|
The Week of April 13-April 19, 2020
|
|
To be perfectly clear, there will be
NO church service or celebration
of Father Tyler's ministry
at St. Paul's Church in Poughkeepsie April 19
We will have a zoom Sunday service and 6 pm worship weekdays during Easter week on Facebook
Our helpful friend Thomas
Wouldn't it be more fair to call Thomas "Analytical" or "Helpful" or "Serious" Thomas? It would definitely be more kind.
There are dozens of classic paintings of Doubting Thomas with Jesus online. Some show Thomas touching Jesus' wounds. Others show him reaching out. There are also quite a few more edgy ones than the image above. There's even a cartoon of Thomas asking why he is still called doubting Thomas. He points out that other disciples' foibles aren't mentioned every time the disciple is named. Like "Naked Mark," or "Denying Peter."
 |
|
|
This week's readings
|
Thomas does get remembered for insisting on proof before he would believe. Who doesn't understand that? Perhaps his faith in Jesus had not grown to the point where he could believe in the Resurrection. Some people are more objective, some are more subjective. It is not a criticism of Thomas that he demanded proof. After all, we all benefit from his frank uncertainty.
In the spirit of full disclosure, let's remember that Thomas didn't have 2,000 years of Christian theology and worship to help him achieve belief.
Still, let's not forget, Jesus said to him, "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe." It is a blessing indeed. This is a challenge to each of us to explore our faith, to consider what we believe, to hold up that which we would like to believe, and to be thankful to Thomas for discovering that asking questions was fine with Jesus.
The full readings are published
at the end of this newsletter
To be redirected to the Lectionary Page and get a digital copy of the readings
Acts 2:14a, 22-32; Psalm 16; Peter 1:3-9; John 20:19-31
FROHE OSTERN
(Happy Easter)
In Germany Easter is celebrated both as a religious and as a secular holiday. The symbols of fertility and life that spring out of the Easter tradition are celebrated as much as the religious.
During their time in Germany Molly and Father Tyler learned a lot about German customs. Many people gave Molly painted Easter egg shells, painted wooden Easter eggs, and other features of the typical Easter egg tree. Be sure to note on the bottom right the flag which has the Lamb of God and the letters IHS, which stand for Jesus' holy name.
__________________________________________________________
The Easter sermon
Joy in troubled times
SERMON: Easter A 4 12 20
Jer31:1-6;Ps118:1-2,14-24;Acts10:34-43;Jn20:1-18
It is a truly joyful thing for us to realize that Easter is as delightful and full of discovery as ever, even in the circumstances in which we find ourselves this morning. That is not to minimize the discomforts and dislocations of life during the corona virus pandemic, nor is it to ignore or deny or avoid the disaster it has been for thousands and thousands of people and families. But it is, rather, to admit, however unlikely, under the circumstances, that we can focus faithfully on Easter and find ourselves thrilled once again by the Resurrection of Jesus.
Today's Easter Gospel is especially helpful this particular Easter as we confront all manner of the ordinary facts of daily life --tasks, chores, obligations, responsibilities-- by ourselves. We are not able to engage with or recruit partners, pals, groups, associates or even a friend or two to do what we normally do together: chat, volunteer, eat and drink, go to movies, visit friends, and so on. We are suddenly in the league of the Lone Ranger, more or less. And today's Gospel is helpful for us because this version of the Resurrection narrative concerns Mary and Jesus. There are other characters in this narrative, but the actors are Jesus and Mary.
And as we search out a vision or understanding of Jesus in our lives, in our prayers, in others, it helps to see how Mary deals with the information about Jesus as it becomes known to her, revealed to her, before all others.
We can stop and ask later what this means for us, but first let's see why Mary's encounter is so noteworthy. There are five basic elements to it.
First, Mary was committed to Jesus in full. She was not sleeping and needed to be with him or his earthly remains, even though she had every reason to expect only a sealed tomb. When she got there she found the stone had been removed from the opening to the tomb. She was mystified.
Her second action was pretty significant. What did she do when she discovered the tomb opened but empty? She ran to the other disciples. Mary did not try to control the situation or the information she had discovered. She hurried to the others and shared it. She said Jesus was not in the tomb and his whereabouts were unknown.
