St. Paul's Episcopal Church Poughkeepsie, NY 12601
MESSENGER
"Making friends while serving God"
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The mustard seed is one of the few small seeds in the world. The two parables are stories that we can ponder on today and inspire us to honestly ask ourselves who we are. A man sowed good seeds in his field. The good seeds are likened to the children of the kingdom, they are those who listened to the Word of God and followed it.
Let us look at our daily lives and ask ourselves if we really have seriously reflected on the Word of God every time we celebrate the Eucharist or in our private reading of the Scriptures.
How do we know the message of God if we don’t read and reflect on the Scriptures and read the signs of our times? The Lord expects the children of the kingdom to be those seeds that would become wheat, which would be used in making bread so others may eat and have life to the full.
The gospel reading has a lot of images that connote many things. In the parable, the weeds are referred to as children of the evil ones; some scrupulous and ill-intent people who initiate and influence bad thoughts, intentions, and plans among the good ones. Are our intentions real? Have we done something that caused others misery and suffering?
When we become self-righteous and self-centered in our dealings with others, we actually want to do things in our own way, forgetting God and most likely at the expense of others. Sometimes, we hinder the growth of others and block in their desire to take the path to holiness and wholeness.
Are you the wheat or the weed in the field? We should be the wheat for the weeds have no use as they will be tied together and thrown away during harvest time. The weeds shall be allowed to grow until the wheat is ripe for harvest.
And like a mustard seed, small at that but will grow when planted in fertile and good soil. That small seed will grow with complete care into a bush for the birds in the air to rest. The one who sows is Jesus the Son of God. Are you that mustard seed that had grown into a bush so others may rest? We seek rest in the Lord to be safe and secure with the Him. In return, we also make others rest in us. Like the birds that find rest in the mustard bush, do others see and feel God when they are with your company or otherwise?
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To be redirected to the Lectionary Page and get a digital copy of the readings
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1 Samuel 15:34-16:13; Psalm 20;
2 Corinthians 5:6-10,[11-13],14-17; Mark 4:26-34
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The Sunday Sermon
The Second Sunday after Pentecost
June 6, 2021
1 Samuel 8:4-11, 16-20. Psalm 138. 2 Cor. 4:13-5:1. Mark 3:20-35
Opening prayer: In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
The concept of family is the foundation of the Bible, just go back to Genesis and start reading. You will see an image of what we are experiencing today in our own families – strife, dishonesty, dysfunction, and let’s not forget LOVE. Bishop Tutu said ¨You don’t choose your family. They are God’s gift to you, as you are to them.” This quote maybe a little difficult to process at once; yet it is true. Psalm 127:3 states “Sons [or children] are indeed a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward.” The is no distinction between how we are brought into the family – by blood or adoption! We are all God’s children, and we belong.
Our Gospel reading today from Mark 3, begins – “The crowd came together again, so that Jesus and his disciples could not even eat. When his family heard it, they went out to restrain him, for people were saying, “He has gone out of his mind.” It appears that the rumors concerned Jesus’ family. He on the other hand, was not worried about the rumors or what the scribes were saying. Jesus was more focused on the taking care of the people and their need for spiritual nourishment. His love for the people superseded his own need for physical food.
I believe ‘restrain’ here is more about being cautious. As his family, they probably wanted to tell him to tone down his preaching and actions. What he was saying could impact his whole family. I have no doubt that Mary and the rest of the family loved Jesus very much and just wanted to keep him safe. After all he was Mary’s first born, and very special in many ways. Jesus is God’s gift to you and me! His family was doing what families are expected to do - take care of each other, teach us how live in our community and the world, be socially and politically correct in what we say and do; and help us choose our friends and companions carefully.
I think they probably forgot that Jesus was the Son of God and was guided by his Father and the Holy Spirit. Jesus, however, was aware of his purpose and was living into it. When I hear someone talking negatively about a ‘family’ member or a close friend I warn them to be careful. We heard what the scribes were saying about him…’he has Beelzebul.’ In those day, being labeled as Beelzebul was enough, to get him killed.
In September 1991, when I told a very close sister-friend that I was going to teach in Green Haven maximum security prison for men, she warned me forcefully to not get involved with ‘those men’. She said if I did, she would come from California and break my legs to restrain me so I could not move around. She was willing to go to extreme measures to keep me safe. She was and still is a strong and forceful woman – an ex-Navy officer. I know my friend loved me then and wanted to protect me from the ‘master manipulators’ in an environment that was new and unfamiliar to me. It was not just her loving threat or concern that kept me in line though. I know what happened to the life and career of another teacher who got involved with a resident at the facility. I taught there for 5 years, and during my tenure in the facility, I became family to the men. They protected me in the prison, taught me a lot about life inside the prison walls and how to keep myself safe in the outside world.
