Independence Day Weekend is a time to savor a wonderful gift that God has given our nation: and that is the gift of liberty.   Please join me in savoring these words from the Declaration of Independence:

We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men (and women) are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.   Our forefathers and foremothers understood something precious, that most Americans seem to have forgotten, and that is that freedom is a gift from God.

It seems to me that most Americans take our liberty for granted.  After all, most Americans have lived the entire lives in the blessings of liberty; but many may not appreciating the blood and sacrifices made by those in the fields of battle, to protect our freedom against those who have sought to take it away.  Perhaps those American citizens, who have recently immigrated to the United States, best appreciate the gift of freedom, because they, in many cases, have lived in lands where tyranny, not liberty, has reigned.

Throughout the Bible, we can see a God who is the champion of liberty. 

·       In today’s reading, we hear how Joseph was freed from prison in Egypt; how God delivered his people from slavery to bring them to a land where they could be free.  Throughout Biblical history, God intervened many times to free his people from oppression.

·       And is today’s Gospel, Jesus claimed God’s mission as His own when He said,”

·       I have come to proclaim the releases of captives, and to let the oppressed go free.”

Now God never intended our freedom to be an excuse for people to abuse that gift.  But time and time throughout history, people have used their freedom to turn away from God, to do whatever they want, as if they have no restraint…to violate God’s laws and to invent their own.  And if you know anything about history, you know that this leads to disaster.

Once God’s people had built their land and nation in the lands of modern day Palestine and Israel, they eventually turned against God, violating all his commandments: greed, stealing, idolatry, sexual promiscuity, envy, the enslavement of others, failing to present generous offerings to God, rape, and much more.  You see, as God’s people turned away from God, God removed his protection from His people.  Subsequently, God’s own people were defeated, enslaved, and sent into exile.  You see, God’s people had forgotten something that most Americans have forgotten or don’t understand, and that is this:

God is the author of liberty, but with that liberty comes the responsibility to follow God’s plan to maintain those liberties.

Let us now look at God’s plan. Please turn to today’s first reading from psalm 105.

Let us read the last 3 verses, with the congregation taking the lines in bold face caps:

³⁷ God saved his people from slavery,

HIS CHOSEN ONES WITH SHOUTS OF JOY.

⁴³ He brought out his people with rejoicing;

HE GAVE THEM THE PROMISED LAND   
⁴⁵ that they might obey His Word  AND OBSERVE HIS LAWS.

So, this is the key to freedom:  God gives the gift of freedom so that people can obey his word and observe his laws.

Now non-believers see God’s word and his laws as outdated, irrelevant, and even oppressive.  But actually, living God’s laws results in continuing freedom and expanding freedom.  God invented freedom, and the Bible is his instruction manual for maintaining it.

Now, I am not talking about the state establishment of Christianity, or ramming religion down anyone’s throat. Commitment to Jesus is meant to be a free choice.  Voluntarily embracing Jesus, who died to free us from the tyranny of sin is the basic foundation. As long as most of the people of our nation conscientiously sought to love God and to obey his commands, God prospered our land.  Indeed, this is His promise.  God’s word in Joshua 1:8 says, please repeat after me, “Keep  this Book of My Word and Law/// always on your lips; ///meditate on it day and night,/// so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. ///Then you will be prosperous and successful.”

Most of us probably believe that God has blessed our nation in times past. Many of us continue to enjoy the God’s blessings of freedom now.  Our question is, will that continue as we move into the future?

Does our nation value the 10 commandments, given to bring harmony to the social order?  Or do we think that endless government regulations and bureaucrats can bring peace and prosperity to our land?

Are we still one nation under God, or are we putting human desire, greed, bitterness, factionalism, & licentiousness above God & His Word.

Why is it that so many people have decided to design their own spirituality, discarding the unpopular parts of scripture, which are the sure foundation of life in this world, and the next?

You know, one of the most liberating principles in the Bible is the principle of God’s endless mercy. 

Jesus was a friend of sinners while on earth, just as he is now.  His Word calls the people of our land to seek him, to follow him, and to learn from Him.

·       Perhaps he is giving us one more chance.

·       Perhaps he is call9ing us to be bolder in sharing His love by word and deed, that more people would be introduced to Him.

