台灣蘭花大展 (Taiwan International Orchid Show)

#2012-0423

名稱 / Name：2012 台灣蘭花大展 (Taiwan International Orchid Show)

時間 / Time：4 月 21- 29 日 (每日 9:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.)

地點 / Place：台中市政府陽明聯合服務中心 (Yangming Joint Service Center, Taichung City Government, which is located at 36, Yangming Street, Fengyuan District, Taichung City.)

附註 (A personal note)： 感謝柯詔盛牧師提供我這次蘭花大展的資訊。柯牧師、我、和月琴三人同車前往觀賞，透過途中交談以及花展現場的實物說明，讓我這蘭科植物 (orchid family) 的「門外漢」對於蘭花的品種、培植過程等等，總算有了初步的認識。我原先只聽人說：「在中國文化中，蘭與梅、竹、菊，合稱為四君子；對於文人雅士而言，蘭是一種具有象徵意義的重要花卉。」其餘的，我便一問三不知了。因此，我感謝柯牧師是應當的！

Orchids have many associations with symbolic values. For example, in Chinese culture, the bamboo, plum blossom, orchid, and chrysanthemum (often known as mei lan zhu ju 梅蘭竹菊) are collectively referred to as the Four Gentlemen. These four plants also represent the four seasons and, in Confucian ideology, four aspects of the junzi ("prince" or "noble one").

The Rev. Vern Jones Visits St. James'

#2012-0422

It is the third Sunday of Easter. We are all very pleased to have a guest of honor, The Rev. Vern Jones, a retired priest from the Diocese of California, the Episcopal Church.

Rev. Jones came to celebrate the Holy Eucharist and to preach this morning at St. James' in Taichung City, Taiwan. I was especially impressed by what and how he preached -- instead of preaching from the pulpit, he stood just in front of the altar, as close to the congregation as he could. He spoke gently and gestured nicely (see photos below). He concluded his sermon with a beautiful and meaningful prayer: "Let Me Be a Blessing, Lord!" originally by Patience Allison Hartbauer.

By the way, there happened to be an art exhibition featuring the artist Ms. Xu Huilan on the first floor today, so Rev. Jones and we went downstairs to see the paintings after the worship service. After that, all of us moved to the sixth floor in Jiaoyu Lou (the Education Building) and enjoyed our pleasant fellowship and coffee time. Oh, glory and praise to You, Lord! We are so richly blessed; may we become a true blessing to others!

"LET ME BE A BLESSING, LORD!"

"Let me be a blessing, Lord,

To all who pass my way;

Walk with me and guide me

In all I do and say.

Lead me to the lonely ones

That I might bring them cheer,

To show I care and want to help

And that You are always near.

Let me share with others

Your covenant and creed;

Help me to instill new Faith.

Let me fill their void and need.

I strive to serve you faithfully.

To channel hope in Your accord.

Empower me, show me the way,

Then let me be a blessing, Lord!"

[Patience Allison Hartbauer]

The Great Vigil of Easter (復活夜) -- 照片轉載

#2012-0421

普世聖公宗 (Anglican Communion) 的教會在復活節前一晚，通常會舉行「主復活大守夜」(The Great Vigil of Easter) --- 本禮拜意義深遠，通常包括下列四部份：(1) 光的禮儀。 (2) 經課禮儀。 (3) 基督徒入門禮，或更新洗禮誓約。 (4) 感恩聖禮並施行復活日聖餐。我們台中聖雅各堂也不例外，隆重舉辦了「復活夜」禮拜以及各項相關活動。

回想去年 (2011)，我家小寶貝「小蜜蜂」就是在復活夜 (4/23) 受洗的；那是多麼令我難忘的時刻啊！

而今年 (2012) 復活節是四月八日，其前一晚的「主復活大守夜」距離今天足足兩個星期了，我因為忙於編寫一本書，一直沒能把當夜的活動實況（或心中的感動）載入個人部落格《木咕子的家》。此刻，那準備要出版的書已編寫完成，對於那夜 (4/7) 在台中聖雅各堂參加「主復活大守夜 - 中英文聯合禮拜」及其後續活動的情景，我再次想起，依然是「歷歷在目 - 彷彿昨日事也」。

= = = 以下所附照片，轉載自 傅雪梅 姊妹的 Facebook，特此註記，並致謝 = = =