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 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.

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.

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.

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: 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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Find the Current of God (sermon) February 8, 2015

Posted on February 9, 2015 by St. John's Episcopal Church

Sermon – February 8, 2015
The Rev. Rebecca S. Myers, CSW
St. John’s Episcopal Church, Corbin, KY
The Fifth Sunday After Epiphany, Year B
Observance of African-American History Month

but those who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength,
they shall mount up with wings like eagles,
they shall run and not be weary,
they shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31

Please be seated

I love the prairie. I saw the tall grass prairie for the first time in 1994, in late April, after my husband had accepted a job in Topeka, KS. I had visited Chicago as a teenager and I decided then that I did not really like flat ground, so I wasn’t all that excited about the prospect of living in a place so flat.

But even on that first trip, I loved the expanse of the sky. The view was overwhelming. You could see so far into the distance. It’s not that trees cannot grow in Kansas, it’s that you have tall grasses, which easily catch on fire, especially during a thunder and lightening storm, creating new tender grass shoots, which attract large hoofed animals that massage the earth. It’s just not conducive to trees.

So the grasses grow up to 8 feet tall during the summer. And the wind NEVER stops blowing. NEVER! There is always wind. So the earth warms up and the heat rises and the wind blows, creating the most wonderful air currents.

Raptors like hawks and eagles LOVE the Kansas prairie. And because the vista is so expansive, you can watch the hawks and eagles catch the breeze and ride the currents. They save themselves plenty of energy by doing that.

And in today’s Old Testament reading, the prophet Isaiah reminds us that when we are doing God’s work, we’ll find those air currents and be lifted high like the eagle… the eagle representing St. John. We won’t get weary nor be faint when we catch that current that God provides.

Later this week, on Friday, we’ll remember Absalom Jones, the first African-American ordained as a priest in the Episcopal Church. Absalom Jones knew what it meant to find those currents from God that raise the eagles in flight. Listen to the biography of Jones available on the website of African Episcopal Church of St. Thomas in Philadelphia, the church Jones founded:

The life and legacy of The Reverend Absalom Jones is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, his faith, and his commitment to the causes of freedom, justice and self-determination.

Absalom Jones was born into slavery in Sussex County, Delaware on November 6, 1746. During the 72 years of his life, he grew to become one of the foremost leaders among persons of African descent during the post-revolutionary period. In his younger years in Delaware, Absalom sought help to learn to read. When he was 16, his owner Benjamin Wynkoop brought him to Philadelphia where he served as a clerk and handyman in a retail store. He was able to work for himself in the evenings and keep his earnings. He also briefly attended a school run by the Quakers where he learned mathematics and handwriting. In 1770, he married Mary Thomas and purchased her freedom. It was until 1784 that he obtained his own freedom through manumission. He also owned several properties.

During this period, he met Richard Allen, who became a life-long friend. In 1787 they organized the Free African Society as a social, political and humanitarian organization helping widows and orphans and assisting in sick relief and burial expenses. Jones and Allen were also lay preachers at St. George’s Methodist Episcopal Church, Philadelphia, PA where their evangelistic efforts met with great success and their congregation multiplied ten-fold. As a result, racial tensions flared and ultimately they led an historic walk out from St. George’s.

In 1792, under the dual leadership of Absalom Jones and Richard Allen, “The African Church” was organized as a direct outgrowth of the Free African Society. Both Jones and Allen wished to affiliate with the Methodists, but the majority of the congregation favored the Episcopal Church. Richard Allen withdrew with a part of the congregation to found Bethel Church (later, Mother Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church). The African Church became The African Episcopal Church of St. Thomas with Absalom Jones as its Lay Reader and Deacon. In 1802, Jones was ordained by Bishop William White as the first African American Episcopal Priest.

During the severe yellow fever epidemic of 1793, Absalom Jones and Richard Allen mobilized the Black community to care for the afflicted. In 1797 and 1799 Absalom Jones, with other free Africans, presented tenable petitions to Congress and to the President of the United States opposing slavery. Two schools and supportive services for the Black community developed under his leadership.

