This Sunday (May 11) at St. John’s

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.  Acts 2:42

This Sunday’s Lesson from Acts talks about the life of the early church.  People heard the apostles’ teaching and they were changed.  They changed how they lived their lives, sharing everything in common.  They were in awe because these changes created many signs and wonders.  And so many years later, we continue in their steps, studying and following the apostles’ teaching, living in fellowship with each other, breaking the bread and praying for each other.

Last Saturday, I was with my family as part of my grandson’s First Communion.  There were 12 children receiving their First Communion.  At the end of the service, the 12 children sang this lovely song:

Jesus, you are bread for us.
Jesus, you are life for us
In your gift of Eucharist
We find love.

In communion we believe
You are there with us
Jesus, thank you for the friend you are.
Thank you for the love we share.

Gathered in God’s Family
You are there with us
Jesus, Thank you for the friend you are.
Thank you for the love we share.

Looking forward to being with you in fellowship, in the apostles’ teaching, breaking of the bread and prayers…

Love, Rebecca+

Next week, I will be in Corbin on Monday, May 12, and my Sabbath day will be Tuesday, May 13  You can get a message to me by calling the church office at 606-528-1659 or priest-in-charge@stjohnscorbin.org.

Pot Luck Sunday:  Our pot luck is moved this month to this Sunday, May 11 for the wedding shower for Amber Pearce and Billy Hibbitts.  Bring your favorite food to share and join in the celebration!

Adult Forum

Our series on Resurrection Living continues.  This week’s session is on John 20:27, Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands.  Reach out your hand and put it in my side.  Do not doubt but believe.”  Come join the discussion at 10:15.  

 Godly Play:  There will be Godly Play classes this Sunday.  If you are interested in assisting with these classes on an occasional basis, please let Anne Day Davis or Dura Anne Price know.  You will observe the classes for 4 sessions and once you have received this training, you may be called upon to assist as you are available.  Let the children deepen your faith!

We’re buying goats!  The Lazarus at the Gates Adult Forum study has prompted us to purchase goats through Episcopal Relief and Development for families in the Philippines.  Goats provide milk, cheese, and manure for farming.  Donations towards the $80 purchase of each goat can be made through the goat bank in the parish hall or in the offering plate clearly marked ERD goat project.  To date, we’ve raised $279.  Another $41 is needed to purchase a 4th goat!

 Grow Appalachia!  We are considering whether to become a partner with Grow Appalachia.  David Cooke gave a presentation on April 16. The Vestry will take a vote this Sunday, May 11. We would use part of the park to provide gardening plots for people in our community.  We could also support people in our area who want to garden in their yards.  We would host classes regarding gardening, as well as ways to preserve the harvest.  Grow Appalachia provides almost anything needed to make these gardens successful.  Talk to someone who attended the presentation.  And talk to the Vestry about your ideas, questions, and concerns.  Their website is http://www.berea.edu/grow-appalachia/

Daughters of the King meets the third Wednesday of each month at 4:30pm.  The next meeting is May 21.

United Thank Offering (UTO) is a ministry of the Episcopal Church for the mission of the whole church. Our ingathering of your UTO offerings will be this Sunday, May 11.  Remember to bring your offering that day AND to pick up another box for the fall ingathering.

Baby Shower and reception for Maura Love, Sunday, May 18, after the service.  Plan to join in the fun!  All are welcome.

 Serving Our Neighbors – See baskets in the parlor.

  • Everlasting Arms, Corbin’s shelter for people who are homeless, is in need of men’s and women’s razors, gloves, deodorant and socks.
  • The Food Pantry at Corbin Presbyterian Church is always in need of nonperishable food items.  Vegetables are especially appreciated.
  • KCEOC’s Women’s Emergency Shelter is in need of donated baby items, including baby clothing (sizes 6/9 months), diapers, wipes, bottles, etc.  Donations can be dropped off at KCEOC Community Action Partnership main office at Gray, KY.

Flowers for the altar: Donations for flowers for the altar are accepted for any Sunday of the year. Please place your donation in the envelope, marking whether they are in honor of or in memory of someone.

 Hymn Selection Group If you’d like to choose hymns for services, join this group.  You will choose hymns for an upcoming service and then meet with the entire group to confirm the final selections.  See Billy Hibbitts if you are interested.

Would you like to write Prayers of the People?  If you are interested in writing these prayers (there are resources that can help with this task), please let Rebecca know by phone or email priest-in-charge@stjohnscorbin.org.

