Let us pray

Jan 7

For the Human Family
O God, you made us in your own image and redeemed us
through Jesus your Son: Look with compassion on the whole
human family; take away the arrogance and hatred which
infect our hearts; break down the walls that separate us;
unite us in bonds of love; and work through our struggle and
confusion to accomplish your purposes on earth; that, in
your good time, all nations and races may serve you in
harmony around your heavenly throne; through Jesus Christ
our Lord. Amen.  

For Peace Among the Nations
Almighty God our heavenly Father, guide the nations of the
world into the way of justice and truth, and establish among
them that peace which is the fruit of righteousness, that they
may become the kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Amen.

For those in the Armed Forces of our Country
Almighty God, we commend to your gracious care and
keeping all the men and women of our armed forces at home
and abroad. Defend them day by day with your heavenly
grace; strengthen them in their trials and temptations; give
them courage to face the perils which beset them; and grant
them a sense of your abiding presence wherever they may be;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.  

For Peace

Almighty God, kindle, we pray, in every heart the true love of
peace, and guide with your wisdom those who take counsel
for the nations of the earth, that in tranquility your dominion
may increase until the earth is filled with the knowledge of your
love; 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.

(all prayers from the Book of Common Prayer)

Christmas Eve Message

Christmas Eve

December 24, 2019

Isaiah 9:2-7; Psalm 96; Luke 2:1-20

Opening Prayer: (adapted from a blessing written by Brother David Steindalrast)

May you grow still enough to hear the small noises earth makes in preparing for the long sleep of winter, that you yourself may grow calm and grounded deep within.

May you grow still enough to hear the trickling of water seeping into the ground, so that your soul may be softened and healed, guided in its flow.

May you grow still enough to hear the splintering of starlight in the winter sky and the roar at earth's fiery core.

May you grow still enough to hear the stir of a single snowflake in the air so that your inner silence may turn into hushed expectation. Amen.

Lord, it is night. The night is for stillness. Let us be still in the presence of God.

Most often, Christmas is experienced as anything but stillness and silence. Starting back in September/October with the first signs of Halloween costumes and candy in the stores…the busy-ness and frenzy begins. And it doesn’t stop…until after the New Year’s parties and the kids have gone back to school after a long Christmas break.

There are joyous celebrations and parties and community gatherings that bring people together, in ways that don’t always happen throughout the year. That is wonderful. It’s always a good thing, when people can lay aside any differences, grievances, worries…and just come together, enjoy each other’s company, and celebrate all that is good in this life.

This time of year, especially, during the Christmas holidays, the celebrations and events are numerous. Sometimes, too numerous.

And with all the noise and glitz and celebrations happening….people often forget to just stop for a moment…and just be…be in the presence of the love of God…and to connect, once again to the source of their joy, their peace, their hope…to remember, in their hearts…the beloved story of God’s love, born to us on this Holy Night…

In our gospel reading from Luke tonight, there is so much going on in the story…Mary and Joseph are traveling…the time comes for Mary to give birth…and she ends up laying her firstborn son, wrapped in bands of cloth, in a manger…because there was no place for them in the inn…the shepherds, their fears,  the angels, the good news and joy proclaimed about the birth of a Savior, the Messiah,  the multitude of heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!” The shepherds going to Bethlehem and finding Mary and Joseph and the child lying in the manger…then they go and tell others what they saw…and those who heard the story were amazed at what the shepherds had told them….

But, nestled down deep, well below all the noise, in the heart of all that was happening, listening to all the words, and the angels songs, and looking at the flurry of all that was going on in this story…was Mary…

Mary was sitting in stillness and silence and awe… she treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart.

On this Holy Night… Mary was sitting in stillness and silence and awe…

My hope and my prayer for all of us gathered tonight, is that we can take some time, together, on this Holy Night…to celebrate, yes…but to also mark this special Christmas Eve…by following Mary’s example of sitting in stillness and silence and awe….pondering all that is being celebrated…to be reminded once again, of the gift of Hope born for us this night…the gift of God’s love, God’s Peace, God’s joy given to each one of us, in the birth of Jesus…a blessing, a sign…that this is the moment where heaven and earth meet…in the stillness, in the silence…is where we meet God…where we know God…where the peace that surpasses all our understanding…is born anew in us, this Holy Night…

Closing: Christmas Prayer ~ written by Roddy Hamilton

When all of time is crushed into a few moments

on the edge of everything

teetering on the brink of a new belief in the future

here is where we meet you, O God.

