This Sunday (March 1) at St. John’s

Posted on February 27, 2015 by St. John's Episcopal Church

The poor shall eat and be satisfied Psalm 22:25

I just left a Grow Appalachia Meeting. These meetings are full of dreams and hopes. There are so many vegetables we all love, especially fresh from the garden. So many varieties of tomatoes. We are supposed to measure our harvest to report to Grow Appalachia, but what about the wonderful cherry tomatoes you really want to pop into your mouth right from the plant?

Tonight we laid out the garden – 10 beds arranged to look like a cross, with a circular herb bed in the middle. We decided what to plant in the beds, with an eye towards color and beauty. We looked at the dates to plant each vegetable and marked them on a calendar. Then we planned a shopping trip for fertilizer, tools and seeds.

AND the plot is covered with inches of snow! We cannot even begin to know when we will be able to plant! Now, that is Hope and dreams.

We dream of a harvest that we share, especially with our neighbors who are poor…with people who are homeless and people who must come to the food pantry. We are living into this Sunday’s Psalm about the poor eating and being satisfied.

Blessings as you finish your week!

Love, Rebecca+

Join us for pancakes and game night! Friday, February 27, 6pm.

Rebecca’s Schedule
Rebecca will be at St. Agnes’ House this week, Monday through Thursday. Her Sabbath Day will be Friday. You can get a message to her by calling the church office at 606-528-1659 or priest-in-charge@stjohnscorbin.org.

This Sunday we welcome The Rev. Phillip Haug. Rebecca will be at St. Patrick’s Somerset to talk about St. Agnes’ House and to celebrate the service.

Godly Play offered for children. All children are invited to participate in this special program of spiritual development.

Adult Forum
During Lent, we are discussing various issues in Appalachia. This Sunday, Professor Jimmy Smith, will lead a discussion on Appalachia and the land. Next week, we will have a discussion on the “Discovery” of Appalachia.

The Vestry proposes the following Mission Statement for St. John’s Church: Proclaiming the Gospel, promoting justice, and preparing a diverse community of seekers to reflect the welcoming love of Christ. Let us know what you think about this statement, which guides us to goals and actions that embody our Mission.

Wednesday Evenings During Lent through March 25, 6:30pm, series on Appalachia. Plan to come on Wednesday evenings for a soup and bread supper, followed by a special series on Appalachia. This Wednesday, Professor Joseph Pearson will lead a discussion on The 20th Century Discovery of Appalachia.

The Grow Appalachia Committee will meet not meet Thursday, March 5, but will meet Saturday, March 7, 8:30am for a shopping trip. If you’re interested in planting your own garden, either here in St. John’s Park or in your own backyard, or helping with a community plot here in the park, please plan to attend these meetings.

Donations are being accepted until March 29, for flowers to decorate the church for Easter. Use the donation envelopes and write if the donation is “in honor of/in memory” of a loved one or a special occasion. Donations in any amount will be accepted.

Daylight Savings Time begins next Sunday, March 8. Remember to set your clocks forward 1 hour on Saturday night.

The Altar Guild and Worship Committee will meet Friday, March 20, 4:30-6:00pm to plan for Holy Week and Easter. If you are able to assist with altar and worship preparation for this busy week of the Church year, please try to attend or let Rev. Rebecca know.

A Confusion of the Spirit: Holy or Distilled? Saturday, March 21, 10am – noon. The Rev. Dr. Stuart Hoke, a priest in North Carolina and one of Rebecca’s professors at General Seminary, is coming to Corbin to raise our community’s awareness about addiction and recovery. As a recovering individual himself, Stuart is very much involved in helping churches, congregations and individuals deal with the disease of alcoholism and addictive illness. He will also preach at the Sunday service.