Are you interested in assisting with the Sunday service?  Readers, Eucharistic Ministers, Crucifers, Altar Guild Members and choir members are all important for each Sunday service.  If you’re interested in serving, please let Rebecca know by phone 859-429-1659 or priest-in-charge@stjohnscorbin.org.

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Welcome the newest Member of our Parish!

Today was St. George’s Day at the Cathedral Domain.  Mary Swinford was confirmed by Bishop Hahn and is our newest member of the parish.  Enjoy the photos and be sure to welcome her when you see her!

Bruce Cory read the Scripture at the Service

Bruce Cory read the Scripture at the Service

St. George's Cathedral

St. George’s Cathedral

Bishop Hahn lays hands on Mary to confirm her.

Bishop Hahn lays hands on Mary to confirm her.

Bishop Hahn confirming Mary

Bishop Hahn confirming Mary

Group photo.  There was one baptism, confirmations and receptions.

Group photo. There was one baptism, confirmations and receptions.

There was a baptism, confirmations and receptions.

There was a baptism, confirmations and receptions.

Diocesan Centennial Quilt

Diocesan Centennial Quilt

 

The silent day of choice (meditation) The Great Vigil of Easter

Sermon – April 19, 2014
The Rev. Rebecca S. Myers, CSW
St. John’s Episcopal Church, Corbin, KY
The Great Vigil of Easter

Today is such a quiet day.  No, I don’t mean quiet in the sense of not busy or no noise.  But did you notice the deep silence today?  God is in the tomb.  We said we were tired of listening to God.  We wanted to choose our own path and our own way.  The way of life with Jesus is too hard and anyway that happened so long ago; it’s not relevant to my world with computers and fancy phones.  So, we silence God from our lives.  We silence Jesus from our hearts.  Did you notice?  How does it feel?  What is your day like without God?  What is your day like without Jesus?  This is the day when we examine that question.  

And this is the night when we choose…whether or not to have God and Jesus in our lives; whether or not to open our lives to the teaching of Jesus and to the Will of God.  All over the world tonight, people are being baptized and we renew our baptismal vows.  Our readings are about water and its power and about restoration of life.  The waters of baptism are meant to overwhelm us, nearly drowning us.  We emerge washed and into a new life and a new way of living.  That is the choice you are asked to make this night….  Whether to go through the waters of baptism, drowning out your old life and your old ways of being?  What will you choose?

Holy Saturday
Rebecca Myers
Holy Saturday 2006

Today is the day you let us hear your absence
Let us know what life could be like without you
That’s what we said we wanted
Because your love feels hard
It is not of humans

Your love forgives when we want revenge
Your love gives away when we want to hoard
Your love is fearless when we want to be fearful
Your love calls us to die to gain abundant life
When we want to live in abundant death

But on this day of silence
The presence of the absence
We see what we have done
We long for you to return
We know our only hope for abundant life
Is your resurrection

Amen

 

 

 

 

 

This Sunday (April 13) at St. John’s

Make your face to shine upon your servant, *
and in your loving-kindness save me.” Psalm 31:16

This Sunday we begin our pilgrimage through the last week of Jesus’ life.  It is a dramatic time as our Lenten journey approaches its end in a deeply disturbing way.  This Sunday starts with Hosannas and in a few minutes turns to the unjust and brutal killing of Jesus on the cross.

Plan how you will enter into this sacred and holy time.  The schedule of services is below.

If you cannot make these times to be with the Christian community, make a special effort to say the Daily Office or Devotions at home or find an online service.  Here is a link to the Book of Common Prayer online:  http://www.bcponline.org/  Mission St. Clare also has the Daily Office online, complete with hymns: http://www.missionstclare.com/english/

We will say a portion of Psalm 31 this Sunday.  The Psalmist clearly was feeling in trouble and attacked.  There are many verses detailing the woes of the Psalmist:  great grief and feeling useless.  Yet, the Psalmist clings to God, asking for God’s face to shine and trusting that God’s loving-kindness will provide saving grace.

Blessings as you finish your week and may you cling to God in times of woe…

Love, Rebecca

Bulletin 04-13-2014

Services and events During Holy Week:

Palm Sunday
10:00am – Adult Forum – Rebecca will show slides of Jesus’ last week in Jerusalem.  NO GODLY PLAY
11:00am – Service with Liturgy of the Palms and the Passion of Christ
12:30-2:00pm – Vestry Meeting
3:00pm – Grace on the Hill Ministerial Alliance service.  Rebecca will preach.

