Emmanuel Episcopal Church

In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus tells those gathered that those who do good to "the least of these" will be called blessed and the good they do will be the same as doing it for the Lord. Those who do not will be judged as though they refused to show kindness to Jesus himself and will be condemned, not for any evil they may do but for the good that they failed to do. The people asked Him, "When did we do this?", and that is the whole matter. They missed seeing the face of God, the hidden presence of the Lord in the faces of those they helped. We are called to service, and we should ask Jesus always to show himself, to be known in what we do.

The Scripture references are Ezekiel 34:11-16, Psalm 95:1-3,6, and Ephesians 1:15-23. The Gospel reference is Matthew 25:31-46.

As harsh as the parable of the slaves and talents found in the Gospel of Matthew may seem at first, there is a better way to hear it. It isn't about God being harsh; our salvation isn't based on merit. God loves us, completely. This is a parable about opportunities, and how we react to those that present themselves to us. Do we value the opportunities that come to us, both the "once in a lifetime" and everyday varieties, or do we miss them by being only reactive and passive? Are we joyful, or negative? When we look at ordinary moments in our lives we should take the time to ask where the opportunity lies, to live fully in that moment, and to live it gratefully.

Influential Source: Brother David Steindl-Rast, "Want to be happy? Be grateful." Ted Talk, 2013. https://www.ted.com/talks/david_steindl_rast_want_to_be_happy_be_grateful?utm_campaign=tedspread--b&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=tedcomshare

The Scripture references are Deuteronomy 8:7-10, Psalm 65:1,6,7,10-12, and 2 Corinthians 9:6-15. The Gospel reference is Matthew 25:14-30.

When the world seems so far from being God's Kingdom on earth, remember that coming together in faith we still can effect the change that brings healing and grace to our lives and the lives of those around us. God's promises to us have not changed, and while the gifts we each have may seem insignificant in the face of the problems of the world, when all the gifts of all of us are brought to bear together there is nothing we cannot accomplish. This call to faith and action is what binds us, defines us, and makes us able to bring light to the darkness.

The Scripture references are Amos 5:18-24, Psalm 70, and 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18. The Gospel reference is Matthew 25:1-13.

It isn't in the acquisition of material goods and worldly honors that we find our greatest happiness, no matter what our modern culture may lead us to believe. As we learn in today's sermon, "Jesus doesn't bless those who think they're full; he blesses those who know they are empty." The saints teach us that in each of us is a God-shaped hole, a place for us to welcome the love of God and the light of Christ. When we know how much we need God, then we can truly live.

The Scripture references are Revelation 7:9-17, Psalm 34:1-2,8-9, and 1 John 3:1-3. The Gospel reference is Matthew 5:1-12.

Jesus has called us to love our neighbor as ourselves, and in the Greek the word used for love is agape, the pure unselfish love that is shown for its own sake. This is the love that God has shown for us, and we can love God by loving the things that God loves and seeing others as fellow children of God. Too often we do love God and our neighbor but fail to show the same love for ourself. We forgive others but not ourselves, care for others' needs but not our own. But our ability to love others is predicated on our ability to love ourselves, and to remember that we, too, are loved. Real love is to love each person as they are, even ourselves.

The Scripture references are Leviticus 19:1-2,15-18, Psalm 90:1-6,13,17, and 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8. The Gospel reference is Matthew 22:34-40.

Avoiding the Pharisees' attempt to entrap Him, Jesus simply replies "Give to the emperor those things that are his, and give to God those things that are God's." Of course, all of creation is God's, so how can we give Him that which is already His? We can do it by giving Him that which was created in His image, our hearts, our souls, and our very being. Inviting God into every part of our lives, bringing our joys and our problems to God, recognizing that God's claim to us is above all others, in doing this we give God the one thing that is truly ours to give, our selves.

The Scripture references are Isaiah 45:1-7, Psalm 96:1-4,6-7, and Thessalonians1:1-10. The Gospel reference is Matthew 22:15-22.

