Liturgy schedule @ St Augustine’s:
SUN - 9:30
Past - communications:
2/20/2021
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Lent has begun. This next Sunday, with a focus on Jesus’ Temptation in the Wilderness, we know how bombarded we can be by the assaults of the Devil, and the world and the flesh. From laziness to lust, from fear to faithlessness we are surrounded by a society reverting to paganism before our eyes.
- Christ came to set us free and enable us to resist the powers of evil and darkness.
- He came to call us as the Way that leads to eternal life.
- Jesus does this through Prayer, the Bible, the Sacraments and the impartation of the Holy Spirit.
- this is how the gift of Free Will is brought into action to turn afresh to our loving Lord.
- We can accept and receive His offer of salvation and eternal life, or we can sadly abandon or reject it.
On Sunday Christ invites us to trust Him anew, to receive His forgiveness, to renew us in the Holy Spirit and to strengthen us by receiving His Body and Blood in Holy Communion.
LENT 2021 is more stream-lined. Our SUNDAY Lenten Bible Class will follow the 9:30 Liturgy as we enjoy Coffee and Refreshments in the Parish Hall.
This Lent we will look at the pivotal place The EXODUS holds and how it continues to surface in the story of our salvation. I will offer a focused presentation that will lead us deeper in to the pages of the Bible and enable us to get a glimpse of God’s big plan for us and for our salvation.
TUESDAYS offers the 4pm Mid-week Lenten Mass with chosen Scripture readings.
FRIDAYs provide the 6pm Stations of the Cross as we come along side Jesus on the road to Calvary. Watered-down religion has obscured the costliness of our Redemption in our Lord’s Passion and Death.
Last Year there was Ash Wednesday and shortly afterwards: nothing. No Holy Week, No Good Friday, no Great VIGIL, no Easter DAY.
Let us all recoup our loss this Lent as we come along behind our Savior on the way that leads to eternal Life. It’s our choice.
Choose to come!
In Christ our Savior,
Bishop Dan
2/7/2021
Dearest Friends in Christ,
Tomorrow at the end of the 9:30 Service, Healing Prayer will be available at the Chancel Steps, AND also, the annual Blessing of Throats. Deacon Wally will anoint for healing, and Bishop Dan will bless throats. You are welcome to come forward for either or both.
Coffee and refreshments follow downstairs in the Parish Hall.
Tuesday: 4pm midweek Eucharist. **Please pray for Bishop Bill to recover fully from his corona virus.
Looking forward to seeing you,
In Christ,
Bishop Dan
LOOKING AHEAD: The Beginning of Lent - 2021
Shrove Tuesday, February 16, 5pm Dinner; 6pm Ashes and First Mass of Lent
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ASH Wednesday, FAST Day, Feb 17, NOON - Ashes and Mass
The Parish of Saint Augustine of Canterbury
78 Second Street, Ilion, NY - SUN 9:30
Serving Christ in the Mohawk Valley
A Hospital for Sinners, Not a Museum for Saints
12/31/2020
New Year’s Eve
31 Dec 2020
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Tomorrow launches 2021 and many will be glad to leave 2020 with its many detriments behind.
Perhaps the biggest consequence of our various lockdowns and restrictions has been loneliness and isolation. Many experience a negative effect on their mental health.
However, a surprising survey published earlier this month by the polling group GALLUP showed that 4% of individuals who went to church weekly actually reported an improvement in their mental health to ‘excellent’ (as opposed to the decline reported by people who went less or seldom/never). In fact, weekly attendance slightly elevated the results more than having a large income. For the full story see the link below.
We should not be surprised that the encounter with the living and healing Lord has such effect in our lives.
Tomorrow, Jan 1, is the Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus. Our first Eucharist of 2021 will be at 10:00.
In the living Lord,
Bishop Dan
Parish Church of St Augustine of Canterbury
A Hospital for Sinners, not a museum for saints.
https://news.gallup.com/poll/327311/americans-mental-health-ratings-sink-new-low.aspx
12/19/2020
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Tomorrow is our final Advent Sunday. Deacon Wally is preaching, 9:30. We zero down to the final pre-Christmas prep for the Birth of our Messiah.
TUES-4pm Eucharist for is the (transferred) feast of St Thomas, celebrating the most explicit of all the New Testament saints in affirming the truth of Christmas when God was born among us of a Virgin: St Thomas’ words: My Lord and my God!
THURSDAY, Dec 24, Christmas Eve 7pm.
FRIDAY: Dec 25, Christmas Day 10:00am.
Bonnie Bailey’s Grandson and family in New Hartford lost their home to fire this week. Please join in giving thanks for their getting out ok, and for them as they rebuild their home and their lives.
In Christ,
Bishop Dan
In our lives:
If Jesus isn’t Lord of all,
He isn’t Lord at all.
12/11/2020
11 December 2020
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Our call in ADVENT is to PREPARE the way of the LORD into our HEARTS.
Lots of other voices clamor for residency in our hearts as well. They want us to forget about Jesus and instead think of (1) ourselves, (2) our wants, (3) our importance, (4) our status, (5 our fears.
What’s our heart like when it’s dominated by our own Ego, cravings, importance anxiety and depression? - not too good. We need encouragement!
But it’s not too late. St Paul calls his fellow Christians (and us as well) to Rejoice always. Amazing considering that the Roman Emperor was busy trying to destroy the Christian movement. Paul had been turned from being a persecutor of the Church, to becoming an ardent follower of Jesus, willing to give up his life as necessary. Paul had Christ in his heart; he had the Holy Spirit in his heart. He was making a difference!
When we hear God’s WORD in the Scripture, when we receive Jesus’ Body and Blood in Holy Communion, when we are renewed in the Holy Spirit, we have that same freedom from all that is going on around us.
Sunday, 9:30, all this awaits us as we enter with angels and archangels into the common worship of the Trinity and are filled with His power and presence. I want to prepare a way more deeply into my heart for Jesus. I hope you do too.
See you in Church,
Bishop Dan
ADVENT and CHRISTMASTIDE Schedule 2020
~ Let every heart prepare Him room ~
Thursday Dec 24 Eve 7pm - The Christ-Mass
Friday - Dec 25 - Nativity Day Mass - 10:00 am
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Sunday - Dec 27- 3rd Day of Christmas - 9:30
Tuesday - Dec 29 - 5th Day of Christmas ~ 4pm
-2021-
Friday ~ Jan 1 ~ Holy Name of Jesus
New Year’s Day ~ Mass 10 am
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Sunday ~ Jan 3 ~ 10th Day of Christmas ~ 9:30
Tuesday - Jan 5 - Epiphany Eve Mass: 4pm
Sunday ~ Jan 10 ~ Baptism of Jesus - 9:30
11/20/2020
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Our refurbisher Rochester Floors, has advised us that we should not walk on the newly done floors for another week. Therefore, this Sunday, the Feast of Christ the King will be celebrated in the Parish Hall at 9:30. Please use the Parish House door to enter.
So our return to the newly refurbished sanctuary will be the following Sunday, Nov 29, the First Sunday of Advent, the beginning of the Church’s liturgical year. (That day has special meaning for me as it was on Nov 29, 1997 that I was consecrated a Bishop in Christ’s holy Church.)
This coming TUESDAY, Nov 26 will our celebration of the Eucharist of Thanksgiving at 4pm.
The Lordship of Jesus, true God and true Man, is more desperately needed in our nation and the world than ever. United under His banner of holiness and love is the only hope for our fractured world. We can all join in recommitting ourselves to Jesus’ rule within our hearts, and in our lives, as a fresh beginning.
I look forward to seeing you on the Lord’s Day.
In Christ,
Bishop Dan
11/11/2020
The Parish of Saint Augustine of Canterbury
78 Second Street, Ilion, NY - SUN 9:30
Serving the Mohawk Valley from Ilion
A Hospital for Sinners, Not a Museum for Saints
11 November 2020
Feast of St Martin of Tours
Veterans’ Day
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Our contractor to re-finish the Sanctuary floor (area nearest the Altar), has begun this final phase of our refurbishing the church building. The Altar has been removed so that the whole area can be sanded and refinished.
This Sunday, Nov 15, Mass will be in the Parish Hall.
On Sunday, please enter via the parish House door, the farthest in from the street. The usual sanitizer station will be operative. Masks may be removed during the Reading, the Sermon and after receiving Holy Communion while seated.
Everyone has been so good about arriving before church and praying. It’s great. Makes for much better liturgy and worship.
We are unable to access the new rest room because the stairs and the landing are being refurbished as well. The rest room near the kitchen continues to be available.
This will be the same style we used in the summer. Weather forecasts suggest air-conditioning will not be needed.
This Sunday is also the last day to bring in your Operation Christmas Child box. They will be collected and packed for delivery to the Good Samaritan Purse collection station for shipment. Special thanks to Kathy who has kept this in motion.
Thank-you too to Art, Terry, Jean, Bev and Kim for sorting through the junk, cleaning our the cellar and loading the dumpster with all the debris. Churches are notorious for accumulating junk. Thanks for creating space for everyone.
Sunday, Nov 22 is the Feast of Christ the King, the final Sunday of the church year. And the next week will be the 1st Sunday of Advent on November 29 as we prepare for the coming of our Savior.
Some people are anxious about another lockdown if C-19 soars. Now is the time to act on our convictions and come to worship Christ Jesus and receive His Body and Blood in Holy Communion. And midweek Holy Eucharist continues on TUES at 4pm.
In Christ Jesus,
Bishop Dan
PS: If you are worried about our Nation, come and pray: for our families, for our friends, for our enemies.
10/10/2020
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
At the end of this note are 2 reports regarding developments in the Church.
The 1st is that the Trial Court found Bishop Bill Love GUILTY on all five charges brought against him for not allowing same-sex marriage services in our churches or by our clergy. The penalty to be imposed will be decided and revealed in about a month. It can range from a reprimand (“you shouldn’t have done that”) to forced removal from the priesthood or as our bishop, or something in between.
The 2nd is the latest (2019) data on the numbers in the Church itself.
Both are unpleasant reading.
You’re aware that I do not focus on these negative situations, that we try to keep Christ Jesus as the true focus for us all. The reality is that actions are going on in our very midst and in the church around us as the same time.
At St Augustine’s we continue to recover from the government-imposed spring lockdown. We are doing better than many. We can do better. Every time someone rolls over for 40 more winks on Sunday morning is a vote to close the church. It’s as simple as that. Low commitment churches do not survive. That applies both to low commitment to the teaching and life-style of classic Christianity, and low commitment to public worship on Sunday.
Neighboring parishes are having the same struggle.
The choice is ours.
Tomorrow is the parable Jesus tells about the Wedding Feast. Where do I fit? What can I do? What will I decide?
Church Entry continues to be via the middle door. Sanitize on the way in. Wear a mask (which may be lowered while seated during the Service). No-touch Peace. Shortened hymns. Offering basket at entry to old baptistry; prayer request sign-up same area. Healing Prayer follows Mass.
May Holy Mary and St Augustine pray for you; may the angels and saints of God keep watch over you.
Pray for the Church, the Nation, and the future.
May Christ Jesus bring us to to deepened conversion and new life by the power of the Holy Spirit.
In the risen and returning Lord,
Bishop Dan
https://virtueonline.org/albany-orthodox-episcopal-bishop-found-guilty-violating-marriage-canon
https://virtueonline.org/incredibly-shrinking-episcopal-church
6/8/2020
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Below is an Appeal for Prayer and Fasting on behalf of Bishop Bill from the Standing Committee of the Diocese. The SC is composed of 6 Clergy and 6 Laity elected by the Convention of all the Parishes ad Clergy of the Diocese. It is the Bishop’s Council of Advice, approves candidates for Ordination, and is required for assent to sell church property etc.
I support their initiative fully. Bishop Bill is in reality on Trial this coming FRIDAY for upholding his ordination vows. He refuses to assent to this new religion which is contrary to the plain words of Scripture, the teaching of the Catechism, the canons and the rubrics and rites of the Book of Common Prayer. He stands in the Christian mainstream, and the teaching of the overwhelming churches of the Anglican Communion.
So tomorrow, TUESDAY, June 9, the mid-week 4;30 Mass will be directed to this spiritual intention. The Liturgy will be in the Parish Hall, where we can gather in a larger space.
Please use the Parish House doors to enter. Bring your mask. Hand sanitizer will be provided.
In Christ,
Bishop Dan
PS: Weekend Mass continues at 4pm on SAT, and 9:30 on SUNDAY.
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A Call to Prayer for Bishop Love
from the Standing Committee
Bishop William Love faces a Title IV Hearing Panel of the Episcopal Church this Friday, June 12th, beginning at 9am. He has been accused of “failing to abide by the promises he made at his Ordination as a bishop in violation of the standard of conduct established in Canon IV.4.1(c).” In particular, Bishop Love is accused of failing to abide by the Discipline and Worship of the Episcopal Church, as a result of his unwillingness to obey Resolution B012 passed by the 79th General Convention of the Episcopal Church. We, the members of the Standing Committee of the Episcopal Diocese of Albany, continue to fully support Bishop Love as he faces this upcoming trial. It is our belief, that rather than violating his ordination vows, he upheld them by taking the actions he did.
The Standing Committee prays for and calls for Bishop Love’s full exoneration and the restoration of his full ecclesiastical authority. We further call on the clergy and people of the diocese to join us in prayer and fasting (if you are able) for Bishop Love starting immediately and continuing through June 12th, and beyond.
We are also aware that several churches have already scheduled prayer vigils and services to support our bishop. We would invite you to let us know of these services and any pertinent information about partaking of the service by notifying the Diocesan Communication Officer, Deacon Meaghan Keegan, at mkeegan@albanydiocese.org.Meaghan will post all available prayer vigils and services on the diocesan website and send them out through the Diocesan Update.
We believe that God is in control and we have faith in his providence over this situation. We thank God for his guidance and love throughout this process and trust in his ongoing love and faithfulness.
We also thank the clergy and people of this diocese for your continued prayers and support for Bishop Love and for the Diocese of Albany. Together, we remain committed to the work and ministry of the gospel as given to us by Jesus Christ, himself.
May God Bless each of you,
The Rev. Scott Garno, president
Barbara Beaulac, secretary
The Rev. Katherine Alonge-Coons
Christopher Cassidy
Randall Demler
John Hyde
The Rev. Bradley Jones
Teresa Mumby
The Very Rev. David Ousley
Janet Papa
The Rev. Elizabeth Papazoglakis
The Rev. Derik Roy
6/1/2020
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
This weekend, SAT June 6 and SUN June 7, St Augustine’s will joyfully RE-START our public WORSHIP of God the HOLY TRINITY. Mass will be at 4pm on SAT and the usual 9:30 on SUN. We have been missing coming to Church, not because Jesus is absent in our hearts, but because His REAL PRESENCE in the Eucharist deepens our faith and strengthens us to be His disciples in the real world.
A couple of changes are coming:
Firstly we will COMMENCE a SAT MASS at 4pm.
This doubles our opportunity to keep the Lord’s Day HOLY.
For folks who must work on Sunday morning or be away, SAT gives us the chance to come and give thanks for Christ’s blessings, and empowered for the week to come. I pray that this also serve to broaden our spiritual outreach, to attract others to our Lord. We want to be a place where men and women gather to be strengthened in their faith, to more deeply experience Christian hope (not just optimism) for this life and the life-to-come. We want to produce spiritual providers, not merely religious consumers.
The SUN liturgy at 9:30 will have the same format as Saturday. Music might differ.
2 behaviors will benefit everyone. Go to Church every Lord’s Day.
Arrive before the Service begins so we can all commence prayerfully.
Secondly, we will implement ways of protecting your health,
while engaging in the traditional expression of our faith in the Liturgy.
1. We begin coming through a single point to be sure that all participants have a mask and use hand sanitizer (provided) before entering the church.
- [Any door can be used to exit.]
2. Seating has been re-configured to make it serve our safety as well as our worship.
3. Pews may be marked as open/closed for seating.
4. Family seating does not require social-distancing. People arriving in the same car can be a unit.
5. Avoid standing in doorways or blocking aisles or moving around.
6. The Peace will be exchanged by gesture or a warm wave. Don’t touch other people.
7. The Offering will be received in a basket or plate near the entry. Please complete it on entering/leaving.
8. Holy Communion will be ministered standing at the foot of the Chancel.
9. Keep a distance from the person in front of you.
10. Remove your mask while that person is receiving.
11. Communion will be in one kind, the Host (the Body of Christ) only, in your palm.
12. The Holy Water founts must remain empty for now.
13. We will restore the Asperges (sprinkling) at the beginning of the Liturgy to compensate.
14. Pews and commonly touched items will be sanitized after each Service.
15. Coffee/Refreshments will be restored when we determine how to best comply with the Health Department norms.
The Vestry has discussed all these steps and believe it best supports the people, the ministry, and the mission of St Augustine’s. We’ll adapt as necessary. Flexibility is the key to the future. Lastly, we will have a work-party on FRIDAY, June 5, starting at 10:30. Since Church resumes at the beginning of June, instead of the end, we need to clean, dust, polish, relocate hymnals and Prayer-Books. It’s an important follow-up to all the work the men have done repainting, repairing and reordering our building to honor the Lord and delight His people. Bring your work gloves, a mask and any housekeeping items you wish.
