By Amanda Highben The Manifestation of Our Lord “Epiphany means ‘manifestation.’ On this day (January 6) we celebrate the revelation of Christ to the Gentiles-that is, to all nations. Some Christian traditions celebrate three great epiphanies on this day: the magi’s adoration of the Christ child, Jesus’ baptism in the Jordan River, and his first …
Category Archive: From the Pastor’s Desk
From the Pastor's Desk
Dec 03
From the Pastor’s Desk – December 2014
By Pastor Mark Combs I was thinking this week that it is probably time to start figuring out what sort of Valentine’s present I should buy for Becky this year. If you follow the wisdom of television, it seems that you can’t go wrong with jewelry and flowers. There are those who say that the …
Oct 01
From Vicar Amanda’s Desk – October 2014
By Amanda Highben “Ask yourselves, young people, about the love of Christ. Acknowledge his voice resounding in the temple of your heart. Return his bright and penetrating glance, which opens the paths of your life to the horizons of the Church’s mission. It is a taxing mission, today more than ever, to teach people the …
Sep 28
From the Pastor’s Desk – September 2014
By Pastor Mark Combs P: Will you be diligent in your study of the Holy Scriptures and in your use of the means of grace? Will you pray for God’s people, nourish them with the Word and Holy Sacraments, and lead them by your own example in faithful service and holy living? R: I will, …
Sep 28
From Vicar Amanda’s Desk – August 2014
By Amanda Highben The Feminine Saints of our Church This past Monday I attended the lunch and “Baskets of Life” program hosted by the Women of St. John’s. It was a full house in the fellowship hall, which really should come as no surprise, given the Women’s gifts of hospitality, service and outreach. As a …
Jul 07
From the Pastor’s Desk – July 2014
By Pastor Mark Combs I am sitting here by the ocean in North Carolina, on the Day of Pentecost, and I have been thinking. Dangerous stuff, I know. Becky always has a look of trepidation on her face when I start with, “I’ve been thinking. . . .” I don’t know if I was inspired …
May 28
From Vicar Amanda’s Desk – June 2013
By Amanda Highben Living in God’s Time: Amazing Grace 2014 “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.” Ecclesiastes 3.1 Although you might think of yourself as someone who is pretty familiar with St. John’s Amazing Grace Day Camp program, especially as we prepare for our 15th year—which could …
May 08
From the Pastor’s Desk – May 2014
By Pastor Mark Combs Alleluia! Christ is Risen! He is Risen Indeed! Alleluia! You can always tell that Easter has arrived when you hear these words. I am writing this with the memory of the celebration of this past Easter Sunday fresh in my mind. I always feel an electric thrill run through me on …
May 08
From Vicar Amanda’s Desk – April 2013
By Amanda Highben Once you receive this issue of The Chimes, the Church will be more than halfway through the forty days of Lent. Palm Sunday and Holy Week will be near and, with them, Jerusalem and the cross of our Crucified Lord. If you’d hoped and planned to practice a spiritual discipline this Lent-such …
Feb 28
From the Pastor’s Desk – March 2014
By Pastor Mark Combs There is a story that has been around for a very long time. It will occasionally be sent around again on e-mail and internet sites. While I know that we have all heard it before, I have used it before in Chimes articles, it bears repeating. The story goes: A professor …
