Join us this Wednesday after the 6pm service for a brief, 30-minute overview of the perils of being a Christian in Pakistan presented by Tom McClure. Questions and answer session to follow.
Thanks for the words of appreciation!
On Friday, October 10, the Corbin Times Tribune had a Pastor Appreciation on page 12A. Thanks to everyone who helped put that together. I really appreciated it. Here’s a copy of the page and the St. John’s Entry. I know a number of people were involved, especially Laura Love, who wrote the words, and Elmer Parlier, who took the photo.
Thanks for this kind appreciation in the Corbin Times Tribune on October 10. I know many were involved, but only know two for sure – Laura Love and Elmer Parlier.
I was in some great company! Corbin Times Tribune October 10.
The new furnace is installed so we’ll be plenty warm for the Bishop’s visit!
The new furnace was installed this week, so we’ll be plenty warm in church! Come join our celebration today!
Thanks to everyone who donated to the new energy-efficient furnace, which was installed by Kentucky Climate Control!
Getting Ready for the Bishop’s Visit (Sunday, October 19)
The church is ready for Bishop Hahn’s visit. Join us tomorrow!
Come join the celebration!
Bishop Hahn will speak at the Adult Forum – 10:15am – 10:45am. He will preach and preside at the 11:00am service.
We will receive James Partin to the Episcopal Church.
We will confirm Jason Beams-Jackson, TJ Beams-Jackson and Amber Hibbitts.
Annaliese Elizabeth Herzer will be baptized.
We also welcome new members by transfer, Tracey Herzer and Camille Ruddick.
One baptism, 3 confirmations and a reception! Welcome to the Episcopal Church.
We’ll renew our own Baptismal vows.
We are ready for the baptism and to renew our own vows.
Then we’ll have a pot luck!
Come join the celebration!
This Sunday (October 19) at St. John’s – Bishop Hahn will Visit
Now if I have found favor in your sight, show me your ways, so that I may know you and find favor in your sight. Exodus 33:13
I love the story of Exodus. Written thousands of years ago, I still see that human nature has not changed all that much. God delivers the people from bondage and they just want to go back to being enslaved. God shows up to Moses in a burning bush that does not burn up and all Moses can do is question God’s judgment.
And in the passage we’ll hear this Sunday, Moses is still trying to figure out who is the God. Isn’t that so true of all of us. We have some experiences that convince us that God exists and is present in our lives. At other times, we have our doubts. And here is one of the most faithful leaders chosen by God asking questions.
At least in the Episcopal Church, asking questions and expressing our doubts is considered a necessary part of our faith and our tradition. Adult Forum is lots of fun, because we get to discuss these issues and hearing from fellow members is helpful.
So, come in your doubts and in your questioning for that is often the best path toward God.
Blessings as you finish your week!
Love, Rebecca+
Bishop Hahn visits this Sunday. Join us for baptism, confirmation, reception and pot luck!
Bishop Hahn will be with us at Adult Forum. He’ll preach at the service, as well as baptize, confirm, and receive new members. After church, we’ll have our monthly pot luck. Join us for this special day as we receive new members:
Annaliese Herzer – Baptism
Jason Beams-Jackson – confirmation
TJ Beams-Jackson – confirmation
Amber Hibbitts – Confirmation
James Partin – Reception
Tracey Herzer – Transfer
Camille Ruddick – Transfer
My Schedule
I will be at St. John’s Monday, October 20, and in Lexington on Tuesday, October 21. My Sabbath Days will be Wednesday, October 22 – Friday, October 25, when I will be out of town. You can get a message to me 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 – The Adult Forum focus is Living with Money. Next Sunday’s session will focus on Making Peace with Money.
The furnace located in the sacristy was replaced this week at a cost of just under $1,700. About $1,200 was received so far. We’ll need to replace two more furnaces over the next two years: one that heats the parish hall and one that heats the rectory. 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.
Pot Luck Sunday: This Sunday 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 November to November 16, when we have our Annual Meeting.
Grow Appalachia! The Vestry has voted to move ahead to become a Grow Appalachia site for 2015. Please talk to the Vestry about your ideas, questions, and concerns. The Grow Appalachia website is http://www.berea.edu/grow-appalachia/
The Diocesan Budget Committee will be at St. John’s on Wednesday, November 5, 7-8:30pm to talk about the 2015 Diocesan Budget. Come meet the Committee, ask questions and learn where our collective dollars go.
