Last Sunday after the Epiphany - March 2

Last Epiphany/Year C Sermon/March 2, 2025

Exodus 34:29-35; Psalm 99; 2 Corinthians 3:12-4:2; Luke 9:28-36

(Rev Julie Platson)


Opening Prayer:  

By your Spirit, O God, enlighten our hearts, open our minds, fill our vision with your radiance, and give us life, as we hear your Word today. Amen.

Well, here we are again…we blinked and another season of the church year that began with the baptism story of Jesus on the 1st Sunday after the Epiphany is coming to an end this week with the transfiguration story of Jesus.

Jesus’ baptism story on the 1st Sunday after the Epiphany focused on the Holy Spirit descending upon him in the bodily form like a dove with these final words from the gospel that day:

From the 1st Sunday after the Epiphany: Luke 3: 21-22

21 Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heaven was opened, 22and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, ‘You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.’

Today’s gospel reading about the experience of Jesus and Peter and James and John on the mountain top offers us similar words, but makes it much more personal for us, the listeners, in the hearing of this similar verse: Then from the cloud came a voice that said, "This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!"

This season of the church year always begins and ends in this way. The first Sunday with the voice of the God speaking to Jesus…You are my Son, the Beloved; and the last Sunday, with the voice speaking directly to us: This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!

We could also say, that even though those words were directed at Jesus on the day of his baptism, we do know that there were many witnesses and others coming to be baptized that day, so those words that they heard, and we hear year after year on the 1st Sunday after the Epiphany, or on any Sunday for that matter, are meant for us, today, too…The Spirit of the living God, helps us now, as we take time to pray with the scriptures, to pray in silence, to pray with one another, and discern what God is saying to us and calling us to do now, in this time and in this place, and to empower us to take those necessary steps and actions that align with the teachings and mission of Christ…

This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!

I love that these are the last words we hear each year as we prepare to enter into the season of Lent that begins with this invitation from the Ash Wednesday liturgy: I invite you, therefore, in the name of the Church, to the observance of a holy Lent, by self-examination and repentance; by prayer, fasting, and self-denial; and by reading and meditating on God's holy Word.

And this isn’t an invitation for us to become scholars of the bible, or to become more religious with our spiritual practices…It’s an invitation, to turn once again, with a commitment to listen deeply to the Word of God, to the life and mission of Jesus, with all of our heart, soul, strength, and mind…

And to allow his voice, his teachings to be the voice we listen to and respond to in word and with loving and compassionate service, the One to guide us and lead us in following the way of God’s love, as I mentioned last week, a love that has the power to heal and transform the most difficult moments in all of our lives, so that we can hold on to HOPE, knowing that together, with God, and one another…the day will come, when God’s kingdom of love will come here on earth, as in heaven. The day will come when every human being knows that justice and peace and love and mercy and compassion and freedom and respect for one another, is for everyone. 

On the 3rd Sunday after the Epiphany, Jesus summed up his understanding of his mission and ministry with words from the gospel of Luke 4:14-21…The passage we heard that Sunday, was preceded by his baptism, his 40 day time in the wilderness being tempted by the devil: Jesus, filled with the power of the Spirit, returned to Galilee, and a report about him spread through all the surrounding country. He began to teach in their synagogues and was praised by everyone. When he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, he went to the synagogue on the sabbath day, as was his custom. He stood up to read, and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written: "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."

And he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. The eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. Then he began to say to them, "Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing."

This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!

Here are some more words of Jesus’ worth listening to from Mark 12:29-31: Jesus said, "The first commandment is this: Hear, O Israel: The Lord your God is the only Lord. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. The second is this: Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these."   


 This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!

Need some other resources to turn to that have been informed by the scriptures, and summarizes what we affirm and believe about God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit?

In our book of common prayer, you can turn to the Catechism section to learn more about this voice we are called to listen to…we can join in with the reading of the Nicene Creed every week, we can turn to the Renewal of our Baptismal Vows that includes the Apostle’s Creed, the creed of our baptism, along with several promises we strive to live out in our life, as followers of Christ, with  God’s help and in community with one another.

We are living in some very chaotic and heart-wrenching times for our beloved siblings here in our communities, and all over the world… There are many voices trying to get our attention and make us listen to “their voice”… many are loud, hurtful, hateful, revenge-filled voices threatening to drown out the voices and needs of the most vulnerable people among us, here and around the world, those losing life-saving medical care and basic food and shelter, those losing jobs, those being stripped of their human rights and dignity, those being tossed aside, those who are already struggling to make ends meet, and take care of their health and their loved ones health, those who are directly impacted by the terrors and suffering of war in their homelands…

But, the voice of God, as proclaimed through the life, death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ…are the words that we are called to listen to…

 This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!

As we turn from one season to the next…and you are in the discerning stage of how you will observe a holy Lent…it need not be overwhelming…and can begin with a commitment to whose voice you will be listening to…

I invite you to light a candle every day throughout Lent, and I commend these words from today’s gospel to help you return and return again, every day…to heed these words proclaimed in today’s Gospel:

This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!

