The Sunday Scriptures during the Lenten season are rich in meaning and good news for the believer. Often on Sunday mornings, I do not have enough time during my preaching to hit all the points I would like to, so I have to limit myself. As such, for the remainder of Lent, I plan to publish a brief mediation each Thursday on something from the upcoming Sunday readings. While the preview meditation will likely share some thematic content in common with my Sunday message, this Thursday publication is only met to whet the appetite of the reader and hopefully help prepare their heart for their Sunday worship experience.
Fr. Randall+ Fourth Sunday in Lent This Sunday, our Epistle reading is from Saint Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. In the second chapter, we are told of the incredible love and grace of God towards us. Specifically in the 4th through 9th verses we read "But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved-- and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” (Ephesians 2:4-9, ESV) This passage reminds us that salvation is a gift from God, not something we can earn by our own works. It is through God's grace and love that we are saved, and it is through faith in Christ Jesus that we receive this gift. Understanding this truth is crucial for every believer, as it reminds us of our total dependence on God and His mercy. It should humble us, realizing that we can do nothing to earn our salvation. But it also fill us with gratitude and awe at the incredible love God has shown us. Let us hold on to this truth in our daily lives, and live in the light of God's amazing grace. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
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We invite you to consider joining one of the upcoming Disaster Response trips hosted by the Anglican Relief & Development Fund. If you're interesting in finding out more about these trips, visit the ARDF website here or contact our Louisiana ADRF representative, Patrick Stonaker of Holy Cross Church in Baton Rouge (phone: 225-937-9029; email: prekanots@outlook.com) for more info.
Friday, March 1, 2024
Praying of the Great Litany 12:15 PM View online: https://youtube.com/live/4a6SSEwDjRs +++ Sunday, March 3, 2024 Third Sunday in Lent 8:30 AM or 10:00 AM View 10:00 AM online: https://youtube.com/live/PocdrNfzeHA Readings: https://bcp2019.anglicanchurch.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/B19-The-Third-Sunday-in-Lent.pdf The Sunday Scriptures during the Lenten season are rich in meaning and good news for the believer. Often on Sunday mornings, I do not have enough time during my preaching to hit all the points I would like to, so I have to limit myself. As such, for the remainder of Lent, I plan to publish a brief mediation each Thursday on something from the upcoming Sunday readings. While the preview meditation will likely share some thematic content in common with my Sunday message, this Thursday publication is only met to whet the appetite of the reader and hopefully help prepare their heart for their Sunday worship experience.
Fr. Randall+ Third Sunday In Lent As Christians, we are called to deepen our understanding of the scriptures and apply them to our daily lives. This Sunday, among the lectionary readings, we are given texts from Saint John’s second chapter. In particular, we read in verses 18-22, Jesus responds to the Jews who asked for a sign of his authority to cleanse the temple by saying, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up." (John 2:19, ESV) Jesus was not speaking of the physical temple, but of his own body. He was foretelling of his own death and resurrection, which would ultimately be the greatest sign of his authority and power. This passage serves to remind us of the central event of our faith—the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, which is the foundation of our hope and salvation. Understanding this text is crucial for every believer, as it points us to the sacrificial love of Jesus and the power of his resurrection. It challenges us to examine our own lives and consider how we are living out our faith in light of this profound truth. Let us meditate on the significance of Jesus' words in John 2:18-22, and let them inspire us to live with faith, hope, and love as we follow in the footsteps of our Savior. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen. The Sunday Scriptures during the Lenten season are rich in meaning and good news for the believer. Often on Sunday mornings, I do not have enough time during my preaching to hit all the points I would like to, so I have to limit myself. As such, for the remainder of Lent, I plan to publish a brief mediation each Thursday on something from the upcoming Sunday readings. While the published meditation will likely share some thematic content in common with my Sunday message, this Thursday publication is only met to whet the appetite of the reader and hopefully help prepare their heart for their Sunday worship experience.
This week, I wish to share with you Mark 8:36, which states: "What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?" In this single verse, Jesus cuts to the heart of the human condition posing this sobering question to His disciples, and to us, and reminding them, and us, that the soul's salvation is of far greater importance than any worldly gain. The essence of Mark 8:36 is a call to prioritize our spiritual well-being above all else. Christians are called to seek first the Kingdom of God, to cherish our relationship with God above all else, and to live in a way that honors Him. This doesn't mean that having wealth, success, or power is inherently wrong. However, when these pursuits become our primary focus, pushing God and our spiritual growth to the periphery, then we risk losing the very essence of who we are--our souls. Understanding the meaning of Mark 8:36 is crucial to living a balanced and purposeful life as a believer. It reminds us that our time on earth is merely a fleeting moment in the grand scheme of eternity. Our ultimate purpose is not to amass wealth and possessions, but to grow spiritually and to strive for a deep, meaningful relationship with God. Our ultimate reward is not in this world, but in the eternal life that awaits us in God's kingdom. This understanding is particularly important in the world today, where materialism often takes center stage. As believers, we are given the task of striving to live in the world while remembering to behave congruent with the reality that we are not of the world. We should remember the words of Jesus in Mark 8:36 and place the welfare of our souls above the fleeting pleasures of this world. The wisdom of Mark 8:36 serves both as a warning and an invitation. A warning to avoid placing worldly gains above our souls, and an invitation to live a life of spiritual abundance, anchored in God's eternal love and grace. It's an essential understanding for us as Christians because it shapes our perspective and guides our actions in this world. May we be ever mindful of the immense value of our souls and prioritize our soul’s spiritual health above all else. In doing so, we will not only find true contentment and fulfillment in this life, but we will also secure our place in the eternal glory of God's kingdom. For "what good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?" May God bless us all with the wisdom to discern what truly matters, the courage to live in accordance with His word, and the faith to trust in His eternal promises. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Amen. Fr. Randall+ The Lenten edition of the Shepherd's Voice Newsletter is now available as a pdf download. Hard copies are also available in the narthex of the church.
Each week, the Eternal Flame sanctuary lamp is changed out and blessed. If you would like to offer the Eternal Flame in memory of a loved, please see the Eternal Flame red folder in the narthex for open dates. The suggested minimum honorarium for Eternal Flame dedication is $15. The 2024 calendar book is now open.
Our annual congregational meeting will be held on Sunday, February 4, 2024 immediately following the 10:00 AM Holy Eucharist.
Please note: In order to quickly facilitate the meeting following the 10:00 AM service, we will not be holding our 8:30 AM service on February 4. We are asking all members to please attend the 10:00 AM and stay for our brief annual business meeting. Join us on Saturday, January 6, 2024 at 4:00 PM as we celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany. As in previous years, we are partnering with our brothers and sisters at Holy Cross Anglican Church in Baton Rouge. Fr. Jarrett and his congregation will travel to Metairie this year for this celebration and we plan to have a King Cake Party with them after the service! Mark your calendar and plan to be with us at 4:00 PM on Saturday the 6th! REMINDER: The Budget and Finance Committee will meet Thursday, January 11, 2024 at 6:00 PM.
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