From chadwohl at satucket.com  Sun Jul  1 20:57:12 2018
From: chadwohl at satucket.com (Charles Wohlers)
Date: Sun, 1 Jul 2018 20:57:12 -0400
Subject: [Propertalk] READINGS for the SEVENTH SUNDAY after PENTECOST
Message-ID: <045AAA6311CB4C319C4631545D35F010@T530>

The following are the readings for the Seventh Sunday after Pentecost, July 8, (Proper 9, ECUSA; Proper 14, RCL & Roman Catholic) according to the Revised Common (RCL), Episcopal (ECUSA), Roman Catholic, Church of England, and Canadian (BAS) Lectionaries. All readings are taken from the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) of the Bible. Unless noted otherwise, the lectionaries of ECUSA, Canada and England are identical to the RCL this Sunday. Note that the Canadian BAS does not use the alternative RCL readings.



OLD TESTAMENT:  2 Samuel 5: 1 - 5, 9 - 10   (RCL)

2Sam 5:1 (NRSV) Then all the tribes of Israel came to David at He'bron, and said, "Look, we are your bone and flesh. 2 For some time, while Saul was king over us, it was you who led out Israel and brought it in. The LORD said to you: It is you who shall be shepherd of my people Israel, you who shall be ruler over Israel." 3 So all the elders of Israel came to the king at He'bron; and King David made a covenant with them at He'bron before the LORD, and they anointed David king over Israel. 4 David was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years. 5 At He'bron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months; and at Jerusalem he reigned over all Israel and Judah thirty-three years. 

9 David occupied the stronghold, and named it the city of David. David built the city all around from the Mil'lo inward. 10 And David became greater and greater, for the LORD, the God of hosts, was with him. 


Ezekiel 2: 2 - 5   (Roman Catholic)
Ezekiel 2: 1 - 5   (alt. for RCL)

Ezek 2:1 (NRSV) He said to me: O mortal, stand up on your feet, and I will speak with you. 2 And when he spoke to me, a spirit entered into me and set me on my feet; and I heard him speaking to me. 3 He said to me, Mortal, I am sending you to the people of Israel, to a nation of rebels who have rebelled against me; they and their ancestors have transgressed against me to this very day. 4 The descendants are impudent and stubborn. I am sending you to them, and you shall say to them, "Thus says the Lord GOD." 5 Whether they hear or refuse to hear (for they are a rebellious house), they shall know that there has been a prophet among them. 6 And you, O mortal, do not be afraid of them, and do not be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns surround you and you live among scorpions; do not be afraid of their words, and do not be dismayed at their looks, for they are a rebellious house. 7 You shall speak my words to them, whether they hear or refuse to hear; for they are a rebellious house. 


PSALM 48   (RCL)

Psal 48:1 (NRSV) Great is the LORD and greatly to be praised 
in the city of our God. 
His holy mountain, 2 beautiful in elevation, 
is the joy of all the earth, 
Mount Zion, in the far north, 
the city of the great King. 
3 Within its citadels God 
has shown himself a sure defense. 
4 Then the kings assembled, 
they came on together. 
5 As soon as they saw it, they were astounded; 
they were in panic, they took to flight; 
6 trembling took hold of them there, 
pains as of a woman in labor, 
7 as when an east wind shatters 
the ships of Tar'shish. 
8 As we have heard, so have we seen 
in the city of the LORD of hosts, 
in the city of our God, 
which God establishes forever. [Se'lah] 
9 We ponder your steadfast love, O God, 
in the midst of your temple. 
10 Your name, O God, like your praise, 
reaches to the ends of the earth. 
Your right hand is filled with victory. 
11 Let Mount Zion be glad, 
let the towns of Judah rejoice 
because of your judgments. 
12 Walk about Zion, go all around it, 
count its towers, 
13 consider well its ramparts; 
go through its citadels, 
that you may tell the next generation 
14 that this is God, 
our God forever and ever. 
He will be our guide forever. 


Psalm 123   (Roman Catholic, alt. for RCL)

Psal 123:1 (NRSV) To you I lift up my eyes, 
O you who are enthroned in the heavens! 
2 As the eyes of servants 
look to the hand of their master, 
as the eyes of a maid 
to the hand of her mistress, 
so our eyes look to the LORD our God, 
until he has mercy upon us. 
3 Have mercy upon us, O LORD, have mercy upon us, 
for we have had more than enough of contempt. 
4 Our soul has had more than its fill 
of the scorn of those who are at ease, 
of the contempt of the proud. 


NEW TESTAMENT:  2 Corinthians 12: 2 - 10   (RCL)
                                     2 Corinthians 12: 7 - 10   (Roman Catholic)

2Cor 12:2 (NRSV) I know a person in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven--whether in the body or out of the body I do not know; God knows. 3 And I know that such a person--whether in the body or out of the body I do not know; God knows-- 4 was caught up into Paradise and heard things that are not to be told, that no mortal is permitted to repeat. 5 On behalf of such a one I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except of my weaknesses. 6 But if I wish to boast, I will not be a fool, for I will be speaking the truth. But I refrain from it, so that no one may think better of me than what is seen in me or heard from me, 7 even considering the exceptional character of the revelations. Therefore, to keep me from being too elated, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me, to keep me from being too elated. 8 Three times I appealed to the Lord about this, that it would leave me, 9 but he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness." So, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. 10 Therefore I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities for the sake of Christ; for whenever I am weak, then I am strong. 


GOSPEL:   Mark 6: 1 - 13   (RCL)
                   Mark 6: 1 - 6   (Roman Catholic)

Mark 6:1 (NRSV) He left that place and came to his hometown, and his disciples followed him. 2 On the sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astounded. They said, "Where did this man get all this? What is this wisdom that has been given to him? What deeds of power are being done by his hands! 3 Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Jo'ses and Judas and Simon, and are not his sisters here with us?" And they took offense at him. 4 Then Jesus said to them, "Prophets are not without honor, except in their hometown, and among their own kin, and in their own house." 5 And he could do no deed of power there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and cured them. 6 And he was amazed at their unbelief. 
Then he went about among the villages teaching. 7 He called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. 8 He ordered them to take nothing for their journey except a staff; no bread, no bag, no money in their belts; 9 but to wear sandals and not to put on two tunics. 10 He said to them, "Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave the place. 11 If any place will not welcome you and they refuse to hear you, as you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them." 12 So they went out and proclaimed that all should repent. 13 They cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.


Chad Wohlers
Woodbury, VT USA
chadwohl at satucket.com
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From robertpmorrison at charter.net  Tue Jul  3 23:14:13 2018
From: robertpmorrison at charter.net (Robert P Morrison)
Date: Tue, 03 Jul 2018 20:14:13 -0700
Subject: [Propertalk] Independence Day 2018
Message-ID: <6TED1y00B4NopWk01TEDPw@charter.net>

Here are a few notes for our celebration tomorrow. We use the 1662 BCP
as it was the one in use when the founders were working away.
Bob

	THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF ST. ALBAN, ALBANY INDEPENDENCE DAY

	DEUTERONOMY 10:17 -21 4th JULY, 2018

	MATTHEW 5:43-

	 Last Sunday the sermon began with the prayer of confession we
usually use, revolving around loving God. Here?s the first reading
this morning, however, using both King James? English and the older,
broader-termed description of ?fearing God? ? fearing in the
sense of showing the utmost respect that one can muster.

	 That makes sense. The fear ? in the contemporary sense ? the
fear that you and I may feel comes from wondering whether or not we
HAVE done our best. And, lest we wonder whether or not we may have
missed it, yes, the word ?love? IS mentioned in the first reading
too. However, the love which we?re commanded to offer is to the
stranger ? not necessarily the weird, but the person who doesn?t
usually sit beside us in a church or on a train or plane. The stranger
may well be the person in front or behind us in the grocery check-out
line; the stranger is the person who is not yet our friend because we
haven?t yet had a chance to talk much to her or him and ask her or
him to come sit with us over a cup of coffee and a frosted cup cake in
the parish hall.

	 ?Love the stranger? ? ?Fear God? ? two sides of the same
coin, picked up in what Jesus said to His best friends. ?You have to
do more than just keep the law,? He said.

	 It can be so easy to say that we?ve done what the law requires.
Basically, the laws regarding drivers talk about keeping within the
speed limit and at a speed appropriate to the road conditions, about
signaling one?s intentions to slow down or to turn around, about
obeying signs placed strategically along the road we?re taking. The
laws don?t say anything about cutting people off in traffic, or
about yelling at the person who doesn?t start immediately after the
light turns green. To do these, to behave as if we respected the other
drivers on the road ? that takes grace, often, as the very word
implies, grace that we never knew we had, because God gives it to us,
makes it available if we can recognise and receive it.

	 This is at least one of the things which Independence Day
celebrations call us to acknowledge. First, we remember that we
can?t do or know everything by ourselves. We have to keep our mind,
our heart, our spirits open at all times, to see what the other, what
the stranger is doing and what the stranger is needing. More than
that, though, in addition to being aware of what others around us need
and may be trying to talk to us about, we?re to keep alert to the
fact that God is present, that God is willing and eager to share with
us the grace that we need in order to live a life of love.

	 Another thing which we remember today is that, no matter who we are
? remember, as Deuteronomy quoted, ?God regardeth not persons?,
God doesn?t take physical appearance, or the number of friends on
Facebook, or even the number of people we have on the phone list we
keep in our pockets ? none of that is what impresses God; we
remember today that are here because of what hundreds, if not
thousands, have said and done before us. People experienced
dissatisfactions, or difficulties, or fear, and so they moved from one
place to another; they risked everything they had to get to a port and
find a ship to cross what could be wild seas; they arrived and, over a
few generations, they crossed this land till Albany was founded, was
platted, was built up and we came along.

	 A few in our current congregation were born here, but most of us
moved here at varying ages, depending on help and word of mouth to
give us encouragement. We live here because of what our forebears did
for us. And, when you come down to it, we are here, specifically in
this building, because of what God did, what Jesus did, what a small
but enthused group of people did to encourage us in our faith.

	 And, yes, we remember today that we have those ?certain
inalienable rights?, that among these are Life, Liberty and the
Pursuit of Happiness?. Nothing is written into the Constitution
about religion other than that it is a freedom which we may choose for
ourselves, but this too is something we celebrate ? whether or not
to respond to God.

	 Still, all of this comes back to how we take what we?ve been given
and share it for the good of all. How do we respond to the stranger?
How do we love the one who is not well-known to us? How do we do for
others what God and our ancestors have done for us?

	 There IS freedom encompassed in our celebrations today, but it is a
freedom which bears an awesome responsibility within it, because we
believe it is granted us not as the world gives it, but by God. Keep
this proud boast, then, as a recent translation of the last verse of
Deuteronomy puts it, ?our God has done for (us) these great and
terrible things which you (and I have seen for ourselves.)? Minister
to all without exception. Pray for those whom you and I may consider
our persecutors, because ALL are God?s children, and God wishes to
bless us all with grace.
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From joeparrish at compuserve.com  Sat Jul  7 22:14:56 2018
From: joeparrish at compuserve.com (Joe Parrish)
Date: Sat, 07 Jul 2018 21:14:56 -0500
Subject: [Propertalk] =?utf-8?q?Fwd=3A_=5Bpropertalk=2Etopic=5D_Sermon_for?=
 =?utf-8?b?IFByb3BlciA5Qjog4oCcVHJvdWJsZXNvbWUgUGVvcGxl4oCdIG9yIOKAnExp?=
 =?utf-8?q?ke_Water_Off_a_Duck=E2=80=99s_Back!=E2=80=9D?=
In-Reply-To: <41a77c26-2831-402a-b76f-819e840054ef@ecunet.org>
Message-ID: <mailman.6.1710545918.3967915.propertalk_stsams.org@stsams.org>

Forwarded:
-------- Original message --------From: Judy <judy_boli at ecunet.org> Date: 7/7/18  8:39 PM  (GMT-06:00) To: Propertalk <propertalk.topic at ecunet.org> Subject: [propertalk.topic] Sermon for Proper 9B: ?Troublesome People? or ?Like Water Off a Duck?s Back!? 


Dear
Friends,

?

This
Sunday?s sermon is entitled ?Troublesome People? or ?Like Water Off a Duck?s
Back!? and deals with all the lessons.? Here
it is: ?

?

Since last Wednesday was the 4th of July and Bay
City is still celebrating, I?ll bet you encountered some troublesome people,
and you may still be encountering them.?
If you?ve been trying to sleep between the heat and celebrating, I?ll
bet you heard some troublesome people with 3 AM firecrackers and 4 AM gun
shots!? This morning we heard of one of
the more painful times in Jesus? life.?
He went back to his hometown, Nazareth, probably to see his family and
close friends- especially those he?d grown up with.? He had preached, healed, and done other
wonderful works for strangers; and for quite a while he?d probably longed to go
home and reach out and touch those he had loved since childhood, but it wasn?t
to be.? Instead of welcoming him home,
their response was- ?Who does he think he is?!??
Isn?t he just Mary?s son? (not naming his father- thus signifying his
was an illegitimate birth)?? ?Isn?t he
just a carpenter?? Who is he that we
should listen to him??? In fact, the
Gospel of Luke tells how they got so mad when he preached that they tried to
throw him over the cliff and kill him.?
What a disappointing, sad reception!?
Jesus had his share of dealing with difficult people, and so do we.? That?s what I?d like us to think through this
morning.? If we are going to be true to
our Lord, how does Jesus want US to deal with the difficult people in our
lives?

?

Did you hear the story of Old Fred, who was in the hospital and
desperately ill?? All his family and
friends were gathered around his bedside.?
Realizing how serious the situation was, they sent for his pastor.? As his pastor said the prayers for the dying,
Fred suddenly started to motion for something to write on and with, so his wife
handed him a piece of paper and a pencil.?
He wrote quickly, handed the pastor his note, laid back with a loud
sigh, and died.? At the funeral, Fred?s pastor
realized he was wearing the same jacket he had worn in the hospital, so the
pastor put his hand in his jacket pocket and retrieved the note, written by his
dying friend.? He told the congregation
what had happened, and then what a great Christian man Fred had been.? ?I know,? said the pastor, ?whatever brother Fred
wrote will enlighten and strengthen us.??
Opening the note, he read aloud, ?Help! You're standing on my oxygen hose!?? Talk about troublesome people!? So who are the troublesome people in your
life, and how do you deal with them?

?

Our Old Testament lesson was about David, who became
Israel?s mightiest king.? You can bet
David had troublesome people in his life!?
Before David became king, he was hired by King Saul to play music on his
harp to soothe Saul?s nerves.? Do you
recall how, one day as David was playing- doing the king a favor yet- Saul
threw his spear at David, barely missing him??
Maybe the troublesome people in your life are those you originally tried
to help, as David tried to help King Saul.?
Or perhaps they are people who have power over you, like a boss or a
social worker, who use their power to misuse you- again as King Saul did to
David.

?

The epistle is part of a very painful letter St. Paul wrote
to his Corinthian church.? Some members
of this church considered themselves such ?super-Christians? that they thought
they knew everything.? They even
questioned Paul?s authority as a bishop.?
Maybe the troublesome people in your life are ?know-it-all Christians?
who lecture you and tell you that you?re going to hell if you don?t believe
exactly as they say you should.?
Remember, the Episcopal Church is a thinking person?s church.? Jesus died to take away your sins, not your
mind.

?

We mentioned the gospel earlier- when Jesus? own family and
close friends refused to accept him.? In
fact, as you recall- a bit earlier in Mark?s gospel we hear how Jesus? mother
Mary and his brothers had come while he was preaching to take him home, because
they thought he was crazy.? Perhaps the
troublesome people in your life are people in your own household or some of
your most trusted friends.

?

So how should we handle such people?? Take Jesus? advice.? His culture said, ?Shake the dust off your
feet.?? Our culture means the same thing,
but puts it this way:? Let their insults
be like water off a duck?s back.? Give
them to God, love them, keep praying for them, and keep your own life on track.? 

Evil temptations to avoid:


 REVENGE: you?ve heard, ?I don?t get mad; I
     get even.?? That?s for the devil?s
     folks, not us- because we?re on God?s side.? No revenge.
 BITTERNESS: exactly whom are you trying to
     hurt.? A poisoned spirit only hurts YOU!? Don?t dwell on the evil that people have
     done to you.? Instead, focus on how
     you have remained a free-spirit in the Lord.
 MOODINESS: You know how Bill+ and I frequently
     used to go out to lunch together.? I
     remember us having a new but rather nice young waitress.? When we commented on how pleasant she had
     been, she responded, ?You?re lucky I didn?t wait on you yesterday!? I was in a terrible mood!?? Don?t be like that!? A bad mood is not an excuse; but it is
     the devil?s playground.? Control
     your moodiness, and see the doctor if you can?t.? Stay positive.
 QUITTING: Jesus didn?t quit, he tried again
     in the next town...and the next town...and the next...and the next- until
     he finally ended up on the cross.?
     Don?t quit.
 SELF-DOUBT: Again- Jesus could have believed
     them and started to doubt himself.?
     You are made in the image of God.?
     Error-analyze what you?re doing, and then keep on keeping on.


?

And how do you have the power to do these things?? Some of our members have had absolutely
terrible things happen to them.? Reginald
and Narval lost a cousin to homicide, and we have 2 families struggling with
the possible false imprisonment of loved ones!?
How do you not let this destroy your life?? Did you hear the prayer someone prayed?? ?Dear God, so far today I've done all
right.? I haven't gossiped. I haven't lost
my temper. I haven't been greedy, grumpy, nasty, selfish or over-indulgent. ?I'm very thankful for that.? But in a few minutes, God, I'm going to get
out of bed, and from then on, I'm probably going to need a lot of help. Amen.?? How can you possibly give the troublesome
people in your life to God, love them, keep praying for them, and keep your own
life on track?? Paul has the answer in
our epistle today.? We heard him quote
God?s promise (as true for us as it was for Paul): ?My grace is sufficient for
you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.? (2nd Corinthians 12:
9a).? We can?t control how troublesome
people treat us, but we most surely can control how we respond.? Did you notice the thought for the week: ?Be
fishers of men (and women and children).?
You catch ?em; God will clean them.??
Don?t worry how much cleaning some of these troublesome people will
require.? Just give them to God- they ARE
his business.? Amen.

?

For anyone who is interested, this sermon and updated
African-American wisdom statements are posted on our parish?s web site under
?Sermons & Stuff?. The address is: http://www.stpaulsepisag.org
.

?

Blessed
preaching,

Judy
Boli

St.
Paul's Episcopal Church

Saginaw,
Michigan





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From chadwohl at satucket.com  Sun Jul  8 21:45:14 2018
From: chadwohl at satucket.com (Charles Wohlers)
Date: Sun, 8 Jul 2018 21:45:14 -0400
Subject: [Propertalk] READINGS for the EIGHTH SUNDAY after PENTECOST
Message-ID: <753D76A9A8F045E5A18E633D9431593F@T530>

The following are the readings for the Eighth Sunday after Pentecost, July 15, (Proper 10, ECUSA; Proper 15, RCL & Roman Catholic) according to the Revised Common (RCL), Episcopal (ECUSA), Roman Catholic, Church of England, and Canadian (BAS) Lectionaries. All readings are taken from the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) of the Bible. Unless noted otherwise, the lectionaries of ECUSA, Canada and England are identical to the RCL this Sunday.



OLD TESTAMENT:   2 Samuel 6: 1 - 5, 12b - 19   (RCL)

2Sam 6:1 (NRSV) David again gathered all the chosen men of Israel, thirty thousand. 2 David and all the people with him set out and went from Ba'ale-ju'dah, to bring up from there the ark of God, which is called by the name of the LORD of hosts who is enthroned on the cherubim. 3 They carried the ark of God on a new cart, and brought it out of the house of Abin'adab, which was on the hill. Uz'zah and Ahi'o, the sons of Abin'adab, were driving the new cart 4 with the ark of God; and Ahi'o went in front of the ark. 5 David and all the house of Israel were dancing before the LORD with all their might, with songs and lyres and harps and tambourines and castanets and cymbals. 

12b So David went and brought up the ark of God from the house of O'bed-e'dom to the city of David with rejoicing; 13 and when those who bore the ark of the LORD had gone six paces, he sacrificed an ox and a fatling. 14 David danced before the LORD with all his might; David was girded with a linen ephod. 15 So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the LORD with shouting, and with the sound of the trumpet. 
16 As the ark of the LORD came into the city of David, Mi'chal daughter of Saul looked out of the window, and saw King David leaping and dancing before the LORD; and she despised him in her heart. 
17 They brought in the ark of the LORD, and set it in its place, inside the tent that David had pitched for it; and David offered burnt offerings and offerings of well-being before the LORD. 18 When David had finished offering the burnt offerings and the offerings of well-being, he blessed the people in the name of the LORD of hosts, 19 and distributed food among all the people, the whole multitude of Israel, both men and women, to each a cake of bread, a portion of meat, and a cake of raisins. Then all the people went back to their homes. 


Amos 7: 7 - 15   (alt. for RCL)
Amos 7: 12 - 15   (Roman Catholic)

Amos 7:7 (NRSV) This is what he showed me: the Lord was standing beside a wall built with a plumb line, with a plumb line in his hand. 8 And the LORD said to me, "A'mos, what do you see?" And I said, "A plumb line." Then the Lord said, 
"See, I am setting a plumb line 
in the midst of my people Israel; 
I will never again pass them by; 
9 the high places of Isaac shall be made desolate, 
and the sanctuaries of Israel shall be laid waste, 
and I will rise against the house of Jerobo'am with the sword." 
10 Then Amazi'ah, the priest of Beth'el, sent to King Jerobo'am of Israel, saying, "A'mos has conspired against you in the very center of the house of Israel; the land is not able to bear all his words. 11 For thus A'mos has said, 
"Jerobo'am shall die by the sword, 
and Israel must go into exile 
away from his land.'" 
12 And Amazi'ah said to A'mos, "O seer, go, flee away to the land of Judah, earn your bread there, and prophesy there; 13 but never again prophesy at Beth'el, for it is the king's sanctuary, and it is a temple of the kingdom." 
14 Then A'mos answered Amazi'ah, "I am no prophet, nor a prophet's son; but I am a herdsman, and a dresser of sycamore trees, 15 and the LORD took me from following the flock, and the LORD said to me, "Go, prophesy to my people Israel.' 