In the last moments of darkness

before the breaking in of the light

and the cry of a woman and the birth of love

here is where we meet you, O God.

As silence deepens and the wonder stretches

and the ancient past, becomes our longed for future

and the word of the prophets

slip into fulfilment

here is where we meet you, O God.

Creating God

this moment made of every time

and may we breathe along with all those

who have been here before

to the heartbeat of hope

and know this moment so full of expectation

is as sacred as they get

for contained here is all the hope of the future

and the fulfilling of ancient longing

In the snarl of silence

as the universe bends with the weight of anticipation

where the worry is greatest and the moment most urgent

here is where we meet you, O God, in flesh.

Here is where we meet you, O God…on this Holy Night…

Choir Special: O, Holy Night

 

Rev. Julie Platson

St Peter’s by the Sea Episcopal Church

Sitka, Alaska

Bishop Mark Lattime's 2019 Christmas Message

Dec 24

In the darkness of Christmas Eve, people across Alaska and across the world, will gather in churches and hear the words of the prophet Isaiah: “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness—on them light has shined.” Isaiah 9:2

This time of year, there is much talk about darkness in Alaska. Even as Christmas Day dawns on the bright side of the winter solstice, in Fairbanks, where I live, the sun will be above the horizon not even 3 hours and 45 minutes. In many communities to the North, the sun will not rise at all Christmas morning.

Yet, the true Light, the incarnate Light of God will shine. It will shine brightly, mysteriously, and defiantly into the darkness of this world and the darkness of people’s life.

The Christmas story and our Christmas celebrations are full of light. We wonder at the story of the Christmas Star. We sing of a stable lamp lighted. We envision glories streaming from heaven above—an image more colorful in a land of the aurora borealis. We decorate trees with twinkling lights. Candles glow in the windows of houses. Even in Arctic Village, way up North at the base of the Brooks Range, giant inflatable Peanuts lawn ornaments glow with holiday cheer.

We shine light into the darkness of this season.

The true light of Christmas, however, is brighter than all of these. Stars at night; stable lamps; the aurora; twinkling lights; candles; glowing lawn ornaments; the sun itself; all these lights can be overcome by darkness. Even the light of day is overcome by night. The light of God’s incarnate love, however, the Christmas light that shines in the child born in the stable at Bethlehem, Jesus, that is a light that no darkness can overcome. It is the light of creation itself. For in the beginning, according to the poetic language of Genesis, God said let there be light and there was light. Light! But not the sun: it wasn’t until the fourth day of Creation that God made the sun and the moon. From the beginning was only true Light of God’s Love: God’s creative purpose; the Light of divine glory; the light of the Life of all life.

That is the Light of Christmas.

In Jesus this Light has come into the world and the world cannot overcome it. The Light of Jesus is Life and Love, and a promise that in his Light there is grace, healing, justice, and redemption to be found shining, if only dimly, tenderly, at times, in the darkness of the world and this life, but never overcome. This is the Light with the power to break forth in the glory of an everlasting dawn and the flashing sparkling of eyes filled with hope and expectant joy!

Merry Christmas!

Rose Sunday - Joy Sunday

3 Advent Year A December 15, 2019

Isaiah 35:1-10; Canticle 15; James 5:7-10, Matthew 11:2-11

Today, on the third Sunday of Advent … we lit the pink colored candle for joy. This Sunday is sometimes referred to as Gaudete (pronounced GOW-day-tay) Sunday…or Rose Sunday…

The term, Gaudete is derived from the Latin opening words of an introit antiphon, "Rejoice (Gaudete) in the Lord always." The theme of the day expresses the joy of anticipation at the approach of the Christmas celebration. This theme reflects a lightening of the tone of the traditional Advent observance…marked as a season of preparing for the coming of Jesus into our lives again, by waiting, slowing down, letting go of things, and repentance… (Episcopal Dictionary of the Church)

And if you were here last week…you are probably ready for a little “lightening and reprieve” and a bit of joy….John the Baptist had some pretty bold words of awakening for us last week, when he proclaimed, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near”…We also heard in the gospel reading that he lashed out at the Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, saying to them, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruit worthy of repentance.”  

