|
The Week of January 19-25, 2021
|
"'Come, follow Me,' Jesus said, 'and I will make you fishers of men.' At once they left their nets and followed Him." Their time on the beach was coming to an end. But Jesus had a little more on His heart that He wanted to share with His disciple Peter. Before they parted, Jesus reiterated three times His desire for Peter to "feed My sheep." And then, in John 21: 19, Jesus does something quite unusual for He gave Peter a preview of how his life would end. For this disciple, it was as if the Master laid a map before him and let him see how things were going to turn out, specifically how Peter would end up becoming a martyr.
 |
| |
This week's readings
|
I'll have to admit that I'm not one who enjoys a lot of upheaval in my world. I really don't handle it well. I'm a planner who normally carries around my little "To-Do" notes to keep me from dropping the ball. Having said that, in the last 30 days I've frankly felt that somebody pushed the "Overload" button in my world as I've scrambled, trying to keep up with all the things on my plate. Unfortunately, I'll admit I haven't done a very good job of keeping everything on track. For this girl who likes to have everything in order each day, all the tumult doesn't make me feel comfortable. I want to have at least some idea of what tomorrow and the tomorrow after will be like. But for me, knowing the future, has some very distinct limitations. Take for instance our car accident. I can honestly tell you that without a doubt, I would never have wanted to be forewarned that a catastrophic event like that would occur in such a sudden and unplanned manner and that it would be impossible to ever put all the pieces back together again. The fact is that one of our physicians kept using the phrase, "new normal." Then he would add, "For Jim and you, there will be a 'new normal.' You'll just get used to living a different way each day." To some extent, his words were correct. However, I'm glad I didn't know ahead of time how very hard it would be to live in this "new normal world." Having upheaval in my own life has given me a peek into the lives of some of you who have had to face such indescribable trauma. And I wonder if you would have wanted to know ahead of time how your own life might have been different if you had known what was going to turn your world upside down? It was the last meal on the beach where Jesus revealed to Peter that the path he would journey in his ministry would end in martyrdom. What I find so interesting about everything Peter did from that day forward was that his actions contained a thoughtful zeal of one who made each day count. The book of Acts is filled with the record of a fearless man of fortitude. Preaching, teaching, and leading. I appreciate the insight shared by Professor of Christian Communication, Thomas H. Troeger who notes, "If we have carried away from (this experience) the idea that the final thing to remember about Peter is his unfaithfulness, this story reminds us that far more important than Peter's denial was the grace of Christ: the divine willingness to engage and entrust the ministry, even to someone whose life so far had been marked by impetuosity and denial." With their conversation at an end, Jesus turned again and spoke these familiar words to Peter, "Follow Me." Author Matthew Henry writes that these words were to "excite Peter and to encourage him in faithfulness and diligence...Peter was to set his Master before him as his example...He had followed Christ while He was here upon earth...and those that faithfully follow Christ in grace shall certainly follow Him to glory." This very thought is beautifully expressed in words penned by John Slow: As Jesus Did "Loving God,
help us to be Christ to all those whose lives touch ours. May we see others
as Jesus did
with eyes of compassion. May we listen,
as Jesus did,
to the cries of broken hearts
and a broken world. May we reach out to others,
as Jesus did,
with healing and hope. May we serve others,
as Jesus did,
with no strings attached. May we break bread with others,
as Jesus did,
that the hungry may be fed. May we celebrate with others,
as Jesus did,
Your abundant provisions. Loving God,
help us to be Christ
to all those whose lives touch ours." "If we regard the way of discipleship as one we follow in obedience to an external command, if we are afraid of ourselves all the time, it is indeed an impossible way. But if we behold Jesus Christ going on before step by step, if we only look to Him and follow Him, step by step, we shall not go astray...For He is Himself the way; He, and He alone, is our journey's end."
Dietrich Bonhoeffer
The Cost of Discipleship
--Shawn Prater-Lee
To be redirected to the Lectionary Page and get a digital copy of the readings
|
|
|
The Sunday sermon
January 17, 2021
St. Paul's Episcopal Church
Second Sunday after the Epiphany
1 Samuel 3:1-10(11-20). Corinthians 6:12-20 John 1:43-51 Psalm 139:1-5, 12-17
Someone's calling your name
Opening prayer: May the words of my mouth and the meditations of our hearts be acceptable in your sight O Lord our strength and our redeemer. Amen
The Cross and the Switchblade is a book about David Wilkerson, a young pastor from rural Pennsylvania who answered the spiritual Call to go to New York City to help a troubled gang member who was accused of killing a 15-year-old boy who was afflicted with polio. Street gangs are a unique and complex 'family' system. The members develop very close relationships, they protect each other, sometimes at the expense of killing another human being; whatever happens within the gang generally stays within the unit and leaving is never easy.
