This Sunday (July 13) at St. John’s

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Thus Esau despised his birthright.  Genesis 25:34

I’ve talked before about my grandmother being raised by a stepmother, who we called Cia.  Every afternoon, Cia made the girls in the family crochet with the small hooks and white crochet thread.  They made doilies and fine crochet work.  My grandmother’s sister, Mary, told me she would kick the thread under the couch because she hated to crochet.  My grandmother stuck with it and I have many beautiful things she made, including an amazing bedspread with a bird pattern on it.

My grandmother said it wasn’t always easy growing up with their stepmother.  About her brother and sisters’ behavior towards their stepmother, she said, “Our heads were little.  We didn’t understand.”

And Esau does not understand about his birthright.  He despises it and hold it of little value.  He sells it for a bowl of stew.  How many times in life do we take something or someone for granted?  How many times do we cast something aside of great value, because in the moment, it appears something else is more important?

My grandmother and her siblings took care of Cia throughout her life.  While times were rough early on, they eventually understood how fortunate they were to have their stepmother in their lives.

Blessings as you finish your week!

Love, Rebecca+

My grandmother's stepmother made her crochet every afternoon. My grandmother made this bedspread prior to getting married!

My grandmother’s stepmother made her crochet every afternoon. My grandmother made this bedspread prior to getting married!

 

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Rebecca’s Schedule: Next week, I will be in Corbin on Thursday, July 17, and my Sabbath day will be Friday, July 18.  You can get a message to me by calling the church office at 606-528-1659 or priest-in-charge@stjohnscorbin.org.

Adult Forum: This summer and early fall, we will discuss a portion of the Gospel of Matthew.   We will follow our Gospel lectionary, discussing the following week’s Gospel.  This week, we’ll discuss Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43.  Next week, we’ll discuss Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52.

KCEOC Lunch Program:  The KCEOC Summer Youth Lunch Program is distributing lunch Monday through Friday, 11:20-11:35am in our parking lot.  Youth 18 and under are eligible for this free lunch.  Youth are enjoying sitting in our park eating their lunch.  Monday through Thursday is a cold lunch of sandwich, fruit or vegetable, juice, and milk.  Friday is a hot lunch.  Please continue to get the word out.

Corbin Alumni Concert: The Corbin Alumni Band will be performing in the park on Saturday, July 12th.  Bring a lawn chair and join us for an evening of fellowship and music.

Gospel Jamboree 7th Birthday and Pig Roast:  Saturday, July 19, in the park 3pm – 9pm.  Come enjoy the music and the food!

DOK: Daughters of the King:meets the third Wednesday of each month at 4:30pm.  The next meeting is July 16.  Anne Day Davis will conclude her presentation on oils of the Bible

Diocese of Lexington Stewardship event: “Life as a Steward” is the theme of a daylong event designed to assist parish leaders enhance our ministry of stewardship. National stewardship leaders Keith Stroud of the Diocese of Virginia and Gene Musser of Kirby Smith Associates will be our guest leaders, and will guide us in presentations of theology of stewardship as well as practical aids for your parish stewardship program. This event will take place Saturday, August 2, from 9am to 3 pm at Ascension Frankfort.  For more information, including a flyer and registration form, click on the highlighted title of this paragraph.

Grow Appalachia:  The Vestry voted to move ahead with this project.  As we continue to work on this project, let the members of Vestry know your questions.  Their website is http://www.berea.edu/grow-appalachia/

Serving Our Neighbors – See baskets in the parlor.

  • Everlasting Arm, 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.

 

The Yoke of Jesus (Sermon) July 6, 2014

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Sermon – July 6, 2014

The Rev. Rebecca S. Myers, CSW

St. John’s Episcopal Church, Corbin, KY

Fourth Sunday After Pentecost (Proper 9) Track 1

“Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”  Matthew 11:29-30

For the past couple of weeks, I have begun volunteering at the Woodsongs Old Time Radio Hour in Lexington.  This radio, TV, and internet show is usually taped in Lexington at the Lyric Theater, 44 weeks out of the year, usually on Monday evening before a live audience.  The diversity of entertainers who are on the show is interesting.  They usually find it easy to stop in Lexington on their way to somewhere else like Nashville or Chicago or New York.  The show is unique in that the guests perform their work and also talk about their craft.  In addition, the show relies heavily upon volunteers to set up, staff and tear down the stage.

