One of our greatest joys at St. Paul’s is to participate in the “Adopt a Rat” program at the Virginia Military Institute (VMI). Local families and churches in the Lexington, VA area host new, first-year cadets (called “Rats”) for a Sunday respite from the intense training, offering them a home-cooked meal, a quiet environment, and emotional support during their challenging “Rat Line” period. After worship yesterday, Sunday Sept. 6, we had an impromptu pizza lunch and a time for some of our St. Paul’s members to fellowship with our new “rats” and other cadets the LORD has brought us. We are so blessed by the dedication of these young people and pray the LORD will bless them through our church. Thanks be to GOD!

The Faces of REC100 tells the story of the Reformed Episcopal Church’s commitment to planting 100 new churches across North America through the voices of those on the front lines of mission. Through personal interviews with church planters, viewers hear stories of calling, sacrifice, perseverance, and hope as new Anglican congregations take root in communities across the continent. More than a vision statement, this film is a testimony to God’s faithfulness and an invitation for every parish to participate in the work of making disciples, forming new communities of faith, and planting churches that plant churches. Visit http://www.rec100.org and join the mission!

“Now let the heav’ns be joyful, Let earth her song begin, the round world keep high triumph, and all that is therein; Let all things seen and unseen their notes together blend, For Christ the Lord is Risen, Our joy that hath no end!” (Verse three of the hymn, The Day of Resurrection by St. John of Damascus, 8th cent. p. 96, 1940 hymnal)

Saint Ephrem (or Ephraim) the Syrian was born around the year A.D. 306 in Nisibis, a Syrian town located in modern-day Turkey. Ephrem was baptized as a young man by Bishop James of Nisibis. He lived during a time when churches were suffering great persecution under the Roman Emperor Diocletian. He became highly respected in his hometown, but later fled with other Christians to Edessa, where he continued teaching and praying.

St. Ephrem composed more than 1000 poems and hymns, earning him the name, “Harp of the Faith.” He composed prayers, sermons in metrical form and wrote commentaries on the Old Testament and on St. Paul’s Epistles. He died in Edessa in A.D. 373 while ministering to victims of the plague. He is most famous today for “The Prayer of Righteous Ephrem,” also called “The St. Ephrem Prayer,” which is considered a classic Lenten prayer.
(adapted from an article by Bob Hostetler)