Nevertheless, this pastor responded to the Call to leave his familiar and comfortable community to serve individuals who were on the fringe of society. His journey took him deeper into his Christian faith, exposed him to rough and dangerous New York City life in the late 1950's and early 1960's. He saw first-hand how street justice worked and learned how to navigate the social justice system at that time. David befriended and helped individuals who were active drug addicts and experienced the dangers of street gangs. Pastor Wilkerson responded to the Call and step into the unknow. Sixty years later we have a network of Christian based organizations called GlobalTeen Challenge that support teens, adults and families on their journey to recovery from substance abuse. There are centers in the United States, Puerto Rico and Canada, all helping individuals and families with broken and tangled lives, find their way back to the path of grace and wholeness.
If a friend or family member told you he or she felt Called to a similar ministry today, would you send them off with your blessing? Probably not. A reasonable conversation might be - Why don't you think about something locally that's less risky. Years ago, I remember my mother saying to me - "wherever you are Called you must obey."
In our Old Testament reading we meet Samuel who is young a boy; in Eli's care. Samuel hears a voice calling him multiple times and goes to Eli. Eli realizes it's not a dream but the voice of God calling Samuel. He tells Samuel to acknowledge the 'Voice' and to say 'Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.' This invitation via a night call couldn't wait till morning - 'when God gets ready, we have to move.' We may not have time to ask for feedback or permission or get a chance meet with the committee. Samuel met God that night in the temple and God told him some disturbing news. Can you imagine how he felt after that encounter? I would guess a little confused, sad, overwhelmed and very worried for Eli his mentor.
It's now morning and Samuel is up and doing his chores in the temple. Can you hear him signing "Here I am Lord, it is I, Lord, I've heard you calling in the night. I will go Lord, if you lead me. I will hold your people my heart."
Samuel is now accepted as an apprentice with full scholarship and will be groomed for service as a prophet. Seems easy enough, right? Samuel's orientation for his new job was not yet complete. First, he must share with Eli what God said about Eli's household.
God knew Samuel before he was born (do you remember the story behind his birth? His barren mother asked the Lord for him and willingly gave him back into God's service when he was weaned. Her prayer through tears seem like a conversation we may have with God in our time of great need and according to Psalm 139:3 "Indeed, there is not a word on my lips, but you, O Lord know it all together", just fits well with a cry from a heart in agony. This woman of faith was a part of God's plan for the people of Israel. There is never a mistake or coincidence in God's plan for you or for me. God's longs for us to accept the Call to service. The restlessness will cease when we can say like Samuel - "Here I am Lord; your servant is listening."
In the Gospel reading, Phillip asks his friend Nathanael to join a group of change makers. In today's language it may be called a mission's team or a Christian service group. I remember clearly my invitation to join Kairos Prison Ministry in 1996 and going on my first prison team in 2003. I didn't say yes at first. However, my friend and mentor kept sharing about the weekends and inviting me to support the ministry. Nathanael didn't just accept his friend's word at face value; he questioned it based on what he heard in the streets and synagogue about this preacher called Jesus and his movement. Someone told Nathanael, if it sounds too good to be true...it probably is. However, Phillip didn't give up on his friend. He invited him to check it out this preacher for himself - he said, okay "Come and see."
Nathanael is about to audit a class with Jesus. He changed his mind when he met Jesus. Jesus told Nathanael he had seen him before. According to Psalm 139 'Lord, you have searched me out and known me; you know my sitting down and my rising up; you discern my thought from afar." Wow!! This was no palm reading or horoscope session. Just a wonderful Jesus moment! I love how the Psalmist just puts it all out there .... "you traced my journeys and my resting places and are acquainted with all my ways." These words can be a little scary. Yet, deep in our hearts we can assured that our loving God has been watching us 'while we were knitted together in our mother's womb.' We cannot hide from God!!
God cared about Eli, Samuels' youth and lack of experience; Nathanael's skepticism; our private and personal moments of pain and disappointments; and our fears about what tomorrow will bring.
Can you hear God calling your name? What are you going to do? Will your response be - here I am, send me? Come, come - just as you are - the Spirit will be with you and prepare you for the journey.
Tomorrow, we celebrate the life and service of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. He and his group of change makers were Called by God to be God's hands and feet. On February 4, 1968, Dr. King delivered his last sermon at Ebenezer Baptist Church. Titled "The Drum Major Instinct," Rev. Dr. King said,
If you want to be important, wonderful.
