The church is prepared for Pentecost. Remember to wear red! Be prepared to participate in baptizing new members:
Baylee Abigail Beams
Taegan Olivia Douglass
Blythe Nicole Swinford
Bret Lee Swinford
Pray for those being baptized.
Come, Holy Spirit, Come!
We’re ready for 4 baptisms.
Sermon – January 11, 2015
The Rev. Rebecca S. Myers, CSW
St. John’s Episcopal Church, Corbin, KY
The First Sunday After Epiphany: The Baptism of the Lord
And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him.11And a voice came from heaven, ‘You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.’ Mark 1:10-11
Please Be Seated
Yesterday, my son, Scot, turned 40! Where did the time go? Naturally, at this time, I recall the day he was born and many other memories over the years. His son, Logan, is so much like him that I often call him Scot instead of Logan! It’s like I’m seeing my son grow up all over again, sort of.
But even in remembering, there’s so much we forget. I don’t think too many, if any, of us remember the day we were born. As adults, we talk about how traumatic it must be for a child to be born after nine months in a comfortable place with all of their needs met. We make jokes about how a baby cries when it’s born. Of course it’s important for a baby to cry at birth as a sign their lungs are cleared out and working well, but it seems to resonate with the trauma of being born into the world. But none of us remembers that trauma, at least not overtly.
Sinead O’Connor in her recording from 1995, had a song that suggested babies are also born in spiritual trauma. The words are:
All babies are born saying God’s name
Over and over,
All born singing God’s name
All babies are flown from the Universe
From there they’re lifted by the hands of angels
God gives them the stars to use as ladders
She hears their calls
She is mother and father
All babies are born out of great pain
Over and over
All born into great pain
All babies are crying
For no-one remembers God’s name
All Babies, Sinead O’Connor
“All babies are crying for no one remembers God’s name.” It’s like when we’re born, a process of forgetting God ensues. We’re born into a world that values what we can see with our eyes and touch with our hands or physical selves over what we can see with our hearts and touch with our spirits. A world that discounts intuition and a sixth sense. A world that in many places and in many ways is uncomfortable with, even afraid of, mystery and of unknowing.
We are born into this world with strong connections to God and our own spirits. We don’t have a way to communicate with words for awhile, so we are very connected to our bodies and to what we experience in them. But, it seems like as we grow older, we’re taught to ignore our bodies and hearts in favor of passing the standardized math and reading tests. We forget how to read ourselves and each other.
Many times, we begin to accept this “vain” world’s assessment of us. We’re not pretty. We’re not smart. We think funny. We dress funny. We don’t make enough money. We aren’t good enough. We forget that God created our diversity and that the norm is diversity rather than conformity.
That’s why renewing our baptismal vows is important. Those of us baptized as children may only have a photograph of the event, but in a very real sense, that baptism was telling our spirits to remember where we came from…to remember God’s name. As we got older and once again surrendered to the world’s assessment of us, renewing our baptismal vows reminds us that in the waters of baptism, we died to the world’s view of us and were returned or reborn to God’s view of us.
And God’s view of us is that we were perfectly created. No, we are not God. We are not perfect in that we know everything or can do everything or see everything. We are perfect in the part of the body of Christ that we are. We are perfect in our humanity. We don’t have every talent, but we have talent…talent necessary for the world. We don’t possess all knowledge, but we possess knowledge that is necessary for the world. We don’t have all intelligence, but we have intelligence that is necessary for the world. We don’t have all understanding of God, but we have understanding of God that is necessary for the world.
When Jesus was baptized in the Jordan River, the heavens were torn apart, so the Holy Spirit could break in and the voice of God could confirm that Jesus was a child of God, beloved of God and that God was pleased.
And we need those same reminders. When we renew our baptismal vows…when we feel the water sprinkled on us, God is breaking through to us…recalling to us what we knew when we were born…reminding us of God’s name. God is reminding us that the Holy Spirit is right with us. God is reminding us that we are beloved children and that God is well pleased with us. Then we are prepared to go into the world in peace to love and to serve God.
Amen
God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day. Genesis 1:5
Most of us have had many “first days.” There is the first day we remember. There is the first day we went to school. There is the first day we met our best friend or our spouse. There is the first day we lived after someone we loved had died. So many first days….
This Sunday we’ll here this short passage from Genesis about the first day…truly the first day. It’s hard to imagine that. But what we do know about first days is that they represent something new and different…something that dramatically changes our lives and how we live them. There can be incredibly hard first days, but there can also be incredibly important and hope-filled first days.
