Pax et Bonum
The online worship resource for St. James Parish
It is a miracle that curiosity survives formal education.
Einstein
In the new light
Of each day's questions,
I am never prepared.
Today, again, I have nothing
To offer but a handful
Of old prayers, worn down
By the relentless abrasion
Of doubt, and a fragment
Of dream that plays on in my head
Only half remembered. Still,
The doves coo and circle
Through the pines
as they do when I pass
each morning. Their sorrow
is so nearly human, it rings
sweet with regret. By dusk,
the trees will bow down and I, too, will
make my appeal, will find
again your mercy,
your solace.
Mrs. Elizabeth Drescher
The online worship resource for St. James Parish
It is a miracle that curiosity survives formal education.
Einstein
In the new light
Of each day's questions,
I am never prepared.
Today, again, I have nothing
To offer but a handful
Of old prayers, worn down
By the relentless abrasion
Of doubt, and a fragment
Of dream that plays on in my head
Only half remembered. Still,
The doves coo and circle
Through the pines
as they do when I pass
each morning. Their sorrow
is so nearly human, it rings
sweet with regret. By dusk,
the trees will bow down and I, too, will
make my appeal, will find
again your mercy,
your solace.
Mrs. Elizabeth Drescher
Teach me, my God and King,
In all things thee to see,
And what I do in anything,
To do it as for thee.
George Herbert
The Conversion of St. Paul
Today is the feast day of the Conversion of St. Paul. In the book of Acts, chapter 9, one finds the story of St. Paul's conversion. It is a great read, as full of surprise and drama as anything one finds on the bookshelf these days. There is a bright light, Paul is struck blind, and hears a voice saying "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?" and in that terrifying experience and those that follow, discovers that Jesus Christ is his Lord and Savior, and that this Christ has called him.
We don't see many conversions like Paul, or Saul's, as he was called before God changed his name. Paul was an intense individual, going through life at full throttle, sure in his own mind that he was right. Paul's conversion had to be dramatic: Nothing else would get his attention. He was already zealous for the Lord, but was in error in his view of Jesus, and of his followers, those who were at that time called the followers of the Way. Paul thought of this group of people as a threat to everything he held dear. They preached a message that brought the teachings of the Pharisees into question and Paul was a Pharisee. In his loyalty, he turned his zeal into a weapon, wielding it against the Way with persecutions of many kinds, culminating in the stoning of Stephen, one of the first deacons.
Saul's zeal created blindness to the truth, which perhaps God found useful. Is it a coincidence that Saul, in his blind hatred of the Way, was struck blind on the road to Damascus? The blind heart and mind were manifest in sightless eyes, as Paul was led by the hand, and taught to see again by members of the Way.
The definition of Sacrament is an outward, visible sign of an inward invisible grace. Paul learned that lesson the hard way, as the "grace" of his blindness, first inward, and then outward, turned him into a different man. In studying Paul's story, we have an opportunity to seek out the blindness in ourselves, to ask God what in our outward life is a manifestation of a blindness of spirit, so that God's sacramental grace can be received.
Collect for the Conversion of St. Paul:
O God, by the preaching of your apostle Paul you have caused the light of the Gospel to shine through the world: grant, we pray, that we, having his wonderful conversion in remembrance, may show ourselves thankful to you by following his holy teaching; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. AMEN
Collect for Epiphany 4, Women's Uncommon Prayers
Debra's Midweek Meditation
"They went to Capernaum; and when the Sabbath came, he entered the synagogue and taught. They were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes."
Mark 1:21-22
Today we celebrate St. Paul's conversion. This is a story about the power of the teaching of Christ. Jesus reached out and converted Paul because Paul was needed for the spreading of the kingdom.
Christ's teaching did not stop on Calvary.
Jesus the Christ is longing to be your teacher.
What are the obstacles we put in the way of this teaching?
Well, of course, there is pride. We may be convinced that we already know what is needed and do not need to be sidetracked with "other " information.
There may also be an element of fear in becoming truly open to the teaching of Jesus. We may be asked to do the impossible or, at least, the uncomfortable.
Do not worry-we are not alone in this fear.
Saints and Christian folk throughout time have asked "Me?" or even "Why Me?"
Jesus' answer is still the same today as it was 2000 years ago.
"I have chosen you."
If we allow ourselves to be teachable we will see wonders and do things that are beyond the realm of our vision right now.
Let go and
Let God teach you.
Blessings,
Debra
Daily Morning Prayer:
http://www.episcopalchurchingarrettcounty.org/morning_prayer.htm
Eternal God,
The light of the minds that know you,
The joy of the hearts that love you,
The strength of the wills that serve you;
Grant us so to know you that we may truly love you,
So to love you that we may fully serve you,
Whom to serve is perfect freedom,
Through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
St. Augustine
This Week at St. James:
Friday: 7:00 SJA Student Council Cabaret
Men's Retreat in Rock Hall
Saturday: 9:00 Initial class for new members of Daughters of the King
10:30 Daughters of the King Eucharist in the Meditation Chapel
Patron's Beer and Wine Festival
Next week I will be gone visiting my father in California, who has some ongoing health problems. I would appreciate your prayers. Kelly will send out the Pax as usual next Wednesday, February 1st.
Upcoming Events: February 5: Youth Liturgy and Youth Group
The Rev. Mary Davisson, from the Seafarer's Center, will be in all three liturgies.
Prayers, Etc.
For those on our prayer list:
Ellie Anna Nancy Tony Joel Arabella Mark Rudoph
Tamara Dave MLI Owen Kent Jeffrey Brittany
Bill Jason David Debbie Sue Fred W.
Mac W. Leib and Carlyn Josh and Lovisah
Drew Nealy
For Ben Griswold, who has died, and his family who mourn.