Join Rebecca (next Sunday afternoon/this afternoon) as she celebrates Eucharist at Christian Care Communities. Elmer Parlier will be playing the guitar. The service begins at 2:30pm and is 30-45 minutes and the residents would appreciate your attendance.
Please prayerfully consider the gifts God has given you that you will give back to St. John’s for Christ’s ministry and mission during 2015. Pledge cards should be returned by October 26 to prepare for our November 16 Annual Meeting and adoption of the 2015 budget.
Prayer of St Ignatius
God, Take and receive all my liberty, my memory, my understanding, and my entire will – all that I have and call my own.
You have given it all to me;
To you, God, I return it.
Everything is yours; do with it what you will. Give me only your love and your grace.
That is enough for me.
Amen
Trunk or Treat, Friday, October 31. We will be distributing candy from the church on Halloween evening.
All Saints Sunday, November 2. We observe All Saints Day and will read the names of those saints close to us who have died. To have the name of your loved one read at the service, please place it in the offering plate or leave a message on the church phone or email webmaster@stjohnscorbin.org by October 26.
The Diocesan Budget Committee will be at St. John’s Corbin, Wednesday evening, November 5, 7:00pm to talk about the 2015 Diocesan Budget. Come learn how our joint contributions further God’s mission in the region.
Belk Charity Sales Day, Saturday, November 8, 6-10am. We are selling tickets for $5.00 for this special event. The church keeps the $5.00 and for each ticket, you receive $5.00 off an item. We will also sell tickets on Thursday, October 2, 10am – 2pm. If you can help, please contact June.
On November 9, we will honor our members who are veterans of the Armed Forces. To have a name read at the service, please place it in the offering plate or leave a message on the church phone or email webmaster@stjohnscorbin.org by November 2.
Youth grades 10-12 are invited to Happening at Cathedral Domain from 6:30pm Friday, November 14 until Sunday, 5:00pm. See Rebecca for more information.
The Second Diocesan Ministry Fair will be held Saturday, November 15 at Emmanuel Church, Winchester, 8:30am – 4:30pm. Keynote speaker is The Rev. Stuart Hoke, Th.D. He will speak on the church’s role in addiction recovery. Cost is $20. Forms are on the bulletin board and online registration is at www.diolex.org.
Serving Our Neighbors – See baskets in the parlor.
- Everlasting Arms, Corbin’s shelter for people who are homeless, is in need of men’s and women’s razors, gloves, deodorant and socks.
- The Food Pantry at Corbin Presbyterian Church is always in need of nonperishable food items. Vegetables are especially appreciated.
Flowers for the altar: Donations for flowers for the altar are accepted for any Sunday of the year. Please place your donation in the envelope, marking whether they are in honor of or in memory of someone.
Hymn Selection Group If you’d like to choose hymns for services, join this group. You will choose hymns for an upcoming service and then meet with the entire group to confirm the final selections. See Billy Hibbitts if you are interested.
Would you like to write Prayers of the People? If you are interested in writing these prayers (there are resources that can help with this task), please let Rebecca know by phone or email priest-in-charge@stjohnscorbin.org.
United Thank Offering. Remember to get your box for your thank offerings for this ministry of The Episcopal Church. The next collection will be November 16.
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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Saying Yes to God’s Banquet (Sermon) October 12, 2014
Sermon – October 12, 2014
The Rev. Rebecca S. Myers, CSW
St. John’s Episcopal Church, Corbin, KY
Eighteenth Sunday After Pentecost (Proper 23) Track 1
The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding banquet for his son. Matthew 22:1
Please be seated.
I LOVE weddings. As a little girl, my mother gave me her beautiful half slips for my dress-up clothes and you could often find me wearing them on my head as pretend veils. At 7, as a Roman Catholic, I “made my first communion.” The experience was fraught with trying to remember so many details. The best part was wearing the beautiful white dress and the veil. The best part of the Sound of Music was Maria’s wedding dress. I still have my Barbie doll’s wedding dress. And if you would have seen me Friday, my day off, you’d have seen me watching a marathon of, “Say ‘yes’ to the dress.” I guess in addition to the love and community witness of weddings, I especially love the clothes.
