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May 10, 2006
As we continue our fifty-day Easter feast,
these words are as powerful today
as they were to those
who first heard them in Asia minor so long ago.
Hell grasped a Corpse and met God
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re there any
who are devout lovers of God?
Let them enjoy this beautiful bright festival!
Are there any who are grateful servants?
Let them rejoice and enter
into the joy of their Lord!
Are there any weary from fasting?
Let them now receive their
due!
If any have
toiled from the first hour,
let them receive their
reward.
If any have come after the third hour,
let them with gratitude join in
the feast!
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Those who arrived after the sixth hour,
let them not doubt; for they shall not be
short-changed.
Those who have tarried until the ninth hour,
let them not hesitate; but
let them come too.
And those who arrived only at the eleventh hour,
let them not be afraid
by reason of their delay.
For the Lord is gracious and receives the last even as the first.
The
Lord gives rest to those who come at the eleventh hour,
even as to those who toiled from the beginning.
To one and all the Lord gives generously.
The Lord accepts the offering
of every work.
The Lord honors every deed and commends their intention.
Let us all enter into the joy of the Lord!
First and last alike, receive your reward.
Rich and poor, rejoice together!
Conscientious and lazy, celebrate the day!
You who have kept the fast,
and you who have not,
rejoice, this day, for the table is bountifully spread!
Feast royally, for the calf is fatted.
Let no one go away hungry.
Partake, all, of the banquet of faith.
Enjoy the bounty of the Lord's goodness!
Let no one
grieve being poor,
for the universal reign has been
revealed.
Let no one lament persistent failings,
for forgiveness has risen from
the grave.
Let no one fear death,
for the death of our Savior has set us
free.
The Lord has destroyed death by enduring it.
The Lord vanquished hell
when he descended into it.
The Lord put hell in turmoil even as it tasted of his flesh.
Isaiah foretold this when he said,
"You, O Hell, were placed in turmoil
when he encountered you below."
Hell was in
turmoil having been eclipsed.
Hell was in turmoil having been
mocked.
Hell was in turmoil having been destroyed.
Hell was in turmoil having been abolished.
Hell was in turmoil having been made captive.
Hell grasped a corpse, and met God.
Hell seized earth, and encountered
heaven.
Hell took what it saw, and was overcome by what it could not see.
O death, where is your sting?
O hell, where is your victory?
Christ is
risen, and you are cast down!
Christ is risen, and the demons
are fallen!
Christ is risen, and the angels rejoice!
Christ is risen, and life is set free!
Christ is risen, and the tomb is emptied of its
dead.
For Christ, having risen from the dead,
is become the first-fruits of
those who have fallen asleep.
To Christ be glory and power forever and ever. Amen!
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St. John Chrysostom (347-407),Bishop of Constantinople, speaking to his congregation at one of the first Easter celebrations of the fifth century.
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Around
Beloved...As we seek to be a blessing to our community, we have an
opportunity to serve the school where we worship. Community House Middle School is actively seeking 40-50
proctors for the End of Grade Tests to be held 9am -11am on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday (May 22, 23, 24). Can
you help? Please email Linda
Mintz and let her know that you are from Beloved and the day or days you can assist...During last Sunday's worship we saw the beginnings of
a multimedia presentation, "Faces of Beloved," that is to be completed and placed on the web for Beloved's fifth birthday at the end
of the year. Do you have images to share? Please forward these to the Development
Office...Interested in learning more or assisting with the work of the Human Needs Outreach Team? Their next
gathering will be Thursday, May 18 from 7-8:30pm at Beloved Garden. It won't be the same without you
there...All rising 7th, 8th and 9th graders are invited
to attend Episcopal Outreach Camp (July 9-12) sponsored by Beloved and most of the Episcopal churches in Charlotte.
Applications are available at Beloved Garden or from Miss Clifford or Deacon Deb...Anyone need some
lemon balm for their yard? Contact the Harbin family before their extra is dug up and discarded!
Serving at God's Altar this
Sunday...Angel Army Team 4 (Captain: Fred Mellon; Administrator: Claire Kraft; Pastor: this ministry position is available; Convener: Linda Mellon);
Acolytes: Daniel Dygowski, David Dygowski, Elizabeth Nichols, Joseph Nichols, Katie Sanniota; Reader: Scott Sanniota;
Presenters: Nancy Weiler, Ann Calandro; Lay Eucharistic Ministers: Wes Nichols, Bud Moore;
Offertory Basket Passers: Holly Burnett, Katie Kraft, Carter Ricket, Madelyn Ricket; PowerPoint: Paige
Wilson.
In our
Prayers...a holy death for Evelyn, Kris Leinenkugel's
paternal grandmother...for Richard, Ginger Leppert‘s father...for Jessie Powell and Janie
Lownes who are recuperating from surgery or hospital stays...for those serving in Iraq, especially Scott, Dan Hood's
brother...for Nancy and Tony Hodgson's granddaughter, Emily...for Marilyn Doyon and Jennifer Marsico
who are expecting babies this upcoming year...for Dorothy, Mary Reid's sister who is fighting lung cancer
and has been hospitalized in intensive care for pneumonia...for Ruth, Shana Blake‘s cousin...for Ed and Jean, Dick
Reif's parents who are in declining health in Oklahoma...for Bill, Lee Frickhoeffer's uncle who has
terminal cancer...for Charlie, Toni Reif‘s friend who has cancer...for Brian McCarthy as he continues
medical testing.
Upcoming Calendar...click here
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