I pray daily for spiritual renewal, and I truly look forward to seeing you.
In Christ,
Bishop Dan
Daily Until the Feast of Trinity
Lord Jesus, as we await the re-opening of our building,
revive the faith of all your People at St Augustine’s.
We pray You to open our hearts.
Give us a deepened desire to receive You afresh,
to forsake our sins, and welcome Your call.
Renew Your Church and begin with me:
give me grace to come expectantly
to hear Your word each Lord’s Day
and fruitfully receive Your Body and Blood,
all for Your tender mercies' sake.
Amen.
5/31/20
Join us - virtually.
The Parish of Saint Augustine of Canterbury, Ilion, NY
A Hospital for Sinners, Not a Museum for Saints
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We are separated from each other, but we are not cut off from Christ.
We cannot come together in our church building, but we are Christ’s Church and He is our Head.
We are dispersed, but we are united.
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
PENTECOST, the 50th Day of Eastertide, brings to a close the great Resurrection season. The outpouring of God the Holy Spirit launched the newly constituted Christian Church into the world beyond Jerusalem, and Judea and Samaria. 120 were gathered in the upper room including the Apostles (with Mathias replacing Judas) around the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Jesus at his Ascension (10 days before) had commanded them to “stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high”. Here was the fulfillment. They were each filled with the Holy Spirit. The new era had begun! The world would never be the same again.
You and I are the beneficiaries of these Spirit-filled disciples who risked everything to bring the Good News of Jesus’ Death and Resurrection to a desperate and hurting world.
St Augustine’s is the heir of this move of God. We are called to let the Holy Spirit empower us to serve the Lord, and the Lord’s people, and to share with those around us this continuing invaluable Good News.
Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NjfToqk5w5g
The Collect
Almighty God, on this day you opened the way of eternal life to every race and nation by the promised gift of your Holy Spirit: Shed abroad this gift throughout the world by the preaching of the Gospel, that it may reach to the ends of the earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
or this
O God, who on this day taught the hearts of your faithful people by sending to them the light of your Holy Spirit: Grant us by the same Spirit to have a right judgment in all things, and evermore to rejoice in his holy comfort; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
The First Lesson
Acts 2:1-11
When the day of Pentecost had come, the disciples were all together in one place. And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.
Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven living in Jerusalem. And at this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in the native language of each. Amazed and astonished, they asked, "Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us, in our own native language? Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabs-- in our own languages we hear them speaking about God's deeds of power."
The Psalm
Psalm 33:12-15, 18-22 Page 626, BCP
Exultate, justi
12 Happy is the nation whose God is the LORD! * happy the people he has chosen to be his own!
13 The LORD looks down from heaven, * and beholds all the people in the world.
14 From where he sits enthroned he turns his gaze * on all who dwell on the earth.
15 He fashions all the hearts of them *and understands all their works.
18 Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon those who fear him, * on those who wait upon his love,
19 To pluck their lives from death, * and to feed them in time of famine.
20 Our soul waits for the LORD; * he is our help and our shield.
21 Indeed, our heart rejoices in him, * for in his holy Name we put our trust.
22 Let your loving-kindness, O LORD, be upon us, * as we have put our trust in you.
Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. To one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the discernment of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. All these are activated by one and the same Spirit, who allots to each one individually just as the Spirit chooses.
For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in the one Spirit we were all baptized into one body-- Jews or Greeks, slaves or free-- and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.
John 14:8-17
Philip said to Jesus, "Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied." Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know me? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, `Show us the Father'? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own; but the Father who dwells in me does his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; but if you do not, then believe me because of the works themselves. Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father. I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If in my name you ask me for anything, I will do it.
"If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever. This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, because he abides with you, and he will be in you."
Love Divine https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GenHMi5B7L4
AND, back at 78 2nd Street Art’s splendid idea for French Doors to highlight the entry into the Parish Hall is now completed.
SO, NEXT WEEKEND, AS WE RESUME THE PUBLIC WORSHIP OF THE HOLY TRINITY we get to view firsthand the sum of their dedicated and effective labors.
The Lord’s Day Mass will be SATURDAY, June 6, at 4pm; and SUNDAY, June 7 at 9:30. I’ll have a letter out this week reminding us of the changes that will be in effect. Everyone will enter through the Door nearest the new bathroom in the space of the previous chapel.
One big help is for each of us to arrive well before the start of Mass. A few minutes in private prayer before the Liturgy is a great enhancement.
I invite every disciple at St Augustine’s to PRAY for a spiritual renewal that matches the physical enhancements we see around us. There is no point in having consecrated buildings without a consecrated people. Please pray daily the Prayer below:
Daily Personal Prayer Until Next Weekend
Lord Jesus, as we await the re-opening of our building,
revive the faith of all your People at St Augustine’s.
We pray You to open our hearts.
Give us a deepened desire to receive You afresh,
to forsake our sins, and welcome Your call.
Renew Your Church and begin with me:
give me grace to come expectantly
to hear Your word each Lord’s Day
and fruitfully receive Your Body and Blood,
all for Your tender mercies' sake.
Amen.
In Christ,
Bishop Dan
For Bishop Dan's latest Newsletter - and additional links, see the JOIN US page. (Click the Tab above in the menu.)
ALSO, see a Lenten Devotion page, at the Top Menu: The Way of the Cross
5/24/20
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Above is the link for Sunday Mass with Bishop Bill from Christ the King Center. Below are the Readings and Collect for the Liturgy as well as some music to use as you desire. There is also the Prayer for daily use between now and the re-opening of our building. I encourage you to print out the Prayer and make it part of your daily spiritual life.
We’re making plans to resume worship next month, perhaps sooner than originally thought. We’ll mark the Lord’s Day with Mass on SAT at 4pm, and Sunday 9:30.
The Vestry met and we reviewed what steps we need to assure we’re reducing danger of infection. We identified some common-sense steps we can all take. We wore our masks. We sang a hymn at the beginning and the end. Masks do not muzzle.
New ways: 1.Everyone will wear a mask. 2.Seating will be adjusted. 3.Entry will be by middle door. 4.Hand sanitizing on entry. 5. We won’t be able to wander around, or stand in doorways. To make this smooth we’ll all need a spirit of agree-able-ness. Let us set aside all temptation toward grumbling and disagreeableness. Let us love like Jesus.
Bishop Bill will be issuing some guidelines this coming week.
Optional: 2-hours of contemporary Praise
In the ascended Lord,
Bishop Dan
The 7th Sunday of Eastertide - Ascension Sunday
Alleluia, Sing to Jesus: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bkt-qoeACJM
COLLECT
O God, the King of glory, you have exalted your only Son
Jesus Christ with great triumph to your kingdom in heaven:
Do not leave us comfortless, but send us your Holy Spirit to
strengthen us, and exalt us to that place where our Savior
Christ has gone before; who lives and reigns with you and
the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.
FIRST READING: Acts of the Apostles 1: 6 - 14
Acts 1:1 (NRSV) In the first book, Theoph'ilus, I wrote about all that Jesus did and taught from the beginning 2 until the day when he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. 3 After his suffering he presented himself alive to them by many convincing proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. 4 While staying with them, he ordered them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait there for the promise of the Father. "This," he said, "is what you have heard from me; 5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now."
6 So when they had come together, they asked him, "Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?" 7 He replied, "It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." 9 When he had said this, as they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. 10 While he was going and they were gazing up toward heaven, suddenly two men in white robes stood by them. 11 They said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up toward heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven."
12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Ol'ivet, which is near Jerusalem, a sabbath day's journey away. 13 When they had entered the city, they went to the room upstairs where they were staying, Peter, and John, and James, and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James son of Alphae'us, and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. 14 All these were constantly devoting themselves to prayer, together with certain women, including Mary the mother of Jesus, as well as his brothers.
Psalm 68 Exsurgat Deus
1 Let God arise, and let his enemies be scattered; * let those who hate him flee before him.
2 Let them vanish like smoke when the wind drives it away; * as the wax melts at the fire, so let the wicked perish at the presence of God.
3 But let the righteous be glad and rejoice before God; * let them also be merry and joyful.
4 Sing to God, sing praises to his Name; exalt him who rides upon the heavens; * Yahweh is his Name, rejoice before him!
5 Father of orphans, defender of widows, * God in his holy habitation!
6 God gives the solitary a home and brings forth prisoners into freedom; * but the rebels shall live in dry places.
7 O God, when you went forth before your people, * when you marched through the wilderness,
8 The earth shook, and the skies poured down rain, at the presence of God, the God of Sinai, * at the presence of God, the God of Israel.
9 You sent a gracious rain, O God, upon your inheritance; * you refreshed the land when it was weary.
10 Your people found their home in it; * in your goodness, O God, you have made provision
for the poor.
33 Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth; * sing praises to the Lord.
34 He rides in the heavens, the ancient heavens; * he sends forth his voice, his mighty voice.
35 Ascribe power to God; * his majesty is over Israel; his strength is in the skies.
36 How wonderful is God in his holy places! * the God of Israel giving strength and power to his people!
Blessed be God!
SECOND READING: 1 Peter 4: 12 - 14, 5: 6 - 11
1 Pet 4:12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that is taking place among you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice insofar as you are sharing Christ's sufferings, so that you may also be glad and shout for joy when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the spirit of glory, which is the Spirit of God, is resting on you. 5:6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you. 8 Discipline yourselves, keep alert. Like a roaring lion your adversary the devil prowls around, looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, steadfast in your faith, for you know that your brothers and sisters in all the world are undergoing the same kinds of suffering. 10 And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, support, strengthen, and establish you. 11 To him be the power forever and ever. Amen.
GOSPEL: John 17: 1 - 11
John 17:1 After Jesus had spoken these words, he looked up to heaven and said, "Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son so that the Son may glorify you, 2 since you have given him authority over all people, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. 3 And this is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. 4 I glorified you on earth by finishing the work that you gave me to do. 5 So now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had in your presence before the world existed.
6 "I have made your name known to those whom you gave me from the world. They were yours, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. 7 Now they know that everything you have given me is from you; 8 for the words that you gave to me I have given to them, and they have received them and know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me. 9 I am asking on their behalf; I am not asking on behalf of the world, but on behalf of those whom you gave me, because they are yours. 10 All mine are yours, and yours are mine; and I have been glorified in them. 11 And now I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one, as we are one.
See the Conquorer Mounts in Triumph https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dE-w5SzZCmc
Daily Personal Prayer for the time before Reopening the Church-Building
Lord Jesus, as we await the re-opening of our building,
revive the faith of all your People at St Augustine’s.
We pray You to open our hearts.
Give us a deepened desire to receive You afresh,
to forsake our sins, and welcome Your call.
Renew Your Church and begin with me:
give me grace to come expectantly
to hear Your word each Lord’s Day
and fruitfully receive Your Body and Blood,
all for Your tender mercies' sake.
Amen.
5/20/20
I believe many will be blessed this brief article about the author of Amazing Grace.
Imagine, he went from being a slaver to becoming a Christian, to being a priest.
We aren't to be defined by our past.
Bishop Dan
https://livingchurch.org/covenant/2020/05/18/gods-amazing-grace/
5/17/20
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
About A.D. 540 a plague from China traveled via rat to Ethiopia and Egypt and around the Mediterranean. The Emperor Justinian was infected, but did not die. Since it began during his reign it is sometimes called Justinian’s Plague. The pandemic lasted until about A.D 750. Over 2 centuries! Historians estimate that somewhere between 25 million and 100 million people died.
Did the Church shut down? No. In fact it was about 50 years into the plague that St Gregory the Great, (a monk who had become pope) commissioned St Augustine, a fellow monk, and our Patron saint, to lead 40 other monks from Rome to England to reboot the Christian mission in that island nation. He arrived in 597 bearing an icon of Jesus at the head of a procession. He labored until his death May 26, 605.
Life was tough. The English were rumored to be violent. Augustine was scared. But they kept on. He converted the pagan king and in short order thousands were baptized.
He became our first Archbishop of Canterbury, laboring fruitfully in a strange land, with a wild population until his death May 26, 605.
I know that many of you have fruitfully engaged in personal Bible-reading, personal prayer and Christian spiritual reading. That is very encouraging. You have faithfully followed Bishop Bill’s Youtube Sunday Mass from Christ the King Center. Some of you have reached out to others to touch base, to lessen isolation and loneliness. I commend you. Many of you have increased your Intercessions for fellow Christians, for physicians and folks hospitalized with C19. Lots of you have continued to support the mission of St Augustine’s with mail-in offerings for the parish.
At 78 2nd Street: Terry, Art and Craig have used the lull in building use to complete the painting of the Parish Hall, and are nearly done in painting the Nave. The new french doors into the Parish Hall will soon be installed, and the painting of the exterior of all the doors, new and old will be finished.
Rochester Floors, who did such a great job on the Chancel floor, will begin the refinishing the freshly exposed floor of the Sanctuary (Communion rail to back wall). The back row of pews will be relocated to the west wall, and 1 row will be removed to enhance access for Processions (Sunday, bridal and funeral) into the church.
Bishop Bill will be holding a teleconference with the clergy this coming week. We expect some specific direction about the re-start of the public worship shortly thereafter. I am estimating near the end of June. I wish it could be sooner. But faith and religion do not fare well in the age of the “nones”.
(In some ways its like the pagan environment, with just a smattering of Christians, that St Augustine first confronted.)
As we look forward to resuming Church, we will have some changes to protect your health. This is my estimate, though the Bishop and the diocese may mandate other things.
We will need to wear masks.
The social distancing introduced will be a factor in seating.
Pews will be marked for open/closed.
Note: family units will not be required to sit apart from each other.
Folks who ride together can be counted as a unit.
Holy Communion (Host only) will be administered standing at the foot of the Chancel.
Maybe outdoor Coffee Hour. Disposable cups/utensils/plates etc.
We just don’t yet know how a lot of this will work out. So we stay flexible.
I hope we can re-open with a great Palm Procession singing All Glory Laud and Honor!
Lastly, I want to give a try to adding a 2nd Service with a Saturday Mass at 4pm. This may help with the more complex seating. It may help with job conflicts or other activities.
It will facilitate everyone coming to Church every Lord’s Day.
Of all the Commandments, this is the most important. (Because when the Lord’s Day is ignored, the rest of the Commandments fall fast.) Casual Christianity is dying.
We’ll give this a try through Labor Day weekend and see what is warranted for the future.
People miss coming to church, not because Jesus is absent in our hearts at home or work, but because Jesus’ Real Presence in the Eucharist deepens our awareness of Him in reality the rest of the week.
Please begin praying for the LORD, to open the doors of our hearts even more deeply, and welcome others to the in-breaking, healing and liberating kingdom of Christ our God as we re-open the physical doors of the building.
Tuesday I marked the 49th Anniversary of my ordination as a Deacon. So beginning my 50th year of ministry. I thank our Lord Jesus Christ for this great calling of which I am not worthy. I thank Him for Carol and her unwavering support these five decades of ministry and 55 years of marriage. And I thank Him for all the holy women and men who have influenced me and encouraged me. Thank you for your daily prayers and partnership in the Gospel.
Thursday I officiated at the Burial of Louise Pelton Staring, 91, who grew up here at St Augustine’s and moved to Onondaga county after college. Her daughters spoke of wonderful summers at Beaver-Cross with scholarships from the parish. May her soul, and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God rest in peace. Amen.
Life is moving forward. And St Augustine’s with it. Because Jesus lives within us by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, Daily Prayer, Bible-reading and outreach should mark our lives. The building may be unoccupied, but the Church of Jesus remains; our hearts can be filled. Our faith is not confined to a building. It is to be unleashed.
The Bible gives us a great perspective on life and its events. Nothing new. The Lord reigns over all the natural and every man-made disaster.
Whether it’s Justinian’s Plague, started by a flea on a rat, or the Wuhan virus from a bug in a bat, Jesus is at our side and in our hearts.
He is there and He is always with us. In Jesus every fear has been faced, including death. Because of Jesus fear has no power over us!
