Always wanted to be an Apostle

Today is the Feast Day of St. Andrew the Apostle of Jesus Christ. Although he was among the first persons whom Jesus called to be apostles, and although he was formerly in the fishing business with three other of Jesus' apostles, Andrew's main claim to fame is that he was "St. Peter's brother." From what we know of St. Peter, that in itself would have been a full-time job.

Almighty God, who gave such grace to your apostle Andrew that he readily obeyed the call of your Son Jesus Christ, and brought his brother with him: Give us, who are called by your Holy Word, grace to follow him without delay, and to bring those near to us into his gracious presence; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.


In peace,
Linda+

The Rev. Linda McCloud
Pastor
The Episcopal Church of Our Savior at Honey Creek
http://www.oursaviorhoneycreek.org/
http://oursaviorhoneycreek.blogspot.com/
912-267-0333

Born again bird watchers

As a blogger I like to scan the list of blog titles. Today I ran across one entitled, "Born Again Bird Watcher." That person is a real pro at bird watching, which I am not.

As an amateur bird watcher I have enjoyed seeing the Cormorants return to Honey Creek. They have a favorite limb on a dead tree, and I am always amazed that they share that limb with the Wood Storks. In fact, the only time I see Wood Storks in that tree is when the Cormorants are present. I think there is something Christian about their behavior. So today here is the offering of yet another "Born again bird watcher."


In peace,
Linda+

The Rev. Linda McCloud
Pastor
The Episcopal Church of Our Savior at Honey Creek
http://www.oursaviorhoneycreek.org/
http://oursaviorhoneycreek.blogspot.com/
912-267-0333

A wise use of time

Here's another "Saying of Light and Love"
from John of the Cross:


"Since, when the hour of reckoning comes,
you will be sorry
for not having used this time
in the service of God,
why do you not arrange and use it now
as you would wish to have done
were you dying?"

In peace,
Linda+

The Rev. Linda McCloud
Pastor
The Episcopal Church of Our Savior at Honey Creek
http://www.oursaviorhoneycreek.org/
http://oursaviorhoneycreek.blogspot.com/
912-267-0333

Coming Soon - Light from The Shadows Retreat

The Light From the Shadows Retreat is coming up Friday, November 30 and will end on Saturday, December 1 in early afternoon. If you have signed up - wonderful! If you still would like to sign up and participate, please call Honey Creek at 265-9218 to see if there are any spaces available.

Here is a poem by Jennifer Lynn Woodruff that goes with the themes of the retreat:

Winter Sunset

The sky is blue and rose tonight
the clouds paint trails across the sun
the dark comes swiftly down the road
and all the day is left undone.

These are the colors that I claimed
the blue for darkness, pain, and loss
the rose for joys as yet unborn
and blossoming at countless cost;

These are the choices that we make
here in the shadow of the night
to know our ambiguity
and yet to live into the light

Not knowing when the light will come
Nor what will blossom from the pain
of roads that cannot be gone down
and days that will not come again.

In peace,
Linda+

The Rev. Linda McCloud
Pastor
The Episcopal Church of Our Savior at Honey Creek
http://www.oursaviorhoneycreek.org/
http://oursaviorhoneycreek.blogspot.com/
912-267-0333
Photos: Mexico Beach, Florida, December 2005;
Rebecca's perfect yellow roses,
Marysville, Washington, July 2007

Our First Feast Day covered dish luncheon

Yesterday we enjoyed a lovely, elegant luncheon organized by Julie and Brad Lunt. Our table fellowship was an extension of the Communion service as we got to know each other better. This is the first of many such times to come.


In peace,
Linda+

The Rev. Linda McCloud
Pastor
http://www.oursaviorhoneycreek.org/
http://oursaviorhoneycreek.blogspot.com/
912-267-0333

We bless you from the house of the Lord

Many people who do not attend Our Savior at Honey Creek get prayed for at virtually every service (first names only). You might want to attend the service this morning at 10:00 a.m. to see if you are one of those people.

Here is a portion of our Psalm for Morning Prayer today (Psalm 118:25-29):

Hosanna, Lord, hosanna!
Lord, send us now success.

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord;
we bless you from the house of the Lord.

God is the Lord; he has shined upon us;
form a procession with branches
up to the horns of the altar.

"You are my God, and I will thank you;
you are my God, and I will exalt you."