PSALM 24   (RCL)

Psal 24:1 (NRSV) The earth is the LORD's and all that is in it, 
the world, and those who live in it; 
2 for he has founded it on the seas, 
and established it on the rivers. 
3 Who shall ascend the hill of the LORD? 
And who shall stand in his holy place? 
4 Those who have clean hands and pure hearts, 
who do not lift up their souls to what is false, 
and do not swear deceitfully. 
5 They will receive blessing from the LORD, 
and vindication from the God of their salvation. 
6 Such is the company of those who seek him, 
who seek the face of the God of Jacob. [Se'lah] 
7 Lift up your heads, O gates! 
and be lifted up, O ancient doors! 
that the King of glory may come in. 
8 Who is the King of glory? 
The LORD, strong and mighty, 
the LORD, mighty in battle. 
9 Lift up your heads, O gates! 
and be lifted up, O ancient doors! 
that the King of glory may come in. 
10 Who is this King of glory? 
The LORD of hosts, 
he is the King of glory. [Se'lah] 


Psalm 85: 8 - 13   (Roman Catholic, alt. for RCL)

Psal 85:1 (NRSV) LORD, you were favorable to your land; 
you restored the fortunes of Jacob. 
2 You forgave the iniquity of your people; 
you pardoned all their sin. [Se'lah] 
3 You withdrew all your wrath; 
you turned from your hot anger. 
4 Restore us again, O God of our salvation, 
and put away your indignation toward us. 
5 Will you be angry with us forever? 
Will you prolong your anger to all generations? 
6 Will you not revive us again, 
so that your people may rejoice in you? 
7 Show us your steadfast love, O LORD, 
and grant us your salvation. 
8 Let me hear what God the LORD will speak, 
for he will speak peace to his people, 
to his faithful, to those who turn to him in their hearts.  
9 Surely his salvation is at hand for those who fear him, 
that his glory may dwell in our land. 
10 Steadfast love and faithfulness will meet; 
righteousness and peace will kiss each other. 
11 Faithfulness will spring up from the ground, 
and righteousness will look down from the sky. 
12 The LORD will give what is good, 
and our land will yield its increase. 
13 Righteousness will go before him, 
and will make a path for his steps. 

Note: Verse numbering in Roman Catholic bibles is one higher than the above.


NEW TESTAMENT:   Ephesians 1: 3 - 14   (RCL)
                                      Ephesians 1: 3 - 10 (11 - 14)   (Roman Catholic)

Ephe 1:3 (NRSV) Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, 4 just as he chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before him in love. 5 He destined us for adoption as his children through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of his will, 6 to the praise of his glorious grace that he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace 8 that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and insight 9 he has made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure that he set forth in Christ, 10 as a plan for the fullness of time, to gather up all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. 11 In Christ we have also obtained an inheritance, having been destined according to the purpose of him who accomplishes all things according to his counsel and will, 12 so that we, who were the first to set our hope on Christ, might live for the praise of his glory. 13 In him you also, when you had heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and had believed in him, were marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit; 14 this is the pledge of our inheritance toward redemption as God's own people, to the praise of his glory. 


GOSPEL:   Mark 6: 14 - 29   (RCL)

Mark 6:14 (NRSV) King Her'od heard of it, for Jesus' name had become known. Some were saying, "John the baptizer has been raised from the dead; and for this reason these powers are at work in him." 15 But others said, "It is Eli'jah." And others said, "It is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old." 16 But when Her'od heard of it, he said, "John, whom I beheaded, has been raised." 
17 For Her'od himself had sent men who arrested John, bound him, and put him in prison on account of Hero'dias, his brother Philip's wife, because Her'od had married her. 18 For John had been telling Her'od, "It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife." 19 And Hero'dias had a grudge against him, and wanted to kill him. But she could not, 20 for Her'od feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he protected him. When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed; and yet he liked to listen to him. 21 But an opportunity came when Her'od on his birthday gave a banquet for his courtiers and officers and for the leaders of Galilee. 22 When his daughter Hero'dias came in and danced, she pleased Her'od and his guests; and the king said to the girl, "Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will give it." 23 And he solemnly swore to her, "Whatever you ask me, I will give you, even half of my kingdom." 24 She went out and said to her mother, "What should I ask for?" She replied, "The head of John the baptizer." 25 Immediately she rushed back to the king and requested, "I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter." 26 The king was deeply grieved; yet out of regard for his oaths and for the guests, he did not want to refuse her. 27 Immediately the king sent a soldier of the guard with orders to bring John's head. He went and beheaded him in the prison, 28 brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl. Then the girl gave it to her mother. 29 When his disciples heard about it, they came and took his body, and laid it in a tomb. 


Mark 6: 7 - 13   (Roman Catholic)

Mark 6:7 (NRSV) He called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. 8 He ordered them to take nothing for their journey except a staff; no bread, no bag, no money in their belts; 9 but to wear sandals and not to put on two tunics. 10 He said to them, "Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave the place. 11 If any place will not welcome you and they refuse to hear you, as you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them." 12 So they went out and proclaimed that all should repent. 13 They cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them. 


Chad Wohlers
Woodbury, VT USA
chadwohl at satucket.com
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From robertpmorrison at charter.net  Sat Jul 14 15:12:27 2018
From: robertpmorrison at charter.net (Robert P Morrison)
Date: Sat, 14 Jul 2018 12:12:27 -0700
Subject: [Propertalk] Proper 10b 2018 - part 1
Message-ID: <AjCT1y00A1d74Us01jCTQn@charter.net>

This has been edited several times already and I'll probably will
continue to do so...
Bob

	THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF ST. ALBAN, ALBANY THE EIGHTH SUNDAY AFTER
PENTECOST

	2 SAMUEL 6:1-5, 12b-19 PROPER 10 b

	EPHESIANS 1:3-14 15th JULY, 2018

	MARK 6:14-29 PSALM 24

	 Dancing can be so much fun! But it can also get one into SO much
trouble!

	 That?s probably why it was frowned upon by some branches of the
Church, especially in traditional-conservative denominations.

	 I remember a Scottish Presbyterian minister, a friend of my father,
describing how etiquette and clothing for dancing developed. It used
to be that, in addition to wearing a suit, the men, just like the
women, all wore gloves. My father?s friend said that this custom
died out, for the men, in the early 1900s, at which point the fathers
of the young women who?d been to the dance had the back of their
dresses tested for fingerprints to see with whom they?d been dancing
and where the fingers had been placed.

	 That?s possibly a slight exaggeration, but a not totally useless
idea! Dancing can inflame the senses and emotions, especially if one
is predisposed to think in one way or another.

	 Take Michal, Saul?s daughter, for instance. David had killed her
father in the civil war. One strike against David. But David was
really wrapped up in expressing his love of God and his devotion.
He?d been dancing up a storm, and everyone seemed to feel that that
was OK, even if the king WAS naked at the time, all perfectly
appropriate. Everyone except Michal, that is. She was really ticked
off. Just like today, you can?t please everyone.

	 Think about the relationship of David and Michal, though. She?d
fallen in love with him while he was at the court of her father. David
had paid the bride-price to Saul by killing two hundred Philistines,
double the number he?d been asked to kill.

	 Aren?t you glad things are a little different today, at least in
some circles?

	 When Saul and David became antagonists, Michal hid her husband and
arranged for his escape. As one writer pointed out, although she
risked her life by helping him, after he left the court he made no
attempt to contact her ? not even a Tweet! 1 Two strikes!

	 Not particularly loving, nor grateful! Following that episode, Saul
gave Michal to another member of the military and David, still in
hiding, took several other wives. Later on, when David came to power
as king over the entire country, he demanded and got Michal back,
presumably to reinforce his right to be king.

	 So it may not be at all surprising that Michal despised David in his
enthusiasm of worship. The verses following the ones we heard this
morning, however, indicate that she felt humiliated. Her pride was
hurt and she stood on that, even over the entry of the Ark of God.
Like her father, Michal had no time for the Ark. Family pride, status
among the people, especially among the nobility in power, that?s
what was important to her. ?Michal had missed the essential
significance of David?s career, that in spite of his failures, he
was a man after God?s own heart.?, and had been chosen over over
everyone else in Saul?s family.

	 ?What can we learn from this story of Michal and David?
Misunderstanding arose in their relationship because of a clash of
temperament, outlook and purpose. _Had Michal shared David?s
(enthusiasm in worshipping God, or at least his acknowledgement of his
devotion to God), how different life (might) have been for both of
them. But Michal made no effort to understand her husband?s Godward
desires and so passed a wrong judgment upon him. ? HOW CERTAIN WE
SHOULD BE OF A PERSON?S MOTIVE FOR HIS ACTS OR ATTITUDES BEFORE WE
CONDEMN HIM. (It?s strange, Michal was committed to David and so
much in love with him) when he was poor and unknown and now that he is
King ?he despised him in her heart?? One writer suggested that
?... David realized they could never love the same God. Therefore he
cut her from his heart.??_ 2

	 It?s sad how this relationship floundered over ingratitude and a
lack of compassion on David?s part and insensitivity and
self-absorbing pride on Michal?s.

	 We have another dance encounter to consider today, though.
Interestingly enough, a major factor in the story revolves around
marriage also. Herod wanted Herodias and Herodias wanted Herod. There
was just the matter that Herodias was married to Herod?s
half-brother. You can, perhaps, imagine some of the tension in THAT
household. Throw one of God?s prophets into the mix and you can see
how explosive the situation was.

	 Neither Herod nor Herodias would have made my guest list for a
dance, though. Because of their power, their conniving, their total
lack of concern for anyone or anything beyond themselves and their
immediate friends, I?d have run a mile from them, if I could. Still,
some people DID accept invitations to their palace and, to give him
his due, Herod did manage to rule and keep some semblance of peace
with the Roman emperor. Whoever was there for dinner that night, they
were the sort of folk whom Herod must have wished to impress. Nothing
was too good for him and his would-be friends, so he arraigned for
what may be characterised as a salacious, over-the-top dance by his
step-daughter. Apparently she?d been well brought up by her mother,
and Herod?s step-daughter had some hold over him, so she seized on
the opportunity as a way to put Herod deeper in debt to her. She
danced, and danced, and wrapped the whole company around her fingers.

	 Somehow, though, when it came time for her to name her reward, she
had to check with her mother, who saw this as a golden opportunity to
get rid of the principle person who was threatening both Herod and
Herodias? security.

	 No matter that he was widely regarded as a man of God, a powerful
prophet, Herodias knew that she could overcome Herod?s reluctance to
do anything to silence John.

	
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From robertpmorrison at charter.net  Sat Jul 14 15:13:35 2018
From: robertpmorrison at charter.net (Robert P Morrison)
Date: Sat, 14 Jul 2018 12:13:35 -0700
Subject: [Propertalk] Proper 10b 2018 - part 2
Message-ID: <AjDb1y0051d74Us01jDbDP@charter.net>



	 The second part:

	 She got her way.

	 Or course, Herod was far from guiltless, but Herodias, like Michal,
put her own sense of security over everything else. Both of them
valued their own power, even over God and the worship God seeks.

	 Just as we can question the love of David and Michal, so we can
bring into question the love of Herod and Herodias. They seemed to be
so self-centred, power-hungry individuals who had no time for anything
like God and religious practice and propriety.

	 Elsewhere, and at an earlier time, God?s prophet Joshua said to
the people, ?Choose whom you?ll serve and worship, but I and my
family will serve God.? 3

	 That?s always the question. There?s nothing wrong with dancing
per se, just as there are many other things which engage us which
don?t threaten our being. It?s the reason or the manner of dancing
and other behaviours which can give a positive or a negative
connotation to it.

	 Behind the dances in both lessons today, however, lies the whole
question of power, of control, of manipulation, of using other people
and abusing them, in order to attain one?s own goals, regardless of
what?s right or helpful and productive.

	 Again and again, God finds ways to confront us, not necessarily
belligerently or aggressively. Yet sometimes what we see and hear IS
disturbing. Yet God is NOT a killjoy. Through our own lives, and
needs, and desires, as well as through those of others, whom we may
not even know; through all sorts of nudges and smiles, God asks us not
only whom we will serve, but how we will serve. Will we put our own
will before anything and anyone else? Will we imagine that everyone
and everything else, including God, takes second place to us? Or will
we imagine, as people have through the ages from David?s time to our
own, that if we CAN do it, then it must be O.K.?

	I was reminded of Robert Kennedy?s visit to South Africa in 1966.
It was fraught with danger. It was fraught with apprehension, both on
the part of the authorities grimly holding on to power in South Africa
and the U.S. State Department.

	The South African authorities made it clear they would not offer
Senator Kennedy any security, many State Department officials were
convinced his trip was ill-conceived and doomed to fail. 

	?In his speech [1], Robert Kennedy spoke for those who were not
free to speak. His gave hope to anti-apartheid student activists who
had felt alone in their quest for racial equality, and he showed them
how their efforts were connected to other civil rights movements
underway around the world.?

	 He said, ??It is from numberless diverse acts of courage and
belief that human history is shaped. Each time that someone stands up
for an idea, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out
against injustice, he (or she) sends out tiny ripples of hope ?
those ripples build a mighty current which can sweep down the
mightiest walls of oppression and resistance ? That is the source of
all greatness in all societies, and it is the key to progress in our
time.?? 4

	 God comes to us as individuals who make up groups and societies. God
asks for our complete dedication, no matter what the cost. It may
bring about a breaking point with another individual; it may bring
about danger. But God asks us for such a commitment to all that is
holy that we?ll be willing to risk anything. Such is the worship God
desires.

	 This isn?t to say that God is unaware of the risks of
faithfulness. Sometimes, because we don?t always think things
through, we make the mistake of not telling people how important our
commitments are. If we don?t share what is in our souls with those
among our friends and family then not only can this lead to pretty
severe misunderstanding, but it can serve as a poor witness to what we
hold most dear. However, there may come a time when, as we saw with
David, an individual HAS to act according to conscience, no matter
what.

	 Is this easy? No, and some of us here may be able to attest to that.
Yet, perhaps in a small way, perhaps in a more visible one, we all may
have to follow our instincts to have a Davidic, a Robert Kennedy
moment, in which we say that NOT to witness would be to damage our
immortal souls, as well as the lives of who knows how many others.

	 And sometimes, we need to weigh carefully what we do and with whom
we associate, because of the danger into which we may fall ? as
Herod, Herodias and the others found themselves.

	 It?s not that God doesn?t want us to enjoy ourselves, whether
through dancing or through any other activity. It?s simply a matter
of God saying that life is not simply about what you and I do; it?s
also about how you and I do it, and how others will be affected by it.
CAN we look at our behaviour and our speech and say, ?Not only did I
not hurt anyone, but I actually helped someone.?

	 Go ahead, then, dance! Enjoy the dance of worship and life! But
watch where you put your hands! Seriously, watch what you do with your
hands!

	NOTES:

[1] J. CHERYL EXUM, . "MICHAL: BIBLE." JEWISH WOMEN: A COMPREHENSIVE
HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA. 20 MARCH 2009. JEWISH WOMEN\'S ARCHIVE [2] IN
MICHAL - WIKIPEDIA [3] HTTPS://EN.WIKIPEDIA.ORG/WIKI/MICHAL 

	2 Michal - All the Women of the Bible - Bible Gateway [4]
https://www.biblegateway.com/resources/all-women-bible/Michal [5]

	3 Joshua 24:15

	4 Robert F. Kennedy, South Africa, 6th June, 1966. See
https://www.pri.org/stories/2016-06-06/rfks-ripple-hope-speech-still-touches-world-50-years-later
[6]

Links:
------
[1] http://www.rfksafilm.org/html/media/american/evil.php
[2]
http://mail2.spectrum.net/HTTP://JWA.ORG/ENCYCLOPEDIA/ARTICLE/MICHAL-BIBLE
[3] http://mail2.spectrum.net/HTTPS://EN.WIKIPEDIA.ORG/WIKI/MICHAL
[4] https://www.biblegateway.com/resources/all-women-bible/Michal
[5] https://www.biblegateway.com/resources/all-women-bible/Michal
[6]
https://www.pri.org/stories/2016-06-06/rfks-ripple-hope-speech-still-touches-world-50-years-later

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From joeparrish at compuserve.com  Sat Jul 14 15:25:53 2018
From: joeparrish at compuserve.com (Joe Parrish)
Date: Sat, 14 Jul 2018 15:25:53 -0400
Subject: [Propertalk] "Birthday wish", a sermon based on Mark 6:14-29,
 for Proper 10 (B), July 15, 2018, 
Message-ID: <1649a41a79f-c92-153c@webjasstg-vaa38.srv.aolmail.net>


"Birthday wish", asermon based on Mark 6:14-29, for Proper 10 (B), July 15, 2018, is the first one at http://sjnj.com/media_view.php
 
As a church we are beingchallenged to speak to others about our faith, to be bold, to be evangelistsfor Jesus.
Peace andblessings, 
Joe
(Preaching at Christ Church,East Norwalk, Connecticut) 
 
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From joeparrish at compuserve.com  Sat Jul 14 20:56:15 2018
From: joeparrish at compuserve.com (Joe Parrish)
Date: Sat, 14 Jul 2018 20:56:15 -0400
Subject: [Propertalk] Fwd: [propertalk.topic] Sermon for Proper 10B: "John,
 the Baptist"
In-Reply-To: <8f319487-4064-4d7b-8775-e4bc233aabd5@ecunet.org>
References: <8f319487-4064-4d7b-8775-e4bc233aabd5@ecunet.org>
Message-ID: <1649b702671-c8c-b41d@webjasstg-vaa06.srv.aolmail.net>

Forwarded: 



-----Original Message-----
From: Judy <judy_boli at ecunet.org>
To: Propertalk <propertalk.topic at ecunet.org>
Sent: Sat, Jul 14, 2018 8:54 pm
Subject: [propertalk.topic] Sermon for Proper 10B: "John, the Baptist"



DearFriends,
 
ThisSunday?s sermon is entitled ?John, the Baptist!? and deals with the gospel (Mark6:14-29).  Here it is:  
 
This morning we heardabout one of the strangest characters in the Bible- John the Baptist.  He was the last of the Old Covenant prophetsand had the job of preparing the way for Jesus. Even his beginnings were unusual. John?s parents, Elizabeth and Zechariah, were childless and way too oldto have children.  Elizabeth was Mary?s cousin and Zechariah wasa priest in the temple.  One day,Zechariah was doing his job in the temple when the angel Gabriel appeared andtold him that he and his wife would have a baby, who was to be named John.  Zechariah doubted the angel, so he was struckdumb.  Shortly after this incident andagainst all odds, Elizabethbecame pregnant.  It?s obvious thatZechariah and Elizabeth were accepting, compassionate people because after theVirgin Mary became pregnant, she spent some time with them- probably to gaincourage to face everyone when she began to ?show.?  Well, in due time the child promised toZechariah and Elizabethwas born; and when he was circumcised and presented in the temple, everyone wasabout to name him ?Zechariah? after his father. It was the custom of the day to name children after a relative.  Zechariah still could not speak, so he communicatedby writing, ?His name is John.? Immediately, Zechariah?s speech impediment vanished.  Those watching these happenings wondered whatkind of a man this ?John? would turn out to be.
            Theywere wise to wonder, because this ?John?, actually ?John the Baptist? was trulyunusual- many must have wondered about his sanity.  While others lived in comfortable houses, helived in the desert.  While othersdressed fashionably (or at least comfortably), he wore an itchy camelskin.  While others ate fish and breadand occasionally some meat, he ate what he could find- usually locusts and wildhoney.  He spent his time baptizingpeople in the Jordan River, giving them asecond chance to enter the Promised Land following God?s way.  As you recall, Jesus (John?s second cousin)was baptized by John.  When he wasn?tbaptizing, he was preaching.  Heencouraged the common people to repent and return to God, but he infuriatedthose in power by calling them ?snakes?- not a very good way to get ahead.  When King Herod married his sister-in-law,John condemned the whole affair. Needless to say, he had many enemies in high places.  Herod was so angry with John?s meddling thathe threw him in prison.  While John wasthere he must have experienced a period of doubt, because he sent some of hisfollowers to ask Jesus if he was really the Messiah, or was he going throughall of this imprisonment for nothing. Jesus sent them back with the message that the deaf hear, the blind see,the lame walk, and the poor have the good news preached to them- in otherwords- the Jubilee message.
One of John?s most dangerousenemies was Herodias, the sister-in-law whom King Herod married.  One day, Herod threw a party (actually abirthday banquet).  After all the men atthe party were drunk, Salome (daughter of Herodias) really turned them on withher dancing.  Herod was so impressed thathe promised her anything she wanted, even half of his kingdom.  Salome asked her mother what she shouldrequest, and the answer came back clearly: ?Ask for the head of John theBaptist on a platter.?  Since Heroddidn?t want to look like a fool in front of his friends by going back on hisword, that?s just what happened.
Out of the strange life ofone of God?s greatest prophets, what?s the message for us?  Here are five thoughts:
1)      John didn?t follow the crowdand neither should we.  Don?t worry whateveryone expects you to do.  Instead, betrue to yourself and your Christian values- especially ?Love one another asmuch as I have loved you.
2)      Be careful about judgingpeople by their appearances- these days: tattoos, piercings, drooping pants,hair, etc.  Look, if John the Baptistwalked in here right now, I?m here to tell you that we?d probably get a littlenervous because (to put it mildly) he?d look different.  Actually, we?d probably wonder if we had acrazy man in here!  If we didn?t take himseriously, we would have missed one of the holiest people in the Bible.  Remember, Jesus comes to us in otherpeople.  (?Whatever you do to the leastof these, my sisters or brothers, you do to me.?)  Don?t diminish anyone just because of how helooks or talks or what she wears.
3)      We love second chances forourselves.  As God has given us manysecond chances, so must we do the same for others.
4)      Watch those promises.  Be careful about making them, and if yourealize you?ve made an unloving one- face up to it and risk looking foolish,but don?t keep it.  Love, not honor, isour Christian expectation.
5)      If you meet people whoaren?t quite sure about this ?Jesus event,? be kind.  Remember, even John had his doubts when timeswere hard and he was in prison.
 
May God bless us as we try to faithfullyfollow our Lord in this difficult world.
 
For anyone who is interested, this sermon and updatedAfrican-American wisdom statements are posted on our parish?s web site under?Sermons & Stuff?. The address is: http://www.stpaulsepisag.org.
 
Blessedpreaching,
JudyBoli
St.Paul's Episcopal Church
Saginaw,Michigan

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From chadwohl at satucket.com  Sun Jul 15 20:48:14 2018
From: chadwohl at satucket.com (Charles Wohlers)
Date: Sun, 15 Jul 2018 20:48:14 -0400
Subject: [Propertalk] READINGS for the NINTH SUNDAY after PENTECOST
Message-ID: <98910333A2D84AC9AAF3A4BE76996C60@T530>

The following are the readings for the Ninth Sunday after Pentecost, July 22, (Proper 11, ECUSA; Proper 16, RCL & Roman Catholic) according to the Revised Common (RCL), Episcopal (ECUSA), Roman Catholic, Church of England, and Canadian (BAS) Lectionaries. All readings are taken from the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) of the Bible. Unless noted otherwise, the lectionaries of ECUSA, Canada and England are identical to the RCL this Sunday.



OLD TESTAMENT:  2 Samuel 7: 1 - 14a   (RCL)

2Sam 7:1 (NRSV) Now when the king was settled in his house, and the LORD had given him rest from all his enemies around him, 2 the king said to the prophet Nathan, "See now, I am living in a house of cedar, but the ark of God stays in a tent." 3 Nathan said to the king, "Go, do all that you have in mind; for the LORD is with you." 
4 But that same night the word of the LORD came to Nathan: 5 Go and tell my servant David: Thus says the LORD: Are you the one to build me a house to live in? 6 I have not lived in a house since the day I brought up the people of Israel from Egypt to this day, but I have been moving about in a tent and a tabernacle. 7 Wherever I have moved about among all the people of Israel, did I ever speak a word with any of the tribal leaders of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd my people Israel, saying, "Why have you not built me a house of cedar?" 8 Now therefore thus you shall say to my servant David: Thus says the LORD of hosts: I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep to be prince over my people Israel; 9 and I have been with you wherever you went, and have cut off all your enemies from before you; and I will make for you a great name, like the name of the great ones of the earth. 10 And I will appoint a place for my people Israel and will plant them, so that they may live in their own place, and be disturbed no more; and evildoers shall afflict them no more, as formerly, 11 from the time that I appointed judges over my people Israel; and I will give you rest from all your enemies. Moreover the LORD declares to you that the LORD will make you a house. 12 When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your ancestors, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come forth from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. 13 He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. 14 I will be a father to him, and he shall be a son to me. 


