The Way, the Truth, and the Life

Fifth Sunday of Easter

Almighty God, whom truly to know is everlasting life: Grant us so perfectly to know your Son Jesus Christ to be the way, the truth, and the life, that we may steadfastly follow his steps in the way that leads to eternal life; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

The Hands of Ministry

Let the hand of God guide you
as your hands work through each day.
Follow Him through the Psalms
with this thought in mind.
When you lift up your hands in His name
you are His Hands of Ministry.

Psalm 8
4 When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, *
the moon and the stars you have set in their courses,

5 What is man that you should be mindful of him? *
the son of man that you should seek him out?

6 You have made him but little lower than the angels; *
you adorn him with glory and honor;

7 You give him mastery over the works of your hands; *
you put all things under his feet:


Psalm 18 II
21 The Lord rewarded me because of my righteous dealing; *
because my hands were clean he rewarded me;

22 For I have kept the ways of the Lord *
and have not offended against my God;


Psalm 24
3 “Who can ascend the hill of the Lord? *
and who can stand in his holy place?”

4 "Those who have clean hands and a pure heart, *
who have not pledged themselves to falsehood,
nor sworn by what is a fraud.

5 They shall receive a blessing from the Lord *
and a just reward from the God of their salvation."


Psalm 26
6 I will wash my hands in innocence, O Lord, *
that I may go in procession round your altar,

7 Singing aloud a song of thanksgiving *
and recounting all your wonderful deeds.


Psalm 28
1 O Lord, I call to you;
my Rock, do not be deaf to my cry; *
lest, if you do not hear me,
I become like those who go down to the Pit.

2 Hear the voice of my prayer when I cry out to you, *
when I lift up my hands to your holy of holies.


Psalm 31
3 Be my strong rock, a castle to keep me safe,
for you are my crag and my stronghold; *
for the sake of your Name, lead me and guide me.

4 Take me out of the net that they have secretly set for me, *
for you are my tower of strength.

5 Into your hands I commend my spirit, *
for you have redeemed me,
O Lord, O God of truth.


Psalm 47
1 Clap your hands, all you peoples; *
shout to God with a cry of joy.

2 For the Lord Most High is to be feared; *
he is the great King over all the earth.


Psalm 63
1 O God, you are my God; eagerly I seek you; *
my soul thirsts for you, my flesh faints for you,
as in a barren and dry land where there is no water.

2 Therefore I have gazed upon you in your holy place, *
that I might behold your power and your glory.

3 For your loving‑kindness is better than life itself; *
my lips shall give you praise.

4 So will I bless you as long as I live *
and lift up my hands in your Name.

See more Hands of Ministry

Hatha Yoga at St. Margaret's

Have you been feeling tired, burned-out, and unable to relax?
Would you like to learn how to take better control of your body and mind?
Strengthen and tone your body, calm your mind and reduce stress while performing different breathing techniques and stretches of the ancient practice of Hatha Yoga.

Quiet Heart Yoga is holding classes at St. Margaret’s Church.

Tuesdays, 5 to 6:30 pm and 6:45 to 8:15 pm, 8 weeks
Starting April 24th – Late registrations accepted
Cost $88 for 8 weeks

Level 2 Class
4 Mondays in May, 5/7 to 5/28, 7 to 8:30 pm, 4 weeks
Cost $44 for 4 weeks

Wednesdays (POSSIBLY), 5 to 6:30 pm, 8 weeks
Starting May 23rd
Cost $88 for 8 weeks

Tuesdays, 8 to 9:30 pm, 8 weeks
Starting June 19th
Cost $88 for 8 weeks

Thursdays, 9:30 to 11 am, 8 weeks
Starting June 21st
Cost $88 for 8 weeks

Christi is looking to schedule some afternoon classes for kids if there's interest. Please call or e-mail if you are interested so she can get the age groups together.

