WEBVTT 00:00:00.320 --> 00:00:02.959 Is the king who comes in the name of the Lord. 00:00:03.359 --> 00:00:06.080 Peace in heaven and glory in the highest. 00:00:09.199 --> 00:00:10.800 Okay, I'll try again. 00:00:11.599 --> 00:00:12.720 I thought the mic was up. 00:00:12.960 --> 00:00:13.199 It is. 00:00:13.279 --> 00:00:14.400 The mic's on, right? 00:00:15.199 --> 00:00:18.079 Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord. 00:00:20.960 --> 00:00:22.239 Let us pray. 00:00:22.480 --> 00:00:35.840 Assist us mercifully with your help, O Lord God, of our salvation, that we may enter with joy upon the contemplation of those mighty acts, whereby you've given us life and immortality through Jesus Christ our Lord. 00:00:36.159 --> 00:00:36.719 Amen. 00:00:36.960 --> 00:00:38.079 The Lord be with you. 00:00:39.679 --> 00:00:40.880 Let us pray. 00:00:41.119 --> 00:00:48.320 It is right to praise you, Almighty God, for the acts of love by which you've redeemed us through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. 00:00:48.640 --> 00:00:56.399 On this day, he entered the Holy City of Jerusalem in triumph and was proclaimed as kings by those who spread their garments of branches. 00:00:58.320 --> 00:01:08.640 So let these branches be for us signs of his victory, and grant that we who bear them in his name may ever hail him as our king, and follow him in the way that leads to eternal life. 00:01:08.799 --> 00:01:12.879 Who lives and reigns in glory with you and the Holy Spirit, now and forever. 00:01:13.200 --> 00:01:13.840 Amen. 00:01:14.560 --> 00:01:18.560 The holy gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, according to Matthew. 00:01:18.879 --> 00:01:20.640 Glory to you, Lord Christ. 00:01:21.120 --> 00:01:34.719 When Jesus and his disciples had near Jerusalem and reached Bethphage at the mountains, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, Go into the village ahead of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied and a colt with her. 00:01:35.040 --> 00:01:37.280 Untie them and bring them to me. 00:01:37.519 --> 00:01:43.280 If anyone says anything to you, just say this: the Lord needs them, and he will send them immediately. 00:01:43.519 --> 00:01:55.280 This took place to fulfill what had been spoken to the prophets, saying, Tell the daughter of Zion, look, your king is coming to you, humble and mounted on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey. 00:01:55.519 --> 00:01:58.239 The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them. 00:01:58.400 --> 00:02:03.040 They brought the donkey and the colt and put their cloaks on them, and he sat on them. 00:02:03.280 --> 00:02:09.039 A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 00:02:09.199 --> 00:02:16.639 The crowds that went ahead of him and that followed were shouting, Hosanna to the son of David, blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord. 00:02:16.960 --> 00:02:19.039 Hosanna in the highest heaven. 00:02:19.360 --> 00:02:24.159 Went into Jerusalem, the whole city was in turmoil, asking, Who is this? 00:02:24.400 --> 00:02:29.680 The crowds were saying, This is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth in Galilee. 00:02:30.159 --> 00:02:31.840 The gospel of the Lord. 00:07:00.399 --> 00:07:01.759 And also with you. 00:07:02.079 --> 00:07:03.279 Let us pray. 00:07:03.680 --> 00:07:16.959 Almighty and ever-living God, in your tender love for the human race, you sent your Son, our Savior Jesus Christ, to take upon him our nature, to suffer death upon the cross, giving us the example of his great humility. 00:07:17.279 --> 00:07:23.360 Mercifully grant that we may walk in the way of his suffering and also share in his resurrection. 00:07:23.600 --> 00:07:29.759 Through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. 