In his Easter message, the Patriarch of the ICCEC, Archbishop Craig Bates encouraged all members of the communion to take advantage of the opportunities presented to them in this season and watch various CEC services that are available on-line. (You can read his entire message by clicking HERE.) To that end, we have compiled a partial and incomplete list of services and devotions that various churches and clergy are streaming on-line, including the Patriarch’s own daily devotional that can be seen on his Facebook page.
Morning Prayer from the Daily Office
Christ the Holy Servant, Buffalo, NY—Fr. Josh Baker & Dcn. Alan Strauss: They lead Morning Prayer, Monday through Saturday at 7 o’clock, on Facebook and post their services on their YouTube Channel as well.
Daily Mass
Cathedral of Christ the King, Selma, AL—Abp. Charles Jones: The stream their noon Eucharist and Sunday services on their Facebook and YouTube. Abp. Jones also does and Monday night “In Christ” devotional on his personal Facebook page.
Cathedral Church of the Intercessor, Malverne, NY—Fr. Brett Crompton: They stream Mass Monday through Saturday at noon, Friday at 6, and Saturday at 9:30 & 11:30 on both Facebook and YouTube.
Cathedral of Christ the King, New Paltz, NY—Bp. Gregory Ortiz: Monday, Wedneday, and Friday, Mass is at noon. Thursday and Saturday, Mass is at 8 am. Tuesday, Mass is at 5:30 pm. Sunday morning services start at 10 am. They also post a children’s story time. Everything is on their Facebook page.
Cathedrals and Bishops
The Cathedral Church of the Resurrection—Bp. David Simpson: Full Sunday morning services begin live at 10 am on Facebook.
The Cathedral of Christ the King, Sharpsburg, GA—Bp. David Epps: The church has been posting their services live on their Facebook page and Bp. Epps has been doing brief daily devotionals and leading the Office of Compline (end of day prayers) on his Facebook page.
Cathedral Church of the King, Olathe, KS—Bp. Michael Davidson: Services are on their Facebook page.
Cathedral of St. Michael’s, San Clemente, CA—Bp. Doug Kessler and these guys get the award for the most cleverly named extra activity. Fr. Ed Harris and his wife Mia give an online talk which he calls his “Ed Talk.” Their services and their Ed Talks are on their Facebook page.
The Cathedral Church of the Reconciliation, Bel Air, MD—Bp. Robert Northwood: North America’s newest bishop is streaming his services on-line on their Facebook page.
Bread of Life, Dousman, WI—Fr. Chris Keough: Bread of Life is the parish that is closest to my seminary, but only just opened as I was leaving. Fr. Chris is a fellow alumni of my alma mater or, as we refer to ourselves, a “son of the House.”
International Flavor
ICCEC Europe—Bp. Elmer Belmonte: Bp. Belmonte oversees all of the CEC churches in Europe. This Facebook page has daily devotionals as well as Sunday services, an Easter message from the Patriarch, and is definitely worth following!
The Patriarch has encouraged us to take full advantage of the abundance of talented three-streams preachers that are now available on the internet, both on Facebook and YouTube. Take a few moments each day and watch a sermon from a faithful bishop or priest. Watch a daily devotional and pray the Daily Office. Come out of this season not overwhelmed by fear and doubt but empowered by the Word of God and fed by His Spirit and Truth!
Seems to me like every pastor, preacher, and evangelist has discovered social media, and in particular, the ability to live stream. It might seem to be that way for me because so many of my “friends” and/or “contacts” on social medial are conservative Evangelicals, Orthodox, Anglicans, or Catholics. Of course, I also have a significant number of friends from my own denomination. Despite this, I have held back on becoming involved in social media. I don’t want to become another “talking head pastor.” I have instead tried to refer people to others who are doing an excellent job at leading people in prayer and worship. Many of them are ICCEC churches. I have also joined others during morning prayer, group gatherings, and Sunday mornings. What an encouragement these bishops, priests, and deacons have been to my family and me. Soon we will have link information on the various live streams on CEC-NA.
As I write this note to the ICCEC, the state of New York is the center of the pandemic in the United States. Not just in the United States but for the entire world. Today, there are 103,000 plus (and growing) cases in New York and most of those in the New York City Metropolitan Area. This does not include those in New Jersey and Connecticut. The center of the pandemic in New York City is Elmont, New York (a village of Queens County in New York City), which is less than ten minutes from my home. I have been told that because of my age, some respiratory and health issues, to stay home and have no contact with anyone outside. I am careful to follow these instructions.
I have decided that the Christian response to the pandemic is to submit and obey to those who have authority over us. Certainly, I do so for myself but also because if I were to test positive for COVID-19, I would be highly contagious and perhaps, even unknowingly, infect someone else. Although, I am disappointed that I cannot gather with my brothers and sisters for the daily Eucharist, daily prayers, and, more importantly, the Sunday Eucharist.