Recently, my grandchildren attended the wedding of their former day care teacher, Miss Tina. I loved seeing the photos from that day. The kids looked like they were having so much fun dancing with the bride and with each other. Later, I was talking with my son. He said my 8 year old granddaughter, Sydney, really loved the wedding. She asked her daddy to hold her so she could better see the bride come down the aisle. As the bride approached, escorted by her father, Sydney whispered in her father’s ear, “We’ll be doing that some day.” My son said it was all he could do to not start blubbering.
Yes I’d say I’m a feminist and all for women’s rights. I am astounded by the costs of a wedding and understand why people elope. All of that is true and I still love a traditional wedding.
And if you’ve planned a wedding or even a big party, you can relate to the king in our Gospel lesson today. How wonderful that your child is being married. The day comes and you prepare a sumptuous banquet and party for the community. You’ve sent invitations and asked people to let you know if they’re coming so you know how much to prepare. Once the banquet is ready, you send out the notice and suddenly people who said they’d come, don’t even acknowledge you!
Of course you can’t believe it, so you once again send out, explaining all of the work you’ve gone to to create a wonderful party. Now, those you’ve invited are annoyed and even kill the messengers! Finally, you just need the food to be eaten — kind of like we try to get people to take home food after pot luck – and you invite everyone, every single person you can find, both bad and good, we are told.
Jesus is trying to explain the Kingdom of God to us. God prepares a sumptuous banquet, like any parent would prepare for their child who is getting married. But the day comes and what happens? Oh, so many other things appear to be more important. Just like the Israelites in the desert worshipping the golden calf, we find so many other things pulling at us. This wonderful, loving banquet seems unimportant. We don’t want to go to the feast. Sometimes, we even kill those who bring the invitation to us.
And God wants people at the banquet. God invites all people. The banquet is open to everyone! God’s feast is available to everyone, not just a few. God’s feast is available to everyone who will come to partake of it.
Yet, you cannot come lightly or thoughtlessly, like the man who showed up disrespectfully without a wedding robe. You cannot expect to slip in, eat some food and dash out! Stepping into the banquet hall requires responsibility and accountability. Stepping into the feast God has prepared for us means we acknowledge our host, we respect our host, and we do the right thing by our host.
We join the banquet community. We do our best to live as God has asked us to do and as Jesus showed us and as the Holy Spirit continues to speak to us. We do our best to put aside the golden calves in our lives and remember the giver of the feast.
God is delighted to prepare the banquet of life in Christ for us. God is delighted for us to know how much we are loved. God is delighted to show us how to live in ways that serve each other, reject evil, worship God in community, and strive for justice and peace and respect the dignity of every human being.
We must first accept the invitation, then we must show up, and finally, we must come prepared.
Amen
This Sunday (October 12) at St. John’s
Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7
This past week, the clergy of the Diocese were together with Bishop Hahn at the Cathedral Domain. On Tuesday evening, five members of Al-anon came to talk to us about this important 12-step program. Al-anon is for anyone whose life is being affected by alcoholism or another addiction. Those in Al-anon are worriers and their worry pushes them to believe they can control and somehow cure the action and behavior of the addict. The members told us they were crazier than the person with the addiction! They had to learn that, “they didn’t cause it, they couldn’t cure it and they couldn’t control it! Letting go and not worrying is so difficult.
Yet, Paul tells us that when we worry, we need to pray, earnestly and humbly. We need to pray with thanksgiving. We need to let God know our requests. We need to speak to God about our worry. Now, Paul doesn’t say what we request will be granted, necessarily. Paul says, however, that we will find peace, a peace that in many ways we cannot understand. It is that peace, which we need in this worrisome world.
Blessings as you finish your week!
Love, Rebecca+
A Stewardship Prayer
My church is composed of people like me. I help make it what it is. It will be friendly, if I am. Its pews will be filled, if I help fill them. It will do great work, if I work. It will make generous gifts to many causes, if I am a generous giver. It will bring other people into its worship and fellowship, if I invite and bring them. It will be a church of loyalty and love, of fearlessness and faith, and a church with a noble spirit, if I, who make it what it is, am filled with these same things. Therefore, with the help of God, I shall dedicate myself to the task of being all the things that I want my church to be.
Amen (source: Archdiocese of Rochester)
Stewardship: Please prayerfully consider the gifts God has given you that you will give back to St. John’s for Christ’s ministry and mission during 2015. Pledge cards should be returned by October 26 to prepare for our November 16 Annual Meeting and adoption of the 2015 budget.
