winged ox march 2010

8/14/2019 Winged Ox March 2010

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The Memorial Churchof St. Luke,the Beloved Physician1946 Welsh RoadPhiladelphia, PA 19115215.969.3645 (office)[email protected]

SERVICESSundays:10:30 a.m. Holy Eucharistwith musicFollowed immediately byrefreshments and fellowship inthe parish hall.

Wednesdays:7:30 p.m. Healing Eucharist

ACTIVITIESContemplative PrayerWednesdays 6:45 p.m.

in the church office

Adult Forum- Mondays,7pm in the Church Office.Topic: World Religions

Inside this issue:

Birthdays............................... 4Calendar................................9Easter Flowers.......................4Fish Fry.................................7News.....................................3New Book Forum...................8

Prayer Requests......................4Rectors Message................1,2Reminders.............................3Souper BowlCertificate..............................5Thank You.............................6The Letter..............................8Those Who Serve..................3Welcome Visitors.................. 2Your Treasure........................6

The Winged OxThe Winged Ox is the Ancient Symbol ofSt. Luke, the Beloved Physician

A Newsletter for the People of The Memorial

Church of St. Luke, the Beloved Physician March 2010, Issue 115

The Passion and Death of our Lord Jesus Christ

On Sunday March 28th, we observe Palm and Passion Sunday.

On this Sunday the Church commemorates Christs

triumphant entry into Jerusalem as well as his suffering and

death. This Sunday marks the official beginning of Holy Week,

which is the season during which we reflect upon those saving acts

of Jesushis crucifixion, death and burial. For obvious reasons, this

is an extremely important time in the life of the Church, and in our

lives as followers of Jesus and co-heirs with him in the Kingdom

of God.

Despite the importance of Christ passion and death for our salvation,

most of us have no good idea of how exactly his death is related to

our salvation. We may hear simple formulas such as Jesus died for

our sins or Jesus died for our salvation but it is rarely explained

to us how Jesus death frees us from our sins or makes our salvation

possible. This silence may owe in large part to the fact that there is

no single answer that has been given for why Jesus had to die or

how his death saves us from our sins and makes our salvation

possible. Perhaps the most popular answer to the question is one

offered by St. Anselm in the 10th century. Basically Anselm said

that because God the Father is all-good and perfectly just, he could

only forgive sins if those sins were atoned forthat is, if

satisfaction for the sinswas provided by one whose goodness andjustice was equal to the magnitude of the sins committed. However,

since we are all sinners, we cannot atone for our own sins because

our sins outweigh our goodness. Therefore, God sent Jesus the

Christ who, as Gods Son, is perfect in goodness and justice, and

without sin. In becoming a human being, Jesus could then die in

exchange for all the wrongs that we have committed, thereby

squaring accounts with God the Father.

As I said, this is probably the most popular explanation but I think

it is woefully inadequate. First, because it assumes that God cannot

forgive our sins but requires a sacrifice to put things right. And that

would mean that Gods mercy and forgiveness is limited by the

demands of justice. But why should we believe that to be the case?

After all, we are able to forgive others without demanding

something from them in exchange for our forgiveness, so why

suppose God is unable to do something that wehis creaturesare

capable of doing. Third, why demand the death of the innocent for

thebenefit of the guilty?

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WELCOME VISITORS!Areyou a new reader? Come visit us! Were so glad thatyou picked up this publication; we hope you will findit interesting and worth your time and we hope you

will take the next step and worship with us sometime.If you are worshiping with us, we welcome you!Whatever your religious background, and howeveryou have come to be here, we welcome you to St.Lukes. Please let us know who you are by signingour guest book (by the door) or filling out a cardfound in the pews. You can hand your card to anusher, or put it in the collection plate when it comeslater.

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Isnt that also contrary to the demands of justice? Fourth, doesnt that imply that the only point of Jesus

coming to live among us is that he would die to save us? But surely his life among us as one of us has

more value and importance than that. And finally, this idea lets us off the hook too easily. If Jesus did all

the work, then what is there for us to do? Some say that Jesus sacrifice means we only have to believe

that he is Lord and thats enough. But surely God desires more and better for and from us than that.

