Michael Flowers

Why Membership? Disciples and Crowds- Fr. Michael Flowers 08.13.23 by St. Aidan's Anglican Church, KC

Why Membership? Disciples and Crowds- Fr. Michael Flowers 08.13.23

The Transfiguration of Christ reveals the original glorious light humanity wore as a garment. This loss of glory revealed to our ancestral parents a sense of nakedness, fear, and shame. The entrance of sin into the cosmos stripped humanity of this glory shared in communion with God. Christ, the Second Adam, the ultimate human, fully human and fully divine, shows forth the outcome of our salvation in Christ. The feast of the Transfiguration shows us what it means to be fully human, restored in Christ. Christ calls us out of darkness into his marvelous light. In baptism we put on Christ, the restored robe of glory. He calls us to walk in the light, restoring communion with God and creation. As we live in this light, we have communion with one another and the blood of Jesus cleanses us from all sin.

The Transfiguration of Christ reveals the original glorious light humanity wore as a garment. This loss of glory revealed to our ancestral parents a sense of nakedness, fear, and shame. The entrance of sin into the cosmos stripped humanity of this glory shared in communion with God. Christ, the Second Adam, the ultimate human, fully human and fully divine, shows forth the outcome of our salvation in Christ. The feast of the Transfiguration shows us what it means to be fully human, restored in Christ. Christ calls us out of darkness into his marvelous light. In baptism we put on Christ, the restored robe of glory. He calls us to walk in the light, restoring communion with God and creation. As we live in this light, we have communion with one another and the blood of Jesus cleanses us from all sin.

Fully Human, Robed in Glory - Transfiguration Sunday - Fr. Michael Flowers 08.06.23-

Derek Metcalf

The Calling of Saint Matthew is a painting by Caravaggio, depicting the moment at which Jesus Christ inspires Matthew to follow him. It was completed in 1599–1600 for the Contarelli Chapel in the church of the French congregation, San Luigi dei Francesi in Rome, where it remains. It hangs alongside two other paintings of Matthew by Caravaggio, The Martyrdom of Saint Matthew (painted around the same time as the Calling) and The Inspiration of Saint Matthew (1602).

The Church Comes Home - 10. Called To Follow Jesus - Fr. Derek Metcalf 07.23.23

Icon by Ivanka DemchukThe Wedding at Cana of Galilee, John 2:1-11, is a picture of humanity, empty and without the wine of divine life. Israel had run out of wine, and it would require the Paschal Mystery to restore the divine life. The wedding at Cana is a picture of how our transformation occurs. Jesus brings the wine, restored communion, to our lives. He fills our empty vessels with the abundance of his Kingdom - righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.He’s saying if our relationship with God has run out of wine, do what he tells you, and out of your innermost being shall flow rivers of living water.  If our marriages are running low on this joyous wine, do whatever he tells you, and out of our innermost being shall flow rivers of living water. The presence of Jesus in our households brings transformation. “I will restore the years that the locust have eaten.”  Joel 2:25We see how Jesus transformed water into wine. Today we believe he will transform wine into his blood. Likewise, he can transform our households, our marriages, our relationship with him and others by the koinonia of the Holy Spirit. Invite the Holy Spirit into your lives. It’s the presence of Jesus that transforms our households. The Spirit and the Bride say, Come.

Icon by Ivanka Demchuk The Wedding at Cana of Galilee, John 2:1-11, is a picture of humanity, empty and without the wine of divine life. Israel had run out of wine, and it would require the Paschal Mystery to restore the divine life. The wedding at Cana is a picture of how our transformation occurs. Jesus brings the wine, restored communion, to our lives. He fills our empty vessels with the abundance of his Kingdom - righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. He’s saying if our relationship with God has run out of wine, do what he tells you, and out of your innermost being shall flow rivers of living water. If our marriages are running low on this joyous wine, do whatever he tells you, and out of our innermost being shall flow rivers of living water. The presence of Jesus in our households brings transformation. “I will restore the years that the locust have eaten.” Joel 2:25 We see how Jesus transformed water into wine. Today we believe he will transform wine into his blood. Likewise, he can transform our households, our marriages, our relationship with him and others by the koinonia of the Holy Spirit. Invite the Holy Spirit into your lives. It’s the presence of Jesus that transforms our households. The Spirit and the Bride say, Come.

