Behold the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ

Last Epiphany/Transfiguration Sunday

Feb 14, 2021

2 Kings 2:1-12, Psalm 50:1-6, 2 Corinthians 4:3-6, Mark 9:2-9

We are marking a turning point on the lectionary calendar again….I wonder if you feel like you hear me say that every week! It sure feels like that at times, for me…And I know you’ve heard me say often, that my whole experience of time, since the pandemic began last year, has been marked in ways that I can’t really explain…the days, and weeks and months seem to unfold in slow motion, yet at the same time, when I look again… the days, and weeks, and months have flown by…I continue to ponder this mystery often….

So, it is, once again, that we come to the ending of the season of Epiphany…and begin to turn with all of our being towards the season of Lent which begins in just a few days…. 

IN this season of Epiphany, we journeyed with Jesus and the disciples, and covered so much terrain in this season of light…a season of shining light on Jesus….revealing who he is, showing us who God is….through his teachings, through his healings, through his love that shone so brightly in all that he was doing….

For it is the God who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 2 Corinthians 4: 6

In this season of Epiphany alone, in the midst of our travels with Jesus, in the scriptures we’ve listened to, in the music we have heard and sung, in the prayers, and in our time gathered here for worship on zoom….we have most likely navigated some personal lows and extreme highs in our personal lives…

We have journeyed with Jesus and with each other through the valleys of grief and loss, only to find ourselves climbing once again to find some joy, some peace, to find something to focus on, that will guide us forward with hope…

And every time we find ourselves at the top of that steep climb…that’s where we have the opportunity and invitation to find our focus once again…by the glorious light of God, in the face of Jesus….

For it is the God who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 2 Corinthians 4: 6

We have endured a lot of twists and turns in our lives, in this short season of Epiphany…being led by Jesus and with others, into valleys, into never-ending plains, and walking slowly and deliberately up mountains with him to catch glimpses of who he is, who God is….and what a comfort it has been, to look back on this season…and see that in all of these travels, we were never left to walk alone…Jesus revealed that to us….that God has always been with us, God will always be with us…God will be with us, in all of our days to come….in the valleys, and as we climb the steep mountains of life, to see God, in all God’s glory….revealed in Jesus – on the mountaintop….

For it is the God who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 2 Corinthians 4: 6

I simply ask of us this morning….that we just remain here for a few extra moments…with this vision of Jesus on the mountaintop….we will descend the mountain soon enough…and Jesus will walk back down with us…Emmanuel…God is with us…

But for this moment…let us ponder this glorious mystery, that invites us to the mountaintop, where we will hear the word of God, who once again invites us to behold Jesus…as the center of the sacred circle through which all of creation is related…God’s Son, God’s beloved…and to listen…

For it is the God who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 2 Corinthians 4: 6

Let me close with a short reflection on Sacred mountains…as we pause in this moment upon the mountaintop with Jesus…

Sacred Mountains   (written by William Loader)

We are surrounded by mountains, sacred mountains, which watch over us, beckon us, call us to approach and begin the journey.

Mountaineering is a risky venture and exhausting, but our mountains are accessible. Every day we meet them and their magic tells us: just stop, just turn aside here for a few moments, let me lift you to the sacred place.

There are no gates or barriers. These mountains don’t close after sunset. They just lie in wait, offering a quiet space, inviting us to a new view. Even with the greatest disabilities, the frailest limbs, the faintest heart, there is a place for us. No one is too big or small. No one is unworthy.

Touch the mountain and we touch the earth, we touch the universe, we touch God. Just to say we are coming is more than half the journey. It is to say we belong, to enter the wide embrace of the mountainside, and to say, yes, to love.

There is a mountain stream for the thirsty and its waters are there for cleansing. There is peace and forgiveness and renewal. The wind of the Spirit sometimes blows strongly, challenging us to stand firm, or gently touches us with memories of God’s goodness.

Climb the mountain and you see a long way. People you have not noticed. Distant needs which want to say also: “I am here”. And in the silence of the sacred space are voices of hope, of joy, of pain, of possibility. Climb the mountain and you will see Jesus.

For it is the God who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 2 Corinthians 4: 6

Rev Julie Platson

St Peter’s by the Sea Episcopal Church

Sitka, Alaska

Hymn after sermon: Christ Upon the Mountain Peak (H) 129

Christ upon the mountain peak

stands alone in glory blazing;

let us, if we dare to speak,

with the saints and angels praise him.

Alleluia!

Trembling at his feet we saw

Moses and Elijah speaking.

All the prophets and the Law

shout through them their joyful greeting.

