St Luke Anglican Church

06/02/2026

We are celebrating the feast of the Visitation at our 6pm Service this Wednesday evening since it fell on Trinity Sunday this year.

The Visitation: “From now on, all generations shall call me blessed.” “Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb.”

May 31 commemorates the Visitation of the Virgin Mary to her cousin, Elizabeth. This meeting of two pregnant women is filled with prophetic significance. Mary’s prophetic statement that “all generations” would call her “blessed” was first realized when she was greeted by Elizabeth. Both women bore children in their wombs whose births had been prophesied. The Prophet Malachi had said, centuries before, that Elizabeth’s son, John the Baptist, was to “prepare the way of the Lord.” John, it was prophesied, would “be filled with the Holy Spirit while yet in his mother’s womb” (Luke 1:15). Even before his birth, Scripture records that John began to fulfill this prophetic mission. As Elizabeth greeted Mary, John sensed the presence of Jesus in Mary’s womb and proclaimed the coming of the Messiah by leaping in Elizabeth’s womb. In response to these significant events, Mary proclaimed her hymn, “The Magnificat” (“My soul magnifies the Lord,” Luke 1:42-45). This hymn continues to be sung by Anglicans, Roman Catholics, Lutherans and many other Chrisians every day at Evening Prayer.

Almighty God, by whose grace Elizabeth rejoiced with the blessed Virgin Mary and greeted her as the mother of the Lord: Look with favor on your lowly servants, that, with Mary, we may magnify your holy Name and rejoice to acclaim her Son as our Savior; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Art & history by Ben Lansing

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05/31/2026

Today the Church celebrates Trinity Sunday—a feast unlike any other. For today, we are not marking an event in the life of Christ, nor a
moment in the history of salvation. Instead, we are invited to contemplate the very life of God Himself.

Almighty and everlasting God, you have given to us your servants grace, by the confession of a true faith, to acknowledge the glory of the eternal Trinity, and in the power of your divine Majesty to worship the Unity: Keep us steadfast in this faith and worship, and bring us at last to see you in your one and eternal glory, O Father; who with the Son and the Holy Spirit live and reign, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

05/26/2026

“Send forth missionary bishops to Africa and Texas. Let the leaven spread - the grain of mustard grow - let the net be cast into the deepest waters. God will give the increase. It is for us to plant and water.” - Jackson Kemper (1789-1870), First Missionary Bishop in the United States

Jackson Kemper was born in New York to a father who had served in the Continental army under George Washington. He was educated at Columbia and ordained an Episcopal priest in 1814. In the 1830’s, the Episcopal Church named Kemper the first missionary bishop to the western frontier. He was assigned to shepherd a vast area, including what is now the states of Missouri, Nebraska, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Kansas, and Iowa. He traveled by foot, by stage coach, by steamboat, and on horseback to reach the widely dispersed parishes under his care. Kemper found it challenging to convince Eastern clergymen to leave the comforts of civilization to join him in his frontier mission. He decided to raise up leaders from among those who were already in the west. To this end, he established a college in St. Louis along with Nashotah House Seminary and Racine College, both in Wisconsin. Kemper was devoted to outreach to indigenous peoples and he oversaw the translation of Scripture and liturgy into indigenous languages. Kemper valued the Oxford movement’s emphasis of ancient church practice. His seminary, Nashotah House, remains a bulwark of Anglo-Catholic formation to this day.

O God, our heavenly Father, you raised up your faithful servant Jackson Kemper to be a Bishop and pastor in your Church and to feed your flock: Give abundantly to all pastors the gifts of your Holy Spirit, that they may minister in your household as true servants of Christ and stewards of your divine mysteries; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Art & bio by Ben Lansing

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05/24/2026

Today is Pentecost 🕊️

Fifty days after Easter Day, we celebrate Pentecost, which brings the Easter season to a close. It is one of the major feasts of the Church’s year, as we remember how God sent the Holy Spirit upon the disciples after Jesus’ ascension, empowering them to begin the work of making disciples of all nations.

05/20/2026

We will commemorate St. Alcuin at
Evening Prayer tonight at 6:00 PM.