The Church Comes Home - 7. When the Wine Runs Out -  Fr. Michael Flowers 07.16.23

Holy Matrimony, a truly Christian marriage, and life-long celibacy point to the union of Christ and His Church, His Bride. Both are outward signs of an inward grace; both signify Union in Christ, yet marriage signifies earthly union awaiting the consummation of all things, whereas life-long celibacy points to the eschatological union, the full consummation of Christ and His Church, though presently signifying the eschaton where God will be "all in all."

The Church Comes Home - 6. Nurturing a Sacramental Marriage - Fr. Michael Flowers 07.09.23

Andrew and Annette Comiskey are the founders of Desert Stream Ministries (desertstream.org/). Desert Stream is based on Jesus' mercy and the dignity of men and women made in God's image. They equip Christians to gather in pursuit of radical wholeness.

Andrew and Annette Comiskey are the founders of Desert Stream Ministries (<a href="http://desertstream.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">desertstream.org/</a>). Desert Stream is based on Jesus' mercy and the dignity of men and women made in God's image. They equip Christians to gather in pursuit of radical wholeness.

The Church Comes Home - 5. Redeeming the Image of God - Andrew & Annette Comiskey 7.2.23

Andrew and Annette Comiskey are the founders of Desert Stream Ministries (desertstream.org/). Desert Stream is based on Jesus' mercy and the dignity of men and women made in God's image. They equip Christians to gather in pursuit of radical wholeness. Following today's talk includes portions of the ministry prayer time. The entire congregation responded and came forward to receive prayer. Next week, they will continue part 2 of their message to our congregation.

Andrew and Annette Comiskey are the founders of Desert Stream Ministries (<a href="http://desertstream.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">desertstream.org/</a>). Desert Stream is based on Jesus' mercy and the dignity of men and women made in God's image. They equip Christians to gather in pursuit of radical wholeness. Following today's talk includes portions of the ministry prayer time. The entire congregation responded and came forward to receive prayer. Next week, they will continue part 2 of their message to our congregation.

he Church Comes Home - 4. Embodying God's Image - Andrew & Annette Comiskey 06.25.23

The Church Comes Home - 3. Ordering Our Lives In Love - Fr. Derek & Katie Metcalf 06.18.23

Icon: Ivanka Demchuk   Psalm 127    Ephesians 2:11-21   Luke 11:14f.Icon: Ivanka Demchuk

Icon: Ivanka Demchuk Psalm 127 Ephesians 2:11-21 Luke 11:14f. Icon: Ivanka Demchuk

The Church Comes Home - 2. God's Household And Yours - Fr. Michael Flowers - 06.11.23

Icon: Ivanka DemchukAlongside the sermon series, The Church Comes Home, we encourage our congregation to read Habits of the Household - practicing the Story of God in Everyday Family Rhythms by Jason Whitmel Earley.

Icon: Ivanka Demchuk Alongside the sermon series, The Church Comes Home, we encourage our congregation to read Habits of the Household - practicing the Story of God in Everyday Family Rhythms by Jason Whitmel Earley.

The Church Comes Home- 1. The Holy Trinity & Holy Households - Fr. Derek Metcalf 06.04.23

Weekly Sermons from St. Aidan's Anglican Church. We are a member of the ACNA (Anglican Church of North America. We are in the Anglican Diocese of the Upper Midwest. Visit us in person and check out our website at www.staidanskc.org.

This is gold right here, truly hearing God&#39;s word preached.

Enriching!

Fr. Michael always brings a clear thoughtful message. If i lived in KC i would be a member.

Always a good word!

Weekly Sermons from St. Aidan's Anglican Church. We are a member of the ACNA (Anglican Church of North America. We are in the Anglican Diocese of the Upper Midwest. Visit us in person and check out our website at <a href="http://www.staidanskc.org" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.staidanskc.org</a>.

St. Aidan's Anglican Church, Kansas City - weekly talks

Hardness of heart is the way Jesus describes the results of original sin. In the beginning we know the hearts of man and woman were spiritually alive and open both to God and to one another because of this key line: The man and his wife were both naked and felt no shame” (Gen. 2:25). In the beginning, before original sin began rewriting our story, man and woman were integrated, body and soul, the physical and the spiritual, and were able to see each other in light of God’s image inscribed right in their bodies as male and female. When Adam looked at Eve, he not only saw her naked body, but an embodied person. “The fact that ‘they did not feel shame’ means that the woman was not an ‘object’ for the man, nor he for her.” They “see and know each other, in fact, with all the peace of the interior gaze.” JPIIMale and female were able to see from the inside-out and from the outside-in. Intimacy means … Into-Me-See. And … without any shame.  We have lost fullness of sight.This way of seeing the other refers to an interior way of “seeing” that reveals and celebrates the interior mystery of the other person’s naked heart in and through the other person’s naked body. In other words, nakedness without shame refers to a way of seeing, knowing and experiencing the other with an unbroken integration of body and soul: it means that seeing the other person’s naked body is seeing the other person’s naked soul. In the beginning, man and woman enjoyed an inner gaze of purity.

