The Canticle

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C March 2013

CALENDAR A more complete Holy Week listing and description of events is found on the back page of this newsletter.

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Trust in the Slow Work of God It has been an interesting Lent – honest for sure, hopefully a time of transformation.

Please be a part of our celebration by attending services!

March 24 Palm/Passion Sunday Blessing of the Palms & Reading of the Passion Narrative during both services.

8:30 am Holy Eucharist Rite I 10:45 am Holy Eucharist Rite II Procession around the Church with Brass accompaniment

March 25 — Monday

Holy Eucharist Rite II: Blessing of the Oils and Renewal of Ordination Vows at St. Paul’s Cathedral Fr. Joseph & Deacon Tony

Each week for the Confession and Forgiveness portion of the 10:45 liturgy, as we have added items to the terra cotta pots surrounding the dried baptismal pool, I have looked with eager anticipation at those pots to see signs of life, of change, of metamorphosis. I am not always patient with the painfully slow and methodical rate of growth beneath that black soil. It truly takes faith to believe that the green shoots of grace will lift their leafy hands towards the heavens in praise of the “Giver of all life.” I am not always sure what this journey called “faith” means or where it will lead me to. But, is that not part of the discipline of Lent we are called to engage in?

Perhaps this is where you find yourself today. Perhaps this is where we find ourselves as a church community: we are on the verge of becoming something even better, but we are not yet sure exactly what that means. And yet all of us individually and collectively – have enormous potential and love given to us by God that is already growing.

March 27 — Wednesday 5:30 pm Simple Supper 7 pm Lenten Study “The Church and Religion”

March 28 — Maundy Thursday Holy Eucharist Rite II:

March 29— God’s Friday

It is the work and discipline of Lent to repent, reform, and renew.

12 noon Stations of the Cross & Communion from Reserved Sacrament 7 pm Good Friday Liturgy: joint service with St. John’s held at St. Augustine.

Why?

March 31 — Sunday 8:30 am Holy Eucharist Rite I: Celebration of the Feast of the Resurrection of our Lord & Renewal of Baptismal Vows with Trumpet, Organ & Incense.

9:30 am Festive Reception & Easter Egg Hunt for children of all ages.

10:45 am Holy Eucharist Rite II: Festival Celebration of the Resurrection of our Lord

So that we may continue to grow in God’s grace, goodness, and glory.

The words on the next page have helped guide me closer to God this Lent. Perhaps you will find them helpful as well.

April 7 & 14 — Sunday 8:30 am Traditional Service Holy Eucharist Rite I 9:30 am Christian Education 10:45 am Celebration Service Holy Eucharist Rite II 14700 North May Ave. | Oklahoma City, OK 73134 405.751.7874 staugustine.episcopaloklahoma.org

Father Joseph+

Above all, trust in the slow work of God. We are all, quite naturally impatient in everything to reach the end without delay.

We should like to skip the intermediate stages.

We are impatient of being on the way to something unknown something new, and yet it is the law of all progress that it is made by passing through some stages of instability – and that it may take a very long time.

And so I think it is with you.

Your ideas mature gradually – let them grow, let them shape themselves, without undue haste.

Don’t try to force them on, as though you could be today what time (that is to say, grace and circumstances acting on your own good will) will make of you tomorrow.

Only God could say what this new spirit gradually forming within you will be.

Give our Lord the benefit of believing that his hand is leading you and accept the anxiety of feeling yourself in suspense and incomplete.

-Pierre Teilhard de Chardin

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The Ministry of Lectors Marcy Taber, mgwes@cox.net

The role of the lay ministry Lector is reading the “Word of the Lord”. Scripture is often referred to during the clergy’s message therefore it is the Lector’s role to meaningfully convey and share the words of scripture with those attending.

St. Augustine is blessed with the dedication and commitment of 27 Lectors participating in both the 8:30 and 10:45 Sunday services. These volunteers also serve as Intercessors and Chalice Bearers.

To become a Lector you must be a confirmed communicant and complete two training sessions with Marcy Taber. Additionally, four required practice sessions are scheduled throughout the year. These are held in conjunction with the change of the Seasons.

The purpose is to provide lectors with updated information that may include changes to the existing service. It is also a time to exchange ideas and work on enhancing our reading abilities to better serve the clergy and parishioners.

On a weekly basis your Lectors provide the highest quality of service. When asked to participate in special services requiring additional time commitment they can always be counted on to give 100%.

