Meditation from Sunday Sermon: Lent III Don't Fear the Reaper
Often the ministry of Jesus scares us: it is too real, too personal, too close-to-home . . . but by sharing in that ministry, we are given life-giving spiritual food. The promise for us becomes, as we share in the ministry of Jesus together, we are brought with him into Holy Communion with God.
The disciples do what we all try to do, they try to temper Jesus’s behavior. They subtly, perhaps passive-aggressively, try to influence your behavior. We all do this all the time, if not to Jesus, then to each other. Sometimes folks ask me, “Are you going to let your hair grow again?” When the actual request is, “Please cut your hair.” In much the same way, the disciples urge Jesus to eat something, when they may actually mean: get away from that woman, your ministry to her is scarring us . . .
This is something that the World does not understand and has never understood – the people of God do not fear death, because we know that there is something better for all of us. In my short drive to St. Paul’s every day, I pass by the Pickle Barrel restaurant on Market Street. More often than not, there is a car parked there with enough bumper-stickers to convince me that the driver of the car is of the World's ways, not a believer, and, is probably against the ideas of God and The Church entirely. One such sticker reads, “God loves you, pray for death.” What is intended as an insult to people of faith is, in fact, a cherished part of our tradition . . .
Death does not have the final word and one day we will all discover what it is to be truly wealthy, in the richness of God's eternal saving touch and everlasting healing embrace. All of us go down to the dust; yet even at the grave, even in Lent, we make our song: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.
Readings and a Prayer for Lent III
Exodus 17:1-7
Romans 5:1-11
John 4:5-42
Psalm 95
Almighty God, you know that we have no power in ourselves to help ourselves: Keep us both outwardly in our bodies and inwardly in our souls, that we may be defended from all adversities which may happen to the body, and from all evil thoughts which may assault and hurt the soul; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Monday, March 28, 2011
April Habitat for Humanity Build
Friends,
On Saturday, April 16th, at 8:45, St. Paul's parishioners (among them YAMs) will gather in the St. Paul’s parking lot to carpool to work at the Habitat Retail Store. Habitat for Humanity builds homes in partnership with those who would otherwise be unable to purchase a home. The ReStore raises money for these efforts and also provides inexpensive materials for those building or renovating their own homes.
As many of you may also know, there is a required form to be filled out in order to work. I am making that form available here. Just print out the form and bring it with you on Saturday. If you forget, I will try to have some forms with me at 8:45 AM at St. Paul's. Our official work time is the morning shift of 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM.
There is no cost (outside sweat equity) associated with this event. After we all arrive at St. Paul’s and get our paperwork filled out, we will carpool to the ReStore to work for the morning shift. If you already have paperwork on file, please feel free to meet us at the ReStore (1201 E. Main St.).
I hope that you will all consider coming out for this event. Praying with your hands is good too, y'know!
Yours in Christ,
Bob
On Saturday, April 16th, at 8:45, St. Paul's parishioners (among them YAMs) will gather in the St. Paul’s parking lot to carpool to work at the Habitat Retail Store. Habitat for Humanity builds homes in partnership with those who would otherwise be unable to purchase a home. The ReStore raises money for these efforts and also provides inexpensive materials for those building or renovating their own homes.
As many of you may also know, there is a required form to be filled out in order to work. I am making that form available here. Just print out the form and bring it with you on Saturday. If you forget, I will try to have some forms with me at 8:45 AM at St. Paul's. Our official work time is the morning shift of 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM.
There is no cost (outside sweat equity) associated with this event. After we all arrive at St. Paul’s and get our paperwork filled out, we will carpool to the ReStore to work for the morning shift. If you already have paperwork on file, please feel free to meet us at the ReStore (1201 E. Main St.).
I hope that you will all consider coming out for this event. Praying with your hands is good too, y'know!
Yours in Christ,
Bob
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
March Habitat Build Day
Friends,
On Saturday, March 19th, at 8:45, St. Paul's parishioners (among them YAMs) will gather in the St. Paul’s parking lot to carpool to work on a Habitat house. Habitat for Humanity builds homes in partnership with those who would otherwise be unable to purchase a home.
As many of you may also know, there is a required form to be filled out in order to work. I am making that form available here. Just print out the form and bring it with you on Saturday. If you forget, I will try to have some forms with me at 8:45 AM at St. Paul's. Our official work time is the morning shift of 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM. As a special treat this week, lunch is being provided for us by a Habitat Volunteer.