For our seminarian Laura, and her husband Lyle.
For those who are deployed and their families.
The welcome of the Father's arms be yours
The welcome of the Savior's heart be yours
The welcome of the Spirit's call be yours.
Deep peace of this earth to you
Deep peace of this sky to you
Deep peace of this place to you.
The kindly eye of the Three be upon you
To aid and guard you
To cherish and enrich you.
May God take you in the clasp of his own two hands.
Celtic Blessing
Pax et Bonum,
Loree
<- Back to Parish News
Today is the feast day of the Conversion of St. Paul. In the book of Acts, chapter 9, one finds the story of St. Paul's conversion. It is a great read, as full of surprise and drama as anything one finds on the bookshelf these days. There is a bright light, Paul is struck blind, and hears a voice saying "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?" and in that terrifying experience and those that follow, discovers that Jesus Christ is his Lord and Savior, and that this Christ has called him.
We don't see many conversions like Paul, or Saul's, as he was called before God changed his name. Paul was an intense individual, going through life at full throttle, sure in his own mind that he was right. Paul's conversion had to be dramatic: Nothing else would get his attention. He was already zealous for the Lord, but was in error in his view of Jesus, and of his followers, those who were at that time called the followers of the Way. Paul thought of this group of people as a threat to everything he held dear. They preached a message that brought the teachings of the Pharisees into question and Paul was a Pharisee. In his loyalty, he turned his zeal into a weapon, wielding it against the Way with persecutions of many kinds, culminating in the stoning of Stephen, one of the first deacons.
Saul's zeal created blindness to the truth, which perhaps God found useful. Is it a coincidence that Saul, in his blind hatred of the Way, was struck blind on the road to Damascus? The blind heart and mind were manifest in sightless eyes, as Paul was led by the hand, and taught to see again by members of the Way.
The definition of Sacrament is an outward, visible sign of an inward invisible grace. Paul learned that lesson the hard way, as the "grace" of his blindness, first inward, and then outward, turned him into a different man. In studying Paul's story, we have an opportunity to seek out the blindness in ourselves, to ask God what in our outward life is a manifestation of a blindness of spirit, so that God's sacramental grace can be received.
Collect for the Conversion of St. Paul:
O God, by the preaching of your apostle Paul you have caused the light of the Gospel to shine through the world: grant, we pray, that we, having his wonderful conversion in remembrance, may show ourselves thankful to you by following his holy teaching; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. AMEN
O Eternal Light, you sent your Child Jesus Christ that there might no longer be slave or free, Jew or Gentile, male or female: Help us to respect the dignity of all human beings and to live in harmony with one another; all for you love's sake, both now and forever. AMEN
Collect for Epiphany 4, Women's Uncommon Prayers
Debra's Midweek Meditation
"They went to Capernaum; and when the Sabbath came, he entered the synagogue and taught. They were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes."
Mark 1:21-22
Jesus the Teacher
Today we celebrate St. Paul's conversion. This is a story about the power of the teaching of Christ. Jesus reached out and converted Paul because Paul was needed for the spreading of the kingdom.
Christ's teaching did not stop on Calvary.
Jesus the Christ is longing to be your teacher.
What are the obstacles we put in the way of this teaching?
Well, of course, there is pride. We may be convinced that we already know what is needed and do not need to be sidetracked with "other " information.
There may also be an element of fear in becoming truly open to the teaching of Jesus. We may be asked to do the impossible or, at least, the uncomfortable.
Do not worry-we are not alone in this fear.
Saints and Christian folk throughout time have asked "Me?" or even "Why Me?"
Jesus' answer is still the same today as it was 2000 years ago.
"I have chosen you."
If we allow ourselves to be teachable we will see wonders and do things that are beyond the realm of our vision right now.
Let go and
Let God teach you.
Blessings,
Debra
Daily Morning Prayer:
http://www.episcopalchurchingarrettcounty.org/morning_prayer.htm
Eternal God,
The light of the minds that know you,
The joy of the hearts that love you,
The strength of the wills that serve you;
Grant us so to know you that we may truly love you,
So to love you that we may fully serve you,
Whom to serve is perfect freedom,
Through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
St. Augustine
This Week at St. James:
Friday: 7:00 SJA Student Council Cabaret
Men's Retreat in Rock Hall
Saturday: 9:00 Initial class for new members of Daughters of the King
10:30 Daughters of the King Eucharist in the Meditation Chapel
Patron's Beer and Wine Festival
Next week I will be gone visiting my father in California, who has some ongoing health problems. I would appreciate your prayers. Kelly will send out the Pax as usual next Wednesday, February 1st.
Upcoming Events: February 5: Youth Liturgy and Youth Group
The Rev. Mary Davisson, from the Seafarer's Center, will be in all three liturgies.
Prayers, Etc.
For those on our prayer list:
Ellie Anna Nancy Tony Joel Arabella Mark Rudoph
Tamara Dave MLI Owen Kent Jeffrey Brittany
Bill Jason David Debbie Sue Fred W.
Mac W. Leib and Carlyn Josh and Lovisah
Drew Nealy
For Ben Griswold, who has died, and his family who mourn.
For our seminarian Laura, and her husband Lyle.
For those who are deployed and their families.
The welcome of the Father's arms be yours
The welcome of the Savior's heart be yours
The welcome of the Spirit's call be yours.
Deep peace of this earth to you
Deep peace of this sky to you
Deep peace of this place to you.
The kindly eye of the Three be upon you
To aid and guard you
To cherish and enrich you.
May God take you in the clasp of his own two hands.
Celtic Blessing
Pax et Bonum,
Loree
<- Back to Parish News