From the Rector: Entering the Mystery | Church of the Incarnation

Dear friends,

Once again we are coming close to Holy Week. Once again we draw near to the cross, carrying our joys and sorrows with us, as well as those of the world.

As Christians, we are an Easter people. The resurrection of Jesus is God’s promise of hope and new life for us and all creation. And we know that the path to Easter runs not away from the challenges and pains of God’s world, but among them and through them.

This past week we have seen scenes of sorrow from another horrifying school shooting in Nashville and from tornadoes in Mississippi. This year, as every year, we bring to the cross and tomb our longings for peace, for freedom, for healing. And we will be met by a God who knows the depths of violence, disaster, injustice, and tragedy, and whose love is yet stronger than all things.

The Great Three Days from Maundy Thursday through Easter are the heart of the church year. Whether you have never experienced these liturgies or whether you have celebrated them for decades, don’t miss the opportunity to participate as fully as you’re able in our journey through Holy Week.

Holy Week and Easter are our pilgrimage through death and into resurrection with Jesus. This year, as every year, the suffering and injustice of the world will accompany us, and we will lift it up to God in the name of the crucified and risen One.

“Assist us mercifully with your help, O Lord God of our salvation, that we may enter with joy upon the contemplation of those mighty acts, whereby you have given us life and immortality; through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (from the Palm Sunday liturgy)

In Christ’s love,

Stephen

Tags: News & Notes

People decide to visit a church for lots of different reasons, often because they're at some sort of transition point in their lives. Maybe you're a longtime Episcopalian; maybe you have experience in another faith tradition; or maybe you've never been to a faith community at all.

Whoever you are, and wherever you are on your spiritual journey, you enrich us with your presence, and there's a place for you here.

Learn more about visiting Incarnation.

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.

We're also located close to several bus lines, and we have a bike rack in the central courtyard.

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.

Learn more about our children's ministries.

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.

Click here for online worship, or to learn more about Episcopal worship.

To stay connected with everything that's going on, please subscribe to our e-newsletter, News and Notes.

Often someone who's been visiting for a while will ask us how to become a member of Incarnation. Learn more about becoming a member.

To support our work sharing God's love here in Sonoma County, you can make a donation online.

Giving is one of the most powerful spiritual practices in existence. It's a statement of gratitude and trust in God.

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.

You can make a donation to Incarnation online, toward your pledge or as a special offering, by clicking below.