St. Peter's Episcopal Church, Port Royal, VA
We are a small Episcopal Church on the banks of the Rappahannock in Port Royal, Virginia. We acknowledge that we gather on the traditional land of the first people of Port Royal, the Nandtaughtacund, and we respect and honor with gratitude the land itself, the legacy of the ancestors, and the life of the Rappahannock Tribe. Our mission statement is to do God’s Will in all that we do.
On the week before Palm Sunday, the children created “Resurrection Eggs”. There were 12 numbered plastic eggs each with an object, a symbol of the events on that day of Holy Week. The children numbered the eggs, put an object in the eggs and heard a story. For example, the first was a palm branch for Palm Sunday. The story is taken through Holy Week to the Resurrection.
Here are the two handouts followed by the video segments:
On St. Patrick’s day we give thanks for our Irish Heritage. The Irish are the second largest nationality, behind the Germans.
The day is marked with the accomplishments of St. Patrick. Patrick while not Irish was determined to convert Ireland to Christianity from the Druids. In 431, St. Patrick was consecrated Bishop of the Irish and went to Ireland to spread “the Good news” there. He baptized thousands and ordained many priests to lead new communities of Christians.
Patrick is said to have used the shamrock to explain the Trinity, demonstrating that God is both three (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit), yet one, as the shamrock is both three-leafed, yet a single plant. Shamrocks were sacred plants for the Druids, symbolizing eternal life. So he re-interpreted known symbols.
While this day is considered a festive, party day in America, it is a religious celebration in Ireland. (In fact until 1961 you could not buy drink in Dublin, Ireland on this day.) We are celebrating with the following Irish elements in our service:
1. The opening hymn, “Be thou my vision,” is a traditional Irish hymn.
It was on Slane Hill in County Meath around 433 CE that St. Patrick risked his life by climbing to the tallest hill in the area and lighting a huge fire. King Logaire of Tara proclaimed no one could light a fire before the king signaled the beginning of the pagan Druid spring festival.
As the ancient Irish people woke up, they could all see Patrick’s defiance of the king. Patrick wanted to show the world that God’s light shines in darkness, and that only He deserves praise. King Logaire was so impressed by Patrick’s devotion that, despite his defiance, he was permitted to continue his work as Ireland’s first Christian missionary.
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Letting Go of the Fear of Death
“Rather than a face-to-face meeting with some spiritual seekers at a festival, Jesus sent them faith-to-faith words, “…Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies it remains just a single grain; but if it dies it bears much fruit.”
“Singer Stevie Wonder expresses that idea this way,“… today I know I’m living, but tomorrow could make me the past for that I mustn’t fear. For I know deep in my mind the love of me I’ve left behind.” Take your pick or choose both, the big idea is the same, let go of your fear of death!
“Both Jesus and Wonder accept the biological inevitability of death but both agree that death is spiritually surmountable! Each sees the blessing of life clearly enough to understand the necessity of death. Both know the blustery cold of the winter intensifies the gratitude for the sunny summer day- both seasons being part of a genius, unified whole.
“Jesus and Wonder want us to see ourselves as participants in a vast parade of humanity, here for a season to share and prove the power of love before returning to the close company of God who is love. Rather than providing anxiety management techniques about death, Jesus and Wonder both imply a fear shrinking question with their words,What must I do to die a good death?
“You see, the great irony is that those of us who struggle with the fear of death also really struggle with the fear of living life abundantly. And yet, living life abundantly is precisely the medicine that will set our fear of death to flight.”
“Worship the Holy Spirit” – Lance Brown
I believe in the Holy Spirit
Collect for Trinity Sunday – ” Almighty and everlasting God, you have given to us your servants grace, by the confession of a true faith, to acknowledge the glory of the eternal Trinity, and in the power of your divine Majesty to worship the Unity: Keep us steadfast in this faith and worship, and bring us at last to see you in your one and eternal glory, O Father; who with the Son and the Holy Spirit live and reign, one God, for ever and ever.” Amen
This session completes the Trinity with the Holy Spirit. There were 6 participants.
The Holy Spirit
In Hebrew and in Greek, the word spirit means “breath.” Our spirit is the breath of life that allows us to be active. God’s spirit is God’s activity throughout all the ages, beginning with creation and continuing into our lives today.