What has been is what will be,
and what has been done is what will be done,
and there is nothing new under the sun. Ecclesiastes 1:9
So for 2020 we’ll be physically apart for Ascension Day, St Augustine’s Day, the Day of Pentecost, Trinity Sunday and Corpus Christi. But with some thought and imagination we can recoup that loss in fresh and dynamic ways.
Bishop Bill’s Sunday Mass from Christ the King Center goes live at 6 a.m.
Pray now for not just a re-opening at St Augustine's, but for a genuine re-start, in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Your Brother in Christ,
Bishop Dan
Optional: 2-hours of contemporary Praise
Sixth Sunday of Easter
O God, you have prepared for those who love you such good
things as surpass our understanding: Pour into our hearts such
love towards you, that we, loving you in all things and above
all things, may obtain your promises, which exceed all that we
can desire; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
FIRST READING: Acts 17: 22 - 31
Acts 17:22 (NRSV) Then Paul stood in front of the Areop'agus and said, "Athenians, I see how extremely religious you are in every way. 23 For as I went through the city and looked carefully at the objects of your worship, I found among them an altar with the inscription, "To an unknown god." What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you. 24 The God who made the world and everything in it, he who is Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in shrines made by human hands, 25 nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mortals life and breath and all things. 26 From one ancestor he made all nations to inhabit the whole earth, and he allotted the times of their existence and the boundaries of the places where they would live, 27 so that they would search for God and perhaps grope for him and find him--though indeed he is not far from each one of us. 28 For "In him we live and move and have our being'; as even some of your own poets have said,
"For we too are his offspring."
29 Since we are God's offspring, we ought not to think that the deity is like gold, or silver, or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of mortals. 30 While God has overlooked the times of human ignorance, now he commands all people everywhere to repent, 31 because he has fixed a day on which he will have the world judged in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed, and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead."
Psalm 66 Jubilate Deo
7 Bless our God, you peoples; *nmake the voice of his praise to be heard;
8 Who holds our souls in life, *nand will not allow our feet to slip.
9 For you, O God, have proved us; * you have tried us just as silver is tried.
10 You brought us into the snare; * you laid heavy burdens upon our backs.
11 You let enemies ride over our heads;nwe went through fire and water; * but you brought us out into a place of refreshment.
12 I will enter your house with burnt-offerings and will pay you my vows, * which I promised with my lips and spoke with my mouth when I was in trouble.
13 I will offer you sacrifices of fat beasts with the smoke of rams; * I will give you oxen and goats.
14 Come and listen, all you who fear God, * and I will tell you what he has done for me. I called out to him with my mouth, and his praise was on my tongue.
16 If I had found evil in my heart, * the Lord would not have heard me;
17 But in truth God has heard me; * he has attended to the voice of my prayer.
18 Blessed be God, who has not rejected my prayer, * nor withheld his love from me.
SECOND READING: 1 Peter 3: 13 - 22
1Pet 3:13 (NRSV) Now who will harm you if you are eager to do what is good? 14 But even if you do suffer for doing what is right, you are blessed. Do not fear what they fear, and do not be intimidated, 15 but in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be ready to make your defense to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you; 16 yet do it with gentleness and reverence. Keep your conscience clear, so that, when you are maligned, those who abuse you for your good conduct in Christ may be put to shame. 17 For it is better to suffer for doing good, if suffering should be God's will, than to suffer for doing evil. 18 For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, in order to bring you to God. He was put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit, 19 in which also he went and made a proclamation to the spirits in prison, 20 who in former times did not obey, when God waited patiently in the days of Noah, during the building of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were saved through water. 21 And baptism, which this prefigured, now saves you--not as a removal of dirt from the body, but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22 who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers made subject to him.
GOSPEL: John 14: 15 - 21
John 14:15 (NRSV) "If you love me, you will keep my commandments. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever. 17 This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, because he abides with you, and he will be in you.
18 "I will not leave you orphaned; I am coming to you. 19 In a little while the world will no longer see me, but you will see me; because I live, you also will live. 20 On that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. 21 They who have my commandments and keep them are those who love me; and those who love me will be loved by my Father, and I will love them and reveal myself to them."
Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken
5/9/20
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Below is the link to the Diocesan Eastertide Liturgy from the Chapel of Christ the King Spiritual Life Center. (My comments at the bottom.)
Almighty God, whom truly to know is everlasting life: Grant us so perfectly to know your Son Jesus Christ to be the way, the truth, and the life, that we may steadfastly follow his steps in the way that leads to eternal life; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Acts 17:1-15 After Paul and Silas had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. And Paul went in, as was his custom, and on three sabbath days argued with them from the scriptures, explaining and proving that it was necessary for the Messiah to suffer and to rise from the dead, and saying, "This is the Messiah, Jesus whom I am proclaiming to you." Some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a great many of the devout Greeks and not a few of the leading women. But the Jews became jealous, and with the help of some ruffians in the marketplaces they formed a mob and set the city in an uproar. While they were searching for Paul and Silas to bring them out to the assembly, they attacked Jason's house. When they could not find them, they dragged Jason and some believers before the city authorities, shouting, "These people who have been turning the world upside down have come here also, and Jason has entertained them as guests. They are all acting contrary to the decrees of the emperor, saying that there is another king named Jesus." The people and the city officials were disturbed when they heard this, and after they had taken bail from Jason and the others, they let them go.
That very night the believers sent Paul and Silas off to Beroea; and when they arrived, they went to the Jewish synagogue. These Jews were more receptive than those in Thessalonica, for they welcomed the message very eagerly and examined the scriptures every day to see whether these things were so. Many of them therefore believed, including not a few Greek women and men of high standing. But when the Jews of Thessalonica learned that the word of God had been proclaimed by Paul in Beroea as well, they came there too, to stir up and incite the crowds. Then the believers immediately sent Paul away to the coast, but Silas and Timothy remained behind. Those who conducted Paul brought him as far as Athens; and after receiving instructions to have Silas and Timothy join him as soon as possible, they left him.
Psalm 66:1-111 Be joyful in God, all you lands; *
sing the glory of his Name;
sing the glory of his praise.
2 Say to God, "How awesome are your deeds! *
because of your great strength your enemies cringe before you.
3 All the earth bows down before you, *
sings to you, sings out your Name."
4 Come now and see the works of God, *
how wonderful he is in his doing toward all people.
5 He turned the sea into dry land,
so that they went through the water on foot, *
and there we rejoiced in him.
6 In his might he rules for ever;
his eyes keep watch over the nations; *
let no rebel rise up against him.
7 Bless our God, you peoples; *
make the voice of his praise to be heard;
8 Who holds our souls in life, *
and will not allow our feet to slip.
9 For you, O God, have proved us; *
you have tried us just as silver is tried.
10 You brought us into the snare; *
you laid heavy burdens upon our backs.
11 You let enemies ride over our heads;
we went through fire and water; *
but you brought us out into a place of refreshment.
1 Peter 2:1-10 Rid yourselves of all malice, and all guile, insincerity, envy, and all slander. Like newborn infants, long for the pure, spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow into salvation-- if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.
Come to him, a living stone, though rejected by mortals yet chosen and precious in God's sight, and like living stones, let yourselves be built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For it stands in scripture:
"See, I am laying in Zion a stone,
a cornerstone chosen and precious;
and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame."
To you then who believe, he is precious; but for those who do not believe,
"The stone that the builders rejected
has become the very head of the corner,” and
"A stone that makes them stumble,
and a rock that makes them fall."
They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do.
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's own people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
Once you were not a people,
but now you are God's people;
once you had not received mercy,
but now you have received mercy.
John 14:1-14 Jesus said, "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also. And you know the way to the place where I am going." Thomas said to him, "Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?" Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you know me, you will know my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him."
Philip said to him, "Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied." Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know me? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, `Show us the Father'? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own; but the Father who dwells in me does his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; but if you do not, then believe me because of the works themselves. Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father. I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If in my name you ask me for anything, I will do it."
Brief Commentary
The eternal Father so loved us that He sent His only Son. God the Son, in amazing humility joined our human nature to his already-existing Divine Nature. He not only became a real human being like us, he willingly experienced every human circumstance and emotion except sin.
And, it was not a cameo appearance (as they say in the movies). Jesus came, ministered, suffered, died and rose again on the third day. He was glorified in His holy Ascension. Precisely in that event Jesus took our humanity into the very heart of God. The long-term plan for creation was achieved as Jesus redeemed us from sin and death and hell. He not only did it for those who lived from Adam until AD. 33, He also provided for those not yet born, you and me! The redeeming work of Jesus continues until His return. (Christ will come again!)
The finalizing action of Jesus is to bring us (all who are being saved) into the heart of the Trinity, there to know unimaginable joy with the true unconditional Lover: God.
Jesus not only provides the remedy for our selfish and sinful lives, he provides the means for us to share in the divine life of the holy Trinity. He became human, that we might be treated as though divine ourselves. Astonishing!
And on top of all the provision Christ Jesus has made for us, He establishes Himself, with all His love and grace and power, to be the WAY. No wrong path, no messed-up GPS, no dead-ends. Jesus is the direct way to the Father’s heart.
Sometime we meet people (often well-meaning people) who want to tell us that there are many paths to God. In my recent spiritual reading, I came across a brief comment by an old and learned monk. He said the obvious thing is that our way to God is precisely the same way God came to us: in Jesus.
How sensible. How faithful. How useful. How humble. Man-made roads have failed ever since the Garden of Eden. Jesus the Way is the Way, and the way of the Cross is the way of live.
Stay close with Jesus and you’ll get to the right destination. And He whom you will behold will not be a Stranger.
In Christ,
Bishop Dan
Happy Mother’s Day to all our mothers in the parish. With prayers for the Mothers of all, whether living or dead.
We recall the Mother of our Lord whose last recorded words in the Bible will help us all: Do whatever He tells you. God chose to enter his own creation, by the virginal womb of Mary, born in the same manner as we are, identifying with us from the very beginning.
She became not only His mother, but likewise his fruitful servant, His first disciple, the one who was faithful through Calvary to the Upper Room where she was seated among the Apostles, awaiting the descent of the Holy Spirit. Thank you Jesus for the example of Your holy Mother. Amen
5/3/20
4th Sunday of Easter(tide)
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Christ is Lord of all. We need to remind ourselves of this great truth. Jesus puts it all in perspective. Every empire, every leader, every investment, every enterprise will pass away. In the end, only Jesus endures. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my Word will not pass away.
The 4th Sunday of Easter always has as its focus The Good Shepherd, Our single stained glass window is Jesus, the Good Shepherd. The oldest image of Our Lord dates from the catacombs, a sketch of Jesus bearing a lamb. The 10th Chapter of St John’s gospel is Jesus teaching us about His role as our Shepherd.
Right now we need the Jesus, Good Shepherd more than ever. We need Him for strength, for courage, for faith, for the future.
Here’s what’s happening: trends and shifts are accelerating. What would have taken a decade to evolve will happen in a year or two. It will affect all parts of life and society.
Example: doctors and therapists are now talking with patients via iPads and smartphones. Friday I got a message from a specialist I see that he can do tele-health or even a telephone visit now. These pre-existed but didn’t qualify for coverage. Now they’ve become normal.
Groups are meeting via ZOOM instead of in person. One of my friends attends an AA Meeting daily from his living room. Schools have shifted big time to distance learning, Some churches moved to drive-in Services. Take outs have soared. Auto accidents are down. Family meals resumed. Many changes. Some for the better.
The Governor and the Bishop will be giving us some direction about resuming public Worship. It too will be different.
Updates:
Congratulations to Todd and Alaina P. on the birth of second son, Silas Nehemiah on Friday, May 1.
Terry and Art have accomplished ceiling repairs in the Parish Hall, and its complete repainting in a Sky Blue. Goes very nicely with the new lighting. The walls are being repainted in Navajo White.
The walls of the Chancel have been repainted and work on the Nave (pew section) is underway.
Personal prayer life: Pray Morning and Evening
-Give thanks at meals
Read a chapter of the Bible daily; or 1 in the AM & 1 in the PM
-from the Old Testament start with the Book of Exodus
-from the New Testament read the Acts of the Apostles.
{CPR: Ask before reading: "Lord: show me a Command to obey; a Promise to be received; a sin to Repent of."}
Pray for family, neighbors and fellow disciples at St Augustine’s.
News note: ChristianHeadlines.com - April 27, 2020
More than 130,000 individuals around the world made the decision to come to Christ during a Good Friday virtual evangelistic event that was hosted by Pulse and featured well-known Christian leaders and singers, according to new data.
Since the virtual revival was hosted tens of thousands of people have reached out to Pulse to share their decision to follow Jesus through phone call centers, emails, websites and text messages. Pulse founder Nick Hall said in a Saturday tweet that a total of 132,000 people "responded to Jesus" due to the Good Friday broadcast and more than 100 million people tuned in.
4/26/20
3rd Sunday of Easter(tide) - 26 April 2020
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Today’s Gospel reading is a source of great encouragement in the midst of our present chaos and confusion. Two disciples of Jesus, perhaps a husband and wife (we know the name of only one, Cleopas) and heading out of town on Easter Day. For them it’s the end of a great dream, the collapse of the original Jesus movement. Jesus himself is dead and buried. Everyone knows that. A small number have now alleged that Jesus was not dead. How dumb can you get? He was crucified and his body was pierce with the lance of a Roman soldier. Corpses don’t come back. They are dejected. They had staked all their hopes on this Jesus of Nazareth. And what came from it. Nothing! Disappointment is an understatement. I guess we have to start over.
As they head along the road to Emmaus a stranger join them on the path. He inquires what’s going on. They conclude he’s really out of the loop. How could anyone be around Jerusalem and not know about Jesus. He was the big story, the guy they had put their hope in, indeed hopefully the Messiah. But all those hopes were dashed on Calvary. Indeed old enemies of each other (the Roman Governor Pilate, the High Priests, and King Herod) had formed an alliance to do Jesus in. In spite of Jesus popularity among the masses, healing the sick, raising the dead and giving hope to the lowest folks in the land- in spite of all this they had rigged a trial and Jesus was led to an excruciating death.
And the Stranger began to lead an on-the-road Bible Study. He took them through the scriptures and explained all this things that had to happen to the expected Messiah. Lots of prophecies given, and fulfilled. As the bible-review came to an end, it was getting dark and they asked the Stranger to cease his travels and join them at the Inn.
As they sat for Supper, the Stranger took bread, gave thanks, and blessed and broke it. And He vanished from their sight. They recognized Him in the Breaking of the Bread. Astonished, they rushed out and back to Jerusalem. They reported to the Apostles that they had seen The Lord, and that they had recognized Him. It was in fact the first post-resurrection Mass that Easter Night.
From the beginning, the real Presence of Jesus for Christians was in the Eucharist, Holy Communion, the Blessed Sacrament. Here was the guaranteed point of contact. With all the problems, all the burdens, all the failures we bring, Jesus comes to us really, in His own Body and Blood. He dwells in us so that we can dwell in Him.
And so we Christians who worship the living Lord in the celebration of the Holy Eucharist are among the most chastened by the present lockdown. It does seem crazy that liquor stores can be open, but churches cannot. What we can do is use the Scriptures, pray and make a Spiritual Communion. Jesus still desires to come deeply into hour hearts. He still desires to heal and forgive and restore us. What we lack is the company of other Christians to share in the experience of the communion of saints.
We trust this is temporary. What it does make clear is our sense of missing out when we can’t have that shared experience of receiving Jesus together. It does highlight the importance of a personal prayer life, and the habit of reading the Bible on our own or in a household. Several folks have mentioned how they have made a prayer corner in their own home. A table, an icon or crucifix, a candle (battery or wax) can give us a focal point/place to foster a new and improved daily prayer life. I encourage you to think of doing this.
I also encourage you to stay in touch with others: a call, an email, a text will help connect. All of us want to be connected. Isolation is unnatural and unhealthy. We can mitigate that. Pray for those who are sick, their care-givers, the scientists and researchers developing tests and vaccines. Please continue to pray for Bishop Bill as he awaits the next decision regarding his postponed Trial.
You are in my daily prayers and constant thoughts.
In Christ,
Bishop Dan
Hymns:
Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence
Alleluia, Sing to Jesus
The Peace of God which surpasses all human understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God.
May holy Mary and St Augustine pray for you.
May the Angels and Saints of God keep watch over you.
And the Blessing of God Almighty, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit be upon you this day and remain with you forever. Amen
4/21/20
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Below is today’s biblical reflection from Torre Bissell, and it’s on the 23rd Psalm, probably the favorite of most Americans.
Torre offers a scripture verse and an application. Sometimes he will add a report from one of his ministries. He is a retired computer expert from GE in Schenectady. Torre was a convert to Christ as an adult. He and his late wife Jean were Missionaries in Liberia in eastern Africa on behalf of the church, until they were driven out by the civil war.
