We are a small Episcopal Church on the banks of the Rappahannock in Port Royal, Virginia. We acknowledge that we gather on the traditional land of the first people of Port Royal, the Nandtaughtacund, and we respect and honor with gratitude the land itself, the legacy of the ancestors, and the life of the Rappahannock Tribe. Our mission statement is to do God’s Will in all that we do.

Sunday’s Thoughts

Sunday’s Thoughts Jan 28, Epiphany 4

This week 7 of us went to the Paragon Theater in Fredericksburg to see “A Case for Love”. This movie was 3+ years in the making by an Episcopalian film maker and is based on Bishop Caurry’s “Way of Love” concept that goes back to 2018.

The movie spotlighted 13 stories involving unselfish love plus many more “man on the street” questions involved the Love question. A number of prominent individuals were also spotlighted including Episcopalians, Bishop Curry, Senator Danforth and Al Roker.

It was inspiring! The group that made the film has challenged in the next 30 days to journal us and extend the “Way of Love” for lives. A link for the journal is here. PDF, Word and Google docs.

The church has taken a variation of this and designated 2024 as the year we are to “Walk in Love. ”

Each season will have a particular focus. The focus of the Advent and Christmas season will be Walk to the Manger. The season after The Epiphany where we are now will be Walk in the Light.

How do we “Walk in the Light” ? The answer has much to do with concept of “Way of Love.” This involves treating others with kindness and respect and have a sense of compassion for others situations. We should serve others by volunteering, helping those in need, and living a life of service. It is also involved in not hiding the truth and being honest with others even when it hurts.

In Mark’s Gospel this week Jesus has to confront a demon inside of a man. This is the first healing story and for Mark the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry. The demon knows exactly who Jesus is – “the Holy One of God.”

What strikes the crowd about Jesus’ teaching is that he does it “with authority,” speaking in his own voice rather than citing other authorities. In Mark and elsewhere, Jesus often references both scripture and tradition — but not here at the very outset, a vivid signal of his distinctive prophetic standing and power. For Mark, when Jesus speaks, we hear God’s voice; and when Jesus acts, we see God’s action in the world. He definitely speaks with authority and with God’s light. In this sense, his teaching is indistinguishable from his mission, and from who he is.

We don’t know the details of the demon but it destroyed his personality, rendered him an outcast, unclean, and unable to live with his family. Jesus confronts this unclean spirit directly with the simple words: “Be still. Come out from him.”

Part of “Walking in the Light” is the the requirement on us to confront those in our time with demons. We have many more demons in our time. Think of how addiction overwhelms individuals and families; how racism and white supremacy shape-shift over time; how anger consumes; how envy devours; or how all of us, even against our will, how we are complicit in creating the blanket of CO2 and other gasess overheating the planet (2023 set the record for the hottest global year on record). Demons are diffcult to isolate and overcome. We have work together in many situations to do this.

Sunday’s Thoughts Jan 21, Epiphany 3 – “Calling once again”

This week was the first “somewhat sizeable snow” in two years. The school children were off 3 days. Snow can bring sense of peace and tranquility.

We were able to have 91 at the Village Harvest for Jan, much better than last year’s 60 though under previous years. Food supplies were strained since Oct. 2023.

Sacred Ground met this week reviewing the check sent out for the new scholarship program for trade educatiion. We also came up with possible new endeavors – .

1. Investigate Black owned bank or Black owned businesses

2 Feb 10 presentation on Port Royal at the Old Port Royal School. a Black School. It was constructed and used from 1924 to 1959. This is the 100th anniversary <>3 Bingo- Last Monday – Feb 26, 6pm Caroline county Public Schools. This may be a good opportunity for discussion with local leaders

4. Meeting with school administrations about opportunities for St. Peters and other churches p>This Sunday Jan 21 is the congregational meeting, an annual event to elect new vestry members and take stock of the community. We will not be having reports as in previous years. This was a dedicated segment.

Cookie has completed a three year term and will be rotating off the vestry. Larry has completed the last year of Robert Bryan’s three year term. Helmut Linne von Berg is resigning from the Vestry due to his caregiving responsibilities for Susan. His unfinished term creates a one year vacancy to be filled, along with the two three year terms that will need to be filled.

Johnny Davis and Andrea Pogue have agreed to run to fill the two three year terms, and Larry Saylor will run for the one year term.

During the meeting, Catherine recalled the accomplishments of Helmut including his cross makng – the central cross behind the altar, the Good Friday cross and two processional crosses. One of our youth spoke to remember the crosses given to new members. She said she has the cross in her room.

The sermon was a combination 2023 review and sermon. The focus was our work as disciples. From the sermon “Both casting nets and mending nets are necessary parts of discipleship. As disciples, we must cast our nets but we also must mend our nets as well. Here are some of the ways we have been both casting and mending the nets that Jesus has given to us to use here at St Peter’s. ”

Jan 21 is also the 3rd week after the Epiphany and the 2nd week of Jesus calling his team. Last week it was Andrew and Nathanael and this week it Simon (Peter) and Andrew as well as James and John

John MacArthur’s book on the diciples places most of the disciples this week in the top tier of the 12 disciples based on their closeness to Jesus. This is definitely the “A” team!

The calling of disciples and the congregational meeting are linked. In both cases there is the search for leadership.

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Sunday’s Thoughts – Jan 14, Epiphany 2 – “Calling” and the “Fig Tree”

It was cold but clear Sunday after a week of heavy rain. Back in 2018 we have pictures of ice on the river. No ice now.

Attendance was 31 which was exceptional. A number were guests.

The 2nd Week after the Epiphany – Jesus calls the first disciples this week.- Andrew and Nathanael and next week it is Simon (Peter) and Andrew as well as James and John

It is 2 weeks after Christmas when Jesus was born and important to realize what has taken place.  

Jesus has been born,  the shepherds visit, the Magi visit,  Joseph & Mary’s flight to Egypt with Jesus , Herod has children killed, Jesus’ family returns to Nazareth,  Jesus in the temple at age 12, John the Baptist preaches and baptizes, Jesus’ baptism, Jesus’ temptation –,  John the Baptist identifies Jesus as the Messiah , Jesus begins to gather followers. As Jesus says in Matthew  “Come, follow me, and I will make you fishers of men” (Matthew 4:19). 

So how old is Jesus? – About 30. He has 3 years to preach.  It is estimated that after he has 18 months left when the disciples are called to be apostles. Not much time considering the tasks to be done!

The following information on the disciples comes from  a wonderful book by John F. MacArthur Twelve Ordinary Men How the Master Shaped his Disciples for Greatness, and What He wants to do with You

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Sunday’s Thoughts – Jan 7, Epiphany 1 – “Beginnings”

So when does the church proclaim the new year? Typically it is the first Sunday in Advent. However, the scriptures seem other than joyous. On the recent First Advent, the Gospel was from Mark. Jesus said to his disciples, “In those days, after that suffering, the sun will be  darkened,      and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will be falling from heaven,    and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.” Nope, doesn’t make it

I would make a case for the Sunday after the Epiphany, Jesus’ baptism. This is Mark’s birth story since he didn’t write one for Bethlehem.

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