July 7, 2010

Humility is not self-deprecation
But the ability to grasp "what is"
without the excess baggage of ego.
---Peter Pearson, Iconographer---

Call to Worship
Kneel in prayer to the Father,
From whom every family in heaven
And on earth takes its name;
That out of the treasures of glory
God may grant us strength and power
Through the Spirit in our inmost being;
That Christ, through faith,
May dwell in our hearts in love.
---from the New Zealand Prayer Book---

Tracing

You trace my journeys and my resting places...
Ps. 139

One of the things I have been doing today is tracing. Tracing icons, in fact. Iconography, unlike other forms of art, is meant to be as close a copy of the original as possible. Like the ancient copiers of scripture, who wrote out the manuscripts of the Bible by hand on vellum, iconographers must be faithful to the record that is laid down already. One traces the lines of an icon, in order to transfer it to a board for painting.

Fine copywork of any kind is challenging. How close does a copier of sacred texts have to be? Those who copied scripture studied many years before taking on the task as copier. In fact, there are many less mistakes in scripture than some people think, because the copyists were taught to be exact. In “writing” an icon, one must have the same exacting ability.

It is difficult to get the exact same facial expression when copying. One line slightly off from the original results in too great a smile, or eyes that burn rather than penetrate. Only time spent with the image, time practicing each line, will result in a tracing that is worthy to be used as a guide.

It is the same when we spend time with the Icon of God, his Son Jesus Christ. We must spend time reading the gospels, praying, and contemplating his words. Icons can aid in our prayer, by giving us something to focus on. We are drawn in to the image, and thus drawn in to Christ. We “trace” his image into our minds as we spend time in his presence. Just as God is familiar with our ways, we become familiar with Gods. This is abundant life – to know God, to walk with Christ, to receive the help and comfort of the Spirit.

Be present, Spirit of God,
Within us, your dwelling place and home,
That this house may be one where
All darkness is penetrated by your light,
All troubles calmed by your peace,
All evil redeemed by your love,
All pain transformed in your suffering,
And all dying glorified in your risen life. AMEN
---From the New Zealand Prayer Book---

Daily Morning and Evening Prayer

Daily Morning and Evening Prayer

This Week at St. James

• Sunday:
  • Services at 8 and 10:15
  • Pre-service concert begins at 10:00
  • 11:30 Sunday School Meeting
• Monday: Paul’s Place Camp begins
• Wednesday: 8:30 Healing Eucharist

On Sunday, July 18, Dr. Matt Rogers will be our guest preacher. We will be saying farewell to Matt as he heads off for Seminary in New York.

Prayers Etc.

For those on our prayer list:

• Owen
• Betsy
• Read
• David
• Mimi
• Bill
• Terri
• Frank
• Martina
• Gracia
• Philip
• Ann & Caleb
• Keegan
• Dorothy
• Hope
• Maly
• Dolores
• Adam
• Lee
• Carey
• Lou
• Sandy
• Tom

For those who are deployed and their families.
For Charlie+ and Debra on sabbatical
For Matt and Barbara Rogers as Matt prepares for Seminary

In Closing:

Gracious God,
You have given us much today;
Grant us also a thankful spirit.
Into your hands we commend ourselves
And those we love.
Be with us still, and when we take our rest
Renew us for the service of your Son Jesus Christ.
AMEN
---from the New Zealand Prayer Book---

Pax et Bonum,
Loree+

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