Emmanuel Episcopal Church

Feast of Jerome

The Collect -

O Lord, O God of truth, your Word is a lantern to our feet and a light upon our path: We give you thanks for your servant Jerome, and those who, following in his steps, have labored to render the Holy Scriptures in the language of the people; and we pray that your Holy Spirit will overshadow us as we read the written Word, and that Christ, the living Word, will transform us according to your righteous will; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Click here to learn more about Jerome, Priest, and Monk of Bethlehem, 420.

Feast of Saint Michael and All Angels

The Collect -

Everlasting God, you have ordained and constituted in a wonderful order the ministries of angels and mortals: Mercifully grant that, as your holy angels always serve and worship you in heaven, so by your appointment they may help and defend us here on earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost

The Collect -

Lord, we pray that your grace may always precede and follow us, that we may continually be given to good works; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

The Rev. Herman "Holly" Hollerith, IV Elected 10th Bishop of Southern Virginia

The Rev. Herman "Holly" Hollerith, IV, Rector of  Bruton Parish in Williamsburg, has been elected the Tenth Bishop of Southern Virginia. He was elected on the sixth ballot from among six candidates presented at a Special Meeting of Diocesan Council called for the purpose on September 27th.

The Rev. Hollerith received his BS degree from Denison University and his Master of Divinity degree from Yale Divinity School. Ordained to the priesthood in 1983, the Rev. Hollerith previously served as Rector of Prince George Winyah in Georgetown, South Carolina; Associate Rector at  St. John’s in Lynchburg; Priest in Charge of Christ Episcopal Church in Roanoke;  and Assistant to the Rector at Christ Episcopal Church in Roanoke.

The Rev. Hollerith will be consecrated the 10th Bishop of Southern Virginia on February 13, 2009 at 7 pm at the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia.

Feast of Lancelot Andrewes

The Collect -

Lord and Father, our King and God, by your grace the Church was enriched by the great learning and eloquent preaching of you servant Lancelot Andrewes, but even more by his example of biblical and liturgical prayer: Conform our lives, like his, to the image of Christ, that our hearts may love you, our minds serve you, and our lips proclaim the greatness of your mercy; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Click here to learn more about Lancelot Andrewes, Bishop of Winchester, 1626.

Feast of Sergius

The Collect -

O God, whose blessed Son became poor that we through his poverty might be rich: Deliver us from an inordinate love of this world, that we, inspired by the devotion of your servant Sergius of Moscow, may serve you with singleness of heart, and attain to the riches of the age to come; 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 learn more about Sergius, Abbot of Holy Trinity, Moscow, 1392.

Feast of Saint Matthew

The Collect -

We thank you, heavenly Father, for the witness of your apostle and evangelist Matthew to the Gospel of your Son our Savior; and we pray that, after his example, we may with ready wills and hearts obey the calling of our Lord to follow him; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Learn more about Saint Matthew.

Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost

The Collect -

Almighty and everlasting God, you are always more ready to hear than we to pray, and to give more than we either desire or deserve: Pour upon us the abundance of your mercy, forgiving us those things of which our conscience is afraid, and giving us those good things for which we are not worthy to ask, except through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ our Savior; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Feaset of John Coleridge Patteson

The Collect -

Almighty God, you called your faithful servant John Coleridge Patteson and his companions to be witnesses and martyrs in the islands of Melanesia, and by their labors and sufferings raised up a people for your own possession: Pour out your Holy Spirit upon your Church in every land, that by the service and sacrifice of many, your holy Name may be glorified and your kingdom enlarged; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Learn more about John Coleridge Patteson, Bishop of Melanesia, and his Companions, Martyrs, 1871.

Feast of Theodore of Tarsus

The Collect -

Almighty God, you called your servant Theodore of Tarsus from Rome to the see of Canterbury, and gave him gifts of grace and wisdom to establish unity where there had been division, and order where there had been chaos: Create in your Church, by the operation of the Holy Spirit, such godly union and concord that it may proclaim, both by word and example, the Gospel of the Prince of Peace; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Learn more about Theodore of Tarsus, Archbishop of Canterbury, 690.

Feast of Edward Bouverie Pusey

The Collect -

Grant, O God, that in all time of our testing we may know your presence and obey your will; that, following the example of your servant Edward Bouverie Pusey, we may with integrity and courage accomplish what you give us to do, and endure what you give us to bear; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Learn more about Edward Bouverie Pusey, Priest, 1882

Feast of Hildegard of Bingen

The Collect -

God of all times and seasons: Give us grace that we, after the example of your servant Hildegard, may both know and make known the joy and jubilation of being part of your creation, and show forth your glory not only with our lips but in our lives; through Jesus Christ our Savior, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Learn more about Hildegard, Abbess of Bingen and Mystic, 1179.

Feast of Ninian

The Collect -

O God, by the preaching of your blessed servant and bishop Ninian you caused the light of the Gospel to shine in the land of Britain: Grant, we pray, that having his life and labors in remembrance we may show our thankfulness by following the example of his zeal and patience; 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 learn more about Ninian, Bishop in Galloway, c.430.

Holy Cross Day

The Collect -

Almighty God, whose Son our Savior Jesus Christ was lifted high upon the cross that he might draw the whole world to himself: Mercifully grant that we, who glory in the mystery of our redemption, may have grace to take up our cross and follow him; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.

Homily for the Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost - An Unpayable Debt

The Gospel - Matthew 18:21-35

Homily by the Rev. Dr. David Smith

An Unpayable Debt

The Bible is loaded with hyperbole.

How many descendants will Abraham and Sarah have?  Thousands?  Hundreds of thousands?  No! Like stars in the sky, like sand on the seashore. 

