This was the Sunday closest to the Ascension Sunday recognizing the 40th day after Easter when Christ was elevated into the clouds. It was a culmination of a remarkable period after the resurrection where Christ appeared on the road to Emmaus, in a garden, in a locked room and on the Sea of Galilee. The service also turned into regonition of parishioners who in their own way have contributed to the well being of the church.
The sermon spotlighted prayer and the cross, in this case a recently purchased ebony, African corss – "When we place ourselves right here in the center when we are praying, we are opening our hearts to Jesus, who knows all of our joys and our sorrows. Prayer at the center of the cross opens us up to the Holy Spirit and gives God the opportunity to lift us up into God’s presence. Prayer connects us with the divine." Also, the hands along the horizontal open to the outside symbolizing our roll of outreach and witnessing to the world. You can read the sermon here. Also you can see a closeup of this cross.
The service recognized outreach through the spring ingatherine of the UTO and the monthy collect of food for distribution. We also were also thankful of those who serve the church gladly without the need for recognition – Steve for fixing the water heater in the sacristry, Clarence for changing the light bulbs in the high chandelier, those who helped with the Community dinner yesterday. Catherine also cited a recent video made by Laura Long on life in Port Royal which included a number of pictures of St. Peter’s. After the service the finance committee helped audit the church’s books.
We had a wonderful Coffee hour lunch, courtesy of Cookie, Eunice and Vivian. Thanks to all! The Holy Spirit has been at work at St. Peter’s. You can see a small photo gallery here of this Sunday.