3 Epiphany/Year A
ANNUAL MEETING DAY
January 26, 2020
Isaiah 9:1-4; Psalm 27:1, 5-13; 1 Corinthians 1:10-18; Matthew 4:12-23
One bread, one body, one Lord of all,
one cup of blessing which we bless.
And we, though many, throughout the earth,
We are one body in this one Lord.
One body, the body of Christ, the church of God, the people of God…all gathered here today for our annual meeting…
And I am counting my blessings, as I think about the many ways, the light of Jesus, and the love of God, has shown through all of you, here in the church, and in the community.
As I reflected back on this past year, and as I look out at all of you gathered today…I am glad you are here…and thankful that you choose to gather here with others….week after week, month after month, year after year…I am thankful for the gifts you share, to help grow and strengthen our relationships with God, with one another, our church, and our community. I am thankful for the diversity of gifts that are present here in this place we call the church building, but more importantly, the presence of the people of God, YOU, who are called the church, the body of Christ…a community gathered around God, as revealed to us in Jesus, the great light that has come among us, and ushered in a new day…
In the annual meeting presentation that will take place in the See House, after our service this morning…you will see the many ways, the people of St Peter’s have answered Jesus’ call to “follow me”…and allowed the light of Christ…to strengthen them, to lead them and guide them…one new day, at a time…
You will see how Prayer, is one way, the people of St Peter’s have allowed the light and love of Christ to strengthen them, lead them and guide them…prayer, as a personal discipline, prayer together here during the service, prayer with others in the community. Any time, spent in prayer, and with each other, reminds all of us, that we are not alone in this world, to navigate the daily challenges, and troubles and times of darkness that threaten to extinguish our hope…
You will see how Studying scripture is another way, that the people of St Peter’s have been changed and transformed in the past year, by following the light of Christ…listening to the scriptures here on Sundays, Sunday school, books & conversations, lunch & learns, scripture reflections, personal studies on one’s own, or interacting with others online….all ways that keep us focused on Christ’s light, and learning from His way of love revealed to us, in the scriptures, and in our conversations and in our relationships with one another…
You will see examples of the ways the people of St Peter’s have been serving God and serving others, as Jesus has served us, shining God’s light this past year, on new outreach collaborations and feeding ministries that have sprouted up, far and wide, in our community.
You will see how giving generously this past year, has shed a bright light on various outreach opportunities, and the outpouring of support to repair our See House roof…and to celebrate the 120th Anniversary of the first service held in our church building…both buildings that offer a light of welcome, for the whole community.
You will see how all of this comes together to inform our own faith stories: to help us SHARE the Good News of our relationship to God, to share our own faith stories about how the light of Christ, has been strengthening us, leading and guiding us, and transforming our own lives, and the lives of people around us…
You will see how all of this comes together to help us answer the call to follow Jesus…and to help others be drawn to this light of Jesus, that they see in you…
You will see how it is, and how it can be: that through the love and light of Christ…we are united and reconciled to God and one another…as one body…the body of Christ….the church of God…the people of God…
One bread, one body, one Lord of all,
one cup of blessing which we bless.
And we, though many, throughout the earth,
We are one body in this one Lord.
For all this, and on this day of celebrating another year with all of you…I count my blessings, as many and varied…and look forward to all the ways, that we will count and share our blessings together, in the year ahead…
Instrumental Hymn at conclusion of sermon:
Lift Every Voice and Sing II - #151 One Bread, One Body
Rev Julie Platson, Rector
St Peter’s by the Sea Episcopal Church
Sitka, Alaska