John 3:1-17 - “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son."
Weekly parish news and Sunday service information
Fr. Ben Hankinson, Rector
Celebrant for all services.
If you are not vaccinated, please wear a mask and observe social distance.
First Sunday After Pentecost
May 30, Trinity Sunday

Holy Eucharist | Rite I, 8 a.m. | Rite II 10 a.m. (Sung)

In-person attendance for up to 75 worshippers
Audio only at 8 a.m. | Facebook Live at 10 a.m.
Outdoor coffee hour following the 10 a.m. service.
Readings for Sunday, May 30
  • Isaiah 6:1-8
  • Canticle 13
  • Romans 8:12-17
  • John 3:1-17 - “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life."
Make Your Offering!
The Week of May 30
  • Pray with Fr. Ben daily via Facebook Live.
  • The Visitation, Holy Eucharist, Monday, May 31, 5:30 p.m.
  • Wednesday, Evening Prayer via Facebook Live, 5:30 p.m.
  • Corpus Christi, Holy Eucharist, Thursday, June 3, 5:30 p.m.
Trinity Sunday
 
“[T]he Catholic Faith is this: That we worship one God in Trinity, and Trinity in Unity, neither confounding the Persons, nor dividing the Substance. For there is one Person of the Father, another of the Son, and another of the Holy Ghost. But the Godhead of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, is all one, the Glory equal, the Majesty co-eternal…”
 
When it comes to discussing the Trinity, there are few documents in the history of the church which compare to the Creed of Saint Athanasius. Though it is dubious that Athanasius penned it, it is nonetheless worthy of our time and contemplation. In times past, we would read this as a part of the Trinity Sunday liturgy, and I invite you, in honor of our celebration this weekend, to read and pray through that ancient statement of belief, which may be found in the link above.
 
In contrast to that approach, let me also offer a bit of humor put out by Lutheran Satire, illustrating the impossibility of accurately analogizing the Trinity. St. Patrick tries to describe the Trinity to Conall and Donall and heresy and some hilarity ensues. (Fair Warning: Satire is in their name.)

Memorial Day has for many years marked the beginning of summer here in the States. With it comes the season of vacations, and in light of lifting restrictions, we can appreciate all the more the value of stepping away for a time. In a vacation, our work and hopefully many of our worries are set aside while we enjoy the much-needed fruits of rest and relaxation. Whether a simple day away from it all or something more extensive, when we are truly on vacation, much of what weighs us down is gone for a while so that when we return, we are renewed.

As we commemorate Memorial Day, we do so in recollection that when we are able to enjoy our time off and away it is because someone has secured that opportunity for us. We remember those who have laid down their lives for someone else, those who have provided for their friends, for their country, and even for complete strangers. We pay tribute to those who have given the last full measure of themselves toward that end. We honor their sacrifice and that of their loved ones as we remember what they lost for the sake of freedom and peace.

Moreover, as Christians, we also ought to see in Memorial Day a reminder pointing us from these heroic acts of love towards the greatest love of all, the love of God for us. In the sacrifices and lives we honor this weekend, we also recall the sacrifice of one who came to save the world, Jesus Christ, and the life he laid down for you and me and all who would believe in him.

As we remember, let us consider what sort of sacrifices are asked of us for the sake of those to whom we are called. The love of our fellow man has left our hands untied that we may lift them up on high and reach them forth in love. The love of our Lord and Savior has left our hearts free from the stain of sin that we may know the perfect love of God and so show it forth to the world around us. May we faithfully pursue the work we have been given to do, living and serving according to the freedom we have by the sacrifices of both the many and the one, knowing and making known the eternal and reconciling love of God poured out for you and me through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Enjoy Your Travels, Fr. Ben!

Fr. Ben will be away June 6 through June 16 or 17. During his absence, Fr. Christopher Ashmore and Fr. David Wells will be our supply priests on June 6 and 17 respectively. Fr. David Boase will be on call for pastoral emergencies. If you need assistance, contact Senior Warden Kevin Babb who will reach Fr. Boase.
Monthly Lunch Chats Canceled

The monthly Zoom Lunch Chats are discontinued due to low attendance. If you are interested in reviving monthly Tuesday lunch at Sugo's, contact Pat Rudloff or Marian Smithson who will collect names and get in touch with Ken Kelley about the possibility of scheduling Sugo lunch dates starting in June or July.

Parish Notes

  • A recent Religious News Service article reported on a Lifetime Research study which analyzed church data from 34 Protestant denominations and groups, found that 4,500 churches closed in 2019, while about 3,000 new congregations were started. Click on this link to read the full article.

  • The Church of St. Michael and St. George in St. Louis offers a selection of recorded favorite hymns sung by the their choir and accompanied on the organ. Enjoy a few of your favorites by clicking on this link.

  • The Bohns have returned from travel and are ready for you to visit the greenhouse. Call Walter Bohn at 618-920-0189 to make an appointment. The greenhouse is at 2836 Keebler road in Maryville and ready for you to pick out vegetables and herbs for your garden and hanging baskets for the porch or entryway. Please bring cash or a check. All sales benefit St. Andrew’s.
St. Andrew's Communications
Communications Coordinator and Newsletter Editor-in-Chief, Marian Smithson
Newsletter Editor, Jane Weingartner | Newsletter Editor, Marianne Cavanaugh