Annual Meeting Day

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

let us pray

List/links to prayers in the Book of Common Prayer

*Take some time throughout the day, to pray...

Prayers for the World

Joy in God's Creation
All Sorts and ConditionsThe Human Family
Peace
Peace Among the Nations
Our Enemies

Prayers for the Church

The Church
The Mission of the Church
Clergy and People
The Diocese
The Parish
A Church Convention or Meeting
The Election of a Bishop or Other Minister
The Unity of the Church
Those About To Be Baptized or To Renew Their Baptismal Covenant
Monastic Orders and Vocations
Church Musicians and Artists

Prayers for National Life

Our Country
The President of the United States and All in Civil Authority
Congress or a State Legislature
Courts of Justice
Sound Government
Local Government
An Election
Those in the Armed Forces of Our Country
Those Who Suffer for the Sake of Conscience

Prayers for the Social Order

Social Justice
In Times of Conflict
Agriculture
The Unemployed
Schools and Colleges
The Good Use of Leisure
Cities
Towns and Rural Areas
The Poor and Neglected
The Oppressed
Prisons and Correctional Institutions
The Right Use of God's Gifts
Those Who Influence Public Opinion

Prayers for the Natural Order

Knowledge of God's Creation
The Conservation of Natural Resources
The Harvest of Lands and Waters
For Rain
The Future of the Human Race

Prayers for Family and Personal Life

For Families
The Care of Children
Young Persons
Those Who Live ALone
The Aged
A Birthday (1)
A Birthday (2)
The Absent
Travelers
Those We Love
A Person in Trouble or Bereavement
The Victims of Addiction
Guidance (1)
Guidance (2)
Quiet Confidence
Protection
A Prayer of Self-Dedication
A Prayer Attributed to St. Francis

Christ is Our Light - 2 Epiphany Sermon

2 Epiphany/Year A

January 19, 2020

Isaiah 49:1-7; Psalm 40:1-12; 1 Corinthians 1:1-9; John 1: 29-42

Opening Prayer:

Christ, be our light! Shine in our hearts. Shine through the darkness. Christ, be our light! Shine in your church gathered today. Amen. (Longing for light, #45, My Heart sings out)

We’ve just begun a new season in the church year, the season of Epiphany…a season we often associate with light shining in the darkness, the light of Jesus Christ come into the world, God made manifest in Jesus. We spend all of this season, (a total of almost 8 weeks, including Epiphany Day), listening to the Gospel stories which reveal to us Jesus’ identity, shining light on Jesus as the promised One, the Messiah, the Anointed, Emmanuel, God is with us…Shining light on the One, who seems to enter our lives, at times, suddenly, surprisingly, and with a question too important to ignore… “What are you looking for?”

Our gospel reading today began with John declaring, as he saw Jesus coming toward him, “Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!”, and later on, the next day, John was standing with two of his disciples, again, when Jesus walked by, John exclaimed, “Look, here is the Lamb of God!” The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus.

When Jesus turned and saw them following, he said to them, “What are you looking for?”

I got the sense, that when Jesus, turned around to ask his new followers what they were looking for, they were caught off guard for a moment, he probably gave them a bit of a startle, a moment of… Uh…I don’t know how to answer that question just now… But… let me ask you this, Jesus… where are you staying?

Jesus, has their attention now, and eases up the moment, and invites them to come and see…and maybe, just maybe…when the disciples follow Jesus, remain with him, learn from him…they can begin to find what they were looking for…what they were longing for…what they were hoping for…

All, I can think of here, for a moment… is a flashlight… I’m remembering times, when I have been in total darkness, and someone turns on the flashlight…makes me jump back in surprise momentarily, by the sudden burst of light, the little bit of light, that is almost overwhelming…. But the light, helps me navigate this new territory of darkness that I find myself in…and I am thankful that I have this light to help me find my way….

I’m thinking of Jesus right now…as a flashlight….

I know it probably sounds a little simplistic or silly…but just think about how a flashlight helps us…it shines light in the darkness, it helps us see things, that we couldn’t see before, when walking in the darkness; it helps us to walk more confidently in the darkness; when we shine it on the path in front of us, it leads us and guides us forward; it leads us to observe new discoveries; it brightens the space all around us, encircling us with a bit of light….

