Seventeenth Sunday After Pentecost - October 2, 2022 By Visiting Seminarian Eric Bumgardner

The Rt. Rev. Kai Ryan, Bishop Suffragan of the Episcopal Diocese of Texas, invited congregations throughout the Diocese to set aside Sunday, October 2, 2022, to:

• Highlight stories of discernment and call to ministry, whether lay or ordained
• Welcome a Seminary of the Southwest seminarian or Iona student to preach (other Diocese of Texas seminarians may be able to provide a video sermon)
• Offer an adult formation experience focused on sharing call stories or discernment
• Collect a special offering to support theological education

The people of Grace answered this call by inviting Seminarian Eric Bumgardner to preach on this day.  This is the sermon he preached on Psalm 137.

Psalm 137

Super flumina

1 By the waters of Babylon we sat down and wept, *
 when we remembered you, O Zion.

2 As for our harps, we hung them up *
 on the trees in the midst of that land.

3 For those who led us away captive asked us for a song,
 and our oppressors called for mirth: *
 "Sing us one of the songs of Zion."

4 How shall we sing the Lord'S song *
 upon an alien soil.

5 If I forget you, O Jerusalem, *
 let my right hand forget its skill.

6 Let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth
 if I do not remember you, *
 if I do not set Jerusalem above my highest joy.

7 Remember the day of Jerusalem, O Lord,
 against the people of Edom, *
 who said, "Down with it! down with it!
 even to the ground!"

8 O Daughter of Babylon, doomed to destruction, *
 happy the one who pays you back
 for what you have done to us!

9 Happy shall he be who takes your little ones, *
 and dashes them against the rock!