Tag Archives: Pentecost

This Sunday (June 7, 2015) at St. John’s

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O God, from whom all good proceeds: Grant that by your inspiration we may think those things that are right, and by your merciful guiding may do them; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Collect for Proper 5, p. 229, Book of Common Prayer).

Our Collect this week asks God to inspire or breath through us so that our thoughts may be right or in line with what God desires.  But it’s not only our thoughts that must be right….it is that once that happens, we MUST TAKE ACTION!

I don’t know about you, but that’s quite a process for me.  First of all discerning whether my thinking is in line with God’s Will.  In 12-step groups, you are cautioned about this.  You’ll hear things like, “when I’m in my head, I’m behind enemy lines.”  You hear people talk about the “chatter in their heads,” which is often our negative talk to ourselves.  Sometimes people talk about the “committee in their heads.”  Yes, our thinking can be dangerous to our health and wellbeing.

Silencing that chatter in our heads requires some work and discipline.  Prayer can help.  Writing it all out on paper can help.  Talking to others can help.  All of these actions of getting that chatter out of our heads, make room for God’s guidance to enter.

And just as we do this as individuals, I suggest we must do this in our communities.  We can have community thinking that “lives” in despair or in denial or in negativity or in rigidity.  We need to get this chatter out of our collective thinking so God can enter in.

Taking action isn’t always easy, but I’d say it’s impossible if we haven’t gotten all of our chatter and non-God thinking out of the way!

Blessings as you finish your week!

Love, Rebecca+

Pastoral Needs: If a pastoral need arises, please call the church office at 606-528-1659 and leave a message. Voicemail messages will automatically be forwarded to a member of the vestry who can arrange pastoral care. You may also contact the senior warden, Bruce W. Cory, by phone at 440-227-0035 or by e-mail at bwcory@gmail.com

This Sunday: Dr. Kay Collier McLaughlin will join us for the Good-goodbye as we say farewell to Rebecca.

Next Sunday: On June 14 we will be welcoming the Rev. Terry Taylor who will be present to celebrate with us the Holy Eucharist.

Adult Forum: Next Sunday we continue a summer series on the Gospel of Mark.

Al-Anon Family Group:  An Al-Anon Family Group will meet in St. John’s Parish Hall on Tuesdays from 7-8pm.

KCEOC Summer Lunch Program for youth ages 18 and under, Monday through Friday, 11:50am – Noon, St. John’s Church Park.  Youth can pick up their lunch and enjoy it in the park.  The program ends on July 31.  Please spread the word!

Gather at 6pm on Wednesday evenings for a service and fellowship.

Celebration of the Ministry of Dr. Kay Collier McLaughlin, June 21, 3:00pm, Christ Church Cathedral, Lexington.  Join in this celebration of Kay’s ministry in the Diocese of Lexington.

The next Family Game Night will be a family movie night, possibly outdoors, 6:30-8:30pm, June 26.  Bring your favorite snacks and drinks.

2015 Goals: The Vestry has adopted the following goals for 2015, in line with our recently adopted Mission Statement; Proclaiming the Gospel, promoting justice, and preparing a diverse community of seekers to reflect the welcoming love of Christ:

  • Support Al-Anon group meeting at the Church.
  • List St. John’s Church on theIntegrity and Believe Out Loud websites as an open and welcoming church, especially for people who are Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning.
  • Remodel space for use as a sacristy.
  • Repurpose the parlor.
  • Serve as a site for the KCEOC Summer Lunch program for youth ages 18 and under.  St. John’s is serving as a site Monday through Friday at 11:50am until noon through July 31.  Youth can get their lunch and enjoy it in the St. John’s Park.

 

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Hearing the Many Things (sermon) May 24, 2015 – Pentecost

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Sermon – May24, 2015

The Rev. Rebecca S. Myers, CSW

St. John’s Episcopal Church, Corbin, KY

Pentecost

Bulletin 5-24-2015 Pentecost w Baptism

I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth; for he will not speak on his own, but will speak whatever he hears, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. John 16:12-13

Please be seated.

Back in the early 60’s in Harrisburg, the local radio station broadcast a church service each Sunday.  My father, who was Lutheran, heard this preacher, Ray Evelan, on the radio one Sunday and was drawn to attend his church, Messiah Lutheran Church.  The Church was farther away than the one he was already attending, but something about the 35-year old preacher drew him in.