I’m still learning, but right now, I arrive at 4pm on a Monday afternoon and put lightbulbs in the floor lights or set up for dinner or do various errands.  Usually once the show begins, I can sit down and enjoy it.  It is the tear down at the end of the show that requires many people.

There is the sign to take down and store, the floor lights to dismantle, unplug, and stack.  The various instrument stands and amps to put away.  And the cords to wrap….  You see, there is a special way to coil the various cords so they don’t get tangled and so that they easily uncoil to be used for the next show.  If you do it right, you can fling the cable out and it will not be tangled at all.

And of course, the more people who are there, the shorter time it takes to do the work.  The work is spread among many people.

At the end of our Gospel today, Jesus encourages his followers to put on his yoke.  Now a yoke is something used with various animals – water buffalo, oxen – animals who help with work.  A yoke is important for a variety of reasons, so Jesus’ plea to his listeners has much to impart to us.

 

  1.  A yoke provides guidance and direction, letting the animals know which way to go and where to go next.  We all need God’s guidance in our lives.  Jesus’ teaching and example and the Holy Spirit are the yokes in our lives, telling us where to go next.
  2. A yoke provides training.  Yokes can be used to train the animals how best to work.  Throughout our lives, we need teaching and training about the work God is calling us to do and the best way to live the Christian life.
  3. A yoke allows animals to work together.  Most of us are familiar with seeing a pair of oxen yoked together.  The yokes prevent the oxen from fighting with each other, and allow the oxen to pull and to work together.  Jesus tells us our burdens will be lighter if we take on His yoke.  One of the reasons is that we can share our burden with each other in Christian fellowship.
  4. A yoke allows the animals to do more work and move heavier loads.  By its very design, the yoke makes it easier for the animals to work.  And isn’t that true with the yoke of Jesus?  Jesus’ teaching and example…Jesus’ love…Jesus’ meal, all make our loads lighter.

When I think about tearing down the Woodsong’s stage all by myself, I feel overwhelmed.  First of all, I don’t know how I’d get that sign put away! My burden would be heavy. It would take many hours.  With so many of us, though, the burden is spread. I’m excited to help…happy to help…feel satisfied when everything is put away.

And that’s how it is with Jesus’ yoke.  When we carry our burdens alone, we feel overwhelmed, even paralyzed, weighed down and heavy.  We may think, (and how many of us have done this) that we must bear our burdens alone.  Or we want to be in total control, so we rely only upon ourselves.  We don’t want anyone telling us what to do!  We don’t want anyone else to know what’s going on with us!  We believe to be grown up and mature, we need to do it ourselves.  We are afraid God will demand too much from us.  So we refuse the yoke.  We refuse the guidance.  We refuse the teaching.  We refuse to spread the burden around to make it easier to bear.

Jesus reaches out, encouraging us to put on his yoke.  “Don’t be afraid,” he says.  “I am gentle and humble,” he says.  And here is the most blessed promise, “…and you will find rest for your souls.”

Amen

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This Sunday (July 6) at St. John’s

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 And they blessed Rebekah and said to her, “May you, our sister, become thousands of myriads; may your offspring gain possession of the gates of their foes.”  Genesis 24:60

Of course I have always listened to these stories about Rebecca since I was named after her.  In my 2012 pilgrimage to the Holy Land, I actually visited the site commemorated as Rebecca’s tomb.  This site is revered by Muslims and Christians.  Rebecca’s tomb is inside a mosque and women must totally cover themselves up.  I had to wear a brown sheet-like garment over my clothing.

Me covered up and with an odd look at Rebecca's tomb in the Mosque at Hebron.

Me covered up and with an odd look at Rebecca’s tomb in the Mosque at Hebron.

