QUOTE OF the Day
“The task of leadership is not to put greatness into humanity, but to elicit it, for the greatness is already there.”
— John Buchan (1875-1940)
March 29, 2020: A LENTEN Pandemic REFLECTION
“Short and Wandering,” by Fr. Paul Wanter
I’m asking that you join me spiritually for Morning Prayer on March 29 at our regular Sunday Service time of 11 a.m. The bulletin can be found copied below. If you don’t have a Book of Common Prayer it can be found at www.bcponline.org, and the Holy Scripture’s at www.lectionarypage.net. — Fr. Paul.
Collect for today, the 5th Sunday in Lent:
“Almighty God, you alone can bring into order the unruly wills and affections of sinners: Grant your people grace to love what you command and desire what you promise; that, among the swift and varied changes of the world, our hearts may surely there be fixed where true joys are to be found; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit , one God, for ever and ever. AMEN.
Beloved Sisters and Brothers,
As we (i.e. the world) continue on our lengthy pandemic journey I am finding that the collects for our (i.e. the Church’s) Lenten journey more often than not seem to capture at this moment the human predicament.
This Sunday’s unruly wills and affections, swift and varied changes of the world surely ring a bell with each of us. The “unruly wills” capture the basic human sin that we are in total control of our own lives. The “swift and varied changes” now, as always, prove the lie of that notion, as does the CV of the coronavirus itself (pun intended). Although in this instance, is perhaps CM (curriculum mortis) more appropriate?
St. Augustine of Hippo long ago wrote: “Love and do what you will.” Unfortunately this is commonly reversed in so far as we as humans usually do what we will, and only then attempt to love. At present love requires us to keep a social distance, to wash hands, etc. This is an act of love not for our own sakes alone but for the sake of all others, especially the most vulnerable among us; an instance of self control we can permissibly own.
As to being in sole control of own lives, there is only one thing I do know, knowing very little, and even less as time passes. What I do know is that when crises have occurred in my life it is only when I have reached the point of acknowledging no control over those events, and an empty self of self to God, does resolution occur with some immediacy. To my sorrow, these are far less in number than they should be, but even the memory of those times sustains me to hold on to the possibility — that in God all things reach resolution, or, using a more theological term, redemption and renewal — to live not in fear but hope. As a favorite hymn has it: “All our hope on God is founded; he does still our trust renew, us through change and chance he guides, only good and only true, God unknown, he alone, calls our hearts to be his own.” The hymn is #665 in our 1982 Hymnal. Find it HERE.
Some four months ago I texted a letter of condolences to a wife whose husband had just died, both being former Tennessee parishioners. The wife thanked me for what I had said, and ended by saying she could use a hug. I texted back a spiritual hug, and she texted “love” and thanked me. At present we live in a world where hugs among other things have to be spiritual.
With that thought in mind, I’m asking if at all possible that you join me spiritually for Morning Prayer on March 29 at our regular Sunday Service time of 11 a.m. The bulletin can be found below. If you don’t have a Book of Common Prayer it can be found at www.bcponline.org, and the Holy Scripture and readings are at www.lectionarypage.net.
With Spiritual hugs, in Christ’s love, and my prayers,
Paul
Bulletin for Today, March 29
MORNING PRAYER, RITE II
The 5th Sunday in Lent
March 29, 2020
Opening Sentence
To the Lord our God belong mercy and forgiveness, 76
because we have rebelled against him and have
not obeyed the voice of the Lord our God by
following his laws which he set before us. Daniel 9:9,
Confession of Sin
Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor. 79
Most merciful God, . . .
Almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us all 80
our sins through our Lord Jesus Christ,
strengthen us in all goodness, and by the power of
the Holy Spirit keep us in eternal life. Amen.
Invitatory and Psalter
Lord, open our lips. 80
And our mouth shall proclaim your praise
Glory to the Father, and to . . .
Invitatory Antiphon (said before and after Venite) 81
The Lord is full of compassion and mercy:
Come let us adore him.
Invitatory: VENITE 82
Psalm Appointed: PSALM 130 784
Glory to the father, and to . . . 84
The Lessons
First Reading: EZEKIEL 37:1-14 or ROMANS 8:6-11
Canticle: 9, The First Song of Isaiah 86
(Both Canticles conclude with Glory to the . . .)
The Second Reading: JOHN 11:1-45
Canticle: 11, The Third Song of Isaiah 87
THE APOSTLES CREED 96
The Prayers 97
The Lord be with You.
And also with you.
Let us pray.
The Lord’s Prayer 97
Suffrages A 97
Collect of the Day: Almighty God, you alone can bring into
order the unruly wills and affections of
sinners: Grant your people grace to
love what you command and desire
what you promise; that, among the
swift and varied changes of the world,
our hearts may surely there be fixed
where true joys are to be found;
through Jesus Christ our Lord, who
lives and reigns with you and the Holy
Spirit , one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.
