Tomorrow – Dulcimer @ Dublin Pub

Dear all,

If you’re looking for something to do tomorrow (Sunday) afternoon… I will be playing hammered dulcimer with a group at Dublin Pub in Dayton from 4:30 to 6. Guitar, fiddle, banjo, tin whistle, and more!

Amanda

Tuesday Pancake Supper

Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper (a very old tradition of the church dating back to the time when Lenten fasting called for no butter, eggs, leavening, or sugar, in addition to no meat) –

We’ll have all of those good things for you to enjoy, cooked up by Paul Burns and crew. Reservations are REALLY necessary so that we know how much food to buy!

Date: Tuesday, February 21

Time: 6:00-8:00 p.m.

Cost: Donation

RSVP number attending to:

candy.jacques

NO NOON EUCHARIST TODAY

Due to unforeseen circumstances, there will be no noon Eucharist today at Christ our Hope Anglican Church.

Have a blessed day!

Fr. Greg

Mary Neal’s Surgery

Hi,

I want to tell you that my wife, Mary Neal, successfully went thru the surgery to put a coil in the aneurysm in her brain. It was a trying time for all of us, but the Lord sent His Guradian Angles to watch over her and the surgical team. He is a good God!!! She was in the OSU Hospital, and had been kept overnight in the ICU for observation.

I brought her home Thursday afternoon. She was feeling some soreness and was exhausted, but now she is resting and feeling a lot better.

Thank you for all your concerns and prayers. They meant a lot to us.

Blessings,

Chuck

Prayer Request

> Judee Evaniuk recently had a skin biopsy performed and found out that > she has melanoma – on her hand. She has an appointment scheduled with > a plastic surgeon Monday. Please pray for the Evaniuks and the > surgeon as they determine a course of action.

February Prayer Walk

Please come pray for our community.  The weather will be chilly, so we will pray indoors at CoH, 9 am, Saturday, Feb 11th.  -Jeff

8 FEBRUARY 2012, ST. JOHN OF MATHA

Today we will celebrate Holy Eucharist at 12:00 p.m. (noon), and commemorate St. John of Matha.  You are invited to come a learn a bit about this wonderful saint of the Church.

You are also invited to Compline tonight at 7 p.m., which will be led by Reader Jeff Brown.  I highly encourage you to be at Compline, which is the pray service prayed at the very end of the day just before retiring for the evening.  The prayers are beautiful, and it is a wonderfully meditative and peaceful experience.

THE COLLECT FOR ST. JOHN OF MATHA

O God, who by thy revelation to thy blessed John didst institute the Order of the Most Holy Trinity, for the redemption of captives from the power of the infidel: grant, we beseech thee; that we may by thee be delivered from all bondage both of body and soul.  Through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

YOUTH MINISTRY TO BEGIN

To all Parents: All the teens of the parish are invited to join me for an evening of fun, fellowship, and discussion (food too!) Sunday, February 19, at 6:30 p.m. at the church, we will gather to talk about getting a youth group started.  And I really hope all out teens can be there. It will be their opportunity to let me know exactly what they want to talk about, do, and study.  It will be my opportunity to get to know them better. Currently, we hope to meet in this way once a month, but we’ll talk about that some more on the 19^th. Please let Dss Candy or me know if your teens will be there, or if anyone needs a ride to or from, we can arrange that as well. Faithfully, Fr. Greg

PRAYER REQUEST

Michael Evanhoe has strep throat and has a ruptured ear drum (again). Please pray for his healing right now and that as he goes through the teen growth spurt that his Eustachian tubes will grow and his constant ear problems will go away.

5 FEBRUARY 2012, THE THIRD SUNDAY BEFORE LENT

Today is the Third Sunday Before Lent (Epiphany 5).

A friendly reminder that we have Sunday School for all ages at 9:30.  Fr. Harry will continue his captivating teaching series in the Adult Forum.

We will celebrate Holy Eucharist at 10:30.  Fr. Greg is the preacher and has entitled his sermon “Free and Servant of All.”