Alleluia!

Swift the cloud of glory came.

God proclaiming in its thunder

Jesus as his Son by name!

Nations cry aloud in wonder!

Alleluia!

This is God’s belovèd Son!

Law and prophets fade before him;

first and last and only One,

let creation now adore him!

Alleluia!

Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday 2021

Feb 9

The ending of the season of Epiphany, and the start of the Lenten season begins next week...

*Shrove Tuesday - Feb 16, 2021 - Marking the end of the season of Epiphany
***Due to the pandemic, we are unable to gather in person at the See House for our annual pancake supper. Hope you can plan to have a little fun this year, and make some of your own pancakes to celebrate at home, any time on Tuesday February 16. Please send a photo to the church of you enjoying your pancakes if you do!

Shrove Tuesday
Better known as Mardi Gras or Fat Tuesday, Shrove Tuesday is the day before Lent begins. In the Middle Ages, people used up all the fat in the house—butter, milk, eggs, meat—on the night before Lent began so that they could come closer to God by giving up these foods as they prepared for the great feast of Easter. Pancakes are traditional in England for this, so Episcopalians often have breakfast for dinner, while those celebrating Mardi Gras are likely eating gumbo and Kings’ Cake. What kings, you ask? The Magi—the ones who brought gifts to the holy child at Epiphany.

churchpublishing.org/faithathome

ASH WEDNESDAY - FEB 17, 2021 - Marking the beginning of Lent

There will be an Ash Wednesday service held on Feb 17 @ Noon

(on zoom)

https://www.bcponline.org/ (BCP 364)

*Drive-by "Ashes to Go" will be offered in the church parking lot from 1pm-2pm on that day...

*There will also be ashes available for pick up on the See House porch table, in a small baggie, for those who would like to impose the ashes with the sign of a cross on your own forehead (while looking in a mirror?), or for another household member...

(***if you are unable to pick up ashes at the church, Bishop Mark also suggested that you might make your own ashes to use at home, by burning your palm from Palm Sunday last year, or some other plant/branch that has significance)

Prayer to use for imposition of ashes at home (BCP 265)
Almighty God, you have created us out of the dust of the
earth: Grant that these ashes may be to us a sign of our
mortality and penitence, that we may remember that it is
only by your gracious gift that we are given everlasting life;
through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.

The ashes are imposed with the following words

Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.

"Souper" Bowl of Caring Sunday - Feb 7 2021

“Souper” Bowl of Caring Sunday

February 7, 2021/5 Epiphany

Isaiah 40:21-31; Psalm 147:1-12, 21c; 1 Corinthians 9:16-23; Mark 1:29-39

Today is Super Bowl Sunday….

I would say most people know a thing or 2 about today’s match up and what had to happen in the past year to be one of the teams playing in this final championship game this afternoon…

Perhaps you have a favorite team you are rooting for? Kansas City or Tampa Bay? Maybe you have a favorite player on one of the teams?

Growing up in New England…you can probably guess who my family and friend’s all time favorite team and player is….this year they get to root for their favorite player…even though he’s not on their beloved New England team anymore!

I confess, I’ve never really followed football…but when it comes to Super Bowl Sunday, I always at least know who the 2 teams are, find out who is singing the national anthem, who is doing the half-time show, and other special details surrounding the event itself….I usually tune in for a bit, to watch those highlights…and there’s actually been a few times, when I turned on the tv for the 4th quarter, and noticed it was a really close game, and actually watched until the end! It didn’t take long for me, to see how it is that people can become so engrossed in watching football….(especially when your team is close to winning!)

Today though, we are turning our attention towards another Super Bowl event…a lesser known one….and one that calls our attention to the needs of the hungry among us…

In 1990, Souper Bowl of Caring began with a simple prayer from a single youth group: “Lord, even as we enjoy the Super Bowl football game, help us be mindful of those without a bowl of soup to eat.” (tacklehunger.org)

One simple prayer that inspired an action to address the needs of the hungry and the poor…the ones who are often forgotten, the ones we don’t always choose to know more about, the ones we just assume will be taken care of by somebody else, or some other organization…

Jesus reminds us often…that the poor, the sick, the hungry…are people we should be mindful of…they are beloved children of God, who live among us in our local communities, who live in other states and countries that often feel so far removed from us…but in the family of God…they are indeed, very near to us… They are among the children of God, who need to hear and believe that the Good News of God’s love and healing is proclaimed for them too….

