Sermon: Pentecost 20, The Very Rev. Anthony Thurston

I have been intrigued by today’s gospel lesson from Matthew.

Do whatever the scribes and the Pharisees teach you and follow it: but do not do as they do, for

They do not practice what they teach. They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on the shoulders of others; but they themselves are unwilling to lift a finger to move them. They do all their deeds to be seen by others…They love to have the place of honor at banquets and the best seats in the synagogues, and to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces….

It reminds me of a wonderful statement made by a beloved bishop of our church. He said, “there are two things you can count on when you become a bishop; first, there will always be a place for you to sit when you come to church, and, secondly, the other thing is that no one will ever tell you the truth again."

But these words about the scribes and the Pharisees could be said about the professional leadership of our churches today. The world of pastors and theologians might just be described as the modern day scribes and Pharisees of our time.

Readings for the Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost: October 30, 2011

Almighty and merciful God, it is only by your gift that your faithful people offer you true and laudable service: Grant that we may run without stumbling to obtain your heavenly promises; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

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The Book of Remembrance will be available in the Narthex on Sunday for those who wish to have their departed loved ones remembered before the altar on All Saints’ Sunday.

Pledge Update, Week 2. We are continuing to make great progress on our pledge ingathering. As of the end of week 2, Monday, October 24th, we have received a total of 56 pledges, 43% of our goal of 130 pledges. Those pledges were for a total of $96,755.00, 46% of our goal of $210,000. Thanks to all who have pledged!

Adult education: Class continues on the Kairos Palestine Document, a letter from Palestinian Christians to the world, accompanied by the document A Steadfast Hope, from Episcopal Peace Fellowship.
Friends, please join The Rev. Deacon Stephen Denny as we explore the faith, hope and love of Christians living in the Holy Land, Sundays 9:00 a.m., October 30 through November 20.

Sermon: Pentecost 19, The Very Rev. Anthony Thurston

In today’s lesson from Matthew we see the Pharisees asking Jesus about the greatest law in the commandment. And Jesus replies: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and first commandment.” But what do these words of Jesus mean?

We’re used to completing the other half of those words of Jesus: “and the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

I’d like us to think about the first part of what is the Hebrew “shamah”—you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength.

What our Biblical author was and is talking about here is a tradition of wholeness—actually more than a tradition: it’s an ideal of wholeness that goes to the very heart of our identity as Christians.

Adult Education: Faith, Hope and Love of Christians Living in the Holy Land

The Most Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori, Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church issued a Pastoral Letter on Israeli-Palestinian Peace on October 3, 2011. What follows is an excerpt from that letter.

“I want to emphasize the particular responsibility we have as Christians to stand in solidarity with the Christian communities of the Holy Land who suffer the pains of the conflict and consistently act as agents of peacemaking. Bishop Suheil Dawani, the Anglican Bishop of Jerusalem, at a recent conference in London on Holy Land Christians, put it this way, “As Christians, we are called to be peacemakers, to continue to provide hope where it is dim, to be voices of the voiceless, and to be advocates for a just and durable peace.”

Friends, please join The Rev Deacon Stephen Denny as we explore the faith, hope and love of Christians living in the Holy Land, 9:00 AM, October 23, 30 and November 6.
To read the full content of the Presiding Bishop’s letter, visit: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/newsline_130016_ENG_HTM.htm

Readings for the Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost: October 23rd, 2011

Almighty and everlasting God, increase in us the gifts of faith, hope, and charity; and, that we may obtain what you promise, make us love what you command; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

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Patiently Practicing Prayerfully Praying the Prayers of the People, 10:00 AM to Noon, Saturday, October 22, 2011.

October 22nd Halloween-themed Family Movie Night & Dinner
On Saturday, Oct 22 @ 5pm we will be getting together in the West Wing for our 2nd Family Movie Night. We will show “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” and play some games. Dinner will be provided. Feel free to come in your PJ’s and bring your blankies & pillows!

VESTRY POSITIONS: The vestry will be seeking four new members to replace those rotating off of the vestry. The time commitment is usually one meeting a month. There may be other meetings or committee work that crops up from time to time. It is a wonderful way to serve your church and to learn more about how decisions are made here. If you are interested, please contact the office or Linda Kidd.

Sermon: Pentecost 18, The Very Rev. Anthony Thurston

Today begins our 2012 stewardship campaign here at St. John’s. At the Harvest dinner last night we had a delicious meal and a good time with each other. Steve Cookson talked for a few moments about his life and commitment to this parish community. The effort made by the stewardship committee has lasted all year long as the committee, chaired by Jan Childs, has met to work on helping all of us understand St. John’s financial needs and our opportunities for service. And we trust that you will want to make a pledge that is representative of your hopes for this church.

