Tag Archives: Episcopal Church

Blessed Christmas Eve and This Sunday (December 28) at St. John’s

Posted on by

As Advent approached, I had an idea we could write our own Advent Meditation booklet based on verses of Advent hymns.  But I was late in planning and then Living Compass sent us their meditation booklets.  Jason Beams-Jackson wrote this meditation and I really liked it, so on this last day of Advent, wanted to share it with you.

Comfort, comfort ye my people, speak ye peace, thus saith our God;
comfort those who sit in darkness mourning ‘neath their sorrows’ load.
Speak ye to Jerusalem of the peace that waits for them;
tell her that her sins I cover, and her warfare now is over.  Hymnal 1982, 67

I am touched deeply by this verse; it reminds me to keep a humble heart.  Advent is a great time to reflect on what we have done to comfort one another; and how we have treated one another.  So for me, this has been a great reflection on myself.  I had to allow God to give me comfort and peace at heart.  So with God’s grace and guidance, I hope to be a comfort to those around me; and to help those overcome their darkness.  I am grateful every day for God’s love and the peace of having a helping heart.

Hope to see many of you today at the Christmas Eve services as 7 and 11.  Morning prayer will be said tomorrow at 9am.

Blessings during this special time of celebration!

Love, Rebecca+

Bulletin 12-24-14

News & Notes

Rebecca’s Schedule: Rebecca will be on vacation Friday, December 26, through Friday, January 2. During her vacation,.the Rev. Peter Helman is available for pastoral emergencies. He can be reached by text or phone at 940-735-1235. You may also leave a message for Rebecca by phoning the church office at 606-528-1659 or emailing priest-in-charge@stjohnscorbin.org.

Christmas Eve Services: 7:00 pm – Evening Candlelight Service. 11:00 pm – Midnight Candlelight Service.
Christmas Day: 9:00 am – Morning Prayer
Sunday, December 28, 11am – Service of Lessons and Carols

Adult Forum: There will be no Adult Forum on December 28. January through mid-February (Christmas and Epiphany), we will discuss the blessing of same gender relationships.  If you’d like to lead a session, please see Rebecca.

Godly Play (Sunday School): The Godly Play program is for children and offered each Sunday morning at 10:00 am. All children are invited to participate in this special form of spiritual development.

Please pray for our Vestry as we are in retreat on Saturday, January 10.  We will be looking more closely at our mission and the future.  To help us with the discussion, please answer these questions and talk to or email Rebecca at priest-in-charge@stjohnscorbin.org.

 Provide short – one or two sentence, powerful descriptive answers to each question. Humanize answers whenever possible. i.e. Share a real-life example.

 1.How do we help/serve people?
2. Who do we help/serve?
3. What are our vital services/programs?
4. What is our track record?
5. Our plans for the future? 6.How do we use our money? Why do we deserve your support?

 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.

This Sunday (November 30) at St. John’s

Posted on by

I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that has been given you in Christ Jesus…. I Corinthians 1:4

A blessed and happy Thanksgiving to each and every one of you.  On many Sunday afternoons, after everyone has gone home from church and the busyness of the day has subsided, I find myself in a state of gratitude.  A blessed and joyous state of gratitude.

I think back over the morning and there are so many places of grace.  There’s the rambling, but always interesting and challenging discussion at Adult Forum; the anticipation of seeing everyone show up, greet each other, and fellowship, even to the point where church doesn’t always start on time.  There’s the sounds of the choir practicing.  There’s the children telling me about their week and some new thing they’ve learned.  There’s the blessing of our worship together.  I look out and see your earnest faces.  I look out and see the children, copying my motions during the Eucharistic prayer.  And when you come forward, the way you hold out your hands for the bread of life is always a special moment.

So, on this Thanksgiving Day, I give thanks to God for you, the parish of St. John’s, Corbin.

Blessings as you finish your week!

Love, Rebecca+

My Schedule

I am on vacation until Saturday.  Next week, I will be in Corbin Tuesday and Wednesday.  My sabbath days will be Monday, December 1, and Friday, December 5.

This Sunday we welcome Emily Cardwell to the pulpit. Emily is in the supervisory
part of discerning a call to ministry for the Diaconate. She has been supported in this process
by a discernment committee and her Vestry at St. John’s in Versailles, as well as by her husband,
Jeff and their three children – Leah, Quinn and Willa. She has been assigned to St. Agnes House
for her supervisory reflection, while also being given the opportunity to preach here in
Corbin. Emily is on the Pastoral Care team where her focus is prison ministry, and she finishes
up her third year as a Vestry member next month.

Advent Lessons and Carols, November 30, 4pm. Begin Advent with this special evening service of Scripture and hymns.

 

Adult Forum
This week and during December, we’ll continue our discussion of The Thirty-Nine Articles,BCP 867-876. Come learn about this historic document, which guides our denomination. Are the Articles still relevant today? Join the discussion. There will be no Adult Forum on December 28.

In January through mid-February (Christmas and Epiphany), we will discuss the blessing of
same gender relationships. If you’d like to lead a session, please see Rebecca.