The decision of Churches to cancel public gatherings is the right decision. This has been the decision of every sacramental church from Rome to Anglicans. The major spiritual leaders of the historic churches have all called for a suspension of public gatherings, even for Holy Week and Easter. I encourage all of us to do the same.
It is important that we do not get infected but also that we don’t infect others. The best way to end this thing is social distancing and washing our hands frequently. And pray. Rather than “sing happy birthday,” I pray the Our Father and other prayers.
This forced quarantine has opened up a tremendous amount of time for me to pray and research the Scriptures. I have also enjoyed reading and, above all, listening to some great preachers. On Sunday, I make a list of those who have live-streamed their services and then during the week I will listen to one of the sermons each day of the week. I have connected with my own Cathedral and sign on to their virtual Eucharist every day at 12 p.m. EST. I am part of a small group of brothers and sisters who have been faithful in prayer. I have also joined prayer groups in Manila and Europe. The increased use of the internet in ministry, especially for evangelism, I believe, is something that will continue after the pandemic. I am excited about that and the potential to reach our friends and others with the Gospel.
As I listen to the government and medical officials, it is clear that this pandemic is far from over. In New York, the apex or peak has not happened yet, and it is predicted that the peak will fall somewhere between two weeks from now to the end of April. After that, there will still be a time when the virus will be active, and we will still have to stay home. “Back to normal” is several months away for New Yorkers. Leaders are telling us that the worst has not yet happened, and in the end the death toll could be as high as 200,000 or maybe more.
It means for most that we will not have public worship services for Palm Sunday, all Holy Week, and Easter Sunday. It means that our services will be almost entirely “live-streamed.” If you are a small church and can’t live stream, it is important that you find out if your Cathedral is live-streaming and encourage your people to join them online.
I had hoped that this deadly virus would have been over by Easter Sunday. How glorious it would be if that were true, and we could gather and sing the great hymns and songs of the resurrection together. How our souls would rejoice to hear the Gospel proclaim that the tomb is empty, and death is defeated. Above all, it would be brilliant to gather at the altar where we know Him in the breaking of the bread and join with all the saints in eternal worship. I cannot remember a time in my seventy years that I was not around the altar for the Feast of the Resurrection.
We need to remind ourselves that celebrating the Passion and Resurrection is something we do every Sunday. We are a people of the resurrection, and in the face of death, we are not afraid. We do not allow anxiety, worry, or fear take the place of prominence in our lives. And, even at the grave, we will sing our song “alleluia.” The truth is that this horrible pandemic is going to end. I believe they will discover both a cure and a vaccine. We will gather once again and praise God in our churches.
This Lent (the Lent of all Lents) teaches that through prayer, reading and study of scripture, fasting, repentance, helping the poor, and sacrificial giving, we allow our souls and bodies to be drawn into a deeper participation in the life and death of Christ. But these are not just principles for Lent; they are disciplines meant for our entire Christian walk with Jesus. If we are to follow Him (which is far more than believing in Him) we are daily to pick up our cross. We are to deny ourselves and humble ourselves. It is through the cross that we come closer to Jesus.
When this ends, I pray that we have brought ourselves and our churches into a deeper commitment to daily prayers, both as individuals and communities. How great it would be if there were growth in early morning prayer both at the church, in our homes, and on social media. I am even thinking of starting an online prayer group. To pray is to breathe the breath of God. To pray is to abide in Christ, knowing Christ lives in us and we in Christ. To pray is to abide with Jesus in the heavenly places.
When this ends, I pray that we renew our commitment to the reading, studying, and doing the Holy Scriptures. We are called to be disciples, and our churches are called to make disciples. I know of one church that is looking at developing an online campus of events and programs that people can participate in without leaving their homes. However, I also hope there is an increase in weekday home groups (relationship is part of discipleship). During this pandemic, I have a renewed understanding of the role Scripture plays in my day to day life. It is the sword of the Spirit and it is profitable to a righteous man. Every day, the Lord has spoken to me in His Word, and I have been equipped. I am more equipped to be an ambassador of Christ proclaiming in word and deed the ministry of reconciliation and not judgment. What a joy to have churches that have a Biblical world view and not a political or media-driven world view.
Fasting reminds us that the body is a great servant but a horrible leader. We are to be led by the Spirit, and weekly fasting is good for our soul. We sometimes laughed at the “no meat on Friday” obligation. We laugh because we saw it as “legalism.” But fasting one day a week is not such a bad thing. It is not necessary for salvation, but it is a good discipline to discipline the body and renew the Spirit. After this, Lent may we discover increase times of fasting not only individually and perhaps as a whole parish or a whole diocese. Not as a law, but as a means of moving more and more in the Spirit. I believe the Holy Spirit is going to move into the world with the message of God’s love and promise of eternal life.