 

1 February 2012, St. Brigid and St. Veridiana

Today we remember of St. Brigid of Kildare and St. Veridiana of Castelflorintino.  We will celebrate Holy Eucharist at 12:00 p.m. (noon).  We will also be led in Evening Prayer by Reader Jeff Brown this evening at 7:00 p.m.

THE LIFE OF ST. BRIGID OF KILDARE

Brigid (also known as Bride) was born in the latter part of the fifth century, of humble origin just five miles from Kildare.  She was to become first a nun in a monastery there and then its abbess.  She is believed to have been baptized by Saint Patrick and the stories of her portray a woman of great compassion who, like many Celtic saints, had a particular affinity with animals and the natural world.  Her life was written in the middle of the seventh century and is the earliest life of an Irish saint.  She is said to have been consecrated a bishop by Bishop Ibor, because of her resemblance to the Virgin Mary, but this may have been put abroad to support the claim of the primacy of the Abbey of Kildare.  By her prayers and miracles, she is reputed to have strongly influenced the formation of the Church throughout Ireland, where she is, with Patrick, the patron saint.  She died in about the year 525.

THE COLLECT FOR ST. BRIGID OF KILDARE

Almighty God, by whose grace Brigid of Kildare, kindled with the fire of your love, became a burning and shining light in the Church: inflame us with the same spirit of discipline and love, that we may ever walk before you as children of light; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.  Amen.

THE LIFE OF ST. VERIDIANA OF CASTELFLORENTINO

Veridiana was born in 1182 at Castelflorentino of a noble but impoverished family.  At an early age she gave signs of unusual graces.  She would frequently leave her playmates in order to seek solitude for prayer.  When she was only twelve years old she was received into the household of a relative, where she took upon herself with great diligence the duties of a servant.  God deigned to show His approval of her holy life by miracles.  In order to escape the attention that they attracted to her, she decided to leave that part of the country and to settle in some place where she was not known.  But the townspeople, who venerated her as a saint, would not hear of her departure.  At her request, however, they built a small hut for her on the outskirts of the town where she might give herself entirely to God.  There she remained for the rest of her life devoted to prayer and extreme penance.  The Passion of our Lord was her principal meditation.  If pious visitors left alms for her use, she would have them sent to the poor.  Many miracles are ascribed to her.  In 1221, she had a visit from St. Francis of Assisi who admitted her into the Third Order.  She would receive visitors and speak to them through a little window, receiving small amounts of food.  Traditions holds that two snakes penetrated her cell during the latter portion of her life, increasing the mortifications of the flesh.  She never revealed their existence to anyone.

COLLECT FOR ST. VERIDIANA OF CASTELFLORENTINO

Lord God, you kept St. Veridiana faithful to Christ’s pattern of poverty and humility.  May her prayers help us to live in fidelity to our calling and bring us to the perfection you have shown us in your Son, who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.  Amen.

PRAYER REQUEST

Please keep William Herman in your prayers.  He is in hospital at Children’s in Cincinnati due to severe migraines.  The doctors are administering medication that must be monitored.  He is expected to be there until Sunday.  More details as they are available.

Fr. Greg

EZRA NOWRY IS BORN

Praise God for a safe birth for Ezra!  Mom and son are doing fine.  Fr. Harry will give us more details as they are available.

Fr. Greg

PRAYER REQUEST

I just received a call from Fr. Harry.  His daughter, Sarah, is now in labour at Miami Valley Hospital.  Ezra is ready for the world.  So, please keep Sarah and Ezra in your prayers as they continue to work together toward his birth.  Please keep Sarah’s husband, Matthew, in your prayers as well.

Blessings!

Fr. Greg

25 JANUARY 2012, CONVERSION OF ST. PAUL

Today is the Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul, the Apostles to the Gentiles.  Today is also the conclusion of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.  We will celebrate Holy Eucharist at 12:00 p.m. (noon) today.  We will also be led in Evening Prayer at 7 p.m. by Reader Jeff Brown.

