God...Where were you when...?

Twenty years ago…
Do you remember where you were? What you were doing? Who you were with?

I was in Chapel at Trinity Seminary that Tuesday morning in Ambridge PA. It was my first time preaching in front of my fellow students. We finished morning prayer unaware of what was going on. All too soon we would hear along with the rest of the world the devastating news of that day.
Classes were canceled and we spent the rest of the morning gathered back in the Chapel praying and comforting each other. Where was God in the midst of this?

And it seems like in a moment the world changed and that life would never be the same.

Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. Isaiah 53:4-5

As I've been thinking about the 20th anniversary of September 11th I have also been thinking about another time when the world changed in an instant. I imagine that for the followers of Jesus, Good Friday must have felt like the world had changed and that life would never be the same. Where was God in the midst of this?

And they were right…but they would only really understand this after the resurrection.

“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

It is because of what happened on the cross that Good Friday that any of us can face the hurts and horrors and hatred that might come our way. Because Jesus our savior has walked this way before us; He has suffered with us and suffered for us. He is there all along...in the midst of it...the suffering servant who indeed has “borne our griefs and carried our sorrows." 

And in His rising again, the world changed, and life will never be the same.

Blessings,

Matthew+

O God, you made us in your own image and redeemed us through Jesus your Son: Look with compassion on the whole human family; take away the arrogance and hatred which infect our hearts; break down the walls that separate us; unite us in bonds of love; and work through our struggle and confusion to accomplish your purposes on earth; that, in your good time, all nations and races may serve you in harmony around your heavenly throne; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.   BCP p. 815

Join us  for Worship this Week

There are still risks to gathering as a group and the safety of all is our highest concern. While we are no longer requiring that you sign-up for Sunday mornings, the following instructions  are to help make our worship experience meaningful and safe. 

Please read the instructions here.

Saturday September 11, 2021 5:00 PM:

Holy Eucharist   Cranmer Chapel (in person only)

Sunday September 12, 2021 9:30 AM: 

Holy Eucharist St. John's (online and in-person)

Join Zoom Meeting

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Meeting ID: 997 0942 7503

Passcode: 179982

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You can find a PDF copy for the service by clicking the button below.

Coming up...

Sunday Morning Bible Study

The Promised One: Seeing Jesus in Genesis

We hope you will join us as we start our next bible study on Sunday August 29th.  We will be reading and studying the book of Genesis using Nancy Guthrie’s book: The Promised One.

From Nancy’s website:

“The Promised One provides a fresh look at the book of Genesis, leading readers in discovering how its stories, symbols, people, and promises point to Christ.”

You can order a copy of the book on Amazon here.

You can find out more about our study here.

This Sunday we will be discussing the 3rd chapter: Week 3 The Fall (Genesis 2:4-3:24)

Suicide Prevention Hike

September 12, 2021 at Snow Mountain Ranch

Join us in Grand County’s first annual suicide prevention and awareness hike. The You Are Not Alone hike is in support of mental health and suicide prevention and awareness. Now, more than ever, it’s important to be there for one another and take steps to safeguard our mental health and prevent suicide. All community members are welcome and encouraged to join. For those that can’t hike, sitting areas will be available. The hike is held during National Suicide Prevention Week and Month.

Click here for more information and/or to register for the hike.

Standing with Haiti

Many of you have asked what we can do to help the people  of Haiti. Here is one way to help.

From Wynn Walent, the Executive Director for Locally Haiti:

To the many of you who have already generously donated, and to those who are asking how you can help, all relief donations will go towards securing requested supplies, and to direct financial support to our local partners. 

In the medium and long-term there are difficult decisions and dialogues ahead. These will include assessments of physical structures and continued discernment on how we can best reinforce our existing programs, assist in recovery, and support durable, community-led development. As always we will rely on our long-term relationships and local leaders in Haiti, listening first, and then marshaling resources to help. 

The word kouraj, pronounced koo-rahj, is used frequently in Haiti. It literally means courage, but it represents much more. Think of it as a mix of courage, abiding faith, psychological and spiritual support, and deep belief in what’s possible despite the longest odds. Bon kouraj, is often said as a wish for, and a granting of, courage for the day ahead. In addition to the direct aid we are working to share, we’re sending kouraj to Petit Trou, and we’re hoping for a bit of it here as well, as we continue to seek the right way to help, and to gather all the resources and generosity that we can as a community.

Thank you as always for standing with Haiti.

May we pray for you?

We are trying to regularly update our Prayer List. Please let me know of those you wish to add to the list as well as those you feel need to remain on our weekly prayer list.

We will pray for all of these folks during our weekend services at the end of the Prayers of the People. They will also be included on our list for St. John’s Prayer Group.

Certainly, loved ones may be added at any time as needed.

Please send me your requests via email at:

kayehikerpiper@gmail.com

Thank you,

Deacon Kaye

This Sunday's Readings

The lectionary readings for this Sunday are:

• Proverbs 1:20-33

• Psalm 19

• James 3:1-12

• Mark 8:27-38

You can read them online here.

Zoom Host Volunteers
We are looking for a couple of volunteers to host our Sunday Morning Zoom and run the slides for the service.
If you are interested in helping with either of these please contact Fr. Matthew by email or call the Church office at 970-887-2742.

Church Directory

We are in the process of updating our church directory. Please click here to fill out your current information.

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