July2016 surely is However not Christianity all Including government

Transcription

1 July2016 From the Resident Priest It s always interesting to contemplate the writing of something with a theological focus About the month of July. Perhaps I should note here that the use of the word interesting Is sometimes to make it a euphemism for challenging. At the same time I should probably confess that that is true for me. It s more than appropriate to celebrate America in July. But, where theology is concerned, that s where much of the challenge resides. Thus, my ponderings begin. Quite often I struggle with what I have come to think of as good ol American religion. So, when we come to the annual celebration of our nation s birth, That subject always seems to me to be lurking in the background. Among the cherished freedoms we applaud on Independence Day is the one having to do with religion. Indeed, it surely is one of our most cherished liberties. And that s clearly cause for rejoicing. Yet there is that underlying consensus assumption that the USA is a Christian Nation. Now please understand from the start that I m in no way opposed to being Christian, Nor am I suggesting that it s not a good thing to be a Nation. However, my struggle is with the ways the concept of putting those words together is too often understood Or should I say misunderstood? If it means that there are more professed Christians in this country than adherents to other faiths, That is a good understanding for it is accurate. But, if it only means that we trot out that concept on certain occasions, When it seems to have some benefit for us, or when it best serves our purposes, And especially when it appears that mere lip service to God might be called discipleship, Then Lucy, we ve got some splainin to do. There is that often referred to principle called separation of church and state, also part of our constitution. That very principle does seem to cause some confusion. It essentially means that our form of government is not what can be called a theocracy. And that is the intent. Therefore, when there are zealous claims that Christianity should be calling the shots, They are not constitutionally valid. And, what s more, there is overwhelming legitimacy to the question, Who then would be qualified to speak for Christianity? All that s needed to understand the validity of that question Is to take a look at just how divided Christians are among themselves. Quite frankly, there are far too many outspoken Christians who I don t want to speak for me, or my country. Leading that list, of course, would be names like Franklin Graham, and Pat Robertson, To name but two. At the same time, Saint Paul reminds us (Romans 13:1) that God institutes all authority Including government. In chapters 12 and 13 he talks about human relationships and responsibilities. It seems clear to me that Paul advocates conscientious citizenship That gives attention to the guidance of our faith. It is that impact that informs our understanding of justice, love of neighbor, and honoring human life. Therefore our freedom in America is to live out that faith fully by respecting the other, And by being a voice of conscience in a nation that is dedicated to human freedom and dignity. Continue on page 2

2 Continued So, celebrating our nation is not only a treasured tradition each July. It is also a must because our heritage is a shining light to the world That freedom does work, and that it is alive and well in this land. It remains viable so long as it is available to all of our people. It is not exclusively of and/or for Christians. And it is not denied to persons on the simple basis of their religion. The impact of Judeo-Christian tradition on its sense of values and ethics is undeniable, And, equally undeniable, is the availability of those same treasures to non-christians. That lies at the very heart and definition of freedom, And it is essential to the enduring quality and future of this noble land. Therefore, the basic theological focus I suggest here is fairly simple: It is (1) that we regularly and profoundly give thanks to God for this nation and its multitude of blessings; And (2) that we pray unceasingly for God s constant guidance in all things, Most especially for enduring peace for us and for the world. God s peace to you, Fred ALL SAINTS OUTREACH During the month of July, members of All Saints have three outreach giving opportunities. The loose offering on Sunday, July 10, will go to our local Boys and Girls Club. Our local chapter provides much needed healthy and positive activities for young children in our area. We have rescheduled the United Thank Offering (UTO) for Sunday, July 17. It did not take place in June. This is a ministry of the Episcopal Church that supports missions and ministries all over the world. Finally, on Sunday, July 24, the loose offering will be sent to Food for the Poor. This organization provides food, housing and other necessities to citizens in Latin America and the Caribbean. The generosity and caring of our members is making a difference, locally and all over the world. Thank you! The All Saints Food Bank was the recipient of nearly 400 pounds of food, thanks to the efforts of Susan Hodge. The food was collected by local United States Post Office mail carriers food drive on Saturday, May 14. Thank you Sue for making this happen, and for unloading the food! You have helped fill a need. 400 Pounds of Food

