St. Paul's E-News April 17 - The Good Shepherd

E-News April 18, 2024 - The Good Shepherd

St. Paul's Episcopal Church

Inclusive-Loving-Generous

www.stpaulwilkesboro.org

336.667.4231

office@stpaulwilkesboro.org

The Good Shepherd

“I am the Good Shepherd.” Jesus says. The fourth Sunday of Easter is always "Good Shepherd Sunday." And why does the Church believe it is important to observe a "Good Shepherd " Sunday? It is because for millennia, God has been identified as a Shepherd that loves the sheep completely and totally.

All of us probably carry an abiding image of Jesus as the Good Shepherd. I’ve mentioned before that one abiding image I carry is of a specific painting I knew as a child and of course since my first church was called Good Shepherd, I received several Jesus as the Good shepherd images in everything from icons to statuettes.

Typically these images feature Jesus as the kind and gentle shepherd cradling a wayward sheep in his arms or across his shoulders as he returns it to safety. When I was a child I found this to be a very soft and comforting image. As I grew up and began to put away childish things, I began to understand the image of the Good Shepherd in a whole new way.

Gone was the image in my mind’s eyes of Jesus in his soft pink cloak cradling the fuzzy little lamb. I pictured the sometimes dry and dangerous landscape of adult life and gave thanks that this Jesus, this Good Shepherd of ours, is the one who guides and guards us around life’s jagged rocks, hungry wolves, and steep cliffs.

Good shepherds were vigilant, courageous, tender, and tough. Most important of all, the shepherd had to intentionally work at knowing his sheep, and making sure that they knew him. The shepherd’s voice is what shaped, nurtured, and protected the flock. It was the shepherd’s voice that drew the lost, the scared, and the wounded back home. Jesus tells us that he is the shepherd and his sheep will listen to his voice.

We all grow up with a variety of voices which shape our lives. Like the Good Shepherd, our parents, grandparents, godparents, teachers, and favorite neighbors have “tended” us—they have touched us, taught us, led and comforted us. They have mentored us and shown us that we matter, and they have prepared us for life.

Amid life’s steep cliffs and rocky soil many of them have even pointed us to Jesus as the Good Shepherd. All of them have given us the particular gifts of memory and presence—the gifts of caring for us in ways that affirmed us and reminded us just who and whose we are.

Those who truly care for us always want what is best for us. The cry with us when our hearts get broken, they are not afraid to tell us difficult truths when we’ve lost our way and they are willing to stand as a guard between us and present danger if they see that we are at risk.

Being loved in this way the effect of “calling us home.” Love of this kind does not spare us from the fact that our choices in life have consequences. Not just for us, but for our entire community.

As you know, growing up in the south we learn that as we grow we are understood as a reflection of the values and character of those who tended and raised us. I know when my mother was particularly upset with my behavior she would say: “I know I did not raise you to act like that!”

What kind of things did you hear?

While it doesn’t always feel like it at the time, the intent of words like these is to remind us that we are important, that people care about us and that our lives have significance. Those who love us the most will teach us that there is accountability for the choices we make with our lives.

The Good Shepherd’s voice is inviting, compelling, affirming, and convicting. This is the voice that issues straight from the heart of God. Jesus tells us: “I am the Good Shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father.”

We are Jesus’ sheep and we are invited to reflect Jesus’ goodness in the world so that others may also know this love. We do this by living lives that shine with Jesus’ values such as love of neighbor, forgiveness, mercy and compassion.

The Good Shepherd’s voice is the one that comforts and restores. We can be sure that the Good Shepherd does not drag us, accuse us, threaten us or violate us to bend us to his will when we go astray. Nor does a good shepherd bully us, or demean us. We are God’s and God wants dignity, hope, justice, and love for all who are lost. And there is nowhere in creation that we can become so lost that God cannot find us and call us home.