For more information, contact:
Quiet Heart Yoga
Christi A. Rutkowski, R.Y.T.
Quietheartyoga@hotmail.com
484-515-8356

It isn't easy being green...or being unplugged!

How are you all doing?
Our Green Team reminded me that it was National Turn Off TV Week.

So what the heck. I'd done it several years ago. And it was fine. I'll do it again.This time...it wasn't the mindless violence or the mind numbing content or the materialistic messages that all my problems could be solved if I talked to my friendly pharmacist...I was interested in reducing the carbons I produced.

But something has changed ... I now live alone. My daughter is out in LA.
So this Spring. Wow! It's hard.

I wake up and don't know what the weather is without poking my head outside. Then I wander around my back yard where the daffodils and tulips and violets are blooming. The puppy drinks out of the pond. I rake leaves out from under the lilacs. Now I know what the weather is.

I come home and the house is quiet. How can I unwind from work? I made some decaf green tea and the puppy and I go out on the front porch. My neighbors are out. The young kids are riding bikes. The older ones are gathering and making plans. Then the adults come out. Bringing out trash cans and recycling bins. We start to talk. I'm glad to learn that Shirley's health is better. And I didn't know that Joey was at Camp Lejuene. So I copy down his address.

I walk past the television and remember that the Phillies are playing. Maybe I could plug the t.v. in just for the game.No! Radio. So I adjust to eliminate the static and hear Chase Utley get five hits and the Phillies win! What fun!

Maybe this isn't so hard at all.
I ' ve lost my defaults and presets and am making choices about the use of my time at home.
I' ve heard that the base of spirituality is intentionality. Choice is good.
So I' ve been reading without background noise and going to bed before Leno's monolog...I don't believe I missed any news. Actually, I' m more up on the news in my neighborhood.

Maybe this isn't hard.Maybe it's good.

How are you all doing?

Peace,
Canon Lexa +

When We Hear His Voice

Fourth Sunday of Easter

O God, whose Son Jesus is the good shepherd of your people: Grant that when we hear his voice we may know him who calls us each by name, and follow where he leads; who, with you and the Holy Spirit, lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Three Celebrations!

Eucharist, Baptism and Earth Day

View more pictures of the Baptism of Twins.

View more pictures of the Earth Day Celebration.

Through Our Struggle and Confusion

We extend our prayers to the victims of the Virginia Tech shootings and their families.

O God, you made us in your own image and redeemed us through Jesus your Son: Look with compassion on the whole human family; take away the arrogance and hatred which infect our hearts; break down the walls that separate us; unite us in bonds of love; and work through our struggle and confusion to accomplish your purposes on earth; that, in your good time, all nations and races may serve you in harmony around your heavenly throne; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Although I usually follow the news closely I have had a hard time reading about this tragedy. I think it may be that I just know that I can't make any sense of it and if I learn too many of the details I will try anyway.

So I offer my prayers.

A few minutes ago I found a blog post that has a prayer that I especially want to share:

My prayer for the folks whose lives have been devastated and upended by this horrible thing is that they will let God enter their lives and touch them before ten years have passed and their hearts have been nearly destroyed. God does not cause these things, but God can take the worst thing you can imagine and turn it into a blessing you could never imagine.

This comes from Bill at A Prodigal Blog, which was the first blog that I linked to when I started Maggie's Cross. I encourage you to read the full post.

May the LORD bless us and keep us; may the LORD make his face to shine upon us, and be gracious to us; may the LORD lift up his countenance upon us, and give us peace.

Amen.

MarkT

In the Breaking of Bread

Third Sunday of Easter

O God, whose blessed Son made himself known to his disciples in the breaking of bread: Open the eyes of our faith, that we may behold him in all his redeeming work; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

No More Delay on Darfur

Please pray for the people of Sudan.

New York Times (4/19/2007) Sudan’s president, Omar Hassan al-Bashir, attaches as little value to the promises he makes to the international community as he does to the lives of the many thousands of people who are being murdered in Darfur.

