Our worship begins a reflective journey, touching the “old language” of Rite I; not because Rite II is especially more joyful but because the change makes us pay attention. Our lessons today begin by laying out the first sin of Adam and Eve – the knowledge of good and evil and how that leads to […]
Grace and peace at the beginning of your Lenten journey. I find it interesting that I’m led to a new place every Lent, into a journey looking for the place God is inviting me this year. The end goal is the same but the path seems to change every year, partly because I change every […]
As we bring a close to our Epiphany journey we see one of the biggest Epiphany moments in the New Testament – the Transfiguration. The story is told through the eyes of Matthew and the writer of the second letter from Peter – both reiterating the message of God is found in the relationships we […]
Today we heard three “vamps” on the phrase “be holy as I, the Lord, am holy…” (or perfect instead of holy). We wonder what it means to be holy, especially in a world where holiness isn’t always embraced. Our gospel today, a portion at the close of the Sermon on the Mount, is troubling and […]
In worship today we realized it was the 6th Sunday after the Epiphany and that the journey has become a bit “old hat” at times. We’ve heard about the Epiphany about Jesus as savior and God incarnate. As we began our sermon we took a poll: which denomination do you claim as your founding denomination? […]
Our worship was filled with stories and songs of saltiness, being visible light not hidden under a bushel, and returning to God in relationship. Jesus reminded his society that his purpose was not to abolish the “law” (whatever that was) but to fulfill God’s law. The law we have been given was highlighted last week: […]
source of dissonance in our lives. Jesus offered the Beatitudes: Blessed are… and a few items that don’t appear to be appealing in our conventional perspective. More difficult on some levels but more engaging on others is the lesson from Micah, which distills to: the good in life comes from doing (being) just, loving kindness […]
This morning in worship we continued the enlightening journey we’ve had this Epiphany season (pun intended). In the past weeks we’ve heard about Jesus’ baptism by John the Baptist (why would Jesus be baptized – he had nothing to repent of); and last week we explored the question of “what are you looking for” and […]
Our worship today centered on the Epiphany of Jesus as Son of God. We continue to hear the story, from John’s perspective, of Jesus’ baptism by John the Baptist and the onset of Jesus’ ministry and calling of his disciples. As he called the Disciples he asked them “what are you looking for?” Ironically, they […]
St. John’s Episcopal Church Suffolk, Virginia The First Sunday after the Epiphany – The Baptism of Our Lord The Rev. Leslie Ferguson, Rector Isaiah 42:1-9; Psalm 29; Acts 10:34-43; Matthew 3:13-17 A friend of a friend, call him Tim, spent most of his adult life associated with the church, he dutifully attended services, did […]