Just last week, we read about Abraham nearly sacrificing Isaac. This week Isaac is grown and needs a wife. He finds one in Rebecca. As Rebecca leaves her family, they bless her.

Isn’t that what we all want from our friends and family…their blessing? We hope the choices we make meet with our family’s blessing and love. It’s a wonderful and joyous gift…one that doesn’t always happen. But one thing is sure, God’s blessing is always available to us!

Blessings to you as you finish your week!

Love, Rebecca+

Bulletin 7-6-2014

Happy 4th of July!

On this 4th of July, take time to read some important documents.  Read the Declaration of Independence or the 4th of July speech of Frederick Douglass, challenging the empty rhetoric of the promises in the founding documents of the United States.  Read the Iroquois Confederacy document, written in the 15th century, which influenced the writers of the Declaration and the Constitution.  Think of our life in Christ and whether these founding documents further the Kingdom of God or not.

Rebecca’s Schedule: Next week, Rebecca will be in Corbin on Thursday, July 10, and her Sabbath day will be Friday, July 11.  You can get a message to me by calling the church office at 606-528-1659 or priest-in-charge@stjohnscorbin.org.

Happy 50th Anniversary to Jerry and Barbara Hollifield, July 3.   Jerry and Barbara were married at St. John’s Church.  Flowers have been sent from the church and a card will be available to sign at the Sunday service.

Eucharist at Christian Care Communities: Join Rebecca this Sunday afternoon as she celebrates Eucharist at Christian Care Communities.  Elmer Parlier will be playing guitar.  The service is 30-45 minutes and the residents would appreciate your attendance.

Adult Forum: This summer and early fall, we will discuss a portion of the Gospel of Matthew.   We will follow our Gospel lectionary, discussing the following week’s Gospel – Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23.

KCEOC Lunch Program:  The KCEOC Summer Youth Lunch Program is distributing lunch Monday through Friday, 11:20-11:35am in our parking lot.  Youth 18 and under are eligible for this free lunch.  Youth are enjoying sitting in our park eating their lunch.  Monday through Thursday is a cold lunch of sandwich, fruit or vegetable, juice, and milk.  Friday is a hot lunch.  Please continue to get the word out.

Corbin Alumni Concert: The Corbin Alumni Band will be performing in the park on Saturday, July 12th.  Bring a lawn chair and join us for an evening of fellowship and music

DOK: Daughters of the King:meets the third Wednesday of each month at 4:30pm.  The next meeting is July 16.  Anne Day Davis will conclude her presentation on oils of the Bible

Grow Appalachia:  The Vestry voted to move ahead with this project.  As we continue to work on this project, let the members of Vestry know your questions.  Their website ishttp://www.berea.edu/grow-appalachia/

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.

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.

 

 

Welcoming Jesus (Sermon) June 29, 2014

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Sermon – June 29, 2014
The Rev. Rebecca S. Myers, CSW
St. John’s Episcopal Church, Corbin, KY
Celebration of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Pride Month
Third Sunday After Pentecost (Track 1)

Jesus said, “Whoever welcomes you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me.” Matthew 10:40

Please be seated.

“How was your weekend?,” is a common question on a Monday morning in many workplaces. Usually we give a nondescript answer of , “It was fine,” but with some friends, we may go further.  “It was great, because I saw my family.”  “It was wonderful, because I just relaxed.”  “I got a lot done in the garden and it’s looking really nice.”  “Well, cleaning wasn’t all that fun, but at least the house looks better.”  The question seems innocuous and friendly; a good way to get into the week.

But for some, that question is scary.  For people who are Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender, they have to think about this and many other seemingly simple questions.  They must carefully pick their words.  In some places of work, they could be fired because of their sexual orientation.  Even when protected in their place of work, co-workers can shun them or put them down because they are LGBT.

Many of us hug when we say good-bye, especially when we are catching a train or a plane.  We give each other hearty hugs upon returning home.  You see it at transportation terminals all of the time, yet LGBT people must be very careful about this.  Is it okay to walk down the street holding hands?

