Monthly Archives: April 2014

Come as you are. (Sermon) April 27, 2014

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Sermon – April 27, 2014
The Rev. Rebecca S. Myers, CSW
St. John’s Episcopal Church, Corbin, KY
Second Sunday of Easter

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.”  John 20:27

Please be seated.

I love country music.  The twangier, the better.  I really need to go to Nashville.  One of the things I love about country music are the puns or the play on words.  They make me laugh.  They are so clever.  For instance, have you heard the Billy Currington song, like my dog?  The refrain goes:

Want you to love me like my dog does, baby.
When I come home, want you to just go crazy
He never looks at me like he might hate me
I want you to love me like my dog. 

Who comes up with this…so funny and yet so true.

Well, this past week, thanks to Linda and Paula, who frequently give me CDs to listen to while I’m driving, I’ve been listening to a Randy Travis CD of Gospel Tunes.  Some are familiar hymns like Blessed Assurance and Love Lifted Me.  Some I’d never heard before.  I’ll sing for awhile or listen for awhile and then my mind drifts.  So somehow I’d missed one of the songs .  It’s called, Pray for the Fish.  I became curious about it and decided to really listen.  And I was surprised and delighted to hear:

Everybody gathered where the river runs wider

At the edge of town
To see that Eddie Lee Vaughn baptism
Was really gonna go down
Folks bet their hard earned money
That water wouldn’t change a thing
They set the odds at a hundred to one
His soul wouldn’t never come clean
Then the preacher said
People take a moment or two
There’s something we need to do

Pray for the fish
They won’t know what’s coming
When the sin starts rolling off the likes of him
Lord be with ‘em, they ain’t done nothin’
Please won’t you leave them just a little bit ‘a room to swim
Pray for the fish

Well the preacher ducked him under
That cool clear water
Then he did it again
Eddie came up yelling
Lord in Heaven Hallalujah!
I’m a brand new man
Well the water got to bubbling
Sky got to rumbling
And the thunder backed up the choir
The fish started jumpin’
It was like they was swimmin’
In a lake of fire
Then Eddie’s momma stepped out of the crowd
And started yelling out loud

Pray for the fish
They won’t know what’s coming
When the sin starts rolling off the likes of him
Lord be with ‘em, they ain’t done nothin’
Please won’t you leave them just a little bit ‘a room to swim
Pray for the fish

He said everybody cross your fingers
Fold your hands
Pray for Ole Eddie
But before we say amen

Pray for the fish
Lord be with em, they ain’t done nothin’
Please won’t you leave them just a little bit ‘a room to swim
Pray for the fish
Lord pray for the fish

Well that Eddie Lee Vaughn was quite a person, wasn’t he, to get the waters roiling and on fire because of the sin rolling off him at his baptism? 

Now how in the world, does this relate to our Gospel today?  To our most familiar story of “Doubting Thomas?”  Even today you’ll hear someone say that another is a “Doubting Thomas.”  Well, Mr. Eddie Lee Vaughn of our humorous song states an obvious truth about how Jesus cares for us as shown in this Gospel:  Jesus comes to us exactly as we are. 

Yes…. Jesus doesn’t say, You MUST have faith before I’ll come to you.  Jesus doesn’t say, you MUST be perfect before I’ll come to you.  Jesus doesn’t say you MUST have no doubts before I’ll come to you.  Look at this story.

First of all, where was Thomas when Jesus came the first time?  Why had he left the group?  They had huddled together in fear after the trauma of Jesus’ death.  Even though they’d heard the reports of his resurrection, they were still afraid.  But where had Thomas gone?  Had he abandoned the community?  Had he left the group?  Did he get angry because of some decision they’d made and decided to leave?

We don’t know where he was…just that he wasn’t there.    He obviously returns to the community, but does not believe what he’s heard.  He has doubts about what his friends saw.  He won’t believe it until he sees it.  Isn’t that like so many of us?  Good friends come to us and tell us their experience or their story, but we are skeptical.  We might not say that directly to them, but sometimes we put them on the “witness stand” so to speak, questioning every part of their story.  Sometimes we trust science, even though scientists will tell you they don’t understand everything.  Most of the time, we want to see it for ourselves.  We are so like Thomas.

And Jesus could have refused to come back again.  Jesus could have said, “Well, that’s just like Thomas, and I won’t have anything to do with him.  He needs to get right and believe in me.  He needs to have faith in what his friends are telling him.”  Jesus could have refused to come in the way that Thomas needed him to come.