Absalom Jones died on February 13, 1818 at his residence, 32 Powell Street, Philadelphia, PA. Tributes and accounts of his funeral appeared in several periodicals. The Episcopal Bishop, William White, spoke of Jones’ devotion and care of his congregation and of his many contributions to the life of the city. The February 13th Absalom Jones Feast Day was added to the Episcopal Church Calendar in 1973. His ashes are enshrined in the altar of the Reverend Absalom Jones Chapel of the African Episcopal Church of St. Thomas, and a memorial stained glass window commemorates his life and work.

http://www.aecst.org/ajones.htm

What this biography fails to mention is the trials Absalom Jones went through to get his church recognized by The Episcopal Church. He was denied admission to General Theological Seminary, for instance. There was also some opposition to the church being fully recognized by the Diocese.

Can you imagine…here were many people drawn to The Episcopal Church and its understanding of faith in Jesus Christ, rejected only because of the color of their skin.

But Absalom and the members of St. Thomas under his cure, persevered. He and they read St. Paul’s letters, including the portion we read today from the first letter to the Corinthians, “If I proclaim the gospel, this gives me no ground for boasting, for an obligation is laid on me, and woe to me if I do not proclaim the gospel!” 1 Cor. 9:16

They only wanted to proclaim the Gospel, just like Jesus did and we heard in our Gospel lesson today: “And he went throughout Galilee, proclaiming the message in their synagogues and casting out demons.” Mark 1:39

Even though The Episcopal Church of their day segregated them, they caught the winds and flew like eagles even into the current day. Many Dioceses in the country celebrate Absalom Jones Day with special services and special offerings for the Historically Black College of The Episcopal Church, St. Augustine’s in Raleigh, NC.

When we become weary and tired as we usually do, let us remember the perseverance of Absalom Jones…let us remember how the eagles find the current and rise, saving their energy. Let us rest, find the current of God, and rise like the eagles.

Amen

This Sunday (February 8) at St. John’s

Posted on February 5, 2015 by St. John's Episcopal Church

Set us free, O God, from the bondage of our sins, and give us the liberty of that abundant life which you have made known to us in your Son our Savior Jesus Christ…. Collect for the Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany, Pg. 216, Book of Common Prayer

We have a couple of weeks hearing about Jesus healing people and setting people free of their demons. We may not talk in terms of demons these days, but our Collect of the Day for Sunday gives us a different different definition — demons are things which keep us in bondage. Our Collect asks that we be freed from the bondage of our sins — that we be freed from the demons that manifest themselves in our sins.

What are your demons? What sins hold you in bondage today? Together we’ll pray that God sets us free!

Blessings and peace as you finish your week!

Love, Rebecca+

This Sunday we will observe African-American History month. Our observance reminds us of the many ways the church worships each Sunday all around the world.

Adult Forum Currently, we are discussing the blessing of same gender relationships. This week, Rebecca will lead a discussion on the elements of the liturgy. We will also go through the liturgy.

On February 22, 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.

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.

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.

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.

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Subscribe to our Website Feed!

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Amazed! (Sermon) February 1, 2015

Posted on February 2, 2015 by St. John's Episcopal Church

Sermon – February 1, 2015

The Rev. Rebecca S. Myers, CSW

St. John’s Episcopal Church, Corbin, KY

The Fourth Sunday After Epiphany, Year B

They were all amazed, and they kept on asking one another, “What is this? A new teaching– with authority! Mark 1:27

Please be seated.

This week, I’ve been remembering and thinking about my experiences in addressing hunger. How was it that I came to believe that following Jesus meant addressing issues like hunger?

My earliest memory is of being in Junior High School in the late 60s and waking my parents up early on Friday mornings. The church I grew up in had partnered with the church down the street to make sure the children in the public housing complex in our neighborhood got breakfast each morning before they went to school. Obviously, this was before school breakfast programs.

The mothers in the housing complex knew that a good breakfast was essential to their children getting a good education. A number of the mothers attended the neighboring church and said they wanted to start this program. They needed additional help, and members of my church helped on Fridays. I remember there were plenty of wonderful stories about my parents going to help the mothers with this breakfast. Sometimes the children didn’t like the food, but the mothers made it clear they’d better eat it.

