Join St. Stephen’s as we gather together virtually, the best we’re able to right now, to bring some spiritual substance to you and the world over the next few weeks.
March 29, 2020: Lent V
Thank you for joining us on this fifth Sunday in Lent. Pull up a chair as we gather together during this period of social distancing amidst the coronavirus pandemic.
March 25, 2020 – A Mid-Week Reflection
The below is from a book that was in my father’s library: Daily Strength for Daily Needs, compiled by Mary Wilder Tileston. It was originally published in 1884. This edition was published in Boston in 1947. When my father acquired the book in 1949, he signed his name and the place where he was living at the time, Jacksonville, Florida in it.
“If we love one another, God lives in us, and his love is perfected in us.” 1 John 4:12
“All who keep his commandments abide in him, and he abides in them. And by this we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit which he has given us.” 1 John 3:24
Abide in me; o’ershadow by Thy love
Each half-formed purpose and dark thought of sin;
Quench, ere it rise, each selfish, low desire,
And keep my soul as Thine, calm and divine.
– Harriet Beecher Stowe
“The Spirit of Love must work the works, and speak the tones, of Love. It cannot exist and give no sign or a false sign. It cannot be a spirit of Love, and mantle into irritable and selfish impatience. It cannot be a spirit of Love, and at the same time make self the prominent object. It cannot rejoice to lend itself to the happiness of others, and at the same time be seeking its own. It cannot be generous, and envious. It cannot be sympathizing, and unseemly; self-forgetful, and vain-glorious. It cannot delight in the rectitude and purity of other hearts, as the spiritual elements of their peace, and yet unnecessarily suspect them.”
– John Hamilton Thom (10 January 1808 – 2 September 1894) – an Irish Unitarian minister
Reflection
During these difficult times, we are being called to make decisions out of the Spirit of Love. Perhaps, this challenging period we are living through will be an opportunity to discover the difference between wants and needs; important and essential. It is ironic that, at least for the time being, loving one’s neighbor means keeping our distance.
Stay healthy and may the peace of God be with you,
John
March 22, 2020 – Lent IV: Readings, Reflections & Prayers
Thank you for joining us this Fourth Sunday in Lent for readings, reflections & prayers. Pull up a chair and come together with St. Stephen’s as we gather to worship virtually during this period of social distancing amidst the coronavirus pandemic.
March 16th, 2020 – Gospel, Reflection, & Litany
Pull up a pew as our Interim Rector, the Rt. Rev. John Tarrant reads the Gospel from March 15th, offers his reflection on it, and shares an adapted litany written by Anne and Jeffery Rowthorn addressing the Coronavirus.
Recent audio sermons (links open in new windows):
- February 23, 2020 (Last Sunday after the Epiphany) by The Rt. Rev. John Tarrant
- February 16, 2020 (Sixth Sunday after the Epiphany) by The Rt. Rev. John Tarrant
- February 9, 2020 (Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany) by The Rt. Rev. John Tarrant
- February 2, 2020 (The Presentation of our Lord) by The Rt. Rev. John Tarrant
- January 26, 2020 (Third Sunday after the Epiphany) by The Rt. Rev. John Tarrant
- January 19, 2020 (Second Sunday after the Epiphany) by The Rt. Rev. John Tarrant
- January 12, 2020 (First Sunday after the Epiphany) by The Rev. David DeSmith
Click here to find the sermon archive and to subscribe to future posts via your computer or mobile device.