00:07:30.160 --> 00:07:30.639 Amen. 00:07:30.959 --> 00:07:35.120 As you're being seated, our children are invited to children's chapel in the back with Mr. 00:07:35.360 --> 00:07:36.000 Alex. 00:07:50.639 --> 00:07:52.399 A reading from Isaiah. 00:07:53.279 --> 00:08:00.319 The Lord God has given me the tongue of a teacher that I may know how to sustain the weary with a word. 00:08:00.959 --> 00:08:06.959 Morning by morning, he wakens, awakens my ear to listen, as those who are taught. 00:08:07.680 --> 00:08:11.839 The Lord God has opened my ear, and I was not rebellious. 00:08:12.079 --> 00:08:13.839 I did not turn backward. 00:08:14.319 --> 00:08:20.160 I gave my back to those who struck me, and my cheeks to those who pulled out the beard. 00:08:20.399 --> 00:08:24.160 I did not hide my face from insult and spitting. 00:08:24.560 --> 00:08:26.079 The Lord God helps me. 00:08:26.319 --> 00:08:28.639 Therefore I have not been disgraced. 00:08:28.879 --> 00:08:34.799 Therefore I have set my face like a lint, and know that I shall not be put to shame. 00:08:35.200 --> 00:08:37.679 He who vindicates me is near. 00:08:38.240 --> 00:08:39.840 Who will contend with me? 00:08:40.240 --> 00:08:42.080 Let us stand together. 00:08:42.399 --> 00:08:44.080 Who are my adversaries? 00:08:44.559 --> 00:08:46.320 Let them confront me. 00:08:46.559 --> 00:08:51.279 It is the Lord God who helps me, who will declare me guilty. 00:08:52.240 --> 00:08:54.960 Hear what the Spirit is saying to God's people. 00:09:02.720 --> 00:09:05.919 The psalm appointed for today is Psalm 31. 00:09:06.559 --> 00:09:09.519 We will read responsibly by the half verse. 00:09:10.639 --> 00:09:14.399 Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I am in trouble. 00:09:14.799 --> 00:09:20.320 My eye is consumed with sorrow, and also my throat and my body. 00:09:21.200 --> 00:09:25.279 For my life is wasted with grief and my years with sighing. 00:09:26.000 --> 00:09:27.759 My day fails me not. 00:09:28.240 --> 00:09:32.000 Because of affliction, and my homes are consumed. 00:09:32.559 --> 00:09:40.320 I have become a reproach to all my enemies, and even to my neighbors, a dismay to those of my acquaintance. 00:09:40.960 --> 00:09:44.399 When they take me in the street, they avoid me. 00:09:44.879 --> 00:09:49.360 I am forgotten, out of mind, as if I were dead. 00:09:49.840 --> 00:09:52.799 I am human and a broken heart. 00:09:53.360 --> 00:09:55.919 For I have heard the whispering of the crowd. 00:09:56.240 --> 00:09:58.000 Fear is all around. 00:09:58.320 --> 00:10:01.279 They put their hands together against me. 00:10:01.440 --> 00:10:03.919 They want to take my life. 00:10:04.240 --> 00:10:07.440 But as for me, I have trusted in you, O Lord. 00:10:07.600 --> 00:10:10.320 I have said you are my God. 00:10:11.279 --> 00:10:13.440 My times are in your hand. 00:10:14.000 --> 00:10:19.600 Rescue me from the hand of my enemies and from those who persecute me. 00:10:20.159 --> 00:10:23.120 Make your face to shine upon your servant. 00:11:23.919 --> 00:11:32.000 And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 00:11:33.039 --> 00:11:52.799 Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, so that the name of Jesus upon every knee should bend in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father. 00:11:54.639 --> 00:11:57.440 Hear what the Spirit is saying to God's people. 00:11:57.759 --> 00:11:58.080 Thanks. 00:14:31.039 --> 00:14:31.600 Amen. 00:14:32.240 --> 00:14:33.360 Please be seated. 00:14:36.399 --> 00:14:38.399 Reminder, I mentioned this to you last week. 00:14:38.559 --> 00:14:45.120 In 1976, the compilers of what we call the new prayer book, which is now 49 years old. 00:14:45.440 --> 00:14:49.120 That new prayer book decided you weren't going to church this week. 00:14:50.480 --> 00:14:54.639 So they put the passion narrative on today. 