And what about church?  So many religious groups reject people who are LGBT, even telling them they can change or easily deny themselves.  That being LGBT is not inherent to who they are, but an aberration of humanity.  And so some start on a life of hiding, trying to be something they are not.  Loving God, loving Jesus deeply and profoundly, sometimes called to religious service, they suffer.

Even when embracing who they are, coming to see themselves fully as loved and created by God, they can’t be sure that the faith community of their choice will welcome them.  In a church I belonged to, it appeared that LGBT people and couples were accepted, but when one couple wanted their photo for the church directory to portray them together as a couple, there was protest.  One of the men said, he never knew how much he could say about his life to others in the church, especially the young people, because he wasn’t sure the young person’s parent approved of him.

All of that hiding takes its toll.  The suicide rate for youth who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning is much higher than the norm.  People who are Lesbian and Gay form heterosexual marriages, hoping they might change…marriages that, while the two people truly love each other, often end in disaster.  People who are transgender find it difficult to get the medical care they need and the support needed to effectively transition.

While things are much better than they were even ten years ago, we continue to live in a society and a country that is unwelcoming and inhospitable to people who are LGBT.  For instance, I did not put in the newspaper that we were having this service.  I asked some of our members who are LGBT about whether to do this, because I don’t live as a person who is LGBT, so I can’t say totally what the dangers are here in this community or this region.  Ultimately, it seemed best to keep it quiet, but maybe I was wrong.

I informed Everlasting Arms of our service today, because I knew their faith understanding is different from ours.  You see, they are not here.  I thought of so many stories to tell you, but realized telling them would embarrass or make things difficult for some people.  I censored myself and what I am saying today. All of these little things are so painful.  As someone who is heterosexual, and fully understanding how heterosexism has been oppressive to people who are LGBT, I am sorry.  I hope I and I hope we at St. John’s can do better and lessen and stop the suffering.

Desmond Tutu says the most evil thing you can do is make a person think they are not a child of God.  Forcing people who are LGBT to hide tells them there is something wrong with the way they were created.

Jesus says, whoever welcomes the stranger, welcomes me.  There are no “buts.”  There are no qualifiers.  The passage doesn’t say, “Welcome the stranger, but only if….”

No, Jesus welcomed all and we are challenged to do the same.

In doing so, we truly are challenged.  As we talked about when we read the book, Radical Welcome, when we truly welcome as Christ did, our lives will be changed and may be reordered.  How was it to come into the sanctuary today with the rainbow paraments on the altar and the candles?  Being welcoming does not mean staying in control; it means being in partnership with those welcomed, creating something new in the process.  It means listening and hearing what the person, who before this time has been considered “other,” finds welcoming and hospitable.  It means trying to find a way for all of us to feel welcome.  It requires a new way to live together.

When we can truly welcome one another…when we can truly be hospitable, we bring the Kingdom of God right here and right now.

Amen

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What are you making for pot luck tomorrow (June 29)?

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What are you making for pot luck tomorrow?  I made a family summer favorite – ham with green beans and potatoes and spice cake with raisins cupcakes with cream cheese frosting.  See you tomorrow morning!

This is a summer dish, because you use fresh green beans and new potatoes.

This is a summer dish, because you use fresh green beans and new potatoes.

I found this spice cake recipe and have been wanting to make it. It has raisins in it, too.

I found this spice cake recipe and have been wanting to make it. It has raisins in it, too.

KCEOC Summer Lunch Program for Youth

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Kentucky Community Economic Opportunity Commission (KCEOC) is distributing lunch Monday through Friday from 11:25-11:40am, at St. John’s Community Park.  Youth ages 18 and under are served.  Monday through Thursday, a cold lunch of sandwich, fruit, chocolate milk and juice is served.  Friday is a hot lunch choice.  No registration; just show up!

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This Sunday (June 29) at St. John’s

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How long, O LORD?
will you forget me for ever? *
how long will you hide your face from me? Psalm 13:1

The Psalms are wonderful because they express the range of human emotions, especially in our faith life.  In addition, they are old…over 2,000 years old.  They are ancient writings, yet still so accessible to us today…so universally understood.

