Following an art show reception this evening parishioners gathered for worship and an informal discussion of faith and creativty in expressive art. The attached podcast captures the informal discussion.
The artwork is on display in the Sanctuary at St. Paul’s through June 20th.
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Expressions
When you look around the nave of
My experience of expressing myself in art goes a long way back to being the son of an artist and musician. My mother was highly expressive! I remember fondly seeing her paint, watching her sculpt, listening to her play music. I never thought much about expressing myself in such ways. Sports seemed like a better fit for me.
Yet my parents brought me to a Christian Camp where being creative was encouraged. It set me free to express myself. Once I became a believer in the Creator, creativity flowed.
I had a high school teacher who thought I could write very good poetry and she helped me get it out of myself. More recently, my daughter Susannah has believed that there is visual art inside me and she has helped me get it out.
There is creativity in every one of us. It is just a matter of discovering it and releasing it. Knowing the Creator and beholding his work also helps! So, my question to you is, “What is in you?” and “How can you express it?”
Your Brother in Christ,
Christopher
The Rev. Christopher P. Leighton
Rector
By the way: A good scripture for reflection these days is the following:
1 The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
2 Day after day they pour forth speech;
night after night they display knowledge. Psalm 19:1-2 (NIV)
Just the Start of Summer?
Is Memorial Day just the start of summer – albeit a start which is unofficial, three weeks before the solstice? Surely many of us gladly celebrate the last weekend in May as a three day splurge of relaxation, recreation and feasting (did someone say “barbeque”?)
It is always good to go to the root of things, and the root of Memorial Day is found in remembering the dead who served in the military service for our country. Earlier this month was Armed Forces Day when we remember and give thanks for those who serve their country and their families.
It will be good this week to think about the sacrifices that have been made – especially those who laid down their lives for us. Our lives can be improved by such thoughts and prayers. Memorial Day could be not only the start of summer, but the start of a change of heart for our nation. I would like to offer you this prayer that comes from the great soldier and first President of our country, George Washington:
Almighty God, we make our earnest prayer that Thou wilt keep the United States in Thy holy protection, that Thou wilt incline the hearts of the citizens to cultivate a spirit of subordination and obedience to government, and entertain a brotherly affection and love for one another and for their fellow citizens of the United States at large.
And finally that Thou wilt most graciously be pleased to dispose us all to do justice, to love mercy, and to demean ourselves with that charity, humility and pacific temper of mind which were the characteristics of the Divine Author of our blessed religion, and without an humble imitation of whose example in these things, we can never hope to be a happy nation.
Grant our supplications, we beseech Thee, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Let Memorial Day be a day of thanksgiving.
Your Brother in Christ,
Christopher
The Rev. Christopher P. Leighton
Rector
Fr. Christopher preaches on John 20.
As a child, where was your favorite hiding place?
In what situations have you known a lack of peace?
When was the first time you can remember forgiving someone? What was it about?
When does this event occur?
Why are the doors locked?
What does Jesus show the disciples in v. 20?
What’s the significance of it being the first day of the week?
Why do you think it’s important that Jesus shows the disciples His hands and His side?
Is there a connection between receiving the Holy Spirit and the forgiveness of sins?
Why do you think we have this passage about the reception of the Holy Spirit, as well as Acts 2/Pentecost? How are the situations similar? How are they different?
Is there anyone you need to forgive? Is there anyone you need to be forgiven by?
Where are you seeing His peace have an impact on your life?
How have you known the infilling of the Holy Spirit?
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What a Day; What a Season
Today is Pentecost Sunday, the third major Feast Day of the church year, on a par with Christmas and Easter. Today we celebrate the Person and Work of the Holy Spirit. It is the first day of the season called Pentecost which will run until the first Sunday of Advent, some six months away, November 28.
A glimpse at the titles from Scripture shows the third member of the Godhead as follows:
One Spirit (Ephesians 4:4)
Seven Spirits (Revelation 1:4; 3:1)
The Lord The Spirit (II Corinthians 3:18)
Eternal Spirit (Hebrews 9:14)
Spirit of Glory (I Peter 4:14)
Spirit of Life (Romans 8:2)
Spirit of Holiness (Romans 1:4)
Holy One (I John 2:20)
Spirit of Wisdom and of Understanding (Isaiah 11:2)
Spirit of counsel (Isaiah 11:2)
Spirit of knowledge (Isaiah 11:2)
Spirit of Might (Isaiah 11:2)
Spirit of the Fear of the Lord (Isaiah 11:2)
Spirit of Truth (John 14:17)
Spirit of Grace (Hebrews 10;29)
Spirit of Supplication (Zechariah 12:10)
Not only is God the Spirit endowed with such titles, just consider his works:
• It is through the Spirit one is born again (John 3:3-8)
• The Spirit lives in us (John 14:17; Romans 8:9, 11)
• The Spirit seals us as God’s own (II Corinthians 1:22)
• We are baptized in the Spirit (Matthew 3:11)
• We are filled with the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:18)
• The Spirit guides us (Galatians 5:16, 25)
• Through the Holy Spirit we are empowered (Romans 8:13)
• The Spirit teaches us (John 14:26; 16:13; I John 2:20, 27)
Wow! Now you know why so much emphasis is placed on His person and work. What a day, what a season we are entering! What a God we worship: Father, Son and Holy Spirit!
Be Blessed,
Christopher
The Rev. Christopher P. Leighton
Rector
Besides AAA, who would you call if you had a flat tire in the middle of the night? A deep personal problem?
What are you more inclined to deal with-the urgent or the important?
From either movies or literature, who’s your favorite “secret agent”? Why?
Who hates Jesus’ followers? Why?
In v. 15, what does Jesus not pray? What does He pray?
Define “sanctified”. How are Jesus’ followers sanctified?
For whom does Jesus sanctify Himself? Why?
What does the “full measure of my joy” mean?
How does God’s Word act in the process of sanctifying His followers for His mission?
Why is it important that Jesus “sanctifies Himself”? Isn’t He “sanctified” already?
How are your prayers like Jesus’ prayer? How are they not like them?
How do you see Jesus dealing with the urgent vs. the important here?
What are the ways you are “not of the world”?
How is Jesus sanctifying you?
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Psalm 118:1
“Give thanks to the Lord for He is good,
His love endures forever.”
Martin Luther was a great man but, of course, not without flaws. As a leader of the Reformation, he had to fear for his life. Against all odds he lived to serve the Lord.
Luther claimed Psalm 118 as his “chosen psalm”. While he loved and valued all the psalms, he said that this particular one “saved me from many a pressing danger from which no emperor, nor kings, nor sages, nor saints could have saved me.”
In the face of turmoil, changes and fears we find refuge in God and comfort in His Word. Psalm 118 begins with giving thanks to God and declaring that He is good. Then the psalm expresses the fears of our hearts: “In my anguish I cried to the Lord and He answered by setting me free.”
We may be sure that troubles come our way. Even more, we can count on the help of God. The Lord Jesus told his disciples on the eve of his suffering and death, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” [John 16:33] I pray that in Christ you will be able to overcome!
Your brother in Christ,
Christopher
The Rev. Christopher P. Leighton
Rector
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