00:14:55.600 --> 00:14:56.879 And I'm not doing that. 00:14:57.759 --> 00:14:59.759 I expect you to come to church this week. 00:15:00.159 --> 00:15:03.840 I will send to you the passion narrative in an email tonight. 00:15:04.080 --> 00:15:07.200 But today is not about Friday, it's about Sunday. 00:15:07.919 --> 00:15:16.480 And today is this rare opportunity, we rarely realize, and I know I've said part of this before, but I think it bears repeating. 00:15:16.720 --> 00:15:21.759 To hear what scholars say unequivocally is the oldest part of our New Testament. 00:15:21.919 --> 00:15:24.000 It comes from the letter of the Philippians. 00:15:24.159 --> 00:15:30.159 It is in fact older than the letter itself, it is older than the gospel, it is older than anything Paul wrote. 00:15:30.240 --> 00:15:42.320 It is a hymn that begins Christ being in the same form of God did not consider a quality with God something to be grasped, but he emptied himself. 00:15:42.799 --> 00:15:49.440 Now, if you've been to church before, you know there are these like magical Greek and Hebrew words we throw out, like agape. 00:15:49.840 --> 00:15:53.519 There's not a great English equivalent, so this becomes like church speak. 00:15:53.679 --> 00:15:58.080 And uh, I don't know if you know this, but there is one of these magical Greek words embedded here. 00:15:58.240 --> 00:16:02.000 It is called kinosis, which means self-emptying. 00:16:02.240 --> 00:16:03.120 Self-empty. 00:16:03.679 --> 00:16:15.440 So I want to tell you uh why I find this hymn so helpful as a frame for Holy Week, and I'm gonna do it very bombastically by talking to you about the life cycle of a Sakai salmon. 00:16:16.799 --> 00:16:26.639 So a mama salmon lays 3,000 eggs in uh what is among the purest waters that are out there. 00:16:26.799 --> 00:16:31.279 The glacially fed uh pools in Alaska are completely see-through. 00:16:31.360 --> 00:16:42.559 In fact, they're so pure that Alaska Fish and Game encourages you to throw fish carcasses in them when you're done removing the filet to introduce more helpful bacteria to the water. 00:16:42.960 --> 00:16:44.480 3,000 eggs. 00:16:45.279 --> 00:16:49.279 About two months later, there's 300 of these little things called alofin. 00:16:49.840 --> 00:16:52.080 It's kind of like an eye with a tail. 00:16:52.399 --> 00:16:55.600 Swims around, takes it all in. 00:16:57.200 --> 00:17:02.399 About a year later, there's 167 fish that are the size of your pinky. 00:17:02.559 --> 00:17:04.240 They're called fingerlings. 00:17:04.480 --> 00:17:10.960 And the fingerlings grow to be about the size of your whole hand, palm to middle finger, and they're called par. 00:17:11.359 --> 00:17:25.119 And one day, 124 of these that are left, a switch turns in their brain, and they leave the waters of their birth and they hop into these rapidly moving currents that go straight into the ocean. 00:17:25.440 --> 00:17:29.359 Now, this is an extremely hydrodynamic fish. 00:17:29.519 --> 00:17:34.000 It is all muscle, it moves really quickly, especially with a lot of water behind it. 00:17:34.160 --> 00:17:39.440 You've probably seen in National Geographic, they swim over waterfalls, literally on their way. 00:17:39.839 --> 00:17:48.240 When the switch flicks, they're no longer par, they're called smolts, and they make it to the bay, which of course is salt water. 00:17:48.480 --> 00:17:59.200 That's quite a transition going from freshwater to salt water, so they literally go belly up where they are easy prey for birds, and about 24 of them are still around. 00:17:59.920 --> 00:18:06.720 They spend a year or two in the bay, and then they enter into the swim in what are called the gyres of the ocean. 