There is no cost (outside sweat equity) associated with this event. After we all arrive at St. Paul’s and get our paperwork filled out, we will carpool to the build site to work for the morning shift. If you already have paperwork on file, please feel free to meet us at the build site (which I will post here assoon as I have).
We will be painting this week, so dress appropriately.
Yours in Christ,
Bob
On Saturday, March 19th, at 8:45, St. Paul's parishioners (among them YAMs) will gather in the St. Paul’s parking lot to carpool to work on a Habitat house. Habitat for Humanity builds homes in partnership with those who would otherwise be unable to purchase a home.
As many of you may also know, there is a required form to be filled out in order to work. I am making that form available here. Just print out the form and bring it with you on Saturday. If you forget, I will try to have some forms with me at 8:45 AM at St. Paul's. Our official work time is the morning shift of 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM. As a special treat this week, lunch is being provided for us by a Habitat Volunteer.
There is no cost (outside sweat equity) associated with this event. After we all arrive at St. Paul’s and get our paperwork filled out, we will carpool to the build site to work for the morning shift. If you already have paperwork on file, please feel free to meet us at the build site (which I will post here assoon as I have).
We will be painting this week, so dress appropriately.
Yours in Christ,
Bob
Friday, February 18, 2011
February Habitat Build Day
Friends,
On Saturday, February 19th, at 8:45, St. Paul's parishioners (among them YAMs) will gather in the St. Paul’s parking lot to carpool to work at the Habitat Retail Store. Habitat for Humanity builds homes in partnership with those who would otherwise be unable to purchase a home. The ReStore raises money for these efforts and also provides inexpensive materials for those building or renovating their own homes.
As many of you may also know, there is a required form to be filled out in order to work. I am making that form available here. Just print out the form and bring it with you on Saturday. If you forget, I will try to have some forms with me at 8:45 AM at St. Paul's. Our official work time is the morning shift of 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM. As a special treat this week, lunch is being provided for us by a Habitat Volunteer.
There is no cost (outside sweat equity) associated with this event. After we all arrive at St. Paul’s and get our paperwork filled out, we will carpool to the ReStore to work for the morning shift. If you already have paperwork on file, please feel free to meet us at the ReStore (1201 E. Main St.).
Yours in Christ,
Bob
P.S. We will not be lifting tiles or reorganizing wallpaper. Rather, we will be building wall frames for a house to be installed next week. I know that sometimes the ReStore is not as exciting for folks, especially when it seems like busy-work, but this week we will actually be doing a lot of good for a Habitat family in ways that we can immediately see and feel.
On Saturday, February 19th, at 8:45, St. Paul's parishioners (among them YAMs) will gather in the St. Paul’s parking lot to carpool to work at the Habitat Retail Store. Habitat for Humanity builds homes in partnership with those who would otherwise be unable to purchase a home. The ReStore raises money for these efforts and also provides inexpensive materials for those building or renovating their own homes.
As many of you may also know, there is a required form to be filled out in order to work. I am making that form available here. Just print out the form and bring it with you on Saturday. If you forget, I will try to have some forms with me at 8:45 AM at St. Paul's. Our official work time is the morning shift of 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM. As a special treat this week, lunch is being provided for us by a Habitat Volunteer.
There is no cost (outside sweat equity) associated with this event. After we all arrive at St. Paul’s and get our paperwork filled out, we will carpool to the ReStore to work for the morning shift. If you already have paperwork on file, please feel free to meet us at the ReStore (1201 E. Main St.).
Yours in Christ,
Bob
P.S. We will not be lifting tiles or reorganizing wallpaper. Rather, we will be building wall frames for a house to be installed next week. I know that sometimes the ReStore is not as exciting for folks, especially when it seems like busy-work, but this week we will actually be doing a lot of good for a Habitat family in ways that we can immediately see and feel.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
State of the YAMs Meeting and Luncheon
Friends,
As I am sure all of you have read in the bulletin or in the Chimes, this Sunday at 12:30 PM is the State of the YAMs meeting. It all began a few months ago . . .