We are the hands and feet of Christ now…we need to make it our business to know…to know about the needs of the hungry and the poor, to understand the needs of the hungry and the poor, and to seek and find ways to act upon this knowledge…so that one day…we can live in a world…where none of God’s children would be hungry…hungry for food, or hungry to know God’s love for them…

In our Gospel reading today, Jesus has just recently emerged from the wilderness after his baptism, and his thrust into beginning his public ministry….he has called his first disciples…and he is now just at the very beginning of teaching the newly called disciples what it looks like to follow Jesus…

He shows them, by his actions, its about proclaiming the Good News of God’s love, by going to those in need of healing…and he also shows him, that there needs to be a time away for prayer, to connect with God, once again…to be reminded of who God is, and who we are, to align our vision with God’s vision of abundance, enough for everyone… for all people, for our neighbors, near and far, for those who are chronically poor and hungry….and then go…go out into the world…to work towards bringing an end to hunger and poverty in our time…

Can you imagine a world without hunger?

That’s always, always, always the challenge before us…

That’s always, always, always the vision we can work towards bringing to fruition….a world without hunger…

In God’s kingdom…it is always, always, always our business to be mindful of the needs of the hungry and the poor among us.

There are many ways, local and worldwide, to learn more, and find ways to help in this important area of ministry…

Bread for the World - https://www.bread.org/

Episcopal Relief and development – episcopalrelief.org

Manna Meal

Sitka Mutual Aid

Farm to family food boxes

Local Food banks

Just to name a few…

Imagine if we could work and strive towards achieving an end to hunger and poverty in our time, putting forth the same effort it takes for a football team to win the Super Bowl each year…

Let’s do more than imagine it…let’s put all of heart, soul, spirit and strength…into accomplishing it…with God’s help, following in the footsteps of Jesus, and being sustained and strengthened by the Holy Spirit, for the long season ahead of us…

Today, on Super Bowl Sunday, we have the opportunity to begin again with this simple prayer…

“Lord, even as we enjoy the Super Bowl football game, help us be mindful of those without a bowl of soup to eat.”

Rev Julie Platson

St Peter’s by the Sea Episcopal Church

Sitka, Alaska

Hymn after sermon: (H) 567 Thine arm, O Lord, in days of old

Thine arm, O Lord, in days of old

was strong to heal and save;

it triumphed o’er disease and death,

o’er darkness and the grave.

To thee they went, the blind, the deaf,

the palsied, and the lame,

the leper set apart and shunned,

the sick with fevered frame.

And lo! thy touch brought life and health,

gave hearing, strength, and sight;

and youth renewed and frenzy calmed

owned thee, the Lord of light:

and now, O Lord, be near to bless,

almighty as of yore,

in crowded street, by restless couch,

as by Gennesaret’s shore.

Be thou our great deliverer still,

thou Lord of life and death;

restore and quicken, soothe and bless,

with thine almighty breath:

to hands that work and eyes that see,

give wisdom’s heavenly lore,

that whole and sick, and weak and strong,

may praise thee evermore.

Annual meeting day reflection: Slow and steady…we will get through this pandemic, together…

Annual Meeting day

Jan 31 2021

Rev Julie Platson/sermon/annual meeting report

Typically, I would use this time to reflect and share a response on the Gospel reading for today…

But today, is annual meeting day, and I would like to be mindful of people’s time of gathering here on zoom…and offer my official report to the congregation at this time…and use the time after the service, to listen to other reports and updates and thanksgivings, as we spend time reviewing the past year…and look forward, with gratitude…to beginning another year together…

No one here needs me to remind you of what a tough year 2020 has been, for many reasons. Here at St Peter’s, on a personal note, we lost some beloved members of St Peter’s in 2020…Ursula Zertuche, David Workman, Denise Massey and Harriet Kinberg…

And 2020, has now become 2021….and things are still tough…but every day, we inch closer and closer to emerging from this time of the covid-19 pandemic…

We must not lose sight of that…we must continue to find ways to walk forward, together, with steadfast hope in God, and with a genuine concern and love for one another…One of the latest next steps to help us get closer towards an end to this pandemic is to get the vaccine, if you are able…and encourage others to do so, if they are able…and continue to be diligent in other ways that have already been established to help prevent us and our neighbors from becoming sick with COVID 19…

As tired as most of us has become with all of the restrictions and never-ending changes related to this time of the pandemic…now is not the time for us to forge on ahead quickly and carelessly…

We are still in the midst of a worldwide pandemic…we haven’t reached the end yet….slow and steady will help us win this race….