At the time Messiah was declining.  The neighborhoods around the church were disappearing as state government and office buildings came along, all part of an urban redevelopment plan. Soon after my father started attending the church, he and Pastor Evelan became good friends, best friends in fact, in a friendship that lasted nearly 50 years.

By 1965, Pastor Evelan was Uncle Ray to me – not my blood uncle, but nearly so.  Looking back and hearing stories from my parents, I know Uncle Ray saved my life in so many ways.  My mother had bi-polar disorder, a chronic mental illness, and she suffered with it before there was lithium and the many medications available today.  So many times, Uncle Ray provided support and comfort to both of my parents.  He encouraged my parents to seek help at a premier hospital in Philadelphia where my mother was able to be one of the first to receive new treatments, which were amazing.

Uncle Ray shaped my faith and my understanding of what it means to be a Christian.  He was an advocate for justice of every kind, including racial justice.  When I was 14, he preached a series of sermons on speaking truth to power.  I still read those sermons about the importance to work for God’s justice here on earth, no matter the cost.  I still hear and see him preaching in his black robe with white cassock, pulling up the sleeves and leaning over the pulpit.

Pentecost is the anniversary of my confirmation and Uncle Ray was one of the people who taught confirmation classes.  At the time, the baptism liturgy was changing and Uncle Ray explained how important it was that the service was done within the congregation.  I can’t remember all he said in that class, but it was powerful.  Until that time, our youth group would always sit up in the balcony, half paying attention.  But on the next Sunday after Uncle Ray spoke to us, we came down and sat right up front, close to the pulpit and baptismal font and we never went back to the balcony.

Today, on this birthday of the church…on the day we immerse ourselves in the coming of the Holy Spirit, I can say that Uncle Ray loved God.  Uncle Ray loved Jesus.  Uncle Ray had the Holy Spirit in him, working through him, and guiding him.  The Holy Spirit guided him to speak prophetically about what was required for God’s justice to reign on earth.  The Holy Spirit filled him with courage and a passion to stand for truth and to take action for truth.

However, many Christians then and even many now, would condemn Uncle Ray.  Because, you see, Uncle Ray was a gay man, who had to conceal that fact for most of his life.  The condemnation, and I would say misunderstanding, of the Christian Church would have denied his deep love of God and of Jesus.  They would have denied his gift of prophecy…would have denied his Holy Spirit filled courage…his passion for truth and justice and would not have heeded him, nor allowed him to do God’s work if he were openly true to himself.

But in today’s Gospel, we hear Jesus say,

Nevertheless I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.  And when he comes, he will prove the world wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment…. John 16:7-8

What….Jesus MUST go away?  The Holy Spirit, the Advocate, the Paraclete, MUST come?  What?  The world is WRONG about sin and righteousness and judgment?  AND the Holy Spirit, the Advocate, the Paraclete will show us how wrong the world is?

It seems like in much of Christianity today, we deny these words of Jesus Christ.  We do not believe that the Holy Spirit is truly at work in the world.  Jesus explained in verses 12-13, that there were many more things he wanted to tell the disciples, but they were not ready and could not hear them.  Jesus says the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of truth will come and guide us and will declare to us the things that are to come.

Jesus’ work on earth was not the end.  There was so much more Jesus wanted us to know and to understand.  There was so much more God wanted us to know and to understand.  We couldn’t hear it.  So the Holy Spirit came on that day of Pentecost and dwelt within each of us so that we could grow and change and hear, finally, those things Jesus wanted to tell us….those things Jesus wanted us to know.

Unfortunately, for most of his life, my Uncle Ray suffered at the hands of the church.  I cannot believe his condemnation by the church of his day was of God or of Jesus.  And I am most grateful that the Holy Spirit has continued to move through us, like the “rush of a violent wind,” resting divided “tongues of fire” upon each of us, bringing the things we could not bear to hear previously…that God is love…that God created each of us…that who we are attracted to or desire to love is of God and demonstrates God’s love.

I love the Holy Scriptures.  I learn something new about God and Jesus and being a Christian each time I read scripture.  AND today Jesus clearly tells us there is more to come. Jesus tells us the Holy Spirit continues God’s work.  Jesus tells us all will change until God’s perfect Kingdom reigns.

