Episcopal Church
of the Resurrection
1433 NW R.D. Mize Road
Blue Springs, Missouri  64015
 
(816) 228-4220

Weekly e-mail Update

Saturday, September 26, 2020

Church is open!
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2020
Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost

No 8:00 am service
Parable of the Two Sons
Parable of the Two Sons
Mironov, Andrei; 1975.
From Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library.

Holy Eucharist Rite II at 10:30 am
- The Rev. Doug Johnson, Celebrant
- Service in-person and also broadcast on-line

Social distancing and masks required


Virtual Coffee Hour at Noon on Zoom
Click Here to Join          Meeting ID:  983 6979 4971       Password:   536310

From Fr. David+
CHURCH NEWS.
David Lynch _

In Michigan again
Once again I'm in Michigan this week to be with my brother who is being treated for lymphoma.  Many thanks to all for your prayers and I am most grateful to Fr. Doug Johnson who will celebrate services in my absence. This also means that Daily Office broadcasts will be suspended until I return at the end of the month. To be with family at difficult times is so important. Thanks for making that possible for me and my family.


Blessing of the Animals
Blessing of the Animals on Saturday, October 10
On Saturday, October 10, Resurrection will celebrate the "Blessing of the Animals" starting at 10:00 am in the church parking lot.  This event has a long tradition in our church and follows the actions of St. Francis of Assisi. Any pet is appropriate for blessings, from spiders to horses and all creatures in between.  Even a child's "stuffed pet" is welcome for blessings.  This celebration will also recognize the loss of a pet companion who is remembered and missed.  Please invite others via Facebook and other media as this is a community event. 


Men's Fellowship meetings suspended until further notice       
Until everyone feels more comfortable meeting as a group. we will continue to postpone the Men's Fellowship meetings for the foreseeable future in light of COVID guidelines. Thanks for your understanding.


Lay liturgical ministers still needed
We are looking to grow our ministry of broadcasting the daily office by using liturgical leaders who would be willing to lead Morning, Noon Day and Evening Prayer.  If you are interested in serving in this ministry please contact me!


Altar Flowers    
You may sign-up for altar flowers on the flower chart located on the bulletin board in the Narthex.  Write-in your name and a dedication on the date you desire.  Contact Elaine Gilligan if you are attending church virtually and would like to contribute. The cost for altar flowers is $35 per week. 


Heartland Cursillo Zoom Ultreya is October 9
Click here for information.
Bonfire


Parish Bonfire Party and Cookout on October 17
Join fellow parishioners at the home of John and Joyce Biggs, 30404 Pink Hill Rd; Grain Valley, on Saturday, October 17, 2020 at 5:30 pm for a bonfire picnic and cookout.  Enjoy hot dogs, s'mores and hot drinks!  Please bring lawn chairs, flashlights and blankets.  Sign-up in the Narthex or contact Janet Woodward 816-564-4000.
Monday Matters - RenewalWorks
FROM REV. JAY SIDEBOTHAM +.
Renewal Works
The Collect for the Feast of St. Matthew
We thank you, heavenly Father, for the witness of your apostle and evangelist Matthew to the Gospel of your Son our Savior; and we pray that, after his example, we may with ready wills and hearts obey the calling of our Lord to follow him; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Matthew 9:9-13
As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth; and he said to him, "Follow me." And he got up and followed him. And as he sat at dinner in the house, many tax collectors and sinners came and were sitting with him and his disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?" But when he heard this, he said, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means, 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' For I have come to call not the righteous but sinners."

Follow me
My, it was a fine sermon, a clear call to discipleship, based on the gospel printed above, the gospel chosen for the Feast of St. Matthew (which is today). My compelling preaching was based on the two words Jesus said to Matthew: Follow me. With unbridled homiletic prowess, I made the point that we each are called to a deeper discipleship that goes to our heart and changes our lives. And because I'm such an able communicator, I included in the Sunday bulletin a rather large, unavoidable bookmark with the phrase: Follow Me, printed in bold but elegant font. It was a takeaway that would keep the message of discipleship in front of parishioners, perhaps for the rest of their lives. It was a good morning.