Do you have those days or times in your life when God seems absent?  The times when you just can’t seem to find God?  They are tough times, aren’t they?  And they can seem to go on forever.  What do we do?

Well, even when your faith is low, remember there is a community praying for you and thinking of you.  Rely on the church community.  Others’ faith can carry you through.  Also, keep doing those things you have been taught good Christians do.  Continue to follow Jesus’ teaching.  Continue to pray however you can.  Continue to be with the community of Christ.

The end of the Psalm contains words of hope.  Even in our despair.  Even when we feel God has abandoned us, we keep acting in faith on the promises of God’s love.

Blessings as you finish your week!

Love, Rebecca+

Bulletin 06-29-2014

Rebecca’s Schedule: Next week, I will be in Corbin on Thursday, July 3, and my Sabbath day will be Saturday, July 5.  You can get a message to me by calling the church office at 606-528-1659 or priest-in-charge@stjohnscorbin.org.

This Sunday we commemorate Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Pride Month: The altar frontal and candles are in the rainbow colors of LGBT pride – red, orange, yellow, green, blue and violet.  June is Pride month.  The month was chosen because of the June 28, 1969 historic Stonewall uprising in New York City.  Our liturgy today reminds us of the diversity within our Episcopal Church.

The parking lot was sealed and repainted last week.  Did you notice?  Thanks to Donna Goff for paying for this to be done and to Michael Goff who did the work!

Thanks to everyone who assisted with Wednesdays in the Park, especially hot dog griller, Elmer Parlier!  We had a variety of programs thanks to Knox County Extension, Doug Thelen, and Ken Phillips.

Lunch for kids this summer.  The church park is a feeding site for KCEOC’s summer child lunch program.  A truck distributes lunch from 11:20-11:35am, Monday through Friday to children 18 and under.  Thanks to all of the church members who distributed door flyers last Sunday and to Anne Day Davis for creating and printing them.  We’ve had 4-5 young people each day our first week.  Continue to get the word out.  KCEOC would like 10-15 children each day.

Pot Luck Sunday: This Sunday is our monthly pot luck.  All are welcome.  Stay and enjoy the food and fellowship.

Adult Forum: This summer and early fall, we will discuss a portion of the Gospel of Matthew.   We will follow our Gospel lectionary, discussing the following week’s Gospel – Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30.

United Thank Offering (UTO): is a ministry of the Episcopal Church for the mission of the whole church. Our ingathering of your UTO offerings will be today.  The UTO Boxes will be gathered and brought forward with the offering.

Grow Appalachia:  The Vestry voted to move ahead with this project.  As we continue to work on this project, let the members of Vestry know your questions.  Their website ishttp://www.berea.edu/grow-appalachia/

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.
  • KCEOC’s Women’s Emergency Shelter is in need of donated baby items, including baby clothing (sizes 6/9 months), diapers, wipes, bottles, etc.  Donations can be dropped off at KCEOC Community Action Partnership main office at Gray, KY.
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This Sunday (June 22) at St. John’s

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We know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be destroyed, and we might no longer be enslaved to sin. Romans 6:6

How many times have our old selves been crucified with Christ?  I believe this happens many times throughout our lives.  Our faith grows.  Our understanding deepens.  As we continue to pray, worship, live in community with each other, we hear God guiding us in new ways.

When I was twelve years old, I belonged to a wonderful church youth group.  We were on one of our semi-annual retreats.  I had been pleading to know Jesus…to really feel in my heart that God existed without a doubt.  We were having a service (it wasn’t Eucharist, because you had to be confirmed to receive communion at that time.)  We started saying the Lord’s Prayer and I knew without a doubt that God existed.  I’ve never forgotten that moment.  While my faith has waned at times, that experience has stayed with me and is the foundation of my old self being crucified with Christ.

And I know throughout my life, these old selves have been crucified with Christ.  I never thought I’d live in Kansas nor Washington, DC, nor New York City, nor Kentucky.  Many things I’ve experienced were not even on my “bucket list.”  God bids me say good-bye to my old selves, yet like most of us, I want to hold on to them.  “I like the path I’m on,” I plead with God.  And God tells me there’s so much more waiting for me if I can let go.

What old self are you clinging to?  What old self is God asking you to let go of?

Blessings as you finish your week!

Love, Rebecca+

This Sunday we welcome Tyler “TJ” Tetzlaff to the pulpit.  Tyler ‘TJ’ Tetzlaff received his Masters of Divinity at Episcopal Divinity School in May of 2012.  He has worked with several religious orders and a number of church communities throughout the Boston area.  TJ is exploring the process for ordination in the Diocese of Lexington.  He currently serves on the board for the Clark County Homeless Coalition and works for the Nonprofit “STRIDE” as a mentor to developmentally handicapped adults.  He lives in Winchester KY with his wife, Chana, who is Minister-In-Charge of Emmanuel Church. 

Rebecca’s Schedule

Next week, I will be in Corbin on Thursday, June 26, and my Sabbath day will be Friday, June 27.  You can get a message to me by calling the church office, 606-528-1649 or priest-in-charge@stjohnscorbin.org.

Adult Forum: This summer and early Fall, we will discussing a portion of the Gospel of Matthew.   We will follow our Gospel lectionary, discussing the following week’s Gospel. This Sunday, we will discuss Matthew 10:24-39.

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Month is June.  We will have a special service on Sunday, June 29.

 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.

Pot Luck Sunday:  Next Sunday, June 29, is our monthly pot luck.  Bring a dish or drink to share.  And all are welcome!  Plan to fellowship with each other.

Wednesdays in the Park.  Our Wednesdays in the park conclude this Wednesday, June 25.  We will play games with the children.

This Sunday (June 15) at St. John’s

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Greet one another with a holy kiss. 2 Cor. 13:12

Paul ends his second letter to the church in Corinth with this command.  The kiss Paul is referring to is intimate, but not in a romantic sense.  The church community was supposed to be intimate…sharing joys and struggles.  Sharing the true nature of each person, because of the freedom to be who they were, through the love and teachings of Jesus Christ.

The kiss of peace as it is known is where we get our “passing the peace” in our weekly service.  It is a sign of our intimacy as a parish.  It is a reminder, too, that if you cannot give a holy kiss to those around you, then you need to reconcile with your neighbor.  Ultimately that’s what our movement towards communion is.  The most intimate meal we share together.

Blessings as you finish your week.

Love, Rebecca+

My Schedule
I continue with my vacation through Saturday, June 21.  The Rev. Peter Helman, St. Mary’s Middlesboro is available for pastoral care.  He can be reached at 940-735-1235.

Morning Prayer will be the service this Sunday.  Bruce Cory will be the preacher.

Adult Forum: This Sunday, June 15, through early fall, we will discuss a portion of the Gospel of Matthew.   We will follow our Gospel lectionary, discussing the following week’s Gospel – Matthew 28:16-20

Wednesdays in the Park:  Join us each Wednesday through June 25 for hot dogs and fun.

Daughters of the King meets the third Wednesday of each month at 4:30pm. The next meeting
is June 18. Anne Day Davis will present on oils of the Bible.

June is Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Month. We will have a special service on
Sunday, June 29.

United Thank Offering (UTO): is a ministry of the Episcopal Church for the mission of the whole church. Our ingathering of your UTO offerings will be today.  The UTO Boxes will be gathered and brought forward with the offering.

Grow Appalachia:  The Vestry voted to move ahead with this project.  As we continue to work on this project, let the members of Vestry know your questions.  Their website is http://www.berea.edu/grow-appalachia/

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.

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.

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.

 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.
  • KCEOC’s Women’s Emergency Shelter is in need of donated baby items, including baby clothing (sizes 6/9 months), diapers, wipes, bottles, etc.  Donations can be dropped off at KCEOC Community Action Partnership main office at Gray, KY.

Being Sent (Sermon) June 8, 2014, Pentecost

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Sermon – June 8, 2014
The Rev. Rebecca S. Myers, CSW
St. John’s Episcopal Church, Corbin, KY
Pentecost

Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” John 20:20-22

Please be seated.

When I was in 8th grade, over 40 years ago, I had to write about myself for my health class.  When asked about my future, I said I wanted to be a social worker.  I’d read many biographies about the work of famous women.  While I loved Clara Barton and Florence Nightingale, it was Jane Addams’ work and the settlement houses she established that really caught my attention.  I said I wanted to be a social worker.

When I was 16, I was selected for a Girl Scout Wider Opportunity event in Chicago.  We lived on a college campus and each participant had a volunteer job for two weeks with a social service agency.  This was perfect for me.  A highlight was visiting Jane Addams’ Hull House.

So in high school while I still wanted to help people, I was also interested in politics.  Now, I was on the 10 year, parttime, kids and husbands college plan.  When I finally had the opportunity to go to college fulltime in 1981, I chose a human service major that combined family development and politics.

Early in the semester, in one of my classes, the professor had a social worker come speak to us.  I sat there, mesmerized.  “That’s what I want to be,” I nearly shouted.  I knew social work training would be excellent in politics and would be a flexible career.  I could do so many things and live nearly anywhere.  I immediately changed my major.  That call God had placed in my heart when I was 13 years old was revived in me and I answered it.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus’ followers are still locked up together.  The women have told them about Jesus’ resurrection, but they are still afraid of the Roman and religious authorities.  Then Jesus appears, creating great joy.  He calms them.  “Peace be with you,” he says.  Then he gives them a command to go out.  Unlock the doors, Jesus says.  God sent me, now I send you.  Now you must go out into the world.  Then Jesus breathed the Holy Spirit upon them.

Jesus promised they would not be abandoned.  Jesus promised an advocate would come.  Jesus promised a guiding companion.  We know something happened, because they did go out.  The gospels were written.  The story has survived the world’s history of nearly 2000 years.

We come on a Sunday morning.  We may come other times too, like Wednesday nights or weekdays when preparing for events.  Even if we’re not here, many of us feel a connection to this place…this parish of St. John’s Episcopal Church.  We know there are people here who care about us.  We know people are praying for us…thinking of us…wondering how we are.  We know we are seen and heard here in ways the world cannot see us nor hear us.  Things we say, do, believe, and guide us here, seem crazy in the world’s standards.

This place.  This St. John’s is our refuge.  A place where we can be close to God, reminded of our relationship with God, strengthened in God.  Just like those early followers, we are tempted to lock ourselves up in this room.  We, too, are afraid of what the outside world may do to us, say to us, challenge us with.

AND yet, every Sunday, Jesus comes.  Jesus comes in the bread and the wine.  Jesus breathes the Holy Spirit on us.  We are sent out.  “Go in peace to love and serve the Lord, Alleluia, Alleluia.  Thanks be to God, Alleluia, Alleluia.”  We must go out!

What is that work God is calling you to?  You, an unique human being.  Never before seen on this earth. Never to be seen again.  A special combination, physically mixing with all of your life experiences, creating you.   We in the world are waiting for you, because there is wisdom and there is truth and there is love that only you can bring to the world.  There is work that only you can do in the world…work to further God’s Kingdom.

As part of my seminary education, I spent a summer as a hospital chaplain at Roosevelt Hospital in Manhattan.  One of my floors was maternity.  That summer reinforced that every birth of a child is important to me.  I will most likely never see those children I blessed that summer.  However, their very being on the earth, changed the earth.  The energy they brought, their spirit, how they changed their parents and families, all ripples out through the world, changing it and changing us.

More immediately, on Thursday Aidan Wayne Love-Gray was born to Maura Love.  Maura is changed.  Laura and Herschel are grandparents and are changed.  And St. John’s is changed.  Even though little Aidan at this point is capable of so little – crying, sleeping, eating, and needing his diapers changed – he has done so much.

This Pentecost day…the birthday of the church…we rejoice in this community…this St. John’s.  We rejoice that the followers of Jesus, infused with the Holy Spirit left that locked room and with courage spread the Good News to any who would listen.

Now let us go forth and do the same.

Amen