About the Dean s Sermon

Transcription

1 THE WEEKLY WORD EPIPHANY PARISH OF SEATTLE. OCTOBER 21, 2013 About the Dean s Sermon A re lection by Epiphany parishioner, Holly Boone When my grandmother would haul me off to church, give me a dime for the offering and make sure I had memorized my Bible verse, I had the feeling that we went to church because God, like my cranky third grade teacher, was taking attendance. He would mark you down if you weren t there. When my sister and I, self conscious teenagers, abandoned our grandmother s little country church and started going to grand First Baptist where the popular kids went, I formed the impression that people went to church, especially that church, to prove they belonged to the right club. When I began attending Epiphany after a very long estrangement from all things churchy, I attended because that was what one did if trying to ind some sort of spiritual practice in the Christian tradition. I went to church to be with friends, to ponder sermons and the sometimes baf ling words of Jesus, to sing and be moved to tears by ancient hymns, to pray for someone dear to me. Sometimes I went for no other reason than to bring a cake to coffee hour. I supposed I was worshipping God. I no longer thought God was taking attendance. I knew that nothing I did or didn t do could take a breath or nanoparticle from the unspeakable greatness of the Being who created and, more miraculously, loves this cosmos. I knew I was going to church not because God needed me to be there, but because I needed to be there. But I couldn t have told you why I needed to be there. Then I heard the Dean of Westminster s sermon on the last Sunday in September. He stated quite simply the most compelling reason I have ever heard for being present in a church on Sunday to worship God. He said and I am recalling this from memory so forgive me if I don t use his exact words that it is necessary for us to worship God because if we don t worship God, we inevitably worship ourselves. If we don t come together in a regular worship of God, we forget as Doyt says so often who we are. We forget that our proper, primary con nued...

2 relationship is with God. We begin to worship our brains, our careers, our stock portfolio, our family tree, our good address, our good looks, our good works, our athletic prowess, our opinions. It seems we yearn to worship, and if we don t irst and above all else worship God the source of every good thing that we have or do and that gives true life we worship things that ultimately fail to nourish. Things that stunt our spirits, diminish our vision, and blind us to our own real needs and the needs of others. Recall Jesus words in Mark: The Sabbath is made for man and not man for the Sabbath. These words have fresh meaning for me now. The Dean s sermon deeply impressed many of us fortunate enough to hear it on Sunday. Listen to it on the Epiphany web site or follow the link below: content/ uploads/2013/10/2013_09_29 Sermon Dean.mp3 Holly Boone Golden Nuggets from Epiphany s Prayer Class All the things in this world are also created because of God s love and they become a context of gifts, presented to us so that we can know God more easily and make a return of love more readily. As a result, we show reverence for all the gifts of creation and collaborate with God in using them so that by being good stewards we develop as loving persons in our care of God s world and its development. From What Is Ignatian Spirituality? By David L. Fleming, SJ 2

3 REMEMBERING OUR DEPARTED LOVED ONES During the month of November, it is the custom at Epiphany to give members of our community the opportunity to remember and honor family members and friends who have died. This year we will be commemorating our departed loved ones with: The Book of Remembrance The Book of Remembrance is by the Altar of Remembrance in the chapel during the month of November. You are invited to write the names of your departed loved ones in this book so that they may be prayed for by the Parish. An Altar of Remembrance Beginning November 2nd, All Souls Day, there will be an Altar of Remembrance in the Chapel through Sunday, November 24th. You are invited to bring a photo of your departed loved one for the altar. Make sure you put your name on the back so it can be returned. The Chapel is open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Altar Flowers for All Saints Day (Celebrated this year on November 3rd) If you would like to give the gift of flowers for the church on November 3rd, in memory of a loved one, please send a check and the following information to the church. Any amount is gratefully received. The deadline for inclusion in the bulletin for All Saints Day is Wednesday, October 30. In memory of From 3