If you want to be recognized, wonderful.
If you want to be great, wonderful.
But recognized that he who is greatest among you shall be your servant.
That's a new definition of greatness.
"And this morning, the thing that I like about it:
by giving that definition of greatness,
It means that everybody can be great,
Because everybody can serve.
"You don't have to a college degree to serve.
You don't have to make your subject and your verb agree to serve.
You don't have to know about Plato and Aristotle to serve.
You don't have to know to Einstein's theory of thermodynamic in physics to serve.
You only need a heart full of grace, a soul generated by love,
And you can be that servant."
Come, come, join the Jesus movement! Amen.
--The Rev. Dcn. Julett Butler
|
|
PARISH NEWS
ZOOM CHURCH LINK FOR ALL SERVICES Sunday Services will be on ZOOM until further notice
Our Zoom connections remain the same and are Meeting ID: 823 3911 5280 One tap mobile +16465588656,,82339115280# US (New York) +13017158592,,82339115280# US (Germantown) Dial by your location +1 646 558 8656 US (New York) ST. PAUL'S CHURCH YOUTUBE CHANNEL We now have a YouTube channel. To get there PLEASE CLICK THE LINK BELOW: or search on YouTube for St. Paul's Poughkeepsie. We hope to put copies of all of our online services there.
PLEASE DONATE TO OUR CHURCH FOOD PANTRY. 
WE ARE IN GREAT NEED OF:
CANNED VEGETABLES, CANNED BEANS, RICE, AND TUNA
--The Rev. Dcn. Julett Butler
A NOTE FROM THE TREASURY TEAM
Total deposits for the past week - $1,300 (no money for the Food Pantry). Many thanks to all who are generously supporting the Food Pantry.
We're looking forward to seeing you on Zoom until further notice.
|
COMMUNITY NEWS
The Church Club of New York
|
|
Just Two Weeks Away!
The Episcopal Black Atlantic:
Alexander Crummell and James Theodore Holly
with
Church Club Board President and
New York University Professor
Nicholas Birns
Thursday, January 21, 6:30pm
via ZOOM
|
|
About the Program
This lecture will examine the lives and careers of two African American Episcopal priests, Alexander Crummell and James Theodore Holly,
and their respective mission work in the independent black-ruled countries
of Haiti and Liberia.
We will discuss their achievements in the wider contexts of the global interchanges between Africa and America, high and low churchmanship, the US and Britain, and
racism and anti-racism.
|
|
There is no cost to attend this event, but we hope you will consider making a suggested donation of $20 to support the Church Club's mission and outreach.
|
The Church Club of New York brings people together from different parishes,
in fellowship, to discuss and deepen their understanding of the issues of the day, including those in theology, social justice, the arts, and other topics. To that end, the Church Club supports and hosts a series of events and ministries, including:
The Annual Bishop's Forum, the Young Adult of the Year Award, participation in
a Day of Service at Holy Apostles Soup Kitchen on Martin Luther King Day,
fighting Human Trafficking, the Annual Christmas Toy Drive, and more.
|
|
The Church Club of New York
Executive Director: Susan Ridgeway
Phone: (212) 828-7418
Having trouble viewing this email?
Dutchess County to Open
COVID-19 Vaccination Sites
Sites in Poughkeepsie, Dover Plains to provide vaccine to current eligible groups
Poughkeepsie, NY ... Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro today announced the County's Department of Behavioral & Community Health (DBCH) has established initial Point of Dispensing (POD) sites where the County will administer COVID-19 vaccinations to eligible residents as vaccine is available. These sites will be open next week by appointment only from 10am to 4pm for eligible individuals in Phase 1a and 1b as determined by New York State's Phased Distribution Plan. Appointment availability is based on vaccine allocation provided by New York State.
Initial DBCH Points of Dispensing (PODs) will be operated at the following locations:
Additionally, DBCH is partnering with Northern Dutchess Hospital for vaccinations to be available at the Health Annex at Northern Dutchess Hospital located at 107 Montgomery Street in Rhinebeck. Under New York State's phased distribution process, individuals in Phase 1a are currently eligible for vaccinations. Phase 1a includes hospital staff, direct care providers and emergency responders. Governor Cuomo announced late yesterday that individuals in Phase 1b are eligible for vaccination starting Monday, January 11th. Phase 1b includes:
· People 75 and older
· Teachers and education workers
· First responders
· Public safety workers
· Public transit workers
County Executive Molinaro said, "Though New York State's distribution of COVID-19 vaccine has been slow and sorely lacking, Dutchess County has planned for weeks how to best dispense the doses we do receive efficiently and effectively. The opening of these initial Points of Dispensing sites is the next step in ensuring eligible residents have access to this life-saving vaccine."
