St Timothy's Episcopal Church: January 2009

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Episcopal Pepsi?

From a parishioner...

As you may know, Pepsi was founded by a pharmacist, Caleb Bradham, in NewBern, NC in 1898. An excerpt from that story goes on to read: "Folklore has its naming tied to Christ Episcopal Church next door (to the pharmacy where it was invented). Some say that Bradham who enjoyed gazing outside his window every day at the historic church, took the word "Episcopal," scrabmled it as best he could, and came up with Pepsi-Cola."

It goes on to say, "...according to official Pepsi history, 'his drink was developed not only as refreshment, but also as a means to invigorate a tired soul."

--
Fr. Steve Rice
Rector, St Timothy's Episcopal Church
Winston-Salem, NC
www.sttimothys.ws
www.sttims.blogspot.com
336.765.0294

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

The Adoration of the Magi

O God, by the leading of a star you manifested your only Son to the Peoples of the earth: Lead us, who know you now by faith, to your presence, where we may see your glory face to face; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Read more on Wikipedia, New Advent, and learn about the Orthodox celebration of January 6th.

Today we will celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany with a Eucharist at 10am.

Monday, January 5, 2009

From the Mouths of Babes

Yesterday, Sunday the 4th, the second offering of our children's communion class was a blast. Some 11 children with their parents sat with me on the steps of the sanctuary and together we learned what we do and why at the Holy Eucharist. Over the years I have talked with many parents, grandparents, godparents, etc. who are concerned that children 'don't get' what goes on at communion and are in effect worried that the children are bordering on irreverence by receiving Christ's Body and Blood. A couple of things; absolutely - some children have no idea that the Eucharistic celebration is among many things a sacred meal. But on the other, neither do many adults who have confirmation credentials under their Prayer Books. We should be diligent to share the profound good news of God's self-giving in the sacraments (that's priest talk for saying we should constantly talk about the sacraments). The Eucharist is the central act of Christian worship and identity. We will spend a lifetime discovering what happens when we eat the bread and drink from the cup. And even then we will, at best, have a foretaste of its fullness. Until then, here's a snippet of today's conversation:

Me: What did Jesus say when he held the bread?
Children: This is my Body.
Me: What did Jesus say when he held the cup?
Children: This is my Blood.
Me: What does he mean when he says that?
Children: That he is with us.
Me: Why does he want to be with us?
Children: Because he loves us!

I think they got it.

Here are some pics.

--
Fr. Steve Rice
Rector, St Timothy's Episcopal Church
Winston-Salem, NC
www.sttimothys.ws
www.sttims.blogspot.com
336.765.0294