Fr Peter Helman
Dear friends,
May grace and every blessing be yours this morning as we celebrate the Feast of Saint Michael and All Angels (Michaelmas), which we’ve transferred in the calendar from yesterday to today. (Please gather with us this evening for Holy Communion at 5:30 p.m. and for dinner at 6:30 p.m. in the Murphey Gallery! All are most welcome!)
The archangel Michael, whose name means “He who is like God,” is mentioned in the book of Daniel. According to an ancient Jewish tradition, in the Court of Heaven, the angels are said to preside over the nations of the earth according to hierarchies: Michael is one of the great princes and rules the kingdom of Israel. In an apocryphal Jewish text, called the Assumption of Moses, Michael fights Lucifer, the fallen angel whose name means "the Star of the Morning," for the body of Moses. In Christian tradition, the battle waged by Michael against Lucifer culminates in the Apocalypse of Saint John the Evangelist, where Michael and the hosts of heaven war against "the great dragon..., that ancient serpent, who is called the Devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world." Michael and his angels defeat the dragon, who are finally cast into the torment of the lake of fire.
Christian devotion to Michael likely developed around the 4th and 5th centuries, and many churches from have taken Michael as their patron. Today we bid his protection against Satan and all the spiritual forces of wickedness that rebel against God.
'Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil; May God rebuke him, we humbly pray; And do thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host, by the power of God, thrust into hell Satan and all evil spirits who wander through the world for the ruin of souls. Amen.'
Yours in Christ,
Peter+
P.S. I want to draw your attention to an amazing small group formation opportunity on the horizon ... :)
Way of Love Small Groups
This fall Saint Philip’s will offer an eight-week series that will explore each of the seven practices of Presiding Bishop Michael Curry’s rule of life “The Way of Love.” The practices are Turn, Learn, Pray, Worship, Bless, Go, and Rest. Small groups will meet once a week, every Sunday, from October 20 through December 8. There are three possible meeting times on a Sunday to accommodate participants’ schedules and Sunday commitments.
Sundays at 9:00 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. (For those who regularly attend the 7:45 a.m. & 11:15 a.m. services)
Sundays at 9:45 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. (For those who regularly attend the 11:15 a.m. service)
Sundays at 11:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (For those who regularly attend the 9:00 a.m. service)
The purpose of a small group Bible study is to build trusting relationships with God and one another through regular encounters with and discussion of holy scripture. When we meet each other for study, dialogue, and prayer, we learn how to love. St. Philip’s small groups provide space for prayerful support and accountability as we seek to live as disciples of Jesus.
You can learn more and register by clicking here! I hope you'll join us!