ABOUT THE CONVERSION OF ST. PAUL

The conversion of the anti-Christian zealot, Saul, to the apostle of Christ, Paul, is clearly related in the reading from the Acts of the Apostles, but it has to be remembered that this was a beginning: Saul took some time to become Paul and some time to begin to understand that his call to preach – to Jew and to Gentile – the saving power of Jesus, the Son of God, was something that was a whole life’s journey for him.  Paul says in his Letter to the Church in Galatia, “God set me apart before I was born and called me through his grace … Three years after (the Damascus Road conversion), I went up to Jerusalem.”  The preparation for this moment of his conversion was his whole life.  This feast has been celebrated in the Church since the sixth century but became universal in the twelfth century.

THE COLLECT FOR THE CONVERSION OF ST. PAUL

Almighty God, who caused the light of the gospel to shine throughout the world through the preaching of your servant Saint Paul: grant that we who celebrate his wonderful conversion may follow him in bearing witness to your truth; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.  Amen.

22 JANUARY 2012, 3RD SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY

Today is the Third Sunday after Epiphany.

Sunday School is available for all ages at 9:30 a.m.  Fr. Harry will continue with a new teaching series for the Adult Forum.

Holy Eucharist is at 10:30 a.m.  Everyone is welcome!  Today, the homily will focus on the Gospel reading from St. John 2:1-11.  Fr. Greg is our preacher and the homily is entitled: ” Prepare for a Wedding Party!”

The Anglican Student Association will meet at the church at 1:30 p.m. for an important discussion and planning session.

COLLECT FOR THE THIRD SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY

Almighty God, whose Son revealed in signs and miracles the wonder of your saving presence: renew your people with your heavenly grace, and in all our weakness sustain us by your mighty power; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God,  now and for ever.  Amen.

18 JANUARY 2012, CONFESSION OF ST. PETER

Today is the Feast of the Confession of St. Peter.  This day also begins the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.  Today we will celebrate Holy Eucharist at 12:00 p.m. (noon).  Also, we will be led in Evening Prayer by Reader Jeff Brown tonight at 7 p.m.

THE CONFESSION OF ST. PETER

The beginning of the ministry of the Apostle Peter at Rome has been commemorated in that city from ancient times.  The feast, known as the ‘Chair of Peter’, is a reminder of the chair or cathedra on which a bishop sits and teaches.  The traditional readings for the day include Peter’s acclamation of Jesus, ‘You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God’, a confession which has given its name to this commemoration.  Since 29 June may be observed as the Feast of both Peter and Paul, today’s feast allows Peter to be commemorated alone, and mirrors the remembrance of Paul a week later.  These two days, the Confession of Peter and the Conversion of Paul, bracket the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.  As Paul’s conversion reminds us that we are united in a call to proclaim Jesus among the nations, so Peter’s confession reminds us that we are united in proclaiming the divine revelation of Jesus Christ, ‘the Son of the living God’.

A READING FROM A SERMON BY ST. LEO THE GREAT

The Lord once asked the apostles what people thought of him.  As long as they related the uncertainties of the foolish about him, they all said the same.  But when Jesus asked the disciples what they themselves actually thought, it was the man who held first place among the apostles who was first to confess the Lord.

Peter declared, ‘You are the Christ, the son of the living God.’  To this Jesus replied, ‘Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.’  In other words, you are blessed because my Father has taught you this.  You have not been deceived by the opinions of the world, but informed by heavenly inspiration; it was not flesh and blood, but the One whose Son I am who has revealed this to you.

Jesus continued, ‘And I tell you’, meaning, that as my Father has revealed to you my divinity, so I will now make known to you your high position: ‘that you are Peter.’  What Jesus means is that I am the secure rock, the cornerstone which unites, that foundation which no one else can ever lay.  But you Peter also are a rock because by my strength you are made firm, with the result that you and I share together those things which are my special prerogative by right.

‘And on this rock I shall build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.’  On this strong foundation, Jesus says, I will build an everlasting temple and my church will rise high to heaven upon the strength of this faith.  The gates of hell will not imprison this confession, nor the chains of death bind it.  Your voice is the voice of life: as it lifts up to heaven those who confess it, so it plunges into hell those who deny it.  That is why Jesus said to blessed Peter, ‘I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven.  Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.’

The right to this power was handed on to the other apostles and the provisions of this decree have been passed on to all the leaders of the church.  But it was not an idle gesture to put into one person’s keeping what was to be communicated to all.  This commission was given to Peter in particular because the example of Peter is placed before all the leaders of the church.

