August 31 2017
Sisters and brothers:

It goes without saying that we remain concerned about everyone who has been affected by the catastrophic storm, Hurricane Harvey. I encourage you consider making a donation to the Episcopal relief fund. (See the information and link below.)

Perhaps by now you have seen talk of the Nashville Statement, which is a document produced by conservative Christians denouncing same-gender relationships and argues for maintaining a male/female, binary, understanding of gender.  I have been working with my progressive clergy colleagues here in Tulsa and with our denomination's Presiding Bishop to issue a response to the Nashville Statement. We are working to get something issued quickly.  In the meantime, there is a very good rebuttal by Christians United that you might consider signing on to as an individual.  I have also posted a slimmed down version of a statement on our parish website.  (You are welcome to share that with others if you wish.)

As your pastor, I want to make sure that all of you know that God loves you regardless of what others may believe or assert. I regret that statements like the one from these conservatives will no doubt bring pain to many GLBTQ individuals.  It is a shame that even now, there are those who wish to yank Christianity back into a darker period.  Perhaps in light of the recent racist march in Charlottesville, we shouldn't be surprised that ignorance and hatred in the name of Christianity is still alive and well.  But, as our patron Saint Jerome said, "It is not the judgements of men which open or shut the gates of heaven."  It was true in his day, and it is true in our own.  

Hate may seem to have the upper hand, but we know that Love will ultimately conquer all.

Blessings!

Fr. Dewayne




Scripture Readings for Sunday


God spoke further to Moses, "Tell the children of Israel: 'Adonai, the I AM, the God of your ancestors... has sent me to you':
This is my name forever; 
this is the name you are to remember for all generations.

 
3 We glory in your holy Name; *
let the hearts of those who seek you rejoice.
4 We search for you and your strength; *
we continue to seek your face.



Your love must be sincere; hate what is evil and cling to what is good...
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.


 
Then Jesus told his disciples, "If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit them if they gain the whole world but forfeit their life? Or what will they give in return for their life?



Click   here  to go to the Lectionary Readings



 Snapshot of What's Happening! 
 
This Week
                                                      
Friday
Daytimers
11:00 a.m.
Sunday 
Sunday Worship
11:00 a.m.

Tuesday
Midweek Fellowship Group
6:00 p.m.
Wednesday Choir rehearsal
7:00 p.m.

Looking Ahead

September 24
Feast of Title
Worship & 
Celebration  BBQ to follow!
11:00 a.m.
October 1
Pet Blessing Sunday
11:00 a.m



 
Prayer List Update 

Several of you have notified us of folks whose health or life situations have improved so that we can update our prayer list. Thank you for that. If any more of you have information about any of the names on the list below,  you can contact the church office at: 

(918) 582-3088 
or 
stjadmin@stjerometulsa.org.

You can also indicate changes on the the Prayer Request List (notebook on the table in the corner) in the narthex of the church. 

Thanks so much for your help!

Please Keep in Prayer:

Those who are ill or recovering

Sarah Vizza
Fr. Mark Sutton
Ralph Wright (Kellie's father)
Dale Gillman (Francie's husband)
Andy William (Tim Williams' brother)
Derrick Longacre
Wendy Wheaton (friend of Susan Schlesinger)
David Hedges ( " )
Sandy Chambers (niece of Paul Gossett)
Debbie Wilson (friend of Virginia Cohlmia)
Lisa Chaney ( " )
Myrna Campbell ( " )
Ray Voils
Penny Walker (friend of Lori Stem)
Gary Alexander - recovering from surgery
Herb & Ada Allison (Kelly Austin's in-laws)
Janice West (friend of Eric Sanchez)
Jonathan Cantrell
Roseann O'Brien


Those who are (or will be) traveling

Susan Schlesinger & Terri Miller
Virginia Cohlmia
Danny Mackey


Those who have died

Harbor Leigh Vining
Shirley Cotham (friend of T. Geasland & C. Cherry-Jones)
Jack Harker (friend, Virginia Harrison)



Those in need of comfort or support

Everyone affected by Hurricane Harvey
Family of Harbor Leigh Vining
Jason Miller
Rachel Sutton
Martin Wing (friend of Virgina Harrison and partner of Jack Harker)
Elvis Mukombo
Theo Simatupang
Rod & Casey Conrad
The family of Jeanne Miles
Marie Welden
Marlon & Alexis
Celesta Birk, Steph Cantrell, Jonathan, Derrick, and Eden



In thanksgiving for birthdays and anniversaries

Bishop Rick Hollingsworth & John Voegele (September 1)
Larry Curtis (September 3)
Scott Goodpaster (September 3)
Marcia Burrus & Mariellen Montgomery (September 14)
Armando Rodriguez ( September 22)
George Fadaol ( September 30)
John Voegele (September 30)




Help Our 
Brothers and Sisters 
in Texas

Everyone has been struck by the severity of Hurricane Harvey and its effects. Perhaps you have already donated through an agency that you trust. If you haven't, though, and you intend to, please consider donating through Episcopal Relief and Development. Click here to go to their page:


Please indicate that you are donating as a member of St. Jerome's Parish - Ecumenical Catholic Communion - as a way to help link the ECC and the Episcopal Church in partnership. 

And bless you for your compassion and generosity.