Faithful YAM, Brandon Mozingo, asked me where I envisioned the YAMs going in the next five years. I hemmed and I hawed and I really couldn’t give a good answer. While we know that Jesus did not have a five-year plan when he began his public earthly ministry, we probably should be thinking longer term than we are. So . . . if you are interested in where the YAMs might be going . . . do you have an idea for a particular ministry? Would you love to see the YAMs do something that we are not? Do you think that there needs to be a strategic plan in place for the welcoming of 20s and 30s people when they walk into St. Paul’s for the first time? Would you like to know about what mission opportunities are available for 20s- and 30s-aged Episcopalians? Perhaps you grew up at St. Paul’s and have not yet come to see what the YAMs have to offer you. If you have opinions on any of these items or have some grand plan for a great ministry in a way that none of us have ever envisioned, please consider coming to share this idea with the group as we work together through where we might be headed. The event will start at 12:30 – enough time to allow for Coffee after the 10:30 service. We will share ideas as we eat lunch together.
I really hope that everyone will be able to come out to this event to share ideas. It is really important.
Yours in Christ,
Bob
As I am sure all of you have read in the bulletin or in the Chimes, this Sunday at 12:30 PM is the State of the YAMs meeting. It all began a few months ago . . .
Faithful YAM, Brandon Mozingo, asked me where I envisioned the YAMs going in the next five years. I hemmed and I hawed and I really couldn’t give a good answer. While we know that Jesus did not have a five-year plan when he began his public earthly ministry, we probably should be thinking longer term than we are. So . . . if you are interested in where the YAMs might be going . . . do you have an idea for a particular ministry? Would you love to see the YAMs do something that we are not? Do you think that there needs to be a strategic plan in place for the welcoming of 20s and 30s people when they walk into St. Paul’s for the first time? Would you like to know about what mission opportunities are available for 20s- and 30s-aged Episcopalians? Perhaps you grew up at St. Paul’s and have not yet come to see what the YAMs have to offer you. If you have opinions on any of these items or have some grand plan for a great ministry in a way that none of us have ever envisioned, please consider coming to share this idea with the group as we work together through where we might be headed. The event will start at 12:30 – enough time to allow for Coffee after the 10:30 service. We will share ideas as we eat lunch together.
I really hope that everyone will be able to come out to this event to share ideas. It is really important.
Yours in Christ,
Bob
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Sermon for the Conversion of St. Paul
Friends,
Last Sunday, Jan. 24th, St. Paul's Celebrated our Patronal Feast Day, the Conversion of St. Paul. Below are the Collect, readings, and my sermon for this occasion.
The Collect
O God, by the preaching of your apostle Paul you have caused the light of the Gospel to shine throughout the world: Grant, we pray, that we, having his wonderful conversion in remembrance, may show ourselves thankful to you by following his holy teaching; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
The Readings
Acts 26:9-21
Psalm 67
Galatians 1:11-24
Matthew 10:16-22
The Sermon (audio files)
The Acts Reading
The Sermon
I hope that you all enjoy it.
Yours in Christ,
Bob
Last Sunday, Jan. 24th, St. Paul's Celebrated our Patronal Feast Day, the Conversion of St. Paul. Below are the Collect, readings, and my sermon for this occasion.
The Collect
O God, by the preaching of your apostle Paul you have caused the light of the Gospel to shine throughout the world: Grant, we pray, that we, having his wonderful conversion in remembrance, may show ourselves thankful to you by following his holy teaching; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
The Readings
Acts 26:9-21
Psalm 67
Galatians 1:11-24
Matthew 10:16-22
The Sermon (audio files)
The Acts Reading
The Sermon
I hope that you all enjoy it.
Yours in Christ,
Bob
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Great Movie Opportunity for YAMs and Others
Friends,
Faithful YAM, Kat Hoffman, sent me this information that I am sharing with you:
The documentary film, “What’s Organic About Organic,” by Shelley Rogers will be screened at the Chattanooga Convention Center in Room #3 on Friday, January 21, 2011, at 8:00 P.M. The film will be followed by a brief discussion. Admission to the event is free. Please consider coming out for this event about such an important topic.
Thanks,
Bob
P.S. The official (read: pretty) flyer can be found here.
Faithful YAM, Kat Hoffman, sent me this information that I am sharing with you:
The documentary film, “What’s Organic About Organic,” by Shelley Rogers will be screened at the Chattanooga Convention Center in Room #3 on Friday, January 21, 2011, at 8:00 P.M. The film will be followed by a brief discussion. Admission to the event is free. Please consider coming out for this event about such an important topic.
Thanks,
Bob
P.S. The official (read: pretty) flyer can be found here.
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