"Cabbagetown" USA

From Destination God, my son's new church plant site in Atlanta, I post this lesson. As you read it, substitute 'The Episcopal (or any) Church' in place of the marriage metaphor.

Several other great articles have been posted in other sites, like the bcp1928.com site of Paul+ Taylor in Washington DC, a lot of anguished postings on the House of Bishops and Deputies list serv from the Episcopal 'power structure', so-called.

We will put up several of these as we can, and try to keep up with sound devotions from the Daily Office as well, just not on a daily basis right now.

God's peace to all who visit. We put up a counter last week and have really been surprised at the traffic. Thank you for visiting.

A Prayer for the President of the United States, and for all in Civil Authority.

O Lord, our heavenly Father, the high and mighty Ruler of the universe. who dost from thy throne behold all the dwellers upon earth; Most heartily we beseech thee, with thy favor to behold and bless thy servant The President of the United States, and all others in authority; and so replenish them with the grace of thy Holy Spirit, that they may always incline to thy will, and walk in thy way. Endue them plenteously with heavenly gifts; grant them in health and prosperity long to live; and, finally after this life, to attain everlasting joy and felicity; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

"House Churches" on the Rise According to George Barna

The Barna Group has released a new study about house churches (of which we are) ...some very interesting satisfaction statistics.

http://www.barna.org/FlexPage.aspx?Page=BarnaUpdate&BarnaUpdateID=255

While St. Francis Mission and the Anglican Mission to South Dakota do not completely fit all of the Barna Group's criteria for house churches, we are more close than not.

We do meet in a house (for now), we meet at least weekly, we have Bible study, fellowship, Mass, and generally a meal, we meet for 1 hour for worship and those who wish to stay for a fellowship snack, coffee, or meal do so.

We carry out a mission of service provision of hot meals, groceries, and clothing and lodging, to transients, and to the homeless and needy of our community on an as-needed basis, often daily.

We seek to serve God and man, as we learn more of Him.

O God, who by the leading of a star didst manifest thy only-begotten Son to the Gentiles; Mercifully grant that we, who know thee now by faith, may after this life have the fruition of thy glorious Godhead; through the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
-collect for Epiphany Octave, 1928 BCP

We Are Blessed!

Morning Prayer, January 8, 1928 BCP

From the first verses of three of the readings for this morning we find:

From Psalm 1, “Blessed is the man that hath not walked in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stood in the way of sinners, * and hath not sat in the seat of the scornful.”

From Psalm 3, “Lord, how are they increased that trouble me! * many are they that rise against me.”

From Proverbs 1, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction. My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother: For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck. My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.”

Hey, wait just a minute, preacher! What do you mean we are blessed? Where is blessing when scripture speaks of our increased troubles? Where is blessing when we live in the midst of sinners, scornful, ungodly troublesome people? Child of God, blessing comes from avoiding the ways of the sinners, the scornful, the troublers, those who despise wisdom and instruction, those whose god is their belly, those who seek the pleasures and powers of the world and its master, Satan

Blessing comes from obeying the Word of God, the instruction of godly fathers, following the law of obedient mothers, from patience in these tumultuous times. Remember, the ‘chains around our necks’ are not iron and bronze chains of slavery and oppression; rather, they are chains of fine beaten gold to adorn us in the Kingdom.

Blessing comes from the sure knowledge that we have of God through His Word, through the leading of His Spirit, through the office of His Son, Jesus, the Christ, as our Redeemer and soon coming King. Don’t be enticed to evil in these evil last days…consent not! Blessing comes through acting in His name, seeking and performing His will, obeying His Word. Period!

God bless you today, and every day, as you seek His face and will for your life. Amen.

O God, who by the leading of a star didst manifest thy only-begotten Son to the Gentiles; Mercifully grant that we, who know thee now by faith, may after this life have the fruition of thy glorious Godhead; through the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
-collect for Epiphany Octave, 1928 BCP

O Lord, we beseech thee mercifully to receive the prayers of thy people who call upon thee; and grant that they may both perceive and know what things they ought to do, and also may have grace and power faithfully to fulfill the same; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
-collect for the First Sunday after the Epiphany, 1928 BCP