At the end of November, we will make a big-to-do at All Saints Honolulu. A large, light-strung canopy will be set up in my front yard. Chairs, benches, and carpets from the sanctuary will be arranged, with an altar and lectern on the grass, dressed for Holy Communion. A reredos and boughs of leaves will…
Charles Simeon: A Life of Long Obedience
After a long and faithful life of preaching, teaching, and pastoring in Cambridge, England, Charles Simeon died on November 13, 1836. As he lay dying, a friend who visited him asked his thoughts as he lingered between time and eternity. Simeon responded only this: “I don’t think now; I am enjoying.” Though they sound more…
10 Ways to Preach the All Saints Sermon
the Feast of All Saints gives the Church a way to celebrate and honor all known and unknown saints who have faithfully served Christ.
The Liturgical Home: The Feast of St. Francis
On October 4th, the Church celebrates the Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi, one of the most beloved and well-known saints in Christian history. His profound love for God, creation, and all living beings continues to inspire millions worldwide. Known as the founder of the Franciscan Order and a model of humility and devotion, St….
Stolen Pears are Never Sweet: A Family Feast with St. Augustine
Stolen pears are never sweet. In our family, we remember this principle every August, when we make pear crisp for the feast of Saint Augustine (recipe attached below). While we eat, we tell our children the story of Augustine as a teenager and his infamous theft of pears. It seemed fun at the time, but…
A Heart at Rest in Christ: Four Lessons from St. Augustine
Augustine is no tin saint… he’s like you and me. As we’ll see, he was a great sinner who was made a great saint by our great Savior.
St. Oswald: the Evangelist King
After a period of embracing Christianity, people in Northumbria returned to the Pagan beliefs they held before the gospel first reached the British shores. It would take a young Christian king returning from exile with a zeal for evangelism to begin a revival of faith that would last for centuries.
St. Alban: First Martyr of Britain
Alban stands as a reminder of the radical change God can bring about in a person’s life and the way he may use even the most ordinary among us in a brief time.
The Axe of St. Boniface and the Virtue of Discretion
Saint Boniface, the 8th-century English bishop, missionary to Germany, and martyr, was a master of discretion. Guided by the Scriptures and the Holy Spirit, he knew the importance of choosing the right action at the right time. Boniface knew when to take up the axe, and he knew when to put it down. The Discretion…
Standing Firm in God’s Love with Athanasius
“Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.” – 1 John 4:8 “God is love.” This is a sentiment that we all, well, love. We love to say it, and we love to believe it. But what does it mean? Love implies a relationship between two or more persons. And…
Saint Thomas Sunday: A Rookie Anglican Guide
The Sunday after Easter is also called “Saint Thomas Sunday.” This Sunday, we read the story of the apostle Thomas, his doubts about the news of the resurrection, and his confession of faith when Jesus showed him his wounds. It is a day to acknowledge skepticism and celebrate belief. Most importantly, Saint Thomas Sunday is…
Lent at Antioch: The Spiritual Disciplines of the First Christians
The first Christians did not have the noun “Lent” nor a forty-day season before Easter. However, they did practice the spiritual disciplines of Lent: almsgiving, fasting, and prayer. In the New Testament, we see all three practices together at the church at Antioch, where believers were first called Christians. Acts 11 and Acts 13 describe how these…