Wednesday Morning Eucharist
Weekday Morning Eucharist will be available Wednesday, December 3, 9am in the Sanctuary.

Chocolate Fest, Saturday, December 6, 9am – 3pm. Bring your donations to the church on Friday during the day.  Also create an event on your Facebook page to invite your friends!

Two furnaces replaced, 1 more to go! The furnaces located in the sacristy and the parish hall have been replaced. Thanks so much to all who donated! Now we need to replace the furnace in the rectory. Cost is just under $1,700 for a furnace that will also be more energy efficient. Donations for the furnace can be put in the box on the table in the parlor.

The Vestry has voted to donate $25 each month to Everlasting Arm Homeless Shelter. If you’d like to contribute, put your donations in the collection box by the guest register or mark your donation and put it in the collection plate.

Rotary Club of Corbin is collecting 500 new winter coats, especially for boys and girls ages 3-9. Coats will be distributed at the Empty Stocking Fund party on December 22. If you’d like to donate a coat, bring it to church and give it to Rebecca.

You can also make a financial contribution to Empty Stocking Fund and give it to Rebecca.

A St. Nicholas Festival for children will be held on Saturday, December 6, 4:00pm, at Christ Church Cathedral, Lexington.

Join Rebecca at Mission House in Lexington for Eucharist and lunch on Tuesday, December 9, 11:30am. Break bread together and meet and visit with Diocesan Staff.  A tour of St. Agnes’ House will also be held.

Donations for Christmas Flowers are being accepted until December 14. Donations can be made in Honor of, in Memory of or in Thanksgiving for a person or blessing. Envelopes are available in the parlor or put your offering in the plate marked, “Christmas Flowers.”

Decorate the church, Sunday, December 21, after church. Bring your lunch and stay after church on December 21 to help us decorate for Christmas.

You’ve heard about BLACK FRIDAY and CYBER MONDAY. On DECEMBER 2, start your ADVENT with #GivingTuesday at http://bit.do/domain2014, a national moment around the holidays dedicated to giving. From 12:00 am to 11:59 pm EDT, supporters of participating nonprofits like THE CATHEDRAL DOMAIN can go online to connect with causes they care about and make tax-deductible donations. All contributions from this campaign will be used to support the ministry of the Cathedral Domain. You can schedule your donation at any time and it will be processed on
December 2.

 

 

Our Distorted Faith (Sermon) November 23, 2014

Posted on by

Sermon – November 23, 2014

The Rev. Rebecca S. Myers, CSW

St. John’s Episcopal Church, Corbin, KY

Last Sunday after Pentecost, Christ the King

Year A Proper 29 Track 1

Observance of Native American Heritage Month

`Truly I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’ And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.  Matthew 25:45-46

Please be seated.

Today we are observing Native American Heritage Month.  I think I told you last year that as a child, I was scared to death of Indians.  There was Wagon Train, and so many other westerns.  There was the train ride at Hershey Park where Indians attacked the train.  And my father said some of our ancestors came to Kentucky with Daniel Boone, but were killed by the Indians.  There were historical markers in PA for Indian massacres.

Then there were the other images given me by learning about Jim Thorpe who was relocated to Carlisle, PA at the Indian Boarding School there.  At age 14, my parents took me to Tahlequah, the Cherokee Nation Capital in Oklahoma and taught me about the Trail of Tears. I had lots of confusion, fear, and curiosity about Indians as I grew up.

In 1989, I joined a group to address racism in our local community.  Eventually, we connected with the New Orleans-based Peoples’ Institute for Survival and Beyond.  I was fortunate to attend a nationwide training on Undoing Racism in the early 1990s.  It was held at a retreat center on the Gulf of Mexico, just outside of New Orleans.

The morning after I arrived, I took a walk along the Gulf.  On my way back to the center, I noticed one of the women from the training.  She was from the Navajo Nation in Arizona.  She motioned me over and told me she was doing a blessing in thanksgiving for safe travels.  She also told me she was from a water clan and this was the first time she’d seen the ocean, so the moment was very special for her.  She had traveled with a friend, but the friend was from the Wolf clan and the ocean/gulf felt very intimidating to her.

She asked me to join her in the blessing, which I did.  We turned in all of the directions and gave thanks for all of creation.  It was a wonderful prayer moment for me.  And more than that, I started thinking about who I was in a different way.  I, too, loved the ocean, and realized that my mother’s family was also “water clan people” of a sort since they’d been on Italian islands for many, many years.

Also, that this woman knew her clan and identified that as important information, made me think, too.  In fact, during the training another woman who was Indian asked why white people always introduced themselves by telling about things – their job or where their house was – rather than about their relationships – clan, mother, daughter.

And then, there was the whole notion of not owning the land!  That was a hard one to wrap my head around – that the land was just like the air we breathe and belonged to the community, not to individuals.

I’m sure you know of the awful history of how the Immigrants, for many of us, our ancestors, treated the indigenous people of this land.  The dominant society, who claimed to be Christian, certainly did not read the section of Matthew we read today nor other sections of the Gospel where Jesus clearly tells us how to treat one another.  No, many of our ancestors came, and played mental tricks so the Indians were not seen as human beings, and therefore, could be destroyed.  It’s a painful history, which has led to a painful legacy for all of us.  We have all been hurt.

