimpses— of a bobcat at dawn, of a shooting star on a rawboned night, of curiosity on the face of a young grandson.

I pray also, O Lord, for a sixth sense. Grant us common sense to be good stewards of these treasures. Amen.

Thanksgiving Eve Eucharist

Just a reminder that this Wednesday evening, Thanksgiving Eve, the Episcopal Churches in our area will join together for Holy Eucharist - 7:00 p.m. at Grace Episcopal Church in Monroe. Please join us!

Christ the King

Join us for church on this rainy, but beautiful, Christ the King, fall Sunday!

Episcopal Recovery Ministries

Sounds like good news to me!

Using Your "Talents"

What will you do with your "talents?" Come this Sunday and we will talk about it...Join us for Holy Eucharist at 8:30, 10:30 a.m. Christian Education begins at 9:30 a.m. Our Spanish Holy Eucharist begins at 5:00 p.m.

Clip art is from Clip Art for Year A by Steve Erspamer, SM from Liturgy Training Publications.

Glory, Glory

Glory, Glory

From the Archdeacon - see
http://edgeandessence.blogspot.com/2014/11/photographers-journal-charles-allen.html

Veterans Day

For Heroic Service, The Book of Common Prayer, page 839

O Judge of the nations, we remember before you with grateful hearts the men and women of our country who in the day of decision ventured much for the liberties we now enjoy. Grant that we may not rest until all the people of this land share the benefits of true freedom and gladly accept its disciplines. This we ask in the Name of Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

Vigésimo Segundo domingo después de Pentecostés

Manténganse ustedes despiertos —añadió Jesús—, porque no saben ni el día ni la hora. 

Pronto celebraremos la liturgia en español. Únase con nosotros para una Eucaristía informal el domingo a las 5:00 p.m. como nuestro sacerdote aprende español.

d365

Learned about this great daily devotion site and app today. For more info or to subscribe by email, visit http://d365.org/

d365 Daily Devotionals - devotionals 365 days a year

d365.org

Thanksgiving Eve Eucharist

All Saints' Day and Sunday

All Saints' Day is always November 1. but according to the rubrics in The Book of Common Prayer, page 15,"All Saints' Day may always be observed on the Sunday following November 1, in addition to its observance on the fixed date."

Last night, we celebrated the eve of All Saints' Day (in old days All Hallows' Day) - making the eve - All Hallows' Eve or contracted Halloween!

Tomorrow, Sunday, November 2, we will celebrated All Saints' with Holy Eucharist at 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. We'll educate today's saints with our Christian Education classes at 9:30 a.m.To continue the fun, we will celebrate La Santa Eucaristia, (Holy Eucharist - in Spanish) at 5:00 p.m. This is the first liturgy of our Latino/Hispanic Mission. Join us for any or all - food and fellowship too!

But for today, let us pray...

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.

Halloween!

On Halloween, we gave away lots of treats to avoid tricks to all sorts of ghouls and goblins (and a few princesses and super heroes!) and handed out Glow Stick Cross Necklaces - Thanks to our special donor family!

Reminder...

Canterbury@U.L.M. Holy Eucharist today at 5:30 p.m. Mother Dawnell will celebrate and Father Whit will preach. We sure hope to see you there!

Bayou Park is the green space on the U.L.M. campus directly across Northeast Drive from the Library and on the Library side of the Bayou. Bring a lawn chair or blanket if you want to sit!

Fall Back!

It's that time again: Across most of the United States,daylight savings time (DST) will end at 2 a.m. on Sunday, November 2, when clocks will fall back to standard time. Set your clocks back one hour before going to bed on Saturday night!

¡Bienvenidos!

Nosotros estamos trabajando en el servicio en español y todos serán bienvenidos a nuestra primera eucaristía informal para este domingo, dos de noviembre - 5:00 p.m.   

St. Alban's Latino/Hispanic Mission

Worked with Ivania leaning the liturgy in Spanish today. Soon...

Todas las alabanzas a ti, mi Dios, esta noche, ...

Enjoy this Facebook page - Latino/Hispanic Ministries of the Episcopal Church

Canterbury Eucharist - October 30

Canterbury@ULM is hosting an outdoor Holy Communion in Bayou Park (number 8 on this map) on the ULM campus, Thursday, October 30 at 5:30 p.m. All are welcome!

Thanks to The Episcopal Servant Community of Northeast Louisiana Blog for this info. 

Halloween Front Porch Party!

Join us this Halloween, Friday, October 31 at dusk on the front porch of the church to hand out treats to neighborhood trick-or-treaters, have hotdogs and generally have a good time. Hope to see you there!