Instead, Jesus returns when Thomas is there.  Jesus consents to Thomas’ demand,  “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.” (John 20:25).  Jesus allows Thomas to put his finger in the holes where the nails were.  Jesus allows Thomas to put his hand in the side that was pierced.  Jesus accepts Thomas.  Jesus loves Thomas.

This doubter, Thomas, believes.  Jesus comes to him as he is and in a way that strengthens Thomas’ faith.  What did Thomas do?  Remember on Jesus’ first visit to the Disciples, Jesus said,

“Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.” (John 20:21-23)

Jesus came to the disciples to commission them for their life’s work…for the work they must do now that he is no longer with them in human form.  Tradition has it that Thomas traveled to many places, including India.  He brought the Gospel and faith to India.  He is still quite revered there. 

Come as you are.  Come with your doubts and your skepticism.  Come with your questions.  Jesus accepts you.  Jesus loves you.  And Jesus will strengthen your faith, so you, like Thomas, can say, My Lord and my God! (John 20:28).  Jesus will send you out into the world to do the work only you can do.

Amen

 

 

Welcome the newest Member of our Parish!

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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

 

This Week (April 27) at St. John’s

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You will show me the path of life; *
in your presence there is fullness of joy,
and in your right hand are pleasures for evermore. Psalm 16:11

The Psalms are so wonderful.  They truly cover the range of our emotions and feelings about and towards God.  They are also hopeful, saying with assurance what God will do.

What is your path of life?  Often in job interviews you will be asked where you want to be 5 years from now, as if we are the sole designers of our path of life.  Yes, it’s good to have goals.  It’s good to dream and think about where we’d like to be.  It’s good to understand that things don’t happen overnight and sometimes take time and patience.  However, we need to hold on to our plans lightly, remembering that ultimately God is at work, showing us the path of life…a path of “fullness of joy” and “pleasures for evermore.”

I know five years ago, being ordained an Episcopal Priest and serving in Kentucky was fuzzy at best.  Five years ago, did you imagine you’d be where you are today? We are confident, because we know God is showing us the “path of life.”

Blessings as you finish your week.

Love, Rebecca

My Schedule

Next week, I will be in Lexington and then traveling to Pennsylvania May 1-4.  You can get a message to me by calling 859 -429-1659 or priest-in-charge@stjohnscorbin.org.

Adult Forum resumes with a 7-week Easter series on Resurrection Living, using a Forward Movement pamphlet by Christine McSpaden.  Mary Swinford will lead the first session on Luke 24:5, Why do you look for the living among the dead?

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.  

Grow Appalachia!  We are considering whether to become a partner with Grow Appalachia.  David Cooke gave a presentation on April 16.  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/

This Sunday is our monthly pot luck!  All are welcome!  Plan to fellowship with each other.

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 Sunday, May 11.  Remember to bring your offering that day AND to pick up another box for the fall ingathering.

Wedding Shower and lunch for Amber Pearce and Billy Hibbitts, Sunday, May 11, after the service.  Plan to join the festivities after church!  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.

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.

 

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

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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

 

 

 

 

 

Happiness (Sermon) Easter April 20, 2014

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Sermon – April 20, 2014
The Rev. Rebecca S. Myers, CSW
St. John’s Episcopal Church, Corbin, KY
Easter Day

 Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to him in Hebrew, “Rabbouni!” (which means Teacher). Jesus said to her, “Do not hold on to me, because I have not yet ascended to the Father.   John 20:16-17

One of my great joys in becoming a grandmother is the ability to travel with my grandchildren.  When my grandson Logan was 18 months old, I brought him to my home in Maryland for one night.  This required great preparation, because his mother was not sure this was such a great idea.  I promised that if he had any trouble being away from home, I would get in my car at any time of the night and drive the 100 miles to bring him home.  We had so much fun, going to the National Zoo.  He was never homesick. 

When Logan was 4, I decided to take him on a 3-day trip to Syracuse, New York, about 300 miles away.  My mother was from that area and I have fond memories of going to visit my grandparents and my mother’s extended family every summer.  While I knew my grandson would not have the same experience as me, I wanted to show him around…see these things through new eyes.  And my good, longtime friend of over 30 years lives there and I wanted her to meet Logan.  My granddaughter was just a little too young to go, I reasoned, and I also wasn’t sure I could travel with both of them, so the plan was to take Logan. 