Jeremiah 23:  1 - 6   (Roman Catholic, alt. for RCL)

Jere 23:1 (NRSV) Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! says the LORD. 2 Therefore thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, concerning the shepherds who shepherd my people: It is you who have scattered my flock, and have driven them away, and you have not attended to them. So I will attend to you for your evil doings, says the LORD. 3 Then I myself will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the lands where I have driven them, and I will bring them back to their fold, and they shall be fruitful and multiply. 4 I will raise up shepherds over them who will shepherd them, and they shall not fear any longer, or be dismayed, nor shall any be missing, says the LORD. 
5 The days are surely coming, says the LORD, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. 6 In his days Judah will be saved and Israel will live in safety. And this is the name by which he will be called: "The LORD is our righteousness." 


PSALM 89: 20 - 37   (RCL)

Psal 89:20 (NRSV) I have found my servant David; 
with my holy oil I have anointed him; 
21 my hand shall always remain with him; 
my arm also shall strengthen him. 
22 The enemy shall not outwit him, 
the wicked shall not humble him. 
23 I will crush his foes before him 
and strike down those who hate him. 
24 My faithfulness and steadfast love shall be with him; 
and in my name his horn shall be exalted. 
25 I will set his hand on the sea 
and his right hand on the rivers. 
26 He shall cry to me, "You are my Father, 
my God, and the Rock of my salvation!' 
27 I will make him the firstborn, 
the highest of the kings of the earth. 
28 Forever I will keep my steadfast love for him, 
and my covenant with him will stand firm. 
29 I will establish his line forever, 
and his throne as long as the heavens endure. 
30 If his children forsake my law 
and do not walk according to my ordinances, 
31 if they violate my statutes 
and do not keep my commandments, 
32 then I will punish their transgression with the rod 
and their iniquity with scourges; 
33 but I will not remove from him my steadfast love, 
or be false to my faithfulness. 
34 I will not violate my covenant, 
or alter the word that went forth from my lips. 
35 Once and for all I have sworn by my holiness; 
I will not lie to David. 
36 His line shall continue forever, 
and his throne endure before me like the sun. 
37 It shall be established forever like the moon, 
an enduring witness in the skies." [Se'lah] 


Psalm 23   (Roman Catholic, alt. for RCL)

Psal 23:1 (NRSV) The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want. 
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures; 
he leads me beside still waters; 
3 he restores my soul. 
He leads me in right paths 
for his name's sake. 
4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley, 
I fear no evil; 
for you are with me; 
your rod and your staff-- 
they comfort me. 
5 You prepare a table before me 
in the presence of my enemies; 
you anoint my head with oil; 
my cup overflows. 
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me 
all the days of my life, 
and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD 
my whole life long. 


NEW TESTAMENT:   Ephesians 2: 11 - 22   (RCL)
                                      Ephesians 2: 13 - 18   (Roman Catholic)

Ephe 2:11 (NRSV) So then, remember that at one time you Gentiles by birth, called "the uncircumcision" by those who are called "the circumcision"--a physical circumcision made in the flesh by human hands-- 12 remember that you were at that time without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14 For he is our peace; in his flesh he has made both groups into one and has broken down the dividing wall, that is, the hostility between us. 15 He has abolished the law with its commandments and ordinances, that he might create in himself one new humanity in place of the two, thus making peace, 16 and might reconcile both groups to God in one body through the cross, thus putting to death that hostility through it. 17 So he came and proclaimed peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near; 18 for through him both of us have access in one Spirit to the Father. 19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are citizens with the saints and also members of the household of God, 20 built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone. 21 In him the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord; 22 in whom you also are built together spiritually into a dwelling place for God. 


GOSPEL:  Mark 6: 30 - 34, 53 - 56   (RCL)
                   Mark 6: 30 - 34   (Roman Catholic)

Mark 6:30 (NRSV) The apostles gathered around Jesus, and told him all that they had done and taught. 31 He said to them, "Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a while." For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. 32 And they went away in the boat to a deserted place by themselves. 33 Now many saw them going and recognized them, and they hurried there on foot from all the towns and arrived ahead of them. 34 As he went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things. 

53 When they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennes'aret and moored the boat. 54 When they got out of the boat, people at once recognized him, 55 and rushed about that whole region and began to bring the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was. 56 And wherever he went, into villages or cities or farms, they laid the sick in the marketplaces, and begged him that they might touch even the fringe of his cloak; and all who touched it were healed. 


Chad Wohlers
Woodbury, VT USA
chadwohl at satucket.com
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From joeparrish at compuserve.com  Thu Jul 19 08:03:38 2018
From: joeparrish at compuserve.com (Joe Parrish)
Date: Thu, 19 Jul 2018 08:03:38 -0400
Subject: [Propertalk] "Birthday wish", a sermon based on Mark 6:14-29,
 for Proper 10 (B), July 15, 2018
Message-ID: <01a601d41f58$87e79030$97b6b090$@compuserve.com>

"Birthday wish", a sermon based on Mark 6:14-29, for Proper 10 (B), July 15, 2018, is the first one at http://sjnj.com/media_view.php

 

As a church we are being challenged to speak to others about our faith, to be bold, to be evangelists for Jesus.

Peace and blessings, 

Joe

(Preaching at Christ Church, East Norwalk, Connecticut) 

 

<checking to see if this posted Saturday>

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From joeparrish at compuserve.com  Sat Jul 21 10:29:34 2018
From: joeparrish at compuserve.com (Joe Parrish)
Date: Sat, 21 Jul 2018 10:29:34 -0400
Subject: [Propertalk] A story that probably can't be used because the 'new'
 gospel pericope cuts out the 'good part'
Message-ID: <164bd3eeabf-c98-9bd@webjasstg-vaa02.srv.aolmail.net>


      Foodis the subject of various bits of humor. Totie Fields said, "I've been on a diet for two weeks, and all Ihave lost is two weeks."  A story istold about a man who was very overweight. His doctor put him on a diet.  Thedoctor said, "I want you to eat regularly for two days and then skip aday.  Repeat this procedure for twoweeks.  The next time I see you, youshould have lost at least five pounds." When the man returned, he shocked the doctor by obviously having lostnearly twenty pounds.  The doctor said,"Why this is amazing!  Did youfollow my instructions?"  The mannodded.  "I'll tell you, though, Ithought I was going to drop dead that third day."  The doctor asked, "From hunger, youmean?"  The man replied, "No,from skipping."
      Didthe crowd in the wilderness just skip a meal?


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From joeparrish at compuserve.com  Sat Jul 21 18:03:09 2018
From: joeparrish at compuserve.com (Joe Parrish)
Date: Sat, 21 Jul 2018 18:03:09 -0400
Subject: [Propertalk] "Birthday wish", a sermon based on Mark 6:14-29,
 for Proper 10 (B), July 15, 2018
In-Reply-To: <01a601d41f58$87e79030$97b6b090$@compuserve.com>
References: <01a601d41f58$87e79030$97b6b090$@compuserve.com>
Message-ID: <025901d4213e$9d116980$d7343c80$@compuserve.com>

"Healing the healers", a sermon based on Mark 6:30-34, 53-56, for Proper 11 (B), July 22, 2018, is the first one at http://sjnj.com/media_view.php

 

Jesus was an amazing healer, and his examples continue to inspire us. May we be aware of how others in healing and helping professions also need healing themselves, and may we help them find that healing.

Peace and blessings, 

Joe

(Preaching at Christ Church, East Norwalk, Connecticut) 

 

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From joeparrish at compuserve.com  Sat Jul 21 18:07:43 2018
From: joeparrish at compuserve.com (Joe Parrish)
Date: Sat, 21 Jul 2018 18:07:43 -0400
Subject: [Propertalk] "Healing the healers", a sermon based on Mark 6:30-34,
 53-56, for Proper 11 (B), July 22, 2018
In-Reply-To: <025901d4213e$9d116980$d7343c80$@compuserve.com>
Message-ID: <164bee25ee5-c92-6564@webjasstg-vaa44.srv.aolmail.net>




"Healing the healers", a sermon based on Mark 6:30-34, 53-56, for Proper 11 (B), July 22, 2018, is the first one at http://sjnj.com/media_view.php

 

Jesus was an amazing healer, and his examples continue to inspire us. May we be aware of how others in healing and helping professions also need healing themselves, and may we help them find that healing.
Peace and blessings, 

Joe

(Preaching at Christ Church, East Norwalk, Connecticut) 
 


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From joeparrish at compuserve.com  Sat Jul 21 19:32:28 2018
From: joeparrish at compuserve.com (Joe Parrish)
Date: Sat, 21 Jul 2018 19:32:28 -0400
Subject: [Propertalk] "Healing the healers",
 a sermon based on Mark 6:30-34, 53-56, for Proper 11 (B), July 22, 2018
In-Reply-To: <164bee25ee5-c92-6564@webjasstg-vaa44.srv.aolmail.net>
Message-ID: <164bf2ff407-c94-6943@webjasstg-vaa53.srv.aolmail.net>





"Healing the healers", a sermon based on Mark 6:30-34, 53-56, for Proper 11 (B), July 22, 2018, is the first one at http://www.sjnj.com/

 

Jesus was an amazing healer, and his examples continue to inspire us. May we be aware of how others in healing and helping professions also need healing themselves, and may we help them find that healing.
Peace and blessings, 

Joe

(Preaching at Christ Church, East Norwalk, Connecticut) 
 




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From joeparrish at compuserve.com  Sat Jul 21 19:38:14 2018
From: joeparrish at compuserve.com (Joe Parrish)
Date: Sat, 21 Jul 2018 19:38:14 -0400
Subject: [Propertalk] [propertalk.topic] Re: "Healing the healers",
 a sermon based on Mark 6:30-34, 53-56, for Proper 11 (B), July 22, 2018
In-Reply-To: <164bf2ff407-c94-6943@webjasstg-vaa53.srv.aolmail.net>
Message-ID: <164bf353a51-c92-6a53@webjasstg-vaa46.srv.aolmail.net>

The link that actually seems to work:
http://www.sjnj.com




-----Original Message-----
From: Joe Parrish <joeparrish at compuserve.com>
To: Propertalk <Propertalk at stsams.org>
Cc: propertalk.topic <propertalk.topic at ecunet.org>
Sent: Sat, Jul 21, 2018 7:32 pm
Subject: [propertalk.topic] Re: "Healing the healers", a sermon based on Mark 6:30-34, 53-56, for Proper 11 (B), July 22, 2018






"Healing the healers", a sermon based on Mark 6:30-34, 53-56, for Proper 11 (B), July 22, 2018, is the first one at http://www.sjnj.com

 

Jesus was an amazing healer, and his examples continue to inspire us. May we be aware of how others in healing and helping professions also need healing themselves, and may we help them find that healing.
Peace and blessings, 

Joe

(Preaching at Christ Church, East Norwalk, Connecticut) 
 








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From joeparrish at compuserve.com  Sat Jul 21 21:59:16 2018
From: joeparrish at compuserve.com (Joe Parrish)
Date: Sat, 21 Jul 2018 21:59:16 -0400
Subject: [Propertalk] =?utf-8?q?Fwd=3A_=5Bpropertalk=2Etopic=5D_Sermon_for?=
 =?utf-8?q?_Proper_11B=3A_=E2=80=9CSometimes_I_Feel_Like_a_Motherless_Chil?=
 =?utf-8?b?ZOKAnSBvciDigJxBIFBvbGx1dGVkIFRlbXBsZSHigJ0=?=
In-Reply-To: <a244529e-511b-496d-925c-12ee1cb1de94@ecunet.org>
References: <a244529e-511b-496d-925c-12ee1cb1de94@ecunet.org>
Message-ID: <164bfb65be7-c8e-71ea@webjasstg-vaa54.srv.aolmail.net>

Forwarded: 


-----Original Message-----
From: Judy <judy_boli at ecunet.org>
To: Propertalk <propertalk.topic at ecunet.org>
Sent: Sat, Jul 21, 2018 8:59 pm
Subject: [propertalk.topic] Sermon for Proper 11B: ?Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child? or ?A Polluted Temple!?



DearFriends,
 
ThisSunday?s sermon is entitled ?Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child? or ?APolluted Temple!? and deals with all the lessons.  Here it is:  
 
This morning in the OldTestament lesson (2nd Samuel 7: 1-14a), we heard God tell King Davidthat he didn?t need a fancy temple.  Hewanted to live among his people.  Laterin the New Testament, Paul reminded the Corinthians (1st Corinthians6:19a): ?You surely know that your body is a temple where the Holy Spirit lives.?  We know this is a true statement.  God is inside us, as near to us as the air webreathe.  In fact, after we receive HolyCommunion this morning, holy God will literally be in every cell of ourbodies.  Does anyone remember the oldsong- ?Sometimes I feel like a motherless child.?  I think we sang it once in our St. Matthew?s EpiscopalChurch (Detroit) choir.  Have you everfelt like this?  Alone?  Empty? Frightened? Facing an evil world and wondering if you will make it tothe next day?  How is this possible,after all of God?s promises to us? Today?s Psalm (23rd) reminds us that the Lord is ourshepherd, and the God will provide peace and satisfy all our needs.  Why are we so often nervous wrecks,frustrated, and stressed out, yelling at those we love the most, tossing andturning at night, using pills or alcohol or whatever to calm our nerves and putus to sleep and then more pills, caffeine, or whatever to wake us up?  Been there? I think the Bible truth that our bodies are God?s temple holds the keyto letting us be enveloped in God?s peace.
 
You know what one ofour problems might be?  The temple of ourbody is so polluted that God is waiting for us to clean it out a bit.  Did you hear the story of the bachelor whowas always complaining about restaurant food? His friend finally asked why he didn?t cook some of his meals at home.?Surely you can cook simple things;? his friend commented, ?and if you can?t-just get an easy recipe book.?  ?It won?twork,? replied the bachelor.  ?Everysingle recipe starts with, ?Take out a clean pot.......??  Maybe that?s how the temple of our lives isto God- POLLUTED!  He can?t find a cleanor uncluttered place to start.  What?scrowding God out?  
 
The Psalm points outone possible source of temple pollution: ?The LORD is my shepherd.  Maybe Jesus isn?t number one in yourlife.  Maybe he?s just the last-minuteresource your run to when you?re desperate. Maybe most of the focus in your life is your money or your bills or yourlove life or your children or your house or job or your addiction.  If you?re not starting and ending each daywith prayer, if you?re not reading some devotional material each day, if you?renot thanking God for every bite of food you put in your mouth, in other words-if you?re not putting God first- you are your own worst enemy.  You?re truly like a ?sheep without ashepherd? (Mark 6:34a) because you?ve squeezed the Lord right out of histemple, so don?t be surprised when you find yourself running around like achicken with it?s head cut off.  Step one:make the Lord your shepherd.  Try Jesus.
 
The epistle points outanother possible source of temple pollution: our attitudes- specifically our feelingsof inferiority. (In the old days, we?d be talking about an ?inferioritycomplex.?)  How do I get this from theEphesians (2: 11-22) lesson?  If you?regetting to be a bit of a Bible scholar, you know that Jews hated Gentiles-considered them inferior to Jews.  As youknow, every Jewish baby boy was circumcised when he was about eight days old; Gentileswere not.  Jews thought uncircumcisedpeople were filthy- they scrubbed down if even the shadow of a Gentile fell onthem.  Should it surprise us that manyGentiles felt inferior to Jews?  Theyweren?t, obviously, but they felt inferior and the way Jews treated them surelydidn?t help!  Now we?ll add the lastsignificant fact- Paul?s church at Ephesus was a mostly Gentile church.  In today?s lesson, we hear Paul teaching thatwe are all one and unified in Christ.  Noone is inferior or superior to anyone. The ground is level at the foot of the cross.  What about you?  Is there something about yourself that makesyou feel not as acceptable as you might be? If you?re a man- maybe you are short; if you?re a woman- perhaps you?retall.  It might be your color- you?vebeen told you?re too dark or too light.  Itmight be some physical feature- for years I was ashamed of my high forehead-how silly, but how true!  Perhaps youconsider yourself too fat or too thin. Maybe you have a handicapping condition or trouble learning a specificsubject in school.  If so, stop thumbingyour nose at your Creator.  Give yourconcerns to God, love and accept yourself, and make room for Jesus in thetemple of your body. 
 
Maybe the pollution inyour temple, your heart, is your attitude toward other people.  In the Gospel, we heard how the disciples hadjust come back from a missionary trip. They were excited, but exhausted. When Jesus tried to take them to a private place to get some rest,people found them.  Their lives were oneinterruption after another, yet- instead of sending the crowds away, time aftertime Jesus ministered to them.  How doyou treat people when they interrupt you with their needs?  I don?t mean just the first interruption-what about the fourth or fifth or tenth interruption?  Yet Jesus reminds us in Matthew 25 that?Whatever you?ve done for the least of these my brothers or sisters, you?vedone for me??  If you?ve turned needypeople away, you?ve sent Jesus away from his very own temple in your heart.
 
My brothers andsisters- we can wish for peace; we can desperately pray for calmness andsecurity, but until we clean out the pollution of false gods, inferiority, andself-centeredness from our hearts- there?s no room for Jesus, and thereforethere?s no room for God?s peace.  Let mefinish by retelling a story I told in February, 2015, about wishes.  Do you remember the story of the Oscar Meyerwiener?  It reminds us that wishing isn?tthe answer.  Before we start, does anyoneknow that old-time commercial ?I Wish I Was an Oscar Mayer Weiner??  How does it go?  (Get responses.)   Well, here?s the story.  A man was walking along the beach when hecame across this very old oil lamp. The man started to rub it to remove all theocean crud when "poof" a genie appeared.  This genie, like all genies, was so happy tobe freed of the lamp that he granted the man three wishes...  "I wish to be the richest man in theworld,? the man said.  "Man,"the genie replied, "It has already happened.?  The man?s wallet would hardly fit in hispocket because of all the hundred dollar bills. ?Wait until you get your bank statement!? said the genie.  You won?t know what to do with all thatmoney!?  What's your secondwish?"  "Genie?, said the man,?I want a CAR!  In fact, I want the mostexpensive Porsche convertible made: Fire engine red, on board GPS and thefinest audio system ever installed in an automobile."  "That?ll work," said thegenie.  He waved his hand and the finestcar anybody had ever seen popped out of the lamp. The genie then asked the manfor his third wish.  He thought andthought, since he really wanted to choose wisely.  After all, this was his last wish, so it hadto be a good one.   Finally he said,?Genie, I can't think of anything now. May I save the third wish for later?"  "My, that?s unusual,? responded thegenie, ?but of course you may wait.  Justcall me when you're ready.?  With that,whoosh, the genie disappeared.   The manleapt into his fire engine red Porsche convertible, turned on the radio withthe great audio system and pulled onto the highway.  He had the top down, so the wind waswhistling through his hair, the sun was shining, not another car was on theroad, and he was HAPPY- in fact so happy that he began to sing along with thegreat music on his great radio.  Up camea commercial, and he continued to sing the old familiar tune: ?Oh, I wish I wasan Oscar-Mayer Wiener...."  Whoosh-what a wish!
 
Stop wishing and getrid of the heart-Temple pollution.  Whenyou come to the altar today, come with a plan. It?s late for spring-cleaning, but it?s never too late for life-cleaning;where there?s life, there?s time.  Whatpollution are you cleaning from your heart-Temple today by God?s grace? 
 
For anyone who is interested, this sermon and updatedAfrican-American wisdom statements are posted on our parish?s web site under?Sermons & Stuff?. The address is: http://www.stpaulsepisag.org.
 
Blessedpreaching,
JudyBoli
St.Paul's Episcopal Church
Saginaw,Michigan

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From chadwohl at satucket.com  Sun Jul 22 20:10:12 2018
From: chadwohl at satucket.com (Charles Wohlers)
Date: Sun, 22 Jul 2018 20:10:12 -0400
Subject: [Propertalk] READINGS for the TENTH SUNDAY after PENTECOST
Message-ID: <B6F50AAD12E44D12981BE7DD67724D4D@T530>

The following are the readings for the Tenth Sunday after Pentecost, July 29, (Proper 12, ECUSA; Proper 17, RCL & Roman Catholic) according to the Revised Common (RCL), Episcopal (ECUSA), Roman Catholic, Church of England, and Canadian (BAS) Lectionaries. All readings are taken from the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) of the Bible. Unless noted otherwise, the lectionaries of ECUSA, Canada and England are identical to the RCL this Sunday.



OLD TESTAMENT:  2 Samuel 11: 1 - 15   (RCL)

2Sam 11:1 (NRSV) In the spring of the year, the time when kings go out to battle, David sent Jo'ab with his officers and all Israel with him; they ravaged the Am'monites, and besieged Rab'bah. But David remained at Jerusalem. 
2 It happened, late one afternoon, when David rose from his couch and was walking about on the roof of the king's house, that he saw from the roof a woman bathing; the woman was very beautiful. 3 David sent someone to inquire about the woman. It was reported, "This is Bathshe'ba daughter of Eli'am, the wife of Uri'ah the Hit'tite." 4 So David sent messengers to get her, and she came to him, and he lay with her. (Now she was purifying herself after her period.) Then she returned to her house. 5 The woman conceived; and she sent and told David, "I am pregnant." 
6 So David sent word to Jo'ab, "Send me Uri'ah the Hit'tite." And Jo'ab sent Uri'ah to David. 7 When Uri'ah came to him, David asked how Jo'ab and the people fared, and how the war was going. 8 Then David said to Uri'ah, "Go down to your house, and wash your feet." Uri'ah went out of the king's house, and there followed him a present from the king. 9 But Uri'ah slept at the entrance of the king's house with all the servants of his lord, and did not go down to his house. 10 When they told David, "Uri'ah did not go down to his house," David said to Uri'ah, "You have just come from a journey. Why did you not go down to your house?" 11 Uri'ah said to David, "The ark and Israel and Judah remain in booths; and my lord Jo'ab and the servants of my lord are camping in the open field; shall I then go to my house, to eat and to drink, and to lie with my wife? As you live, and as your soul lives, I will not do such a thing." 12 Then David said to Uri'ah, "Remain here today also, and tomorrow I will send you back." So Uri'ah remained in Jerusalem that day. On the next day, 13 David invited him to eat and drink in his presence and made him drunk; and in the evening he went out to lie on his couch with the servants of his lord, but he did not go down to his house. 
14 In the morning David wrote a letter to Jo'ab, and sent it by the hand of Uri'ah. 15 In the letter he wrote, "Set Uri'ah in the forefront of the hardest fighting, and then draw back from him, so that he may be struck down and die." 