Torre was one of the great lay leaders when I was Rector of Christ Church in Schenectady. While I was Bishop of Albany I asked him to become leader of the ministry of intercession in the Diocese. He is a faithful and fruitful intercessor and is known as the Albany Intercessor.
>You can ask to be included in his distribution, by emailing him via email (contact the church if you would like it) Needless to say, I encourage you to join up.
This can be a very helpful aid in your own prayer life.
In the risen Lord,
Bishop Dan
Also: Today was supposed to be the Trial in Albany of Bishop Bill.
It is postponed because of C-19 and will probably be held via a Zoom Conference online.
I encourage you to continue to hold him in your daily prayers. +D
Forwarded message:
2020 04 21
1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. Psalm 23
LORD, shepherd us in this time of uncertainty. You are our certainty.
2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. Psalm 23
Help me lie down and rest each night and awake to do your will.
3 He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name's sake. Psalm 23
Jesus, restorer of my soul; lead me in your paths of righteousness.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. Psalm 23
Father, I have walked through that valley. Thank you for setting me free of fear of dying. Thank you for your rod and staff which comfort and guide me.
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. Psalm 23
Lord, I long to be able to return to your communion table.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the LORD Forever. Psalm 23
Holy Spirit, your goodness and mercy have pierced my soul and allowed me to dwell in our Father’s house forever.
A Word Received: Come to me and find rest for your soul.
Albany Intercessor
"If we ever needed the Lord before, we sure do need him now" click here
4-19-20
Thomas Sunday - Low Sunday - 2nd Sunday of Easter(tide)
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
St Thomas the Apostle gets a bad rap. He usually gets dubbed as ‘doubting’ when, in fact, no one else in the New Testament so clearly affirms the true divinity of Jesus: “My LORD and my GOD”. St John the Apostle documents this ultimate statement of faith in his gospel. What a relief for all of us: a follower of Jesus can experience confusion and still not have lost faith!
In the early hours of Easter morning it was the faithful Women who went to the tomb. They brought the news to the (male) apostles. That’s the main reason St Mary Magdalene is titled apostle to the apostles. She was sent to them after finding the tomb empty. Initially the men were disbelieving. Sort of too good to be true. Easter Sunday night they got the evidence when Jesus appeared to them while they were hiding out behind locked doors out of fear. Thomas was out. When he returned he discounted them just as they had discounted the holy women. Boom. Next Sunday as Jesus appears Thomas is front and center. (Notice they had still locked the doors.)
We all know the rest of the story: St Thomas goes on in ancient traditions to be the founder of the Church in distant India where the followers of Jesus, LORD and GOD, are still called Thomas Christians.
Yup. We too can rise above our failures, our faults, our flummoxes, our finite minds, to affirm with St Thomas My LORD and my GOD. That’s how much He loves us- He came Himself to be our Savior. Can I tell others how much I believe this too?
Soon we hope to be able to gather again on Second Street as the Apostles did (but not with locked doors) to welcome the Risen Lord afresh into our hearts and lives. But I think it is going to be different. Our world, so independent of God, so self-sufficient, so scientific, so emancipated is in fact more vulnerable than we ever dreamed. We’re a lot like the people in the 1920’s (the roaring 20’s) who saw science and education and technology as the real future. It was in fact the eve of global destruction in WW II.
I believe we will again value our families and our faith, more than our finances and fears.
I believe that we can be part of a spiritual revival brought about by Jesus as He pours out His Holy Spirit. It’s His initiative; it will require our free response.
The Bishop’s Liturgy is here on the Albany Diocesan YouTube Channel, Fr Dan Jones is the Preacher.
Pray for one another. Stay in touch with one another. Love one another. And we stay closest by loving Jesus most.
In the risen Lord,
Bishop Dan
The Liturgy of the Word for Thomas Sunday
4-9-20
Maundy Thursday Afternoon, 2020
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
This strangest of all Holy Weeks links us in reality to the Christians of the Persecuted Church, the Church in Exile, the Dispersed Church.
Holy Week connects us with the Christians down through the ages, physically cut off from the community of faith:
-people we almost never bring to mind:
-Christian slaves rowing the boats of Rome’s empire, or later Islamic states across the Mediterranean;
-Christians exiled to living death in the salt mines of Sicily;
-Christians in scattered settlements;
-Christians in Nazi concentration camp; later in the Soviet gulags;
-Christians confined in secular institutions; or in solitary.
-Christians isolated by illness or poverty or stigma.
These are our sisters and brothers in the Communion of Saints.
Holy Week 2020 can deepen our appreciation for those who have no access to church on Maundy Thursday. No Eucharist, no humble Foot-washing, no Watch before the Blessed Sacrament.
On Good Friday, they will not walk the Way of the Cross in towns and cities. They will not assemble to hear the Scriptures, to Venerate the Cross of Jesus, to receive Healing Prayer.
On Easter morning they will not experience the words of the Prophets in the Great Vigil or sing the Song of Moses, or watch the New Fire burst forth. They will not hear the glad singing of the Exultet in a candle-lit church; they will not hear the joyous Bells at the singing of the Gloria. The will not rejoice with those receiving Holy Baptism. They will not be nourished with the Body and Blood of the risen Lord.
And it may be many years, if ever, before some do.
Now we are experiencing a spiritual fast from the much-loved and probably under-appreciated experience of the common worship of the Savior. I pray that between now and its inevitable resumption we will renew our discipleship. The Lord can use this experience to deepen our love for Him, to widen our charity toward one-another and to remind us that we are aliens in our own world. Our citizenship is in heaven. Our lasting Hope is eternity. Our destination is unity in the Communion of Saints. Our Head is Christ. His Victory is ours and He remind us: Whoever perseveres to the end will be saved (Matthew 24:13).
Often these Christians are deprived not only of gathering together. But also the Bible; some because they cannot afford or secure one; some because they cannot read. We indeed take for granted our access to each other, to church, to the Scripture or Prayer Book.
What they do have is a personal and immediate presence of the Holy Spirit whom Jesus pours into their hearts. The Holy Spirit is the direct connection to Jesus and into the very core of the Holy Trinity. It is the same access each of us can have.
We pray for healing for those suffering, for those giving care, for researchers. For those who have died. We pray for deliverance. IN TIME OF GREAT SICKNESS AND MORTALITY - from the 1928 Prayer-Book
O Most mighty and merciful God, in this time of grievous sickness, we flee to you for comfort. Deliver us, we beseech you, from our peril; give strength and skill to all those who minister to the sick; prosper the means made use of for their cure; and grant that, perceiving how frail and uncertain our life is, we may apply our hearts unto that heavenly wisdom which leads to eternal life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Holy Triduum - 2020
Maundy Thursday - Good Friday - Easter
“Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.” -Corrie Ten Boom Nazi Concentration Camp Survivor
Here’s how we connect with the LORD this Holy Week:
1. Personal Prayer - Morning and Evening. ACNA provides a truly simple link here:
2. The Holy Scripture: Along with the Daily Office, read through the 4 Gospel Narratives of Our Lord’s Passion and Death:
- MATTHEW Chapters 26 and 27; MARK 14 and 15; LUKE 22 and 23; JOHN (17) 18-19. The Way of the Cross mailed to each household.
Much of the TRIDUUM involves KEEPING VIGIL: Thursday night before the Blessed Sacrament till Midnight.
Good Friday and Good Friday in silence through the day.
Easter in the Great Vigil usually kept in common in church.
We can do this by praying at home.
Sing My Tongue: link here
Prayer for a Spiritual Communion from
A Prayer Book for the Armed Services (Episcopal)
In union, O Lord, with your faithful people at every Altar of your Church, where the Holy Eucharist is now being celebrated, I desire to offer to You praise and thanksgiving. I remember your death, Lord Christ; I proclaim your resurrection; I await your coming in glory. And since I cannot receive You today in the Sacrament of your Body and Blood, I beseech you to come spiritually into my heart. Cleanse and strengthen me with your grace, Lord Jesus, and let me never be separated from you. May I live in You and You in me, in this life and in the life to come. Amen
And Now O Father, Mindful of Thy Love: link here
COLLECT FOR MAUNDY THURSDAY: Almighty Father, whose most dear Son, on the night before he suffered, instituted the Sacrament of his Body and Blood: Mercifully grant that we may receive it in thankful remembrance of Jesus Christ our Savior, who in these holy mysteries gives us a pledge of eternal life; and who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Behold The Lamb - Stuart Townsend: link here
The GOOD FRIDAY Liturgy begins on Page 276
Jesus Remember Me: link here
Good Friday is a FAST Day
A home Cross or Crucifix may be used as a focal point for Prayer and Pious Devotion
Were You There When They Crucified My Lord?: link here
Additional Devotion: Fr LaCombe from Christ Church, Morristown: link here
HOLY SATURDAY provides a brief Service on page 283
Soul of My Saviour: link here
The GREAT EASTER VIGIL with Readings and Prayers begins on page 285.
Song of Moses and Miriam: link here
Jesus Christ is Risen Today: link here
THE EASTER MASS from Christ the King with Bishop Love: YouTube channel here
And remember to email or even better telephone someone else, and be an encourager.
We have good news: Jesus is Risen, and He has overcome the world.
I pray for you and look forward to that Day when we all are gathered around the Altar of the Lamb and are nourished with the heavenly gift of His most precious Body and Blood.
Carol and I wish you a specially sanctified Holy Week and Easter and rejoice that the Lord has done all this in His great mercy.
In the Risen and Victorious Lord,
Bishop Dan
4-7-20
Monday in Holy Week
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
I urge you to continue to pray for:
- all those ill with Covid-19,
- for those who have died,
- for the clinicians caring for them,
- for the scientists and researchers developing treatments and a vaccine,
- for those who are furloughed or unemployed because of the pandemic,
- for those adjusting to working from home,
- and for civil leaders who must lead in these perilous times;
for Ilion, Mohawk, Herkimer and the whole Mohawk Valley.
Continue to reach out and stay in touch with fellow disciples of Jesus at St Augustine’s.
-a note, a phone call or an email can be a great encouragement.
Update: Work has begun on repainting the Chancel. The damaged walls have been replaced and the whole area will be repainted. This will be followed by the repainting of the Nave (the area where the congregation is seated). Special thanks to Terry and Art. We are hoping to have the balance of the Sanctuary refinished by the same flooring company who redid the Chapel and the Cancel.
Note: We have no way of assuring that any item is virus-free.
So effective now, no items can be brought to church for storage, or for any future rummage sale.
This is a matter of prudence for the safety and protection of everyone.
You remain in our daily Intercessions,
In Christ this Holy Week,
Bishop Dan
4-4-20
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
We begin the strangest Holy Week any of us have ever experienced. No upbeat outdoor Procession, no waving Palms. What we have done is sacrifice the spiritual joy of worshipping together for the sake of the common good, for the health and protection of others. It is a sacrifice.
But home by home we can join with millions of Christians around the world (most also confined to quarters) in beginning the entry into the very heart of our faith: the Death and Resurrection of the Messiah, Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world.
Jean Lesniak has helpfully mailed to each household a printed rendition of the Stations of the Cross as we use them at St Augustine’s. This is an ideal devotion each day in Holy Week. It deepens our oneness with Christ.
Think of how alone He was as He carried His cross through the streets of Jerusalem. He understands our aloneness. He has redeemed it.
For PALM SUNDAY
-I encourage you to follow Bishop Bill’s Palm Sunday Mass on the St Augustine: Click here for website
-For personal devotion enjoy the most common great hymn, All Glory Laud and Honor: Click here for website
-[For a more Anglican setting, but without the lyrics: click here]
-The text of the Palm Sunday Liturgy with the Scripture Readings is in the Book of Common Prayer at page 270.
-My Song is Love Unknown, and some other music suitable for Holy Week: click here
For Daily use in Holy Week: Prayer for a Spiritual Communion
(from) A Prayer Book for the Armed Services (Episcopal)
In union, O Lord, with your faithful people at every Altar of your Church, where the Holy Eucharist is now being celebrated, I desire to offer to You praise and thanksgiving. I remember your death, Lord Christ; I proclaim your resurrection; I await your coming in glory. And since I cannot receive You today in the Sacrament of your Body and Blood, I beseech you to come spiritually into my heart. Cleanse and strengthen me with your grace, Lord Jesus, and let me never be separated from you. May I live in You and You in me, in this life and in the life to come. Amen
As Carol and I pray for you each day, may our Lord strengthen our bonds of love. I encourage you to become encouragers to one another. The phone becomes even more valuable as we speak and pray together. May Jesus the Head of His Body, the Church, let us bear His love to one another, and to any who have few or none in their lives. Please pray for Mary Smith, a parishioner and mother of Richard Deming, who is undergoing emergency surgery for a hip injury.
I long for that day when we are all reunited in joy, in procession, in singing and in adoration. (We have retained the bagged and sealed Palms. If they endure till we resume, we’ll use them in our victory Procession. In the ancient world palms were the sign of victory. Early Christians were often buried with palms in their hands.)
In the Glorified Crucified Savior,
Bishop Dan
PS: Some folks have asked about sending tithes and offerings to the Parish during this time.
Bev Reile, the Parish Treasurer, picks up the mail at the Post Office:
St Augustine’s Church, Box 118, Ilion NY 13357. Keeps up the fuel, the insurance etc.
EXTRAS (Click the title for links to websites):
(1) Daily webcast from St Thomas Episcopal Church in New York City
(2) The Prayer Book Collects for the weekdays of Holy Week are on Page 220-221
(3) Don’t have a BCP at home? Go to Justus Anglican Online
(4) For the Daily Office at home
(5) The Very Rev’d Paul Zahl, retired Dean of Trinity School for Ministry suggested 3 classic movies to watch during this pandemic. On Amazon Prime and perhaps other places on the Internet. Stars In My Crown, (Joel McCrea); The Return of Don Camillo; War of the Worlds (1953).
4-1-20
Dearest Brothers and Sisters,
In Jerusalem, the Church of the Holy Sepulcher (among the Orthodox known as the Church of the Resurrection) has been closed for the first time since the Black Death (plague) struck in 1348. It is the site of our Lord’s Death-Burial-Resurrection.
Whether the building is open or closed the Church of Jesus remains and lives and shall until the end of time. We stay alive in Christ as we pray, read the Scriptures, repent of our sins, and ask the victorious Lord to strengthen us by His Holy Spirit.
As we draw closer to Holy Week our hearts can be uplifted hearing this unique rendition of “In Christ Alone”.
In Christ,
Bishop Dan
Earlier posts
Here the words from our Bishop, Bishop William Love:
For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them. Matt 18:20
Even though we are not able to gather together during this time in our Church buildings, we need to remain faithful in our prayers and our study of God’s Holy Word, remembering that the Lord is with us where ever we are. As Jesus stated in John 4:23-24, “God is spirit.” He is everywhere at once. As we worship Him in spirit and truth, may our heart and mind be spiritually open to His presence.
– Bishop Bill
Click this Link to listen to the Sunday March 22 Recorded Sunday Service
SUN - 9:30
Past - communications:
2/20/2021
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Lent has begun. This next Sunday, with a focus on Jesus’ Temptation in the Wilderness, we know how bombarded we can be by the assaults of the Devil, and the world and the flesh. From laziness to lust, from fear to faithlessness we are surrounded by a society reverting to paganism before our eyes.
- Christ came to set us free and enable us to resist the powers of evil and darkness.
- He came to call us as the Way that leads to eternal life.
- Jesus does this through Prayer, the Bible, the Sacraments and the impartation of the Holy Spirit.
- this is how the gift of Free Will is brought into action to turn afresh to our loving Lord.
- We can accept and receive His offer of salvation and eternal life, or we can sadly abandon or reject it.
On Sunday Christ invites us to trust Him anew, to receive His forgiveness, to renew us in the Holy Spirit and to strengthen us by receiving His Body and Blood in Holy Communion.
LENT 2021 is more stream-lined. Our SUNDAY Lenten Bible Class will follow the 9:30 Liturgy as we enjoy Coffee and Refreshments in the Parish Hall.
This Lent we will look at the pivotal place The EXODUS holds and how it continues to surface in the story of our salvation. I will offer a focused presentation that will lead us deeper in to the pages of the Bible and enable us to get a glimpse of God’s big plan for us and for our salvation.
TUESDAYS offers the 4pm Mid-week Lenten Mass with chosen Scripture readings.
FRIDAYs provide the 6pm Stations of the Cross as we come along side Jesus on the road to Calvary. Watered-down religion has obscured the costliness of our Redemption in our Lord’s Passion and Death.