On the other hand, in the outside world,… my mother was constantly worried about me. Whenever we talked on the phone she would ask if I found another job, that was less risky and safer. She was as concerned about me as Jesus’ family was, and yours would too, if they thought you were in danger, or I that your actions could get you in trouble or even killed.
I feel a special layer of confidence when my family supports my choices and decisions. I am also aware that sometimes our ‘calling’ to serve God in the world may seem foolish, irresponsible, and dangerous to our families; just like in Jesus’ case. Nevertheless, we must stay focused on the promise that if we are about God’s business and the Holy Spirt has our backs…. we must move forward despite the name calling and/or lack of support from our families and those who love us. Psalm 138:9 is one of my go-to passages when I feel afraid – “The Lord will make good his purpose for me; O Lord, your love endures forever; do not abandon the works of your hand”.
Yes,…..Jesus was getting ready shift and expand our understanding of family obligations. He was fully attentive to the needs of the crowd as they yearned to hear what he had to say. Jesus was and still is the ultimate game changer! He took a risk in speaking out about the traditional family even when his family insisted on seeing him and sent a message for him to come out to them. His response was gentle, and respectful. “Who are my mother and brothers?” It might appear disrespectful to not go out and see what they wanted. Yet, he was about restructure the old family system to make room for those who were on the margins. Jesus” looked at those who sat around him and said”, “Here are my mother and my brothers! Whoever, does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother.” What a delightful gift to the crowd as they were welcomed into the family of God.
Jesus radically changed the concept of family as it was known then. I don’t believe he was disregarding the value and the importance of blood relatives. When I am with my blood family – I feel loved and safe! Our history and dysfunction are protected. I know I am not lost in their memory or forgotten in their prayers and most important – I am never invisible their eyes. Jesus’ words are about looking at the family of God as inclusive – not confining and limiting. (Luke 19:10), ‘For the Son of Man came to seek out and to save the lost.”, not just those who are blood related but all, all of us need God’s endless and everlasting love.
Conclusion
Do you remember what Bishop Tutu said, You don’t choose your family. They are God’s gift to you, as you are to them.”
I ask you now to look at your own families in the light of what Jesus is saying about the family of God.
· What is God’s will for your family?
· Have you closed the door on others unintentionally or intentionally?
· How have you experienced the family of God Jesus described in our Gospel reading today here at St. Paul’s? (period of silence)
Let us pray.
Maris to play softly while I read the words
(The Family of God, by Bill and Gloria Gaither)
I am so glad I am a part of the family of God
I’ve been washed in the fountain, cleansed by his blood!
Joint heirs with Jesus as we travel this sod
For I’m a part of the family.
The family of God. Amen.
--Fr. C. Allan Ford
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CHURCH SERVICE AND PARISH PICNIC AT GERMANIA SUNDAY, JUNE 20TH!!
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The summer St. Paul's Picnic and outdoor service
will be held Sunday at Germania on DeGarmo Road.
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Our parish picnic is slated for Sunday June 20th, at the Germania picnic ground on DeGarmo Road. As usual the event will begin with the church service at 10 am, followed by the picnic.
We did not have the Germania picnic last year due to the pandemic. We're happy to be able to have it this year by God's grace. We welcome you to join and celebrate with us again!
--Shawn Prater-Lee
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MOVING TO MORE IN PERSON SERVICE
As more and more people are getting vaccinated against COVID 19 the Bishop has eased some of the restrictions that have affected our worship. Given this the Vestry has decided that starting with the month of June all services (at 10:00am), except for the second Sunday of the month, will be in person and will include singing. We also hope to be able to broadcast the in person service live on our YouTube channel.
Our mask rule remains that anytime you are moving from your pew that you have your mask on. When you are seated you may take off your mask if you choose to do so. If you are singing please put on your mask. Thank you for helping to keep our community safe.
The second Sunday of the month will be on Zoom (see below for Zoom link). This allows us to have the coffee hour discussions and to retain those parishioners who are able to only be with us remotely.
We hope to see you on Zoom on Sunday and in person whenever you can make it in.
--Shawn Prater-Lee
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ZOOM CHURCH LINK FOR ALL SERVICES
All services except for the second Sunday (on Zoom) of the month, will be in person at 10:00am and will include singing.
Our Zoom connections remain the same and are
Meeting ID: 823 3911 5280
One tap mobile
+16465588656,,82339115280# US (New York)
+13017158592,,82339115280# US (Germantown)
Dial by your location
+1 646 558 8656 US (New York)
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ST. PAUL'S CHURCH YOUTUBE CHANNEL
We now have a YouTube channel.
