This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. – Psalm 118:24

I love this verse for many reasons, but mostly because each time I see it, like I did this morning in my morning devotional, it takes me back to when I was in high school in Eastern North Carolina participating in Youth Diocesan Events. We used to sing the song to this verse at many of those events, camps, etc. and to this day when I see it, the song starts to play in my head, and...

This Sunday would have been The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King’s 94th birthday, had his life not been violently cut short by hatred and fear. In recognition of this anniversary and his legacy, our prayers on Sunday will include the following Collect from the Episcopal Church’s Book of Common Prayer supplement entitled Lesser Feasts and Fasts:

Almighty God, by the hand of Moses your servant you led your people out of slavery, and made them free at last: Grant tha...

Tomorrow, January 6th , is Epiphany. The twelve days of Christmas are ended, and we enter this new season of the church year in which the scripture readings (and music) speak and teach about how Christ’s divinity is made known (or manifested) to us. In full disclosure, I did not attend seminary, so if any of the following is incorrect, don’t tell our clergy you read it here. Maybe they won’t read my article this week. Actually, in all sincerity, we are blessed with loving cl...

And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

2 Corinthians 9:6–15

Why would we as Christians be hesitant to give to meet the needs of others? One reasonable concern might be fear that we won't have enough left over to meet our own needs. In this way, giving for Christians is an act of faith, trusting God to meet our needs while becoming the method by which He meets the ...

The angels were exceptionally chatty this year. One cautious sheep hid behind the lone shepherd. And the Star of Bethlehem got lost on the way to the manger and went to sit on his mother’s lap instead.

In other words, it was a perfect pageant. We did it last Sunday afternoon and it was hilarious and sweet and messy and heartwarming.

For me, it is always the unplanned quirks and mishaps that make each year’s retelling of the Christmas story so...

One of the joys of Advent at Saint Alban’s for me is watching the Angel Tree gifts gradually accumulate in the narthex, until one has to be careful not to trip over them when walking through that space. I remind myself that each of those gifts represents a beloved child of God who will experience something of the joy of Christmas because a member of Saint Alban’s generously offered some of their time and treasure to purchase that gift. I like to envision all the smiling faces of...

Advent is defined as “the arrival of a notable person, thing, or event.” We are halfway through it, and I am amazed at how fast Christmas is approaching. Every year it seems to go faster and faster. There is so much anticipation this time of year, the Advent season seems to call for it as we await the celebration of Jesus’ birth. What better time to feel the excitement of the season. Recent times seem like we get too wrapped up in gifts, parties, and things to do. It is ofte...

A mild case of Flu A hit our house in mid-November. With a bored kiddo home from school for a week, we were desperate for fun activities to keep us occupied!

So, I relented. We hauled down our Christmas tree and decorations from the attic much earlier than we typically would.

Usually, our decorating feels rushed as we try to squeeze it in between Thanksgiving travel and Advent activities at church. But this year, we were able to leisurely adorn the house...

Advent is here, and with it are reminders in the readings and the music to “rejoice”, “wake” and “stay alert”. It is a time of preparation and anticipation as the scriptures foreshadow the Messiah’s arrival, both in his human birth and his second coming as conquering King of all kings. On the first Sunday of Advent (11/27), the closing hymn will be Hymn # 61: “Sleepers, Wake!” A Voice Astounds Us. Although this melody is associated most cl...

“Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.”

1 Corinthians 13:6

I know for me this verse requires me to be very, very honest with myself. You see sometimes, we all have people in our lives that we don't necessarily, wish that bad things would happen to or for them but when they do, a part of us is happy. This can be true when there is someone in our life whom we have compared ourselves to; whom we may deem them ahead ...