Whenever I read the passage from Isaiah 58, in the lectionary for this coming Sunday, I want to burst into song with “And then, then shall your light break forth like dawn,” the concluding chorus of Felix Mendelssohn’s oratorio Elijah. It exuberantly proclaims the theme of light that we celebrate throughout Epiphany. At Christ Church, […]
February 2, 2020 – The day when Baby Jesus comes out of the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami at the end of the Super Bowl, and if he sees his shadow in the stadium lights, there will be another six weeks until Lent starts. Just kidding. It is interesting though, that big church and cultural
Groundhogs, Football, and Sweet, Sweet Baby Jesus Read More »
From the Clergy, Uncategorized
The total raised for the Ocracoke Hurricane Relief fund from the Silent Auction at Nativity in December is $4,310.00 – money that has been donated to the relief efforts at Ocracoke. Bill and Sharon Conley visited Ocracoke just after Christmas; here is Sharon’s description of what they saw: After Christmas, Bill and I and two
Invitation or Command? This Sunday’s gospel reading is the same story of the calling of Andrew and Peter that we heard last Sunday from the Gospel of John, but this week the story comes from the Gospel of Matthew. It includes the infamous phrase, “Follow me and I will make you disciples of men.” (people
Invitation or Command? Read More »
From the Clergy
Psalm 40 is one of my favorite psalms. And not just because the band U2 made a rock song out of it. (If you’ve ever been to a U2 concert and heard them play it, and heard the audience singing with it, it’s church. Watch the video below all the way to the end when
I don’t know about you, but I could use some light of the Epiphany season right now. Things are pretty scary in the news these days – the violent anti-Semitism, the wildfires raging in Australia, the uncertainty of what’s next with Iran and Iraq. I especially wouldn’t mind a nice theophany – a clear and
Praying in the Parentheses Read More »
From the Clergy
I don’t know about you, but I always feel a little let down the day or two after Christmas. Christmas Eve is fun and exciting with all the services, and all the music, and all the people! Christmas Day is celebratory and fun with all the food and all the presents and all the family!
Martyrs, Apostles, and Babies, Oh My! Read More »
Uncategorized
Saturday, December 21, will mark the winter solstice. Either the longest night of the year, or the shortest day, depending upon your perspective. We can bemoan the fact that it is dark at 5:30pm right now in Raleigh, or we remember that the longest night means that on December 22, we move in the other
Hello Darkness My Old Friend Read More »
From the Clergy
This Sunday is the third Sunday of Advent. Over half of Advent is over, and we are quickly coming upon Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. What were your hopes and dreams for this Advent season? Was there a practice you wanted to try? Did you stick with the tried and true of the lighting of
We’re Halfway There, Livin’ on a Prayer Read More »
From the Clergy
The song on my car radio proclaims, “it’s the most wonderful time of the year!” In my experience, it is not. Yes, the holidays and days leading up to Christmas can be fun – there are many events, programs, gifts, and parties to attend. It is also a stressful time to figure out how to