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
his mercy endures for ever.



In peace,
Linda+

The Rev. Linda McCloud
Pastor
The Episcopal Church of Our Savior at Honey Creek
http://www.oursaviorhoneycreek.org/
http://oursaviorhoneycreek.blogspot.com/
912-267-0333

Christ is the King

Christ is the King!
O friends up-raise
anthems of joy and holy praise
for his brave saints of ancient days,
who with a faith forever new
followed the King and round him drew
thousands of servants brave and true.

O Christian women, Christian men,
all the world over, seek again
the Way disciples followed then.
Christ through all ages is the same;
place the same hope in this great Name,
with the same faith his word proclaim.

Let Love's unconquerable might
your scattered companies unite
in service to the Lord of light:
so shall God's will on earth be done,
new lamps be lit, new tasks begun,
and the whole Church at last be one.

[George Kennedy Allen Bell (1883-1958);
The Hymnal 1982, numbered 614]

Tomorrow is Christ the King Sunday. Our Gospel reading is Luke 23:33-43, in which we re-live the crucifixion scene: The "image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation," in whom "all things in heaven and on earth were created" (Colossians 1:11-20) is hanging on a cross between two convicted thieves.

One thief scorns Jesus, reasoning that surely a king could save all three of them from such a death. The Gospel does not record that Jesus gave him an answer. Jesus has nothing to prove. The other thief says, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." Jesus replied, "Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise."


In peace,
Linda+

The Rev. Linda McCloud
Pastor
The Episcopal Church of Our Savior at Honey Creek
http://www.oursaviorhoneycreek.org/
http://oursaviorhoneycreek.blogspot.com/
912-267-0333

Photo: Christus Rex at dawn

The Chapel of Our Saviour, Honey Creek

"Sayings of Light and Love"

Here are some words of wisdom from Saint John of the Cross (1542-1591), Spanish mystic and Doctor of the Church. These are from his "Sayings of Light and Love" which he wrote in his role as a spiritual director. There are 175 of these sayings in the book The Collected Works of St. John of the Cross, and for the most part they are to be mulled over and meditated on in order that we may gain their full meaning.

The Lord has always revealed to mortals the treasures of his wisdom and spirit, but now that the face of evil bares itself more and more, so does the Lord bare his treasures more.

A soul enkindled with love is a gentle, meek, humble and patient soul. The meek are those who know how to suffer their neighbor and themselves.

Do not be suspicious of your brother, for you will lose purity of heart.

Because the virtues you have in mind do not shine in your neighbor, do not think that your neighbor will not be precious in God's sight for reasons that you have not in mind.

That should be enough for one day. Perhaps we shall return to Saint John of the Cross at another time . . . after I have internalized these "Sayings."


In peace,
Linda+

The Rev. Linda McCloud
Pastor
The Episcopal Church of Our Savior at Honey Creek
http://www.oursaviorhoneycreek.org/
http://oursaviorhoneycreek.blogspot.com/
912-267-0333
Art: Drawing by John of the Cross:
Jesus crucified

The Old One Hundredth

As we give thanks for the bounty of the good earth and for all of God's blessings, here is Psalm 100, our Psalm at Holy Communion at 10:00 a.m. It is worth memorizing and carrying with us throughout the day.

Be joyful in the Lord, all you lands;
serve the Lord with gladness
and come before his presence with a song.

Know this: The Lord himself is God;
he himself has made us, and we are his;
we are his people and the sheep of his pasture.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving;
go into his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and call upon his Name.

For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting;
and his faithfulness endures from age to age.


HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO YOU AND YOURS !!


In peace,
Linda+

The Rev. Linda McCloud
Pastor
The Episcopal Church of Our Savior at Honey Creek
www.oursaviorhoneycreek.org
http://oursaviorhoneycreek.blogspot.com
912-267-0333

photo: unidentified fruit growing wild
in Canton, Mississippi. It smelled divine.
If you know what it is, please post a comment.

The Great Thanksgiving

Tomorrow we will observe Thanksgiving with a brief Thanksgiving Day service of Holy Communion from 10:00 a.m. to approximately 10:45 a.m. Please come and join with us as we start out the day by giving thanks to God for all our blessings.

