Top 10 Reasons – Explained! Week One
If you are reading this, you have probably seen our advertisements in the local paper and in the parish hall that feature comedian Robin William’s “Top 10 Reasons to be an Episcopalian”. While humor is a wonderful gift in itself, these lines of humor are only the entry point to real conversation about, and discovery of, Episcopal faith. Humor often plays on stereotypes, and usually negative ones at that, none of which do justice to the more complex story. But good humor also has a grain of truth in it, and these lines offer us a chance to examine some bit of the truth that we all cherish as Episcopalians. Below are some explanations that help elaborate some of the truths behind the laughter.
10. No Snake Handling.
Most Episcopal worship favors ceremony and symbolism, not overt demonstrations of power. The desire is for worship to draw us into the great drama of God’s relationship to the world. God’s love for the world is best expressed through Jesus Christ our Lord, and our worship works to draw us into that story. We still believe in miracles and the incredible power of God, however!
9. You can believe in dinosaurs.
Although there are Episcopal worshippers who follow more literal interpretations of the Bible, most Episcopalians accept that part of the Biblical story is metaphor and colored by the understanding of the world from when it was written. The creation story provides us a rich window into understanding God’s intent in creation and how our relationship with Him is founded. That meaning is not lost by accepting modern science and the amazing work of God gifted scientists and thinkers in trying to unlock history’s mysteries using modern tools and languages.
8. Male and female God created them; male and female we ordain them.
As a church that is a direct descendant of the ancient traditions of Christianity, we uphold the sacred order of ordained ministry set forth in the earliest counsels of the church. That ministry includes bishops, priests, and deacons. But, as the most important ministry order of all, the non-ordained ‘lay’ members of the church, are made up of both men and women, the Episcopal church moved in the 1970’s to welcome all into the work of ordained ministry, too. We are blessed to have men and women preaching, baptizing, and leading our churches.
Sermon January 15, 2012
Father Matthew challenged the incoming vestry to a new style of working together and offered their example as a pattern for all the ministries of Trinity to share. Comparing our place to that of Samuel hearing God’s voice in the middle of the night, our aim is to not make the same mistake as Samuel and not be ready to hear the Lord’s call.
The readings of the day were:
1 Samuel 3:1-10(11-20)
Psalm 139:1-5, 12-17
1 Corinthians 6:12-20
John 1:43-51
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Sermon January 9, 2012
Father Matthew’s homily today prepared the congregation for the baptism of Michelle and her son Myles. The theme? Water!
The readings of the day were:
Genesis 1:1-5
Psalm 29
Acts 19:1-7
Mark 1:4-11
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Sermon December 18, 2011
Are you nesting? Father Matthew offers his view on all of our manic last minute activity as we get ready to celebrate the Nativity of our Lord.
The readings of the day were:
2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16
Psalm 89:1-4, 19-26
Romans 16: 25-27
Luke 1: 26-38
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Sermon December 11, 2011
Father Matthew reminded us that joy is a part of waiting, and that joy is central to the Third Sunday of Advent’s Gaudete Sunday tradition.
Today’s readings are:
Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11
Psalm 126
1 Thessalonians 5:16-24
John 1:6-8, 19-28
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Sermon December 4, 2011
Father Matthew offered today’s sermon, drawing on the limitless location of the voice of God, making a straight path for us.
Isaiah 40:1-11
Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13
2 Peter 3:8-15a
Mark 1:1-8
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Sermon November 6, 2011
Happy All Saints Day! Father Matthew draws on 1 John and this weekend’s Diocesan Convention to encourage us to bring our creativity to the task of spreading the Good News.
Today’s Readings:
Revelation 7:9-17
Psalm 34:1-10, 22
1 John 3:1-3
Matthew 5:1-12
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Sermon October 23, 2011
Father Matthew leads us to consider how love is the guiding force for Christians when we consider revolutions both large and small.
The Readings were:
Deuteronomy 34:1-12
Psalm 90:1-6, 13-17
1 Thessalonians 2:1-8
Matthew 22:34-46
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Father Matthew preached without notes this Sunday.
Sermon October 16, 2011
Father Matthew offers his annual stewardship sermon just in time for the kick off of our fall Stewardship Campaign, opening up Jesus’ teaching to “Render to the Emperor that which is the Emperor, and render to God what is God’s”. Hear the sermon, receive the pledge card, consider how you can practice the spiritual discipline of pledging, and discover the freedom of acting in God’s Kingdom.
The readings of the day were:
1 Thessalonians 1:1-10
Matthew 22:15-22
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Sermon October 9, 2011
Father Matthew offers a healthy view of the wedding garment that God expects of us, drawing an interesting conclusion from the Gospel’s scary image of getting kicked out of the heavenly banquet.
The Readings were:
Exodus 32:1-14
Psalm 106:1-6, 19-23
Philippians 4:1-9
Matthew 22:1-14
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