Notes - October 2017

Tuesday, October 31, 2017

Death is not the end

And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write this, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them. (Revelation to John 13:14 KJV) Many may know that one of my very favorite humorists is Jeanne Robertson, a statuesque former Miss North Carolina who has made a vibrant career for herself as humorist and motivational speaker. In recent years she has appeared at both the... Read More

Posted by Dr. David Ouzts at Tuesday, October 31, 2017

Monday, October 23, 2017

Luther 500

The Indy 500 happens annually every May, but Luther 500 happens only every five-hundred years. Most Episcopal parishes seem to not do much with the Reformation. At this point on the liturgical calendar, we seem to have our annual sights set on All Saints’ Day and the festival Sunday following. In the Anglican tradition, the Reformation was a bit rocky at best, something about King Henry VIII trying to find the “right” wife and produce an heir. The latter was important,... Read More

Posted by Dr. David Ouzts at Monday, October 23, 2017

Thursday, October 19, 2017

Keeping the realms straight

“Give therefore to the emperor the things that are the emperor’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” Yes, this Sunday is our annual Celebration Sunday (AKA Stewardship Sunday). And no, we did not plan this to coincide with this Sunday’s Gospel reading … I promise, cross my heart. However, I believe this line from the Sunday Gospel has much to say about everything in our lives. Though Jesus was talking specifically about taxes and coin money and... Read More

Posted by Dr. David Ouzts at Thursday, October 19, 2017

Monday, October 9, 2017

Find room in your heart for the "other"

“Well, this Sunday we’re singing the other tune.” Please allow me to explain. Hymnals contain music of all genres – plainsong chant, traditional hymns in four-parts, hymns sung in unison only, verse/refrain hymns, hymns with descants, and tune from literally all over the globe. Hymnals also contain poetry of all kinds and from throughout the centuries – translated Latin texts, poem with rhyme and meter, hymns with verbatim scriptural texts, and litanies in... Read More

Posted by Dr. David Ouzts at Monday, October 9, 2017

Monday, October 2, 2017

Sometimes, it's all God

Choirmasters love it when God says, “Here, my child, sing this anthem or hymn this week.” God’s directions or desires are not always so completely obvious, which is why I maintain that God expects us to use our intellect when seeking God’s will. One old priest friend in my life used to begin his seasonal confirmation instruction classes by saying at the very first meeting, “When you come to the Episcopal Church, don’t check your brain at the... Read More

Posted by Dr. David Ouzts at Monday, October 2, 2017