And then, in my sermon, I invited you to participate in a little repentance exercise, as a way of practicing peace with yourself, by making a list of your sins, and those things that have been a heavy burden on your heart, those things that have gotten in the way of you being at peace with yourself, with God, and with others…A pretty heavy…but spirit-freeing exercise…

Yet, even in the midst of John’s seemingly harsh words last week, and in the focus on repentance…there was Good News in what John the Baptist proclaimed to us: Repentance…is a way of practicing peace with ourselves…a way for us to begin again, by preparing our hearts and our lives to receive the love and peace of the Lord…the peace that only Jesus can fill us with….and to make us ready, by opening our hearts to greet with joy the coming of Jesus Christ our Redeemer....

And, so, on this third Sunday of Advent, as we continue to practice opening up our hearts to greet with Joy the coming of Jesus Christ our Redeemer, let’s talk about joy today…and lighten up our hearts a little bit today…to get a glimpse of that joy, that is always on its way to greet us…with bountiful grace, mercy, hope, peace and love…

Let’s listen to the prayer again, that we heard earlier, when the candle of joy was lit…

Let us pray: Too often, we think joy is something big, O God. A brass band or a parade can certainly bring us joy. Just as easily and far more often, we can feel joy in a hug or the squeeze of a hand, we can see joy in a smile or hear it in laughter. Help us to not overlook the simple joys that peak into our lives daily. This week in our Advent journey, open our eyes to the joy that surrounds us. Amen. (Submitted by Rev. Susannah DeBenedetto)

When we pause to think about the joys in our lives…what often comes to mind first, are the big things…like weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, graduations…and this time of year, it’s things like the Holiday Brass Concert that is a tradition here in Sitka…. the Nutcracker, another tradition here and in many places…

The school Christmas concerts…the church Christmas pageants…the work Christmas parties….the family holiday celebrations…the list could go on…

There is never a shortage of celebrations and events going on…especially this time of year… and for us at St Peter’s, we started off the advent season with a couple of grand celebrations…with the Bishop joining us for a full Sunday morning service, and our afternoon special celebration, to mark the 120th Anniversary of worshiping together in this church building that Bishop Rowe, and all the saints before us dreamed about and built….a place for the whole community to gather…to give thanks to God, and to celebrate the joys of being together in community…

Yes…joy comes in a big way, at times…big, glorious celebrations, for all to see…spectacular celebrations of joy that are hard to miss...Yes…joy comes in big ways, at times…like when God sends prophets, into our lives such as John the Baptist, a larger than life prophet… who Jesus described, as more than a prophet …and speaking to the crowds gathered, he expands on his description about John, “Truly, I tell you, among those born of women no one has arisen greater than John the Baptist, yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.”

There is another way that joy enters into our lives…and that is through the simple, every day joys…as the prayer mentions...it could be a hug, a squeeze of a hand...or in a smile, or in the sound of laughter…it could be in that moment of watching a young toddler take his first steps, or say her first words…it could be in the midst of a 1:1 conversation with someone close to you, a glance out the window at the sunset or the full moon…it could be in the news of a cancer-free report from the oncologist…

…it could be in that moment of encounter with another person, where your hearts meet in a moment of deep understanding and inexplicable joy…a joy which causes your heart to sing out with praise…or it could be in that moment of encounter with another person, that the grace and mercy of God is felt so completely and with a joy that is felt so deeply…that no words are adequate or needed….but only tears…tears of sorrow, being transformed into joy…

When I think of some of these moments of simple joy…my heart turns to Mary, and her song this morning…we know it as The Magnificat, or Canticle 15 or simply as… The Song of Mary…I think of her encounter with Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist…which prompted her to sing her song of joy…

In the scripture verses preceding Mary’s song of praise to God, from Luke 1:46-55,  we are told that Mary, a young girl, had been visited by the angel Gabriel and told that she would conceive in her womb and bear a son, and she will name him Jesus.  She was told that He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David.  She was told that He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end. She also heard about Elizabeth, who was of old age and said to be barren, that she too would also bear a son. After the angel departed…Mary went to visit Elizabeth.

