Enjoy this beautiful multimedia presentation from Washington National Cathedral, with photos by Walter P. Calahan and music by the Princeton Singers, “Exultate Deo” by Palestrina. It’s just photos of the interior of National Cathedral, illuminated by its stained glass windows, but it’s a beautiful and joyful reflection on that gracious light that brightens the dark corners of our lives.

Episcopal Diocese of Washington

The Collect

Almighty and everlasting God, increase in us the gifts of faith, hope, and charity; and, that we may obtain what you promise, make us love what you command; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

The Reading

Job 42:1-6, 10-17

Then Job answered the LORD:

“I know that you can do all things,

and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted.

`Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?’

Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand,

things too wonderful for me, which I did not know.

`Hear, and I will speak; I will question you, and you declare to me.’

I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you; therefore I despise myself, and repent in dust and ashes.”

And the LORD restored the fortunes of Job when he had prayed for his friends; and the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before. Then there came to him all his brothers and sisters and all who had known him before, and they ate bread with him in his house; they showed him sympathy and comforted him for all the evil that the LORD had brought upon him; and each of them gave him a piece of money and a gold ring. The LORD blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning; and he had fourteen thousand sheep,
six thousand camels, a thousand yoke of oxen, and a thousand donkeys. He also had seven sons and three daughters. He named the first Jemimah, the second Keziah, and the third Keren-happuch. In all the land there were no women so beautiful as Job’s daughters; and their father gave them an inheritance along with their brothers. After this Job lived one hundred and forty years, and saw his children, and his children’s children, four generations. And Job died, old and full of days.

The Response

Psalm 34:1-8, (19-22) Page 627, BCP
Benedicam Dominum

1 I will bless the LORD at all times;

*his praise shall ever be in my mouth.

2 I will glory in the LORD;

*let the humble hear and rejoice.

3 Proclaim with me the greatness of the LORD;

*let us exalt his Name together.

4 I sought the LORD, and he answered me

*and delivered me out of all my terror.

5 Look upon him and be radiant,

*and let not your faces be ashamed.

6 I called in my affliction and the LORD heard me

* and saved me from all my troubles.

7 The angel of the LORD encompasses those who fear him,

* and he will deliver them.

8 Taste and see that the LORD is good;

* happy are they who trust in him!

[19 Many are the troubles of the righteous,

* but the LORD will deliver him out of them all.

20 He will keep safe all his bones;

*not one of them shall be broken.

21 Evil shall slay the wicked,

*and those who hate the righteous will be punished.

22 The LORD ransoms the life of his servants,

* and none will be punished who trust in him.]

or

The Old Testament

Jeremiah 31:7-9

Thus says the LORD:
Sing aloud with gladness for Jacob, and raise shouts for the chief of the nations; proclaim, give praise, and say, “Save, O LORD, your people, the remnant of Israel.” See, I am going to bring them from the land of the north, and gather them from the farthest parts of the earth, among them the blind and the lame, those with child and those in labor, together; a great company, they shall return here. With weeping they shall come, and with consolations I will lead them back, I will let them walk by brooks of water,
in a straight path in which they shall not stumble; for I have become a father to Israel, and Ephraim is my firstborn.

 

The Psalm

Psalm 126 Page 782, BCP
In convertendo

1 When the LORD restored the fortunes of Zion,

* then were we like those who dream.

2 Then was our mouth filled with laughter,

* and our tongue with shouts of joy.

3 Then they said among the nations,

* “The LORD has done great things for them.”

4 The LORD has done great things for us,

*and we are glad indeed.

5 Restore our fortunes, O LORD,

*like the watercourses of the Negev.

6 Those who sowed with tears

*will reap with songs of joy.

7 Those who go out weeping, carrying the seed,

* will come again with joy, shouldering their sheaves.

The Epistle

Hebrews 7:23-28

The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office; but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. Consequently he is able for all time to save those who approach God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.

For it was fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, blameless, undefiled, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. Unlike the other high priests, he has no need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for those of the people; this he did once for all when he offered himself. For the law appoints as high priests those who are subject to weakness, but the word of the oath, which came later than the law, appoints a Son who has been made perfect forever.

The Gospel

Mark 10:46-52

<p>Jesus and his disciples came to Jericho. As he and his disciples and a large crowd were leaving Jericho, Bartimaeus son of Timaeus, a blind beggar, was sitting by the roadside. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Many sternly ordered him to be quiet, but he cried out even more loudly, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” Jesus stood still and said, “Call him here.” And they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take
heart; get up, he is calling you.” So throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus. Then Jesus said to him, “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man said to him, “My teacher, let me see again.” Jesus said to him, “Go; your faith has made you well.” Immediately he regained his sight and followed him on the way. </p>

OneBreadOneBody
News from Holy Innocents & St. Nicholas
10.8.06

Blessing of the Animals at Holy Innocents today. Join us at the 9 liturgy – and bring a pet. Remember, too, that if you don’t have a live pet, you can bring a stuffed animal.

Ice Cream Sundae at St. Nicholas today after church. Bring your favorite topping to share.

Wednesday spirituality series began wonderfully on October 4, with 18 people in attendance. I hope you will be one of those attending this Wednesday, October 11 at St. Nicholas. We begin with a meal at 6 p.m. At 6:45, we begin the program, at 7:45 we end with Compline (Night Prayer) and everyone is out the door by 8. The program works intergenerationally, and children are welcome.