In 1972, there was a huge flood in Harrisburg. Only a small part of the center city did not get flooded, which included my church. So many people were devastated by this flood and having enough food was a major issue. Some people got together and started a food pantry in the basement of the church. Suddenly, the little stage and much of the storage space in the church was filled with cans and cans of food and brown paper bags. Lots of volunteers came to help. My church regularly collected food. If you visited the church during a weekday, you’d often find people waiting to get their bag of food. When my father retired and as long as he was able, he was a volunteer at this Food Pantry.

Early on, I learned that following Jesus meant finding a way for people that were hungry to get food. I guess that’s why when I found out Corbin Presbyterian needed help unloading 9,000 pounds of food and packing 312 boxes for senior citizens, I was happy to go help. I guess that’s why I’m so excited about the Grow Appalachia program that makes it possible for people to learn how to grow their own fresh food and to sell some or give it away to others. I guess that’s why I was so happy for Knox County Community Economic Council to use our park last summer as a lunch site for children.

In our Gospel today, Jesus astounds and amazes the people in Galilee. He teaches with authority. He rebukes the unclean spirits and makes them come out of people. In essence, he challenges people to think differently. I hear this amazement as excitement, but I’m sure some were thinking, “who does he think he is?”

Most of us don’t like to be challenged to think differently. Yet, that’s what Jesus does throughout his entire ministry…challenges the status quo. He asks us to love our neighbors. He asks us to love ourselves. He asks us to serve our neighbors. He challenges all of the hierarchies we build between who’s rich and who’s poor, between who’s superior and who’s inferior, between genders, between people of different ages.

Love is at the heart of the message of Jesus…love for all of humanity…love for all of creation. Making sure people have the basic needs for a good life: food, clothing, shelter, meaningful work at a living wage, and a healthy environment, for no other reason than that they are beloved of God.

It’s a lot to ask and when we follow Jesus, Jesus never stops turning our world upside down and challenging us.

In the early 1980s, I was a new single mom. My children were 4 and 5. I had lots of family support and I was working really hard to be self-sufficient. I’d gotten a new job with better benefits, although not much more money, but I wouldn’t get a paycheck for four weeks – your first bi-weekly check was held. My apartment was pretty good, but there were railroad tracks close by and when the trains went by, the rattling of the apartment would make the dining room light come on. But it had been hard as a single mom with two kids to even find a landlord willing to rent to us.

One Saturday, there was a knock on my door and I opened it to find my pastor. He was carrying a brown bag of food from the Food Pantry. I was overwhelmed to be the recipient of one of these bags of food and so grateful to be able to stretch my dollars for the month. After he left and as I was unpacking the food, I found a check for $25 in the bag. I was amazed.

That’s what following Jesus does…encourages us to come together and care for others in ways that may go against our inclinations. In the process Jesus teaches us new things with authority and we are amazed.

Amen

This Sunday (February 1, 2015) at St. John’s

Posted on January 29, 2015 by St. John's Episcopal Church

Hallelujah!
I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart, *
in the assembly of the upright, in the congregation. Psalm 111:1

At St. John’s, we LOVE our Hallelujahs. Yes, we do stop saying them during Lent, but we love saying them at the end of the service as we go out into the world.

Psalm 111, reminds us to praise God at all times and everywhere we go. Yes, our Sunday worship must have times where we joyfully and heartily praise God. What a blessing to be together with each other and to catch up. What a blessing to be worshiping God together and getting our “fuel” for the coming week. One of you has told me time and time again that when you don’t get to church, your week just doesn’t go right. So we praise God together.

And then we take that joy and praise out into the world. This doesn’t mean that everything will be a “bed of roses” and go smoothly, It just means that whatever we face, we know there’s a community of people loving us and sustaining us. It means that we are never alone and that we can help others through their joys and challenges.

Blessings as you finish your week!

Love, Rebecca+

Rebecca will be in Lexington this week, Monday through Thursday. Her Sabbath Day will be Friday, February 6. You can get a message to her by calling the church office at 606-528-1659 or priest-in-charge@stjohnscorbin.org.

Adult Forum

Currently, we are discussing the blessing of same gender relationships. This week, Rebecca will present some history and information on theology. Next week, Mary Swinford will lead a discussion on Civil and Canon Law.

