Pentecost +20

No, No, No, I Don't Want To! That was the title of Elizabeth's+ sermon this morning. Two sons are asked by their father to work in his vineyard. The first child says No, I don't want to but eventually does while the second son say I will go sir, but never shows up. Jesus asks the Chief Priests which son did what his Father wanted? This reminded me of the following story:

As I was driving out of town the other day I reached over to grab something from the passenger side floor. Was I surprised when I pulled up a $10 bill. Nothing makes me happier than to find money I didn't know I possessed!!! So after completing my "happy-i-found-my-money" dance & placing my cash on the passenger seat I noticed the light ahead was turning red.As I slowed down I noticed a man standing on the corner. OH NO! He was holding a placard with the words "VietNam Vet. Will Work for Food"....My first thought? "GOD MAKE THIS LIGHT TURN GREEN". (I didn't say it was a good or kind thought but i'm trying to be honest here.) Needless to say it was the longest red light I have ever sat through! My inner dialogue went something like this:

me: i am not giving that man my $10.
the voice: why not?
me: because i just found it!
the voice: who do you think gave you the thought to reach over there?
me: i'm not going there with You.
the voice: chuckle - then that light will never turn green.
me: but he'll probably just waste the money - look, the liquor store is right over there!
the voice: is what he does with the $10 any of your business?
me: well....no....WHY DOESN"T THIS LIGHT TURN GREEN!
the voice: we already covered that one. two minutes ago you didn't even know you had $10. and now you are clinging to it. what's that about?
me: hmmm...good point....why am i clinging to it? because of my grasping nature i suppose....good grief....what is wrong with me? (as i rolled down the window the man reached in, took the money, and said "God Bless You Dear" at which point the car behind me started honking)
the voice: um, roberta, the light changed....you really should get moving.
me: very funny!
the voice: and thank you....
me: for what?t
he voice: for being you. i do so love you!
me: likewise :)

Elizabeth+ reminded us today that Jesus is not interested in our getting all the answers right, but in how we deal with "the realization that I didn't get it right.... Every time we change our minds from NO to YES, however long it takes us to do it, every time, we are in the company of Jesus, our Savior, our Brother, and our God."

Pentecost +19

A Tale of Two Laborers - We all want our fair share, don't we? Or better yet, we only want what is rightfully ours! That's what the workers in this parable demanded in Matthew 20: 1-16. Karen Pierce elaborated on God's radical view of abundance in this Sunday's sermon. Her glimpse into this parable showed us just how short our logic falls in the light of God's Kingdom, for there is enough for all of us. We are God's abundance. Lord, help us to remember this, especially when we presume that you should operate out of our limited sense of fairness and abundance.

Hildegard of Bingen (1098-1179)

Today is the feast day of Hildegard of Bingen (1098-1179), German mystic. During her very full life she produced major writings on theology, natural history & medicine, as well as composing music, including a symphony. At the impressive age of 60, she set off on the first of four successful preaching tours. So the next time you think it's too late for you to reach for your dream or calling, consider Hildegard!



God's Soul is the wind rustling plants and leaves,
the dew dancing on the grass,
the rainy breezes making everything to grow.
Just like this, the kindness of a person flows, touching
those dragging burdens of longing.
We should be a breeze helping the homeless,
dew comforting those who are depressed,
the cool, misty air refreshing the exhausted,
and with God's teaching we have got to feed the hungry:

This is how we share God's soul.

- Hildegard of Bingen, Hymn -
from A Little Daily Wisdom - Christian Women Mystics
by Carmen A. Butcher, p.195

Pentecost +18

To read Rev. Elizabeth Bloch's sermon, please click here. The following Prayers of the People were written and read by Margaret McGee.

O Holy One, source of mercy, might, and love,
Make us your people, so that in life and death we belong to you alone.

O Holy One, our strength and our salvation,
Guide this nation. Crown its leaders and citizens in mercy and loving-kindness.

O Holy One, doing wonders through all the world,
Light up the night, stretch out your hand, and open the way to justice and peace.

O Holy One, who satisfies with good things,
Bless this community. Grant us grace to welcome every stranger as you have welcomed us.

O Holy One, slow to anger and full of great kindness,
Teach us how to forgive each other from our hearts.

O Holy One, who turns hard rock into pools of water,
Heal our infirmities, comfort the suffering, and watch over those in any kind of trouble.

O Holy One, who redeems our lives from the grave,
Hold those who have died in your love.

We pray for the special needs and concerns of this congregation ...

Holy, Holy, Holy, source of mercy, might, and love,
We are your people, and you are our God. Amen.

Pentecost +17 - Launching Sunday

What is Launching Sunday? It's the beginning of our new year together as a people that God has formed here at Saint Paul's in Port Townsend, Washington! Elizabeth's+ sermon, "How Does God Make a People into a People? Into God's People?" was delivered outside on the Labyrinth in the delectable sunshine of an early Autumn Sunday.

Do we realize the sacred power with which we have been entrusted by Christ Himself? What do we hold and what do we loose? What do we refuse to let go of? And what will we do with this power to forgive and reconcile that Christ has given us?

Last week a friend and I were discussing Matthew 18:15, the verse from this week's lectionary that states that if another member of the church sins against you, then you should go to that person to point out the fault when the two of you are alone. I'd much rather tell a half a dozen other people, who I know will feed my fragile ego then confront the one who I think has sinned against me! My friend wondered just how often we are actually sinned against - or whether it is just our own pettiness. Elizabeth+ reminded us that this is that which will help us to become aware of our potential to set one another free - which will make us into a people - into God's people.