If we’re not living the life God has called us to, we can start trying again. We can have a new day…a first day of living in a new way. We’re only 11 days into the New Year. What first days do you think God is calling you to?
Blessings as you finish your week!
Love, Rebecca
01-11-2015 Bulletin Renewal of Baptismal Covenant
Rebecca’s Schedule: Rev. Rebecca will at St. Agnes’ House Monday, January 12, through Thursday, January 15. Her Sabbath day will be Friday, January 16. You can get a message to her by calling the church office at 606-528-1659 or priest-in-charge@stjohnscorbin.org
Adult Forum: In January through mid-February (Christmas and Epiphany), we will discuss the blessing of same gender relationships. Next week, Rebecca will be reviewing the History of the Episcopal Church’s Decision.
Godly Play offered for children. All children are invited to participate in this special program of spiritual development.
Your prayers and presence are requested at the ordination to the Priesthood of Andrew Hege, on Saturday, January 17,10am, at Church of the Good Shepherd in Lexington.
Youth Group Bowling. The youth ages 13-18 will go bowling Sunday afternoon, January 18, 1-3pm at Forest Bowling Lanes, Corbin. Please see Rev. Rebecca if you’d like to go.
The Diocesan Stewardship Commission is offering an update on their work prior to Diocesan Convention. Join Rebecca on Tuesday, January 20, at 7pm at St. Mary’s in Middlesboro to hear this update. We can ride together and leave about 5 so we can eat dinner together. The Bishop is also offering scholarships for teams from parishes to attend The Episcopal Network for Stewardship (www.tens.org) conference in Texas in May. Please let Rebecca know if you’re interested in either of these events, as well as assisting with stewardship at St. John’s.
Weekday Morning Eucharist will be available Wednesday, January 21, 9am, in the Sanctuary.
Reading Camp Meeting, January 21, 10am. This meeting will be with people in Corbin interested in helping children read. We will look into recruiting children from Corbin for the Pine Mountain Camp, as well as connecting them to the local programs supporting reading during the school year. We will also discuss raising money to support the children and the camp. If you’d like to be part of this, please let Rebecca know.
Grow Appalachia! We’ve received a grant for $4,530 for our community garden through Grow Appalachia. The Grow Appalachia website is http://www.berea.edu/grow-appalachia/ The Grow Appalachia Committee will meet Wednesday, January 21, 6:30pm.
Worship Committee will meet Friday, January 23, 4:30pm to plan Lent, Holy Week, and Easter. All are welcome!
Game Night, Friday, January 30, 6:30-9:00pm. Everyone is invited to Game night on Friday, January 30, hosted by the Young Adults of the parish. Pizza will be provided. Bring snacks and your own drinks.
The annual Acolyte Festival will be held Saturday, January 31, 10am – 3:30pm at Christ Church Cathedral in Lexington
Provide Flowers for the altar in honor or in memory of a loved one: 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.
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.
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The church is ready for Bishop Hahn’s visit. Join us tomorrow!
Come join the celebration!
Bishop Hahn will speak at the Adult Forum – 10:15am – 10:45am. He will preach and preside at the 11:00am service.
We will receive James Partin to the Episcopal Church.
We will confirm Jason Beams-Jackson, TJ Beams-Jackson and Amber Hibbitts.
Annaliese Elizabeth Herzer will be baptized.
We also welcome new members by transfer, Tracey Herzer and Camille Ruddick.
One baptism, 3 confirmations and a reception! Welcome to the Episcopal Church.
We’ll renew our own Baptismal vows.
We are ready for the baptism and to renew our own vows.
Then we’ll have a pot luck!
Come join the celebration!
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.
Flowers for the altar: Donations for flowers for the altar are accepted for any Sunday of the year. Please place your donation in the envelope, marking whether they are in honor of or in memory of someone.
Hymn Selection Group If you’d like to choose hymns for services, join this group. You will choose hymns for an upcoming service and then meet with the entire group to confirm the final selections. See Billy Hibbitts if you are interested.
Would you like to write Prayers of the People? If you are interested in writing these prayers (there are resources that can help with this task), please let Rebecca know by phone or email priest-in-charge@stjohnscorbin.org.
United Thank Offering. Remember to get your box for your thank offerings for this ministry of The Episcopal Church. The next collection will be November 16.
Are you interested in assisting with the Sunday service? Readers, Eucharistic Ministers, Crucifers, Altar Guild Members and choir members are all important for each Sunday service. If you’re interested in serving, please let Rebecca know by phone 859-429-1659 or priest-in-charge@stjohnscorbin.org.
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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