The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you. The Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you Peace. (Numbers 6: 24-26)

Friday, November 29, 2013

Ephesians for Friday, November 29. 2013

Ephesians 6: 19-24

19 ...and also for me, that utterance may be given me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.  21 Now that you also may know how I am and what I am doing, Tychicus the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord will tell you everything.  22 I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are, and that he may encourage your hearts.  23 Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.  24 Grace be with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with love undying.

Also: Col 4: 7-8


Ed. Note: This is the final installment of our Daily Bible Study of Ephesians; but worry not, for a new one is about to begin.  For the Season of Advent, we will be SOAPing the passages of Holy Scripture known as the Jesse Tree.  Stay tuned, same SOAP time, same SOAP channel!

Fr. Michael+

Thursday, November 28, 2013

Ephesians for Thursday, November 28, 2013

Ephesians 6: 18

18 Pray at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication.  To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints...

Happy Thanksgiving!

Wednesday, November 27, 2013

Ephesians for Wednesday, November 27, 2013

Ephesians 6: 16-17

16 ...besides all these, taking the shield of faith, with which you can quench all the flaming darts of the evil one.  17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Ephesians for Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Ephesians 6: 13-15

13 Therefore take the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.  14 Stand therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the equipment of the gospel of peace...

Also:  Is 11: 5; Is 59: 17; 1 Thess 5: 8; Is 52: 7

Monday, November 25, 2013

Sunday's Sermon

Luke 23: 33-43



Fr. Michael+

Ephesians for Monday, November 25, 2013

Ephesians 6: 10-12

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.  11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.  12 For we are not contending against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

Friday, November 22, 2013

Ephesians for Friday, November 22, 2013

Ephesians 6: 9

Masters, do the same to them, and forbear threatening, knowing that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and that there is no partiality with him.

Thursday, November 21, 2013

Ephesians for Thursday, November 21, 2013

Ephesians 6: 7-8

7 ...rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to men, 8 knowing that whatever good any one does, he will receive the same again from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free.

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Ephesians for Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Ephesians 6: 5-6

5 Slaves, be obedient to those who are your earthly masters, with fear and trembling, in singleness of heart, as to Christ; 6 not in the way of eye-service, as men-pleasers, but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart.

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Ephesians for Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Ephesians 6: 4

4 Father, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

Monday, November 18, 2013

Prayers for Central Illinois

Please take a moment to pray for the victims of the tornadoes which struck central and eastern Illinois yesterday.  We have some very close friends in Peoria which is about 15 miles or so west of Washington where a massive tornado hit and killed at least one person.  Please pray for the first responders who have been working since yesterday to locate and help the survivors.  Pray for those who have lost everything.  Give thanks for those who survived and for those who are now helping their neighbors.

O God, we give thanks to God for his mercy and grace; and we pray for your blessings to be upon all those who are effected by these storms.  We place our trust in you and in your providence.  We trust that your face will shine upon those who are in need, and that your people will seek comfort in your presence and in the generosity of your Spirit.  Bless those who have experienced the power of the storm.  Bless those who have responded to help them.  Gracious God, keep them all in your loving sight, and give them peace.  Amen.

Blessings,
Fr. Michael+

Sunday Sermon

Luke 21: 5-19



Fr. Michael+

Ephesians for Monday, November 18, 2013

Ephesians 6: 1-3

1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right, 2 "Honor your father and mother," (this is the first commandment with a promise), 3 "that it may be well with you and that you may live long on the earth."

Also:  Ex 20: 12; Duet 5: 16

Friday, November 15, 2013

Ephesians for Friday, November 15, 2013

Ephesians 5: 33

33 ...however, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.

Thursday, November 14, 2013

Ephesians for Thursday, November 14, 2013

Ephesians 5: 31-32

31 ..."For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh."  32 This mystery is a profound one, and I mean in reference to Christ and the church;...

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

Operation Christmas Child






SHOE BOX PACKING PARTY

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2013

10:00 AM

PARISH HALL

NATIONAL COLLECTION WEEK IS NOVEMBER 18 - 25

PLEASE COME AND PACK SOME BOXES

Fr. Michael+

Confirmation

In preparation for the Bishop's visit in January, I will be conducting Confirmation classes beginning this week and lasting for approximately 4-6 weeks.  I will offer classes on Thursday evening from 6 to 7:30 pm and on Friday from 10:30 am to Noon.  Those wishing to be Confirmed may attend either of those options.  Please let me know which you like to attend.

Fr. Michael+

Ephesians for Wednesday, November 13, 2013

Ephesians 5: 28-30

28 Even so husbands should love their wives as their own bodies.  he who loves his wife loves himself.  29 For no man ever hates his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, as Christ does the church, 30 because we are members of his body...

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

Sunday Sermon

For those who are looking for a sermon post for this week, I'm sorry but since I was out of town this past weekend visiting friends in Illinois, I don't have one to post.  In the absence of a sermon, however, let me offer this thought:

"So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by word of mouth or by our letter.  Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and through grace gave us eternal comfort and good hope, comfort your hearts and strengthen them in every good work and word."  2 Thessalonians 2: 15-17

There are times when our strengthen fails and our faith is challenged.  It is in those times of weakness and doubt that we rely on our traditions, our liturgy and on the Word of God.  Stand firm!  Hold fast!  Through God's mercy and grace we can endure all the assaults and snares of the devil.

Fr. Michael+

Ephesians for Tuesday, November 12, 2013

Ephesians 5: 25-27

25 Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, 26 that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27 that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.


Monday, November 11, 2013

Ephesians for Monday, November 11, 2013

Ephesians 5: 21-24

21 Be subject to one another out of reverence for Christ.  22 Wives, be subject to your husbands, as to the Lord.  23 For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior.  24 As the church is subject to Christ, so let wives also be subject in everything to their husbands.


Friday, November 8, 2013

Ephesians for Friday, November 8, 2013

Ephesians 5: 18-20

18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery; but be filled with the Spirit, 19 addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with all your heart, 20 always and for everything giving thanks in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God the Father.

Also:  Col 3: 16-17

Thursday, November 7, 2013

Ephesians for Thursday, November 7, 2013

Ephesians 5: 15-17

15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, 16 making the most of the time, because the days are evil.  17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

Also:  Colossians 4: 5

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Ephesians for Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Ephesians 5: 8-14

8 ...for once you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), 10 and try to learn what is pleasing to the Lord.  11 Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.  12 For it is a shame even to speak of the things that they do in secret; 13 but when anything is exposed by the light it becomes visible, for anything that becomes visible is light.  14 Therefore it is said, "Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give you light."

Tuesday, November 5, 2013

Ephesians for Tuesday, November 5, 2013

Ephesians 5: 5-7

5 Be sure of this, that no fornicator or impure man, or one who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.  6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for it is because of these things that the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.  7 Therefore do not associate with them...

Monday, November 4, 2013

Sunday's Sermon

All Saints' Sunday
          Ephesians 1: 11-23
          Luke 6: 2-31




Fr. Michael+


Ephesians for Monday, November 4, 2013

Ephesians 5: 1-4

1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children.  2 And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.  3 But fornication and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is fitting among saints.  4 Let there be no filthiness, nor silly talk, nor levity, which are not fitting; but instead let there be thanksgiving.

Also:  Exodus 29: 18; Ezekiel 20: 41

Friday, November 1, 2013

Ephesians for Friday, November 1, 2013

Ephesians 4: 30-32

30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, in whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.  31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, with all malice, 32 and be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.