November 6, 2016 (full size gallery)
We had 63 people in church for the celebration of All Saints and completion of 2016 projects, altarpiece and kitchen. Godly Play studied Moses and God’s Kids took a field trip to the church to study the 10 Commandments. We were fortunate to have the Rev. Charles Sydnor to provide the sermon. Charles is involved in historic societies in his home county of Northumberland plus as Rector of St. George’s Episcopal 1976-2003 he was no stranger to renovations.
We have a special bulletin with all the inserts. The prayers remembered all who labored on the projects plus those, "We give you thanks for those we have known and loved in this lifetime who rejoice with us, but upon another shore and in a greater light, that multitude which no one can number, and with whom, in your son Jesus Christ we for evermore are one."
The Eucharistic Prayer was specifically composed for All Saints with influences from the Iona community in Scotland, a prayer from St Francis Episcopal Church, Emerald Isle, NC, written by Peter Makuck and the ending from 16th century English poet John Donne. It also remembered people from different times and places – "Heaven is here, and earth, and the church above and below is one. Peter is here, and Paul, Martha and all the Marys, Francis and Claire, Mother Teresa; Jonathan Daniels and Martin Luther King; the saints from far back and those who left us not long ago. Genevieve is here and Dutchy is here. And only sight prevents us from seeing them, for they are one with us on the other side. Let heaven be glad."
The music was special too. All hymn tunes would have been familiar to those coming to St. Peter’s in 1853, the date of the altarpiece.
Charles Sydnor’s sermon blended All Saints, and the two projects leading to a review of the Gospel.
All Saints and the two projects center on building community. The altarpiece 3 documents depict the central documents of our faith stressing belief – 10 commandments, Creed and the Lord’s Prayer – through the coming of God and Jesus. He added the project was an early example of recycling since the tablets were created on the back of shipping panels.“When worship is over, service begins “- a fitting way to describe the kitchen. The table is a way to build community inside and empowering us to take it outside the church into the world.
What we take is Luke’s Gospel. The Gospel is Luke’s version of the beatitudes. Charles stressed “love” is a verb no noun. It represented a revolution from Roman times. Seneca wrote to expect from another what you have done to another or you will get what you deserve. Jesus focuses not on the negative but positive and puts the beatitudes in the form of a job description. These are things we should do. God’s love for us is eternal and we need to live out that love. God won’t let go even when we fail. We need to look at ourselves with honesty. Through God’s grace we have the means to change. Charles even called himself a “recovering racist.”
He stressed we need to see how we are blessed, citing a story from a Giant Food Stores checker who always greeted with “I am blessed” though her life story seemed everything but blessed with many problems and limited resources. God’s love is not based on what you have done but what God has done in Jesus. Those who feel they are self-sufficient and dwell only in themselves will often find their happiness evaporated. They have nothing to fall back on.
The most radical part of Luke’s Gospel is to love our enemies, those who abuse you. Don’t retaliate, Don’t use revenge. However, it doesn’t mean you have to like your enemies and doesn’t exclude seeking justice against your enemy . By loving your enemy you will bring healing. This will be a part of ending the season of fear and division in this country based on the recent election cycle.
During the announcements, Catherine introduced and gave gifts to the Altarpiece team. She presented Cleo Mullins who acted as the central contact a copy of Ralph Fall’s Hidden Village. Cindy Helton was thanked for her work as UTO chair for the Diocese. Her communication was essential in getting the grant for the kitchen. Birthdays for Nov 6 were recognized – Kimberly, John Sellers, Andrea .
The reception was a cover dish meal which filled the Parish House and provided plenty of use for the kitchen. Sylvia Sellers Corn Casserole was a hit with several as well as the varieities of chile, the fish, the sweet potatoe casserole and all the cupcakes for dessert.