St. Vincent (d. 304)

When Jesus deliberately began his “journey” to death, Luke says that he “set his face” to go to Jerusalem. It is this quality of rocklike courage that distinguishes the martyrs.

Most of what we know about this saint comes from the poet Prudentius. His Acts have been rather freely colored by the imagination of their compiler. But St. Augustine, in one of his sermons on St. Vincent, speaks of having the Acts of his martyrdom before him. We are at least sure of his name, his being a deacon, the place of his death and burial.

According to the story we have (and as with some of the other early martyrs the unusual devotion he inspired must have had a basis in a very heroic life), Vincent was ordained deacon by his friend St. Valerius of Saragossa in Spain. The Roman emperors had published their edicts against the clergy in 303, and the following year against the laity. Vincent and his bishop were imprisoned in Valencia. Hunger and torture failed to break them. Like the youths in the fiery furnace (Book of Daniel, chapter three), they seemed to thrive on suffering.

Valerius was sent into exile, and Dacian now turned the full force of his fury on Vincent. Tortures that sound like those of World War II were tried. But their main effect was the progressive disintegration of Dacian himself. He had the torturers beaten because they failed.

Finally he suggested a compromise: Would Vincent at least give up the sacred books to be burned according to the emperor’s edict? He would not. Torture on the gridiron continued, the prisoner remaining courageous, the torturer losing control of himself. Vincent was thrown into a filthy prison cell—and converted the jailer. Dacian wept with rage, but strangely enough, ordered the prisoner to be given some rest.

Friends among the faithful came to visit him, but he was to have no earthly rest. When they finally settled him on a comfortable bed, he went to his eternal rest.

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Knee Mail

Church Sign Chuckles

Some favorite messages spotted on church signs or billboards, submitted by Beliefnet members:

-Fire Insurance Inside
-This Church Is Prayer Conditioned
-God Answers Knee Mail
-PRAY NOW! Avoid Christmas Rush!
-Sign broken, come inside for message
-This is a ch--ch. What's missing? U R!
-Stop in the name of love and meet the Supreme
-Wal-Mart's not the only savings place
-The best position is on your knees!

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the free world & alfonse

Marc Smason 

– trombone & voice     Hello 2010

Stephanie Hughes & I are leading weekly after-school music time on Beacon Hill   4 – 5:30 pm  Tuesdays  (ages 9 - 13) & Thusdays  (ages 6 – 8)  (ages are suggested)   $15    WWW.ROCKITSPACE.NING.COM

I won’t be able to play tonight as my health is not good – catch the N.W.C.C. any way.

        Thursday   January 21      8 – 10 pm       NW Choro Collective – Brazil 1920!         *Little Red Bistro    400 Dexter    206 328-4758  www.myspace.com/northwestchoro

 

         Friday   January 22      8 – 10 pm       the Free World     Rosalynn DeRoos - reeds           Marc Smason    Ken Strong - bass    Vern Lawton – drums       *Gallery 1412        1412 18^th    www.gallery1412.org          

          2^nd & 4^th Saturdays - January 23     noon      Alfonse Somebody & the Jr. Detectives   *Agua Verde Café & Paddle Club   1303 N.E. Boat St.     206 545-8570    www.aguaverdecafe.com

          Wednesday    January 27      6 – 7 pm       Better World    diva, Joanne Klein  Marc Smason     Craig Hoyer - keys    Mark Bullis – bass     *Capitol Music Center       Seattle’s Music Store     1032 N.E. 65^th      206 622-0171   www.capitolmusiccenter.com

          Thursday   January 28      8  pm       Homestyle Klezmer    *Lake City Old-Time Country Dance – Lake City Community Center    12531 28^th N.E.     206 525-0932     http://seattledance.org/contra/lakecity   $8/$5

         Friday    January 29      8 - 10 pm       Better World    diva, Joanne Klein & 3 Marks!  Marc Smason     Mark Sampson - keys    Mark Bullis – bass    Wayne Porter  - drums       *Local Color Café/Gallery in the Market!       1606 Pike Pl.                 206 728-1717     validated parking in Market Garage  1531 Western    www.localcolorseattle.com

           Jammin’ in the Junction                                                                                                                                                                1^st & 3^rd Mondays       8 pm    Better World    diva, Joanne Klein   Marc Smason    Bruce Barnard    Ken Strong   Chris Jimenez     Poggie Tavern  4717 California S.W.    206 937-2165    Jam Session!  

          Seattle WA unless otherwise noted        * all ages        no cover unless noted                           removal upon request, of course.   www.marcsmason.com        CDs, available - Hit reply or www.cdbaby.com  or  call  206 760-1764       ”The disaster in Haiti is neither the result of the so-called “will of God” nor the fault of the Haitian people.  It is the result of centuries of imperialist domination, occupation and isolation.” – from periodical, “Revolution” 

Posted via email from Seattle area live music

St. Fabian (c. 250)

Fabian was a Roman layman who came into the city from his farm one day as clergy and people were preparing to elect a new pope. Eusebius, a Church historian, says a dove flew in and settled on the head of Fabian. This sign united the votes of clergy and laity and he was chosen unanimously.
He led the Church for 14 years and died a martyr’s death during the persecution of Decius in a.d. 250. St. Cyprian wrote to his successor that Fabian was an “incomparable” man whose glory in death matched the holiness and purity of his life.

