Sixth Sunday after Trinity, July 11th, 2021

 Sixth Sunday after Trinity, July 11th, 2021

In the Fifth Chapter of St. Matthew's Gospel, we hear a discussion between Our Blessed Saviour and the disciples.  While He is talking to them in this particular discussion we hear things such as:  "Except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven. " (v.20)   . . . . . "whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment" (v.22)  . . .  . . "if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift" (v.24)   It seems from these examples that Our Lord is telling us that we should get to the root cause in order to fix the problem.  In other words, Our Lord is telling the disciples as He is telling us that we need to get to the root cause if we want our righteousness to exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees (v.20)   For example, have you ever gotten really irritated with someone?  Has someone got you so mad that you were just beside yourself with anger?  It could have been  a co-worker or even a close friend.  It could have even been a family member, for that matter.  And you hold on to that anger for a long time.  This anger affects you over time.  It eats you up inside, doesn't it?  When we fix something we have to get to the "root cause" of the problem.  This is what Our Blessed Lord was saying.   In order to be a faithful, devout Christian we need to not only change what we do, we need to change how we do it . . .  why we do it.  In other words, we need to change our hearts.   It would be similar to our car not running as it should and we take the car and give it a new paint job.  Sure, it looks pretty on the outside but the new paintjob doesn't fix the problem, does it?  That would be the equivalent of someone getting mad and holding a grudge.  Sure, it might be the case that this person doesn't say any further words, doesn't verbally continue saying things "out loud" but underneath they are still harboring resentment and  anger.  We need to get to the root cause and get rid of our angry feelings.  We need to cleanse ourselves from the inside and get to the root of the problem.  And we can only do this by committing ourselves to God on a daily basis.  To walk with Him each and every day and dedicate our very life to Him.  

St. Margaret of Scotland Anglican Church worships every Sunday morning at 10:30 AM at the Chapel at Marquette Manor, which is located at 8140 N. Township Line Road on the Northwest side of Indianapolis.

NOTE:  Keep in mind that we must enter in the main entrance of the lobby and sign in before we go to the chapel.  

Join us as we gather together as God's family to:  hear the Word of God; listen as God speaks to each one of us in our hearts; worship God in song and in word; listen to the King James Bible and the 1928 Book of Common Prayer; and, finally, receive Our Blessed Lord in Holy Communion so that we can be nourished for the journey we call life.  Take one hour out of your busy schedule to worship God, to honour God, to acknowledge the need for God in your life.

Fifth Sunday after Trinity, July 4th, 2021

 Fifth Sunday after Trinity, July 4th, 2021

Now at the beginning of the the fifth chapter of St. Luke's Gospel, St. Luke kindly points out when Our Lord passed by, He saw some fishermen already out of their boats and they were in the process of washing their nets.  Now, keep in mind that the mere fact that they were out of the boats and washing their nets shows that they were done for they day.  They had not caught anything . . . they were tired . . . perhaps even very frustrated, I would dare say . . . and they were cleaning up so that they could call it a day.  And here comes Our Lord in their presence telling them to put out their boats to give it one more try.  The response of St. Peter is what we need to focus on.  We already know that he thought this was pointless to go out again for the reasons outlined above.  And yet what was the response of St. Peter?  " . . . nevertheless at thy word  . . . "  (St. Luke 5:1ff)  When we say we trust in someone's word, what does that mean?  What does a person's word signify?  A person's word signifies a number of things, quite frankly.  First and foremost, a person's word represents our trust in that person.  If I trust a person and they give me their word they will do something, I trust that person.  I believe that they will do what they say.  With God, though, this is called faith.  We know without a shadow of a doubt that God will see us through any strife or tribulation.  Faith is knowing that God is in charge and that He will do His part.  Now, keep in mind that we may not always know how this will take place or exactly what steps will be taken.  But then again neither did St. Peter when Our Lord requested that he take the boats out for one more try.  St. Peter responded " . . .  nevertheless at thy word .  . ." This needs to be our response to God as well on a daily basis. 

St. Margaret of Scotland Anglican Church worships every Sunday morning at 10:30 AM at the Chapel at Marquette Manor, which is located at 8140 N. Township Line Road on the Northwest side of Indianapolis.