And for we Christians who identify with the dominant culture, our understanding and faith in Jesus Christ has been distorted by the actions and legacy of our ancestors.  Rather than listening to the indigenous peoples about the reality of the context of life here, right here in what is now known as Corbin, KY, we imposed our understanding of the land and resources where we came from.

The indigenous peoples, the Indians, had been on this land for over 14,000 years!  They’d seen Cumberland Falls develop and change, most likely.  They’d learned the patterns of the seasons, the patterns of all living creatures.

In thinking about our observance today, I was going through some books I have.  One is God is Red:  A Native View of Religion by Vine DeLoria, Jr.  At the end of the book, Mr. DeLoria says (p. 296, 30th Anniversary Edition):

Who will find peace with the lands?  The future of humankind lies waiting for those who will come to understand their lives and take up their responsibilities to all living things.  Who will listen to the trees, the animals and birds, the voices of the places of the land?  As the long-forgotten peoples of the respective continents rise and begin to reclaim their ancient heritage, they will discover the meaning of the lands of their ancestors.  That is when the invaders of the North American continent will finally discover that for this land, God is red.

Ken Phillips will now share some words with us.

 

 

 

 

 

Well Done! (Sermon) November 16, 2014

Posted on by

Sermon – November 16, 2014

The Rev. Rebecca S. Myers, CSW

St. John’s Episcopal Church, Corbin, KY

23rd Sunday after Pentecost Year A Proper 28 Track 1

`Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’ Matthew 25:21

Please be seated.

I think I’ve talked to you about Betsy, the woman I worked for before I went to seminary.  I thought about her again as I pondered this Gospel for today.  While I’ve been fortunate to have many good people overseeing my work career, I do think my favorite was Betsy.

When I went to work for Betsy, I was 49, so not young in my work career; however, Betsy pointed out so many talents I never acknowledged I had.  I learned I love to do historical research, so Betsy often asked me to do that and then to put the words together to draft a speech for her.  I learned I loved being a speechwriter!

During one of those wonderful employee evaluations, Betsy told me I was a good writer.  Now I do love words and putting them together and I’ve written a lot in my career.  I know I can write a sentence that is grammatically correct and gets a point across.  But Betsy said I was not only a good writer, but that I should do more writing and more writing that would be published.  She gave me plenty of opportunities to work on projects that were published, including co-writing a chapter for the Oxford Textbook of Palliative Social Work.  And just yesterday, I received a copy of the latest book with a chapter I co-wrote:  Hope Matters:  The Power of Social Work, as well as a galley proof of another article that will be published soon in a religious journal.

And Betsy told me I “connected the dots” between people, ideas and organizations in ways she had never seen, so she created a job for me where that’s what I did.  And I loved it.  I knew I was a connecter and I knew I liked that, but I hadn’t understood that I was unique in seeing how things were connected.

Betsy saw my skills and abilities and gave me every chance to use them.  She also gave me helpful information about myself for every task I’ve taken on since that time.  I hope you’ve had a person like Betsy or people like her in your life.

And in today’s Gospel, we hear a parable of the master who leaves his property in the care of his servants.  This master knows his servants well and gives to each one the amount appropriate to their skill and ability.  But one of the servants was afraid of the master, so did not use what was given to him, but buried it in the ground, which incited the anger of the master.

God has given each of us various skills and abilities and expects us to use them for building up God’s Kingdom here on earth… for being Christ to the world.  We are not supposed to bury our skills and abilities, hiding them from the world!

I know it’s tough.  We’ve been taught not to boast and to try to be humble.  There is a line between boasting and stating the facts.  In order to not be boastful, we tend to hide our skills and abilities.  We don’t want to cross that line.

But God gave us those skills and abilities so we could do good in the world…so we could bring the Kingdom of God to fruition here and now.  Our skills and abilities are needed not only in all of our personal endeavors and relationships – our vocation, our family, our friends – but also the Christian community of St. John’s needs our skills and abilities.  There are some things in bringing about the Kingdom of God that must be done by a community – that we could not make happen as individuals.

When two or more are gathered together in God’s name, God is in the midst of us, we say in the Prayer of St. Chrysostom.  In some places, people can support their own chapels, but most of us need a community to provide a place of meeting, where we can gather, study and pray together.  When we pool our resources together, we have a choir, an altar guild, adult forum, learning for children.  We can provide a place for children to eat lunch during the summer.  We can share our joys and our burdens.  We can have a community who loves us, remembers us, and prays for us.

In a few minutes, we will have our Annual meeting.  I’m told people don’t come to church for the Annual Meeting.  We don’t always like the facts and business side of our life together, do we?  And we know a piece of the Annual Meeting involves talking about our money and the money we’d like to have towards making real the vision for the Christian community of St. John’s.