I close now with these words from a song entitled, “Love shine a light”

As we take more time to listen to the voice, the light and love of Christ’s voice, may we too be transformed and transfigured by that light and love, and carry it out and share it with the world around us…

 

Closing Prayer/Hymn: Love Shine a Light (Kimberley Rew) – FULL LYRCICS

Love shine a light in every corner of my heart

Let the love light carry, let the love light carry

Light up the magic in every little part

Let our love shine a light in every corner of our hearts

 

Love shine a light in every corner of my dreams

Let the love light carry, let the love light carry

Like the mighty river, flowing from the stream

Let our love shine a light in every corner of my dreams

 

And we're all gonna shine a light together

All shine a light to light the way

Brothers and sisters, in every little part

Let our love shine a light in every corner of our hearts

 

Love shine a light in every corner of the world

Let the love light carry, let the love light carry

Light up the magic, for every boy and girl

Let our love shine a light in every corner of the world

 

And we're all gonna shine a light together

All shine a light to light the way

Brothers and sisters, in every little part

Let our love shine a light, in every corner of our hearts

 

And we're all gonna shine a light together

All shine a light to light the way

Brothers and sisters, in every little part

Let our love shine a light in every corner of our hearts

Shine a light in every corner of our hearts

7 Epiphany/Year C Sermon

7 Epiphany/Year C Sermon/February 23, 2025

Genesis 45:3-11, 15; Psalm 37:1-12, 41-42; 1 Corinthians 15:35-38, 42-50; Luke 6:27-38

 
Opening Prayer:  Holy God, open up our eyes, and ears, and hearts, and minds to awaken us anew to what the Spirit is teaching us today. Amen.

Sometimes Jesus’ teachings sound poetic and lovely, and we have no trouble connecting with the message he is trying to get across to His listeners. But other times, his teachings are quite simple and direct…but not so lovely sounding…and they really don’t leave much wiggle room for interpretation. But, we as human beings, have some pretty strong minds and wills…so we are quite adept at filtering out what we think He is saying, and finding creative ways, to dismiss some of his more difficult teachings, as only pertaining to certain people, in certain times, and in certain places.

Our brain’s default is often to “hear” and “see” what we already know…and feel comfortable with…And it can also be a natural 1st response for us, to turn away from those things that are just too difficult to look at or grasp because of the enormity of what we see and hear, and feel helpless to change any of it.  So, I do think our challenge…in learning new things, considering and accepting new and old difficult teachings…does call for us to begin and end each day with prayer to God, daily, and often, to open wide our eyes and our ears…and especially our hearts and our minds…to consider these uncomfortable teachings...these basic and direct, and difficult teachings that Jesus is longing for us to understand, and then take steps to respond with our words and actions wherever we might be.

IN today’s 1st reading from Genesis, we may shake our heads in disbelief, wondering, how in the world could Joseph ever return to his family, to his brothers who did the unthinkable, first plotting to kill him, but then decided instead to sell him into slavery… and the brothers also caused years of deep heartache and suffering for their father, lying to him and telling him that his son Joseph was likely killed by a wild animal. And how unthinkable, or impossible, that Joseph not only returned to his family, his brothers…but he forgave them…he chose to love them again…having been sent by God to return to them to save them from starvation and poverty…

Imagine having to forgive and love and bless the very people who abandoned you and cut you off from your livelihood?

Difficult, very difficult to imagine…yet in Joseph’s story today…we saw how that was possible, through God’s love inspiring him to reach out as he did…Joseph had mercy upon his brothers, forgave them, making room for love, the unconditional love of God, to reconcile and heal their family relationships.

Jesus’ Sermon on the Plain in today’s gospel is equally hard to digest. As if the Blessings and the Woes that Jesus spoke about last week were not confusing enough. Today, Jesus continues with his Sermon on the Plain when he was speaking to the crowds gathered…the apostles, his disciples, and many others who had come to hear him and to be healed of their diseases

This time, he is tackling the very uncomfortable topic about loving your enemies, and forgiveness…

Let’s take a look at Jesus’ words in the gospel again…this time…I’m going to pause briefly in between each verse, inviting you to open wide your eyes, ears, hearts and minds, to hear anew what the Spirit is saying to you today, as you struggle to grasp the difficulty of these teachings in this time and place in a world that is experiencing so much division, hatred, and suffering…

Luke (6:27-38)

Jesus said, "I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.

Silence…

If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt.

Silence…

Give to everyone who begs from you; and if anyone takes away your goods, do not ask for them again.

Silence…

Do to others as you would have them do to you.

Silence…

"If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them.

Silence…

 If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same.

Silence…

If you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much again.

Silence…

But love your enemies, do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return.

Silence…

Your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High; for he is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked.

Silence…

Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

Silence…

"Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned.

Silence…

Forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you.

Silence…

A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap; for the measure you give will be the measure you get back."

Silence…

These are some pretty direct words from Jesus today. Difficult to digest. Hard to make sense of.

Difficult, hard, uncomfortable…yes…but not impossible, with God’s help… Difficult, hard, uncomfortable…yes…but they need not keep us from striving to understand the live-giving ways of God, made known to us, through the love and witness of Jesus Christ. For this love is a gift given to us...so that in receiving and trusting in its power to heal and transform the most difficult moments in all of our lives, we can hold on to HOPE, knowing that together, with God, and one another…the day will come, when God’s kingdom of love will come here on earth, as in heaven. The day will come, where every human being knows that justice and peace and love and mercy and compassion and freedom and respect for one another, is for everyone. 

The psalmist tells us today: put your trust in the Lord, take delight in the Lord, commit your way to the Lord, be still before the Lord…and wait patiently for him…If nothing makes sense today…don’t give up…

Begin again tomorrow morning, every morning… put your trust in the Lord, take delight in the Lord, commit your way to the Lord, be still before the Lord…and wait patiently for him…for God’s mercies are new every morning… begin again with asking God to open your eyes, ears, hearts and minds to reveal what the Spirit is trying to teach you…about the saving and healing power of God’s love…

And perhaps, a good place to start, tomorrow morning…is to read today’s gospel once again…Read it slowly, line by line…write down some things that come to mind after each verse…let God’s Word awaken you anew, not only today, tomorrow, but throughout the week,…allow it to inspire in you, and reveal to you…a path through it, and a glimmer of hope that will help you take a step forward….in seeking and striving to walk the Way of Love…that Jesus is teaching us…

That’s just one spiritual practice that you could use in the morning as you continue to wrestle with these difficult passages, and what they are saying to you today.