NOTE:  Keep in mind that we must enter in the main entrance of the lobby and sign in before we go to the chapel.  

Join us as we gather together as God's family to:  hear the Word of God; listen as God speaks to each one of us in our hearts; worship God in song and in word; listen to the King James Bible and the 1928 Book of Common Prayer; and, finally, receive Our Blessed Lord in Holy Communion so that we can be nourished for the journey we call life.  Take one hour out of your busy schedule to worship God, to honour God, to acknowledge the need for God in your life.

Fourth Sunday after Trinity, June 27th, 2021

 Fourth Sunday after Trinity, June 27th, 2021

Being a Christian is not an easy job by any stretch of the imagination.  Come to think of it, being a responsible adult is not an easy thing either.  Having to make decisions that affect your own life.  Having to make decisions that affect others . . . . for example, if you are a parent or the owner of a company.  Having to do things that you would prefer not to do but you realize some things have to be done . . .  cutting the grass comes to mind or paying bills.  Having to juggle various roles all at the same time sometimes is a challenge, isn't it?   . . .   going to work . . . taking care of your home . . .  being a parent . . .  being a child . . . . paying bills . . . doing chores . . .  etc. The point being is that life is busy . . . at least it is for me . . . and life is full of difficulties and challenges . . .  again, at least it is for me.  But as I look around on social media and in the news and listening to people's conversations, it seems that people must have a whole lot of free time that they don't know what to do with.  It used to be that if you held a different belief than me, I might not have agreed with you but it amounted to nothing more than that:  a difference of opinion.  Period.  End of story.  I might not like your choice or I might not like your belief but on the other hand you might not be too fond of something about me either.  But we just left it at that.  And, more importantly, we left it alone.  You had your belief.  I had my belief. Period.  Today, people get into all kinds of arguments and criticisms of one another if they do not agree and support the other person one hundred and twenty percent.

In St. Luke's Gospel, Our Lord said:  " BE ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful."  (St. Luke 6:36)  But then He goes on to say in the following verse:  "Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned; forgive, and ye shall be forgiven."   (v.37)  It is that last part that we should be most concerned with . . . ". .  . forgive, and ye shall be forgiven."   I have long said that we like to be so focused on other people's wrong-doing, if for no other reason, it takes the focus off of our wrong doing.  If I focus on someone else and focus where they are wrong in their life, it means that I have less time to focus on what is wrong in my own life.    A few verses later, Our Lord states in Verse 41:  "And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but perceivest not the beam that is in thine own eye?"  Why am I so concerned about the speck that I see in my brother's eye when I am totally oblivious to the plank in my own eye?!?  The bottom line is this:  Don't be too quick to criticize someone else because your backyard probably needs a little sprucing up as well.  You don't have to be in complete agreement with someone in order to be civil and loving to that person.  Our Lord stated that we need to "love one another"  He did not say that we need to "agree with one another."  And finally,  show a little mercy and compassion to those around you.  Do not be so quick to condemn someone who does not agree with you.  That person may not agree with you either on other subjects.  The bottom line is that each one of us needs to be concerned if we agree with God.   I should be LESS concerned about making MY own voice heard  . . . and be MORE concerned about making GOD'S voice heard in my life and the way in which I treat others around me.

Join us as we gather together as God's family to:  hear the Word of God; listen as God speaks to each one of us in our hearts; worship God in song and in word; listen to the King James Bible and the 1928 Book of Common Prayer; and, finally, receive Our Blessed Lord in Holy Communion so that we can be nourished for the journey we call life.  Take one hour out of your busy schedule to worship God, to honour God, to acknowledge the need for God in your life.

NOTE:  Keep in mind that we must enter in the main entrance of the lobby and sign in before we go to the chapel.  

St. Margaret of Scotland Anglican Church worships every Sunday morning at 10:30 AM at the Chapel at Marquette Manor, which is located at 8140 N. Township Line Road on the Northwest side of Indianapolis.