We are not in need of repentance just during Lent. This isolation has turned me into the need to have my mind renewed repeatedly so that I am not conformed to the pattern of this world. Watching endless news conforms us to the world. I am thankful for the ability to confess my sins and have Him restore me day after day. Being able to look at the pandemic from the eyes of God enabled me to see how much I am loved, and we are loved. Hence, there has been caution, but no fear. I hope that the Churches and each of is renewed in our understanding that God has forgiven us, and we have a constant need to forgive those who have offended us. I hope there is a renewal of confession both in the Penitential order of the Liturgy. But I also hope for a renewal of private confession that will bring reconciliation and healing in our churches, homes, between individuals, and in our communities. What power will be released through this simple act of love. What power will be released when people look at us, and say, “we know they are followers of Jesus by their love for one another.”
The poor must be dear to our hearts, not only during Lent but throughout the whole year. In my times of prayer, I have had times of weeping thinking of the impact the pandemic is having and is going to have on the poor in our church in Africa, Pakistan, and Southeast Asia. How senseless was the hoarding behavior of people in the West? How we need to understand that the vast majority of Africa, Pakistan, and Southeast Asia have nothing to hoard. They already live day to day with no or limited medical care. How the poor live with the reality of cholera, malaria, yellow fever, dengue fever, and the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Malnutrition and starvation is a reality for millions in these areas. Finding clean water or proper sewage is difficult. Also, in some places the people cry not because the schools are closed but because there are no school. I hope this Lent has brought us to live a life with and for the poor. The poor, the widow, and the fatherless are dear to our God. How can we serve them?
There is also the poor right around us. We have discovered how many live-in fear. And fear leads to all kinds of addictions and destructive behavior. There are those around us who are spiritually empty and searching. I hope that our use of social media will not be to entertain the saved but to reach the lost. May we come out of the pandemic as an army that has a mission that so much greater than the need to survive.
I have determined myself that there are two types of people, and I have since modified that to believe there are three types of people. The first are takers. Takers live life to get what they can out of life. They believe that they are entitled to everything. So, they live taking as if they can take all their possessions with them. Their sin is that they treat people like things and things like people. Instead of loving people, they love things. The second group are buyers. These are people who appear as if they are givers. They are generous in giving gifts, particularly to those less fortunate than themselves. But they also expect complete loyalty, as each gift comes with a price. They are manipulators of the least. The third group are givers. Givers are determined to live a life for others. It is not what they can take out of life but what they put into life and especially the lives of others. They give not out of duty or with expectations but because they know that real blessing is in giving.
I pray this Lent has taught us about things that really matter in life. Those things that are important and will motivate us to become generous givers, especially to the work of the Lord through His Church. We should study what it means to be a giver – particularly Malachi 3.8-12. This is not only about giving but about trusting in our Lord God. It is the beginning of living a life knowing for certain it is God who is our protector and provider. When the next crisis comes, we will not fear for we will know, not just believe, He is with us.
I believe in the Liturgical calendar. I enjoy keeping the Liturgical calendar. The time of Holy Week, Easter, the Ascension, and Pentecost are my favorites. I am going to miss the traditions and liturgies this year. But we all know that we are called to live in between Pentecost and the Second Coming. We are called to be Resurrection people in the midst of a dying world. I hope Lent transformed us individually, as families, and a Church community.
I don’t expect the world to be different and churches to be packed after the pandemic is over. It is like believing that was going to happen after 9/11. Nor is it any different than expecting that the Sunday after Easter is going to be as well attended as Easter. But I do hope that we, the people of God, will have been revived and renewed, and on fire to bring the Gospel outside of the church. May the suffering of this pandemic motivate us to live the three streams of being charismatic, evangelical, and sacramental in order to glorify Christ and lead others in the way of salvation.
Christ is risen from the dead. Trampling down death by death, and upon those in the tombs bestowing life.
This Sunday, April 5th, marks the beginning of the holiest week of the Christian calendar, however, this year, COVID-19 has changed the way that Christians will be observing Holy Week throughout the world. On Wednesday, April 1st, both the Mayor of Jacksonville and the Governor of Florida issued their own “Safer at Home” orders directing non-essential businesses to close, residents to stay home unless on essential activities, and for everyone to maintain safe social distancing practices.
Thankfully, Governor DeSantis’ executive order specifically declares that churches and other houses of worship are essential during this time, but we will not do anything that might endanger either our congregation or those with whom they might come in contact. The verse that Fr. Looker said would guide our actions during this time is still 2 Timothy 1:7, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” We will continue to do everything that we can to share the love of God, but we will do so in a prudent way that makes every use of the sound minds which God has given us.