It is my joy and passion to be a part of this ministry. We are happy to welcome new participants as we feel this is a special area of ministry for St. Augustine. Please contact me at mgwes@cox.net or 254.5763 if you would like to join us.

God Bless! — Marcy Taber

Flower/Liturgical Environment Guild Claren Denning carld@cox.net

According to Claren Denning there are currently five members of this visually impactful guild; that is once you factor in Father Joe and the liturgy itself!

This guild is in charge of coordinating not only the flowers seen in the church but also the banners, flags, balloons, butterflies, burlap, stars...in short all the extra’s that come into play during services.

Claren says Father Joe’s input is awesome and she is very inspired by his ability to incorporate the traditions of the liturgy with various drapings and decorations.

About three visits a week are required for watering or tweaking the décor most of the time. Easter and Christmas require more involvement.

If you would like to participate, please contact Claren (carld@cox.net). She greatly enjoys learning more about the liturgy through this ministry.

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Manville (Manny) Duncanson, Jr. Apologies to Manny for errors in his bio last issue, a corrected copy follows.

For almost 31 years Manny has been a member of St. Augustine. He remembers being especially pleased with the friendliness and acceptance exhibited when he first visited the church so many years ago.

Manny always enjoys the music and hymns of the Episcopal Church that are evident during the traditional 8:30 service on Sundays. Over the years he’s been able

14700 North May Ave. | Oklahoma City, OK 73134 405.751.7874 staugustine.episcopaloklahoma.org

St. Augustine in July 2010 and he has kept them going.”

It is their hope that St. Augustine continues to grow and expand the activities for its members. “Especially, we would like to see more young people involved because they are the church’s future. Finally, we not only want St. Augustine to be known as ‘not your ordinary Church’ but as a caring and giving Church.”

to depend on receiving excellent support and friendship from the other members at St. Augustine.

A retired professor from the OU College of Dentistry, he enjoys reading, music, mathematics and the study of American History.

Manny has a son who is married and lives in Duncanville, Texas.

He’d like to see St. Augustine continue to grow in the coming years.

John Hawkins & Amber Kent

Renee and Steve Bauer Sometime in the fall of 2011 Renee and Steve began attending St. Augustine, drawn by the creative, energetic nature of the worship service and Father Joe. In August of 2012 they made it official and joined the church along with their 18 year old son Bryan.

They typically attend the 2nd service on Sundays, appreciating the entire service but especially enjoying the music, Father Joe’s sermons, the pageantry and the liturgy.

Steve is a Systems Analyst at American Fidelity Assurance Company and enjoys music, motorcycles and gardening.

Renee is an Appointed Actuary at American Fidelity Assurance Company. She likes to cook, read, knit and fish.

They would like to see the church grow some more, offering additional programs for a wide variety of people.

The enjoyable liturgy and openminded quality of the Episcopal Church are what inspired John and Amber to join St. Augustine in November of 2011.

They attend the 10:45 service and their favorite part is the Holy Eucharist.

The church is a very inviting place and they would like to see it grow, prosper, and keep adding younger members.

Both physically active, Amber loves going to exercise classes at the gym every day and John likes to jog after work.

Amber is an administrative assistant for Plastic Surgery and Dermatology Associates on Northwest Expressway while John is an Assistant General Counsel for the Oklahoma Tax Commission.

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George & Diana Lauffer Since their first visit to St. Augustine, George and Diana have been impressed by the friendliness and caring of everyone in the church. They began attending in March 2003 after relocating from Fairfax, Virginia.

Both retired, George spent 23 years in the US Army and subsequently worked 13 years on Capitol Hill as a Professional Staff member on the Senate Armed Services Committee. Diana worked in Human Resources in the Fairfax Hospital system.

Being retired gives them plenty of time to enjoy traveling and visiting with their grandchildren in California.

Although they are the only official family members at St. Augustine, their dogs Poppy and Squirt enjoy church events as well — especially the blessing of the animals.

The Lauffers attend at 8:30 on Sundays and Diana normally comes to the Wednesday noon service as well. Their favorite part of the service is Father Joe’s sermon. “He started with fireworks at his first service at

Are you interested in learning more about the Episcopal Church? Maybe you’ve been attending St. Augustine’s for a little while – or a long while – and want to understand more. Then join us for Episcopal 101.