Link to full article.

St. Margaret's TV Turnoff Week

Together we will join various East Penn Schools and families across the nation to observe National TV Turnoff Week: April 23 - 29, 2007.

As part of this observation we will have Game Night on Friday, April 27, 2007 at 7 pm in the Parish Hall. Individuals and families bring snacks to share and your favorite games - Dominos, trivia, Clue, etc. If weather permits, we will go outdoors for kickball or bean bag toss.

What is the TV Turnoff Network?

TV-Turnoff Network, formerly TV-Free America, is a nonprofit organization that encourages children and adults to watch much less television in order to promote healthier lives and communities.

Founded in 1994, TV-Turnoff Network is dedicated to the belief that we all have the power to determine the role that television plays in our own lives. Rather than waiting for others to make "better" TV, we can turn it off and reclaim time for our families, our friends, and for ourselves.

TV-Turnoff Week is a grassroots project that works. More than 65 national organizations, including the American Medical Association, the National Education Association, and the American Academy of Pediatrics, support or endorse TV-Turnoff Week. TV-Turnoff Week succeeds because our network of thousands works hard to organize local schools, clubs, religious congregations, and communities. Since 1995, more than 24 million people have participated in TV-Turnoff Week.

More information about turning off your TV:

TVTON
Fact Sheet

TV Turnoff - Wikipedia

Earth Day Celebration

St. Margaret's will mark the anniversary of Earth Day on Sunday, April 22, 2007. Prayers, music and preaching will note the day. Parish members are encouraged to wear green and to be part of the closing ceremony on the front steps of the Church following the 10:15 am service.

The History of Earth Day

Earth Day -- April 22 -- each year marks the anniversary of the birth of the modern environmental movement in 1970.

Among other things, 1970 in the United States brought with it the Kent State shootings, the advent of fiber optics, "Bridge Over Troubled Water," Apollo 13, the Beatles' last album, the death of Jimi Hendrix, the birth of Mariah Carey, and the meltdown of fuel rods in the Savannah River nuclear plant near Aiken, South Carolina -- an incident not acknowledged for 18 years.

It was into such a world that the

very first Earth Day was born.

- On April 22, 20 million Americans took to the streets, parks, and auditoriums to demonstrate for a healthy, sustainable environment.

- Now, the fight for a clean environment continues. We invite you to be a part of this history and a part of Earth Day. Discover energy you didn't even know you had. Feel it rumble through the grass roots under your feet and the technology at your fingertips. Channel it into building a clean, healthy, diverse world for generations to come.

There are many Earth Day resources available on the net. Here are a few:

The Earth Day Network

International Earth Day

EnviroLink
World Wildlife Fund

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Do you have any links to favorite sites you would like to add? Post them as a comment or sent them to the Webmaster.

Separating the Good News

When I hear or read a major news story it often grabs my attention - as it is designed to do. But it seems that we seldom hear much follow up. Here is an example of the 'follow up' receiving none of the attention of the original 'story'.

The Story:

In the feature documentary The Lost Tomb of Jesus a case is made that the 2,000-year-old "Tomb of the Ten Ossuaries" belonged to the family of Jesus of Nazareth. (Discovery Channel)

The Follow-Up:

Several prominent scholars who were interviewed in a bitterly contested documentary that suggests that Jesus and his family members were buried in a nondescript ancient Jerusalem burial cave have now revised their conclusions, including the statistician who claimed that the odds were 600:1 in favor of the tomb being the family burial cave of Jesus of Nazareth, a new study on the fallout from the popular documentary shows. (The Jerusalem Post)

All this makes it more difficult for people to hear the Good News as new news. Don't believe everything you hear, especially if you hear what you don't believe.

Had you heard the story? or the follow up? Are you surprised that they are backing away from the 'facts' so quickly? Let me know what you think...

