Monday, March 20, 12:00 pm: Holy Eucharist for St. Joseph's Day | Church of the Incarnation

According to the Gospel of Matthew, Joseph was a carpenter who was chosen by God to serve as earthly father to Jesus. A man of faith, humility, and compassion, he accepted the responsibility of becoming Mary's husband despite the scandal of her miraculous pregnancy.

Guided by mystical visions, Joseph led Mary and Jesus to Egypt to escape the wicked King Herod's slaughter of the innocents. Later he and Mary returned to Israel, raising Jesus in the town of Nazareth.

Joseph is the patron saint of laborers. According to tradition, he taught his trade to Jesus. He is thought to have died during Jesus' youth, since he disappears from the record during Jesus' adult life. As Lesser Feasts and Fasts puts it, "The little that is told of him is a testimony to the trust in God which values simple everyday duties, and gives an example of a loving husband and father."

We'll celebrate the feast day with a simple service of Holy Eucharist in the church at noon. All are welcome.

Image: Coptic icon from https://imgur.com/gallery/5F4fFs6

Tags: News & Notes

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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.

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.

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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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