The Light of Jesus does all of this and more…

The Light of Jesus, reminds us that God’s presence, is among us to help us navigate the seemingly endless days and nights of darkness that threaten to extinguish our hope, and our joy in our day to day lives…

The Light of Jesus, rekindles in our hearts, the belief that there is more to this life than we sometimes see, there is more to this life that matters and fills our life with meaning and purpose…

The Light of Jesus, transforms us, in our darkest moments, by His grace and mercy…making a way forward for us to walk in love, and in the light of hope again…

The Light of Jesus, invites us to come and see…how the love of God, revealed to us, in the life of Jesus, has the power to heal our divisions, reconcile us to one another, and help us live into the dream of the beloved community, that God intended for all of us, to be a part of…

…A beloved community, as the Rev Dr Martin Luther King, Jr envisioned as a society based on justice, equal opportunity, and love of one’s fellow human beings….a global vision, in which all people can share in the wealth of the earth. A Beloved Community…where poverty, hunger and homelessness will not be tolerated because international standards of human decency will not allow it. A Beloved community where Racism and all forms of discrimination, bigotry and prejudice will be replaced by an all-inclusive spirit of sisterhood and brotherhood. A beloved community committed to a way of non-violence.  (thekingcenter.org)

The Rev Dr Martin Luther King, Jr, spent his entire life, pointing people towards the vision of becoming a beloved community…where the Light of Jesus, was at the heart of all the Good News he proclaimed to the world, through his words and actions.

It was startling Good news to many listeners… and many were probably caught off guard by his words and actions at times…but he had a gift… a gift of inviting people to come and see, and envision and dream of a world, where a beloved community was possible...and he never wavered in his belief and hope for all God’s children…to be loved and cared for, unconditionally…

John the Baptist, Andrew, Simon Peter, The Rev Dr Martin Luther King, Jr… were all witness to the power and compelling Light of Jesus, to transform their own lives, and the lives of others…and without hesitation, were eager to invite others, to come and see, how the Light of Jesus, was helping them to find what they were looking for, longing for, hoping for…

So, get out your flashlight this evening…(Took a flashlight out of my pocket, turned it on, and held it up for the duration of the sermon) and be reminded of the Light of Jesus that has come into this world, to unite us all to one another, in joy, and light and love…and remain there for a time, surrounded by the light and presence of God, in the quiet, in prayer, in meditating on the scriptures which help us get to know Jesus, the light that shines in the darkness… 

And then go…go invite others, to come and see…by pointing them to the Light of Jesus, who still shines his light and love in our world today…and invites, all of us…to come and see…

Closing Prayer: The Hymnal 1982 - #538 God of mercy, God of grace

1          God of mercy, God of grace, show the brightness of thy face.

            Shine upon us, Savior, shine, fill thy Church with light divine,

            and thy saving health extend unto earth's remotest end.

2          Let thy people praise thee, Lord; be by all that live adored.

            Let the nations shout and sing glory to their Savior King;

            let all be, below, above, one in joy, and light, and love.

 

Rev Julie Platson, Rector

St Peter’s by the Sea Episcopal Church

Sitka, Alaska

St Peter's by the Sea Weekend Announcements - Jan 17 2020

Pearl of the Week
How God will guide you and reveal life to you will be beyond what you can rationally quantify, compute, defend, explain, adjudicate. Use your mind. But don’t limit God’s work of revelation to just your mind.
There is always More. -Br. Curtis Almquist SSJE

Announcements

*Sunday Services - 8am & 10am

*Youth Sunday School: January 12 & 26

*Jan 26: One service at 10am – Annual Meeting Day

*Mondays: 4pm-5pm – Mug up meal for homeless

                   Jan 20 – Church Office Closed for Mt Luther King Day

 *Tuesdays @ Noon – Lunch & Learn Gifts of God for the People of

   God: Exploring Worship in the Episcopal Church

*Wednesdays: Church Office Closed

                         Taize Prayer Service @ 5:30pm

                         Vestry Meeting: Jan 22 @ 6:30pm                 

* Thursdays: Books & Conversations @ 12pm

   The Good Book Club: The Gospel of John: Epiphany 2020

*Fridays: St Simeon & St Anna Prayer Service @ 10am

stpeters-sitka.org

Feeling Climate Change: Part 1

Jan 17, 2020

(in the Sitka Sentinel)

Feeling Climate Change: Part 1

By John Lewis

I still remember the feeling of relief that washed over me. I was going through one of the most stressful events of my life, then a friend told me that what I was feeling was a normal response to an abnormal situation. In other words, it was a crisis response. 