Hardness of heart is the way Jesus describes the results of original sin. In the beginning we know the hearts of man and woman were spiritually alive and open both to God and to one another because of this key line: The man and his wife were both naked and felt no shame” (Gen. 2:25). In the beginning, before original sin began rewriting our story, man and woman were integrated, body and soul, the physical and the spiritual, and were able to see each other in light of God’s image inscribed right in their bodies as male and female. When Adam looked at Eve, he not only saw her naked body, but an embodied person. “The fact that ‘they did not feel shame’ means that the woman was not an ‘object’ for the man, nor he for her.” They “see and know each other, in fact, with all the peace of the interior gaze.” JPII Male and female were able to see from the inside-out and from the outside-in. Intimacy means … Into-Me-See. And … without any shame. We have lost fullness of sight. This way of seeing the other refers to an interior way of “seeing” that reveals and celebrates the interior mystery of the other person’s naked heart in and through the other person’s naked body. In other words, nakedness without shame refers to a way of seeing, knowing and experiencing the other with an unbroken integration of body and soul: it means that seeing the other person’s naked body is seeing the other person’s naked soul. In the beginning, man and woman enjoyed an inner gaze of purity.

4. Naked without Shame (Fully Human Series - Theology of the Body) Fr. Michael Flowers 7-12-15

Bill Baldwin

Fourth Sunday in LentGracious Father, whose blessed Son Jesus Christ came down from heaven to be the true bread which gives life to the world: Evermore give us this bread, that he may live in us, and we in him; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.Bill Baldwin, a member of St. Aidan's, unpacks the story of the prodigal son and calls us to the Father's Feast.

Fourth Sunday in Lent Gracious Father, whose blessed Son Jesus Christ came down from heaven to be the true bread which gives life to the world: Evermore give us this bread, that he may live in us, and we in him; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. Bill Baldwin, a member of St. Aidan's, unpacks the story of the prodigal son and calls us to the Father's Feast.

The Lost Son And His Older Brother - 4th Sunday Of Lent - Bill Baldwin - 03 - 31 - 19

Freedom is, perhaps, one of the deepest longings of the human soul. We sing about freedom, we protest for freedom, and most political philosophies are based on certain assumptions about the freedom of the human person.  What does the bible say about freedom? What does it mean to be set free in Christ? What is freedom, in this sense? To answer these questions, we reflect on Galatians 5. Part two will consider Galatians 6 and Paul's instructions on the mutual care of freedom in the community.  Ivanka Demchek, Icon of the Exodus.

Freedom is, perhaps, one of the deepest longings of the human soul. We sing about freedom, we protest for freedom, and most political philosophies are based on certain assumptions about the freedom of the human person. What does the bible say about freedom? What does it mean to be set free in Christ? What is freedom, in this sense? To answer these questions, we reflect on Galatians 5. Part two will consider Galatians 6 and Paul's instructions on the mutual care of freedom in the community. Ivanka Demchek, Icon of the Exodus.

1. Understanding Freedom In Christ - A Paradox Of Faith - Gal. 5 - Fr. Michael Flowers 06-30-19

Deacon Aaron Williams

The Apostles CreedI believe in God, the Father almighty,creator of heaven and earth.I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.He was conceived by the Holy Spiritand born of the virgin Mary.He suffered under Pontius Pilate,was crucified, died, and was buried.He descended to the dead.On the third day he rose again.He ascended into heaven,and is seated at the right hand of the Father.He will come again to judge the living and the dead.I believe in the Holy Spirit,the holy catholic Church,the communion of the saints,the forgiveness of sins,the resurrection of the body,and the life everlasting. Amen.

The Apostles Creed I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of the saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

5. He Suffered ... & was Crucified - St. Aidan's Catechism Class - Deacon Aaron Williams - 11.03.19

Ben Kwashi

Anglican Archbishop Benjamin Kwashi, Jos, Nigeria, gave four messages from Paul's letter to the Philippians at the SOMA USA Anglican Clergy Retreat in Parkville, MO. This is the second message from Philippians 1.