He was so excited.  He had a new outfit for our trip.  In addition to his suitcase, he had a backpack filled with his precious toy cars, some books and a stuffed animal or two.  I told him I was going to take him to a big lake, where you couldn’t even see to the other shore and he said, “Grandma, I’m just little.  Can’t you take me to a little lake?”  I could tell this grandson of mine loved a new adventure.  Yet, he was well aware that his mother would miss him tremendously.  She had told him she’d do the “happy dance” when he returned home.  A couple of times before we left, he made sure to assure her.  He would be talking excitedly about what we planned to do.  Then he’d stop and say, “Mommy, I know you’ll miss me.  And when I come home, you’ll do the happy dance.”

My grandson was never homesick on our trip.  He loved every minute of it.  At one point he even said he didn’t want to go home!  But when we drove up to his house, he was so excited and he and his mother did a wonderful happy dance together.

And that’s what we see Mary doing in the garden.  Can’t you just imagine her happy run to embrace Jesus?  And what did she look like as she ran to tell the others she had seen Jesus?  After witnessing Jesus’ terrible death and then arriving at the tomb to find his body gone.  She was distressed and scared.  Then to see him risen!  She rushes to him.  

More recently, Pharrell Williams has caught the world’s attention with his song “Happy.”  Originally the closing song of last summer’s animated film, Despicable Me II, with the funny and loveable minions, the video came out in November.

Clap along if you feel like happiness is the truth

It’s a catchy tune.  The original video has 191 million views.  And people around the world have created their own videos.  From Hong Kong to Algeria to soldiers in Afghanistan, school children and people of all ages.  All dancing and saying, “happiness is the truth.”  It has become a kind of protest song for freedom, even.  People in Ukraine made a video as part of their protest and overthrow of the corrupt government there.  We in this country can relate to that since one of our founding documents, The Declaration of Independence, talks about the inalienable rights of “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” 

And today is the happiest of days in our Christian faith.  Jesus rose from the dead.  No power on earth could keep him in the tomb.  He rose and is with us always.

Yet, our Christian happiness is different from those fleeting moments when we feel excited or in a good mood.  That’s the beauty of this day and of our Christianity.  Happiness is deeper.  The happiness we have is with us always.  It is the knowing deep inside that Christ is risen…that Christ is with us…that nothing can keep us down. 

Yes, we have our trials.  We have our days when we’re not feeling so strong emotionally or physically.  Some of us are often depressed.  We may not look happy on the outside.  That’s not what it’s about.  Our happiness comes from the knowledge and faith that we have a lifeline of hope – the sure and certain knowledge that God raised Jesus…death was destroyed.  There is always resurrection.  There is always new life and new birth. 

And on those days when that happiness is hard for us to embody…when it’s buried somewhere deep inside and we just can’t tap into it…we have each other… the whole Christian community.  Every minute of the day someone is praying for us.  We have this community of St. John’s Episcopal Church right here and right now.  Don’t you often find yourself thinking of your brothers and sisters from church during the week?  Or at least over a couple of weeks?  Those little prayers…that’s the lifeline of hope…that’s the link to deep happiness. 

So, “it might seem crazy…

Mary runs to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord,” she announces.  Her weeping turns into happiness.  Christ is risen!

He is risen indeed!

Amen

 

 

 

 

 

The violence in us (sermon) Good Friday April 18, 2014

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Sermon – April 18, 2014
The Rev. Rebecca S. Myers, CSW
St. John’s Episcopal Church, Corbin, KY
Good Friday

Then Pilate took Jesus and had him flogged. And the soldiers wove a crown of thorns and put it on his head, and they dressed him in a purple robe. …. So they took Jesus; and carrying the cross by himself, he went out to what is called The Place of the Skull, which in Hebrew is called Golgotha. There they crucified him….  John 19:1-2, 16-18

I’ll never forget the day and you probably won’t either.  I had a terrible feeling as I left my apartment that day on my way to work.  I worked nearby and had an upcoming board meeting.  It was the first board meeting with the new board members.  It was a 2-day meeting with orientation, dinner, and business.  And it was my 4th year of organizing this meeting, so I was an “old pro,” as the saying goes.  Yet, I felt so uneasy.

I was absorbed in my work, when a staff member came to tell me a plane had flown into the World Trade Center.  We went to the board room and turned on the TV, only to see smoke pouring from a building in Washington DC.  We were 3 hours from New York City and 2 hours from DC.  I had visited both cities many times.  My brother lived in New York and you could see the Towers from his apartment building.  My daughter was living on Long Island.  My children and I had visited those Towers many times over the years.  It was one of our favorite destinations in New York.  And that tragedy of that day midst a beautiful, sunny September continued to unfold.  Such terrifying violence that dramatically changed our lives. 