To us, one of the more confusing of Jesus' parables is that of the wedding feast of the king's son. A man attending the feast is found without a wedding robe, and the king has him bound and thrown out of the feast into "the outer darkness". In this parable, we are called again and again to come to God's feast; first by the prophets, then by Jesus, and lastly by the apostles. The lack of a wedding robe represents our refusal of God's welcome and hospitality. God is mighty like the king of the parable, but unlike him God does not does not answer our refusal with wrath, but rather with mercy. God makes all us fit to attend his banquet and sit at His table. Will you come?

The Scripture references are Isaiah 25:1-9 and Philippians 4:1-9. The Gospel reference is Matthew 22:1-14.

On this Saint Francis Sunday we come together with our beloved pets, knowing that we all are part of God's creation. God cares about all that he has created, and as we are made in His image we must strive always to protect our planet and its environment, and to care for all those other creatures beloved of God with whom we share it. There are practical actions we can take every day, and remember that creation care is about giving our hearts and hands to the relationship that God has in mind for us.

The Scripture references are Isaiah 5:1-7, Psalm148:7-14, and Philippians 3:4b-14. The Gospel reference is Matthew 21:33-46.

NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, estimates that one in five Americans will experience some form of mental illness in their lifetime. As Mental Health Week begins remember that all of us know of or care for a person who is dealing with mental illness. It is unfortunate, and ultimately unhelpful and unhealthy, to stigmatize anyone who does deal with mental illness every day; there is no sin here, no punishment for things done or undone. Mental illness is every bit a disease as cancer, emphysema, or any other, and any stigma only serves to divide us when we need to come together most. As Jesus showed us by so many examples, illness of any kind including mental illness is not what defines a person. We are all children of God, worthy of all the compassion, support, and understanding we can share.

The Scripture references are Ezekiel 18:1-4,25-32, Psalm 25:3-6, and Philippians 2:1-13. The Gospel reference is Matthew 21:23-32.

Long time Emmanuel Sunday school teacher Maryanne Theyerl shares with us one of the lessons in the Godly Play curriculum used in our Sunday school classes. The joy of discovery and learning and the growth in faith the lessons provide isn't just for the little children, as we discover that the lessons resonate with our older parishioners as well.

The Scripture references are Jonah 3:10-4:11, Psalm 145: 1-4,7,8, and Philippians 1:21, 27-30. The Gospel reference is Luke 4:16-30.

As Peter learns when he asks Jesus how many times he must forgive someone who has wronged him, there is no limit to forgiveness in God's eyes. Just as the parable's merciful king forgave a debt impossible to repay, so has God forgiven each and everyone of us an impossible debt as well. Being created in the image of God, that great mercy lives in us all. Forgiveness is easier when we acknowledge all that we have been given and forgiven; the prison into which the slave in the parable is cast is one of his own making, he is tortured not for his unforgiving but by it. Real forgiveness, forgiving from the heart, means to not focus on our ability to forgive but to act based on what we have been forgiven and to release the offender from the sentence of our judgement. In real forgiveness we release ourselves from the prison of the other person's sin; in releasing them we are ourselves released.

The Scripture references are Genesis 50:15-21, Psalm 103:(1-7),8-13, and Romans 14:1-12. The Gospel reference is Matthew 18:21-35.

The story of Joseph and his brothers as found in Genesis underscores the fact that poor communication, missed opportunities for understanding, and avoiding conflict were as common then as they are today. How could a relationship among family get so bad that thinking of killing became a reasonable idea? Perhaps it is that in asking the difficult honest questions and preparing for the inevitable honest answers we are all put in a vulnerable place, and we avoid it at too great a cost. In Matthew's gospel, Jesus gives good practical advice when we deal with difficult relationships, singly and with the help of others. His final advice is to treat everyone with love, as He loves us. And as He has promised, where we are He will be also.

The Scripture references are Genesis 37:1-11, Psalm 119:33-38, and Romans 13:8-14. The Gospel reference is Matthew 18:15-20.

Emmanuel parishioner Barrie Gibby reminds us that the events of our daily lives, large and small or good and bad, can serve as "wake up calls" from God. They give us opportunities to deplore hatred, uphold justice, and render aid to those who need it. And, just as Moses found out when questioned God in the burning bush, God's plans are greater than our own, and He will give us the strength, wisdom, and help to carry them out.