Dutchess County's PODs are in addition to current locations, including local hospitals, that are dispensing vaccine to eligible priority groups, and the expanded location network being established by New York State. Residents can utilize the State's online Am I Eligible? tool to determine if they are currently eligible for vaccinations and, if eligible, will see a list of the various locations in the State's network. Current vaccine supply is very limited and Governor Cuomo announced on Friday that distribution to Phase 1a and 1b is expected to take 14 weeks based on current projected vaccine availability. Eligible residents should anticipate it may be several weeks before they can get an appointment as demand far exceeds supply.
County Executive Molinaro said, "Dutchess County stands ready to quickly dispense each and every dose of vaccine we receive into the arms of eligible residents. We encourage residents who are currently eligible to get vaccinated, and we urge patience as this process will take time due to limited vaccine availability. We must continue to all work together to stop the spread of coronavirus - so keep wearing a mask, washing those hands and physical distancing, then get vaccinated as it becomes available to you."
Below are the NYState link (to determine eligibility) and links to some hospitals dispensing vaccines where you need to make an appointment.
Some dispensing locations. You may be able to get more.
--The Rev. Dcn. Julett Butler
|
JANUARY BIRTHDAYS
|
|
7 Lillian Garrett-Thomas
| 14 Edna Clarke
| |
|
Jacinto Xavier Santos-Thompson
|
15 John Jerome Mazzuto
| |
3 Linda santos
| 8 Abraham Joseph Foley
| 21 Donna Hudak
| Jeffrey R. Francis
| 12 John H. Filor | 23 Carola G. Madrid
| |
|
13 Rena Mazzuto
| 25 Agnes Scarlett
| |
Emily Porter
|
Kaelyn Lei Hamilton
|
|
|
|
Please keep those on our parish prayer list in your minds and in your
prayers, especially at this time of separation and isolation.
Intercessions
JANUARY 2021
Our prayers are asked for:
Frank Burnett, Food Panty Volunteers, victims of Human/Sex Trafficking; Burton family; Lillian, Matthew, Sasha; Paul & Donna, Margaret, Joe, G.J., Aleta, Plain family, Melius family; Ibadan Diocese, All Saints' Church, Oni family; Gary, Legend; Rhonda, Joe, Ann, all Teachers, Parents, Students, Theodore, John, Paul, Kathy, George, Janett, Renate, and Notoe; Sharon Greene, Owen,Agnes, Norma; McLauren family; Graham family; Wood family; Braxton family; Lori, Steven, Elyse, Jim, Seth; Phil; All essential workers; Beryl & Glen, Vincent family; George; Daniel Mizell and family; Liz, Martha; Eileen; the Butler, Richards and Barrett families; Fr. Allan and family; St. Paul's Vestry; Darien family; Richardson family; Sherow family; Edna Clarke,Michelle, Kathy B.; Carola and Violet; Whitman, Medical Reserve Corp. of Dutchess County, The Laken family; All Parishioners; Kairos International, Catherine, Michelle, Yamily; G.J., Joe; Lois, Matthew, Lillian; Lynita, Perry, Melius family, Sasha; Stacey, Linda, Phil, Jody; Tucker family, Branch family, Atkinson family; Alison, McGhan, Sterling, Unah, Avonel, Kim, Santos family, Madeline, Bramble, Charlie, Cynthia, Gencia, Val, Joanne, Janet, Corkey, Pelaez, Josephs-Clarke family, Dixon family, Paulette, Jarah, Mertlyn; Adam, Paul, Andrew & family, Douglas family, Ron, Dave, Liz; Jill, Lana, Andrew, Susan; Schneider family, all in need; Susie; Sherry, Claudia
Please "Like" our page to stay up to date with all services and events.
St. Paul's Episcopal Church-Poughkeepsie
|
'In Service to God & You' 
Our food pantry volunteers are in active service at St. Paul's these days. We give thanks to them and thanks to God for their willingness to help us by helping others. |
THIS WEEK'S CALENDAR
|
| TUE 19
| 10:00am Food Pantry & Thrift Shop |
|
| WED 20
|
10:00am Food Pantry & Thrift Shop
|
|
| THU 21
|
10:00am Food Pantry & Thrift Shop
|
|
| SUN 24
|
10:00am RITE II - Zoom Ante Communion; Annual General Meeting
|
|
| MON 25
|
6:00pm Evening Prayer; Vestry
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
