Glory to the Father,
Who has woven garments of glory
For the resurrection;
Worship to the Son,
Who was clothed in them
At his rising;
Thanksgiving for the Spirit,
Who keeps them for all the Saints,
One nature in three,
To him be praise.
--Syrian Orthodox Prayer--

The Communion of Saints

On Sunday, we held our last confirmation class of the year. Fr. Art Callaham led the youth in a retreat in which they each chose a saint they wanted to emulate. It reminded me of the importance of the Saints, and how each life is a testimony to Christ’s faithfulness in the world. Sometimes when life is challenging, to read the life of a saint helps us to remember the great things that God has done.

Today is the feast day of James Lloyd Breck. Never heard of him? Neither had I – he was just one more saint’s name on our calendar, until I looked him up in Lesser Feasts and Fasts, and discovered connections I had no idea existed.

St Paul’s Benicia, CA. Founded by James Lloyd Breck

Breck is considered one of the most important missionaries in the Episcopal Church. Born in 1818 in Philadelphia, he spent the majority of his adult life on the American frontier, which moved rapidly west in the mid-1860’s. In 1844, he and two companions founded what is now Nashotah House, a seminary in Nashotah, Wisconsin. From there he moved on to Minnesota where he brought the gospel to the Chippewa. His work there laid the foundation for work among the Native Americans by indigenous priests.

He later founded Seabury Divinity School, which later merged with Western Seminary. And then he moved on to California where he founded five parishes.

Breck was a man of energy and conviction, who understood better than most the importance of the Great Commission. As I read his story, I see how my own life was influenced by him: the churches in California that he founded went on to found other churches, one in my own hometown.

Each life leaves a circle of influence behind it. Where will your circle of influence lie?

Collect for James Lloyd Breck
Teach your Church, O Lord, we pray, to value and support pioneering and courageous missionaries, whom you call, as you called your servant James Lloyd Breck, to preach, and teach, and plant your Church on new frontiers; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever, AMEN

Our Eyes Were Open!
When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them.
Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him; and he vanished from their sight.
Luke 24: 30-31

Resurrection is not a static event, but an on-going revelation.

Each day we may see resurrection, if our eyes are open.

The scripture reminds us that we see resurrection in the breaking of bread at the table. The veil of cynicism is lifted for a brief moment and we are face to face with the living Lord.

The same Lord that invites us to the table of Thanksgiving is inviting us each day to join the Resurrection event within our very hearts.

As we walk upon the earth, in the country or in the city or anywhere in between, images of resurrection abound.

New life, new possibilities, new hopes - these are the signs that Resurrection is real, and that God is moving within God’s world to make all things new!

When the world thinks that Easter is over and the bunnies, chicks and eggs are half price, we know that Easter has just begun.

Look for resurrection in your life and in the world around you.

Look, and let your eyes be open to the living Lord.

Christ is Risen!

And our lives have just begun!

Blessings,
Debra

Daily Morning Prayer:
http://www.episcopalchurchingarrettcounty.org/churchonthewebpage.htm

O Lord,
Let me rest the ladder of gratitude
Against thy cross and,
Mounting, kiss thy feet.
--Prayer of an Indian Christian--

This Week at St. James:

Friday: 10:00 Theology and Spirit; 7:30 SJA presents Annie
Saturday: 1:30 and 7:00 Annie
Sunday: 11:45 Annual Meeting; 2:00 Annie; 4:00 Confirmation rehearsal and dinner
Monday: 10:00 CS Lewis Book Study; 7:00 pm Women’s Contemplative Prayer
Tuesday: 6pm Confirmands meet with Bishop Creighton; 7pm Confirmation Liturgy and Reception
Wednesday: 8:30 Healing Eucharist; 9:30 Bible Study; The Rev. Mary Glasspool, Canon to the Bishops, visits SJA
Saturday: 8:30 – 1:30 Christian Formation Festival at St. James.

Prayers Etc.

For those on our prayer list:
David; Arabella; Brittany; Lori S.; Owen; Jennifer D.
Rob C.; Nancy K.; Andrew; Jason; Mimi and Poppa B.
Larry; Betsy
For Laura Brecht, our seminarian
For those who are deployed and their families.

O God,
Make the door of this house wide enough
to receive all who need human love and fellowship,
and a heavenly Father’s care;
and narrow enough to shut out
all envy, pride and hate.
Make its threshold smooth enough
To be no stumbling-block to chidren,
Nor to straying feet,
But rugged enough
To turn back the tempter’s power:
Make it a gateway
To thine eternal Kingdom.
---Bishop Thomas Ken---

In Closing:

O Lord our God,
From whom neither life nor death
Can separate those who trust in thy live,
And whose love holds in its embrace
Thy children in this world and the next;
So unite us to thyself that in fellowship with thee
We may always be united to our loved ones
Whether here or there;
Give us courage, constancy and hope;
Through him who died and was buried
And rose again for us, Jesus Christ our Lord.
---William Temple---

Pax et Bonum,
Loree+

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