AOC Two

            I must admit I am plagiarizing myself on this hymn devotion; however, I find the subject hymn the most excellent upon which to comment at the beginning of a new year.             There is one story that is unchanging, absolute, and immutable – the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ beginning at Genesis 1:1 and concluding at Revelations 22:21. The most ancient of truths will become the New Creation of that New Beginning created of God on the final sound of the Trumpet. The Ancient Landmark of God’s Word, long abandoned by the wider church, will become the new Chart and Compass for that new Creation.             There is, in the deepest chambers and sinews of the heart of each person, a longing for the better elements of the ancient times past. If the lyrics are ignored, there is something spiritually appealing in the tune, Auld Lang Syne - it evokes tender and cherished memories, does it not? The tenderness of a mother’s embrace remains deeply woven into the mysti

Happy First Sunday after Christmas, which is also the remembrance of the Holy Innocents this year, a not so happy day.  Read the report RIGHT HERE and learn  why. Sorry for the late report.  I made the prayer list twice, like yesterday, one good, one not. There are great sermons from Bishop Roy and Rev Bryan and one from me. Like always, there are a number of people on the prayer list. Please take the time to pray for at least a few of them.  There is a great week and year ahead, you won't find it without the Holy Ghost. You might take time to think about that while you're at it.  Like always, there are a number of people on the prayer list. Please take the time to pray for at least a few of them. There is a great week and year ahead, you won't find them without the Holy Ghost. You might take time to think about that while you're at it. Godspeed, Hap Church of the Faithful Centurion Descanso, CA

Sermon - Rev Hap Arnold Church of the Faithful Centurion - Descanso, California At this Christmastide, we have been concentrating on the joy of the Christ’s coming to earth; rightly so!  But, in our liturgical calendar, the days go on.  Right after Christmas, we celebrate Boxing Day in the Anglican tradition, but more than that 26 December brings us the recollection of Saint Steven Deacon and Martyr; he was killed under the direction of Saul of Tarsus, the same person who with God’s Grace and Help became Saint Paul.  The following day, 27 December, recalls Saint John, the longest lived of the Apostles whose writing gives so much to the theology of the New Testament.  That brings us to today, 28 December, when we recall The Holy Innocents, whose deaths are connected with Jesus’ birth.    An odd combination of days and thoughts for those who do not choose to think or delve deeply into a subject upon which their eternal lives are dependent.   Most people, if they go to chur

V   ERILY , verily, I say unto you, He that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth me; and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me . When Jesus had thus said, he was troubled in spirit, and testified, and said,  Verily, verily, I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me.  Then the disciples looked one on another, doubting of whom he spake. Now there was leaning on Jesus' bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved. Simon Peter therefore beckoned to him, that he should ask who it should be of whom he spake. He then lying on Jesus' breast saith unto him, Lord, who is it? Jesus answered , He it is, to whom I shall give a sop, when I have dipped it . And when he had dipped the sop, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon. Therefore, when he was gone out, Jesus said,  Now is the Son of man glorified, and God is glorified in him. If God be glorified in him, God shall also glorify him in himself, and shall straightway glorify him. Little children, y

A ND  it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.   2   (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)  3   And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.   4   And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)   5   To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.   6   And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.   7   And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn .     ( Luke 2:1-7)             What majestic beauty there lies in these opening words of the second chapter of the Gospel of St. Luke! They have always enjoyed a power that exceeds the written wo

T HUS  saith the LORD; A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation, and bitter weeping; Rahel weeping for her children refused to be comforted for her children, because they were not.  16  Thus saith the LORD; Refrain thy voice from weeping, and thine eyes from tears: for thy work shall be rewarded, saith the LORD; and they shall come again from the land of the enemy.  17  And there is hope in thine end, saith the LORD, that thy children shall come again to their own border .  (Jeremiah 31:15-17)             An important observance during the Twelve Days of Christmas is that of the martyred Holy Innocents of Bethlehem ruthlessly murdered by Herod’s army at Bethlehem.  We observe that event on the 28 th  of December. I was minded to write upon a Christmas hymn memorializing that event by a recent article by my friend, Rev David McMillan, of Andalusia, Alabama.  I am grateful for his reminder.              This hymn is composed by Lawrence Housman (1865-1959) who died a