So, watch for the Holy Spirit at work in our world today in so many ways.  My example of Uncle Ray is but one of many.  Listen deeply for how the Holy Spirit is moving through you and guiding you.  Listen and you will be guided into all truth!

Amen

This Sunday (May 24, 2015) at St. Johns – Pentecost Sunday

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This Sunday is Pentecost – Remember to wear red to church!

Almighty God, on this day you opened the way of eternal life to every race and nation by the promised gift of your Holy Spirit: Shed abroad this gift throughout the world by the preaching of the Gospel, that it may reach to the ends of the earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Collect for Pentecost, Book of Common Prayer, p. 227

This Sunday is Pentecost, 50 days after Easter, the coming of the Holy Spirit and the birth of the church.  I will wear my stole and chasuble that I wore when I was ordained to the priesthood in 2013. The symbol on these vestments is a Jerusalem Cross, which our Collect references –  ” Shed abroad this gift throughout the world by the preaching of the Gospel, that it may reach to the ends of the earth….”

The large cross represents Jerusalem, which is the center of our faith story.  In fact, when I visited England, I saw a Mappa Mundi at Hereford Cathedral.  This map of the world was made in 1300 and Jerusalem was considered the center of the world.

My children vesting me at my ordination, July 27, 2013. Symbol is The Jerusalem Cross.

My children vesting me at my ordination, July 27, 2013. Symbol is The Jerusalem Cross.

The four smaller crosses represent the four corners of the world.

From Jerusalem, site of the Pentecost, to the four corners of the world, we are to spread the Gospel…the Good News…the love of Jesus Christ…the joy of following Jesus.

Blessings as you finish your week!

Love, Rebecca+

Schedule: Rebecca will be in Corbin Tuesday and Wednesday. Monday is a holiday and her Sabbath will be Tuesday and Friday. You may leave a message for Rebecca by calling the church office at 606-528- 1659 or at priest-in-charge@stjohnscorbin.org.

Adult Forum:This Sunday we begin a summer series on the Gospel of John.

Al-Anon Family Group: An Al-Anon Family Group will meet in St. John’s Parish Hall on Tuesdays from 7-8pm.

Work Day: A Parish work day has been scheduled for Saturday, May 30 starting at 9:00am. There are several areas of concern to be addressed, such as such as mulching, lattice-work around the amphitheater, and caulking the windows. Please let Billy Hibbitts know that you are available and willing to help. You may also come by and take your Prevention of Sexual Misconduct (POSM) training if needed.

Fun, fun, fun: The next Family Game Night is May 22nd, from 6:30 – 8:30pm in the Parish Hall. Bring your favorite games, snacks, and drinks. Pizza will be provided.

United Thank Offering: The ingathering for United Thank Offering was May 17. Remember to bring your thank offering boxes AND pick up another one for the fall ingathering. A thank offering box is a great way to give thanks and gratitude each day. When combined with thousands of others, it supports wonderful projects in The Episcopal Church.

Grow Appalachia: The Grow Appalachia committee will meet Thursdays evenings at 6pm through the month of May.

Pot Luck Sunday: Sunday May 31 is our monthly pot luck. We will also be having the first stage of the celebration of the Rev. Rebecca Myers ministry at St. John’s.

Testament of a Naked Man: Good News According to Mark.  Monday, June 1, 6-8pm, A performance of the Gospel of Mark by The Rev. Dr. Angus Stewart. For more information, see  http://stjohnscorbin.org/?p=155433

The Good Goodbye: The Rev. Rebecca Myers’ last Sunday will be June 7. Dr. Kay Collier McLaughlin will be present on behalf of the diocesan leadership to lead us in a Litany of Leave-taking.

2015 Goals: The Vestry has adopted the following goals for 2015, in line with our recently adopted Mission Statement; Proclaiming the Gospel, promoting justice, and preparing a diverse community of seekers to reflect the welcoming love of Christ:

  •  Support Al-Anon group meeting at the Church.
  •  List St. John’s Church on the Integrity and Believe Out Loud websites as an open and welcoming church, especially for people who are Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning.
  •  Remodel space for use as a sacristy.
  •  Repurpose the parlor.
  •  Serve as a site for the KCEOC Summer Lunch program for youth ages 18 and under.