The practice of the Daily Examen can be a helpful spiritual practice to use at the end of the day. It can be especially helpful, I think…to help us be honest with ourselves when it comes to the uncomfortable and difficult teachings of Jesus today, about loving our enemies, and forgiving others…

Here it is in a nutshell: Look back over your day…and…

Ask God for light. Give thanks. Review the day. Face your shortcomings. Look toward the day to come. 

I commend these 2 practices to you this week, because there are no short-cuts to working through these difficult teachings in the midst of these unimaginable days. Your priest can not do the difficult wrestling of the scriptures for you. But, as we gather here in community, it can help to know, that you are not alone. Most of us here, are struggling, and wrestling with all of it too…the difficult teachings, and the unimaginable division, hatred, and suffering that is taking place in our world today. Difficult, hard, uncomfortable…yes…but we will get through all of this, together, with God’s help.

So, I hope you’ll give it a try…begin and end your day in prayer: Asking God to open up your eyes, and ears, and hearts and minds to be awakened anew to what the Spirit is saying to you, each and every day.  Ask God for light. Give thanks. Review the day. Face your shortcomings. Look toward the day to come. 

Closing Prayer/Hymn: Open our eyes lord – (Renew Hymnal #91)                                     Open our eyes, Lord, we want to see Jesus, to reach out and touch him, and say that we love him. Open our ears, Lord, and help us to listen, open our eyes, Lord, we want to see Jesus. Amen.

Rev Julie Platson

St Peter’s by the Sea Episcopal Church

Sitka, AK

In today’s gospel reading, this is the good news I’m hearing today...

5 Epiphany/Year C Sermon/February 9, 2025

Isaiah 6:1-8; Psalm 138; 1 Corinthians 15:1-11; Luke 5:1-11

Opening Prayer: Loving God, you have called forth disciples and prophets to live and speak your word. Give us ears to hear, lives to respond, and voices to proclaim the good news of salvation, which we know in our Savior Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. (Textweek.com)

This is one of those Sundays, when the gospel reading we heard today comes up on the lectionary cycle, when I feel a bit like a “fish out of water”. As I’ve looked out at most of you sitting in the pews throughout my relatively short years here in Sitka, and have had the opportunity to listen and learn more about your way of life here that relies on our natural resources from the sea and the land to feed your families, and others who rely on your labors in the fishing industry…I can’t help but feel grateful and thankful. Many of you have spent long days, long nights, long weeks and months, fishing year after year, to provide for your family, and for those of us who are the recipients of the fruits of your labors and I think to myself – I am unworthy to even begin to unpack today’s Gospel reading from the perspective of the fisherman, most especially from Simon’s perspective in today’s story.

But, from that place of feeling unworthiness, what I can do, is share my perspective, and my wonderings, as a fellow sojourner in this world, as someone who is in the “boat”, with you...striving to make sense of this sometimes, difficult and confusing and wonderful world, we find ourselves in…and as someone who is striving to discern how I can use my particular gifts to work and live with others, in such a way that contributes to the well-being of all God’s beloved children.

That’s all any of us are called to do…to share our own authentic faith story, with one another…from the place in our hearts, from where we believe we have heard God’s voice and his call to us – that voice that speaks to each of us – wherever we are – calling our attention for a moment – even in a fearful moment – most often in a fearful moment – to stop – listen – listen to the words of Jesus – Do not be afraid…

Each of our readings today, include a “call” message. Isaiah’s call, Paul’s testimony on his call, and then Simon (and James and John’s) call…each one of them, were called in the midst of where they were, each one of them, perhaps taken by surprise…each one of them, perhaps, experienced a moment of fear, unbelief, or unworthiness… but when they said, yes with their hearts, when they opened up their eyes, ears and hearts, to the miracle and mystery of the saving grace of God’s love they were witness to, in that moment…something changed in them, something transformed them, even if it was just a small flicker of light that momentarily gave them the courage…to boldly take a step forward, leaving everything behind: the worries, the fears, the weariness, the feelings of unworthiness…all left behind…to answer God’s call to them… believing that God had chosen them for something greater than what they had yet to imagine…

In today’s gospel reading, this is the good news I’m hearing today:

There were people eager to hear some good news…not just any good news…but the good news that Jesus had been teaching everywhere he went… the Word of God’s love and faithfulness for his people…a love that has the power to free people from the bondage of sin and suffering, calling them instead…to believe in a hopeful, flourishing, abundant life, as revealed to us in Jesus’ teachings and miracles…time and time again…

Jesus got into the boat, belonging to Simon…and asked him to put out a little way from the shore…and from there Jesus spoke to the crowds who were gathered to hear the life-giving Word of God…

I like to believe that Jesus chose Simon’s boat that day…knowing that He and his partners James and John had worked all night long fishing and had caught nothing. I believe he knew just how tired they were, that they had toiled and worked themselves to the bone, all night….but still had to clean up everything afterwards, they still had to get everything set for the next day, they still had to summon up the strength to work tomorrow, the next day, and the next…wondering and worrying whether there will be any fish tomorrow…they were exhausted, perhaps discouraged…perhaps feeling depleted and empty…

I believe Jesus chose Simon’s boat that day….because sometimes we don’t know that we need to hear the good news of God’s love for us…

But Jesus does…and it is precisely in those moments of exhaustion, weariness, discouragement, and unworthiness, that through the saving grace of Jesus Christ, God’s voice does call out to us…and reveals a new way forward…a way forward that invites us to follow Jesus, in walking the Way of love…paying attention to the miracles that are possible and unfolding right before our eyes…right in the midst of the most difficult times in our lives…

So, yes…Jesus was speaking to the crowds, but he was most certainly speaking to Simon, too...intentionally choosing him that day, to assure him…that God’s love and faithfulness is with him, for all of his days…

Simon and the others were amazed, perhaps stunned, perhaps unbelieving, perhaps fearful, scared to death, of the abundance of fish that were caught in their nets, when they responded to Jesus’ words, "Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch."

