Ordinary-tide has begun - Rector's Rambling for June 5, 2016

Welcome back to the long season of Trinity-tide, or Ordinary Season.  We are back into the green vestments and the lectern and pulpit are adorned with the green hangings.

Green is the color of growth and life, and is a good symbol for this season that lasts until the end of November.  Week by week, with only a few exceptions for special feast days that are observed on Sundays, we will be working our way through the teachings of Jesus Christ so that we can grow in the faith, by God’s Grace.  The green is a reminder of growth – our growth in the spiritual life.

This season is also called Ordinary Time not because it isn’t special (i.e., ordinary), but rather because it is ordered teaching for church doctrine in Christian Living.

I know that summer holidays will be calling many of us away for a period of time, and I cannot stress strongly enough that although school is out for summer, our attendance at weekly worship is not on hiatus.  Our Lord does expect us to worship him every Sunday in His Church!  Of course, if you are at home, then it is here at St. John’s we look forward to having you in the pews.  And if you are traveling, I hope you will take the opportunity to worship elsewhere.  Be sure to bring back a service bulletin from that church – I find it interesting to see what other parishes are doing on Sunday!

Besides the expectation by Our Lord that we worship Him on Sunday even if we are away, I find from experience that visiting another parish also is a nice reminder of what a blessing St. John’s is.  We tend to take her for granted because she is always here, always glorifying God in her worship.  Being elsewhere can be a wonderful reminder of what we have here.

Finally, if absolutely unable to attend on Sunday, check the weekly Chronicle or call the parish office for the scheduled weekday Holy Communion Services.