The feelings of despair, anger, hopelessness, grief and uncertainty weren’t a sign that something was wrong with me. Rather they were the result of an overwhelming experience. These feelings were a natural part of the way we process and eventually move through a crisis. In time, I would feel better and could even grow stronger even if I didn’t feel like it at the moment. 

People are using the term “crisis” to describe our climate and the rapid changes we are going through. And the same feelings that go along with crisis reactions are being used to describe reactions to the climate. The wildfires in Australia are overwhelming, their enormity inspires a sense of helplessness. In Sitka, salmon struggling to make it upstream and unusually sunny summer days leave the impression that something is not right. 

It is seemingly a daily occurrence that we are receiving signals of a changing environment. When any life form senses changes in the surroundings, it produces signals to respond to those changes. Our feelings are signals whose goal is to restore balance within ourselves and our surroundings. If we don’t listen to these signals, and we don’t respond in some way to the change, we end up creating more stress. 

Perhaps this is where we are collectively; we are in the early stages of crisis. Even talking about climate change can arouse powerful emotions. For some, the dominant reaction is denial, to go on like it does not exist or affect us. Others, especially those whose lands and lives have already been directly affected, may be filled with grief. People who see that there is not enough being done, or feel they cannot do enough, are left feeling burnt out or hopeless. But all these reactions are a normal part of the process of adapting, accepting and in the end, acting.

The real tragedy would be to remain in these feelings without any action. An important part of a crisis reaction is the gathering of one’s resources to meet that challenge. In doing so, we can actually become stronger and more connected to those around us. The reality is this: the climate is changing and we must adapt. For each person, family, or community, that adaptation may look different.  

But a big part of that adaptation will mean changes to how we think and how we feel. This is the first part of a once-a-month series here at Climate Connections exploring how climate change is affecting mental health – not only how it makes us feel, but more importantly how we can respond. The intensity of feeling, the crisis response, can be a call to change. It’s only crazy if you don’t listen.

-----

 

John Lewis is a behavioral health professional and a member of the Sitka Citizens’ Climate Lobby.

St Peter's by the Sea Weekend Announcements - Jan 10

Pearl of the Week
there is . ..  the inner and very personal conversion when the soul opens to God and knows beyond any doubt that it is loved, that it is cherished and protected, and nothing will ever separate it from that love. Dana Kramer-Rolls

Announcements

*Friday Jan 10 - Girl scouts  - 4:30pm

*Sat Jan 11 - Citizens Climate Lobby - 8:30am

*Sunday Services - 8am & 10am (Morning Prayer/Jan 12)
*Jan 12: Sunday Manna Meal @ Sitka Lutheran Church
 (St Peter’s host)

*Youth Sunday School: January 12 & 26

*Jan 26: One service at 10am – Annual Meeting Day

*Mondays: 4pm-5pm – Mug up meal for homeless

 *Tuesdays @ Noon – Lunch & learn Gifts of God for the people of
   God: Exploring Worship in the Episcopal Church

*Wednesdays: Taize Prayer Service @ 5:30pm
                         Young Life: 8pm-10pm
           
* Thursdays: Books & Conversations @ 12pm
   The Good Book Club: The Gospel of John: Epiphany 2020

*Thursday Jan 16 – Worship Leader meeting @ 11am
   
*Fridays: St Simeon & St Anna Prayer Service @ 10am

*Snow plow broke down yesterday, and did not get to St Peter's yesterday...it has been plowed throughout the week...(just not yesterday)...not sure of when the plow will come as of this morning...there are safe walkways to all entrances to church and see house...(clear as of this morning at 8am)...drive/be safe everyone...

https://www.livingcompass.org/wwow  

stpeters-sitka.org

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!