Not Very

The Dean, that is, Clergy-person appointed by the Bishop to be in charge of a convocation is given the title, “The Very Reverend.” At our recent convention, Father Whit’s term as Dean of the Monroe Convocation expired and Father Thomas Nsubuga of St. Luke’s in Grambling was named the new Dean. You will notice that Father Whit’s title is now “The Reverend,” once again. So, the next time someone asks if Father Whit is reverend, you can honestly say, “Yes, but not very!”

The Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost

Catch a glimpse of God's back tomorrow at St. Alban's! Join us for Eucharist at 8:30 or 10:30 a.m. Christian Education time starts at 9:30 a.m.

Convention Changes!

Storm Damage responsible for

Changes in Diocesan Convention!

The Site for the 35th Annual Convention has changed. We will meet at

the following location for all events:

Bayou DeSiard Country Club

3501 Forsythe Ave., Monroe, LA 71201

There is also a change in the agenda. Here is a broad outline:

Friday

Lunch on your own

1:00 Registration

2:00 Business

4:30 Holy Eucharist

6:00 Silent Auction

7:15 Banquet

Saturday

Light breakfast provided prior to beginning of meeting

8:30 Business

Noon Adjournment

Lunch on your own

Clergy Spouse luncheon cancelled.

Parking spaces are limited, so please carpool as much as possible.

These changes are a result of the damage wrought by the storm on

Monday. As you may know, Monroe was struck by an F2 tornado on

Monday. The Garden District was hit hardest. Grace Church sits in

the midst of that neighborhood. Access to the area is limited and power is

disrupted. As a result, we are unable to meet at Grace Church.

As the outline above suggests, we will follow a significantly revised

agenda. Given our space and the available time, we will dispense with

workshops, hearings, and vendors. This is regrettable but unavoidable.

Please be on the lookout for a ministry fair day in the future in which

some of these canceled sessions will be held.

Most importantly, let us keep the people of Monroe in our prayers.

Many are enduring the negative impact of this storm. At the same time,

let's also acknowledge the grace and grit of these good people who, in

the midst of trial, have worked quickly and effectively to host our 

Convention.

Nothing keeps that Monroe Convocation down!

  

The Rt. Rev. Jacob W. Owensby, Ph.D., D.D.

The Diocese of Western Louisiana

35th Annual Convention of the Diocese

The Monroe Convocation will brave storm damage and power outages to host the 35th Annual Convention of the Diocese of Western Louisiana this Friday, October 17th - Saturday, October 18th. Pray for the success of the convention or come volunteer to help. St Alban's delegates are Lee and Rita Jefferson, Chris Eby and Grace Houston.

Bishop Jake's theme for this year's convention is "Gone Fishing - Engaging God's Mission"

Pet Blessing 2014

Some of St. Alban's furry members get blessed - No, not Father Whit!

National Hispanic Heritage Month

As St. Alban's continues it's preparation for our Latino/Hispanic Mission - just a reminder that September 15 to October 15 is National Hispanic Heritage Month. For more info see the link below and for what the Episcopal Church is up to, see Latino/Hispanic Ministries of the Episcopal Church.

St. Thomas' Cookout is Tonight

From our friends at St. Thomas'...

St. Thomas' Episcopal Church: St. Thomas' Cookout: Tonight, Saturday October 4th, is the cookout at St. Thomas'.  Please join us for 5 p.m. To 8 p.m. On the bayou for burgers, hotdog...

Blessing of the Pets at Bark in the Park

Bark in the Park pet blessing photos from today!

St. Alban's will have its blessing of the beasts on Wednesday evening, October 8 at 5:30 p.m. Join us!

Restaurant Blessing

I am very excited to have been asked to bless El Agave Grill Mexican Restaurant in Bastrop, Louisiana tomorrow morning.

El Agave Grill Mexican Restaurant

Mexican Restaurant

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Merrick Burial

A Celebration of the Life of Betty Ruth Merrick and Requiem Mass will be held tomorrow, Wednesday, September 24, 2014 at 1:00 p.m. Betty was the mother of Carlene Riley.

Visitation with the family will begin at noon and take place in McLean Hall prior to the liturgy. 

Father Whit will preside, assisted by the Rev'd Canon Gregg Riley. 

Please pray for Betty's family.

Sunday School Began Today?

Garrett posted on his Facebook page, "At St Alban's this afternoon to do a little fall cleaning." Our Sunday School crew began today by cleaning up their classrooms. Class hasn't even begun and we owe them our thanks! 

All of our Christian Education Classes start this Sunday, September 21. Join us!