·       Perhaps this hour has come to galvanize the faithful, to proclaim God’s Word in a nation which seems deaf to his message.

·       Perhaps he is not even looking for a majority, but a strong minority whose voices can rise above the popular insanity of turning away from God.

·       Perhaps Jesus is calling us to humble ourselves, to pray more fervently, acknowledging that we, like everyone else, are sinners, too.

I think that we need a national revival, overcoming the momentary toxic politics that poisons our land; going back to the vision of our faithful founders, whose sentiments are expressed in our concluding hymn today.  Please repeat after me:  America! America!/// God mend thy every flaw; and confirm thy soul with self-control, //thy liberty and law.  //Amen.

The Rev. John A. Donnelly

Sermon on "Service" by Robert K. Knapp, Pastoral Intern

Sermon on Service for 6-14-15

We all have a deep, human need for service to and from our fellow man, as well as our service to God.  What would life be like if no one ever stopped to help others who were in trouble or in an emergency?  What if there was no one at the local grocery store to help you clean up the mess you made when you dropped a gallon of milk and it burst all over the floor?  What if there was no policeman there to help you after you got robbed or your house was broken into?  What if no one ever stopped to help you after your car broke down and your cell phone was dead?  What if no one ever offered you even 50 cents when you came up short at the cash register?  People do such selfless acts of service and kindness every day for their fellow man, but seldom do we hear about it in the news. 
Selfless acts of service and kindness tend to be over-looked in today’s fast-paced world in favor of stories about people of wealth, style, pizzazz or edginess.  The popular worldly culture tends to take selfless acts of service and kindness for granted.  Don’t we all sometimes even take for granted those people who serve our important nurturing and edifying needs - at school, at work, at church and even at home?  It is human nature to slip in and out of these feelings of indifference and feelings of caring little about the wonderful people who come into daily lives.  So how do we fight off these feelings of apathy and indifference that tend to swallow up so many people in the world?  Jesus’ life and sacrifice is the ultimate example of passing love forward.  Here is another example of passing it forward in today’s world.
A man was driving his car, when he saw an old lady, stranded on the side of the road. He saw that she needed help, so he stopped his Pontiac near her Mercedes and got out.
He smiled while he was approaching her, but still she was worried as nobody had stopped for over an hour. Moreover, he did not look safe as his appearance was poor and shabby. He could see how frightened she was, so he tried to calm her down: “I‘m here to help you, don‘t worry’ he said.  My name is Bryan Anderson“.
The tire was flat, so he had to crawl under the car. While changing the tire, he got dirty and his hands were hurting.
When the job was done, she asked how much she owed him for his help. Bryan smiled and said: “If you really want to pay me back, the next time you see someone who needs help give that person the needed assistance. And think of me“.
That same evening the lady stopped by a small café - the place looked kind of dingy. Then she saw a waitress, nearly eight months pregnant, wiping her wet hair with a towel. The waitress had a sweet friendly smile, although she had spent the whole day on her feet.
The lady wondered how someone who had so little could be so kind and giving to a stranger. Then she remembered Bryan Anderson.  The lady finished her meal and paid with a hundred dollar bill. The waitress went to get change and when she came back, the lady was gone.  She left a note on the napkin: “You don‘t owe me anything. Somebody once helped me, just like I‘m now helping you. If you really want to pay me back, do not let this chain of love end with you“.  The waitress found four more one hundred dollar bills under the napkin.
That night the waitress came home early.  She was thinking about the lady and the money she left.  She was wondering how the lady could know how much she and her husband needed it, especially now when the baby would arrive soon.  She knew that her husband worried about that, so she was glad to tell him the good news.  She then kissed him and whispered “Now everything will be all right - I love you Bryan Anderson“.  (Pause)  So, was this series of events just a coincidence or more of a God-incidence?
In 1^st Peter 4: 10 it says: “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace.”  In Galatians 5: 13-14 it says: “For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”  So how is God’s message different from the world’s message?  (Pause)  The world teaches you to take care of yourself, but God’s message is to take care of your neighbor as yourself.  After all, are we not all God’s creation?  Doesn’t God want all of us to succeed and prosper and win eternal life?
The answer is - of course God wants us all to succeed and prosper and have eternal life, but we cannot do this if we do not come to know God’s will.  Joshua 1:8 says: “Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; but meditate on it day and night, so that you may be very careful to do everything that is written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.”  *So in order to be truly successful we must come to know that God is always at work around us, pursuing a loving relationship with us, and inviting us to do His work – such as helping old ladies stuck on the side of the road - or cutting the grass of a neighbor who has Alzheimer’s Disease - or talking to someone you know who is lost about our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  God speaks to us by the Holy Spirit through the Bible, through prayer, through the church, and through circumstances – to reveal Himself, His purposes, and His ways.  So when circumstances call for us to serve our fellow man or to serve God, let us not be found lacking but answer the invitation.
*God’s invitation for you to work with Him always leads you to some sort of crisis of belief that requires faith and action.  You must then make major changes or adjustments in your life in order to join God in what He is doing.  It is all about His will not your will.  You then come to know God by experience as you obey Him and He accomplishes His work through you.  James 1:22 says: “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.”  Let us therefore do what God says and serve our fellow man - and let God serve our fellow man through us.  Amen.
*Footnotes: from “Knowing and Doing the Will of God” by Henry T. Blackaby and Claude V. King.
1^st Reading is from Philippians 2:1-11: So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus.
2^nd Reading is from Matthew 25:35-40: For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink?  And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you?  And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’