Rebecca’s Schedule: Rebecca will be at St. Agnes’ House, Monday through Thursday. Her Sabbath Day will be Friday, October 17. You can get a message to her by calling the
Adult Forum: The Adult Forum meets each Sunday at 10:00 am in the Parish Hall. Through November 2, the topic will be Living with Money. On October 19, the Bishop will be meeting with the group.
Sunday School – Godly Play: The Godly Play program is for children is offered each Sunday morning at 10:00 am. All children are invited to participate in this special form of spiritual development.
Pot Luck Sunday: Next Sunday, October 19, 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 has shifted in October and November. Pot Luck will be October 19, when the Bishop visits; and November 16, when we have our Annual Meeting.
Daughters of the King meets the third Wednesday of each month at 4:30pm. The next meeting is October 15. If you have special prayer requests or would like to join this prayer ministry, please contact Shelia Phillips.
All Saints Sunday, November 2. We observe All Saints Day and will read the names of those saints close to us who have died. To have the name of your loved one read at the service, please place it in the offering plate or leave a message on the church phone or email webmaster@stjohnscorbin.org by October 26
Belk Charity Sales Day: The annual Belk Charity Sales day will be Saturday, November 8, 6-10am. Members of St. John’s are selling tickets for $5.00 for this special event. The church keeps the $5.00 and for each ticket you receive $5.00 off an item. If you can help, please contact June.
The Diocesan Budget Committee will be at St. John’s on Wednesday, November 5, 7-8:30pm to talk about the 2015 Diocesan Budget. Come meet the Committee, ask questions and learn where our collective dollars go.
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.
Kroger Rewards: St. John’s is now registered with the Kroger Community Rewards Program. Please register your Kroger card at http://krogercommunityrewards.com .
(Instructions)
- Be sure to have your Kroger Plus card handy and register your card with your organization after you sign up.
- If a member does not yet have a Kroger Plus card, please let them know that they are available at the customer service desk at any Kroger.
- Click on Sign In/Register
- Most participants are new online customers, so they must click on SIGN UP TODAY in the ‘New Customer?’ box.
- Sign up for a Kroger Rewards Account by entering zip code, clicking on favorite store, entering your email address and creating a password, agreeing to the terms and conditions
- You will then get a message to check your email inbox and click on the link within the body of the email.
- Click on My Account and use your email address and password to proceed to the next step.
- Click on Edit Kroger Community Rewards information and input your Kroger Plus card number.
- Update or confirm your information.
- Enter NPO number (47782) or name of organization, select organization from list and click on confirm.
- To verify you are enrolled correctly, you will see your organization’s name on the right side of your information page.
- REMEMBER, purchases will not count for your group until after your member(s) register their card(s).
- Do you use your phone number at the register? Call 800-576-4377, select option 4 to get your Kroger Plus card number.
- Members must swipe their registered Kroger Plus card or use the phone number that is related to their registered Kroger Plus card when shopping for each purchase to count.
Furnace Needed: The furnace located in the sacristy, which heats part of the parish hall and hallways must be replaced prior to this winter. The new furnace will cost $2,250. The new furnace will be more energy efficient and lower the electric bill. Two more furnaces will need to be replaced over the next two years: one that heats the parish hall and one that heats the rectory. Donations for the furnace can be put in the box on the corner shelves in the parish hall.
Flowers for the altar: Donations for flowers for the altar are accepted for any Sunday of the year. Please place your donation in the envelope, marking whether they are in honor of or in memory of someone.
Hymn Selection Group If you’d like to choose hymns for services, join this group. You will choose hymns for an upcoming service and then meet with the entire group to confirm the final selections. See Billy Hibbitts if you are interested.
Would you like to write Prayers of the People? If you are interested in writing these prayers (there are resources that can help with this task), please let Rebecca know by phone or email priest-in-charge@stjohnscorbin.org.
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 fall.
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.
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.
God’s Productive Tenants (Sermon) October 5, 2014
Sermon – October 5, 2014
The Rev. Rebecca S. Myers, CSW
St. John’s Episcopal Church, Corbin, KY
Seventeenth Sunday After Pentecost (Proper 22) Track 1
When the harvest time had come, he sent his slaves to the tenants to collect his produce. Matthew 21:34
Please be seated.
