The Trinity and St.Jerome
with the saints Paula and Eustochium
June 7, 2017
Sisters and brothers:

I recently had the opportunity to read a portion of the report produced between the Lutherans and Roman Catholics.  These two church bodies have moved closer together and in this particular report they identify 32 points of agreement ranging from the way ministry is ordered, the sacraments (primarily baptism and Holy Communion), apostolic tradition and the saving work of the church.  

What I found striking in this most recent reading was the common understanding of the importance of the Eucharist and the centrality of that sacrament in the life of the church and in the spiritual lives of us as individuals.   For centuries Roman Catholics and Lutherans have been divided on a particular aspect of the Eucharist. Lutherans affirmed their belief in the "real presence" of Christ in, under and within the bread and the wine.  Roman Catholics have tended to focus on the changed nature of the species and have argued that while it may "appear to be bread and wine," it is in fact the very body and blood of Christ.  This document spoke about how both of these understandings are correct and that there is very little that separates them.  They are hopeful that they will soon find the ability to share the Eucharist together.  

I'd like to share with you some points of their common points of view as a reminder of the importance of the Eucharist.  First, the body and blood of Christ is understood to be a sacrament - that is the Eucharist conveys spiritual graces to those of us who receive it.  Thus  there is something "salvific" about receiving the body and blood of Christ.  When we partake, we are not just receiving nourishment, we're actually being imbued with "saving graces" each time we eat or drink together.  In John, Jesus repeatedly emphasizes that those who eat his flesh and drink his blood are those who shall be saved.

Second, Jesus instructed the disciples (and us) that whenever we do this we are to do so in "remembrance."  There is something about the "remembering" aspect.  In a way, we are not just remembering what happened long, long ago, we are actually participating in the act that took place at the Last Supper.  Just as the Jews recognized that their Passover ritual somehow connected them directly to the events of the Exodus, so too our participation in the Eucharist connects us to the Paschal event - the saving acts of Jesus in that last meal and the trial, crucifixion and resurrection that followed.  

Third, while we are commemorating what happened in the past - that is Christ's ultimate sacrifice - we are also participating in our own sacrifice - the giving of ourselves, our souls and our bodies to God.  Thus Eucharist is a 2-way giving and a 2-way prayer.  God gives of God's self through the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross, and we in turn give of ourselves in praise and thanksgiving.

Lastly, whether we use 1 loaf of bread or many loaves we are sharing the ONE BREAD and the ONE CUP.  That is when we share communion together we are sharing not only with our sisters and brothers in this family of faith, we are sharing with our sisters and brothers all across the world as well as those saints who have gone before.  

I hope you might keep these things in mind as you come to the altar rails this Sunday.  Let the body and blood of Christ nourish you - AND SAVE YOU.

And, perhaps more importantly, I hope that if you haven't been to church in a while - that is if you have not received Holy Communion in a while - you might consider the importance of the sacrament and avail yourself of the gift that is offered.

Blessings!

Fr. Dewayne




Scripture Readings for Trinity Sunday

Genesis 1:1 - 2:4a

Then God said, "Let us make humankind in our image, according to our likeness..."
 
 O Lord our Governor, 
how exalted is your Name in all the world!


2 Corinthians 13:11-13

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with all of you.

 
"...Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age."


Click here to go to the Lectionary Readings


 Snapshot of What's Happening! 
 
This Week
                                                      
Friday, June 9
Daytimers
11:00 a.m.
Sunday, June 11
Trinity Sunday
11:00 a.m.
Monday, June 12 Vestry Meeting
6:00 p.m.
Tuesday, June 13
Knitting Group
6:00 p.m.
Wednesday, June 14
Spaghetti Supper &
Bobby Jo Valentine in Concert
6:00 p.m.
7:30 p.m.

Looking Ahead

Thursday, June 16
Karaoke
8:00 p.m.
Sunday, June 18   (Father's Day)
Ugly Tie Contest 
12:00 p.m.
Sunday, June 25
The Rev. Geoffrey Brewster, guest preacher
11:00 a.m.



Please Keep in Prayer:

Those who are ill or recovering

Jackie Hickey (Food Pantry volunteer)
Robert Stotler-Easley
Cloyd Stotler-Easley
Penny Walker (friend of Lori Stem)
Gerry Daley (Joyce Daley's son)
Mark Watkins
Jonathan Longacre
Gary Alexander
Roger Francis
Herb & Ada Allison (Kelly Austin's in-laws)
Carla High (friend of Joyce Daley)
Stephen Knapp (Br. Ray's brother)
Rosalyn Spade Carter (Obie Vincent's granddaughter)
Janice West (friend of Eric Sanchez)
Joseph Rapacki (friend of Eric Sanchez)
Rev. Kate Lehman
James Barrentine (Kevin's father)
Eden Birk
Jonathan Cantrell
Matthew Reed (Maria's husband)
Chris Curtis (friend of Raul)
Steve Rathburn (family of Mikki Mast)
Allen Carpenter (Bill Carpenter's brother)
Mary Lynn Ruehlen (friend of Rack and Eric)
Sarah Vizza (Kathy Elliott's daughter-in-law)
Mike Feess
Carlene Sanchez (Hospice)
Roseanne O'Brien


Those who are (or will be) traveling

Andy Kinslow & Russ Kirkpatrick

Those who have died



Those in need of comfort or support

Marie Welden
Marlon & Alexis
Celesta Birk, Steph Cantrell, Jonathan and Eden
Raul Daniel Rosario (Raul's brother)


In thanksgiving for birthdays and anniversaries

Eric Sanchez (June 12)



   
Just Around the Corner-- 
Bobby Jo Valentine
 June 14

St. Jerome Church is pleased to present Bobby Jo Valentine in concert on June 14. The concert will be preceded by a spaghetti supper with salad and bread. The entire evening is yours for just $15!