The Gospel of our Lord & Savior Jesus Christ according to Mark; Mark 10:45-52: For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.  Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus was sitting by the roadside begging.  When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”  Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”  Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.”  So they called to the blind man, “Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you.”  Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus.  “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him.  The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.”  “Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.

THE SPIRITUAL LIVES OF MEN

With today being father’s Day, I would like to spend a few minutes reflecting on “Masculine Spirituality…….Masculine Spirituality.”

·       While the spiritual lives of women and men have much in common—but most men have  a special slant in our faith development which is worthy of consideration.

I gained some insight about this, a long time ago, by observing my son when he was 3 years old.  His driving passion was to demonstrate his personal strength to the world.

·       For this boy, strength meant shooting his enemies with a toy gun in one hand, while holding his stuffed bunny in the other hand.

·       By age 5, this boy, demonstration of strength involved imitating a superhero: He did this by lifting up his tricycle above his head, and dashing it to the ground.

In short, this child was like the Pharisee, described in today’s Gospel reading. As you may know, the Pharisee was a first century religious scholar; and also a self-important snob.  As described by Jesus, the Pharisee, like the boy, was a man who believed that he possessed by immense strength; and who wanted to display that strength to the world.   The Pharisee measured his strength through his self-control, in his ability to resist temptation, & his self-righteousness.

·       In his prayer, He did not ask God for any help.  He felt like he didn’t need help. He had convinced himself of his own personal power, of which he actually boasted before God.

Like the boy, most men cherish and prize one or more personal strengths, which becomes the basis upon which we relate to the world.

·       Some guys value our PHYSICAL STRENGTH & good health, which we nurture with exercise, good food, and lots of care—all of which gives us a feeling of energy, vitality and power.

·       Others of us value our mental strengths—our winning personalities, or our courage, or our ability to make money, or our keen intellects. Such mental strengths lay the foundations for our relationships, our challenges, and our personal joys.

·       Still other guys values both their mental and physical strengths, which are frequently used in combination to do work, at least during one phase of our lives. Whether working on Main Street, at home, in the community—even as a volunteer—many men prize their personal strength which enables us to successfully accomplish the work which we cherish….which can become the basis for our personal happiness and security.

And that may be fine for a while---but there is one problem: Regardless of how strong we may think that we are, we all possess an Achilles heel.

Achilles was a mighty warrior of Greek mythology—whose whole body was supernatirually protected by the gods—except for his heal.  Achilles was the most fantastic warrior of all time, as arrow and swords would just bounce off of him.

But one day, an arrow pierced his heal—and he instantly died. PAUSE  And like Achilles, all men may not like to admit it –but we are all very vulnerable in some aspect of life. And as we age, our strength begins to wane.

