O Lord, help us to embrace the difference that comes being a part of that mystic sweet communion of your Church. Amen.
I really enjoy psychological thrillers – movies and shows like Black Mirror, Inception, Memento, and The Matrix. They have mind-bending plots that make you, along with the characters, ask the question “what is real?” As people of faith, this is a question that we constantly contend with – what is real? As we heard in the reading from Ephesians, we are to “see with the eyes of our heart.” We come to know and trust that the least shall be the greatest, that it is more blessed to give than to receive, that death is not final, that in the Eucharist we received the Body and Blood of Jesus. But, constantly, we live in a world that makes us question the reality of our faith.
During the pandemic, many decisions were made in an effort to reduce the spread of the COVID virus. Some of these practices were quite helpful (social distancing) and others were less than helpful (wiping down groceries with disinfectant). And some of these practices remain useful (wearing a mask when feeling ill) and others are no longer necessary (only allowing people to sit in every-other pew). As I led my congregation in Salisbury, we made several adaptations at the Eucharist such as using pincers (tongs) to hand out the host and receiving only the host, not wine. However, as we were able to return to more standard Eucharistic practices, we did.
You’ve likely noticed that Grace and St. Stephen’s is a fairly “intinction-heavy” (dipping the wafer in the wine) congregation, stemming not only from the COVID pandemic, but the history of the city being a tuberculosis treatment and recovery hotspot. My hope is that we can move in the direction of sharing in the common cup and reduce the number of intinctions. Many members are newer to the Episcopal Church and simply follow the pattern that they see at the rail, so these norms are important.
There are several reasons why I am encouraging a greater usage of the common cup.
1) This is the expectation laid out in the Prayer Book: “Opportunity is always to be given to every communicant to receive the consecrated Bread and Wine separately.” While there is a provision to receive both simultaneously, it is not the standard. Traditionally, intinction was only used when giving the Sacrament to the sick.
2) While it may seem that intinction is more sanitary, self-intinction is actually the least sanitary method of receiving the wine. You can ask any chalice bearer about how many fingers go into the wine for a fuller explanation. Multiple studies have shown that the risk of drinking from the common cup is “negligible.” Furthermore, the alcohol content in port wine, the wiping of the chalice, and the anti-microbial properties of silver all dramatically reduce the risk of spreading germs. There is no sanitary reason to allow for self-intinction and no significant risk in sharing in the common cup.
3) A central theological truth of the Eucharist is that the Sacrament is always received, never taken. This is why we come forward with empty hands and receive the Eucharist. As we sometimes pray in the Prayer of Humble Access, “We are not worthy so much as to gather up the crumbs under thy Table.” The prayer continues with a note of Grace, “But thou art the same Lord whose property is always to have mercy. Grant us therefore, gracious Lord, so to eat the flesh of thy dear Son Jesus Christ, and to drink his blood, that we may evermore dwell in him, and he in us.” We receive not because we are worthy, but because we are loved and shown mercy. Self-intinction obscures this Grace as it is a form of “taking” instead of “receiving.”
4) Scripture’s plain sense is that we drink the wine (“This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 1 Corinthians 11:25; “Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and they all drank from it.” Mark 14:23). Given the theological and scientific realities of the common cup, there is no compelling reason to amend or ignore our Lord’s instruction in most situations.
5) There is an element of unity that comes from sharing in the common cup, and this has been true for millennia. Christians have always been accused of being odd for our Eucharistic practices (early Christians were accused of being cannibals for eating human flesh). Though some are not comfortable drinking after others, that discomfort actually helps us to demonstrate that we are one Body.
6) Several dioceses and congregations, based on the above reasoning, discourage self-intinction. There have even been calls made to the House of Bishops to discourage self-intinction on a Church-wide basis.
All this being said, pastoral sensitivities must also come into play, lest any policy end up denying full Eucharistic participation to anyone. Those who are severely immunocompromised and may not be willing to accept even minimal risks, the sick who are unable receive the chalice due to physical constraints, those who know they have an active and contagious infection, those with open sores, young children who are not yet able to drink from the chalice, and those in recovery from alcohol addiction may, understandably, choose not to drink from the chalice and should still have the option to receive the Sacrament in both kinds. It is not the intention to deny the Sacrament in both kinds to anyone. We will also continue to make provision for those who need gluten wafers.
The pastoral provision that I, and many other congregations, have found to be a theologically sound and practical solution is to have the clergy intinct the host in the common cup (ensuring no fingers end up in the wine) and then either place the host in the open palms of the recipient or directly on the tongue, if so chosen. However, the preference is for as many as are able, to share in the common cup.