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God’s Productive Tenants (Sermon) October 5, 2014

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Sermon – October 5, 2014

The Rev. Rebecca S. Myers, CSW

St. John’s Episcopal Church, Corbin, KY

Seventeenth Sunday After Pentecost (Proper 22) Track 1

When the harvest time had come, he sent his slaves to the tenants to collect his produce. Matthew 21:34

Please be seated.

We are doing a number of things today.  It is stewardship Sunday when we focus on what of God’s we return to God.  And we are remembering St. Francis, whose commemoration was yesterday, with having our pets here with us this morning and blessing them after the service.

I’m more of a cat person than anything.  Since the day I was born, cats have lived with me off and on.  Sometimes it’s one cat and sometimes it’s as many as three cats.  Many of my cats have come to me, chosen me.  Seems they are messengers from God, really.

For instance, in late 1980, I was going through a tough time.  I was a single mom, barely able to make ends meet.  At Christmas, though, I held my traditional open house.  At some point in the evening, someone opened the door and in walked a beautiful tiger cat!  Just walked in, mind you!  Later the next summer when we moved to Ithaca so I could go to college fulltime, he came with us and used to sit on my books while I was studying.  My two young children and I needed his love, antics and companionship.

So many stories I could tell of the cats who have just walked in to my life and just shown up as loving companions along the way.  I’m sure you have many of your own.

We’ve talked before about what it means to be a steward:  being a steward is the careful and responsible management of something entrusted to one’s care….  It is the careful and responsible management of something entrusted to one’s care.

When we have pets, we must be good stewards.  Pets rely upon us to care for them.  We feed them well.  We do what we can to keep them safe from harm.  We do what we can to give them a good home.  When they’re sick, we do what we can to help them get well.  When we can’t do these things, we find them good homes with someone else.  We feel so strongly about this as a society, that we have laws about what it means to be good stewards to the animals in our care.  We are appalled by cruelty to animals.  We “get” what being a good steward of God’s creation means through caring for our pets.

And today, we are being asked to consider what it means to be good stewards to God’s church, the church of God’s son, Jesus Christ.  Most specifically, we are being asked to consider what it means to be a good steward of St. John’s Episcopal Church.

God tells us through Jesus’ parable.  God provided a vineyard…a carefully built vineyard.  It had everything – a fence to keep animals out; a wine press so the harvest could be preserved; and a watchtower, because the workers would live in the vineyard during the harvest and the watchtower provided safety.  The workers provided the labor to ensure, as much as possible, that there would be a good harvest.  Of course, they couldn’t control the weather, but they could otherwise tend to the grape crop.

Similarly, God has given us all of the basic things we need to be The Episcopal Church in this region of Kentucky.  We are charged with providing careful and responsible management of the basics God has given us, so that God’s mission with God’s people can be realized.  And for those of you who just finished confirmation class, you know that this mission of the church is to “restore all people to unity with God and each other in Christ.” (BCP, pg 855)

And according to our catechism, the church pursues our mission, “as it prays and worships, proclaims the Gospel, and promotes justice, peace, and love.” (BCP, pg 855)  Now, we probably need to have regular conversations about what we truly need to be the church.  What do we add to the fence, the watchtower, and the winepress that God has provided?

But for today, let’s assume that we agree that to pursue our mission, that to restore all people to unity with God and each other in Christ, that we need a facility, a park, items for worship and for spiritual growth, resources for outreach and a priest.  Those are the elements necessary to being the church…to restoring all people to unity with God and each other in Christ…to pray, worship, proclaim the Gospel, and promote justice, peace, and love.

God has given us everything we need.  God asks only that we do the labor and produce a good harvest.  God asks us to be good stewards…to be careful and responsible managers of what’s been entrusted to us.

We know what this means with our pets, yet become squeamish when it comes to talking about what it means for the church, what it means for St. John’s.  And that’s the question put to us in today’s parable.  When God sends God’s workers to collect the harvest, what will be our response?  Will we kill the workers and even God’s Son, so we can steal what is rightfully the landowner’s…what is rightfully God’s?  Or will we do our part to care for the vineyard…to provide the resources necessary for a good harvest?  Will God need to find new tenants for God’s vineyard known as St. John’s Episcopal Church?