·       Beginning at age 25, a man’s aerobic capacity & muscular strength begins to decline 1 to 2 % per year. ·        Bone loss is 3% per decade. ·        Generally speaking, between ages of 25 to 50, men can expect to lose 1/2lb of musical & gain one or more lbs. of fat. One scientist writes, “All aging humans will develop some degree of decline in cognitive capacity as time progresses.” In another vein, men can be sapped of their strength not just over time, suddenly and unexpectedly: sudden illness or financial & employment trouble,  or the death of a loved one.  But I want to take this one step further: THERE COMES A POINT IN THE LIFE OF EVERY MAN WHERE HE WILL FACE A CRISIS OF PERSONAL STRENGTH. This occurs when we are hit in the face with a crisis where we feel weak and/or defeated. We do not know what to do about it, because our own personal strength has let us down. ·       And women, I want you to know that in the life of a man that moment is a moment of truth, which can be a make or break the man. How we men handle that crisis could very well shape the rest of our lives. ·       Frankly, most men have more than one such crisis.  So, guys, this crisis is to be expected. The issue here is: How will the man respond to the crisis? With victory or defeat???? Now there are many ways to be defeated.  You can panic; you can give up; you can blame yourself or others; you can become resentful; you can turn against God and/or your family.  Thus Jesus says, “Wide is the way of destruction.” ·       However, there is one way that a man can achieve victory: And that is to swallow your pride, admit that you are weak and seek Jesus anew—that you might partake of His supernatural strength.  King David tells us in the psalms,”Happy are those whose strength is in the Lord. Those who go through the desolate valley will find it a place of springs.  The Lord is our strength and refuge…a very present help in times of trouble.” King David of Israel ruled about 2800 years ago. He faced many crises of strength throughout his whole life.  However, most of the time he achieved victory by swallowing his pride, admitting his weakness and seeking God’s strength—that it was always forthcoming, if sincerely requested. Many men face their personal crisis of strength in their 30s –through their 80s.  But David faced his first crisis of strength when he was a teenager. ·       You see, as a teen, David was a shepherd—and as a mere child he had to fight lions and bears who attacked his flock. David wrote on how he was dependent upon the strength of God to win these important battles. ·       Likewise, today’s first reading describes David’s fight against Goliath, a great warrior and a giant of a man.  Goliath was such a blood thirsty brute, than no one in the Israelis army would fight him in the arena of battle; but David, a young teenager at the time, volunteered.  David cursed Goliath to this face, saying, “I come against you in the Name of the Lord.  This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand.  I will strike you down& cut off your head that all the earth will know that there is a God who saves, for the battle belongs to the Lord.” ·       Well, the enraged Goliath, who charged toward David, as he swung his huge sword; and by God, David defeated Him with his sling shot by driving a rock into Goliath’s head. That, my friends, as David later testified, was the strength of the Lord. PAUSE If we turn to God and ask for His strength, He will provide. One modern story of how God most powerfully provided strength to a man in need was told by the Rev. Benjamin Weir.  From 1984-1986, he was held as a hostage by Islamic terrorists.  He was thrown into a small cell, with little light, little food, and total isolation. His loneliness and fear just about killed him and he thought that he would go crazy. Up until that time, despite being a minister, he describes his faith as being “shallow.”   Then one day, He decided to turn to God in prayer…and prayed for days at a time. ·         He heard the Muslims praying each day, so he prayed with them and prayed for his captors. ·          Then he decided to thank God for every good thing that had happened in his life—after all, he had plenty of time.  He had no bible so he recalled some bible stories and prayers.  ·         Slowly, over the days, He began to realize that, indeed, Jesus was with him, comforting him. ·           He saw some nails on the wall which made the form of a cross. So he thanked God for providing him with his own personal chapel. ·         Benjamin Weir slowly began to discover that God was His strength; and that strength sustained him throughout his captivity, until he was finally released. So friends, please do not dismiss this message of love.  Please repeat this pray after me: O Jesus, come and be my strength, now and forever.  Amen.

. 

