O God, you have prepared for those who love you such good things as surpass our understanding: Pour into our hearts such love towards you, that we, loving you in all things and above all things, may obtain your promises, which exceed all that we can desire; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Collect for Sixth Sunday of Easter, P. 225, Book of Common Prayer
While our Collect states our relationship with God in fact, at the same time, it encourages us and gives us hope. Look at this Sunday’s Collect. The Collect states a most obvious fact — we do not always understand the love of God. It goes beyond our human understanding.
It also states that obtaining God’s promises, “exceed all that we can desire.” Really? That can be a hard one to believe…that all of our desires will be satisfied. I expect that as we love God “in all things and above all things,” our desires change from the worldly wanting to a Will-of-God wanting and our desires will be satisfied.
I also know that when we are aligned with God, God’s promises are surprising and more than we’ve ever imagined!
Blessings as you finish your week!
Love, Rebecca+
Rebecca’s Schedule
Rebecca will be in Lexington Monday and Tuesday this week and in Corbin on Wednesday and Thursday, May 13-14. You can get a message to Rebecca by calling the church office at 606-528-1659 or priest-in-charge@stjohnscorbin.org.
This Sunday, the Flowers on the Altar are in honor of Ethan Myers, nephew of Rebecca, who graduated from Temple University on May 8.
To 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.
Godly Play offered for children. All children are invited to participate in this special program of spiritual development.
Adult Forum Our current series is on Ten Ways to Pray. This week Bruce will lead us in The Rosary and The Jesus Prayer.
Al-Anon Group, Tuesdays, 7-8pm.
Work Day at the Church, Saturday, May 30, 10am. All are invited to help with outside and inside projects, such as mulching, lattice-work around the amphitheater, and caulking the windows. If you have a key to the church, you can also come by and take your Prevention Of Sexual Misconduct (POSM) training.
Fun, fun, fun. The next Family Game Night is Friday, May 22, 6:30 – 8:30pm. Bring your favorite games, snacks, and drinks. Pizza will be provided.
2015 Goals: The Vestry has adopted the following goals for 2015, in line with our recently-adopted Mission Statement, Proclaiming the Gospel, promoting justice, and preparing a diverse community of seekers to reflect the welcoming love of Christ:
- Support Al-Anon group meeting at the Church.
- List St. John’s Church on theIntegrity and Believe Out Loud websites as an open and welcoming church, especially for people who are Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning.
- Remodel space for use as a sacristy.
- Repurpose the parlor.
- Serve as a site for the KCEOC Summer Lunch program for youth ages 18 and under.
The Grow Appalachia Committee meets Thursday, at 6pm through May.
United Thank Offering Ingathering, May 17. Remember to bring your thank offering boxes AND pick up another one for the fall ingathering. A thank offering box is a great way to give thanks and gratitude each day. When combined with thousands of others, it supports wonderful projects in The Episcopal Church.
Rogation Service, Wednesday, May 13, 6pm. We will say prayers around our property and end in the church for Eucharist. Rogation comes from the Latin, “to ask.” The days are observed the Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday prior to Ascension Day. They have typically had a focus on agriculture and prayers for the growing season.
Make Pentecost Peace Cranes, Sunday, May 17, after church. Stay after church to make these origami peace cranes to decorate the sanctuary for Pentecost on Sunday, May 24.