Remember this story? The Hare and the Tortoise

Slow and steady…we will get through this pandemic, together…

We need to continue, to put our hope in God, and with steadfastness and faith…knowing that every day, we wait and walk with God…we are continually being shown ways, to love and care for one another, through the experts, the scientists, the medical community, through the lives of everyday people and heroes, who are constantly teaching us new ways to respond to the needs of the people, all around us….

Slow and steady…we will get through this pandemic, together…

We have much to be thankful for, especially as we reflect back on this past year, and see how far we’ve come, since the pandemic first began……. The psalmist declares it best today - Hallelujah! I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart!

click below for video review of 2020

Review of 2020 – St Peter’s by the Sea Episcopal Church

Now is the time to proclaim the love of God…

3 Epiphany Year B

January 24, 2021

Jonah 3:1-5, 10; Psalm 62:6-14; 1 Corinthians 7:29-31; Mark 1:14-20

A few years back, I was reminded of a wonderful quote, that is often used as a closing benediction at services of all kinds…or sometimes, simply shared with others as words of encouragement, to accompany a call to action….

“Life is short. We don't have much time to gladden the hearts of those who walk this way with us. So, be swift to love and make haste to be kind.” (Henri-Frédéric Amiel)

In a time of so much uncertainty and unrest marking our daily lives right now, this quote is certainly one that speaks truth and wisdom with such unwavering clarity, leaving no room to doubt the urgency of its message… “Life is short. We don't have much time to gladden the hearts of those who walk this way with us. So, be swift to love and make haste to be kind.” (Henri-Frédéric Amiel)

Our scripture readings today…reference the urgency of a similar message for God’s people, too, then and now…

In Jonah, we heard that the word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time…and this time, after many, many times of God speaking to Jonah, and Jonah dismissing what he heard, he finally goes to the people, and proclaims the message just as God asked him to…. In our reading from the letter of Paul to the 1st Corinthians…Paul says to the people: brothers and sisters, the appointed time has grown short…

And finally, in the gospel of Mark today, we sense the urgency of proclaiming the Good News of God’s love and nearness right here, right now, in this moment… when the reading began in this way:

After John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.”

As the reading continues, we sense the urgency of responding to God’s call, when Jesus calls Simon, Peter, and they immediately leave their nets and follow him….and we hear the urgency of Jesus’ invitation, when he comes across James and John, and immediately calls them, too.

If we look back over the past year, since the covid-19 pandemic began to show up, we can see first-hand, how people, all around us, have responded to the urgency of what was right in front of them: a new, unknown virus that we began to hear about early last year…We have seen how people of all walks of life, have responded to the urgency of the needs all around them, by using and sharing their expertise and gifts as signs of love and care and kindness for others…

Scientists, front-line workers in hospitals and facilities, teachers, grocery store staff, restaurant personnel, travel industries, mothers, fathers, children….people of all ages, all cultures, all walks of life…too numerous to count….have learned to respond to the urgency of now…not by walking away from the unknown…but by trusting and believing, that God is very near, that there is a way forward, together…a way of love and kindness that turns away from my needs only, to a way of love that calls us to be mindful of the needs of others…. a way of love and kindness, that makes a way for the well-being and healing for all people when we turn our hearts to follow the way of love Jesus calls us to….a call to action that says…now is the time…to proclaim this love….for God, and one another…

We’ve seen signs of God’s love all around us, in the creative ways and new ways people have learned to love and care for one another, in these difficult times…we wear our masks, keep our distance, wash our hands, and now a vaccine is another new opportunity to love and care for one another, in these difficult days…

We’ve also seen, all around us, that we’ve fallen short at times, in loving one another as we have been called to……And when we acknowledge this, we can repent, turn around…begin again…the time is now…

There are endless possibilities and opportunities to continue to love one another and help one another through these difficult days of the COVID-19 pandemic…We will get through this together….by continuing to seek ways to listen to the needs of one another, and respond in ways that speak and proclaim that the love of God…is very near to every one of us…

We only need to look back and see how far we’ve already come by working together, and by having faith and trust in a God, who has been with us along, and will be with us for all our days to come…

The time to respond to the urgency of God’s call to love one another, and to follow Jesus, in the way of love he invites us to…is always now…in this moment…

“Life is short. We don't have much time to gladden the hearts of those who walk this way with us. So, be swift to love and make haste to be kind.” ( Henri-Frédéric Amiel)

The time is now….in this moment…

“The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.” (Mark 1:14-20)

Rev Julie Platson

St Peter’s by the Sea Episcopal Church

Sitka, AK

Hymn after sermon: Wonder Love and Praise - #758

You have come down to the lakeshore

You have come down to the lake shore

seeking neither the wise nor the wealthy,

But only asking for me to follow.