Recognizing that this current crisis makes for very fluid circumstances, here are our plans at the moment. We will continue to live stream our Sunday morning services via Facebook Live. We will do so with a skeleton crew that will be ten people or less, which follows the CDC recommendations and our Bishop’s directives. Those people who are present in the building will do their best to maintain a healthy 6 feet of social distance whenever possible. We will provide Holy Communion through the Host only to those who are present in the Sanctuary and those who join us in the parking lot at the designated times. We believe that this allows us to be in submission to all of our earthly authorities while still remaining faithful to our heavenly authority which calls us to preach the Gospel at all times, and in all places; to be a light which shines in the darkness; and to bring hope to those who otherwise might have none.
In particular, we will hold our Palm Sunday service on Sunday, April 5th, beginning at 10 o’clock. We will live stream the service through Facebook Live and those wishing to receive Holy Communion may do so in our parking lot from around 11 o’clock to 11:30. At the time which we serve Holy Communion we will also distribute blessed palms to anyone present to take home.
Our Maundy Thursday service will be April 9th, starting at 7 o’clock. While this service typically includes the clergy washing the feet of the congregation, we will obviously not be able to do that this year. This service will be live streamed via Facebook Live.
Our Good Friday service will be release on our YouTube channel at noon on Friday, April 10th. This will not be streamed live but we encourage those of you who watch it to share it on Facebook. Our service will include the traditional reading of the Passion Gospel, the Solemn Collects, the adoration of the Cross, and, as is our tradition, seven meditations on the Passion of Our Lord.
We have yet to determine exactly how we will observe Holy Saturday. In the past we have prayed the Liturgy for the Pre-Born outside a local abortion clinic. We have yet to make a determination about this service.
Easter Sunday, April 12th, we will do our very best to celebrate the glorious resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ and to give that day all of the glory and honor it deserves. Our service will be streamed live via our Facebook channel starting at 10 o’clock. If you just cannot imagine an Easter Sunday without going to Church, then celebrate with us in our parking lot and receive Holy Communion from 11:00-11:30.
We know that these are anxious and uncertain times. This will be a Holy Week unlike anything anyone has ever celebrated in over 100 years. At Church of the Messiah, we are doing our very best to bring honor and glory to God, to bring hope and joy to God’s people, and to be that city on a hill that shines out God’s light in this dark time. We invite you to join with us during this time. By God’s grace, we will get through this together.
In an effort to give the very best response to the ever-changing Corona Virus crisis, we are changing our plans for our service this Sunday, March 22nd. While Mayor Lenny Curry has restricted building occupancy to less than 50 people, we believe that it is most prudent to follow the President’s and the CDC’s guidelines and restrict those gathering in Church of the Messiah’s building to 10 people or less. Obviously, that begs the question, “How can you have church with 10 people or less?” Our response to that question will be three-fold.
First, we will livestream our service on Facebook Live. We encourage everyone to watch on-line and to start their own “watch parties” and share the church service in this “Corona Virus era” way.
Second, we still urge that anyone showing flu or cold symptoms, anyone who is considered high-risk, and anyone who has traveled to a country where there has been an outbreak, as well as anyone who has been in contact with someone who has traveled to a country where there has been an outbreak to remain home and contact the church office or one our priests. We are blessed to be able pray for you and to bring Holy Communion to you in such a way that you will not put yourself or anyone else at risk. To be clear, those who are considered high-risk are those with cardio vascular disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, people in treatment for other illnesses, and those who are over sixty years old.
We feel the need to reiterate the second point because our third method of responding to this crisis is where we are really breaking new ground. As we livestream our service, we are opening our parking lot to those who are able to join us. We encourage those who feel so led to join us in our parking lot and watch us via livestream for what we are calling “Drive In Church.” You gather in your car in our parking lot and, when we have consecrated the Eucharist, at around 11 o’clock, we will bring the Body of Christ to those who are in the parking lot.
This is not a perfect solution. It is far from it, but it does allow us adhere to the guidelines set by the President and the CDC, while addressing the two biggest shortcomings of just livestreaming our service. Watching a service on your phone, tablet, or even cast up onto your television does not allow you to have the sense of community that is vital to a church fellowship. We hope that gathering together in the parking lot will foster and strengthen that “we’re all in this together” sense of community that the Church has always had. Secondly, your electronic device cannot ever give you the Blessed Sacrament. While it is not prudent at this point to administer the Blood of Christ, we can still prudently and cautiously administer the Body of Christ to those who gather in our parking lot and remain in their cars. We are working on the way to do this in the most sanitary, secure, and holy way possible.
We do not know how long we will continue to have our services in this manner. We do not know how long this crisis will last. As circumstances continue to unfold, we will continue to adapt to that we can continue to minister the Word of God and the Sacraments of the Church to as many people as we are able in the best and most responsible way that we can find. For this Sunday, we look forward to you joining us on our livestream or in our parking lot.
Please take a few moments and read the following pastoral letter from Fr. Scott Looker, Rector of Church of the Messiah.