There will be a total of six classes meeting on the last Thursday of each month beginning April 25th.

Adult Confirmation class is open to all who are interested even if previously confirmed.

Email Fr. Joseph and let him know if you would like to attend the classes: josephalsay@gmail.com.

Walking the labyrinth Sunday, March 17

14700 North May Ave. | Oklahoma City, OK 73134 405.751.7874 staugustine.episcopaloklahoma.org

HOLY WEEK 2013 “J

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Holy Week is the time when, as a community, we walk with Jesus through his final days. Our faith leads us into the abyss of death, the death faced by Jesus when he was executed by the empire and the death to which his followers are called. But the week ends in hope, moving out of that abyss into God’s gift of new life – new Easter life for Christ, for the church, and for the world.

This week, as we fast, feast, wash feet, grieve, tell stories, renew promises, sit in silence, keep watch and pray we experience God’s nearness both in our personal lives and in our community. You are invited to participate fully and to open yourself to God, to experience anew the true meaning of the Paschal journey.

Palm/Passion Sunday

We journey with Jesus as he is welcomed in triumph upon entering Jerusalem and then utterly rejected and crucified at Golgotha outside the gates of the city.

8:30 am and 10:45 am services Come early to join the festive procession that begins the 10:45 service.

Monday, Tuesday, & Wednesday in Holy Week

Jesus spent these three days antagonizing the religious authorities who finally seized him and had him killed. He disrupted their temple commerce, evaded their verbal traps, and challenged their traditional wisdom. They could not tolerate the threat that he represented to their power and way of life.

Monday, March 25 — 10:30 am Chrism Mass Holy Eucharist Rite II: Blessing of the Oils and Renewal of Ordination Vows at St. Paul’s Cathedral; Fr. Joseph will be the Preacher and Rev. Tony will be the Deacon.

Wednesday, March 27 12:00 noon Holy Eucharist Rite II: A Penitential Order with the Recitation of the Decalogue 5:30 pm — Simple Supper 7:00 pm — Lenten Study. Topic: The Church & Religion. Facilitator: The Rev. Gerald Butcher

Maundy Thursday, March 28

This evening we gather before the service begins to taste the foods of our ancient forbearers. We hear the story of the Passover; we show love for each other and follow Jesus’ lead in an act of humility by having our feet washed; and we share a meal recalling the Last Supper of Jesus. This was the final meal of a man facing execution, and he used it to teach his friends new lessons about love, service and sacrifice. The evening ends as we strip the church in preparation for Good Friday and recall Christ’s Agony in the Garden.

6:30—6:55 Tasting of Passover Food in the Commons Area followed by 7:00 pm Holy Eucharist Rite II and Foot Washing Commemoration of the Institution of the Eucharist, Stripping of the Altar, Solemn Transfer of the Reserved Sacrament to the Altar of Repose, Sealing of the Doors & Watch through the Night.

God’s Friday, March 29

On this day we stop to remember when the Son of God laid down his life for you and me. We walk with Jesus as he embarks upon his final journey toward the Cross and engage in the “Via Dolorosa” (“Way of Grief” or “Way of Suffering”) a participatory service in which we use our senses.

12:00 noon — Stations of the Cross & Communion from the Reserved Sacrament.

7:00 pm —The Good Friday Liturgy: A joint service with St. John’s Episcopal Church held here at St. Augustine’s. Readings, the Passion according to St. John, Bidding Prayers, & Veneration of the Cross.

Sunday, March 31 — The Feast of the Resurrection

Jesus embodied God’s unstoppable love so completely that he was hung on a cross for refusing to compromise or set limits on that love. Today the church proclaims that death was not the last word for him. Easter promises that, like those first disciples, we too can know this risen Lord and can find our lives being filled with his spirit. Our celebration today is not simply about an event two millennia ago, but about how the miracle of resurrection can take place in us.

8:30 am Holy Eucharist Rite I: Celebration of the Feast of the Resurrection of our Lord & Renewal of Baptismal Vows with Trumpet, Organ & Incense.

9:30 am Festive Reception & Easter Egg Hunt for children of all ages.

10:45 am Holy Eucharist Rite II: Festival Celebration of the Resurrection of our Lord with Praise Music, Trumpet, Bagpipe, Organ & release of butterflies.

14700 North May Ave. | Oklahoma City, OK 73134 405.751.7874 staugustine.episcopaloklahoma.org