Rogation Days

May 14th, 2012

Yesterday wasn’t just Mother’s Day…it was also Rogation Sunday. Rogation Sunday begins Rogationtide, a series of days leading up to the Feast of the Ascension.

Rogation Days are an ancient custom which have been being observed since the 5th century. Rogation—to ask, as in “interrogate”—we ask God’s blessing of the harvest, of the earth and sea. We remind ourselves that we are the stewards of Creation, neither the authors nor the owners of it. Originally an agricultural observance, it has been broadened and made more inclusive—the crops, the catch of the sea, the fruits of our labors in all their aspects.

An ancient pagan custom was “beating the bounds”, with a procession walking out the boundary lines of the village and marking the bounds with stakes. Sticks of willow and birch were used to strike the stakes; hence, “beating the bounds”. Subsequently the custom became incorporated into Rogation Days celebration, particularly in England, in which the parishes are clearly defined, contiguous with adjacent parishes. Rogation Day was celebrated by walking the boundaries of the parish and acknowledging in this way our tangible stewardship.

As the countries, including our own, became more industrialized and less agrarian, we have seen a lessening of the celebration of Rogation—and we are the worse for it. Our “new” Book of Common Prayer (1979) sneakily de-emphasized Rogation Days and Rogation Sunday, as they were annotated in the 1928 BCP. But we should do our best to remember therm. They are privileged times to celebrate stewardship, to remind ourselves of our roles, not as masters or owners, but as stewards.

Rogation Days are to honor God for His creation, and to pray for the land and sea and the gifts of labor, and for the needs of all. The traditional Rogation Days are the Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday before Ascension Day. Rogation Sunday is the Sixth Sunday after Easter. Great music is in the 1940 & 1982 Episcopal hymnal for celebrating Rogationtide such as “O Jesus crowned with all renown”, “Fairest Lord Jesus”, “We plow the fields and scatter”, “Now the green blade rises”, “O worship the King.”

St. Francis, in his “Canticle of Brother Sun”, wrote: “May thou be praised, my Lord, for our sister, mother earth, who sustains and governs and produces fruits with colored flowers and green plants.”

The Collect for Rogation Sunday from the 1928 BCP:

“O LORD, from whom all good things do come; Grant to us thy humble servants, that by thy holy inspiration we may think those things that are good, and by thy merciful guiding may perform the same; through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.”

Categories Anglican Wisdom, Liturgy
Comments (0)

Why Do We Use Hymns?

by chrislarimer

April 18th, 2012

Because the church is an organism. And we need the reminders of our past just as desperately as we need to be connected with the rhythms of today.

Categories Liturgy, Music, Practical Theology
Comments (0)

Easter Worship 2012

by chrislarimer

April 7th, 2012

Don’t forget that we won’t have Sunday School on Easter morning. Instead, come and get ready for a wonderful Easter processional with the children bringing in flowers and returning the Alleluia to our sanctuary. Don’t miss out! Service begins at 10:30AM!

Categories Children, Holy Eucharist, Liturgy, Services
Comments (0)

Easter Egg Hunt

by chrislarimer

April 4th, 2012

Children of the community are invited to an Easter Egg Hunt on the grounds of Holy Apostles Anglican Church. We will meet at 2:00PM for a welcome message from Fr. Chris Larimer. Then, the children will be released for the egg hunt by age.

Please bring your own baskets.

Parents will need to accompany younger children, as eggs will be hidden outside the building. (Inside if raining.)

Categories Children, Fellowship, Outreach
Comments (0)

Holy Week

by chrislarimer

April 3rd, 2012

Here is the schedule for Holy Week and beyond.

April 5^th Maundy Thursday, 6 PM – Foot Washing & Eucharist
Vigil Watch at altar of repose following service.
April 6^th Good Friday

7AM Morning Prayer
12PM Stations of the Cross (around the Square in good weather) & Mel Gibson’s The Passion, following in Sanctuary.
3:30PM Divine Mercy Chaplet.
6PM Good Friday (Veneration of the Cross, Mass of the Pre-Sanctified)

Sat., Apr. 7^th Easter Egg Hunt (2-3PM)
April 8^th Community Sunrise Service (Freeman Lake Park) 7AM
April 8^th Easter / Resurrection Sunday at Holy Apostles 10:30AM (No Sunday School – children will process in with the Alleluia)
Sat., Apr. 14^th BUNCO! Tickets for sale through ASiF.

Office Hours for Holy Week

Thu: 10AM-5PM Fri: 8:30AM-11:30AM

Categories Children, Evening Prayer, Holy Eucharist, Lent, Liturgy, Morning Prayer, Services, Vigil
Comments (0)

Upcoming events

by chrislarimer

March 16th, 2012

Here is the schedule for the next few weeks.

