Tag Archives: #StJohnsCorbin

This Sunday (June 8 – Pentecost) at St. John’s

Posted on by

And at this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in the native language of each. Amazed and astonished, they asked, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us, in our own native language?  Acts 2:6-7

Do you know another language?  I have studied French in 5th Grade, German for 4 years in high school, Spanish various times throughout my life and have picked up a little Italian along the way.  In 2007, I traveled to Italy and France.  I was only going to be in France for a short time, but I wanted to be polite and study a few phrases that would be helpful in traveling.  I got a CD and listened intently, but the only phrase I could remember was “Where is the bank?”

After two weeks in Italy, I finally came to Paris and all I could think to speak were simple Italian phrases.  I’d go to a restaurant and when I was ready for the check, I’d look in my travel phrase book for the right words in French, practice them a little for when the waiter came over and promptly forget them!  I was hopeless.

What a sight that must of been on the day of Pentecost and how wonderful to be able to understand the message…to hear the words spoken in your own language.

We learn in verse 41 that about 3,000 persons were baptized that day after witnessing this event and hearing Peter preach!  It must have been a powerful, powerful day when the Holy Spirit descended and the language of salvation was spoken and heard.

Blessings as you finish your week!

Love, Rebecca+

Bulletin 06-08-2014

Rebecca’s Schedule: Next week, Rebecca will be vacation. For pastoral emergencies, please contact the Rev. Peter Helman at 940-735-1235.

Adult Forum: This Sunday we complete the Resurrection Living series.  Beginning June 15, through early fall, we will discussing 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.  This Wednesday, June 11, Doug Thelen will set up an obstacle course for children ages 8 and under.

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.

 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.

This Week (June 1) at St. John’s

Posted on by

You sent a gracious rain, O God, upon your inheritance; *
you refreshed the land when it was weary. Psalm 68:9

This Seventh Sunday after Easter, we mark the Ascension of Jesus into heaven.  Ascension Day is Thursday, May 29.  Monday through Wednesday of this week were rogation days — times of fasting and prayer for protection.  Rogation days are times when farmers ask for blessings on their crops.  They were times when parishes “beat the bounds” or walked the boundary of their parish or their property, asking God for protection.

So, we hear Psalm 68 and this portion, which reminds us of our northern hemisphere growing season.  We need rain.  Gracious rain sounds like rain that will be good for the land.  A drenching rain can wash away the good growing soil or run off too quickly.  A gracious rain sounds like the steady soaking rain that replenishes the water supply and allows the earth to drink it in at just the right pace.   The gracious rain is refreshing.  It is not destructive.

During these days, think about the land and the earth.  Think about how it provides so much of what we need to have a good life.  Give thanks for its gifts and examine your part in being a good steward for the earth.

Blessings as you finish your week!

Love, Rebecca+

News & Notes

Bulletin 06-01-2014 Instructed Eucharist

Rebecca’s Schedule: Next week, Rebecca will be in Corbin on Friday, June 6 and her Sabbath day will be Thursday, June 5th You can get a message to Rebecca by calling 859 -429-1659 or priest-in-charge@stjohnscorbin.org.

This Sunday we welcome The Rev. Peter Doddema from St. Philip’s Episcopal Church, Harrodsburg. He will lead us in an Instructed Eucharist. Notice your bulletin provides additional information about the various parts of our service. Rebecca is at St. Philip’s this morning.

Our series on Resurrection Living continues this week. 

Godly Play: Next week (June 8) Godly Play classes will conclude for the summer with a celebration of Pentecost. Classes will resume in the fall.

Wednesdays in the Park: Join us each Wednesday through June 25 for hot dogs and fun. This Wednesday, June 4, Ken and Shelia Phillips will bring the Kentucky Native American Heritage Museum to the park.

I publish the Banns of Marriage between William Robert Hibbitts of London, KY and Amber Hannah Pearce of Lexington, KY. If any of you know just cause why they may not be joined together in Holy Matrimony on June 7, you are bidden to declare it. This is the third time of asking.

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/

Give Me Jesus (Sermon) May 25, 2014

Posted on by

Sermon – May 25, 2014
The Rev. Rebecca S. Myers, CSW
St. John’s Episcopal Church, Corbin, KY
Sixth Sunday of Easter

Always be ready to make your defense to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and reverence. I Peter 3:15-16

Please be seated.

In the morning when I rise
In the morning when I rise
In the morning when I rise
Give me Jesus

Give me Jesus
Give me Jesus
You can have all this world
Give me Jesus

I was reminded of this Spiritual, found in LEVAS II, hymn 91 in the past couple of weeks,  No one’s sure who wrote it or when, but it came from the tragedy and toil of people who were brutalized by being enslaved.  They found hope, despite this brutality, in Jesus.