We are doing a number of things today. It is stewardship Sunday when we focus on what of God’s we return to God. And we are remembering St. Francis, whose commemoration was yesterday, with having our pets here with us this morning and blessing them after the service.
I’m more of a cat person than anything. Since the day I was born, cats have lived with me off and on. Sometimes it’s one cat and sometimes it’s as many as three cats. Many of my cats have come to me, chosen me. Seems they are messengers from God, really.
For instance, in late 1980, I was going through a tough time. I was a single mom, barely able to make ends meet. At Christmas, though, I held my traditional open house. At some point in the evening, someone opened the door and in walked a beautiful tiger cat! Just walked in, mind you! Later the next summer when we moved to Ithaca so I could go to college fulltime, he came with us and used to sit on my books while I was studying. My two young children and I needed his love, antics and companionship.
So many stories I could tell of the cats who have just walked in to my life and just shown up as loving companions along the way. I’m sure you have many of your own.
We’ve talked before about what it means to be a steward: being a steward is the careful and responsible management of something entrusted to one’s care…. It is the careful and responsible management of something entrusted to one’s care.
When we have pets, we must be good stewards. Pets rely upon us to care for them. We feed them well. We do what we can to keep them safe from harm. We do what we can to give them a good home. When they’re sick, we do what we can to help them get well. When we can’t do these things, we find them good homes with someone else. We feel so strongly about this as a society, that we have laws about what it means to be good stewards to the animals in our care. We are appalled by cruelty to animals. We “get” what being a good steward of God’s creation means through caring for our pets.
And today, we are being asked to consider what it means to be good stewards to God’s church, the church of God’s son, Jesus Christ. Most specifically, we are being asked to consider what it means to be a good steward of St. John’s Episcopal Church.
God tells us through Jesus’ parable. God provided a vineyard…a carefully built vineyard. It had everything – a fence to keep animals out; a wine press so the harvest could be preserved; and a watchtower, because the workers would live in the vineyard during the harvest and the watchtower provided safety. The workers provided the labor to ensure, as much as possible, that there would be a good harvest. Of course, they couldn’t control the weather, but they could otherwise tend to the grape crop.
Similarly, God has given us all of the basic things we need to be The Episcopal Church in this region of Kentucky. We are charged with providing careful and responsible management of the basics God has given us, so that God’s mission with God’s people can be realized. And for those of you who just finished confirmation class, you know that this mission of the church is to “restore all people to unity with God and each other in Christ.” (BCP, pg 855)
And according to our catechism, the church pursues our mission, “as it prays and worships, proclaims the Gospel, and promotes justice, peace, and love.” (BCP, pg 855) Now, we probably need to have regular conversations about what we truly need to be the church. What do we add to the fence, the watchtower, and the winepress that God has provided?
But for today, let’s assume that we agree that to pursue our mission, that to restore all people to unity with God and each other in Christ, that we need a facility, a park, items for worship and for spiritual growth, resources for outreach and a priest. Those are the elements necessary to being the church…to restoring all people to unity with God and each other in Christ…to pray, worship, proclaim the Gospel, and promote justice, peace, and love.
God has given us everything we need. God asks only that we do the labor and produce a good harvest. God asks us to be good stewards…to be careful and responsible managers of what’s been entrusted to us.
We know what this means with our pets, yet become squeamish when it comes to talking about what it means for the church, what it means for St. John’s. And that’s the question put to us in today’s parable. When God sends God’s workers to collect the harvest, what will be our response? Will we kill the workers and even God’s Son, so we can steal what is rightfully the landowner’s…what is rightfully God’s? Or will we do our part to care for the vineyard…to provide the resources necessary for a good harvest? Will God need to find new tenants for God’s vineyard known as St. John’s Episcopal Church?
Amen
This Sunday (October 5) at St. John’s
The heavens declare the glory of God, *
and the firmament shows his handiwork. Psalm 19:1
Every time I read this Psalm, I immediately flash to high school choir at Mechanicsburg High School with choir director Mr. Stewart. I loved Mr. Stewart, how he taught music, how he taught those of us in choir. He challenged us. So much of the way I sing is because Mr. Stewart is in my head, clapping his hands to stop us or to start us up in rehearsal. As an adult, I felt so blessed that Mr. Stewart joined the church I’d grown up in. So even then I saw him and benefitted from him.