00:18:06.960 --> 00:18:08.799 These are huge currents. 00:18:09.039 --> 00:18:14.640 All the fish in Alaska will swim adjacent to all the uh salmon in Japan. 00:18:14.960 --> 00:18:20.160 Of course, uh in Alaska they go counterclockwise, in Japan they go clockwise. 00:18:20.480 --> 00:18:24.720 These are the things that actually generate wind, apparently, gyres. 00:18:25.440 --> 00:18:34.160 After swimming some 20 to 30,000 miles over the next three years, a switch flicks in their brain again. 00:18:34.640 --> 00:18:44.880 And they return to the exact stream that they swam down previously, even though an adjacent stream might differ in mineral content by one part per billion. 00:18:45.039 --> 00:18:47.200 So this is still somewhat mysterious. 00:18:47.440 --> 00:18:50.960 How did they know where their home was? 00:18:52.559 --> 00:19:01.119 This time, and you've probably seen this video, the adult salmon, which could be up to a hundred pounds if it's a king, if it's a red, it's probably 30 pounds. 00:19:01.279 --> 00:19:10.079 They are going to swim from salt water up to freshwater, but they are not going to successfully convert their breeding. 00:19:10.319 --> 00:19:11.440 This will kill them. 00:19:11.680 --> 00:19:15.440 And along the way, keep in mind they're swimming up a current. 00:19:15.680 --> 00:19:16.960 Maybe you've seen us. 00:19:17.200 --> 00:19:20.079 Sometimes they literally swim up a waterfall. 00:19:20.720 --> 00:19:22.319 Up a waterfall. 00:19:23.359 --> 00:19:26.240 When they get to the same pool, three make it back. 00:19:26.480 --> 00:19:31.440 They lay their eggs, they die, and it begins again. 00:19:31.839 --> 00:19:33.759 Now that's happened for so long. 00:19:34.400 --> 00:19:36.720 It's not even fair to call it fishing. 00:19:36.960 --> 00:19:38.880 It's catching in Alaska. 00:19:40.720 --> 00:19:53.039 The interesting thing about the fish, when they undergo this transformation from salt water to freshwater, they undergo a metamorphosis. 00:19:53.839 --> 00:19:59.920 They go from being this hydrodynamic blue and silver fish, they change. 00:20:00.160 --> 00:20:01.599 Fire engine red. 00:20:02.640 --> 00:20:07.200 All of the coloration in their fat makes it to the outside. 00:20:07.519 --> 00:20:11.440 Their head turns green and their jaws grow elongated and hooked. 00:20:11.680 --> 00:20:22.079 What used to be teeth that are about three millimeters lengthen and they become yellow spines that are up to an inch long. 00:20:23.599 --> 00:20:25.839 And they grow a hump on their back. 00:20:26.799 --> 00:20:36.799 And I want to suggest to you that when we swim against some of the currents that raised us, this is all too natural. 00:20:38.799 --> 00:20:41.519 We grow a self-righteous hump on our back. 00:20:42.480 --> 00:20:48.640 Sometimes we get so tired with the opposition when we're trying to do the right thing, can't you see? 00:20:49.440 --> 00:20:52.000 That we grow like teeth. 00:20:52.880 --> 00:20:55.440 Sometimes we change our colors. 00:20:56.079 --> 00:21:00.640 What I would share with you about Holy Week is that I perceived something different in the life of Jesus. 00:21:00.880 --> 00:21:03.279 Sure enough, he was born in a little tiny pool. 00:21:03.519 --> 00:21:07.279 Scholars will tell you some 40 families lived in Nazareth. 00:21:07.599 --> 00:21:09.200 Hardly a city. 00:21:09.519 --> 00:21:15.039 He, like all children, was like a little eye as he grew watching. 00:21:15.279 --> 00:21:16.559 How do we do this? 00:21:17.200 --> 00:21:19.680 He entered into the large waters of his culture. 00:21:19.839 --> 00:21:25.039 We don't even know anything about him for 30 years, except he did whatever his dad did. 00:21:25.599 --> 00:21:28.480 Maybe he was a carpenter, maybe he was a day laborer. 