July 19 , 2020 – Seventh Sunday after Pentecost
From left to right – (1) Working with the cold boxes (2) Chart of pounds distributed in July over 5 years with 2020 the largest. We have distributed close to 5,000 pounds this year in 4 months (3) Johnny Davis contributed corn from his own field (4) We gave out food but also prayed with clients.
The Week Ahead…
July 19 – Seventh Sunday after Pentecost
1. Bulletin for July 19, 10:00am
2. Readings and Prayers Pentecost 7, July 19
July 19 – 10:00am – Join here at 9:30am for gathering – service starts at 10am Meeting ID 834 7356 6532 Password 748475
July 19 – 11:15am – National Cathedral church service online
July 22 – 10:00am – Ecumenical Bible Study through Zoom
July 25 – Remembering St. James
July 26 – Eighth Sunday after Pentecost
July 26 – 10:00am – Join here at 9:30am for gathering – service starts at 10am Meeting ID 834 7356 6532 Password 748475
July 26 – 11:15am – National Cathedral church service online
July 26 – 7:00pm Evening Prayer at St. Peter’s.
Sundays in July at 7pm
Masks must be worn and social distancing observed
Sacred Ground Begins Aug 13, 7pm
Plan to join the Sacred Ground discussion group. Sacred Ground is a ten session study that a lot of churches are using to help friends and congregations to talk about the issues around race in the United States.
The program has been developed by The Episcopal Church and Katrina Brown, director of the Traces of the Trade documentary. Through readings and documentaries, we will learn about the history of race in America and the impact it has in our world today and to talk about changes that we can be part of to work for greater justice for all. We’ll gather on Zoom to talk about the challenges and the divides of the present day from a place of faith, hope and love for God and for one another. More information
The first session for this series will be on Zoom, Thursday, August 13, at 7PM. Please let Catherine know if you plan to participate so that you can read and watch the materials provided to focus our discussion at that first session OR online signup
Bishop Curry on protests, passion and positivity – “We must still choose love.”
Bishop Curry spoke on the Today show, June 1 after the killing of George Floyd and the repercussions that ensured.
Here are some of the Bishop comments:
“We must still choose love.It is a decision, probably a daily decision to actually choose the way of love which is not a sentiment. The opposite of love is not hate but selfishness.
“The way of love is seeking the good the welfare, the well being of others as well as the self.
“In the Hebrew scriptures when Moses talks about the love of neighbor In Leviticus it is people doing what is just, kind and decent, When Jesus talks about it in Luke’s Gospel he tells the parable of the good Samaritan, somebody who helps someone who is different than they are
“So it is a decision, a daily decision that I am going to lead an unselfish life that seeks the good of others as well as well as my own good. And when we all do that, we win.”
Lectionary, July 26, 2020, Pentecost 8, Proper 12, Year A
I.Theme – God works through us in difficult times
"The Parable of the Mustard Seed" – James Patterson
The lectionary readings are here or individually:
Old Testament – 1 Kings 3:5-12
Psalm – Psalm 119:129-136 Page 774, BCP
Epistle –Romans 8:26-39
Gospel – Matthew 13:31-33,44-52
Our readings this week reflect God’s love for His people. They show how God works through our difficult times and will often bless us through them. He works through and within our times of weakness and works for the good of all who love Him. Secondarily, the readings cover the topics of good and evil and discerning between them.
The Old Testament reading recounts Solomon’s prayer – “Solomon’s prayer – “Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, able to discern between good and evil; for who can govern this your great people?” It is the perfect prayer modest, recalling past blessings and confessing our ignorance. The value of discernment is praised, the capacity to see issues, recognize temptations, and know what is right and wrong, based on divine truths.
This leads naturally into the Psalm, which immediately counters any notion that you have to be a king (or a Solomon, for that matter) to discern what is right: “The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple.” Anyone who pays attention can discern the decrees of God, for it is God who is our teacher. The Word of God is a means of grace. Through the Word–which is both law and gospel–the Lord of Israel encounters the people of God..