“Men can be attracted but not forced to the faith. You may drive people to baptism, but you won’t move them one step further in religion.” - Alcuin of York (735-804), Deacon and Abbot of Tours

Alcuin was born in 8th century Northumbria and studied at the cathedral school in York. He was ordained a deacon and became such a well-respected scholar that his reputation extended throughout England and to the European continent. Charlemagne, King of the Franks, invited Alcuin to serve as his advisor on religion and education. The Frankish kingdom had converted from paganism to Christianity and had mass-baptized conquered peoples, under threat of death. This philosophy demonstrated an ignorant understanding of Christianity, more syncretistic with paganism than representative of the Gospel of Jesus. Alcuin carefully countered the King’s actions, noting that people could not be forced into Christianity, but should rather be “attracted” to the faith. Baptism would have no effect, said Alcuin, if administered by violence. Under Charlemagne, Alcuin established schools and reforms that resulted in a flowering of the arts, learning, and culture in 8th century France. This bright period of cultural development owes much to the religious and educational leadership of Alcuin, and is remembered today as the Carolingian Renaissance.

Almighty God, by your gift alone we come to wisdom and true understanding: We thank you for your servant Alcuin, through whom knowledge increased and wholesome learning flourished. Bless those who teach and those who learn; and grant that in humility of heart we may look to you, the fountain of all wisdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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05/14/2026

Today is Ascension Day, the day Jesus Christ ascended into Heaven, 40 days after the Resurrection.

For 40 days Jesus remained on Earth to prove he had truly risen from the dead. He appeared to his disciples—teaching them, strengthening their faith, and confirming that He had truly conquered death.

Then, in their presence after one final blessing He ascended. As He did a cloud took Him away from their sight.

This moment was not a departure in the sense of loss, Jesus wasn't going away. He was going ahead of us to the Father to reign in glory. He was enthroned at the right hand of the Father.

The Ascension makes something clear: Christ reigns now. He rules over Heaven and Earth.

But most importantly we must remember: He will come again. Just like the angels said "He will return”. Until that day, the mission continues: to live as witnesses of what has been seen and received.

05/12/2026

“He will give the rain for your land in its season… that you may gather in your grain and your wine and your oil.” - Deuteronomy 11:14

God designed us to be dependent creatures. Every few hours our stomachs remind us that self-sufficiency is a myth. We rely on creation and those who cultivate it to satisfy us on a daily basis. And creation is sustained only by our gracious God, who upholds all things. These fundamental realities are easy to forget in our modern society, where conveniences often separate us from the growth and harvest of the food we eat. This makes the observance of the Rogation Days all the more important reminders today. Since at least the 5th century, the Western church has set aside five specific days to petition God for blessings on the growth and harvest of the year’s produce. April 25, the sixth Sunday of Easter, and the three days before Ascension day are designated “Rogation Days” (“Rogation” coming from a Latin verb meaning “to ask”). On these days, the church remembers our dependence on God for our sustenance. We fast and pray for a bountiful year and ask blessings upon those who labor for the harvest. In an ancient tradition, these prayers are made in procession in a practice called “beating the bounds.” The clergy and congregants pray and walk the boundaries of their parish neighborhood, blessing the fields and gardens, acknowledging God as our source of life, growth, and sustenance.

Almighty God, Lord of heaven and earth: We humbly pray that your gracious providence may give and preserve to our use the harvests of the land and of the seas, and may prosper all who labor to gather them, that we, who are constantly receiving good things from your hand, may always give you thanks; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.

Art & history by Ben Lansing

Book available at ourchurchspeaks.com

05/05/2026

Our Traditional Language version of the 2019 Book of Common Prayer retains the Coverdale Psalms.

“In the Psalms we learn how to resort only unto God in all our troubles.” - Miles Coverdale (1488-1569), Bishop & Translator

Miles Coverdale was a friar in Cambridge, a center of study and discussion of Martin Luther’s reformation writings in the 1520’s. In 1529, Coverdale began helping William Tyndale translate portions of the Bible, despite prohibitions placed on Bible translation by the Roman Catholic hierarchy and by Henry VIII’s new Church of England. Tyndale translated the New Testament and was martyred for his work, crying out with his last breath, “Lord, open the King of England’s eyes.” After Tyndale’s death, Coverdale continued Tyndale’s work, finishing the remaining books of the Old Testament and Apocrypha and producing what became known as “The Great Bible.” Henry VIII, once opposed to English translations of Scripture, had a change of heart and named the Tyndale-Coverdale Great Bible the first authorized edition of the Bible in English. The Great Bible was subsequently replaced by later authorized editions, including the King James Version, but Coverdale’s influence has remained, particularly in his translation of the Psalms. Coverdale’s Psalter, treasured for its poetic and lyrical qualities, was a central feature of all classical editions of the Book of Common Prayer and remains a prominent part of English language Psalter worship to this day. Coverdale was made Bishop of Exeter in 1551 but was forced to flee England during the reign of the Roman Catholic monarch Mary I (“Bloody Mary”). He settled in Geneva where he was influenced by John Calvin to join the early Puritan movement. He returned to England when the Queen Elizabeth took the throne.