But just like our Gospel today…our master has left us with all of the resources we need to grow, and expand the Kingdom of God.  We have the time, talent and treasure of each of us.  Our annual meeting is the time each year when the master returns home to see what we’ve done with what we’ve been given.  Have we used our time, talent and treasure to increase the presence of Christ in this region or have we just buried our time, talent and treasure in the ground and hidden it from view?

God has given us everything we need and God demands a return equal to what has been given to us.  Let’s work together so we can hear God say to us, `Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’

 Amen

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This Week (November 16) at St. John’s

Posted on by

Blessed Lord, who caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning: Grant us so to hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which you have given us in our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

This is our Collect of the Day for Sunday.  I heard it often during my seminary education as the opening prayer for various classes.

All holy Scripture is written for our learning!  And most of us know we’re never really done learning from Scripture.

We ask God to grant us wisdom in learning for scripture. Then certain behaviors are listed.  We hear Scripture each week during our various services.  In hearing the scripture, we have a chance to experience it anew.

And there are many resources that help us to read Scripture regularly.  There are the Forward Day By Day booklets available to you in the parish hall.  Each day, the daily readings are listed.  You’ll find the Daily readings listed in the Book of Common Prayer.   Look at the Daily Office Lectionary beginning on page 934.  Over two years, you will have read the Bible.  The Bible Challenge takes you through the Bible in a year with a meditation for each day and a prayer.

Now, it took me some time to actually “mark” in my Bible.  The pages seemed so sacred to me that I didn’t want to mark them up.  But it’s important to mark up our Bibles with our favorite passages and various notes.  It’s interesting to go back and look at our markings.

Then we plead with God to “inwardly digest” the Scripture.  Yes, we can do all of that work of study, but then the learnings must be seared in our hearts and direct our ministry and the way we live our lives.

My prayer is that we all may deepen our learning from Scripture!

Blessings as you finish your week!

Love, Rebecca+

Bulletin 11-16-2014

News & Notes

Rebecca’s Schedule: Rebecca will be at St. Agnes’ House Monday, November 16, through Thursday, November 20. Her Sabbath Day will be Friday, November 21. You can get a message to her by calling the church office at 606-528-1659 or by e-mailing priest-in-charge@stjohnscorbin.org

Weekday Morning Eucharist will be available Wednesday, December 3, 9am, in the Sanctuary. 

Adult Forum: The Adult Forum meets each Sunday at 10:00 am in the Parish Hall. This Sunday, we’ll be looking at planning our funerals.  Vicky Prince from Hospice of the Bluegrass will be with us Nov. 23, to discuss how to talk to your family about your end-of-life wishes.

Sunday School – Godly Play: The Godly Play program for children is offered each Sunday morning at 10:00 am. All children are invited to participate in this special form of spiritual development.

Thankoffering Sunday is this Sunday, November 16.  Put your Thankoffering boxes in the offering plate and pick up another one for the spring ingathering.

Daughters of the King meets the third Wednesday of each month at 4:30pm.  The next meeting is November 19. If you have special prayer requests or would like to join this prayer ministry, please contact Shelia Phillips.

Game Night, Friday, November 21, 6:30-8:30.  Pizza provided.  Bring your favorite drink.  The Young Adults of the church are hosting a game night!  Let Blythe Swinford, TJ or Jason Beams-Jackson, or James Partin know what card and board games you’d like to play!  Everyone is invited!

We will celebrate Native American Heritage Month at our service on Sunday, November 23.  Ken and Shelia Phillips will lead our observance.  We are reminded that the worship of The Episcopal Church is in many languages and traditions each and every week of the year.

Advent Lessons and Carols, November 30, 4pm.  Begin Advent with this special evening service of Scripture and hymns

Chocolate Fest, Saturday, December 6, 9am – 3pm.  If you can contribute something to the fest, please turn in your donation form by November 23.

Rotary Club of Corbin is collecting 500 new winter coats, especially for boys and girls ages 3-9.  Coats will be distributed at the Empty Stocking Fund party on December 22.  If you’d like to donate a coat, bring it to church and give it to Rebecca.  You can also make a financial contribution to Empty Stocking Fund and give it to Rebecca.

Kroger Rewards: St. John’s is now registered with the Kroger Community Rewards Program. Please register your Kroger card at http://krogercommunityrewards.com . Our NPO number is 47782.

The Vestry has voted to donate $25 each month to Everlasting Arm Homeless Shelter. If you’d like to contribute, put your donations in the collection box by the guest register or mark your donation and put it in the collection plate.

Thank you to the 20 families and individuals who have made pledges totaling $35,012 towards the mission and ministry of St. John’s Church in 2015.  If you haven’t done so, you can still make a commitment to this mission and ministry by placing a pledge card in the offering plate.

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.

Flowers for the altar: Donations for flowers for the altar are accepted for any Sunday of the year. Please place your donation in the envelope, marking whether they are in honor of or in memory of someone.

Hymn Selection Group If you’d like to choose hymns for services, join this group.  You will choose hymns for an upcoming service and then meet with the entire group to confirm the final selections.  See Billy Hibbitts if you are interested.

Would you like to write Prayers of the People?  If you are interested in writing these prayers (there are resources that can help with this task), please let Rebecca know by phone or email priest-in-charge@stjohnscorbin.org.

