Tomorrow is the Diocesan Convention here in Western Louisiana. Join me in prayer for the Church. This one is number 7. on page 816 of The Book of Common Prayer.
For the Church
Gracious Father, we pray for thy holy Catholic Church. Fill it with all truth, in all truth with all peace. Where it is corrupt, purify it; where it is in error, direct it; where in any thing it is amiss, reform it. Where it is right, strengthen it; where it is in want, provide for it; where it is divided, reunite it; for the sake of Jesus Christ thy Son our Savior. Amen.
A VIRTUAL ONE-DAY DIOCESAN GATHERING
The pandemic has brought many changes to how we gather. To continue the best practice of protecting our neighbors, the 2021 Diocesan Convention will be held completely online. As in years past, many of our convention materials will be uploaded to this convention hub prior to the meeting--check back often for updates!
February 26, 2021
6:00 p.m.
Convention Eucharist will be live-streamed from St. Barnabas Episcopal Church in Lafayette to the Diocesan Facebook on Friday, February 26, 2021, at 6:00 p.m.
To watch the service on Facebook, click here. Anyone is able to view the livestream on FB, even if you are not an account holder.
St. Matthias
Polycarp
Today, the Church remembers Polycarp of Smyrna, Bishop and
Martyr, who was martyred on February 23, 156.
The Collect
O God, the maker of heaven and earth, you gave your
venerable servant, the holy and gentle Polycarp, the boldness to confess Jesus
Christ as King and Savior and the steadfastness to die for his faith: Give us
grace, following his example, to share the cup of Christ and to rise to eternal
life; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy
Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
John the Baptist says to Jesus in the movie The Last
Temptation of Christ, “The God of Israel is a god of the desert. If you want to
speak to Him, then you'll have to go to the desert.” Then adds, but “Be careful. God isn't alone out there.”*
Mark’s Gospel for tomorrow reports, “And the Spirit
immediately drove him out into the wilderness. He was in the wilderness forty
days, tempted by Satan; and he was with the wild beasts; and the angels waited
on him.”
Join us tomorrow and find out what these stories have to say
about our Lenten journey.
*From the 1988 Film – The Last Temptation of Christ. Directed by Martin Scorsese based on the novel by Nikos Kazantzakis.
This YouTube animation captures the temptation well...
* Worship Notes for the Season of LentDuring Lent, we will celebrate Holy Eucharist: Rite One on Sundays. We will resume Rite Two on Easter. In Lent, our liturgies will begin with the Penitential Order, and continue with the Kyrie (the Gloria will be omitted). At the fraction, the Agnus Dei will be said and the prayer of humble access will be said prior to receiving communion. Silence will be observed at appropriate times during the liturgy as well. All of this is in keeping with the penitential nature of the season. In Lent, in place of a seasonal blessing, a Solemn Prayer over the People will be used. The prayers come from the Book of Occasional Services.
These liturgies will be Live-Streamed on Facebook for those who choose to remain at home. Please contact the clergy if you wish to receive a home communion visit.
Today the Church remembers, Martin Luther, who died on February 18, 1546.
Everyone needs to be called to repentance from time to time.
Even the Church – Even each of us! That is what the season of Lent of is all
about.
According to legend, Luther posted his Ninety-five Theses, a
list of propositions for an academic debate, on the door of the Castle Church
in Wittenberg on October 31, 1517. The
first of Luther’s Ninety-five Theses is “Our Lord and Master Jesus Christ, when
He said ‘Poenitentiam agite (Repent or Change)’, willed that the whole life of
believers should be repentance.” I just hope no one nails a list of my failures
on the door of the church! 😉
The Collect of the Day
O God, our refuge and
our strength, who raised up your servant Martin Luther to reform and renew your
church in the light of your word: Defend and purify the church in our own day
and grant that, through faith, we may boldly proclaim the riches of your grace,
which you have made known in Jesus Christ our Savior, who with you and the Holy
Spirit, lives and reigns, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
When our ancestors in faith, the Jewish people, were in exile, and far away from their temple, they learned new ways to keep their faith alive by worshiping at home with their families. This year, we've been away from our regular places to gather, and worship. May we continue, with our families, to find new ways to keep our faith alive!
Here is a photo of us keeping the Shrove Tuesday/Mardi Gras
tradition alive. Let us keep the feast. Tomorrow we begin the fast.
Join us virtually tomorrow for Ash Wednesday at 6:00 p.m.
via Zoom or on Facebook Live.
After consultation with the Convocational Deans and listening to the latest
weather reports for CENLA, I have decided to postpone Diocesan Convention by
one week to February 27. Given the probability of power outages and
connectivity issues around the Diocese following the advancing storm as well as
challenges some are facing with water shortages and frozen plumbing from the
current storm, this is our most prudent course of action.
My staff will be contacting all delegates beginning mid-afternoon. I will post
an announcement on FB in just a few minutes. However, Rectors, Vicars, and
Clergy in Charge should follow up with their delegates to make certain that the
information was received and understood.
I regret this inconvenience. My prayers continue for all of you and all our
people.
In Christ’s Love,
+Jake
¡Otra opción para el Miércoles de Ceniza (en inglés), de nuestro Obispo! ¡Manténgase a salvo, manténgase abrigado y controle al otro!
Too bad. Everyone stay safe. We love our friends at Grace Episcopal!
A Prayer for the Cold and Homeless and Those Who Care for Them
God of compassion, your love for humanity was revealed in Jesus, whose earthly life began in the poverty of a stable and ended in the pain and isolation of the cross: we hold before you those who are homeless and cold especially in this bitter weather. Draw near and comfort them in spirit and bless those who work to provide them with shelter, food and friendship. We ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.