But, it was precisely in the midst of those mixed emotions, and trusting enough to go where Jesus was asking them to go, that Jesus’ words and actions became the healing balm that soothed their souls, softened their hearts, and allowed for the Holy Spirit to revive their souls once again…

Jesus assured Simon (and the others who heard him say), “Do not be afraid, from now on you will be catching people.” (meaning…You will be the one, who can help lift someone out of hunger and despair, and give them hope…You will be the one who goes on to invite the weary person, to come and sit awhile with you, and to assure them that they are seen, heard, and loved.)

In response to this encounter with Jesus, they accepted Jesus’ invitation to follow him …they left everything and decided to follow Jesus.

They decided to follow Jesus, because they now experienced for themselves and had come to believe and trust that indeed Jesus is the One they had been waiting for…there was something compelling in their encounter with Jesus…that affirmed in their being…that the life-giving Word of God’s love, that Jesus proclaimed, were words of hope that they needed to hear and that others long to hear, too…It is this love, that has the power to reconcile us to God, one another, and all of creation.

In a world that is currently experiencing great division, and fear and weariness…we ourselves, are all being called now, we are being chosen by God, in this time and in this place…wherever we are, whomever we are… to share the healing balm of Jesus Christ…so that others know, and we ourselves know…that deep down, we are not so different after-all… we all have fears, struggles, sorrows, heartaches…we all yearn to laugh and experience joys…we all share many of the same desires and dreams and hopes for ourselves and our loved ones…

It is our turn now…to share our own authentic faith story, with one another…from the place in our hearts, from where we have heard God’s voice and his call to us – that voice that speaks to each of us – wherever we are – calling our attention for a moment – even in a fearful moment – most often in a fearful moment – to stop – listen – listen to the words of Jesus – Do not be afraid…stop – listen to the heart-cries and hopes of our neighbors…and share the good news of God’s healing balm…

This is what I take away from the gospel story today….

What about you? You, the tired fisherfolk, you, the weary parent, you, the worried soul, you, who can’t see the end of our troubled times, you, who is tired from the long journey of grief…

What good news, from your perspective, did you hear today? And with whom will you share it this week?

Prayer/Hymn: Lift Every Voice and Sing II - #203 There is a Balm in Gilead

There is a balm in Gilead to make the wounded whole;

There is a balm in Gilead to heal the sin-sick soul.

1 Sometimes I feel discouraged, and think my work’s in vain,

But then the holy spirit, Revives my soul again.

Refrain

2 If you cannot preach like Peter, if you cannot preach like Paul,

You can tell the love of Jesus, and say He died for all.

Refrain

3 Don’t ever be discouraged, for Jesus is your friend,

And if you lack for knowledge, he’ll ne’er refuse to lend.

Refrain

The Presentation of Jesus in the Temple - sermon reflection

The Presentation of Our Lord Jesus Christ in the Temple/Year C Sermon/February 2, 2025

Malachi 3:1-4; Psalm 84; Luke 2:22-40

Rev Julie Platson

Opening Prayer: (A New Zealand Prayer Book)

Everliving God, your Son Jesus Christ was presented as a child in the temple to be the hope of your people; grant us pure hearts and minds that we may be transformed into his likeness, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever. Amen.

 

Today we celebrate the Feast of the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple.

In Bishop Mark’s e-news reflection this past week, he gave us a brief intro at the start of his reflection regarding this special day on the church calendar:

He writes: February 2 is the Feast of the Presentation.  It is a Feast Day that commemorates Mary and Joseph presenting the baby Jesus at the Temple 40 days after his birth–as required by the Torah.  The Presentation is sometimes called “Candlemas” due to the tradition of blessing candles for the altar at the celebration.  This tradition grew out of the song of Simeon (Luke 2:25-32).  The words of Simeon have various translations, but I am fond of the version in the Prayer Book found in our Evening Prayer Service (BCP page 120): “Lord, you now have set your servant free to go in peace as you have promised; For these eyes of mine have seen the Savior, whom you have prepared for all the world to see: A Light to enlighten the nations, and the glory of your people Israel.”

At today’s service we mark this special occasion when the long-awaited One, the light of the world was presented in the temple, lifted up for all to see through the witness of Simeon and Anna in today’s gospel reading….As we look and listen to their words today, we can be inspired by their examples of what it means to wait and long for someone, something that that can help us remain in hope and steadfast in prayer when we find ourselves wondering where God is in the midst of such chaos, darkness and suffering, doubting how we will ever get through such uncertain times, lamenting and longing for a day when indeed all God’s people will know that this symbol of hope, peace, love and redemption that was lifted up for all that day in the temple, is lifted up for all of us today…to hold fast to…to proclaim the good news to others….to not give up in sharing this light and love and peace of God, made known to us throughout centuries of story-telling, in word and action, about the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.

One thing that is highlighted in today’s gospel, notes that Simeon, an elder, waited and never gave up for the coming of the promised One, and it was also noted that the Holy Spirit rested upon him, and that Simeon was open to the Holy Spirit’s guiding throughout his days. We also note how he gives thanks and praise to God, as he lifts Jesus up and proclaims for all to see, that God has fulfilled his promise, here and now, during this lifetime.

