BE HUMBLE....

19 Pentecost/Year C/October 16, 2022

Alternative lectionary: BE Campaign: BE HUMBLE – week 3

Genesis 33:1-12; Psalm 131 (GNT); Romans 12:3, 9-18; John 13: 3-17

(As a reminder): For the month of October, we are joining other Episcopal and Methodist Churches nationwide in using an alternative lectionary as part of the BE Campaign…To BE JUST, TO BE KIND, and TO BE HUMBLE…It’s based on the teaching of the prophet Micah, who, in a time not unlike our own in 700 BCE, asked the question: “What does the Lord require of us, but to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with God?”

Bishop Mark invited us to participate in this offering as a way to help us take a closer look at some scriptures that illuminate what it means to do justice, love kindness and walk humbly with God; and to open our eyes and ears and hearts and minds to more fully understand how these scriptures can shape, transform, and inspire our communities to look a bit more like the Kingdom of God…in a time of so much division, uncertainty and anxiety in our world…

This week’s focus calls upon us to BE HUMBLE…to walk humbly with God…

And just as the last couple of week’s themes, to BE JUST, to BE KIND were BIG and BROAD terms to define and act upon as followers of Jesus in a time of so much division, uncertainty and anxiety in our world...this week’s theme also invites us to discern what it means, as a follower of Jesus, to BE HUMBLE, in a time such as this…

And when I use that phrase…in a time such as this…I’m especially calling to mind at the moment…this month of October, and these final weeks leading up to the mid-term elections in our nation…

I’m wondering, what it means to be humble, in an election season…

I’m really wondering aloud, what it could look like, to be humble, as the one offering themselves up as a candidate for election, or to be humble, as one of the campaign team members, or to be humble, as ones who will be engaged in conversations about our views and hopes for our favorite candidate to be elected in November…

I don’t think it would take much effort for any of us to imagine what an election season could look like…if the guiding principles were to be humble, to be just, to be kind…and what it could like, if one made it a daily practice to strive to not think of oneself more highly than one ought to think, to let love be genuine, to bless those who persecute you, to rejoice with those who rejoice, to weep with those who weep, to hold fast to what is good, to outdo one another in showing honor, to not claim to be wiser than you are, to not repay anyone evil for evil, but to take thought for what is noble in the sight of all…

Yet, the challenge for us, is to not only imagine and believe that something different is possible, but to have the courage and the resilience to practice making small, simple intentions and changes in our daily lives that can move us from rationalizing and categorizing everything in our minds, to living out a way of love, that is centered around our humble trust in God…that is centered around the love of Jesus that inspires in us…a new way forward in this life…that calls us to walk humbly with God, and each other…every day…

A new life going forward, …that calls us to not only imagine a new way of life together that is not marked with daily acts of violence, hatred, and division, in our words and actions among God’s diverse family…but to do the very thing as Jesus has taught us and shown us in today’s gospel reading that can lead to deep healing and reconciliation between all God’s people...when we humble ourselves before God and one another…and as we seek and strive to love and serve one another…and respect the dignity of every human being…

In our gospel reading today, we listened to the familiar foot-washing story we hear every year during holy week…that captures the essence of what Jesus is teaching his disciples who say they want to follow him…to BE HUMBLE…

After Jesus had washed their feet, had put on his robe, and had returned to the table, he said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord—and you are right, for that is what I am. So, if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you.  (John 13:12-15 NRSV)

Jesus said, I speak from my heart…The one who serves is not greater than the one who is served. A message bearer is not greater than the one who sent him. If you walk in this way of blessing, you will do well, and it will return to you - full circle. (John 13:16-18 First Nations Version)

(Micah 6:8) What does the Lord require of us, in this election season, and every season of our lives together - but to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with God?”

Let us pray this morning, for the healing river of the Spirit to move among us and guide us as we seek a new way forward together in this election season, in this season of our church life and community life, to walk humbly with God and one another…so that we can not only imagine and believe in a world without division, hatred and violence…but that each one of us, may be empowered by the love and power of God: The Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer, to go out into the world to make it so…

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

Closing prayer/hymn: Healing river of the Spirit

1        Healing river of the Spirit, bathe the wounds that living brings.

          Plunge our pain, our sin, our sadness deep beneath your sacred springs.

          Weary from the restless searching that has lured us from your side,

          we discover in your presence peace that world cannot provide.

2        Wellspring of the healing Spirit, stream that flows to bring release,

          as we gain our selves, our senses, may our lives reflect your peace.