Last Year there was Ash Wednesday and shortly afterwards: nothing. No Holy Week, No Good Friday, no Great VIGIL, no Easter DAY.
Let us all recoup our loss this Lent as we come along behind our Savior on the way that leads to eternal Life. It’s our choice.
Choose to come!
In Christ our Savior,
Bishop Dan
2/7/2021
Dearest Friends in Christ,
Tomorrow at the end of the 9:30 Service, Healing Prayer will be available at the Chancel Steps, AND also, the annual Blessing of Throats. Deacon Wally will anoint for healing, and Bishop Dan will bless throats. You are welcome to come forward for either or both.
Coffee and refreshments follow downstairs in the Parish Hall.
Tuesday: 4pm midweek Eucharist. **Please pray for Bishop Bill to recover fully from his corona virus.
Looking forward to seeing you,
In Christ,
Bishop Dan
LOOKING AHEAD: The Beginning of Lent - 2021
Shrove Tuesday, February 16, 5pm Dinner; 6pm Ashes and First Mass of Lent
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ASH Wednesday, FAST Day, Feb 17, NOON - Ashes and Mass
The Parish of Saint Augustine of Canterbury
78 Second Street, Ilion, NY - SUN 9:30
Serving Christ in the Mohawk Valley
A Hospital for Sinners, Not a Museum for Saints
12/31/2020
New Year’s Eve
31 Dec 2020
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Tomorrow launches 2021 and many will be glad to leave 2020 with its many detriments behind.
Perhaps the biggest consequence of our various lockdowns and restrictions has been loneliness and isolation. Many experience a negative effect on their mental health.
However, a surprising survey published earlier this month by the polling group GALLUP showed that 4% of individuals who went to church weekly actually reported an improvement in their mental health to ‘excellent’ (as opposed to the decline reported by people who went less or seldom/never). In fact, weekly attendance slightly elevated the results more than having a large income. For the full story see the link below.
We should not be surprised that the encounter with the living and healing Lord has such effect in our lives.
Tomorrow, Jan 1, is the Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus. Our first Eucharist of 2021 will be at 10:00.
In the living Lord,
Bishop Dan
Parish Church of St Augustine of Canterbury
A Hospital for Sinners, not a museum for saints.
https://news.gallup.com/poll/327311/americans-mental-health-ratings-sink-new-low.aspx
12/19/2020
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Tomorrow is our final Advent Sunday. Deacon Wally is preaching, 9:30. We zero down to the final pre-Christmas prep for the Birth of our Messiah.
TUES-4pm Eucharist for is the (transferred) feast of St Thomas, celebrating the most explicit of all the New Testament saints in affirming the truth of Christmas when God was born among us of a Virgin: St Thomas’ words: My Lord and my God!
THURSDAY, Dec 24, Christmas Eve 7pm.
FRIDAY: Dec 25, Christmas Day 10:00am.
Bonnie Bailey’s Grandson and family in New Hartford lost their home to fire this week. Please join in giving thanks for their getting out ok, and for them as they rebuild their home and their lives.
In Christ,
Bishop Dan
In our lives:
If Jesus isn’t Lord of all,
He isn’t Lord at all.
12/11/2020
11 December 2020
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Our call in ADVENT is to PREPARE the way of the LORD into our HEARTS.
Lots of other voices clamor for residency in our hearts as well. They want us to forget about Jesus and instead think of (1) ourselves, (2) our wants, (3) our importance, (4) our status, (5 our fears.
What’s our heart like when it’s dominated by our own Ego, cravings, importance anxiety and depression? - not too good. We need encouragement!
But it’s not too late. St Paul calls his fellow Christians (and us as well) to Rejoice always. Amazing considering that the Roman Emperor was busy trying to destroy the Christian movement. Paul had been turned from being a persecutor of the Church, to becoming an ardent follower of Jesus, willing to give up his life as necessary. Paul had Christ in his heart; he had the Holy Spirit in his heart. He was making a difference!
When we hear God’s WORD in the Scripture, when we receive Jesus’ Body and Blood in Holy Communion, when we are renewed in the Holy Spirit, we have that same freedom from all that is going on around us.
Sunday, 9:30, all this awaits us as we enter with angels and archangels into the common worship of the Trinity and are filled with His power and presence. I want to prepare a way more deeply into my heart for Jesus. I hope you do too.
See you in Church,
Bishop Dan
ADVENT and CHRISTMASTIDE Schedule 2020
~ Let every heart prepare Him room ~
Thursday Dec 24 Eve 7pm - The Christ-Mass
Friday - Dec 25 - Nativity Day Mass - 10:00 am
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Sunday - Dec 27- 3rd Day of Christmas - 9:30
Tuesday - Dec 29 - 5th Day of Christmas ~ 4pm
-2021-
Friday ~ Jan 1 ~ Holy Name of Jesus
New Year’s Day ~ Mass 10 am
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Sunday ~ Jan 3 ~ 10th Day of Christmas ~ 9:30
Tuesday - Jan 5 - Epiphany Eve Mass: 4pm
Sunday ~ Jan 10 ~ Baptism of Jesus - 9:30
11/20/2020
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Our refurbisher Rochester Floors, has advised us that we should not walk on the newly done floors for another week. Therefore, this Sunday, the Feast of Christ the King will be celebrated in the Parish Hall at 9:30. Please use the Parish House door to enter.
So our return to the newly refurbished sanctuary will be the following Sunday, Nov 29, the First Sunday of Advent, the beginning of the Church’s liturgical year. (That day has special meaning for me as it was on Nov 29, 1997 that I was consecrated a Bishop in Christ’s holy Church.)
This coming TUESDAY, Nov 26 will our celebration of the Eucharist of Thanksgiving at 4pm.
The Lordship of Jesus, true God and true Man, is more desperately needed in our nation and the world than ever. United under His banner of holiness and love is the only hope for our fractured world. We can all join in recommitting ourselves to Jesus’ rule within our hearts, and in our lives, as a fresh beginning.
I look forward to seeing you on the Lord’s Day.
In Christ,
Bishop Dan
11/11/2020
The Parish of Saint Augustine of Canterbury
78 Second Street, Ilion, NY - SUN 9:30
Serving the Mohawk Valley from Ilion
A Hospital for Sinners, Not a Museum for Saints
11 November 2020
Feast of St Martin of Tours
Veterans’ Day
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Our contractor to re-finish the Sanctuary floor (area nearest the Altar), has begun this final phase of our refurbishing the church building. The Altar has been removed so that the whole area can be sanded and refinished.
This Sunday, Nov 15, Mass will be in the Parish Hall.
On Sunday, please enter via the parish House door, the farthest in from the street. The usual sanitizer station will be operative. Masks may be removed during the Reading, the Sermon and after receiving Holy Communion while seated.
Everyone has been so good about arriving before church and praying. It’s great. Makes for much better liturgy and worship.
We are unable to access the new rest room because the stairs and the landing are being refurbished as well. The rest room near the kitchen continues to be available.
This will be the same style we used in the summer. Weather forecasts suggest air-conditioning will not be needed.
This Sunday is also the last day to bring in your Operation Christmas Child box. They will be collected and packed for delivery to the Good Samaritan Purse collection station for shipment. Special thanks to Kathy who has kept this in motion.
Thank-you too to Art, Terry, Jean, Bev and Kim for sorting through the junk, cleaning our the cellar and loading the dumpster with all the debris. Churches are notorious for accumulating junk. Thanks for creating space for everyone.
Sunday, Nov 22 is the Feast of Christ the King, the final Sunday of the church year. And the next week will be the 1st Sunday of Advent on November 29 as we prepare for the coming of our Savior.
Some people are anxious about another lockdown if C-19 soars. Now is the time to act on our convictions and come to worship Christ Jesus and receive His Body and Blood in Holy Communion. And midweek Holy Eucharist continues on TUES at 4pm.
In Christ Jesus,
Bishop Dan
PS: If you are worried about our Nation, come and pray: for our families, for our friends, for our enemies.
10/10/2020
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
At the end of this note are 2 reports regarding developments in the Church.
The 1st is that the Trial Court found Bishop Bill Love GUILTY on all five charges brought against him for not allowing same-sex marriage services in our churches or by our clergy. The penalty to be imposed will be decided and revealed in about a month. It can range from a reprimand (“you shouldn’t have done that”) to forced removal from the priesthood or as our bishop, or something in between.
The 2nd is the latest (2019) data on the numbers in the Church itself.
Both are unpleasant reading.
You’re aware that I do not focus on these negative situations, that we try to keep Christ Jesus as the true focus for us all. The reality is that actions are going on in our very midst and in the church around us as the same time.
At St Augustine’s we continue to recover from the government-imposed spring lockdown. We are doing better than many. We can do better. Every time someone rolls over for 40 more winks on Sunday morning is a vote to close the church. It’s as simple as that. Low commitment churches do not survive. That applies both to low commitment to the teaching and life-style of classic Christianity, and low commitment to public worship on Sunday.
Neighboring parishes are having the same struggle.
The choice is ours.
Tomorrow is the parable Jesus tells about the Wedding Feast. Where do I fit? What can I do? What will I decide?
Church Entry continues to be via the middle door. Sanitize on the way in. Wear a mask (which may be lowered while seated during the Service). No-touch Peace. Shortened hymns. Offering basket at entry to old baptistry; prayer request sign-up same area. Healing Prayer follows Mass.
May Holy Mary and St Augustine pray for you; may the angels and saints of God keep watch over you.
Pray for the Church, the Nation, and the future.
May Christ Jesus bring us to to deepened conversion and new life by the power of the Holy Spirit.
In the risen and returning Lord,
Bishop Dan
https://virtueonline.org/albany-orthodox-episcopal-bishop-found-guilty-violating-marriage-canon
https://virtueonline.org/incredibly-shrinking-episcopal-church
6/8/2020
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Below is an Appeal for Prayer and Fasting on behalf of Bishop Bill from the Standing Committee of the Diocese. The SC is composed of 6 Clergy and 6 Laity elected by the Convention of all the Parishes ad Clergy of the Diocese. It is the Bishop’s Council of Advice, approves candidates for Ordination, and is required for assent to sell church property etc.
I support their initiative fully. Bishop Bill is in reality on Trial this coming FRIDAY for upholding his ordination vows. He refuses to assent to this new religion which is contrary to the plain words of Scripture, the teaching of the Catechism, the canons and the rubrics and rites of the Book of Common Prayer. He stands in the Christian mainstream, and the teaching of the overwhelming churches of the Anglican Communion.
So tomorrow, TUESDAY, June 9, the mid-week 4;30 Mass will be directed to this spiritual intention. The Liturgy will be in the Parish Hall, where we can gather in a larger space.
Please use the Parish House doors to enter. Bring your mask. Hand sanitizer will be provided.
In Christ,
Bishop Dan
PS: Weekend Mass continues at 4pm on SAT, and 9:30 on SUNDAY.
>>
A Call to Prayer for Bishop Love
from the Standing Committee
Bishop William Love faces a Title IV Hearing Panel of the Episcopal Church this Friday, June 12th, beginning at 9am. He has been accused of “failing to abide by the promises he made at his Ordination as a bishop in violation of the standard of conduct established in Canon IV.4.1(c).” In particular, Bishop Love is accused of failing to abide by the Discipline and Worship of the Episcopal Church, as a result of his unwillingness to obey Resolution B012 passed by the 79th General Convention of the Episcopal Church. We, the members of the Standing Committee of the Episcopal Diocese of Albany, continue to fully support Bishop Love as he faces this upcoming trial. It is our belief, that rather than violating his ordination vows, he upheld them by taking the actions he did.
The Standing Committee prays for and calls for Bishop Love’s full exoneration and the restoration of his full ecclesiastical authority. We further call on the clergy and people of the diocese to join us in prayer and fasting (if you are able) for Bishop Love starting immediately and continuing through June 12th, and beyond.
We are also aware that several churches have already scheduled prayer vigils and services to support our bishop. We would invite you to let us know of these services and any pertinent information about partaking of the service by notifying the Diocesan Communication Officer, Deacon Meaghan Keegan, at mkeegan@albanydiocese.org.Meaghan will post all available prayer vigils and services on the diocesan website and send them out through the Diocesan Update.
We believe that God is in control and we have faith in his providence over this situation. We thank God for his guidance and love throughout this process and trust in his ongoing love and faithfulness.
We also thank the clergy and people of this diocese for your continued prayers and support for Bishop Love and for the Diocese of Albany. Together, we remain committed to the work and ministry of the gospel as given to us by Jesus Christ, himself.
May God Bless each of you,
The Rev. Scott Garno, president
Barbara Beaulac, secretary
The Rev. Katherine Alonge-Coons
Christopher Cassidy
Randall Demler
John Hyde
The Rev. Bradley Jones
Teresa Mumby
The Very Rev. David Ousley
Janet Papa
The Rev. Elizabeth Papazoglakis
The Rev. Derik Roy
6/1/2020
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
This weekend, SAT June 6 and SUN June 7, St Augustine’s will joyfully RE-START our public WORSHIP of God the HOLY TRINITY. Mass will be at 4pm on SAT and the usual 9:30 on SUN. We have been missing coming to Church, not because Jesus is absent in our hearts, but because His REAL PRESENCE in the Eucharist deepens our faith and strengthens us to be His disciples in the real world.
A couple of changes are coming:
Firstly we will COMMENCE a SAT MASS at 4pm.
This doubles our opportunity to keep the Lord’s Day HOLY.
For folks who must work on Sunday morning or be away, SAT gives us the chance to come and give thanks for Christ’s blessings, and empowered for the week to come. I pray that this also serve to broaden our spiritual outreach, to attract others to our Lord. We want to be a place where men and women gather to be strengthened in their faith, to more deeply experience Christian hope (not just optimism) for this life and the life-to-come. We want to produce spiritual providers, not merely religious consumers.
The SUN liturgy at 9:30 will have the same format as Saturday. Music might differ.
2 behaviors will benefit everyone. Go to Church every Lord’s Day.
Arrive before the Service begins so we can all commence prayerfully.
Secondly, we will implement ways of protecting your health,
while engaging in the traditional expression of our faith in the Liturgy.
1. We begin coming through a single point to be sure that all participants have a mask and use hand sanitizer (provided) before entering the church.
- [Any door can be used to exit.]
2. Seating has been re-configured to make it serve our safety as well as our worship.
3. Pews may be marked as open/closed for seating.
4. Family seating does not require social-distancing. People arriving in the same car can be a unit.
5. Avoid standing in doorways or blocking aisles or moving around.
6. The Peace will be exchanged by gesture or a warm wave. Don’t touch other people.
7. The Offering will be received in a basket or plate near the entry. Please complete it on entering/leaving.
8. Holy Communion will be ministered standing at the foot of the Chancel.
9. Keep a distance from the person in front of you.
10. Remove your mask while that person is receiving.
11. Communion will be in one kind, the Host (the Body of Christ) only, in your palm.
12. The Holy Water founts must remain empty for now.
13. We will restore the Asperges (sprinkling) at the beginning of the Liturgy to compensate.
14. Pews and commonly touched items will be sanitized after each Service.
15. Coffee/Refreshments will be restored when we determine how to best comply with the Health Department norms.
The Vestry has discussed all these steps and believe it best supports the people, the ministry, and the mission of St Augustine’s. We’ll adapt as necessary. Flexibility is the key to the future. Lastly, we will have a work-party on FRIDAY, June 5, starting at 10:30. Since Church resumes at the beginning of June, instead of the end, we need to clean, dust, polish, relocate hymnals and Prayer-Books. It’s an important follow-up to all the work the men have done repainting, repairing and reordering our building to honor the Lord and delight His people. Bring your work gloves, a mask and any housekeeping items you wish.
I pray daily for spiritual renewal, and I truly look forward to seeing you.
In Christ,
Bishop Dan
Daily Until the Feast of Trinity
Lord Jesus, as we await the re-opening of our building,
revive the faith of all your People at St Augustine’s.
We pray You to open our hearts.
Give us a deepened desire to receive You afresh,
to forsake our sins, and welcome Your call.
Renew Your Church and begin with me:
give me grace to come expectantly
to hear Your word each Lord’s Day
and fruitfully receive Your Body and Blood,
all for Your tender mercies' sake.
Amen.
5/31/20
Join us - virtually.
The Parish of Saint Augustine of Canterbury, Ilion, NY
A Hospital for Sinners, Not a Museum for Saints
+
We are separated from each other, but we are not cut off from Christ.
We cannot come together in our church building, but we are Christ’s Church and He is our Head.
We are dispersed, but we are united.