This voice of love comes to us, wherever we are, and calls us by name. Jesus calls us into a life of love and abundance with God, and desires nothing more than that we may hear his voice and enter into that abundant life. Not a life free of peril, danger, or pain, but a life lived without fear and measured by endless grace.

Happy Easter,

Mother Stephanie

Upcoming Service

April 21,2024

The Fourth Sunday of Easter

9:30 in the Chapel

One Bread, One Body, One Service

When Tornadoes Strike!

We are including some of the photos of the tornado damage for all of you because we know how much St. Paul's and its beautiful campus are rightfully beloved.

But we must also claim our deep thanksgiving that the damage, though serious, was minimal and we are now back to our regular operating schedule.

Our campus has mostly been cleared of the downed trees and insurance adjusters are coming even as you read this. All will be well!

We will need, however, to reschedule some significant events in our Parish life, mainly in our Brick Dedication and our Parlier House Town Hall.

Please stay tuned to the rescheduling of these important events.

In the meantime, as promised, some photos of the aftermath. Upsetting yes, but again, it could have been much worse! We were very fortunate!

With Thanksgiving:

A Legacy Gift

from

The Reverend Deacon Susan Whittington

we were deeply moved and thankful this week when St. Paul's received a very generous bequest from the estate of our beloved, late Deacon, The Reverend Susan Whittington.

Susan left a large gift to the Discretionary Fund and an even larger gift to augment the Endowments we already have.

Susan lived her vocation in a multitude of ways and even after death, her generosity to St. Paul's and the people of this community continues.

Recognizing St. Paul's in our wills is what we call "Planned Giving" and as always, Susan led by doing.

We encourage all of you to follow Susan's example and leave a legacy gift in your last will and testament and that is a primary way that your hopes for St. Paul's future can be met.

Thank you, Susan. As ever, well done good and faithful servant.

Wednesdays in the Labyrinth Resume!

This past Wednesday we resumed the very excellent and well received Wednesdays in the Labyrinth with a Labyrinth Walk with Cello and reflection.

Thank you to Sherree Sloop for sharing her Labyrinth ministry with us and we look forward to a new and multiple events for Wednesdays in the Labyrinth events coming soon!

St. Paul’s and Step Ahead Awarded $10,000 Grant from The Episcopal Foundation of Western North Carolina!

St. Paul’s has been awarded a $10,000 grant from the Episcopal Foundation of Western North Carolina to advance the mission of Step Ahead.

The Episcopal Foundation of Western North Carolina, an organization whose funding is fully independent of the Diocese of Western North Carolina and created specifically to involve more Lay persons in the work and mission of the Diocese, sponsors the Restoration Grant.

Mother Stephanie, along with some of the leaders of Step Ahead, Dave Greenwood, Maggie McCann, and Jenny Nelson, (Carol Canter is the ministry lead for both Assistance and Step Ahead—collectively, Crisis) collaborated on a grant application to the Foundation and had an opportunity to share the work and hope for Step Ahead with the Foundation members in person on the Tuesday after Holy Week.

Dave, Maggie, and Mother Stephanie answered questions from the Foundation members and the Foundation responded by saying that we, “presented a compelling proposal and the Foundation was excited about the future opportunities for Step Ahead in serving the Wilkes community.”

Even as Mother Stephanie, Dave, and Maggie were meeting with the members of the Foundation in Black Mountain, Jenny Nelson was busy at the same time in a training class for recipients of the Step Ahead program that is a collaboration with NCWorks.

This generous grant will allow Step Ahead to continue its good work with members of our community that are looking to improve their lives and gain the skills and tools needed to help them create a better life for themselves and those they love.

Poverty is often punished with fees, fines, and hurdles that can be impossible to overcome and Step Ahead strives to be that voice and place of support and dignity; a place where people are seen and heard and given the opportunity so often denied to those in the financial margins.

Thanks to this grant from the Foundation, along with your generous and continuing support, St. Paul’s and Step Ahead can participate in the good work of restoring hope and opportunity to those hungry for some good news.