Anna, also an elder, was highlighted in today’s reading for her steadfastness in worship and prayer. But not only that, her immediate response after witnessing the presentation of Jesus that day in the temple, moved her to give thanks and praise to God, and to share this good news with everyone she could.

And as I read the last verse in today’s reading: The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him; my thoughts go immediately to Simeon and Anna, as two key persons who helped mark this new beginning possible, for Jesus to grow in faith and wisdom, and embrace the mission he was set aside for: (as we heard in last week’s gospel) To proclaim the good news to the poor, to proclaim release to the captives, and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of God’s favor…

Perhaps you can think of some key persons, those elders, throughout your lifetime, who have lifted you up in their hearts and minds and prayers and arms of love…who have reminded you of your belovedness, who have inspired you, who have been a beacon of light for you to follow when you were going through some dark times, giving you the courage to hold on, to remain hopeful, to not give up, to dream of a better day, to help you keep the faith, and actively take steps to work for a more just, loving, liberating life for yourself and for those in your community. Perhaps some elders come to mind, those famous saints, and movers and shakers throughout history, who have worked and labored in love for a better future for those who would come into this world long after they were gone. Perhaps you can think of those everyday saints, right here at St Peter’s who have done the same.

My prayer today is for us to be especially mindful, that there are some in our communities and throughout the world who are not and have not been lifted up in the same ways that you may have experienced. For some, there are no names that come easily to mind who have called them beloved.

For some, there are no names that come easily to mind when asked if there is someone who is encouraging them today, giving them hope for today, and for their children’s future. For some, there is no peace in their hearts and lives today.

But, we, all of us, of all ages, have the power and the privilege to be a beacon of light and peace for one another, with God’s help, with the examples of Jesus, and looking to the saints and the elders who have modeled their lives after his, and with the community who gathers every week to worship and pray together to be inspired and guided by the Holy Spirit to go: to go in peace, to live in peace as disciples who reflect the light of Jesus.

Bishop Mark reminds us in his last e-news reflection that: we are called to be disciples of peace.

And he reminds us of how we, as disciples of the Light of Christ, can do this. It is to live deeply into the words of our Baptismal Covenant:  To be people of prayer and genuine fellowship; to be people who resist evil (in ourselves and others); to be people who repent and return time and again to the Lord for our hope and renewal; to be a people of Good News in Christ and not cruel judgment in our self-interest.  But perhaps most important of all, we are a people who go in Peace when we seek to serve Christ in all persons; when we love neighbor as self; and when we strive for justice and peace among all people (ALL people), and respect the dignity of every human being.

We are going to take a few minutes now to light some candles on this special feast day…candles to remember those elders who have inspired us and continue to give us hope; candles as we pray for those in need of hope and peace; candles to remind us that as disciples of the light of Christ, we are called to go out into the world, as disciples of peace.

 

After the lighting of candles…move into the prayers of the people today…

 

Hymns to play while candles are being lit:

Kum ba yah (Kumbaya)…

Let there be peace in earth…

 

Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me;

Let there be peace on earth, the peace that was meant to be,

With God as creator, brothers and sisters are we,

Let us walk with each other in perfect harmony.

 

Let peace begin with me, let this be the moment now.

With ev’ry step I take, let this be my solemn vow:

To take each moment and live each moment in peace eternally.

Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me.

3 Epiphany Year C - Annual Meeting Day

3 Epiphany/Year C Sermon/ Annual Meeting Day/Jan 26 2025

Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10; Psalm 19; 1 Corinthians 12: 12-31a; Luke 4:14-21  

Opening Prayer: Gift-giver, you call us together, with our different gifts, our different ideas, our different tastes. You call us together, to share what makes us special, to build each other up, to serve each other in love. You call us together, knowing that we need all parts of the body of your faithful people, if we are to be whole. You call us together, to sing, to pray, to listen, to speak, to be refreshed so that we can go out and serve.  You call us together in the name of the One who has taught us, what it means to walk in love, with God, one another, and all of creation. Amen  ~ (posted by Rev Gord)

Today is annual meeting day. A day set aside each year to recall and highlight the ways we, as a faith community, have lived out the mission of Jesus Christ in the past year, and to be reminded of his mission, and to re-affirm our commitment for the coming year to stay true to the mission of Jesus, as we grow in our faith, and as we seek and strive to align our lives and all that we do, with the love of God proclaimed to us, in the life, death, resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Today’s reading from the 1st letter of Paul to the Corinthians, is surely a great text to hear on the day we will gather for our annual meeting... to reflect and review the ways we have functioned as the body of Christ, as the light and love of Christ, here in this place, in our community, and in the world. It’s a text that reaffirms, that we are all a part of the body of Christ. And each one of us, has an important role, in building up the body of Christ, by being beacons of Christ’s light and love…through serving God, and one another, by being the eyes and the ears, the hearts and the minds, and the hands and the feet of Christ in this world today and in the years to come ….

Through our baptisms, and through all of us who gather together in this place to learn more about Jesus and walking the way of love that he has taught us and shown us, we are reminded that we are all called members of one body, Christ’s body…and that we were created to live in community with one another…

There is one Body and one Spirit;

There is one hope in God's call to us;

It is the Holy Spirit that unites us to one another: she helps us learn and seek and strive to understand Jesus’ teachings, they inspire us, enlighten us, comfort us, empower us, and reveal our gifts to be shared with one another, for the well-being and wholeness of the community gathered…here in this place…in our communities, and throughout the world.

Every one of us, is called and invited to engage in the mission of Jesus in this time, and in this place… to proclaim the good news of God’s dream of a beloved community for all people, when ALL KNOW without a doubt they ARE WELCOME in the household of God:

Jesus read from the scroll of the prophet Isaiah today that spoke to what His mission was:

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor.