Beloved in Christ,
As most of us have in the past few days, the Rector’s Council and I have been very attentive to all of the news and most recent updates on the Corona Virus pandemic and how we can best fulfill our call to be good pastors and shepherds of the congregation which God has entrusted us. In light of that, we met last night and prayerfully formulated this response, aware that this situation is ever-changing and that what we say now may need to be amended in just a few hours.
First and foremost, our response to this and every other situation, crisis or otherwise, is to be guided by the words of Holy Scriptures. Near the time of his own death, St. Paul reminded his disciple Timothy that “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” (2 Timothy 1:7) This verse is terribly relevant because it reminds us of both how we will respond and how we will not respond.
We will not respond in fear. We will not shutter the churches, lock ourselves away, and forget that we are Christians, called that name by a Savior who overcame death itself and calls us to be lights that shine in the darkness. We are, indeed, walking through a dark time in America and in the world, and they shall know that we are Christians by our love. The Great Commission has not been put on hold because a disease runs through the land. The world needs Jesus now more than ever.
We will respond, however, in the spirit of power and of love and of a sound mind which God has given us. In respect to the “sound mind,” that means that we will employ the Christian virtue of Prudence. We will not take foolhardy or dangerous actions because we do not fear the repercussions. Such actions would imperil the lives of countless others and would not be acting in love but rather the height of selfishness. As it relates to the power, we will remember that God bestows on us the Gift of Healing and calls us to pray for others and move in the confidence that even death is not a true defeat because Our Lord has conquered death.
When in comes to love, the greatest of all the gifts, we must be mindful to be charitable in this dark time. Our friends, neighbor, and loved ones will not respond to this crisis the same way that we will. We must show them the love of God. Hundreds of thousands of thousands of people will be financially impacted by this crisis. We should do what we can to reach out in love to those who are hurting. People’s lives have been completely upturned. They need to hear the calming, loving voice of Him who can speak to the wind and waves and say, “Peace, be still.” We must be that voice.
As to practicals changes, we will comply will with the Mayor’s directive to limit occupancy to less than 50 people in a building. We ask that anyone showing flu or cold symptoms, anyone who is considered high-risk, and anyone who has traveled to a country where there has been an outbreak, as well as anyone who has been in contact with someone who has traveled to a country where there has been an outbreak to remain home and contact the church office or one our priests. We are blessed to be able pray for you and to bring Holy Communion to you in such a way that you will not put yourself or anyone else at risk. To be clear, those who are considered high-risk are those with cardio vascular disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, people in treatment for other illnesses, and those who are over sixty years old.
We will continue our Wednesday night adult Bible study and youth group as regularly scheduled unless otherwise notified. We will be postponing our women’s ministry Bible study on 2 Timothy until further notice. We will be “livestreaming” our Sunday morning services for those who are shut in. Our first attempt at this was last Sunday and it was met with all of the challenges one would expect from launching new technology. We are endeavoring to improve this as we go. You should be able to watch the livestream on our Facebook channel at Facebook.com/mycomjax. We ask everyone to be faithful with their tithes and offerings during this time. As with every other business, bills remain largely unchanged regardless of attendance. Please consider sending in checks by mail or giving on-line. If you have not already set up on-line giving, you can visit mycomjax.com/give or text “mycomjax” to 77977 and follow the directions. The service which we use to process on-line donations is PCI DSS Level 1 compliant meaning that they meet the highest standards of industry safety for on-line financial transactions. Thank you for your faithfulness and generosity.
Now, the obvious question is how will we proceed with Holy Communion? In the past week, I have reached out all over. I have talked with dozens of clergy, read all sorts of web-pages and blogs, looked at what this parish and that diocese is doing. I have made my decision. Not everyone will like it. Some will think it too harsh; some will think it too weak. Remember that responding in power, love, and a sound mind requires that each of us move in faith, make prudent decisions for ourselves, and be charitable to those with whom we disagree.
We will continue to distribute the the Body and Blood of Christ in the Holy Eucharist and we will make the Chalice available to those who wish to drink from the Chalice. We will in no way think less of those who refrain from partaking of the Blood of Christ in the Chalice, nor will we think more highly of those who choose to partake. It is a choice that is made with a great many factors involved and we will not judge. We will NOT allow any longer, however, what is known as intinction, or the dipping of the Host into the Chalice. Many see this as the healthier and more sanitary option and wonder why I exclude it. I will explain.
If we are going to make a change, it must be a change that will legitimately and truly impact the health of those worshiping with us and not just appear to do so. While intinction appears to be more sanitary, having consulted with medical professionals and other clergy, I believe that is not more sanitary, rather it is just a different way of transmitting germs. Instead of the possibility of transmitting germs from mouths on the Chalice (mitigated by several factors: diligent acolyte cleanliness, the metallic surface of the Chalice, the alcohol content of the wine, etc…), intinction creates contact with every hand in the congregation, and then places the fingers of the server in the Chalice and then near the mouth and nose of every other member of the congregation. This is not a more sanitary way of receiving Communion; it is rather a different way to transmit germs. To be clear, there will be NO dipping of Hosts into the Chalice by anyone, clergy or lay, until this crisis has passed.
