"Loving one's neighbor is the essence of holiness." Lois Holly's sermon, "You Shall be Holy" truly brought this point home today. The word "holy" has been misused and abused over the years. There's the "holy cow", the "holy joe", "holy smoke", and the "holy moley" - all of which fall far from the meaning that Lois describes in today's sermon. To be holy is to be set apart for the work of God -loving our neighbors as ourselves! May the Holy Spirit give us the grace to express God's holiness in our daily acts of kindness, generosity, compassion and love.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Pentecost +24
"Loving one's neighbor is the essence of holiness." Lois Holly's sermon, "You Shall be Holy" truly brought this point home today. The word "holy" has been misused and abused over the years. There's the "holy cow", the "holy joe", "holy smoke", and the "holy moley" - all of which fall far from the meaning that Lois describes in today's sermon. To be holy is to be set apart for the work of God -loving our neighbors as ourselves! May the Holy Spirit give us the grace to express God's holiness in our daily acts of kindness, generosity, compassion and love.
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Pentecost +23
Today's sermon can be found here. Here are today's Prayers of the People:
God of all generations, As it was with your beloved Thessalonians, many in our world suffer persecution for becoming imitators of You, May they, along with the saints of St. Paul's, continue to receive Your word with joy.
R. Jesus, give us your Joy!
Knower of all names, you told Moses "My presence will go with you and I will give you rest". Grant Your rest to all those who suffer today in mind, body and spirit, especially those listed in our bulletin.
R. Jesus, give us Your Rest!
Gracious God, as you led your people within pillars of smoke by day and pillars of fire by night, help all the leaders of the nations to bring your world to a place of mercy, justice and peace.
R. Jesus, give us Your Peace!
Living and True God, help us remember that Your image is stamped on our hearts.
R. Jesus, help us reflect Your Image!
Source of all Life, we thank you that nothing can separate us from your love. Grant eternal rest to your servant Boots and all who have come into Your presence this week.
R. Jesus, give us Your Comfort!
God of all generations, As it was with your beloved Thessalonians, many in our world suffer persecution for becoming imitators of You, May they, along with the saints of St. Paul's, continue to receive Your word with joy.
R. Jesus, give us your Joy!
Knower of all names, you told Moses "My presence will go with you and I will give you rest". Grant Your rest to all those who suffer today in mind, body and spirit, especially those listed in our bulletin.
R. Jesus, give us Your Rest!
Gracious God, as you led your people within pillars of smoke by day and pillars of fire by night, help all the leaders of the nations to bring your world to a place of mercy, justice and peace.
R. Jesus, give us Your Peace!
Living and True God, help us remember that Your image is stamped on our hearts.
R. Jesus, help us reflect Your Image!
Source of all Life, we thank you that nothing can separate us from your love. Grant eternal rest to your servant Boots and all who have come into Your presence this week.
R. Jesus, give us Your Comfort!
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Pentecost +21
Do you recall the name the Brothers' Grimm gave to Sleeping Beauty? Elizabeth+ reminds us in this week's sermon - "Sleeping Beauty and God's Beloved Vineyard or All good stories are really the same stories." Elizabeth+ weaved the wonders of this fairy tale through the vineyard story in Isaiah that Jesus retold as a parable.Sleeping Beauty's name was the description of the "saving gift of love which transformed her curse into blessing." From where have we received such a gift of transforming love?
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