[Thanks to Skeptico blog for the follow up]

In the Paschal Mystery

Jesus Christ suffered

Died

and was Resurrected in Glory!

Second Sunday of Easter

Almighty and everlasting God, who in the Paschal mystery established the new covenant of reconciliation: Grant that all who have been reborn into the fellowship of Christ's Body may show forth in their lives what they profess by their faith; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

By His Death He Has Recalled Us To Life

Saturday in Easter Week

We thank you, heavenly Father, that you have delivered us from the dominion of sin and death and brought us into the kingdom of your Son; and we pray that, as by his death he has recalled us to life, so by his love he may raise us to eternal joys; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

That We May Always Serve You

Friday in Easter Week

Almighty Father, who gave your only Son to die for our sins and to rise for our justification: Give us grace so to put away the leaven of malice and wickedness, that we may always serve you in pureness of living and truth; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

The Fellowship of Christ's Body

Thursday in Easter Week

Almighty and everlasting God, who in the Paschal mystery established the new covenant of reconciliation: Grant that all who have been reborn into the fellowship of Christ's Body may show forth in their lives what they profess by their faith; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Open the Eyes of Our Faith

Wednesday in Easter Week

O God, whose blessed Son made himself known to his disciples in the breaking of bread: Open the eyes of our faith, that we may behold him in all his redeeming work; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Tuesday in Easter Week

This morning I logged in eagerly to Maggie's Cross.
I wanted to see what Mark T. had posted.
This series of photos and prayers for Holy Week and Easter is extraordinary.
I chuckled to think I might be addicted to Maggie's Cross.

But then, I saw the front page teaser in this morning's newspaper:
"Are You Hooked? Computers. Coffee. Sugar. Shopping.
Are any of these monopolizing more of your life that you'd like?
You just might have a soft addiction."

So I immediately reframed my response....
I am not being victimized by this blog.
Though perhaps my discipleship is being deepened.

I pray this week that as we all take the roads to and from Emmaus,
we may find our hearts burning as we encounter our Risen Christ
in the events of our days and the people we meet and greet.

Peace and Joy,
Canon Shallcross
[The Walk to Emmaus is found in Luke 24.]

By the Glorious Resurrection

Tuesday in Easter Week

O God, who by the glorious resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ destroyed death and brought life and immortality to light: Grant that we, who have been raised with him, may abide in his presence and rejoice in the hope of eternal glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be dominion and praise for ever and ever. Amen.

[The usual literal translation of "ICXC NIKA" is "Jesus Christ conquers". The translation is sometimes "Jesus Christ is victorious". What Holy God the Son within the Holy Trinity / Our Lord, God and Savior, Jesus Christ, conquered was death.]

We Who Celebrate!

Monday in Easter Week

Grant, we pray, Almighty God, that we who celebrate with awe the Paschal feast may be found worthy to attain to everlasting joys; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Alleluia! The Lord is Risen!

He is risen, indeed!

Alleluia!

Almighty God, who through your only‑begotten Son Jesus Christ overcame death and opened to us the gate of everlasting life: Grant that we, who celebrate with joy the day of the Lord’s resurrection, may be raised from the death of sin by your life‑giving Spirit; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Happy Easter!

See more pictures of St. Margaret's Easter Sunday Celebration.

As We Await the Resurrection

As we await the Resurrection, we celebrate the Way of the Cross.

We will glory in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ;
In whom is our salvation, our life and resurrection.
We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You.
Because by Your holy Cross You have redeemed the world.

"Could you not stay awake with me for even one hour?"

View more pictures of the Vigil.

The Rev. Canon Lexa Shallcross speaks at the Kiwanis Club of Emmaus annual Walter C. Stoudt Memorial Prayer Breakfast. Parishoner Dan Cardinale is seated on the right.

It's almost noon. The church is ready for the

Good Friday Proper Liturgy Service.

Were you there when they crucified my Lord?

