July 17, 2016 (full size gallery)
On July 13, 2016, we invited a group from the Village Harvest food distribution to meet with parishioners for overall fellowship as well as to see their needs in relationship to the existing Village Harvest program which has been ongoing since Nov. 2014. How well is it going ? Any changes ? We had 11 from the food distribution and 9 from St. Peter’s to sample Catherine’s glazed chicken. Cherry said she was surprised how many people were on assistance.
This week major work was done on the altapiece with the gilding of the framework. Check out the picture in the slideshow.
Sunday, July 17 featured full sunshine, not too warm, with the crepes myrtle in full bloom. Wild animals came forth from the osprey on our front sycamore to a bee enjoying the phlox. The back sycamore was lush with green leaves. Cookie had Johnny pick sunflowers from the field around Camden which adorned our altar and windows. It was a large service -we had 59 with all the children and several back from vacation.
This Sunday was Pentecost 9 but also Callie Towler’s last Sunday as Godly Play teacher. Becky Fisher will be taking over in the Fall but this Sunday was the last session in this program year 2015-2016.
Callie parents were on hand and She was the preacher today. The children were up front supporting here. She brought up the children to sing a Godly Play song at the end of her sermon. Catherine arranged the music in Levas with shorter hymns and at least one known by the children.
Callie plans to go to seminary in the future. During the announcements, Catherine presented her two gifts from the congregation – an annotated Bible and Strong’s Concordance. Catherine said she still uses the latter in her regular sermon preparation . We also signed a card for her.
Marilyn provided the communion music on her new harp. It was a plain song that could have been heard at St. Peter’s at the time the altarpiece was created (1853). The sound was lilting, pensive and folkish.
A reception was held after church on the lawn and provided by Cookie and Catherine and featured light refreshments – oatmeal bars, brownies, popcorn, pretzels and several drinks. People enjoyed bringing out the food from the back on the church and catching up. The babies in the congregation were the hit. Karen also helped put it all together.
Today’s readings remind us of the surprises related to hospitality and the hidden presence of God. In Genesis , Abraham receives three heavenly visitors who speak of the imminent birth of Sarah’s son. Paul describes the mystery of reconciliation with God and its implications for the Church. Jesus visits the home of Mary and Martha and reminds us of the importance of paying attention to God’s presence and words.
An extraordinary message runs through today’s scriptures. The theme is best expressed in the question put to Abraham: “Is anything too wonderful for the lord?”
Callie’s sermon concentrated on the Gospel. She sympathized with Martha – in her life dealing with people at school who weren’s pulling their weight. Martha had all the work to do to prepare a meal for Jesus and many disciples. You can imagine her frustration as Mary dominated Jesus attention by sitting at his feet and Martha dealing with getting the wine jugs in and other preparations. However, maybe the distractions get in her way of understanding and of achieving something more valuable, particularly sitting at the feet of the Lord. Callie remembered when she graduated absorbed at getting resumes out and nearly missing the opportunity to go to Shred-It in 2014 at St. Peter’s and hearing we needed a Godly Play teacher. She is glad she did as it became her opportunity for 2 years to sit at "feet of the Lord."