The Sign of the Rainbow (bulletin and sermon) February 22, 2015

Posted on February 21, 2015 by St. John's Episcopal Church

NOTE: Due to weather conditions, the bulletin is included with this sermon if you’d like to worship at home tomorrow. We will have service at 11 for all who can make it. Please be safe and warm…. Love, Rebecca+

Sermon – February 22, 2015
The Rev. Rebecca S. Myers, CSW
St. John’s Episcopal Church, Corbin, KY
First Sunday in Lent Year B

Bulletin 2-22-2015

[God said] When the bow is in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth.” Genesis 9:16

Please be seated

It’s been quite a week, hasn’t it? More snow than has been in these regions for nearly 2 decades, followed by some of the coldest temperatures we’ve seen, followed by ice, sleet and rain. Most schools were closed for the week, including colleges. Stores and restaurants closed early or never opened.

Many activities were canceled or postponed. We canceled our Shrove Tuesday pancake supper and still can’t quite figure out when to have it. Very few could make it to Ash Wednesday services. A good week to stay inside, but then there’s the cabin fever that sets in.

And while weather forecasts have gotten so much better, the one thing we know for certain is that the weather is unpredictable! The forecast has been pretty accurate this week. But remember just last month when a HUGE snowstorm was predicted for the East Coast? New York City shut down the subway system and New York declared a State of Emergency before even one snowflake fell, based upon the best weather models. Then something happened and the storm shifted east about 50 miles, totally missing New York City and pounding Long Island and New England instead.

My friends in that region blew up my Facebook page with their rants about the storm that never happened. There were the usual jokes about how can meterologists keep their jobs when they’re wrong 50% of the time? There were very real concerns that the next time a storm was predicted, people would not heed the warning and then get caught in some difficult situations.

But, you see, the nature of the weather is to be unpredictable. There are just too many variables at work and the best science we have today cannot account for all of them and make a certain prediction.

We must learn to live with the weather we get and with the unpredictability of it. Yet, most of us don’t like that unpredictability. We feel anxious or we want to totally ignore the forecasts. A good practice is to have an emergency kit with water, food you can eat without warming it up, candles, space blankets…things you might need if you didn’t have electricity for many days and were stranded. Ready.gov (http://www.ready.gov/build-a-kit) has suggestions and lists for what you need to be prepared. I’ll copy the lists and have them available in the parlor.

Midst all of the unpredictability of the weather which affects our lives, today we hear God’s words to Noah after a weather event that wiped out nearly all life on the earth. We know the story. In Genesis 6:11-13, God says:

Now the earth was corrupt in God’s sight, and the earth was filled with violence. And God saw that the earth was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted its ways upon the earth. And God said to Noah, ‘I have determined to make an end of all flesh, for the earth is filled with violence because of them; now I am going to destroy them along with the earth.’

And we know how God told Noah to build the ark and to take 2 of every creature plus Noah’s family and put them on the ark. We know how it rained for 40 days and 40 nights and how eventually there was dry land.

In our passage today, we hear that after the flood, God decided to make a covenant with Noah and with all of Noah’s descendants. Now, a covenant is a special kind of agreement. It is a binding commitment between two or more parties. It describes each party’s obligations and responsibilities. It has the quality of constancy and durability.

And here’s the important piece…the covenant we hear about today is unconditional! God says what God will do in regards to us with no consequences or action on our part – NONE! Most of us cannot make a covenant like that, can we?

In verse 11, God tells Noah: “I establish my covenant with you, that never again shall all flesh be cut off by the waters of a flood, and never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth.”

And so we’ll know and remember this promise and obligation of God, God gives us a sign. A sign is the “visible evidence of the presence and purpose of God.” (Understanding the Old Testament 5th Edition; Anderson, Bishop & Newman; pg 68) God’s sign to us is the rainbow!

Every time we see the beautiful rainbow, and you see lots of them at Cumberland Falls, we remember God’s promise to not destroy the earth and every creature on earth by water. God’s promise to us is to save us…save us from ourselves.