We call Holy Communion "Holy Eucharist" and "The Great Thanksgiving" because the Greek word for "I give thanks" is "Eucharisto." Our Gospel for tomorrow is John 6:25-35, in which Jesus declares that he is the true bread of God which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world. Jesus says, "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty." That is cause for great thanksgiving.


In peace,
Linda+

The Rev. Linda McCloud
Pastor
The Episcopal Church of Our Savior at Honey Creek
http://www.oursaviorhoneycreek.org/
http://oursaviorhoneycreek.blogspot.com/
912-267-0333
Photo: Celebrating Holy Eucharist 11/04/07
Photographer: Julie Irwin Lunt

How to pray with your eyes open

Here is a suggestion for praying on the fingers of one hand. It might also be a good way to teach children to pray prayers of intercession. This prayer comes to me from Bonnie London. Thanks, Bonnie!


1. Your thumb is nearest you. So begin your prayers by praying for those closest to you. They are the easiest to remember. To pray for our loved ones is, as C. S. Lewis once said, a "sweet duty."

2. The next finger is the pointing finger. Pray for those who teach, instruct and heal. This includes teachers, doctors, and ministers. They need support and wisdom in pointing others in the right direction. Keep them in your prayers.

3. The next finger is the tallest finger. It reminds us of our leaders. Pray for the president, leaders in business and industry, and administrators. These people shape our nation and guide public opinion. They need God's guidance.

4. The fourth finger is our ring finger. Surprising to many is the fact that this is our weakest finger, as any piano teacher will testify. It should remind us to pray for those who are weak, in trouble or in pain. They need your prayers day and night! You cannot pray too much for them.

5. And lastly comes our little finger - the smallest finger of all which is where we should place ourselves in relation to God and others. As the Bible says, "The least among you shall be the greatest." Your pinkie should remind you to pray for yourself.

By the time you have prayed for the other four groups, your own needs will be put into proper perspective and you will be able to pray for yourself more effectively.



In peace,
Linda+

The Rev. Linda McCloud
Pastor
The Episcopal Church of Our Savior at Honey Creek
www.oursaviorhoneycreek.org
http://oursaviorhoneycreek.blogspot.com
912-267-0333

"My mother loved my brother better than me"

How would you like to be brother to a saint, and a very famous saint at that? That's the predicament in which the hapless Fred Claus finds himself. Fred's life is overshadowed by that of his righteous brother but through a series of unlikely circumstances everything comes full circle, and everyone wins.

"Fred Claus" is a cautionary tale of sibling rivalry inflamed by parental favoritism. There are some tender moments, good lessons, and a better ending than I had thought we were going to get. It was a Saturday afternoon brain break and a good way to kick off the "Season to be jolly."


In peace,
Linda+

The Rev. Linda McCloud
Founding Pastor
The Episcopal Church of Our Savior at Honey Creek
http://www.oursaviorhoneycreek.org/
http://oursaviorhoneycreek.blogspot.com/
912-267-0333

The heavens declare the glory of God

Our Psalm at Evening Prayer for today is Psalm 19

The heavens declare the glory of God,
and the firmament shows his handiwork.

One day tells its tale to another,
and one night imparts knowledge to another.

Although they have no words or language,
and their voices are not heard,

Their sound has gone out into all lands,
and their message to the ends of the world.

In the deep has he set a pavilion for the sun;
it comes forth like a bridegroom out of his chamber;
it rejoices like a champion to run its course.

It goes forth from the uttermost edge of the heavens
and runs about to the end of it again;
nothing is hidden from its burning heat.

The law of the Lord is perfect
and revives the soul;
the testimony of the Lord is sure
and gives wisdom to the innocent.

The statutes of the Lord are just
and rejoice the heart;
the commandment of the Lord is clear
and gives light to the eyes.

The fear of the Lord is clean
and endures for ever;
the judgments of the Lord are true
and righteous altogether.

More to be desired are they than gold,
more than much fine gold,
sweeter far than honey,
than honey in the comb.

By them also is your servant enlightened,
and in keeping them there is great reward.

Who can tell how often he offends?
cleanse me from my secret faults.

Above all, keep you servant from presumptuous sins;
let them not get dominion over me;
then shall I be whole and sound,
and innocent of a great offense.

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my
heart be acceptable in your sight,
O Lord, my strength and my redeemer.