O Jesus, you have looked into my eyes;

kindly smiling, you’ve called out my name.

On the sand I have abandoned my small boat;

now with you, I will seek other seas.

You know full well my possessions.

Neither treasure nor weapons for conquest,

Just these my fish nets and will for working.

Refrain

You need my hands, my exhaustion,

working love for the rest of the weary

a love that’s willing to go on loving.

Refrain

You who have fished other waters;

you, the longing of souls that are yearning:

As loving Friend, you have come to call me.

Refrain

A story about God's love...

2 Epiphany/Year B

January 17, 2021

1 Samuel 3:1-10; Psalm 139:1-5, 12-17; John 1:43-51

Its been awhile since I‘ve simply shared a story with you…

When we were meeting in the church in person, with the pews filled with young children and children of all ages….I often shared some stories whose message was geared towards young children. But mostly, even the stories geared for young children, had some important messages for all of us, beloved children of God, of all ages…

Today’s story that I want to share with you, is a Love Story…A love story written from the perspective of God, the artist, the creator of all, capturing the essence of God’s love for all of humanity, in the many different faces of God’s children…

It’s a story that transcends all time...and all places… It’s a story that captures that essence of The Rev Dr Martin Luther King’s Dream of a beloved community, where all God’s children would know their value and their worth, their belovedness, and would be set free to live and love and work and worship and raise a family, without the constant threat of hatred and violence seeking to extinguish their human dignity, their belovedness, and their very lives….

There are so many familiar quotes attributed to Dr King….but the one that comes to mind for me this morning, as I prepare to share this story, is the one about his dream for his children….“I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.”

….“I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.” (MLK, Jr)

Our children, need to know, that like the boy Samuel, in our first reading today, God is calling their name…calling them beloved…Our children need to know, like the psalmist from our reading today, that God searches them out and knows them, and loves them, and that God will be with them on all their journeys, and in their resting places…Our children need to know that Jesus calls them, too…as he invites everyone…to “Come and See”…Follow me…follow me in the way of love….that leads to building up the beloved community, here on earth, as it is in heaven…

Our children need to be re-assured, through the words and actions of us…. in this time and place in history….a time of political unrest, a time of fear, a time of great hatred and division infecting the hearts of the human family….The children need to be re-assured….that there are people, right now…adults living among us right now…who are committed to doing the hard work of seeking justice, freedom, and equality for all God’s beloved…the work that Dr King, and so many others with him, and even those before him, in ages past - have begun, those who followed the sacrificial way of love that Jesus called them to, a way of love that would build up the beloved community, that God dreamed of, from the very beginning…

Our children need to be re-assured, in the hearing of scriptures, and in the stories we share with each other, that the story of God’s love, is for them…. that God’s love, Christ’s glory…is illuminated and shines so beautifully, in their Faces…

*Read Book: Faces, A Love Story by Roger Hutchison

*Closing Words/after the story/ before the hymn…

The work of building up a beloved community that the Rev Dr Mt Luther King, jr dreamed of, that God dreamed of, that Jesus calls us to, as a way of life that ensures ….all children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, by the content of their character.” (MLK, Jr)….will be difficult and discouraging and wearying… it will take all of us, to be united in Christ, in the interest of all God’s people, to do this hard work…It will take courage, and perseverance, holding on with hope and faith…

Do not be afraid…do not be discouraged….we are never alone to do this work on our own…

In the words of one of Mt Luther King’s favorite hymns, when he was feeling discouraged and needed a lift… these were the verses he sang often…

Hymn after Sermon: There is a balm in Gilead – (LEVS II) 203

Piano/vocalist - Ali Hosford

            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

Rev Julie Platson

St Peter’s by the Sea Episcopal Church

Sitka, AK

In Baptism - we begin again…

1 Epiphany: The Baptism of Our Lord

January 10, 2021

Genesis 1:1-5; Psalm 29; Acts 19:1-7; Mark 1:4-11 

Today is the 1st Sunday after the Epiphany…the day we celebrate the Baptism of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, whose birth we celebrate on Christmas Day, each year…On Epiphany day, the glory of God, was revealed in Jesus, when the wise men came face to face with him, and laid their gifts before him, and decided to take a different road home, as they began a new journey…filled with the light of Christ…. Today, we listen to the scriptures that speak about Jesus’ baptism, which invite us to recall and remember our own baptisms…

We begin a new journey on this first Sunday after the Epiphany...A new journey, that begins with baptism…that begins with a renewed commitment….to turn our hearts towards God, once again, towards the unfolding story of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection in the coming year…stories that will invite us to respond, with love, to all that is going on in our lives, not only with our words, but in our lives…

For today, the beginning of that journey, invites us to rest in this good news…we may not feel like we have the capacity to respond to all that is happening in our country right now…and that’s OK…it’s OK to just stop, and rest, and lay down whatever emotions and feelings are in your heart today…grief, anger, weariness…. allow yourself to rest, today, in the presence of God’s love and hands…and begin there…

That is the one of the many gifts of baptism, and our baptismal covenants….