This is God’s activity throughout the ages. God comes to earth as Jesus to save us. “…repent, and believe in the good news,” (Mark 1:15) we hear in today’s Gospel. Repent – turn around and believe in the good news that God saves us…that living God’s way saves us.

In today’s Epistle we hear in I Peter 3:18, “Christ suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, in order to bring you to God.” God made a covenant with Noah …a covenant with no conditions…a promise durable and lasting. God will not destroy us by water and God always, always acts to save us.

During this season of Lent, remember, think on and meditate on God’s saving actions. While we cannot predict the weather… we can predict God’s saving action! We can trust in God’s saving actions. Remember the covenant every time you see the beautiful rainbow.

Amen

Changes for This Sunday

Posted on February 20, 2015 by St. John's Episcopal Church

Well, dear friends, the weather reports for the weekend suggest staying in.

I am here and will be here Sunday morning for anyone who can safely make it to church. We will try to post a bulletin and information online so you can have your own service at home. For those who come to church, we may just meet in the chapel.

Also, there will be no Adult Forum or Godly Play on Sunday.

Professor Joseph Pearson will not come this Sunday. Here is the changed schedule and topics:

Wednesday, February 25, 6-8pm, beginning with Compline and soup and bread: Corbin Race Riots Sunday, March 1, 10am – Adult Forum – The 20th Century “Discovery” of Appalachia
Wednesday, March 4, 6-8pm, beginning with Compline and soup and bread. The Last Acceptable Prejudice: “Left Behind” in Appalachia, 1965-2015

Let’s postpone our pancake brunch pot luck this Sunday and I suggest having a pancake supper next Friday, February 27, before Game Night??? Let me know if you think that could work.

Hope you are all safe and warm….

Love, Rebecca

A Confusion of the Spirit — Holy or Distilled?

Posted on February 20, 2015 by St. John's Episcopal Church

A Confusion of the Spirit — Holy or Distilled?

Join us Saturday, March 21, 10:00am – Noon, St. John’s Episcopal Church, corner of College and Engineer Streets, Corbin.

Flyer to post: 150321 A Confusion of the Spirit

The Rev. Dr. Stuart Hoke, a priest in North Carolina and one of The Rev. Myers’ former professors at General Seminary, is coming to Corbin to raise our community’s awareness about addiction and recovery. As a recovering individual himself, Stuart is very much involved in helping churches, congregations and individuals deal with the disease of alcoholism and addictive illness.

Ten years ago, Stuart pioneered a course at the General Seminary in New York City to help seminarians understand the disease of addiction, acquire skill in ministering to it, and know the resources that can help individuals and families afflicted by it. Now that the World Health Organization has deemed it the #1 most pressing health concern in the world, we have invited Stuart to Corbin to share his insights on addiction, alcoholism, and spiritual recovery—and to help equip us with the skills and knowledge necessary for ministry in this crucial area of spiritual care.

The Rev. Dr. Hoke will also be preaching on Sunday, March 22, at 11am at St. John’s.

About The Rev. Dr. Hoke:

Born in Memphis, Tennessee, and raised across the river in northeast Arkansas, the Rev. Dr. Stuart Hoke is a priest of the Diocese of New York who retired in 2008 as Executive Assistant to the Rector of Trinity Wall Street and Missioner to St. Paul’s Chapel at Ground Zero.

After graduating from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Dr. Hoke attended the Episcopal Divinity School in Cambridge, Massachusetts, where he received the Master of Divinity degree. Ordained in 1972, Hoke spent the greater part of his ministry serving congregations in Arkansas and Texas. In 1996, Dr. Hoke completed the Master of Sacred Theology degree at New York’s General Theological Seminary, and was awarded the Doctor of Theology degree in the spring of 2000.

Hoke is a frequent conference and retreat conductor throughout the Episcopal Church. He also continues to serve as an Adjunct Professor at General Seminary where he has pioneered a course on the Church’s role in the treatment of alcoholism and addictive illness.

