Sedona Jazz at the Church Concert Patronages & Benefactions

We've added a piece to the Jazz blog about patronages and benefactions.

Check it out, and if you're moved to do so, help support this unique ministry in one of the very creative and substantive ways. the Jazz blog article is found HERE.

Faithful Messengers, Ministers & Stewards

Today's Saint (Dec. 13): Lucy - Virgin & Martyr

Lucy, whose name means "light," died a martyr's death during the Diocletian persecutions of 303. Her holy life and martyrdom can be found in the earliest Western and Eastern liturgical books.

Pious tradition holds that she was born of a wealthy Sicilian family. She refused marriage and was handed over to the authorities by her suitor. She was later killed by the sword.

Saint Lucy is venerated because she openly proclaimed her faith, distributing her wealth to the poor at the height of the Diocletian persecution.

"The five wise virgins took oil in their vessels with their lamps: and at midnight there was a cry made: Behold the bridegroom cometh: go ye out to meet Christ the Lord." (Matt. 25). (The day's gospel, page F 40, The People's Anglican Missal)

The picture above was painted by Domenico di Pace Baccafumi (1486-1551)

The Day's Propers

Catholic Encyclopedia article

Books Worth Considering

The Treasury of Saints and Martyrs

Fox's Book of Martyrs

Reason Is Beguiled: On the Mystery of Martyrdom and of Total Self Gift

By Their Blood: Christian Martyrs of the Twentieth Century

Working, Praying & Giving

The Catechism teaches us that it is our "bounden duty... to follow Christ, to worship God every Sunday in his Church and to work and pray and give for the spread of his kingdom." (BCP, page 291)

Because we have always taken our Christian duty seriously, our parish is a beacon of faith, hope and love to people far beyond its parish boundaries, as attested by our internet presence - this blog and the Jazz Blog, episcopalnet.org, and our presence on youtube.

Having said that, in the midst of our corporate calling under the banner of Saint Luke's Church, individual commitment and action determines whether or not a person is part of the experience.

When someone decides to merely be an onlooker rather than to participate, that doesn't stop the ministry of our parish; instead, it only means that person won't be a part of it. Life gives us this lesson, does it not?

Advent is a good time to re-analyze one's commitment to God and His Church, and to, if necessary, move from being a mere spectator to participant.

God has been so good to us all. Even though we may have ignored and perhaps forgotten Him altogether at times, He's here for us, and is powerfully present within our parish church.

The next two Sundays we read and hear of John the Baptist, we ponder our commitment to God and His Church, and finally we've all the opportunity to make ready to approach and worship Jesus Christ on the occasion of His Incarnation.

Will you join me and the Faithful at Saint Luke's? Let's all make ready to greet Him in royal fashion!

See you in His Church!

And if you've not done so yet, it's time to make your pledge to the 2010 Operating Fund.

You can download the pledge form or pledge directly online via our parish home page, found HERE.

Sunday's Sermon: "So, What Are We To Do?"

Sunday is the third Sunday in Advent, commonly called "Rose Sunday." In the midst of the normally flowerless Advent, the Altar will be adorned with roses, and rose-coloured vestments will also be worn, as is also the case on the fourth Sunday of Lent.

And in the midst of the visual refreshment of both vestments and flowers, John the Baptist, the ministry, and the work of the Church will be the focus of Sunday's sermon.

In the 4th chapter of the first letter to the Corinthians, Saint Paul describes the work of "the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God," and that portion of scripture is the basis for Sunday's sermon.

The Sermon - entitled "So, What are We to Do?" - will explain the biblical description of the Christian's duty, and then contrast that with how some folk would set aside the biblical teachings for an easier and more worldly approach.

The day's reading from the gospel of Matthew, in which Jesus speaks of John the Baptist, will also be examined, and brings to the forefront the question, "Was John faithful or foolish with his strong preaching and exhortations?" Some would argue that he was foolish, considering his end. However....

Rose Sunday's propers are found HERE.

YouTube viewings pass 32,000!

Saint Luke's channel on YouTube - where we post our meditations - has now had more than 32,000 viewings of the videos.

The videos - meditations based upon the Sunday Mass Propers of the 1928 Book of Common Prayer - started out simply as a ministry for our parishioners who may have missed mass on any given Sunday.

And yet, my oh my... how that small beginning has blossomed and become so blessed! It is now a ministry that has folk from all over the world visiting it, with a viewing average exceeding 1,500 each month!

Thanks to all who have found the videos useful, and a special thanks to those who have told their friends about it, also!!

What's next for us on the internet?

Well, we are still in the planning stages for "streaming" our 8am Sunday Masses live on the web. More on that in next week's blogs, when we will be identifying and addressing special ministries of our parish, and how you can become involved in them... all for God's greater glory, of course!

For now, click HERE to see our videos.

Food Ingathering Sunday

Next Sunday is our monthly "Food Ingathering Sunday." As usual, the foodstuffs will be donated to the Old Town Mission in Cottonwood, which serves the low-income and homeless population of Sedona and the surrounding Verde Valley communities.

This month, how about putting together a "client grocery bag" for your contribution? Here's what could be in it: Bag of Rice or pasta, together with cans of pinto beans, vegetables, soup, fruit, tuna or chicken, and finally the old standby, peanut butter.

And here's what the mission says are their client needs, during the cold weather of December:

Blankets, Coats (adult)

Family sized Shampoo & Toothpaste

Please be generous.

"Whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?"

- 1 John 3:17