A tidbit about the oldest Advent hymn

Did you know that what some consider to be the oldest Advent hymn is O Come, O Come Emmanuel? The hymn dates back to the ninth century, and is based on the O antiphons of Advent, which, in some traditions, are sung on the third Sunday in Advent. 

   Here's another interesting tidbit about O Come, O Come Emmanuel: Even though it is considered the oldest Advent hymn, it was not translated into English until the nineteenth century by a Church of England clergyperson, John Mason Neale. Last night I heard a quartet sing the hymn and the last stanza they sung was not familiar to me or to our Lutheran hymnals. However, upon further investigation, I discovered that it was part of the Mason Neale translation.  

Prayer of the Day/Collect for 2 Advent, Year C

God of the now-and-not-yet: Cleanse and purify our hearts, minds and lives so that we may be bearers of your peace into this violent-ridden world. In our waiting, prepare us for your coming; through Jesus the Messiah; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit; one God, now and through all ages of ages.

How to wear a poppy

One of the annoying things folks have to put up with here in Canada with our version of the poppy is that they keep falling off, and the consequence is that many people fail to wear a poppy. The Royal Canadian Legion's official position on the matter is that one should wear the poppy as is, rather than place a lapel pin in the middle to keep it in place. However, the Legion does suggest a few things one can do to keep the poppy on as is by doing something with the end of the pin. Click the following link to learn more: https://ca.news.yahoo.com/blogs/dailybrew/poppy-pins-a-handy-idea--but-not-officially-supported-by-the-royal-canadian-legion-135901932.html 

Prayer of the Day/Collect for Reformation Sunday Yr B

Lord, keep us steadfast in your word, and in response to your grace guide our thoughts, words and actions to love and serve you and our neighbour. May your one, holy, catholic and apostolic church continue to be in a state of reforming to serve your mission in the world; through Jesus our Messiah, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit; one God, now and forever.

Thanksgiving 2015

Today, Monday, October 12, 2015 we Canadians celebrate Thanksgiving. Our country is one of the most privileged and blessed in the world. We Canadians tend to take for granted the basics of life, and all the other added luxuries that the majority of the world's human beings may never have and/or are only a dream. Consequently, with every privilege comes responsibility. Presently we are in the final week of one of the longest election campaigns in Canadian history. The outcome of this election may very well determine how we Canadians will contribute to the peace, justice and well-being of our own citizens as well as those of other nations. So on this Thanksgiving Monday, the following words from I Chronicles come to mind, along with the prayer by Samuel F. Pugh.

Power point graphic by Eclecticity

Thanksgiving Prayer

O God, when I have food,
help me to remember the hungry;
When I have work,
help me to remember the jobless;
When I have a home,
help me to remember those who have no home at all;
When I am without pain,
help me to remember those who suffer,
And remembering,
help me to destroy my complacency;
bestir my compassion,
and be concerned enough to help;
By word and deed,
those who cry out for what we take for granted.
Amen.

(Samuel F. Pugh)

A blessed thanksgiving to all who read this post!

Prayer of the Day/Collect for 13 Pentecost, Year B

Image credit: www.carllegge.com

Jesus, Bread from Heaven, Holy One of God: so feed us with your word and sacrament that we, like Peter, may always come to you for sustenance to love and serve you and our neighbour; for your love’s sake. Amen. 

Pentecost Walker and Talker

Confused, Thomas walked around in circles, talking to himself, “Where am I? How did I walk so far from the city. This desert heat is killing me. I think I’m going toward the city, but the landscape looks the same, there’s my sandal-prints yet again!”

   On and on his words came pouring out.

   Suddenly he thought he saw a fire, then a wind came up and blew him in the direction of the fire. It seemed so irresistible, with its multi-colours streaming up to the heavens against the horizon. 

   “Maybe someone was there. Maybe I will survive. Maybe my life does have some reason to go on after all. It’s starting to come to me now, didn’t Jesus say something to us about the Holy Spirit and staying in Jerusalem and waiting for the right time?”   

The truth is stranger than fiction

I came across this rather quirky item on underwater weddings, which would be the last thing I'd attend or officiate at.

   Beach weddings have always been popular on Alabama's coast and now a reef-focused nonprofit is taking it to another level.

   On Thursday, a shell-covered concrete cross is being deployed at the nearshore reef called "Poseidon's Playground." Once it's in place in about 38 feet of water, 3.5 miles off the coast of Orange Beach, it will begin serving as an altar for underwater wedding ceremonies, according to Vince Lucido, president of the Alabama Gulf Coast Reef and Restoration Foundation.

   "Weddings seem to be a big industry here and we're going to offer wedding venues for anybody that has a desire to do underwater weddings," Lucido said.

   Read the whole thing here.