On 9/11, Stuart was standing underneath the South Tower of the World Trade Center when it was attacked by terrorists. He immediately participated in the evacuation efforts in lower Manhattan, and later served in the recovery and renewal ministries at Trinity Church and St. Paul’s Chapel.

Stuart is currently president of the Alumni Executive Committee at EDS, and is a board member of the Episcopal Church’s Recovery Ministries. Since moving to North Carolina in 2008, he has worked as a supply priest throughout this diocese, and since November has been interim assisting priest at St. Paul’s, Winston-Salem. Hoke is the father of two sons, Ramsay (Raleigh NC), and Bennett (Greenwich CT), and he resides in Fearrington Village, North Carolina.

Love is the Key (Sermon) February 18, 2015 – Ash Wednesday

Posted on February 19, 2015 by St. John's Episcopal Church

Sermon – February 18, 2015
The Rev. Rebecca S. Myers, CSW
St. John’s Episcopal Church, Corbin, KY
Ash Wednesday

Yet even now, says the LORD,
return to me with all your heart,
with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning;
rend your hearts and not your clothing. Joel 2:12-13

Please be seated.

On Monday night, I just happened to watch the Grammy Tribute to Stevie Wonder. Different artists performed Mr. Wonder’s Works. The concert was so wonderful, especially since much of the music of Mr. Wonder is familiar to me. And the people in the audience were on their feet most of the time. They were stars and celebrities, dancing and moving to the music. I could feel the happy party in my living room. It’s just one of the best things I’ve seen in a long time.

Yet, even more than the music, was Mr. Wonder’s closing remarks:

“I can’t leave this stage, this building, this planet without letting you know how much I thank you. I love you. I don’t have to know you. I may not have ever met you or ever meet you. But I want you to know that I love you. I love you first of all because the God that I serve says that we should love everyone. I also love you because it feels better to love than to hate and I believe that if we can just come together, because we must come together, because, I mean, we are at spiritual warfare and we must without question let the world know that love is king and queen. . . . I believe that if we come together, as it is said, when 2 or more believe, then almighty God is between it, Let us come together. Let us fool everyone who thinks it’s impossible. Let’s make the impossible so very possible by loving. Love is the key ….” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxDrJ-tyHpE

Love is the key.

So what does that have to do with Ash Wednesday…. A day when we begin our season of penitence…of taking a good look at ourselves?

Because, during this time, we are asked to repent. To repent means to turna round…to change our ways. In our Lesson, Joel, the prophet says that God wants us to return with all of our heart…God wants us to acknowledge how our behavior has been so harmful to the world, so harmful, that our acknowledge makes us weep and mourn and fast. Tearing our clothing as a sign of repentance will not be enough….we must feel the depth of turning away from God Deep within our heart…we must know how our turning away from God, tears our hearts apart.

Yes, there are many ways we turn away from God. One way is our failure to love. We’d rather hate than love.

We also believe that truly loving everyone is impossible. We look at our world. Even here in Corbin last week where a 16-year-old child killed most of his family and endangered the lives of others. Or the many killings by ISIS/ISIL, most recently in Egypt. There is so much evil out there, and we become cynical, skeptical and unbelieving about the power of love.

Yes, we know God wants us to love one another – to love our neighbors as ourselves. But don’t we pay it lip service? Don’t we think it’s a huge fantasy and not even possible? Haven’t we turned away from God in this regard? And in doing so, we have harmed the world and we have harmed each other. We have given more power to hate than to love!

So, during this Holy Lent, return to God. Don’t doubt, but believe. Weep and mourn and fast because we have given in to the world and given in to the power of hatred rather than the power of love.

Think about what you can do to be more loving…what you can do to not let the hatred of the world overpower the love God calls us to. Let’s strive to be like Stevie Wonder who told us the other night…. “I love you. I don’t have to know you. I may not have ever met you or ever meet you. But I want you to know that I love you.” Let’s believe deeply in our hearts that “Love is the key.”

