But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears? …For he is like a refiner’s fire… Malachi 3:2
Words from our readings this Sunday may be familiar. George Frederic Handel used many of these words in his famious work, The Messiah.
Who of us can stand before God? The Prophet Malachi likens God’s power to that of a refiner’s fire. A refiner’s fire was used to clear all of the impurities out of the rock holding silver or gold. To become either of those beautiful and shiny metals requires a fire that is over 1800 degrees Fahrenheit!
The prophet lets us know that following God is a serious undertaking. In doing so, we go through the refiner’s fire and become the beautiful and precious silver and gold.
Enjoy this version of Handel’s piece set to a soulful setting: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TewE8cH4vHc
Blessings as you finish your week!
Love, Rebecca+
My Schedule: I will be in Corbin on Monday, February 3, and my Sabbath day will be Friday, February 7. Please feel free to contact me any time, however, by calling 859 -429-1659 or priest-in-charge@stjohnscorbin.org.
Lazarus at the Gate, an eight week series on economic discipleship, will begin at the Adult Forum on Sunday January 5. This week, February 2, Elmer Parlier will lead us in a session on Wealth is for Sharing with the Poor. Next week, Doug Thelen will lead us in a session on Living Economic Discipleship.
Living Compass Adult Faith and Wellness. During Lent, I will lead the Living Compass Program, designed to help you assess your life, plan for change, strengthen your faith, and wellness. If you plan to participate, please let me know by February 16, so I can order the materials. You can find more information about the program, including the Living Compass Assessment at http://www.livingcompass.org/adult/program.html/
Confirmation Classes continue on Wednesdays at 4:30pm through February 12. Classes are open to everyone. Sessions will focus on the history, theology and structure of The Episcopal Church. On February 5, Bruce Cory will lead a discussion on the structure of the Episcopal Church.
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!
The Big Class: How to Be a Crazy Christian with Michael Curry This is a free online course, which you can take any time Monday, January 27 through Monday, February 3. In this 45 minute class, Bishop Curry will tell us:
- What Is a Crazy Christian?
- Why Being a Crazy Christian is Easy – and Hard
- Habits of a Crazy Christian
- Giving Yourself Permission
To sign up for the course, go to http://www.churchnext.tv/school/catalog/course/how-to-be-a-crazy-christian-with-michael-curry/
Ministerial Alliance Joint Service, February 2, 3pm, Parkway Church. Join me in this ecumenical service celebrating the joining of Williamsburg and Corbin Ministeriums.
Sunday, February 2
10:00am – Adult Forum and Godly Play
11:00am – Eucharist
3:00pm – Ministerial Alliance Service, Parkway Church
Wednesday, February 5
4:30pm – Confirmation
6:00pm – Worship
Sunday, February 9
10:00am – Adult Forum and Godly Play
11:00am – Eucharist
2:00pm – UK Opera at Our Saviour Richmond to benefit St. Agnes’ House
On February 9, 2pm, enjoy some great music by the UK Opera Theatre and benefit St. Agnes’ House. Concert is part of the second Sunday series at Our Saviour, Richmond. Suggested donation is $5.00.
Daughters of the King meets the third Wednesday of each month at 4:30pm. The next meeting is February 19.
We will celebrate African-American History Month at our service on February 16. Celebrating these months reminds us that people of all cultures belong to the Worldwide Anglican Communion.
2014 Church Calendars are available on the shelf in the parish hall. A donation of $2.00 is suggested.
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.
Reimagine the Episcopal Church: In 2012, the General Convention created a taskforce to reimagine The Episcopal Church for the future. The members of the Taskforce want to hear the memories, hopes and dreams that people have for The Church. We are trying to reach as many people as we can over the next few months. We will use what we hear to help us shape recommendations for The Church’s structure, administration and governance. To add your memories, go online at http://reimaginetec.org/ or see Rev. Rebecca for a paper copy you can submit. Deadline is March 4, 2014.
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.Your UTO offerings are collected twice each year. Each time you feel thankful during your day, put some change into your box. We will gather these gifts of gratitude in May and begin again for the November offering. If you need a UTO box, please see Rebecca.
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Subscribe to our Website Feed!
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StJohnsCorbin
Twitter: https://twitter.com/StJohnsCorbin Website: http://stjohnscorbin.org/
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/stjohnscorbin