"Life is this simple"

"Life is this simple: We are living in a world that is absolutely transparent and God is shining through it all the time. This is not just a fable or a nice story. It is true. . . . You cannot be without God. It's impossible. It's simply impossible."

-- Thomas Merton, from a talk at Bellarmine College, Louisville, KY, 1965.


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: Garden gate at Mepkin Abbey

Moncks Corner, South Carolina

January 2008

There is a river

A portion of our Psalm at Morning Prayer (Psalm 46:5-8):

There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy habitation of the Most High.

God is in the midst of her;
she shall not be overthrown;
God shall help her at the break of day.

The nations make much ado, and the kingdoms are shaken;
God has spoken, and the earth shall melt away.

The Lord of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our stronghold.


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: January 2, 2008 -
river that runs by the property of
Mepkin Abbey, Moncks Corner, SC

How the wise got wiser

Our Gospel for tomorrow is Matthew 2:1-12.

In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, "Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage." When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born.

They told him, "In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet: 'And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel.'" Then Herod secretly called for the wise man and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, "Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage."

When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own county by another road.

How did the wise men get wiser? They sought Jesus, found Jesus, and worshiped Jesus.

After the wise men saw Jesus, and knew that the star had guided them to Jesus, they paid close attention to the dream in which they were warned. They wised up to the maneuverings of Herod the king and did not report back to him.

Shortly after the wise men left, Joseph was warned in a dream to flee, and he took Mary and Jesus to Egypt, where they stayed until after Herod's death.


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 from Mepkin Abbey, Moncks Corner, SC January 2008

First: Three Wise Men - wood carving in Abbey church

Second: Jesus, Joseph and Mary - ceramic in outdoor alcove

Third: "Flight into Egypt" outdoor carving in Mepkin Gardens

Morning Prayer

On Sunday, January 6 at 3:00 p.m. in the Chapel we will resume our "Episcopal Lessons" with a session entitled "Prayer - Public and Private". We will focus on how to use The Book of Common Prayer to pray the Daily Office of Morning Prayer.

Here is a portion of Psalm 85 (verses 7-13), which is one of the Psalms appointed for this morning:

Show us your mercy, O Lord,
and grant us your salvation.

I will listen to what the Lord God is saying,
for he is speaking peace to his faithful people
and to those who turn their hearts to him.

Truly, his salvation is very near to those who fear him,
that his glory may dwell in our land.

Mercy and truth have met together;
righteousness and peace have kissed each other.

Truth shall spring up from the earth,
and righteousness shall look down from heaven.

The Lord will indeed grant prosperity,
and our land will yield its increase.

Righteousness shall go before him,
and peace shall be a pathway for his feet.

Please join us for these lessons if you can. All are welcome.

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: sunrise at Honey Creek 12/20/07

My inmost calm

My life flows on in endless song
Above life’s lamentation
I hear the real, though far-off hymn
That hails the new creation.

Above the tumult and the strife
I hear the music ringing;
It sounds an echo in my soul.
How can I keep from singing?

What though the tempest loudly roars,
I hear the Truth, it liveth.
What though the darkness round me close,
Songs in the night it giveth.

No storm can shake my inmost calm
While to that rock I’m clinging;
Since Love is Lord of heaven and earth,
How can I keep from singing?

When tyrants tremble, sick with fear
And hear their death-knell ringing;
When friends rejoice both far and near
How can I keep from singing?
In prison cell and dungeon vile
Our thoughts to them are winging.
When friends by shame are undefiled
How can I keep from singing?


SING OUT, Volume 7, No. 1, 1957
Folk revival song popularized by Pete Seeger

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: wind art on my back porch December 2007

Reminder - no worship service tonight

If you attend The Episcopal Church of Our Savior at Honey Creek this evening, this is what you will find. That's because there is no worship service scheduled. We will see you on Sunday, January 6 at 10:00 a.m., and on Wednesdays thereafter at 6:15 p.m.

In the meantime, "Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ." (Ephesians 1:2)


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
chair setup and photo: The Rev. Frank Logue

The Holy Name

Happy New Year.

On this day we celebrate the naming of Jesus.

Eternal Father, you gave your incarnate Son the holy name of Jesus to be the sign of our salvation: Plant in every heart, we pray, the love of him who is the Savior of the world, our Lord Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.

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: Statue depicting Mary and Jesus
at St. Mary's Sewanee Retreat Center,
Sewanee, TN July 2007 at sunset