00:21:28.559 --> 00:21:30.640 The scriptures aren't exactly clear. 00:21:30.960 --> 00:21:32.880 But we do know this one day. 00:21:39.440 --> 00:21:41.039 The kingdom is near. 00:21:41.759 --> 00:21:52.559 And he spent the next three years swimming against some of the same currents that had raised him by saying things like women are touchable. 00:21:56.000 --> 00:21:59.440 Honoring life is the most important way to honor. 00:22:00.160 --> 00:22:01.039 The Sabbath. 00:22:06.160 --> 00:22:20.480 And this week, when he swam up the last waterfall, there were scribes and Pharisees, Sadducees and Romans, trying to trap him, with what he said. 00:22:20.720 --> 00:22:23.200 Let's call them trying to hook him. 00:22:24.000 --> 00:22:30.640 There were bears called at the Roman Empire, seeking to gobble him up on his swim. 00:22:30.720 --> 00:22:31.759 And we know this. 00:22:32.079 --> 00:22:35.680 Some small group, at least twelve. 00:22:37.119 --> 00:22:47.279 Well, better said at least 15, because the women were the first ones, heard what he had to say, experienced the resurrection, and began their own swim. 00:22:48.000 --> 00:22:57.440 The different thing about Jesus, this is the supernatural thing, comes from him self-emptying, is that he didn't grow teeth. 00:22:58.960 --> 00:23:02.960 And he didn't grow a self-righteous hump on his back. 00:23:04.079 --> 00:23:12.079 And he kept true to his colors so that one of the first things he says on Friday is, Father, forgive them, they don't know what they're due. 00:23:14.160 --> 00:23:16.960 He did not blame the Romans. 00:23:18.400 --> 00:23:21.519 He did not hate Judas. 00:23:22.240 --> 00:23:26.640 In fact, he shared his last meal with a man that he loved. 00:23:29.039 --> 00:23:30.559 How did he do it? 00:23:31.759 --> 00:23:33.599 He emptied himself. 00:23:34.319 --> 00:23:41.440 Now I want you to hear that phrase because however you spend your week, I do hope and pray it will be holy for you. 00:23:41.519 --> 00:23:42.880 And I mean set apart. 00:23:43.440 --> 00:23:48.000 There were a few ways to think about kenosis, self-emptying. 00:23:48.240 --> 00:23:50.640 One I rather love comes from the Zohar. 00:23:50.720 --> 00:23:52.400 This is Kabbalistic Judaism. 00:23:52.480 --> 00:23:59.279 It says in the beginning, God's presence was so strong and holy there could be nothing else. 00:24:00.160 --> 00:24:05.759 So God made room for the universe as a pregnant woman makes room for a new child. 00:24:05.920 --> 00:24:14.079 Not only did God withdraw to make space within God's self for all that we see, but God nourished it. 00:24:15.440 --> 00:24:19.440 So we make room for one another when we empty ourselves. 00:24:19.680 --> 00:24:26.319 That means listening to understand, not listening to judge. 00:24:26.799 --> 00:24:30.000 I hope you will empty yourself like that this week. 00:24:32.720 --> 00:24:40.960 We had a spiritual director come to us about four weeks ago, Julie Merritt, and she talked about giving up anxiety for Lent. 00:24:42.319 --> 00:24:43.440 Catchy title. 00:24:43.839 --> 00:24:48.000 Julie told us her definition of anxiety. 00:24:49.119 --> 00:24:51.839 Attachment to an outcome. 00:24:52.160 --> 00:24:56.960 I said, shoot, you ruined my life because I'm much more anxious than I thought I was. 00:24:57.200 --> 00:25:01.759 I am extremely attached to outcomes in every avenue of my life. 00:25:02.000 --> 00:25:10.640 What Julie said is that the counter medicine to this kind of anxiety is self-emptying. 00:25:10.960 --> 00:25:13.119 It does not mean I desire nothing. 00:25:13.279 --> 00:25:17.279 It means I desire qualities more than I desire outcomes. 00:25:18.400 --> 00:25:21.119 Qualities more than outcomes. 00:25:21.440 --> 00:25:25.839 Do I want my child to be a successful collegiate student? 