          Grateful for the flood that heals us, may your church enact your grace.

          As we meet both friend and stranger, may we see our Savior’s face.

3        Living stream that heals the nations, make us channels of your pow’r.

          All the world is torn by conflict; wars are raging at this hour.

          Saving Spirit, move among us; guide our winding human course,

          till we find our way together,flowing homeward to our source.

Small opportunities to BE KIND to one another…surround us every day...

18 Pentecost/Year C - October 9, 2022

Alternative lectionary: BE Campaign: BE KIND – week 2

1 Kings 17:8-16; Psalm 103:1-13; Colossians 3:12-17; Matthew 20:29-34

(As a reminder): For the month of October, we are following an alternative lectionary, a special series of readings that was put together, by clergy and lay leaders in the Episcopal Church and Methodist Church, as part of a national movement called the BE Campaign…It’s based on the profound teaching of the prophet Micah, who, in a time not unlike our own in 700 BCE, asked the question: “What does the Lord require of us, but to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with God?”

Our diocesan Bishop, Mark Lattime, invited us to participate in this offering…as a way to help make our communities a bit more like the Kingdom of God…in a time of so much division, uncertainty and anxiety in our world…

This week’s focus is on KINDNESS…to LOVE KINDNESS…to BE KIND…

And just as last week’s theme, to BE JUST, was a BIG and BROAD term to define and act upon, leaving room for a thousand different ways, small and large, to go about being JUST in our broken and anxious world...this week’s theme to BE KIND, also invites us to discern what it means, as a follower of Jesus, to BE KIND, in a time such as this…

To BE KIND…sounds so easy…we talk to our children about it often…be kind to your friends, to your classmates; be kind to animals…We hear reminders all the time to be kind to one another, be kind to the waiter or waitress who is taking your order, be kind to your co-workers, be kind to your caregivers, be kind to the road construction crew, be kind to the airline staff…

This list could go on and on because there are so many small opportunities all around us, every day, to BE KIND to one another…

Yet, as simple as those two words sound:

When we are weary, worried, fearful, anxious and feeling overwhelmed by all the changes and unknowns in our own lives, in our communities, and around the world…to BE Kind, or merciful to ourselves or those around us…is not always our default reaction to something we did not expect or plan for…

So, what can we do? Is there any hope for KINDNESS to be the first thing that comes to mind when faced with difficult circumstances?

I believe so…and I believe there is One we can turn to, again and again, to show us the way…

I believe that Jesus, is that One, who can help us strive to be merciful, to BE Kind to one another…

I believe that a regular practice of setting aside time to get to know who Jesus is, through the reading of scriptures and in our times of prayer, can help us as we strive to BE KIND to one another…in a world that often feels unkind, and in a world, that sometimes defaults to being concerned more about one’s own needs, instead of the needs and concerns in the lives of people all around us…

In today’s gospel, we get a glimpse of what KINDNESS looks like through the teaching of Jesus, and through the lens of God’s love and mercy for all people…

As Jesus and his disciples were leaving Jericho, a large crowd followed him. There were two blind men sitting by the roadside. When they heard that Jesus was passing by, they shouted, “Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!” The crowd sternly ordered them to be quiet, but they shouted even more loudly, “Have mercy on us, Lord, Son of David!” Jesus stood still and called them, saying, “What do you want me to do for you?” They said to him, “Lord, let our eyes be opened.”

Moved with compassion, Jesus touched their eyes. Immediately they regained their sight and followed him.

I wonder where you see signs of kindness in this story today.

I see signs of kindness in the way Jesus noticed the two blind men, acknowledged them, asked them what they needed from him, listened to them, and Jesus responded with compassion that healed them in a such a way…that moved them to want to follow Jesus.

I imagine people passed by the two blind men every day…turned the other way…ignored them, tried to silence them, didn’t want to listen to them, perhaps made all kinds of assumptions about them…about their worthiness…Yet…they were the ones who sensed and knew that Jesus was near them…and they called out to him for help…knowing by experience, that many of the others had passed them by, all the time…never stopping to consider what they needed.

It seemed as though something as simple, as being mindful that these two blind men, were children of God… they had lives marked by sorrows, worries, and hopes and dreams just like everyone else who passed them by.

I wonder how this understanding of what kindness looks like might help us next time we are in a situation that asks us to respond with compassion and kindness?