In the catacombs of St. Callistus, the stone that covered Fabian’s grave may still be seen, broken into four pieces, bearing the Greek words, “Fabian, bishop, martyr.”

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Loudspeakers

Church Bulletin Bloopers: Carpets and Choir Robes
A new loudspeaker system has been installed in the church. It was
given by one of our members in honor of his wife.

Next Sunday, a special collection will be taken to defray the cost of
the new carpet. All those wishing to do something on the new carpet
will come forward and get a piece of paper.

Eight new choir robes are currently needed, due to the addition of
several new members and to the deterioration of some older ones.

Scouts are saving aluminum cans, bottles, and other items to be
recycled. Proceeds will be used to cripple children.

The outreach committee has enlisted 25 visitors to make calls on
people who are not afflicted with any church.

Please place your donation in the envelope along with the deceased
person you want remembered.

The ladies of the Church have cast off clothing of every kind. They
may be seen in the basement on Friday afternoon.

On the main page of the Internet web site for the Evangelical Lutheran
Church in Canada: "In a show of near anonymity, the convention
approved full communion with the Anglican Church of Canada."

Father is on vacation. Massages can be given to church secretary.

The audience is asked to remain seated until the end of the recession.

Announcement: "The cost for attending the Fasting and Prayer
Conference includes meals."

The agenda was adopted. The minutes were approved. The financial
secretary gave a grief report.

Stewardship Offertory: "Jesus Paid It All."

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m.l.k. - jam

Marc Smason – trombone & voice     Hello 2010

Stephanie Hughes & I are leading weekly after-school music time on
Beacon Hill   4 – 5:30 pm  Tuesdays  (12 – 18) & Thusdays  (ages 6 –
11)  (ages are suggested - open to all)   $10
WWW.ROCKITSPACE.NING.COM

          Martin Luther King Day Rally/March – Today  11a.m.   Garfield H.S.

          Jammin’ in the Junction

     1st & 3rd Mondays       8 pm    Better World    diva, Joanne
Klein   Marc Smason    Bruce Barnard    Ken Strong   Chris Jimenez
Poggie Tavern  4717 California S.W.    206 937-2165    Jam Session!

         Thursday   January 21      8 – 10 pm       NW Choro
Collective – Brazil 1920!   *Little Red Bistro    400 Dexter    206
328-4758  www.myspace.com/northwestchoro

         Friday   January 22      8 – 10 pm       Free World
Rosalynn DeRoos - reeds    Marc Smason    Ken Strong - bass    Vern
Lawton - drums     *Gallery 1412    1412 18th    www.gallery1412.org

          2nd & 4th Saturdays  January 23     noon      Alfonse
Somebody & the Jr. Detectives   *Agua Verde Café & Paddle Club   1303
N.E. Boat St.     206 545-8570    www.aguaverdecafe.com

        Friday    January 29      8 - 10 pm       Better World
diva, Joanne Klein & 3 Marks!  Marc Smason     Mark Sampson - keys
Mark Bullis – bass    Wayne Porter  - drums       *Local Color
Café/Gallery in the Market!       1606 Pike Pl.                 206
728-1717     validated parking in Market Garage  1531 Western
www.localcolorseattle.com

           Seattle WA unless otherwise noted        * all ages
no cover unless noted       removal upon request, of course.
www.marcsmason.com   CDs, available - Hit reply or www.cdbaby.com  or
call  206 760-1764      we are god – the only god

Posted via email from Seattle area live music

St. Anthony of Egypt (251-356)

St. Anthony of Egypt (251-356)

The life of Anthony will remind many people of St. Francis of Assisi.
At 20, Anthony was so moved by the Gospel message, “Go, sell what you
have, and give to [the] poor” (Mark 10:21b), that he actually did just
that with his large inheritance. He is different from Francis in that
most of Anthony’s life was spent in solitude. He saw the world
completely covered with snares, and gave the Church and the world the
witness of solitary asceticism, great personal mortification and
prayer. But no saint is antisocial, and Anthony drew many people to
himself for spiritual healing and guidance.
At 54, he responded to many requests and founded a sort of monastery
of scattered cells. Again like Francis, he had great fear of “stately
buildings and well-laden tables.”

At 60, he hoped to be a martyr in the renewed Roman persecution of
311, fearlessly exposing himself to danger while giving moral and
material support to those in prison. At 88, he was fighting the Arian
heresy, that massive trauma from which it took the Church centuries to
recover. “The mule kicking over the altar” denied the divinity of
Christ.

Anthony is associated in art with a T-shaped cross, a pig and a book.
The pig and the cross are symbols of his valiant warfare with the
devil—the cross his constant means of power over evil spirits, the pig
a symbol of the devil himself. The book recalls his preference for
“the book of nature” over the printed word. Anthony died in solitude
at 105.

