May the LORD make His face shine upon you
and be gracious unto you:
May the LORD lift up His countenance upon you
and give you peace.
Amen
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Fr. Scott led our Holy Communion Service this Sunday, the Eleventh Sunday after Trinity and the Commemoration of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Fr. Scott's sermon focused on the Blessed Virgin Mary (BVM). She is referred to as the BVM because that's how the Bible describes her. Blessed because in her Magnificat she says that "all generations shall call me blessed." Virgin because of the miracle of the virgin birth. She is also known as the New Eve because her 'yes' to our Lord's request through the Angel Gabriel is in contrast to Eve's decision to eat of the fruit of the garden. Another name for her is the 'Ark of the New Covenant' because God chose to dwell in her in order to be born. Lastly, she is known as the 'Theotokos', Greek for 'God-bearer'. Conflict over this title resulted in the Third Ecumenical Council known as the Council of Ephesus. This Council determined the title 'God-bearer' is appropriate because it reveals who Jesus Christ truly is.
Mary is also the inspiration for the most prayed prayer in Christianity, the "Hail Mary".
Hail Mary, full of Grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
As Anglicans, we are not required to pray this prayer. However, because we accept the Tradition of the church as long as it is in accord with Holy Scripture, this prayer falls into the optional category. The scriptures do tell us that the BVM is the prime example of the Christian life. Every title and honor we proclaim about the BVM is ultimately honor and glory we give to Christ.
Please find Fr. Scott's complete sermon at the 24:25 minute mark at the following link:
Thank you Fr. Scott for that beautiful sermon!
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In Christian Education Fr. Scott discussed the Church Council of Jerusalem as described in Acts 15 and Galatians 2. This council settled the broad issue of whether Gentiles had to convert to Judaism to become Christian and specifically whether they needed to be circumcised. St. Paul, St. Barnabas, St. James, and St. Peter were the major players in this council. Ultimately they declared Gentiles did not need to convert but did need to follow the 'Noahide laws'. The Noahide laws, part of Jewish tradition through the Talmud, were part of the covenant with Noah after the flood and are therefore binding on men. Though there are seven Noahide laws:
- do not worship idols
-do not curse God
-do no commit murder
-do not commit adultery, bestiality, or sexual immorality
-do not steal
-do eat flesh torn from a living animal
-Do establish courts of justice.
In Acts, the Apostles said:
- abstain from food polluted by idols
-abstain from sexual immorality
-abstain from meat of strangled animals and eating blood.
Thank you Fr. Scott for that very information class!
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Sadly this past Sunday was Ming's last Sunday before returning to Duke! During services we gave Ming a combination 1928 Prayer Book and KJV of the Bible in which many people had written notes! We also gave him an icon of St. Peter the Apostle.
After services, we hosted a pot luck luncheon in honor of Ming. Thank you to everyone for bringing all the wonderful food!
Lots of luncheon pictures . . .
And some of Ming's Groupies were in attendance!
And a last a few images of Ming at the piano . . .
Thank you, Ming, for sharing your amazing musical talents with us and for joining us these last few months! May God grant you a future as bright as your smile!
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Mike, our wonderful and hardworking Junior Warden, installed an air conditioner/dehumidifier in Fr. Scott's office this week. Fr. Scott will no longer work in a steam sauna! Thank you, Mike, for all you do for St. Peter's.
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After many years of service, Earl is stepping down from assisting Fr. Scott with Holy Communion services. His last service helping with Holy Communion is on Sunday, August 29. Please join us for that special service for Earl. And for some special Earl approved dining afterwards!
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