The theme for the series in “Engaging Your Spiritual Autobiography,” and it is lots of fun. There’s a mix of small group exercises and large group discussions. Each session will stand on its own, so if you can’t make one session, you’ll be fine at the next. This coming Wednesday – October 11 — I’ve asked participants to bring their favorite hymn, scripture passage, poem, painting, aria – whatever it is that inspires you and helps you feel close to God. You can bring it physically – or in your imagination; either
way is fine.

I’ve also adjusted the schedule. Instead of running for eight weeks, we’ll go for six. The first four will give you tools to write your own spiritual autobiography – if you choose. In the final two we will write the spiritual autobiographies of each parish.

St. Nicholas is at 1072 Ridge Avenue in Elk Grove Village, 847.439.2067.

November is Women in Ministry Month at both St. Nicholas and Holy Innocents. All liturgical roles will be taken by women that month. This is timed to coincide with the installation of the Episcopal Church’s first woman presiding bishop.

Diocesan Convention is coming. The Annual Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago, to be held Friday, November 10 and Saturday, November 11, provides an opportunity for fellowship and learning. In addition to clergy, delegates and alternates, we’ve paid for several additional guest registrations to be used by parishioners. Anyone who is interested is encouraged to contact Pat D’Aprix at 224-625-5101 (daytime) or 312-215-3618 (evening) or send an e-mail to patricia.daprix@ngc.com. You can
find complete information on the diocesan website at www.epischicago.org.

Past St. Nicholas attendees have most enjoyed the workshops — there are three sessions: Friday 9:00-10:15, 10:30-11:45 and Saturday 8:30-10:15 – and the main liturgy on Saturday morning.

The 42 workshop topics include:

* “Companions in Transformation: The Blessing of Global Mission”

* “Small Groups for Spiritual Formation and Guidance”

* “Faith Alive, a weekend parish renewal for the entire family based on our Baptismal Commitment”

St. Nicholas Giving Opportunity Our adopted family from Clearmont School needs peanut butter and jelly for fall lunches. Our second adopted family from Grove Junior High needs breakfast foods. And we also are collecting Halloween costumes for several families.

Joint Bishop’s Committee meeting. The bishops’ committees of both parishes will meet jointly on Sunday, October 29, from noon to 4 p.m. This will be the first in an ongoing series of meetings in which we will explore how we might develop from our two different communities a single community that is a vital center of the gospel. By this, I mean a community committed to its own communal and personal transformation as well as to transforming lives of those outside its walls through mission.

One Bread, One Body – week 8 reflections. I met this past week with Randall Warren, the diocesan staff member who serves as our liaison, and Jarrett Kerbel, who is co-chair of the Congregations Commission for the diocese. They were both encouraged to hear the strong commitment to mission and ministry in both parishes, pleased that members of both congregations are beginning to connect in meaningful ways, and impressed at the strong turnout for our Wednesday Spirituality series.

This is one of many conversations we will all be having. Indeed, Randall and Jarrett both are looking forward to attending a joint meeting of the two bishop’s committees in the not-too-distant future and working with us to develop a new future.

What was most exciting to me is that I came away from the meeting convinced — for the first time in my 11 years out here — that diocesan leadership is fully committed to creative thinking and planning for truly effective ministry in our Northwest suburbs. I feel certain the days of our small congregations struggling alone to survive and do modest ministry are ending. This is Good, Good News!

What Jarrett and Randall would like to do in the long run is plant a new church somewhere in the Northwest suburbs. The first step in that process will be to bring Holy Innocents and St. Nicholas together in one building. There we will create from our two smaller congregations one much more vital congregation able to meet the needs of its members more effectively and to engage in significant ministry outside its walls. In time, we will provide support – and, I hope, some funding – for the new plant.

Our part will not be easy, but we will have help. Saying goodbye to two buildings will be especially hard. I say two because I believe that both of our congregations will lose their building. One will lose its building through closure, and the other through accommodating furnishings and the spirituality of the parish whose building closes. It will take a lot of love for one another to do this well, understanding there is both loss and gain – but I think we are up to it.

Here’s my image for the first step: we are going to light a unity candle. Most of you are familiar with these, for they have become popular at many weddings. It’s three candles – one for the individual life that each of the spouse brings, and one for the new marriage. The beauty of the unity candles is that the middle one – the marriage – is lit from the fire of the two individual candles, and all three candles burn brightly together.

That is my goal for what we are about to do. I want the candle that is Holy Innocents and the candle that is St. Nicholas to continue to burn brightly. Let’s bring all that is wonderful about each congregation to this holy union, and then from their individual fires, light a new candle to burn between us.

I am so grateful to each one of you for being willing to play with fire! To the people of Holy Innocents: I especially love your courage and hope, and your willingness to welcome me, pretty much a stranger, so kindly and graciously. To the people of St. Nicholas: I am particularly grateful for you patience and openness to this new endeavor, which I know came upon you rather suddenly and surprisingly.

I know there will be tears ahead, but I believe there also will be joy. We are an Easter people, and I trust that a year or two from now, we all will be warmer for doing this – and so will the people whose lives we will together transform through the light of Christ burning in us. Blessings,– Steve