Posted via email from scottyr's posterous

Jobs Hymns

Hymns for All Professions
Dentist's Hymn: Crown Him with Many Crowns
Weatherman's Hymn: There Shall Be Showers of Blessings
Contractor's Hymn: The Church's One Foundation
Tailor's Hymn: Holy, Holy, Holy
Golfer's Hymn: There's a Green Hill Far Away
Politician's Hymn: Standing on the Promises
Optometrist's Hymn: Open My Eyes That I Might See
IRS Agent's Hymn: I Surrender All
Gossip's Hymn: Pass It On
Electrician's Hymn: Send The Light
Shopper's Hymn: Sweet By and By
Realtor's Hymn: I've Got a Mansion, Just Over the Hilltop
Massage Therapist's Hymn: He Touched Me
Doctor's Hymn: The Great Physician

Posted via email from scottyr's posterous

St. Berard and Companions (d. 1220)

St. Berard and Companions (d. 1220)

Preaching the gospel is often dangerous work. Leaving one’s homeland
and adjusting to new cultures, governments and languages is difficult
enough; but martyrdom sometimes caps all the other sacrifices.

In 1219 with the blessing of St. Francis, Berard left Italy with
Peter, Adjute, Accurs, Odo and Vitalis to preach in Morocco. En route
in Spain Vitalis became sick and commanded the other friars to
continue their mission without him.

They tried preaching in Seville, then in Muslim hands, but made no
converts. They went on to Morocco where they preached in the
marketplace. The friars were immediately apprehended and ordered to
leave the country; they refused. When they began preaching again, an
exasperated sultan ordered them executed. After enduring severe
beatings and declining various bribes to renounce their faith in Jesus
Christ, the friars were beheaded by the sultan himself on January 16,
1220.

These were the first Franciscan martyrs. When Francis heard of their
deaths, he exclaimed, "Now I can truly say that I have five Friars
Minor!" Their relics were brought to Portugal where they prompted a
young Augustinian canon to join the Franciscans and set off for
Morocco the next year. That young man was Anthony of Padua. These five
martyrs were canonized in 1481.

Posted via email from scottyr's posterous

When you get a Hair cut

The Generous Barber

After receiving a beautiful haircut, a doctor asks the barber, “How much do I owe you?”

“Oh, I never charge a doctor,” the barber replies. “You all do such good, important work.”

The next morning, the barber arrives at his shop and finds a thank you note and a bottle of wine on his doorstep from the doctor.

Later that day, a police officer walks into the same barbershop. After a beautiful haircut, the police office asks the barber, “How much do I owe you?”

“Oh, I never charge a police officer,” the barber replies. “You all do such good, important work.”

The next morning, the barber arrives at his shop and finds a thank you note and a box of candy on his doorstep from the police officer.

Later that day, a priest walks into the same barbershop. After a beautiful haircut, the priest asks the barber, “How much do I owe you?”

“Oh, I never charge a priest,” the barber replies. “You all do such good, important work.”

The next morning, the barber arrives at his shop and finds twelve priests on his doorstep.
 

The Generous Barber

After receiving a beautiful haircut, a doctor asks the barber, “How much do I owe you?”

“Oh, I never charge a doctor,” the barber replies. “You all do such good, important work.”

The next morning, the barber arrives at his shop and finds a thank you note and a bottle of wine on his doorstep from the doctor.

Later that day, a police officer walks into the same barbershop. After a beautiful haircut, the police office asks the barber, “How much do I owe you?”

“Oh, I never charge a police officer,” the barber replies. “You all do such good, important work.”

The next morning, the barber arrives at his shop and finds a thank you note and a box of candy on his doorstep from the police officer.

Later that day, a priest walks into the same barbershop. After a beautiful haircut, the priest asks the barber, “How much do I owe you?”

“Oh, I never charge a priest,” the barber replies. “You all do such good, important work.”

The next morning, the barber arrives at his shop and finds twelve priests on his doorstep.

The Generous Barber

After receiving a beautiful haircut, a doctor asks the barber, “How much do I owe you?”

“Oh, I never charge a doctor,” the barber replies. “You all do such good, important work.”

The next morning, the barber arrives at his shop and finds a thank you note and a bottle of wine on his doorstep from the doctor.

Later that day, a police officer walks into the same barbershop. After a beautiful haircut, the police office asks the barber, “How much do I owe you?”

“Oh, I never charge a police officer,” the barber replies. “You all do such good, important work.”

The next morning, the barber arrives at his shop and finds a thank you note and a box of candy on his doorstep from the police officer.

Later that day, a priest walks into the same barbershop. After a beautiful haircut, the priest asks the barber, “How much do I owe you?”

“Oh, I never charge a priest,” the barber replies. “You all do such good, important work.”

The next morning, the barber arrives at his shop and finds twelve priests on his doorstep.

Posted via email from scottyr's posterous