Second Sunday after Pentecost

"Whoever welcomes you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me...whoever gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones in the name of a disciple-truly I tell you, none of these will lose their reward. (Holy Gospel)" The Homily today calls on you to ponder what being a true follower of Christ is like. Deacon Thompson spoke of a homeless man in Nashville at a Mass he attended in which he had the ability to choose to be the hands and feet of our Lord, or to ignore the gentleman and act as if he didn't exist. Deacon Thompson also shared and experience at another Episcopal Church in East TN where only the priest said hello and the only other words spoken were excuse me as he stood in front of the coffee. How sad is it that church doesn't show enough of the love of Christ? Our Baptismal Covenant calls on us firmly to love and serve Christ in all persons. So, who are the least of these, or the little ones? They are you and I, no matter our age, race, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or any other barrier that people use to separate ourselves from one another. In closing we are called to serve Christ truly in one another this week to see what fruits of the Spirit we encounter.

Collect:

Almighty God, you have built your Church upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone: Grant us so to be joined together in unity of spirit by their teaching, that we may be made a holy temple acceptable to you; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

(1st Reading Jeremiah 28:5-9, Psalm 89:1-4, 15-18, 2nd Reading Romans 6:12-23, Holy Gospel Matthew 10:40-42)

The Ordination of our New Bishop

The Right Reverend George Dibrell Young, III was Ordained as the fourth Bishop Diocesan of the Diocese of East Tennessee on Saturday, June 25 at the Episcopal Church of the Ascension in Knoxville. The Cheif Consecrator was our Presiding Bishop, The Most Right Reverend Katherine Jefferts Schori.  Follow this link to watch a video of the service.

http://www.knoxivi.com/edet?ETDio

Deacon Steve's 20th Year

A group of St. Paul folks got together on Thursday, June 16 for a champagne reception honoring our Deacon, The Rev. Steve Thompson, on the 20th anniversary of his Ordination to the Diaconate. Congratulations, Deacon Steve!!

Pentecost (Sunday June 12 2011)

During the Homily today Father Swann called on us to remember today as the day of the birth of the church. We could not have the church without the gift we celebrate today which is the receiving of the third person in the Trinity, the HOLY SPIRIT. The Gospel today reflects on Jesus showing his hands and his side to the disciples. "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any they are retained." We were reminded that the disciples did not understand a lot of what Jesus said to them. We are also reminded that it is okay to have enthusiasm in regards to our blessed worshipping community. In conclusion of today's Homily Father Swann reminded us that enthusiasm is in Greek "entheos" meaning inspired by, or possessed by God. It is okay to have enthusiasm especially when you think of the Baptismal Covenant and the grace we receive at our Baptism where we are sealed by the Holy Spirit. Come, Holy Spirit, fill our souls.

Collect:

Almighty God, on this day you opened the way of eternal life to every race and nation by the promised gift of your Holy Spirit: Shed abroad this gift throughout the world by the preaching of the Gospel, that it may reach to the ends of the earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

(1st Reading Numbers 11:24-30/ or Acts 2:1-21, Psalm 104:25-35,37 2nd Reading I Corinthians 12:3b-13 Holy Gospel John 20:19-23 or John 7:37-39)

Seventh Sunday of Easter

Witness is a word that seems scary to Episcopalians. We don't want to seem fundamental, or too ideological. However, the simple truth is that we can be a witness in other ways. Ask yourself, "How has someone else been a witness to me in my life?" Was it the way they lived? Was it their faith? Was it their nature? What made them who they are? We were not physically present during the time that Christ walked the earth, but we can all rejoice in that love is the witness Christ came to show, the love of our Father. WE (you and I, the priesthood of all believers) are to be witnesses of Christ. What better way to be a witness than to share love, joy, hope, and peace. The conclusion of the Homily is a quote from St. Francis of Assisi "Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words." I believe this attests to how we should attempt to live our lives. You may be the only Bible some people ever read. I want to close by reflecting on another quote that may help you with the thought of witnessing by St. Francis of Assisi; "If God can work through me, He can work through anyone." Amen.

(Acts 1:6-14, Psalm 68:1-10, 33-36, I Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11, John 17:1-11)

Today's Collect:

O God, the King of glory, you have exalted your only Son Jesus Christ with great triumph to your kingdom in heaven: Do not leave us comfortless, but send us your Holy Spirit to strengthen us, and exalt us to that place where our Savior Christ has gone before; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.