We had 58 people at the 2pm service of confirmation and reception for 10 people. It was Bishop Jones’ last visit before he retires next year. The weather saw bright sunshine with temperatures in the middle 80’s with growing humidity throughout the afternoon. Helmut and Nancy combined to sing and and Helmut to play on his violin, "Just as I am." and Brad contributing "Prelude and Fugue in G Major" by Bach earlier. Linda Beck and Terri Harrison organized the reception afterwards featuring a wide variety cold vegetable dishes, tuna fish, macaroni with two pound cakes. There is a gallery published of the service.
Bishop Jones’ sermon used a question children always ask on a trip – "When are we going to get there ?" The scriptural basis was Acts 2:42 – "Fellowship of the Believers" – They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved."
The task for us is go make disciples, teach, baptize and in general bring Christ to neighbors and all parts of our lives. We need to spread the good news – hope, forgiveness,salvation, peace. We need to care for the poor and powerless, the unclean and unworthy. He cited the work done in creating the new nation of South Sudan on July 9th.
We need to be welcoming at Church and not make the Church an "exclusive coffee hour". Possibly the most important function is that of education – he recalled his own church in West Va – and the need to pass on to the next generation. He quoted an earlier Archbishop of Canterbury, William Temple that the church is "always one generation from extinction."
The following people were confirmed today – Kimberly Fisher, Cheyenne Daye Anderson, and Tierra Carter. Those received included Hugh D’Anguilar, Cindy and Stanley Fields, Roger Key, Brad Volland, and Barbara and Boyd Wisdom. Families were supportive grandfathers, children, wives, husband. The bulletin can be found here and the readings.
All in all most people found it to be a moving service with the confirmation of 3 and reception of 7 supported by the glorious music, the wonderful sermon of Bisohp Jones and the fellowship of the reception.