United Thank Offering.  Remember to get your box for your thank offerings for this ministry of The Episcopal Church.  The next collection will be in the spring.

Are you interested in assisting with the Sunday service?  Readers, Eucharistic Ministers, Crucifers, Altar Guild Members and choir members are all important for each Sunday service.  If you’re interested in serving, please let Rebecca know by phone 859-429-1659 or priest-in-charge@stjohnscorbin.org.

 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.

Remembering our Veterans!

Posted on by
Veterans' Day 2014

Veterans’ Day 2014

We remember those who have served in the Armed Forces of the United States.

Silvestre Alaniz, Army, 2008-present
John Echols, Air Force, 2001-present

Jason Beams-Jackson                       Leslie Carter

Larry Conley                                         James L. Disney

Ed Van Gorder                                     Joseph Justice

Taylor Justice                                       Calvin C. Moore, Jr.

Elmer Parlier                                          Ken Phillips

Don Sullivan                                                 Cecil E. Davis                                     Lamar R. Jones     Fred Mainord                                            Richard Swinford                                         Gary Snider

Jim Weaver                                                   Otto Goff

Ralph Goff                                                   Bobby Phillips

Victor Jordan                                               Glenn Campbell

AJ Jones                                                       Tom Terry

Bill Wiser

 

Cling to Jesus (Sermon) November 2, 2014

Posted on by

Sermon – November 2, 2014

The Rev. Rebecca S. Myers, CSW

St. John’s Episcopal Church, Corbin, KY

All Saints Day (Transferred) Year A

See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and that is what we are. 1 John 3:1

 “Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven…. Matthew 5:11-12

Please be seated.

I don’t know how many of you were here the other Wednesday night when Tom talked about the difficulties of Christians in Pakistan.  I was sorry to miss it.  Tom gave me the information he passed out and he’s sent me various articles and emails about the situation.  In an October 17 Washington Post article, In Expansive Pakistan, Christians struggle to find space for cemeteries, reporter Tim Craig describes the life for Christians, who are 5.5% of the population.  Listen to this:

“In this tiny village [Torey Wala] where most homes don’t have windows and meals are cooked over fire pits, Christians are used to feeling like second-class citizens.

 Christians say they earn less than $2 a day working in the sugarcane fields. They must shop at the sparsely stocked Christian-run rice and vegetable store. They are not allowed to draw water from wells tapped for Muslim neighbors. Now, in what many consider to be a final indignity, they and other Pakistani Christians are struggling to bury their dead.”

Tom has been involved in supporting a family of 8 Christians, who fled from Pakistan to Thailand after protesting the imprisonment of a fellow Christian, 50 year-old Asia Bibi.  Ms. Bibi has been in prison for over five years, charged with blasphemy against Allah.  She was sentenced to death.  She lost her most recent appeal on October 16.

Now, certainly there have been times in the history of Christianity where people of different beliefs have been persecuted and killed, so it’s not that we are free as a faith from this kind of action.  However, what I thought about on this All Saints Day…what I think about any time I’ve read about the martyrs of our faith… is the depth of faith of these people and what about following Jesus is better than life itself and would I be as faithful as the many Christians around the world who are so persecuted and abused?

Because, really, it’s not all that easy to follow Jesus for many of us in places where we face little persecution for our faith.  Jesus says we must forgive, 70 times 7!  Forgiving others is not easy, even though it’s healthy.  We’d rather plot our revenge against the other person.  We’d rather prove how right we are. We’d rather hold on to “they dun us wrong,” than let go and be in peace.

Following Jesus confronts us with our earthly desires and worldliness.  How much is enough?  Are we too attached to our possessions?  Are we greedy?  What about our money?  Over and over again, we are challenged to examine the way we live our lives.

Jesus also gave preferential treatment to those who were marginalized during his time, to those who were not considered in the mainstream or dominant culture.  And that is true today.  Following Christ means listening to the voices of those who are the outcasts of today…those living in poverty, those whose cultures are considered “minority.”  In Luke 4:21, Jesus told the people of Nazareth he came to fulfill the prophecy of Isaiah:

 The spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor.  He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor. (Luke 4:18-19)

 And in our Episcopal denomination, we are asked to live into our Baptismal covenant, which is truly a summary of what it means to follow Christ.  On pages 304 and 305 in the Book of Common Prayer we are asked to:

  • Continue in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in the prayers
  • Persevere in resisting evil, and, whenever we fall into sin, repent and return to the Lord
  • Proclaim by word and example the Good News of God in Christ
  • Seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving our neighbor as ourselves
  • Strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being

Quite a tall order to live by, isn’t it?

And then there’s so much required of us in reconciling the beliefs and understandings of thousands of years ago with our current times.

And yet, in many places in the world, people hear the Good News and they cling to Jesus.  They cling to Jesus, even if it means they will die for their belief.  They cling to Jesus even if it means they will be discriminated against, given the lowest paying jobs or maybe no job at all.  They cling to Jesus even if it means they must flee from their homes.  What about following Jesus is so necessary…as necessary for life as the air we breathe?