TRINITY SUNDAY May 31, 2015

TRINITY SUNDAY    May 31, 2015

The concept of the Holy Trinity: God the Father, God the Son, & God the Holy Spirit, can be puzzling enough to Christians;  but to those outside the Christian faith,  the Trinity is just totally confusing.  Some people, including those of a Jewish background,  believe that the Christian concept of the Trinity contradicts the First of the 10 commandments; which calls us to affirm and to and to worship  the ONE TRUE GOD.  PAUSE  J  J  J

J Once upon a time, in   the Upper West Side of NYC lived an assimilated Jewish man, who was now a very militant atheist. But he sent his son Morris to the private Trinity School.  Despite its denominational roots, it was a great school and completely secular.

After a month, the boy came home and said casually, "By the way, Dad, I learned what Trinity means! It means 'The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.'"

The father could barely control his rage. He seized his son by the shoulders and declared, "Morris, I'm going to tell you something now and I want you never to forget it. Forget this Trinity business. There is only one God... and we don't believe in him!"

Most of us have a pretty Good idea as to who God the Father & the creator & Lawgiver is. His chief activity covered most of human pre-history and history up until the time of Christ. Once Jesus, God the Son was born, Jesus was the public face of God until He died, rose from the dead, and ascended to heaven.  Next, God the Holy Spirit fell upon the disciples thereby establishing the one, universal, holy & apostolic church on earth.   Since then until now, the public face of God has been primarily expressed through God the Holy Spirit.

Last Sunday, we talked on how the Holy Spirit can empower us to become best friends with God.  Today, as I promised last week, we are going to reflect on other aspects of God the Spirit’s work on earth.

One of the most remarkable aspects of the coming of the Holy Spirit was that the immediately the disciples were transformed from being fearful and silent, into becoming men & women of courage, who boldly spoke the Good News of Jesus Christ. They went forth, like Philip in today’s first reading, to talk about Jesus’ love for all people.   

Through the sacrament of baptism, we all receive that same Holy Spirit; but for many of us, the Holy Spirit lies dormant.  It lies dormant because when it comes to telling others about Jesus Christ, most of us are not bold & articulate, but rather we are more timid and quiet.

Now, I am not talking about the way that former Bishop of Ct. Arthur Walmsley ONCE SPOKE about God….the same way that too many  people speak about God. Bishop Walmsley confessed at a Diocesan Convention that one day he was hammering a nail.  Well, he slipped, and smashed his thumb with the hammer. At that point, he confessed, quote, “I then uttered a theological statement— a theological statement, which was quite blasphemous—much to my shock & horror.” Of course, the bishop had not intended to use God’s name as a curse; whereas millions of Americans feel no guilt by using the Lord’s name in vain. So. I am not talking about that.

Nor am I referring to speech that occurs in our discussions about church business, or church gossips, or Episcopal Church politics, or anything like that.

What I am referring to are conversations, held outside this room, where we actually speak of God in a positive way, as we say these words: God, Jesus Christ.   Holy Spirit.  When we speak these words to affirm the goodness of God in conversations, then the Holy Spirit is working in us.

Such a practice goes against the norms of our culture.  Many of us have been taught, not by parents alone, but by society, not to talk about religion with people outside your church.

Our culture contends that only Jehovah Witnesses & other judgemental fundamentalists are the only ones who speak about God in public.

·       But it seems to me that we Episcopalians have over reacted, for fear of being grouped with those giving Xnty a bad name.  Most Episcopalians are so insecure, unsure & cautious about their faith, that we keep our personal beliefs totally hidden.  Therefore, our denomination is comprised of hundreds of thousands of closet Episcopalians who act as if Christianity is something to be ashamed of.

However, our resistance, our fears, and our objections are all overcome when one thing happens: and that’s when we become inspired.  After receiving the Holy Spirit on the first day of Pentecost, the apostles went out into the streets proclaiming the love of God in Christ.  The scripture says, “They spoke as the Spirit inspired them.”  What that means is that we can choose to speak and we will be inspired by God.

Have you ever personally been inspired before---when you been possessed with an idea, or a joy, or a dream, which seems too god to be true?

I see such inspiration from people in this parish, in this room. I see it in the lives of many of you—as it blazes & smokes and burns in your eyes, your speech, and your generosity.