It provides a framework for us to go back to time and time again…to remember that we are called beloved….it provides a lifelong framework which invites us to begin again, with our baptisms…to be reminded that we are baptized into a community of faith, into the family of God, united by the love of Christ…a family who strives to love one another, care for one another, and have compassion for one another….sometimes this means, we just sit and grieve together, share our silence with one another…until we are able to begin again…

Where will the journey lead? The path may be obscure. But promised hope of things unseen will keep our footing sure… (Hymn: O God of gentle strength, WLP #771)

It is my hope and my belief, that as we take time to remember the covenant we made with God and one another, at the time of our baptisms, and on a day such as this, when we will renew our baptismal vows together, this journey will lead us back to the God who is love, the God who gives us life, the God who declares this love for us, in our baptisms, and empowers us once again to respond, with love, to anything that comes our way, with the assurance of this love that dwells within us, and all around us, and equips us, and guides us to follow in the way of love, that Jesus has taught us and revealed to us, throughout his life….

From the NZ Prayer Book, the Liturgy for Baptism begins in this way with God’s call….

God’s Call

The bishop or priest says

(Dear friends in Christ,

God is love, God gives us life.

We love because God first loves us.

In baptism God declares that love;

in Christ God calls us to respond.)

At the conclusion of Bishop Michael’s Curry’s: Word to the church, sent out on Jan 8, he asks us to respond with 2 things at this time…

I'm asking you to make a commitment, a renewed commitment, to live the way of love as Jesus has taught us and to do it by making a commitment to go out and bless somebody. Bless somebody you disagree with. Bless somebody you agree with. But to go out and bless somebody by helping somebody along the way. Go out and bless somebody by listening to their story and their life. To go out and be an instrument of God's peace, an agent of God's love.

And then I would ask you to pray. Pray for this nation but pray with some specificity. Pray that we may have the wisdom and the courage to love.

Where will the journey lead? The path may be obscure. But promised hope of things unseen will keep our footing sure…  (Hymn: O God of gentle strength, WLP 771)

Rev Julie Platson

St Peter’s by the Sea Episcopal Church

Sitka, AK

Hymn after the sermon: O God of gentle strength…(WLP 771)

(sung by Ali Hosford)

O God of gentle strength, your love embraces me. Within the sureness of your care my heart rests willingly.

Your waters of rebirth have claimed us as your own. As members of one body, we shall never be alone.

And when life’s challenges eclipse our minds with doubt, let holy wisdom spark a flame to drive the darkness out.

Where will the journey lead? The path may be obscure. But promised hope of things unseen will keep our footing sure.

Presiding Bishop Curry’s Word to the Church: Who shall we be?

 Presiding Bishop Curry’s Word to the Church: Who shall we be?

January 8, 2021

Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop Michael Curry has issued the following Word to the Church.

Video HERE

A transcript of the statement follows:

And now in the name of our loving, liberating, and life-giving God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.

In another time of national crisis, another time of danger for our nation, in 1865 on March the fourth, Abraham Lincoln concluded his second inaugural address with these words:

With malice toward none; with charity for all; with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in; to bind up the nation’s wounds; to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan—to do all which may achieve and cherish a just, and a lasting peace, among ourselves, and with all nations.

Lincoln knew in that moment, in the moment of a national crisis, a moment of great danger, that such a moment was a moment of decision, when a nation, when a people must decide who shall we be? What kind of nation, what kind of people shall we be? A hundred years later, Martin Luther King faced the same reality. Who shall we be? The civil rights movement was waning. The great victories that had been won had been won. And yet now questions of poverty and economic despair and disparities raised an awesome specter on the nation. We were at war.

We were at war in another country, but there was war on our streets. The nation was deeply divided. Cities burned. There were riots. Riots at national conventions of political parties. The future of the nation was in question, and it was at that time that Dr. King realized that in moments of danger, a decision must be made. And he titled his last book, Where Do We Go from Here: Chaos or Community. I believe as he believed, as Abraham Lincoln believed, as I believe you believe, that we must choose community. Chaos is not an option. Community is our only hope.