In peace,
Linda+

The Rev. Linda McCloud
Founding Pastor
The Episcopal Church of Our Savior at Honey Creek
www.oursaviorhoneycreek.org
http://oursaviorhoneycreek.blogspot.com
912-267-0333
Photo: Woodstorks sail high over Honey Creek

The end is near

Being a Christian has always been risky business. Jesus did not promise us tranquility. What he promised was that he would be with us regardless of our situations. In fact, tomorrow's Gospel (Luke 21:5-19) includes these words:

Jesus said, "When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified; for these things must take place first, but the end will not follow immediately." Then he said to them, "Nation will rise aainst nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and plagues; and there will be dreadful portents and great signs from heaven.

But before all this occurs, they will arrest you and persecute you; they will hand you over to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors because of my name. This will give you an opportunity to testify.

So make up your minds not to prepare your defense in advance; for I will give you words and a wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to withstand or contradict. You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, by relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death. You will be hated by all because of my name. But not a hair of your head will perish. By your endurance you will gain your souls."

Left unsaid is this question: Knowing all this, are we still interested in following Jesus? It's risky business but his presence stabilizes us, even when the end is near.



In peace,
Linda+

The Rev. Linda McCloud
Founding Pastor
The Episcopal Church of Our Savior at Honey Creek
http://www.oursaviorhoneycreek.org/
http://oursaviorhoneycreek.blogspot.com/
912-267-0333

"Let there be light"

In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth, the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters. Then God said, "Let there be light"; and there was light. And God saw that the light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness. God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day. [Genesis 1:1-5, NRSV]


In peace,
Linda+

The Rev. Linda McCloud
Founding Pastor
The Episcopal Church of Our Savior at Honey Creek
www.oursaviorhoneycreek.org
http://oursaviorhoneycreek.blogspot.com
912-267-0333
Photos: Light overtaking the darkness at
Honey Creek - November 15, 2007

Faith/Life

One rose
Small, fluted, deep pink bud
Straining on its taut thorned stem
Into the vast empty air

One thrust
Of being, beauty, form
Challenging nothingness with life
Expiring into perfume

One life
A flash of energy
Tracing a single arc of truth
Against the bleak, dark void

One fierce bright yes
Indelible
Against the howling no


Faith/Life - A poem by Sandra M. Schneiders, IHM

In peace,
Linda+

The Rev. Linda McCloud
Founding Pastor
The Episcopal Church of Our Savior at Honey Creek
http://www.oursaviorhoneycreek.org/
http://oursaviorhoneycreek.blogspot.com/
912-267-0333

Photo: Rebecca's perfect pink rose

July 2007, Maryville, Washington

Look with mercy . . .

Look with mercy, O God our Father, on all whose increasing years bring them weakness, distress, or isolation. Provide for them homes of dignity and peace; give them understanding helpers, and the willingness to accept help; and, as their strength diminishes, increase their faith and their assurance of your love. This we ask in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. [The Book of Common Prayer, 830]



In peace,
Linda+

The Rev. Linda McCloud
Pastor
The Episcopal Church of Our Savior at Honey Creek
http://www.oursaviorhoneycreek.org/
http://oursaviorhoneycreek.blogspot.com/
912-267-0333
Photo: vases on grounds of the Gray Center,
Canton, Mississippi

Are you looking for a place to worship?

If you are looking for a lovely place to worship God, we welcome you to this space on Sunday mornings at 10:00 a.m. and on Wednesdays at 6:15 p.m.

We are grateful to The Rev. Frank Logue for arranging the chairs in this fashion and for taking these amazing photographs.



In peace,
Linda+

The Rev. Linda McCloud
Pastor
The Episcopal Church of Our Savior at Honey Creek
www.oursaviorhoneycreek.org
http://oursaviorhoneycreek.blogspot.com
912-267-0333

A world filled with beauty

O Heavenly Father, you have filled the world with beauty: Open our eyes to behold your gracious hand in all your works; that, rejoicing in your whole creation, we may learn to serve you with gladness; for the sake of him through whom all things were made, your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.


In peace,
Linda+

The Rev. Linda McCloud
Pastor
The Episcopal Church of Our Savior at Honey Creek
http://www.oursaviorhoneycreek.org/
http://oursaviorhoneycreek.blogspot.com/
912-267-0333

Photos: Canton, Mississippi October 2007 -

Grass at a lake early in the morning; fall berries; unknown fruit.