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
PENTECOST, the 50th Day of Eastertide, brings to a close the great Resurrection season. The outpouring of God the Holy Spirit launched the newly constituted Christian Church into the world beyond Jerusalem, and Judea and Samaria. 120 were gathered in the upper room including the Apostles (with Mathias replacing Judas) around the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Jesus at his Ascension (10 days before) had commanded them to “stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high”. Here was the fulfillment. They were each filled with the Holy Spirit. The new era had begun! The world would never be the same again.
You and I are the beneficiaries of these Spirit-filled disciples who risked everything to bring the Good News of Jesus’ Death and Resurrection to a desperate and hurting world.
St Augustine’s is the heir of this move of God. We are called to let the Holy Spirit empower us to serve the Lord, and the Lord’s people, and to share with those around us this continuing invaluable Good News.
Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NjfToqk5w5g
The Collect
Almighty God, on this day you opened the way of eternal life to every race and nation by the promised gift of your Holy Spirit: Shed abroad this gift throughout the world by the preaching of the Gospel, that it may reach to the ends of the earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
or this
O God, who on this day taught the hearts of your faithful people by sending to them the light of your Holy Spirit: Grant us by the same Spirit to have a right judgment in all things, and evermore to rejoice in his holy comfort; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
The First Lesson
Acts 2:1-11
When the day of Pentecost had come, the disciples were all together in one place. And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.
Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven living in Jerusalem. And at this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in the native language of each. Amazed and astonished, they asked, "Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us, in our own native language? Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabs-- in our own languages we hear them speaking about God's deeds of power."
The Psalm
Psalm 33:12-15, 18-22 Page 626, BCP
Exultate, justi
12 Happy is the nation whose God is the LORD! * happy the people he has chosen to be his own!
13 The LORD looks down from heaven, * and beholds all the people in the world.
14 From where he sits enthroned he turns his gaze * on all who dwell on the earth.
15 He fashions all the hearts of them *and understands all their works.
18 Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon those who fear him, * on those who wait upon his love,
19 To pluck their lives from death, * and to feed them in time of famine.
20 Our soul waits for the LORD; * he is our help and our shield.
21 Indeed, our heart rejoices in him, * for in his holy Name we put our trust.
22 Let your loving-kindness, O LORD, be upon us, * as we have put our trust in you.
Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. To one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the discernment of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. All these are activated by one and the same Spirit, who allots to each one individually just as the Spirit chooses.
For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in the one Spirit we were all baptized into one body-- Jews or Greeks, slaves or free-- and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.
John 14:8-17
Philip said to Jesus, "Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied." Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know me? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, `Show us the Father'? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own; but the Father who dwells in me does his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; but if you do not, then believe me because of the works themselves. Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father. I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If in my name you ask me for anything, I will do it.
"If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever. This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, because he abides with you, and he will be in you."
Love Divine https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GenHMi5B7L4
AND, back at 78 2nd Street Art’s splendid idea for French Doors to highlight the entry into the Parish Hall is now completed.
SO, NEXT WEEKEND, AS WE RESUME THE PUBLIC WORSHIP OF THE HOLY TRINITY we get to view firsthand the sum of their dedicated and effective labors.
The Lord’s Day Mass will be SATURDAY, June 6, at 4pm; and SUNDAY, June 7 at 9:30. I’ll have a letter out this week reminding us of the changes that will be in effect. Everyone will enter through the Door nearest the new bathroom in the space of the previous chapel.
One big help is for each of us to arrive well before the start of Mass. A few minutes in private prayer before the Liturgy is a great enhancement.
I invite every disciple at St Augustine’s to PRAY for a spiritual renewal that matches the physical enhancements we see around us. There is no point in having consecrated buildings without a consecrated people. Please pray daily the Prayer below:
Daily Personal Prayer Until Next Weekend
Lord Jesus, as we await the re-opening of our building,
revive the faith of all your People at St Augustine’s.
We pray You to open our hearts.
Give us a deepened desire to receive You afresh,
to forsake our sins, and welcome Your call.
Renew Your Church and begin with me:
give me grace to come expectantly
to hear Your word each Lord’s Day
and fruitfully receive Your Body and Blood,
all for Your tender mercies' sake.
Amen.
In Christ,
Bishop Dan
For Bishop Dan's latest Newsletter - and additional links, see the JOIN US page. (Click the Tab above in the menu.)
ALSO, see a Lenten Devotion page, at the Top Menu: The Way of the Cross
5/24/20
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Above is the link for Sunday Mass with Bishop Bill from Christ the King Center. Below are the Readings and Collect for the Liturgy as well as some music to use as you desire. There is also the Prayer for daily use between now and the re-opening of our building. I encourage you to print out the Prayer and make it part of your daily spiritual life.
We’re making plans to resume worship next month, perhaps sooner than originally thought. We’ll mark the Lord’s Day with Mass on SAT at 4pm, and Sunday 9:30.
The Vestry met and we reviewed what steps we need to assure we’re reducing danger of infection. We identified some common-sense steps we can all take. We wore our masks. We sang a hymn at the beginning and the end. Masks do not muzzle.
New ways: 1.Everyone will wear a mask. 2.Seating will be adjusted. 3.Entry will be by middle door. 4.Hand sanitizing on entry. 5. We won’t be able to wander around, or stand in doorways. To make this smooth we’ll all need a spirit of agree-able-ness. Let us set aside all temptation toward grumbling and disagreeableness. Let us love like Jesus.
Bishop Bill will be issuing some guidelines this coming week.
Optional: 2-hours of contemporary Praise
In the ascended Lord,
Bishop Dan
The 7th Sunday of Eastertide - Ascension Sunday
Alleluia, Sing to Jesus: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bkt-qoeACJM
COLLECT
O God, the King of glory, you have exalted your only Son
Jesus Christ with great triumph to your kingdom in heaven:
Do not leave us comfortless, but send us your Holy Spirit to
strengthen us, and exalt us to that place where our Savior
Christ has gone before; who lives and reigns with you and
the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.
FIRST READING: Acts of the Apostles 1: 6 - 14
Acts 1:1 (NRSV) In the first book, Theoph'ilus, I wrote about all that Jesus did and taught from the beginning 2 until the day when he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. 3 After his suffering he presented himself alive to them by many convincing proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. 4 While staying with them, he ordered them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait there for the promise of the Father. "This," he said, "is what you have heard from me; 5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now."
6 So when they had come together, they asked him, "Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?" 7 He replied, "It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." 9 When he had said this, as they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. 10 While he was going and they were gazing up toward heaven, suddenly two men in white robes stood by them. 11 They said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up toward heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven."
12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Ol'ivet, which is near Jerusalem, a sabbath day's journey away. 13 When they had entered the city, they went to the room upstairs where they were staying, Peter, and John, and James, and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James son of Alphae'us, and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. 14 All these were constantly devoting themselves to prayer, together with certain women, including Mary the mother of Jesus, as well as his brothers.
Psalm 68 Exsurgat Deus
1 Let God arise, and let his enemies be scattered; * let those who hate him flee before him.
2 Let them vanish like smoke when the wind drives it away; * as the wax melts at the fire, so let the wicked perish at the presence of God.
3 But let the righteous be glad and rejoice before God; * let them also be merry and joyful.
4 Sing to God, sing praises to his Name; exalt him who rides upon the heavens; * Yahweh is his Name, rejoice before him!
5 Father of orphans, defender of widows, * God in his holy habitation!
6 God gives the solitary a home and brings forth prisoners into freedom; * but the rebels shall live in dry places.
7 O God, when you went forth before your people, * when you marched through the wilderness,
8 The earth shook, and the skies poured down rain, at the presence of God, the God of Sinai, * at the presence of God, the God of Israel.
9 You sent a gracious rain, O God, upon your inheritance; * you refreshed the land when it was weary.
10 Your people found their home in it; * in your goodness, O God, you have made provision
for the poor.
33 Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth; * sing praises to the Lord.
34 He rides in the heavens, the ancient heavens; * he sends forth his voice, his mighty voice.
35 Ascribe power to God; * his majesty is over Israel; his strength is in the skies.
36 How wonderful is God in his holy places! * the God of Israel giving strength and power to his people!
Blessed be God!
SECOND READING: 1 Peter 4: 12 - 14, 5: 6 - 11
1 Pet 4:12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that is taking place among you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice insofar as you are sharing Christ's sufferings, so that you may also be glad and shout for joy when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the spirit of glory, which is the Spirit of God, is resting on you. 5:6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you. 8 Discipline yourselves, keep alert. Like a roaring lion your adversary the devil prowls around, looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, steadfast in your faith, for you know that your brothers and sisters in all the world are undergoing the same kinds of suffering. 10 And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, support, strengthen, and establish you. 11 To him be the power forever and ever. Amen.
GOSPEL: John 17: 1 - 11
John 17:1 After Jesus had spoken these words, he looked up to heaven and said, "Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son so that the Son may glorify you, 2 since you have given him authority over all people, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. 3 And this is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. 4 I glorified you on earth by finishing the work that you gave me to do. 5 So now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had in your presence before the world existed.
6 "I have made your name known to those whom you gave me from the world. They were yours, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. 7 Now they know that everything you have given me is from you; 8 for the words that you gave to me I have given to them, and they have received them and know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me. 9 I am asking on their behalf; I am not asking on behalf of the world, but on behalf of those whom you gave me, because they are yours. 10 All mine are yours, and yours are mine; and I have been glorified in them. 11 And now I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one, as we are one.
See the Conquorer Mounts in Triumph https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dE-w5SzZCmc
Daily Personal Prayer for the time before Reopening the Church-Building
Lord Jesus, as we await the re-opening of our building,
revive the faith of all your People at St Augustine’s.
We pray You to open our hearts.
Give us a deepened desire to receive You afresh,
to forsake our sins, and welcome Your call.
Renew Your Church and begin with me:
give me grace to come expectantly
to hear Your word each Lord’s Day
and fruitfully receive Your Body and Blood,
all for Your tender mercies' sake.
Amen.
5/20/20
I believe many will be blessed this brief article about the author of Amazing Grace.
Imagine, he went from being a slaver to becoming a Christian, to being a priest.
We aren't to be defined by our past.
Bishop Dan
https://livingchurch.org/covenant/2020/05/18/gods-amazing-grace/
5/17/20
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
About A.D. 540 a plague from China traveled via rat to Ethiopia and Egypt and around the Mediterranean. The Emperor Justinian was infected, but did not die. Since it began during his reign it is sometimes called Justinian’s Plague. The pandemic lasted until about A.D 750. Over 2 centuries! Historians estimate that somewhere between 25 million and 100 million people died.
Did the Church shut down? No. In fact it was about 50 years into the plague that St Gregory the Great, (a monk who had become pope) commissioned St Augustine, a fellow monk, and our Patron saint, to lead 40 other monks from Rome to England to reboot the Christian mission in that island nation. He arrived in 597 bearing an icon of Jesus at the head of a procession. He labored until his death May 26, 605.
Life was tough. The English were rumored to be violent. Augustine was scared. But they kept on. He converted the pagan king and in short order thousands were baptized.
He became our first Archbishop of Canterbury, laboring fruitfully in a strange land, with a wild population until his death May 26, 605.
I know that many of you have fruitfully engaged in personal Bible-reading, personal prayer and Christian spiritual reading. That is very encouraging. You have faithfully followed Bishop Bill’s Youtube Sunday Mass from Christ the King Center. Some of you have reached out to others to touch base, to lessen isolation and loneliness. I commend you. Many of you have increased your Intercessions for fellow Christians, for physicians and folks hospitalized with C19. Lots of you have continued to support the mission of St Augustine’s with mail-in offerings for the parish.
At 78 2nd Street: Terry, Art and Craig have used the lull in building use to complete the painting of the Parish Hall, and are nearly done in painting the Nave. The new french doors into the Parish Hall will soon be installed, and the painting of the exterior of all the doors, new and old will be finished.
Rochester Floors, who did such a great job on the Chancel floor, will begin the refinishing the freshly exposed floor of the Sanctuary (Communion rail to back wall). The back row of pews will be relocated to the west wall, and 1 row will be removed to enhance access for Processions (Sunday, bridal and funeral) into the church.
Bishop Bill will be holding a teleconference with the clergy this coming week. We expect some specific direction about the re-start of the public worship shortly thereafter. I am estimating near the end of June. I wish it could be sooner. But faith and religion do not fare well in the age of the “nones”.
(In some ways its like the pagan environment, with just a smattering of Christians, that St Augustine first confronted.)
As we look forward to resuming Church, we will have some changes to protect your health. This is my estimate, though the Bishop and the diocese may mandate other things.
We will need to wear masks.
The social distancing introduced will be a factor in seating.
Pews will be marked for open/closed.
Note: family units will not be required to sit apart from each other.
Folks who ride together can be counted as a unit.
Holy Communion (Host only) will be administered standing at the foot of the Chancel.
Maybe outdoor Coffee Hour. Disposable cups/utensils/plates etc.
We just don’t yet know how a lot of this will work out. So we stay flexible.
I hope we can re-open with a great Palm Procession singing All Glory Laud and Honor!
Lastly, I want to give a try to adding a 2nd Service with a Saturday Mass at 4pm. This may help with the more complex seating. It may help with job conflicts or other activities.
It will facilitate everyone coming to Church every Lord’s Day.
Of all the Commandments, this is the most important. (Because when the Lord’s Day is ignored, the rest of the Commandments fall fast.) Casual Christianity is dying.
We’ll give this a try through Labor Day weekend and see what is warranted for the future.
People miss coming to church, not because Jesus is absent in our hearts at home or work, but because Jesus’ Real Presence in the Eucharist deepens our awareness of Him in reality the rest of the week.
Please begin praying for the LORD, to open the doors of our hearts even more deeply, and welcome others to the in-breaking, healing and liberating kingdom of Christ our God as we re-open the physical doors of the building.
Tuesday I marked the 49th Anniversary of my ordination as a Deacon. So beginning my 50th year of ministry. I thank our Lord Jesus Christ for this great calling of which I am not worthy. I thank Him for Carol and her unwavering support these five decades of ministry and 55 years of marriage. And I thank Him for all the holy women and men who have influenced me and encouraged me. Thank you for your daily prayers and partnership in the Gospel.
Thursday I officiated at the Burial of Louise Pelton Staring, 91, who grew up here at St Augustine’s and moved to Onondaga county after college. Her daughters spoke of wonderful summers at Beaver-Cross with scholarships from the parish. May her soul, and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God rest in peace. Amen.
Life is moving forward. And St Augustine’s with it. Because Jesus lives within us by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, Daily Prayer, Bible-reading and outreach should mark our lives. The building may be unoccupied, but the Church of Jesus remains; our hearts can be filled. Our faith is not confined to a building. It is to be unleashed.
The Bible gives us a great perspective on life and its events. Nothing new. The Lord reigns over all the natural and every man-made disaster.
Whether it’s Justinian’s Plague, started by a flea on a rat, or the Wuhan virus from a bug in a bat, Jesus is at our side and in our hearts.
He is there and He is always with us. In Jesus every fear has been faced, including death. Because of Jesus fear has no power over us!
What has been is what will be,
and what has been done is what will be done,
and there is nothing new under the sun. Ecclesiastes 1:9
So for 2020 we’ll be physically apart for Ascension Day, St Augustine’s Day, the Day of Pentecost, Trinity Sunday and Corpus Christi. But with some thought and imagination we can recoup that loss in fresh and dynamic ways.
Bishop Bill’s Sunday Mass from Christ the King Center goes live at 6 a.m.
Pray now for not just a re-opening at St Augustine's, but for a genuine re-start, in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Your Brother in Christ,
Bishop Dan
Optional: 2-hours of contemporary Praise
Sixth Sunday of Easter
O God, you have prepared for those who love you such good
things as surpass our understanding: Pour into our hearts such
love towards you, that we, loving you in all things and above
all things, may obtain your promises, which exceed all that we
can desire; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
FIRST READING: Acts 17: 22 - 31
Acts 17:22 (NRSV) Then Paul stood in front of the Areop'agus and said, "Athenians, I see how extremely religious you are in every way. 23 For as I went through the city and looked carefully at the objects of your worship, I found among them an altar with the inscription, "To an unknown god." What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you. 24 The God who made the world and everything in it, he who is Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in shrines made by human hands, 25 nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mortals life and breath and all things. 26 From one ancestor he made all nations to inhabit the whole earth, and he allotted the times of their existence and the boundaries of the places where they would live, 27 so that they would search for God and perhaps grope for him and find him--though indeed he is not far from each one of us. 28 For "In him we live and move and have our being'; as even some of your own poets have said,
"For we too are his offspring."
29 Since we are God's offspring, we ought not to think that the deity is like gold, or silver, or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of mortals. 30 While God has overlooked the times of human ignorance, now he commands all people everywhere to repent, 31 because he has fixed a day on which he will have the world judged in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed, and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead."
