How Do We Understand God's Answer to Our Prayers
The Very Rev. Kate Moorehead
Sermon given at All Saints Episcopal Church, Linville, North Carolina
Sunday, June 13, 2021
I have worked as a parish priest for over two decades and one question remains constant: “Does God really hear my prayers?” People will ask this question over and over again, and when I reassure them that yes, God does in fact hear their prayers, they will ask me when and how God answers. The best response to these deep and profound questions lies in the words of Jesus himself. When trying to describe our relationship with God, Jesus spoke in parables. These parables were his attempt to explain what is unexplainable, to fathom the unfathomable, to reduce eternal truths so that they can be fed to temporal minds. These parables are simple and yet profound, accessible and yet rich and deep and bottomless.
One parable in particular addresses the way that God answers prayer better than any other explanation I have ever heard. Here are the words of Jesus as he tells this parable…
“The kingdom of God is as if someone would scatter seed on the ground, and would sleep and rise night and day, and the seed would sprout and grow, he does not know how. The earth produces of itself, first the stalk, then the head, then the full grain in the head. But when the grain is ripe, at once he goes in with his sickle, because the harvest has come.”
Mark 4:26-28
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This Sunday - Happy Father's Day |
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Sunday, June 20, 2021
The Fourth Sunday after Pentecost
8 a.m. Holy Eucharist, Cathedral
Preacher: The Very Rev. Kate Moorehead
9 a.m. Faith Forum In-Person and Online
Meeting ID: 84147785996
Listening for God in Short Stories
9 a.m. Coffee and Conversation with Dean Kate
Ingram Lounge
10 a.m. Holy Eucharist, Cathedral*
Preacher: The Very Rev. Kate Moorehead
*Nursery open 9:45 to 11:15 a.m. and Outdoor Children's Chapel in Burwell Court
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SJC Youth Mission Week at St. Mary's Food Pantry |
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It's Mission Week for the youth of St. John's Cathedral. They've been helping at the St. Mary's Food Pantry by setting up, sorting food, and doing whatever else needs to be done. Join us Sunday morning when they will be recognized for their service.
Photos by Liesl Gavronsky-Howsare
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Donations Needed for Church Without Walls |
This Sunday, June 20, 2021, your Outreach Council will provide bagged lunches for Church Without Walls. We are asking for donations of the following items in INDIVIDUAL PACKAGES: canned Vienna sausages, meat sticks (Slim Jim), beef jerky, granola bars, cracker packages, fruit cups, applesauce cups, pudding cups, fresh oranges, fresh apples, wrapped cookies and wrapped cupcakes.
A table is set up in Ingram Lounge labeled “Church Without Walls." Put your donations on this table by 8:30 a.m. on Sunday, June 20. Thank you to SJC Youth for helping us pack the lunch bags! Please email Lynn Doiron or call her at 904-703-0847 for more information. Thank you so much for your generosity to others!
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Art Supply Drive Continues
The Outreach Council is sponsoring an Art Supply Drive to benefit the students at the Cathedral Arts Project (CAP). Kathie Meuselbach will be handing out "wish lists" before and after 10 a.m. service. Learn more.
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Native Fresh Greens for Sale!
Look for SJC Youth in the breezeway to buy some greens and veggies. All proceeds from the greens support the SJC Youth Scholarship Fund.
Altar Flowers
Altar flowers on Sunday, June 20 are given to the Glory of God and in honor of all fathers on this day and in celebration of their 30th wedding anniversary by Bob and Valerie Dannals.
Clergy on Call
Please call on our clergy to assist you in your faith journey. We can always be reached by calling the 24/7 clergy-on-call number, (904) 252-0680. We are all in this together!
Blood Drive Coming up!
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St. John's Cathedral offers many ways to get involved. Take a class. Join a Bible study or book discussion. Below are a few opportunities to add to your calendar. See the complete list of offerings here.
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New Sacred Ground Group Now Forming!
Tuesdays, July 6 - November 9
Every other week
5 - 7 p.m. |Zoom
Are you interested in working with a small group to share your story, discover how race and racism have impacted you, and engage in meaningful conversation about what you learn about yourself? Let us know! Fill out the form on this webpage.
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Godspell
Saturday, June 26 | 8 p.m. | Taliaferro Hall
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The Apex Theatre Studio Inc. is delighted to present “Godspell,” the well-loved Off-Broadway classic that puts a contemporary spin on the Gospel of St. Matthew. An instant hit when it was produced Off Broadway in 1971, “Godspell” offers a variety of musical styles and theatrical formats to make the Gospel of St. Matthew accessible to today's audiences. Its much-loved score includes the hits "Day by Day" and "Prepare Ye the Way." Jake Moorehead, a rising junior at the prestigious Point Park University (Musical Theatre program), will play the role of Jesus.
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A Heritage Cookbook Workshop
June 30 | 12 p.m. | Zoom
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Every recipe has a story behind it waiting to be told. Create your own heritage cookbook in this fun workshop! To attend and receive the Zoom link, email the Cathedral Bookstore. Space is limited, so claim your spot today!
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Mark your Calendar! Parish Cookout July 4th |
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Sunday, June 20
Daniel Packard, Annie Long
Monday, June 21
Lisa McKenna, David Arnold,
Bruce Barcelo, Kallie Tucker
Tuesday, June 22
Erin Wade, Karen Coleman
Wednesday, June 23
Kevin Sander
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Thursday, June 24
Linda Parrish, Griffin Higbe,
T. J. Roche, Jim Koche,
Kevin Easter, Kathleen Kier
Friday, June 25
Joan Allen
Saturday, June 26
Elisabeth Ball
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Diocese of Florida Prayer for the Election of Our Bishop
Almighty God, giver of every good gift, we pray that you would look graciously upon the Diocese of Florida, and so guide the minds and hearts of the Nominating Committee as they prayerfully select candidates for the election of the next bishop of this diocese, that we may receive a faithful pastor who will care for your people and equip us for our ministries: Guide also the minds and hearts of the candidates who will come before the Nominating Committee, that this process will be a time of discernment and growth in their lives and ministries; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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