One of the pieces Mr. Stewart taught our choir was Haydn’s The Heavens Are Telling from Haydn’s Creation. The piece is rousing glorious and really fun to sing. So, this Sunday if I break into song during the Psalm, please forgive me. I’m remembering with joy Mr. Stewart, now singing (or directing) a heavenly choir.
Creation and Stewardship and Blessing of Animals
Yes, it’s the time of year we remember creation as the seasons change and the traditional harvest season comes to an end. We remember all of creation and this Sunday, we especially remember our pets. Bring your pet to church (we’ll be having our service in the amphitheater) and both of you will be blessed! We’ll also start our Stewardship campaign for the 2015 year. In thanks for all of God’s creation, including our very selves, we prayerfully consider what of God’s we will return for the work of the church. Pledge cards should be returned by October 26, to prepare for our November 16 Annual Meeting.
News & Notes
Rebecca’s Schedule: Rebecca will be at the Diocesan Clergy Conference October 6-8 and at St. John’s on Thursday, October 9. Her Sabbath Day will be Friday October 10. You can get a message to her by calling the church office at 606-528-1659 or priest-in-charge@stjohnscorbin.org.
Adult Forum: The Adult Forum will help set up the amphitheater for church this Sunday. Beginning October 12, we will discuss various aspects being good stewards.
Sunday School – Godly Play: The Godly Play program is for children is offered each Sunday morning at 10:00 am . All children are invited to participate in this special form of spiritual development.
Godly Play Teachers needed. Godly Play teachers are needed. Training is provided. This is a wonderful program of spiritual development for children and we’d like to keep it going in the parish. Please let Rebecca know if you are willing to be trained and serve as a teacher for a period of approximately 1 month.
Belk Charity Sales Day: The annual Belk Charity Sales day will be Saturday, November 8, 6-10am. Members of St. John’s are selling tickets for $5.00 for this special event. The church keeps the $5.00 and for each ticket you receive $5.00 off an item.
We will be having an initial gathering of those interested in the Brotherhood of St. Andrew on October 5 after the Sunday service. To learn more, speak to Bruce Cory. You can also learn more from http://www.brotherhoodofstandrew.org/about.php
Furnace Needed: The furnace located in the sacristy, which heats part of the social hall and hallways must be replaced prior to this winter. Cost is $2,250 for a furnace that will also be more energy efficient. We’ll also need to replace two more furnaces over the next two years: one that heats the parish hall and one that heats the rectory. Donations for the furnace can be put in the boxes back on the shelves in the parish hall.
Bring your pets to church to be blessed on Sunday, October 5. We will have a service outdoors in our park (or in the amphitheater). Pets should be leashed and/or in carriers.
The Grow Appalachia Committee will meet after church on Sunday, October 5, to distribute flyers for the October 8 community meeting. The Community meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, October 8, 7:00pm in the parish hall. All are invited.
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.
St. John’s is now registered with the Kroger Community Rewards Program. Please register your Kroger card at http://krogercommunityrewards.com .
- Be sure to have your Kroger Plus card handy and register your card with your organization after you sign up.
- If a member does not yet have a Kroger Plus card, please let them know that they are available at the customer service desk at any Kroger.
- Click on Sign In/Register
- Most participants are new online customers, so they must click on SIGN UP TODAY in the ‘New Customer?’ box.
- Sign up for a Kroger Rewards Account by entering zip code, clicking on favorite store, entering your email address and creating a password, agreeing to the terms and conditions
- You will then get a message to check your email inbox and click on the link within the body of the email.
- Click on My Account and use your email address and password to proceed to the next step.
- Click on Edit Kroger Community Rewards information and input your Kroger Plus card number.
- Update or confirm your information.
- Enter NPO number (47782) or name of organization, select organization from list and click on confirm.
- To verify you are enrolled correctly, you will see your organization’s name on the right side of your information page.
- REMEMBER, purchases will not count for your group until after your member(s) register their card(s).
- Do you use your phone number at the register? Call 800-576-4377, select option 4 to get your Kroger Plus card number.
- Members must swipe their registered Kroger Plus card or use the phone number that is related to their registered Kroger Plus card when shopping for each purchase to count.