The waters have lifted up their voice

Our Psalm at Morning Prayer is Psalm 93:

The Lord is King;
he has put on splendid apparel;
the Lord has put on his apparel
and girded himself with strength.

He has made the whole world so sure
that it cannot be moved;

Ever since the world began,
your throne has been established;
you are from everlasting.

The waters have lifted up, O Lord,
the waters have lifted up their voice;
the waters have lifted up their pounding waves.

Mightier than the sound of many waters,
mightier than the breakers of the sea,
mightier is the Lord who dwells on high.

Your testimonies are very sure,
and holiness adorns your house, O Lord,
for ever and for evermore.



In peace,
Linda+

The Rev. Linda McCloud
Pastor
The Episcopal Church of Our Savior at Honey Creek
http://www.oursaviorhoneycreek.org/
http://oursaviorhoneycreek.blogspot.com/

Photos: bird in the marsh at high tide, 10/01/07;
dolphin tails in Honey Creek, 10/01/07

P.S. Happy Veterans' Day to all vets, especially to my brothers James (U.S.Navy) and Paul (U.S.Army)

That Resurrection Question

In our Gospel lesson for tomorrow, Luke 20:27-38, the Sadducees (a religious/political party of Jesus' day) approach Jesus sporting for an argument. They set up a hypothetical situation in which one woman is left widowed by seven brothers in succession. Last of all she dies, and the Sadducees ask, "In the resurrection, whose wife will she be, for all seven had her."

Jesus knew full well that they were trying to set him up, because the Sadducees did not believe in bodily resurrection, the afterlife, or in the existence of angels and spirits. They were quite the opposite of the Pharisees, and gave them a hard time too.

The Sadducees were trying to say that belief in resurrection did have any foundation in scriptures with which they were familiar, but Jesus stopped them with the story of Moses and the burning bush. They knew that story well. Moses had asked God's name and God said "I am." "I am -- the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob" who lived and died hundreds of years before Moses. So logically if God is God of people who lived hundreds of years ago, Jesus tells us that God is God not of the dead, but of the living, for to God all are alive.

We can reason that God transcends our mortality and sees both sides of the thin veil that separates life from death. Resurrection from the dead is a great mystery. Only God could do such a miracle. Belief in bodily resurrection from the dead is also a belief that sets Christians apart. It is known as the "scandal of particularity" and we reaffirm this every Sunday when we say the Nicene Creed. This is where faith comes in. We don't have to understand it to believe that it is so.



In peace,
Linda+

The Rev. Linda McCloud
Pastor
The Episcopal Church of Our Savior at Honey Creek
www.oursaviorhoneycreek.org
http://oursaviorhoneycreek.blogspot.com
912-267-0333

Signs of progress

The more you drive Dover Bluff Road, the more you will notice the changes in the landscape. Some are subtle, such as the gradual disappearing of pine trees as they are harvested and hauled to market. Now we can see the Live Oaks that are left on that property.

Another gradual change has been the water line that is headed east, punctuated methodically with shiny new red fire hydrants.

Dover Bluff is beginning to blossom into a community as new people move in and meet their neighbors. If you live on this road you might have seen a "door hanger" on your front door. I am the person who placed it there, and if you always use your back door, please check your front door. The door hanger is a not-so-subtle invitation to come to The Episcopal Church of Our Savior at Honey Creek and make this a part of your new home. Come to church in your own neighborhood.


In peace,
Linda+

The Rev. Linda McCloud
Pastor
The Episcopal Church of Our Savior at Honey Creek
http://www.oursaviorhoneycreek.org/
http://oursaviorhoneycreek.blogspot.com/
912-267-0333
Photos: Fountain in the lake by
Sanctuary Cove Clubhouse;
Shiny new red fire hydrant on Dover Bluff

Will our churches have priests?

The Rev. John Westerhoff once asked in a book title: Will our faith have children? I could continue that question by asking: Will our churches have priests? This year, enrollment is down in two of the top Episcopal seminaries, Sewanee and Virginia Theological Seminary. This might not be good news for the 2.4 million Episcopalians in 7,679 congregations. Here are some statistics from Episcopal News Service:

Sewanee
At the School of Theology at the University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee, 79 students are enrolled full time this academic year and five are part-time. Entering students account for 28 full-time and four part-time students.