Amen

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This Sunday (September 28, 2014) at St. John’s

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Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others.  Philippians 2:4

This week I’m in Berea attending the Brushy Fork Institute.  St. Agnes’ House receives $13,500 from the Berea College Appalachian Fund, so we are encouraged to attend this Institute each year.  A major focus is strengthening the leadership in Appalachia.  There are speakers and intensive workshop tracks on helpful subjects.  This year, I’m learning more about ways to communicate that build relationship and partnership.  Look out everyone, because you know I’ll be practicing and sharing what I learn.

Another thing I like about the Institute is the food.  Wednesday evening, we had dinner at Boone Tavern, a wonderful place to eat.  I enjoyed conversations with the people at my table.  Some have lived and worked in the region of Appalachia for many years.  Of course, I had to ask my perennial question — Why has poverty persisted in this region?

Well, we had a fun discussion and veered onto how to build a diverse economy in the region.  One of the issues we talked about is how possible it is to build a business that balances the interests of the business with the interests of the people.  For instance, if the minimum wage kept pace with what it was years ago, it’d be well over $10; not the $7.25 it currently is.  Would paying the minimum wage workers a little more money help both business and people?  Could families be better supported?

In the early church, Paul exhorted believers to reach out beyond themselves and their own personal interests to do what was helpful and caring for others.  What does that look like in your world?  How can we make it happen?

Love, Rebecca+

Bulletin 09-28-2014 insert

Bulletin 09-28-2014

REMINDER:  We celebrate Latino/Latina Heritage Month this Sunday.    Take a look at the bulletin and insert to review the music we’ll be singing.  We’ll also be saying the Lord’s Prayer in Spanish!

Pot Luck This Sunday!  It’s pot luck Sunday, Bring your favorite dish to share.  All are welcome!  Our pot luck schedule is changing for October and November.  October 19 will be pot luck, which is when Bishop Hahn makes his annual visit.  November 16 will be pot luck to coincide with the Annual Meeting.

Rebecca’s Schedule: Rebecca will be at St. John’s Tuesday and Thursday this week. Her Sabbath Day will be Monday, September 29 and Friday October 3. You can get a message to her by calling the church office at 606-528-1659 or priest-in-charge@stjohnscorbin.org.

Adult Forum: The Adult Forum is reviewing and discussing the 39 Articles of Faith, pages 867-876 in the Book of Common Prayer through September 28.

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

Confirmation Classes: Confirmation classes are being held every Wednesday through October 1 from 6:30-8pm.  All are invited.  This week’s session will be sacramental theology.

Godly Play Teachers needed. 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.

The ECW Annual meeting is scheduled for Saturday, October 4, 10:30am through lunch, Trinity, Covington.  There will be a recognition of Honored Women.  To attend, please contact Lisa Edwards, ledwards102@gmail.com, 859-341-7324.

Belk Charity Sales Day:  The annual Belk Charity Sales day will be Saturday, November 8, 6-10am.  Members of St. John’s 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.

We will be having an initial gathering of those interested in the Brotherhood of St. Andrew on October 5 after the Sunday service. To learn more, speak to Bruce Cory. You can also learn more from http://www.brotherhoodofstandrew.org/about.php

Furnace Needed: The furnace located in the sacristy, which heats part of the social hall and hallways must be replaced prior to this winter.  Cost is $2,250 for a furnace that will also be more energy efficient.  We’ll also 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 boxes back on the shelves in the parish hall.

Bring your pets to church to be blessed on Sunday, October 5.  We will have a service outdoors in our park (or in the amphitheater).  Pets should be leashed and/or in carriers.

The Grow Appalachia Committee will meet Wednesday, October 1, at 4:30pm, and after church on Sunday, October 5, to distribute flyers for the October 8 community meeting.