4 DID YOU KNOW? Epiphany: A Place. A Home. A Sanctuary. Inspiring our spiritual journey. For the next 100 years. WE ARE SO THANKFUL! Did you know as of the irst of October, over 120 families have pledged to support Epiphany s Next 100 Years. Your support of the capital campaign is much appreciated! Thanks to your prayerful consideration and the efforts of many volunteers, we are on track to reach our goal of 100% participation. Please know that you can make your pledge anytime before January 5th. Of course, earlier pledges will assist the planning committee in their work re ining the building plans. You can make a pledge in person, by mail, or online: a gift/ Did You Know? is a Weekly Word series from The Next 100 Years Building Campaign. Sunday Lectionary Corner October 27, 2013 Genesis 4:1 16, Psalm 84:1 6, 2 Timothy 4:6 8, 16 18, Luke 18:9 14 Epiphany has an approved revised Lectionary for A Year with The Saint John s Bible 4

5 Y O U T H S I N G I N G A T E P I P H A N Y Join us in the joy of youth and music at Epiphany! If you have a young or novice youth for our Trainers program, join us this Wednesday! If your family is interested in joining the Choristers, join us this Sunday! CHORISTERS (3 rd & up) rehearse Sundays from 9 am to 10:05am. Training Choir (K 4) rehearse Wednesdays from 3:30 to 4:30pm. (Children of all ages are welcome for Wednesday afternoon rehearsals.) Contact Kathea Yarnell to sign up at or choristers@epiphanyseattle.org! Or just join us for the appropriate rehearsal see you there! Kathea 5

6 +TEC This Sunday Oct 27 Cain and Abel Who s Keeping Whom? Presenter: The Reverend Doyt Conn Date: Sunday, October 27 Time: 9:15 am 10:15 am Location: Great Hall Am I my brother s keeper? The Mark of Cain. Sibling rivalry, murder, cursed crops, and forgiveness. To re read the Cain and Abel story as an adult is a surprise. This is one of the great archetypal stories of the Bible; it is a second expulsion from the Garden, but it is not an abandonment, nor are we left naked. The Rev. Doyt Conn leads discussion of this story of punishment and grace. +TEC Next Sunday Nov 3 9:15 am Cain and Able in Popular Culture From Shakespeare to Steinbeck Presenter: Location: Julie Moberly Great Hall The story of Cain and Abel is simple, swift, and terrible. One of the Bible's iconic stories, it has been retold in theater, book, and ilm for more than 2,000 years. What is it about this tale that is so powerful? Why does the question "Am I my brother's keeper?" resonate so many years later? From references in Shakespeare to Steinbeck's epic novel East of Eden, ind out why this story retains its timeless fascination Epiphany, the Next 100 Years: Acoustics Building Campaign Update Presenter: Location: Members of the Building Committee Christie House Library the next 100 years 3/ 6

7 From ghoulies and ghosties and long leggety beasties And things that go bump in the night, Good Lord, deliver us! It s that time of year, the days are getting shorter, (and soggier), the mornings are getting cooler, and Halloween is nearly upon us. Once again, we will be collecting candy, pumpkins and carving kits for the kids at the YWCA. Please look for the giving branch in the church. The ghosts, bats, and pumpkins will list the items needed written on the back. We are giving Halloween kits this year a pumpkin, small bag of candy, and a carving kit. Just grab an ornament, buy what s needed, and bring it to Church by October 27 th. The ghoulies and ghosties will appreciate your thoughtfulness. -Epiphany s Social Action Committee 7

8 Not Just A Paperweight Letting the Bible Speak to You Charissa Bradstreet, MDiv. facilitating Women of Epiphany Annual Half Day Retreat Saturday November 2, :30 9:00 am Registration and Childcare Check in 9 am to Noon in the Christie House Library 12:15 pm Tea with Potluck Salad Toppings Greens provided. Charissa Bradstreet is a member of Epiphany Parish who enjoys preaching, teaching, and serving as a mentor for Education for Ministry. She received her M.Div. from the Seattle School of Theology and Psychology. Childcare provided with advance registration notice. $10 donation requested. Please RSVP, including childcare requirements, to the church of ice at epiphanyparish@epiphanyseattle.org by Oct 29. Questions? Please contact Julia Putnam at juliasp1@comcast.net 8