Were you there when they nailed Him to a tree?

Were you there when they laid Him in the Tomb?

To Christ our Lord who loves us, and washed us in His own Blood, and made us a kingdom of priests to serve his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever. Amen.

View more pictures from the Stations of the Cross.

St. Margaret's Church prepares for Easter Sunday.

View more pictures of the Day of Preparation.

You are invited to join us:

Loving, Growing and Sharing the Good News!

Alleluia! The Glory of the Lord's Resurrection

Easter Sunday

O God, who made this most holy night to shine with the glory of the Lord’s resurrection: Stir up in your Church that Spirit of adoption which is given to us in Baptism, that we, being renewed both in body and mind, may worship you in security and truth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Rise With Him to Newness of Life

Holy Saturday

O God, Creator of heaven and earth: Grant that, as the crucified body of your dear Son was laid in the tomb and rested on this holy Sabbath, so may we await with him the coming of the third day, and rise with him to newness of life; who now lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Death Upon the Cross

Good Friday

Almighty God, we pray you graciously to behold this your family, for whom our Lord Jesus Christ was willing to be betrayed, and given into the hands of sinners, and to suffer death upon the cross; who now lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

If You Have Love For One Another

John 13:1-17, 31b-35

Now before the festival of the Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart from this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. The devil had already put it into the heart of Judas son of Simon Iscariot to betray him.

And during supper Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going to God, got up from the table, took off his outer robe, and tied a towel around himself. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel that was tied around him.

He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, "Lord, are you going to wash my feet?" Jesus answered, "You do not know now what I am doing, but later you will understand." Peter said to him, "You will never wash my feet." Jesus answered, "Unless I wash you, you have no share with me." Simon Peter said to him, "Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!" Jesus said to him, "One who has bathed does not need to wash, except for the feet, but is entirely clean. And you are clean, though not all of you." For he knew who was to betray him; for this reason he said, "Not all of you are clean."

After he had washed their feet, had put on his robe, and had returned to the table, he said to them, "Do you know what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord--and you are right, for that is what I am. So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you. Very truly, I tell you, servants are not greater than their master, nor are messengers greater than the one who sent them. If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them.

Jesus said, "Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him. If God has been glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself and will glorify him at once. Little children, I am with you only a little longer. You will look for me; and as I said to the Jews so now I say to you, `Where I am going, you cannot come.' I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."

See more pictures from the Maundy Thursday Service:

Foot washing, Communion and the Stripping of the Altar.

The Sacrament and the Holy Mysteries

Maundy Thursday

Almighty Father, whose dear Son, on the night before he suffered, instituted the Sacrament of his Body and Blood: Mercifully grant that we may receive it thankfully in remembrance of Jesus Christ our Lord, who in these holy mysteries gives us a pledge of eternal life; and who now lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Confident of the Glory

Wednesday in Holy Week

Lord God, whose blessed Son our Savior gave his body to be whipped and his face to be spit upon: Give us grace to accept joyfully the sufferings of the present time, confident of the glory that shall be revealed; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

To Glory in the Cross

Tuesday in Holy Week

O God, by the passion of your blessed Son you made an instrument of shameful death to be for us the means of life: Grant us so to glory in the cross of Christ, that we may gladly suffer shame and loss for the sake of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

The Way of the Cross

Monday in Holy Week

Almighty God, whose dear Son went not up to joy but first he suffered pain, and entered not into glory before he was crucified: Mercifully grant that we, walking in the way of the cross, may find it none other that the way of life and peace; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Palm Sunday 2007

Sunday of the Passion: Palm Sunday

Almighty and everliving God, in your tender love for the human race you sent your Son our Savior Jesus Christ to take upon him our nature, and to suffer death upon the cross, giving us the example of his great humility: Mercifully grant that we may walk in the way of his suffering, and also share in his resurrection; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Click here to view more pictures from our Palm Sunday service.