Amen

This Sunday (February 22, 2015) at St. John’s

Posted on February 19, 2015 by St. John's Episcopal Church

Almighty God, whose blessed Son was led by the Spirit to be tempted by Satan: Come quickly to help us who are assaulted by many temptations; and, as you know the weaknesses of each of us, let each one find you mighty to save; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. Collect, First Sunday in Lent, BCP, pg. 218

Our Gospel reading this week reminds us that Jesus spent 40 days in the wilderness, tempted by Satan. Our Collect for the day reminds us that we, too, are “assaulted by many temptations.” The pray asks God to help us with these assaults.

Temptations take many forms. Sometimes the temptations turn into addictions to substances (food, alcohol, drugs) or behaviors (co-dependency, gambling, hoarding, cynicism, despair). I guess they share a common denominator — in the end, giving in to them causes great harm….harm to our community, harm to others, harm to ourselves.

Our Lenten readings from Living Compass Faith & Wellness Ministry, Living Well through Lent 2015, can help us discover our temptations, as well as where we are open to God’s guidance and wisdom in addressing them.

Blessings as you finish your week!

Love, Rebecca+

Rebecca will be at St. John’s Corbin, Thursday and Friday. She will be on vacation Monday through Wednesday. Deacon Amanda Musterman will be handling pastoral care needs during that time. You can contact Deacon Amanda at 859-227-1791. You can get a message to her by calling the church office at 606-528-1659 or priest-in-charge@stjohnscorbin.org.

Godly Play offered for children. All children are invited to participate in this special program of spiritual development.

Adult Forum
During Lent, we are discussing various issues in Appalachia. This week, Professor Joseph Pearson, Union College will speak about the Race Riots in Corbin. Here is the schedule for the following weeks:

March 1 Professor Jimmy Smith; How people interact with the land and its consequences.
March 8 Rebecca; 20^th Century Progress and Why Appalachia was Left Behind, Part I
March 15 Rebecca, 20^th Century Progress and Why Appalachia was Left Behind, Part II
March 22 The Rev. Stuart Hoke will lead a discussion on the church’s role in addiction recovery
March 29 Rebecca; Discussion of themes from the movie “Matewan.”

Family Game night is the 4^th Friday of the month. The next Family Game Night is February 27, 6:30 – 8:30pm. Bring your favorite games, snacks, and drinks. Pizza will be provided.

The Annual International Dinner will be held February 28, 7pm, London Community Center. Sponsored by the Rotary Clubs of London and Corbin, the proceeds of the dinner support the eradication of polio. Tickets are $25 each. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation will provide of match of $100 for a purchase of 2 tickets. Tables of 8 are also available for $250. If you’d like to attend this fun event or if you’d like to provide food for it, please see Rebecca.

Wednesday Evenings During Lent, February 25 – March 25, 6:30pm, series on Appalachia. Plan to come on Wednesday evenings for a soup and bread supper, followed by a special series on Appalachia. Soup and bread will be provided. If you are interested in contributing the soup and bread, please see Rebecca or Anne Day Davis.

February 25 – Professor Joseph Pearson; 20^th Century Progress and Why Appalachia was “left behind,” Part I
March 4 – Professor Joseph Pearson continues the discussion on 20^th Century Progress and Why Appalachia was ‘left behind,” Part II
March 11 –How People Interact with the Land and its consequences
March 18 – Professor Jimmy Smith; on the first half of John Sayles’ movie, Matewan
March 25 – Professor Jimmy Smith; on the conclusion of John Sayles’ movie, Matewan

Reading Camp Meeting, February 26, 10:15am. A group is forming in Corbin to support sending at least 5 children from Corbin to Reading Camp at Pine Mountain Settlement, July 12-18. We are also exploring the possibility of starting a Reading Camp program in the area. If you are interested in helping recruit children, mentor children, volunteering for Reading Camp, or raising funds, let Rebecca know.