The truth is Dr. King spoke often of all that he did and labored for was for the purpose of realizing as much of the Beloved Community of God as it is possible on this earth. He spoke of Beloved Community, the Bible, the New Testament, Jesus spoke of the kingdom or the reign of God. Jesus taught us to pray, and to work, and to labor for that Beloved Community, that reign of God's love in our time and in our world, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth just as it is in heaven. Those are our marching orders from Jesus himself.

I am a follower of Jesus of Nazareth because I believe that his way of love and his way of life is the way of life for us all. I believe that unselfish, sacrificial love, love that seeks the good and the welfare and the well-being of others, as well as the self, that this is the way that can lead us and guide us to do what is just, to do what is right, to do what is merciful. It is the way that can lead us beyond the chaos to community.

Now, I know full well that this may to some sound naive, to others, idealistic, and I understand that. And yet, I want to submit that the way of love that leads to beloved community is the only way of hope for humanity. Consider the alternative. The alternative is chaos, not community. The alternative is the abyss of anarchy, of chaos, of hatred, of bigotry, of violence, and that alternative is unthinkable. We have seen nightmarish visions of that alternative. We saw it in Charlottesville just a few years ago when neo-Nazis marched through the streets of an American city, chanting, "Jews will not replace us." That alternative is unthinkable. We saw it in Minneapolis-St. Paul, where a public safety officer knelt with his knee on the neck of another human being. A child of God, just like he was, and snuffed out the breath of life that God gave him. The alternative is unthinkable.

And we have seen it this past Wednesday, when a monument to democracy, the Capitol of the United States of America was desecrated and violated with violence by vandals. Lives were lost. A nation was wounded. Democracy itself was threatened. My brothers and sisters, this way of love that Jesus taught us when he said, "Love the Lord your God, and your neighbor as yourself." This way of love that Moses taught even before Jesus. This way of unselfish, sacrificial love, it is the way to redeem a nation, to save a world. It is the way of hope for us all. But do not make the mistake of thinking that I speak of a sentimental and emotional love.

Jesus spoke of love most consistently the closer he got to the cross. This way of love is the way of sacrifice, the way of unselfishness, the way of selflessness, that seeks the good of the other as well as the self. And that is the way of the cross, which is the way of life. And if you don't believe me, ask another apostle of love. Not Dr. King, not Abraham Lincoln, ask Archbishop Tutu. Ask one who has given his life for the cause of God's love in the way of Jesus. Ask him; ask Nelson Mandela in your mind. Ask them what love looks like. They knew that the way of love was the only way that could guide South Africa from what could have become a bloody nightmare and civil war to the way that could build a nation.

And it was not sentimental. Remember truth and reconciliation. They had to face painful truths. They had to do what was just and what was merciful. They had to do what the prophet Micah said, that the motivation and the guide was love. Archbishop Tutu said this:

Love, forgiving, and being reconciled to our enemies or our loved ones is not about pretending that things are other than they are. It is not about patting one another on the back or turning a blind eye to the wrong. True reconciliation exposes the awfulness of the abuse, the hurt, the truth. It could even sometimes make things worse for a while. It is a risky undertaking but in the end it is worthwhile, because in the end only an honest confrontation with reality can bring forth real healing. Superficial reconciliation only brings superficial healing.

This is the way of love that can heal our hurts, that can heal our land, that can help us to become one nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. So, I would ask you to do two things. I'm asking you to make a commitment, a renewed commitment, to live the way of love as Jesus has taught us and to do it by making a commitment to go out and bless somebody. Bless somebody you disagree with. Bless somebody you agree with. But to go out and bless somebody by helping somebody along the way. Go out and bless somebody by listening to their story and their life. To go out and be an instrument of God's peace, an agent of God's love.

And then I would ask you to pray. Pray for this nation but pray with some specificity. Pray that we may have the wisdom and the courage to love.

God of grace and God of glory,
on thy people pour thy pow’r.
Crown thine ancient church’s story,
bring her bud to glorious flow’r.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage,
for the facing of this hour
     - Harry Emerson Fosdick, God of Grace and God of Glory

With malice toward none, with charity toward all. With firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right. Let us strive to finish the work, the work that we are in. To bind up the nation's wounds, to care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and his orphan. To do all which may achieve and cherish, a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations.

God love you. God bless you. And may God hold us all in those almighty hands of love.

The 10th day of Christmas - Joy to the World!

2nd Sunday after Christmas/Epiphany Sunday

Jan 3, 2021

Jeremiah 31:7-14; Psalm 84; Matthew 2:1-12

Joy to the World! The Lord is come!

