Saint Peter's in the Mountains

05/25/2026

We were blessed yesterday to be able to share Pentecost Sunday at St. Peter's with a visit from the congregation from Trinity Episcopal, Rocky Mt., VA. It was a wonderful service of music and fellowship.

05/25/2026

04/07/2026

We're happy to share the Saint Peter's Easter anthem, "Joy in the Morning." The adult choir is under the direction of Fair Robey. Thanks to Gary Holden for recording the video.

03/30/2026

Join us on Maundy Thursday (April 2nd) at 6:00 p.m. for a light supper, and Celebration of the Holy Eucharist, Foot Washing, and Stripping of the Altar.

The Good Friday service is at 7:00 p.m.

02/15/2026

Wise words on the advent of Lent.

During my graduate theology studies, my New Testament professor, Daniel J. Harrington, SJ, once summed up the Synoptic Gospels with a little grid, which he drew on the blackboard.

Across the top he wrote, “Jesus,” “Disciples” and “Christian Life” and along the side he wrote “Mark, Matthew and Luke.” The grid was to summarize how each Gospel treated each of those topics. It always amazed me that this great scholar who, as the saying goes, had forgotten more about the New Testament than we would ever learn, could sum things up so succinctly. Everyone in class hurried to copy it down. (It's posted in the comments!)

In the box for “Matthew” under “Jesus” Dan wrote, “Old Testament fulfilled.” This is Jesus’s essential character in Matthew’s Gospel. And we see this in today’s reading when he says that he has come not to abolish but to fulfill the Law.

How does Jesus do that? Of course in many ways in his public ministry. But in this case, he does so by asking us to go deeper. It is not enough simply not to kill; you also much avoid name calling. In a passage almost universally overlooked, Jesus says, pointedly, you will go to hell if you call someone “raca” (“fool,” “emptyheaded”). It’s not enough simply to avoid adultery; we must avoid looking lustfully on anyone. And so on. Jesus asks us to go deeper.

I thought of this when I read Pope Leo XIV's profound invitation for Lent this year: "I would like to invite you to a very practical and frequently unappreciated form of abstinence: that of refraining from words that offend and hurt our neighbor. Let us begin by disarming our language, avoiding harsh words and rash judgement, refraining from slander and speaking ill of those who are not present and cannot defend themselves.”

What a wonderful way to start Lent. And a wonderful way to “fulfill” what Jesus, the fulfillment of the Old Testament, asks of us.

02/13/2026

Coming soon…

“Prayers for Ash Wednesday”

“Righteous God,
in humility and repentance
we bring our failures in caring, helping, and loving,
we bring the pain we have caused others,
we bring the injustice in society of which we are a part,
to the transforming power of your grace.
Grant us the courage to accept the healing you offer
and to turn again toward the sunrise of your reign,
that we may walk with you in the promise of peace
you have willed for all the children of the earth,
and have made known to us in Christ Jesus. Amen.”

From the Presbyterian Church USA

01/25/2026

Given the snowfall thus far and the very cold temperature, the worship service on Sunday January 25th is cancelled.

01/01/2026

God's blessings from the people of Saint Peter's as we begin a new year on the Feast of the Holy Name.

Eternal Father, you gave to your incarnate Son the holy name of Jesus to be the sign of our salvation: Plant in every heart, we pray, the love of him who is the Savior of the world, our
Lord Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.

The Feast of the Holy Name of Our Lord Jesus Christ is a significant feast day in the Episcopal Church, celebrated annually on January 1st, the eighth day after Christmas, marking Jesus's naming and circumcision according to Jewish tradition.