Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost

Sunday - September 28, 2008

Proper 21, Year A

Ezekiel 18:1-4,25-32
Philippians 2:1-13
Matthew 21:28-32
Psalm 25:1-14 or 25:3-9

O God, you declare your almighty power chiefly in showing mercy and pity: Grant us the fullness of your grace, that we, running to obtain your promises, may become partakers of your heavenly treasure; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Announcements

Sunday, September 28th – Holy Eucharist at 9:00AM

• Loose Plate offering: Family Outreach Fund
• Bible Study: Thursday at 10AM
• Bishop’s Committee Meets October 19, 2008
• The memorial service for The Rev Watson Bartholome will be held on Sunday, October 26, 2008 at St. John's Episcopal Church in Tulare.
  

Next Sunday’s lessons: Proper 22
Isaiah 5:1-7
Psalm 80 or 80:7-14
Philippians 3:14-21
Matthew 21:33-43

The Rev. Watson "Fr. Bart" Bartholome

The Rev. Watson "Fr. Bart" Bartholome died this morning, September 19, at approximately 3 am, on the feast day of Theodore of Tarsus, Archbishop of Canterbury. Fr. Bart was the Rector Emeritus of St. John's, Tulare, having served as Vicar from 1977 to 1987, coming to the Diocese of San Joaquin from ministry in the Diocese of Los Angeles. He served in retirement in the Diocese of San Joaquin as a supply priest and priest-in-charge for several congregations, the most notable being his ministry to Epiphany, Corcoran, for many years.

The time and date of the Burial Office is yet to be scheduled. It will be held at St. John's, Tulare.

Please pray for his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed; and for God's gracious strength and comfort for his widow, Vivian, and for their children, Dave and Susan, and their families.

Condolences may be sent to the family via St. John's, 1701 E. Prosperity Ave., Tulare, CA, 93274, or by email to stjohnstulare[at]yahoo.com .

Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost

Sunday, September 21st - Holy Eucharist at 9:00AM

Proper 20 - Year A

Jonah 3:10-4:11
Philippians 1:21-27
Matthew 20:1-16
Psalm 145 or 145:1-8

Grant us, Lord, not to be anxious about earthly things, but to love things heavenly; and even now, while we are placed among things that are passing away, to hold fast to those that shall endure; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Sunday, September 21st – Holy Eucharist at 9:00AM

• Loose Plate offering: Vicar's Discretionary Fund
  
• Bishop’s Committee Meets Sunday (9-21-08)
• Bible Study - Hebrews: Thursday at 10AM
  

Next Sunday’s lessons: Proper 21A

Ezekiel 18:1-4,25-32
Philippians 2:1-13
Matthew 21:28-32
Psalm 25:1-14 or 25:3-9

Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost

Sunday - September 14, 2008

Holy Eucharist 9:00AM

LESSONS - Proper 19A

Ecclesiasticus 27:30-28:7
Romans 14:5-12
Matthew 18:21-35
Psalm 103 or 103:8-13

O God, because without you we are not able to please you mercifully grant that your Holy Spirit may in all things direct and rule our hearts; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Sunday, September 14th – Holy Eucharist at 9:00AM

• Loose Plate offering: Uganda Missionary Support
• Next Bishop’s Committee Meeting: 9-21-08
• Bible Study - Hebrews: Thursday at 10AM
  

Next Sunday’s lessons: Proper 20A
Jonah 3:10-4:11
Philippians 1:21-27
Matthew 20:1-16
Psalm 145 or 145:1-8

Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost

Sunday - September 7th, 2008

Holy Eucharist, Rite 2 at 9:00AM

Proper 18 - Year A

Ezekiel 33:(1-6)7-11
Psalm 119:33-48 or 119:33-40
Romans 12:9-21
Matthew 18:15-20

Grant us, O Lord, to trust in you with all our hearts; for, as you always resist the proud who confide in their own strength, so you never forsake those who make their boast of your mercy; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Matthew 16:11-21

INTRO
“Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees”

• Why does Jesus say this?
• The warning against false teaching is followed by the revealing of Christ by God to Peter under the shadow of pagan worship at the mouth of Hades.
  

JESUS & DISCIPLES AT CAESARIA-PHILIPPI

Location of the Temple of Pan and the “Gates of Hades” which is a large rock.

• Being surprised by Pan in the dark created panic
• Peter = rock
  

1. Who do people say that I am (”the Son of man”)?

• John the Baptist – a great preacher
• Elijah – a great miracle worker
• Jeremiah – a great prophet
  

2. But who do you say that I am?

This is the most important question that we must answer:

• To God
• For ourselves
• To others
  

Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts regard Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you . . . [1 Peter 3:14b-15]

3. The right answer/person:

• Is revealed by God
• Brings blessing
• Provides . . .
  
• Jesus as the architect – “I will build”
• Safety and power – “the gates of hades shall not prevail”
• Access to God’s kingdom – “the keys of the kingdom”
• Our commissioning to act on His behalf – “whatever you bind/loose”
  

CONCLUSION
“From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things . . .”

Sandwiched between “false” teaching and the Cross is a question:
1. Beware of false teaching
“But who do you say that I am?” [See Isaiah 51:1]
2. The Cross

Fifteenth Day after Pentecost

August 24, 2008 - Holy Eucharist Rite II at 9:00AM

Lessons - Proper 16

Isaiah 51:1-6
Psalm 138
Romans 11:33-36
Matthew 16:13-20

Grant, O merciful God, that your Church, being gathered together in unity by your Holy Spirit, may show forth your power among all peoples, to the glory of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Announcements

Sunday, August 24th – Holy Eucharist at 9:00AM

• Loose Plate offering: Family Outreach Fund
• Next Bishop’s Committee Meeting: 9-21-08
• Bible Study Thursdays at 10AM (Hebrews)
  

Next Sunday’s lessons: Proper 17
Jeremiah 15:15-21
Psalm 26:1-8
Romans 12:1-8
Matthew 16:21-27