In today’s readings, we have that beautiful one from Revelation, a glorious vision of heaven and we can see our loved ones right there at the feet of Jesus, can’t we?

For this reason they are before the throne of God, and worship him day and night within his temple, and the one who is seated on the throne will shelter them. They will hunger no more, and thirst no more; the sun will not strike them, nor any scorching heat; for the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of the water of life, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Rev. 7:15-17

It’s such a comforting and wonderful vision.  Maybe this is one reason why we Christians cling to Jesus.

Then in 1 John, we hear that we are children of God.

See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and that is what we are. 1 John 3:1

We know and experience God as our parent, the perfect parent, another comforting vision and reason we as Christians cling to Jesus.

The heart of following Jesus is all about love.  Jesus puts it so simply.  We just heard it last week in our Gospel from Matthew, when the Pharisees tried to trip up Jesus.  Which commandment is the greatest, they ask?  And Jesus replies, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.”  And then he says the second most important commandment is similar to the first, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”  (Matthew 22:34-46)  This love Jesus describes and calls us to, is the very breath of our lives.  Without this linchpin, life just isn’t worth living.

And there is mercy and forgiveness.  Living into our baptismal covenant, living into the two most important commandments, is not easy for us.  But over and over again, we are forgiven and God shows mercy to us.  God still loves us.  Paul told us that in his letter to the Romans (8:39),

For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. 

 Those saints who have gone before knew in their souls what it was about following Jesus that was life itself.  Those like Asia Bibi and the Gill Family, experiencing persecution and exile for following Jesus demand that we feel in our very bones what following Jesus means to our lives.  They demand that we know why we cling to Jesus. It is the least we can do in return for God’s love of us, claiming us as children.

Amen

This Sunday (October 26) at St. John’s

Posted on by

Lord, you have been our refuge *
from one generation to another. Psalm 90:1

On Tuesday, my son posted a photo of my grandson walking up to his bus stop in a lot of fog.

Walking confidently into the fog. (Photo by S. Brown)

Walking confidently into the fog. (Photo by S. Brown)

I truly love this photo, not only because I love almost anything that includes a photo of my grandson, but because of the deeper meaning (and no it’s not the Stephen King story, I’m talking about 🙂

We are familiar with lots of fog here in the region.  With fog, you can’t see too far in front of you.  You really can’t see your destination.  Sometimes as you move closer into the fog, things become a little clearer, but often not too far in front.

Now, if we’re familiar with the path or road we’re on, we may travel a bit faster to our destination.  We know the way.

I like this photo, because my grandson is walking confidently into the fog.

This Sunday we turn in our pledges.  Right now, in the end of October, we make a promise to God and to the community of St. John’s regarding our intentions to contribute to the ministry of Christ here in the region during 2015.  We do our best to return to God, what is God’s in the first place…what God gave into our care.

We can’t see what 2015 will bring.  We don’t know what will happen over the next year.  Next year is foggy to us, not clear at all.  Yet, we walk confidently…we pledge boldly, because, you see, we know the destination.  Just like the Psalmist, we know God is our refuge.  We walk confidently, because we know we walk into God’s loving arms.

Blessings as you finish your week.

Love, Rebecca+

I will be at St. John’s this week,Wednesday through Friday.  My Sabbath Days will be Monday and Tuesday.  You can get a message to her by calling the church office at 606-528-1659 or priest-in-charge@stjohnscorbin.org.

Please prayerfully consider the gifts God has given you that you will give back to St. John’s for Christ’s ministry and mission during 2015.  Pledge cards should be returned by Sunday to prepare for our November 16 Annual Meeting and adoption of the 2015 budget.  So far, we’ve received 6 pledges for a total of $9,960.  These pledges and your gifts of time and talent sustain the Christian community of St. John’s and allow us to be Christ to our region.

Prayer of St Ignatius

God, Take and receive all my liberty, my memory, my understanding, and my entire will – all that I have and call my own.
You have given it all to me;
To you, God, I return it.
Everything is yours; do with it what you will. Give me only your love and your grace.
That is enough for me.
Amen

Join me Sunday afternoon as I celebrate Eucharist at Christian Care Communities.  Elmer Parlier will be playing the guitar.  The service begins at 2:30pm and is 30-45 minutes and the residents would appreciate your attendance.

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

If you are interested in becoming a Godly Play Teacher serving when you can, plan to attend a meeting on Wednesday, October 29, at 6:30pm.

Adult Forum – The Adult Forum focus is Living with Money.

Godly Play Teachers needed.  Meeting Wednesday, October 29, 6:30pm.  Godly Play teachers are needed.  Training is provided.  This is a wonderful program of spiritual development for children and we’d like to keep it going in the parish.  Please let Rebecca know if you are willing to be trained and serve as a teacher for a period of approximately 1 month.

Weekday Morning Eucharist will be available Wednesday, October 29, 9am, in the Sanctuary. I will also celebrate on Wednesday mornings, November 12, December 3 and December 24.

Trunk or Treat, Friday, October 31.  We will be distributing candy from the church on Halloween evening.