Wed., Mar. 21^st 6PM Soup Supper, Evening Prayer & Study
Fri., Mar. 23^rd Warm Blessings (5-6:30PM) Sign up in the hall.
Sun., Mar. 25^th Acolyte Training (following the service)
Sun., Mar. 25^th 5PM Louisville Worship (Calvin Presbyterian Church), celebrating the Feast of the Annunciation
Wed., Mar. 28^th 6PM Soup Supper, Evening Prayer & Study
April 1^st Palm Sunday – Please arrive early for the procession.
April 5^th Maundy Thursday, 6 PM – Foot Washing & Eucharist
Vigil Watch at altar of repose following service.
April 6^th Good Friday –Stations of the Cross (around the Square in good weather) & Mel Gibson’s The Passion, following in Sanctuary. Divine Mercy Chaplet. Good Friday liturgy is at 6 PM
Sat., Apr. 7^th Easter Egg Hunt (2-3PM) Sign up in the hall.
April 8^th Community Sunrise Service (Freeman Lake Park) 7AM
April 8^th Easter / Resurrection Sunday at Holy Apostles 10:30AM
Sat., Apr. 14^th BUNCO! Tickets for sale through ASiF.

Office Hours for the week of March 18^th-24^th

Tue: 5PM-8PM Wed: 9AM-6PM Thu: 9AM-12PM

Categories Children, Evening Prayer, Fellowship, Holy Eucharist, Lent, Liturgy, Outreach, Services, Vigil
Comments (0)

Top 10 Things You Didn’t Know About St Patrick

by chrislarimer

March 16th, 2012

10. The very first St. Patrick’s Day parade was not in Ireland, but in the United States on March 17, 1762, when Irish soldiers serving in the English military marched through New York City.

9. St. Partick’s birth name was Maewyn Succat. He took the name Patrick upon becoming a priest later in his life.

8. While wearing green clothing, eating green food, and even drinking green beer is said to commemorate St. Patrick’s use of the shamrock, blue was the original color of his vestments, and the color associated with him up until the 19th century.

7. As a young boy, Patrick professed no interest in Christianity. It was not until aged 16, when he was kidnapped and sent overseas to tend sheep as a slave in the chilly, mountainous countryside of Ireland for seven years that he developed a very deep belief in the religion.

6. The most popular Irish toast on St Patrick’s Day goes as follows, “May the roof above us never fall in, and may we friends beneath it never fall out.”

5. Since 1962, the people of Chicago, US have been dying their city’s river green in honor of St. Patrick’s Day. Originally, about 100 tons of dye were used for the job, though now the Windy City uses about 40 tons to make the tradition more environmentally friendly.

4. The phrase, “Drowning The Shamrock,” is from the custom of floating a shamrock on the top of whiskey before drinking it. The Irish believe that if you keep the custom, then you will have a prosperous year.

3. There are 34.7 million United States residents with Irish ancestry. This number is more than five times the population of Ireland itself.

2. Contrary to popular folklore, St. Patrick never chased any snakes out of Ireland. In fact, there has never been any record of snakes living anywhere near the Emerald Isle.

1. St. Patrick is being honored at the potluck dinner this coming Sunday. Bring something Irish (or Scottish…or just plain tasty) in honor of this missionary bishop!

Categories Anglican Wisdom, Fellowship
Comments (0)

8 Profitable Ways to Read the Bible

by chrislarimer

February 24th, 2012

Many people add more Scripture readings to their Lenten discipline. Here is an effective way to do it, by the first Bishop of Liverpool, the Rt. Rev’d J. C. Ryle.

1. Begin reading your Bible this very day. The way to do a thing — is to do it; and the way to read the Bible — is actually to read it! It is not merely meaning, or wishing, or resolving, or intending, or thinking about it — which will advance you one step. You must positively read. There is no royal road in this matter, any more than in the matter of prayer. If you cannot read yourself, you must persuade somebody else to read it to you. But one way or another, through eyes or ears — the words of Scripture must actually pass before your mind.

2. Read the Bible with an earnest desire to understand it. Do not think for a moment, that the great object is to turn over a certain quantity of printed paper, and that it matters nothing whether you understand it or not. Some ignorant people seem to imagine, that all is done if they advance so many chapters every day, though they may not have a notion what they are all about, and only know that they have pushed on their bookmark ahead so many pages. This is turning Bible reading into a mere ritual form. Settle it down in your mind as a general principle, that a Bible not understood — is a Bible that does no good! Say to yourself often as you read,“What is this all about?” Dig for the meaning like a man digging for gold.

3. Read the Bible with child-like faith and humility. Open your heart — as you open God’s book, and say,“Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening!” Resolve to believe implicitly whatever you find there, however much it may run counter to your own desires and prejudices. Resolve to receive heartily every statement of truth — whether you like it or not. Beware of that miserable habit into which some readers of the Bible fall — they receive some doctrines because they like them; and they reject others because they are condemning to themselves, or to some relation, or friend. At this rate, the Bible is useless! Are we to be judges of what ought to be in God’s Word? Do we know better than God? Settle it down in your mind — that you will receive all and believe all, and that what you cannot understand — you will take on trust. Remember, when you pray — that you are speaking to God, and God hears you. But, remember, when you read Scripture — that God is speaking to you, and you are not to “dictate,” but to listen!