Third Sunday after Trinity, June 20th, 2021

 Third Sunday after Trinity, June 20th, 2021

From the First Epistle of St. Peter we hear:  ". . . for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble." (I St. Peter 5:5 ff)  St. Peter more than likely is quoting Scripture here because we also find in Proverbs 3:34:  "Surely He scorneth the scorners: but He giveth grace unto the lowly."   . .. . giveth grace to he humble . . . giveth grace to the lowly . .  .   Not only did St. Peter learn this truth from Holy Scripture but he learned it even more importantly by witnessing Our Blessed Saviour humble Himself in the service of those around Him.  Additionally, St. Peter saw countless souls  approaching humbly to Our Blessed Saviour.  Of course, Our Blessed Lord came to be with the humble of the world:  the poor and needy;  the sick; the sinners.  This is the reason He came:  to redeem those in need of redemption.  But before we can obtain redemption, we have to acknowledge our need of redemption.  In other words, we have to admit in our hearts, in our souls, in our minds, that we have sinned and are in need of forgiveness.  I would say that it is much like acknowledging that we are sick and going to the doctor in search of healing.  We need to first recognize the fact that we are sick; next, we realize that we can not get well on our own; finally, we go to the doctor seeking medical treatment.  The same is true, spiritually speaking:  we first recognize the fact that we are sinners; we realize that we can not find peace and healing in ourself; we finally humble ourself and ask for God's forgiveness and ask Him to come into our heart.  "When Jesus heard it, He saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."  (St. Mark 2:17)  Let us pray for humility enough to recognize that we are in need of God in our life and then give our hearts over to Him.

Join us as we gather together as God's family to:  hear the Word of God; listen as God speaks to each one of us in our hearts; worship God in song and in word; listen to the King James Bible and the 1928 Book of Common Prayer; and, finally, receive Our Blessed Lord in Holy Communion so that we can be nourished for the journey we call life.  Take one hour out of your busy schedule to worship God, to honour God, to acknowledge the need for God in your life.

NOTE:  Keep in mind that we must enter in the main entrance of the lobby and sign in before we go to the chapel.  

St. Margaret of Scotland Anglican Church worships every Sunday morning at 10:30 AM at the Chapel at Marquette Manor, which is located at 8140 N. Township Line Road on the Northwest side of Indianapolis.

Second Sunday after Trinity, June 13th, 2021

 Second Sunday after Trinity, June 13th, 2021

In the Fourteenth Chapter of St. Luke's Gospel, we hear Our Blessed Lord speaking while at the home of one of the chief Pharisees.  And as St. Luke tells us in the first verse of this chapter "that they watched Him."   In other words, the Pharisees and others who did not like Him were waiting to use this opportunity for Him to say something wrong or do something wrong.  So while there Our Lord told the story of the man who made a wonderful feast and had invited many to this great meal.  And when the time was ready the man let everyone know.  But then the excuses came pouring in and each one of his guests which he had invited began making excuses as to why they could not attend.  The first one said that he had to check on a piece of ground which he purchased.  Then the next invitee stated that he had to check on the oxen which he had bought.  And then the final excuse stated that he had just been married and could not attend.  At this point, as Our Lord continues telling the story, the man because very upset at hearing all of the excuses and told his servants to go out into the streets of the city and "Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind"  (St. Luke 14:21)   In other words, bring in people who will come to the feast.  The man wanted his feast to be full with people who would come.   The man even said as much in verse 23:  "that my house may be filled" 

It seems to me that God wants His "house" to be filled as well.  He has invited each one of us to His supper and wants us to attend.  And yet how often do we come up with excuses?  How often do we respond in the negative to the God's request?  And so often we come up with "good" excuses, don't we?  We are busy with work.  We are busy with home.  Things are going on with the kids.  We have to go shopping.  We have this project or that project which we have to work on.  But God does not want our excuses.  God wants each and everyone of us to accept His invitation.  He wants us to join Him at His great supper.  Don't make excuses.  Life is too short.  We never know if the next day is promised to us.  So accept the invitation today!  Allow God into your life.   

St. Margaret Church meets each and every Sunday at 10:30 AM at the beautiful chapel at Marquette Manor, located at 8140 N. Township Line Road on the Northwest side of Indianapolis.  Join us as we hear the Word of God found in the 1928 Book of Common Prayer and the King James Bible.  Come dedicate one hour of your week to God.  Step away from the busy-ness of the world for just one hour and focus totally on God.  Come and worship Him.  Let Him feed you spiritually.   Receive the Precious Body and Blood at Communion time.  