There are 37 females at Sewanee and 44 males, with an entering class of 21 males and 11 females. The entering class ranges in age from 25 to 66 years.

Sixty-six Sewanee students are residents and 15 are commuters.

Sewanee did not supply information on how the 2007-2008 entering class compares to previous years.

Virginia Theological Seminary
At VTS, located in Alexandria, Virginia, just outside of Washington, D.C., the student body consists of 151.8 full-time equivalents. There are 123 full-time students and 24 who are part-time.

In the entering class, 44 are full-time and five are part-time. The entering class size is down from the 57 who entered in 2006 and the 55 who joined VTS in 2005.

Clearly, it would be a good idea for us to pray that God will continue to raise up priests to serve at the altar.



In peace,
Linda+

The Rev. Linda McCloud
Pastor
The Episcopal Church of Our Savior at Honey Creek
http://www.oursaviorhoneycreek.org/
http://oursaviorhoneycreek.blogspot.com/
912-399-9490

We're on our way now

In the midst of my joy about the launch of Our Savior at Honey Creek, I ran across the poem "On the Road" by Jennifer Lynn Woodruff. Somehow it fits our situation.

Not on the mountaintop, but in the aisles,
Not in the death, but in the daily grief
Where sometimes faith is born and sometimes doubt,
Where stern deception batters at belief,
The day after the triumph, and the day
Before the amazing thunderbolts break through --
In passing in the night, beneath the clouds
We glimpse behind the veil, at last see through.

If we cannot be faithful in the hours
Between the joy and underneath the pain,
Daily remembrances, forgotten fears,
The words we speak while trying to explain --
We will miss grace which comes so soft and slow,
We will miss God who whispers in the night,
The cloud of witnesses who stand beside
Another shore and in a greater light.

The veil is always parted, if we knew
But where to look and what to see and how.
The bread is broken; between death and life
The door blown down; the dance stands ready now.

In peace,
Linda+

The Rev. Linda McCloud
Pastor
The Episcopal Church of Our Savior at Honey Creek
http://www.oursaviorhoneycreek.org/
http://oursaviorhoneycreek.blogspot.com/
912-267-0333

More Pictures of the inaugural Sunday Service

Debbie Warden directs the King of Peace Ensemble.

Photography provided by award winning US Navy photographer (retired)
Julie Irwin Lunt.



In peace,
Linda+
The Rev. Linda McCloud
Pastor
The Episcopal Church of Our Savior at Honey Creek
www.oursaviorhoneycreek.org
http://oursaviorhoneycreek.blogspot.com
912-267-0333

Praise and thanks to God for the "Launch" of the new church

I send my heartfelt thanks to all who helped to "Launch" The Episcopal Church of Our Savior at Honey Creek yesterday morning. There were seventy-five of us present in person and many more present in spirit, as several of you have been praying for the launch to be successful. I was awestruck by the outpouring of love and good wishes.

Now that we have launched we need to stay in orbit, and I hope that you will be a part of that effort. Please come to Our Savior next Sunday and bring someone with you. This is how we will become the neighborhood church.






In peace,

Linda+
The Rev. Linda McCloud
Pastor
The Episcopal Church of Our Savior at Honey Creek
http://www.oursaviorhoneycreek.org/
http://oursaviorhoneycreek.blogspot.com/
912-267-0333

Today's the day

Good Morning !

Now that you have had an extra hour's sleep, come on out to The Episcopal Church of Our Savior at Honey Creek for our first official Sunday morning service. We will begin at 10:00 a.m. and celebrate God's presence among us with joyful worship.

I hope to see you there.



In peace,
Linda+

The Rev. Linda McCloud, Pastor
The Episcopal Church of Our Savior at Honey Creek
www.oursaviorhoneycreek.org
http://oursaviorhoneycreek.blogspot.com
912-267-0333

O how happy you would be

Our Gospel passage for Tomorrow is Luke 6:20-31. Here it is from Bible.com in the New Living Translation:

Then Jesus turned to his disciples and said,

“God blesses you who are poor, for the Kingdom of God is yours. God blesses you who are hungry now, for you will be satisfied. God blesses you who weep now, for in due time you will laugh. What blessings await you when people hate you and exclude you and mock you and curse you as evil because you follow the Son of Man. When that happens, be happy! Yes, leap for joy! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, their ancestors treated the ancient prophets that same way.