In those times – when the waiter or waitress comes back to the table with the wrong order… When our co-worker seems to be distracted and not doing their share of work…When the caregiver keeps getting frustrated when the care receiver doesn’t want to cooperate…When you think the road construction crew is making you wait too long to get to where you are supposed to be going…

When your flight is cancelled…and the airline staff can’t accommodate the changes you want…And in this time of the election season – when you and your neighbor seem to disagree on everything…

Could we take a moment to pause and take a deep breath, before responding in our time of frustration…to acknowledge that each one of these people are most likely experiencing the same sorrows, worries, weariness, hopes and dreams that impact all of our lives…

Can we, as a community of God’s people who gather here in the church, and as God’s people out in our communities, strive to BE Kind as Jesus has taught us…by noticing others, acknowledging others, asking others what they need, take the time to listen to each other, respond with compassion, desire healing for all God’s people…

To BE KIND – in some circumstances can feel like a big ask, a big deal, not something we think we are capable of…

But, I think the pearl of the week, highlighted in your bulletin today, helps us to frame it in such a way that we can say “Yes” to BE KIND…more often than we think we can…

Great opportunities to help others seldom come, but small ones surround us every day.  Sally Koch, CSJ

Small opportunities to BE KIND to one another…surround us every day…We can begin anew every day…right where we are…

So then, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.  Be tolerant with one another and forgive one another whenever any of you has a complaint against someone else. Forgive one another just as the Lord has forgiven you.  And to all these qualities add love, which binds all things together in perfect unity.  The peace that Jesus gives is to guide you in the decisions you make; for it is to this peace that God has called you together in the one body. And be thankful. Colossians 3:12-15 (GNT)

Closing prayer/hymn: Thank you, Lord

(Voices Found Hymnal: 160)

RECORDING OF  Thank You Lord. By Diane Andrews

1        Thank you, Lord, for this fine day,

          thank you, Lord, for this fine day,

          thank you, Lord, for this fine day,

          right where we are.

                   Alleluia, praise the Lord!

                   Alleluia, praise the Lord!

                   Alleluia, praise the Lord!

                   Right where we are.

2        Thank you, Lord, for loving us,

          thank you, Lord, for loving us,

          thank you, Lord, for loving us,

          right where we are.

         Refrain

3        Thank you, Lord, for giving us peace,

          thank you, Lord, for giving us peace,

          thank you, Lord, for giving us peace,

          right where we are.

          Refrain

4        Thank you, Lord, for setting us free,

          thank you, Lord, for setting us free,

          thank you, Lord, for setting us free,

          right where we are.

          Refrain

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

Do justice, love kindly, walk humbly with God and each other

17 Pentecost/Year C

Alternative lectionary: BE Campaign: Be Just – week 1

October 2, 2022

Micah 6:6-8; Psalm 99:1-5; James 2:14-17; Luke 4:16-21

Hymn after today’s sermon: Today we all are called to Be disciples

Loving Others Now

16 Pentecost/Year C/Sept 25, 2022

Amos 6:1a, 4-7; Psalm 146; Luke 16:19-31

As I sat outside on a bench a couple of weeks ago on the Sea walk, in front of the church, I couldn’t help but be overwhelmed with thoughts of gratitude: I looked all around me at the beauty, thankful for God’s creation, thankful for the home I live in, thankful for all the daily blessings I enjoy, thankful for the work God has given me to do, thankful for my family and church family, thankful for the food that nourishes my body, thankful for the choices that are available to me every day to enrich my life and the lives of others…Thankful for the many ways in which I see signs of God’s love and blessings all around me, every day…

Then my thoughts turned to consider another person in my community, sitting on a bench just a few feet away from me, and I wondered if he was thinking along the same lines as I was, counting his blessings on this glorious sunny day in Sitka… But, this is what I heard him say, instead:  I can’t help but be overwhelmed by all the sorrows and troubles in my life. I look all around me, and I don’t see that beauty you talk about. When I look around me, I see the busy street and sidewalk, with cars and people passing me by. I have no home to be thankful for. I have no money to spend as I please. I have no job, no family to go home to. I don’t have a church family. I often go days without a meal. I haven’t been offered the same choices as you have. Nobody will talk to me…they just turn the other way and pretend they never saw me. It’s hard for me to believe and hope in the God you proclaim gives justice to those who are oppressed, food to those who hunger, sets the prisoners free, opens the eyes of the blind, lifts up those who are bowed down, cares for the stranger and sustains the orphan and widow.

It’s hard for me to see signs of God’s blessings around me. I feel abandoned by God and others.

