Rock Mass New Year's 2025

 

Rock Mass

Rock Mass - New Year's 2025 Edition

For I am not ashamed of the Gospel. I see it as the very power of God working for the salvation of everyone who believes it, both Jew and Greek. I see in it God’s plan for imparting righteousness to men, a process begun and continued by their faith. For, as the scripture says: ‘The just shall live by faith’. (Romans 1:16-17 - Phillips Translation)

Peace, Love and Light!

Kevin (Cloud)

The inspiration for creating "Rock Mass" came from the Rock Mass at All Saints Episcopal Church in Pasadena California back in the early 1970’s. On the first Friday night of each month All Saints held a Rock Mass which was a mix of traditional Episcopalian Mass and rock concert. A live band would play popular rock music which couldn’t necessarily be called “Christian” but contained spiritual phrases and references to God or Jesus. During the 1960’s and early 1970’s there was an explosion of these songs coming out of the "secular" music industry way before there was “Contemporary Christian Music”, in a way, it could be called "The Gospel According To Billboard's Top 10".

(Stained glass guitar angel found at www.patheos.com/blogs/nadiabolzweber)

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No Exclusions or Exceptions

Read the fine print, there are no exclusions or exceptions to "Love your neighbor as yourself."

Jesus was quite clear, as were the writers of the New Testament, that we are called to love - even in the face of hate. We are told that if we don't love those around us how can we say that we love God.

Love is the higher law!

 “The most important commandment,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:29-31)

Peace, Love and Light!

Kevin (Cloud)

Rock Mass - Christmas 2024

 

Rock Mass

Rock Mass - Christmas 2024 Edition

Peace, Love and Light!

Kevin (Cloud)

The inspiration for creating "Rock Mass" came from the Rock Mass at All Saints Episcopal Church in Pasadena California back in the early 1970’s. On the first Friday night of each month All Saints held a Rock Mass which was a mix of traditional Episcopalian Mass and rock concert. A live band would play popular rock music which couldn’t necessarily be called “Christian” but contained spiritual phrases and references to God or Jesus. During the 1960’s and early 1970’s there was an explosion of these songs coming out of the "secular" music industry way before there was “Contemporary Christian Music”, in a way, it could be called "The Gospel According To Billboard's Top 10".

(Stained glass guitar angel found at www.patheos.com/blogs/nadiabolzweber)

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Jonestown Remembered

On November 18, 1978, over 900 people died in the jungles of Guyana at the People's Temple Agricultural Project, more famously known as Jonestown.

This tragic event disturbs me today as much as it did 46 years ago. At the time I was a young Hippie Jesus Freak leading a small group of Christians and seeing that horrible abuse of power changed my view of church leadership forever.

Jim Jones' "throne" in the Jonestown pavilion, scene of mass murder/suicide November 18, 1978

So Jesus called them all together and said, “You know that the rulers of the heathen have power over them, and the leaders have complete authority. This, however, is not the way it shall be among you. If one of you wants to be great, you must be the servant of the rest; and if one of you wants to be first, you must be the slave of the others - like the Son of Man, who did not come to be served, but to serve and to give his life to redeem many people.” (Matthew 20:25-28)

The Apostle Paul wrote... "Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand." (2 Corinthians 1:24)

But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light (1Peter 2:9)

Jonestown - Wikipedia

Peace, Love and Light!

Kevin (Cloud)

Rock Mass 11/03/2024 - Election Edition

 

Rock Mass on the first Sunday of the month.

Rock Mass for Sunday November 3, 2024 - Election Edition

 

We usually think of paying taxes when we read Jesus’ words “Render unto Caesar that which is Caesar’s” but I would suggest that here in the U.S. we can apply that to voting as well. We have the privilege and I might add a sacred duty to vote. We can’t vote for a perfect candidate, none exists, but for Heaven’s sake please vote.

Most of all I would suggest that no matter who wins in November that we all remember Paul’s words to Timothy:

“Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.” (1 Timothy 2:1-2)

 

Peace, Love and Light!
Kevin (Cloud)

 

The inspiration for creating "Rock Mass" came from the Rock Mass at All Saints Episcopal Church in Pasadena California back in the early 1970’s. On the first Friday night of each month All Saints held a Rock Mass which was a mix of traditional Episcopalian Mass and rock concert. A live band would play popular rock music which couldn’t necessarily be called “Christian” but contained spiritual phrases and references to God or Jesus. During the 1960’s and early 1970’s there was an explosion of these songs coming out of the "secular" music industry way before there was “Contemporary Christian Music”, in a way, it could be called "The Gospel According To Billboard's Top 10".

(Stained glass guitar angel found at www.patheos.com/blogs/nadiabolzweber)

 

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VOTE!

 

This Tuesday be sure to vote!

Understand the issues, know who the candidates are and remember to get out and vote this Tuesday! This is your only true way to make your voice heard - not "Liking" and "Sharing" on Facebook but actually getting off the couch and participating in our Democracy. It's your right! It's your privilege! It's your duty! But if you ignore it, if you waste it, if you don't exercise it you will have no one to blame but yourself for the way our country turns out! And if you don't get out there and vote, in my opinion, you loose your right to complain about the government! So vote and make your voice heard - or just shut up!

 

Peace, Love and Light!

Kevin (Cloud)

Let Us Be One!