For example—I see it within our Music Ministry, of which we are very proud.  Choir, please stand up.  As they sing & play their instruments, just look at their beaming faces!  JJ

I see it in our healing ministry.  Patti & Paul Doyle, please stand up.  Month after month, year after year, they offer spirit inspired prayer for one and all.  We thank you for inspiring us.

I see it each Sunday as I lift up the offering plate, filled with the pledge contributions and other donations. Over the past 4 years we have experienced growth in our cheerful giving, which we need to build on as we look to the future.  Meanwhile, we thank our 55 pledges and others who generously support this church.

Where does such inspiration come from? Jesus says, “Keep my word’—read & study my scriptures and learn from them that.” Grab one takeaway idea from one of the Sunday scripture readings or the sermon; and ponder that for 5 minutes.  Go talk to someone here whose faith & boldness you admire; and ask them how they came to be inspired.

Then, inspired by the Spirit, follow Jesus culminating message, which is, please repeat after me, SPEAK OF ME.”  Tell people in your world that “I am alive, that I care, and that there is hope through me.”

This is holy speech, profound significance.—because such speech is the basis of Christianity.   If no one speaks of Jesus, then there may be no Christian church after a couple of generations.  If those first disciples that had not been willing to tell anyone about Jesus rising from the dead—then Jesus might as well have stayed in the grave and not bothered.

However, once  those original disciples passed away, Christianity did not die like so many other shallow religions and cults .Rather, it flourished because women & men just like you and me told their friends, neighbors & families the Good News of God’s love through Jesus Christ.

What about us? Such holy speech is key to God’s activity in our day and time; for if you and I don’t talk about him—then God might as well be dead. God the Father, Son & Holy Spirit cannot be seen with the physical eye—so He is already out of sight.  And if we do not hear about Him then He will be out of mind, as well.

You see, there is a whole wide world of people out there, some of whom you know;  maybe whom you love: They need the hope , the comfort, the love and joy that we receive from Jesus. And if they do not hear about it from you, then they may not ever hear about it.  

We are not being asked to do anything which is not genuine.  There are many gentle, comforting ways that provide ample opportunity for you to make a positive comment or 2 about your faith.  For example:

·       If you know a people from a different denominations, you might ask them about their traditions and their congregations.

·       If you know someone who doesn’t go to church, then invite him or her to come of our Parish Picnic/Preach on the Beach on June 28; or to come to another service.  Make it fun by maybe taking that person out to breakfast or lunch.

·       If you know of someone in trouble, you might tell him or her that you will pray for them.  Do you know that even non-believers are comforted by prayer? Most of them do not know how to pray, and when you offer to do so, it is an encouragement.  I have seen this happen thousands of times. Try it. You got nothing to lose.

·       Also, we have some free encouragement cards for you to give away.  “They say,”O God, help me to remember that nothing will happen today that You and I cannot handle together.”  Pick up 2 or 3 from the baskets as you come up for communion.

·       Moving to twitter, Instagram, and Facebook--Repost an inspiring scripture themed message,..One which touched you.

·       Or, when amoral topic comes up, you might look at it from a faith perspective of the 10 commandments or other bible teachings.  When entering such discussions, remember this quote: “If Christianity is true, then every argument will, if pursued to the end, lead to Jesus.’

·       On a regular basis, say bedtime prayers with your family, or say grace at dinner; that way your family will know that your faith is important to you.

PAUSE

Now,  brief pause J  I know that some of you here today have doubts and uncertainties. So, please to turn to page______ Look back at today’s Gospel reading.  Some of the original disciples had doubts and uncertainties, too.  I believe that then in such circumstances, you can find one person with whom you can talk about your faith: a friend, a neighbor, a spouse, a priest, or our healing ministry.  Speak about God even in this way, and you might be surprised when you find some answers.

At this time, would you all please pass down those pencils and pens from the end of the pew?  Everyone have a pencil or pen?  Now, take out your bulletin and draw the smallest circle that you can draw.  Now, that is the size of a mustard seed.  Jesus said, “If you even have no more faith than the size of a mustard seed, then you can move mountains.”   Guess what?  The only mountain that Jesus wants you to remove is your resistance to talking about Him with others.