NOTE:  Keep in mind that we must enter in the main entrance of the lobby and sign in before we go to the chapel.  

   Join us as we take time to listen to the Word of God; to hear what God is saying to each one of us.  Worship God is traditional worship.  Receive His Most Precious Body and Blood at Communion time.

Feast of Corpus Christi (Transferred), June 6th, 2021

 Feast of Corpus Christi (Transferred), June 6th, 2021

It has been a long, strange journey.  It started some fifteen months ago and I thought it would never end, quite frankly.  But it is finally over.  We are allowed to finally gather together as God's family and celebrate Mass together in the little chapel we have called home for almost ten years.  And I would dare say that it is fitting that we are allowed to gather together this week because this week the Church celebrates the Feast of Corpus Christi.  This is the feast where we remember specifically the great gift of the Most Precious Body and Blood of Christ.  And we will celebrate this great Feast when we gather together on Sunday, June 6th!  We will stop to think how blessed we are to be able to receive the Most Precious Body and Blood of Our Blessed Saviour when we gather together as God's family at Mass.  Take some time out of your busy schedule and pull your Bible out and read the Sixth Chapter of St. John's Gospel.  Take some time to read this wonderful chapter.  In this chapter we will read Our Lord say:  "My flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him" (St. John, Chapter 6)  Read the Sixth Chapter of St. John's Gospel and you will soon discover that this truly is a love story written to us.  This is because it is the testimony of how much Our Blessed Saviour truly loves us.  We know this because we hear in this chapter how Our Blessed Saviour gives to each one of us His Most Precious Body and Blood.  We know this because He gives of  Himself as nourishment for our souls.  We know this because Our Blessed Saviour did not simply give us a mere token of His love.  He did not just give us a remembrance of His feelings for us.  He did not simply give us a trinket to remind us that He loves us.  No, He gave us the greatest gift we could ever receive in this world.  He gave of Himself.  He gave to us His Most Precious Body and Blood.   This is why we should gather together as God's family and attend Mass faithfully.  This is why we should never take this gift for granted.  This is why we should never take this opportunity for granted ever again, quite frankly.  

St. Margaret Church meets each and every Sunday at 10:30 AM at the beautiful chapel at Marquette Manor, located at 8140 N. Township Line Road on the Northwest side of Indianapolis.  Join us as we hear the Word of God found in the 1928 Book of Common Prayer and the King James Bible.  Come dedicate one hour of your week to God.  Step away from the busy-ness of the world for just one hour and focus totally on God.  Come and worship Him.  Let Him feed you spiritually.   Receive the Precious Body and Blood at Communion time.  

NOTE:  Keep in mind that we must enter in the main entrance of the lobby and sign in before we go to the chapel.  

   Join us as we take time to listen to the Word of God; to hear what God is saying to each one of us.  Worship God is traditional worship.  Receive His Most Precious Body and Blood at Communion time.

Please Join Us on June 6th, 2021

 Make your plans to join St Margaret on June 6th, 2021

On Sunday, June 6th, 2021, St. Margaret will finally be able to meet again.  It has seemed like an eternity since we were last allowed to meet.  Some fifteen months has passed since we were last allowed to gather as a family.  And it is especially fitting that Sunday, June 6th, 2021 we will be celebrating the (transferred) Feast of Corpus Christi.  We will meet at the beautiful Chapel at Marquette Manor, located at 8140 N. Township Line Road on the Northwest side of Indianapolis.  Please remember we will need to check in at the front desk as we enter.  So after you sign in, please go over to the Chapel and join us for our 10:30 am Mass.  Come gather in person with God's family.  Hear the Word of God preached from the 1928 Book of Common Prayer and the King James Bible.  Celebrate Corpus Christi by receiving the Body of Christ at Communion time.  And give thanks for all the blessings God has given you during your lifetime.    Again, please make your plans to join us on Sunday, June 6th, 2021 at 10:30 am as we finally meet once again.