Listen to this story of this special moment of joy shared between Mary and Elizabeth: (Luke 1: 39-45)

In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me? For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord.”

The child in Elizabeth’s womb leaped for joy upon the hearing of Mary’s greeting…this was a simple glimpse of joy found in the meeting of hearts…and in the shared encounter with God and each other… a brief moment of trusting in something, someone, much greater than they could truly understand at the time…trusting and believing in God’s love, God’s promises and hope being fulfilled, in the moment…in each of them…and in the days yet to come…while they both waited and wondered and readied themselves to greet with joy…the arrival of their baby boys… both beloved of God, both being sent into this world with a specific purpose…

They both felt something…in a simple, profound and quiet way… they felt something in the innermost parts of their souls……They both were witness to the kind of joy that can only be fulfilled in knowing and believing in God’s love for them, and by placing all their hope and trust in him…and they both respond to this good news with words of hope and affirmation, and Mary with her song proclaiming the greatness of the Lord…and all that he has done…

I was reminded this week of another simple, and profound moment of joy, that became of moment of big joy…a moment of being awake to recognizing the invitations to joy and the signs of joy all around us…

There’s a holiday ad being played across the internet/tv screens this season…It features a short story about a young boy, who is deaf. His dad loves Christmas music…and wants so much to share the joy of this music with his son, in the same way they learn to communicate and share so many other aspects of their lives together…With the invention of new technology, the young boy is gifted with a SoundShirt…the first person ever to try out this new technology…it’s a shirt, that has some receptors of sorts, that allows for him to “feel” the  same music that his parents are listening to on the car radio or through other music players …it’s a way for him to share the joy of this season with those he loves and those who love him…It’s a way for him to “hear” about joy and love…by feeling the joy and love…in a quiet and profound way…I hope you have the chance to watch the ad…and to see the way he responds with such joy in being welcomed into this special time of rejoicing, that he can now share with his parents…

The 2019 Lincoln Wish List Feel the Joy Ad:

https://youtu.be/u5f7bkmtEbw

Whether our joy begins in a big way, with a spectacular celebration…or whether it takes place in a simple way, in our encounters with one another … lasting joy and true joy can only be found and felt by the love of God for us, and in the ways we share that love with one another…

As you leave here today…I invite you to be on the lookout for the signs of joy that surround each of us…even in the midst of the sorrows….and more importantly…be on the lookout for all the signs of joy and the love of God, that are within us, and become known to us, when we spend time strengthening our relationships with one another by loving God, one another, and all of creation…

On this third Sunday of Advent, Gaudete Sunday, Rose Sunday…I pray that our song this advent will be one of hope…peace…and love …and joy…

Wonder Love and Praise - #722 The desert shall rejoice

1          The desert shall rejoice and blossom as a rose:

            it shall blossom abundantly and rejoice with praise and singing.

2          The desert shall rejoice and blossom as a rose:

            for the ears of the deaf shall hear and the blind, their eyes be opened.

3          The desert shall rejoice and blossom as a rose:

            for the tongue of the mute shall sing and the lame will dance with  gladness

4          The desert shall rejoice and blossom as a rose:

            for the ground will become a pool and the dry land springs of water

5          The desert shall rejoice and blossom as a rose:

            as the ransomed return to God and come singing back to Zion.

6          The desert shall rejoice and blossom as a rose:

  unto Zion we come with joy, for our God has come to save us.

Rev Julie Platson

St Peter’s by the Sea Episcopal Church

Sitka, AK

St Peter's by the Sea Weekend Announcements

Pearl of the Week

'The season of Advent means there is something on the horizon, the likes of which we have never seen before. What is possible is to not see it, to miss it, to turn just as it brushes past you. And you begin to grasp what it was you missed. So stay. Sit. Linger. Tarry. Ponder. Wait. Behold. Wonder. There will be time enough for running, for rushing, for worrying and for pushing. Wait. Something is on the horizon.'

