Thoughts & Updates

They’re often the most difficult people in our lives. Others who know them think they’re nice. Frequently, they are, but they can also be our greatest challenge. They’re the ones closest – our family and co-workers. They aren’t necessarily difficult in and of themselves. They simply get under your skin. They don’t listen to you. They question you and tell you what to do. They leave their stuff strewn everywhere. They don’t do their share at home or at work. The people closest are the ones most likely to drive you nuts. While we all need to talk through issues and, at times, take advantage of counseling, prayer does wonders. Jesus teaches, “pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:44). When I pray for the person giving me fits, the situation generally improves somehow. I don’t know whether God changes the other person’s heart or mine, but something changes. Praying for God to bless a challenging co-worker or loved one doesn’t mean being a doormat or suffering abuse. If you’re in an abusive relationship, get help. God wants you to be free from that abuse. If you are struggling with a difficult person, pray for God to fill him or her with the light, love, joy and peace of Christ. You might struggle to pray for someone you’d rather strangle at that moment. While it is easier to lash out in anger, the way of the cross is the way of life. When you pick up your cross, when you pray in the way of Jesus, you unleash the life changing power of God’s love in your life and your relationships. Blessings, John Click here to read Part 1.  

 

Danny and Pastor John added a balloon to our sign to make our church's location more noticeable to people passing on Highway 42.  This is part of our outreach to the community. 

Another great Sunday at GEC!   

Last week Cindy and I had two dead trees removed.  While the men were working, one of our neighbors left a long voicemail complaining that they weren’t using a crane.  If anything fell on her fence, we would have to pay.

Later that same morning she came over to tell me that debris from other trees on our property were falling on her deck.  She wanted them removed, too.

It was a joyful Sunday celebrating Ashton's baptism!  

A great celebration of 50 years of marriage!  Paula and Don renewed their wedding vows during the service, today! 

We give thanks for our great Dads! 

“Membership doesn’t matter in Episcopal churches,” said someone to me Tuesday.  Sadly, that is true in many Episcopal congregations.  It’s symptomatic of an anti-institutionalism that has swept American society since the end of the 1960’s.

 

We had a great Sunday!  Thanks to Kate Walker, who spoke on behalf of the Episcopal Farmworker Ministry, to all those who donated clothing and other things for our brothers and sisters in the fields and to Fr. Frank, who took these photos!  

There is a longline of books with titles like Sacred Cows Make the Best Burgers.  Their theme is the importance of change.  They make a good point.  Times change and organizations need to change, too.  We’ve made a lot of changes at our church, upgrading the interior of our facility, strengthening our worship, and expanding our ministries.  And we need to continue to change to serve God, our members and our community.

 

We had a great celebration of Pentecost, the day the Holy Spirit came upon the disciples in Jerusalem, our graduating High School Seniors and our youth!  The choir from El Buen Pastor (the Good Shepherd) joined us for the service parts of which were in English, Spanish, French and Spanish.  Our altar guild and friends did a great job decorating the church for the great day!  Thank you to everyone who made it such an exciting celebration! 

Sunday is a big day!  It’s Pentecost, one of the three main holy days of the year, when we remember the gift of the Holy Spirit to the church and to each person who walks in the way of Jesus.  We’ve got a great service lined up for this day!

Since on the Day of Pentecost the Holy Spirit empowered the disciples to speak in other languages, our service will be multilingual.  There will be prayers and songs in Spanish.  The choir from El Buen Pastor (The Good Shepherd) will be with us for the third year in a row.  Marguerite will sing a song in French and English.  Samantha will sign the Lord’s Prayer.  Of course, we will also have songs and prayers in English, too!

Breaking News!!!  We’ve all heard these words thousands of times.  They’re so overused that I once heard WRAL’s David Crabtree say on air something “really” was breaking news.

Although Jesus’ resurrection might not be breaking news, I think the power it unleashes is.  People often relegate the resurrection to the next life.  Resurrection power though is available for you here and now.

 We had a great celebration of Jesus' resurection!  Thanks to everyone who did a fantastic job decorating, serving, singing, playing and attending our worship, bringing food for and coordinating the brunch, putting on the Easter egg hunt and cleaning up!  It was a great morning!   

When I was a child I loved to read an illustrated book of ancient Greek myths.  One was about Pandora.  According to Greek mythology, she was the first woman.  The gods gave her a jar she was not to open.  When she did, all the evils that plague humanity flew out.  Seeing them escape, she slammed the lid closed, enclosing hope.

 

Without a doubt Palm Sunday is one of the most jarring of the year.  One moment we hail Jesus and the next we yell “Crucify him!”  And, yet, it is so true.

We all know public opinion is fickle.  One day a sports figure is revered as the hero and the next booed as the goat.  My guess though is Palm Sunday is more for you than the reenactment of fickle public opinion.  I imagine that you have experienced this Sunday first hand as I have.

I’m excited to welcome our friends April and Annette Williams this Sunday.  April and Annette have been with us in the past.  A few years ago they led the music in our summer mid-week contemporary music service and one or two Sundays, also.

As part of our preparation for a second service with a more contemporary musical style, we are worshiping with different types of music when Gayla is away on vacation.  On December 31st, Susan Gilbert led our music, playing a combination of hymns and other songs on the piano.  This Sunday during our 10:30 a.m. worship we will have guitar and vocals.  In every other regard, the service will be the same. 

Sunday the 2018 Vestry (the congregation's governing council) was commissioned!  Thank you for your willingness to serve in this important leadership ministry!

You’ve heard people say, “The youth are the future of the church.”  While that saying encourages adults to provide ministries for teens, it dismisses their current contribution.  Young people are important members of our church, today. 

They contribute in many ways.  Youth regularly read the psalms during our worship and serve as acolytes.  They serve those in need through Backpack Buddies, a program that provides food for the weekend for hunger-at-risk kids, packing meals, assisting in delivering and holding food drives from time to time.

Congratulations to Lizzy, her family and her friends!  It was a great joy to participate in her baptism!