 

Rock Mass First Sunday of the Month

 

Rock Mass October 2024 - Let Us Be One!

I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirt — just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call — one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. (Ephesians 4:1-6)

Peace, Love and Light!

Kevin (Cloud)

The inspiration for creating "Rock Mass" came from the Rock Mass at All Saints Episcopal Church in Pasadena California back in the early 1970’s. On the first Friday night of each month All Saints held a Rock Mass which was a mix of traditional Episcopalian Mass and rock concert. A live band would play popular rock music which couldn’t necessarily be called “Christian” but contained spiritual phrases and references to God or Jesus. During the 1960’s and early 1970’s there was an explosion of these songs coming out of the "secular" music industry way before there was “Contemporary Christian Music”, in a way, it could be called "The Gospel According To Billboard's Top 10".

(Stained glass guitar angel found at www.patheos.com/blogs/nadiabolzweber)

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Be Ye Kind!

 

Election season brings special challenges to our already divided and polarized society. We have been told by Jesus to love our enemies. We have a higher calling to accept those we disagree with. How we disagree with each other matters because we can disagree without hating each other. But if we do get angry, Paul says to not let it lead to sin. We are told to be kind with each other, tenderhearted, forgiving each other because we our selves have have had grace extended towards us and have been accepted and forgiven by God.

 

And be kind to one another,

tenderhearted, forgiving one another,

even as God in Christ forgave you.

(Ephesians 4:32)

Peace, Love and Light!

Kevin (Cloud)

9/11

In the opening scenes of the 1973 movie adaptation of the musical Godspell, John the Baptist (David Haskell) crossed the Brooklyn Bridge while entering New York City. The nearly completed Twin Towers are in the background which were in several scenes of the 1973 movie Godspell.

Don't stop praying for peace!

Peace, Love and Light!

Kevin (Cloud)

 

Rock Mass 09-01-2024

Rock Mass First Sunday of the Month

 

Rock Mass September 2024 - Hear Me Lord!

 

Where can I go from your Spirit?
    Where can I flee from your presence? 

If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
    If I make my bed in the depths, you are there. 

If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
    If I settle on the far side of the sea, 

 even there your hand will guide me,
    your right hand will hold me fast. 

If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me
    and the light become night around me,” 

 even the darkness will not be dark to you;
    the night will shine like the day,
    for darkness is as light to you.

 

(Psalm 139:7-12) 

 

 

 

Peace, Love and Light!

Kevin (Cloud)

The inspiration for creating "Rock Mass" came from the Rock Mass at All Saints Episcopal Church in Pasadena California back in the early 1970’s. On the first Friday night of each month All Saints held a Rock Mass which was a mix of traditional Episcopalian Mass and rock concert. A live band would play popular rock music which couldn’t necessarily be called “Christian” but contained spiritual phrases and references to God or Jesus. During the 1960’s and early 1970’s there was an explosion of these songs coming out of the "secular" music industry way before there was “Contemporary Christian Music”, in a way, it could be called "The Gospel According To Billboard's Top 10".

(Stained glass guitar angel found at www.patheos.com/blogs/nadiabolzweber)

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Rock Mass - 08-04-2024

 

Rock Mass First Sunday of the Month

Rock Mass August 2024 - Amazing Grace

For it is by God's grace

that you have been saved

through faith.

It is not the result

of your own efforts,

but it is God's gift,

so that no one

can boast about it.

(Ephesians 2:8-9)

Peace, Love and Light!

Kevin (Cloud)

The inspiration for creating "Rock Mass" came from the Rock Mass at All Saints Episcopal Church in Pasadena California back in the early 1970’s. On the first Friday night of each month All Saints held a Rock Mass which was a mix of traditional Episcopalian Mass and rock concert. A live band would play popular rock music which couldn’t necessarily be called “Christian” but contained spiritual phrases and references to God or Jesus. During the 1960’s and early 1970’s there was an explosion of these songs coming out of the "secular" music industry way before there was “Contemporary Christian Music”, in a way, it could be called "The Gospel According To Billboard's Top 10".

(Stained glass guitar angel found at www.patheos.com/blogs/nadiabolzweber)

Fair Use Notice

Thoughts on Persecution

The Arrest of Christ by Dieric Bouts

It’s been said that Christians suffer from a persecution complex, maybe, but being persecuted is to be expected if we are following Jesus. I wonder if our reactions to persecution are in line with Jesus’ teachings about how to handle those who would treat us badly?

Jesus said in John 15:18-19 “If the world hates you, know that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, the world would love you as its own. However, I have chosen you out of the world, and you don’t belong to the world. This is why the world hates you.”

What did Jesus do when “Christianity” was under attack? Jesus told his disciples to stand down. But St. Peter pulled out his sword anyway and struck Malchus, one of those who came out to arrest Jesus. Then in a revolutionary act of compassion Jesus healed Malchus and told Peter to put his weapon away, that He didn’t need anyone to defend Him. Then, hours later in an example of the upside down Kingdom of God, Jesus prayed that his executioners would be forgiven.

In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus taught that we are to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us. This teaching of Jesus is echoed by St. Paul in Romans 12:14 where he admonishes us to “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.”

Let's be a blessing and not a curse!

Peace, Love and Light!

Kevin (Cloud)