Paul in Romans examines in detail how certain can we be that God will complete the execution of his plan of salvation. This is Christian life lived in the Spirit. Nearly every sentence is a new way of stating the promise that God has not abandoned "us," and is working on our behalf. The Spirit meets with her own intercessions and prayers – aiding our inability to pray. What is even more amazing is that God still loves us even after countless incidents of outrageous human behavior, pride and disloyalty. The Spirit helps us to resist the powers that would defeat us and separate us from God
Today’s gospel, Matthew concludes a long series of parables about the reign of God. There are 5 parables in these verses. These parables encourage us to live the kingdom into being in every aspect of our lives. It addresses basic questions: "What is it ? How do we find it? What’s it like? What do I have to do to enter it?" In telling these parables, Jesus did not make the characters angels or kings, but a woman, a merchant, fishermen. And he did not use difficult or out-of-reach tasks, but everyday peasant-class things like baking bread and fishing. The kingdom is here but it’s modest. It’s hidden. It’s quiet. In fact, those who discover the kingdom sometimes tend to stumble upon it almost by accident. The kingdom is a great treasure but it may not reveal itself immediately
Summing them up, Jesus praises those who have listened carefully and understood. This praise of the wise in today’s gospel seems to justify this choice of first reading Solomon’s request for wisdom.
Celebrating the legacy of James the Apostle, July 25
Cathedral,Santiago Spain where James is buried and celebration on July 25 with swinging of the a giant censer.
We celebrate James the Apostle on July 25. With his brother, John, the Gospels (Matthew 4, 21-22; Mark 1, 19-20; Luke 5, 10-11) record that they were fishermen, the sons of Zebedee, partners with Simon Peter, and called by Jesus from mending their nets beside the sea of Galilee at the beginning of his ministry
Jesus nicknamed them ‘the sons of thunder’ – perhaps justified by the story (Luke 9, 51-56) that they once wished to call down fire from heaven to destroy a village which had refused them hospitality.
They made it to key events in Jesus life – the Transfiguation, Gethsemene and at various healings and miracles – Peter’s mother-in-law and raising of Jairus’s daughter. Obviously, James was of Jesus closest followers.
He is known as James the Great to distinguish him from James the Less, or James the brother of the Lord.
The movie, The Way celebrates the wonderful cathedral in Santiago where his remains lie and pilgrimage that grew up around St. James life, routes that have been followed for 800 years. Read more about James and the Santiago Cathedral …
A Union Soldier’s take on Solomon’s Prayer (Old Testament reading this week 1 Kings 3:5-12)
An unknown civil war soldier wrote this eloquent testimony:
"I asked for strength that I might achieve;
"I was made weak that I might learn humbly to obey.
"I asked for health that I might do greater things;
"I was given infirmity that I might do better things.
"I asked for riches that I might be happy; I was given poverty that I might be wise.
"I asked for power that I might have the praise of men; I was given weakness that I might feel the need of God.
"I asked for all things that I might enjoy life; I was given life that I might enjoy all things. I got nothing that I had asked for, but everything that I had hoped for.
"Almost despite myself my unspoken prayers were answered; I am, among all men, most richly blessed.
"So the Bible says that It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this."
Make a Gift Today! 2. Contact the Rev Catherine Hicks, Rector 4. Server Schedule July 2020 5. Latest Newsletter-the Parish Post (July , 2020) 6. Calendar 9. Latest Sunday Bulletin (July 26, 2020 10:00am), and Sermon (July 19, 2020) 10. Recent Services: Readings and Prayers, Pentecost 4, June 28, 2020 Readings and Prayers, Pentecost 5, July 5, 2020 |
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Knowing that not everyone prays at the same pace, you have control over the pace of the retreat. After each screen, a Continue button will appear. Click it when you are ready to move on. If you are new to online prayer, the basic timing of the screens will guide you through the experience.
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Saints of the Week, – July 19 – July 26, 2020
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19
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Macrina of Caesarea, Monastic and Teacher, 379 |
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20
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Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Amelia Bloomer, Sojourner Truth, and Harriet Ross Tubman, Social Reformers |
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21
21 |
[Maria Skobtsoba], Monastic & Martyr, 1945 Albert John Luthuli, Prophetic Witness, 1967 |
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22
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Saint Mary Magdalene |
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23
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[John Cassian], Monastic & Theologian, 435 |
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24
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Thomas a Kempis, Priest & Mystic, 1471 |
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25
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Saint James the Apostle |
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26
26 |
The Parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary Charles Raymond Barnes, Priest & Martyr, 1939 |