He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.

This is the mission of Jesus, this is the mission of all the baptized, this is the mission of all of us as a faith community:

To proclaim the good news to the poor, to proclaim release to the captives, and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of God’s favor…

Every one of us:

We are young, we are old; we are quiet, we are outgoing; we are teachers, we are students; we are fishermen and fisherwomen, we are counselors, and advocates; we are prayer warriors, and healing practitioners; we are musicians and singers; we are ushers and greeters; we are lectors, and chalicists; we are bell-ringers and acolytes; we are vestry members and convention delegates; we are community board members and city committee members; we are nurses and medical personnel; we are mothers and fathers, grandmothers and grandfathers, we are sisters and brothers, we are aunts and uncles; we are quilters, we are beaders, we are knitters; we are bakers, we are gardeners; we are artists and writers; we are builders, we are craftsmen; we are business owners, and entrepreneurs; we are priests and deacons; we are dancers and gymnasts; we are walkers and runners; we are creation care enthusiasts and domestic violence advocates; we are archivists, and sacred story-keepers; we are federal workers, and government employees; we are people who serve our country in the armed forces, we are coast guard families. The list has no ending in sight…the possibilities are endless with the ways in which we are called to proclaim the good news of God’s love for everyone…through our words, and through our actions…

We are a diverse body of God’s beloved children, who share the same Spirit, which unites us to one another, through the Love of God, made known to us, in Jesus Christ.

All of us together are Christ’s body, and each of us is a part of it. 

In a few moments, we will renew our baptismal covenant again…words for all of us to go back to time and time again, especially in times throughout our lives when we find ourselves unsure or wondering: “what is OUR MISSION as a faith community?”

St Peter’s mission statement is worded simply…                                                                                                                                                                                   On a journey together: Seeking and Striving to walk the way of love with God, one another, and all of creation…

But, the possibilities are not simple….they are endless and varied with the ways in which we can all share our gifts in the coming year to be the body of Christ, the light and love of Christ, here in this place, in our community, and in the world.

May God Give us grace, every one of us, to answer readily the call of our Savior Jesus Christ and proclaim to all people the Good News of his salvation, that we and the whole world may perceive the glory of his marvelous works. Amen (Collect of the day/3 Epiphany)

 

 Closing prayer/Hymn: WLP 782 - Gracious Spirit, give your servants

1        Gracious Spirit, give your servants joy to set sin’s captives free,

          hope to heal the brokenhearted, peace to share love’s liberty.

          Through us bring your balm of gladness to the wounded and oppressed;

          help us claim and show God’s favor as a people called and blessed.

 

2        Word made flesh, who gave up glory to become our great high priest,

          taking on our human nature to redeem the last and least:

          let your courage and compassion shape and guide our ministries;

          as our Savior and our Shepherd, lead us to the truth that frees.

 

3        Loving God, who birthed creation from the nothingness of space,

          kindling life where all was empty, turning chaos into grace:

          when we feel confused and fruitless, dawn upon our restless night;

          give us faith’s imagination, hope’s renewing, love’s delight.

 

4        Triune God, eternal Being, never ending, unbegun,

          boundless grace and perfect justice, righteous and forgiving One:

          so enfold us in your mercy that our wills and yours unite;

          through us may the world behold you, find your love, your truth, your light.

(Rev Julie Platson, St Peter’s by the Sea)

1st Sunday after Christmas - The light and love has come

1 Christmas/Year C

12/29/2024

Isaiah 61:10-62:3, Psalm 147, Galatians 3:23-25; 4:4-7, John 1:1-18

What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people...from John 1:1-18

Opening Prayer: Almighty God, You have shed upon us the new light of Your incarnate Word. Grant that this light, enkindled in our hearts may shine forth in our lives, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, One God, now and for ever. Amen (Church of Scotland)

Today’s gospel reading from John is both beautiful and mysterious, all at once. The first eighteen verses in this fourth gospel are often referred to as the prologue – an introduction and summary of sorts, of what the Gospel’s key lessons will be about or perhaps, I should say, “who” this will be about.

The passages from John we heard today…points us to the beginning…the beginning of life….new life that began when God poured upon us the new light of His Incarnate Word…

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being 4in him was life,* and the life was the light of all people. John 1:1-4

This life who is the light of all people…is named Jesus. And we celebrate his birth – the birth of God’s new light, poured out upon us to bring life, eternal life, for all of God’s people.

John the Baptist came as a witness to testify to this light, so that all might believe through him that the true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. John tried to tell others…that the savior of the world was coming, the true light was coming…but people weren’t quite sure what to make of him….

On Christmas Eve, we listened to the birth story of Jesus through the experiences of the angels, the shepherds, the journey to Bethlehem with Mary and Joseph….according to Luke…The stories and messages that were shared that night reflected outward signs and a few details of the Christmas story, and the birth of Jesus…what people were doing, where they were going, etc…

John’s gospel tells the “birth story” of Jesus, so unlike the other gospels. We don’t hear about Mary and Joseph and their journey to Bethlehem…we don’t hear the stories of the shepherds, or the angels….Instead of giving us a lot of details and imagery of the other gospels….this gospel reading from John, goes to the heart of where all the imagery was inspired….where all the details were just a seed….where all of life began…with the Word...the Word was with God, and the Word was God…all things came into being through Him…

What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people...from John 1:1-18

As most of us know very well, there are beginnings and endings…there is life, and there is death…we know that from the very beginning of our lives…from the day we are born…

The challenge we face in our lives, is allowing the light and love that was born again in us, and for us, on Christmas Day, to remain with us, to guide our days and our daily walk, throughout our lifetime…and to remember, that even in death, we are alive in the Lord Jesus, when we have faith in Him.