~Jan L. Richardson

Announcements

*Sunday Services - 8am & 10am

*Sunday School: Dec 15 (Dec 22 – Christmas Pageant)

*Christmas Eve (Dec 24): Prelude Music (6:30pm-7pm) ; Service begins at 7pm

*Christmas Day @ Pioneers Home @ 10am

*Dec 29: One service at 10am – Lessons & Carols Service (joint service with Sitka Lutheran at St Peter's)

*Wednesday: Advent Holy Communion Service @ 5:30pm

* Thursday: Books & Conversations @ 12pm (Living Well Through Advent 2019: Practicing Peace)

*Fridays: St Simeon & St Anna Prayer Service @ 10am (in the See House)

***Christmas flower offering envelopes are in the church and in the see house...please return to church by Dec 22 to be included in the Christmas service bulletin***

Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near...

The Second Sunday of Advent - December 8, 2019

Isaiah 11:1-10; Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19; Romans 15:4-13; Matthew 3:1-12

ON the first Sunday of advent, we lit the 1st candle on the advent wreath for hope…Today, we lit the 2nd candle on the advent wreath for peace.

And for some of you, you may have started using the Living Compass devotional booklet for advent that is all about practicing Peace with all your heart, soul, strength and mind…On Thursdays, all are welcome to join us in the See House from Noon-1:15pm…as we engage in conversation around the daily reflections on the theme of Peace….reflections that are meant to guide us, prayerfully, and purposefully, throughout this season of advent…in seeking a deeper understanding of what the Peace of Christ is all about…reflections that challenge us to focus on making peace with ourselves….reflections that assist us in discerning what it means to be instruments of God’s peace… and then, finally…on the 4th and final couple of days of Advent…the last reflections focus on practicing peace as a “Holy Yes”….opening the way to say Yes to God’s gift of peace on Christmas Eve, and receiving the Gift of Christ: God’s Holy gift to us…on Christmas Day… 

Our initial thoughts on peace probably bring visions of calm, and quietude…simplicity and serenity….no worries…no troubles…no conflicts…

But, as we enter this 2nd week of Advent…our gospel reading today gives us a different angle and approach to what practicing peace may look like…and what practicing peace…requires of us…

John the Baptist has some pretty bold words for us when it comes to pointing out what’s needed of us to prepare our hearts and minds and our lives to open the way for us to say Yes to God’s gift of Peace on Christmas Eve, and to receive the Gift of Christ, the Prince of Peace: God’s Holy gift to us…on Christmas Day…the peace that surpasses all our understanding…the peace that only Christ can give us…

Our gospel reading begins with John the Baptist, who we are told wore clothing of camel’s hair with a leather belt around his waist and ate locusts and wild honey… and appeared in the wilderness of Judea, proclaiming… “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”

“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”

Repent…turn from your old ways…those things in your lives, that keep you from receiving the love and peace of God…Repent...of the wrongs that you have done to yourself and others…repent of the un-forgiveness of yourself… for those times you erred and strayed away… and repent of the un-forgiveness and hatred, and judgment for others, that continues to block your way forward in living a life that God has intended for you…a life built upon hope, peace, love and joy…Repent… turn around…focus your gaze once again…on the dream and the gift of the Peaceable kingdom, where the wolf shall live with the lamb, the leopard shall lie down with the kid, the calf and the lion and the fatling together, and a little child shall lead them….the Peaceable kingdom that John the Baptist proclaims is so very near…

Repentance…as a way of practicing peace…is what John the Baptist is proclaiming to us this week…Repentance to clear a path and a way for us to begin again, by preparing our hearts and our lives to receive the love and peace of the Lord…and make us ready to greet with joy the coming of Jesus Christ our Redeemer..

This morning…I’m going to lead us through a reflection and exercise that invites each one of us the opportunity to repent… to reflect on those things in our lives that have gotten in the way of us being at peace with God, with others…and most especially…those things that have burdened our own hearts and our own minds…and have kept us from being at peace with ourselves…

For now…just listen to this reflection, from the Living Compass advent devotional… written by The Rt. Rev. Audrey Cady Scanlan…It’s called: Practicing Peace Through a Crucible

Reflection: Practicing Peace Through a Crucible by The Rt. Rev. Audrey Cady Scanlan/Living Well Through Advent

 

When I think of being in a peaceful state, I do not automatically think of broods of vipers, unquenchable fire, or snacking on locusts while stepping into my camel’s hair and leather girdle. I prefer to think, rather, about scented candles and warm sunlight, ocean waves lapping softly on the shore, and whisper-traces of foam in the sand.

