~Image credit: Sona Vavrouskova, Mother Stephanie, Polar Bear Plunge for Special Olympics, March 2017

All Saints

This Sunday is All Saints Sunday and we will be treated to Luke’s version of the Beatitudes. The version of the Beatitudes that we are most familiar with is found in Matthew’s gospel and is famously known as the “Sermon on the Mount.”  

 I have to confess that Luke’s treatment of Jesus’ most famous sermon makes a preacher cast a longing eye over toward Matthew’s version as, quite frankly, it is far more “preachable” to an affluent congregation than is Luke’s.

Luke’s telling is spare and leaves the blessings in their bare physical form.  He describes the scene so that we can practically hear stomachs grumbling and hearts breaking. And then, as if that were not sufficient, he follows the blessings with woes.  Matthew's beatitudes are much easier to swallow than Luke’s. 

And even the location from which Jesus delivers this powerful sermon is different. In Matthew, Jesus teaches from a hillside above the crowds. But Luke has Jesus come down off the mountain to a level spot and place himself smack dab in the middle of human wretchedness.

Luke says: “Jesus came down (from the mountain) with the twelve apostles and stood on a level place, with a great crowd of his disciples and a great multitude of people from all Judea, Jerusalem, and the coast of Tyre and Sidon. They had come to hear him and be healed of their diseases; and those who were troubled with unclean spirits were cured. And all in the crowd were trying to touch him, for power came out from him and healed all of them.”

I can imagine this. A seething crowd pressing in on Jesus from all sides, people grabbing wildly at him hoping to catch just a taste of the healing power he has to offer. Luke paints this image so vividly we can almost feel the crush of the crowd and hear their pleas in our ears. 

In an article by writer Wally Fletcher he takes us back to the image of Jesus rolling up the scroll in the temple after he had just read from Isaiah 61 and announced the form of his ministry; one to the least, the lost and the lame. He then pictures Jesus immediately stepping out of the temple (and in Fletcher’s words) into "haunts of wretchedness and need" where multitudes still wait to hear good news, have diseases healed and troubled spirits cured. He talked with them, he touched them, and he stood on level ground with them.”[1] 

So let’s stay with this image: He’s knee deep in this crowd and then with a glance at his disciples who stand somewhere just above him, he speaks to them as we listen on. He spoke words that no doubt shocked and confounded any and all who could hear him. *Happy are the poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. *Happy are you who are hungry now for you will be filled. *Happy are you who weep now, for you will laugh. What?

Barbara Brown Taylor reminds us that Jesus’ form of speech was familiar to his hearers. Beatitudes were "short, two-part affirmations to sum up common knowledge about the good life." Taylor suggests their equivalents today would be something like "Blessed are they who have good 401(k) plans, for their old age shall be comfortable." Or, "Blessed are they who floss, for they shall keep their teeth." These are straightforward and innocuous. But the content of Jesus’ sayings was astonishing. Hearing that the poor, the hungry, and the reviled are blessed would have been incomprehensible to the crowd.

We are so used to having a somewhat touchy, feely response to the Beatitudes that we have lost how shocking they were in their original context. So instead, try hearing something like this: "Happy are you who suffer from cancer, for you shall be made whole,"[2] or Happy are you who are eaten alive with grief, for you know true happiness…

More shockingly for this crowd, Jesus’ pronouncements are meant to imply that those who are hungry, reviled, or devastated by life have these blessings now. He’s not referring to some far-off day after their pain has been healed or their stomachs filled---he issues most of his statements as facts in the here and now---“yours is, you are,” and “you have!”

As Jesus stands surrounded by a sea of pain and longing his words are to be understood as pronouncements of encouragement and hope. These words are spoken as promises of deliverance from the God who hears their cries—they are not a glorification of human suffering.    

Jesus’ actions have been described this way: Jesus is down in the crowd so he can look hurting people in the eyes and say, "Blessed are you." Anyone who has had a taste of poverty knows there is nothing blessed about it. Anyone who has suffered an inconsolable loss knows there’s no comfort in being told they are or will someday be better for it. And anyone who has been deeply shamed or ridiculed knows there is nothing character building about having your dignity stolen or denied. (Wally Fletcher)

Jesus’ sermon is an act of radical hope that believes God can, will, and must make a difference to people who suffer from poverty, hunger and oppression.

On All Saints Sunday, where saints are not plaster casted people of perfection, but ordinary people like you and me, Jesus calls us to join him on this level place and to let the poor and the hungry press in upon us. Jesus knows that God’s power mingled with our compassion can go out from us and heal a world in need.