I have been around people in tough circumstances and heard them cling to Jesus.  Just over two weeks ago, I was at the University of Kentucky with Ann and Travis.  They were anxiously awaiting the birth of Bella.  They had to go all the way to Lexington, because doctors had seen something that led them to believe Bella might need some surgery on her head soon after her birth.  I was there when doctors came in to talk to Ann and Travis.  The doctors couldn’t say how serious the problem was.  I heard the doctor say there was a chance little Bella would not live.

Yet Ann and Travis were realistic and positive.  I’m sure they were a little nervous, but they had discussed things.  They had made plans.  They had prayed and they knew a whole community was praying for them and for Bella.

And there was such joy in the room, too, because just the night before, Travis had been baptized.  He was so happy!  Travis truly embodied what we heard in I Peter, chapter 3, verses 21 and 22 this morning:

And baptism…now saves you– not as a removal of dirt from the body, but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers made subject to him.

Travis’ baptism was an accounting for the hope that was in him.

On Wednesday, I went to the viewing for Dalton Christopher Brewer, also known as Buddy.  His death at the age of 31 was so tragic for his family.  The past seven years had been difficult for Buddy, after his beating and subsequent traumatic brain injury.  Family and friends were devastated to learn of his death.  At the viewing, I heard time and time again from family member after family member, through tears and cries of woe, “I don’t know how I’ll make it.  The only way is that we have Jesus.”  Someone said, “I don’t know how people make it through something like this without Jesus.”  In the midst of terrific grief, there was hope of making it through.

We are Jesus people.  We are people of hope.  And we must always be ready to give an accounting of this hope.  The hope shines through.

I met a mother earlier this week, whose 27-year-old daughter has a rare disease that only about 150 people have.  This young woman has been in and out of the hospital since she was two years old.  Yet, she has graduated from college.  She got married.  People say she is always smiling and how can she be so happy, given what she deals with physically every day.  She says, “I have faith. That’s what gets me through.”

The hope shines through and when people ask her for an accounting, she is ready and able to tell them about the hope within her.

Now Episcopalians are not known for our public evangelism.  We tend to be quiet about our faith and our religious beliefs.  In fact, many people are quiet about their faith.  Religious beliefs are considered private, individual choices by many.  Yet as a friend once said, if your faith has given you hope…has given you life, why wouldn’t you share that with someone?  If your faith and this community of St. John’s have given you hope…have provided a way of life for you, find a way to share that with others.  Find a way to give an accounting that is gentle and reverent.

You see, when we are baptized, we are saved.  When we are baptized, we are called to do God’s work.  A friend posted this anonymous quote on Facebook earlier this week:   Carry the water of your baptism with you through the vast desert of this world and dispense it liberally to every traveler you meet. 

We have this gift of Jesus.  We have this gift of love.  We have this gift of hope.  It begins with our baptism…with God claiming us for God’s own.  We water the world.  We water souls.  We do this as individuals and as the community of St. John’s.

St. Teresa of Avila, who lived in the 16th century, wrote this prayer:

Christ has no body but yours,

No hands, no feet on earth but yours,
Yours are the eyes with which he looks
Compassion on this world,
Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good,
Yours are the hands, with which he blesses all the world.
Yours are the hands, yours are the feet,
Yours are the eyes, you are his body.
Christ has no body now but yours,
No hands, no feet on earth but yours,
Yours are the eyes with which he looks
compassion on this world.
Christ has no body now on earth but yours.

We are called to be Christ’s body to the world.  In doing so…in clinging to Jesus, we are joyful in the midst of hard times.  We can get through our rough times.  We bring joy and abundant life to the world.

Always be ready to make your defense to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you and until the day you die, know the gift of Jesus.

Amen

 

 

Precious Stones: Rejected, Chosen, and Precious (Sermon)

Posted on by

Sermon – May 18, 2014
The Rev. Rebecca S. Myers, CSW
St. John’s Episcopal Church, Corbin, KY
Fifth Sunday of Easter

Observance of Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month

Come to him, a living stone, though rejected by mortals yet chosen and precious in God’s sight, and like living stones, let yourselves be built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 2:4-5

 Today we observe Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month.  A number of recent events have reminded me of how the Episcopal Church reflects the Kingdom of God, which Jesus tells us today has many, many rooms.  This week, my Facebook feed was filled with photos of seminary graduation, including the graduation of Jae Chung.  Jae was one year behind me in seminary and arrived at General with his wife and children.  They had immigrated to the United States from Korea.  Jae is already ordained as a transitional Deacon.

