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The Episcopal Church
of the Resurrection
1433 NW R.D. Mize Road, Blue Springs, MO
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Weekly e-mail
Thursday, August 19, 2021
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Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Sunday, August 22, 2021
Holy Eucharist Rite I at 8:00 am
Holy Eucharist Rite II at 10:30 am with New Harmony Handful
Join us for ice cream and cookies following both services and wish our teachers and students a successful school year! Students: bring your backpack for a blessing!
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New Harmony Handful this Sunday
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AT THE 10:30 AM SERVICE
Our liturgy and music will be inspired this coming Sunday by the men’s ensemble New Harmony Handful.
Special appreciation to our own Ron McIntire for facilitating this group’s presence. It is always a joyful experience when they visit us each year.
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Attend National Grand Ultreya
on Zoom this Saturday
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HOSTED BY EPISCOPAL CURSILLO MINISTRY
August 21, 2021
1:00 p.m. EST
The Most Reverend Michael B. Curry will give the opening address.
This meeting will be on Zoom. Pre-registration required at:
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Capital Campaign
for Narthex Addition continues
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PLEDGES DUE BY SEPT. 1
Senior Warden Bill Carle presented the results of Resurrection's Feasibility Study for an addition to the Narthex along with the construction of a lift and renovated stairway on Sunday June 27. The presentation may be viewed using this link.
The Feasibility Study indicated strong support for the expansion of the Narthex but a need for much more financial support in order to proceed with the project.
Based on feedback from the congregation, the Vestry authorized a formal Capital Campaign to determine if enough funds can be raised to complete the project. A mailing with the project description and pledge cards was distributed to parishioners and friends of the parish this week. Information about the project can also be found on our website, including the ability to make a pledge on-line. Click Here to Make a Pledge On-line.
Pledges are due by September 1. Based on commitments received, the Vestry will make a determination whether to move forward with construction.
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What does it mean that God draws us to salvation? |
FROM FATHER DAVID
As we continue in the Gospel of John in these Sundays after Pentecost we continue on the themes of salvation. Jesus is declaring his divinity in his “ I am statements” and now turns to how God draws us to salvation. Below enjoy this commentary on God’s work to draw us into salvation. (What does it mean that God draws us to salvation? | GotQuestions.org)
The clearest verse on God’s drawing to salvation is John 6:44 where Jesus declares that “no one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day.” The Greek word translated “draw” is helkuo, which means “to drag” (literally or figuratively). Clearly, this drawing is a one-sided affair. God does the drawing to salvation; we who are drawn have a passive role in the process. There is no doubt that we respond to His drawing us, but the drawing itself is all on His part.
Helkuo is used in John 21:6 to refer to a heavy net full of fish being dragged to the shore. In John 18:10 we see Peter drawing his sword, and in Acts 16:19 helkuo is used to describe Paul and Silas being dragged into the marketplace before the rulers. Clearly, the net had no part in its being drawn to the shore, Peter’s sword had no part in being drawn, and Paul and Silas did not drag themselves to the marketplace. The same can be said of God’s drawing of some to salvation. Some come willingly, and some are dragged unwillingly, but all eventually come, although we have no part in the drawing.
Why does God need to draw us to salvation? Simply put, if He didn’t, we would never come. Jesus explains that no man can come unless the Father draws him (John 6:65). The natural man has no ability to come to God, nor does he even have the desire to come. Because his heart is hard and his mind is darkened, the unregenerate person doesn’t desire God and is actually an enemy of God (Romans 5:10). When Jesus says that no man can come without God’s drawing him, He is making a statement about the total depravity of the sinner and the universality of that condition. So darkened is the unsaved person’s heart that he doesn’t even realize it: “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?” (Jeremiah 17:9). Therefore, it is only by the merciful and gracious drawing of God that we are saved. In the conversion of the sinner, God enlightens the mind (Ephesians 1:18), inclines the will toward Himself, and influences the soul, without which influence the soul remains darkened and rebellious against God. All of this is involved in the drawing process.
