Our COVID planning team meets this afternoon
(Thursday), so I have nothing to report from our meeting yet. But given the
rise in positive cases across much of the US, I wonder if you are feeling
differently about gathering for an outdoor Eucharist. We are fortunate to live
in New England where the cases, so far at least, are decreasing or remaining
flat. On Sunday there will be two poll questions I’d like for you to consider:
1.
Does the increase in cases in other
parts of the country impact your thinking on attending an outdoor Eucharist.
2.
Are you happy with our Sunday service
as it is, or would you like to have Morning Prayer some or all of the time?
The second question comes from the fact that the
Bishop’s services are now Morning Prayer instead of the Liturgy of the Word
that we use and that he was using until recently. We will worship with the
Bishop again on July 19 when I am on vacation.
Here
is a link to a reflection published by the Rt. Rev. Thomas Breidenthal, Bishop
of Southern Ohio. He was my Ethics Professor and advisor while I was in
seminary, so I follow him on social media, and thought this was worth sharing.
It’s titled “A reflection regarding our fast from the Eucharist,” and speaks
to me of one aspect of why our online worship experience continues to be
meaningful. It’s about a four minute read, according to the internet. Happy
reading, and I look forward to seeing you on Sunday!
Caroline
via Zoom (see email for Zoom information)
or Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/standrewsinthevalleytamworth/
The Fifth Sunday after Pentecost
July 5th, Proper 9, Year A
Collect of the Day
O God, you have taught us to keep all your commandments by loving you and our neighbor: Grant us the grace of your Holy Spirit, that we may be devoted to you with our whole heart, and united to one another with pure affection; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
LESSONS We hear the Word of God proclaimed.
First Lesson Genesis 24:34-38, 42-49, 58-67
Our Hebrew Bible story is
about the arranged marriage between Isaac and his kinswoman Rebekah. Abraham
sent his trusted servant to his kinfolk in Haran, as he did not want to select
a bride for his son from the Canaanites among whom he dwelt. The providential hand of God is seen in the
prosecution and success of this venture.
Psalm 45:10-17
In this psalm for a royal wedding the queen is instructed to
leave ancestry behind in preference to loyalty for her king, to whom she goes
in procession.
The Second Lesson Romans 7:15-25
In this lesson Paul continues to wrestle with the question of the role of the law. Although the law is good in principle, without God’s saving act in Jesus, it only produces more sinfulness. Paul feels two strong and opposing tendencies within his being. Without the new relationship of faith through Jesus, the regulations of the law only cause the tendency to break the law to grow stronger. Paul speaks of this as a tendency of his flesh, by which he means all within him that does not seek faithful obedience to God.
The Gospel Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30
In our gospel lesson Jesus compares his generation to capricious children, equally displeased by the austere message of John the Baptist and the inviting message of Jesus. Yet God’s wisdom will prevail. Jesus bids all to come and find that the yoke of his teaching is easy to bear. The disclosure of the divine will come as God’s gracious gift, not through human knowledge. Especially intimate is the relationship between the Lord of all life and Jesus–that of the Father and Son. Although he is the Son, Jesus is humble of heart and gentle.
For those who are homebound: Joyce Gendron, Marge Hagerup, Elizabeth Pease, Susannah Keith, Alida, Dylan, Brian & Sara Kelley, Bob Wallace, Carl Mamigonian, Elizabeth Wiesner, Judy Grace, Audrey Berry.
For our First Nation people and those in this country who are living in impoverished areas of the Ninth Ward of New Orleans and the inner city areas populated by some of our poorest citizens.
For all those who are on the front lines serving communities during these difficult times.
Next Food Pantry: July 8
Here is a slightly different form of the Prayer for Spiritual Communion. Thanks to Ann Cady for forwarding it from her church in CT, St. David’s, Gales Ferry.
Lord Jesus, we cannot now worship you at the altar of the church in the Sacrament of your Body and Blood, yet in spirit we join ourselves with all those who in your Holy Church offer you the sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving. Visit me, I pray, with your mercy, pardon, and blessing, and fill me with faith, love, and repentance. Strengthen and sustain me by your grace, that I may follow you with a pure heart and mind. Now and for ever. Amen.
~ Adapted from the spiritual communion prayer
by the Rev. Christopher L. Webber
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