Beginning in Advent, we will move towards this Eucharistic norm and will no longer offer self-intinction vessels. If you need to have the clergy intinct the wafer for you, you may indicate this by placing your hands palm side down (instead of up) and this will indicate to the clergy to intinct the host into the wine before giving it to you.
***Summary: Drinking from the common cup is encouraged and commended. Intinction will remain a pastoral allowance, but will no longer be self-intinction.
I am announcing this change well in advance of Advent so that the parish is informed with ample notice and that there is sufficient time for concerns to be expressed and worked through well ahead of the change. If you have questions or concerns about this change, do please reach out to me. While I know that some may not prefer this change, how we express and work through our disagreements is a sign of our unity in Christ and I welcome such conversations as an opportunity to practice holy listening and mutual concern.
Let us keep the feast.
Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
Galatians 6:2
Therefore pray for one another, so that you may be healed.
James 5:16
Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God.
1 John 4:7
One of the joys of being a part of the Body of Christ is that we have honor and sacred privilege of praying for one another. Prayer is not empty words, but expresses our hopes, loves, and intentions for one another, and we also believe that through our prayers, God will do more than we can ask for or imagine. Part of what it means to be God’s beloved community is to “Rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep” (Romans 12:15) and we will be slightly changing our Prayers of the People to allow us to do just that.
Given the importance of prayer, when we begin a new liturgical year in Advent we will pray for those on our prayer list, by name, in the Sunday Prayers of the People. We will pray the first names of all of those on the “crisis” prayer list, and both first and last names will be printed in the prayer list at the back of the bulletin. If anyone prefers to not have their last name printed, that can be requested.
Our prayer list will be divided into four sections:
Crisis: Those in urgent and exigent circumstances. Generally, people will remain on this list for one month and then be added to the ongoing prayer list.
Thanksgiving: Those are rejoicing the birth of a child, a wedding, an ordination, or other such occasion to joyfully give thanks to God. They will be prayed for in the Prayers of the People for one week.
Deceased: Those who have died will be prayed for in the Prayers for one week.
Ongoing: Those on this list will be listed (first and last name, unless otherwise requested) indefinitely in the bulletin, but not included in the Prayers of the People.
If you need to make changes or additions to the prayer list, please contact Father Robert or Deacon Kris.
Disturb us, O Lord, and by your Spirit, help us to dream holy dreams. Amen.
There’s was a practice common in Wales until not too long ago known as “hunting magic eels.” It’s something like a Welsh Valentine’s Day – there was an well that was said to be inhabited by enchanted eels that could predict your romantic future. If you threw a token into the well and the eels touched the token, it meant that your lover would be faithful to you for life. This well was a pilgrimage site for centuries. Today, the well and nearby church are both in ruins.
Lord Jesus, we’re doing our best, but the waiting is getting hard, so help us to not lose faith. Amen.
As the saying goes, “Life is not for the faint of heart.” There are so many things that wear us down, that deflate our hopes, that tire us out. The good news is that’s exactly the same world that Jesus was born into and the same condition that the disciples struggled with. The relief, strength, and hope that they received in being near to Jesus is the very same that we receive as we gather as his Body to receive his Body in the Eucharist. Thanks be to God.
O God, grant us the serenity to accept the things that we cannot change, the courage to change the things that we can, and the wisdom to know the difference ☩ in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.
What a tremendous gift we have in faith! Truly, it’s an embarrassment of riches. I mean, just look at this place – we are surrounded by so much beauty and have received this wonderful church as the legacy of those who have come before. We have all received the gift of life – of the opportunity to live, and move, and have our being in the knowledge and reality of God’s love for us. We are lavished with the love of our Creator who is with us and for us in all things. And many of us are fortunate to have financial resources that afford us comfortable lives.
Be with us, O Lord, for if you are with us nothing else matters; and if you are not with us, nothing else matters. Amen.
So there was a guy who found himself at the pearly gates of heaven and St. Peter asked him, “Tell me about one good deed that you did during your lifetime?” The man said, “Sure, this one time, I saw a group of mountain lions circling some deer and I charged at them to try to scare them away.” St. Peter replied, “What a kind and generous act. When did that happen?” The man said, “About two minutes ago.” It’s a setup for a joke that we all know – someone finds themselves at the pearly gates and some sort of twist delivers the punchline.
Gracious God, guide us to seek your Truth: come whence it may, cost what it will, lead where it might. Amen.