As we become more and more familiar with the Bible, you will find today’s message popping up all the time. So, please think about this and pray about this; and look for the opportunity to use your mouth to help build up the Kingdom of God on earth, to the glory of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

--The Rev. John Donnelly

SOME REFLECTIONS ON FRACTURED RACE RELATIONS

SOME RELECTIONS FROM THE CCQF RECTOR FRACTURED RACE RELATIONS  

on April 28, 2015             

Many of our fellow parishioners, perhaps including you, are seriously concerned about the recent racial rioting.  As I have spoken with some of you,  I have heard a variety of opinions and some heart -felt concern, along with many many questions.

Although this is not a formal paper, I would like to see if there are some things that all (or most?) of us can agree on.

1.       Sin is the root cause for all racial conflict and strife.   Therefore, all of the participants in this drama share in responsibility for the problem.

2.       There are thousand and maybe even millions of peaceful and non-violent- African Americans, who have some legitimate concerns about poverty and police relations. 

·         Acts of violence has been condemned by an overwhelming majority of these citizens.

3.       Free Speech, undertaken peacefully is a fundamental right that we all acknowledge and value.

4.       Law and Order is required. Some laws have been broken by some police officers, who are being disciplined in accordance with the law.

·         This is s not occurring as expeditiously as some people wish.

·         However, there are larger roots and underlying causes which result in fractured race relations.

·         There are other minorities with a unique set of issues.

·         However, most whites and blacks and other minorities, people of major faith groupings, are all seeking to live together in harmony; and many of us do not personally experience fractureD race relations.   These are the citizens who all stand, together, for Law and Order, which is a chief tool in achieving a harmonious society.

5.       However, as hundreds and thousands of faithful clergy and laity through prayer, deed, and speech, we humans will not solve the problem of fractured race relations alone.   Rather, they and we look to the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ, who came to bring peace and good will on earth.  Christ died to and rose from the dead, that through us we might bring His healing to the world. Jesus is also the Great Physician, who can heal brokenness in in all relationships, including racial relationships.   Maybe we Christians are being challenged to pray and work more for a more harmonious nation?  I know that I am.  If we ask Jesus, He will guide us individually, and as an extended community of faith within the USA.

6.       God’s Word promises in 2 Chronicles 7: 14 that ,  If f my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”  

Thanks be to God.    The Rev. John Donnelly

HOSPITALITY

So, I hope you have had a nice Valentine’s Day weekend.   You know, for some people,  there is always a down side to Valentine’s Day.  For those in love, it can be intoxicating.  For those not so lucky, it can be like a  bad hang over.

My wife and I met while were students at seminary.  Now for me, it was love at first sight; but for Ellen, well, it took a while longer for her to come to appreciate my considerable beauty, intelligence & charm. J  So during our first year of seminary in early February, I asked Ellen, “Do you have a date for Valentine’s Day.”  She replied,

·       “Yes. February 14th,” and then she hurried away.

 Well, I was devastated, but I still loved her. So by the time the next February came, I decided to try her again.  I asked her, “Do you want to go with me to the seminary Valentine’s Day dance?”

·       She replied, “I can’t. I have a medical condition?”

·       “Oh, what‘s that? “I asked.

·       She replied, “You make me sick to my stomach.” With that, she put her hand over her mouth, and then ran to the ladies Room.

Well, it took another year to heal my broken heart.  Since seminary was a 3 year program, I had one last chance to take out my true love on Valentine’s Day. So, I summoned up my courage and  asked her, “Ellen, would you like to out and see a movie with me on Valentine’s Day?”

·       Ellen looked at me and said, “No, thank you.   I have seen that one already.”

Well, I could tell that she was really beginning to warm up to me; and believe or not, my love was returned and that autumn, when we got married on Halloween.

I wonder if you have ever attended a dinner party like the one that Jesus attended in today’s Gospel. He knew nobody there; and nobody made any effort to talk to him, because Jesus was considered to be not a person, but a curiosity.

·       The hosts and the guests had already made up their minds against Him; and they were expecting to find ways to humiliate him.

·        Not only that, but the host did not welcome or even speak to Him.  Further, the host had violated the norms of hospitality by not providing a servant to wash Jesus’ feet, while that servant had washed the feet of everyone else.

