The Collect -
Almighty and everliving God, we humbly pray that, as your only-begotten Son was this day presented in the temple, so we may be presented to you with pure and clean hearts by 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 the Presentation of Our Lord Jesus Christ.
The Collect -
O God, by the preaching of your apostle Paul you have caused the light of the Gospel to shine throughout the world: Grant, we pray, that we, having his wonderful conversion in remembrance, may show ourselves thankful to you by following his holy teaching; 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.
Click here to learn more about the Apostle Paul.
The Chatham Concert Series brings ballet and live music together for the first time this Sunday, January 26 at 3:00pm in the VanVoorhis Hall at Chatham Hall. The Roanoke Ballet Theatre’s new choreography to Piazzolla’s famous tangos “The Four Seasons of Buenos Aires” brings them to life. Other favorites including Canon in D and The Entertainer will have a new look with dance while the Rainier Trio provides live music.
The Roanoke Ballet Theatre is a company of professional dancers from across the country, who have undergone years of extensive training and danced professionally with other companies. Their full performance schedule includes main stage shows, in-studio Black Box series, and traveling collaborations throughout Roanoke and surrounding communities. The company also provides an opportunity for the dancers to work alongside the staff and students of Roanoke Ballet Theatre’s Youth Ballet.
The Chatham Hall Dance Ensemble will take the stage for “Connections,” choreographed to Gabriel Faure’s famous Sicilienne by their instructor Donna Franklin.
Admission is free, but donations will be accepted to support the concert series. Chatham Hall is catering a reception afterwards where the audience can meet the dancers and musicians after the performance.
VanVoorhis Hall is in a building connected to the main building. There will be signs out as well. Here is a link to the general map. (It is in the building North and to the right of the red marker on this map) https://www.google.com/maps/place/Chatham+Hall/@36.8263053,-79.3905512,18.25z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x884d555715e9375b:0xabf1ff783221d731!8m2!3d36.8263541!4d-79.3896572
Special thanks to Chatham Hall for collaborating with the Chatham Concert Series for this performance. Other sponsors are Chatham First, Emmanuel Episcopal Church, Chatham Arts, Chatham Hall, Davenport Energy, First Piedmont, La Chaumière Bed and Breakfast and Reid Street Gallery.
Additional concerts this spring are “Music for Cello and Piano” on Sunday, March 1st at 4:00 p.m. at Emmanuel Episcopal Church. The duo “Anime and Grazia,” comprised of Washington and Lee University music faculty Julia Goudimova and Anna Billias, will perform Edward Grieg’s Sonata for Cello and Piano and other works by Scandinavian composers.
The Rainier Trio will close the season on Friday, April 3 at 7:00 p.m. with fun and familiar works including Rachmaninoff’s Vocalise, Joplin’s Elite Syncopations, Meditation from Thais and Dvorak’s “Songs My Mother Taught Me.”
The Collect -
Almighty God, whose Son our Savior Jesus Christ is the light of the world: Grant that your people, illumined by your Word and Sacraments, may shine with the radiance of Christ's glory, that he may be known, worshipped, and obeyed to the ends of the earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
The Collect -
Almighty Father, who inspired Simon Peter, first among the apostles, to confess Jesus as Messiah and Son of the living God: Keep your Church steadfast upon the rock of this faith, so that in unity and peace we may proclaim the one truth and follow the one Lord, our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Click here to learn more about Saint Peter, Apostle.
The Collect -
O God, by the leading of a star you manifested your only Son to the peoples of the earth: Lead us, who know you now by faith, to your presence, where we may see your glory face to face; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
The Collect -
Shed upon your Church, O Lord, the brightness of your light, that we, being illumined by the teaching of your apostle and evangelist John, may so walk in the light of your truth, that at length we may attain to the fullness of eternal life; 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 St. John, Apostle and Evangelist.
The Collect -
We give you thanks, O Lord of glory, for the example of the first martyr Stephen, who looked up to heaven and prayed for his persecutors to your Son Jesus Christ, who stands at your right hand; where he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.
Click here to learn more about Saint Stephen, Deacon and Martyr.
The Collect -
O God, you make us glad by the yearly festival of the birth of your only Son Jesus Christ: Grant that we, who joyfully receive him as our Redeemer, may with sure confidence behold him when he comes to be our Judge; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
The Collect -
Purify our conscience, Almighty God, by your daily visitation, that your Son Jesus Christ, at his coming, may find in us a mansion prepared for himself; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
The Collect -
Everliving God, who strengthened your apostle Thomas with firm and certain faith in your Son's resurrection: Grant us so perfectly and without doubt to believe in Jesus Christ, our Lord and our God, that our faith may never be found wanting in your sight; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Click here to learn more about Saint Thomas, Apostle.
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Cavaraggio painted a masterpiece of St. Thomas with the Resurrected Jesus. Medieval piety interpreted the wound in Jesus' side as Jesus' invitation to mystical union. Other symbols that medieval religious persons would associate with this story: the temple's veil is torn, the veil that separates us from God is open wide, the sacred heart of God is revealed as a pierced heart of Love. Those themes continued to resonate long after the Middle Ages came to a close. It is in this light that Caravaggio asks us to look at the literal depiction of that scene - the skeptical and literal St.Thomas exploring the unimaginable reality of the Resurrection. In this earthy picture, mystery is revealed.
- The Reverend Dr. Regina Christianson
The Collect -
Stir up your power, O Lord, and with great might come among us; and, because we are sorely hindered by our sins, let your bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen.
The Collect -
Merciful God, who sent your messengers the prophets to preach repentance and prepare the way for our salvation: Give us grace to heed their warnings and forsake our sins, that we may greet with joy the coming of Jesus Christ our Redeemer; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Soprano Leslie Mabe will join the Rainier Trio for an evening of your favorite songs as a fitting addition to the Christmas in Chatham celebrations. Selections from The Nutcracker, Handel’s Messiah, Twas the Night before Christmas and O Holy Night will get you in the holiday spirit. A sing-along of carols will send you out with a song in your heart.
At Emmanuel Episcopal Church
The Collect -
Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light, now in the time of this mortal life in which your Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
The Collect -
Almighty and gracious Father, we give you thanks for the fruits of the earth in their season and for the labors of those who harvest them. Make us, we pray, faithful stewards of your great bounty, for the provision of our necessities and the relief of all who are in need, to the glory of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
The Collect -
Almighty God, you have knit together your elect in one communion and fellowship in the mystical body of your Son Christ our Lord: Give us grace so to follow your blessed saints in all virtuous and godly living, that we may come to those ineffable joys that you have prepared for those who truly love you; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.
Click here to learn more about All Saints' Day.
The Collect -
Lord of all power and might, the author and giver of all good things: Graft in our hearts the love of your Name; increase in us true religion; nourish us with all goodness; and bring forth in us the fruit of good works; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen.