We have a number of prayer requests: For the repose ofthe soul of Dalton Christophe Brewer and his family. Mr Brewer died yesterday. He was well known by June van Gorder and was the grandson of Fay Brewer. For Elizabeth Lunsford, mother of Rick Lunsford who is a director at Everlasting Arms. Elizabeth had been to our church. She is in Lexingtonnin the hospital and goingback into surgery this evening. For baby Ozzy at 11am Friday morning when doctors and family will meet to see if there is any more that can be done to help him. His family is asking for prayer. Rebecca+
This Week (May 18) at St. John’s
While they were stoning Stephen, he prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Then he knelt down and cried out in a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” Acts 7:59-60
This Sunday we’ll hear the story of the early Christian, Stephen, who was stoned to death for his beliefs. Saul, the man we know as Paul, watched and supported this stoning and a great persecution of the followers of Jesus began. How many of us could say what Stephen said? How many of us could hold fast to our faith, given such persecution? Wouldn’t it be easier to be quiet and not make waves and preserve our lives? BUT, there was something about Jesus. There was something about following Jesus that was even greater than life itself! AND in the following, there was no call for revenge, no call for violence against those who did the stoning. No, Stephen asked God to forgive them.
How many of us can truly walk like Stephen in the way of Christ? Where do we remain silent and abandon Jesus because to stand firm could mean persecution, ostracism, and our very death?
Stephen’s story is a tough one, yet a necessary one as we continue during the time of Easter to discover living the Resurrection Life.
Blessings as you finish your week!
Love, Rebecca+
Baby Shower: A Baby Shower is planned for Maura Love this Sunday, May 18th, after the service. Plan to join in the fun! All are welcome.
Rebecca’s Schedule: Next week, Rebecca will be in Corbin on Thursday, May 22nd and her Sabbath day will be Friday, May 23rd You can get a message to Rebecca by calling 859 -429-1659 or priest-in-charge@stjohnscorbin.org.
Gospel Jamboree at the Barn, Saturday, May 17. This is the monthly jamboree. Elmer Parlier and Rebecca will be singing at 6:45.
Wednesdays in the Park. Come for fun and hot dogs the next six Wednesdays at 5pm: May 21, 28, June 4, 11, 18, 25. On some Wednesdays we will have special programs. We will end with Compline at 6pm.
Adult Forum: Our series on Resurrection Living continues. Rebecca will lead our session this Sunday. On May 25th will focus on Luke 24:15, While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, but their eyes were kept from recognizing him.
We’re buying goats: The Lazarus at the Gates Adult Forum study has prompted us to purchase goats through Episcopal Relief and Development for families in the Philippines. Goats provide milk, cheese, and manure for farming. Donations towards the $80 purchase of each goat can be made through the goat bank in the parish hall or in the offering plate clearly marked ERD goat project.
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.
Memorial DayPicnic: Our pot luck was moved this month to May 11. Instead of a pot luck, stay for a grilled hot dog.
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/
Daughters of the King meets the third Wednesday of each month at 4:30pm. The next meeting is May 21st.
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.
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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The guardian of your soul (Sermon) Sunday, May 11, 2014
Sermon – May 11, 2014
The Rev. Rebecca S. Myers, CSW
St. John’s Episcopal Church, Corbin, KY
Fourth Sunday of Easter
For you were going astray like sheep, but now you have returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls. 1 Peter 2:25
Please be seated.
I’ve been thinking about my friend, Elaine, a lot recently. I’m not sure if it’s because it’s Mother’s Day and she was like a mother to me or whether it’s because her birthday was the end of May. Elaine died nearly six years ago. She was 80 years of age.
I met Elaine during a time when my life was in considerable change. My children had both graduated from high school, so I was experiencing empty nest syndrome. My husband at the time, Fred, was also going through a major career change.
Fred had found a job with the Nature Conservancy in Topeka, Kansas and we made plans to move 1100 miles away from our family to a place neither of us had ever lived. My son, Scot, still wasn’t sure what he wanted to do with his life and he decided to move to New Jersey, get a job, and live with some friends. My daughter, Carrie, graduated from high school, and started her first year of college at Queens University in Charlotte, North Carolina. We were certainly scattered.
Before arriving in Topeka, I had discovered the church I would attend. It must have been the first or second Sunday I was there that Elaine introduced herself to me. She made it a point to greet all newcomers. She was my guide to the church and also to Topeka.
Elaine always went to lunch after church, and eventually I started going too. I learned that Elaine had four grown children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her husband had recently died and she was in the process of selling her home and moving to a smaller place. She was trying to get used to being a widow. The fellowship and activities at church were important to her.
Elaine was the best volunteer. She was on a number of boards of organizations serving people who were homeless or living in poverty. Eventually, she helped one of the organizations open a thrift shop, not only as a service to people needing help, but also to raise a little cash for the organization. She scheduled the volunteers and scheduled the pick-ups of donations. She worked at the store and counted the money, most of it in change and small bills.
In some respects, the move wasn’t so helpful for Fred and my marriage. While we both worked hard to make it work, we came to a point where we needed to separate. I was in the middle of obtaining my Master’s degree in Social Work and needed to finish, but I felt that staying in our house would be too hard for me emotionally.
Elaine had become like family to me and I told her that my husband and I were experiencing difficulties. One day I called Elaine on the phone and said I might need a place to stay for a little while. Without hesitation, she said, “You can come over now.” Elaine gave me a furnished bedroom in her home. She never asked for rent or any kind of payment. She opened her doors wide and gave me shelter.
With all of the changes in the previous 1 ½ years, I was like a sheep without a shepherd…lost…ready to go astray. I truly needed some care and love and guidance. I needed someone to care for me. I don’t know how I would have finished my degree, nor emerged from this difficult time in a healthy way without her support, generosity of spirit and Christian faith. To me, Elaine was the embodiment of much of what Christ taught about loving your neighbor and Paul’s understanding of the church as the body of Christ.
Sheep have been domesticated for nearly 10,000 years. Their defense mechanisms are few and they must rely upon the shepherd to keep them safe. Sheep have very good eyesight and they also learn to know the voice of the shepherd. Sheep are put in a sheepfold, which is a fence or wall enclosure providing protection. There is a door or gate where the sheep go in and out of the enclosure. It is a good way for the shepherd to keep the sheep safe.
Have you ever been in a place in your life where you really couldn’t take good care of yourself? A place where you needed to rely pretty heavily upon others? Then you know what it’s like to be a sheep who cannot fend for itself. It’s scary. You lose sight of the shepherd. You don’t go in the sheepfold gate. You become lost. You go astray. You can get separated from the community. You can be in great danger, or be easily led into danger.
In our Gospel lesson, Jesus reminds us, and our focus this Sunday is reminding us, that Jesus is our shepherd. We are like those defenseless sheep. We need guidance. We need direction. We need someone to care for us. Jesus says He is the shepherd. He will provide those things for us. We have His words and the teachings of the apostles passed down to us. We have the teachings of those who have lived the faith before us and those living the faith now. We have Christ’s presence each week with us in this service and in our communion and holy meal.
I don’t know about you, but I’m tempted to rebel against this. I want to be self sufficient. I want to make it on my own. I must continually remember that I am a sheep. To be alone is to go astray. To be alone is to be in danger. To lose sight of the shepherd is to be in danger. I need Christ the shepherd and I need to be part of the shepherd’s flock.
So, return to the shepherd if you have gone astray. Stay close to the shepherd so you will know the way. For He is the guardian of the most precious you. He is the guardian of your soul.
Amen
This Sunday (May 11) at St. John’s
They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. Acts 2:42
This Sunday’s Lesson from Acts talks about the life of the early church. People heard the apostles’ teaching and they were changed. They changed how they lived their lives, sharing everything in common. They were in awe because these changes created many signs and wonders. And so many years later, we continue in their steps, studying and following the apostles’ teaching, living in fellowship with each other, breaking the bread and praying for each other.
Last Saturday, I was with my family as part of my grandson’s First Communion. There were 12 children receiving their First Communion. At the end of the service, the 12 children sang this lovely song:
Jesus, you are bread for us.
Jesus, you are life for us
In your gift of Eucharist
We find love.
In communion we believe
You are there with us
Jesus, thank you for the friend you are.
Thank you for the love we share.
Gathered in God’s Family
You are there with us
Jesus, Thank you for the friend you are.
Thank you for the love we share.
Looking forward to being with you in fellowship, in the apostles’ teaching, breaking of the bread and prayers…
Love, Rebecca+
Next week, I will be in Corbin on Monday, May 12, and my Sabbath day will be Tuesday, May 13 You can get a message to me by calling the church office at 606-528-1659 or priest-in-charge@stjohnscorbin.org.
Pot Luck Sunday: Our pot luck is moved this month to this Sunday, May 11 for the wedding shower for Amber Pearce and Billy Hibbitts. Bring your favorite food to share and join in the celebration!
Adult Forum
Our series on Resurrection Living continues. This week’s session is on John 20:27, Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.” Come join the discussion at 10:15.
Godly Play: There will be Godly Play classes this Sunday. If you are interested in assisting with these classes on an occasional basis, please let Anne Day Davis or Dura Anne Price know. You will observe the classes for 4 sessions and once you have received this training, you may be called upon to assist as you are available. Let the children deepen your faith!
We’re buying goats! The Lazarus at the Gates Adult Forum study has prompted us to purchase goats through Episcopal Relief and Development for families in the Philippines. Goats provide milk, cheese, and manure for farming. Donations towards the $80 purchase of each goat can be made through the goat bank in the parish hall or in the offering plate clearly marked ERD goat project. To date, we’ve raised $279. Another $41 is needed to purchase a 4th goat!
Grow Appalachia! We are considering whether to become a partner with Grow Appalachia. David Cooke gave a presentation on April 16. The Vestry will take a vote this Sunday, May 11. We would use part of the park to provide gardening plots for people in our community. We could also support people in our area who want to garden in their yards. We would host classes regarding gardening, as well as ways to preserve the harvest. Grow Appalachia provides almost anything needed to make these gardens successful. Talk to someone who attended the presentation. And talk to the Vestry about your ideas, questions, and concerns. Their website is http://www.berea.edu/grow-appalachia/
Daughters of the King meets the third Wednesday of each month at 4:30pm. The next meeting is May 21.
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 this Sunday, May 11. Remember to bring your offering that day AND to pick up another box for the fall ingathering.
Baby Shower and reception for Maura Love, Sunday, May 18, after the service. Plan to join in the fun! All are welcome.
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.
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.
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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This Sunday (May 4) at St. John’s
When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him; and he vanished from their sight. Luke 24:31
I will not be with you this Sunday, because on Saturday, my grandson, Logan, will be receiving his First Holy Communion. Of course I have some gifts for him. One is a card created by French Benedictine nuns at their Abbey at Abu Ghosh, Israel, a possible site for Emmaus. It depicts this scene from Luke.
In this Gospel from Luke, we learn of some disciples walking along the road on the day of Jesus’ Resurrection. Jesus comes alongside them, but they do not recognize him. In the course I attended, our professor suggested that it is because the resurrected body looks different. It is only when Jesus breaks the bread, blesses it and gives it to them that they recognize him.
We know the resurrected Jesus is always present to us and in those services of Eucharist…the breaking of the bread and the wine, we experience Jesus’ presence in a special way.
This Sunday, there will be Morning Prayer. May you feel the presence of Jesus and may Jesus be made known to you. I look forward to returning to you on May 11, and sharing the Eucharist together.
Blessings as you finish your week!
Love, Rebecca+
Rebecca’s Schedule: This Sunday, I will be in Pennsylvania. Next week, I will be participating in the Bishop’s Days in the Mountains. You can reach me by calling 859 -429-1659 or priest-in-charge@stjohnscorbin.org.