And Saturday was the consecration of Allen Shin as Suffragen Bishop of the Diocese of New York.  He was born in South Korea and grew up in Washington DC.  He had served some Korean Episcopalian churches, as well as headed the Asian-American ministry for The Episcopal Church.

In preparing this sermon, I found a number of Korean Episcopal churches in the United States.  Yes, we truly can see a glimpse of the Kingdom of God and the joy and delight of the diversity of the human race, just like the joy and delight of a beautiful garden.

Today I’d like to talk to you about a special Anglican, Florence Li Tim-Oi, who was Chinese.  She was the first woman ordained in the Anglican Communion in 1944!  Yes, 1944.  Florence was born in Hong Kong in 1907.   Her name, Florence, was taken when as a student she was baptized.  She chose it after Florence Nightingale.  Li Tim-Oi means beloved daughter.  Florence studied at theological College in Canton.  She served as a lay person on the islands of Kowloon and Macao.  In 1941, she was ordained a deaconess.

Soon after her ordination, Japan occupied Hong Kong and priests could not travel to the nearby island of Macao to celebrate the Eucharist.  She came to the attention of the Bishop of Hong Kong, who decided “God’s work would reap better results if she had the proper title” of priest.

On January 25, 1944, the Feast of the conversion of St. Paul, Florence was ordained a priest.  As World War II ended, her ordination created great controversy in the Anglican Communion.  She personally decided not to exercise her priesthood until it could be acknowledged by the wider Anglican Communion.  She continued to work and was even a Rector of a parish and the Bishop ordered that she still be called a priest.

In 1949, as the Communists came to power in China, Florence studied to learn more about the various cultural changes happening in China.  She worked at the Cathedral in Beijing.  However, from 1958 until 1974, all of the churches were closed.  During this time known as the Cultural Revolution, Florence was suspect and faced great difficulty.  She was forced to work on a farm and in a factory at very difficult labor.  She was accused of counter-revolutionary activity and underwent political re-education.  She was allowed to retire from the factory in 1974, at the age of 67 and two years later, the churches were reopened and she was able to continue her public ministry.  In 1981, she visited family in Canada.  Finally she was able to be licensed as a priest, first in the Diocese of Montreal and eventually in Toronto.  She settled in Toronto for the remainder of her life, dying in 1992.  Her feast day is January 24, each year, the eve of her ordination.

In I Peter read today, we hear:

Come to him, a living stone, though rejected by mortals yet chosen and precious in God’s sight, and like living stones, let yourselves be built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 2:4-5

The life of Florence Li Tim-Oi certainly embodies these verses.  She came to Christ, a living stone.  She was rejected by mortals, not only because of her gender, but also because she was a Christian during a time when Christianity was not allowed in China.  Yet, she continued in her faith.  She was not deterred from her work or from God’s calling.  She let herself be built into a spiritual house…into a holy priesthood

And so are we called as St. John’s Church in Corbin, KY.  We are called to be the living stones for God’s work here.  Yes, we may be rejected by others.  Maybe being a liturgical church isn’t popular in this place.

Our understanding of the scriptures isn’t popular.  According to our Catechism found on page 853 in the Book of Common Prayer, We understand the Holy Scriptures as the Word of God, because God inspired their human authors and because God still speaks to us through the Bible.  We understand the meaning of the Bible by the “help of the Holy Spirit, who guides the Church in the true interpretation of the Scriptures.”  We have consecrated a number of openly gay and lesbian priests to be Bishops.  We have consecrated a woman to be our Presiding Bishop.  We have a liturgy for the blessing of same gender relationships.

Yet, despite the rejection we face, we, the parish of St. John’s Episcopal Church, are chosen and truly precious in God’s sight.  God is building us…building St. John’s into a spiritual house.  We are being molded by God into a Holy Priesthood.

May we, like Florence Li Tim-Oi, remain steadfast, even in the face of rejection, so that the Will of God may be done… right here and right now.

Amen

This Week (May 18) at St. John’s

Posted on by

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

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/StJohnsCorbin

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/StJohnsCorbin

Website:  http://stjohnscorbin.org/?subscribe=success#blog_subscription-2

Pinterest:  http://www.pinterest.com/stjohnscorbin/

 

 

 

The guardian of your soul (Sermon) Sunday, May 11, 2014

Posted on by

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

Posted on by

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.

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

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/StJohnsCorbin

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/StJohnsCorbin

Website:  http://stjohnscorbin.org/?subscribe=success#blog_subscription-2

Pinterest:  http://www.pinterest.com/stjohnscorbin/

 

 

This Sunday (May 4) at St. John’s

Posted on by

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+

Bulletin 05-04-14

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

Posted on by

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