Pot Luck Sunday: This Sunday is our monthly pot luck. We will be eating pancakes, bacon and sausage since we didn’t have our pancake supper on Shrove Tuedsay. Bring a dish or drink to share. And all are welcome! Plan to fellowship with each other. Our pot luck schedule shifts in October and November, depending upon the Bishop’s visit and our Annual Meeting.

Property Committee will meet Tuesday, February 24, 6pm. Please see Billy Hibbitts if you are interested in being part of this committee.

The Grow Appalachia Committee will meet Thursdays, at 6pm through March 26. If you’re interested in planting your own garden, either here in St. John’s Park or in your own backyard, or helping with a community plot here in the park, please plan to attend these meetings.

Join Rebecca and the Members of Corbin Presbyterian Church at 3:30pm, Sunday, February 22, as they install their new Pastor, The Rev. Lisa Eye.

Sunday, March 1, we welcome The Rev. Phillip Haug. Rebecca will be at St. Patrick’s Somerset to talk about St. Agnes’ House and to celebrate the service.

Ash Wednesday

Posted on February 18, 2015 by St. John's Episcopal Church

Friends, I am at the church today if you can make it for Ash Wednesday services at 7pm; however, I know many of you cannot and should not be out in this weather. So, I hope you’ll consider reading the liturgy at home, possibly at 7pm so we’re reading it together.

You can find the Ash Wednesday service in The Book of Common Prayer, pg 264-269 or www.bcponline.org. Click on Proper Liturgies for Special Days and then on Ash Wednesday.

I’ve also attached the bulletin for tonight: Bulletin 02-15-2015 Ash Wednesday

The lectionary readings are at http://lectionarypage.net/YearABC/Lent/AshWed.html

My sermon is at: http://stjohnscorbin.org/?p=155219

Blessings as we observe a most Holy Lent….

Rebecca+

A view out the church back door…

A snowy view from the back window

It’s Lent, so we’ve changed from green to purple…

“Remember, from dust you came and to dust you shall return.”

Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper Cancelled!

Posted on February 17, 2015 by St. John's Episcopal Church

The Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper has been cancelled for this evening. We’ll have our pancakes this Sunday, February 22, at our pot luck! Hope everyone is safe and warm….

Rebecca+

Powerful and Awe-Inspiring Moments (Sermon) February 15, 2015

Posted on February 16, 2015 by St. John's Episcopal Church

Sermon – February 15, 2015

The Rev. Rebecca S. Myers, CSW

St. John’s Episcopal Church, Corbin, KY

The Last Sunday After Epiphany, Year B

The Transfiguration

And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no one on earth could bleach them. And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, who were talking with Jesus. Mark 9:2-4

Please be seated.

The church I grew up in had changed radically by the early 60s. It was in a city, whose neighborhoods were changing, really disappearing from around the church. The church was right downtown, close to the state capitol and office buildings for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The many neighborhoods, especially the predominantly African-American neighborhoods that had once been there, were being swallowed up by the needs of state government and urban renewal plans. There was not much neighborhood around the church by the early 1960s.

But the church called a new pastor in 1963 and he challenged those there to revitalize the church. My father heard this Pastor on the radio one Sunday and soon after, started attending. By 1966, my mother converted from Roman Catholicism and we all started attending.

As I neared Junior High School a couple of years later – 7th Grade – I became very excited, because I’d be able to participate in the church youth group activities. The church had called an Assistant Pastor and he focused on youth and young married couples. There were a number of other adults who also assisted with the youth group and they seemed fun to be around.

So I was glad when it came time for me to join this group of 7th – 12th graders. Now for the first 3 years, I attended confirmation classes prior to the youth group meetings. Our Youth Group addressed many of the issues of the day such as the Vietnam War, the War on Poverty and Civil Rights. We formed a singing group which performed songs with many of the themes of our time interspersed with written words and poems… songs like Blowin’ in the Wind or If I Had a Hammer.

