"Souled Out" for Jesus! ~ Choir Anniversary Concert

The church was packed! There was standing room only in the rear of the sanctuary and the choir loft was filled with folks who had found no room downstairs! The date was September 26, 2010 and the St. Elizabeth Gospel Choir was celebrating its 19th Anniversary!

The choir is actually 33 years old, having been organized in 1977under the pastorship of Fr. Mike Schmied. We did not celebrate our anniversaries with concerts in the early years; but once the tradition began, we have gotten better and better both as a gospel choir and as people who really know how to celebrate with music and a delicious repast afterwards!

We have always invited other choirs to celebrate with us and they have added their unique styles of Gospel music to ours, so that our celebrations are a spirit-filled and glorious tribute to our God.

This year our guest choirs were the Youth & Children's Choir of Union Baptist Church, The Gospel Voices of Glen Allen, The Maggie Walker Alumni Gospel Choir and The Tribe of Judah of ROK Church Int'l of Ashburn Va.

In addition to the choirs, we were graced with beautiful presentations by the Praise Dance & Flag Ministry of Ministers Iris Pollard and Geri Gatling. The huge white flags, which gave the appearance of wings, accented the music and dance in a stunningly beautiful way. The congregation showed their appreciation with standing ovations!

Our theme this year was "Souled out for Jesus!" and our choir led off with our theme song, "Souled Out!" featuring Jordan Walker-Rowe as lead singer. This rousing gospel song was followed by the beautiful "It Ain't Over Til It's Over" featuring our own Kim Ford. We closed out our portion of the concert with "I Will Bless The Lord." All of our hard work in learning these three new songs was rewarded by the appreciation shown by our parishioners and guests!

After the concert, a wonderful repast awaited our guests. The decorating committee had done a great job in making our parish hall festive and beautiful. An abundance of good food had been provided for our guests and all enjoyed themselves.

It was a wonderful evening celebration and we look forward to next year when we celebrate our 20th Anniversary!

"Woe to the Complacent of Zion" ~ by Ronnie Archer

Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Amos 6:1, 4-7
Ps. 146: 7, 8-9, 9-10 (1b)
1 Timothy 6: 11-16
Luke 16: 19-31

The theme of this Sunday's readings is the contrast between the rich and the poor. Amos' focus is on the condemnation of the elite... the complacency of the rich, and their lack of concern for those around them who are living a very different lifestyle of poverty and suffering.

The responsorial psalm for today (146) is all about keeping faith, securing justice, and feeding the hungry.

The second reading from 1 Timothy tells us to be "people of God, pursue righteousness, devotion, faith, love, patience, and gentleness....Lay hold of eternal life, to which we are called." (v.11-12)

Luke's Gospel carries the same theme. We hear the story of the rich man living a lavish lifestyle, royal clothing, dining sumptuously... just enjoying a self indulgent life, while Lazarus, covered with sores, with nothing to eat... was lying at the rich man's door. The rich man had total disregard for Lazarus, who was merely existing in poverty.

When poor Lazarus died, he was comforted by God, taken by angels to the bosom of Abraham, in comfort and peace. The rich man was sent to torment, since while alive, he did not listen and heed the Word of God.

The rich man, while in torment raised his eyes and cried out to Abraham to "have pity on me"...as well as, another command "to send Lazarus, to dip his finger in water and cool my tongue..." (v. 24). Abraham reminded him of how much good he had received during his lifetime, while having total disregard for Lazarus, who was poor. Then he begged him to send him to tell his brothers so they may be warned, so they wouldn't suffer the same fate. That could not be done, they had already been warned, and had not listened to Moses, nor the prophets.

The rich man did not relieve Lazarus' agony while alive, so now Lazarus could not relieve his agony, because "a great chasm is established to prevent anyone from crossing who might wish to go from our side to yours...or from your side to ours." (v. 26) Luke makes it clear that Lazarus received his reward in the Kingdom of God... and that indifference from those who were more fortunate, would be punished.

God's chosen people in the Old Testament were ignoring God's prophets, as some do in our time..."doing their own thing"... inventing their own "music", giving God's Word a different meaning. We cannot improve on, nor change what God intended for us.

When we think of different situations in our own country and in our world, we should be able to relate to this story... the events that have happened in our own country today, where many of the rich have benefited from the "poor". Wealth carries "power", and sometimes arrogance. We should be careful of how that "power" is used.

Jesus wills us to build a society where rich and poor are treated equally.

When we want to live as Christians, then we have a responsibility for others. We need the riches of Christ's grace, mercy, and power so we can be transformed to grow in Christ Jesus.

Storing up our treasure in Heaven ~ by M.A. Allen

Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Amos 8:4-7
Psalm 113:1-2, 4-6, 7-8
1 Timothy 2:1-8
Luke 16:1-13

"We will diminish the ephah, add to the shekel, and fix our scales for cheating!" (8:5) These are the words of the prophet, Amos, as he describes the dishonest business practices that some of the Israelites were accused of.

It is obvious that the theme of today's readings is social justice. Amos is denouncing these practices and is warning the Israelites, that the Lord will not forget what is being done to His people. Amos teaches that we have an obligation to take care of those who can't take care of themselves; that we are not a society that believes in the survival of the fittest but that everyone should be cared for.

We also need to be honest in recognizing that money, of itself, is not evil. However, we must not allow money to become the center of our lives.

In Luke's Gospel, Jesus reminds us that our true home is with God. Because there are pitfalls along the way, we need to look after not only our bodily needs, but even more importantly, to put aside heavenly treasure.