Adult Forum: Our series on Resurrection Living continues. Our next session on May 4th will focus on John 20:27, Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.” Our session on May 11th will focus on John 21:12, Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.”
ECW 2014 Women’s Weekend: May 16-18 (with optional retreat day May 15-16). Join women from all over the Diocese at the Cathedral Domain for a special weekend. Registrations due by May 5. See Rebecca for registration forms or go online at http://stjohnscorbin.org/?p=824
We’re buying goats! The Lazarus at the Gates Adult Forum study has prompted us to purchase goats through Episcopal Relief and Development for families in the Philippines. Goats provide milk, cheese, and manure for farming. Donations towards the $80 purchase of each goat can be made through the goat bank in the parish hall or in the offering plate clearly marked ERD goat project.
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 Sunday, May 11. Remember to bring your offering that day AND to pick up another box for the fall ingathering.
Wedding Shower: A wedding showerand lunch for Amber Pearce and Billy Hibbitts is planned for Sunday, May 11, after the service. Please join the festivities after church! All are welcome.
Monthly Pot Luck: Our pot luck is moved this month to May 11 for the wedding shower for Amber Pearce and Billy Hibbitts. Bring your favorite food to share and join in the celebration!
Baby Shower and reception for Maura Love, Sunday, May 18, after the service. Plan to join in the fun! All are welcome.
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.
Come as you are. (Sermon) April 27, 2014
Sermon – April 27, 2014
The Rev. Rebecca S. Myers, CSW
St. John’s Episcopal Church, Corbin, KY
Second Sunday of Easter
Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.” John 20:27
Please be seated.
I love country music. The twangier, the better. I really need to go to Nashville. One of the things I love about country music are the puns or the play on words. They make me laugh. They are so clever. For instance, have you heard the Billy Currington song, like my dog? The refrain goes:
Want you to love me like my dog does, baby.
When I come home, want you to just go crazy
He never looks at me like he might hate me
I want you to love me like my dog.
Who comes up with this…so funny and yet so true.
Well, this past week, thanks to Linda and Paula, who frequently give me CDs to listen to while I’m driving, I’ve been listening to a Randy Travis CD of Gospel Tunes. Some are familiar hymns like Blessed Assurance and Love Lifted Me. Some I’d never heard before. I’ll sing for awhile or listen for awhile and then my mind drifts. So somehow I’d missed one of the songs . It’s called, Pray for the Fish. I became curious about it and decided to really listen. And I was surprised and delighted to hear:
Everybody gathered where the river runs wider
At the edge of town
To see that Eddie Lee Vaughn baptism
Was really gonna go down
Folks bet their hard earned money
That water wouldn’t change a thing
They set the odds at a hundred to one
His soul wouldn’t never come clean
Then the preacher said
People take a moment or two
There’s something we need to do
Pray for the fish
They won’t know what’s coming
When the sin starts rolling off the likes of him
Lord be with ‘em, they ain’t done nothin’
Please won’t you leave them just a little bit ‘a room to swim
Pray for the fish
Well the preacher ducked him under
That cool clear water
Then he did it again
Eddie came up yelling
Lord in Heaven Hallalujah!
I’m a brand new man
Well the water got to bubbling
Sky got to rumbling
And the thunder backed up the choir
The fish started jumpin’
It was like they was swimmin’
In a lake of fire
Then Eddie’s momma stepped out of the crowd
And started yelling out loud
Pray for the fish
They won’t know what’s coming
When the sin starts rolling off the likes of him
Lord be with ‘em, they ain’t done nothin’
Please won’t you leave them just a little bit ‘a room to swim
Pray for the fish
He said everybody cross your fingers
Fold your hands
Pray for Ole Eddie
But before we say amen
Pray for the fish
Lord be with em, they ain’t done nothin’
Please won’t you leave them just a little bit ‘a room to swim
Pray for the fish
Lord pray for the fish
Well that Eddie Lee Vaughn was quite a person, wasn’t he, to get the waters roiling and on fire because of the sin rolling off him at his baptism?
