Church of the Epiphany //
Thursday, August 5, 2021
Thoughts About August From Mother Lou:
A word about August: it's the doldrums! How do we make our faith come alive when it is hot, muggy, stormy? We are still on the lookout for COVID. We come to church masked or unmasked, we receive communion standing, we are in a new world of Zoom, we don't have many people to do all the things that need to be done!
Yet, God's love brings us together, God's love provides comfort in these storms and changes in our lives.
Paul's letters during August are reminders of how we are to act as followers of Christ. With gentle spirits, humility, bearing one another up. He reminds us to speak kindly and gently with one another, to be tenderhearted and forgiving. He writes to the people in Ephesus to sing songs of praise and thankfulness, to build one another up. Paul also calls us today to put on the armor of God and stand firm in our faith, in the face of persecution, loss, danger, hatred.
Loss has been hard on our parish. Loss of loved ones, loved ones living far away, loved ones moving, changing jobs, losing jobs, retiring. It feels hard to build one another up! Yet, that is what we need to think about: building up one another to strengthen our bonds together, and to be strong enough to tell our FB friends how wonderful we feel worshiping together. And remember to invite folks to upcoming events!
Paul worked, prayed, died during a time of great persecution. I wonder if we are persecuting ourselves by not telling others how much they are beloved. Sometimes, people just need a happy smile, a comforting word, (maybe a hug), to feel noticed, joyful, uplifted. See how many smiles you can share this week. Let me know! It would be great to say we shared 1,000 smiles during this hot, muggy month!
Mo. Lou
Opportunities for Sunday Worship at Epiphany
8 AM Eucharist at the pavilion - celebrated weekly this summer
11 AM Eucharist in the sanctuary and via Zoom - to participate virtually via Zoom, click on the link below (or phone in at the number below).
Please observe these guidelines for in-person indoor worship:
Use sanitizer upon entering the church
Wear a mask if you are not yet vaccinated - or to keep loved ones at home safe even if you are vaccinated
Sit in alternating pews
Singing is allowed, singing quietly is recommended
Lindsey Saunders
Lois Morgan
Jean Cacciamani
Sophie Haus
Jake Prye
Julia Moffat Wanat
Megan Rancier
Sean Welsh
Jovan Mitchell.
A Verse for Today
Put away from you all bitterness and wrath and anger and wrangling and slander, together with all malice, and be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ has forgiven you.
The Queen of Water and the Queen of Air look awfully familiar, don't they? Come find out how they fit into the story of the Emperor and his new clothes.
Need a Little Spiritual Boost?
Good News On the Go brings you short (<3 minute) sermons on the Sunday Lectionary readings. Use them whenever and wherever you need the Good News and hearing a full sermon just isn't an option: on the road, with those who are home-bound or when in a pinch!
There is an archive along with a category list if you're looking for a specific topic.
Education for Ministry (EfM) offers a four-year course, covering the basic subjects of a theological education: Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament), New Testament, Church History, and Theological Choices (a study of theological trends and movements in the Church). Participants register for one year at a time. Students meet locally in seminar groups of six to twelve participants and a trained mentor(s), who meet weekly for two to three hours during a nine-month academic year.
For more information on EfM and seminar groups in your area contact Diocesan EfM Coordinator Cathy Bailey at cathybaileynnp@gmail.com.
Church-Sponsored Camps and Vacation Bible Schools
We will share all VBS and Summer Camp offerings that come our way on the website community events page. Check back weekly for new additions to area offerings.
Postcard Ministry Opportunity, from Mo. Lou:
This is a particularly vulnerable time for state and federal prisoners. Conditions, even without the pandemic, are awful in our prisons. Imagine what it is like now with the virus spreading through the close and unhealthy prison settings. I invite you to write a postcard to one or more of the inmates listed below to let them know we have not forgotten them. If the inmate responds you might consider becoming pen pals.
Please write to:
Blanche Moore #0288088
(On death row since 11/16/1990)
Dial 646 876 9923 US (New York)
then enter Meeting ID: 990 0523 0944#
(If you join by telephone only your name will be displayed on the Zoom screen.)
To find your local number if you are in another time zone: https://zoom.us/u/adC2ITYYp1Install "Zoom Client for Meetings" here to join in virtual worship - it's free.
