A Voice in the Wilderness

2020-07-16

I hate dying...

Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. Matthew 16:24

When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die. Dietrich Bonhoeffer

I hate dying.

It seems lately that I keep finding parts of my life that need to die.

Pride. Selfishness. Dishonesty. Resentment. Pettiness.

The list goes on and on and on.

Maybe you have a list too?

I hate dying.

Yet dying to self (taking up your cross) is a requirement for discipleship. To follow Jesus, as Bonhoeffer says, is to “come and die.”

I hate dying…I think in part because there is this fear that I will come upon some part of my life that I will not be willing to surrender. Some stronghold of sin or ego that I will cling to for dear life. O, the irony…the unwillingness to put to death the very thing that keeps me from Life.

Yet Jesus beckons…follow me…pick up your cross…

And how can I resist his voice?

Almighty God, whose Son our Savior Jesus Christ was lifted high upon the cross that he might draw the whole world to himself: Mercifully grant that we, who glory in the mystery of our redemption, may have grace to take up our cross and follow him; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.

Blessings,

Matthew+

Coming up...

Join us for Worship this Week

Saturday: Evening Prayer at 5:00 PM 

July 18, 2020 05:00 PM Mountain Time

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/974290452?pwd=NUprQTAxN1NET0xZNXRsdnFkTm5HZz09

Meeting ID: 974 290 452
Password: 161595
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Sunday: Morning Prayer at 9:30 AM 

July 19, 2020 09:30 AM Mountain Time 

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Meeting ID: 997 0942 7503
Password: 179982
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You can find a PDF copy for both services by clicking the buttons below.

Calling all gardeners!

Instead of bringing in the sheaves, we will be pulling out the weeds! Join us at 10 AM on Tuesday, July 21st and Friday, July 24th as we work in the garden behind the church. Please bring your garden gloves, tools and a mask!

A note from Michele Simmons.

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Can I still contribute for Michele's gift?

Some of you have asked if it is too late to make a contribution towards a gift for Michele. You are welcome to contribute by sending a check with Simmon's gift in the memo line to St. John's before the end of July.

The Gospel according to Matthew

Fr. Matthew is offering a study on the Gospel of Matthew on Sunday mornings at 11:00 AM. Grab your bible and bring your questions as we open the scriptures together.

Our study uses our Sunday Morning Prayer ZOOM link.

Coffee and Conversation

Join us at 10:30 on Wednesdays for a Virtual Coffee and Conversation. Grab a cup of coffee or tea and join us for some informal conversation.

Join the Zoom Meeting
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Meeting ID: 560 422 458
Password: 703727
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This Sunday's Readings

The lectionary readings for this Sunday are:

• Psalm 139:1-11, 22-23

• Romans 8:12-25

• Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43

You can read them online here.

A word about giving

We recognize that there are a lot of folks who have been hit hard during this crisis and are grateful to the generosity of this community.

Some of you have asked what to do with your regular pledge and offering while we are not gathering together on Saturdays and Sundays. You may mail them to the church (P.O. Box 954 Granby, CO 80446) and we will put them in the offering plate and bless them during the service. You might also consider using bill-pay through you local bank if they offer that service.

Church Directory

Now more that ever we want to make sure our church directory is up to date. If you have moved or changed phone numbers in the past year, please click here to fill out your current information.

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