Now how in the world, does this relate to our Gospel today? To our most familiar story of “Doubting Thomas?” Even today you’ll hear someone say that another is a “Doubting Thomas.” Well, Mr. Eddie Lee Vaughn of our humorous song states an obvious truth about how Jesus cares for us as shown in this Gospel: Jesus comes to us exactly as we are.
Yes…. Jesus doesn’t say, You MUST have faith before I’ll come to you. Jesus doesn’t say, you MUST be perfect before I’ll come to you. Jesus doesn’t say you MUST have no doubts before I’ll come to you. Look at this story.
First of all, where was Thomas when Jesus came the first time? Why had he left the group? They had huddled together in fear after the trauma of Jesus’ death. Even though they’d heard the reports of his resurrection, they were still afraid. But where had Thomas gone? Had he abandoned the community? Had he left the group? Did he get angry because of some decision they’d made and decided to leave?
We don’t know where he was…just that he wasn’t there. He obviously returns to the community, but does not believe what he’s heard. He has doubts about what his friends saw. He won’t believe it until he sees it. Isn’t that like so many of us? Good friends come to us and tell us their experience or their story, but we are skeptical. We might not say that directly to them, but sometimes we put them on the “witness stand” so to speak, questioning every part of their story. Sometimes we trust science, even though scientists will tell you they don’t understand everything. Most of the time, we want to see it for ourselves. We are so like Thomas.
And Jesus could have refused to come back again. Jesus could have said, “Well, that’s just like Thomas, and I won’t have anything to do with him. He needs to get right and believe in me. He needs to have faith in what his friends are telling him.” Jesus could have refused to come in the way that Thomas needed him to come.
Instead, Jesus returns when Thomas is there. Jesus consents to Thomas’ demand, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.” (John 20:25). Jesus allows Thomas to put his finger in the holes where the nails were. Jesus allows Thomas to put his hand in the side that was pierced. Jesus accepts Thomas. Jesus loves Thomas.
This doubter, Thomas, believes. Jesus comes to him as he is and in a way that strengthens Thomas’ faith. What did Thomas do? Remember on Jesus’ first visit to the Disciples, Jesus said,
“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. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.” (John 20:21-23)
Jesus came to the disciples to commission them for their life’s work…for the work they must do now that he is no longer with them in human form. Tradition has it that Thomas traveled to many places, including India. He brought the Gospel and faith to India. He is still quite revered there.
Come as you are. Come with your doubts and your skepticism. Come with your questions. Jesus accepts you. Jesus loves you. And Jesus will strengthen your faith, so you, like Thomas, can say, My Lord and my God! (John 20:28). Jesus will send you out into the world to do the work only you can do.
Amen
Welcome the newest Member of our Parish!
Today was St. George’s Day at the Cathedral Domain. Mary Swinford was confirmed by Bishop Hahn and is our newest member of the parish. Enjoy the photos and be sure to welcome her when you see her!
Bruce Cory read the Scripture at the Service
St. George’s Cathedral
Bishop Hahn lays hands on Mary to confirm her.
Bishop Hahn confirming Mary
Group photo. There was one baptism, confirmations and receptions.
There was a baptism, confirmations and receptions.
Diocesan Centennial Quilt
Pot Luck This Sunday April 27! Set-up and Wash Table Cloths help needed!
Our monthly pot luck is this Sunday! Come early – 9:30am – to help set up. We also need one person to take the table cloths after the lunch and wash them.
THANKS!
Rebecca
This Week (April 27) at St. John’s
You will show me the path of life; *
in your presence there is fullness of joy,
and in your right hand are pleasures for evermore. Psalm 16:11
The Psalms are so wonderful. They truly cover the range of our emotions and feelings about and towards God. They are also hopeful, saying with assurance what God will do.
What is your path of life? Often in job interviews you will be asked where you want to be 5 years from now, as if we are the sole designers of our path of life. Yes, it’s good to have goals. It’s good to dream and think about where we’d like to be. It’s good to understand that things don’t happen overnight and sometimes take time and patience. However, we need to hold on to our plans lightly, remembering that ultimately God is at work, showing us the path of life…a path of “fullness of joy” and “pleasures for evermore.”