So here we have two very different views of one’s life from the bench on the Sea walk… sitting just a few feet from one another… yet, at the same time…so distant from one another…

And you know what…There’s nothing uncommon about this scenario…

This is the stark reality of life in our communities: locally, nationwide, and worldwide. There are people among us who believe that they see signs of God’s love and blessings in their lives every day, and there are those who are left wondering and lamenting day after day why God has abandoned them…why God’s people have abandoned them…and left them leaning at the gate by themselves, longing to satisfy their hunger, with mere scraps of attention and love from those who pass them by…

We have people living right next door to each other…just a few feet away it seems, but the “chasm” is great as noted into today’s gospel reading.  And the gap between the rich and the poor, continues to widen…we continue to abandon Lazarus at the gate…instead of reaching out our hand in love to lift him up…

How can this be? Here, now – in the 21st century? We have more than enough riches and resources in this world to share with each other, to ensure that all of God’s children are fed, clothed, sheltered, have access to quality health care and educational opportunities…

We have more than enough Love to go around, God’s Love, to share with one another, so that no-one is ever left behind, and abandoned at the gate…

We have more than enough gifts and talents and love to share as the body of Christ, here in the church, and with all those we meet in our everyday lives…small, little acts of love and kindness that each of us can offer to another person…a simple glance and smile at someone as you pass each other on the street, an invite to someone to come sit on the bench with you on the Sea walk, an invitation extended to someone to come to church with you, to experience the mystery and fullness of God’s love and grace made known to us in the way of love and life that Jesus is calling us to; a phone call or note to an elder, caregiver, parents raising up children in these uncertain times; take some time to learn about ways you can help support folks in our community who are struggling or feeling abandoned and take the first step to reach out a helping hand to them…small acts of love and kindness can make a big difference in helping to bridge the gaps that separate us and divide us into categories of “them and us”…

In God’s kingdom, in the family of God, in the dream of God…there is no them or us…It’s simply “Us”, all of us… all of us together, in all our diversity - loving God, loving our neighbor, caring for one another, encouraging one another, reaching out a hand and lifting up one another to receive the fullness of God’s grace and love…in this life and in the life, yet to come.

Let me close with this short story attributed to Mother Teresa who is well known for teaching us about reaching out to care for the most vulnerable among us with small acts of love…

*(Book: In the Heart of the World: Thoughts, Stories, Prayers - Mother Teresa)

One day I visited a house where our sisters shelter the aged. This is one of the nicest houses in England, filled with beautiful and precious things, yet there was not a smile on the faces of these people. All of them were looking toward the door.

I asked the sister in charge, “Why are they like that? Why can’t you see a smile on their faces? (I am accustomed to seeing smiles on people’s faces. I think a smile generates a smile, just as love generates love.)

The sister answered, “The same thing happens every day. They are always waiting for someone to come and visit them. Loneliness eats them up, and day after day they do not stop looking. Nobody comes.”

Abandonment is an awful poverty. There are poor people everywhere, but the deepest poverty is not being loved. The poor we seek may live near us or far away. They can be materially or spiritually poor. They may be hungry for bread or hungry for friendship.

They may need clothing, or they may need the sense of wealth that God’s love for them represents. They may need the shelter of a house made of bricks and cement or the shelter of having a place in our hearts.

In God’s kingdom, in the family of God, in the dream of God…there is no them or us…It’s simply “Us”, all of us… all of us together, in all our diversity - loving God, loving our neighbor, caring for one another, encouraging one another, reaching out a hand and lifting up one another to receive the fullness of God’s grace and love…in this life and in the life, yet to come.

Let us pray:

HYMN at the conclusion of the Sermon:   MHSO #105 - We are all children of the Lord

We are Children of the Lord - piano

We are all children of the Lord, young and old, big and little.

We are all children of the Lord, let us live in harmony!

Many names, many faces, many lands, many places,

but through time and through spaces, we are one humanity.

We are all children of the Lord, one by one, all together.

We are all children of the Lord, just like one big family.

Natalie Sleeth (1930-1992), adapt. from the anthem "Children of the Lord"

Sermon: Rev Julie PLatson

St Peter’s by the Sea Episcopal Church

Sitka, AK

2 sermons for September 11, 2022

14 Pentecost/Year C/Sept 11, 2022

Collect of the Day:

O God, because without you we are not able to please you, mercifully grant that your Holy Spirit may in all things direct and rule our hearts; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

11th Sunday after Pentecost - 2 Sunday sermons - August 21

11 Pentecost Sunday sermons

Isaiah 58:9b-14
Psalm 103:1-8
Luke 13:10-17

May our hope and our prayers be rooted in the vision and dream of God...