There is a sense in which God draws all men. This is known as the “general call” and is distinguished from the “effectual call” of God’s elect. Passages such as Psalm 19:1-4 and Romans 1:20 attest to the fact that God’s eternal power and divine nature are “clearly seen” and “understood” from what has been made, “so that people are without excuse.” But men still do deny God, and those who acknowledge His existence still do not come to a saving knowledge of Him outside of His drawing them. Only those who have been drawn through special revelation—by the power of the Holy Spirit and the grace of God—will come to Christ.
There are tangible ways in which those who are being drawn to salvation experience that drawing. First, the Holy Spirit convicts us of our sinful state and our need for a Savior (John 16:8). Second, He awakens in us a previously unknown interest in spiritual things and creates a desire for them that was never there before. Suddenly our ears are open, our hearts are inclined toward Him, and His Word begins to hold a new and exciting fascination for us. Our spirits begin to discern spiritual truth that never made sense to us before: “The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned” (1 Corinthians 2:14). Finally, we begin to have new desires. He places within us a new heart that inclines toward Him, a heart that desires to know Him, obey Him, and walk in the “newness of life” (Romans 6:4) that He has promised.
O God, you have prepared for those who love you such good
things as surpass our understanding: Pour into our hearts such
love towards you, that we, loving you in all things and above
all things, may obtain your promises, which exceed all that we
can desire; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
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Bible Study Wednesdays at 1:00 pm |
STUDYING THE BOOK OF GENESIS
Please join us every Wednesday afternoon for Bible Study from 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm. Our focus is the book of Genesis and includes a program guide called “Engaging God’s Word”. All are welcome to attend any and all sessions..
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First Friday of the month at 7:00 pm |
ALTERNATING BINGO, GAMES AND MOVIES
Bring a snack to share and beverages will be provided. Invite friends and family to enjoy the evening together!
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In-person worship precautions |
SAFETY STILL PREVAILS
Welcome back to in-person worship. Safety prevails with considerations for wearing masks, using hand sanitizer and washing hands. We encourage everyone get a vaccination and ask you take appropriate precautions if you are not. With the rise of the Delta Variant we request everyone wear a mask.
Attendance pages are on the table in the narthex. Please check-off your names on the attendance spreadsheet since we are still following pandemic guidelines. it is important we have accurate documentation should an exposure be identified.
Communion will be served in the traditional manner with bread from the priest and wine from the chalice for those who desire to do so. The “hour-glass” packet of bread and wine will still be readily available for any one still not ready for the common cup. To indicate how you would like to receive communion please use your hands in the following manner:
• Palms up to receive bread as in the traditional manner
• Palms down to receive “gluten free” bread
• With your fingers chose the “hour glass” with bread and wine
• Cross your chest with your arms to receive a blessing only
Receiving communion of ONE kind (bread or wine) represents FULL communion in the Episcopal tradition. Intinction (dipping the wafer in the chalice) is NOT preferred as it raises concerns for cross-contamination.
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CALL DIANE GERLACH TO SERVE AS A LECTOR OR EUCHARISTIC MINISTER
We need lectors and eucharistic ministers. Please call Diane Gerlach at 816-896-2875.
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CONTACT LISA TWITTY TO ACOLYTE
If you want to serve as an acolyte, please contact Lisa Twitty at 913-485-7150.
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SEE ANNIE SCOTT TO HELP WITH UPLIFT
We need volunteers for a once a month commitment for about 3 hours to help with preparing a meal for Uplift. Meal prep usually starts about 10:30 am and is finished by 1:30 pm.
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CONTACT JOHN BIGGS TO BE AN USHER
We also need ushers for both the 8:00 and 10:30 am services.
Ushers no longer provide security, which will be handled separately. Please contact John Biggs to volunteer.
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