Thursday, April 15, 2010

Keeping abreast of religious news

There's a source on the internet that will keep you up to date on many religious stories.

It's called the Religious News Service, and today's "headline" is about our step-sister, ECUSA.

The story tells about a gal who's made some "Barbie the priestess" outfits, and although not really "new" news (I believe a few years ago there was a Deacon Ken and his "friend" Steve phenomenon) it does reflect the "cutting edge" of that denomination.

Here's the Link... enjoy the other free articles of Religious News Service, and don't forget to thank God that He brought us out of the fleshpots of ECUSA!

Sunday, April 11, 2010

A milestone for our Videos

Last week we passed the 40,000 mark for our video views on YouTube!

Our first video was posted on June 12, 2008, and was entitled "Building A Church For God's Glory in Sedona AZ (1987 - 2007)"

Thanks to all who are using our channel, and continue to pray for a flourishing ministry for God's greater glory - both in our parish and it's "electronic" ministry via YouTube!


"Overcoming the World" (1 Easter 2010)

Here's the video meditation for the 1st Sunday after Easter, 2010...

Saturday, April 10, 2010

Hanging Flower Baskets

If you've been pondering whether or not to memorialize a loved one or special event via a hanging flower basket on the portico, there's only one left, so secure it before it's taken by someone else.

Click HERE for details.

Tuesday, April 06, 2010

The first rose?

Have we had the first rose bush blossoming at Saint Luke's?

Not yet, but it should be happening within a few weeks.

The accompanying picture shows the "unknown" flowers located at the church gate.

Years ago someone planted the three bulbs, and every year - without much adieu or care on our part, the flowers blossom and then "fade away" during the heat of the Arizona sun.

We'll keep watch for the first rose bush blooming, and will let you know when it happens.

For Now, enjoy the "wild flowers" at Saint Luke's Church!

Friday, April 02, 2010

The power of Christ's blood

"If we wish to understand the power of Christ’s blood, we should go back to the ancient account of its prefiguration in Egypt. 'Sacrifice a lamb without blemish,' commanded Moses, 'and sprinkle its blood on your doors.'

"If we were to ask him what he meant, and how the blood of an irrational beast could possibly save men endowed with reason, his answer would be that the saving power lies not in the blood itself, but in the fact that it is a sign of the Lord’s blood.

"In those days, when the destroying angel saw the blood on the doors he did not dare to enter, so how much less will the devil approach now when he sees, not that figurative blood on the doors, but the true blood on the lips of believers, the doors of the temple of Christ.

"If you desire further proof of the power of this blood, remember where it came from, how it ran down from the cross, flowing from the Master’s side.

"The gospel records that when Christ was dead, but still hung on the cross, a soldier came and pierced his side with a lance and immediately there poured out water and blood. Now the water was a symbol of baptism and the blood, of the holy Eucharist.

"The soldier pierced the Lord’s side, he breached the wall of the sacred temple, and I have found the treasure and made it my own. So also with the lamb: the Jews sacrificed the victim and I have been saved by it.

“'There flowed from his side water and blood.' Beloved, do not pass over this mystery without thought; it has yet another hidden meaning, which I will explain to you. I said that water and blood symbolised baptism and the holy Eucharist.

From these two sacraments the Church is born: from baptism, 'the cleansing water that gives rebirth and renewal through the Holy Spirit,' and from the holy Eucharist.

'Since the symbols of baptism and the Eucharist flowed from his side, it was from his side that Christ fashioned the Church, as he had fashioned Eve from the side of Adam Moses gives a hint of this when he tells the story of the first man and makes him exclaim: 'Bone from my bones and flesh from my flesh!'

'As God then took a rib from Adam’s side to fashion a woman, so Christ has given us blood and water from his side to fashion the Church. God took the rib when Adam was in a deep sleep, and in the same way Christ gave us the blood and the water after his own death.

"Do you understand, then, how Christ has united his bride to himself and what food he gives us all to eat? By one and the same food we are both brought into being and nourished. As a woman nourishes her child with her own blood and milk, so does Christ unceasingly nourish with his own blood those to whom he himself has given life."