Two furnaces replaced, 1 more to go!  The furnace located in the sacristy has been replaced and funds received for the second furnace. Thanks so much to all who donated!  Now we need to replace the furnace in the rectory. Cost is just under $1,700 for a furnace that will also be more energy efficient. Donations for the furnace can be put in the box on the table in the parlor.

The Vestry has voted to donate $25 each month to Everlasting Arm Homeless Shelter. If you’d like to contribute, put your donations in the collection box by the guest register or mark your donation and put it in the collection plate.

Grow Appalachia!  The Vestry has voted to move ahead to become a Grow Appalachia site for 2015.  Please talk to the Vestry about your ideas, questions, and concerns.  The Grow Appalachia website is http://www.berea.edu/grow-appalachia/

 The Grow Appalachia Committee will meet Sunday, October 26 after church. 

 All Saints Sunday, November 2.  We observe All Saints Day and will read the names of those saints close to us who have died.  To have the name of your loved one read at the service, please place it in the offering plate or leave a message on the church phone or email webmaster@stjohnscorbin.org by October 26.

Worship Committee will meet Sunday, November 2, after church. 

Chocolate Fest, Saturday, December 6, 9am – 3pm.  If you can contribute something to the fest, please turn in your donation form by November 23.

The Diocesan Budget Committee will be at St. John’s on Wednesday, November 5, 7-8:30pm to talk about the 2015 Diocesan Budget.  Come meet the Committee, ask questions and learn where our collective dollars go.

On November 9, we will honor our members who are veterans of the Armed Forces.  To have a name read at the service, please place it in the offering plate or leave a message on the church phone or email webmaster@stjohnscorbin.org by November 2.

Belk Charity Sales Day, Saturday, November 8, 6-10am.  We are selling tickets for $5.00 for this special event.  The church keeps the $5.00 and for each ticket, you receive $5.00 off an item.   We will also sell tickets on Thursday, October 2, 10am – 2pm.  If you can help, please contact June.

The Second Diocesan Ministry Fair will be held Saturday, November 15 at Emmanuel Church, Winchester, 8:30am – 4:30pm.  Keynote speaker is The Rev. Stuart Hoke, Th.D.  He will speak on the church’s role in addiction recovery.  Cost is $20.  Forms are on the bulletin board and online registration is at www.diolex.org.

Daylight Savings Time ends next Sunday, November 2.  Remember to turn your clocks back 1 hour.

Flowers for the altar: Donations for flowers for the altar are accepted for any Sunday of the year. Please place your donation in the envelope, marking whether they are in honor of or in memory of someone.

 Hymn Selection Group If you’d like to choose hymns for services, join this group.  You will choose hymns for an upcoming service and then meet with the entire group to confirm the final selections.  See Billy Hibbitts if you are interested.

Would you like to write Prayers of the People?  If you are interested in writing these prayers (there are resources that can help with this task), please let Rebecca know by phone or email priest-in-charge@stjohnscorbin.org.

United Thank Offering.  Remember to get your box for your thank offerings for this ministry of The Episcopal Church.  The next collection will be Sunday November 16.

Youth grades 10-12 are invited to Happening at Cathedral Domain from 6:30pm Friday, November 14 until Sunday, 5:00pm.  See Rebecca for more information.

Addiction and Grace, a service for people affected by addiction, will be held at Christ Church Cathedral on Sunday, November 9, 3:00pm. A similar service will be held at Christ Church Harlan at 3pm.  Please let me know if you’d like to attend one of the services.

This Sunday (October 19) at St. John’s – Bishop Hahn will Visit

Posted on by

Now if I have found favor in your sight, show me your ways, so that I may know you and find favor in your sight. Exodus 33:13

I love the story of Exodus.  Written thousands of years ago, I still see that human nature has not changed all that much.  God delivers the people from bondage and they just want to go back to being enslaved.  God shows up to Moses in a burning bush that does not burn up and all Moses can do is question God’s judgment.

And in the passage we’ll hear this Sunday, Moses is still trying to figure out who is the God.  Isn’t that so true of all of us.  We have some experiences that convince us that God exists and is present in our lives.  At other times, we have our doubts.  And here is one of the most faithful leaders chosen by God asking questions.

At least in the Episcopal Church, asking questions and expressing our doubts is considered a necessary part of our faith and our tradition.  Adult Forum is lots of fun, because we get to discuss these issues and hearing from fellow members is helpful.

So, come in your doubts and in your questioning for that is often the best path toward God.

Blessings as you finish your week!

Love, Rebecca+

Bishop Hahn visits this Sunday.  Join us for baptism, confirmation, reception and pot luck!

Bishop Hahn will be with us at Adult Forum.  He’ll preach at the service, as well as baptize, confirm, and receive new members.  After church, we’ll have our monthly pot luck.  Join us for this special day as we receive new members:

Annaliese Herzer – Baptism
Jason Beams-Jackson – confirmation
TJ Beams-Jackson – confirmation
Amber Hibbitts – Confirmation
James Partin – Reception
Tracey Herzer – Transfer
Camille Ruddick – Transfer

My Schedule
I will be at St. John’s Monday, October 20, and in Lexington on Tuesday, October 21.  My Sabbath Days will be Wednesday, October 22 – Friday, October 25, when I will be out of town.  You can get a message to me by calling the church office at 606-528-1659 or priest-in-charge@stjohnscorbin.org.