On February 22, we begin a series on Appalachia. Professor Joseph Pearson, who teaches history at Union College, will speak about the race riots in Corbin.

We will observe African-American History month on Sunday, February 8. Our observance reminds us of the many ways the church worships each Sunday all around the world.

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.

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.

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.

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Subscribe to our Website Feed!

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Going Where God Calls (Sermon) January 25, 2015

Posted on January 26, 2015 by St. John's Episcopal Church

Sermon – January 25, 2015

The Rev. Rebecca S. Myers, CSW

St. John’s Episcopal Church, Corbin, KY

The Third Sunday After Epiphany, Year B

The word of the LORD came to Jonah a second time, saying, “Get up, go to Nineveh, that great city, and proclaim to it the message that I tell you.” So Jonah set out and went to Nineveh, according to the word of the LORD. Jonah 3:1-3a

Please be seated.

When I was a child, I perfected the art of whining and complaining. I truly tried the patience of my parents. So, I know I’m good at it. So, I apologize for the whining you’ll hear me do in this sermon today.

I find it hard to be Executive Director of St. Agnes’ House. I really don’t like, almost hate, raising money. And while we ended in the year in much better shape than I ever imagined, it’s a new year and we have to start all over again raising the $107,000 budget. Yes, we have a good start with grants of $21,500, but the one grant for $7,500 ends this year, so we’ll have to replace that amount. The fundraising consultant says we can raise the same amount of money and even more with only two mailings a year, but I’m nervous about that. We mailed to people four times a year last year, but that angered some of my colleagues.

I also don’t like being responsible for buildings. There’s always something in need of repair or painting at St. Agnes’ House. There are a couple of windows that are pulling out of the window frames. Are the frames rotten or has the caulking just dried out? Of course these windows are about the hardest to reach. And it’s a small job, so who can we get to do it?

Seems like it’s just very hard to keep the place open and running well.

In our Old Testament Lesson today we hear a portion of the story of Jonah. We have a great wall hanging of this story in the Godly Play Room. The Book of Jonah is not a true story in its facts. Rather, it is a story designed to communicate to us important understandings about God.

Earlier in the story, God had called Jonah to go to Nineveh and deliver a message to the people there. Nineveh was the last place Jonah wanted to go. Nineveh was the capitol of Assyria and the Assyrians did not believe in the God of the Israelites. The Assyrians were also mean and cruel. They were a huge empire and known at that time for conquering everyone they could and demanding taxes or tribute from them. Nineveh was one of the largest cities at that time with possibly 150,000 people.

We certainly understand Jonah, don’t we? Most of us would not relish the task God has asked Jonah to do. From Jonah’s self-centered point of view, he did not think he really wanted to do what God asked. We know Jonah ended up in the belly of a whale for three days, so guess God convinced Jonah that delivering God’s message to the people of Nineveh was a lot better than the belly of the whale. But I don’t think Jonah was all that thrilled with God’s call to him.

Aren’t we all like Jonah? We get caught up in our own personal view of things. What God asks us to do starts to feel burdensome and personally, we don’t want to do it. Think about those mornings when coming to church on a Sunday just feels so hard to do and we’re not sure we’ll get anything out of it personally.

Now, certainly, there is a balance to all of this. We do need to take care of ourselves and think about ourselves to a certain extent. But when God calls, we also need to think about others. God needed a message to get to the Ninevites, even though the people of Nineveh did not believe in God! God, like Jonah, didn’t really like the Ninevites all that much. God wanted to destroy them. But God chose Jonah to carry that message to the people and to give them a chance to change their ways.

And God chooses us. God hears our complaints and whining, I dare say. Luckily, I don’t know anyone who’s ended up in the belly of a whale, but from our story, we also know that God keeps calling us. God tells us we are of value. God tells us that our community needs us and needs our presence. Maybe we don’t feel like going, but the community needs us to go. In Jonah’s case, the Ninevites paid heed to what Jonah said and changed their ways.