That same evening, my wife and I were invited to a dinner party. We were greeted at the door by the host, a parishioner, who immediately asked if we'd like a drink from the bar. When I said yes, he pulled out the aforementioned bookmark: Follow me. He led me to libation.

I realized that what I had said and what had been heard from the pulpit may not have been the same.

We may have a clear idea of what it means to affiliate with a denomination, or to be a church member. But that is not necessarily the same as thinking about what it means to be a disciple, a follower of Jesus. Whether it was my host's appropriation of Jesus' phrase, or the ways we talk about following someone on social media, we may need to reclaim this word "follow." Use this feast day to think about what it means for you to follow Jesus, however you are choosing to do that. And let me suggest three things implied in that call.

First, it suggests movement. We can't stay where we are. As Pope Francis said, there's no such thing as a stationary Christian. In that suggestion, there's an indication of another way, perhaps even hope. Matthew didn't need to continue to be a tax-collector, despised by his own people. Peter didn't need to continue to be a mediocre fisherman (Note: There is no indication that the disciples who were professional fishermen ever caught a fish without Jesus' help.) While we may not know where the following will lead, it involves the hope of something better, a more abundant life, a life marked by healing and reconciliation, loving kindness and forgiveness.

Second, it suggests intentionality and purpose. One of my mentors suggests that we could substitute the word intentionality for discipleship. It may seem impulsive, but Matthew got up from his table, perhaps in the middle of tax consultation with a rich client. Other disciples dropped nets, left their businesses and leapt into a new life with Jesus. They made a decision, the road taken. We are faced on a daily basis with choices. Will we choose the way of love, with all that entails? Will we choose that way, even if we're not sure what it entails?

Finally, it suggests relationship. We don't follow a creed, a set of rules or guidelines. We follow a person. As Easter people we believe in the mystery that he is very much alive, met in the practice of prayer. He is met in worship, bread and wine conveying his presence. He is met in service to those in need. (As you have done it to the least of these, you have done it unto me. Matthew 25.) That relationship is marked by love and grace, a commitment to showing mercy as mercy has been shown to us. That relationship calls us to learn from him, to imitate him in word and action. We learn as we go, putting faith into practice, becoming more proficient, becoming more Christ-like in the process.

So what does it look like for you to be a follower of Jesus this week?
In-person worship guidelines
SOCIAL DISTANCING REQUIRED.

Reopening the Church
The logistics and requirements we must follow as we worship in church together are as follows:
  • Upon entry, ushers will ask if you have any symptoms of illness including fever, chills, coughing and any history of recent illness. It is very important that you DO NOT attend church if you feel ill or know that you have been exposed to COVID or any other serious illness.
  • Ushers will check your name against a directory roster and newcomers and visitors will be asked to provide their names and phone numbers upon entry. There will be no guest book or prayer sheet to sign.
  • Masks will be required at all times while in the church building.
  • Hand sanitizer, facial tissue and some masks will be provided.
  • Seating will be in every other pew and social distancing at least 6 feet apart. Families may sit together. Additional seating is available in the undercroft where an overflow of congregates can watch lthe service broadcast live. The priest will go to the undercroft to offer communion to those gathered there.
  • Congregational singing will not be allowed (but you may hum with your mask on!)
  • There will be no hymnals in the pews for use.
  • Those who have their own Books of Common Prayer or can access it on their electronic devices are encouraged to bring them to church for personal use.
  • Prayer books will be provided and will be located in the back pews. After the service, prayer books should be placed in the big basket located in the narthex when leaving.
  • Bulletins will not be recycled. Please take them home or deposit them in the trash.
  • Communion of both kinds will be available in individual chalices and distributed by the priest.  Please discard these used chalice packets in the trash when leaving.
  • Thank you for your offering. Please leave your gift in the offering plate at the back of the nave.
  • Go in peace to love and serve the Lord!!
Helpful links
RESOURCES TO USE.