An Empty Pantry

LOOKING FOR YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS IN SUNDAY WORSHIP!

The photo above is not staged for effect, this has been the state our Little Food Pantry on multiple occasions over the last few months.

A faithful group of parishioners work hard to keep this pantry full, but it takes all of us to fill this Pantry, day by day, week by week, month by month so that we can help all of those in our community who are increasingly suffering from food insecurity.

It may not seem like much, but I have on several occasions been present as members of our wider community came to this as a resource for their next meal.

I am inviting all of you to bring can goods, peanut butter, and other food items to worship with you every Sunday.

We will collect your offering in a basket in the Commons and bring them to the altar for blessing as we present our oblations to God. And your offerings will flow right back out into our community, through the Little Pantry, filling this desperate need.

I know your generosity and your desire to make a difference--thank you in advance to your overwhelmingly abundant response to this important need,

Mother Stephanie

SLEEPING MATS

KEEP THOSE PLASTIC BAGS COMING

As of the end of March, the goal for 2024 is 26.3% complete!

March:

Completed - 19

Distributed - 18

YTD:

Completed - 60

Distributed - 59

Goal:

224 total in 2024

Please keep those grocery bags coming. The collection box is in the Commons.

Scripture for Upcoming Sunday Service

Fourth Sunday of Easter

April 21, 2024

9:30 in the Chapel

One Bread, One Body, One Service

The First Reading Acts 4:5-12

The Response Psalm 23

The Second Reading 1 John 3:16-24

The Gospel John 10:11-18

The First Reading Acts 4:5-12

The rulers, elders, and scribes assembled in Jerusalem, with Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family. When they had made the prisoners stand in their midst, they inquired, "By what power or by what name did you do this?" Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, "Rulers of the people and elders, if we are questioned today because of a good deed done to someone who was sick and are asked how this man has been healed, let it be known to all of you, and to all the people of Israel, that this man is standing before you in good health by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead. This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders; it has become the cornerstone.' There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among mortals by which we must be saved.

The Response Psalm 23

Dominus regit me

The Lord is my shepherd; *

I shall not be in want.

He makes me lie down in green pastures *

and leads me beside still waters.

He revives my soul *

and guides me along right pathways for his Name's sake.

Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I shall fear no evil; *

for you are with me;

your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

You spread a table before me in the presence of those who trouble me; *

you have anointed my head with oil,

and my cup is running over.

Surely your goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, *

and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

The Second Reading 1 John 3:16-24

We know love by this, that he laid down his life for us-- and we ought to lay down our lives for one another. How does God's love abide in anyone who has the world's goods and sees a brother or sister in need and yet refuses help?

Little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action. And by this we will know that we are from the truth and will reassure our hearts before him whenever our hearts condemn us; for God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. Beloved, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have boldness before God; and we receive from him whatever we ask, because we obey his commandments and do what pleases him.

And this is his commandment, that we should believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us. All who obey his commandments abide in him, and he abides in them. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit that he has given us.

The Gospel John 10:11-18

Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand, who is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away—and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. The hired hand runs away because a hired hand does not care for the sheep. I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it up again. I have received this command from my Father.”

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

Short-term

Pat Bumgarner, Dick Sloop, Buddy Forester, Jeff Crutchfield

Long-term

Bev Cook, Beckie Mullins, Chris Privette, Ridley Martin and Family, Dennis Johnson, Jacqui Quick, Craig Freas, Emily Asel, Hannah Gray, Mary Iva Gray, Don Dorsten, Aletha Johnson, Hannah Everson, Mike Orlando, Steve Jackson, Ryan Marlow, Dot Beamon, Ken Asel, Julius Parks & Family

Armed Forces

Let us pray for the safety of all our troops, especially John Craine, Micha Duerk, Faith Lankford, Cole Griffith, Zach Necessary, 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 they may still be spoken. Prayer requests received by noon on Wednesday will be included in the weekly e-newsletter.