Philippians 1 (SOMA USA Anglican Leadership Retreat) Archbishop Ben Kwashi ,July 2015

Deacon Aaron explores Matthew 9:9-17 as Jesus shows up at Matthew's Party, filled with all manner of so-called riff-raft to immediately be asked by the disciples of John, why his disciples didn't fast. In this brief section of Scripture, we contemplate the place of feasting and fasting.Artist, Sieger Köder

Deacon Aaron explores Matthew 9:9-17 as Jesus shows up at Matthew's Party, filled with all manner of so-called riff-raft to immediately be asked by the disciples of John, why his disciples didn't fast. In this brief section of Scripture, we contemplate the place of feasting and fasting. Artist, Sieger Köder

Feasting And Fasting With Jesus - Deacon Aaron Williams 01.09.20

Evan Howard

Evan Howard leads a half-day workshop on Spiritual Formation in Community. Too often, spiritual formation is relegated to individualism and solely a one-to-one relationship with God. These talks explore how formation is forged in the context of intentional relationships.Evan B. Howard, Ph.D. is the founder and director of Spirituality Shoppe, a Center for the Study of Christian Spirituality. He is affiliate associate professor of Christian Spirituality at Fuller Theological Seminary and teaches at other institutions. He is the author of The Brazos Introduction to Christian Spirituality and leads workshops and seminars on Christian Spirituality worldwide.

Evan Howard leads a half-day workshop on Spiritual Formation in Community. Too often, spiritual formation is relegated to individualism and solely a one-to-one relationship with God. These talks explore how formation is forged in the context of intentional relationships. Evan B. Howard, Ph.D. is the founder and director of Spirituality Shoppe, a Center for the Study of Christian Spirituality. He is affiliate associate professor of Christian Spirituality at Fuller Theological Seminary and teaches at other institutions. He is the author of The Brazos Introduction to Christian Spirituality and leads workshops and seminars on Christian Spirituality worldwide.

3. W-I-S-D-O-M Formation & Community - Evan Howard - 04 - 05 - 2019.mp3

I believe in God, the Father almighty,creator of heaven and earth.I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.He was conceived by the Holy Spiritand born of the virgin Mary.He suffered under Pontius Pilate,was crucified, died, and was buried.He descended to the dead.On the third day he rose again.He ascended into heaven,and is seated at the right hand of the Father.He will come again to judge the living and the dead.I believe in the Holy Spirit,the holy catholic Church,the communion of the saints,the forgiveness of sins,the resurrection of the body,and the life everlasting. Amen.

I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of the saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

10. Forgiveness Of Sins, Bodily Resurrection & Eternal Life - St. Aidan's Catechism - Bill Baldwin

Stephen Gauthier

Canon Dr. Stephen Gauthier, Canon Theologian of the Anglican Diocese of the Upper Midwest, talks about prayer based in Luke 11:1-13 and its theme throughout Luke's Gospel. Stephen is a co-host on the popular PodCast, Word and Table. He and his wife, Barbara, live in Wheaton, IL.   He oversees Gregory House, and St. Paul’s House of Formation, two Anglican ministry formation organizations in Chicagoland. He holds a Ph.D. from Vanderbilt University and has devoted a lifetime to the study of Scripture, theology, church history, liturgics, the early church fathers, canon law, and Carmelite spirituality.

Canon Dr. Stephen Gauthier, Canon Theologian of the Anglican Diocese of the Upper Midwest, talks about prayer based in Luke 11:1-13 and its theme throughout Luke's Gospel. Stephen is a co-host on the popular PodCast, Word and Table. He and his wife, Barbara, live in Wheaton, IL. He oversees Gregory House, and St. Paul’s House of Formation, two Anglican ministry formation organizations in Chicagoland. He holds a Ph.D. from Vanderbilt University and has devoted a lifetime to the study of Scripture, theology, church history, liturgics, the early church fathers, canon law, and Carmelite spirituality.