The days and weeks ahead were filled not only with grief and fear and responding to disaster, but also with how we would respond.  Personally, I thought about violence in the world and ways in which I had participated in violence against other people.  That’s what Good Friday asks of us…to look deep within our hearts and see where we have inflicted violence on others.  Where have I inflicted harm?  Where have I been forcibly vehement?

It’s much easier to look at a nation or at others to see how they are violent.  It’s much easier to be the victim of violence in some respects.  But to look squarely at ourselves and to see where we have crucified Jesus…where we have been part of the mob or even a mob of one…is much harder.

I catch myself rushing through the grocery store, intent on the things I need…acknowledging no other human being, but being only exasperated when they are in my way.  Truly, most of us want to be seen…to be acknowledged as human beings…and this rushing to accomplish my agenda, whether it’s in the store, or in an email, does not see the other person, which is a violent act. 

I get frustrated with customer service and before I know it, I’m yelling.  I do try to remember the people answering the phones did not create the systems or processes that are causing me trouble.  I work hard to be firm, yet kind.  And sometimes I can no longer do it and I’m saying all sorts of things. 

I once saw a demonstration about the violence of words.  A woman running a workshop I attended picked the biggest, strongest person out of the group.  She had him hold his arms out and tried to push them down.  She could not do it.  Then she spent 5-10 minutes saying terrible things to him…how he was weak and couldn’t do anything.  When he held out his arms again, she easily pushed them down. 

Yet in our inherent self-centeredness, whether as individuals or as a community, we obsess about who has treated us wrong and who has treated us unjustly.  We plot how to get revenge.  Some of this is out of fear that we will be hurt.  In truth, in our fear and self-centeredness, we have shut out the voice of God.

And here comes Jesus on this most violent of days…dying in the most violent of ways and he shows us the power of nonviolence.  He barely speaks during his trial.  He forgives the people who are harming him.  He takes care of his mother.  He hangs in pain on that cross…enduring an agonizing death.  He does not respond with violence.  He does not respond with revenge.  He does not create a feud that will go on forever.  He loves. 

Martin Luther King, Jr. was a strong advocate of nonviolence.  He said many things about it, but here’s one from his book, Stride Toward Freedom,

Violence as a way of achieving racial justice is both impractical and immoral. It is impractical because it is a descending spiral ending in destruction for all. The old law of an eye for an eye leaves everybody blind. It is immoral because it seeks to humiliate the opponent rather than win his understanding; it seeks to annihilate rather than to convert. Violence is immoral because it thrives on hatred rather than love. It destroys community and makes brotherhood impossible. It leaves society in monologue rather than dialogue. Violence ends by defeating itself. It creates bitterness in the survivors and brutality in the destroyers.  Martin Luther King, Jr., Stride Towards Freedom

At the National Prayer Service on September 14, 2001, then Dean, Now Bishop Nathan Baxter said, Let us pray that as we act, we not become the evil we deplore.  Representative Barbara Lee from California heard those words and took her faith seriously.  She stood on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives and was the only member of Congress to vote against going to war as a response to the tragedy.  While others also felt the resolution was flawed, they were too afraid to speak up.  Violent revenge was the only response many of us could see.  While ultimately war might have needed to occur, both Dean Baxter and Representative Lee were telling us to wait.  

In Romans 12:17-21 Paul reminds us of Jesus teaching:  17Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. 18If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.19Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave room for the wrath of God;* for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.’ 20No, ‘if your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink; for by doing this you will heap burning coals on their heads.’ 21Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

 

Today is the day we bend the knee of our heart and examine where we have been violent and where we have participated in violence.  It is the day to recommit ourselves to the love of God through the witness of the nonviolent Jesus Christ, hanging on that cross.  

Amen

 

 

 

 

 

This Sunday (April 20 – Easter) at St. John’s

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Peter began to speak to them: “I truly understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. Acts 10:34-35

This Sunday is the highlight of our religious year.  Despite our attempts to silence Jesus and keep him in the tomb, he rises to live forever.  What a joy to hear the words of Peter:  God is not partial.  God is for everyone.  Any person who fears God and does what is right is acceptable to God.  Simple words and not always easy to live by.  Yet, blessed words, because we must only be the best God created us to be.  We don’t have to live up to what anyone else thinks.  God loves us all.

Blessings during this Holiest of Weeks….

