Anglican Church of the Incarnation - Richmond, Virginia

In this edition of Ask the Church, we explore how prayer beads (and similar tools like an Eastern Orthodox prayer rope) can serve as a simple physical aid for focus and attention in prayer. We also offer cautions against treating the practice as automatic, superstitious, or a way of earning God’s favor, and how to keep the posture of prayer sincere. Finally, we address questions surrounding the Hail Mary and how Anglicans may think carefully about intercession while keeping Christ as our only mediator.

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⛪ Church of the Incarnation is an Anglican (ACNA) parish in western Henrico, Virginia, committed to: 📖 Biblical teaching for both head and heart 🕯️ Spiritual formation through liturgy and sacrament 🙏 A shared life of prayer and discipleship for all ages

🌐 Learn more: https://incarnationrichmond.org

In this opening lesson, we begin examining the problem of evil as both a philosophical challenge and a theological question. Our discussion explores several major attempts to explain suffering—including free will defenses, higher-order goods arguments, and skeptical theism—while considering the strengths and limitations of each. Along the way, we are encouraged to reflect on how modern secular assumptions often shape these debates in ways Christians need not accept uncritically. This lesson lays the groundwork for a deeper exploration of how the Christian tradition approaches suffering, evil, and the nature of God.

⛪ Church of the Incarnation is an Anglican (ACNA) parish in western Henrico, Virginia, committed to: 📖 Biblical teaching for both head and heart 🕯️ Spiritual formation through liturgy and sacrament 🙏 A shared life of prayer and discipleship for all ages

🌐 Learn more: https://incarnationrichmond.org

Rev. Steven Breedlove // Nehemiah 9:1-3, 6-15; Psalm 23; 1 Peter 2:13-25; John 10:1-10

In this edition of Ask the Church, we begin with the central conviction that in Scripture we encounter the living God—and that this should shape the urgency and priority of Bible reading. We offer a practical suggestion of beginning with the Gospels and letting the rest of Scripture “radiate out” from Christ, the key who helps everything else come into focus. We also encourage the daily practice of praying the Psalms, which teach us God’s own words for praise, lament, and trust, and in turn deepens and enriches our common life of prayer.

📩 Have a question for a future episode? Email [email protected]

🎥 Like, Follow, and Subscribe to keep up with future episodes and answers to your questions about theology, church practice, and worship from an orthodox Anglican perspective.

⛪ Church of the Incarnation is an Anglican (ACNA) parish in western Henrico, Virginia, committed to: 📖 Biblical teaching for both head and heart 🕯️ Spiritual formation through liturgy and sacrament 🙏 A shared life of prayer and discipleship for all ages

🌐 Learn more: https://incarnationrichmond.org

Rev. Steven Breedlove // Isaiah 43:1-12; Psalm 116:11-16; Acts 2:14a, 36-47; Luke 24:13-35

How should Christians explain suffering to non-Christians? In this edition of Ask the Church, we explore a way of speaking about suffering that is honest, compassionate, and grounded in the heart of the Christian story. The Cross shows that God is not distant from human pain, and the Resurrection gives real hope that suffering will not have the last word.

📩 Have a question for a future episode? Email [email protected]

🎥 Like, Follow, and Subscribe to keep up with future episodes and answers to your questions about theology, church practice, and worship from an orthodox Anglican perspective.

⛪ Church of the Incarnation is an Anglican (ACNA) parish in western Henrico, Virginia, committed to: 📖 Biblical teaching for both head and heart 🕯️ Spiritual formation through liturgy and sacrament 🙏 A shared life of prayer and discipleship for all ages

🌐 Learn more: https://incarnationrichmond.org

Rt. Rev. Dr. Quigg Lawrence // Acts 2:14a, 22-32; Psalm 111; Ephesians 4:25-32; John 20:19-29

Rev. Steven Breedlove // Acts 13:34-43; Psalm 118:14-17, 22-24; Colossians 3:1-4; John 20:1-10

Rev. Steven Breedlove // Genesis 22:1-18; Psalm 69:1-22; John 18:1-19:37

In our concluding session in this series, we turn to Palm Sunday and explore the biblical meaning of the palm branches in the triumphal entry. Tracing the image through the Old Testament reveals a rich tapestry of themes: Gentile inclusion, fruitfulness, temple imagery, and the widening reach of God’s covenant promises. The lesson shows how reading Scripture across the whole canon deepens our understanding of Christ’s kingship and the Church’s calling in the world. It is a fitting conclusion to a series devoted to reading Scripture in the tradition of the early Church.

⛪ Church of the Incarnation is an Anglican (ACNA) parish in western Henrico, Virginia, committed to: 📖 Biblical teaching for both head and heart 🕯️ Spiritual formation through liturgy and sacrament 🙏 A shared life of prayer and discipleship for all ages

🌐 Learn more: https://incarnationrichmond.org