Collect of Sunday 98 Collect for Grace 100
Prayer for Mission: “Lord Jesus . . .” 101
Intercessions
The General Thanksgiving 101
A Prayer of St. Chrysostom 101
Let us bless the Lord. 102
Thanks be to God.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, . . 102
PRAYER REQUESTS:
* Pray for Justin , Archbishop of Canterbury; Michael, our Presiding
Bishop; Mark, our Bishop Elect; Paul, our Priest.
* Pray every day for The Church of the Advent, our community and our life.
* Pray for those in need of healing: especially Debbie, Ryan, Brian, Robin,
Tom, Abby, Richard, James, Rick, Laura, Dan, Patti, Betsy, Jaye,
Ben, Becky, Kendall, Tim, Garret, Jeanette, Patti, Connie, Carl, Chip,
Linda, Roy, Cricket, Clayton, Connie, Tim, Phyllis, Tiffany, Hailey, Sally,
Mary Jane, Heather, Linda, Austin, Taryn, Kent and Rita, Aaron,
Mary, Andrew, Gray, Isham, Nancy, Bob, Jean, Donna, Brian, Kris, Larry,
Joe, Leo, Josh, Patricia, Jim, Carole, Dave, Sue, Brad, Larry Sr., Gary, Tom,
Casey, Troy, Gordon, Steve For those suffering from the corona virus.
* Pray for Jessie serving in the military.
* Pray for those who are shut-in and for those who care for the sick and
shut-ins: especially Susan, Cornell, Darlene.
* Pray for those who have died from the corona virus.
St. Augustine of Hippo
Augustine of Hippo (354 - 430 AD) was a Roman African, Manichaean, early Christian theologian, doctor of the Church, and Neoplatonic philosopher from Numidia whose writings influenced the development of the Western Church and Western philosophy, and indirectly all of Western Christianity.
IMAGE: Saint Augustine, detail from Saint Augustine and Saint Lawrence by Tomás Giner, 1458, tempera on panel, Diocesan Museum of Zaragoza, Aragon, Spain.
Online Resources for worship
A Spiritual Communion with Homily, by Our Bishop Mark
For a Spiritual Communion with Homily, led by The Rt. Rev. Mark Van Koevering, Bishop of the Diocese of Lexington, click HERE.
From the Diocese’s Standing Committee and the Presiding Bishop
Click HERE for video messages (posted Saturday, March 21) from: 1) The Rev. Amy Dafler Meaux, Danville, Standing Committee President and Mary T. Yeiser, Diocesan Chancellor; 2) The Most Rev. Michael Bruce Curry, Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church; and 3) The Very Rev. Carol Wade, Dean of Christ Church Cathedral, Lexington.
Live Streams From Our Diocese and Member Churches
Services from Episcopal Churches Nationwide
Recommendations from Fr. Paul are as follows (touch the names to go to their websites): The National Cathedral, Washington, D.C.; St. Thomas, Fifth Avenue, New York City; and Trinity, Wall Street.
Cartoon by Tom Janssen, The Netherlands
UPCOMING: Palm SUnday, EASTER, VIRUS LINKS
April 5: Sunday of the Passion
Every Monday: “Habits of Grace”
Every Monday: “Habits of Grace”
This Sunday is Palm Sunday, or the Sunday of the Passion, Year A.
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The church will be CLOSED until further notice. See the video options, above. Fr. Paul will be posting his homilies on this site.
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The Gospel reading for the day is about Jesus’ crucifixion, and the blessing and distribution of palm branches (or the branches of other native trees representing palm branches) that the crowd scattered in front of Jesus Christ as he rode into Jerusalem. Palm Sunday is a Christian moveable feast that falls on the Sunday before Easter. The feast commemorates Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, an event mentioned in each of the four canonical Gospels. — wikipedia
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The lector this Sunday is Ed and the altar guild is Darlene. See the vestment colors, the altar colors, the Bible readings and the liturgical calendar by clicking HERE and selecting the date. Note that a date’s numeral color is the vestment and altar color for that day.
Every Monday: “Habits of Grace”
Every Monday: “Habits of Grace”
Every Monday: “Habits of Grace”
Presiding Bishop Michael Curry recently commented on the need to “social distance” ourselves and suspend church services. Read his letter on the topic HERE.
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Habits of Grace: An Invitation from Presiding Bishop Curry: “As we learn how to adjust our lives given the reality of the coronavirus and the request to do our part to slow its spread by practicing social distancing, I invite you to join me each week to take a moment to cultivate a ‘habit of grace.’ A new meditation will be posted on Mondays through May.” Follow the meditations by clicking HERE.
Useful Links for COVID-19
Every Monday: “Habits of Grace”
Useful Links for COVID-19
The coronavirus is having widespread effects on our society, economy, patience and faith. For the latest information — and inspiration — regarding COVID-19 from our diocese and Mark Van Koevering, our bishop, click HERE. For up-to-date scientific facts and instructions on COVID-19, see the CDC’s coronavirus page HERE and Kentucky’s page HERE. For the CDC’s guide for churches, click HERE. For the science behind the virus’s origins, click HERE. For the official Federal Government site, click HERE. To see if you will receive a stimulus check, and the amount, click HERE.