10 Pentecost/Year C – August 14, 2022

Jeremiah 23:23-29; Psalm 82; Luke 12:49-56

Let us pray: (L) 115– Spirit of the Living God – Sequence hymn

Spirit of the Living God, fall fresh on me,

Spirit of the Living God, fall fresh on me.

Melt me, mold me, fill me, use me.

Spirit of the Living God, fall fresh on me. Amen.

Spirit of the living God, fall fresh on me…

Oh, how we need to hear the words over and over again…especially on days like today, when we’ve just listened to some difficult texts...and are left scratching our heads with this image of Jesus, that some might interpret as him unleashing his frustration and anger towards those he was gathered with at the time…He had been speaking to his disciples….yet Peter asked an important question in Luke 12:41…in a follow up verse from last week’s teaching... Peter said, “Lord, are you telling this parable for us or for everyone?”

I think it is safe to say, that the parable Jesus just shared with them in last week’s gospel, and any teaching of Jesus’ we bear witness to…is not only for his disciples that were there at the time…but indeed, for everyone…and most especially for all of us here today in the year 2022…who are constantly striving to make sense of this world we live in…and who long to understand through the teachings of Jesus…just what God is desiring for his people now…and how can it be – that God is alive and in the world right now…seeking to transform our world from the nightmare it appears to be at times, into God’s dream for his people and all of creation…(as Presiding Bishop Michael Curry often reminds us…)

In today’s gospel reading…I hear in Jesus’ voice…frustration and anger…but I mostly hear passion, heartache and compassion for those around him...who continue to fail to see the urgency of the mission that is right in front of them…to Love Him …Listen to Him…Seek a relationship with Him…Trust Him and Follow Him…

Follow Him and Serve Him in the way of love, by loving and serving Him through the loving relationships we seek to build with others we share this earthy home with…Strive to follow Him in a way of life that proclaims to others, through our words and actions, the saving power of God’s love to heal and transform our world today… from the nightmare it appears to be at times, into God’s dream for his people and all of creation…

Jesus often reminds us… that joining him in the movement, in the way of love he is advocating for, is almost always going to ruffle some feathers, is often going to cause some division among those who don’t want to change anything, to give up what they have, what they already know…It’s often difficult for some folks to trust in a new discovery or a new way forward just yet…so that’s the beauty of remembering that we don’t need to do any of this alone…that’s what community centered around the love of God made known to us in Jesus can be for…as messy and chaotic at times it may be…it is our only hope…to embark on this journey together, listening to one another, helping each other and encouraging each other along the way…to see the vision of God’s dream coming to fruition day by day…

We are not quite post-pandemic yet…although some may say we are…but we are on our way…this is one area of our life together, in the present time...that has been causing some deep division…that has caused a lot of despair, as we have lost many people we have loved, we have had to give up some of our old ways of doing church together, school, work, entertainment together…many of our “usual ways” of doing things have been turned upside down…everything seems to have been in a mode of constant change…But, as we reflect back, and look to the present time right now… we can see where God has surely been a living presence in this place…helping us to find new ways to love one another, care for one another, do church, school, work and other things together in ways we had never imagined…

That’s the urgency of the message that Jesus seeks to impart in our lives every day… Jesus is very much alive today…if only we can open our minds and hearts and be present to what the Spirit is revealing to us today…in worship, in prayer, in our music, in silence, in our relationships with one another, outside walking among creation…and then go…go out and live our lives as witness to this good news…Jesus is passionate about wanting us to see that God has not abandoned us…that God is showing up in all the places we thought were dead and without a chance for newness of life…

Through our belief in Jesus’ resurrection from the dead, we believe that our hope is in following Jesus, in this way of love… in a way of life that proclaims to others, through our words and actions, the saving power of God’s love to heal and transform our world today… from the nightmare it appears to be at times, into God’s dream for his people and all of creation…

I would like to close this morning, with some words offered by the Presiding Bishop Michael Curry back in 2013…about God’s dream…

(God has a dream. God has a dream, a vision, plan, a sublime divine purpose for this world. God has a dream for his creation, a dream for every man, woman, and child whoever walked upon the face of the earth, and God will not rest until our nightmare is ended and God's dream is realized. That's what Jesus is all about. That's what he came to show us.  He came to show us the way to live God's dream instead of our nightmare. He came to show us the way to be truly and authentically and genuinely human as God intended and created us. He came to show us how to become more than simply an individual collection of self-interests. He came to show us how to become the human family of God.