“What sorrow awaits you who are rich,for you have your only happiness now. What sorrow awaits you who are fat and prosperous now, for a time of awful hunger awaits you. What sorrow awaits you who laugh now, for your laughing will turn to mourning and sorrow. What sorrow awaits you who are praised by the crowds, for their ancestors also praised false prophets.

“But to you who are willing to listen, I say, love your enemies! Do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you. If someone slaps you on one cheek, offer the other cheek also. If someone demands your coat, offer your shirt also. Give to anyone who asks; and when things are taken away from you, don’t try to get them back. Do to others as you would like them to do to you."

The word translated "blessed" can also be translated "happy." Someone has also translated this passage to read, "Oh how happy you would be if you were poor, hungry, persecuted . . ." Whatever the translation there is enough here for several sermons, but I will have to wait until the scripture comes back around again in the three-year cycle.

If you come to church at Honey Creek tomorrow you will get a sermon on this passage. O how happy I will be to preach on the launch date of the new church.



In peace,
The Rev. Linda McCloud
Pastor
The Episcopal Church of Our Savior at Honey Creek
http://www.oursaviorhoneycreek.org/
http://oursaviorhoneycreek.blogspot.com/
912-267-0333

Photo - The Chapel of Our Saviour at Honey Creek

All Souls' Day

November 2 is All Souls' Day, or Commemoration of all Faithful Departed. I thought it would be interesting to investigate some tombstones and see how some of those gone before us have been remembered. Here are a few of my findings:

This Empty Urn is
Sacred to the Memory
of John Revere
Who Died Abroad
in Finistere:
If He Had Lived
He Would Have Been
Buried Here.


She lived with her husband for 50 years
And died in the confident hope of a better life.


Here lies
Ezekiel Aikle
Age 102
The Good
Die Young.


I take this opportunity to exercise my priestly duty, which is, among other things, to encourage you to get your house in order and make a Will. If you do that, your heirs will rise up and call you blessed.



In peace,
Linda+
The Rev. Linda McCloud, Pastor
The Episcopal Church of Our Savior at Honey Creek
http://www.oursaviorhoneycreek.org/
http://oursaviorhoneycreek.blogspot.com/
912-267-0333
Photo: Angel statue in cemetery at
Christ Church Frederica, St. Simons Island

For all the saints

For all the saints, who from their labors rest,
who thee by faith before the world confessed,
thy Name, O Jesus, be for ever blessed.
Alleluia, alleluia!

Thou wast their rock, their fortress, and their might --
thou, Lord their Captain in the well-fought fight;
thou, in the darkness drear, the one true Light.
Alleluia, alleluia!

O may thy soldiers, faithful, true, and bold,
fight as the saints who nobly fought of old,
and win, with them, the victor's crown of gold.
Alleluia, alleluia!

O blest communion, fellowship divine!
We feebly struggle, they in glory shine;
yet all are one in thee, for all are thine.
Alleluia, alleluia!

And when the strife is fierce, the warfare long,
steels on the ear the distant triumph song,
and hearts are brave again, and arms are strong.
Alleluia, alleluia!

The golden evening brightens in the west;
soon, soon to faithful warriers cometh rest;
sweet is the calm of paradise the blest.
Alleluia, alleluia!

But lo! there breaks a yet more glorious day;
the saints triumphant rise in bright array;
the King of glory passes on his way.
Alleluia, alleluia!

From earth's wide bounds, from ocean's farthest coast,
through gates of pearl streams in the countless host,
singing to Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,
Alleluia, alleluia!

[William Walsham How (1823-1897)
set to the the tune Sine Nomine
by Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958)
The Hymnal 1982, No. 287]

Almighty God, you have knit together your elect in one communion and fellowship in the mystical body of your Son Christ our Lord: Give us grace so to follow your blessed saints in all virtuous and godly living, that we may come to those ineffable joys that you have prepared for those who truly love you; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.

Happy All Saints' Day.


In peace,

Linda+
The Rev. Linda McCloud, Pastor
The Episcopal Church of Our Savior at Honey Creek
http://www.oursaviorhoneycreek.org/
http://oursaviorhoneycreek.blogspot.com/
912-267-0333