We sometimes forget this light of Christ was born for us, to be a constant companion, even in the darkness...for the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness does not overcome it…

We say that life, the busyness of life, the trials and sufferings of this life, get in the way of our enjoyment of life, or any peace of mind, or truly receiving the blessings poured out upon us. The scriptures today tell us otherwise.

The true light, Jesus, is the one who gives us life. If we can re-direct our gaze and our thoughts once again, back to that beginning, we will have life, the life which is the light for all people…for all eternity…We will be reminded that life, abundant life, is realized in the gift given of Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, the giver of light and life, born to us, over 2000 years ago…

If we can clear the clutter, (of our eharts and minds), put aside the new clothes, put away the presents under our trees, pack away the items sitting pretty on our mantles, take away everything we define ourselves as, in the “doing of things”…we can move from depending on the things of our worldly life, that often weigh us down, to our acknowledgement, that the light, which truly gives us life, is within each one of us…waiting to be rekindled, eager to shine forth, to testify to others…that the light has come, and will come again….again and again… God is with us now… in all his glory…

For…The Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth. From his fullness, we have all received, grace upon grace…

Christmas is the time to remember in whom, true life was born for us, and in us…

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. Jesus is that Word Eternal.

What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. Jesus is that Light eternal.

The Word became flesh and lived among us… Jesus is that Word incarnate.

Closing Prayer/Hymn: (WLP) 748 – From the dawning of creation

1 From the dawning of creation,

God was present in the Word.

And the Word was God eternal,

source of all that came to be.

Jesus is that Word eternal.

Jesus is the Word of life.

2 Light appeared in deepest darkness.

Night was ended, morning dawned.

And that light is ever burning,

brightness never overcome.

Jesus is that Light eternal.

Jesus is the Word of life.

3 Human eyes have seen God’s glory;

human hands have touched God’s own.

In our likeness here among us,

dwells the Word of God made flesh.

Jesus is that Word incarnate.

Jesus is the Word of life.

Rev Julie Platson, St Peter’s by the Sea Episcopal Church

Sitka, AK

Christmas Eve Sermon - Dec 24 2024

Christmas Eve/Year C Sermon Reflection – Dec 24, 2024

Isaiah 9:2-7, Luke 2:1-20

Let us pray: Emmanuel, God-with-us, with eyes open, hearts softened, minds listening, and spirits full, we rejoice that you interrupt what we have in mind in order to bring into being something more than we dare imagine. May your light shine upon us, in us, and through us, as we gather here together, and as we leave this place tonight, eager to share this love and light with the world, that is born again in us, on this Christmas Eve. Amen. (Peter L. Haynes., adapted)

One of my (several) favorite things about gathering on Christmas Eve every year, is that we get to hear the scripture reading from Luke, that describes, just a little bit, about that first Christmas, about the birth of the long-awaited Savior, the Messiah, that the prophet Isaiah, and many other prophets and sages had foretold would come into our world, as a light and a love that would pierce the darkness of the world they were walking in, that would infuse the world with a light, love, hope, peace, and joy that would have the power to transform hearts, and lives, and communities, beyond anything we had yet to imagine.

In this story we listen to each year from the gospel of Luke…we hear a few details, yes…the place, some of the people, the setting, the event, the birth of a child…

But there is so much more room to imagine and wonder about all the details that are not included in this story. As you’ve probably noticed, in St Peter’s nativity up front by the altar, we’ve done some holy imagining over the years…beyond what we hear in the gospel reading tonight…we’ve got some of the “traditional animals” usually associated with the Christmas Stories, such as deer and sheep and cows, we have just a handful of people, shepherds, angels, Mary, Joseph…and the wise men will be added in a couple of weeks…but as you look closely, you will see some dinosaurs, sea creatures, monkeys, polar bears, dogs, cats, chickens to note just a few….It’s been a joyous way to bring this nativity to life in new ways…over 2000 years after the birth of Emmanuel…God with us…

Some may think it’s been a little silly to add all these different creatures to the nativity…but I ask the question – why? Why put God in a neat little box? Why limit God’s desire to reach all of creation, to include all people and creatures in this beloved love story? That’s precisely one of the reasons we celebrate the birth of God’s Son, God’s coming to live among us, for ALL of us, as a love and light that has been poured out for everyone….

As we gather tonight, and as we leave this place…I invite you to take some moments to wonder and ponder further…who were the others that you imagine were there at the time of the holy birth…what were they experiencing in all that was happening? Were they feeling joyous? Were they struggling to be joyful, if they were feeling anxious, or afraid, or just not knowing how to make sense of what was happening? Who are the other ones that we don’t see in this gospel story tonight? Can you think of those you think should be there? How might you become more mindful of those who are not usually included, those who live on the margins, those tucked away in hospitals, homeless shelters, prisons…

And other places and settings and systems that are meant to separate us from one another, instead of bringing us together, as one beloved family of God…

There’s another detail that you won’t find in tonight’s gospel reading about this child born for us…(although the angel Gabriel had already disclosed this detail to both Mary and Joseph previously)…and that is…the name of this holy child whom we come to believe and know as Jesus…the light of the world…

I am filled with gratitude to be able to share this Christmas Eve with all of you…knowing that some of us here tonight, may be feeling joyful, and some of us, may be feeling a bit sad, anxious, afraid…and if we’re all being truthful with ourselves…it’s a probably a mix of everything for most of us…and that’s the beauty of the Luke Gospel story tonight…it includes a little bit of everything…some glorious announcements by the angels, some fearful shepherds, who then go on to glorify and praise God telling others what they had seen and heard, and the quiet detail that tells us, “But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart.”