Psalm 66 Jubilate Deo
7 Bless our God, you peoples; *nmake the voice of his praise to be heard;
8 Who holds our souls in life, *nand will not allow our feet to slip.
9 For you, O God, have proved us; * you have tried us just as silver is tried.
10 You brought us into the snare; * you laid heavy burdens upon our backs.
11 You let enemies ride over our heads;nwe went through fire and water; * but you brought us out into a place of refreshment.
12 I will enter your house with burnt-offerings and will pay you my vows, * which I promised with my lips and spoke with my mouth when I was in trouble.
13 I will offer you sacrifices of fat beasts with the smoke of rams; * I will give you oxen and goats.
14 Come and listen, all you who fear God, * and I will tell you what he has done for me. I called out to him with my mouth, and his praise was on my tongue.
16 If I had found evil in my heart, * the Lord would not have heard me;
17 But in truth God has heard me; * he has attended to the voice of my prayer.
18 Blessed be God, who has not rejected my prayer, * nor withheld his love from me.
SECOND READING: 1 Peter 3: 13 - 22
1Pet 3:13 (NRSV) Now who will harm you if you are eager to do what is good? 14 But even if you do suffer for doing what is right, you are blessed. Do not fear what they fear, and do not be intimidated, 15 but in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be ready to make your defense to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you; 16 yet do it with gentleness and reverence. Keep your conscience clear, so that, when you are maligned, those who abuse you for your good conduct in Christ may be put to shame. 17 For it is better to suffer for doing good, if suffering should be God's will, than to suffer for doing evil. 18 For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, in order to bring you to God. He was put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit, 19 in which also he went and made a proclamation to the spirits in prison, 20 who in former times did not obey, when God waited patiently in the days of Noah, during the building of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were saved through water. 21 And baptism, which this prefigured, now saves you--not as a removal of dirt from the body, but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22 who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers made subject to him.
GOSPEL: John 14: 15 - 21
John 14:15 (NRSV) "If you love me, you will keep my commandments. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever. 17 This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, because he abides with you, and he will be in you.
18 "I will not leave you orphaned; I am coming to you. 19 In a little while the world will no longer see me, but you will see me; because I live, you also will live. 20 On that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. 21 They who have my commandments and keep them are those who love me; and those who love me will be loved by my Father, and I will love them and reveal myself to them."
Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken
5/9/20
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Below is the link to the Diocesan Eastertide Liturgy from the Chapel of Christ the King Spiritual Life Center. (My comments at the bottom.)
Almighty God, whom truly to know is everlasting life: Grant us so perfectly to know your Son Jesus Christ to be the way, the truth, and the life, that we may steadfastly follow his steps in the way that leads to eternal life; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Acts 17:1-15 After Paul and Silas had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. And Paul went in, as was his custom, and on three sabbath days argued with them from the scriptures, explaining and proving that it was necessary for the Messiah to suffer and to rise from the dead, and saying, "This is the Messiah, Jesus whom I am proclaiming to you." Some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a great many of the devout Greeks and not a few of the leading women. But the Jews became jealous, and with the help of some ruffians in the marketplaces they formed a mob and set the city in an uproar. While they were searching for Paul and Silas to bring them out to the assembly, they attacked Jason's house. When they could not find them, they dragged Jason and some believers before the city authorities, shouting, "These people who have been turning the world upside down have come here also, and Jason has entertained them as guests. They are all acting contrary to the decrees of the emperor, saying that there is another king named Jesus." The people and the city officials were disturbed when they heard this, and after they had taken bail from Jason and the others, they let them go.
That very night the believers sent Paul and Silas off to Beroea; and when they arrived, they went to the Jewish synagogue. These Jews were more receptive than those in Thessalonica, for they welcomed the message very eagerly and examined the scriptures every day to see whether these things were so. Many of them therefore believed, including not a few Greek women and men of high standing. But when the Jews of Thessalonica learned that the word of God had been proclaimed by Paul in Beroea as well, they came there too, to stir up and incite the crowds. Then the believers immediately sent Paul away to the coast, but Silas and Timothy remained behind. Those who conducted Paul brought him as far as Athens; and after receiving instructions to have Silas and Timothy join him as soon as possible, they left him.
Psalm 66:1-111 Be joyful in God, all you lands; *
sing the glory of his Name;
sing the glory of his praise.
2 Say to God, "How awesome are your deeds! *
because of your great strength your enemies cringe before you.
3 All the earth bows down before you, *
sings to you, sings out your Name."
4 Come now and see the works of God, *
how wonderful he is in his doing toward all people.
5 He turned the sea into dry land,
so that they went through the water on foot, *
and there we rejoiced in him.
6 In his might he rules for ever;
his eyes keep watch over the nations; *
let no rebel rise up against him.
7 Bless our God, you peoples; *
make the voice of his praise to be heard;
8 Who holds our souls in life, *
and will not allow our feet to slip.
9 For you, O God, have proved us; *
you have tried us just as silver is tried.
10 You brought us into the snare; *
you laid heavy burdens upon our backs.
11 You let enemies ride over our heads;
we went through fire and water; *
but you brought us out into a place of refreshment.
1 Peter 2:1-10 Rid yourselves of all malice, and all guile, insincerity, envy, and all slander. Like newborn infants, long for the pure, spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow into salvation-- if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.
Come to him, a living stone, though rejected by mortals yet chosen and precious in God's sight, and like living stones, let yourselves be built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For it stands in scripture:
"See, I am laying in Zion a stone,
a cornerstone chosen and precious;
and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame."
To you then who believe, he is precious; but for those who do not believe,
"The stone that the builders rejected
has become the very head of the corner,” and
"A stone that makes them stumble,
and a rock that makes them fall."
They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do.
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's own people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
Once you were not a people,
but now you are God's people;
once you had not received mercy,
but now you have received mercy.
John 14:1-14 Jesus said, "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also. And you know the way to the place where I am going." Thomas said to him, "Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?" Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you know me, you will know my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him."
Philip said to him, "Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied." Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know me? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, `Show us the Father'? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own; but the Father who dwells in me does his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; but if you do not, then believe me because of the works themselves. Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father. I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If in my name you ask me for anything, I will do it."
Brief Commentary
The eternal Father so loved us that He sent His only Son. God the Son, in amazing humility joined our human nature to his already-existing Divine Nature. He not only became a real human being like us, he willingly experienced every human circumstance and emotion except sin.
And, it was not a cameo appearance (as they say in the movies). Jesus came, ministered, suffered, died and rose again on the third day. He was glorified in His holy Ascension. Precisely in that event Jesus took our humanity into the very heart of God. The long-term plan for creation was achieved as Jesus redeemed us from sin and death and hell. He not only did it for those who lived from Adam until AD. 33, He also provided for those not yet born, you and me! The redeeming work of Jesus continues until His return. (Christ will come again!)
The finalizing action of Jesus is to bring us (all who are being saved) into the heart of the Trinity, there to know unimaginable joy with the true unconditional Lover: God.
Jesus not only provides the remedy for our selfish and sinful lives, he provides the means for us to share in the divine life of the holy Trinity. He became human, that we might be treated as though divine ourselves. Astonishing!
And on top of all the provision Christ Jesus has made for us, He establishes Himself, with all His love and grace and power, to be the WAY. No wrong path, no messed-up GPS, no dead-ends. Jesus is the direct way to the Father’s heart.
Sometime we meet people (often well-meaning people) who want to tell us that there are many paths to God. In my recent spiritual reading, I came across a brief comment by an old and learned monk. He said the obvious thing is that our way to God is precisely the same way God came to us: in Jesus.
How sensible. How faithful. How useful. How humble. Man-made roads have failed ever since the Garden of Eden. Jesus the Way is the Way, and the way of the Cross is the way of live.
Stay close with Jesus and you’ll get to the right destination. And He whom you will behold will not be a Stranger.
In Christ,
Bishop Dan
Happy Mother’s Day to all our mothers in the parish. With prayers for the Mothers of all, whether living or dead.
We recall the Mother of our Lord whose last recorded words in the Bible will help us all: Do whatever He tells you. God chose to enter his own creation, by the virginal womb of Mary, born in the same manner as we are, identifying with us from the very beginning.
She became not only His mother, but likewise his fruitful servant, His first disciple, the one who was faithful through Calvary to the Upper Room where she was seated among the Apostles, awaiting the descent of the Holy Spirit. Thank you Jesus for the example of Your holy Mother. Amen
5/3/20
4th Sunday of Easter(tide)
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Christ is Lord of all. We need to remind ourselves of this great truth. Jesus puts it all in perspective. Every empire, every leader, every investment, every enterprise will pass away. In the end, only Jesus endures. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my Word will not pass away.
The 4th Sunday of Easter always has as its focus The Good Shepherd, Our single stained glass window is Jesus, the Good Shepherd. The oldest image of Our Lord dates from the catacombs, a sketch of Jesus bearing a lamb. The 10th Chapter of St John’s gospel is Jesus teaching us about His role as our Shepherd.
Right now we need the Jesus, Good Shepherd more than ever. We need Him for strength, for courage, for faith, for the future.
Here’s what’s happening: trends and shifts are accelerating. What would have taken a decade to evolve will happen in a year or two. It will affect all parts of life and society.
Example: doctors and therapists are now talking with patients via iPads and smartphones. Friday I got a message from a specialist I see that he can do tele-health or even a telephone visit now. These pre-existed but didn’t qualify for coverage. Now they’ve become normal.
Groups are meeting via ZOOM instead of in person. One of my friends attends an AA Meeting daily from his living room. Schools have shifted big time to distance learning, Some churches moved to drive-in Services. Take outs have soared. Auto accidents are down. Family meals resumed. Many changes. Some for the better.
The Governor and the Bishop will be giving us some direction about resuming public Worship. It too will be different.
Updates:
Congratulations to Todd and Alaina P. on the birth of second son, Silas Nehemiah on Friday, May 1.
Terry and Art have accomplished ceiling repairs in the Parish Hall, and its complete repainting in a Sky Blue. Goes very nicely with the new lighting. The walls are being repainted in Navajo White.
The walls of the Chancel have been repainted and work on the Nave (pew section) is underway.
Personal prayer life: Pray Morning and Evening
-Give thanks at meals
Read a chapter of the Bible daily; or 1 in the AM & 1 in the PM
-from the Old Testament start with the Book of Exodus
-from the New Testament read the Acts of the Apostles.
{CPR: Ask before reading: "Lord: show me a Command to obey; a Promise to be received; a sin to Repent of."}
Pray for family, neighbors and fellow disciples at St Augustine’s.
News note: ChristianHeadlines.com - April 27, 2020
More than 130,000 individuals around the world made the decision to come to Christ during a Good Friday virtual evangelistic event that was hosted by Pulse and featured well-known Christian leaders and singers, according to new data.
Since the virtual revival was hosted tens of thousands of people have reached out to Pulse to share their decision to follow Jesus through phone call centers, emails, websites and text messages. Pulse founder Nick Hall said in a Saturday tweet that a total of 132,000 people "responded to Jesus" due to the Good Friday broadcast and more than 100 million people tuned in.
4/26/20
3rd Sunday of Easter(tide) - 26 April 2020
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Today’s Gospel reading is a source of great encouragement in the midst of our present chaos and confusion. Two disciples of Jesus, perhaps a husband and wife (we know the name of only one, Cleopas) and heading out of town on Easter Day. For them it’s the end of a great dream, the collapse of the original Jesus movement. Jesus himself is dead and buried. Everyone knows that. A small number have now alleged that Jesus was not dead. How dumb can you get? He was crucified and his body was pierce with the lance of a Roman soldier. Corpses don’t come back. They are dejected. They had staked all their hopes on this Jesus of Nazareth. And what came from it. Nothing! Disappointment is an understatement. I guess we have to start over.
As they head along the road to Emmaus a stranger join them on the path. He inquires what’s going on. They conclude he’s really out of the loop. How could anyone be around Jerusalem and not know about Jesus. He was the big story, the guy they had put their hope in, indeed hopefully the Messiah. But all those hopes were dashed on Calvary. Indeed old enemies of each other (the Roman Governor Pilate, the High Priests, and King Herod) had formed an alliance to do Jesus in. In spite of Jesus popularity among the masses, healing the sick, raising the dead and giving hope to the lowest folks in the land- in spite of all this they had rigged a trial and Jesus was led to an excruciating death.
And the Stranger began to lead an on-the-road Bible Study. He took them through the scriptures and explained all this things that had to happen to the expected Messiah. Lots of prophecies given, and fulfilled. As the bible-review came to an end, it was getting dark and they asked the Stranger to cease his travels and join them at the Inn.
As they sat for Supper, the Stranger took bread, gave thanks, and blessed and broke it. And He vanished from their sight. They recognized Him in the Breaking of the Bread. Astonished, they rushed out and back to Jerusalem. They reported to the Apostles that they had seen The Lord, and that they had recognized Him. It was in fact the first post-resurrection Mass that Easter Night.
From the beginning, the real Presence of Jesus for Christians was in the Eucharist, Holy Communion, the Blessed Sacrament. Here was the guaranteed point of contact. With all the problems, all the burdens, all the failures we bring, Jesus comes to us really, in His own Body and Blood. He dwells in us so that we can dwell in Him.
And so we Christians who worship the living Lord in the celebration of the Holy Eucharist are among the most chastened by the present lockdown. It does seem crazy that liquor stores can be open, but churches cannot. What we can do is use the Scriptures, pray and make a Spiritual Communion. Jesus still desires to come deeply into hour hearts. He still desires to heal and forgive and restore us. What we lack is the company of other Christians to share in the experience of the communion of saints.
We trust this is temporary. What it does make clear is our sense of missing out when we can’t have that shared experience of receiving Jesus together. It does highlight the importance of a personal prayer life, and the habit of reading the Bible on our own or in a household. Several folks have mentioned how they have made a prayer corner in their own home. A table, an icon or crucifix, a candle (battery or wax) can give us a focal point/place to foster a new and improved daily prayer life. I encourage you to think of doing this.
I also encourage you to stay in touch with others: a call, an email, a text will help connect. All of us want to be connected. Isolation is unnatural and unhealthy. We can mitigate that. Pray for those who are sick, their care-givers, the scientists and researchers developing tests and vaccines. Please continue to pray for Bishop Bill as he awaits the next decision regarding his postponed Trial.
You are in my daily prayers and constant thoughts.
In Christ,
Bishop Dan
Hymns:
Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence
Alleluia, Sing to Jesus
The Peace of God which surpasses all human understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God.
May holy Mary and St Augustine pray for you.
May the Angels and Saints of God keep watch over you.
And the Blessing of God Almighty, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit be upon you this day and remain with you forever. Amen
4/21/20
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Below is today’s biblical reflection from Torre Bissell, and it’s on the 23rd Psalm, probably the favorite of most Americans.
Torre offers a scripture verse and an application. Sometimes he will add a report from one of his ministries. He is a retired computer expert from GE in Schenectady. Torre was a convert to Christ as an adult. He and his late wife Jean were Missionaries in Liberia in eastern Africa on behalf of the church, until they were driven out by the civil war.
Torre was one of the great lay leaders when I was Rector of Christ Church in Schenectady. While I was Bishop of Albany I asked him to become leader of the ministry of intercession in the Diocese. He is a faithful and fruitful intercessor and is known as the Albany Intercessor.
>You can ask to be included in his distribution, by emailing him via email (contact the church if you would like it) Needless to say, I encourage you to join up.
This can be a very helpful aid in your own prayer life.
In the risen Lord,
Bishop Dan
Also: Today was supposed to be the Trial in Albany of Bishop Bill.
It is postponed because of C-19 and will probably be held via a Zoom Conference online.
I encourage you to continue to hold him in your daily prayers. +D
Forwarded message:
2020 04 21
1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. Psalm 23
LORD, shepherd us in this time of uncertainty. You are our certainty.
2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. Psalm 23
Help me lie down and rest each night and awake to do your will.
3 He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name's sake. Psalm 23
Jesus, restorer of my soul; lead me in your paths of righteousness.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. Psalm 23
Father, I have walked through that valley. Thank you for setting me free of fear of dying. Thank you for your rod and staff which comfort and guide me.
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. Psalm 23
Lord, I long to be able to return to your communion table.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the LORD Forever. Psalm 23
Holy Spirit, your goodness and mercy have pierced my soul and allowed me to dwell in our Father’s house forever.
A Word Received: Come to me and find rest for your soul.