It is worth acknowledging that we believe both the Body and Blood of Christ are contained within the Host so one is “fully” partaking of Communion if one “only” receives the Host and elects not to drink from the Chalice.
All of what has been said before can change in the blink of an eye. As of the current press releases, tweets, and updates, this is the best course of action that the Rector’s Council and I can assemble in the face of this current crisis. Given the fluidity of the circumstances, this may change very quickly and we will do our very best to update everyone as soon as possible. We are very aware that Holy Week and Easter are only a few weeks away and we want those experiences to be the best, most glorious services which we have ever had, while at the same time maintaining the safety of all our members.
While these circumstance may change daily, it is important to remember that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow, and that His Word never changes. The Church has been through crises before. It has been through plagues and pestilences before. We will not stop being the Church because of COVID-19. We may start doing some things differently, but our mandate to share the Gospel has not changed because of a virus or a limit on the number of people who can gather in one place at a time. Prior to His betrayal and Crucifixion, when Our Lord would endure His own isolation and ultimately conquer death, He reminded His Disciples, “Indeed the hour is coming, yes, has now come, that you will be scattered, each to his own, and will leave Me alone. And yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me. These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:32-33) In this season, we may find ourselves isolated, but we are not alone because Christ is with us. We are facing a trial the likes of which none of us has ever faced before. Nevertheless, be of good cheer. We serve a God who has overcome the world.
I am praying for you and I look forward to worshiping Our Risen Lord together with you on Sunday morning (on livestream or in person).
On Wednesday evening, March 26th, starting at 7 o’clock, Church of the Messiah will hold its annual Ash Wednesday Service. Ash Wednesday is the traditional beginning of the Holy Season of Lent which commemorates Our Lord’s forty days in the wilderness following His baptism in the River Jordan. Lent is time of prayer, fasting, and charitable giving as well as deliberately focusing on strengthening our walk with The Lord. The Ash Wednesday Service is wonderful way to begin the season of Lent. The service includes a time of praise & worship, readings and a homily from Holy Scriptures, the special once a year Imposition of Ashes and Litany of Penitence as well as the Holy Eucharist. Our Youth Group will be included in the special service and childcare is provided for those between the ages of one year old to fifth grade. We invite everyone to join us this Wednesday night, beginning at 7 o’clock, as observe Ash Wednesday and begin a Holy Lent.
This week more than a dozen members of Church of the Messiah will be heading up to Washington, D.C., to join with CEC for Life and participate in the 47th Annual March for Life. If you cannot make the trek to the frozen north, you can still participate in a series of events planned right here at Church of the Messiah.
On Thursday night, beginning at 7:00, we will have a night of pro-life intercession and prayer at Church of the Messiah.
On Friday morning, starting at 9 o’clock, we will participate in a silent prayer vigil at All Women’s Health Center at 1545 Huffingham Road (click HERE for a map. Please park in the church parking lot or alongside the road.)
On Saturday morning, starting at 9 o’clock, we will be leading the Liturgy for the Pre-Born in front of All Women’s Health Center. If you have never attended one of these liturgies, this will be a perfect opportunity to do so.
In light of these scheduled event and our many youth who are traveling to Washington this week to participate in the March for Life, we are cancelling both Youth Group and our Adult Bible Study on Wednesday night, January 22nd. This events will resume as normal on Wednesday, January 29th.
The Patriarch’s Letter on the Feast of Our Lord the Giver of Life
The Gospel of John chapter 10 and verse 10 reports Jesus telling His disciples that He came that we might have life and have life abundantly. It is through the sacraments and the Scriptures that we find the essence and fullness of human life, now and for all eternity. John further records in John 14:6 that life is not a “concept” or merely something “spiritual” but is the person of Jesus. The person of Jesus shows that, in the eyes of God, all human life is not only good and sacred but is the focus of His love in Jesus and therefore worthy of redemption.
Every Christmas season the whole world and especially the Church are reminded that the God and King of the entire universe has become human in the womb of a virgin. Not human for a time, but for all time. He never abandons His humanity but takes humanity, through His death and resurrection, upon His Kingdom throne and sits in His humanity over all creation. This Christ Jesus, whom we worship because of His humanity and divinity, is God with us to never leave us.
The Church is called to proclaim that Jesus is Lord. He is the truth. Our task is not to debate the world about this truth but to proclaim this truth. Our convincing the world of this truth is far more profound than just discourse with our society and culture about truth; it is the presentation of Christ in us in the world. We are to live out the truth that is revealed to us by living that revelation in the culture and society in which we dwell.