How To Pray & Why We Don't - Canon Stephen Gauthier 07-28-19

Awakened By Expectancy - Jesus On The Final Judgement -  Fr. Michael Flowers 08 - 11 - 19

The Collect of the DaySecond Sunday of AdventMerciful 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. AmenThe Old TestamentIsaiah 11:1-10A shoot shall come out from the stump of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots. The spirit of the LORD shall rest on him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD. His delight shall be in the fear of the LORD. He shall not judge by what his eyes see, or decide by what his ears hear; but with righteousness he shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth; he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall kill the wicked. Righteousness shall be the belt around his waist, and faithfulness the belt around his loins. The wolf shall live with the lamb, the leopard shall lie down with the kid, the calf and the lion and the fatling together, and a little child shall lead them. The cow and the bear shall graze, their young shall lie down together; and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. The nursing child shall play over the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put its hand on the adder's den. They will not hurt or destroy on all my holy mountain; for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea. On that day the root of Jesse shall stand as a signal to the peoples; the nations shall inquire of him, and his dwelling shall be glorious.Matthew 3:1-12In those days John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness of Judea, proclaiming, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near." This is the one of whom the prophet Isaiah spoke when he said, "The voice of one crying out in the wilderness: 'Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.'" Now John wore clothing of camel's hair with a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. Then the people of Jerusalem and all Judea were going out to him, and all the region along the Jordan, and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. But when he saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, he said to them, "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruit worthy of repentance. Do not presume to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our ancestor'; for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. Even now the ax is lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. "I baptize you with water for repentance, but one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and will gather his wheat into the granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire."

The Collect of the Day Second Sunday of Advent 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 The Old Testament Isaiah 11:1-10 A shoot shall come out from the stump of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots. The spirit of the LORD shall rest on him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD. His delight shall be in the fear of the LORD. He shall not judge by what his eyes see, or decide by what his ears hear; but with righteousness he shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth; he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall kill the wicked. Righteousness shall be the belt around his waist, and faithfulness the belt around his loins. The wolf shall live with the lamb, the leopard shall lie down with the kid, the calf and the lion and the fatling together, and a little child shall lead them. The cow and the bear shall graze, their young shall lie down together; and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. The nursing child shall play over the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put its hand on the adder's den. They will not hurt or destroy on all my holy mountain; for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea. On that day the root of Jesse shall stand as a signal to the peoples; the nations shall inquire of him, and his dwelling shall be glorious. Matthew 3:1-12 In those days John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness of Judea, proclaiming, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near." This is the one of whom the prophet Isaiah spoke when he said, "The voice of one crying out in the wilderness: 'Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.'" Now John wore clothing of camel's hair with a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. Then the people of Jerusalem and all Judea were going out to him, and all the region along the Jordan, and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. But when he saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, he said to them, "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruit worthy of repentance. Do not presume to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our ancestor'; for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. Even now the ax is lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. "I baptize you with water for repentance, but one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and will gather his wheat into the granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire."

The New Age Of The Kingdom - Advent 2 - Fr. Michael Flowers - 12.8.19

We reflect on the development of Ancient Christian Initiation - baptism, chrismation and Eucharist in light of the western development of delayed Confirmation.

Ancient Christian Initiation & the Sacrament of Confirmation - Fr. Michael Flowers 11.10.19

Christ became like us, one of us, a human being, so that we could become like Him, fully human, fully alive. The Word became flesh so that He could become flesh in us ... Christ in you, the hope of Glory (Col. 1:27).Because we are sons, God sent forth the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, Abba, Father (Gal. 4:6). God is at work in you both the will and to do according to his good pleasure (Phil. 2:13). The Grace of God has appeared in person! Titus 2:11-14 says, "11 For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. 12 It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 13 while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good."Grace begets holiness, freedom from controlling habits, and intimacy with the Father.  This is our salvation. Grace empowers us to become Christlike as is the Father. The world hungers for transformation without Christ. Every New Year's Eve we take another stab at transformation. It never works. But the Good News is that the Grace of God has appeared! The Word has become flesh in order to enter our world, our lives and transformation us (save us) from the inside-out. This transformation mirrors the divine Logos, now enfleshed. He enters our lives to restore our mental, verbal and volitional capacity - in thought, word and deed. As it was in the beginning, the divine Word conceived his good creation and spoke it into existence. Throughout salvation history, he not only imagined his creation, and thus spoke, he also acted with his mighty deeds, and delived his people in numerous ways. As the Word, Christ, becomes flesh in us, we are transformed in thought, word and deed. We are transformed by the renewing of our minds (Rom. 12:1f.). In Christ, our thoughts precede words which release power. The effect of our words are witnessed by others. The tone and intent of our words are creative, effecting good and bad fruit. Our words in alignment with Truth accompany the presence of the Kingdom, the eternal realm of life. Our deeds become the good works prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them (Eph. 2). Icon by Ivanka Demchuk, UkraineHappy New Creation! Fr. Michael

