"In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, to whom be glory and upon us mercy and compassion for ever and ever. Amen."
Sunday, March 14th A.D. 2010
Although today was raining and it was chilly, at least it was not snowing! I was very pleased that anyone showed up in such weather!
Archbishop Scott McLaughlin recently visited with us for the OAC Spring Clericus (Fri. and Sat, March 5th and 6th). He, and Bishop Dilley, The Reverend Fr. Canon John Cannady, and Paul Hubbard and his wife and three children stayed with us for our Sunday celebration of Morning Prayer paired with Holy Eucharist. Paul, the deacon at St. Timothy's Anglican mission in Poqouson, VA, brought his two youngest children to be confirmed by the Archbishop.
The Archbishop and the dozen or so clergymen and postulants who were here for the Spring Clericus were so favorably impressed by our lovely Chapel that they asked if the parish would host the Annual Convention of the OAC, tentatively scheduled for June 18th and 19th. The program will have its headquarters at the Clarion Inn at Parham Road and I-95, just across the street from the Chapel. Since there will be activities at both the Inn and the Chapel, attendees will be able to walk between the two locations.
If you are interested in attending, please contact the Archbishop's office at (336) 472-2343 from 9 to 4 PM Monday through Friday. There will be a registration fee which will include the registration fee, the room charge, and two lunches, plus all relevant local and state taxes.
Next Sunday, we offer our annual Passion Prayers service for Passion Sunday. Please join us, no matter what the weather. The following Sunday is Palm Sunday, when we will offer special prayers and a Palm Procession and Blessing of the Palms.
We are working on the details for our Maundy Thursday Holy Eucharist and Foot Washing and on the program for Good Friday. This year, we will use our program In the Cross of Christ I Glory, but this year the music will include new arrangements of the seven hymns in the Hymnal for Good Friday. On Easter Sunday morning we will open the day with our Processional and Prayers beginning at 7:00 AM (rain or shine). This will be followed by a buffet breakfast, then Morning Office (Third Hour) and Holy Eucharist for Easter Day (11 AM).
Please plan to join us for all these Passiontide and Eastertide events, many of which will include the new hymns we are adding to the St. Chrysostom Hymnal. Many of these "new" hymns have been around since the 3rd and 4th Century. We have set them to "singable" tunes that will allow anyone to join in, which is appropriate for the highest Feast season of the Church year. This year, at St. John Chrysostom Anglican Church, Easter will truly be a Feast of Feasts.
Glory be to God for all things! Amen.