2 Kings 4: 42 - 44   (Roman Catholic, alt. for RCL)

2Kin 4:42 (NRSV) A man came from Ba'al-shal'ishah, bringing food from the first fruits to the man of God: twenty loaves of barley and fresh ears of grain in his sack. Eli'sha said, "Give it to the people and let them eat." 43 But his servant said, "How can I set this before a hundred people?" So he repeated, "Give it to the people and let them eat, for thus says the LORD, "They shall eat and have some left.'" 44 He set it before them, they ate, and had some left, according to the word of the LORD. 


PSALM 14   (RCL)

Psal 14:1 (NRSV) Fools say in their hearts, "There is no God." 
They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds; 
there is no one who does good. 
2 The LORD looks down from heaven on humankind 
to see if there are any who are wise, 
who seek after God. 
3 They have all gone astray, they are all alike perverse; 
there is no one who does good, 
no, not one. 
4 Have they no knowledge, all the evildoers 
who eat up my people as they eat bread, 
and do not call upon the LORD? 
5 There they shall be in great terror, 
for God is with the company of the righteous. 
6 You would confound the plans of the poor, 
but the LORD is their refuge. 
7 O that deliverance for Israel would come from Zion! 
When the LORD restores the fortunes of his people, 
Jacob will rejoice; Israel will be glad.


Psalm 145: 10 - 11, 15 - 18   (Roman Catholic)
Psalm 145: 10 - 18   (alt. for RCL)

Psal 145:10 (NRSV) All your works shall give thanks to you, O LORD, 
and all your faithful shall bless you. 
11 They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom, 
and tell of your power, 
12 to make known to all people your mighty deeds, 
and the glorious splendor of your kingdom. 
13 Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, 
and your dominion endures throughout all generations. 
The LORD is faithful in all his words, 
and gracious in all his deeds. 
14 The LORD upholds all who are falling, 
and raises up all who are bowed down. 
15 The eyes of all look to you, 
and you give them their food in due season. 
16 You open your hand, 
satisfying the desire of every living thing. 
17 The LORD is just in all his ways, 
and kind in all his doings. 
18 The LORD is near to all who call on him, 
to all who call on him in truth. 


NEW TESTAMENT:   Ephesians 3: 14 - 21   (RCL)

Ephe 3:14 (NRSV) For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth takes its name. 16 I pray that, according to the riches of his glory, he may grant that you may be strengthened in your inner being with power through his Spirit, 17 and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love. 18 I pray that you may have the power to comprehend, with all the saints, what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. 
20 Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. 


Ephesians 4: 1 - 6   (Roman Catholic)

Ephe 4:1 (NRSV) I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling, 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all. 


GOSPEL:   John 6: 1 - 21  (RCL)
                    John 6: 1 - 15  (Roman Catholic)

John 6:1 (NRSV) After this Jesus went to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, also called the Sea of Tibe'rias. 2 A large crowd kept following him, because they saw the signs that he was doing for the sick. 3 Jesus went up the mountain and sat down there with his disciples. 4 Now the Passover, the festival of the Jews, was near. 5 When he looked up and saw a large crowd coming toward him, Jesus said to Philip, "Where are we to buy bread for these people to eat?" 6 He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he was going to do. 7 Philip answered him, "Six months' wages would not buy enough bread for each of them to get a little." 8 One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, said to him, 9 "There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish. But what are they among so many people?" 10 Jesus said, "Make the people sit down." Now there was a great deal of grass in the place; so they sat down, about five thousand in all. 11 Then Jesus took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated; so also the fish, as much as they wanted. 12 When they were satisfied, he told his disciples, "Gather up the fragments left over, so that nothing may be lost." 13 So they gathered them up, and from the fragments of the five barley loaves, left by those who had eaten, they filled twelve baskets. 14 When the people saw the sign that he had done, they began to say, "This is indeed the prophet who is to come into the world." 
15 When Jesus realized that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, he withdrew again to the mountain by himself. 
16 When evening came, his disciples went down to the sea, 17 got into a boat, and started across the sea to Caper'naum. It was now dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. 18 The sea became rough because a strong wind was blowing. 19 When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they were terrified. 20 But he said to them, "It is I; do not be afraid." 21 Then they wanted to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the land toward which they were going. 


Chad Wohlers
Woodbury, VT USA
chadwohl at satucket.com
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From robertpmorrison at charter.net  Fri Jul 27 13:36:34 2018
From: robertpmorrison at charter.net (Robert P Morrison)
Date: Fri, 27 Jul 2018 10:36:34 -0700
Subject: [Propertalk] Proper 12 b 2018 - part 1
Message-ID: <Ftca1y00U40nV9Q01tcaTi@charter.net>

Here's the draft for Sunday.
Bob

	HE EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF ST. ALBAN, ALBANY  THE TENTH SUNDAY AFTER
PENTECOST 

	2 SAMUEL 11:1-15   PROPER 12 b 

	EPHESIANS 3:14-21    29th JULY, 2018 

	JOHN 6:1-21    PSALM 14 

	 As most of you were aware, we celebrated a baptism last Thursday.
Doranna and Robert Morris? great-grandson was baptised. As someone
said to me, ?I love baptisms.? They?re so hopeful. In the midst
of whatever it is that?s nagging at us ? whether it?s the heat,
or the road outside, or the way some people seem to be so grumpy or
angry ? in the midst of whatever can make us so frustrated, there
was a wonderful example of God saying, ?Hold on! I?m still here.
I?m still active. Just stop and think what I?ve promised and what
has already been accomplished.? 

	 God IS Good ? ALL the Time! 

	 Of course, baptism doesn?t hand us our daily lives on a platter.
Yes, God affirms our membership in the Family of Life. But then
we?re challenged to face each day, waiting to be surprised by what
we can accomplish in the strength and company God gives us, even when
things seem to go so terribly wrong or fill us with pain. In fact, as
the message of baptism reiterates, especially when things look so
difficult, or so powerless, THAT may be where we find God MOST
present, listening to us, talking to us, holding out a hand to support
us, encouraging us to take the next step, wherever that may lead us.
And what we may need to remind ourselves, frequently, is that God can
and does do this in so many surprising ways, perhaps the least
expected ways.  

	 A writer posted on the site where many of the weekly bulletin
illustrations reside. She ? I think it is a woman ? she wrote the
other day, 1 

	 ?The corn, beans, and squash seed that appear in this basket (in
the photo at the end of the liturgical notes; the corn, beans, and
squash) are the three crops that comprise the Native American "Three
Sisters of Life". Planted together they are interdependent: the
cornstalks provide climbing support for the beans that increase
nitrogen in the soil, while the large leaves of the squash shade the
roots of the other two plants, preserving rare moisture.
Nutritionally, the corn and beans together make up a complete amino
acid balance in the diet. The squash contributes Vitamins A and C.
Just so, the three figures of the Trinity together make a complete
divinity that supports the human spirit, and partaking of more than
one spiritual practice nourishes the soul well.?  

	 Another woman wrote, ?The women in this image, holding a basket of
food, corn and beans, reminds me of Jesus? disciples offering the
five loaves of bread and two fish to the thousands of people who came
to be with him. The loaves and fishes were the common food of the
people, just as the corn and beans are for these women. 

	 ?We might consider the way these two women are offering the basket
of food. It is this basket of food that is the focal point of this
image, as if the food is offering itself, inviting people to take what
they need. But the two women are just as important as this basket full
of food. They are the ones offering what they have, what they have
probably grown themselves. They are offering, just as the young boy in
the scripture offered all that he had to eat for the whole group to
share. 

	 ?Because the food in this single basket is not enough to feed more
than a few people, we may imagine that there are many women with
similar baskets ready to share what they have grown. God has blessed
their bounty, and they want to share it with all who are hungry.? 

	 How often have we looked in our cupboards, or our pockets, or our
wallets, or anyplace where we might hope to find some resource to keep
us going through the day; how often have we looked in any of these
places and found very little? Perhaps there are a couple of dollars,
or a small candy bar, or a coupon for something at Burgerville or
Safeway. But how far can these take us when we think we?re in pretty
dire straits? What are the chances of feeling better after what we
have is gone. 

	 Change the metaphor and think about the size of a pocket prayer
shawl or a baby bonnet which we?ll be asking God to bless this
morning in a while. A pocket prayer shawl is only ? what ? five by
three inches? A baby bonnet will cover one child?s head, but what of
the countless others whose parents and relatives may not be encouraged
to remember never to shake a baby, or the babies who may not have
anything to cover their heads when the cold of the winter comes along,
which it will? 

	 Some of you, I know, touch the water at the entry into this worship
space each time, as a reminder that you and I ARE all baptised. You
and I ARE all members of God?s family, and HAVE received the
promises of God?s loving forgiveness and compassion. Just a touch of
the surface of the water, a simple drop of water on your finger tip
and the tracing on your head and chest of the sign of the cross with
that water ? that seems so ridiculously small and insignificant, and
yet it is an incredibly powerful reminder of the vows taken or made on
our behalf when God anointed us with the Spirit in Baptism. 

	 There are so many ways in which we?re reminded of the closeness of
God to us, even in the midst or fear, and anguish, and uncertainty. As
the hymn reminds us, God is with us and, know it or not, we are with
God. 

	 This is incredible news, ?Love so amazing, so divine? as Isaac
Watts put it, and he added, ?demands my soul, my life, my all.? 2 


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From robertpmorrison at charter.net  Fri Jul 27 13:53:20 2018
From: robertpmorrison at charter.net (Robert P Morrison)
Date: Fri, 27 Jul 2018 10:53:20 -0700
Subject: [Propertalk] Proper 12 b part 2 a
Message-ID: <FttL1y00M40nV9Q01ttLai@charter.net>

Off we go again...??

	 Things seem to have an incredible way or working together to nourish
and sustain us. As the first writer on the web site told us, in Native
American Theology and Agriculture, corn, beans and squash work
together to support one another and to help each other come to full
fruit. IF they are put into the ground together, then they can work to
ensure the soil is nourished, and so on. IF Caleb?s parents and
Godparents and all of us work to ensure rich and replenished soil; if
we talk to the road worker sweating buckets over the boiling hot tar
as it?s laid on the road bed so that we?ll be able to drive down
Hill Street smoothly without having to weave around to miss the
potholes; if we interact with one another and recognise our
interdependence, then all will find encouragement, all will find hope,
all will find the recognition that each needs to grow into the full
stature of Christ as God wishes us to do. 

	 So we take another look into the basket of life which is before us.
We think about what may look like barely enough for a single meal. We
wonder how on earth we can take the rest of the summer if this heat
keeps up ? and we don?t bother to think about people and property
being washed away on the East Coast; or the famine in countries around
the world; or the open warfare, the genocidal governments who have
absolutely no sense of what they?re doing because it only matters if
people look alike, and talk alike, and work alike, and die alike; if
we DON?T think beyond ourselves, we are doomed. 

	 Jesus said, ?How much do you have there?? and back came the
famous reply. It doesn?t matter in the least HOW the miracle
happened. What DOES matter is that it DID happen. People, perhaps like
the women in the bulletin photo who each put a hand on the
basket-handle and walked it to their left and to their right; people,
as our baptismal covenant requires of us, people take what they have
and they share, because the dignity, the humanity, the god-like-ness
of every single other individual on this planet compels us to do this.
And, if as Italian scientists announced this week, with excitement,
that there is a vast body of water under the surface of Mars, and
there just might be some form of life there after all, no matter how
primitive; if that IS true, then our responsibility is for that life
on Mars as well, to ensure that it can grow as God intends. 

	 The baptism of Caleb didn?t stop within the walls of this room.
The charge to him and to everyone is to burst out of this room with
energy and resolve, to cross the street to the person standing or
living there, to say, I have something in the basket of life with
which God has blessed me, and, if you?d like, I?ll share it with
you.__


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From robertpmorrison at charter.net  Fri Jul 27 13:54:24 2018
From: robertpmorrison at charter.net (Robert P Morrison)
Date: Fri, 27 Jul 2018 10:54:24 -0700
Subject: [Propertalk] proper 12 b part 2 b
Message-ID: <FtuQ1y00Z40nV9Q01tuQ9V@charter.net>



	 We create SO many barriers to God?s kindness and generosity being
shared. We are Jesus? hands and feet in the world; we are His lips
and his tongue; we are His mind and His heart ? none of which know
any form of barrier or differentiation. 

	 ?During the last ten days of Ramadan, Muslims crowd into the
prayer halls of the East London Mosque, choosing to stay within the
confines of the building to devote themselves wholly to worship. On
the rooftop above, Khalil and Salma Attan participate in another form
of meditative practice. 

	 ?As the sun blazes overhead, the married couple don their
beekeeping suits and set off to visit the 100,000 honeybees residing
on one of the largest mosques in Europe. Positioned at opposite ends
of the hives, Khalil and Salma work together seamlessly as they
inspect each frame, pausing occasionally to hand each other equipment
and ask if the other had spotted the queen. 

	?Before setting each frame back in place, Khalil and Salma gingerly
brush a few bees out of the way, ensuring the insects don't get
crushed in the process. Shuddering as he recounted the occasional
crunch, Khalil says of his gentle approach: "If you're going to take
care of them, you might as well do the best you can." 3 

	Might these be the words of Jesus as He blessed the meager supply of
food that day? ?If you're going to take care of them, you might as
well do the best you can.? 

	Might these be the words of Jesus as He blessed the meager supply of
food that day? ?If you're going to take care of them, you might as
well do the best you can.? 

	 Khalil?s and Salma?s basket holds 100,000 bees. Down below them,
countless people have baskets filled with prayer for people around the
world and around themselves. And, yes, some people DO have baskets
with bread and fish, or corn, beans and squash. 

	 We ALL have baskets. Will we let Jesus bless them and direct us to
distribute them, no matter where and how? 

	 What?s in YOUR basket? 

	NOTES: 

	1  ?_From Art in the Christian Tradition?, for Proper 12b,
Revised Common Lectionary, Vanderbilt University Library, from an
unknown reader and from Jackie Twedell.
http://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/diglib-fulldisplay.pl?SID=20180720589742627&code=act&RC=54153&Row=10
[1] _ 

	2 _?When I survey the wondrous cross?_ Isaac Watts. Hymnal 1982,
Hymn 474 

	3 The London Hivewire http://london-hivewire.com/ [2] via Deidre Good

Links:
------
[1]
http://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/diglib-fulldisplay.pl?SID=20180720589742627&amp;code=act&amp;RC=54153&amp;Row=10
[2] http://london-hivewire.com/

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From joeparrish at compuserve.com  Sat Jul 28 12:53:41 2018
From: joeparrish at compuserve.com (Joe Parrish)
Date: Sat, 28 Jul 2018 12:53:41 -0400
Subject: [Propertalk] "Our Life Guard Walks on Water",
 a sermon based on John 6:1-21, for Proper 12 (B), July 29, 2018
Message-ID: <006b01d42693$8ab47fc0$a01d7f40$@compuserve.com>

"Our Life Guard Walks on Water", a sermon based on John 6:1-21, for Proper 12 (B), July 29, 2018, is the first one at http://sjnj.com

 

Jesus is undeterred by our lack of resources or faith, and with what little we can offer, Jesus can work mighty miracles. He is not bothered by storms or winds. 

 

Peace and blessings, 

Joe

(Preaching at Christ Episcopal Church, East Norwalk, Connecticut) 

 

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From chadwohl at satucket.com  Sun Jul 29 21:54:47 2018
From: chadwohl at satucket.com (Charles Wohlers)
Date: Sun, 29 Jul 2018 21:54:47 -0400
Subject: [Propertalk] READINGS for the ELEVENTH SUNDAY after PENTECOST
Message-ID: <73D621549B024350882945E52F4C5225@T530>

The following are the readings for the Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost, August 5, (Proper 13, ECUSA; Proper 18, RCL & Roman Catholic) according to the Revised Common (RCL), Episcopal (ECUSA), Roman Catholic, Church of England, and Canadian (BAS) Lectionaries. All readings are taken from the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) of the Bible. Unless noted otherwise, the lectionaries of ECUSA, Canada and England are identical to the RCL this Sunday. Note that the Canadian BAS lectionary does not include the RCL alternatives



OLD TESTAMENT:  2 Samuel 11: 26 - 12: 13a   (RCL)

2Sam 11:26 (NRSV) When the wife of Uri'ah heard that her husband was dead, she made lamentation for him. 27 When the mourning was over, David sent and brought her to his house, and she became his wife, and bore him a son. 
But the thing that David had done displeased the LORD, 12:1 and the LORD sent Nathan to David. He came to him, and said to him, "There were two men in a certain city, the one rich and the other poor. 2 The rich man had very many flocks and herds; 3 but the poor man had nothing but one little ewe lamb, which he had bought. He brought it up, and it grew up with him and with his children; it used to eat of his meager fare, and drink from his cup, and lie in his bosom, and it was like a daughter to him. 4 Now there came a traveler to the rich man, and he was loath to take one of his own flock or herd to prepare for the wayfarer who had come to him, but he took the poor man's lamb, and prepared that for the guest who had come to him." 5 Then David's anger was greatly kindled against the man. He said to Nathan, "As the LORD lives, the man who has done this deserves to die; 6 he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and because he had no pity." 
7 Nathan said to David, "You are the man! Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel: I anointed you king over Israel, and I rescued you from the hand of Saul; 8 I gave you your master's house, and your master's wives into your bosom, and gave you the house of Israel and of Judah; and if that had been too little, I would have added as much more. 9 Why have you despised the word of the LORD, to do what is evil in his sight? You have struck down Uri'ah the Hit'tite with the sword, and have taken his wife to be your wife, and have killed him with the sword of the Am'monites. 10 Now therefore the sword shall never depart from your house, for you have despised me, and have taken the wife of Uri'ah the Hit'tite to be your wife. 11 Thus says the LORD: I will raise up trouble against you from within your own house; and I will take your wives before your eyes, and give them to your neighbor, and he shall lie with your wives in the sight of this very sun. 12 For you did it secretly; but I will do this thing before all Israel, and before the sun." 13 David said to Nathan, "I have sinned against the LORD." 


Exodus 16: 2 - 4, 9 - 15   (alt. for RCL)
Exodus 16: 2 - 4, 12 - 15   (Roman Catholic)

Exod 16:2 (NRSV) The whole congregation of the Israelites complained against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness. 3 The Israelites said to them, "If only we had died by the hand of the LORD in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the fleshpots and ate our fill of bread; for you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger." 
4 Then the LORD said to Moses, "I am going to rain bread from heaven for you, and each day the people shall go out and gather enough for that day. In that way I will test them, whether they will follow my instruction or not. 

9 Then Moses said to Aaron, "Say to the whole congregation of the Israelites, "Draw near to the LORD, for he has heard your complaining.'" 10 And as Aaron spoke to the whole congregation of the Israelites, they looked toward the wilderness, and the glory of the LORD appeared in the cloud. 11 The LORD spoke to Moses and said, 12 "I have heard the complaining of the Israelites; say to them, "At twilight you shall eat meat, and in the morning you shall have your fill of bread; then you shall know that I am the LORD your God.'" 
13 In the evening quails came up and covered the camp; and in the morning there was a layer of dew around the camp. 14 When the layer of dew lifted, there on the surface of the wilderness was a fine flaky substance, as fine as frost on the ground. 15 When the Israelites saw it, they said to one another, "What is it?" For they did not know what it was. Moses said to them, "It is the bread that the LORD has given you to eat. 


PSALM 51: 1 - 12   (RCL)

Psal 51:1 (NRSV) Have mercy on me, O God, 
according to your steadfast love; 
according to your abundant mercy 
blot out my transgressions. 
2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, 
and cleanse me from my sin. 
3 For I know my transgressions, 
and my sin is ever before me. 
4 Against you, you alone, have I sinned, 
and done what is evil in your sight, 
so that you are justified in your sentence 
and blameless when you pass judgment. 
5 Indeed, I was born guilty, 
a sinner when my mother conceived me. 
6 You desire truth in the inward being; 
therefore teach me wisdom in my secret heart. 
7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; 
wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. 
8 Let me hear joy and gladness; 
let the bones that you have crushed rejoice. 
9 Hide your face from my sins, 
and blot out all my iniquities. 
10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, 
and put a new and right spirit within me. 
11 Do not cast me away from your presence, 
and do not take your holy spirit from me. 
12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation, 
and sustain in me a willing spirit. 

Note: Verse numbering in your Psalter may be different from the above.


Psalm 78: 3 - 4, 23 - 25, 54   (Roman Catholic)
Psalm 78: 23 - 29   (alt. for RCL)

Psal 78:3 (NRSV) [T]hings that we have heard and known, 
that our ancestors have told us. 
4 We will not hide them from their children; 
we will tell to the coming generation 
the glorious deeds of the LORD, and his might, 
and the wonders that he has done. 

23 Yet he commanded the skies above, 
and opened the doors of heaven; 
24 he rained down on them manna to eat, 
and gave them the grain of heaven. 
25 Mortals ate of the bread of angels; 
he sent them food in abundance. 
26 He caused the east wind to blow in the heavens, 
and by his power he led out the south wind; 
27 he rained flesh upon them like dust, 
winged birds like the sand of the seas; 
28 he let them fall within their camp, 
all around their dwellings. 
29 And they ate and were well filled, 
for he gave them what they craved. 

54 And he brought them to his holy hill, 
to the mountain that his right hand had won. 


NEW TESTAMENT:   Ephesians 4: 1 - 16   (RCL)

Ephe 4:1 (NRSV) I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling, 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all. 
7 But each of us was given grace according to the measure of Christ's gift. 8 Therefore it is said, 
"When he ascended on high he made captivity itself a captive; 
he gave gifts to his people." 
9 (When it says, "He ascended," what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower parts of the earth? 10 He who descended is the same one who ascended far above all the heavens, so that he might fill all things.) 11 The gifts he gave were that some would be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13 until all of us come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to maturity, to the measure of the full stature of Christ. 14 We must no longer be children, tossed to and fro and blown about by every wind of doctrine, by people's trickery, by their craftiness in deceitful scheming. 15 But speaking the truth in love, we must grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by every ligament with which it is equipped, as each part is working properly, promotes the body's growth in building itself up in love. 


Ephesians 4: 17, 20 - 24   (Roman Catholic)

Ephe 4:17 (NRSV) Now this I affirm and insist on in the Lord: you must no longer live as the Gentiles live, in the futility of their minds. 

20 That is not the way you learned Christ! 21 For surely you have heard about him and were taught in him, as truth is in Jesus. 22 You were taught to put away your former way of life, your old self, corrupt and deluded by its lusts, 23 and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, 24 and to clothe yourselves with the new self, created according to the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. 
25 So then, putting away falsehood, let all of us speak the truth to our neighbors, for we are members of one another. 


GOSPEL:   John 6: 24 - 35   (all)

John 6:24 (NRSV) So when the crowd saw that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they themselves got into the boats and went to Caper'naum looking for Jesus. 
25 When they found him on the other side of the sea, they said to him, "Rabbi, when did you come here?" 26 Jesus answered them, "Very truly, I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. 27 Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For it is on him that God the Father has set his seal." 28 Then they said to him, "What must we do to perform the works of God?" 29 Jesus answered them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent." 30 So they said to him, "What sign are you going to give us then, so that we may see it and believe you? What work are you performing? 31 Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, "He gave them bread from heaven to eat.'" 32 Then Jesus said to them, "Very truly, I tell you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. 33 For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world." 34 They said to him, "Sir, give us this bread always." 
35 Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. 