The same is true of St. Agnes’ House. After all of my self-centered whining, then, I meet the guests. Recently and older woman who was pretty scared to be in Lexington by herself, but wanted to be by the side of her middle-aged son who needed a heart transplant reserved a room. She “slept” in the hospital for over two months. Finally, she was willing to venture out and check out St. Agnes’ House. She wasn’t sure she was going to sleep there at night, but she needed a place to go each day away from the hospital. She needed a place that was quiet where she could take a nap, or read a book or knit. Her room at St. Agnes’ House was perfect, she told me.

As she registered and toured the house, we talked about her situation and she confided that she thought her son was dying. She was grateful for a lap quilt that had been made and donated to the house. It was the perfect thing for sitting in a chair in the afternoon. She thought she might return the quilt when she left, but I told her it was hers to take if she wanted. She kept thanking me and told me she felt so much better that day. I didn’t see her much after that, until one day, we passed each other in our vehicles. We stopped and she told me her son had died and she was coming to check out. She told me how much she appreciated her room at the House and she said she was going to keep the quilt.

That’s why we go when God calls. God really doesn’t want to hear our self-centered whining. God has chosen us and our community needs us or at least needs to hear the message God has asked us to bring to the community.

May we, like Jonah, set out to go where God calls us. In doing so, we may bring life and salvation.

Amen

This Sunday (January 25, 2015) at St. John’s

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

For God alone my soul in silence waits; *
truly, my hope is in him. Psalm 62:6

I used to think I was so smart, because when things got tough, I knew exactly what action to take. When I was going through a divorce, I was so heartbroken and felt so much grief. I took lots of actions like going to counseling, getting involved with a personal growth community, and getting more involved with church. I was actually looking for something to take away the pain of the grief, sadness and loss I was feeling. So I took action.

Everything I did was really very healthy. It wasn’t that I was doing things that were bad for me, but it was that nothing was going to make the pain go away, except living through it. I had to walk through that pain, grief and loss. I needed to sit still…. I needed to sit in silence for awhile and wait upon God.

Now I know when I feel anxious or in deep grief, I need to be silent and wait on God, because therein lies my hope, rather than in any action I might take.

Blessings as you finish your week!

Love, Rebecca+

01-25-2015 Bulletin

POT LUCK THIS SUNDAY

It’s our monthly pot luck! Come join us and taste great food and enjoy wonderful company!

Rebecca’s Schedule: Rev. Rebecca will at St. John’s Corbin Wednesday, January 28 through Friday, January 30. Her Sabbath day will be Monday, January 26 and Tuesday, January 27. You can get a message to her by calling the church office at 606-528-1659 or priest-in-charge@stjohnscorbin.org

Adult Forum: In January through mid-February (Christmas and Epiphany), we will discuss the blessing of same gender relationships. Next week, Rebecca will be reviewing Liturgy and the development of Liturgical Resources.

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

Pot Luck Sunday: Today after the 11:00 service is our monthly pot luck meal. All are welcome and there is plenty of food to go around! Plan on a time of fellowship with each other.

Property Committee will meet Tuesday, January 27, 6pm, at the church.

Morning Eucharist: A Service of Holy Eucharist will be available Wednesday, January 28, at 9am in the Sanctuary.

Game Night: Everyone is invited to Game night on Friday, January 30, in the Parish Hall from 6:30pm to 9:30pm. This night of fun is hosted by the Young Adults of the parish. Pizza will be provided. Bring snacks and your own drinks.

Worship Committee will meet Friday, January 30, 4:30-6:00pm.

The annual Acolyte Festival will be held Saturday, January 31, 10am – 3:30pm at Christ Church Cathedral in Lexington

Grow Appalachia Committee will meet Sunday, February 15, after church.

A Group hoping to send children from Corbin to Reading Camp at Pine Mountain Settlement School will meet on Thursday, February 27, 10:15am at St. John’s.

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.

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Follow Me (sermon) January 18, 2015

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

Sermon – January 18, 2015

The Rev. Rebecca S. Myers, CSW

St. John’s Episcopal Church, Corbin, KY

The Second Sunday After Epiphany, Year B

The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, ‘Follow me.’ John 1:43

Please be seated

Every week, you sit in this space and worship in the midst of this beautiful stained glass window of John, the Gospel writer. This year we’ll hear quite a bit from John’s Gospel. On Friday, we had a clergy day in Lexington. The presenter was Gail O’Day, Dean of Wake Forest Divinity School. She was in town for the ordination of one of her students, Andrew Hege, the new Associate Rector at Good Shepherd Episcopal Church.