00:25:26.160 --> 00:25:26.799 Yes. 00:25:27.920 --> 00:25:34.720 The quality of her being curious and still loving me when she's 19 is more important. 00:25:35.759 --> 00:25:36.960 Wouldn't you say? 00:25:37.759 --> 00:25:51.839 So the more I'm able to empty myself of outcomes and lean into qualities, not only the more joyful my life will be, the more I will pattern my life after Christ. 00:25:54.559 --> 00:26:04.079 I hope you find relief this week in emptying yourself of some outcomes and your attachment to them. 00:26:04.480 --> 00:26:12.319 This story we just read, Jesus on Palm Sunday, is more laden with outcomes than you might realize. 00:26:14.400 --> 00:26:15.920 You ever seen that? 00:26:16.960 --> 00:26:20.480 If you lived in Texas for more than a month, I bet you have. 00:26:21.680 --> 00:26:23.920 Even if you haven't, maybe you're a New Englander. 00:26:24.000 --> 00:26:25.599 You've seen that before? 00:26:28.240 --> 00:26:29.759 That's what this was. 00:26:30.960 --> 00:26:33.119 This was not a foam finger. 00:26:34.400 --> 00:26:49.039 This was a symbol of Jewish resistance that occurred during the Maccabean Rebellion, 167 at least years before Jesus, when people picked up the palms, they were saying, Rome, come and take it. 00:26:50.559 --> 00:26:55.359 When people said Hosanna, blessed is the Son of David, they weren't saying hallelujah. 00:26:55.440 --> 00:26:58.559 Hosanna means God save us now. 00:26:59.200 --> 00:27:03.920 Son of David means king, not Roman king. 00:27:05.279 --> 00:27:12.720 The people, I would tell you, were attached to an outcome about Jesus. 00:27:13.440 --> 00:27:16.799 The outcome they wanted was for him to solve all their problems. 00:27:17.519 --> 00:27:19.359 I'd like it if he did that. 00:27:21.839 --> 00:27:24.319 If you haven't heard this before, let me tell you. 00:27:24.640 --> 00:27:27.039 Jesus did not come to solve your problems. 00:27:28.880 --> 00:27:30.240 Empty yourself about. 00:27:32.319 --> 00:27:44.400 Jesus comes into this palm procession, riding on the most useless vehicle there is in a military conflict, a donkey. 00:27:44.880 --> 00:27:47.119 There's a reason we call them jackasses. 00:27:47.200 --> 00:27:51.119 It's not just that they're stubborn, they're not particularly spry. 00:27:52.400 --> 00:27:55.200 They're not particularly high off the ground. 00:27:55.440 --> 00:28:05.039 To make sure you get it, going into battle on a donkey is like going on a pogo stick or a unicycle. 00:28:06.640 --> 00:28:10.960 You ride a donkey when the conflict has already been resolved. 00:28:11.599 --> 00:28:18.400 When David rides into Jerusalem a thousand years before Jesus on a donkey, it's because he's already conquered the city. 00:28:18.559 --> 00:28:22.960 It's a symbol of peace because you never fight off one. 00:28:24.319 --> 00:28:25.680 Jesus comes in. 00:28:25.839 --> 00:28:27.039 There's this parade. 00:28:27.200 --> 00:28:44.559 People say, you're going to be the king, and look, it's very reasonable to expect, and this is why I'm wearing this today, some of the people who waved the palms on Sunday were in the crowd on Friday because Jesus did not give them the outcome they wanted. 00:28:45.599 --> 00:28:49.200 And they might have very well said, crucify him for it. 00:28:51.519 --> 00:28:54.319 Jesus can't empty ourselves for us. 00:28:54.960 --> 00:28:57.119 He emptied himself. 00:28:58.400 --> 00:29:06.480 He said, as soon as he got to Jerusalem, if only you knew the ways that make for peace. 00:29:06.960 --> 00:29:08.799 If only you knew. 00:29:11.680 --> 00:29:15.119 Somehow the crowd thought this is what made for peace. 00:29:16.079 --> 00:29:21.200 Somehow they thought vanquishing their enemies was what made for peace. 00:29:21.359 --> 00:29:24.880 But I just want to remind you what Anne Lamott so cleverly quits. 