Christ became like us, one of us, a human being, so that we could become like Him, fully human, fully alive. The Word became flesh so that He could become flesh in us ... Christ in you, the hope of Glory (Col. 1:27). Because we are sons, God sent forth the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, Abba, Father (Gal. 4:6). God is at work in you both the will and to do according to his good pleasure (Phil. 2:13). The Grace of God has appeared in person! Titus 2:11-14 says, "11 For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. 12 It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 13 while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good." Grace begets holiness, freedom from controlling habits, and intimacy with the Father. This is our salvation. Grace empowers us to become Christlike as is the Father. The world hungers for transformation without Christ. Every New Year's Eve we take another stab at transformation. It never works. But the Good News is that the Grace of God has appeared! The Word has become flesh in order to enter our world, our lives and transformation us (save us) from the inside-out. This transformation mirrors the divine Logos, now enfleshed. He enters our lives to restore our mental, verbal and volitional capacity - in thought, word and deed. As it was in the beginning, the divine Word conceived his good creation and spoke it into existence. Throughout salvation history, he not only imagined his creation, and thus spoke, he also acted with his mighty deeds, and delived his people in numerous ways. As the Word, Christ, becomes flesh in us, we are transformed in thought, word and deed. We are transformed by the renewing of our minds (Rom. 12:1f.). In Christ, our thoughts precede words which release power. The effect of our words are witnessed by others. The tone and intent of our words are creative, effecting good and bad fruit. Our words in alignment with Truth accompany the presence of the Kingdom, the eternal realm of life. Our deeds become the good works prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them (Eph. 2). Icon by Ivanka Demchuk, Ukraine Happy New Creation! Fr. Michael

The Word Becomes Flesh In Us - Happy New Creation! Fr. Michael Flowers 12 - 30 - 18

Deacon Aaron Williams continues in the Apostles Creed, ... was crucified, died and was buried; He descended to the dead. Apologies for the audio quality. Better next time! The Apostles CreedI believe in God, the Father almighty,creator of heaven and earth.I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.He was conceived by the Holy Spiritand born of the virgin Mary.He suffered under Pontius Pilate,was crucified, died, and was buried.He descended to the dead.On the third day he rose again.He ascended into heaven,and is seated at the right hand of the Father.He will come again to judge the living and the dead.I believe in the Holy Spirit,the holy catholic Church,the communion of the saints,the forgiveness of sins,the resurrection of the body,and the life everlasting. Amen.

Deacon Aaron Williams continues in the Apostles Creed, ... was crucified, died and was buried; He descended to the dead. Apologies for the audio quality. Better next time! The Apostles Creed I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of the saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

6. Crucified, Dead, Buried, Descended to the Dead - St. Aidan's Catechism  - Deacon Aaron Williams

Aaron Williams

Luke 16:1-13He also said to the disciples, “There was a rich man who had a manager, and charges were brought to him that this man was wasting his possessions. 2 And he called him and said to him, ‘What is this that I hear about you? Turn in the account of your management, for you can no longer be manager.’ 3 And the manager said to himself, ‘What shall I do, since my master is taking the management away from me? I am not strong enough to dig, and I am ashamed to beg. 4 I have decided what to do, so that when I am removed from management, people may receive me into their houses.’ 5 So, summoning his master's debtors one by one, he said to the first, ‘How much do you owe my master?’ 6 He said, ‘A hundred measures[a] of oil.’ He said to him, ‘Take your bill, and sit down quickly and write fifty.’ 7 Then he said to another, ‘And how much do you owe?’ He said, ‘A hundred measures[b] of wheat.’ He said to him, ‘Take your bill, and write eighty.’ 8 The master commended the dishonest manager for his shrewdness. For the sons of this world[c] are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than the sons of light. 9 And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of unrighteous wealth,[d] so that when it fails they may receive you into the eternal dwellings.10 “One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much. 11 If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches? 12 And if you have not been faithful in that which is another's, who will give you that which is your own? 13 No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.”

Luke 16:1-13 He also said to the disciples, “There was a rich man who had a manager, and charges were brought to him that this man was wasting his possessions. 2 And he called him and said to him, ‘What is this that I hear about you? Turn in the account of your management, for you can no longer be manager.’ 3 And the manager said to himself, ‘What shall I do, since my master is taking the management away from me? I am not strong enough to dig, and I am ashamed to beg. 4 I have decided what to do, so that when I am removed from management, people may receive me into their houses.’ 5 So, summoning his master's debtors one by one, he said to the first, ‘How much do you owe my master?’ 6 He said, ‘A hundred measures[a] of oil.’ He said to him, ‘Take your bill, and sit down quickly and write fifty.’ 7 Then he said to another, ‘And how much do you owe?’ He said, ‘A hundred measures[b] of wheat.’ He said to him, ‘Take your bill, and write eighty.’ 8 The master commended the dishonest manager for his shrewdness. For the sons of this world[c] are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than the sons of light. 9 And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of unrighteous wealth,[d] so that when it fails they may receive you into the eternal dwellings. 10 “One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much. 11 If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches? 12 And if you have not been faithful in that which is another's, who will give you that which is your own? 13 No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.”