PAUSE

Then, to the amazement of everybody, the town whore comes walking in.   Unbeknownst to the religious leaders, who may had previously used her  services,  she had changed her ways.  Jesus knew her, because he had previously told her of God’s love.  In turn, this woman had confessed her sins and received forgiveness.   And probably, for the first time in years, she learned that she was important to God and important to Jesus’ followers.  The Jesus followers actually cared about her and offered her the precious gift of friendship.

·       No—this women’s greeting and hospitality came straight from her heart. There was nothing casual or superficial about it. She showed Jesus extravagant love by anointing his feet in a manner fit for a king.

The Bible tells us to “Greet one another with a strong embrace” and to “practice hospitality.”   There is supposed to be a difference between the way the world shares greeting & hospitality, and the way Christians do.

·       I am sorry to admit, but sometimes the greetings and hospitality that I share are thoughtless rituals, which I do automatically, without feeling.  It is just a knee jerk response.

But the sort of greeting and hospitality that Christians are called to share, is where we make an intentional effort to connect with the other person.  Jesus calls us to use our greeting and hospitality to tell someone that he/she is are important to us, at least for that moment.  

This is what Christian greetings and hospitality are all about:  Just as Jesus greeted us and has extended the hospitality of His eternal kingdom to us, so we are called to do likewise to one another…as we seek to love one another they way Jesus loves us.

Love is not just an emotion, or a feeling, or romance, or a movie plot, or a poem or a song.

Love is action, sacrifice, serving others, giving, doing good, blessing & praying

During this sermon series, we have been encouraging to release the Love within you.  Likewise, our video says the same thing: Don’t bottle up your love, but let it pour out and change the world -- your community & your family.  With every deed, great or small, love comes to life.

You see, Jesus is challenging us to find opportunities to share love.  Each time we encounter a person is an opportunity to ennoble the other person by verbally and/ or physically reaching out to him or her, to let that individual  know that you care about him or her because Jesus also cares.

This is so crucial--- because we live in a world where people are always tearing other people down by being rude, angry, manipulative,  even apathetic.   Do you realize that when you greet someone that your encounter may end up becoming the best thing that has happened to that person on that day?  Think of that!  God can use your greeting to touch someone.    But even beyond that, who you greet and practice hospitality has a huge impact on eternity:

Jesus said, “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. ³² All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another.

⁴ “Then the King will say to those on his right,

Reader: ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. ³⁵ For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’and you invited me in, ³⁶ I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you .”

 “FJ—“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? ³⁸ When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? ³⁹ When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

 “ Jesus reader: “The King will reply, ‘truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.

So, likewise,   practice hospitality/ angels

Remember, a warm greeting can have an impact on eternity.  Jennifer and John Peterson joined Christ Church 3 year ago, and have become very involved in our church.  I once asked Jenn how they came to join our church, and she told me a story about being greeted by several people on their first Sunday; and those same people greeted item again the following Sunday; and so it continued, until the Petersons were loved into joining our church family. Now, along with us, we are all together, on the road to eternity.

So, remember the words of Jesus, just as you have greeted and included the least of my sons and daughters, so you have done it unto me. Amen.

--The Rev. John Donnelly

QUESTIONS FOR CHRISTIANS ON MEMORIAL DAY

QUESTIONS FOR CHRISTIANS ON MEMORIAL DAY

[adapted from an article by  Ray Hollenbach] 

 Memorial Day is about remembrance, and the important questions we face are what should we remember and why?

Our nation may be tired of war, but we are not tired of remembering eternal values. Here are seven questions designed to transform your Sunday message:

1. What is positive about Memorial Day?   Great leadership and sacrifice, resulting in the freedom that our nation enjoys.

2. What values do Christianity and military service have in common? Memorial Day can be a great source of gospel illustrations, if they are put to their proper use. Consider this encouragement from the Apostle Paul: “Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things” (Philippians 4:8).

  

3. How is Jesus at the make Jesus the center? What is your personal mission? If Jesus is at the center of your life, then you want to support and uphold Godly values of service and sacrifice  of behalf of our nation . This is true for all Christians of all political backgrounds.

Thanks be to God for those who died in

 service for our nation!!!!!!!