00:29:26.240 --> 00:29:32.559 I know that I've made God in my own image when God hates the same people I do. 00:29:37.279 --> 00:29:46.240 We are asked to empty ourselves of hating people in God's name. 00:29:49.200 --> 00:29:53.359 We're not asked to do it so you can get a jewel in your heavenly crown. 00:29:53.920 --> 00:29:56.559 We're not asked to do it so you can, St. 00:29:56.720 --> 00:29:58.960 Peter will open the gates for you. 00:29:59.359 --> 00:30:02.559 We're asked to do it so that we can enjoy the life we have. 00:30:02.880 --> 00:30:06.960 We're asked to do it so we can love as Christ loved. 00:30:07.519 --> 00:30:10.960 There's a famous psychoanalyst named M. 00:30:11.200 --> 00:30:11.920 Scott Peck. 00:30:12.000 --> 00:30:16.480 I don't know if you know of him, but I was rereading his book this week, and uh M. 00:30:16.640 --> 00:30:23.680 Scott Peck says, his definition of love, this is really interesting, love, he says, has nothing to do with falling in love. 00:30:24.160 --> 00:30:26.559 Falling in love can help, but that isn't it. 00:30:26.880 --> 00:30:33.680 Love, he says, is when we extend ourselves for the growth of another person. 00:30:34.480 --> 00:30:36.640 Has very little to do with feelings. 00:30:38.480 --> 00:30:46.720 Extending ourselves for the growth of another person requires us to do a bit of self-empty. 00:30:47.359 --> 00:30:54.000 If you prefer the image in Zen, if your cup is already full, how can there be room for anybody else? 00:30:54.319 --> 00:30:54.880 What M. 00:30:55.039 --> 00:31:06.400 Scott Peck says, what's in it for us, why do we extend ourselves to help other people develop and grow, is that the more extend ourselves, don't you see, the bigger we get. 00:31:07.200 --> 00:31:08.720 The bigger we get. 00:31:09.279 --> 00:31:10.880 And the bigger we love. 00:31:11.680 --> 00:31:15.920 I don't know if your holy week needs to be spent in the sanctuary. 00:31:16.079 --> 00:31:18.240 You'll have opportunities to do that. 00:31:19.279 --> 00:31:27.359 But I do hope, however you spend it, you will empty yourself to make room for God in radically new ways. 00:31:27.599 --> 00:31:30.480 Even in the middle of your suffering and your disappointment. 00:31:30.720 --> 00:31:33.039 By the way, God can handle those things. 00:31:33.680 --> 00:31:37.680 I wish Jesus would take care of our government problems. 00:31:37.839 --> 00:31:39.279 You know what Jesus wishes? 00:31:39.519 --> 00:31:42.079 That we would take care of our government problems. 00:31:43.119 --> 00:31:48.559 Holy week does not mean we do nothing, it means quite the opposite. 00:31:48.880 --> 00:31:52.720 It means we make room for one another. 00:31:52.960 --> 00:31:58.319 It makes means we make room for God, and we don't just make room, we send nourishment as well. 00:31:58.880 --> 00:32:01.039 Maybe, maybe. 00:32:01.680 --> 00:32:06.960 Your holy week might be spent with a member of your family that's driving you up the wall. 00:32:08.160 --> 00:32:12.559 Or somebody you work with that is driving you up the wall. 00:32:14.319 --> 00:32:24.720 Can you empty yourself from an attachment to outcome so you can make room for who they are and all their perfect imperfections? 00:32:30.319 --> 00:32:45.119 If enough of us are willing to do this kind of self-emptying, we won't just swim up the currents of this world and isolate and degrade one another from what God has intended. 00:32:45.839 --> 00:33:49.599 We will change the video. 00:36:09.199 --> 00:36:28.239 We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally God of the Father, God of God, God from God, true God from true God, the God, the point being with the Father, true things from head. 00:36:59.440 --> 00:37:01.519 And speak of the point. 