Prodigal Stewardship - Dcn. Aaron Williams - 09 - 23 - 19

9. The Holy Spirit, the Church & Communion Of The Saints - St. Aidan's Catechism - Aaron Williams

Jesus establishes the identifying mark of his New Community, the Church, his Body, as Costly love, the same kind of love wherein he loves us. This mark is the witness to the world that we are his disciples. All of our vast theological output will never provide this witness; only cruciform love, worked into the lives of his Church, will convince the world that we are his disciples. Disciples not only hear and believe his Words, but they also assimilate and embody them, they do them by habitual  practices, the culture of the Kingdom. This love is demonstrated on the cross, the laying down of his life, for the life of the world. In like manner, 1 John 3:16 continues that we should lay down our lives for one another. This is how we know what love is, and this is how the world sees Christ in his body. Father, make us one ... that the world may know that the Father has sent the Son into the world, that the world might be saved through him, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Jesus establishes the identifying mark of his New Community, the Church, his Body, as Costly love, the same kind of love wherein he loves us. This mark is the witness to the world that we are his disciples. All of our vast theological output will never provide this witness; only cruciform love, worked into the lives of his Church, will convince the world that we are his disciples. Disciples not only hear and believe his Words, but they also assimilate and embody them, they do them by habitual practices, the culture of the Kingdom. This love is demonstrated on the cross, the laying down of his life, for the life of the world. In like manner, 1 John 3:16 continues that we should lay down our lives for one another. This is how we know what love is, and this is how the world sees Christ in his body. Father, make us one ... that the world may know that the Father has sent the Son into the world, that the world might be saved through him, Jesus Christ. Amen.

The Community Of Costly Love - Fr. Michael Flowers - 5th Sunday Of Eastertide - 05 - 19 - 19

In this section of the Catechism, we explore the liturgy of the Eucharist, walking through the steps of preparation through the dismissal. Fr. Michael rerecorded this teaching after failure to obtain an audio recording in the Catechism class. Recommended books to explore ... Alexander Schmemann: Eastern Orthodox1. For the Life of the World2. Introduction to Liturgical TheologyDom Gregory Dix: Anglican3. The Shape of the Liturgy Roman Catholic4. The Bible and the Liturgy, Jean Danielou5. The Wellspring of Worship - Jean Corbon6. Jesus and the Last Supper - Brant Pitre7. The Spirit of the Liturgy - Ratzinger (Benedict XVI)Assemblies of God 8. Liturgical Theology - Simon Chan, Sinapore

In this section of the Catechism, we explore the liturgy of the Eucharist, walking through the steps of preparation through the dismissal. Fr. Michael rerecorded this teaching after failure to obtain an audio recording in the Catechism class. Recommended books to explore ... Alexander Schmemann: Eastern Orthodox 1. For the Life of the World 2. Introduction to Liturgical Theology Dom Gregory Dix: Anglican 3. The Shape of the Liturgy Roman Catholic 4. The Bible and the Liturgy, Jean Danielou 5. The Wellspring of Worship - Jean Corbon 6. Jesus and the Last Supper - Brant Pitre 7. The Spirit of the Liturgy - Ratzinger (Benedict XVI) Assemblies of God 8. Liturgical Theology - Simon Chan, Sinapore

