Sunday, August 28, 2011

Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost

**Thank you Deacon Thompson for a wonderful Homily. We are all thankful to have you back at home.**

We are all creatures of habit. Whether our habits be good, or bad, we all fall victim to not wanting change. What would happen if a priest that was the visiting celebrant came in and changed the entire order of service? Would we all be disappointed? We would not want to change what is common to us. We should step back and take a look at our thoughts and deeds and not allow the Holy Eucharist (Communion) to be a simple habit. Deacon Thompson shared a story of a man that is paraplegic who does something uncommon to most of us at the Lord's table each week. Every Sunday this gentleman says, "thank you Jesus" as he eats and drinks the body and blood of our Lord. We should come to the Lord's table with gladness and thanksgiving. We should exalt God for the health to be present with our church family. The gentleman that Deacon Thompson spoke about shared how thankful he was for a multitude of different reasons. Sometimes we have to place ourselves in the shoes of another to understand where they are coming from. Think of your current activities in daily life and how many blessings you have if you name them one by one. Think about the things in life you take for granted. Do you take hearing for granted? Are you able to enjoy the company of others? We are so blessed yet do not often take the time to consider each and every blessing by itself. If we do this we can truly be thankful before approaching the alter rail. Examine yourself both your sins and your blessings before approaching our Lord's body and blood as he advised us to do. May you also say thank you Jesus whether outloud, or in your heart after receiving the precious Sacrament. For your cross, resurrection, salvation, love, and peace we thank you Lord. Thank you Jesus. Amen.

Remember prayer for healing especially: Terese Gluck, Rose Mauzy, Vicki Fagiana, Pete & Mary Jane Walburg, Christopher Geagley, Tommy Thompson, John & Delberta Allen, Misty McCoy, Madeline Vaught, Nathan McConnell, Darren Albano, Peggy Ann Turner, Pam Shinault, and Susan Beeler.

Collect:
LORD OF ALL power and might, the author and giver of all good things: Graft in our hearts the love of your Name; increase in us true religion; nourish us with all goodness; and bring forth in us the fruit of good works; 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 15:15-21, Psalm 26:1-8, 2nd Reading Romans 12:9-21, Matthew 16:21-28)

Monday, August 22, 2011

Some scenes from the August 21 Dedication Recital

The organ was dedicated to the Glory of God and in loving memory of Ron Samples at a special service on August 21.  The choir done an abbreviated version of choral evensong, followed by the inagural recital performed by Mr. Will Thomas.
 Father Swann preparing to cense the Altar

The 12 member Chancel Choir chanting the Magnificat

Mr. Will Thomas, Recitalist

Sunday, August 21, 2011

Tenth Sunday after Pentecost





In the Homily today we examine how Christ carried himself and how he was portrayed by others. Jesus and his disciples had just came into the district of Caesarea Philippi. It is important to note that this particular city did not have the strong presence of any one faith. This city was a melting pot of various differing religious ideaologies. Jesus asked his disciples, "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?" The disciples tell him, "Some say John the Baptist, but others Elijah, and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets." Simon Peter spoke up, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God." Jesus replied, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah!" Simon Peter and our Lord talked at length and Jesus went on to talk about how his church will always prevail, and how Hades cannot prevail against it. There is also mention that Christ "sternly ordered the disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah." Have you ever heard the statement "the more things change the more things stay the same?" How true is that in regards to the Homily? Few people would argue if you said Jesus was a great man, prophet, teacher, etc... When we look at the answers the disciples gave in regards to the opinion in their day of our Lord, we see the same responses from different religious communities as we see today. However, the controversy begins when you call him Lord, or Messiah. Today as you examine yourself be sure to keep the light of Christ so that others may see our Savior, the Son of the living God. Amen.






**Remember in prayer for healing especially: Terese Gluck, Rose Mauzy, Vicky Fagiana, Pete & Mary Jane Walburg, Christopher Geagley, Tommy Thompson, John & Delberta Allen, Misty McCoy, Madeline Vaught, Nathan McConnell, Darren Albano, Peggy Ann Turner, Pam Shinault, and Susan Beeler.**






Collect:



"Grant, O merciful God, that your Church, being gathered together in unity by your Holy Spirit, may show forth your power among all peoples, to the glory of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.






(1st Reading Isaiah 51:1-6, Psalm 138, 2nd Reading Romans 12:1-8, Holy Gospel St. Matthew 16:13-20)




Thursday, August 18, 2011

The Ninth Sunday After Pentecost



When we think of our Lord Jesus we do not often think of a man that would turn someone away. Some believe that God never changes his mind. However, if you believe that Christ is Emmanuel (God with us), the incarnation of the Father, you may need to examine this text closely. Let us place in perspective that Canaanites were Gentiles. These were often pagan religious followers. A Canaanite is not someone you would help if you were Jewish as they were completely against you. Jesus and his disciples were gathered and a Canaanite woman began to shout "Have mercy on me Lord, Son of David; my daughter is tormented by a demon." The disciples asked Jesus to send the woman away as she kept shouting and was causing a scene. Jesus replies "I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel." The woman says "Lord, help me." Jesus responded, "It is not fair to take the children's food and throw it to the dogs." Would our Lord really make such a bold statement? Through reading the Scripture in proper context it seems to imply that Jesus was not willing to help this woman. In the words of the famous song from "Guns & Roses" she was "knock, knock, knock-in on heavens door (as Father Swann put it)." The Canaanite woman was so adamant she said, "Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table." Then Jesus answered her and said, "Woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish." And her daughter was healed instantly. So, do you believe Jesus changed his mind? Or, was Jesus simply wanting to test the faith of a Gentile? If you seek healing physically or mentally maybe you can touch our Lord in prayer. Remember "Prayer is the oxygen of the soul." -Saint Augustine


Please remember especially in prayer Terese Gluck and Vicky Fagiana. Vicky is in Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center in Room 704.


Collect:

Almighty God, you have given your only Son to be for us a sacrifice for sin, and also an example of godly life: Give us grace to receive thankfully the fruits of his redeeming work, and to follow daily in the blessed steps of his most holy life; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.


(1st Reading Isaiah 56: 1,6-8, Psalm 67, 2nd Reading Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32, Matthew 15: [10-20], 21-28)

Monday, August 15, 2011

Dedication & Recital This Sunday

The Samples Memorial Organ will be dedicated at a special service at 5:00 PM on Sunday, August 21. The organ, a Rodgers Specification 990, is one of the largest electronic organ installations in the area.  The organ features a three manual, 57 stop drawknob console and 8 speaker cabinets (containing a total of 70 speakers) strategically placed throughout the historic church nave.


The organ will be dedicated in memory of St. Paul parishioner Ron Samples, whose generosity (and the generosity of his family and friends) made the dream of a first-class instrument at the church possible.


Afterwards, there will be a recital performed by noted organist Mr. Will Thomas, Director of Music at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church.  Mr. Thomas, a native of Middle Tennessee, began his studies at Middle Tennessee State University at the age of 13.  He graduated cum laude with a Bachelor’s Degree in Sacred Music from Carson-Newman and went on to earn his Masters of Music in Organ Performance from the University of Tennessee.  Most recently, Mr. Thomas performed in the Organ Academy at The Episcopal Church of the Ascension in New York City.


Invitations have went out to other churches and people in the community.  Please make sure to attend this special event and support the music program at St. Paul's!