Reveal to us your saving word, O God, that like your servant Miles Coverdale we might hear its call to repentance and new life. Plant in our hearts that same consuming passion to bring the scriptures to all people in their native tongue, and the strength to endure amidst all obstacles; through Jesus Christ, , who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Art & bio by Ben Lansing, ourchurchspeaks.com

05/01/2026

“We have found him of whom Moses… and the Prophets wrote: Jesus of Nazareth…” - Philip, “The testing of your faith produces steadfastness.” - James

Philip, along with the Apostle Andrew, was first a disciple of John the Baptist. When he met Jesus, Philip rushed to tell his friend Bartholomew (also called “Nathanael”) that he had found the one that the ancient Scriptures had prophesied. Philip was present at the feeding of the 5,000 and appears to have served as a bridge between the Jewish community and the Greek community (John 12:21). Philip’s Greek name may indicate that he could speak Greek and had cultural connections with the Gentiles. Church tradition records that Philip evangelized in Greece, Syria, and Turkey and delivered his final sermon from a cross, where he was crucified upside down in Hierapolis.

The New Testament mentions many people named “James,” and it can be hard to distinguish one from another. The Apostle James commemorated today is nicknamed James “the Less.” This name probably indicates James’ size (“little James”), in comparison to another Apostle, James “the Great” ( “big James”). James the Less is thought to be the same person as “James son of Alphaeus” (Matthew 10:3) and “James, the brother of Jesus” (Galatians 1:19, ‘brother’ interpreted as a Jewish term for ‘cousin’). At least, this is the theory of the ancient Bible scholar Jerome and is the predominant view of Western Catholicism. If true, this James is the author of the New Testament Epistle of James, and served as the Bishop of Jerusalem until his martyrdom in AD 62.

Almighty God, you gave to your apostles Philip and James the grace and strength to bear witness to Jesus as the way, the truth, and the life: Grant that we, being mindful of their victory of faith, may glorify in life and death the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Art & history by Ben Lansing, ourchurchspeaks.com

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04/29/2026

We will commemorate St. Catherine at 6:00 PM Evening Prayer tonight.

“Be who God created you to be and you will set the world on fire.” - Catherine of Siena (1347-1380), Reformer of the Church

Catherine of Siena was born into a world ravaged by the Black Death, the 100 Years War, and deep-seated political corruption in the church. From a young age, Catherine witnessed profound visions of Jesus. Despite her parents’ wishes, she refused marriage and spent most of her time in prayer and contemplation in the family basement. Catherine re-emerged at age 21, having been commanded by the Lord to enter public life. At first, this command meant reengaging with family members and caring for the poor. Soon, Catherine became a prophetic voice on political, social, and church matters. Through a unique style of bold conviction and humility, she spoke out against clerical corruption, put an end to insurrectionist political movements, and called for aid for Christians suffering in the Middle East. She wrote letters to kings, queens, and bishops, boldly calling on them to reform. In the 14th century, Popes of Rome resided in Avignon, France where for 70 years they enjoyed political favors and protection. Catherine worked to end this long “Babylonian captivity” of the Papacy. She journeyed to Avignon and confronted Pope Gregory XI, convincing him to return to Rome. Catherine spoke before cardinals and bishops, urging them to preserve the integrity of the church and to put an end to a season of corruption and confusion. Catherine died at age 33, exhausted from her rigorous service to the Lord. Her life disproves the clericalist assumption that only ordained clergy can speak boldly within the Kingdom of God. Catherine is now considered a Doctor of the Church, the first laywoman to bear this prestigious distinction.

Almighty God, you gave your servant Catherine of Siena special gifts of grace to understand and teach the truth revealed in Christ Jesus: Grant that by this teaching we may know you, the one true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

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