In doing so Mary established herself the as first evangelist, the first person to carry to others the Good News. The Good News being that Jesus Christ was risen, and this day, no less.
What follows seems a little like a Keystone Cops episode, with Peter and John rushing off, as if in a race, one arriving first, the other entering the tomb, seeing what they saw, then, not knowing what to do with their discoveries, returning to their homes.
But with Mary it was different.
Her return to the tomb was her third action. She returned but "stood weeping outside the tomb." The men had returned to their homes already. But Mary was letting the situation sink in. This is something we all do, when we find ourselves dealing with information or discoveries that make a big difference to us, that rock our worlds. We don't just decide to do something. We let it sink in. We reflect on it. We come to terms with it. That's what Mary did. Her response to the information we have so far was quite different from that of the men.
It would seem that Mary was lost in her devotion to Jesus. She was dismayed beyond measure at the absence of his body. She saw the two angels and, in answer to their questions told them, ""They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him."
The way this story returns to the opening lines which Mary first uttered to Peter and John indicates that the men, in their haste and confusion, failed to glean from the situation the important facts. Mary was unwilling to ignore the tomb and she returned. In her encounter with the angels she repeats what she told the men she had discovered.
Mary's fourth action was to turn away from the angels and there to spy a person she presumed to be a gardener. Having not gotten answers from the tomb or the men or the angels, she questions him. His response was to call her by name. She recognizes him at once and, judging from Jesus response, she clings to him. He says, "Do not hold on to me, because I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and say to them, 'I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.'"
In her fifth action Mary does as she was directed, becoming the first Evangelist, the first person to communicate to the world that Jesus had indeed been raised from the dead.
This is what we do, you and I, when we find a way to celebrate Easter, even when we cannot gather, and when we share the delight we have in this with others, telling all we are in contact with that by engaging again in the report of the Risen Jesus we, like Mary, are evangelists, carrying the Good News to those we know and love.
We realize, of course, that not everyone has the same understanding of our faith as we do. When we declare in the post-Communion Prayer on most Sundays, except during a pandemic, that God has "...graciously accepted us as living members of (his) son our savior, Jesus Christ," we are declaring that we are raised today as Jesus was raised then, to new life in faith. We are revitalized like the bones from the dry valley, we are rejuvenated like Lazarus. We are given new life in faith with our understanding of Jesus, our part of his ministry, and as living members, actual parts, of him.
And like Mary we do not run around trying to decide what to do about it. It is true for us. We need to let that sink in, probably every day. Let it sink in a little more each day, that we are in him and he is in us. Easter helps these ideas make sense. We are witnessing, we are touching, we are feeling the very fabric of our faith up close, the threads of the strands that tie us together.
This Easter awareness is so welcome at this time of health crisis and concern. Our faith is always important to us, and never more so than now. So we celebrate today and we reflect. We can engage the entirety of our faith in this consideration. But here is one special feature of it that has called to me this week.
Ordinarily after the sermon we would expect to celebrate the Holy Eucharist and receive Holy Communion. At this time, however, in solidarity with all those who are unable to participate in the sacrament, we are abstaining from the celebration of the Eucharist itself. But that does not preclude our remembering it. Reflecting on it, and thinking how much it means to us in times of fewer restrictions.
And what it means to us is that God has been so good to humanity since before history, has been so generous with us and our forebears, that we can only give thanks and praise for the rest of our days. And carry the message out into the world, as Mary did that first Easter.
As I was thinking about how I would like to capture these reflections on our faith today, in the absence of the sacrament, I remembered the words of the prayer we usually use at Easter. And though not in the context of a prayer, I invite you to enter into the meaning of these words, these characterizations of the Almighty, whose grace and mercy we depend upon so completely. For example, in this paragraph we establish the eternal nature of God:
It is truly right to glorify you, Father, and to give you thanks; for you alone are God, living and true, dwelling in light inaccessible from before time and for ever. Fountain of life and source of all goodness, you made all things and fill them with your blessing; you created them to rejoice in the splendor of your radiance.
