Category Archives: From the Rector

Weekly articles from our Rector published in the News & Notes newsletter.

What Abundance!

Posted on by

Dear Friends,

Last Sunday, the Day of All Saints’ we were surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses as we welcomed through baptism two new persons into the Body of Christ. There was such abundance at that service – an abundance of love for these two young persons, an abundance of love for the saints who have gone before us, the abundance of the feast as we broke bread and drank wine together, and the abundance of voices singing as we sang great hymns of the faith. And then the abundance of Coffee Hour!

We are blessed in this community. All of that abundance finds its source in God, whose generosity is apparent to us in so many ways. This Sunday, November 8, we have the opportunity to demonstrate our own generosity as we give thanks to God and make our pledges to St. John’s for 2016. I hope you make a special effort to be here for one of our services, and to join us for the celebratory brunch after the 10 am service. No gift will be too small and no gift can be too large in expressing our gratitude for all God gives us through the life of this parish.  I look forward to seeing you so that together, we can bear witness to all that God is doing in our midst.

Faithfully,

Tom

 

Remembering the Saints

Posted on by

imagesDear Friends,

One of you surprised me the other day by mentioning something I had said in a sermon I preached several years ago. I could hardly recall the sermon, but the words I had offered had somehow made a home in another person’s mind or heart. I was touched, and reminded of how often we are unaware of how a word, deed, or small gesture may be received and remembered long after being offered.

This Sunday is a day of celebration in the life of the church. Our Sunday liturgies fall this day on November 1, the Day of All Saints. It is the tradition of the church to remember those who have died in the faith since last November 1 on this feast day. At St. John’s we also incorporate the tradition of All Souls’ Day, November 2, as we lift up the names of many loved ones who have gone before us.

We can hear the word “saints” and think only of spiritual giants.  But my guess is that you, like me, have those saints in your life who may have once shared a word, or did something that remains with you and influences the way you live your life today. I encourage you this week to remember the beloved saints of your lives whose influence may have spanned many years. But I also encourage you to think of those persons – perhaps a teacher, perhaps a neighbor, perhaps even a stranger – who once said or did something that made a difference in your life.  Thank God for those saints.  And thank God that you and I can each make a difference as well, even when we are not aware that our words, our deeds, and our gestures may be a great blessing to others.

Faithfully,

Tom

 

Discerning A Call

Posted on by

Dear Friends,

A recurring theme in the Bible is the God’s call  to communities and individuals. Often, the details of those calls are vivid and dramatic. Moses turns aside from his shepherding to see a burning bush. Paul is thrown to the ground by a heavenly vision and the voice of Christ calling out to him. Mary has the routines of her day in Nazareth interrupted by the appearance of the angel Gabriel.

How clear were those calls! And yet there is also the story of Samuel, who listened one night again and again in the temple, until he finally understood that it was God who was calling his name. The call can come with with clarity. But it can also come through repeated thoughts and urgings.

Perhaps you have experienced what I have more than once –  thinking repeatedly about someone or some situation,  and discovering that when I finally write a note or respond to an urge to help,  I am in fact responding to God’s call.

The Holy Spirit speaks through wind and flame, but also through whispers and wondering. You will note that this week’s News and Notes is rather lengthy – full of all kinds of invitations to participate in events and programs here in the parish and beyond. As you read through, you might consider whether some urging or nagging thought is in fact the work of the Spirit in your life, inviting you more deeply into all that God is doing in and through you.

Faithfully,

Tom

What a Fellowship, What a Joy Divine

Posted on by

FullSizeRender-5Dear Friends,

How good it is when God’s people dwell together in unity! It was a marvelous gathering on Sunday at St. John’s. From the sounds of both our choirs rehearsing, to the aroma of hamburgers and hotdogs cooking on the stove, to the procession of our children into church, there was energy, excitement, and delight at our being together. The rainy day outside did nothing to diminish the joy of the day. The Holy Spirit drew us together for worship and for good food and fellowship, as we shared with each other both our joys and our griefs.

I know all of us us could be there. But the good news is that we gather again this Sunday. I was particularly grateful that we had new persons visiting us and joining us for the first time. I hope you will continue to invite new persons into our life together in Christ. We began a program year last Sunday. But every Sunday, we begin again, gathered as if for the first time, to worship God, hear Christ’s call, and respond to the power of the Holy Spirit.

Faithfully,

Tom

And So We Begin – with Prayer, Praise, and a Picnic

Posted on by

Dear Friends,

Inevitably, summer schedules take us in many directions, and the resumption of school and work schedules in September brings us back to familiar routines. And so it is that I look forward to seeing all of you this Sunday. So much begins again:

Children’s Formation: Rachel Pfost and Simon Ringrose look forward to greeting our students for the Godly Play and Good News classes. Classes begin at 9:45, but we hope you will come a little earlier to register your children for a new year of faith formation.

Blessing of the Backpacks:  All children are invited to bring their school backpacks to church this Sunday. Tom will offer a blessing for them and their owners during the worship service.

Children’s Choir: Nan Armstrong invites all children age 6 and up to join her for the first Children’s Choir rehearsal at 9:15 am upstairs in the Parish Hall.

The St. John’s Choir: Our choir resumes its ministry tonight, with its first rehearsal at 7:30 pm. Douglas Witte, Choirmaster, invites you to consider joining the choir. Your voice is essential to God’s praise.

Parish Picnic after the 10 am service: Chefs Steve Spinetto and Jake Sterling will be firing up the grill for hot dogs and hamburgers. If you are able to bring a dish to share, bring a salad or side dish if your last name begins with A-M, and a dessert if your last name begins with N-Z. Even if it is not IMG_1589possible to bring a dish, do plan to attend!

Good food, faith, and fellowship all await. I am so eager to see each of you this Sunday, and in all the weeks to come.

Faithfully,

Tom