The message proclaimed in the Luke story this evening is for all people, for all places, and for all times…May it be so…

(Rev Julie Platson)

Closing prayer/Hymn: (H) 109 – The First Nowell (vs 1,2,4)

1 The first Nowell the angel did say

was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay;

in fields as they lay, keeping their sheep,

on a cold winter’s night that was so deep.

Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, born is the King of Israel.

2 They looked up and saw a star

shining in the east beyond them far,

and to the earth it gave great light,

and so it continued both day and night

Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, born is the King of Israel.

4 This star drew nigh to the northwest,

o’er Bethlehem it took its rest,

and there it did both stop and stay

right over the place where Jesus lay.

Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, born is the King of Israel.

Dec 1 Sunday sermon: Waiting and watching for signs of HOPE

1 Advent/Year C

December 1, 2024

Jeremiah 33:14-16; Psalm 25:1-9; 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13; Luke 21:25-36

  

Opening Prayer: (Christine Sine)

Lord Jesus Christ, we await your coming,

We wait filled with hope,

Knowing your light will shine in the darkness.

We wait anticipating your peace,

Believing that one day it will fill our world.

We wait with joy,

Bubbling us in expectation of your birth.

We wait embracing your love,

May we reach out to share it with our neighbours.

Lord we wait, Come soon and fill us with your life. Amen.

 

Lord, it seems as though we are always waiting for something, someone, some sign that all will be well in our personal lives, our community, our world.

Especially, now…when there seems to be so many stories filling our news feeds that speak of so much division, darkness, uncertainties, and worries about what our future days will look like…

Yet, it’s not only looking to our news feeds that causes us to worry endlessly about what the future will look like, but even as we look closely at our own personal lives, and in our churches and neighborhoods, that we, too have been impacted by so much loss, and rapid changes in our personal and communal lives over the past several years.

So, yes, Lord, it seems as though we are always waiting for something, someone, some sign that all will be well in our personal lives, our community, our world…some signs of light and hope…in the midst of these sometimes chaotic, troublesome, dark and weary days…

I wonder, if this new beginning of the church year, we might begin again with a fresh approach to how we might journey through this advent season…as we wait and watch, as we listen to the stories in the scriptures and in the songs of the season, as we slow down and pray, and as we look with awe and wonder at the world around us…with a child-like faith, with a renewed trust in the One who is compassionate and loving, good and gracious…the One who can lead us in truth, the One who can teach us and show us the path of hope, peace, joy and love that is before us, the One, whose path we can trust in, with a foundation built upon love and faithfulness…the One whose coming we await, once again, our Lord Jesus Christ.

I wonder if we can open up our eyes, ears, hearts and minds anew this advent season…with a renewed commitment and practice of meditating on the words that Jesus speaks to us in the gospel readings that can help us to be more aware and alert to the signs of light and hope all around us, even in the midst of all that is clamoring for our attention, and threatening to lead us down paths of despair…with no glimmers of hope for the future…

In the gospels, Jesus lays out the whole scenario…the signs of destruction, darkness, the fear of all those things that will threaten to destabilize the earth we tread upon… But, he tells us, not to lower our heads and our gaze in despair, but to stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near."  Look at the fig tree and all the trees; as soon as they sprout leaves you can see for yourselves and know that summer is already near. So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

Jesus’ words are worth meditating on, holding onto. For these are the promises, these are the words of hope, that help us to envision a hope that we can hold fast to in those long stretches of time, when it seems as though we are always waiting for something, someone, some sign that all will be well in our personal lives, our community, our world…some signs of light and hope…in the midst of these sometimes chaotic, troublesome, dark and weary days…

Yes, meditating and praying on these scriptures…is a good practice for us to engage in regularly, assuring us that we have these words and a vision of hope to hold onto, and to allow for these words to be grafted in our hearts…

But the other practice that can help us come to a deeper understanding of all that the scriptures can teach us and how they can transform us and our worldview, is to engage in conversations with others about them through group discussions, book studies, etc…or just by sitting down with someone else for a 1:1 conversation…so that you can share stories with one another of those times you experienced seeing signs of hope when in the midst of some long stretches of dark times; And, sometimes, in one of those conversations, you might be the one at that moment in time, who can help someone else see that there are signs of light and hope around them that are worth holding onto…

Our sequence hymn today…and the instrumental/different musical setting I will play again in just a moment…gives us a simple template of how a conversation might flow between two such persons…One who is asking the question, who is waiting for something, someone, some sign that all will be well in their personal lives, community, or world…and the one who is offering the words that will help the other hold fast to the vision of Hope, that we await for in the coming again of our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

Closing Prayer/Hymn: (H) 640 - Watchman, tell us of the night

1        Watchman, tell us of the night, what its signs of promise are.

          Traveler, o’er yon mountain’s height, see that glory-beaming star.

          Watchman, does its beauteous ray aught of joy or hope foretell?

          Traveler, yes; it brings the day, promised day of Israel.

 

2        Watchman, tell us of the night; higher yet that star ascends.

          Traveler, blessedness and light, peace and truth its course portends.

          Watchman, will its beams alone gild the spot that gave them birth?

          Traveler, ages are its own; see, it bursts o’er all the earth.

 

3        Watchman, tell us of the night, for the morning seems to dawn.

          Traveler, darkness takes its flight, doubt and terror are withdrawn.

          Watchman, let thy wanderings cease; hie thee to thy quiet home.

          Traveler, lo! the Prince of Peace, lo! the Son of God is come!

Rev Julie Platson, St Peter’s by the Sea Episcopal Church