"Source of all goodness" might be the best definition of God I have ever read aloud. And when we marvel at creation, we do indeed, rejoice in the splendor of God's radiance."
And when we think of God and how right it is to give God thanks and praise, we can see this scene mirroring our thankfulness:
Countless throngs of angels stand before you to serve you night and day; and, beholding the glory of your presence, they offer you unceasing praise. Joining with them, and giving voice to every creature under heaven, we acclaim you, and glorify your Name...
And when we think on human history as we know it personally and historically and biblically, we thanks for God's wisdom and love:
We acclaim you, holy Lord, glorious in power. Your mighty works reveal your wisdom and love. You formed us in your own image, giving the whole world into our care, so that, in obedience to you, our Creator, we might rule and serve all your creatures. When our disobedience took us far from you, you did not abandon us to the power of death. In your mercy you came to our help, so that in seeking you we might find you. Again and again you called us into covenant with you, and through the prophets you taught us to hope for salvation.
And our utmost thanks we give for Jesus, for his love, for his teaching, for his dying for us:
Father, you loved the world so much that in the fullness of time you sent your only Son to be our Savior. Incarnate by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, he lived as one of us, yet without sin. To the poor he proclaimed the good news of salvation; to prisoners, freedom; to the sorrowful, joy. To fulfill your purpose he gave himself up to death; and, rising from the grave, destroyed death, and made the whole creation new.
And on departing this life, of course, Jesus left us with an Advocate, a Paraclete, the Holy Spirit, to be among us and to remind us of God's love and our own potential:
And, that we might live no longer for ourselves, but for him who died and rose for us, he sent the Holy Spirit, his own first gift for those who believe, to complete his work in the world, and to bring to fulfillment the sanctification of all.
These words, borrowed from Eucharistic Prayer D, speak volumes to us. As Mary thrilled to see it was Jesus outside the tomb, we thrill to be reminded of our awakening to the Presence of the one God sent us, to guide us and to love us, to be with us and forgive us. Jesus, risen yet again.
Perhaps next Easter we will celebrate Easter together with Eucharistic Prayer D and in person instead of online. Meanwhile, drink deep of the cup of remembrance and faith. It carries us forward in blessed hope. Amen
A sermon preached online on Easter, April 12, 2020, by The Rev. Tyler Jones, Rector,
St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Poughkeepsie NY
|
PARISH NEWS
Support St. Paul's Food Pantry
Help Needed Now More than Ever
At this stressful time, with more people out of work as a result of the corona virus business closures, more people are coming to St. Paul's Food Pantry in need of food for themselves and their children. So it logically follows that more donations are needed for the pantry to keep up with supplies to meet the demand.
The safest way for you to provide food essentials during these "stay at home" days is to send a check to St. Paul's with a note that the money is to be used to buy food. Your donation will help pay for what the pantry buys from the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York, the coop with the lowest prices to be found. Plus every week a volunteer buys 40 or more loaves of sandwich bread. Freihofer's Bakery Outlet is now closed, and the cost of bread at the grocery stores is double what we were paying before.
Also, our volunteers need supplies to help keep them safe as they prepare bags of food for our clients. As I write this, there is a need for hand sanitizers.
Please do what you can to help our neighbors in need, now more than ever.
Thank you , Thank you, Thank you for keeping St. Paul's in your prayers and remembering to support us financially.
We were able to deposit more than $4000 into our account yesterday. Blessings abound! Stay safe & well.
--St. Paul's Treasury Team
|
|
APRIL BIRTHDAYS
|
2 Jerry Bissessar
|
14 Mahalia Samuels
|
25 Jahman Birks
|
|
3 Adam Bissessar
|
16 Elizabeth Misner
|
29 Grace Porter
|
|
6 Angelina Bissessar
Joyce Herman
|
19 Donna Robinson Zajkowski
|
30 Michael Curtis
E. James Schneider
|
|
7 Kira Curtis
|
20 Earl Boyer
|
|
|
10 Madison Haley Hickman
|
21 Madison Goldson
|
|
13 Brianna Bryant
|
23 Alice Darien
Adam Mazzuto
|
|
|
|
|
Please keep those on our parish prayer list in your minds and in your
prayers, especially at this time of separation and isolation.