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For articles and resources on dealing with the pandemic-related stress, click HERE, HERE and HERE.
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For resources from St. John’s, Corbin, about Pastoral Care in the Time of Coronavirus, Talking with Kids about Coronavirus, and Tips for Staying Home, written by Tracey Herzer Huston, click HERE.
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For ways to watch or create live-streamed church services, click HERE and HERE.
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Cynthiana has set up a volunteer hotline at (859) 234-5801. Call to ask what volunteers may be needed at this time.
IN the NEWS: AA CLOSURES, COVID-19 Hits Home
Episcopal Churches Reluctantly Close Their Doors to 12-Step Meetings for AA, Other Groups
Unable to Be with Dying Parishioners Due to COVID-19, Connecticut Priest Gives Last Rites by Phone
For a La. Priest Who’s No Stranger to Disasters, COVID-19 Is “The Moment We’ve Been Trained For”
As more states and cities require residents to shelter in place to slow the spread of COVID-19, coping with isolation and anxiety can be especially challenging for people whose recovery from addiction is centered on attending 12-step meetings. Episcopal Church congregations host hundreds if not thousands of Alcoholics Anonymous and other 12-step program meetings each year. Closing their buildings to those gatherings has been “one of the most painful parts of the decision-making” for churches during the pandemic, Diocese of Washington Assisting Bishop Chilton Knudsen said during a March 20 webinar. Read the full story by clicking HERE.
For a La. Priest Who’s No Stranger to Disasters, COVID-19 Is “The Moment We’ve Been Trained For”
Unable to Be with Dying Parishioners Due to COVID-19, Connecticut Priest Gives Last Rites by Phone
For a La. Priest Who’s No Stranger to Disasters, COVID-19 Is “The Moment We’ve Been Trained For”
When it comes to providing pastoral care in times of crisis, the Rev. Tommy Dillon is about as prepared as any priest could be. Dillon, the rector of St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church in Baton Rouge, La., learned the logistics of disaster response firsthand in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. While serving at a different church in Baton Rouge, Dillon helped feed 30,000 meals per day to Katrina evacuees through his family’s catering business and tended to the spiritual needs of the evacuees — all on top of his duties as a parish priest. Read the full story by clicking HERE.
Unable to Be with Dying Parishioners Due to COVID-19, Connecticut Priest Gives Last Rites by Phone
Unable to Be with Dying Parishioners Due to COVID-19, Connecticut Priest Gives Last Rites by Phone
Unable to Be with Dying Parishioners Due to COVID-19, Connecticut Priest Gives Last Rites by Phone
The COVID-19 pandemic’s hampering of priests’ in-person ministry has posed new dilemmas. While most Episcopalians are now unable to receive the Eucharist in its physical form, many are experiencing the sacrament virtually, through a phone or a computer screen. A Connecticut priest is extending that approach to the sacrament of Anointing of the Sick (sometimes referred to as Holy Unction or Last Rites). The Rev. Peter Walsh, rector of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in New Canaan, Conn., administered Last Rites by phone on March 18 to two dying parishioners he could not visit in person. The first, 91-year-old William Pike, had COVID-19, and within minutes of that phone call became the second known person to die from the virus in Connecticut. Read the full story HERE.
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IMAGE: William Pike, the second person in Connecticut to die from COVID-19. Credit: St. Mark’s Episcopal Church.
BE the CHURCh... Be the Change
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Bishop Mark’s Vision for Our Episcopal Diocese Is Encapsulated as “Be the Church, Be the Change”
Bishop Mark Van Koevering: “Together, we can make this vision a living vision that is shared by all. As promised at Special Convention 2019, a Vision Study Guide has been produced to: 1) Enhance our mutual understanding of our common vision; 2) Enable each faith community to put the vision into context locally; and 3) Strengthen our unity as a Church.” Download the guide by clicking HERE.
What does “Episcopal” mean?
The Episcopal Church is “Protestant, yet Catholic.” Episcopal means “of bishops.” The Episcopal Church traces its bishops (its ministers and clergy) and its origins back to the Apostles (the early followers of Jesus) via holy orders, which are a direct line of succession back to the time of Jesus.
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We have leased space to Community Action Council to provide a daycare. Contact Melissa at (859) 233-4600 x 1208, or see their website by clicking HERE.
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News and Views
Our Presiding Bishop, Michael Curry, recently generated new interest in the Episcopal Church at the Royal Wedding. See the story HERE. See Bishop Curry’s sermon HERE. See the “Saturday Night Live” spoof of Curry by clicking HERE.
Advent’s Building, Bell and Organ
Advent’s Building, Bell and Organ
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Which Color? Reading? Saint?
Which Color? Reading? Saint?
Our hymnal is online, too. The 1982 version can be found by clicking HERE. It's a beautifully organized site.
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