And when the world is lived like that, when our lives are lived like that, then children don't go to bed hungry. When the world is lived more in accord with God's dream, God's vision for life, then we will find ways to lay down our swords and shields down by the riverside to study war no more.

Oh, God has a dream. And God will not rest until God's dream is accomplished, and miraculously God will not do it without us.

I believe it was St. Augustine of Hippo--but I've heard Desmond Tutu say it--that with respect to God's work:

By himself, God won't.

By ourselves, we can't.

But together with God, we can.

We can.

God has a dream! And he has called us to help him realize that dream for every man, woman, and child who walks upon the face of the earth.)

 Let us pray:

In this present time…May our hope and our prayers be rooted in the vision and Dream of God…Let us pray for the spirit of the Living God to fall fresh upon us, to revive us, and remind us that we serve a Risen Savior, who’s in the world today…

He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today!

He walks with me and talks with me along life’s narrow way.

He lives, He lives, salvation to impart!

You ask me how I know He lives?

He lives within my heart.

Re Julie Platson

St Peter’s by the Sea Episcopal Church

Sitka, AK

Hymn after sermon: (L) 42 – He Lives!

I serve a risen Savior, He’s in the world today;

I know that He is living, whatever others say;

I see His hand of mercy, I hear His voice of cheer,

And just the time I need Him He’s always near.

He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today!

He walks with me and talks with me

along life’s narrow way.

He lives, He lives, salvation to impart!

You ask me how I know He lives?

He lives within my heart.

In all the world around me I see His loving care,

And though my heart grows weary I never will despair;

I know that He is leading through all the stormy blast,

The day of His appearing will come at last.

Refrain

Rejoice, rejoice. O Christian, lift up your voice and sing.

Eternal hallelujahs to Jesus Christ, the King!

The hope of all who seek Him, the help of all who find,

None other is so loving, so good and kind.

Refrain

Together we are seeking the road where faith is found…

9 Pentecost/Year C

August 7, 2022

Genesis 15:1-6; Psalm 33:12-22; Luke 12:32-40

Do not be afraid…our old testament reading and our gospel reading began with those words today…

But they weren’t just stand alone words…they were followed up with words of hope and assurance…of a God who wants only the best for his people, a God who invites them and us…to look all around us…to see that indeed, right there in the midst of our worries, our fears, our uncertainties, God has always been here…God is here now…and God will be with us all in the long journey ahead….

Those of you who have been worshipping with us over zoom, and here in the church since the COVID pandemic began a couple of years ago…might recognize those words or the similar words that I began using right at the start of the pandemic…and continue to use…as a daily mantra…and touchstone…to remind me and us from time to time, to “keep the faith”….to not be afraid….because even as the world around us is constantly changing, and we are faced with new worries and concerns every day, and when we feel like we’ve lost our way at times…and don’t know where the road ahead will lead us…God is with us...we can put all of our trust and belief in that good news…all of our Hope in the One who journeys with us, leading us on the roads of life where faith is found…

In our Genesis reading today…Abram was lamenting that he continued to be childless, and that he has been given no offspring of his own, …Then the word of the Lord came to him …and He brought him outside and said, "Look toward heaven and count the stars, if you are able to count them." Then he said to him, "So shall your descendants be." And he believed the Lord…

In our gospel reading today…Jesus seeks to comfort the disciples and re-direct the disciple’s attention and focus from the things of this world that trouble them, to focus their hearts and minds on believing that God has their back…that God can be trusted with all their concerns, their worries…because all God ever wants is to show them and us, just how loved we are…just how meaningful and purposeful our lives together can be… when we seek first the kingdom of heaven, the unfailing treasures of heaven, where nothing can destroy the love that binds us together and unites us as the family of God…no worries, no fears, not even death, nothing can separate us from the love of God made known to us in Jesus…

And today’s words of wisdom from Jesus are words of encouragement and guidance about being attentive…paying attention…being ready…for God to show up again and again, in the most unexpected times and places…especially in those times when we are faced with daily changes, when we are faced with worries and concerns, and when we feel like we’ve lost our way at times…and don’t know where the road ahead will lead us…

Look to the heavens, and count the stars…see that God is here…look to your loved ones who have gone on before us…remember their stories…their legacies of their faith journeys that remind us and help us to “keep the faith”… see that God is here…look to your neighbor, those you know well, and those you have a hard time understanding… see that God is here…. listen to the joy and the hope proclaimed in the music we hear, in the scriptures we read, in the prayers we lift up, in all the laughter and the stories of the everyday lives of people all around us… see that God is here…

Do not be afraid…

God has always been here…God is here now…and God will be with us all in the long journey ahead….

