May 2021
Spirit of the Eagle
St. John the Evangelist ACC
Spiritual Tidbits & Rector’s Reflections for
May 2021 from Father Tim
The month of May 2021 begins with the feast of Saints Phillip and James (1st) and ends with Trinity Sunday (30th). May also includes WhitSunday (Pentecost the 23rd), the Rogation Days, (10th, 11th, & 12th), and somewhat close to the middle of the month Ascension Day (13th). And, on the subject of Ascension, all of us at Saint John’s, our entire church family, must hold ourselves and each other accountable to living a life of ascent with Christ. I am nothing but serious. In our earthly pilgrimage we are either descending or ascending. There is no other direction, no other path. At St. John’s we are not the Protestant having a ‘suddenly saved’ emotional launch down front at the foot of the stage. We are not the Roman Catholic or Eastern Orthodox proclaiming to have the ‘one true launchpad’ to ascend alongside Christ. Some (not all) who belong to the aforementioned churches would argue, “mine is right, and yours is wrong.” At Saint John’s we must not descend to these worldly proclamations but choose the ancient path — ascending, growing, rising toward the Son of Righteousness. We are an Anglo-Catholic parish, a rare and beautiful branch of Christ’s Holy Church that began its ascension 2000 years ago at Pentecost, rising through the East–West Schism, weaving through the Church of England and the Church of Rome, climbing through the Protestant Reformation, and our ascension must remain steeply inclined toward Jesus Christ, the Light and Life of the world. In some old dusty book I once read, “It does not take much of a man to be a Christian, but it takes all there is of him.” At St. John’s we will be totally committed to our ascent. All in. Total commitment. The prize can be won only at the price of lifelong growth and struggle. There is something within us in contact with the Divine, an ignited ‘spark’ at the core of our soul which was kindled at the altar in heaven, an intense spark which even sin cannot quite extinguish. At St. John’s we will ascend. Our goal is a living object of love, a God who draws souls upward like a magnet. Will we struggle? Absolutely. But we will strive for an enhanced life of ascension. Not nirvana, but peace bathed in love is our upward aim, and our ascending path is a dying life, not a living death. This May, let us continually ascend. ~ Father Tim
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Is there someone in your life who is living a life of descending? Are they selling their lives short by simply being content with what the fallen world offers? May is a beautiful month to invite family and friends to ascend with Christ. The acknowledgement of the Ascension of Christ this holy season may be a life changing moment for a lost soul who needs the peace to discover their inner spark which was ignited at the altar in heaven. ~ Father Tim
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You will not see anyone who is truly striving after his spiritual advancement who is not given to spiritual reading. ~ Saint Athanasius, Bishop, Confessor, and Doctor, commemoration day 2nd of May
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Did you know?
Did you know that Saint John’s made another nice donation to the Salvation Army – Northern KY Corp in April? Also a nice donation to CareNet to help young expecting mothers? And a donation to Lincoln Elementary Dollar Store here in Dayton? Did you know we repaired the water damage above the pulpit? Did you know that major window repair is going on right now at Saint John’s? Did you know a slow but steady renovation of the downstairs continues at Saint John’s?
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Nothing is far from God. ~ Saint Monica, Widow, mother of Saint Augustine, feast day 4th of May
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St. John May Ordo Kalendar
Sunday, the 2nd of May at 10:30 AM, Easter IV
Wednesday, the 5th of May at 6:30 PM, Evening Prayer
Sunday, the 9th of May at 10:30 AM, Easter V, Rogation Sunday
Wed., the 12th of May at 6:30 PM, Evening Prayer, Rogation Wednesday
Sunday, the 16th of May at 10:30 AM, Sunday after Ascension
Wednesday, the 19th of May at 6:30 PM, Evening Prayer
Sunday, the 23rd of May at 10:30 AM, WhitSunday
Wednesday, the 26th of May at 6:30 PM, Evening Prayer
Sunday, the 30th of May at 10:30 AM, Trinity Sunday
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I want eternity. I was born for greater things. ~ S. Stanislas, Bishop and Martyr, feast the 7th day of May
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May Birthdays & Anniversaries
Abigail Evans – Birthday – May 4
Ruth Langdon – Birthday – May 8
Carol & Bob Petrie – Anniversary – May 9
Samuel Masters – Birthday – May 9
Charles Benjamin (Ben) Meyers – Birthday – May 14
Judie & Rich Boughner – Anniversary – May 15
Natalie Evans – Birthday – May 16
Mike Murray – Birthday – May 16
Fr. Richard Bryant – Birthday – May 17
Terry and Jean Centers – Anniversary – May 22
Kim & Jim Marshall – Anniversary – May 23
Judy Hiltenbeitel – Birthday – May 26
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Christ is born: glorify Him. Christ comes from heaven: go out to meet Him. Christ descends to earth: let us be raised on high. ~ S. Gregory Nazianzus, Bishop, Confessor, and Doctor, commemoration the 9th day of May
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Ascension
feast the 13th day of May
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When a thought oppresses you, do not be downhearted, but put up with it in courage, saying, ‘They swarmed around me closer and closer, but I drove them back in the name of the Lord’ (Ps. 118:11). Divine help will arrive at your side immediately, and you will drive them away from you, and courage will compass you round about, and the glory of God will walk with you; and ‘you will be filled to your soul’s desire’ (Isa. 58:11). ~ S. Pachomius, Abbot, commemoration the 14th day of May
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The Church is like a great ship being pounded by the waves of life’s different stresses. Our duty is not to abandon ship, but to keep her on her course. ~ S. Boniface, Martyr, commemoration the 14th day of May
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The seeking of Jesus Christ, and the quest for chivalry combined, lead directly to one place only: Anglican-Catholicism. Courage, honor, courtesy, justice, and a readiness to help and defend the weak and the poor. Welcome to the Anglican Catholic Church. ~ Father Timothy Butler