“And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of dishonest wealth.” If I’m honest with you, and I’ll always be honest with you, I don’t have a clue why Jesus told this parable or what he was getting at by commending the actions of this weasel of a manager. The guy is self-serving, conceited, and conniving. He’s a cheat. If this manager asked to be on our Finance Committee, we’d give him a very firm, “Thank you, but we’re not sure that we need your, um, gifts, should used for the finances of the church.” And yet in this story that Jesus tells us the scoundrel is commended for his actions. It’s outrageous and I can’t say that I get it.
In the name of the God who is love ☩ Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.
What a joy and blessing it is to be here with you all at Grace and St. Stephen’s! There I was, minding my own business and trying my best to do faithful ministry in Salisbury, North Carolina when the Holy Spirit did what the Holy Spirit so often does – stirring things up. One of the things that makes grace so amazing is how it surprises us and comes unexpectedly. About a year ago, I was celebrating my 10-year anniversary as the Rector of St. Luke’s and I distinctly remember thinking, “I can’t imagine that I’d ever encounter another parish that I’d want to serve.” Truly, I was not looking for a new call, and I wasn’t even open to the idea at first. But the Holy Spirit’s clear call, along with the fantastic parish profile that you developed and your energy and hospitality during the interviews helped to open my imagination enough to know in my heart and mind that, indeed, I was being called to Grace and St. Stephen’s. And I’m so incredibly excited to see what the Holy Spirit has in mind by bringing us together.
Glory to God, who working in us, will do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine. Glory to him from generation to generation in the Church, and Christ Jesus for ever and ever. Amen.
Be with us, Lord Jesus, for if you are with us nothing else matters; and if you are not with us, nothing else matters. Amen.
If you’re our guest at St. Luke’s this morning, perhaps because you felt drawn here or because you are here as a part of the Music & Arts Camp from this past week, welcome. This is an interesting time at St. Luke’s because I’ve recently announced that I’m leaving to serve a church in Colorado Springs. So, this sermon isn’t quite a standard one due to this context.
Be with us, Lord Jesus, for if you are with us, nothing else matters; and if you are not with us, nothing else matters. Amen.
Lord Jesus, thank you for the gift of relief. Amen.
These days, we’re all looking for relief of one sort of another. Maybe it’s relief from aches and pains, perhaps from bills and interest piling up on your credit card statement, it could be from anxiety that you’re carrying related to work, school, children, or parents. Or maybe, just maybe, you’re weary of all that’s in the news: war, bitterness, buffoonery. Whatever it is, we are living in an exhausting and bewildering time – and we’re all searching for relief.
Preached at All Saints Episcopal Mission in Linville, North Carolina
In the name of God ☩ Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.
It is so good to be here in Linville with you all. A parishioner back in Salisbury has a mountain house and often speaks about coming up this way for an “altitude adjustment.” Well, that’s exactly what this week is – an altitude adjustment that allows clergy and their families to get away from the demands of parish ministry and the summer heat, while enjoying the gift of your company in this lovely community. This is our fifth summer here and we are so grateful for the invitation and the hospitality. I pray that the time here is restorative for you just as it is us.
In the name of the Holy Trinity ☩ Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.
In May, we went on a family vacation to Washington, DC and while we were there, we did all of the stuff that you do: National Cathedral, Zoo, the Smithsonians, the White House, and the Capitol. We booked the Capitol tour through Senator Thom Tillis’ office, and so in addition to the tour, we also received gallery passes for the Senate. Now, I’m not saying that I figured out how to fix Washington, but I did identify a first step.
In the name of the Risen Jesus. Amen.
Let’s say that I’ve booked a table for you tonight at your favorite restaurant – doesn’t matter where, I’ve taken care of the reservation, flight, and hotel. So if you want to go to Rome, Paris, New York, wherever, we’re ready for you. I’ll even pick up the bill for dinner. The catch is that I get to choose who you have dinner with. And who is it that would make you say, “Thanks, but no thanks. Not worth it”? Maybe a former boss that you can’t stand, someone you used to be married to, the kid who bullies you in school, a political figure who repulses you?
In the name of the Risen Jesus. Amen.
Who is Jesus to you? I was in a meeting recently and that’s a question that came up. It’s such a foundational question, but one that is easy to overlook given how often we refer to Jesus – he’s in our parish identity statement, the hymns we sing, the art we are surrounded by, and at the end of all of our prayers in the phrase “through Jesus Christ our Lord.” But who is Jesus to us? What is the operative image of Jesus that comes to mind if I ask you to close your eyes and think about the question: “who is Jesus to you?”
In the name of the Risen Jesus. Amen.
“Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.” Though the Gospels were written down nearly 2,000 years ago, I’ve often thought these words are addressed directly to us, which is pretty neat. In the rest of Scripture, we read things that were said to people a long time ago; but here, Jesus is talking to us, sort of like when an actor breaks the third wall and speaks directly the audience. “Blessed are you who have not seen and yet have come to believe.”
God of life and love, just as you opened the tomb, open our hearts and minds to the joy of Easter. Amen.
Easter comes just in the nick of time. There’s been a lot of Good Friday sort of news in our personal and public lives. Easter delivers the jolt of beauty, joy, and Good News that we could all use an extra dose of these days. It’s always good to proclaim it, but there seems to be an extra bit of relief this year to hear the message that the Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia!
In the name of God ☩ Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.
If you were to ask people what they most yearn for, after they go through the near-term wants and desires, most of us will eventually say “peace.” We long for peace. Scripture gives us the words of an often-used blessing that describes this longing – the peace of God which passes all understanding. One of the prayers that so many pray nightly in Evening Prayer is “Give peace in our time, O Lord.” Many just want some peace and quiet, we want peace in Palestine, Ukraine, and Sudan, we want a peaceful civil discourse. Peace is what so many want, and peace is the final emotion to consider this Holy Week. Since Palm Sunday, each sermon has focused on a different emotion as a way of entering into the drama of this week which finds its consummation in the peace of God.
In the name of God ☩ Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.
Holy Saturday is unlike any other day in the Church Year – both liturgically and theologically. On both counts, the day is stark. The liturgy is simple, because what is there really to do on a day of waiting? And while there certainly are writings and reflections on what it means to proclaim that Christ descended to the dead, it’s hard to develop much theology on a topic that Scripture is mostly silent. There is a sort of emptiness to Holy Saturday that can lead to despair.
In the name of God ☩ Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.
If you want to sow disagreement, ask Christians what they think of the hymn “In Christ Alone.” Episcopalians typically aren’t involved in this debate, as the hymn in question was written in 2001 and our Hymnal was published in 1982, so we don’t sing it very often, if at all. What makes it a controversial hymn is the line, “This gift of love and righteousness, scorned by the ones he came to save: Till on that cross as Jesus died, the wrath of God was satisfied.” This Holy Week, each sermon is focusing on a different emotion as a way of participating in the drama of this week. Today, on Good Friday, we consider wrath.
In the name of God ☩ Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.
Of all the emotions, disappointment might be one of the most difficult to move on from. There are strategies that can help us when we are angry, anxious, or impatient. Feelings of happiness, courage, or hope can all be fleeting, but there are practices that we can use to hang on to those positive emotions. But disappointment seems to just stick with us like storm clouds on a rainy day. On this Holy Wednesday, the emotion we’re reflecting on is disappointment.
In the name of God ☩ Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.
Tonight, as we continue considering the emotions of Holy Week, we turn to courage – both the courage that we see in Jesus and the courage that he intends to instill in us. This week which we call holy focuses on the Passion of Jesus. Passion, in Latin, means “to suffer,” which is where we get the phrase “The Passion of Jesus Christ.” But for us English speakers, “passion” more often means intense feelings and desires that are rooted in the heart. And this definition connects to courage. The root of the word “courage” is “heart.” So, when someone says “take heart,” it’s an appeal to be courageous. Ultimately, love is what drives the Passion of Jesus and so there is no Holy Week without the heart, without courage.
Lectionary Readings & additional Gospel reading
In the name of God ☩ Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.
Several decades ago, the cable network TNT used the slogan “We know drama” as a way of assuring audiences that their programming would be exciting, entertaining, and emotional. Well, in Holy Week the Church can borrow that phrase and say, “We know drama.”
Abiding God, help us to know that we are always at home in your love. Amen.
Dorothy was right, “There’s no place like home.” After two full days of travel, 10 days in Kenya, and 4 unexpected days in London, I am so glad to be home. The team that went to Kenya, Dora, Tory, and Amy, and I will have a lot more to say about the time in Kenya in the coming weeks and months, but I do want to say thank you to the Parish and the Foundation for sending us as representatives of St. Luke’s to our friends and companions in Mumias, Kenya. We had such a fantastic time and enjoyed rich food, fellowship, and worship as we further built our relationship with the Cathedral there. That being said, I think the four of us would all agree that it is so very good to be home.