How hard is it for a rich person to enter the kingdom of heaven on his own efforts?   Pretty tough?  Unlikely?   No!  You’d have a better chance slipping a whole camel through the eye of a sewing needle. 

What’s it like when you criticize other people but don’t tend to your own messes?  Kind of annoying?  A bit irritating?  No!  It’s like walking around with a whole tree trunk sticking out of your eye socket even as you criticize other people for not wiping the sleepers out of their eyes in the morning.

The Bible is full of hyperbole.

And so, Peter wonders if forgiving someone seven times would do the trick.   Seven times for one person is a lot, right?  Seven strikes and you’re out.  Sounds reasonable.  Except that Jesus says even seven times would barely get things going.  “You’re just scratching the surface of forgiveness when you hit #7, Peter.  Keep going 77 times.”

Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost

The Collect -

O God, you declare your almighty power chiefly in showing mercy and pity: Grant us the fullness of your grace, that we, running to obtain your promises, may become partakers of your heavenly treasure; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Feast of Cyprian

The Collect -

Almighty God, who gave to your servant Cyprian boldness to confess the Name of our Savior Jesus Christ before the rulers of this world, and courage to die for this faith: Grant that we may always be ready to give a reason for the hope that is in us, and to suffer gladly for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Learn more about Cyprian, Bishop and Martyr of Carthage, 258.

Feast of John Henry Hobart

The Collect -

Revive your Church, Lord God of hosts, whenever it falls into complacency and sloth, by raising up devoted leaders like your servant John Henry Hobart whom we remember today; and grant that their faith and vigor of mind may awaken your people to your message and their mission; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

Learn more about John Henry Hobart, Bishop of New York, 1830.

Feast of Alexander Crummell

The Collect -

Almighty and everlasting God, we thank you for your servant Alexander Crummell, whom you called to preach the Gospel to those who were far off and to those who were near. Raise up in this and every land evangelists and heralds of your kingdom, that your Church may proclaim the unsearchable riches of our Savior Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Learn more about Alexander Crummell, Priest, Missionary, and Educator, 1898.

Feast of Constance, Nun, and her Companions

The Collect -

We give you thanks and praise, O God of compassion, for the heroic witness of Constance and her companions, who, in a time of plague and pestilence, were steadfast in their care for the sick and dying, and loved not their own lives, even unto death: Inspire in us a like love and commitment to those in need, following the example of our Savior Jesus Christ; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Click here to learn more about Constance, Nun, and Her Companions,
commonly called "The Martyrs of Memphis", 1878.

Homily for the Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost - Unending Forgiveness

The Gospel - Matthew 18:15-20

Homily by the Rev. Dr. David Smith

Unending Forgiveness

What Jesus has to say here seems a bit out of character and makes us scratch our heads.  Churches have codified this instruction and use it as the vehicle by which the unsavory among us can be sent off packing.  However, doing so grossly misrepresents Jesus’ intentions, particularly when we put today’s lesson in the context of what comes before and after.  

Just before what we read today Jesus, says finding one lost sheep is worth putting the whole flock in jeopardy, and just after he says we must forgive not seven times, but 77 times, neither of which ring the bell of banishment.

Forgiveness is the theme, but before we can understand forgiveness, it helps to understand sin. Sin is alienation from God, self, neighbor and nature. 

• Alienation from God = arrogance
• Alienation from self = disconnect and depression
• Alienation from neighbor = destroys community
• Alienation from nature = just look around

But alienation is a constant in our lives.  We all experience it, and we all perpetuate it.  And, were this alienation all we experienced, life would be horrible and fractious.  Everything would explode into bits.

Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost

The Collect -

Grant us, Lord, not to be anxious about earthly things, but to love things heavenly; and even now, while we are placed among things that are passing away, to hold fast to those that shall endure; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Feast of Paul Jones

The Collect -

Merciful God, you sent your beloved Son to preach peace to those who are far off and to those who are near: Raise up in this and every land witnesses who, after the example of your servant Paul Jones, will stand firm in proclaiming the Gospel of the Prince of Peace, our Savior Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Learn more about Paul Jones, Bishop and Peace Advocate, 1941

Feast of The Martyrs of New Guinea

The Collect -

Almighty God, we remember before you this day the blessed martyrs of New Guinea, who, following the example of their Savior, laid down their lives for their friends; and we pray that we who honor their memory may imitate their loyalty and faith; 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 learn more about the Martyrs of New Guinea, 1942.

Chatham Schola Cantorum Begins October 2nd

Chatham Schola Cantorum, a new medieval singing group specializing in Gregorian Chant, is looking for participants.  No previous musical experience is necessary.

Where: Emmanuel Episcopal Church, Chatham VA.

When: Thursday evenings 8:00-9:30pm (starting October 2nd)

This singing group will focus on various styles and forms of Latin chant in the Middle Ages through  the beginning of the Renaissance.  Rehearsals will be a mixture of singing and scholarship.

For more information, contact Kevin Zakresky at kzakresky@chathamhall.org.

Feast of David Pendleton Oakerhater

The Collect -

O God of unsearchable wisdom and infinite mercy, you chose a captive warrior, David Oakerhater, to be your servant, and sent him to be a missionary to his own people, and to exercise the office of a deacon among them: Liberate us, who commemorate him today, from bondage to self, and empower us for service to you and to the neighbors you have given us; through Jesus Christ, the captain of our salvation; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Learn more about David Pendleton Oakerhater, Deacon and Missionary of the Cheyenne, 1931.

Labor Day

The Collect -

Almighty God, you have so linked our lives one with another that all we do affects, for good or ill, all other lives: So guide us in the work we do, that we may do it not for self alone, but for the common good; and, as we seek a proper return for our own labor, make us mindful of the rightful aspirations of other workers, and arouse our concern for those who are out of work; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.