The Vicar continues his weekly exposition of the Catechism, found in the Book of Common Prayer, pp. 845-862.

Q.      What is sin?

A.      Sin is the seeking of our own will instead of the will of God, thus distorting our relationship with God, with other people, and with all creation.

Logically we say it’s impossible for two things to occupy the same place at the same time. But when we sin, we’re insisting on that very thing. Rather than correlating our will in a given time and place with God’s will for that given time and place, we insist on shoving God out. That’s sin in a nutshell. It just goes to show how the original sin has tainted all aspects of man’s life, including his logic.

But it is possible for two things to occupy the same place and the same time: God’s will and our will can correlate and occur simultaneously. His will is creative and makes the moment. Our will is analogous and imitates His. Thus, we are granted a measure of creativity. This is what the obedience of faith achieves.

Several parishioners have asked for copies of recent sermons, so I have put transcripts of several on the St. Peter's website.

Click here and you'll be able to watch the sermon and read along or download a copy of the transcript.

The New York Theatre Organ Society and The Stissing Center are presenting this exciting evening that features the latest musical addition to The Stissing Center, a newly installed Allen T321Q SP "Unit Orchestra" Theatre Organ.

The program features Nathan Avakian who will perform the theatre organ side of the instrument along with Carl Hackert and James Fitzwilliam performing the more classical repertoire of the organ. Joining them are vocalist Clair Avakian, Eric M. Berlin on trumpet, and Nancy Vanderlee on flute — all accompanied by orchestrations from the organ.

This diverse program will show how this "unit orchestra" theatre organ is capable of performing pieces from Bach to Queen and everything between! Join us for this fun, evocative evening of music that is different from anything you’ve heard at The Stissing Center.

For more information click here.

Miss an issue of The Mouse?

Back issues of The Mouse are now available on the St. Peter's website. Go to the Menu bar and click on The Mouse.

The floral guild is always grateful for donations. If you are interested in dedicating flowers in memoriam or for a special occasion, such as a birthday or anniversary, please send an email to stpeterschurch@optonline.net with the date and the name(s) to whom you would like to dedicate the arrangements.

St. Peter's is now pleased to offer the convenience of online giving via our website. You may make a pledge payment or a one-time gift either by ACH or credit card. From the website menu, click on Serve > Make a gift online, or click here.

Highlights from Henry Chadwick's The Early Church (Harmondsworth: Penguin, 1967), selected by the Vicar. Chadwick was the sometime Master of Peterhouse, Cambridge.

"The unity of the scattered Christian communities depended on two things — on a common faith and on a common way of ordering their life and worship. They called each other 'brother' or 'sister'. Whatever differences there might be of race, class or education, they felt bound together by their focus of loyalty to the person and teaching of Jesus. The pattern of worship derived all its meaning from its reference to him. The rite of baptism by which they were admitted to the Church was both a commemoration of the moment at the river Jordan when Jesus was filled with the Spirit for his life work, and a once for all renunciation of evil, which St Paul in a powerful metaphor described as 'being buried with Christ.'" (p. 32)

Almighty God, who hast given thy only Son to be unto us both a sacrifice for sin and also an example of godly life: Give us grace that we may always most thankfully receive that his inestimable benefit, and also daily endeavor ourselves to follow the blessed steps of his most holy life; through the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen

To remember St. Peter's in your estate plans, please consider joining The Lithgow Society. To find out more, click here.