A Midsummer Sunday at St. Peter’s with 34 in attendance with several people away. Weather was warm and getting warmer. The phlox was in bloom with bees enjoying it. The bulletin is here.
It was a big weekend with the ECM anniversary dinner the preceding night with Helmut giving an incredible devotion and David Beck’s steak skills on display. On Sunday, we had both the 11am service and a concert by JoySong Chorale. We welcomed newcomer Rob and Marcia Dobson who live near Gaymont (now RoseHill). Rob is a contractor and had attended the July 4th festivities.
Today we celebrated many birthdays – B. J. Anderson, Laura Carey, Ken Pogue, Peter Reynolds.
We also brought up the food. Fred put several loads in his car to be delivered to Caroline Social Services.
Helmut provided wonderful accompaniments. He and Brad are working on an Adagio by Tomaso Albinoni.
The tag line of the sermon was taken from Ephesians -"He destined us for adoption as his children through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace that he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. " The sermon considered the concept of grace as part of that adoption – "God’s grace is the energy that God pours out on us when we choose to live as God’s adopted children. God’s energy gives us the power to live with love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control, the gifts of the Spirit, in spite of the ways of the world." It showed grace by illustrating what it wasn’t – the Amos story about rich growing richer and Amaziah passing along to King Jereboam false words about the prophet Amos. The Gospel from Mark is the same – the disgusting story about the beheading of John the Baptist. Greed (Amos), jealousy (Gospel of Mark) are nothing new especially when we consider the recent Penn State debacle. (The readings are here.)
"The bad news is that we are all guilty of disgraceful actions in our own lives because we are all sinners" The solution is accepting Jesus’ grace – "Jesus, through his life, death, and resurrection, brings us new life as the adopted children of God. We find that, through Jesus, grace is poured out on us abundantly, and that divine energy becomes ours to use for God’s glory during our time here on earth." The sermon closed with the reading of a part of "Amazing Grace" which we sang as our closing hymn. "No more chains holding us down in sin—instead, divine energy pulsating through our lives, bursting out in love and service to others. "
The latter was demonstrated in the JoySong Chorale concert/service at 4pm. They are a part of JoySong Ministries (Joy Song Ministries). Linda Long, Music Director of St. Matthew Catholic in Fredericksburg has created a chorale of 15 singers who raise money for their other ministries – including a hospice group which provides comforting harp music in medical facilities and another group making prayer shawls. They demonstrated the healing power of music in the 90 minute concert.
Today, we took up a collection (about $600) for both JoySong Chorale and St. Peter’s earthquake fund. Another 30-35 people came to the concert to sing gospel pieces led by the chorale. Interspersed were anthems from JoySong. Linda emphasize their music was full of love, caring and spiritual significance that would be carried forth through the ages. The pieces sung were listed in the last Parish Post.
Afterwards we adjourned to the Parish House for ice cream of several flavors and toppings.
Thanks to Nancy Long and Cookie Davis for organizing and doling out the ice cream and a contribution from Terri Harrison for the ice cream. The singers enjoyed St. Peter’s as a wonderful backdrop for their music and ministry.
Kids particularly enjoyed the treat:
The day closed with some ominous storm clouds and rain around Port Royal