3 Hymn Notes Each month in the Messenger we are including an article under this title (Hymn Notes). It is intended to demonstrate in some small way the richness of the treasury of hymns that Christians share. The origins and sources of our hymns are as varied as the subjects and styles of them. They come from many different nations and periods of history, as well as from writers and composers of virtually all denominational backgrounds. Yet they are commonly used and claimed by every denomination s (and non-denominational) congregations. The heritage is phenomenal and among the best illustrations we have for signs of oneness in the Body of Christ. On one of the Sundays in July at All Saints we ll sing O God of every nation (Number 607 in our Hymnal). This is a 20 th Century hymn that first appeared in Its lyrics were penned by William Watkins Reid, Jr. Submitted as an entry in a national hymn writing contest, it was awarded first place. The contest was sponsored by the Hymn Society of America in cooperation with the Department of International Affairs of the National Council of Churches, USA. The hymn was published in the Hymn Society s Twelve New World Oder Hymns. And it was sung, and sung by delegates for the opening session of international Fifth World Order Study Conference in William Watkins Reid, Jr. was born in New York City in His college studies were in botany at Oberlin College in Ohio. But five years later he earned a Bachelor of Divinity degree from Yale Divinity School. He served in the U.S. Army ( ) and actually spent 8 months as a POW in Germany. His work history includes pastorates in 3 Congregational churches in North Dakota as well as in 3 different Methodist placements in Pennsylvania. And in 1978 he was appointed district superintendent of Wilkes-Barre, PA of the United Methodist Church. Reid, a member of the Hymn Society of America, publishes several other hymns and contributed articles to several church journals. This hymn has been set to two different tunes. One of them is named Tuolmne. It commissioned in 1968 by the Inter-Lutheran Commission on Worship for a publication of a collection hymns entitles Contemporary Worship I. Tuolumne is an American Indian name for a region of the California Sierra Nevada. The title of the melody to which it is set in the Episcopal The Hymnal 1982 is Llangloffan, composed in 1865 and later harmonized in It is a Welsh, tune but its actual origin is unknown. It was published in 1865 in Daniel Evans Hymnau a Thonau. It is also used for an Advent hymn, Rejoice, rejoice believers (68 in our Hymnal) as well as for Where restless crowds are thronging (a hymn not in our Hymnal). A Moment for Liturgy In the previous article about Liturgy we talked about the calendar as being an orderly journey through the life and teachings of Jesus. It all begins with preparation for his birth; then the celebration of the Incarnation; followed by focus on the spreading of the message (Epiphany means shining forth); then there is preparation for Jesus death and Resurrection; and finally the long season of focus on his teaching (The Season after Pentecost). The emphases for these various seasons and their themes are accomplished by the Scripture readings that are set for each Sunday. That set of assigned readings is called the Lectionary. Over the years those selections have been altered occasionally by broad consensus of the framers of liturgical worship. And it is done across denominational lines. Currently in use is what s known as the Revised Common Lectionary (RCL). It has actually gained wider usage than just the traditional liturgical denominations (Anglican-Episcopal, Lutheran and Roman Catholic). An increasing number of denominations have begun to use this sequence of readings. And that, of course helps to accomplish one of the special parts of the universality of the Church, i.e. that on a given Sunday Christians all around the world are focusing on the same passages of Scripture. The RCL covers three cycles (A, B, and C). That means that most readings from the Gospels are repeated only every three years. This has given more coverage to the record of Jesus life and teachings. Each of the three years features one of the synoptic Gospels (Matthew in Cycle A. Mark in B and Luke in C). The Gospel of John is used just as much as the others, but on a more random basis and especially for festival days. Since each Gospel writer has a unique style and originally wrote to different readers, this gives worshipers a chance to see God s good news in several ways and to benefit from some of those different perspectives. All of this, of course, is part of what makes the liturgical style of worship particularly meaningful and interesting.