Chad Wohlers
Woodbury, VT USA
chadwohl at satucket.com
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From chadwohl at satucket.com  Sun Jul  1 20:57:12 2018
From: chadwohl at satucket.com (Charles Wohlers)
Date: Sun, 1 Jul 2018 20:57:12 -0400
Subject: [Propertalk] READINGS for the SEVENTH SUNDAY after PENTECOST
Message-ID: <045AAA6311CB4C319C4631545D35F010@T530>

The following are the readings for the Seventh Sunday after Pentecost, July 8, (Proper 9, ECUSA; Proper 14, RCL & Roman Catholic) according to the Revised Common (RCL), Episcopal (ECUSA), Roman Catholic, Church of England, and Canadian (BAS) Lectionaries. All readings are taken from the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) of the Bible. Unless noted otherwise, the lectionaries of ECUSA, Canada and England are identical to the RCL this Sunday. Note that the Canadian BAS does not use the alternative RCL readings.



OLD TESTAMENT:  2 Samuel 5: 1 - 5, 9 - 10   (RCL)

2Sam 5:1 (NRSV) Then all the tribes of Israel came to David at He'bron, and said, "Look, we are your bone and flesh. 2 For some time, while Saul was king over us, it was you who led out Israel and brought it in. The LORD said to you: It is you who shall be shepherd of my people Israel, you who shall be ruler over Israel." 3 So all the elders of Israel came to the king at He'bron; and King David made a covenant with them at He'bron before the LORD, and they anointed David king over Israel. 4 David was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years. 5 At He'bron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months; and at Jerusalem he reigned over all Israel and Judah thirty-three years. 

9 David occupied the stronghold, and named it the city of David. David built the city all around from the Mil'lo inward. 10 And David became greater and greater, for the LORD, the God of hosts, was with him. 


Ezekiel 2: 2 - 5   (Roman Catholic)
Ezekiel 2: 1 - 5   (alt. for RCL)

Ezek 2:1 (NRSV) He said to me: O mortal, stand up on your feet, and I will speak with you. 2 And when he spoke to me, a spirit entered into me and set me on my feet; and I heard him speaking to me. 3 He said to me, Mortal, I am sending you to the people of Israel, to a nation of rebels who have rebelled against me; they and their ancestors have transgressed against me to this very day. 4 The descendants are impudent and stubborn. I am sending you to them, and you shall say to them, "Thus says the Lord GOD." 5 Whether they hear or refuse to hear (for they are a rebellious house), they shall know that there has been a prophet among them. 6 And you, O mortal, do not be afraid of them, and do not be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns surround you and you live among scorpions; do not be afraid of their words, and do not be dismayed at their looks, for they are a rebellious house. 7 You shall speak my words to them, whether they hear or refuse to hear; for they are a rebellious house. 


PSALM 48   (RCL)

Psal 48:1 (NRSV) Great is the LORD and greatly to be praised 
in the city of our God. 
His holy mountain, 2 beautiful in elevation, 
is the joy of all the earth, 
Mount Zion, in the far north, 
the city of the great King. 
3 Within its citadels God 
has shown himself a sure defense. 
4 Then the kings assembled, 
they came on together. 
5 As soon as they saw it, they were astounded; 
they were in panic, they took to flight; 
6 trembling took hold of them there, 
pains as of a woman in labor, 
7 as when an east wind shatters 
the ships of Tar'shish. 
8 As we have heard, so have we seen 
in the city of the LORD of hosts, 
in the city of our God, 
which God establishes forever. [Se'lah] 
9 We ponder your steadfast love, O God, 
in the midst of your temple. 
10 Your name, O God, like your praise, 
reaches to the ends of the earth. 
Your right hand is filled with victory. 
11 Let Mount Zion be glad, 
let the towns of Judah rejoice 
because of your judgments. 
12 Walk about Zion, go all around it, 
count its towers, 
13 consider well its ramparts; 
go through its citadels, 
that you may tell the next generation 
14 that this is God, 
our God forever and ever. 
He will be our guide forever. 


Psalm 123   (Roman Catholic, alt. for RCL)

Psal 123:1 (NRSV) To you I lift up my eyes, 
O you who are enthroned in the heavens! 
2 As the eyes of servants 
look to the hand of their master, 
as the eyes of a maid 
to the hand of her mistress, 
so our eyes look to the LORD our God, 
until he has mercy upon us. 
3 Have mercy upon us, O LORD, have mercy upon us, 
for we have had more than enough of contempt. 
4 Our soul has had more than its fill 
of the scorn of those who are at ease, 
of the contempt of the proud. 


NEW TESTAMENT:  2 Corinthians 12: 2 - 10   (RCL)
                                     2 Corinthians 12: 7 - 10   (Roman Catholic)

2Cor 12:2 (NRSV) I know a person in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven--whether in the body or out of the body I do not know; God knows. 3 And I know that such a person--whether in the body or out of the body I do not know; God knows-- 4 was caught up into Paradise and heard things that are not to be told, that no mortal is permitted to repeat. 5 On behalf of such a one I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except of my weaknesses. 6 But if I wish to boast, I will not be a fool, for I will be speaking the truth. But I refrain from it, so that no one may think better of me than what is seen in me or heard from me, 7 even considering the exceptional character of the revelations. Therefore, to keep me from being too elated, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me, to keep me from being too elated. 8 Three times I appealed to the Lord about this, that it would leave me, 9 but he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness." So, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. 10 Therefore I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities for the sake of Christ; for whenever I am weak, then I am strong. 


GOSPEL:   Mark 6: 1 - 13   (RCL)
                   Mark 6: 1 - 6   (Roman Catholic)

Mark 6:1 (NRSV) He left that place and came to his hometown, and his disciples followed him. 2 On the sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astounded. They said, "Where did this man get all this? What is this wisdom that has been given to him? What deeds of power are being done by his hands! 3 Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Jo'ses and Judas and Simon, and are not his sisters here with us?" And they took offense at him. 4 Then Jesus said to them, "Prophets are not without honor, except in their hometown, and among their own kin, and in their own house." 5 And he could do no deed of power there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and cured them. 6 And he was amazed at their unbelief. 
Then he went about among the villages teaching. 7 He called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. 8 He ordered them to take nothing for their journey except a staff; no bread, no bag, no money in their belts; 9 but to wear sandals and not to put on two tunics. 10 He said to them, "Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave the place. 11 If any place will not welcome you and they refuse to hear you, as you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them." 12 So they went out and proclaimed that all should repent. 13 They cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.


Chad Wohlers
Woodbury, VT USA
chadwohl at satucket.com
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From robertpmorrison at charter.net  Tue Jul  3 23:14:13 2018
From: robertpmorrison at charter.net (Robert P Morrison)
Date: Tue, 03 Jul 2018 20:14:13 -0700
Subject: [Propertalk] Independence Day 2018
Message-ID: <6TED1y00B4NopWk01TEDPw@charter.net>

Here are a few notes for our celebration tomorrow. We use the 1662 BCP
as it was the one in use when the founders were working away.
Bob

	THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF ST. ALBAN, ALBANY INDEPENDENCE DAY

	DEUTERONOMY 10:17 -21 4th JULY, 2018

	MATTHEW 5:43-

	 Last Sunday the sermon began with the prayer of confession we
usually use, revolving around loving God. Here?s the first reading
this morning, however, using both King James? English and the older,
broader-termed description of ?fearing God? ? fearing in the
sense of showing the utmost respect that one can muster.

	 That makes sense. The fear ? in the contemporary sense ? the
fear that you and I may feel comes from wondering whether or not we
HAVE done our best. And, lest we wonder whether or not we may have
missed it, yes, the word ?love? IS mentioned in the first reading
too. However, the love which we?re commanded to offer is to the
stranger ? not necessarily the weird, but the person who doesn?t
usually sit beside us in a church or on a train or plane. The stranger
may well be the person in front or behind us in the grocery check-out
line; the stranger is the person who is not yet our friend because we
haven?t yet had a chance to talk much to her or him and ask her or
him to come sit with us over a cup of coffee and a frosted cup cake in
the parish hall.

	 ?Love the stranger? ? ?Fear God? ? two sides of the same
coin, picked up in what Jesus said to His best friends. ?You have to
do more than just keep the law,? He said.

	 It can be so easy to say that we?ve done what the law requires.
Basically, the laws regarding drivers talk about keeping within the
speed limit and at a speed appropriate to the road conditions, about
signaling one?s intentions to slow down or to turn around, about
obeying signs placed strategically along the road we?re taking. The
laws don?t say anything about cutting people off in traffic, or
about yelling at the person who doesn?t start immediately after the
light turns green. To do these, to behave as if we respected the other
drivers on the road ? that takes grace, often, as the very word
implies, grace that we never knew we had, because God gives it to us,
makes it available if we can recognise and receive it.

	 This is at least one of the things which Independence Day
celebrations call us to acknowledge. First, we remember that we
can?t do or know everything by ourselves. We have to keep our mind,
our heart, our spirits open at all times, to see what the other, what
the stranger is doing and what the stranger is needing. More than
that, though, in addition to being aware of what others around us need
and may be trying to talk to us about, we?re to keep alert to the
fact that God is present, that God is willing and eager to share with
us the grace that we need in order to live a life of love.

	 Another thing which we remember today is that, no matter who we are
? remember, as Deuteronomy quoted, ?God regardeth not persons?,
God doesn?t take physical appearance, or the number of friends on
Facebook, or even the number of people we have on the phone list we
keep in our pockets ? none of that is what impresses God; we
remember today that are here because of what hundreds, if not
thousands, have said and done before us. People experienced
dissatisfactions, or difficulties, or fear, and so they moved from one
place to another; they risked everything they had to get to a port and
find a ship to cross what could be wild seas; they arrived and, over a
few generations, they crossed this land till Albany was founded, was
platted, was built up and we came along.

	 A few in our current congregation were born here, but most of us
moved here at varying ages, depending on help and word of mouth to
give us encouragement. We live here because of what our forebears did
for us. And, when you come down to it, we are here, specifically in
this building, because of what God did, what Jesus did, what a small
but enthused group of people did to encourage us in our faith.

	 And, yes, we remember today that we have those ?certain
inalienable rights?, that among these are Life, Liberty and the
Pursuit of Happiness?. Nothing is written into the Constitution
about religion other than that it is a freedom which we may choose for
ourselves, but this too is something we celebrate ? whether or not
to respond to God.

	 Still, all of this comes back to how we take what we?ve been given
and share it for the good of all. How do we respond to the stranger?
How do we love the one who is not well-known to us? How do we do for
others what God and our ancestors have done for us?

	 There IS freedom encompassed in our celebrations today, but it is a
freedom which bears an awesome responsibility within it, because we
believe it is granted us not as the world gives it, but by God. Keep
this proud boast, then, as a recent translation of the last verse of
Deuteronomy puts it, ?our God has done for (us) these great and
terrible things which you (and I have seen for ourselves.)? Minister
to all without exception. Pray for those whom you and I may consider
our persecutors, because ALL are God?s children, and God wishes to
bless us all with grace.
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From joeparrish at compuserve.com  Sat Jul  7 22:14:56 2018
From: joeparrish at compuserve.com (Joe Parrish)
Date: Sat, 07 Jul 2018 21:14:56 -0500
Subject: [Propertalk] =?utf-8?q?Fwd=3A_=5Bpropertalk=2Etopic=5D_Sermon_for?=
 =?utf-8?b?IFByb3BlciA5Qjog4oCcVHJvdWJsZXNvbWUgUGVvcGxl4oCdIG9yIOKAnExp?=
 =?utf-8?q?ke_Water_Off_a_Duck=E2=80=99s_Back!=E2=80=9D?=
In-Reply-To: <41a77c26-2831-402a-b76f-819e840054ef@ecunet.org>
Message-ID: <mailman.6.1711590106.2594466.propertalk_stsams.org@stsams.org>

Forwarded:
-------- Original message --------From: Judy <judy_boli at ecunet.org> Date: 7/7/18  8:39 PM  (GMT-06:00) To: Propertalk <propertalk.topic at ecunet.org> Subject: [propertalk.topic] Sermon for Proper 9B: ?Troublesome People? or ?Like Water Off a Duck?s Back!? 


Dear
Friends,

?

This
Sunday?s sermon is entitled ?Troublesome People? or ?Like Water Off a Duck?s
Back!? and deals with all the lessons.? Here
it is: ?

?

Since last Wednesday was the 4th of July and Bay
City is still celebrating, I?ll bet you encountered some troublesome people,
and you may still be encountering them.?
If you?ve been trying to sleep between the heat and celebrating, I?ll
bet you heard some troublesome people with 3 AM firecrackers and 4 AM gun
shots!? This morning we heard of one of
the more painful times in Jesus? life.?
He went back to his hometown, Nazareth, probably to see his family and
close friends- especially those he?d grown up with.? He had preached, healed, and done other
wonderful works for strangers; and for quite a while he?d probably longed to go
home and reach out and touch those he had loved since childhood, but it wasn?t
to be.? Instead of welcoming him home,
their response was- ?Who does he think he is?!??
Isn?t he just Mary?s son? (not naming his father- thus signifying his
was an illegitimate birth)?? ?Isn?t he
just a carpenter?? Who is he that we
should listen to him??? In fact, the
Gospel of Luke tells how they got so mad when he preached that they tried to
throw him over the cliff and kill him.?
What a disappointing, sad reception!?
Jesus had his share of dealing with difficult people, and so do we.? That?s what I?d like us to think through this
morning.? If we are going to be true to
our Lord, how does Jesus want US to deal with the difficult people in our
lives?

?

Did you hear the story of Old Fred, who was in the hospital and
desperately ill?? All his family and
friends were gathered around his bedside.?
Realizing how serious the situation was, they sent for his pastor.? As his pastor said the prayers for the dying,
Fred suddenly started to motion for something to write on and with, so his wife
handed him a piece of paper and a pencil.?
He wrote quickly, handed the pastor his note, laid back with a loud
sigh, and died.? At the funeral, Fred?s pastor
realized he was wearing the same jacket he had worn in the hospital, so the
pastor put his hand in his jacket pocket and retrieved the note, written by his
dying friend.? He told the congregation
what had happened, and then what a great Christian man Fred had been.? ?I know,? said the pastor, ?whatever brother Fred
wrote will enlighten and strengthen us.??
Opening the note, he read aloud, ?Help! You're standing on my oxygen hose!?? Talk about troublesome people!? So who are the troublesome people in your
life, and how do you deal with them?

?

Our Old Testament lesson was about David, who became
Israel?s mightiest king.? You can bet
David had troublesome people in his life!?
Before David became king, he was hired by King Saul to play music on his
harp to soothe Saul?s nerves.? Do you
recall how, one day as David was playing- doing the king a favor yet- Saul
threw his spear at David, barely missing him??
Maybe the troublesome people in your life are those you originally tried
to help, as David tried to help King Saul.?
Or perhaps they are people who have power over you, like a boss or a
social worker, who use their power to misuse you- again as King Saul did to
David.

?

The epistle is part of a very painful letter St. Paul wrote
to his Corinthian church.? Some members
of this church considered themselves such ?super-Christians? that they thought
they knew everything.? They even
questioned Paul?s authority as a bishop.?
Maybe the troublesome people in your life are ?know-it-all Christians?
who lecture you and tell you that you?re going to hell if you don?t believe
exactly as they say you should.?
Remember, the Episcopal Church is a thinking person?s church.? Jesus died to take away your sins, not your
mind.

?

We mentioned the gospel earlier- when Jesus? own family and
close friends refused to accept him.? In
fact, as you recall- a bit earlier in Mark?s gospel we hear how Jesus? mother
Mary and his brothers had come while he was preaching to take him home, because
they thought he was crazy.? Perhaps the
troublesome people in your life are people in your own household or some of
your most trusted friends.

?

So how should we handle such people?? Take Jesus? advice.? His culture said, ?Shake the dust off your
feet.?? Our culture means the same thing,
but puts it this way:? Let their insults
be like water off a duck?s back.? Give
them to God, love them, keep praying for them, and keep your own life on track.? 

Evil temptations to avoid:


 REVENGE: you?ve heard, ?I don?t get mad; I
     get even.?? That?s for the devil?s
     folks, not us- because we?re on God?s side.? No revenge.
 BITTERNESS: exactly whom are you trying to
     hurt.? A poisoned spirit only hurts YOU!? Don?t dwell on the evil that people have
     done to you.? Instead, focus on how
     you have remained a free-spirit in the Lord.
 MOODINESS: You know how Bill+ and I frequently
     used to go out to lunch together.? I
     remember us having a new but rather nice young waitress.? When we commented on how pleasant she had
     been, she responded, ?You?re lucky I didn?t wait on you yesterday!? I was in a terrible mood!?? Don?t be like that!? A bad mood is not an excuse; but it is
     the devil?s playground.? Control
     your moodiness, and see the doctor if you can?t.? Stay positive.
 QUITTING: Jesus didn?t quit, he tried again
     in the next town...and the next town...and the next...and the next- until
     he finally ended up on the cross.?
     Don?t quit.
 SELF-DOUBT: Again- Jesus could have believed
     them and started to doubt himself.?
     You are made in the image of God.?
     Error-analyze what you?re doing, and then keep on keeping on.


?

And how do you have the power to do these things?? Some of our members have had absolutely
terrible things happen to them.? Reginald
and Narval lost a cousin to homicide, and we have 2 families struggling with
the possible false imprisonment of loved ones!?
How do you not let this destroy your life?? Did you hear the prayer someone prayed?? ?Dear God, so far today I've done all
right.? I haven't gossiped. I haven't lost
my temper. I haven't been greedy, grumpy, nasty, selfish or over-indulgent. ?I'm very thankful for that.? But in a few minutes, God, I'm going to get
out of bed, and from then on, I'm probably going to need a lot of help. Amen.?? How can you possibly give the troublesome
people in your life to God, love them, keep praying for them, and keep your own
life on track?? Paul has the answer in
our epistle today.? We heard him quote
God?s promise (as true for us as it was for Paul): ?My grace is sufficient for
you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.? (2nd Corinthians 12:
9a).? We can?t control how troublesome
people treat us, but we most surely can control how we respond.? Did you notice the thought for the week: ?Be
fishers of men (and women and children).?
You catch ?em; God will clean them.??
Don?t worry how much cleaning some of these troublesome people will
require.? Just give them to God- they ARE
his business.? Amen.

?

For anyone who is interested, this sermon and updated
African-American wisdom statements are posted on our parish?s web site under
?Sermons & Stuff?. The address is: http://www.stpaulsepisag.org
.

?

Blessed
preaching,

Judy
Boli

St.
Paul's Episcopal Church

Saginaw,
Michigan





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From chadwohl at satucket.com  Sun Jul  8 21:45:14 2018
From: chadwohl at satucket.com (Charles Wohlers)
Date: Sun, 8 Jul 2018 21:45:14 -0400
Subject: [Propertalk] READINGS for the EIGHTH SUNDAY after PENTECOST
Message-ID: <753D76A9A8F045E5A18E633D9431593F@T530>

The following are the readings for the Eighth Sunday after Pentecost, July 15, (Proper 10, ECUSA; Proper 15, RCL & Roman Catholic) according to the Revised Common (RCL), Episcopal (ECUSA), Roman Catholic, Church of England, and Canadian (BAS) Lectionaries. All readings are taken from the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) of the Bible. Unless noted otherwise, the lectionaries of ECUSA, Canada and England are identical to the RCL this Sunday.



OLD TESTAMENT:   2 Samuel 6: 1 - 5, 12b - 19   (RCL)

2Sam 6:1 (NRSV) David again gathered all the chosen men of Israel, thirty thousand. 2 David and all the people with him set out and went from Ba'ale-ju'dah, to bring up from there the ark of God, which is called by the name of the LORD of hosts who is enthroned on the cherubim. 3 They carried the ark of God on a new cart, and brought it out of the house of Abin'adab, which was on the hill. Uz'zah and Ahi'o, the sons of Abin'adab, were driving the new cart 4 with the ark of God; and Ahi'o went in front of the ark. 5 David and all the house of Israel were dancing before the LORD with all their might, with songs and lyres and harps and tambourines and castanets and cymbals. 

12b So David went and brought up the ark of God from the house of O'bed-e'dom to the city of David with rejoicing; 13 and when those who bore the ark of the LORD had gone six paces, he sacrificed an ox and a fatling. 14 David danced before the LORD with all his might; David was girded with a linen ephod. 15 So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the LORD with shouting, and with the sound of the trumpet. 
16 As the ark of the LORD came into the city of David, Mi'chal daughter of Saul looked out of the window, and saw King David leaping and dancing before the LORD; and she despised him in her heart. 
17 They brought in the ark of the LORD, and set it in its place, inside the tent that David had pitched for it; and David offered burnt offerings and offerings of well-being before the LORD. 18 When David had finished offering the burnt offerings and the offerings of well-being, he blessed the people in the name of the LORD of hosts, 19 and distributed food among all the people, the whole multitude of Israel, both men and women, to each a cake of bread, a portion of meat, and a cake of raisins. Then all the people went back to their homes. 


Amos 7: 7 - 15   (alt. for RCL)
Amos 7: 12 - 15   (Roman Catholic)

Amos 7:7 (NRSV) This is what he showed me: the Lord was standing beside a wall built with a plumb line, with a plumb line in his hand. 8 And the LORD said to me, "A'mos, what do you see?" And I said, "A plumb line." Then the Lord said, 
"See, I am setting a plumb line 
in the midst of my people Israel; 
I will never again pass them by; 
9 the high places of Isaac shall be made desolate, 
and the sanctuaries of Israel shall be laid waste, 
and I will rise against the house of Jerobo'am with the sword." 
10 Then Amazi'ah, the priest of Beth'el, sent to King Jerobo'am of Israel, saying, "A'mos has conspired against you in the very center of the house of Israel; the land is not able to bear all his words. 11 For thus A'mos has said, 
"Jerobo'am shall die by the sword, 
and Israel must go into exile 
away from his land.'" 
12 And Amazi'ah said to A'mos, "O seer, go, flee away to the land of Judah, earn your bread there, and prophesy there; 13 but never again prophesy at Beth'el, for it is the king's sanctuary, and it is a temple of the kingdom." 
14 Then A'mos answered Amazi'ah, "I am no prophet, nor a prophet's son; but I am a herdsman, and a dresser of sycamore trees, 15 and the LORD took me from following the flock, and the LORD said to me, "Go, prophesy to my people Israel.' 


