WEEKLY MESSAGE from Fr. Ripp Hardaway
Giving Thanks

In this “Year of Loss,” a term I like to use to reference all that is happening in 2020, it is easy to focus on all that is negative in this world. The pile is high and seems to be getting higher every day. 
 
However, I recently had the opportunity to visit with a gentleman who helped to change my perspective, if only for a day. You see, this man has endured a lot in his life. His journey has been one of both blessings and struggles. One could look at all that he has suffered over the course of his life-- the loss of his mom and a child, divorce, and racism--and no one would blame him for looking at life from a very negative perspective.
 
But as we visited, he explained to me how God had blessed him continually over the years. He reminded me that God’s blessing far outweighs the loss in his life and during this year. He doesn’t have a lot, but what he does have he shares with family and friends in need. He shares the love of God liberally in every aspect of his life. And that inexhaustible supply of love is what eventually brought him to tears. It led him to tell me how thankful he is for all that God has done in his life to bless him, his marriage, and his family.
 
Each Sunday, we are encouraged to worship God together. We call it Holy Eucharist. Literally, in breaking down the meaning of these words from their Greek origin, it is a “set apart" (Holy) "thanksgiving" (Eucharist). As Christians, we are all called to set aside time explicitly to give thanks to God for the blessings we have received. We have this reminder that we are still blessed by God each and every day amid our year of loss. May we be on the lookout for those blessings that arrive in droves, whether we recognize them or allow them to go unnoticed.
 
Philippians 4:19
 
In Christ,
 
Ripp
THIS WEEK AT ST. JOHN'S Updates and Announcements
St. John's "Programs" Staff Meeting is all smiles and sound delays! Life keeps "Zooming" on.
WORSHIP SCHEDULE Live Streaming on Facebook
11th Sunday After Pentecost
Holy Eucharist Rite II led by
Fr. Ripp & Rev. Lucy
Sunday, August 16 at 8:45 a.m.
Devotions for Families with Ms. Cheryl
Sunday, August 16 at 10:00 a.m.
Children's Chapel with Ms. Cheryl
Sunday, August 16 at 2:00 p.m.
Noonday Prayer
Monday-Saturday at 12:00 p.m.
Flowers for the Altar
Virtual flowers for the altar provided by the glory of God.
Photo credit to Clark Hendley.
Holy Eucharist Rite II led by Fr. Ripp & Rev. Lucy on Sunday, August 9th, 2020
CHILDREN, FAMILY, & YOUTH MINISTRIES Updates & Resources
Camp Outreach Angel Projects Available for a $20 Donation
NURTURE MINISTRIES Christian Education & Fellowship
Join Fr. Ripp and Rev. Lucy for the Adult Education series Becoming Beloved Community Sundays at 10:15 a.m. on Zoom
 
This past Sunday, the theme in our Becoming Beloved Community class was “Truth-Telling: Telling the Truth about Our Churches and Race.” We listened as three women Episcopal priests (Stephanie Spellers, Kelly Brown Douglas, and Winnie Varghese) read a letter they wrote to the Church on the 4th of July. It fit into our theme of truth-telling about representation in the Church and in our history and helped us consider perspectives that may differ from our own. You can find a link to the video as well as the text of the letter here. We then invited participants to reflect on these questions from the Becoming Beloved Community material:

Even when we have the best of intentions, we will see patterns of exclusion as well as inclusion. How could you tell the truth and take note of current and historic divisions around you without feeling paralyzed, criticized, or defensive? What helps you to stay in an open, grace-filled conversation?

Please join us for continued conversation this Sunday at 10:15 a.m. as we look at our local community through the lens of Becoming Beloved Community. 

This 5-week series is a Zoom gathering held on Sundays in August at 10:15 a.m. We invite all who wish to grow in awareness of injustice and to work towards healing in our hurting country.
The Zoom meeting link is provided below:

Join the Zoom Meeting by Clicking Here
Meeting ID: 828 5324 2873
Password: 363517
Call In (Audio Only): (346) 248-7799
Men's Bible Study on Zoom
Wednesdays at 7:30 a.m.
The class focus is on the lectionary readings for the upcoming Sunday and there is always stimulating discussion. If you just want to call in and be part of the discussion you can! No computer necessary! Email Roy Lund at lindaroy@earthlink.net or call (713) 858-1320 for the Zoom meeting information.
Ladies Bible Study on Zoom
Thursdays at 9:00 a.m.
We are currently using meditations from Fr. Richard Rohr's Center for Action and Contemplation as a framework for our discussions. A new meditation is sent each week, along with the Zoom link. Email Carrye Franzel at carrye@gvtc.com or call (830) 237-6370 for more information.
EPISCOPAL CHURCH AND DWTX Announcements & Updates

2020 Vestry Members
Linda Lund, Sr. Warden; Don Greer, Jr. Warden; Jim Whitcomb, Treasurer
Janet Guillen, Bruce Howard, Carol Lenker, Adrian Quintanilla, and Tori Smith