Friday, October 18, 12:00 pm: Holy Eucharist for St. Luke's Day | Church of the Incarnation

Join us to commemorate this feast day with a simple Holy Eucharist in the church at 12:00 p.m. All are welcome.

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Luke, a missionary companion of Paul, is mentioned in the letter to Philemon, the second letter to Timothy, and the letter to the Colossians. He was apparently a physician by training (Col. 4:14). He has traditionally been credited with compiling the gospel that bears his name.

Luke gives much more detail about the childhood of Jesus than any other gospel, including the annunciation by the angel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary, the family relationship between Jesus and John the Baptist, the dedication of the infant Jesus in the temple, and Jesus' visit to Jerusalem with his family when he was twelve years old. This infancy section includes several songs which have become part of the church's worship: the song of Zechariah, known as the Benedictus ("Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel"); Mary's song, the Magnificat ("My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord"); and Simeon's song, the Nunc Dimittis ("Lord, you now have set your servant free"). Luke is also the sole source for several beloved parables, including those of the Good Samaritan and the Prodigal Son, and for the story of Jesus' ascension into heaven. Finally, Luke's gospel is unique in having a sequel: the book of the Acts of the Apostles, which narrates the life of the early church.

Image: The Good Samaritan ministers to the wounded traveler (from a stained glass window in Chartres Cathedral)

Tags: News & Notes / Worship Services

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Incarnation is located at 550 Mendocino Avenue in downtown Santa Rosa, just south of the corner with Cherry Street.

Our church parking lot is located around the corner at 636 Cherry Street. The lot often fills up for our Sunday morning services. Additional free church parking is available in the small gravel lot at the corner of Mendocino and Cherry, or in the city garage at 521 7th Street (free on Sundays), which is a two-minute walk from the church. Finally, street parking is also free on Sundays.

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Children aren't just the church's future—they're an essential part of our faith community right now. At Incarnation we strive to serve our kids' growing faith, and we know they have much to teach adults, too. Children are always welcome in worship: any age, any time.

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Episcopal worship follows an ancient pattern that dates to the earliest days of the Christian church. The first half of the Eucharist is the Liturgy of the Word the second half is the Liturgy of the Table, also called Holy Communion. If you've spent time in Episcopal, Roman Catholic, Lutheran, or Eastern Orthodox churches, much of our liturgy will seem familiar. If you're unfamiliar with liturgical Christian worship, don't worry. You're welcome to participate as fully as is right for you, or to just relax into the liturgy and let the rest of the congregation carry you in worship.

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At Incarnation we encourage all our members and friends to prayerfully choose a percentage of their income to give toward causes that serve God's mission. We ask that part of that intentional giving be a pledge of financial support to the parish, both so our leadership can plan ahead in making a budget, and as a tangible commitment to what God is doing here at Incarnation. For more on the practice of proportional giving, see this FAQ.

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