We can put all of our trust and belief in that good news…all of our Hope in the One who journeys with us, leading us on the roads of life where faith is found…

Let us pray now, in the words from a hymn entitled “bless now”, written by Sylvia Dunstan…a prayer inviting God to bless now our faith journeys…

Hymn after sermon: Bless now (142 Voices found)

Sylvia G. Dunstan (1955-1993)

Bless now, O God, the journey that all your people make,

the path through noise and silence, the way of give and take.

The trail is found in desert and winds the mountain round,

then leads beside still waters, the road where faith is found.

Bless sojourners and pilgrims who share this winding way,

whose hope burns through the terrors, whose love sustains the day.

We yearn for holy freedom while often we are bound.

Together we are seeking the road where faith is found.

Divine Eternal Lover, You meet us on the road.

We wait for land of promise where milk and honey flow.

But waiting not for places, You meet us all around.

Our covenant is written on roads, as faith is found.  (Amen)

Rev Julie Platson

St Peter’s by the Sea Episcopal Church

Sitka, Alaska

What matters most...

8 Pentecost/Year C

July 31, 2022

Ecclesiastes 1:2, 12-14; 2:18-23; Psalm 49:1-11; Luke 12:13-21

It’s been a whirlwind few weeks/months here at St Peter’s and in Sitka…The frenzy of the world coming alive here in Sitka began in the spring season, as it usually does… but this year…it’s been even more evident…after a quieter couple of years because of the COVID pandemic…

This year’s spring has paved a way for an extremely busy summer season here in Sitka, and everywhere…visitors are arriving by the thousands; summer camps, music festivals, and other programs are up and running and welcoming full audiences…People are out on the water, and out on the trails…taking advantage of all the gifts the summer season has to offer us…

And this summer, not only for us here at St Peter’s, families and friends are coming together again to celebrate the lives of their loved ones who have died in the past couple of years, but were unable to hold services near the time of their transition from this world to the next…

We’ve had several services here since May…and as you may have heard me mention before…I love getting together to celebrate the lives of those we have loved and lost…

A few of the reasons: For one…it reminds us to stop, and be present to the people around us…another reason…we learn so many valuable lessons about love, life and work; and what’s most important to remember about this precious life we are given…through the wonderful stories shared about their loved ones at the services…

Their stories often remind us, that all the toil and work under the sun, and the storing up of treasures for themselves and in this world…is not what has made their lives meaningful and purposeful…It’s not about building bigger barns to store up all their worldly goods…

Their stories often remind us that it was their time with God in the quiet moments of stillness and prayer, their faith and hope centered on the One, we know as Jesus, who guided them throughout their lives, in a way of love that helped them to see that it was their faith and trust in a  loving God, and the relationships they built and treasured with family and friends and those in their communities…is what mattered most of all…

Their lives have been a witness to us, to enjoy and treasure the gift of Sabbath time…to regularly set aside time in silence with God… to help us connect and focus on what matters most in this precious life we are given…loving God, and one another…

I invite you now to pause with me for a few moments of quiet reflection as I share a story with you…about silence…

Read: Silence, by Jerome W Berryman, illustrated by Lois Kilberg

author: Jerome W Berryman Audio recording of the story: Silence

Rev Julie Platson

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

Hymn after the story: Still, still with thee - Harriet Beecher Stowe (1812-1896)

played by Julie piano recording of still, still with thee

Still, still with thee, when purple morning breaketh,

when the bird waketh, and the shadows flee;

fairer than morning, lovelier than the daylight,

dawns the sweet consciousness, I am with thee.

Alone with thee, amid the mystic shadows,

the solemn hush of nature newly born;

alone with thee in breathless adoration,

in the calm dew and freshness of the morn.

When sinks the soul, subdued by toil, to slumber,

its closing eye looks up to thee in prayer;

sweet the repose beneath thy wings over shading,

but sweeter still to wake and find thee there.

So shall it be at last, in that bright morning,

when the soul waketh, and life’s shadows flee;

O in that hour, fairer than daylight dawning,

shall rise the glorious thought, I am with thee.

Holy listening time...