9 Save the Date Annual Men s Retreat at St. Andrew s on Hood Canal Friday, November 22 Sunday, November 24 MORE NOTES ON THE UPCOMING EPIPHANY CHOIR CONCERT WITH ORCHESTRA Mozart's short masses (short in the 18th c.!) called Missa Brevi, were often used as service music during the masses in the Viennese churches. The church offered a major venue for listening to live music, and the music is tuneful and captivating, reminiscent of Mozart's opera music. The orchestration was sparse, usually only two violin parts and a cello/bass part and organ. Bach's suites for unaccompanied cello are among the most dif icult and most beautiful in the baroque repertoire. The individual movements include dance movements from the age as well as free prelude forms. The suite, played by virtuoso cellist Nathan Whittaker, will be played on an authentic baroque cello. Like Mozart, Haydn composed several mass settings. One of the most popular and most often performed is his "Lord Nelson" Mass. It is so named because it was written just as Lord Nelson, leader of the British leet, stopped Napoleon's long seige of Europe. Shortly after the battle, Lord Nelson visited the castle of Esterhazy, Haydn's patron, and it is thought that he heard the mass performed. This work calls for an orchestra of full strings, three trumpets, timpani and organ. SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 17, :00 pm in the Church As always, your neighbors, friends, and family members are invited. Tom Foster 9

10 Calling all Authors & Alternative Gift Givers Dear Epiphany, A couple of things: 1. We re dreaming up an event to highlight Epiphany parishioners who have published books. If you would like to be included please send me an e mail. 2. We re planning an alternative gift giving Weekly Word issue in Advent. We d love to include your ideas. Please submit ideas to me by Monday, November 11. I m looking forward to hearing from you, Emily communications@epiphanyseattle.org Save the Date! The Esoterics (including Epiphany parishioners and choir members, Jamie Balducci and Kathea Yarnell Kathea is also Epiphany s Choristers Director!) are presenting two centennial concert series to celebrate 100 years from the birth of Benjamin Britten! They will be performing ALL of his a capella choral works: Secular Nov. 22, 23 & 24, Sacred Dec. 6,7 & 8. 10

11 PARISH PRAYER LIST WE PRAY FOR THOSE WHOSE BIRTHDAYS FALL BETWEEN October 20 26: Matt Barnes, Lujean Day, Kimbrough Street, Chantal Melin, and Callum Jones. WE PRAY FOR THOSE ON OUR CYCLE OF PRAYER: Maryel Duzan; Juli & Todd, Oscar, and Bowie Edebohls; Heather & Brian Edwards McRobbie; Christina Eide; and Ed & Nancy Emerson. We pray for the ministries and institutions of the Diocesan Council, the Board of Directors, and the Standing Committee. YOUR PRAYERS ARE ASKED FOR CONTINUED HEALING AND STRENGTH FOR THOSE IN OUR PARISH WHO ARE ILL OR GRIEVING: Paul, Bette Sprague, Coralie Swanson, Connie Gaines, Barbara Ward, Barbara Himmelman, Naraine Baker, Ginger, Kay Schack, Piper Simmons, Yamy Xolocotzi, Adrian, Ellen Gimbel, Eileen Riley, Bonnie, Roy Enriquez, Will Gluck, Ruth, the Hawkes family, Richard & Dolores Maxson, the Zehm family: Shelly, Atticus, Coco, & Bijou, Silas, TJ Johnson & family, Bill, Grace, Susan, Debbie, Megan, Carl Putnam, Holden Shaw, Jeane Edwards, George Fisher, Rosalie, Dan Miller, Scott Gehring, Barbara & Mike Evans, Gracia Conn, Malina, Matt, Nancy, Isla Jude and family, David Weatherford, Alice, Mimi Pierce, Susan, Hank Schilling, Susan Spencer, Jill Hally, Bob & Carmen Shupe, Karen Massey, Tristam Hyde and family, and Emily Coyle. WE PRAY FOR THOSE WHO HAVE DIED: Ben Smith and Peggy Whitt Burns. Occasionally we review and cull the prayer list. If we have removed someone in error or you would like to have someone removed or added please contact the Parish Of ice. The same invitation applies for birthdays. 11