Lent 1

The Very Rev. Anthony Thurston

One of the chief misunderstandings that you and I experience in life is the difference between power and weakness.  What we think appears to be power often stands as weakness.  And what seems to be a weakness often proves to be power, when all is said and done.  We experience this paradox and confusing experience at many levels of our lives. 

We live in the most powerful nation in the history of the world.  Yet there are weaknesses that baffle the most intelligent and resourceful political, sociological and economic leaders.  There is the weakness of unbalanced budgets, with an astronomical debt that threatens to bury our children and grandchildren.  There is the weakness of conflict and suspicion among nations.  There is a growing fear between conservatives and liberals and a hostility between the two that appears irresolvable.  There continues to be racial issues between whites and blacks and Latinos and Native Americans.  There is the weakness of crushing poverty for growing numbers of Americans and the threat that more people will be thrown into this condition because of our inability to resolve the need for food and education, housing and employment and health care.  All of the power which we so proudly announce to the world has little to offer when it comes to the healing many of these issues, conflicts and concerns. 

Readings for the First Sunday in Lent, February 21

Deuteronomy 26:1-11 
Psalm 91:1-2, 9-16 
Romans 10:8b-13 
Luke 4:1-13

E-bulletin

For the week of February 21, 2010

This Week in the Parish:

We are continuing to experience problems with our phone lines at the church.  Our provider is working on a fix; meanwhile, we are unable to pick up messages so any messages left on the main line this week have not been and/or will not be received.

For Adult Education during Lent we will be studying the gospel according to Luke.

Please plan to join us for the dedication and celebration of our newly designed worship space this Sunday at the 10:00 service. Bishop Ladehoff will do the honors, and we have invited our architect and builder to join us. 

Youth Group Snow Trip

Eight of our youth group members went on the trip up to Snow Bunny on Mt. Hood.  Despite a bit of a wet start (rain?!?!) they had a good time.  A special thanks to Andy and Holly for being the "adults" with Risa.

Epiphany 5

The Very Rev. Anothony Thurston

Today’s gospel is that wonderful story of Simon Peter fishing and catching nothing—and then, at the word of Jesus, Peter puts down the net again and pulls up a large catch of fish.

This is also the scripture from which comes Jesus words: “You’ve been fishermen, now you’ll be fishers of men,” 

A normal interpretation of this scripture might be one of talking about the reaching out from our own Christian faith to others—and there is nothing wrong with that approach. But as I thought about this text, I began to ask myself a couple of questions:  “why don’t we go out into the world and save souls for Jesus?  Granted, it’s not the Episcopal thing to do, but why is this something that we shun and feel uncomfortable about? 

I’m not talking here about standing on street corners, of finding a place to testify to our faith experiences.  I’m just wondering what the reasons are behind our reluctance to speak quietly about our faith when the opportunity presents itself.