Dr. O’Day is also a New Testament scholar and has written much commentary on the Gospel of John. Also a Professor of Preaching, she was helping us look at the Gospel in new ways. She said that the Gospelwriter wanted to emphasize the extravagant love of God for us. She also said that during Jesus’ time, the religious authorities wanted to silence Jesus, because his teachings and upheaval they were creating amongst the Jewish people, were causing the Roman occupiers to take more notice. The authorities didn’t want any scrutiny from Rome. They wanted to be left alone. John is writing to say that there is a cost to remaining silent…that there is a cost to rejecting the teaching of Jesus, God incarnate.

And this weekend we remember The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who certainly embodied the point John was making. Just like Samuel, God called Dr. King’s name and set a mission for him. Just like Philip and Nathanael, Jesus called Dr. King to follow him.

In 1956, after the success of the Montgomery Bus Boycott, Dr. King left Montgomery. He said, “History has thrust something on me which I cannot turn away.” Dr. King was well educated, graduated from high school early. He was to be a great preacher like his father, most likely at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, where his father was pastor. That was the life laid out for him and the life he expected.

While I’m sure he thought he’d be part of a movement for justice, he never expected to be a major leader in that movement to the point where he was away from his family and congregation for long periods of time and in so many cities in the United States. A role that meant his home was bombed and death threats surrounded him. It seems like the prudent thing to do would have been to remain silent, but Dr. King could not turn away from his calling.

That’s not the life he planned, but it was the life God called him to and just like Samuel, Dr. King said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.” And just like Philip and Nathanael, he responded to Jesus’ call by following Jesus.

And he knew that following that call could mean he would die relatively young. He knew that following that call could mean being murdered.

I still remember when Dr. King was assassinated, even though I was only 10 years old, how he had seemingly foretold his death. Over and over again, the news played excerpts from his speech the night before. He said,

Like anybody, I would like to live a long life. Longevity has its place. But I’m not concerned about that now. I just want to do God’s will.

I just want to do God’s Will. I just want to follow Jesus. I just want to serve God. That’s what we all need to be saying and figuring out.

Because not doing God’s Will…not following Jesus…not serving God, has consequences. We heard that in our reading from Samuel. Eli had not stopped his sons from disrespecting and speaking against God, so God told Samuel, Eli’s family would be destroyed.

So, there are consequences for ignoring God’s Will. We may try to ignore God’s calling to us out of fear of what will be required of us. It’s probably not in our life plan. And look what happened to Dr. King and who wants a short life and a death like his? What could be worse than the consequence of death?

But here’s the paradox: when you are doing God’s Will and when you are following Jesus and when you are serving God, death doesn’t frighten you anymore. Death has no power over you. The night before he died, Dr. King ended his speech by saying,

[God’s] allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I’ve looked over. And I’ve seen the promised land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people will get to the promised land. And I’m happy, tonight. I’m not worried about anything. I’m not fearing any man. Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord.

I’m happy…I’m not worried…I’m not fearing anyone!

Follow me, Jesus says and St. John writes. The following may not be easy. We may even lose our life, but we will know the abundant love of God. We’ll be happy. We won’t worry and we won’t be afraid.

Amen

Invitations (sermon) January 4, 2015

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

Second Sunday After Christmas – Matthew 2:1-12
Sermon – Emily Cardwell
St. John’s Episcopal Church, Corbin, KY

May the words of my mouth and the meditations of our hearts be acceptable to you O Lord, our Strength and our Redeemer. Amen.

Good Morning! It’s wonderful to be here again at St. John’s. You gave me such a warm welcome last time, that I’ve been very much looking forward to this second opportunity to be with you. So, “Thank you,” Mother Rebecca for another invitation to come and preach.