We explored our faith and how it led us to take action. We explored our belief in God. Those were the days when Time Magazine had a cover story, Is God Dead? There was a lot of questioning about belief in God and the place of the church. I had gone to church as long as I could remember. I wanted to believe in God. I loved the story of Jesus Christ. But I didn’t feel my belief deep in my soul and heart.

My best friend at the time and I would often go into the sanctuary in the evenings when it was dark, except for the Sanctuary light, which burned to let us know God was in this place. We’d talk and share the deepest concerns of our 12-year old lives, including how we understood God. We’d talk to God there.

Our youth group also went on retreats about twice a year. Weekends away where we’d have fun and deepen our faith. In the fall of my 8th grade year, we went to a retreat house just outside a small Pennsylvania town. On Sunday morning, we had our church service, which was very free-form. I remember the day was cold and late fall and very sunny. We started saying The Lord’s Prayer and I started crying…tears streaming down my face. Because I knew…I finally knew that God was real…that God was with me and in me. I knew it deep in my soul. I had experienced transfiguration.

In today’s Gospel Reading, we hear about Jesus’ transfiguration or being changed into something beautiful. Jesus and the Disciples had left the region around the Sea of Galilee. Jesus took Peter, James and John with him up Mt. Tabor.

Mt. Tabor rises almost 1900 feet out of the Jezreel Valley. It’s a steep climb up to the top. It’s understandable that not everyone made the climb. But what happened on that mountain was crucial for the Disciples. It was an experience both powerful and scary. So powerful that Peter wanted to make monuments there. And many paintings depict the disciples falling down part of the mountain in fear. I mean, what would you do if you saw Moses and Elijah speaking to Jesus and then heard a voice from heaven confirming that Jesus was beloved and should be listened to?

But, you see, God knew what was coming when those disciples walked down that mountain. They were setting off to Jerusalem and to another mount – Calvary. God knew that the disciples would be very confused by the way salvation was going to come to them. They were expecting a restoration of the Davidic Kingdom and being freed from the Romans. But that wasn’t going to be how things worked out. God knew it would be a hard road for all of them. So, God gave them this powerful and awe-inspiring and unforgettable moment…a moment to hang on to when life got confusing and challenging.

What are those moments for you? What are those times when you’ve felt peace or joy, especially in the community of God? Or those times when amazing “coincidences” happened? Those times when you are filled with awe? Those times when you experience a power beyond yourself? I hope you’ve had them. God gives them to us to hang on to when life is difficult and hard.

I’ve forgotten plenty of things in my life, but I’ve never forgotten that moment when I was 13, on that retreat, saying The Lord’s Prayer. I can picture it just as clearly as if it happened yesterday. Yes, since then, I’ve had tough and challenging times in my life…times when I didn’t feel so close to God, but that experience at 13 has kept me close to God at the same time…sometimes just by a thread, but nonetheless unshakeable in my belief in God.

Hold on…hold on to those moments of transfiguration – powerful and awe-inspiring. They comfort you on the journeys through the valleys of difficult and challenging times.

Amen

This Sunday (February 15, 2015) at St. John’s

Posted on February 12, 2015 by St. John's Episcopal Church

O God, who before the passion of your only-begotten Son revealed his glory upon the holy mountain: Grant to us that we, beholding by faith the light of his countenance, may be strengthened to bear our cross, and be changed into his likeness from glory to glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Collect for the Last Sunday after the Epiphany, pg. 217, Book of Common Prayer

The season of celebration that the light has come into the world, also known as Epiphany, is fast coming to an end. This Collect for the Day leads us into the next season of our Church year – Lent. But first, there are a few more days of celebration. Before the walk up calvary on Good Friday, the true glory of Christ was revealed to Peter, James and John, on the Mount Tabor, known as The Transfiguration.