I know five years ago, being ordained an Episcopal Priest and serving in Kentucky was fuzzy at best. Five years ago, did you imagine you’d be where you are today? We are confident, because we know God is showing us the “path of life.”
Blessings as you finish your week.
Love, Rebecca
My Schedule
Next week, I will be in Lexington and then traveling to Pennsylvania May 1-4. You can get a message to me by calling 859 -429-1659 or priest-in-charge@stjohnscorbin.org.
Adult Forum resumes with a 7-week Easter series on Resurrection Living, using a Forward Movement pamphlet by Christine McSpaden. Mary Swinford will lead the first session on Luke 24:5, Why do you look for the living among the dead?
Belk Charity Sales Day, Saturday, May 3, 6:00-10:00am. Purchase $5 tickets from our ECW, which allow you entrance to the sale and $5 off your purchase. We are trying to sell 100 tickets, which provides $500 for the church and tremendous savings for you!
We’re buying goats! The Lazarus at the Gates Adult Forum study has prompted us to purchase goats through Episcopal Relief and Development for families in the Philippines. Goats provide milk, cheese, and manure for farming. Donations towards the $80 purchase of each goat can be made through the goat bank in the parish hall or in the offering plate clearly marked ERD goat project.
Grow Appalachia! We are considering whether to become a partner with Grow Appalachia. David Cooke gave a presentation on April 16. We would use part of the park to provide gardening plots for people in our community. We could also support people in our area who want to garden in their yards. We would host classes regarding gardening, as well as ways to preserve the harvest. Grow Appalachia provides almost anything needed to make these gardens successful. Talk to someone who attended the presentation. And talk to the Vestry about your ideas, questions, and concerns. Their website is http://www.berea.edu/grow-appalachia/
This Sunday is our monthly pot luck! All are welcome! Plan to fellowship with each other.
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 Sunday, May 11. Remember to bring your offering that day AND to pick up another box for the fall ingathering.
Wedding Shower and lunch for Amber Pearce and Billy Hibbitts, Sunday, May 11, after the service. Plan to join the festivities after church! All are welcome.
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.
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.
The silent day of choice (meditation) The Great Vigil of Easter
Sermon – April 19, 2014
The Rev. Rebecca S. Myers, CSW
St. John’s Episcopal Church, Corbin, KY
The Great Vigil of Easter
Today is such a quiet day. No, I don’t mean quiet in the sense of not busy or no noise. But did you notice the deep silence today? God is in the tomb. We said we were tired of listening to God. We wanted to choose our own path and our own way. The way of life with Jesus is too hard and anyway that happened so long ago; it’s not relevant to my world with computers and fancy phones. So, we silence God from our lives. We silence Jesus from our hearts. Did you notice? How does it feel? What is your day like without God? What is your day like without Jesus? This is the day when we examine that question.
And this is the night when we choose…whether or not to have God and Jesus in our lives; whether or not to open our lives to the teaching of Jesus and to the Will of God. All over the world tonight, people are being baptized and we renew our baptismal vows. Our readings are about water and its power and about restoration of life. The waters of baptism are meant to overwhelm us, nearly drowning us. We emerge washed and into a new life and a new way of living. That is the choice you are asked to make this night…. Whether to go through the waters of baptism, drowning out your old life and your old ways of being? What will you choose?
Holy Saturday
Rebecca Myers
Holy Saturday 2006
Today is the day you let us hear your absence
Let us know what life could be like without you
That’s what we said we wanted
Because your love feels hard
It is not of humans
Your love forgives when we want revenge
Your love gives away when we want to hoard
Your love is fearless when we want to be fearful
Your love calls us to die to gain abundant life
When we want to live in abundant death
But on this day of silence
The presence of the absence
We see what we have done
We long for you to return
We know our only hope for abundant life
Is your resurrection
Amen