Grains of Sand January 6, 2010
GRAINS OF SAND January 6, 2010
The Feast of Epiphany
This is part two of the Grains of Sand - a reflection on the Feast Day of Epiphany and a few more bits of information.
VICAR’S MESSAGE
If one were to read the gospel story for Epiphany, it would be Matthew 2: 1-12. It’s the story of the Maji who come from the East, following the star over Bethlehem. They cross paths with Herod — and wisely, do not return his way. Upon entering the house where Mary and Joseph are, along with their baby, Jesus, they present gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Then, they leave and go home by way of another road.
For many of us by now, the camels have crossed the living room and made it to the manger. Last Sunday in church, they arrived at the creche. They are three outsiders who have made a dangerous journey, and their foreignness serves a point: all are welcome in Bethlehem (the place of bread).
A great deal in our culture can make us feel like outsiders, like we don’t amount to much, can’t contribute much. It can make us feel too old, too young, not respected, not useful. The first message of Epiphay celebrates Jesus welcoming us at the manger — all we bring and all we are. Nobody can take that away.
Epiphany’s second message and meaning is about journey. To lay our eyes on Christ means to set out on a journey. No matter who we are, to let God into our lives means that our lives are never the same again. We grow and change as we listen for the voice of the Spirit.
Journeys can have their good and bad points. I love the idea of being on the road, discovering the new. That’s exciting, but it’s also tiring. The sense of adventure also has a flip side of rootlessness — of disorientation. It is possible to believe in Christ, but hold back from letting God into much of our everyday lives.
No matter what we may think about the value of the ‘institutional church”, community in Christ is important on the journey. The journey can be hard. The faith community is like an oasis – the gathering of God’s people together, in a specific place. A real oasis is more than a pit stop. The oasis, in Jesus time, was a place of safety, of refreshment, of sharing stories with other travelers, of trading tips and warnings about the hazards or changes in the trail. In our culture, we’re likely to think of ‘an oasis’ as wherever we pull off for a pit stop when we’re driving the interstate.
For those who take their spiritual journey seriouisly, it’s important to stay connected with the community that gathers around word and sacrament. It’s important to come together regularly where we are welcomed, refreshed, reminded of the directions, and just plain encouraged to keep at it.
Epiphany has wonderful messages for us: everybody is called, sent and can be nourished along the way. It’s our invitation to risk the journey — because we know the One who travels with us along the way. That’s the message in the weeks to come. Epiphany Blessings, Cindy
CONSECRATION of the IX BISHOP OF MINNESOTA
God willing and the people consenting, the Most Reverend Katharine Jefferts Schori, Presiding Bishop and Primate of the Episcopal Church, will ordain and consecrate as Bishop, the Reverend Brian N. Prior on February 13, 2010, 11:00 in the morning at the Minneapolis Convention Center (1301 Second Avenue South, Minneapolis). All are encourage to participate in this joyous occasion. Reception will follow. If there are any interested in going, please speak to Cindy and we can try to car pool (depending on the weather!).
CELEBRATE THE MINISTRY OF The Rt. Rev. James L. Jelinek
Three events will be help to celebrate Bishop Jelinek’s 17 years of ministry with the Episcopal Diocese of Minnesota.
Saturday, January 16, 3 pm to 6 pm reception at St. Paul’s, Brainerd
Sunday, January 17, 3 pm to 6 pm, program and reception, St. John the Evangelist, St. Paul
Sunday, january 24, 3 pm to 6 pm reception at St. John’s Mankato.
All are welcome to attend any of these receptions. You can also send your greetings to Bishop Jelinek at a community website. Simply email your greetings to: post@thanksbishop.posterous.com. You can also post greetings on the “Thanks Bishop Jelinek” page on Facebook.
MORE EVENTS COMING UP
Senior High Lock In - January 22-23
Put the date on your calendar. More information will come forth from Brian Lundberg.
Pancake Breakfast - Sunday, February 7th
The teens will be offering a pancake breakfast after worship on this Sunday. It is a fund raiser for their pilgrimage. If you can stay and partake - they will be appreciative.
Pilgrimage Meeting - February 28th
This meeting is for all teens who plan to go on the Pilgrimage this summer, as well as, their parents and the chaperones. We’ll go over what we’ll be visiting, free time options (so you can think ahead and get tickets), upcoming fundraisers, and answer questions you may have. We’ll meet right after worship.
WEDNESDAYS IN LENT
Wednesday evenings in Lent we have traditionally gathered for a soup and bread supper, plus some kind of study session afterwards. It would be helpful to gauge your interest in various areas of study, so I’d like to offer three options and get your input. The following will be on the table in the Mission Hall, and if you plan to attend the soup suppers, then please vote for your preference. Whatever gets the most votes is what we’ll go with. We can always do the others at a later date — so it doesn’t eliminate them altogether.
Affectionately Yours, Screwtape: the Devil and C.S. Lewis
Did God give each person free will? Who is Satan? Can good truly overcome evil? Journey inside
thte mind of C.S. Lewis (one of the great Anglican writers) as we review this Christian literary
classic, The Screwtape Letters. This is a thin volume of immaginative letters between two devils.
We’ll use a DVD program to expore the biblical, historical and cultural depictions of Satan and
hell, as well as consider insights into the nature of temptation and redemption.
Painting Revelation: A visual exploration of the last book of the Bible
Revelation is one of the most mysterious but least understood books of the Bible. The fascinating-
and sometimes frightening - visions are unlocked in a unique way as artist and teacher, Debby
Topliff, tells the story with a spectacular array of colorfully rendered scenes. We will see an
elaborately painted vision of the entire Book of Revelation - starting on the island of Patmos
and traveling to the throne room. We will also read and discuss the book of Revelation.
The Bible and the Duluth Tribune
Make connections between scripture and our everyday life. We’ll do this by reading the lessons
for the comming Sunday, along with the editorial pages of the newspaper that week. What do
the events of the week have to do with the scriptures we hear on Sunday morning — and the
God we walk with every day?
COMMUNION WITH GLUTEN FREE HOSTS
We do have gluten free hosts available at communion, if you are allergic to anything that has wheat in it. Please speak to Cindy if you would like to receive one at communion time. They are available, but we need to know ahead of time. Thanks.
Making Bag Lunches for CHUM
Remember on Monday I wrote that we’d be making 40 bag lunches for CHUM once a month and delivering them to the drop in center? Well, I called and they now average 60 to 70 people a day at the drop in center. You can surely see the effects of the economy!! So, when we gather to make the lunches on Sunday, we’ll make 70 instead of 40!! This is a great outreach opportunity. Can you give a little time right after worship? All ages are welcome.
God of peace,
although we may be fragile,
we are eager to follow you
along the way that leads us
to love - as you love us.
the late Brother Roger of Taize
