Creator Episcopal Church

Thanks to Jon Evans for sharing “He’s Alive” by Dolly Parton.

The gates and doors were barred
And all the windows fastened down
I spent the night in sleeplessness
And rose at every sound
Half in hopeless sorrow
And half in fear the day
Would find the soldiers breakin' through
To drag us all away?

And just before the sunrise
I heard something at the wall
The gate began to rattle
And a voice began to call
I hurried to the window
Looked down into the street
Expecting swords and torches
And the sound of soldiers' feet

But there was no one there but Mary
So I went down to let her in
John stood there beside me
As she told me where she'd been
She said "They've moved him in the night,
And none of us knows where!
The stone's been rolled away,
And now his body isn't there!!"

So we both ran towards the garden
Then John ran on ahead
We found the stone and empty tomb
Just the way that Mary said
But the winding sheet, they wrapped him in
Was just an empty shell
And how or where they'd taken him
Was more than I could tell

Oh, something strange had happened there
Just what I did not know
John believed a miracle
But I just turned to go
Circumstance and speculation
Couldn't lift me very high
'Cause I'd seen them crucify him
I saw him die

Back inside the house again
The guilt and anguish came
Everything I'd promised him
Just added to my shame
When at last it came to choices
I denied I knew his name
And even if he was alive
It wouldn't be the same

But suddenly the air was filled
With a strange and sweet perfume
Light that came from everywhere
Drove shadows from the room
And Jesus stood before me
With his arms held open wide
And I fell down on my knees
And I just clung to him and cried

Then he raised me to my feet
And as I looked into his eyes
The love was shining out from him
Like sunlight from the skies
Guilt in my confusion
Disappeared in sweet release
And every fear I'd ever had
Just melted into peace

He's alive, yes he's alive!
Yes, he's alive and I'm forgiven,
Heaven's gates are open wide!

- Dolly Parton

A Collect for Memorial Day
Almighty and everlasting God, whose life is communion,
whose peace is the healing of all creation,
and whose love is stronger than death:
Receive into your mercy all who have given their lives
in the service of freedom and peace.
Keep us mindful of their sacrifice,
steadfast in gratitude,
and courageous in the work of repair;
that, honoring those who have given their all,
we may practice the peace for which they longed,
seek the truth that makes peace possible,
and become, in this place,
a people shaped by grace and bound together in love;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns,
one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.

Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in us the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and we shall be created, and you shall renew the face of the earth.

O God, who by the light of the same Holy Spirit instructs the hearts of the faithful, grant that we may be truly wise and ever rejoice your consolations. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

The opening reception in the newly renovated Spaugh Gallery at Mississippi College will be next Wednesday, May 27th 6-8pm. Bob Willis is an extremely talented guy! The works in this show are simply gorgeous.

Brick Street Players

Enter the wardrobe to find a world of wonder in Narnia! Tickets to Brick Street Players' production of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe are on sale now!

Brick Street Players