PSALM 24   (RCL)

Psal 24:1 (NRSV) The earth is the LORD's and all that is in it, 
the world, and those who live in it; 
2 for he has founded it on the seas, 
and established it on the rivers. 
3 Who shall ascend the hill of the LORD? 
And who shall stand in his holy place? 
4 Those who have clean hands and pure hearts, 
who do not lift up their souls to what is false, 
and do not swear deceitfully. 
5 They will receive blessing from the LORD, 
and vindication from the God of their salvation. 
6 Such is the company of those who seek him, 
who seek the face of the God of Jacob. [Se'lah] 
7 Lift up your heads, O gates! 
and be lifted up, O ancient doors! 
that the King of glory may come in. 
8 Who is the King of glory? 
The LORD, strong and mighty, 
the LORD, mighty in battle. 
9 Lift up your heads, O gates! 
and be lifted up, O ancient doors! 
that the King of glory may come in. 
10 Who is this King of glory? 
The LORD of hosts, 
he is the King of glory. [Se'lah] 


Psalm 85: 8 - 13   (Roman Catholic, alt. for RCL)

Psal 85:1 (NRSV) LORD, you were favorable to your land; 
you restored the fortunes of Jacob. 
2 You forgave the iniquity of your people; 
you pardoned all their sin. [Se'lah] 
3 You withdrew all your wrath; 
you turned from your hot anger. 
4 Restore us again, O God of our salvation, 
and put away your indignation toward us. 
5 Will you be angry with us forever? 
Will you prolong your anger to all generations? 
6 Will you not revive us again, 
so that your people may rejoice in you? 
7 Show us your steadfast love, O LORD, 
and grant us your salvation. 
8 Let me hear what God the LORD will speak, 
for he will speak peace to his people, 
to his faithful, to those who turn to him in their hearts.  
9 Surely his salvation is at hand for those who fear him, 
that his glory may dwell in our land. 
10 Steadfast love and faithfulness will meet; 
righteousness and peace will kiss each other. 
11 Faithfulness will spring up from the ground, 
and righteousness will look down from the sky. 
12 The LORD will give what is good, 
and our land will yield its increase. 
13 Righteousness will go before him, 
and will make a path for his steps. 

Note: Verse numbering in Roman Catholic bibles is one higher than the above.


NEW TESTAMENT:   Ephesians 1: 3 - 14   (RCL)
                                      Ephesians 1: 3 - 10 (11 - 14)   (Roman Catholic)

Ephe 1:3 (NRSV) Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, 4 just as he chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before him in love. 5 He destined us for adoption as his children through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of his will, 6 to the praise of his glorious grace that he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace 8 that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and insight 9 he has made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure that he set forth in Christ, 10 as a plan for the fullness of time, to gather up all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. 11 In Christ we have also obtained an inheritance, having been destined according to the purpose of him who accomplishes all things according to his counsel and will, 12 so that we, who were the first to set our hope on Christ, might live for the praise of his glory. 13 In him you also, when you had heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and had believed in him, were marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit; 14 this is the pledge of our inheritance toward redemption as God's own people, to the praise of his glory. 


GOSPEL:   Mark 6: 14 - 29   (RCL)

Mark 6:14 (NRSV) King Her'od heard of it, for Jesus' name had become known. Some were saying, "John the baptizer has been raised from the dead; and for this reason these powers are at work in him." 15 But others said, "It is Eli'jah." And others said, "It is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old." 16 But when Her'od heard of it, he said, "John, whom I beheaded, has been raised." 
17 For Her'od himself had sent men who arrested John, bound him, and put him in prison on account of Hero'dias, his brother Philip's wife, because Her'od had married her. 18 For John had been telling Her'od, "It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife." 19 And Hero'dias had a grudge against him, and wanted to kill him. But she could not, 20 for Her'od feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he protected him. When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed; and yet he liked to listen to him. 21 But an opportunity came when Her'od on his birthday gave a banquet for his courtiers and officers and for the leaders of Galilee. 22 When his daughter Hero'dias came in and danced, she pleased Her'od and his guests; and the king said to the girl, "Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will give it." 23 And he solemnly swore to her, "Whatever you ask me, I will give you, even half of my kingdom." 24 She went out and said to her mother, "What should I ask for?" She replied, "The head of John the baptizer." 25 Immediately she rushed back to the king and requested, "I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter." 26 The king was deeply grieved; yet out of regard for his oaths and for the guests, he did not want to refuse her. 27 Immediately the king sent a soldier of the guard with orders to bring John's head. He went and beheaded him in the prison, 28 brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl. Then the girl gave it to her mother. 29 When his disciples heard about it, they came and took his body, and laid it in a tomb. 


Mark 6: 7 - 13   (Roman Catholic)

Mark 6:7 (NRSV) He called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. 8 He ordered them to take nothing for their journey except a staff; no bread, no bag, no money in their belts; 9 but to wear sandals and not to put on two tunics. 10 He said to them, "Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave the place. 11 If any place will not welcome you and they refuse to hear you, as you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them." 12 So they went out and proclaimed that all should repent. 13 They cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them. 


Chad Wohlers
Woodbury, VT USA
chadwohl at satucket.com
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From robertpmorrison at charter.net  Sat Jul 14 15:12:27 2018
From: robertpmorrison at charter.net (Robert P Morrison)
Date: Sat, 14 Jul 2018 12:12:27 -0700
Subject: [Propertalk] Proper 10b 2018 - part 1
Message-ID: <AjCT1y00A1d74Us01jCTQn@charter.net>

This has been edited several times already and I'll probably will
continue to do so...
Bob

	THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF ST. ALBAN, ALBANY THE EIGHTH SUNDAY AFTER
PENTECOST

	2 SAMUEL 6:1-5, 12b-19 PROPER 10 b

	EPHESIANS 1:3-14 15th JULY, 2018

	MARK 6:14-29 PSALM 24

	 Dancing can be so much fun! But it can also get one into SO much
trouble!

	 That?s probably why it was frowned upon by some branches of the
Church, especially in traditional-conservative denominations.

	 I remember a Scottish Presbyterian minister, a friend of my father,
describing how etiquette and clothing for dancing developed. It used
to be that, in addition to wearing a suit, the men, just like the
women, all wore gloves. My father?s friend said that this custom
died out, for the men, in the early 1900s, at which point the fathers
of the young women who?d been to the dance had the back of their
dresses tested for fingerprints to see with whom they?d been dancing
and where the fingers had been placed.

	 That?s possibly a slight exaggeration, but a not totally useless
idea! Dancing can inflame the senses and emotions, especially if one
is predisposed to think in one way or another.

	 Take Michal, Saul?s daughter, for instance. David had killed her
father in the civil war. One strike against David. But David was
really wrapped up in expressing his love of God and his devotion.
He?d been dancing up a storm, and everyone seemed to feel that that
was OK, even if the king WAS naked at the time, all perfectly
appropriate. Everyone except Michal, that is. She was really ticked
off. Just like today, you can?t please everyone.

	 Think about the relationship of David and Michal, though. She?d
fallen in love with him while he was at the court of her father. David
had paid the bride-price to Saul by killing two hundred Philistines,
double the number he?d been asked to kill.

	 Aren?t you glad things are a little different today, at least in
some circles?

	 When Saul and David became antagonists, Michal hid her husband and
arranged for his escape. As one writer pointed out, although she
risked her life by helping him, after he left the court he made no
attempt to contact her ? not even a Tweet! 1 Two strikes!

	 Not particularly loving, nor grateful! Following that episode, Saul
gave Michal to another member of the military and David, still in
hiding, took several other wives. Later on, when David came to power
as king over the entire country, he demanded and got Michal back,
presumably to reinforce his right to be king.

	 So it may not be at all surprising that Michal despised David in his
enthusiasm of worship. The verses following the ones we heard this
morning, however, indicate that she felt humiliated. Her pride was
hurt and she stood on that, even over the entry of the Ark of God.
Like her father, Michal had no time for the Ark. Family pride, status
among the people, especially among the nobility in power, that?s
what was important to her. ?Michal had missed the essential
significance of David?s career, that in spite of his failures, he
was a man after God?s own heart.?, and had been chosen over over
everyone else in Saul?s family.

	 ?What can we learn from this story of Michal and David?
Misunderstanding arose in their relationship because of a clash of
temperament, outlook and purpose. _Had Michal shared David?s
(enthusiasm in worshipping God, or at least his acknowledgement of his
devotion to God), how different life (might) have been for both of
them. But Michal made no effort to understand her husband?s Godward
desires and so passed a wrong judgment upon him. ? HOW CERTAIN WE
SHOULD BE OF A PERSON?S MOTIVE FOR HIS ACTS OR ATTITUDES BEFORE WE
CONDEMN HIM. (It?s strange, Michal was committed to David and so
much in love with him) when he was poor and unknown and now that he is
King ?he despised him in her heart?? One writer suggested that
?... David realized they could never love the same God. Therefore he
cut her from his heart.??_ 2

	 It?s sad how this relationship floundered over ingratitude and a
lack of compassion on David?s part and insensitivity and
self-absorbing pride on Michal?s.

	 We have another dance encounter to consider today, though.
Interestingly enough, a major factor in the story revolves around
marriage also. Herod wanted Herodias and Herodias wanted Herod. There
was just the matter that Herodias was married to Herod?s
half-brother. You can, perhaps, imagine some of the tension in THAT
household. Throw one of God?s prophets into the mix and you can see
how explosive the situation was.

	 Neither Herod nor Herodias would have made my guest list for a
dance, though. Because of their power, their conniving, their total
lack of concern for anyone or anything beyond themselves and their
immediate friends, I?d have run a mile from them, if I could. Still,
some people DID accept invitations to their palace and, to give him
his due, Herod did manage to rule and keep some semblance of peace
with the Roman emperor. Whoever was there for dinner that night, they
were the sort of folk whom Herod must have wished to impress. Nothing
was too good for him and his would-be friends, so he arraigned for
what may be characterised as a salacious, over-the-top dance by his
step-daughter. Apparently she?d been well brought up by her mother,
and Herod?s step-daughter had some hold over him, so she seized on
the opportunity as a way to put Herod deeper in debt to her. She
danced, and danced, and wrapped the whole company around her fingers.

	 Somehow, though, when it came time for her to name her reward, she
had to check with her mother, who saw this as a golden opportunity to
get rid of the principle person who was threatening both Herod and
Herodias? security.

	 No matter that he was widely regarded as a man of God, a powerful
prophet, Herodias knew that she could overcome Herod?s reluctance to
do anything to silence John.

	
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From robertpmorrison at charter.net  Sat Jul 14 15:13:35 2018
From: robertpmorrison at charter.net (Robert P Morrison)
Date: Sat, 14 Jul 2018 12:13:35 -0700
Subject: [Propertalk] Proper 10b 2018 - part 2
Message-ID: <AjDb1y0051d74Us01jDbDP@charter.net>



	 The second part:

	 She got her way.

	 Or course, Herod was far from guiltless, but Herodias, like Michal,
put her own sense of security over everything else. Both of them
valued their own power, even over God and the worship God seeks.

	 Just as we can question the love of David and Michal, so we can
bring into question the love of Herod and Herodias. They seemed to be
so self-centred, power-hungry individuals who had no time for anything
like God and religious practice and propriety.

	 Elsewhere, and at an earlier time, God?s prophet Joshua said to
the people, ?Choose whom you?ll serve and worship, but I and my
family will serve God.? 3

	 That?s always the question. There?s nothing wrong with dancing
per se, just as there are many other things which engage us which
don?t threaten our being. It?s the reason or the manner of dancing
and other behaviours which can give a positive or a negative
connotation to it.

	 Behind the dances in both lessons today, however, lies the whole
question of power, of control, of manipulation, of using other people
and abusing them, in order to attain one?s own goals, regardless of
what?s right or helpful and productive.

	 Again and again, God finds ways to confront us, not necessarily
belligerently or aggressively. Yet sometimes what we see and hear IS
disturbing. Yet God is NOT a killjoy. Through our own lives, and
needs, and desires, as well as through those of others, whom we may
not even know; through all sorts of nudges and smiles, God asks us not
only whom we will serve, but how we will serve. Will we put our own
will before anything and anyone else? Will we imagine that everyone
and everything else, including God, takes second place to us? Or will
we imagine, as people have through the ages from David?s time to our
own, that if we CAN do it, then it must be O.K.?

	I was reminded of Robert Kennedy?s visit to South Africa in 1966.
It was fraught with danger. It was fraught with apprehension, both on
the part of the authorities grimly holding on to power in South Africa
and the U.S. State Department.

	The South African authorities made it clear they would not offer
Senator Kennedy any security, many State Department officials were
convinced his trip was ill-conceived and doomed to fail. 

	?In his speech [1], Robert Kennedy spoke for those who were not
free to speak. His gave hope to anti-apartheid student activists who
had felt alone in their quest for racial equality, and he showed them
how their efforts were connected to other civil rights movements
underway around the world.?

	 He said, ??It is from numberless diverse acts of courage and
belief that human history is shaped. Each time that someone stands up
for an idea, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out
against injustice, he (or she) sends out tiny ripples of hope ?
those ripples build a mighty current which can sweep down the
mightiest walls of oppression and resistance ? That is the source of
all greatness in all societies, and it is the key to progress in our
time.?? 4

	 God comes to us as individuals who make up groups and societies. God
asks for our complete dedication, no matter what the cost. It may
bring about a breaking point with another individual; it may bring
about danger. But God asks us for such a commitment to all that is
holy that we?ll be willing to risk anything. Such is the worship God
desires.

	 This isn?t to say that God is unaware of the risks of
faithfulness. Sometimes, because we don?t always think things
through, we make the mistake of not telling people how important our
commitments are. If we don?t share what is in our souls with those
among our friends and family then not only can this lead to pretty
severe misunderstanding, but it can serve as a poor witness to what we
hold most dear. However, there may come a time when, as we saw with
David, an individual HAS to act according to conscience, no matter
what.

	 Is this easy? No, and some of us here may be able to attest to that.
Yet, perhaps in a small way, perhaps in a more visible one, we all may
have to follow our instincts to have a Davidic, a Robert Kennedy
moment, in which we say that NOT to witness would be to damage our
immortal souls, as well as the lives of who knows how many others.

	 And sometimes, we need to weigh carefully what we do and with whom
we associate, because of the danger into which we may fall ? as
Herod, Herodias and the others found themselves.

	 It?s not that God doesn?t want us to enjoy ourselves, whether
through dancing or through any other activity. It?s simply a matter
of God saying that life is not simply about what you and I do; it?s
also about how you and I do it, and how others will be affected by it.
CAN we look at our behaviour and our speech and say, ?Not only did I
not hurt anyone, but I actually helped someone.?

	 Go ahead, then, dance! Enjoy the dance of worship and life! But
watch where you put your hands! Seriously, watch what you do with your
hands!

	NOTES:

[1] J. CHERYL EXUM, . "MICHAL: BIBLE." JEWISH WOMEN: A COMPREHENSIVE
HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA. 20 MARCH 2009. JEWISH WOMEN\'S ARCHIVE [2] IN
MICHAL - WIKIPEDIA [3] HTTPS://EN.WIKIPEDIA.ORG/WIKI/MICHAL 

	2 Michal - All the Women of the Bible - Bible Gateway [4]
https://www.biblegateway.com/resources/all-women-bible/Michal [5]

	3 Joshua 24:15

	4 Robert F. Kennedy, South Africa, 6th June, 1966. See
https://www.pri.org/stories/2016-06-06/rfks-ripple-hope-speech-still-touches-world-50-years-later
[6]

Links:
------
[1] http://www.rfksafilm.org/html/media/american/evil.php
[2]
http://mail2.spectrum.net/HTTP://JWA.ORG/ENCYCLOPEDIA/ARTICLE/MICHAL-BIBLE
[3] http://mail2.spectrum.net/HTTPS://EN.WIKIPEDIA.ORG/WIKI/MICHAL
[4] https://www.biblegateway.com/resources/all-women-bible/Michal
[5] https://www.biblegateway.com/resources/all-women-bible/Michal
[6]
https://www.pri.org/stories/2016-06-06/rfks-ripple-hope-speech-still-touches-world-50-years-later

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From joeparrish at compuserve.com  Sat Jul 14 15:25:53 2018
From: joeparrish at compuserve.com (Joe Parrish)
Date: Sat, 14 Jul 2018 15:25:53 -0400
Subject: [Propertalk] "Birthday wish", a sermon based on Mark 6:14-29,
 for Proper 10 (B), July 15, 2018, 
Message-ID: <1649a41a79f-c92-153c@webjasstg-vaa38.srv.aolmail.net>


"Birthday wish", asermon based on Mark 6:14-29, for Proper 10 (B), July 15, 2018, is the first one at http://sjnj.com/media_view.php
 
As a church we are beingchallenged to speak to others about our faith, to be bold, to be evangelistsfor Jesus.
Peace andblessings, 
Joe
(Preaching at Christ Church,East Norwalk, Connecticut) 
 
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From joeparrish at compuserve.com  Sat Jul 14 20:56:15 2018
From: joeparrish at compuserve.com (Joe Parrish)
Date: Sat, 14 Jul 2018 20:56:15 -0400
Subject: [Propertalk] Fwd: [propertalk.topic] Sermon for Proper 10B: "John,
 the Baptist"
In-Reply-To: <8f319487-4064-4d7b-8775-e4bc233aabd5@ecunet.org>
References: <8f319487-4064-4d7b-8775-e4bc233aabd5@ecunet.org>
Message-ID: <1649b702671-c8c-b41d@webjasstg-vaa06.srv.aolmail.net>

Forwarded: 



-----Original Message-----
From: Judy <judy_boli at ecunet.org>
To: Propertalk <propertalk.topic at ecunet.org>
Sent: Sat, Jul 14, 2018 8:54 pm
Subject: [propertalk.topic] Sermon for Proper 10B: "John, the Baptist"



DearFriends,
 
ThisSunday?s sermon is entitled ?John, the Baptist!? and deals with the gospel (Mark6:14-29).  Here it is:  
 
This morning we heardabout one of the strangest characters in the Bible- John the Baptist.  He was the last of the Old Covenant prophetsand had the job of preparing the way for Jesus. Even his beginnings were unusual. John?s parents, Elizabeth and Zechariah, were childless and way too oldto have children.  Elizabeth was Mary?s cousin and Zechariah wasa priest in the temple.  One day,Zechariah was doing his job in the temple when the angel Gabriel appeared andtold him that he and his wife would have a baby, who was to be named John.  Zechariah doubted the angel, so he was struckdumb.  Shortly after this incident andagainst all odds, Elizabethbecame pregnant.  It?s obvious thatZechariah and Elizabeth were accepting, compassionate people because after theVirgin Mary became pregnant, she spent some time with them- probably to gaincourage to face everyone when she began to ?show.?  Well, in due time the child promised toZechariah and Elizabethwas born; and when he was circumcised and presented in the temple, everyone wasabout to name him ?Zechariah? after his father. It was the custom of the day to name children after a relative.  Zechariah still could not speak, so he communicatedby writing, ?His name is John.? Immediately, Zechariah?s speech impediment vanished.  Those watching these happenings wondered whatkind of a man this ?John? would turn out to be.
            Theywere wise to wonder, because this ?John?, actually ?John the Baptist? was trulyunusual- many must have wondered about his sanity.  While others lived in comfortable houses, helived in the desert.  While othersdressed fashionably (or at least comfortably), he wore an itchy camelskin.  While others ate fish and breadand occasionally some meat, he ate what he could find- usually locusts and wildhoney.  He spent his time baptizingpeople in the Jordan River, giving them asecond chance to enter the Promised Land following God?s way.  As you recall, Jesus (John?s second cousin)was baptized by John.  When he wasn?tbaptizing, he was preaching.  Heencouraged the common people to repent and return to God, but he infuriatedthose in power by calling them ?snakes?- not a very good way to get ahead.  When King Herod married his sister-in-law,John condemned the whole affair. Needless to say, he had many enemies in high places.  Herod was so angry with John?s meddling thathe threw him in prison.  While John wasthere he must have experienced a period of doubt, because he sent some of hisfollowers to ask Jesus if he was really the Messiah, or was he going throughall of this imprisonment for nothing. Jesus sent them back with the message that the deaf hear, the blind see,the lame walk, and the poor have the good news preached to them- in otherwords- the Jubilee message.
One of John?s most dangerousenemies was Herodias, the sister-in-law whom King Herod married.  One day, Herod threw a party (actually abirthday banquet).  After all the men atthe party were drunk, Salome (daughter of Herodias) really turned them on withher dancing.  Herod was so impressed thathe promised her anything she wanted, even half of his kingdom.  Salome asked her mother what she shouldrequest, and the answer came back clearly: ?Ask for the head of John theBaptist on a platter.?  Since Heroddidn?t want to look like a fool in front of his friends by going back on hisword, that?s just what happened.
Out of the strange life ofone of God?s greatest prophets, what?s the message for us?  Here are five thoughts:
1)      John didn?t follow the crowdand neither should we.  Don?t worry whateveryone expects you to do.  Instead, betrue to yourself and your Christian values- especially ?Love one another asmuch as I have loved you.
2)      Be careful about judgingpeople by their appearances- these days: tattoos, piercings, drooping pants,hair, etc.  Look, if John the Baptistwalked in here right now, I?m here to tell you that we?d probably get a littlenervous because (to put it mildly) he?d look different.  Actually, we?d probably wonder if we had acrazy man in here!  If we didn?t take himseriously, we would have missed one of the holiest people in the Bible.  Remember, Jesus comes to us in otherpeople.  (?Whatever you do to the leastof these, my sisters or brothers, you do to me.?)  Don?t diminish anyone just because of how helooks or talks or what she wears.
3)      We love second chances forourselves.  As God has given us manysecond chances, so must we do the same for others.
4)      Watch those promises.  Be careful about making them, and if yourealize you?ve made an unloving one- face up to it and risk looking foolish,but don?t keep it.  Love, not honor, isour Christian expectation.
5)      If you meet people whoaren?t quite sure about this ?Jesus event,? be kind.  Remember, even John had his doubts when timeswere hard and he was in prison.
 
May God bless us as we try to faithfullyfollow our Lord in this difficult world.
 
For anyone who is interested, this sermon and updatedAfrican-American wisdom statements are posted on our parish?s web site under?Sermons & Stuff?. The address is: http://www.stpaulsepisag.org.
 
Blessedpreaching,
JudyBoli
St.Paul's Episcopal Church
Saginaw,Michigan

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From chadwohl at satucket.com  Sun Jul 15 20:48:14 2018
From: chadwohl at satucket.com (Charles Wohlers)
Date: Sun, 15 Jul 2018 20:48:14 -0400
Subject: [Propertalk] READINGS for the NINTH SUNDAY after PENTECOST
Message-ID: <98910333A2D84AC9AAF3A4BE76996C60@T530>

The following are the readings for the Ninth Sunday after Pentecost, July 22, (Proper 11, ECUSA; Proper 16, RCL & Roman Catholic) according to the Revised Common (RCL), Episcopal (ECUSA), Roman Catholic, Church of England, and Canadian (BAS) Lectionaries. All readings are taken from the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) of the Bible. Unless noted otherwise, the lectionaries of ECUSA, Canada and England are identical to the RCL this Sunday.



OLD TESTAMENT:  2 Samuel 7: 1 - 14a   (RCL)

2Sam 7:1 (NRSV) Now when the king was settled in his house, and the LORD had given him rest from all his enemies around him, 2 the king said to the prophet Nathan, "See now, I am living in a house of cedar, but the ark of God stays in a tent." 3 Nathan said to the king, "Go, do all that you have in mind; for the LORD is with you." 
4 But that same night the word of the LORD came to Nathan: 5 Go and tell my servant David: Thus says the LORD: Are you the one to build me a house to live in? 6 I have not lived in a house since the day I brought up the people of Israel from Egypt to this day, but I have been moving about in a tent and a tabernacle. 7 Wherever I have moved about among all the people of Israel, did I ever speak a word with any of the tribal leaders of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd my people Israel, saying, "Why have you not built me a house of cedar?" 8 Now therefore thus you shall say to my servant David: Thus says the LORD of hosts: I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep to be prince over my people Israel; 9 and I have been with you wherever you went, and have cut off all your enemies from before you; and I will make for you a great name, like the name of the great ones of the earth. 10 And I will appoint a place for my people Israel and will plant them, so that they may live in their own place, and be disturbed no more; and evildoers shall afflict them no more, as formerly, 11 from the time that I appointed judges over my people Israel; and I will give you rest from all your enemies. Moreover the LORD declares to you that the LORD will make you a house. 12 When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your ancestors, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come forth from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. 13 He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. 14 I will be a father to him, and he shall be a son to me. 