From his website:

Born into a Baptist church of strict lines and sharp edges, and coming out of that culture to discover who he really is, Bobby is now a believer of a different sort: a believer in the wild, strange, mystical nature of the world. Faith has come to mean something much deeper, wider, and less cut-and-dried than when he started. Bobby now finds that he has just as much to learn from the people who believe differently than he does as the ones that do [believe as he does]. ...He is ecstatic any time he can discuss the big questions, challenge the easy answers, and inspire people to move closer to love.

For more information about Bobby Jo Valentine, visit his website at:

To hear one of Bobby's songs, click here:   Listen
  
To purchase tickets, click here:   Tickets

Mark you calendars; get your tickets; then anticipate a wonderful evening with friends, good food, and exceptional music!


Tie Dye Party

We have an opportunity to have another Tie Dye event on July 23 (after worship).  If you want to participate in this activity, please talk to Virginia Harrison. Her friend, who would be the instructor for the tie dying adventure, needs to know the level of interest, i.e. a head count!, so that we can determine the cost for supplies.

The last time we did this, everyone had a blast!



The Rev. Geoffrey Brewster,
Guest Preacher

The Rev. Geoffrey Brewster will be with us on June 25th as our Guest Preacher.  (Fr. Dewayne will be the celebrant of that service.)  

Geoffrey is the Senior Director of Stewardship for Phillips Theological Seminary, administrating the resource development for Phillips. 
 
A 2010 graduate of Phillips Theological Seminary in Tulsa, OK, Geoffrey earned his Master of Divinity. In 2003 he graduated from the  University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond, earning a B.A. in Psychology with a minor in Substance Abuse Studies. 
 
"I came to Phillips after spending 10 years in youth ministry. Journeying with teens as they are becoming aware of how their world and God's presence are intersecting was an amazing unfolding to witness. Needless to say, Christian Education and Spiritual Formation is one of my ministry passions."
 
After experiencing the transformative nature of theological education in his own life as a student at Phillips, he joined the Stewardship department in January 2010. "I have found myself further inspired to advocate for quality theological education for the whole church. My position in Stewardship affords me the opportunity to hear the stories of how our local congregations are in engaging in this process; how our alums are working to make this possible; and how the Seminary can be a resource on the journey of discovering Christ in our midst," he remarked. In July 2015, he was promoted his current position as Senior Director.
 
Prior to beginning at Phillips, Geoff served as Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries at Southern Hills Christian Church (DOC) in Edmond, OK, as the Minister to Youth and Students at  Faith Community Christian Church (DOC) in Choctaw, Okla., and as the Youth Minister at  First Christian Church (DOC) in Shawnee, Okla.
 
In his free time,  Geoff enjoys a variety of activities, including: running, biking, hiking, cooking, eating, backpacking, fishing, camping, gardening, movies, art, photography and church. 




Round Robin Hosts Needed!

Calling all potential hosts! 
We've heard several folks express an interest in participating in the upcoming Round Robin Dinners, and people are signing up to attend. So far, however, just a few have stepped up to actually host a group of diners--targeted to happen in June or July.    

Hosting is not meant to be a cumbersome burden. If you have a dinette table and chairs, then you have all that is needed to be a host. You can even tell the coordinator how many people you can accommodate. Typically, hosts provide the location and perhaps one of the dishes for the meal; but the Round Robin Dinner itself is supposed to be a potluck provided by those who attend.  So ask yourself: "Can I open my home to guests?"

REMEMBER: the goal is get to know each other better. The Round Robin dinners give us an opportunity to practice hospitality and to break bread with folks so that can happen!



The CAVU Center Presents:
Celebrating the Positives about Love,
Sex and Faith 
July 13-15th

The CAVU Center is planning to host this year's workshops entitled "Celebrating the Positives about Love, Sex and Faith."  The workshops are geared to offer insight into positive ways of understanding the dynamics that can happen when Love, Sex and Faith intersect.  

The conference is rated "SM" for Spiritually Mature Audiences.  it is an opportunity to openly explore issues of sexuality, intimacy, relationships, and spirituality in an accepting, safe, and non-judgmental setting.  The workshops are presented from a variety of theological perspective and experience.  Not everyone has to agree in order to learn about these topics. 

To find out more, and to register online, please follow this link: LOVE


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 2 - June 11            E-K
Week 3 - June 18            L-R
Week 4 - June 25            S-Z
Week 1 - July 2               A-D

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. 

Pentecost Sunday, June 4, 2017
Pentecost Sunday, June 4, 2017




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.  


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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