4. Read the Bible in a spirit of obedience and self-application. Sit down to the study of it with a daily determination that you will live by its rules, rest on its statements, and act on its commands. Consider, as you travel through every chapter, “How does this affect my thinking and daily conduct? What does this teach me?” It is poor work to read the Bible from mere curiosity, and for speculative purposes — in order to fill your head and store your mind with mere opinions; while you do not allow the book to influence your heart and life. That Bible is read best — which is practiced most!

5. Read the Bible daily. Make it a part of every day’s business to read and meditate on some portion of God’s Word. Private means of grace are just as needful every day for our souls — as food and clothing are for our bodies. Yesterday’s food will not feed the laborer today; and today’s food will not feed the laborer tomorrow. Do as the Israelites did in the wilderness. Gather your manna fresh every morning. Choose your own seasons and hours. Do not scramble over and hurry your reading. Give your Bible the best, and not the worst part of your time! But whatever plan you pursue, let it be a rule of your life to visit the throne of grace and God’s Word every day.

6. Read all of the Bible — and read it in an orderly way. I fear there are many parts of the Word which some people never read at all. This is to say at the least, a very presumptuous habit. “All Scripture is profitable.” [2 Timothy 3:16]. To this habit may be traced that lack of well-proportioned views of truth, which is so common in this day. Some people’s Bible-reading is a system of perpetual ‘dipping and picking’. They do not seem to have an idea of regularly going through the whole book.

7. Read the Bible fairly and honestly. Determine to take everything in its plain, obvious meaning — and regard all forced interpretations with great suspicion. As a general rule, whatever a verse of the Bible seems to mean — it does mean! Cecil’s rule is a very valuable one, “The right way of interpreting Scripture is to take it as we find it, without any attempt to force it into any particular theological system.”

8. Read the Bible with Christ continually in view. The grand primary object of all Scripture, is to testify of Jesus! Old Testament ceremonies are shadows of Christ. Old Testament judges are types of Christ. Old Testament prophecies are full of Christ’s sufferings, and of Christ’s glory yet to come. The first coming and the second; the Lord’s humiliation and His glorious kingdom; His cross and the crown shine forth everywhere in the Bible. Keep fast hold on this clue, if you would read the Bible aright!

I might easily add to these hints, if space permitted. Few and short as they are — you will find them most profitable when implemented.

~ J.C. Ryle

Practical Religion, “Bible Reading”, [Carlisle, PA: Banner of Truth, 1998], 131-134.

Categories Anglican Wisdom, Practical Theology, Scripture, Spiritual Disciplines
Comments (0)

Fasting FAQ

by chrislarimer

February 22nd, 2012

A helpful FAQ about fasting from Christ Church Plano.

There are many questions about fasting. Some of the questions arise because it is not a typical practice for many Americans and, thus, we have little experience with this discipline. Our culture is one that, by and large, eats often and eats a lot. In the Dallas area, there are restaurants everywhere, and many of these are packed on a regular basis. Fasting challenges this way of living. More importantly, it offers the opportunity to draw us closer to God and to open our lives to the amazing work of the Holy Spirit.

The following Q & A answers basic questions regarding fasting.

“What is fasting?”
To fast means to abstain from food and sometimes drink. This might mean giving up a single meal or abstaining from food for an entire day. I would encourage you not to give up water unless you are experienced in fasting and this is a regular discipline in your life. Even then, if you are planning to fast more than a day or two without water, you should consult your physician.
What kind of fast are we doing as a church during Lent?
We encourage everyone to try a 24-hour fast that gives up two main meals. For example: begin your fast Tuesday evening (February 21) following dinner. Continue to fast from all food until the following evening (February 22). Remember to drink water throughout the day.
“How do I break a fast?”
If you skip a single meal, just eat normally after that. If you participate with us in a 24-hour fast, let your first meal be a little smaller than normal, filled with fruits and vegetables, and avoid foods containing a lot of saturated fat (e.g. burgers, pizza, or cheesecake). Consider options like a fruit smoothie, a grilled chicken breast or whole grains to break the fast.
“How do I use my time when I am fasting?”
Typically, a person spends a minimum of one hour every day engaged in eating. When that is taken away, this is the perfect time to devote oneself to prayer and reading the Scriptures.
“How do I do it in secret when the entire congregation is participating?”
When Jesus says we are to fast for our Father in secret, the point has more to do with not drawing attention to yourself. If you let everyone know how much you have been fasting and how hard it has been, but how you are being so faithful to God throughout, then that’s drawing attention to yourself. Jesus says to act normally. Basically, act like you are not fasting.In fact, it can be an encouragement for a husband and wife or a few friends to fast together. They can inspire one another throughout the day. They can look out for one another. That way, the wife won’t cook a wonderful meal for the whole family that would tempt the fasting husband or vice versa. They can instead do the fast together.
“What if I am diabetic or have other health issues?”
You may want to consult your physician before attempting a fast. You may want to abstain from something else like television or the internet. For some, while you give up food, you may need to drink fruit juice or a smoothie during the day. Fasting should not be something that puts you at risk. A normal person can very safely fast, but if you have health problems, please be safe and wise about how you fast.