St. Aidan's Anglican Church, Kansas City - weekly talks

John's Prologue - 1:1-18

Icon - Ivanka Demchuk

2 Sam 7 | Luke 1:26-38

Advent 3 - Joyful Desert Witness - Andrew Comiskey 12.17.23 by St. Aidan's Anglican Church, KC

Isaiah 40:1-11

Isaiah 64:1–9a

Psalm 80 or 80:1–7

I Corinthians 1:1–9

Mark 13:24–37

Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light, now in the time of this mortal life in which your Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Matthew 25:31f.

A Man Going On A Journey - Eric Rainwater 11.19.23 by St. Aidan's Anglican Church, KC

Icon: Ivanka Demchuk

Fr. Michael describes a very different pilgrimage than planned. He shares a brief reflection on a change of plans when, on the second day of stepping onto the island of Iona, his bride, Liz, had a severe stroke. Out of necessity, they spent five weeks in a small Scottish hospital in Oban before being medically cleared to fly back home.

"The mind of man plans his way, BUT the Lord directs his steps" Proverbs 16:9. What we plan isn't always in sync with His steps. Thus, the calling to be led by the Spirit is always before us.

We must see God's providence in the context of a fallen world, under the temporary permission of the Kingdom of Darkness, unleashing opposition. Yes, God causes all things to work together for the good, but he is not the cause of all things. Nature, grace, this present evil disordered age, the flesh, and the devil play out various causes and counter-causes.

Absolute sovereignty is in seeming tension between Christ's first and final advent when he shall destroy our last enemy, death, and bring us all into a state of absolute and eternal healing. Between these two epochs, we battle while advancing the Kingdom of Light. Overall, Jesus is Lord and victorious.

Ivanka Demchuk - Icon

Parallel cities collide, one earthly, the other heavenly, the present age, and the age to come.

St. Aidan's is a local church with a variety of spiritual gifts in play. We also have members who oversee their own unique ministries, such as Desert Stream and Culture House, both having an international scope. Considering these ministries provides a living illustration of how the Holy Spirit raises up ministries with differing scope and effect. These two ministries also provide a mutual offering for each other where Christ's wholeness can be experienced in the arts and human sexuality.

This talk's aim is to explain the differing gifts among us and to introduce the leaders of Desert Stream to the Culture House.

Andrew and Annette Comiskey oversee Desert Stream. Based on Jesus' mercy and the dignity of men and women made in God's image, they equip Christians to gather in pursuit of radical wholeness. For more, see desertstream.org.

Jeremiah and Mona Enna oversee the Culture House, a myriad of programs and opportunities for professional artists, students of the arts, and fans, families, and friends of the arts. At the core of who they are is the belief that each person was created in the image of God and has been gifted with creative gifts to improve our community and world. For more, see culturehouse.com.