When I think of practicing peace, I don’t imagine a wild prophet standing waist deep in the muddy Jordan telling me that what he’s doing with water is only half the game—that the rest will be done through refining fire. I like to think, rather, about quiet, confidential conversations with friends in coffee shops; about offering an apology to someone whom I’ve hurt; or being the first one to break an estranged silence.

Yet the prophet John teaches us that sometimes reconciliation and peace are achieved by a trial or crucible. And the wisdom gleaned from this wild prophet reminds me of a crucible in my own life.

Ordained when I was 45 years old, I was also 45 years old when I made my first confession with a priest. A Franciscan friend had suggested that making a private confession might be a good idea before I was ordained.

The idea of it scared me half to death. Sit in a room with another human being and talk about my lifetime of offenses? Now, it’s not like I had criminal acts in my past (except for that lipstick shoplifting episode in 4th grade) but I was intimidated, nonetheless.

I waited until my pre-ordination retreat. The kindly monk who was serving as my spiritual director told me to go to my room and write down every sin that I had ever committed. I thought that he was joking. He was not. It took me all night as I scanned my life, year by year, season by season, relationship by relationship.

I tossed and turned all night, getting out of bed more than once to add to the list as my memory illuminated still another trespass. I skipped breakfast in the morning, too anxious to eat.

The clock dragged until my 10am appointment. Sitting in a comfortable chair in the corner of his room, the dear old monk invited my recitation of the list. He sat quietly with his thumbs rubbing the soft leather of his prayer book as he listened with the ear of his heart. Handing me a folded white handkerchief, he let me compose myself before offering God’s absolution. And when he did, it was a sweet gift of grace that brought with it a feeling of cleanness, of holiness, of peace. It wasn’t fun or easy. In fact, the whole exercise felt like refining fire, but it was, perhaps, the first time that I had ever practiced making peace with myself.

*************************************************************************************************************

Here’s the exercise…to give us a new start at making peace with ourselves….

It is only for you to do as you feel comfortable…and it will only be for your eyes…and from your heart… 

Make a list this morning…of those things you wish to confess…those things you want to repent of…those things that have been a heavy burden on your heart and your mind…write them down…or offer them up silently in the presence of God…

I’m going to give you a few minutes to do this…while I’m playing some quiet music…

And at the end of the time, I will offer a prayer of absolution and a blessing…

Few minutes of quiet…while I play….(O Come, O Come, Emmanuel)…

After the silence/music:

(BCP 451)

May Almighty God in mercy receive your confession of sorrow and repentance…

Absolution: Our Lord Jesus Christ, who offered himself to be sacrificed for us to the Father, and who conferred power on his Church to forgive sins, absolve you through my ministry by the grace of the Holy Spirit, and restore you in the perfect peace of the Church. Amen.

And now, a blessing for the way forward, as you continue to practice peace with all your heart, soul, strength and mind…

BLESSING THE WAY

With every step you take, this blessing rises up to meet you.

It has been waiting long ages for you.

Look close and you can see the layers of it, how it has been fashioned

by those who walked this road before you, how it has been created

of nothing but their determination and their dreaming, how it has taken

its form from an ancient hope that drew them forward and made a way for them when no way could be seen.

Look closer and you will see this blessing is not finished, that you are part of the path it is preparing, that you are how this blessing means

to be a voice within the wilderness and a welcome for the way….(the way of peace…line added by Julie)

—Jan Richardson, from Circle of Grace: A Book of Blessings for the Seasons

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rev Julie Platson

St Peter’s by the Sea Episcopal Church

Sitka, Alaska

Thursday thoughts on thanks-living

Dec 2, 2019

Letter of thanks/Letter to the Editor/Sitka Sentinel

I would like to extend my thanks and gratitude for all who came out in support of St Peter’s 120th Anniversary celebration on December 1st.  It was a wonderful community celebration of music, gifts and dinner. Nancy Ricketts presented to St Peter’s her 5th “Last project” that was an embroidered gift made by her, and designed, matted and framed by Norm Campbell. Nancy described the inspiration behind her gift, as Hands, the strong and capable hands of a fisherman mending a net.  Thank you to John Straley for assisting Nancy with her presentation to St. Peter’s.

