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)