Love, Rebecca

Easter Day Bulletin

Good Friday Service – Eucharist from the Reserve Sacrament and Adoration of the Cross, 7:00pm
Holy Saturday – 1:00pm
Decorate the Church for Easter – 1:00-3:00pm
Easter Vigil – 8:00pm; followed by Champagne and Chocolate reception
Easter Day
10:00am – Brunch – bring your favorite dish to Share; Godly Play for the children
11:00am – Service with Communion
Egg hunt after church

Rebecca’s Schedule: Next week, Rebecca will be in Corbin on Thursday, April 24, and her Sabbath day will be Friday, April 25.  You can reach to Rebecca by calling 859 -429-1659 or priest-in-charge@stjohnscorbin.org.

Flowers for the altar: The flowers on the Altar are given to the glory of God and to the memory of Mr. & Mrs. George M. Golden, Mrs. R. Hollifield George, Thomas R. Hollifield, Mrs Jacqueline Golden Cooper and Mr. & Mrs. Coy Hart by Mr & Mrs. Jerry Hollifield.  Easter flowers are also given in memory of John & Elizabeth by Sue Weedman, in memory of Robert & Mary Ann Myers by the Rev. Rebecca Myers, in memory of Keith Snider by the Swinford family, in memory of Anne & Lamar Jones and Pat & Cecil Davis by Anne Day and Jeff David, by Mrs. Thalia Harris and in memory of William R. & E. Irene Fink by Bruce W. Cory.

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

Pot Luck Sunday:  Next Sunday, April 27, is our monthly pot luck.  Bring a dish or drink to share.  And all are welcome!  Plan to fellowship with each other.  

Adult Forum: Adult Forum will resume next week with a 7-week Easter series on Resurrection Living, using a Forward Movement pamphlet by Christine McSpaden.  Mary Swinford will lead the first session on Luke 24:5, Why do you look for the living among the dead?

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.

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 Sunday, May 11.  Remember to bring your offering that day AND to pick up another box for the fall ingathering.    

The meal of Love (Sermon) April 17, 2014

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Sermon – April 17, 2014
The Rev. Rebecca S. Myers, CSW
St. John’s Episcopal Church, Corbin, KY
Maundy Thursday

I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.  John 13:34-35

My mother’s parents lived 300 miles away from us.  They came to visit us at least once or maybe twice throughout the year.  Once each year, usually in the summer, we’d travel to see them.  Sometimes we took the Greyhound bus, which was a LONG trip.  Other times we drove.  The standard dinner on the night we arrived was spaghetti with meatballs.  The sauce would have cooked all day.  How my grandmother never burnt that sauce, making it on an electric stove, I’ll never know.  I cheat and make it in a crockpot.  The sauce was very simple – tomatoes and tomato paste.  There weren’t a lot of spices, but there was a secret ingredient that was never written down in the recipe and that I learned only when I actually watched my grandmother make the sauce…it was baking soda – just a tiny bit to neutralize the acid in the sauce.

The meatballs were wonderful with parsley and romano cheese and a little egg in them.  They were individually fried in olive oil and added to the sauce.  The meal included additional freshly grated cheese, as well as a loaf of my grandfather’s homemade Italian bread, baked early in the morning.

The table would be set with a clean, white table cloth – can you imagine kids and spaghetti sauce and a clean white tablecloth?  My grandmother had the whitest whites you can imagine.

Spaghetti and meatballs was the dinner of love…the dinner of welcome.  That’s probably why my favorite thing to do on a Sunday evening when I’m in Lexington is go to Joe Bologna’s and get their “all you can eat” spaghetti.   It’s the closest I’ve found to the taste of my grandmother’s food.  It reminds me of her immense love for her family and her joy in seeing us and welcoming us to her home.  

This evening, we hear about Jesus taking a ritual, annual meal and giving it new meaning.  Jesus takes simple parts of the meal – bread and wine – elements included in the most basic of meals, and infuses new symbolism in them.  These elements represent the ultimate love of God for all people – Jesus’ body and blood…the very essence of life… given to save us…given out of deep love for us.  

Whenever we see these common elements, we are reminded of Jesus’ love for us.  When we gather together in Jesus’ name, bless and make these common elements holy, Jesus is present, binding us together into one.  

A document and teaching of the early church, possibly as early as 150 years after the death of Christ, says this:   As this broken bread was scattered upon the mountains and being gathered together became one, so may Thy Church be gathered together from the ends of the earth into Thy kingdom;(Didache 9.8, http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/didache-lightfoot.html)

The meal…this simple meal of bread and wine, has bound us and all those before us, to that first meal in that upper room in Jerusalem.  It binds us in community to each other and to Christ, just as it bound the disciples to Christ.  It reminds us that the everliving Christ is right here in our midst and nothing can separate us from the love of God.  It reminds us to be Christ to the world, to love one another like Christ has loved us, so all will know we are Jesus’ disciples.

Amen