Monday, April 14
10am – Morning Prayer, St. John’s
11:30am – 12:30pm – Lunch at Sacred Heart (We are providing Dessert and assistance)
12:30pm – 12:50pm – Service at Sacred Heart
6:00pm – Evening Prayer, St. John’s

Tuesday, April 15
10:00am – Morning Prayer, St. John’s
11:30am – 12:30pm – Lunch at Corbin Presbyterian
12:30pm – 12:50pm – Service at Corbin Presbyterian
6:00pm – Evening Prayer, St. John’s

Wednesday, April 16
10:00am – Morning Prayer, St. John’s
11:30am – 12:30pm – Lunch at Central Baptist
12:30-12:50pm – Service at Central Baptist
4:30pm – Daughters of the King
5:00pm – David Cooke, GROW Appalachia
6:00pm – Stations of the Cross, St. John’s

Thursday, April 17
10:00am – Morning Prayer, St. John’s
11:30am – 12:30pm – Lunch at Grace on the Hill
12:30-12:50pm – Service at Grace on the Hill
7:00pm – Maundy Thursday Service with Foot Washing
8:00pm – Friday 6:00am – Prayer Garden and Vigil

Friday, April 18
10:00am – Morning Prayer, St. John’s
11:30am – 12:30pm – Lunch at First Baptist
12:30-12:50pm – Service at First Baptist
7:00pm – Good Friday Service with Veneration of the Cross

Saturday, April 19
1:00pm – Holy Saturday Service
1:00-3:00pm – Decorate the Church
8:00pm – Easter Vigil

Sunday, April 20
10:00am – Godly Play Classes and Easter Brunch
11:00am – Service
Noon – Easter Egg Hunt for the Children

Dessert for Ministerial Alliance Luncheon Monday, April 14.  We have been asked to provide dessert for the lunch at Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church on Monday.  They expect to feed 130 people.  You can drop off your dessert on Sunday at St. John’s or Monday after 9am at Sacred Heart.  If you are able to help set up and serve, please be at Sacred Heart at 10:30am (after Morning Prayer at St. John’s)

Rebecca’s Schedule: Next week, Rebecca will be in Corbin all week.  You can reach to Rebecca by calling 859 -429-1659 or priest-in-charge@stjohnscorbin.org.

Adult Forum: There will be no adult forum next week.  We will resume on April 27, with a 7-week Easter series on Resurrection Living.

David Cooke of Grow Appalachia will come Wednesday, April 16, 5pm

Daughters of the King meets the third Wednesday of each month at 4:30pm.  The next meeting is April 16.

Flowers for the altar:  This Sunday is the last day for donations for Easter Flowers.  Envelopes are available.  Mark whether this is in memoriam or in honor of someone.

Easter Pot Luck Brunch, 10am.  Arrive at 10am and bring a brunch dish to share.

Easter Egg Hunt  There will be an Easter Egg Hunt for the children after the service on Easter.

St. George’s Day, Saturday, April 26, Cathedral Domain.  Mary Swinford will be confirmed at the 3pm service.  Spend the weekend  or come for the day.  Reservations for overnight must be received by April 18.  Meals are included in the overnight stay or can be purchased separately if you are coming for the day.  You are also welcome to bring your own food and have a picnic on the grounds.  http://www.cathedraldomain.org/stgeorge2014.html

Belk Charity Sales Day:  The Belk Charity Sales Day will be Saturday, May 3rd from 6:00am to 10:00am.  Ticket may be purchased for $5 tickets from our ECW, which allow you entrance to the sale and $5 off your purchase.  We are trying to sell 100 tickets, which provides $500 for the church and tremendous savings for you!

We’re buying goats!  The Lazarus at the Gates Adult Forum study has prompted us to purchase goats through Episcopal Relief and Development for families in the Philippines.  Goats provide milk, cheese, and manure for farming.  Donations towards the $80 purchase of each goat can be made through the goat bank in the parish hall or in the offering plate clearly marked ERD goat project.

Palm Sunday Service:  Plan to attend a community-wide Palm Sunday Service, Sunday afternoon, April 13, Grace on the Hill.  The service is sponsored by the Southeast Kentucky Ministerial Alliance and Rebecca will be preaching

Easter Preparations: Assist with preparing the church for Easter on Saturday, April 19, 1:00-3:00pm.

Maundy Thursday/Good Friday Vigil:  Sign up to pray in the church overnight from Maundy Thursday, April 17, 8pm until Good Friday morning, 6am.  Please see Bruce Cory if you would like to participate.

Bring your bells to ring at the Easter Vigil service on Saturday evening.  Also, plan to stay after the service for a reception of chocolate and champagne.