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

  • Be sure to have your Kroger Plus card handy and register your card with your organization after you sign up.
  • If a member does not yet have a Kroger Plus card, please let them know that they are available at the customer service desk at any Kroger.
  • Click on Sign In/Register
  • Most participants are new online customers, so they must click on SIGN UP TODAY in the ‘New Customer?’ box.
  • Sign up for a Kroger Rewards Account by entering zip code, clicking on favorite store, entering your email address and creating a password, agreeing to the terms and conditions
  • You will then get a message to check your email inbox and click on the link within the body of the email.
  • Click on My Account and use your email address and password to proceed to the next step.
  • Click on Edit Kroger Community Rewards information and input your Kroger Plus card number.
  • Update or confirm your information.
  • Enter NPO number (47782) or name of organization, select organization from list and click on confirm.
  • To verify you are enrolled correctly, you will see your organization’s name on the right side of your information page.
  • REMEMBER, purchases will not count for your group until after your member(s) register their card(s).
  • Do you use your phone number at the register?  Call 800-576-4377, select option 4 to get your Kroger Plus card number.
  • Members must swipe their registered Kroger Plus card or use the phone number that is related to their registered Kroger Plus card when shopping for each purchase to count.

Are We Rich Soil? (Sermon) July 13, 2014

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Sermon – July 13, 2014

The Rev. Rebecca S. Myers, CSW

St. John’s Episcopal Church, Corbin, KY

Fifth Sunday After Pentecost (Proper 10) Track 1

Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and they sprang up quickly, since they had no depth of soil. But when the sun rose, they were scorched; and since they had no root, they withered away. Matthew 13:5-6

Please be seated.

Letting go is easy sometimes.  When I was in the second year of a 2-year discernment process, I found letting go of my things to be very easy.  I had no idea whether the Bishop would approve to send me to seminary and even if he did, I figured it’d be another year until I could start.  Yet, I was ready to get rid of things.  Things like part of my doll collection I’d had since a child.  Things like my Geisha Girl China I’d had for years and the gilded corner cabinet it went in.  Things like the 43 year old kitchen table my parents bought when we’d moved into our new house when I was 11 years old, a table my brother had used in New York City for many years.

I was ready to let go…to downsize…to say good-bye to these things I’d carted from my childhood home and five addresses in Pennsylvania to Connecticut, New York, Kansas, North Carolina, and DC, through two marriages and raising two children.  They held many memories and connections.  Something new was happening and I knew I needed to let go of these things.  They began to weigh me down…hold me down.  These things and my holding on to them felt like the hard soil Jesus speaks of today.  The new thing coming in my life would wither and die trying to plant itself within the things of my past.

Now this openness to change, to parting with my things, was something that only developed over time.  You see, at one time, I kept every single card someone had ever sent to me.  I never threw anything away, it seems.  I paid plenty of money to haul these things back and forth across the country and to rent storage space when I couldn’t accommodate these things in my living space!  I loved the hard soil these things made.  Sure they were often stuck away in boxes, hidden from view and rarely viewed.  At times, I didn’t even notice the clutter they created…getting so used to working around it or having a smaller space in which to live.

Do you create hard soil in your life, so that new seeds sent from God spring up quickly, but easily wither and are scorched by the sun?  Trying to keep things the way they were traps us in a past that is long gone.  It does feel safe, when all around us is changing, but the safety is an illusion and a temporary comfort.

Yesterday, I was trying to plant a rose bush out in the garden.  Now, I didn’t have the right kind of shovel, but even so, the ground was so hard.  I’m not sure that bush has enough depth of soil to survive.  There is some hard ground around here…

Yes, where have we here at St. John’s created hard soil within ourselves so the seeds God sows wither and die?  What do we cling to…things that at one time might have been new seeds, planted in good soil, after all, but now have created hard soil and reject the new seeds?  We didn’t always have the parish hall.  We didn’t always have the kitchen and parlor area.  We didn’t always have the meeting rooms.  The parlor was once offices.  The park was once a school yard.  Each new person who came to St. John’s needed to find the good soil to plant themselves and each new plant created a community with different needs and different skills and different passions.  The one thing that didn’t change was the worship of God and the connection to The Episcopal Church.  But other than that, many things have changed in the church’s 108 years.

God isn’t afraid of the change, I don’t think, because God keeps calling us to do God’s work here in this place.  Yet, are we so hardened, that God’s mission for us withers and dies?  Are we so attached to what is comfortable for us that the seeds do not find depth of soil?  Are we so afraid of change, that we doom ourselves and the community of St. John’s to death?

The church has been here many years.  God has faith in us, I’d say.  God keeps calling us and guiding us to be the good, rich soil that produces thirty, sixty, and even one hundred fold.

Amen

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Being Sent (Sermon) June 8, 2014, Pentecost

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

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

Please be seated.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Now let us go forth and do the same.

Amen

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

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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.