Perhaps the most difficult part of my job over the last 40+ years has been to teach about the concept of stewardship. The word “stewardship” is common in Holy Scripture and in the church. A steward was a house manager for a king. And since the church is the household of God, we are both members of God’s family and as servants of God we are responsible for our servant hood.

Readings for the Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost: October 16th, 2011

Almighty and everlasting God, in Christ you have revealed your glory among the nations: Preserve the works of your mercy, that your Church throughout the world may persevere with steadfast faith in the confession of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Harvest Dinner

Come to the Harvest Dinner on Saturday, October 15th beginning at 5:30 p.m. in the Parish Hall! So what is the Harvest Dinner and why should I come?

First, it's a celebration -- an evening of food and fellowship in thanksgiving for God's bounty and for the time, talent and treasure each of you give to St. John's. It's great food and good fun that serves as a kick-off to our annual pledge drive.

Second, it's free and you may even win a door prize! Third, you can support the Youth Group, which will be serving the dinner, through optional "tips" and support both the Youth Group and Church School through an optional silent auction for really cool stuff.

Fourth, the program is short -- we are, after all, preaching to the choir.

Most important, St. John's is a family and we aren't complete without you!

We do need to know how many folks are coming, so please sign up on Sunday following the 8:00 am and 10:00 am services or contact Sue at the office, 503- 653-5880 or office@stjohnsmilwaukie.org during the week. We are also looking for volunteers for set-up and clean-up. For questions, contact Harvest Dinner Coordinator Mary Dettmann.

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Someone left a holiday-themed quilt for the First Friday Fiber Arts show last summer. It has been unclaimed ever since. If this quilt belongs to you, please claim it immediately. If no one claims it by Friday at 4, it will be auctioned off at the Harvest Dinner on Saturday.

Memorial Service for Alice Harris Scheduled for October 21st. There will be a memorial service for Alice Harris on Friday, October 21st at 2:00 pm at the Riverview Abbey Chapel, 0319 SW Taylors Ferry Road. A long-time parishioner of St. John's, Alice died July 14, 2011 at the age of 96. She is survived by her six children, fourteen grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren.

Gail Buchanan is feeling better now and is open for brief visitations. She will be at the VA Hospital through the weekend.

Sermon: Pentecost 17, The Very Rev. Anthony Thurston

The word “parable” comes from two Greek roots: “bole” means “to throw”; “para” means “alongside”.

When my son was about 5 years old or so, I remember buying him a football. We went out in our yard to break the ball in. Trevor and I played that game where we threw it back and forth to see how many times we could catch the football without dropping it. I think we got to about six or seven. While I can’t remember how many my son caught and I caught—not being much at catching footballs myself—we would both accuse the other of throwing the ball too hard or too high.

Parables are like that game of catch. The person telling the parable is “throwing” and the other person has to be alert enough and mobile enough to “catch” it. Some parables are easy to catch and some are difficult. Today’s parable from Matthew is a difficult parable that was told by Jesus. Like many of the parables told by Jesus this is a story that is “thrown alongside”—not quite back and forth and not too easy to understand.

The gospel today tells an unlikely story of guests that are invited to a King’s son’s wedding dinner. And those who were invited didn’t bother to show up. We can understand why the king was angry. And we might be surprised at how he finally filled the banquet hall. The theme of this story is very much like the vineyard parable that was used last Sunday. It’s a theme of –in-your-face rejection of the king.

Readings for the Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost: October 9th, 2011

Lord, we pray that your grace may always precede and follow us, that we may continually be given to good works; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

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The Worship/Server’s Schedule is ready to be picked up. If you are serving this Sunday, it has either been mailed or emailed to you. Everyone else, please pick up your copy in the narthex on Sunday to save on postage. If you would like a copy emailed to you, please reply to this email.

The Quarterly Pledge statements are also available. Look carefully-you might have one of each to pick up.

Adult education continues; on Sunday, October 9, come to discuss the topic The Concept of Sin in the Old Testament.

Please bring friends and join us for the opening of the silent auction benefiting Feed the Hungry starting duringMilwaukie's First Friday Oct. 7th, 4:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. All are welcome for this event!

Memorial Service Scheduled for Sheree Kelly

Those of you who have been at St. John’s more than 5 years may remember Sheree Kelly. She died last week; her memorial Mass will be held on Thursday, October 6th, at 11:00 a.m. at Christ the King Roman Catholic Church.