Reflection from your Co-pastors
July 21, 2020
Hope and the weeds.
This past Sunday’s gospel narrated the wheat and weeds growing up together and the harvesters separating them at the ‘End.’ I’m wondering about the weeds within me. What kind are they? How do they prevent my flowers from blooming? How persistent are they? Are they like bindweed that are nearly impossible to vanquish? What is my contribution to the suffering of others because of my weeds? Where am I turning away from God? (The audio attached at the end may be an unconventional way of turning back to God.)
There is a wheat field behind me and the string-thin, slender stakes of wheat are perfectly spaced. They do no touch and there is so much room between the stalks for those weeds to capture. One time I looked deeply inside myself looking for my weeds. It took about 3 hours. I was sure there were many. It ended up that all my weeds were runners from the first weed, Pride. When I visited with the priest, he replied: “Ah, the big one.” Do I even notice it?
Here is the reading that got me thinking about the weeds and the wheat, that we are all in this together, those of us who are more weed and those of us who are more wheat. But we are both. It’s part of from Daniel 3, Azariah’s prayer in the furnace. It’s that story of the fiery furnace and the three men walking around in the flames singing God’s praises and not suffering even a singe.
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"Lord, we have become the least of all nations, we are put to shame today throughout the world, because of our [turning away from you]
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.We now have no leader, no prophet, no prince, no burnt offering, no sacrifice, no oblation, no incense, no place where we can make offerings to you
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and win your favour. But may the contrite soul, the humbled spirit, be as acceptable to you
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as burnt offerings of rams and bullocks, as thousands of fat lambs: such let our sacrifice be to you today, and may it please you that we follow you whole-heartedly, since those who trust in you will not be shamed.
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And now we put our whole heart into following you
, into fearing you and seeking your face once more."
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PLUS
Here is a beneficial and hopeful
YouTube interview with Michael Meade
on THE STOA from July 15, 2020. Michael Meade narrates links among mythology and spirituality, genius as our internal Divine (not intellect), individuation and the collective, genius and community, lineage and the outsider, inspiration to be messenger, with others.
Michael speaks for the first 21.30 minutes and then there is Q & A, with mostly young adults. He ends with hope so be sure to go to at least the 21.30 minutes if you are able.
Every blessing on your day.
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Discovery and Perspective
An open discussion of this
week's scripture
Thursdays at 9:00 am
Join in conversation and connection this week with Pastor Jane. Scripture to be discussed will be the previous Sunday's readings and Gospel.
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All are welcomed!
Zoom Phone Link
+1 669 900 6833
/ Meeting ID:
930 8604 8248
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Mark Your Calendars - Sunday Mass, July 26 -
11:00
a.m. Celebrating the Eucharist
Our Leadership Council is pleased to announce our
first Mass
to consecrate the Eucharist during this time of Covid-19 pandemic.
On
July 26
th
Pastor Jane assisted by Deacon Rosean will celebrate the mass with consecration of Bread and Wine
at 11:00
am via Zoom.
Immediately following the mass, communion will be available (Host only) at the entrance of the church until 1:00 pm.
Only drive-up reception is available
.
Read updated process and protocols
put in place for the safety of drive-up communion.
This is a remarkable occasion as it is Pastor Jane’s first Mass as priest
and
the feast of Mary Magdalene.
Consecration Mass:
11:00 a.m
. via zoom
(no Zoom service at 5:00 p.m.)
Communion Distribution: Immediately following Zoom mass until 1:00 p.m.
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Our Service Recordings
and More
View our Sunday
July 19th service recording.
You can also access a
printable
document
of the entire service to assist with prayer. Here is Father Michael's
homily.
NOTE: Original recordings played during this past Sunday service were removed due to copyright requirements
For all bulletins, reflections, Sunday recordings during our hiatus from celebrating together, visit our
webpage
and other videos are located
here.
Please contact us with questions, concerns and ideas for better connection
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Community Prayer Requests
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Please pray for -
Jim DeMuth and family for the loss of his sister, Pat DeMuth. For Kerrie Anderson's sister Hilde Kraft and family after the death of Hilde's husband. And for Jennifer Pfeister and family for the passing of her father, Bill McClellan.
For Courtney, daughter of Jean and Tom Christen.
Michael Keefe, son of member Yvonne Keefe.
For the continued recovery of Linda Joyce. The Kent family whose Mother Teri (community member) and Father recently passed.
Kris, wife of Scott Jenkins (retired regional ECC priest). Dona Bosse - community member. Joanne Gallagher, offers prayers of thanksgiving for the success of her surgery and gratitude to our community for prayerful support.
Julie Schoenbauer and family for the passing of her father and for the family of Edwin White, brother-in-law of Pastor Jane.
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For the peaceful repose of the souls of Bill, Greg, and Calvin - friends of Deacon Rosean. For the continued recovery of Father Don Sutton - ECC Priest
.
For Rosemary - Fr Michael's mother. For Dani - Niece of the Cloyds. Mary Crosby – parishioner. For Chris Bachman, friend of Lisa Jones and Ruth Parker, sister of Dori Carroll. For Lynne Barnes and family.
John Nystrom and family. The Dunn Family. Leo Six – father of Michael Six, Mike Gudim, Margie Weitz, Suzanne King, Robert Browell.
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Call is automatically forwarded to a real person!
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