THE RECTOR'S MESSAGE Saturday, 13 June 2020

Included in today's update: A Message from Father Keith and the Liturgy for Tomorrow's Worship

FROM THE RECTOR

Saturday, 13 June 2020

Dear Friends:

With all that is going on around us and the many disruptions we have all been dealing with, I thought a good message wrapped in a bit of levity might be just what everyone needs about now. This was passed along to me and I pass it along to all of you. Hope it both lightens your day and enlightens your heart . . .

There is a story of a visiting pastor who attended a men's breakfast in the middle of a rural farming area of the country. The group had asked an old...er farmer decked out in coveralls to say grace for the morning breakfast.

"Lord, I hate buttermilk", the farmer began. The visiting pastor opened one eye to glance at the farmer and wonder where this was going. The farmer loudly proclaimed, "Lord, I hate lard." Now the pastor was growing concerned. Without missing a beat, the farmer continued, "And Lord, you know I don't much care for raw white flour". The pastor once again opened an eye to glance around the room and saw that he wasn't the only one to feel uncomfortable.

Then the farmer added, "But Lord, when you mix them all together and bake them, I do love warm fresh biscuits. So Lord, when things come up that we don't like, when life gets hard, when we don't understand what you're saying to us, help us to just relax and wait until you are done mixing. It will probably be even better than biscuits. Amen"

Within that silly prayer, there is great wisdom for all when it comes to complicated situations like we are experiencing in the world today.

Stay strong my friends because our LORD is mixing several things that we don't really care for, but something even better is going to come when HE is done with it.

In the name of our Savior Jesus Christ,

and our God who wants only health and wholeness for his children,

I send you blessings, peace and grace in these uncertain, confusing and anxious times.

- Keith

LITURGY FOR TOMORROW'S WORSHIP

SECOND SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

OPENING PROCLAMATION

The grace of Our Lord Jesus Christ,

the love of God,

and the communion of the Holy Spirit

be with you. Alleluia!

And also with you. Alleluia! Alleluia!

COLLECT FOR THE DAY

Keep, O Lord, your household the Church in your steadfast faith and love, that through your grace we may proclaim your truth with boldness, and minister your justice with compassion; for the sake of our Savior Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen.

LESSONS

Genesis 18:1-15, 21:1-7;

Romans 5:1-8;

Matthew 9:35-10:23

PSALM 116

I love the Lord, because he has heard the voice of my supplication, *

because he has inclined his ear to me whenever I called upon him.

How shall I repay the Lord *

for all the good things he has done for me?

I will lift up the cup of salvation *

and call upon the Name of the Lord.

I will fulfill my vows to the Lord *

in the presence of all his people.

Precious in the sight of the Lord *

is the death of his servants.

O Lord, I am your servant; *

I am your servant and the child of your handmaid;

you have freed me from my bonds.

I will offer you the sacrifice of thanksgiving *

and call upon the Name of the Lord.

I will fulfill my vows to the Lord *

in the presence of all his people.

In the courts of the Lord’s house, *

in the midst of you, O Jerusalem.

Hallelujah!

APOSTLES' CREED

I believe in God, the Father Almighty,

Creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord.

He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit,

and born of the Virgin Mary.

He suffered under Pontius Pilate,

was crucified, died and was buried.

He descended to the dead.

On the third day he rose again.

He ascended into heaven,

and is seated at the right hand of the Father.

He will come again to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,

the holy catholic Church,

the communion of Saints,

the forgiveness of sins,

the resurrection of the body,

and the life everlasting.

Amen.

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

Response: Hear us, O God.

PRAYER FOR NATIONAL HEALING AND UNITY

O God, who created all peoples in your own image, we thank you for the wonderful diversity of races and peoples who have come together in this great nation, and strengthened our culture with the many gifts, talents, perspectives and flavors they have each brought and shared. Enrich our lives by ever-widening circles of fellowship, abolish all prejudices that separate us, open our eyes to recognize, and acknowledge, and celebrate your presence in those who differ most from us, until our knowledge of your love is made perfect in our love for all your children; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

SUNDAY WORSHIP MUSIC

Be sure to check out the weekly music and carillon recordings. Go to the Gallery tab on the parish website; select videos; there you will find hymns selected for the day, along with Messiah's church bells ringing out the Good News of the Easter season. This music is presented each week by Hannah Albrecht and Sam Frenkel. Thank you, Hannah and Sam!

SUNDAY SERMON AVAILABLE EACH WEEK

Each week, the text of the Sunday sermon is posted to the website. Feel free to print it out if you find that helpful. And perhaps you might also print a copy and send to someone who doesn't have computer access. This would be greatly appreciated and provide a way for these parishioners to also stay connected.

PLEASE KEEP YOUR PLEDGE UP TO DATE

Thank you to all of you who have dropped off or sent in your pledge over the past several weeks! Your faithfulness has allowed us to stay current with payroll and bill payment. Now that we are in a new month - can it really me mid-May already? - please remember to submit this month's pledge. Thank you!