I am absolutely opposed to abortion. I believe abortion is never necessary. I believe abortion is the taking of human life and, in some cases, not only killing but murder. I am abhorred by any abortion but particularly by late-term abortion and by those who are now comfortable even with infanticide. I am appalled by those who march forward with advocating abortion for any reason whatsoever, including genetic selection, gender selection, and racial selection.
Because I am opposed to abortion in this manner, I am often challenged with the charge that “being pro-life is more than being anti-abortion.” Of course to be pro-life is to be more than anti-abortion. And, the church, particularly the ancient and historic church, has always been in the forefront of proclaiming the dignity of human life. The church is called to bring life, not only for the salvation of our souls, but in the food for the hungry, water for the thirsty, and shelter for the homeless. The church has always embraced a welcome to strangers and refugees. The church has always visited those in prison and declared release to those who are in bondage to sin, the world, and the devil.
Drug addiction, alcoholism, sexual promiscuity, greed, materialism, consumerism, poverty, domestic violence, and the sex trade industry are breeding grounds for the killing of the unborn. The church must bring the Gospel of life and the light of that Gospel into those areas of darkness. The Gospel is the way to address these horrors.
At this moment in our history, we are confronted in the United States with around 3,000 abortions a day or 1,095,000 a year. Around the world there are more than 100,000 abortions a day or 36,500,000 a year. More abortions committed in one day than in all of World War II.
Abortion is not a legal issue or a political issue, though we need to address the issue in the courts and in the legislature. Abortion is a moral issue and an issue of the soul. Mother Teresa reminds us that a country that allows the killing of its infants in the womb has lost its soul. Have the nations of the world who have permitted and legalized this murder of children lost their soul, particularly the United States?
Because this is a moral issue our primary weapons are not carnal but spiritual to the tearing down of this stronghold of death. Prayer must be at the front of the Pro-Life movement. Through prayer that is sustained, not for days, but for day after day, we are going to see spiritual victories won in the physical realm. We are going to see the Gospel lived out in the flesh of transformed lives living out the Pro-Life discipline of discipleship. Abortion will end because we will see it for the evil that it is and always will be.
For this reason, at the core of the mission of CEC for Life is prayer. We know we belong in front of abortion mills, as well as places where abortion mills are being constructed, to stand and pray. We do the
Liturgy for the Preborn at the Time of Death because this is what the Church is called to do. We are called to pray.
Secondly, we educate the church on the issue of abortion. We keep the church informed of victories that are happening around the world. We educate people on how they can work in their own church and in their communities to end abortion. And, particularly, we educate young adults for the future of this ministry. They are the generation that will end abortion.
The CEC is not a church that is Pro-Life; it is a Pro-Life church. From the beginning we have been given signs and symbols to make visible the Pro-Life message, and not only on Sunday morning. We are a communion of people birthed in the jails of Los Angeles and around the country, making visible the Gospel of Life. We are a Church that knows we are to identify with the preborn, the woman in crisis, those in need of healing from abortion, and with those who seek freedom from the abortion industry.
On January 19th, the third Sunday of the Christmas season, the International Communion of the Charismatic Episcopal Church celebrates a feast in honor of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord and Giver of Life. During the Eucharist, an offering is to be taken where we ask every participant and member of the ICCEC to give generously to the Pro-Life work of our communion. We also ask every clergy, along with every parish, to partner with CEC for Life by submitting their membership request for the year.
I know you will want to participate with me in this holy work. I know you will want to give sacrificially and generously. Go to our website and see all that is happening because of your generosity and the blessing of God.
One of the horrific wars of the 20th century was fought in Europe it is called the First World War or some called it the “war to end all wars.” It is estimated that between 15 million and 19 million died in the conflict and 23 million were wounded. The war to end all wars ended with a treaty intended to bring peace. However, it led to the rise of fascism and the Nazi Party and the outbreak of the Second World War where an estimated 70 to 85 million people died. This was about three percent of the world’s population. These two wars mean that some call the 20th century, the most violent in humanity’s history.
Yet despite the horror of these two wars, other wars, and those that continue to take place there are incredible stories of light, courage, and hope. The ravages of the two wars gave rise to a list of Christian men and women who, today, provide examples of how to live in and with suffering. Their lives pointed to something far greater and beyond the horrors of war and the inhumanity of man. I have several favorites, from this time, including St. Maximillian Kolbe, St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein), and Dietrich Bonhoeffer who died at the hands of the Nazi’s in concentration/death camps. Also, Corrie Ten Bloom, who spent time in a concentration camp and survived influenced, has influenced other’s walk with the Lord, particularly regarding reconciliation.
