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.