Continuity:  "the quality or state of being continuous; an uninterrupted succession or unbroken course."  This is how Noah Webster defines continuity.  It is a practice or a way of doing things that most of us prefer.  It is how successful businesses and corporations wish to keep their companies running and operating.  And certainly, this is how we here at St. Nicholas desire to have our community and parish operate; with a continual flow of success, peace and prosperity, both spiritual and otherwise.

When it comes to our Liturgy, there is certainly continuity, an unbroken chain that originated before the time of Christ.  Our Hebrew ancestors in their celebration and commemoration of Passover laid the foundation for what we today call our Liturgy, the Holy Eucharist, the Mass.  Jesus took bread and wine, said the prayers and shared the gifts of the earth with his disciples.  The bread and wine brought to the altar, through God's divine intervention and though the Words of Institution become the blessed body and blood of Christ our Savior.  This is our core belief.  It is what we as Christians celebrate, with joy and exaltation: Christ's presence in bread and wine, broken and poured out for all to share.

Continuity is important, especially when it pertains to the manner in which we celebrate our two weekend Liturgies.  Naturally, we will maintain and preserve the distinct nature of both Liturgies.  Musically, the two services will be different, offering sacred music from various sources and traditions.  Both Liturgies will however follow the same "script," if you will.  That is, the general structure and placement of prayers and such will be consistent; there will be continuity between the Saturday 4:30 Liturgy and the 10am Sunday Liturgy.  For example, the Lord's Prayer will be recited at its proper place, just after the Eucharistic Prayer and before the Agnus Dei (Lamb of God).  Both Liturgies will have their unique characteristics and identity.  We will keep our Episcopal tradition alive and intact and always show reverence for the sacred meal for which we gather.  We will lift our voices in song and prayer, give thanks and all will be blessed.  And what a sacred and divine continuity we indeed do have.

Lastly, I wish to thank those who work diligently, with great efficiency and professionalism in preparing for our weekly Liturgies:  our bread bakers, those who plan and print our worship programs; those who provide music, play, sing and conduct our choir; those who make sure the altar lines are clean and ironed; those who acolyte, bring up the gifts and gather the offering and all who come and worship at the altar of life.  We are the Community of St. Nicholas.  We are a continuity of Jesus' earliest followers and are His present day disciples.  God bless us all and provide us strength and guidance in our daily service to the Lord and to one another.  Amen.