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

Adult Forum – The Adult Forum focus is Living with Money.  Next Sunday’s session will focus on Making Peace with Money.

The furnace located in the sacristy was replaced this week at a cost of just under $1,700.  About $1,200 was received so far.  We’ll need to replace two more furnaces over the next two years:  one that heats the parish hall and one that heats the rectory.  Donations for the furnace can be put in the box on the table in the parlor.

The Vestry has voted to donate $25 each month to Everlasting Arm Homeless Shelter. If you’d like to contribute, put your donations in the collection box by the guest register or mark your donation and put it in the collection plate.

Pot Luck Sunday:  This Sunday is our monthly pot luck.  Bring a dish or drink to share.  And all are welcome!  Plan to fellowship with each other.  Our pot luck schedule shifts in November to November 16, when we have our Annual Meeting.

 Grow Appalachia!  The Vestry has voted to move ahead to become a Grow Appalachia site for 2015.  Please talk to the Vestry about your ideas, questions, and concerns.  The Grow Appalachia website is http://www.berea.edu/grow-appalachia/

The Diocesan Budget Committee will be at St. John’s on Wednesday, November 5, 7-8:30pm to talk about the 2015 Diocesan Budget.  Come meet the Committee, ask questions and learn where our collective dollars go.

Join Rebecca (next Sunday afternoon/this afternoon) as she celebrates Eucharist at Christian Care Communities.  Elmer Parlier will be playing the guitar.  The service begins at 2:30pm and is 30-45 minutes and the residents would appreciate your attendance.

Please prayerfully consider the gifts God has given you that you will give back to St. John’s for Christ’s ministry and mission during 2015.  Pledge cards should be returned by October 26 to prepare for our November 16 Annual Meeting and adoption of the 2015 budget.

Prayer of St Ignatius
God, Take and receive all my liberty, my memory, my understanding, and my entire will – all that I have and call my own.
You have given it all to me;
To you, God, I return it.
Everything is yours; do with it what you will. Give me only your love and your grace.
That is enough for me.

Amen

Trunk or Treat, Friday, October 31.  We will be distributing candy from the church on Halloween evening.

All Saints Sunday, November 2.  We observe All Saints Day and will read the names of those saints close to us who have died.  To have the name of your loved one read at the service, please place it in the offering plate or leave a message on the church phone or email webmaster@stjohnscorbin.org by October 26.

The Diocesan Budget Committee will be at St. John’s Corbin, Wednesday evening, November 5, 7:00pm to talk about the 2015 Diocesan Budget.  Come learn how our joint contributions further God’s mission in the region.

Belk Charity Sales Day, Saturday, November 8, 6-10am.  We are selling tickets for $5.00 for this special event.  The church keeps the $5.00 and for each ticket, you receive $5.00 off an item.   We will also sell tickets on Thursday, October 2, 10am – 2pm.  If you can help, please contact June.

On November 9, we will honor our members who are veterans of the Armed Forces.  To have a name read at the service, please place it in the offering plate or leave a message on the church phone or email webmaster@stjohnscorbin.org by November 2.

Youth grades 10-12 are invited to Happening at Cathedral Domain from 6:30pm Friday, November 14 until Sunday, 5:00pm.  See Rebecca for more information.

 The Second Diocesan Ministry Fair will be held Saturday, November 15 at Emmanuel Church, Winchester, 8:30am – 4:30pm.  Keynote speaker is The Rev. Stuart Hoke, Th.D.  He will speak on the church’s role in addiction recovery.  Cost is $20.  Forms are on the bulletin board and online registration is at www.diolex.org.

Serving Our Neighbors – See baskets in the parlor.

  • Everlasting Arms, Corbin’s shelter for people who are homeless, is in need of men’s and women’s razors, gloves, deodorant and socks.
  • The Food Pantry at Corbin Presbyterian Church is always in need of nonperishable food items. Vegetables are especially appreciated.

 Flowers for the altar: Donations for flowers for the altar are accepted for any Sunday of the year. Please place your donation in the envelope, marking whether they are in honor of or in memory of someone.

 Hymn Selection Group If you’d like to choose hymns for services, join this group.  You will choose hymns for an upcoming service and then meet with the entire group to confirm the final selections.  See Billy Hibbitts if you are interested.

Would you like to write Prayers of the People?  If you are interested in writing these prayers (there are resources that can help with this task), please let Rebecca know by phone or email priest-in-charge@stjohnscorbin.org.

United Thank Offering.  Remember to get your box for your thank offerings for this ministry of The Episcopal Church.  The next collection will be November 16. 

 Are you interested in assisting with the Sunday service?  Readers, Eucharistic Ministers, Crucifers, Altar Guild Members and choir members are all important for each Sunday service.  If you’re interested in serving, please let Rebecca know by phone 859-429-1659 or priest-in-charge@stjohnscorbin.org.

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/