The Scripture references are Exodus 3:1-15, Psalm 26:1-8, and Romans 12:9-21. The Gospel reference is Matthew 16:21-28

In Matthew's Gospel, Jesus and His disciples are confronted by a Canaanite woman who is seeking healing for her daughter. At first her pleas are ignored, as she is not of Israel and her people are considered an inferior race by the Israelites. Her dedication and love for her daughter lead her to challenge Jesus' refusal to help, turning His own arguments back on Him. Impressed by her faith, Jesus heals her daughter and seems to have shown that He is capable of reexamining His own heart and adapting how He sees the world. Her appeal to God's mercy should resonate in all of us, especially in the light of the events of Charlottesville and elsewhere. We must remind ourselves constantly that God'd plan for us is not to be right, but to constantly seek the right. Confronted by those who would exclude others from God's love, let us be like the Canaanite woman and stand firm in our conviction - to never stop believing that a world can exist where all are equal and loved in God's eyes.

The Scripture references are Isaiah 56:1,6-8, Psalm 67, and Romans 11:1-2a,29-32. The Gospel reference is Matthew 15:21-28.

For those who wish only to hear the Gospel and the sermon, please enjoy this segment of our Garden service.

The Scripture references are Isaiah 61:10-11, Psalm34:1-9, and Galatians 4:4-7. The Gospel reference is Luke 1:46-55.

As we celebrate the feast of St Mary, we should consider how a child's relationship to the world is formed through the relationship with the mother of that child. What love must Mary have shown her Son, that He could love the world as completely as He did. Please enjoy this video of the whole garden service celebrating the Virgin Mother, but know also that the sermon starts at the 8:45 mark.

The Scripture references are Isaiah 61:10-11, Psalm34:1-9, and Galatians 4:4-7. The Gospel reference is Luke 1:46-55.

On this Sunday as we celebrate the Feast of the Transfiguration, some of Emmanuel's youth share with us moments that helped define their faith.

The Scripture references are Exodus 34:29-35, Psalm 99:5-9, and 2 Peter 1:13-21. The Gospel reference is Luke 9:28-36.

In the Gospel known as "The Comfortable Words" in the Episcopal Church, Jesus calls to us "Come to me, all you that are weary and carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest." We see ourselves in these words, burdened by the worries and concerns of our day to day lives and the responsibilities we must bear. Jesus acknowledges our weariness, which the world in which we live too often does not. Life is often hard, and who knows this better than Jesus, who carried our burdens for us all the way to the cross? We are first and foremost children of God, and Jesus will bear our burdens alongside us, calling us to live in response to God our Creator.

The Scripture references are Zechariah 9:9-12, Psalm 145:8-15, and Romans 7:15-25a. The Gospel reference is Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30.

Jesus' radical hospitality is well known from the Gospels, accepting people just as they were and making them feel fully welcomed. Modeling His behavior can sometimes feel taxing, and we can feel conflicted between our ideal and our actions. But rather than doing nothing when we feel tired or discouraged, do that which we are capable of. Just as Jesus said that those who welcomed the disciples welcomed Him, and by doing so welcomed God, remember too that God is also a gracious guest. He accepts all of our kindnesses, great and small, and is welcomed even in the smallest acts.

The Scripture references are Jeremiah 28:5-9, Psalm 89:1-4,17-18, and Romans 6:12-23. The Gospel reference is Matthew 10:40-42.

The Gospel in the tenth chapter of Matthew is one of the hardest scriptures to hear from Jesus, that he has come to set people against their own families. How can we square this with His words elsewhere that we are to honor our parents, and to take care of our family members? Listen again to those words, but this time as a preparation for His disciples regarding the opposition they will face as they spread the Good News. Many of our earthly attachments, even those from family members, can keep us from finding our true selves in God. Jesus is willing to go all the way with us; how willing are we to go with Him?

The Scripture references are Jeremiah 20:7-13, Psalm 69:8,10-11,18-19, and Romans 6:1b-11. The Gospel is Matthew 10:24-39.