Intercessions
APRIL 2020
Our prayers are asked for:
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; Ibadan Dicese, All Saints Anglican Church, Oni family; Donna; 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, Annie, Ron, Dave, Liz; Jill, Lana, Andrew, Susan; Schneider family, all in need; Alison, Susie
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 our by helping others.
|
The readings for The Second Sunday of Easter
Almighty and everlasting God, who in the Paschal mystery
established the new covenant of reconciliation: Grant that all
who have been reborn into the fellowship of Christ's Body
may show forth in their lives what they profess by their faith;
through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you
and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
Amen
A Reading from the Acts of the Apostles [2:14a, 22-32]
Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed them, "Men of Judea
and all who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to what I say. Jesus
of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with deeds of power, wonders, and signs
that God did through him among you, as you yourselves know - this man, handed
over to you according to the de
fi
nite plan and foreknowledge of God, you cruci
fi
ed
and killed by the hands of those outside the law. But God raised him up, having freed
him from death, because it was impossible for him to be held in its power. For David
says concerning him, 'I saw the Lord always before me, for he is at my right hand so
that I will not be shaken; therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced;
moreover my
fl
esh will live in hope. For you will not abandon my soul to Hades, or let
your Holy One experience corruption. You have made known to me the ways of life;
you will make me full of gladness with your presence.' Fellow Israelites, I may say to
you con
fi
dently of our ancestor David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb
is with us to this day. Since he was a prophet, he knew that God had sworn with an
oath to him that he would put one of his descendants on his throne. Foreseeing this,
David spoke of the resurrection of the Messiah, saying, 'He was not abandoned to
Hades, nor did his
fl
esh experience corruption.' This Jesus God raised up, and of that
all of us are witnesses."
The Word of the Lord
Psalm 16
1
Protect me, O God, for I take refuge in you; *
I have said to the Lord, " You are my Lord,
my good above all other."
2
All my delight is upon the godly that are in the land, *
upon those who are noble among the people.
3
But those who run after other gods *
shall have their troubles multiplied.
4
Their libations of blood I will not offer, *
nor take the names of their gods upon my lips.
5
O Lord, you are my portion and my cup; *
it is you who uphold my lot.
6
My boundaries enclose a pleasant land; *
indeed, I have a goodly heritage.
7
I will bless the Lord who gives me counsel; *
my heart teaches me, night after night.
8
I have set the Lord always before me; *
because he is at my right hand I shall not fall.
9
My heart, therefore, is glad, and my spirit rejoices; *
my body also shall rest in hope.
10
For you will not abandon me to the grave, *
nor let your holy one see the Pit.
11
You will show me the path of life; *
in your presence there is fullness of joy,
and in your right hand are pleasures for evermore.
A Reading from the First Letter of Peter [1:3 -9]
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy he has
given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from
the dead, and into an inheritance that is imperishable, unde
fi
led, and unfading, kept in
heaven for you, who are being protected by the power of God through faith for a
salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, even if now for a
little while you have had to suffer various trials, so that the genuineness of your faith
- being more precious than gold that, though perishable, is tested by
fi
re - may be
found to result in praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Although
you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you
believe in him and rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, for you are receiving
the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
The Word of the Lord
The Holy Gospel of Our Lord Jesus Christ According to John [20:19 -31]
When it was evening on that day, the
fi
rst day of the week, and the doors of the house
where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood
among them and said, "Peace be with you." After he said this, he showed them his
hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to
them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you." When he
had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you
forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are
retained." But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with
them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord." But
he said to them, "Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my
fi
nger in
the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe." A week later his
disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors
were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you." Then he
said to Thomas, "Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put
it in my side. Do not doubt but believe." Thomas answered him, "My Lord and my
God!" Jesus said to him, "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are
those who have not seen and yet have come to believe." Now Jesus did many other
signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book. But these are
written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and
that through believing you may have life in his name.
The Gospel of the Lord
|
|
|
|
|
