Second Sunday after Pentecost

Today Rev. Bill Maxwell spoke on Matthew 6:24-34 in which Jesus tells his followers that we are not able to serve God and wealth, and where He also reminds us that we are not to WORRY about our life. We should consider the lilies of the field and the birds of the air that neither reap nor sow. This must have been a point Jesus really wanted us to consider for He repeats it 5 times in this reading!

Bill wondered how the survivors of the cyclone in Burma and the earthquake in China would react to this passage. They have lost so much - more than we could ever imagine. Would Jesus appear to them and tell them this same parable? Bill suggests that Jesus would come up with a different parable for them! But he reminded us that we who have so much in this country, we who consume so much, can be a part of the recovery efforts across the globe. Bill recommended that we give monetarily to the Episcopal Relief Fund, an organization that provides emergency assistance in times of disaster.

Which brings me to my own issues with worry. During Lectio Divina this morning (which meets at 9:15 in the Pollard Room) I pondered my own bird feeder that I can view from my dining room window. Every day I fill that feeder up and every day the birds empty it. Sometimes I'm out of town or I forget to fill it and I feel guility that I'm not coming through for those birds. Today I realized that somehow I've made it MY responsibility to feed the birds because I have a strong tendency to want to control my world and today's gospel message reminded me that it is "my heavenly Father who feeds them". Granted, that may be happening through me but it's not my entire responsibility to feed the birds.

So when I fill my bird feeder over the next several days I will use it as a touchpoint - a reminder that when I start to worry this will be my reminder that God cares for my every need in the same way that God cares for the needs of those birds. I'll let you know how that goes!

My question to you is, "How do you deal with worry?"







This picture of the birds at their feeders is from the following wonderful website!






Contributed by: Roberta Hiday

May 11th, Pentecost

The Feast of Pentecost will be celebrated on May 11th at 9:00 am on the All Soul's Courtyard (our labyrinth) weather permitting. This will be the only service this day. We are looking forward to having everyone together. Remember to wear your "flame" colors - reds and oranges, and purples and golds!

(We're also looking for a few good men to volunteer to help with the setup & tear down for that day!)

Hope to see you there as we celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit...

Sermons Online!

If you haven't been out to the church's website lately I just want to remind you that sermons from our Rector Elizabeth A. Bloch+, Associates Emeriti and lay preachers are now available on line. You'll see the "Sermons" link on the left navigation panel.

Reading the sermons can enhance at home what you have heard (or missed!) at Sunday's service. Check it out!

Ascension Thursday

Ascension Thursday occurs on the fortieth day after Christ's Resurrection. Here at St. Paul's we marked this feast day with Holy Eucharist and a fabulous feast. The congregation stood as the rector and verger led us through The Way of Resurrection from Meditations on the Fourteen Resurrection Appearances by R. Chapman and Journey into Joy by A. Walter.

Here is the Collect for that day: Almighty God, whose blessed Son our Savior Jesus Christ ascended far above all heavens that he might fill all things: Mercifully give us faith to perceive that, according to his promise, he abides with his Church on earth, even to the end of the ages; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.