~ from the Church of England and shared by Trinity Episcopal Church in Iowa City, Iowa
In his latest book, Looking for God in Messy Places, our Bishop, and the IV Bishop of the Diocese of Western Louisiana, Jake Owensby writes, “This is a book about hope, and I have written it especially for those who refuse to yield to discouragement and despair.” I have been lucky enough to read some of his words prior to their publication. I anxiously wait to hold a copy in my own hands, and savor every word.
Like the author of the Book of Hebrews, who says, “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” Hebrews 11.1, NRSV, Bishop Jakes calls each of us, in this messy world, to have the sort of faith that hopes with conviction for the things beyond our sight.
I find that Bishop Jake’s writing, leadership, and teaching inspire me to take chances on the things I hope for, and the courage to take risks for love’s sake. I think this book will help you do the same. It really is a book about hope!
Like me, you can pre-order a copy from Amazon by clicking here.
This year, all our parish wide pancake suppers together are just one more of the cancelled events in the time of pandemic. We urge you to keep the tradition in your homes, and with your family!
Make everything yourself – feast – and remember why! Don’t
feel like cooking? Pick-up at Waffle House, or IHOP. Better yet, support our friends
at Grace Episcopal by driving through for a box! Drive thru at Kilbourne Hall –
5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Donation is $5 a person, or $20 for the family.
Just keep the tradition!
Then on, Ash Wednesday, February 17, join us at St. Alban’s, St. Patrick’s, and St. Thomas’ for the start of Lent, and our Ash Wednesday Liturgy and Holy Eucharist. Ashes will be imposed at all in-person worship.
Join us for Virtual Worship or in-person worship this Sunday,
February 14, 2021, The Last
Sunday after the Epiphany, at St. Alban’s, St. Patrick’s, and St. Thomas’.
Absalom Jones, The First African American Priest, 1818
It seems especially appropriate that in February – Black History Month – the Church remembers Absalom Jones In October 1794, St. Thomas African Episcopal Church, a church built begun by Jones and others was admitted into the Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania, by Bishop White. Jones was ordained deacon in 1795 and as priest on September 21, 1802. Jones died February 13, 1818 in Philadelphia. In 1996 his remains were reinterred in a chapel of his church, St. Thomas. Known as “the Black Bishop of the Episcopal Church,” Jones was an example of persistent faith in God and in the Church as God’s instrument. (taken in part from Holy Women, Holy Men)
The Collect of the Day
Set us free, heavenly Father, from every bond of prejudice and fear; that, honoring the steadfast courage of your servant Absalom Jones, we may show forth in our lives the reconciling love and true freedom of the children of God, which you have given us in your Son our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Surely, it is God who saves me; *
I will trust in him and not be afraid.
For the Lord is my stronghold and my sure defense, *
and he will be my Savior.
Therefore you shall draw water with rejoicing *
from the springs of salvation.
And on that day you shall say, *
Give thanks to the Lord and call upon his Name;
Make his deeds known among the peoples; *
see that they remember that his Name is exalted.
Sing the praises of the Lord, for he has done great things, *
and this is known in all the world.
Cry aloud, inhabitants of Zion, ring out your joy, *
for the great one in the midst of you is the Holy One of Israel.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: *
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
In our EfM (Education for Ministry) class this week, we read these words from the prophet, Micah:
But you, O Bethlehem of Ephrathah, who are one of the little clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to rule in Israel… Micah 5:2
For the Human Family
O God, you made us in your own image and redeemed us through Jesus your Son: Look with compassion on the whole human family; take away the arrogance and hatred which infect our hearts; break down the walls that separate us; unite us in bonds of love; and work through our struggle and confusion to accomplish your purposes on earth; that, in your good time, all nations and races may serve you in harmony around your heavenly throne; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
It may be found on page 815 of The Book of Common Prayer.
In our EfM (Education for Ministry) Class this week, we are discussing the spiritual practice of walking a labyrinth. I created this video from a version I found online. I hope you enjoy it today for a time of prayer.
Note: The original was created by james carey and is shared on YouTube here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_fpncj4IIU0
Today, the Church remembers The Martyrs of Japan, a group of six Franciscan friars, who with twenty of their converts were crucified at Nagasaki, February 5, 1597. Hopefully, for most of us, our call to follow their example will only be symbolic.
The Collect
O God our Father, who brought the holy martyrs of Japan through the suffering of the cross to the joys of eternal life: Grant that we, encouraged by their example, may hold fast to the faith we profess, even unto death itself; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
On Saturday, January 30, Bishop Owensby ordained John Campbell (left) and Madeleine Rebouche (right) to the priesthood at St. James Episcopal Church in Alexandria. Congratulations, John and Madeleine!
Alleluia!
Tonight, in our Spanish Book Study, we were reminded of the beautiful, and wonderful theology of the Church’s Burial liturgy. It is a good reminder at any time.
This is from The Commendation on page 499 of The Book of Common Prayer.
You only are immortal, the creator and maker of [human]kind; and we are mortal, formed of the earth, and to earth shall we return. For so did you ordain when you created me, saying, “You are dust, and to dust you shall return.” All of us go down to the dust; yet even at the grave we make our song: Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
May we all find hope in the resurrection!
A Collect for Grace, The Book of Common Prayer, page 100.
Lord God, almighty and everlasting Father, you have brought us in safety to this new day: Preserve us with your mighty power, that we may not fall into sin, nor be overcome by adversity; and in all we do, direct us to the fulfilling of your purpose; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