6 Pentecost/Year C

July 17, 2022

Genesis 18:1-10a; Psalm 15; Luke 10:38-42

Opening prayer: (Hymn 508 – vs 1)

Breathe on me, Breath of God,

fill me with life anew,

that I may love what thou dost love,

and do what thou wouldst do. Amen

Our gospel reading for today is another familiar one to most of us…the summer lectionary seems to fit right in with the other familiar highlights of the summer season…vacations, summer camps, a time to slow down a bit, change gears and travel…especially travel….and for Sitka…a season for welcoming lots of visitors and guests…who have often travelled long distances to come and see and learn about our way of life here…

So, even though, some are enjoying a little bit more quiet, relaxation, and change of pace for the summer…there are many who are busy behind the scenes...making sure everything is ready to welcome the visitors into our midst…here in the church, in our homes, or in our community…and there are many who are busy welcoming our visitors, right on the scene…and pulling out all the stops to be sure the visitors and guests are treated with the upmost hospitality and welcome…

We all know how stressful preparing for visitors and guests can be…

We know, like Martha in the gospel reading today…that it’s not too difficult to become worried and distracted by many things…especially these days….

I thought a lot about this on my recent trip to Baltimore, for the 80th General Convention of the Episcopal Church…

I thought about all those who are steeped in the business of hospitality and welcoming others…

I thought about all the work that went into planning and changing and re-vising the plans for all to gather safely in Baltimore for the general convention….I thought about all the Episcopal Church staff and volunteers; and the convention center staff, who welcomed us…over a thousand of us,  with open arms, and patience, every day we gathered together to discuss and discern and take care of the business of the church that needed to be completed in those four days….

I thought about the airline industry and other modes of transportation that were available to us…I thought about all those who work in the hotels we stayed at…those in the restaurants and coffee shops…those who welcomed us and shared their knowledge with us at the aquariums, the museums, and the other places that have made the city of Baltimore, a home to many…for generations…I thought about those who had family members waiting for them to return home from work…I thought about those who live alone…

And as I thought about these things, and how grateful I am for all of this…I needed to step back a moment…to ask myself – how hospitable and welcoming was I with those who were giving of themselves…so I could be fully welcomed and receive the fruits of their labors, for my comfort and my nourishment and my enjoyment?

Was I distracted by many worries and anxieties…focused on my needs only…trying to hurry things along…so I could get on to the next thing…was I distracted with judgment of how they were doing or not doing their job? Was I getting irritated by things, that were out of my control, or never mine to control in the first place?

Indeed, I was, at times…and I recognize in myself…that it all comes down to trying to short-change my time of sitting at the feet of Jesus, in devotion and prayer…and in a time of “Holy listening”…as Jesus and Mary modeled for us, in today’s gospel reading…An example to us, that reminds us of our need to return to a time of prayer, and quiet with God…often and regularly…to enable us, strengthen us, guide us, and equip us…to love, serve and welcome one another…as Jesus has loved, served and welcomed us…

If we don’t take this time to stop, be still, and pray…we are sometimes acting and reacting to all that happens in our lives…from a place of emptiness, a place with no purpose or direction….a place of no self-care, a place where love of our neighbors, respect for the dignity of every human being, and gratitude for the toil and work and hospitality of our neighbors, near and far…is not rooted in our hearts and our minds by the love of God, made known to us through Jesus, and by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.

In today’s gospel reading…some get tripped up with today’s story about Martha and Mary, thinking that it’s about making a choice of right or wrong, or Mary or Martha, and who we should follow…

Maybe Jesus is suggesting, in today’s reading…that it’s really not one or the other…but both… the need to focus on Him, serving and welcoming him, as we sit at his feet, and learn from him…And a need to focus on Him as we serve and welcome others, in the actions and tasks we are called to…

No matter what we do…we can strive to put aside all the distractions and worries and focus on the need of only one thing…to focus first on Jesus…the better part…focus first on Loving Jesus, welcoming Jesus, serving Jesus….Seek and serve Christ in all persons, as one of our baptismal vows calls us to do…

In the people we meet each day… whether in Sitka, Seattle, London, Italy, Baltimore, and in all the places each of us will welcome travelers or travel ourselves in the days ahead…let us strive to be a people whose radical welcome and hospitality towards others, is rooted in the love of God, made known to us through our “Holy listening” time with Jesus, and by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit…

Perhaps, that’s where healing and reconciliation for the entire human family and all of creation can begin…when we make room for “Holy Listening” with God, and one another…

Let us pray/music: (Hymn 508 – vs 1)

St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, Ann Arbor - recording of full hymn

Breathe on me, Breath of God,

fill me with life anew,

that I may love what thou dost love,

and do what thou wouldst do.

Rev Julie Platson

St Peter’s by the Sea Episcopal Church

Sitka, Alaska