4 Scripture Readings and Server Schedule The Ushers for July Val and Tony Short July 3 Pentecost7 (Proper9) 8 am Chalice & Lay Reader: Robbie Stewart 8 am Lector: Jennifer Quinn 10 am Chalice & Lay Reader: Patricia Barnes 10 am Lector: Carl Burke Isaiah 66:10-14 Jerusalem, like a nursing mother giving life to her children. Psalm 66:1-9 All the earth bows down before you and sings out your name. Galatians 6:1-16 Do what is right now and reap at the harvest time. Luke 10:1-11, Jesus sends out seventy disciples into the harvest. July 10 - Pentecost 8 (Proper 10) 8 am Chalice & Lay Reader: Julian Gardner 8 am Lector: Inez Gardner 10 am Chalice & Lay Reader: Gaynell Jennings 10 am Lector: Mary Burke Deuteronomy 30:9-14 The Lord will take delight in your fruitfulness. Psalm 25:1-10 Show me your ways, O Lord, and teach me your paths. Colossians 1:1-14 The gospel is growing, bearing fruit in the whole world. Luke 10:25-37 The parable of the Good Samaritan. July 17 - Pentecost 9 (Proper 11) 8 am Chalice & Lay Reader: Joanne Parrott 8 am Lector: Ginny Overdahl 10 am Lay Reader & Chalice: Patricia Barnes 10 am Lector: Miles Gregory COVERED DISH TO HONOR FRED S 50TH ANNIVERSARY Genesis 18:1-10a The hospitality of Abraham and Sarah to three visitors of the Lord. Psalm 15 Lord, who may abide upon your holy hill? Colossians 1:15-28 Hymn to Christ, the firstborn of all creation. Luke 10:38-42 Jesus says: Martha, your sister Mary has chosen the better part. July 24 - Pentecost 10 (Proper 12) 8 am Chalice & Lay Reader: Robbie Stewart 8 am Lector: Jennifer Quinn 10 am Chalice &Lay Reader: Gaynell Jennings 10 am Lector: Ruthie Gregory Genesis 18:20-32 Abraham bargains with God for the righteous of Sodom and Gomorrah. Psalm 138 Your steadfast love endures forever; do not abandon the works of your hands. Colossians 2:6-19 Buried with Christ in baptism, raised with him through faith. Luke 11:1-13 Jesus teaches the disciples to pray. July 31 - Pentecost 11 (Proper 13) 8 am Chalice & Lay Reader: Julian Gardner 8 am Lector: Inez Gardner 10 am Chalice &Lay Reader: Patricia Barnes 10 am Lector: Scott Harris Ecclesiastes 1:2, 12-14; 2:18-23 Search out wisdom, for all is vanity. Psalm 49:1-12 My mouth shall speak of wisdom. Colossians 3:1-11 Clothed in Christ, your life is hidden with him in God. Luke 12:13-21 Jesus says: Be on guard against greed; be rich toward God, your treasure. August 7 Pentecost 11 (Proper13) 8 am Chalice & Lay Reader: Joanne Parrott 8 am Lector: Ginny Overdahl 10 am Chalice: Patricia Barnes 10 am Lay Reader: Chris Lehman 10 am Lector: Bill Hodge The Ushers for August Val Short and Liz Thiele We need volunteers to serve the lemonade and provide cookies. Please call Vickie in the parish office at to sign up for a Sunday. This will be a refreshing way to maintain our tradition. We also do not have anyone scheduled to give flowers this month. Please let Vickie know if you can provide flowers for a Sunday. Happy Birthday to.. 1st Mary Burke Gray Jarman 2nd Peggy Robinson Lee Wall 4th Fletcher Carter Robbie Stewart 12th Ralph Ingram Peggy Lynn Karpus 13th Devrim Ozdincer 14th Diane Sawyer

5 ALL SAINTS' EPISCOPAL CHURCH 635 Hamilton Street Roanoke Rapids, NC PARISH OFFICE: The Messenger is published the last week of each month. Associate Priest: The Rev. Fred Eichner Please submit articles to Vickie Irby via Deadline for the July Messenger is Monday, July 25, 2016 Publications can be found on our website at Webmaster: Gail Eichner Please the office at if you wish to receive this publication in the future via . Join us on SUNDAY, JULY 17, am (after the 10 am service) All Saints Parish House for a COVERED DISH to HONOR THE REVEREND C. FREDERICK EICHNER and THE 5oth ANNIVERSARY OF HIS ORDINATION Please bring your favorite covered dish to share!!!