14. Experiencing The Liturgy Of The Eucharist - St. Aidan's Catechism - Fr. Michael Flowers

Love your enemies ... Luke 6:27-38The liturgical cycle, this seventh Sunday after the Epiphany is taking us somewhere. We’re moving closer and closer to Holy Week, culminating in the most outrageous act of God ever displayed, the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. In this event, the resurrection of Christ, all things are becoming new, restored to the purity of their origins, conformed to the image of the crucified and risen Lord, Jesus Christ.  Since last week, the Gospel readings feature perhaps the heart of Jesus’ teaching. It’s famously called, in Luke’s version, the sermon on the plain, Luke’s account of Matthew’s version, the Sermon on the Mount. Today’s passage begins with a deeply challenging and perhaps, even disturbing command to love one’s enemies, 6:27 &amp; 35. Challenging and perhaps disturbing because it identifies our human frailty. Let’s just say, it’s hard. It’s hard because of our need to daily take up our cross, discerning where my will and God’s will cross. This entire Gospel sermon, given to us two Sundays before March 6th, Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent, is meant to alert us towards a sincere sense of helplessness without God’s gracious and lavish gift of grace, the very life of God, which is the love of God, poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit. Might I say, these words are calling us to a divinized life, a life completed immersed and abiding in Christ, and being conformed to be more Christlike, Heavenly Father-like, enabled and energized by the Holy Spirit. As we briefly reflect on these words, may we take them into the Lenten season to contemplate a new world and a renewed vision of God the Father, who calls us to imagine life in the Kingdom on earth as it is in heaven. In such a society, there wouldn’t be any violence. There wouldn’t be any revenge. There wouldn’t be any divisions of class, race or gender. Property and possessions wouldn’t be nearly as important as making sure your neighbor was all right. Imagine if even a few people around you took Jesus seriously and lived like that. Life would be astonishingly different, NT Wright concludes.

Love your enemies ... Luke 6:27-38 The liturgical cycle, this seventh Sunday after the Epiphany is taking us somewhere. We’re moving closer and closer to Holy Week, culminating in the most outrageous act of God ever displayed, the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. In this event, the resurrection of Christ, all things are becoming new, restored to the purity of their origins, conformed to the image of the crucified and risen Lord, Jesus Christ. Since last week, the Gospel readings feature perhaps the heart of Jesus’ teaching. It’s famously called, in Luke’s version, the sermon on the plain, Luke’s account of Matthew’s version, the Sermon on the Mount. Today’s passage begins with a deeply challenging and perhaps, even disturbing command to love one’s enemies, 6:27 &amp; 35. Challenging and perhaps disturbing because it identifies our human frailty. Let’s just say, it’s hard. It’s hard because of our need to daily take up our cross, discerning where my will and God’s will cross. This entire Gospel sermon, given to us two Sundays before March 6th, Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent, is meant to alert us towards a sincere sense of helplessness without God’s gracious and lavish gift of grace, the very life of God, which is the love of God, poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit. Might I say, these words are calling us to a divinized life, a life completed immersed and abiding in Christ, and being conformed to be more Christlike, Heavenly Father-like, enabled and energized by the Holy Spirit. As we briefly reflect on these words, may we take them into the Lenten season to contemplate a new world and a renewed vision of God the Father, who calls us to imagine life in the Kingdom on earth as it is in heaven. In such a society, there wouldn’t be any violence. There wouldn’t be any revenge. There wouldn’t be any divisions of class, race or gender. Property and possessions wouldn’t be nearly as important as making sure your neighbor was all right. Imagine if even a few people around you took Jesus seriously and lived like that. Life would be astonishingly different, NT Wright concludes.

The Challenge of Cruciform Love - the Lenten Way - Fr. Michael Flowers 02-24-19

Today is the first Sunday of Lent, an annual contemplation of Christ, the Word, in the Wilderness. Jesus illustrates for us the way of humble submission as he's challenged by Satan to go the way of worldly glory. Jesus stays on mission and demonstrates what kind of Messiah he would be. On his way to the Cross and resurrection, for us and for our salvation, Christ bound Satan in the wilderness, thus showing us how to overcome, in communion with him.[Ivanka Demchuk, Iconographer, Lviv, Ukraine]Title of series borrowed from the Lenten book of poetry by Malcolm Guite. See Malcolm's blog of poetry: https://malcolmguite.wordpress.com/blog/

Today is the first Sunday of Lent, an annual contemplation of Christ, the Word, in the Wilderness. Jesus illustrates for us the way of humble submission as he's challenged by Satan to go the way of worldly glory. Jesus stays on mission and demonstrates what kind of Messiah he would be. On his way to the Cross and resurrection, for us and for our salvation, Christ bound Satan in the wilderness, thus showing us how to overcome, in communion with him. [Ivanka Demchuk, Iconographer, Lviv, Ukraine] Title of series borrowed from the Lenten book of poetry by Malcolm Guite. See Malcolm's blog of poetry: <a href="https://malcolmguite.wordpress.com/blog/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://malcolmguite.wordpress.com/blog/</a>

The Word in the Wilderness - 1st Sunday of Lent - Fr. Michael Flowers 03-10-19

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