Invitation is a word that I feel fits well with our Scripture readings today – and over the last several weeks. We are all familiar with what an invitation signifies – someone wants us to share something with them. Some invitations we’re happy – even thrilled to receive: a surprise birthday party, a baby shower, a wedding invitation, a Super Bowl party. Other invitations we’re not quite as thrilled about: an invitation to help someone move, to be on a committee, to be part of an intervention, or possibly being invited to a birthday party, baby shower or a wedding. Often, it comes down to who is doing the inviting as well as whom else will be there, when it comes to deciding whether we accept or decline on the RSVP.

But –we get to decide.

The last several Sundays we’ve been following the Holy Scriptures as they tell us the story of God’s plan for humanity. This plan, alluded to in so many Old Testament prophecies is the Incarnation – the Word becoming Flesh, the promised Messiah – Jesus.

When we look to the New Testament and the progression of events that lead to Jesus’ birth – invitations abound. We of course know, that Mary was “invited” to be the mother of our Savior. A young, teenage girl was asked to be a part of God’s plan. She could accept or decline. Joseph was “invited” to trust that Mary hadn’t been unfaithful to him and to keep moving forward with his original plan to marry her. He could accept or decline. You could even say, that Joseph was “invited” to go and register in Bethlehem. He could have declined, though maybe to a perilous fate. And quite possibly, aside from the weariness of traveling, this registration was an opportunity, to see family that Joseph may not have seen in years. Invitations do have pluses and minuses sometimes. And when Mary and Joseph came to the stable as their only option, someone presumably “invited” them to use it. Upon the birth of Jesus, who are the first to be “invited” to come see Him? The shepherds – they could accept or decline this incredible offer from the angels.

Now to the Wise Men, from today’s Gospel reading. Some scholars think that these wise men were Jewish kings from possibly Persia, Arabia or even India, who were very practiced in Astrology. Not astrology as we think of today, but when it was considered a highly regarded science. You’ve also probably heard them called “Magi.” Regardless of where they came from, these learned men as well, were “invited” to pay homage to the newborn king – and their invitation was a star. As he did with the Wise Men with their interest in the stars, God uses our interests to invite us to join in His purpose. The Wise Men could accept or decline.

It’s interesting to ponder, here they were, strangers to Jerusalem and Bethlehem, yet they knew and understood the star’s meaning. Were they surprised that no one seemed to know anything about the prophecy? The Gospel tells us they ask, “Where is the child who has been born King of the Jews? For we observed his star at it’s rising.” Surely Jerusalem, the center of Jewish faith, the location of God’s temple on earth, would be aware of this once in a lifetime, incredible event and be able to point them to the child. Yet we find out that not only do they not know, but Herod and all Jerusalem are frightened by what they hear. Why are they frightened? Maybe they worried that they weren’t living as God expected his people to live. Maybe they feared relations would get worse with the Roman government. Sometimes, invitations are not convenient with our current plans. Certainly, fear and fright were not hopeful expectations of the promised Messiah.

Fear and fright can stop us from accepting an invitation to be part of God’s plan. Fear that our comfortable life might change, fear that it might take too much time or money, or fear that we wouldn’t be the “us” we’ve come to know anymore – if we listen for God’s call. Our Collect at the beginning of the service asks God to “Grant that we may share the divine life of him who humbled himself to share our humanity.” Share. That’s an invitation.

An invitation to us – each of us, to come to God and be a partner in his plans. We are told that He chose us… has destined us for adoption. We can accept or decline. The parts we have to play, may not be as grand as Mary and Joseph and the Wise Men, but they are important nonetheless because we are important to God and he has a use for every one of us.

If we accept any invitation, we understand that it’s customary to bring or offer a gift. Mary gave herself, Joseph gave his name and protection, the innkeeper gave use of their stable, the shepherds gave their witness, and the Wise Men gave their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. God gave his Son. Jesus gave us his life.

What can we give? Ourselves. God will show us what he has need of from us if we only ask, but Micah 6:8 enlightens us:

And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.

I believe that if we aspire to follow this Scripture we will receive the blessings St. Paul asks on our behalf in today’s Epistle, as a church of believers:

I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him, so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which he has called you.

And then, when we accept God’s invitations, just like the three Wise Men – and all the others in Scripture, we will be overwhelmed with joy, at what we discover about our Savior. Amen.