I believe there is a more plausible explanation for the assertion that Jesus died for our sins. An explanation

that is earlier than Anselms, extending back I think to at least the apostle Paul, is that human nature had

been corrupted through years of sin dating back from our earliest ancestors. In order to restore human

nature to its original glory, God sent Jesus the Christ, the Second person of the Holy Trinity, to share our

nature and share with us his nature. That occurred in the Incarnation, which we observe as Christmas. At

this point, Christ assumed a human nature without surrendering his divine nature. So Jesus was perfect

God and perfect man. However, in assuming a human nature, Jesus became subject to the death that we

all suffer as a consequence of sin. But that death was not final because his divine nature is immortal.

Therefore, Jesus was resurrected and continues alive with God the Father and the Holy Spirit. And since

he shared his immortal, divine nature with us, we are no longer held captive by death but we, too, are able

to partake of human life.

So thats the Good News. We are now able to share in Gods life because of Jesus sacrifice in assuming

our human nature. And as he says in Johns gospel Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it

remains just a single grain; but if it dies it bears much fruit (John 12:24). But sharing in Gods life

through Christ also comes with responsibility. Jesus death enables the Holy Spirit to come to us so thatwe might share Christs nature. But sharing Christs nature means also sharing in his responsibility to one

another. And that means, of course, that we must be Christ to one another and to the world. It is an

awesome responsibility and a great call.

I apologize for any headaches that may have been caused by this explanation. I know it is complicated,

but did you suppose that the salvation of the world could really be explained by the sound-bite theology

that Jesus died for your sins? However, now that you have some inkling of the significance of Holy

Week and Jesus sacrifice, you can forget the details and just focus on the important point, which is that

you are called upon to serve God and your neighbor by becoming and being Christs hands, feet and heart

in this world. So lets get to it!

God bless,

Father Tim


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REMIDER:

Submissions

for the

APRIL

WIGED OX

will be due

March 19th.

Those Who Serve

Sunday, March 7Chalice Bearer: LlynReaders: Cindy, StaceyUshers: Katherine, TomAltar Guild: LlynCoffee Hour: Lisa Jo, Gail, KarenCounters: Ruth D & Rose

Sunday, March 14Chalice Bearer: JeanReaders: Barbara, LlynUshers: Jackie, John L.Altar Guild: Karen & SaraCoffee Hour: Joan, John,

Jackie, JeanCounters: John B and Aurelia

Sunday, March 21

Chalice Bearer: Joyce

Readers: Carlos, JackieUshers: Jeremiah, TomAltar Guild: JackieCoffee Hour:Espositos,

Aurelia, GertrudeCounters: John & Joan L.

Sunday, March 28Chalice Bearer: BarbaraReaders: John B, StaceyUshers: John L, KatherineAltar Guild: StaceyCoffee Hour: Barbara, Ruth,Grace, Carlos

Counters:Betty & Don S.

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NEWS

Church School/ ursery

ewsIn planning for our annual

Easter Egg Hunt on EasterSunday, we will begin

collecting plastic eggs and

wrapped candies/ small prizes.

We ask that donations be

brought in no later than Palm

Sunday, Mar. 28. This will

allow time to fill the eggs and

have them ready for

distribution on Easter

morning, April 4. Bags or

used baskets would also be

appreciated. Please make

Barbara Kaufold aware ofdonations brought to the hall

so that they can be properly

stored.

Feed The HungryWe will be meeting at Calvary

Church on Fri., March 5 at

7p.m. to help prepare meals

for the Feed the Hungry

program. The meals will be

delivered and distributed at St.

Mark's Church, Frkfd. on Sat.,

March 6, leaving fromCalvary at 10a.m. Anyone

interested in helping on either

date is welcomed to join.

Please see Barbara if you plan

to participate.

Covenant Care BagsDuring the month of March

Joyce and Barbara are asking

that you add toothpaste to

your care bag collection. You

may choose to donate loose

items to the box provided orpick up an extra bag in the

hall. All bags will be collected

in June and delivered to

Covenant House by the Girls'

Friendly.