Preached at the Bishop James Hannington Memorial Cathedral in Mumias, Kenya
In the name of God ☩ Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Psalm 133 begins with: “O how good and pleasant it is when siblings dwell together in unity.” Indeed, it is so very good to be here. On behalf of Dora, Amy, and Tory, we are so delighted to be here, and we are overwhelmed with the beauty of your country and people. We are so very appreciative of the hospitality that you have shown us.
Gracious God, you hate nothing that you have made, so keep us forever in the knowledge of this great love ☩ in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.
This warmer weather has been a nice change. Baseball is again being played and early flowers are budding. All of this means one thing: spring is nearly here. And along with Spring break and March Madness often comes spring cleaning – when we realize that we didn’t quite make the progress on the New Year’s resolution to be better organized and so, bolstered by warmer weather, we spring to action.
O God of grace and glory, help us to behold that which you are helping us to become ☩ in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.
In the Church Year, today is known as Quinquagesima – that’s a fun word, isn’t it? Quinquagesima: it means that we’re approximately fifty days from Easter and that this is the Sunday before Lent begins. On these Sundays between the Epiphany and Lent, the sermons have been focusing on our worship – exploring what we mean when say that foundational to our identity is “intentional worship.” Our worship is intentional in that it is deliberately and prayerfully planned and led, and it is intentional in that it is done with a purpose in mind. Today, as this sermon series concludes, I want to consider that last bit – what is the purpose of worship?
Forgive the sins of the preacher, O Lord, that only your Word be proclaimed and only your Word be heard ☩ in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.
For those who are paying attention to the news about the government, it’s a disconcerting time. Constitutional and historical norms are being disregarded, chaos and confusion are rampant, and there’s a tone of division and meanness that are menacing. You all know that in the Baptismal Covenant, we commit to striving for justice and peace among all people and pledge to respect the dignity of every human being. So for those of us who are committed to the ideas of treating people with respect, of caring for the environment, that families should not be ripped apart, that who a person loves should not impact their civil rights, that diversity and inclusion are not problems but virtues, for those committed to following the way of Jesus – we’re at a loss about what to do. Attending a rally can feel like an echo chamber, contacting Congress feels like an exercise in futility, posting on social media is vain virtue signaling, standing by idly and hoping that mid-term elections help seems too passive and naïve, and prayers are confusing because for many, this outcome is exactly what many prayed for. I wonder what Scripture has to say about all of this?
In the name of God ☩ Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.
I’m the last person to ask for advice about plants. I’m not sure if it’s overwatering, underwatering, a lack of fertilizer, or putting them in the wrong places, but not even a cactus that would make it in the barren desert is safe in my care. So don’t take my advice about plants, but do listen to Jeremiah and the Psalmist, they have something worth listening to. Jeremiah says “Cursed are those who trust in mere mortals… they shall be a like a shrub in the desert… But blessed are those who trust in the LORD… they shall be like a tree planted by water.” And Psalm 1 declares that those whose delight is in the law of the LORD are “like trees planted by streams of water… everything they do shall prosper.”
In the name of God ☩ Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.
“Woe is me! I am lost.” Those words of the prophet Isaiah describe well what many have been feeling over the past several weeks. Another translation puts it as, “I am undone.” These days, there are two camps that most people identify with. One is just so sick and tired of the nonsense and division of politics that they have little to no tolerance for hearing about it at church. They want a respite and a shelter from all of that. They want church, and specifically the sermon, to speak about eternal truths instead of temporal realities. The other group wants to know that the Church sees the eroding of our democratic norms, they are perhaps afraid for themselves or someone they love, and they want assurance that God is aware of injustice, that this is a community that stands for something, and that our faith is relevant in our modern world.
In the name of God ☩ Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.
Come, Holy Spirit, and help us to dream holy dreams. Amen.
The passage that we heard known as the “wedding at Cana” is one of my favorite stories in Scripture. It’s such a rich passage with so many layers of meaning. Every time I study it, there is more Gospel grace and truth to encounter.
Lectionary Readings (and full Gospel text)
In the name of our Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace ☩ Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.
What would you do if you had no fears? If you could take any risk, go on any adventure, or do that thing you’ve always wanted to do, what would it be? That was one of the questions that we recently pondered at a youth group gathering. Several of our youth gave some insightful responses. And one youth said something that really resonated for me – “I’d be more honest with people.” It’s a great response. So often there are things that we want to say, but we worry how they will be received. Maybe we think we can offer some helpful bit of advice, but we worry they’ll take it the wrong way. Perhaps there is someone we want to give an affirmation to, but there’s a chance it will come out wrong, so we hold back. It could be that when someone asks us how we’re doing, we play it safe and say “I’m good” instead of asking for the help we need. We are bound by so many emotions and fears.