Jesus points out to us, the prudence shown by the dishonest steward, who very cleverly secured his future before being dismissed by his master. Jesus implies that we also need to use our imaginations and our gifts in assuring our place in heaven. One way we can store up our treasure is by looking to the needs of our community and our parish family. We have a duty to respond to the needs of others, because we know that on Judgement Day, God will ask us what we have done for our brothers and sisters in their need.

What will our answer be?

Is It Possible To Forgive? ~ by Barbara Williford

Twenty-fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Exodus 32:7-11, 13-14
Ps. 51:3-4, 12-13, 17, 19
1 Timothy 1:12-17
Luke 15:1-10

Our theme today was MERCY. God the Father sent Jesus to the world to save it. God is always trying to bring us back into his heavenly family. He takes pity on us and the troubles we face. Jesus came to seek out sinners, those who have gone astray. Our God feels our suffering and is merciful.

Think about the 99 sheep and the 1 who was lost. Why was he lost? Did he think, "I'll find my own way?" The only way is with God who is a God of caring, mercy, compassion, patience and love.

To learn how to live a good life goes hand in hand with making mistakes. We have to be tolerant and patient. We judge too quickly, rush to make decisions, and end up making mistakes. We feel lost, overwhelmed and in trouble. BUT Jesus is always there for us. He gives us second chances all the time.

We have a duty to try to bring others to Christ. It takes courage to seek out those in need.

The homily ended with a story of a woman, Maggie, who was a scholar and had been held prisoner during WWII. She lived through her terrible experience and was attending a conference after the war. After delivering her speech entitled, "It Is Possible To Forgive", a man approached her whom she recognized as her former prison guard. He spoke to her, told her he had become Catholic and asked her for her forgiveness. She said to the man, "In the name of God, I forgive you, my brother".

What a remarkable response, made only because she truly understood Jesus' message to love everyone and to practice mercy.

AMEN.

Vivian and Rosemary travel to Houma ~ by Rosemary Overton

Hello Everyone!

In July, Vivian and I visited Rev. Andrew at his new church home, the Cathedral of St. Francis de Sales in Houma LA. It is a beautiful church. We met the secretary, Lydia Duet, and Donna Dinger the bookkeeper. Also, Frank, the caretaker of the grounds.

They all expressed how happy they were to have Rev. Andrew with them. Rev. Andrew also took us to lunch and we were able to take pictures, which I have if anyone would like to look at them.

We did not have time to tour Houma, but what we did see, it is a nice country town.

Rev. Andrew said to say hello to everyone and to keep him in prayer and he will keep us in prayer also.

Sacrifice, Love and Carrying Our Cross ~ by Ronnie Archer

Twenty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

Wisdom 9:13-18b
Ps. 90:3-4, 5-6, 12-13, 14, 17 (1)
Philemon 9-10, 12-17
Luke 14: 25-33

The first reading tells us that we need the gift of Wisdom so that we will know what God's Will is. If we feel we know HIS Will, it sometimes might be uncomfortable for us to really do HIS Will. We have to be willing to forego OUR own will to sincerely follow Jesus' footsteps.

Paul says in the second reading to Philemon that he has become an old man, and also a prisoner for Jesus Christ. He is sending a fellow prisoner, the slave Onesimus, who has become a Christian, and very close to Paul's heart - back to his owners so he would no longer be a slave, but a beloved "brother" in the Lord.

The first words of this Sunday's gospel sound very harsh to us, because it sounds like Jesus is asking us to turn our backs on our own families. That seems too much for us to do. What Jesus is asking us to do is to put HIM before our other relationships and our possessions, and disconnect ourselves from whatever might prevent us from living His Will.

It is not easy to "let go" of some of our own habits, emotions, etc. that we have had all of our lives, nor give up what is comfortable to us, but if it is something that will become an obstacle to loving God and following HIS Will for us, that IS what we must do.

We have to deny our "ownselves", and our "old" selves and pray earnestly, asking God to transform our hearts and our minds for the sake of the Gospel of the Lord, Jesus. When we love as Jesus loves, the interest of others becomes more important than our own.

When we have earthly matters clouding our minds and our lives, it is more difficult to really discern what GOD wants from us.

Following Jesus Christ involves surrendering ourselves, becoming uncomfortable, and "taking up our cross". Christ's example is to serve others; when we find that difficult to do, then if we are sincere in our desire to follow Jesus, we must ask God for faith, and the strength to do so and HE WILL hear our prayers and reward us according to our deeds.

If we sincerely follow Christ and carry our cross each day, then we will become better persons, living a life that is centered around Christ. If we respond to Christ's call to deny ourselves, then we will be rewarded.

"Whoever does NOT carry his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple." (Luke 14:27)


~ Image from Thinkart, Dreamstime.com ~

St. Elizabeth's Women's Day 2010 ~ Photos by Ethel Cooley

Many, many thanks to Ethel Cooley who provided these fine pictures taken at our annual Women's Day celebration in May of this year.

September Birthdays at St. E's ~ by Ethel Cooley

Happy Birthday, Everybody!





09/01/10 ~ Kariin Timmons

09/02/10 ~ Gloria Johnson

09/04/10 ~ Astrid Jones, Adrianna Alexis & Thelma Neal

09/05/10 ~ Stanley Glover, III

09/06/10 ~ George Strother

09/09/10 ~ Shelton Jones

09/09/10 ~ Meghan Barbato & Terence Holland Smith

09/10/10 ~ Erica Miller & Capacine Pryor

09/11/10 ~ Arteria Moore

09/18/10 ~ Veronica Archer, Jonathan Frizzelle, Isaiah Goodwyn
& Michael Moore

09/21/10 ~ Duane Brannon, Jr.

09/23/10 ~ Maria Barrow

09/24/10 ~ Marla Strother

09/30/10 ~ Valerie Smith