Bread

 

I spent the summer of 1979 as an exchange student in Spain and took this photograph of "our daily bread" in my Spanish mother's cupboard. In the summer of 2009, I traveled for 10 days in Central Europe and once again, loved the fresh bread!

You've probably noticed that we have spent that last few Sundays reflecting on Jesus' statements in John's Gospel about being the Bread of Life. So my sermon for the good folks at Christ Church in St. Joseph for August 12 begins with my experiences eating bread in Europe, and I used the above photo to illustrate that sermon on my sermon blog.

You can read the entire sermon here: http://the-deacons-sermons.blogspot.com/2012/08/bread.html

Archdeacon Bette

St. Alban's Alphabet

Today's letter is "K." Can you find me?

Hint: I am on a sign that reminds us of a time when we had lots of visitors...

Opportunity Fair

Are you looking for a way to use your talents in the service of God and the church? Come and explore the choices at our Opportunity Fair after worship on Sunday, September 9. The groups and ministries of our church will have displays and descriptions of what they do and when and where they meet. You will have the chance to ask questions of group members and sign up for the group or ministry that interests you most. Whether you are a long-time member, or new to our church, there is something for you here at St. Alban’s!

Now God gives us many kinds of special abilities, but it is the same Holy Spirit who is the source of them all. There are different kinds of service to God, but it is the same Lord we are serving. 

1 Corinthians 12:4-5

Our Deacon, the Archdeacon

Our deacon, The Rev'd Dr. Bette J. Kauffman, has been appointed by Bishop Jake Owensby to the position of Archdeacon. Her title can be either "The Venerable" or "Archdeacon." Bette has elected to use the title - Archdeacon Bette J. Kauffman, Ph.D., which recognizes her new position and still acknowledges her doctorate. As Bette said, "Somehow "the Venerable" just makes me feel old!"

Congratulations Archdeacon!

Thoughts from Bishop Jake

Dear Diocesan Family,

Let’s commit to staying connected. That’s what families do. And we are a family through more than genetics and lineage. Our common faith in the one Christ makes us brothers and sisters in an eternal sense. Nevertheless, staying connected is important.

Worshipping with the Book of Common Prayer keeps us spiritually connected. That is the gift of our Anglican heritage. Each Sunday we pray together in the same ancient forms from many different geographical locations. Different places. Same prayers. Same Jesus Christ.

We read the same scripture passages from the Revised Common Lectionary. God speaks the same words of love and grace in different tones with different cadences to the gathered believers in every place. The words are the same, and yet somehow God crafts the message for each and every heart. God’s word keeps us connected.

The Body and Blood of Jesus Christ slake our thirst and quell our hunger each Sunday. Each of our different Altars is a finite perspective on the one true Altar where Christ is both priest and sacrifice. Or, to us the image of the Table: the Holy Table in each congregation is a different glimpse of the one true Table at which Jesus is host and feast. The Sacrament connects us to God and weaves us into one Body.

In our polity, bishops serve as a symbol of our deeper unity in Christ. When I visit a congregation, my presence as bishop reminds everyone that the entire diocese, in fact the entire Church, gathers as one in worship.

As aids in remembering our unity and keeping us connected, I post pictures of my visitations on Facebook. Additionally, you can read each week’s sermon at Pelican Anglican (http://pelicananglican.blogspot.com and listen to it at my Bishop Jake Owensby sermon.net site (http://sermon.net/bishopjake).

Please consider friending me on Facebook (just look for Jake Owensby) to check out the latest pictures and updates. Also, visit my blog and consider subscribing by email or RSS feed. You can also subscribe to my audio sermons. (There is a link from Pelican Anglican to the audio sermons if that’s more convenient for you.)

Several parishes have touched base with me about book signings. Please feel free to let me know that you would like for me to come, and we will work something out. I will be happy to do a brief class and bring some copies for purchase and signing. If you already have a copy, just bring it along. Connecting the Dots is now available in a number of places, including Amazon.

I am so proud to be your bishop. Your faith and love fill me with joy and encourage me in my own walk with Jesus. I love you all and look forward to seeing each of you face to face.






In Christ’s Love,
The Rt. Rev. Jacob W. Owensby, Ph.D.

Remember Mary, Our Lord's Mother

Today, August 15, is the Feast of Saint Mary the Virgin, Mother of Our Lord Jesus Christ. The Collect of the Day is:

O God, you have taken to yourself the blessed Virgin Mary, mother of your incarnate Son: Grant that we, who have been redeemed by his blood, may share with her the glory of your eternal kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

We will celebrate Holy Eucharist at 5:30 p.m.

St. Alban's Alphabet

Today's letter is "J". Can you find me?

Hint - See the post before and think number 4.