Grace and Peace,

Mother Stephanie

[1] Wally Fletcher, Pastoral Implications of Luke’s Beatitudes ,www.goodpreacher.com.

[2] Barbara Brown Taylor, Home By Another Way.

Flowers given for the All Saints Service on 11/06/2022 by the

family of Wes Martin

In memory of our Beloved Son, Brother Husband, Father,

Grandfather, Teacher and Friend.

Please drop off your donation at the Church office or you may call Ruth Harris 336.984.9690 for pick-up

Remember!!!

 Daylight Savings Time Officially ends 2 am Sunday,

November 6th!

First Fruits

Step Ahead and Crisis Ministry continue to meet each Thursday to help our neighbors.

Step Ahead has a new format. Classes are held in the Parish House which makes it more convenient for the participants.  Upon completion of the program, they receive a $500 grant. Step Ahead Team Members consult with the participant to determine the best program for utilizing the grant.

Our Crisis Ministry helps our neighbors with utilities, rent, fuel and other necessities.  We have assisted approximately 300 of our neighbors this year to date.   As the costs of basic living expenses continue to rise, the need is greater and many are struggling during this time.  Meals are served Free of Charge during the Thursday Crisis Ministry.

We greatly appreciate your support of the Crisis Assistance Ministry and hope you will continue giving as you can.  As mentioned, the needs of our neighbors continue to rise, thus giving our funds a big hit.

Thank you for your support and your prayers.

Carol M. Canter

WHY BULLETINS?

ONE MORE TIME

This past week I received a question about the Worship Bulletins. It actually came to me as an anonymous communication, which I generally do not respond to, but it reminded me of the importance of good communication.

So, I thought I would share with you, one more time, why Worship Bulletins are an essential part of any faith community hoping to be welcoming and safe for all who come into our doors.

First and foremost, church studies for the last 25 years or more have indicated that a primary reason people do not return to the Episcopal Church after their first visit is that they find the juggling of multiple books and the unfamiliarity and challenge of having to navigate the Book of Common Prayer, with its multiple options during any one service, to be far too intimidating.  

Hospitality is a core call of any faith community and hospitality begins with making sure that all who come through our doors receive a clear and cogent guide to our worship. Yes, people for generations have learned to navigate the BCP, but we no longer have many generational Episcopalians! 

Almost everyone who walks through our doors as a first time worshipper on any given Sunday are seekers or previously un-churched. Studies show that first time worshippers feel vulnerable, far too visible and are terrified of embarrassing themselves. The worship bulletin levels the field and everyone can literally be on the same page.

Secondly, the Books of Common Prayer as well as the the Hymnals in our pews now contain only a fraction of available Episcopal liturgy and music in use and approved by multiple General Conventions. Worshipping from these sources alone ignores the last 35 plus years of Liturgical reform and creativity. 

And, expense. Do we not want to budget well for creating hospitality, welcome and beautiful worship that makes all of God's children feel safe and welcome? I think we do. 

And, in point of fact, it is not actually that expensive. Yes, we had some cost overruns because of a misunderstanding about color printing, but that has been corrected, and as said above, hospitality, welcome, and creating safe and inclusive worship, all of these, are in the end, truly priceless,

We cannot move into the future by clinging with tightly closed fists to the past. I know all of you to be thoughtful, caring people interested in justice, mercy and compassion and while it may not be readily apparent, our worship bulletins help us along that path.

Finally, while I am not responsive to anonymous communications, I am always delighted to hear your feedback, your questions, and concerns. 

I do hope this helps all to understand the importance and necessity of Worship Bulletins, but if not, please come and see me and we can talk more.

Blessings,

Mother Stephanie

We are asking your cooperation when sending in your announcements, events, etc. for the weekly

E-News and Bulletins The submission deadline is NO LATER THAN TUESDAY BY NOON for the upcoming E-News and Bulletins. Anything received after Tuesday at Noon will not be included in the weekly upcoming E-News or Bulletin

(here's a handy link)

E-News/Bulletin Submissions

Scripture for the upcoming Sunday Service

First Reading                                                 Daniel 7:1-3, 15-18   

In the first year of King Belshazzar of Babylon, Daniel had a dream and visions of his head as he lay in bed. Then he wrote down the dream: I, Daniel, saw in my vision by night the four winds of heaven stirring up the great sea, and four great beasts came up out of the sea, different from one another.

As for me, Daniel, my spirit was troubled within me, and the visions of my head terrified me. I approached one of the attendants to ask him the truth concerning all this. So he said that he would disclose to me the interpretation of the matter: "As for these four great beasts, four kings shall arise out of the earth. But the holy ones of the Most High shall receive the kingdom and possess the kingdom for ever—for ever and ever."

