As we celebrate the semiquincentennial (250th) anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence this weekend, we might have some mixed feelings. I, for one, am pleased to have learned the word “semiquincentennial”! But more seriously, many of us are feeling both proud of the high ideals of our country, but also sorrowful about our failings to live up to those ideals. It is an ongoing challenge to be a country that truly acts as if all people are created equal and that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights including life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

We are continuing to share favorite prayers from our Book of Common Prayer (BCP). If you have a special BCP prayer you’d like to recommend, please let me know! ([email protected])

Today’s prayer is one of the “collects” that we use to begin our Sunday worship. A whole array of these collects, in traditional as well as more contemporary versions, can be found in the BCP, pp. 159-261. The following is used on the Sunday closest to September 21:…

In Matthew’s Gospel chapter 10, Jesus speaks words that are both challenging and encouraging. He tells His disciples that if they follow Him, they should not expect to be treated better than He was. If Jesus faced rejection, criticism and suffering, His followers may face the same. Discipleship is not always easy. Faithfulness to Christ often requires courage….

…Jesus also tells us to take up our cross and follow Him. The cross represents sacrifice, obedience and trust. Each of us carries crosses, difficult responsibilities, personal struggles, disappointments, or sacrifices made for the sake of faith. Jesus does not promise a life free from burdens, but He promises His presence as we carry them.

We are continuing to share favorite prayers from our Book of Common Prayer (BCP). If you have a special BCP prayer you’d like to recommend, please let me know! ([email protected])

Today’s prayer is from Lucy Sexton. It can be found in the service of Holy Baptism in the BCP, pp. 299-311…

I wonder how you feel about Artificial Intelligence (AI)? The members of my family run the gamut, from embracing it enthusiastically in their work and tasks like travel planning, to shunning it entirely on moral, creative, and environmental grounds. I will confess to using it occasionally to get help on complicated problems with my computer or phone, but have no fear: there will be absolutely no AI sermons!

No matter your feelings about AI, there is no doubt that we will have to grapple with its implications in our lives and the world around us. Pope Leo has released his first encyclical, “Magnifica humanitas,” on the subject (https://www.vatican.va/content/leo-xiv/en/encyclicals/documents/20260515-magnifica-humanitas.html). The subtitle reads in part, “On Safeguarding the Human Person,” which fits well with Jesus’ gospel message emphasizing the full dignity and value of every one of God’s children….

We are continuing to share favorite prayers from our Book of Common Prayer (BCP). If you have a special BCP prayer you’d like to recommend, please let me know! ([email protected])

Today’s prayer, For Those We Love, is the favorite of Matthew Reeg. It can be found in the Prayers and Thanksgiving portion of the BCP, pp. 814-841:…..

On Sunday we will celebrate Pentecost, 50 days after Easter, as it commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles. Pentecost reminds us that God does not leave His people powerless, afraid, or alone.

In Acts 2, the disciples were gathered together, uncertain about the future after Jesus’s Ascension. Suddenly, the Holy Spirit came upon them like a rushing wind and tongues of fire rested upon each of them. In that moment, ordinary people were transformed into bold witnesses for Christ.

Pentecost teaches us three important truths….

Over the next few months we will continue to regularly share favorite prayers from our Book of Common Prayer (BCP). If you have a favorite you’d like to recommend, please let me know! ([email protected])

Today’s prayer, A General Thanksgiving, is the favorite of two of our community members, Donn Mitchell and Denise Hibay. It can be found in the Prayers and Thanksgiving portion of the BCP, pp. 814-841:….

Today is the feast day of Julian of Norwich, who, over recent decades, has gone from being a relatively unknown figure in the church to a more widely-known and read mystic who spoke not only to her context in the 14th-15th centuries but also speaks to our time as well.

Julian (1342-1416) received a series of visions of Christ when she was gravely ill. After recovering, she wrote down these visions, giving us Revelations of Divine Love, which is thought to be the very first book in English written by a woman….

Over the next few months we will continue to regularly share favorite prayers from our Book of Common Prayer (BCP). If you have a favorite you’d like to recommend, please let me know! ([email protected])

Today’s prayer, For the Human Family, is from John Covington, and it can be found in the Prayers and Thanksgiving portion of the BCP, pp. 814-835…