Europe was forever changed as a result of these two wars and the evil of genocide not only in Germany but in the Soviet Union where over 20 million died at the hand of communism. Many had their faith challenged, and they rejected the Church and her message. A large portion of Western Europe that has surrendered to the values of secular humanism still experience this rejection. Now, countries that were once the center of Christian life and thought have an attendance of less than 5% of the population. This suggests that the Church failed to answer the deep discouragement and hopelessness of war. Despite this, some of the greatest theological works originated from that time. Some of these works are from great authors like C.S. Lewis, Karl Barth, and others.
One story from the first World War has always stood out in my mind. There are many but this one is so unique.
World War I was fought in trenches. These trenches were cold and wet. Two thousand Americans and seventy-five thousand British soldiers died of trench foot; a disease caused by feet and socks that didn’t dry. Thousands more had feet and legs amputated from the same disease. World War I also introduced gas warfare. Men died horrible deaths. One can barely read the effects that gas warfare had on the dying person because it is so graphic. It is no wonder, that despite many nations storing toxic gases, every civilized society has condemned the use of chemical gases in warfare.
The young men in the trenches suffered. During suffering, Pope Benedict, on December 7,1914 called for a truce but the warring governments refused to heed his plea. But on Christmas Eve of 1914, the soldiers themselves put down their weapons. Across the no-man’s land (the area between the opposing trenches) the British soldiers heard the German soldiers singing Christmas Carols. Some suggest that the first carol was Silent Night sung in German to which the British sang the same back in English. On Christmas Day, the Germans, unarmed crossed into the no man’s land with gifts for the British soldiers. The British did not trust them at first but eventually they too entered the land and gave gifts to the Germans. For a moment, if only so briefly there was “peace on earth.” The war resumed on December 26th. And, it took four more years before a very fragile and vindictive treaty was signed. A treaty that historians tell us was doomed to fail.
Christ was among the suffering; he was in the trenches singing hymns with them. Christ was with them amid the darkness. Christ enters the darkness of humanity by becoming complete and perfectly human to redeem humanity and restore it to its proper dignity and worth. Christ becomes human and takes it upon Himself to be the enemy of death defeating our enemy and making it the very means by which we are born again into eternal life. We can now participate in His death and so know the power of His resurrection, seating us with Him in the place we belong both now and then.
It is incredible that God became a baby. God became a helpless dependent baby, born of a human mother making every womb a holy sanctuary of life. The creator God became dependent on His creation for food, shelter, warmth, and even human affection. God reveals Himself not as wrathful or vengeful but in love with humanity (John 3.16) by coming to us in humanity. It is the gift Him that is the mystery that silenced a war. It is also the mystery that silences the stirring and rumblings of a restless soul. As St. Augustine wrote, “you have made us for yourself and our souls are restless until they find their rest in you.”
The Incarnation we see at Christmas time is God’s solution to the problem of evil, whether it be from war, genocide, or the horror of the modern holocaust of abortion.
The Incarnation is God’s solution to the continual fight against sin, the world and the devil. The Incarnation is that which turns sinners into saints – even martyrs. The Incarnation is that which gives us hope. The Incarnation calls us out of fear and compels us to seek that which is greater than the horrors in the trenches.
There is so much suffering in the world even today. But our faith tells us that we will always find Him among the suffering and the poor, in the prisoner, the stranger, the hungry, the thirsty, and the homeless. We will always find Him fully human and divine in a small piece of bread and a sip of wine. Forever Christ is with us – Emmanuel.
I pray each of you, no matter what your circumstances, will find a moment to ponder, like Mary, the mystery of infant Jesus. I pray you have a most blessed Advent and Christmas.
Church of the Messiah invites you to join us as we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior this Christmas season. Our Christmas services begin at 7 o’clock on Christmas Eve with our Family Service. This is s special service with all sorts of family fun and traditional Christmas Carols by candlelight. This year there will be a special presentation of the Christmas Story by our youth and children that was written and produced by one of our own youth.
On Christmas Day, beginning at 10 o’clock, we have our Christmas morning service. This is a said Mass and generally lasts between forty-five minutes to an hour, but is a wonderful way to help “Keep Christ in Christmas.”
As the season of Christmas is twelve days long and begins on Christmas day (not ends), we also will be celebrating the Christmas season on the First and Second Sundays after Christmas, December 29th and January 5th, at our 10 o’clock services.
We invite you to join us at any or all of our services throughout the entire Christmas Season this year and wish you and all of your loved ones a Merry Christmas and a blessed new year.
For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
SJL 
In his Easter message, the Patriarch of the ICCEC, Archbishop Craig Bates encouraged all members of the communion to take advantage of the opportunities presented to them in this season and watch various CEC services that are available on-line. (You can read his entire message by clicking HERE.) To that end, we have compiled a partial and incomplete list of services and devotions that various churches and clergy are streaming on-line, including the Patriarch’s own daily devotional that can be seen on his Facebook page.