Albany Intercessor
"If we ever needed the Lord before, we sure do need him now" click here
4-19-20
Thomas Sunday - Low Sunday - 2nd Sunday of Easter(tide)
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
St Thomas the Apostle gets a bad rap. He usually gets dubbed as ‘doubting’ when, in fact, no one else in the New Testament so clearly affirms the true divinity of Jesus: “My LORD and my GOD”. St John the Apostle documents this ultimate statement of faith in his gospel. What a relief for all of us: a follower of Jesus can experience confusion and still not have lost faith!
In the early hours of Easter morning it was the faithful Women who went to the tomb. They brought the news to the (male) apostles. That’s the main reason St Mary Magdalene is titled apostle to the apostles. She was sent to them after finding the tomb empty. Initially the men were disbelieving. Sort of too good to be true. Easter Sunday night they got the evidence when Jesus appeared to them while they were hiding out behind locked doors out of fear. Thomas was out. When he returned he discounted them just as they had discounted the holy women. Boom. Next Sunday as Jesus appears Thomas is front and center. (Notice they had still locked the doors.)
We all know the rest of the story: St Thomas goes on in ancient traditions to be the founder of the Church in distant India where the followers of Jesus, LORD and GOD, are still called Thomas Christians.
Yup. We too can rise above our failures, our faults, our flummoxes, our finite minds, to affirm with St Thomas My LORD and my GOD. That’s how much He loves us- He came Himself to be our Savior. Can I tell others how much I believe this too?
Soon we hope to be able to gather again on Second Street as the Apostles did (but not with locked doors) to welcome the Risen Lord afresh into our hearts and lives. But I think it is going to be different. Our world, so independent of God, so self-sufficient, so scientific, so emancipated is in fact more vulnerable than we ever dreamed. We’re a lot like the people in the 1920’s (the roaring 20’s) who saw science and education and technology as the real future. It was in fact the eve of global destruction in WW II.
I believe we will again value our families and our faith, more than our finances and fears.
I believe that we can be part of a spiritual revival brought about by Jesus as He pours out His Holy Spirit. It’s His initiative; it will require our free response.
The Bishop’s Liturgy is here on the Albany Diocesan YouTube Channel, Fr Dan Jones is the Preacher.
Pray for one another. Stay in touch with one another. Love one another. And we stay closest by loving Jesus most.
In the risen Lord,
Bishop Dan
The Liturgy of the Word for Thomas Sunday
4-9-20
Maundy Thursday Afternoon, 2020
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
This strangest of all Holy Weeks links us in reality to the Christians of the Persecuted Church, the Church in Exile, the Dispersed Church.
Holy Week connects us with the Christians down through the ages, physically cut off from the community of faith:
-people we almost never bring to mind:
-Christian slaves rowing the boats of Rome’s empire, or later Islamic states across the Mediterranean;
-Christians exiled to living death in the salt mines of Sicily;
-Christians in scattered settlements;
-Christians in Nazi concentration camp; later in the Soviet gulags;
-Christians confined in secular institutions; or in solitary.
-Christians isolated by illness or poverty or stigma.
These are our sisters and brothers in the Communion of Saints.
Holy Week 2020 can deepen our appreciation for those who have no access to church on Maundy Thursday. No Eucharist, no humble Foot-washing, no Watch before the Blessed Sacrament.
On Good Friday, they will not walk the Way of the Cross in towns and cities. They will not assemble to hear the Scriptures, to Venerate the Cross of Jesus, to receive Healing Prayer.
On Easter morning they will not experience the words of the Prophets in the Great Vigil or sing the Song of Moses, or watch the New Fire burst forth. They will not hear the glad singing of the Exultet in a candle-lit church; they will not hear the joyous Bells at the singing of the Gloria. The will not rejoice with those receiving Holy Baptism. They will not be nourished with the Body and Blood of the risen Lord.
And it may be many years, if ever, before some do.
Now we are experiencing a spiritual fast from the much-loved and probably under-appreciated experience of the common worship of the Savior. I pray that between now and its inevitable resumption we will renew our discipleship. The Lord can use this experience to deepen our love for Him, to widen our charity toward one-another and to remind us that we are aliens in our own world. Our citizenship is in heaven. Our lasting Hope is eternity. Our destination is unity in the Communion of Saints. Our Head is Christ. His Victory is ours and He remind us: Whoever perseveres to the end will be saved (Matthew 24:13).
Often these Christians are deprived not only of gathering together. But also the Bible; some because they cannot afford or secure one; some because they cannot read. We indeed take for granted our access to each other, to church, to the Scripture or Prayer Book.
What they do have is a personal and immediate presence of the Holy Spirit whom Jesus pours into their hearts. The Holy Spirit is the direct connection to Jesus and into the very core of the Holy Trinity. It is the same access each of us can have.
We pray for healing for those suffering, for those giving care, for researchers. For those who have died. We pray for deliverance. IN TIME OF GREAT SICKNESS AND MORTALITY - from the 1928 Prayer-Book
O Most mighty and merciful God, in this time of grievous sickness, we flee to you for comfort. Deliver us, we beseech you, from our peril; give strength and skill to all those who minister to the sick; prosper the means made use of for their cure; and grant that, perceiving how frail and uncertain our life is, we may apply our hearts unto that heavenly wisdom which leads to eternal life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Holy Triduum - 2020
Maundy Thursday - Good Friday - Easter
“Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.” -Corrie Ten Boom Nazi Concentration Camp Survivor
Here’s how we connect with the LORD this Holy Week:
1. Personal Prayer - Morning and Evening. ACNA provides a truly simple link here:
2. The Holy Scripture: Along with the Daily Office, read through the 4 Gospel Narratives of Our Lord’s Passion and Death:
- MATTHEW Chapters 26 and 27; MARK 14 and 15; LUKE 22 and 23; JOHN (17) 18-19. The Way of the Cross mailed to each household.
Much of the TRIDUUM involves KEEPING VIGIL: Thursday night before the Blessed Sacrament till Midnight.
Good Friday and Good Friday in silence through the day.
Easter in the Great Vigil usually kept in common in church.
We can do this by praying at home.
Sing My Tongue: link here
Prayer for a Spiritual Communion from
A Prayer Book for the Armed Services (Episcopal)
In union, O Lord, with your faithful people at every Altar of your Church, where the Holy Eucharist is now being celebrated, I desire to offer to You praise and thanksgiving. I remember your death, Lord Christ; I proclaim your resurrection; I await your coming in glory. And since I cannot receive You today in the Sacrament of your Body and Blood, I beseech you to come spiritually into my heart. Cleanse and strengthen me with your grace, Lord Jesus, and let me never be separated from you. May I live in You and You in me, in this life and in the life to come. Amen
And Now O Father, Mindful of Thy Love: link here
COLLECT FOR MAUNDY THURSDAY: Almighty Father, whose most dear Son, on the night before he suffered, instituted the Sacrament of his Body and Blood: Mercifully grant that we may receive it in thankful remembrance of Jesus Christ our Savior, who in these holy mysteries gives us a pledge of eternal life; and who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Behold The Lamb - Stuart Townsend: link here
The GOOD FRIDAY Liturgy begins on Page 276
Jesus Remember Me: link here
Good Friday is a FAST Day
A home Cross or Crucifix may be used as a focal point for Prayer and Pious Devotion
Were You There When They Crucified My Lord?: link here
Additional Devotion: Fr LaCombe from Christ Church, Morristown: link here
HOLY SATURDAY provides a brief Service on page 283
Soul of My Saviour: link here
The GREAT EASTER VIGIL with Readings and Prayers begins on page 285.
Song of Moses and Miriam: link here
Jesus Christ is Risen Today: link here
THE EASTER MASS from Christ the King with Bishop Love: YouTube channel here
And remember to email or even better telephone someone else, and be an encourager.
We have good news: Jesus is Risen, and He has overcome the world.
I pray for you and look forward to that Day when we all are gathered around the Altar of the Lamb and are nourished with the heavenly gift of His most precious Body and Blood.
Carol and I wish you a specially sanctified Holy Week and Easter and rejoice that the Lord has done all this in His great mercy.
In the Risen and Victorious Lord,
Bishop Dan
4-7-20
Monday in Holy Week
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
I urge you to continue to pray for:
- all those ill with Covid-19,
- for those who have died,
- for the clinicians caring for them,
- for the scientists and researchers developing treatments and a vaccine,
- for those who are furloughed or unemployed because of the pandemic,
- for those adjusting to working from home,
- and for civil leaders who must lead in these perilous times;
for Ilion, Mohawk, Herkimer and the whole Mohawk Valley.
Continue to reach out and stay in touch with fellow disciples of Jesus at St Augustine’s.
-a note, a phone call or an email can be a great encouragement.
Update: Work has begun on repainting the Chancel. The damaged walls have been replaced and the whole area will be repainted. This will be followed by the repainting of the Nave (the area where the congregation is seated). Special thanks to Terry and Art. We are hoping to have the balance of the Sanctuary refinished by the same flooring company who redid the Chapel and the Cancel.
Note: We have no way of assuring that any item is virus-free.
So effective now, no items can be brought to church for storage, or for any future rummage sale.
This is a matter of prudence for the safety and protection of everyone.
You remain in our daily Intercessions,
In Christ this Holy Week,
Bishop Dan
4-4-20
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
We begin the strangest Holy Week any of us have ever experienced. No upbeat outdoor Procession, no waving Palms. What we have done is sacrifice the spiritual joy of worshipping together for the sake of the common good, for the health and protection of others. It is a sacrifice.
But home by home we can join with millions of Christians around the world (most also confined to quarters) in beginning the entry into the very heart of our faith: the Death and Resurrection of the Messiah, Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world.
Jean Lesniak has helpfully mailed to each household a printed rendition of the Stations of the Cross as we use them at St Augustine’s. This is an ideal devotion each day in Holy Week. It deepens our oneness with Christ.
Think of how alone He was as He carried His cross through the streets of Jerusalem. He understands our aloneness. He has redeemed it.
For PALM SUNDAY
-I encourage you to follow Bishop Bill’s Palm Sunday Mass on the St Augustine: Click here for website
-For personal devotion enjoy the most common great hymn, All Glory Laud and Honor: Click here for website
-[For a more Anglican setting, but without the lyrics: click here]
-The text of the Palm Sunday Liturgy with the Scripture Readings is in the Book of Common Prayer at page 270.
-My Song is Love Unknown, and some other music suitable for Holy Week: click here
For Daily use in Holy Week: Prayer for a Spiritual Communion
(from) A Prayer Book for the Armed Services (Episcopal)
In union, O Lord, with your faithful people at every Altar of your Church, where the Holy Eucharist is now being celebrated, I desire to offer to You praise and thanksgiving. I remember your death, Lord Christ; I proclaim your resurrection; I await your coming in glory. And since I cannot receive You today in the Sacrament of your Body and Blood, I beseech you to come spiritually into my heart. Cleanse and strengthen me with your grace, Lord Jesus, and let me never be separated from you. May I live in You and You in me, in this life and in the life to come. Amen
As Carol and I pray for you each day, may our Lord strengthen our bonds of love. I encourage you to become encouragers to one another. The phone becomes even more valuable as we speak and pray together. May Jesus the Head of His Body, the Church, let us bear His love to one another, and to any who have few or none in their lives. Please pray for Mary Smith, a parishioner and mother of Richard Deming, who is undergoing emergency surgery for a hip injury.
I long for that day when we are all reunited in joy, in procession, in singing and in adoration. (We have retained the bagged and sealed Palms. If they endure till we resume, we’ll use them in our victory Procession. In the ancient world palms were the sign of victory. Early Christians were often buried with palms in their hands.)
In the Glorified Crucified Savior,
Bishop Dan
PS: Some folks have asked about sending tithes and offerings to the Parish during this time.
Bev Reile, the Parish Treasurer, picks up the mail at the Post Office:
St Augustine’s Church, Box 118, Ilion NY 13357. Keeps up the fuel, the insurance etc.
EXTRAS (Click the title for links to websites):
(1) Daily webcast from St Thomas Episcopal Church in New York City
(2) The Prayer Book Collects for the weekdays of Holy Week are on Page 220-221
(3) Don’t have a BCP at home? Go to Justus Anglican Online
(4) For the Daily Office at home
(5) The Very Rev’d Paul Zahl, retired Dean of Trinity School for Ministry suggested 3 classic movies to watch during this pandemic. On Amazon Prime and perhaps other places on the Internet. Stars In My Crown, (Joel McCrea); The Return of Don Camillo; War of the Worlds (1953).
4-1-20
Dearest Brothers and Sisters,
In Jerusalem, the Church of the Holy Sepulcher (among the Orthodox known as the Church of the Resurrection) has been closed for the first time since the Black Death (plague) struck in 1348. It is the site of our Lord’s Death-Burial-Resurrection.
Whether the building is open or closed the Church of Jesus remains and lives and shall until the end of time. We stay alive in Christ as we pray, read the Scriptures, repent of our sins, and ask the victorious Lord to strengthen us by His Holy Spirit.
As we draw closer to Holy Week our hearts can be uplifted hearing this unique rendition of “In Christ Alone”.
In Christ,
Bishop Dan
Earlier posts
Here the words from our Bishop, Bishop William Love:
For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them. Matt 18:20
Even though we are not able to gather together during this time in our Church buildings, we need to remain faithful in our prayers and our study of God’s Holy Word, remembering that the Lord is with us where ever we are. As Jesus stated in John 4:23-24, “God is spirit.” He is everywhere at once. As we worship Him in spirit and truth, may our heart and mind be spiritually open to His presence.
– Bishop Bill
Click this Link to listen to the Sunday March 22 Recorded Sunday Service
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Visiting St. Augustine's
We are located at 78 Second Street, Ilion NY. (scroll down to the bottom of this page for Google Map)
Welcome to St. Augustine’s – We’re Glad You’re Here!
Welcome to the St. Augustine’s online church community! Learn more about this dynamic parish, the good works we accomplish, as well as the ministry that awaits us.
If you’re looking for a Church home, exploring your faith, searching for ways to serve your community or seeking to make a difference, St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church answers those longings. We’re here to serve your spiritual needs, and help you deepen your relationship with Christ, those you love and yourself.
We look forward to seeing you in church and in the education, fellowship and outreach opportunities that make St. Augustine’s a lively, caring community.
Why The Episcopal Church
The Episcopal Church is made up of over two million worshipers in about 7,500 congregations across the United States and related dioceses outside the United States. The St. Stephen’s parish, comprised of about 250 members, is made up not only of lifelong Episcopalians, but also those who grew up in other traditions, including Catholics and Evangelicals. We welcome you all!
What you’ll find when you visit and worship with us is a vibrant community of parishioners and friends who expand our ministries through prayer, pilgrimages, commitment and in hundreds of other ways.
Which Service is Best for Me or My Family?
Youth, children and adults – generation to generation – can experience God in worship. Worship touches our hearts, lifts our spirits, challenges our minds and comforts our souls so that we are connected to one another and to God’s world in new ways.
The people of St. Augustine's worship at many different services:
Currently, Church Services and Gatherings are suspended through the end of March
Normal Schedule below:
Sundays
Holy Eucharist, Rite II, 9:30am
Tuesdays
Mid-week Eucharist, 4:30pm
Feast Days
Please refer to Parish Calendar
We are located at 78 Second Street, Ilion NY. (scroll down to the bottom of this page for Google Map)
Welcome to St. Augustine’s – We’re Glad You’re Here!
Welcome to the St. Augustine’s online church community! Learn more about this dynamic parish, the good works we accomplish, as well as the ministry that awaits us.
If you’re looking for a Church home, exploring your faith, searching for ways to serve your community or seeking to make a difference, St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church answers those longings. We’re here to serve your spiritual needs, and help you deepen your relationship with Christ, those you love and yourself.
We look forward to seeing you in church and in the education, fellowship and outreach opportunities that make St. Augustine’s a lively, caring community.
Why The Episcopal Church
The Episcopal Church is made up of over two million worshipers in about 7,500 congregations across the United States and related dioceses outside the United States. The St. Stephen’s parish, comprised of about 250 members, is made up not only of lifelong Episcopalians, but also those who grew up in other traditions, including Catholics and Evangelicals. We welcome you all!
What you’ll find when you visit and worship with us is a vibrant community of parishioners and friends who expand our ministries through prayer, pilgrimages, commitment and in hundreds of other ways.
Which Service is Best for Me or My Family?
Youth, children and adults – generation to generation – can experience God in worship. Worship touches our hearts, lifts our spirits, challenges our minds and comforts our souls so that we are connected to one another and to God’s world in new ways.
The people of St. Augustine's worship at many different services:
Currently, Church Services and Gatherings are suspended through the end of March
Normal Schedule below:
Sundays
Holy Eucharist, Rite II, 9:30am
Tuesdays
Mid-week Eucharist, 4:30pm
Feast Days
Please refer to Parish Calendar