THE COLLECT FOR THE CONFESSION OF ST. PETER

Almighty God, who inspired your apostle Saint Peter to confession Jesus as Christ and Son of the living God: build up your Church upon this rock, that in unity and peace it may proclaim one truth and follow one Lord, your Son our Saviour Christ, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.  Amen.

Job opportunity Friday, Jan. 27

Hello,

My mom, Doris Prenger, is looking for an actor to pretend be a nursing home resident on Friday, January 27th from 8 a.m. to about 4 p.m. Mom administers the State of Ohio nurses’ aide test for Ohio Medical Career Center students located in The Job Center on Edwin C. Moses Blvd. Candy Jacques, Lisa Trimbach, Karla Herman and Darlene Prenger have all been the actor for Mom – we can let you know the details. This is a paying job.

Please contact me via email if you are interested in working for Doris Prenger of Friday, January 27th.

Karla Herman

BIBLE STUDY TONIGHT

This is a reminder that our first Bible Study will begin this evening, using the Crown Financial Ministries study series entitled, ““The Crown Biblical Financial Study for Life Groups.”  Mr. Duane Veley has gracious offered to be our instructor throughout this course.  Duane Veley will host the introductory session tonight at his house.

The Introductory Session will be held Tuesday, 17 January 2012, 7-9 p.m.  The purpose of the Introductory Session is to provide a packet of resources, provide orientation for the course, and answer any questions you may have.  Session One will actually be held Tuesday, 31 January 2012, 7-9 p.m.

If you would like to be part of this study series, or need Duane’s address or directions, please contact Mr. Duane Veley at dveley@covad.net.

Fr. Greg

17 JANUARY 2012, ST. ANTONY THE GREAT

Today we commemorate St. Antony the Great, Abbot.  St. Antony the Great is Br. Antony’s patron saint.  Happy Name Day, Br. Antony!!!

THE LIFE OF ST. ANTONY THE GREAT

The life of Saint Antony (the authorship of which same is ascribed to Saint Athanasius) has the following items regarding him who is venerated as the first Abbot of monks.  Antony as an Egyptian, the child of noble and Christian parents, whom he lost while yet very young.  On one occasion he heard read in church this passage of the Gospel: “If you will be perfect, go and sell all that you have, and give to the poor.”  He straightway took these words as addressed to himself personally, and therefore distributed all his possessions to the poor.  Since he was about to enter the field of battle against Satan, he first gave heed to the examples set by all those who were eminent for any grace, and strove to copy them.  He was excelled by none in watchfulness and self-restraint, and continual study of the Holy Scriptures.  He had such a loathing of hereticks and schismatics, specially Arians, that he would never go near them.  He slept lying on the ground.  He took nothing with his bread but salt, and drank only water.  He never ate or drank before sunset, and often abstained from food altogether for two days at a time.  Very often he passed whole nights in prayer.  And being so valiant a soldier of God, he was attacked by the devil with various temptations.  He betook himself to the deserts round about Egypt, where many disciples became monks under his direction.  Day by day the attacks of the fiends became more violent, but day by day his strength grew greater to strive against them.  At length he came to mock at their powerlessness, saying: “Satan is afraid of good men’s prayers and fasts, but above all, of their warm love of our Lord, and mere Sign of whose holy Cross is enough to put him to flight.”  He became such an object of dread to the devils, that many persons tormented by them were delivered by calling on his name.  Moreover, the fame of this holiness was so spread abroad that Constantine the Great and his sons wrote to him to commend themselves to his prayers.  In the hundred and fiftieth year of his age, having roused up great numbers to follow his example, he passed to heaven, on January 17th, in the year 356.

THE COLLECT FOR ST. ANTONY THE GREAT

O God, by your Holy Spirit you enabled your servant Antony to withstand the temptations of the world, the flesh, and the devil: Give us grace, with pure hearts and minds, to follow you, the only God; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.  Amen.

The is the monastery of St. Antony, the very place where he established the community of monks that succeeds to this day.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is the cave, on the side of the mountain above the monastery, where St. Antony lived many years.