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PRAYERS PLEASEPRAYERS PLEASEPRAYERS PLEASEPRAYERS PLEASEMembers: Joyce, Dorothy,

Elaine, Ruth B., Nancy H.,

Edna, Alan, Mabel, Joshua,

Ruth L., Virginia, Len,

Louise, Nancy,. Lina,

William, Don, Karen, Betty

Friends and Family: Robert,

Betty, William, Alice, Robert

P., William L., Robert,Karen, Megan, Burt, Tina,

Sharon, Michael, Joe, Lee,

Nancy, G.A. Jonah, Bill,

Kathy, Kristyn, Jeannine,

David. Alice, Michael,

David, Robert R., Christian,

Robert, Beata, Gregory,

Gene, Michele, Frances,

Arthur, Emma Rose, Kathy,

Katherine, Gregg,

Christopher, Malcolm,

Janice, Jewel, Dorothy,

Nancy W., Norman

Those Serving in the

Armed Forces: William

B., Billy S., Chris G.,

Kevin M., Alex G.,

Andrew R., Chris K.,

John R., Chris R., Eric

B., Rob D., Jerry F.,

Thomas H., Tom B.,

Casey R., Jermaine, Bradley,

Michael, Matthew.

HAPPY BIRTHDAYHAPPY BIRTHDAYHAPPY BIRTHDAYHAPPY BIRTHDAY

March15- Betty S, Laura K.

23- Grace S., John B.

EASTER FLOWERS

Please help make our

church look beautiful for

Easter. Please make a

contribution in memory or

honor of a loved one and

use the enclosed envelope.All Easter flowers

envelopes should be in the

parish office by Tuesday,

March 30th. Make you

check payable to St.

Lukes and write a memo

Easter Flowers.

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At Easter season, potted lilies

decorate our altar, but I doubt many

of us give a thought to them beyond

aesthetics. Some may tell you thatthe lily symbolizes life, spring, Jesus

and resurrection. These are all goodmeanings, but maybe we should

think of lilies and other plant life as

reminders to keep things simple: to

not get caught up in having excess

food, drink and material items.

True wealth and treasure does not

come in a package. Being rich

towards God has nothing to do with a

bank account. It does have to do with

sharing what you have with the poorand the downtrodden. It has to do

feeding the hungry and clothing and

sheltering the homeless. It means to

restore peace, health and prosperityto all- in other words, seeking the

Kingdom of God.

How can we do this? Perhaps we can

start by donating to a local soup

kitchen instead of overstocking our

pantry at home, or we can go through

our closets and give some clothes we

do not need to a charity that needsthem. Jesus said, Where your

treasure is, there your heart will be

also. May our treasure and hearts be

set on seeking the kingdom of God

and sharing what we have.

-submitted by Stacey Carmody

Your Treasure and

Considering The Ravens

In Luke 12:13-34, Jesus speaks of the rich fool

who had an abundance of crops. Instead ofsharing his wealth, he built a bigger barn to

store them in- to keep them all for himself. If

this man were to die, nobody would get his

crops. God then deemed him a fool.

You cant take your wealth with you. I am

reminded of an old Jimmy Buffett song wherethe lyrics read: Moneys contraband, you cant

take it with you when you go. We seem to

forget that as we get caught up in acquiring

more wealth for ourselves: whether it be cash,

food, clothes and other items. We dont want

just sufficient food, we want a stocked fridge.

We dont want just enough clothing to cover us,

we want a filled closet. The result is usuallyhaving a full belly and looking sharp. But how

is this pleasing to God?

Unlike humans, our animal friends do not worry

about acquiring more than what is needed.

Animals are only concerned about eating

enough food to stay alive, and seeking shelter in

a storm. As Jesus points out , the ravens do not

sow or reap or store crops in a barn, yet God

feeds them. If we are confident that God can

provide a bird what it needs, then why do we

humans excessively worry about getting what

we need? Shouldnt we trust that God will see

us through? Why must we insist on having

more than enough?Plant life is also an example of living with onlywhat you need, with God providing. Jesus

speaks of this when he talks about the lilies of

the field. They are taken care of.


