May 1, 2016 (full size gallery)
This Sunday was rainy which only cleared by the end of 1st Sunday social. The Iris were in full bloom and reflective of the rain drops on them.Cookie gathered a number of the iris and put them in blue bottles for the windows. Very creative!
The Altarpiece renovation 1st week was this past week. The Tablets are in Richmond with the framework being scraped. The conservator reported finding some original parts of the framework.
We had a split congregation – 9 were at Shrine Mont, including Catherine in our retreat in collaboration with Christ Episcopal. This is the 3rd year we have done this. We only had 26 in our congregation today. Our substitute priest was Catherine’s seminary classmate Rev. Brian Turner, the husband of Amy Turner, former Godly Play teacher and substitute priest as well.
The hymns and prayers of the people reflect that this Sunday was Rogation Sunday. Our opening hymn for instance:
"Now the green blade rises from the buried grain,
Wheat that in the dark earth many years has lain;
Love lives again, that with the dead has been:
Love is come again, like wheat that springs up green."
Shall We Gather at the River was our communion hymn:
"Yes, we’ll gather at the river,
the beautiful, the beautiful river;
gather with the saints at the river
that flows by the throne of God."
Today’s readings remind us that God dwells with God’s people. In Acts, Paul’s preaching brings about the conversion of Lydia, who opens her home to Paul and Timothy. John, in his Revelation, imagines life in the new Jerusalem, where the lord will be our temple, our sun and moon, our life. In the gospel, Jesus promises us the continuing presence of the Advocate, the Holy Spirit. The readings are here
Brian’s sermon was historical recalling the events and saints we celebrate today. He alluded to Rogation Sunday and the practice of processions that began in the local church and proceeded to outline the boundaries of the parish, pausing occasionally for the recitation of prayers for the protection and blessings for the lands. He mentioned the faith of Phillip and James which we continue today in our ministries and then described the kitchen and altarpiece renovations and our outreach ministries in the Village Harvest. (There was a brochure in the bulletin on the Village Harvest which will be supported this w eek in the Community Give). He also recalled Peter’s work in Easter 4 to bring Dorcas back to life. Our role is maintain this historical faith, expand it and carry it into practice in our community.
After the service was the First Sunday Social. This was the first parish event in the renovated kitchen. Brian provided a blessing for the food and kitchen. We had ham sandwiches, hotdogs, deviled eggs, various vegetable salads and a desserts including Brad’s chocolate cake (which he doubled the recipe), Susan Tilt’s banana pudding and fruit.