Jeremiah 23:  1 - 6   (Roman Catholic, alt. for RCL)

Jere 23:1 (NRSV) Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! says the LORD. 2 Therefore thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, concerning the shepherds who shepherd my people: It is you who have scattered my flock, and have driven them away, and you have not attended to them. So I will attend to you for your evil doings, says the LORD. 3 Then I myself will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the lands where I have driven them, and I will bring them back to their fold, and they shall be fruitful and multiply. 4 I will raise up shepherds over them who will shepherd them, and they shall not fear any longer, or be dismayed, nor shall any be missing, says the LORD. 
5 The days are surely coming, says the LORD, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. 6 In his days Judah will be saved and Israel will live in safety. And this is the name by which he will be called: "The LORD is our righteousness." 


PSALM 89: 20 - 37   (RCL)

Psal 89:20 (NRSV) I have found my servant David; 
with my holy oil I have anointed him; 
21 my hand shall always remain with him; 
my arm also shall strengthen him. 
22 The enemy shall not outwit him, 
the wicked shall not humble him. 
23 I will crush his foes before him 
and strike down those who hate him. 
24 My faithfulness and steadfast love shall be with him; 
and in my name his horn shall be exalted. 
25 I will set his hand on the sea 
and his right hand on the rivers. 
26 He shall cry to me, "You are my Father, 
my God, and the Rock of my salvation!' 
27 I will make him the firstborn, 
the highest of the kings of the earth. 
28 Forever I will keep my steadfast love for him, 
and my covenant with him will stand firm. 
29 I will establish his line forever, 
and his throne as long as the heavens endure. 
30 If his children forsake my law 
and do not walk according to my ordinances, 
31 if they violate my statutes 
and do not keep my commandments, 
32 then I will punish their transgression with the rod 
and their iniquity with scourges; 
33 but I will not remove from him my steadfast love, 
or be false to my faithfulness. 
34 I will not violate my covenant, 
or alter the word that went forth from my lips. 
35 Once and for all I have sworn by my holiness; 
I will not lie to David. 
36 His line shall continue forever, 
and his throne endure before me like the sun. 
37 It shall be established forever like the moon, 
an enduring witness in the skies." [Se'lah] 


Psalm 23   (Roman Catholic, alt. for RCL)

Psal 23:1 (NRSV) The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want. 
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures; 
he leads me beside still waters; 
3 he restores my soul. 
He leads me in right paths 
for his name's sake. 
4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley, 
I fear no evil; 
for you are with me; 
your rod and your staff-- 
they comfort me. 
5 You prepare a table before me 
in the presence of my enemies; 
you anoint my head with oil; 
my cup overflows. 
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me 
all the days of my life, 
and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD 
my whole life long. 


NEW TESTAMENT:   Ephesians 2: 11 - 22   (RCL)
                                      Ephesians 2: 13 - 18   (Roman Catholic)

Ephe 2:11 (NRSV) So then, remember that at one time you Gentiles by birth, called "the uncircumcision" by those who are called "the circumcision"--a physical circumcision made in the flesh by human hands-- 12 remember that you were at that time without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14 For he is our peace; in his flesh he has made both groups into one and has broken down the dividing wall, that is, the hostility between us. 15 He has abolished the law with its commandments and ordinances, that he might create in himself one new humanity in place of the two, thus making peace, 16 and might reconcile both groups to God in one body through the cross, thus putting to death that hostility through it. 17 So he came and proclaimed peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near; 18 for through him both of us have access in one Spirit to the Father. 19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are citizens with the saints and also members of the household of God, 20 built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone. 21 In him the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord; 22 in whom you also are built together spiritually into a dwelling place for God. 


GOSPEL:  Mark 6: 30 - 34, 53 - 56   (RCL)
                   Mark 6: 30 - 34   (Roman Catholic)

Mark 6:30 (NRSV) The apostles gathered around Jesus, and told him all that they had done and taught. 31 He said to them, "Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a while." For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. 32 And they went away in the boat to a deserted place by themselves. 33 Now many saw them going and recognized them, and they hurried there on foot from all the towns and arrived ahead of them. 34 As he went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things. 

53 When they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennes'aret and moored the boat. 54 When they got out of the boat, people at once recognized him, 55 and rushed about that whole region and began to bring the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was. 56 And wherever he went, into villages or cities or farms, they laid the sick in the marketplaces, and begged him that they might touch even the fringe of his cloak; and all who touched it were healed. 


Chad Wohlers
Woodbury, VT USA
chadwohl at satucket.com
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From joeparrish at compuserve.com  Thu Jul 19 08:03:38 2018
From: joeparrish at compuserve.com (Joe Parrish)
Date: Thu, 19 Jul 2018 08:03:38 -0400
Subject: [Propertalk] "Birthday wish", a sermon based on Mark 6:14-29,
 for Proper 10 (B), July 15, 2018
Message-ID: <01a601d41f58$87e79030$97b6b090$@compuserve.com>

"Birthday wish", a sermon based on Mark 6:14-29, for Proper 10 (B), July 15, 2018, is the first one at http://sjnj.com/media_view.php

 

As a church we are being challenged to speak to others about our faith, to be bold, to be evangelists for Jesus.

Peace and blessings, 

Joe

(Preaching at Christ Church, East Norwalk, Connecticut) 

 

<checking to see if this posted Saturday>

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From joeparrish at compuserve.com  Sat Jul 21 10:29:34 2018
From: joeparrish at compuserve.com (Joe Parrish)
Date: Sat, 21 Jul 2018 10:29:34 -0400
Subject: [Propertalk] A story that probably can't be used because the 'new'
 gospel pericope cuts out the 'good part'
Message-ID: <164bd3eeabf-c98-9bd@webjasstg-vaa02.srv.aolmail.net>


      Foodis the subject of various bits of humor. Totie Fields said, "I've been on a diet for two weeks, and all Ihave lost is two weeks."  A story istold about a man who was very overweight. His doctor put him on a diet.  Thedoctor said, "I want you to eat regularly for two days and then skip aday.  Repeat this procedure for twoweeks.  The next time I see you, youshould have lost at least five pounds." When the man returned, he shocked the doctor by obviously having lostnearly twenty pounds.  The doctor said,"Why this is amazing!  Did youfollow my instructions?"  The mannodded.  "I'll tell you, though, Ithought I was going to drop dead that third day."  The doctor asked, "From hunger, youmean?"  The man replied, "No,from skipping."
      Didthe crowd in the wilderness just skip a meal?


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From joeparrish at compuserve.com  Sat Jul 21 18:03:09 2018
From: joeparrish at compuserve.com (Joe Parrish)
Date: Sat, 21 Jul 2018 18:03:09 -0400
Subject: [Propertalk] "Birthday wish", a sermon based on Mark 6:14-29,
 for Proper 10 (B), July 15, 2018
In-Reply-To: <01a601d41f58$87e79030$97b6b090$@compuserve.com>
References: <01a601d41f58$87e79030$97b6b090$@compuserve.com>
Message-ID: <025901d4213e$9d116980$d7343c80$@compuserve.com>

"Healing the healers", a sermon based on Mark 6:30-34, 53-56, for Proper 11 (B), July 22, 2018, is the first one at http://sjnj.com/media_view.php

 

Jesus was an amazing healer, and his examples continue to inspire us. May we be aware of how others in healing and helping professions also need healing themselves, and may we help them find that healing.

Peace and blessings, 

Joe

(Preaching at Christ Church, East Norwalk, Connecticut) 

 

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From joeparrish at compuserve.com  Sat Jul 21 18:07:43 2018
From: joeparrish at compuserve.com (Joe Parrish)
Date: Sat, 21 Jul 2018 18:07:43 -0400
Subject: [Propertalk] "Healing the healers", a sermon based on Mark 6:30-34,
 53-56, for Proper 11 (B), July 22, 2018
In-Reply-To: <025901d4213e$9d116980$d7343c80$@compuserve.com>
Message-ID: <164bee25ee5-c92-6564@webjasstg-vaa44.srv.aolmail.net>




"Healing the healers", a sermon based on Mark 6:30-34, 53-56, for Proper 11 (B), July 22, 2018, is the first one at http://sjnj.com/media_view.php

 

Jesus was an amazing healer, and his examples continue to inspire us. May we be aware of how others in healing and helping professions also need healing themselves, and may we help them find that healing.
Peace and blessings, 

Joe

(Preaching at Christ Church, East Norwalk, Connecticut) 
 


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From joeparrish at compuserve.com  Sat Jul 21 19:32:28 2018
From: joeparrish at compuserve.com (Joe Parrish)
Date: Sat, 21 Jul 2018 19:32:28 -0400
Subject: [Propertalk] "Healing the healers",
 a sermon based on Mark 6:30-34, 53-56, for Proper 11 (B), July 22, 2018
In-Reply-To: <164bee25ee5-c92-6564@webjasstg-vaa44.srv.aolmail.net>
Message-ID: <164bf2ff407-c94-6943@webjasstg-vaa53.srv.aolmail.net>





"Healing the healers", a sermon based on Mark 6:30-34, 53-56, for Proper 11 (B), July 22, 2018, is the first one at http://www.sjnj.com/

 

Jesus was an amazing healer, and his examples continue to inspire us. May we be aware of how others in healing and helping professions also need healing themselves, and may we help them find that healing.
Peace and blessings, 

Joe

(Preaching at Christ Church, East Norwalk, Connecticut) 
 




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From joeparrish at compuserve.com  Sat Jul 21 19:38:14 2018
From: joeparrish at compuserve.com (Joe Parrish)
Date: Sat, 21 Jul 2018 19:38:14 -0400
Subject: [Propertalk] [propertalk.topic] Re: "Healing the healers",
 a sermon based on Mark 6:30-34, 53-56, for Proper 11 (B), July 22, 2018
In-Reply-To: <164bf2ff407-c94-6943@webjasstg-vaa53.srv.aolmail.net>
Message-ID: <164bf353a51-c92-6a53@webjasstg-vaa46.srv.aolmail.net>

The link that actually seems to work:
http://www.sjnj.com




-----Original Message-----
From: Joe Parrish <joeparrish at compuserve.com>
To: Propertalk <Propertalk at stsams.org>
Cc: propertalk.topic <propertalk.topic at ecunet.org>
Sent: Sat, Jul 21, 2018 7:32 pm
Subject: [propertalk.topic] Re: "Healing the healers", a sermon based on Mark 6:30-34, 53-56, for Proper 11 (B), July 22, 2018






"Healing the healers", a sermon based on Mark 6:30-34, 53-56, for Proper 11 (B), July 22, 2018, is the first one at http://www.sjnj.com

 

Jesus was an amazing healer, and his examples continue to inspire us. May we be aware of how others in healing and helping professions also need healing themselves, and may we help them find that healing.
Peace and blessings, 

Joe

(Preaching at Christ Church, East Norwalk, Connecticut) 
 








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From joeparrish at compuserve.com  Sat Jul 21 21:59:16 2018
From: joeparrish at compuserve.com (Joe Parrish)
Date: Sat, 21 Jul 2018 21:59:16 -0400
Subject: [Propertalk] =?utf-8?q?Fwd=3A_=5Bpropertalk=2Etopic=5D_Sermon_for?=
 =?utf-8?q?_Proper_11B=3A_=E2=80=9CSometimes_I_Feel_Like_a_Motherless_Chil?=
 =?utf-8?b?ZOKAnSBvciDigJxBIFBvbGx1dGVkIFRlbXBsZSHigJ0=?=
In-Reply-To: <a244529e-511b-496d-925c-12ee1cb1de94@ecunet.org>
References: <a244529e-511b-496d-925c-12ee1cb1de94@ecunet.org>
Message-ID: <164bfb65be7-c8e-71ea@webjasstg-vaa54.srv.aolmail.net>

Forwarded: 


-----Original Message-----
From: Judy <judy_boli at ecunet.org>
To: Propertalk <propertalk.topic at ecunet.org>
Sent: Sat, Jul 21, 2018 8:59 pm
Subject: [propertalk.topic] Sermon for Proper 11B: ?Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child? or ?A Polluted Temple!?



DearFriends,
 
ThisSunday?s sermon is entitled ?Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child? or ?APolluted Temple!? and deals with all the lessons.  Here it is:  
 
This morning in the OldTestament lesson (2nd Samuel 7: 1-14a), we heard God tell King Davidthat he didn?t need a fancy temple.  Hewanted to live among his people.  Laterin the New Testament, Paul reminded the Corinthians (1st Corinthians6:19a): ?You surely know that your body is a temple where the Holy Spirit lives.?  We know this is a true statement.  God is inside us, as near to us as the air webreathe.  In fact, after we receive HolyCommunion this morning, holy God will literally be in every cell of ourbodies.  Does anyone remember the oldsong- ?Sometimes I feel like a motherless child.?  I think we sang it once in our St. Matthew?s EpiscopalChurch (Detroit) choir.  Have you everfelt like this?  Alone?  Empty? Frightened? Facing an evil world and wondering if you will make it tothe next day?  How is this possible,after all of God?s promises to us? Today?s Psalm (23rd) reminds us that the Lord is ourshepherd, and the God will provide peace and satisfy all our needs.  Why are we so often nervous wrecks,frustrated, and stressed out, yelling at those we love the most, tossing andturning at night, using pills or alcohol or whatever to calm our nerves and putus to sleep and then more pills, caffeine, or whatever to wake us up?  Been there? I think the Bible truth that our bodies are God?s temple holds the keyto letting us be enveloped in God?s peace.
 
You know what one ofour problems might be?  The temple of ourbody is so polluted that God is waiting for us to clean it out a bit.  Did you hear the story of the bachelor whowas always complaining about restaurant food? His friend finally asked why he didn?t cook some of his meals at home.?Surely you can cook simple things;? his friend commented, ?and if you can?t-just get an easy recipe book.?  ?It won?twork,? replied the bachelor.  ?Everysingle recipe starts with, ?Take out a clean pot.......??  Maybe that?s how the temple of our lives isto God- POLLUTED!  He can?t find a cleanor uncluttered place to start.  What?scrowding God out?  
 
The Psalm points outone possible source of temple pollution: ?The LORD is my shepherd.  Maybe Jesus isn?t number one in yourlife.  Maybe he?s just the last-minuteresource your run to when you?re desperate. Maybe most of the focus in your life is your money or your bills or yourlove life or your children or your house or job or your addiction.  If you?re not starting and ending each daywith prayer, if you?re not reading some devotional material each day, if you?renot thanking God for every bite of food you put in your mouth, in other words-if you?re not putting God first- you are your own worst enemy.  You?re truly like a ?sheep without ashepherd? (Mark 6:34a) because you?ve squeezed the Lord right out of histemple, so don?t be surprised when you find yourself running around like achicken with it?s head cut off.  Step one:make the Lord your shepherd.  Try Jesus.
 
The epistle points outanother possible source of temple pollution: our attitudes- specifically our feelingsof inferiority. (In the old days, we?d be talking about an ?inferioritycomplex.?)  How do I get this from theEphesians (2: 11-22) lesson?  If you?regetting to be a bit of a Bible scholar, you know that Jews hated Gentiles-considered them inferior to Jews.  As youknow, every Jewish baby boy was circumcised when he was about eight days old; Gentileswere not.  Jews thought uncircumcisedpeople were filthy- they scrubbed down if even the shadow of a Gentile fell onthem.  Should it surprise us that manyGentiles felt inferior to Jews?  Theyweren?t, obviously, but they felt inferior and the way Jews treated them surelydidn?t help!  Now we?ll add the lastsignificant fact- Paul?s church at Ephesus was a mostly Gentile church.  In today?s lesson, we hear Paul teaching thatwe are all one and unified in Christ.  Noone is inferior or superior to anyone. The ground is level at the foot of the cross.  What about you?  Is there something about yourself that makesyou feel not as acceptable as you might be? If you?re a man- maybe you are short; if you?re a woman- perhaps you?retall.  It might be your color- you?vebeen told you?re too dark or too light.  Itmight be some physical feature- for years I was ashamed of my high forehead-how silly, but how true!  Perhaps youconsider yourself too fat or too thin. Maybe you have a handicapping condition or trouble learning a specificsubject in school.  If so, stop thumbingyour nose at your Creator.  Give yourconcerns to God, love and accept yourself, and make room for Jesus in thetemple of your body. 
 
Maybe the pollution inyour temple, your heart, is your attitude toward other people.  In the Gospel, we heard how the disciples hadjust come back from a missionary trip. They were excited, but exhausted. When Jesus tried to take them to a private place to get some rest,people found them.  Their lives were oneinterruption after another, yet- instead of sending the crowds away, time aftertime Jesus ministered to them.  How doyou treat people when they interrupt you with their needs?  I don?t mean just the first interruption-what about the fourth or fifth or tenth interruption?  Yet Jesus reminds us in Matthew 25 that?Whatever you?ve done for the least of these my brothers or sisters, you?vedone for me??  If you?ve turned needypeople away, you?ve sent Jesus away from his very own temple in your heart.
 
My brothers andsisters- we can wish for peace; we can desperately pray for calmness andsecurity, but until we clean out the pollution of false gods, inferiority, andself-centeredness from our hearts- there?s no room for Jesus, and thereforethere?s no room for God?s peace.  Let mefinish by retelling a story I told in February, 2015, about wishes.  Do you remember the story of the Oscar Meyerwiener?  It reminds us that wishing isn?tthe answer.  Before we start, does anyoneknow that old-time commercial ?I Wish I Was an Oscar Mayer Weiner??  How does it go?  (Get responses.)   Well, here?s the story.  A man was walking along the beach when hecame across this very old oil lamp. The man started to rub it to remove all theocean crud when "poof" a genie appeared.  This genie, like all genies, was so happy tobe freed of the lamp that he granted the man three wishes...  "I wish to be the richest man in theworld,? the man said.  "Man,"the genie replied, "It has already happened.?  The man?s wallet would hardly fit in hispocket because of all the hundred dollar bills. ?Wait until you get your bank statement!? said the genie.  You won?t know what to do with all thatmoney!?  What's your secondwish?"  "Genie?, said the man,?I want a CAR!  In fact, I want the mostexpensive Porsche convertible made: Fire engine red, on board GPS and thefinest audio system ever installed in an automobile."  "That?ll work," said thegenie.  He waved his hand and the finestcar anybody had ever seen popped out of the lamp. The genie then asked the manfor his third wish.  He thought andthought, since he really wanted to choose wisely.  After all, this was his last wish, so it hadto be a good one.   Finally he said,?Genie, I can't think of anything now. May I save the third wish for later?"  "My, that?s unusual,? responded thegenie, ?but of course you may wait.  Justcall me when you're ready.?  With that,whoosh, the genie disappeared.   The manleapt into his fire engine red Porsche convertible, turned on the radio withthe great audio system and pulled onto the highway.  He had the top down, so the wind waswhistling through his hair, the sun was shining, not another car was on theroad, and he was HAPPY- in fact so happy that he began to sing along with thegreat music on his great radio.  Up camea commercial, and he continued to sing the old familiar tune: ?Oh, I wish I wasan Oscar-Mayer Wiener...."  Whoosh-what a wish!
 
Stop wishing and getrid of the heart-Temple pollution.  Whenyou come to the altar today, come with a plan. It?s late for spring-cleaning, but it?s never too late for life-cleaning;where there?s life, there?s time.  Whatpollution are you cleaning from your heart-Temple today by God?s grace? 
 
For anyone who is interested, this sermon and updatedAfrican-American wisdom statements are posted on our parish?s web site under?Sermons & Stuff?. The address is: http://www.stpaulsepisag.org.
 
Blessedpreaching,
JudyBoli
St.Paul's Episcopal Church
Saginaw,Michigan

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From chadwohl at satucket.com  Sun Jul 22 20:10:12 2018
From: chadwohl at satucket.com (Charles Wohlers)
Date: Sun, 22 Jul 2018 20:10:12 -0400
Subject: [Propertalk] READINGS for the TENTH SUNDAY after PENTECOST
Message-ID: <B6F50AAD12E44D12981BE7DD67724D4D@T530>

The following are the readings for the Tenth Sunday after Pentecost, July 29, (Proper 12, ECUSA; Proper 17, RCL & Roman Catholic) according to the Revised Common (RCL), Episcopal (ECUSA), Roman Catholic, Church of England, and Canadian (BAS) Lectionaries. All readings are taken from the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) of the Bible. Unless noted otherwise, the lectionaries of ECUSA, Canada and England are identical to the RCL this Sunday.



OLD TESTAMENT:  2 Samuel 11: 1 - 15   (RCL)

2Sam 11:1 (NRSV) In the spring of the year, the time when kings go out to battle, David sent Jo'ab with his officers and all Israel with him; they ravaged the Am'monites, and besieged Rab'bah. But David remained at Jerusalem. 
2 It happened, late one afternoon, when David rose from his couch and was walking about on the roof of the king's house, that he saw from the roof a woman bathing; the woman was very beautiful. 3 David sent someone to inquire about the woman. It was reported, "This is Bathshe'ba daughter of Eli'am, the wife of Uri'ah the Hit'tite." 4 So David sent messengers to get her, and she came to him, and he lay with her. (Now she was purifying herself after her period.) Then she returned to her house. 5 The woman conceived; and she sent and told David, "I am pregnant." 
6 So David sent word to Jo'ab, "Send me Uri'ah the Hit'tite." And Jo'ab sent Uri'ah to David. 7 When Uri'ah came to him, David asked how Jo'ab and the people fared, and how the war was going. 8 Then David said to Uri'ah, "Go down to your house, and wash your feet." Uri'ah went out of the king's house, and there followed him a present from the king. 9 But Uri'ah slept at the entrance of the king's house with all the servants of his lord, and did not go down to his house. 10 When they told David, "Uri'ah did not go down to his house," David said to Uri'ah, "You have just come from a journey. Why did you not go down to your house?" 11 Uri'ah said to David, "The ark and Israel and Judah remain in booths; and my lord Jo'ab and the servants of my lord are camping in the open field; shall I then go to my house, to eat and to drink, and to lie with my wife? As you live, and as your soul lives, I will not do such a thing." 12 Then David said to Uri'ah, "Remain here today also, and tomorrow I will send you back." So Uri'ah remained in Jerusalem that day. On the next day, 13 David invited him to eat and drink in his presence and made him drunk; and in the evening he went out to lie on his couch with the servants of his lord, but he did not go down to his house. 
14 In the morning David wrote a letter to Jo'ab, and sent it by the hand of Uri'ah. 15 In the letter he wrote, "Set Uri'ah in the forefront of the hardest fighting, and then draw back from him, so that he may be struck down and die." 