Matching Intentions with Actions (Sermon) September 28, 2014
Sermon – September 28, 2014
The Rev. Rebecca S. Myers, CSW
St. John’s Episcopal Church, Corbin, KY
Sixteenth Sunday After Pentecost (Proper 21) Track 1
“Which of the two did the will of his father?” They said, “The first.” Matthew 21:31
Please be seated.
As I was thinking about Latino/Latina Heritage month, I was remembering my friend Maria. She was a NewYoRican, having lived some of her life in Puerto Rico, but much of her life in New York City.
By the time I met Maria, she had relocated to Harrisburg, and she had been in recovery from drug addiction for many years. She was a counselor in an outpatient treatment clinic and a mom, raising a daughter the same age as my daughter. She was very active in the community, advocating for justice. And she was a patient and loving teacher and a wonderful trainer.
I first got to know Maria through an informal group that organized to address racism in the Harrisburg area. Throughout her life, we continued that work in many places and in many ways. And we also became very good friends, having children who grew up together, going camping, taking trips, going to dinner and the movies.
When I was living in North Carolina, Maria and her two grandsons came to visit for a weekend. When Maria got to my house, she realized she’d forgotten her suitcase! Well, there was a GoodWill store within walking distance of where I lived. Maria bought a whole wardrobe for the weekend, jewelry, belt and shoes included, plus a toy for each of her grandsons, for about $20! She was classy in her style of dress and loved bargains.
Maria taught me so many things, including the fact that good intentions don’t let you off the hook for your actions. She’d say, if you put your foot on my neck (an action), do you expect me to thank you when you lift it off just a little (good intentions.)? In other words, even if you intended for good, the results of your actions were the key.
That’s what we hear in our Gospel today, isn’t it? Jesus tells a parable about intentions and actions. The first son did not intend to follow his father’s request, but then acted in compliance with the request; whereas, the second son intended to follow his father’s request, but his actions proved otherwise.
How many times are we like the second son? We refuse to take the actions we know are best or right or Christian, yet when the consequences of our inaction occur and people are hurt, we bargain for credit or even total pardon, because our intentions were good or honorable. Today Jesus says, “The Road to Hell is Paved with Good Intentions.”
Because, there are consequences when our intentions do not lead us to action. The father experienced consequences in the vineyard. Not as much work was able to be done that day. Maybe he was out finding others to labor in the vineyard or figuring out how to live on the reduced harvest. What would you say to the son who intended to go out and work and then did not? The father would find it hard to trust this son. Yes, there were definitely consequences when the intentions did not match action.
The scribes and elders intended to be faithful, to follow God, serve God, worship God… to do God’s Will, but Jesus lets them know their actions do not follow their intentions. That the actions of the outcasts, prostitutes, tax collectors, people usually not deemed to want to follow God, serve God and worship God, nonetheless acted in ways that were faithful to God’s will.
Christ is calling us to match our intentions with our action…to love our neighbor as ourselves; to not be so attached to our property; to work for justice and fairness; to be good stewards of all God has given us. We intend to and we fall short.
So today, we also hear Paul exhort, “… work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” (Philippians 2:12). We intend to work out our own salvation, knowing that following Jesus saves us and we are imperfect in our actions. That is why we are humble…why we do so with fear and trembling. Not because we are afraid God will punish us, but because we know we must be vigilant in our efforts to match intention with action, because we know how often we will fail.
Even though Maria eventually moved to Rhode Island, and I moved to DC, we stayed in touch. She called me one December, about 2007, I think, and left a message on my phone. Now I can’t remember whether I called her back to not, but I kept that message on my phone, just to hear the sound of her voice. A couple of months later, I received the news that Maria had advanced cancer. She died within a couple of weeks. I kept that message on my phone for years.
You see, Maria taught me about the strength of community. She taught me how we work our our own salvation, acting with great humility, with the fear and trembling Paul talks about. She taught me how important it is that intentions match action. She taught me that my good intentions did not and could not let me off the hook for the consequences of the actions I took or failed to take. I couldn’t bear to know her voice was no longer in the world. I felt I had so much more to learn.
So, we come together in the community of St. John’s today. We are in the same boat and it’s easier to share with others who are also doing their best. It’s easier when we pray together for and receive forgiveness. It’s easier when we break bread and drink the cup of wine together. We can begin again. Together, we work out our salvation and do the will of the father.
Amen