I’ve been sharing this proclamation with you during the past couple of weeks of our Christmas season…

We began, on Christmas Eve, with the yearly scripture reading from the gospel of Luke, about the birth of our Savior, Jesus…. Joy to the World! The Lord is come!

We were reminded of the gifts given to us, in this season, on Christmas Day…the gifts of love, light, hope, peace and joy…

Joy to the World! The Lord is come!

And last Sunday, we also heard the good news about Jesus’ birth, according to the gospel of John, which took us back to the very beginning…reminding us of the love and the grace of God, which came down to earth, to dwell in us… Emmanuel…God is with us…

Joy to the World! The Lord is come!

Today is the 10th day of Christmas…The season and the unfolding story surrounding the birth of our savior, Jesus, continues…

So, I’ll say it again…. Joy to the World! The Lord is come!

This joy, born for us on Christmas day…. is only the beginning of a much larger story, that we will listen to, in the coming year….we will learn more about Jesus, and his life, and death and resurrection in the coming months…

But for today, I invite you to linger a while longer to celebrate this season….

Be present in these days of Christmas, to the first stories shared about the humble beginnings of Jesus…..as we heard through the experiences told to us, from the perspectives of the shepherds, the angels…and those who were also present to hear the good new news proclaimed on that first Christmas, that first Nowell… Joy to the World! The Lord is come!

Be present today, in reflecting on the gospel reading according to Matthew we just heard, in which we listened to the story of the wise men, sent out on journey to find this child, this King that had been born…be present with them…stay there for awhile with them…gaze upon this child, where we are told the star stopped over the place, where he was with his mother Mary….Stay there for awhile, where the star stopped, and the wise men were overwhelmed with joy…

Stay there for a moment…and let the joy wash over you, let the joy surround you, let the joy comfort you, let the joy turn your tears of mourning into tears of joy…let the joy remind you, that you are never alone…Emmanuel….God is with us…. God has been with us from the beginning, God is with us now…God will be with us for all our days to come…

Let this joy fill you, as one season is ending, while at the same time, a new season is set to begin…on January 6th, the season of Epiphany….A season which begins with this story of the wise men we just heard on this last Sunday of Christmas….But it also sends out on a new beginning…to bring along these gifts of this Christmas season: the gifts of love, light, hope, grace upon grace, peace and joy…with us, in the journey ahead….in the days ahead…

For this morning, though…in these final days of the Christmas season…let us stop…be here now….on the 10th day of Christmas…There will always be somewhere we need to go…there will always be the next thing to worry about….but for now….let’s celebrate our time together this morning……and be overwhelmed with joy…Joy to the World! The Lord is come!

Rev Julie Platson

St Peter’s by the Sea Episcopal Church, Sitka, AK

Hymn after sermon: The First Nowell – (H) 109 – vs 1-5

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.

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.  Refrain

And by the light of that same star

three wise men came from country far;

to seek for a king was their intent,

and to follow the star wherever it went.  Refrain

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.  Refrain

Then entered in those wise men three

full reverently upon their knee,

and offered there in his presence

their gold, and myrrh, and frankincense.    Refrain

A Word of thanks and gratitude as the year ends

"United with Christ in the Interest of Others”
“Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others. Philippians: 2:4

On this eve of one year ending, and a new year set to begin...

I want to offer my heartfelt gratitude for each one of you....

This past year has been a difficult one, yet every one of you has contributed in a variety of ways to love and encourage and support one another and those entrusted to your care in the community...you've been mindful of one another's needs, for the well-being of all God's beloved....

You have been generous in the ways you have continued to invest in the way of love, by supporting the mission and ministries associated with St Peter's by the Sea this past year...

Thank you! Thank you for being a beacon of light and hope, in the midst of this difficult year...

Thank you for sharing your gifts to ensure that the love of God, as it has been revealed to us in the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ... is the guiding light of all that we do, in our families, and in the wider community and world...

Thank you, for walking with me, this past year...

I look forward to walking with you again in 2021!

I look forward, with abiding hope, to be amazed once again, by the variety of ways, God will be at work in you, and in your life..using you, and your gifts this coming year, as a beacon of hope, and light, and love, and peace and joy to share with the world!

Peace, Love, and gratitude.....Rev Julie

What gift can we bring, what present, what token? What words can convey it, the joy of this day? When grateful we come, remembering, rejoicing, what song can we offer in honor and praise? (Voices found hymnal #118)

What gift can we bring?

https://youtu.be/Qmto2rsq5qA

Invest in the way of love

https://stpeters-sitka.org/invest-in-the-way-of-love-2021