 

 

 

 

This Sunday (April 6) at St. John’s

Jesus began to weep. John 11:35

This Sunday our gospel lesson is about Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead.  Earlier this week, I had the opportunity to talk to a 9-year old boy about the Bible.  He tested me to see if I knew the shortest verse in the Bible.  It is this verse as written in the King James Version of the Bible, just two words, “Jesus wept.”

Jesus’ actions are a little confusing, because he intentionally waited before going to Bethany, saying his waiting would bring glory to God.  In addition, we assume he knew he was going to ask for Lazarus to be raised from the dead, so why would he weep?  Yet,  in this simple action of weeping, we know Jesus shares our very human nature…that God incarnate knows our grief when a loved one dies.

When our loved ones are very ill, we cling to the hope that they will be cured.  We cling to this story of God’s miracles.  This hope is important, and yet, many times death still comes.  Yet, we can cling to the assurance that God is present with us, weeping with us,  and understands our deep grief and loss.

Blessings as you finish your week!

Love, Rebecca+

Next week, I will be in Lexington through Thursday  and my Sabbath day will be Friday.  You can get a message to me by calling 859 -429-1659 or priest-in-charge@stjohnscorbin.org.

Adult Forum:  This Sunday and Wednesday at 4pm, we conclude our series on Living Compass Adult Faith and Wellness.  “All Shall be Well” is the topic.

Next Sunday, Rebecca will share photos from the Holy Land, especially the route Jesus took to enter Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, the Garden of Gethsemane, and Calvary and the tomb.

Godly Play:  There will be Godly Play classes this Sunday.  If you are interested in assisting with these classes on an occasional basis, please let Anne Day Davis or Dura Anne Price know.  You will observe the classes for 4 sessions and once you have received this training, you may be called upon to assist as you are available.  Let the children deepen your faith!

Please stay after church this Sunday for lunch and a Garden Shower for Sarah and Sam Pollom, who were married in March.  All are welcome to join in the celebration. 

Holy Week at St. John’s

Monday, April 14, 6pm – Evening Prayer
Tuesday, April 15, 6pm – Evening Prayer
Wednesday, April 16, 6pm – Stations of the Cross
Thursday, April 17, 7pm – Maundy Thursday Service and Washing of Feet
Vigil from 8:00pm – 6:00am
Friday, April 18, 7pm – Good Friday Service, Veneration of the Cross
Saturday, April 19, 8pm – Easter Vigil

Maundy Thursday/Good Friday Vigil:  Sign up to pray in the church overnight from Maundy Thursday, April 17, 8pm until Good Friday morning, 6am.  Please see Bruce Cory if you’d like to participate.

Support the Diocesan Ministries online on April 9, as part of Kentucky Gives Day.  Reading Camp, Cathedral Domain and St. Agnes’ House are participating in the Commonwealth-wide online giving day, Kentucky Gives.  Go to http://kygives.razoo.com/story/Episcopal-Diocese-Of-Lexington and give to one or to all three ministries.  Let your friends and family know about this great giving day!

First Baptist London presents their annual Passion Play, April 13 (10am), 14, 15, 17 (7pm).  Call 606-864-4194 for free tickets.  Billy Hibbitts and Amber Pearce are singing in this production.

 Plan to attend a community-wide Palm Sunday Service, Sunday afternoon, April 13, Grace on the Hill.  The service is sponsored by the Southeast Kentucky Ministerial Alliance and Rebecca will preach.

Donations are being accepted for Easter Flowers.  Envelopes are available.  Mark whether this is in memoriam or in honor of someone.

Assist with preparing the church for Easter on Saturday, April 19, noon –  2:00pm. 

 Each day during Holy Week, the Southeast Kentucky Ministerial Alliance invites you to attend lunch and worship at neighboring churches.  Canned Food will also be collected for area food pantries.  Lunch is served 11:30-12:30, with a short service from 12:30-12:55.  Offering collected is used for the Alliance to meet the needs of people in our region who need assistance.  The following is the schedule of services:

Monday, April 14 – Sacred Heart
Tuesday, April 15 – Corbin Presbyterian
Wednesday, April 16 – Central Baptist
Thursday, April 17 – Grace on the Hill
Friday, April 18 – First Baptist

Belk Charity Sales Day, Saturday, May 3, 6:00-10:00am.  Purchase $5 tickets from our ECW, which allow you entrance to the sale and $5 off your purchase.   We are trying to sell 100 tickets, which provides $500 for the church and tremendous savings for you!

