Piety Hill Musings

The ramblings of the Rector of St. John's Episcopal Church of Detroit. Piety Hill refers to the old name for our neighborhood. The neighborhood has changed a great deal in the over 160 years we have been on this corner (but not our traditional biblical theology) and it is now known for the neighboring theatres, the professional baseball and football stadiums and new hockey/basketball arena.

My Photo
Name:
Location: Detroit, Michigan, United States

Tuesday, June 27, 2017

Extra-ordinary in Ordinary Time - Rector's Rambling for June 25, 2017

Last week I mentioned that the celebration of Corpus Christi on Sunday marked the last “hurrah” before we entered the long “green” period of the Ordinary Season, better known as Trinitytide.
But our start today in the green is anything but ordinary.  Before the sermon, we will induct two members into the Daughters of the King, and then after the sermon, we will make a new member of the Body of Christ through the waters of baptism.  You cannot top that for a start to this summer and fall church season.
Although the title “ordinary” time makes it appear that there is nothing special about these coming weeks, it actually is about being well-ordered with teaching about Jesus and the life of faith.  I promise you that it won’t be ordinary as in not special.
In addition to special events like the institution and baptism, we will have other special Sunday events in the coming weeks.  July 30 will be our Founders’ Sunday.  August 6 is the Feast of the Transfiguration (which is observed on a Sunday if they overlap).  We will also celebrate St. Michael and all Angels and the Feast of All Saints on Sundays because of their importance.  And a few more baptisms are being planned, God willing, during this time as well.
Whether a special Sunday, or seemingly ordinary, it is still our bounden duty to worship God every Sunday in His Church (Office of Instruction, p. 291, 1928 Book of Common Prayer).  I know that folks are away for portions of the summer, but if you are home, I hope that you will be here with us for worship.  Your absence is not only detrimental to your spiritual life, but diminishes us all as well, since we do not have you with us to worship and to encourage us by your presence.