A little request

Every week--usually on Tuesday--the "church mouse" (aka the administrative assistant) records the contributions from Sunday's offerings, and every week, some folks use the offering envelopes for cash contributions. (That's a good thing!) 

Our church mouse has asked me to ask you for a big favor: Would those of you who use the envelopes be willing to put first AND last names on the envelopes, please? Or, if all you want to write is  two names, just put last names. For example,  instead of being Elizabeth and Richard, put Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton--or just Taylor and Burton. Seems our mouse doesn't know everyone's last name by looking at the first name, and guessing/looking for names slows her way down, God bless 'er. 

She made the request so politely and meekly, I agreed to include it in this edition of the ATP. 

She said to tell you, "Thanks most kindly!"



LGBTQ Survey

We have asked to tell you about a survey, present the "connection", and ask for your help. To quote from their website:

The goal of this research is to amplify the voices of LGBTQ Southerners and highlight the issues affecting our lives. The survey touches on a broad range of topics, including education and employment, health and wellness, criminal justice and safety, sexual and gender identity, and discrimination.

To explore this for yourself, click here to read more about it.




Search Continues 
for
Food Pantry Leader 

As you now know, we are looking for someone--or several someones--who are willing to assume leadership of our Food Pantry.  We are very grateful that Karl notified the vestry early of his resignation, which will happen at the end of this year, thus allowing time for someone to volunteer and get the necessary training. There are only three months (and a couple weeks) left in this year, and the time between Thanksgiving and New Year's Eve are usually quite busy. It would be wonderful to have the new leader(s) fully trained by mid-November. 

The Food Pantry is the biggest and most visible ministry we have, and almost all of those who benefit from it are folks outside our parish family.   If you have a heart for this important service and some time--no matter how limited--to dedicate to this vital ministry, please prayerfully consider answering this call. Then visit with Raul Rosario or Fr. Dewayne Messenger and discuss how you might be able to share your talents.   



Another Note from Theo

A Reflection on the Gospel
 
 
Take up your cross and follow me...
 
The Holy Gospel on this Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost is talking about the core of our Christian virtue, that is, taking up our crosses and following Jesus. St. Matthew, the evangelist, described that Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and undergo great suffering at the hands of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.
 
Jesus, Son of God, absolutely knows what was going to happen to him. As the Son of God he knows that he is going to be crucified, die, and be raised on the third day. He knows that he will be carrying his cross from Jerusalem to Golgotha. Jesus also knows that he will do it. Jesus trusts himself that he can do it. 
 
Matthew described to us that Jesus confidently carried his cross. We see this self-confidence from his response to Peter. When Peter learned that Jesus was about to prepare himself to head to Jerusalem to be crucified, he then came to Jesus and said, "God forbid it, Lord! This must never happen to you." But, Jesus said "Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; for you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things." It is very clear that Jesus knows that he has a cross to carry on his shoulders, he believes that God, the Father, is going to help him carry the cross and thus is confident that he can do it, although that cross is going to put him to death. 
 
Now, the question is WHY? Why did Jesus do this? Well, Jesus did not do this for himself but for us, for our salvation. Jesus must be put to death in order to save us all from our sin and reconcile our relationship with God, our Creator. The death of Jesus was the only way for us to be reconciled with God. There is no other way. Jesus had to be a sacrificial victim to God, our Creator. Here, our mystery of faith takes place. 
 
Let's go back to the virtue that I mentioned earlier. We have to take our cross. I think we all agree that life is not easy. We have bumps, challenges, struggles in our lives. Sometimes, these challenges seem too heavy to carry on. We feel that our shoulders are not strong enough to bear the weight. Cancers, tumors, economic issues in our family, a significant issue in our marriage /relationship, or immigration challenges might be our cross today. Let us not just give up, but, stay strong and face it with faith in Jesus Christ and say, "Here I am carrying my cross."
 
Serious bumps, significant challenges, and struggles in our lives are not fun; however, they are not the end of our lives. There is hope for healing and reconciliation. Jesus is the reason for hope; he is our hope. Jesus carried his cross, died and rose on the third day. So, our illnesses will be healed and sorrows will be turned to joy and our challenges will turn to a great opportunity. 
 



Prayer for Church Growth and Attendance

God, you are the source of life and growth.  Pour out your Spirit upon us that we may grow together in wisdom, love, devotion, and faithfulness. Stir up within us a desire to draw closer as one family. Give us a yearning for outreach, that we may serve a hurting world; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever.   Amen.


Sharing Fellowship
 
Here is the schedule of those providing refreshments for the weeks ahead:
Week 1 - September 3    A-D
Week 2 - September 10  E-K
Week 3 - September 17  L-R
Week 4 - September 24  S-Z - Parish BBQ

Worship With Us on YouTube

If you are not able to worship with us when you are away, or if you are ill, you can now stay connected to your parish family by worshiping with us on YouTube. 



We're More Connected!
 
To download our church app, go to your Play Store and search for Churchlinkapp.  Select the app and download. (The app is free.) Once downloaded, open the app. Allow it to know your location.  In the search field, type in "the parish church of st. Jerome."  Select our parish, and you should be connected.  


Now See Our Church Calendar Online!



Parish Church of St. Jerome
Thank you for being part of our parish family!
See you Sunday at 11:00 for Mass.

205 W. King Street
Tulsa, OK 74106
918-582-3088
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