We’re buying goats!  The Lazarus at the Gates Adult Forum study has prompted us to purchase goats through Episcopal Relief and Development for families in the Philippines.  Goats provide milk, cheese, and manure for farming.  Donations towards the $80 purchase of each goat can be made through the goat bank in the parish hall or in the offering plate clearly marked ERD goat project.  To date, we’ve raised $121.  Another $59 is needed to purchase a second goat!

This Sunday (March 16) at St. John’s

The LORD shall preserve you from all evil; *
it is he who shall keep you safe.

The LORD shall watch over your going out and your coming in, *
from this time forth for evermore. Psalm 121:7-8

The sun seems to be out more.  The flowers are popping out of the ground.  Grape Hyacinths, daffodils, and crocus are in bloom.  You can see the trees changing, getting ready to bud and flower.  Welcome signs of spring and new life abound.

Yet, our everyday lives can be tough.  Some of us have been ill and are only now recovering our strength.  Budgets have been stretched by high heating costs and broken pipes.  Loved ones are ill and some have died.

During our tough times, this Psalm 121 is perfect to read for the assurance we need.  The Lord is our help and the Lord will keep us safe.  The Lord watches us always!  Now that’s spring hope.

Blessings as you finish your week.

Rebecca

This Sunday, March 16, at 10:15, and Wednesday, March 19, 4:00, we continue our series on Living Compass Adult Faith and Wellness.  The session will be on Change is Inevitable; Growth is Optional.  

Next Sunday, March 23, at 10:15, and Wednesday, March 25, at 4:00, we continue our series on Living Compass Adult Faith and Wellness. The next session is on The “j” curve principle:  growth is never linear. You can find more information about the program, including the Living Compass Assessment at  http://www.livingcompass.org/adult/program.html/

Corbin Rotary Club holds its annual International Dinner on Saturday, March 15, 6-8pm at Corbin Civic Center.  Tickets are $25 and proceeds go to the fund to eradicate polio.  If you’d like a ticket, please see Rebecca.

Daughters of the King meets the third Wednesday of each month at 4:30pm.  The next meeting is March 19.

Reading Camp 5K and 1 Mile Fun Walk, Saturday, March 22, 9am, Lexington.  Register to participate in this event to support Reading Camp at www.readingcamprocks.org/event-application. If you’d prefer not to attend, you can register for the “sleep-in to read” virtual event.

Belk Charity Sales Day, Saturday, May 3, 6:00-10:00am.  Purchase $5 tickets from our ECW, which allow you entrance to the sale and $5 off your purchase.   We are trying to sell 100 tickets, which provides $500 for the church and tremendous savings for you!

We’re buying goats!  The Lazarus at the Gates Adult Forum study has prompted us to purchase goats through Episcopal Relief and Development for families in the Philippines.  Goats provide milk, cheese, and manure for farming.  Donations towards the $80 purchase of each goat can be made through the goat bank in the parish hall or in the offering plate clearly marked ERD goat project.

Serving Our Neighbors – See baskets in the parlor.

  • Everlasting Arms, Corbin’s shelter for people who are homeless, is in need of men’s and women’s razors, gloves, deodorant and socks.
  • The Food Pantry at Corbin Presbyterian Church is always in need of nonperishable food items.  Vegetables are especially appreciated.

Flowers for the altar: Donations for flowers for the altar are accepted for any Sunday of the year. Please place your donation in the envelope, marking whether they are in honor of or in memory of someone.

 

 United Thank Offering (UTO) is a ministry of the Episcopal Church for the mission of the whole church. Through United Thank Offering, men, women, and children nurture the habit of giving daily thanks to God. These prayers of thanksgiving start when we recognize and name our many daily blessings. Those who participate in UTO discover that thankfulness leads to generosity. United Thank Offering is entrusted to promote thank offerings, to receive the offerings, and to distribute the UTO monies to support mission and ministry throughout the Episcopal Church and in invited Provinces of the Anglican Communion in the developing world.

If you need a UTO box, please see Rebecca.

 Hymn Selection Group If you’d like to choose hymns for services, join this group.  You will choose hymns for an upcoming service and then meet with the entire group to confirm the final selections.  See Billy Hibbitts if you are interested.

Would you like to write Prayers of the People?  If you are interested in writing these prayers (there are resources that can help with this task), please let Rebecca know by phone or email priest-in-charge@stjohnscorbin.org.

Are you interested in assisting with the Sunday service?  Readers, Eucharistic Ministers, Crucifers, Altar Guild Members and choir members are all important for each Sunday service.  If you’re interested in serving, please let Rebecca know by phone 859-429-1659 or priest-in-charge@stjohnscorbin.org.

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