To get there PLEASE CLICK THE LINK BELOW:
or search on YouTube for St. Paul's Poughkeepsie.
We hope to put copies of all of our online services there.
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Don’t forget to let either Bobbie or Janet know when and where you’d like to volunteer June 19. If you are able to - we could also use help sorting Friday, June 18 between 10 & 2. Please speak to either of us to volunteer. We will also need help from men early and late that day to set up and break down tables and chairs. Early- between 8-10 a.m. ; late - between 3 - 4 p.m. Many thanks for any help you can give.
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A NOTE FROM THE TREASURY TEAM
Total deposits for the past week - $2391 (no money for the Food Pantry). Many thanks to all who have been generously supporting the Food Pantry.
A reminder - Please remember to either mail in your pledge or drop it off through the mail slot any day during the week. The correct address is: 161 Mansion St., Poughkeepsie, NY 12601
ST. PAUL’S THANKS YOU!!!
--Bobbie Gordon
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2021 STRENGTHENING FAMILIES FORUM
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--The Rev. Dcn. Julett Butler
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_2 Donna Taylor
_ _Kevin James Kelly
_7 Molly Jones
__ Serena Mazzuto
10 Hyacinth Curtis
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11 Ira wethington
12 Garrett Martin Bell
13 Kimberli Williams
15 Bobbie Gordon
17 Benjamin Charles Rosborough
__ Jordan William Rosborough
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22 Michael Babb
25 Donna Hosier
30 Luke Goodwin
__ Amanda Rose Bell
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Please keep those on our parish prayer list in your minds and in your prayers, especially at this time of separation and isolation.
Intercessions
JUNE 2021
Our prayers are asked for:
Tish; Mary Ann; Tommy; Carol; Chris; Sandra; George, Norm; Fr. Tyler & Molly; Janett; Kay, Katherine, Renate; Frank Burnett, Food Pantry Volunteers, victims of Human/Sex Trafficking; Burton family; Lillian, Matthew, Sasha; Joe, G.J., Aleta, Plain family, Melius family; Ibadan Diocese, All Saints' Church, Oni family; Gary, Legend; Rhonda, Joe, Ann, all Teachers, Parents, Students, Theodore, John, Paul, Kathy; Sharon Greene, Owen, Agnes, Norma; McLauren family; Graham family; Wood family; Braxton family; Lori, Steven, Jim, Seth; Phil; All essential workers; Beryl & Glen, Vincent family; George; Daniel Mizell and family; Liz, Martha; Eileen; the Butler, Richards and Barrett families; Fr. Allan and family; St. Paul's Vestry; Darien family; Sherow family; Edna Clarke, Michelle, Kathy B.; Carola and Violet; Whitman, Medical Reserve Corp. of Dutchess County, The Laken family; All Parishioners; Kairos International, Catherine, Michelle, Yamily; Matthew, Lillian; Lynita, Perry, Melius family, Sasha; Stacey, Linda, Phil, Jody; Tucker family, Branch family, Atkinson family; Alison, McGhan, Sterling, Unah, Avonel, Kim, Santos family, Madeline, Bramble, Charlie, Cynthia, Gencia, Val, Joanne, Janet, Corkey, Pelaez, Josephs-Clarke family, Dixon family, Paulette, Jarah, Mertlyn; Adam, Paul, Andrew & family, Douglas family, Ron, Dave, Liz; Jill, Lana, Andrew, Susan; Schneider family, all in need; Susie; Sherry, Claudia
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Please "Like" our page to stay up to date with all services and events.
St. Paul's Episcopal Church - Poughkeepsie
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'In Service to God & You'
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Our food pantry volunteers are in active service at St. Paul's these days. We give thanks to them and thanks to God for their willingness to help us by helping others.
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THIS WEEK'S CALENDAR
JUNE 8-14, 2021
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TUE____ 8
WED ___ 9
THU___ 10
SAT___ 12
SUN___ 13
MON___ 14
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10:00am
10:00am
10:00am
10:00am
10:00am
________________
_10:00am
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Food Pantry & Thrift Shop
Food Pantry & Thrift Shop
Food Pantry & Thrift Shop
Rummage collection
Zoom - Rite II, Ante Communion;
Rummage collection
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YOUR NEWS BELONGS IN ST. PAUL'S MESSENGER
Help us get the word out by submitting news of parish activities. Send submittals to [email protected] or call 845 452 8440
Give us a call today!
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St. Paul's Episcopal Church 161 Mansion Street, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601
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