2 Kings 4: 42 - 44   (Roman Catholic, alt. for RCL)

2Kin 4:42 (NRSV) A man came from Ba'al-shal'ishah, bringing food from the first fruits to the man of God: twenty loaves of barley and fresh ears of grain in his sack. Eli'sha said, "Give it to the people and let them eat." 43 But his servant said, "How can I set this before a hundred people?" So he repeated, "Give it to the people and let them eat, for thus says the LORD, "They shall eat and have some left.'" 44 He set it before them, they ate, and had some left, according to the word of the LORD. 


PSALM 14   (RCL)

Psal 14:1 (NRSV) Fools say in their hearts, "There is no God." 
They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds; 
there is no one who does good. 
2 The LORD looks down from heaven on humankind 
to see if there are any who are wise, 
who seek after God. 
3 They have all gone astray, they are all alike perverse; 
there is no one who does good, 
no, not one. 
4 Have they no knowledge, all the evildoers 
who eat up my people as they eat bread, 
and do not call upon the LORD? 
5 There they shall be in great terror, 
for God is with the company of the righteous. 
6 You would confound the plans of the poor, 
but the LORD is their refuge. 
7 O that deliverance for Israel would come from Zion! 
When the LORD restores the fortunes of his people, 
Jacob will rejoice; Israel will be glad.


Psalm 145: 10 - 11, 15 - 18   (Roman Catholic)
Psalm 145: 10 - 18   (alt. for RCL)

Psal 145:10 (NRSV) All your works shall give thanks to you, O LORD, 
and all your faithful shall bless you. 
11 They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom, 
and tell of your power, 
12 to make known to all people your mighty deeds, 
and the glorious splendor of your kingdom. 
13 Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, 
and your dominion endures throughout all generations. 
The LORD is faithful in all his words, 
and gracious in all his deeds. 
14 The LORD upholds all who are falling, 
and raises up all who are bowed down. 
15 The eyes of all look to you, 
and you give them their food in due season. 
16 You open your hand, 
satisfying the desire of every living thing. 
17 The LORD is just in all his ways, 
and kind in all his doings. 
18 The LORD is near to all who call on him, 
to all who call on him in truth. 


NEW TESTAMENT:   Ephesians 3: 14 - 21   (RCL)

Ephe 3:14 (NRSV) For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth takes its name. 16 I pray that, according to the riches of his glory, he may grant that you may be strengthened in your inner being with power through his Spirit, 17 and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love. 18 I pray that you may have the power to comprehend, with all the saints, what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. 
20 Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. 


Ephesians 4: 1 - 6   (Roman Catholic)

Ephe 4:1 (NRSV) I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling, 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all. 


GOSPEL:   John 6: 1 - 21  (RCL)
                    John 6: 1 - 15  (Roman Catholic)

John 6:1 (NRSV) After this Jesus went to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, also called the Sea of Tibe'rias. 2 A large crowd kept following him, because they saw the signs that he was doing for the sick. 3 Jesus went up the mountain and sat down there with his disciples. 4 Now the Passover, the festival of the Jews, was near. 5 When he looked up and saw a large crowd coming toward him, Jesus said to Philip, "Where are we to buy bread for these people to eat?" 6 He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he was going to do. 7 Philip answered him, "Six months' wages would not buy enough bread for each of them to get a little." 8 One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, said to him, 9 "There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish. But what are they among so many people?" 10 Jesus said, "Make the people sit down." Now there was a great deal of grass in the place; so they sat down, about five thousand in all. 11 Then Jesus took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated; so also the fish, as much as they wanted. 12 When they were satisfied, he told his disciples, "Gather up the fragments left over, so that nothing may be lost." 13 So they gathered them up, and from the fragments of the five barley loaves, left by those who had eaten, they filled twelve baskets. 14 When the people saw the sign that he had done, they began to say, "This is indeed the prophet who is to come into the world." 
15 When Jesus realized that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, he withdrew again to the mountain by himself. 
16 When evening came, his disciples went down to the sea, 17 got into a boat, and started across the sea to Caper'naum. It was now dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. 18 The sea became rough because a strong wind was blowing. 19 When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they were terrified. 20 But he said to them, "It is I; do not be afraid." 21 Then they wanted to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the land toward which they were going. 


Chad Wohlers
Woodbury, VT USA
chadwohl at satucket.com
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From robertpmorrison at charter.net  Fri Jul 27 13:36:34 2018
From: robertpmorrison at charter.net (Robert P Morrison)
Date: Fri, 27 Jul 2018 10:36:34 -0700
Subject: [Propertalk] Proper 12 b 2018 - part 1
Message-ID: <Ftca1y00U40nV9Q01tcaTi@charter.net>

Here's the draft for Sunday.
Bob

	HE EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF ST. ALBAN, ALBANY  THE TENTH SUNDAY AFTER
PENTECOST 

	2 SAMUEL 11:1-15   PROPER 12 b 

	EPHESIANS 3:14-21    29th JULY, 2018 

	JOHN 6:1-21    PSALM 14 

	 As most of you were aware, we celebrated a baptism last Thursday.
Doranna and Robert Morris? great-grandson was baptised. As someone
said to me, ?I love baptisms.? They?re so hopeful. In the midst
of whatever it is that?s nagging at us ? whether it?s the heat,
or the road outside, or the way some people seem to be so grumpy or
angry ? in the midst of whatever can make us so frustrated, there
was a wonderful example of God saying, ?Hold on! I?m still here.
I?m still active. Just stop and think what I?ve promised and what
has already been accomplished.? 

	 God IS Good ? ALL the Time! 

	 Of course, baptism doesn?t hand us our daily lives on a platter.
Yes, God affirms our membership in the Family of Life. But then
we?re challenged to face each day, waiting to be surprised by what
we can accomplish in the strength and company God gives us, even when
things seem to go so terribly wrong or fill us with pain. In fact, as
the message of baptism reiterates, especially when things look so
difficult, or so powerless, THAT may be where we find God MOST
present, listening to us, talking to us, holding out a hand to support
us, encouraging us to take the next step, wherever that may lead us.
And what we may need to remind ourselves, frequently, is that God can
and does do this in so many surprising ways, perhaps the least
expected ways.  

	 A writer posted on the site where many of the weekly bulletin
illustrations reside. She ? I think it is a woman ? she wrote the
other day, 1 

	 ?The corn, beans, and squash seed that appear in this basket (in
the photo at the end of the liturgical notes; the corn, beans, and
squash) are the three crops that comprise the Native American "Three
Sisters of Life". Planted together they are interdependent: the
cornstalks provide climbing support for the beans that increase
nitrogen in the soil, while the large leaves of the squash shade the
roots of the other two plants, preserving rare moisture.
Nutritionally, the corn and beans together make up a complete amino
acid balance in the diet. The squash contributes Vitamins A and C.
Just so, the three figures of the Trinity together make a complete
divinity that supports the human spirit, and partaking of more than
one spiritual practice nourishes the soul well.?  

	 Another woman wrote, ?The women in this image, holding a basket of
food, corn and beans, reminds me of Jesus? disciples offering the
five loaves of bread and two fish to the thousands of people who came
to be with him. The loaves and fishes were the common food of the
people, just as the corn and beans are for these women. 

	 ?We might consider the way these two women are offering the basket
of food. It is this basket of food that is the focal point of this
image, as if the food is offering itself, inviting people to take what
they need. But the two women are just as important as this basket full
of food. They are the ones offering what they have, what they have
probably grown themselves. They are offering, just as the young boy in
the scripture offered all that he had to eat for the whole group to
share. 

	 ?Because the food in this single basket is not enough to feed more
than a few people, we may imagine that there are many women with
similar baskets ready to share what they have grown. God has blessed
their bounty, and they want to share it with all who are hungry.? 

	 How often have we looked in our cupboards, or our pockets, or our
wallets, or anyplace where we might hope to find some resource to keep
us going through the day; how often have we looked in any of these
places and found very little? Perhaps there are a couple of dollars,
or a small candy bar, or a coupon for something at Burgerville or
Safeway. But how far can these take us when we think we?re in pretty
dire straits? What are the chances of feeling better after what we
have is gone. 

	 Change the metaphor and think about the size of a pocket prayer
shawl or a baby bonnet which we?ll be asking God to bless this
morning in a while. A pocket prayer shawl is only ? what ? five by
three inches? A baby bonnet will cover one child?s head, but what of
the countless others whose parents and relatives may not be encouraged
to remember never to shake a baby, or the babies who may not have
anything to cover their heads when the cold of the winter comes along,
which it will? 

	 Some of you, I know, touch the water at the entry into this worship
space each time, as a reminder that you and I ARE all baptised. You
and I ARE all members of God?s family, and HAVE received the
promises of God?s loving forgiveness and compassion. Just a touch of
the surface of the water, a simple drop of water on your finger tip
and the tracing on your head and chest of the sign of the cross with
that water ? that seems so ridiculously small and insignificant, and
yet it is an incredibly powerful reminder of the vows taken or made on
our behalf when God anointed us with the Spirit in Baptism. 

	 There are so many ways in which we?re reminded of the closeness of
God to us, even in the midst or fear, and anguish, and uncertainty. As
the hymn reminds us, God is with us and, know it or not, we are with
God. 

	 This is incredible news, ?Love so amazing, so divine? as Isaac
Watts put it, and he added, ?demands my soul, my life, my all.? 2 


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From robertpmorrison at charter.net  Fri Jul 27 13:53:20 2018
From: robertpmorrison at charter.net (Robert P Morrison)
Date: Fri, 27 Jul 2018 10:53:20 -0700
Subject: [Propertalk] Proper 12 b part 2 a
Message-ID: <FttL1y00M40nV9Q01ttLai@charter.net>

Off we go again...??

	 Things seem to have an incredible way or working together to nourish
and sustain us. As the first writer on the web site told us, in Native
American Theology and Agriculture, corn, beans and squash work
together to support one another and to help each other come to full
fruit. IF they are put into the ground together, then they can work to
ensure the soil is nourished, and so on. IF Caleb?s parents and
Godparents and all of us work to ensure rich and replenished soil; if
we talk to the road worker sweating buckets over the boiling hot tar
as it?s laid on the road bed so that we?ll be able to drive down
Hill Street smoothly without having to weave around to miss the
potholes; if we interact with one another and recognise our
interdependence, then all will find encouragement, all will find hope,
all will find the recognition that each needs to grow into the full
stature of Christ as God wishes us to do. 

	 So we take another look into the basket of life which is before us.
We think about what may look like barely enough for a single meal. We
wonder how on earth we can take the rest of the summer if this heat
keeps up ? and we don?t bother to think about people and property
being washed away on the East Coast; or the famine in countries around
the world; or the open warfare, the genocidal governments who have
absolutely no sense of what they?re doing because it only matters if
people look alike, and talk alike, and work alike, and die alike; if
we DON?T think beyond ourselves, we are doomed. 

	 Jesus said, ?How much do you have there?? and back came the
famous reply. It doesn?t matter in the least HOW the miracle
happened. What DOES matter is that it DID happen. People, perhaps like
the women in the bulletin photo who each put a hand on the
basket-handle and walked it to their left and to their right; people,
as our baptismal covenant requires of us, people take what they have
and they share, because the dignity, the humanity, the god-like-ness
of every single other individual on this planet compels us to do this.
And, if as Italian scientists announced this week, with excitement,
that there is a vast body of water under the surface of Mars, and
there just might be some form of life there after all, no matter how
primitive; if that IS true, then our responsibility is for that life
on Mars as well, to ensure that it can grow as God intends. 

	 The baptism of Caleb didn?t stop within the walls of this room.
The charge to him and to everyone is to burst out of this room with
energy and resolve, to cross the street to the person standing or
living there, to say, I have something in the basket of life with
which God has blessed me, and, if you?d like, I?ll share it with
you.__


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From robertpmorrison at charter.net  Fri Jul 27 13:54:24 2018
From: robertpmorrison at charter.net (Robert P Morrison)
Date: Fri, 27 Jul 2018 10:54:24 -0700
Subject: [Propertalk] proper 12 b part 2 b
Message-ID: <FtuQ1y00Z40nV9Q01tuQ9V@charter.net>



	 We create SO many barriers to God?s kindness and generosity being
shared. We are Jesus? hands and feet in the world; we are His lips
and his tongue; we are His mind and His heart ? none of which know
any form of barrier or differentiation. 

	 ?During the last ten days of Ramadan, Muslims crowd into the
prayer halls of the East London Mosque, choosing to stay within the
confines of the building to devote themselves wholly to worship. On
the rooftop above, Khalil and Salma Attan participate in another form
of meditative practice. 

	 ?As the sun blazes overhead, the married couple don their
beekeeping suits and set off to visit the 100,000 honeybees residing
on one of the largest mosques in Europe. Positioned at opposite ends
of the hives, Khalil and Salma work together seamlessly as they
inspect each frame, pausing occasionally to hand each other equipment
and ask if the other had spotted the queen. 

	?Before setting each frame back in place, Khalil and Salma gingerly
brush a few bees out of the way, ensuring the insects don't get
crushed in the process. Shuddering as he recounted the occasional
crunch, Khalil says of his gentle approach: "If you're going to take
care of them, you might as well do the best you can." 3 

	Might these be the words of Jesus as He blessed the meager supply of
food that day? ?If you're going to take care of them, you might as
well do the best you can.? 

	Might these be the words of Jesus as He blessed the meager supply of
food that day? ?If you're going to take care of them, you might as
well do the best you can.? 

	 Khalil?s and Salma?s basket holds 100,000 bees. Down below them,
countless people have baskets filled with prayer for people around the
world and around themselves. And, yes, some people DO have baskets
with bread and fish, or corn, beans and squash. 

	 We ALL have baskets. Will we let Jesus bless them and direct us to
distribute them, no matter where and how? 

	 What?s in YOUR basket? 

	NOTES: 

	1  ?_From Art in the Christian Tradition?, for Proper 12b,
Revised Common Lectionary, Vanderbilt University Library, from an
unknown reader and from Jackie Twedell.
http://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/diglib-fulldisplay.pl?SID=20180720589742627&code=act&RC=54153&Row=10
[1] _ 

	2 _?When I survey the wondrous cross?_ Isaac Watts. Hymnal 1982,
Hymn 474 

	3 The London Hivewire http://london-hivewire.com/ [2] via Deidre Good

Links:
------
[1]
http://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/diglib-fulldisplay.pl?SID=20180720589742627&amp;code=act&amp;RC=54153&amp;Row=10
[2] http://london-hivewire.com/

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From joeparrish at compuserve.com  Sat Jul 28 12:53:41 2018
From: joeparrish at compuserve.com (Joe Parrish)
Date: Sat, 28 Jul 2018 12:53:41 -0400
Subject: [Propertalk] "Our Life Guard Walks on Water",
 a sermon based on John 6:1-21, for Proper 12 (B), July 29, 2018
Message-ID: <006b01d42693$8ab47fc0$a01d7f40$@compuserve.com>

"Our Life Guard Walks on Water", a sermon based on John 6:1-21, for Proper 12 (B), July 29, 2018, is the first one at http://sjnj.com

 

Jesus is undeterred by our lack of resources or faith, and with what little we can offer, Jesus can work mighty miracles. He is not bothered by storms or winds. 

 

Peace and blessings, 

Joe

(Preaching at Christ Episcopal Church, East Norwalk, Connecticut) 

 

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From chadwohl at satucket.com  Sun Jul 29 21:54:47 2018
From: chadwohl at satucket.com (Charles Wohlers)
Date: Sun, 29 Jul 2018 21:54:47 -0400
Subject: [Propertalk] READINGS for the ELEVENTH SUNDAY after PENTECOST
Message-ID: <73D621549B024350882945E52F4C5225@T530>

The following are the readings for the Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost, August 5, (Proper 13, ECUSA; Proper 18, RCL & Roman Catholic) according to the Revised Common (RCL), Episcopal (ECUSA), Roman Catholic, Church of England, and Canadian (BAS) Lectionaries. All readings are taken from the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) of the Bible. Unless noted otherwise, the lectionaries of ECUSA, Canada and England are identical to the RCL this Sunday. Note that the Canadian BAS lectionary does not include the RCL alternatives



OLD TESTAMENT:  2 Samuel 11: 26 - 12: 13a   (RCL)

2Sam 11:26 (NRSV) When the wife of Uri'ah heard that her husband was dead, she made lamentation for him. 27 When the mourning was over, David sent and brought her to his house, and she became his wife, and bore him a son. 
But the thing that David had done displeased the LORD, 12:1 and the LORD sent Nathan to David. He came to him, and said to him, "There were two men in a certain city, the one rich and the other poor. 2 The rich man had very many flocks and herds; 3 but the poor man had nothing but one little ewe lamb, which he had bought. He brought it up, and it grew up with him and with his children; it used to eat of his meager fare, and drink from his cup, and lie in his bosom, and it was like a daughter to him. 4 Now there came a traveler to the rich man, and he was loath to take one of his own flock or herd to prepare for the wayfarer who had come to him, but he took the poor man's lamb, and prepared that for the guest who had come to him." 5 Then David's anger was greatly kindled against the man. He said to Nathan, "As the LORD lives, the man who has done this deserves to die; 6 he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and because he had no pity." 
7 Nathan said to David, "You are the man! Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel: I anointed you king over Israel, and I rescued you from the hand of Saul; 8 I gave you your master's house, and your master's wives into your bosom, and gave you the house of Israel and of Judah; and if that had been too little, I would have added as much more. 9 Why have you despised the word of the LORD, to do what is evil in his sight? You have struck down Uri'ah the Hit'tite with the sword, and have taken his wife to be your wife, and have killed him with the sword of the Am'monites. 10 Now therefore the sword shall never depart from your house, for you have despised me, and have taken the wife of Uri'ah the Hit'tite to be your wife. 11 Thus says the LORD: I will raise up trouble against you from within your own house; and I will take your wives before your eyes, and give them to your neighbor, and he shall lie with your wives in the sight of this very sun. 12 For you did it secretly; but I will do this thing before all Israel, and before the sun." 13 David said to Nathan, "I have sinned against the LORD." 


Exodus 16: 2 - 4, 9 - 15   (alt. for RCL)
Exodus 16: 2 - 4, 12 - 15   (Roman Catholic)

Exod 16:2 (NRSV) The whole congregation of the Israelites complained against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness. 3 The Israelites said to them, "If only we had died by the hand of the LORD in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the fleshpots and ate our fill of bread; for you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger." 
4 Then the LORD said to Moses, "I am going to rain bread from heaven for you, and each day the people shall go out and gather enough for that day. In that way I will test them, whether they will follow my instruction or not. 

9 Then Moses said to Aaron, "Say to the whole congregation of the Israelites, "Draw near to the LORD, for he has heard your complaining.'" 10 And as Aaron spoke to the whole congregation of the Israelites, they looked toward the wilderness, and the glory of the LORD appeared in the cloud. 11 The LORD spoke to Moses and said, 12 "I have heard the complaining of the Israelites; say to them, "At twilight you shall eat meat, and in the morning you shall have your fill of bread; then you shall know that I am the LORD your God.'" 
13 In the evening quails came up and covered the camp; and in the morning there was a layer of dew around the camp. 14 When the layer of dew lifted, there on the surface of the wilderness was a fine flaky substance, as fine as frost on the ground. 15 When the Israelites saw it, they said to one another, "What is it?" For they did not know what it was. Moses said to them, "It is the bread that the LORD has given you to eat. 


PSALM 51: 1 - 12   (RCL)

Psal 51:1 (NRSV) Have mercy on me, O God, 
according to your steadfast love; 
according to your abundant mercy 
blot out my transgressions. 
2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, 
and cleanse me from my sin. 
3 For I know my transgressions, 
and my sin is ever before me. 
4 Against you, you alone, have I sinned, 
and done what is evil in your sight, 
so that you are justified in your sentence 
and blameless when you pass judgment. 
5 Indeed, I was born guilty, 
a sinner when my mother conceived me. 
6 You desire truth in the inward being; 
therefore teach me wisdom in my secret heart. 
7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; 
wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. 
8 Let me hear joy and gladness; 
let the bones that you have crushed rejoice. 
9 Hide your face from my sins, 
and blot out all my iniquities. 
10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, 
and put a new and right spirit within me. 
11 Do not cast me away from your presence, 
and do not take your holy spirit from me. 
12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation, 
and sustain in me a willing spirit. 

Note: Verse numbering in your Psalter may be different from the above.


Psalm 78: 3 - 4, 23 - 25, 54   (Roman Catholic)
Psalm 78: 23 - 29   (alt. for RCL)

Psal 78:3 (NRSV) [T]hings that we have heard and known, 
that our ancestors have told us. 
4 We will not hide them from their children; 
we will tell to the coming generation 
the glorious deeds of the LORD, and his might, 
and the wonders that he has done. 

23 Yet he commanded the skies above, 
and opened the doors of heaven; 
24 he rained down on them manna to eat, 
and gave them the grain of heaven. 
25 Mortals ate of the bread of angels; 
he sent them food in abundance. 
26 He caused the east wind to blow in the heavens, 
and by his power he led out the south wind; 
27 he rained flesh upon them like dust, 
winged birds like the sand of the seas; 
28 he let them fall within their camp, 
all around their dwellings. 
29 And they ate and were well filled, 
for he gave them what they craved. 

54 And he brought them to his holy hill, 
to the mountain that his right hand had won. 


NEW TESTAMENT:   Ephesians 4: 1 - 16   (RCL)

Ephe 4:1 (NRSV) I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling, 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all. 
7 But each of us was given grace according to the measure of Christ's gift. 8 Therefore it is said, 
"When he ascended on high he made captivity itself a captive; 
he gave gifts to his people." 
9 (When it says, "He ascended," what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower parts of the earth? 10 He who descended is the same one who ascended far above all the heavens, so that he might fill all things.) 11 The gifts he gave were that some would be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13 until all of us come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to maturity, to the measure of the full stature of Christ. 14 We must no longer be children, tossed to and fro and blown about by every wind of doctrine, by people's trickery, by their craftiness in deceitful scheming. 15 But speaking the truth in love, we must grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by every ligament with which it is equipped, as each part is working properly, promotes the body's growth in building itself up in love. 


Ephesians 4: 17, 20 - 24   (Roman Catholic)

Ephe 4:17 (NRSV) Now this I affirm and insist on in the Lord: you must no longer live as the Gentiles live, in the futility of their minds. 

20 That is not the way you learned Christ! 21 For surely you have heard about him and were taught in him, as truth is in Jesus. 22 You were taught to put away your former way of life, your old self, corrupt and deluded by its lusts, 23 and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, 24 and to clothe yourselves with the new self, created according to the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. 
25 So then, putting away falsehood, let all of us speak the truth to our neighbors, for we are members of one another. 


GOSPEL:   John 6: 24 - 35   (all)

John 6:24 (NRSV) So when the crowd saw that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they themselves got into the boats and went to Caper'naum looking for Jesus. 
25 When they found him on the other side of the sea, they said to him, "Rabbi, when did you come here?" 26 Jesus answered them, "Very truly, I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. 27 Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For it is on him that God the Father has set his seal." 28 Then they said to him, "What must we do to perform the works of God?" 29 Jesus answered them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent." 30 So they said to him, "What sign are you going to give us then, so that we may see it and believe you? What work are you performing? 31 Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, "He gave them bread from heaven to eat.'" 32 Then Jesus said to them, "Very truly, I tell you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. 33 For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world." 34 They said to him, "Sir, give us this bread always." 
35 Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. 


Chad Wohlers
Woodbury, VT USA
chadwohl at satucket.com
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