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THE LETTER

Dear Friend:

I just had to write to tell you how much I love you

and care for you. Yesterday, I saw you walking

and laughing with your friends; I hoped that soon

you'd want Me to walk along with you, too.

So, I painted you a sunset to close your day and

whispered a cool breeze to refresh you. I waited

and you never called. I just kept on loving you.

As I watched you fall asleep last night, I wanted

so much to touch you. I spilled moonlight onto

your face- trickling down your cheeks as so many

tears have. You didn't even think of me; I wanted

so much to comfort you.

The next day I exploded a brilliant sunrise into a

glorious morning for you. But you woke up late

and rushed off to work- you didn't even notice.

My sky became cloudy and My tears were the

rain.

I love you. Oh, if you'd only listen. I really love

you. I try to say it in the quiet of the green

meadow and in the blue sky.

The wind whispers My love throughout the

treetops and spills it into the vibrant colors of the

flowers. I shout it to you in the thunder of the

great waterfalls and compose love songs for

bands to sing for you.

I warm you with the clothing of My sunshine and

perfume the air with nature's sweet scent. My

love for you is deeper than the ocean and greater

than any need in your heart. If you'd only realize

how I care. I died just for you.

My Dad sends His love. I want you to meet Him.

He cares, too. Fathers are just that way. So

please call Me soon. o matter how long it

takes, I'll wait because I love you.

Your Friend,

Jesus

THANK YOU!

In January, before the blizzardsI'm happy to say, I delivered the

hats, scarves and gloves and 40

shower bags that our GFS hadassembled! Thank you all for

your generosity!

-Llyn Carter and GFS

New Book Forum:

The new book for discussion will

be: The Monk Who Sold His

Ferrari: A Fable About Fulfilling

Your Dreams & Reaching YourDestiny by Robin Sharma

See Jean Gardner if you areinterested. The start date for this

forum will be determined soon!

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MARCH 2010Sun Mon Tue Wed Thur Fri Sat

1-7:00p- AdultForum-Church

Office

28:00P-AA

Meeting in Hall

UAW meeting

in Hall

36:45P-Stations of the

Cross in Hall

7:30P -Holy

Eucharist with

Healing in

Church

4 5 7:00P-AASpirituality

Meeting in Hall

7pm-Feed the

Hungry at

Calvary

610am-Feedthe Hungry at

Calvary-meetto go to St.

Marks

Frankford

7-3rd Sunday inLent

10:30a:Holy

Eucharist

11:45a: Coffee

hr in Hall

8-7:00p-VestryMeeting in

Church Office

98:00P-AA

Meeting in Hall


Cross in Hall

7:30P -Holy

Eucharist with

Healing in

Church

11 127:00P-AA

Spirituality

Meeting in Hall

13

144th Sunday inLent

10:30a:Holy

Eucharist

11:45: Coffee

Hr. In Hall

15-7:00p- AdultForum-Church

Office

168:00P-AA

Meeting in Hall


Cross in Hall

7:30P -Holy

Eucharist with

Healing in

Church

18 194:30pm to7:30pm Fish

Fry in Hall

7:00P-AA

Spirituality

Meeting in Hall

20

215th Sunday inLent10:30a: Holy

Eucharist11:45: Coffee

hr in Hall

227:00p AdultForum-Church

Office

238:00P-AA

Meeting in Hall

24 6:45P-Stations of the

Cross in Hall

7:30P -Holy

Eucharist with

Healing in

Church

25 267:00P-AASpirituality

Meeting in Hall

27

28PalmSunday-start of Holy

Week

10:30a: Holy

Eucharist

11:45: Coffee

Hr

29Monday in

Holy Week

30Tuesday inHoly Week

31 Wednesday

in Holy Week6:45P-Stations

of the Cross in

Hall7:30P -

Holy Eucharist

with Healing in

Church

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The Memorial Church of St. Luke

1946 Welsh Road

Philadelphia, PA 19115215-969-3645

[email protected]

www.memorialchurchofstluke.org

FIRST CLASS MAIL

Address Correction Requested


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winged ox march 2010

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