The Response                                                                       Psalm 149

 Cantate Domino

Hallelujah!

Sing to the Lord a new song; *

sing his praise in the congregation of the faithful.

Let Israel rejoice in his Maker; *

let the children of Zion be joyful in their King.

Let them praise his Name in the dance; *

let them sing praise to him with timbrel and harp.

For the Lord takes pleasure in his people *

and adorns the poor with victory.

Let the faithful rejoice in triumph; *

let them be joyful on their beds.

Let the praises of God be in their throat *

and a two-edged sword in their hand;

To wreak vengeance on the nations *

and punishment on the peoples;

To bind their kings in chains *

and their nobles with links of iron;

To inflict on them the judgment decreed; *

this is glory for all his faithful people.

Hallelujah!

Second Reading                                                            Ephesians 1:11-23

In Christ we have also obtained an inheritance, having been destined according to the purpose of him who accomplishes all things according to his counsel and will, so that we, who were the first to set our hope on Christ, might live for the praise of his glory. In him you also, when you had heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and had believed in him, were marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit; this is the pledge of our inheritance toward redemption as God's own people, to the praise of his glory.

I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, and for this reason I do not cease to give thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers. I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him, so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe, according to the working of his great power. God put this power to work in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the age to come. And he has put all things under his feet and has made him the head over all things for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.

The Gospel                                                                      Luke 6:20-31

Jesus looked up at his disciples and said:

“Blessed are you who are poor,

for yours is the kingdom of God.

“Blessed are you who are hungry now,

for you will be filled.

“Blessed are you who weep now,

for you will laugh.

“Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you, revile you, and defame you on account of the Son of Man. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, for surely your reward is great in heaven; for that is what their ancestors did to the prophets."

"But woe to you who are rich,

for you have received your consolation.

"Woe to you who are full now,

for you will be hungry.

"Woe to you who are laughing now,

for you will mourn and weep.

"Woe to you when all speak well of you, for that is what their ancestors did to the false prophets.

"But I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt. Give to everyone who begs from you; and if anyone takes away your goods, do not ask for them again. Do to others as you would have them do to you.

MASKS ARE OPTIONAL IN WORSHIP



Masks are optional for inside worship and other inside activities for the foreseeable future.

Please help us put an end to this Pandemic by getting vaccinated.

Love yourself, love your neighbor, get vaccinated!

Please remember in your prayers: All who are ill or unemployed and those who are on our prayer list.

Short-term

Steve Jackson, Jennifer Gates-Icenhour, George Forester, Carl Elledge, Mildred Kimball, John Oliver, Bonita Stewart, Joe Samuel, Julian Family, Jackie Foster, Juanita Phillips, Althea Johnson

Long-term

Ryan Marlow, Jordan Denny & Family, Kathi Johnson, Paul Barlow, Dot Beamon, David Temple, Ken Asel, Doug Merritt, Julius Parks & Family, Esther Eller

Armed Forces

Let us pray for the safety of all our troops, especially Micha Duerk, Faith Lankford, Cole Griffith, Zach Necessary, Walker Pardue, Mark Stone, Jason Westmeyer, and all others who serve throughout the world.

Please send to the church office the addresses of troops with connections to

office@stpaulwilkesboro.org, especially those abroad.

Prayer Requests

Prayer requests can be made by using the app under "contact us" and then the "prayer request" tab, by emailing the office at office@stpaulwilkesboro.org, or calling the office during regular office hours.

Bulletins are printed on Thursday mornings and requests submitted after that time will not be in the printed bulletin for that week, but may still be spoken. Prayer requests received by noon on Wednesday will be included in the weekly e-newsletter.

Serving in November

SIGN UP TODAY!

Sponsor our Sunday

Flowers to Honor Your

Special Memories and

Occasions!

Signup sheet and envelopes are in the commons.

Cost: $40 for one vase and $80 for two.

Sign up for one or both vases.

UPDATE! In addition to the sign-up sheet in the commons, please contact Becky at the Parish office to confirm your chosen date is available. Call 336.667.4231 or email office@stpaulwilkesboro.org

We have a standing order with City Florist, who will bill the church monthly. If you want something special for your two vases, call City Florist with your request. In that case, if you pay them directly, let them know your flowers replace our order.

If you choose to contact City Florist directly, please advise the Parish office at least ONE week prior to your chosen Sunday.

The November/December/January issues of Forward Day by Day are in the mailbox by the front door of the office.

LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR

AND

YOURSELF!

GET VACCINATED AND BOOSTED!!!

PROTECT YOUR COMMUNITY!