 I would like to thank the Right Reverend Mark Lattime, the Eighth Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Alaska, for his welcome and opening words for the program in the church. Many thanks to all who presented a musical offering – St Peter’s choir, Kathi Jones, Kristin and Justin Hames, Mina Brooks-Schmidt, Tiffany Pearson and Kris and John Fulton. Thank you to Gail Peterson for opening the archives building for people to view some of St Peter’s old photos and other historical documents. Thank you to all of those from St Peter’s and their family and friends who made the Salmon Chowder, baked breads and donated cookies, and helped to set up, serve and clean up after the delicious dinner and fellowship in the See House. 

And a big thank you to all of you who made donations to assist us with our recent emergency roof repair on the See House. We appreciate your generosity and support for this place, the church and the See House, that we love to share with the community.

Nancy’s Ricketts’ gift to the church, is hanging in the dining hall of the See House, for all to enjoy.

Thank you again, I look forward to seeing everyone at the next community gathering at St Peter’s.

 

Peace and gratitude,

The Rev Julie Platson, Rector

St. Peter’s by the Sea Episcopal Church

If These Pews Could Talk

December 1

A reflection written by Kit Allgood-Mellema in 2014 for St Peter's keys newsletter

ABUNDANT LIVING

If These Pews Could Talk

On a quiet morning before the eight o’clock service, I slip into a pew and sit alone in the sanctuary for a few moments. The sun streams golden through the windows and dust motes float in the air. I’m comfortable today, but the pew cushions have only been in place about 14 years; hard seats were the norm for over a century.

My eyes wander to the back of the pew in front of me – I smile when I see the patterns scratched deeply into the soft wood, a message from another person in another era. Other pews bear their own evidence of the years – stains from damp coats, edges worn down by legs pressed against them, water marks from a ceiling drip.

If only those pews could talk. They would tell us stories of warm sunny days and chilly winter evenings. They would tell of babies crying and babies sleeping, of children chattering and parents whispering, of restless little ones and adults dozing off. They would tell of simple holy services and services of high rites with vestments and incense and bells. Of the Word shared and heard.

They would tell of prayers and pleas, answered and unanswered, of thanksgivings and gratitude, of needs and wants. They would tell of hopes and dreams, of life discovered anew and calls found. Of vocations and ministries celebrated. They would tell of sickness and suffering and healing touch, of pain and hurt and comfort found. Of tears and laughter, of smiles and hugs, of handshakes and peace. Of contemplation and quiet moments. Of gatherings joyous and loud.

There would be stories of lives torn apart and lives made whole, of friendships forged, of bonds broken and relationships reconciled. Stories of love found, marriages made and anniversaries celebrated. Of growing families and empty nests. Of lives long and lives short. Stories of grief and loss and sorrow, and of life and love eternal.

We would hear of Advent wreathes and Jessie trees, Christmas pageants and Epiphany moments, of ashes and the discoveries of Lent, of Holy Week triumphs and trials. We would share the crushing hours of Good Friday and the utter joy of early Easter morn. We would hear of journeys and miracles and ordinary people in extraordinary times.

If these pews could talk, they would sing! They would sing songs of youth and songs of experience. Beautiful old hymns and vibrant praise music. If these pews could talk, the sanctuary would ring with songs of love and songs of life.

Take a seat. Shhhhh. Listen  .   .   .   .   .   .

Thanks be to God!

Peace - Kit Mellema

“I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” John 10:10

Wednesday Walk in Wonder

Nov 27

So much to give thanks for....spend a few moments today taking in the wonder and majesty of this day...and days gone by...what are your grateful for?

The Hymnal 1982 - #397 Now thank we all our God

1 Now thank we all our God,
with heart, and hands, and voices,
who wondrous things hath done,
in whom his world rejoices;
who from our mother's arms
hath blessed us on our way
with countless gifts of love,
and still is ours today.

2 O may this bounteous God
through all our life be near us!
With ever-joyful hearts
and blessed peace to cheer us;
and keep us in his grace,
and guide us when perplexed,
and free us from all ills
in this world and the next.

3 All praise and thanks to God
the Father now be given,
the Son, and him who reigns
with them in highest heaven,
eternal, Triune God,
whom earth and heaven adore;
for thus it was, is now,
and shall be, evermore.

https://youtu.be/8Lw878FiIP8