Mt. Tabor, site of The Transfiguration.

In our region, winter is gray and especially in February, feels long, but our church year reminds us that Christ brought great light, great awareness to us. Christ brought and brings great joy. So, let’s enjoy the celebration..the revealing of Christ’s Glory. Join us Tuesday evening at 6pm for our annual pancake supper. Celebrate our life in Christ. Then you will be ready for the long walk through Lent to Calvary.

Blessings as you finish your week!

Love, Rebecca+

The Flowers on the Altar this Sunday are given in memory of Ed VanGorder by June VanGorder.

Provide Flowers for the altar in honor or in memory of a loved one: Donations for flowers for the altar are accepted for any Sunday of the year. Please sign up on the Flower Donation Chart and let us know if you’d like the flowers to be “in memory of/in honor of” a loved one or special occasion. We suggest a donation of $20. Please place your donation in the envelopes provided.

Rebecca’s Schedule Rebecca will be in Corbin this week,Tuesday and Wednesday, and attending Diocesan Convention in Morehead Thursday through Saturday. Her Sabbath Day will be Monday, February 16. You can get a message to her by calling the church office at 606-528-1659 or priest-in-charge@stjohnscorbin.org.

Godly Play offered for children. All children are invited to participate in this special program of spiritual development.

Adult Forum: This Sunday we conclude our series on the Blessing of Same Gender Relationships. Mary Swinford will lead the session. Next Sunday, we begin a series on Appalachia. Professor Joseph Pearson, who teaches history at Union College, will speak about the race riots in Corbin.

Grow Appalachia! We’ve received a grant for $4,530 for our community garden through Grow Appalachia. The Grow Appalachia website is http://www.berea.edu/grow-appalachia/ The Grow Appalachia Committee will meet Sunday, February 15, after church.

Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper, Tuesday, February 17, 6:00 – 7:30pm. Come for this truly Episcopal tradition to end Epiphany and prepare for the start of Lent. Free Will donation.

Ash Wednesday Services will be held on February 18, at 9am and 7pm. Eucharist and imposition of ashes will occur at both services.

Interested in becoming a member of St. John’s? Please let Rebecca know. Receptions and confirmations will be held on Saturday, April 18, at the Cathedral Domain during St. George’s Day weekend.

Pot Luck Sunday: Next Sunday February 22, is our monthly pot luck. Bring a dish or drink to share. And all are welcome! Plan to fellowship with each other. Our pot luck schedule shifts in October and November, depending upon the Bishop’s visit and our Annual Meeting.

Join Rebecca and the Members of Corbin Presbyterian Church at 3:00pm, Sunday, February 22, as they install their new Pastor, The Rev. Lisa Eye.

Family Game night is the 4^th Friday of the month. The next Family Game Night is Friday, February 27, 6:30 – 8:30pm. Bring your favorite games, snacks, and drinks. Pizza will be provided.

The Vestry is considering how best to use the space that is now our Parlor. Various ideas have included using the space as a welcome and information place, where information is available about St. John’s, our various ministries, and our members. Another idea is to have a prayer space with candles that can be lit for specific prayer intentions. If you have comments or other ideas, please see a member of Vestry or Rebecca.

Two furnaces replaced, 1 more to go! The furnaces located in the sacristy and the parish hall have been replaced. Thanks so much to all who donated! Now we need to replace the furnace in the rectory. Cost is just under $1,700 for a furnace that will also be more energy efficient. Donations for the furnace can be put in the box on the table in the parlor.

The Vestry has voted to donate $25 each month to Everlasting Arm Homeless Shelter. If you’d like to contribute, put your donations in the collection box by the guest register or mark your donation and put it in the collection plate.

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.

Provide Flowers for the altar in honor or in memory of a loved one: 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.

United Thank Offering. Remember to get your box for your thank offerings for this ministry of The Episcopal Church. The next collection will be in the spring.

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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