00:37:02.320 --> 00:37:06.079 We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord be glorified. 00:37:06.480 --> 00:37:08.960 We committing to the Father and the Son. 00:37:09.440 --> 00:37:12.880 With the Father and the Son, we can worship and glorified. 00:37:13.280 --> 00:37:15.360 He has spoken to the prophets. 00:37:15.760 --> 00:37:19.199 We believe in the Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church. 00:37:19.440 --> 00:37:22.960 We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. 00:37:23.199 --> 00:37:27.440 We look for the resurrection of the dead and the life of the Lord of God. 00:37:28.000 --> 00:37:28.559 Amen. 00:37:49.599 --> 00:37:57.440 We thank you, O God, for your universal church and its mission, and for calling us to serve you and among your people. 00:37:58.239 --> 00:38:07.280 Continue, we pray, to equip us with all that we need to tell others of you and glorify your name in all we do. 00:38:08.079 --> 00:38:11.599 Lord, in your compassion, hear our prayer. 00:38:12.159 --> 00:38:20.400 We pray for the leaders of all nations that they may seek to do your will for the welfare of the people they lead and serve. 00:38:20.719 --> 00:38:28.800 We pray for those holding public office in our nation, that they may be guided by your gifts of wisdom and charity. 00:38:29.360 --> 00:38:32.800 Lord, in your compassion, you hear our prayer. 00:38:33.360 --> 00:38:42.960 We thank you, Creator God, for the beauty, majesty, and abundance of your creation, especially for its manifestation here around Clear Lake. 00:38:43.599 --> 00:38:55.199 Keep us mindful of the holiness and fragility of our earthly home and all creatures who dwell therein, that we may rejoice in being stewards and peacemakers. 00:38:55.599 --> 00:38:58.800 Lord, in your compassion, hear our prayer. 00:38:59.360 --> 00:39:07.360 O God, giver of all things, we thank you for the abundance of grace poured out upon us. 00:39:07.840 --> 00:39:22.159 May we with grateful heart show compassion through our thoughts, words, and deeds for those who are hungry, homeless, neglected, abused, exploited, or in any other need. 00:39:22.960 --> 00:39:24.639 Lord, your compassion. 00:39:26.719 --> 00:39:35.440 Lord Jesus, healer of bodies and spirits, may your healing hand touch all who suffer in mind, body, or soul. 00:39:35.840 --> 00:39:43.039 May those who attend to them use their God-given skill, wisdom, and compassion to restore them. 00:39:43.840 --> 00:39:47.199 Lord, in your compassion, hear our prayer. 00:39:58.320 --> 00:40:02.400 Trusting that you are able to do more than we ask or imagine. 00:40:03.199 --> 00:40:06.559 Lord, in your compassion, hear our prayer. 00:40:06.960 --> 00:40:15.679 We give you thanks, Lord Jesus, for graciously restoring those who have battled and survived serious illnesses and near-death situations. 00:40:16.320 --> 00:40:24.639 That by your help and the help of those sent to them, they may continue to serve you in this life according to your will. 00:40:26.320 --> 00:40:28.639 We are especially grateful for. 00:40:51.119 --> 00:41:09.760 Make your presence known, we pray, with those who grieve for broken relationships and struggle to mend walls created through conflict, disagreement, and mistrust, that they may seek and find forgiveness, repentance, and reconciliation. 00:41:10.639 --> 00:41:14.159 Lord, in your compassion, hear our prayer. 00:41:14.880 --> 00:41:21.920 Living God, we remember our loved ones and colleagues who no longer journey with us in this life. 00:41:22.239 --> 00:41:29.360 Have compassion on all who mourn, and may the souls of the departed share in your eternal kingdom. 00:41:29.840 --> 00:41:33.280 Lord, in your compassion, hear our prayer. 00:41:33.840 --> 00:41:42.559 Rejoicing in the fellowship of all your saints, let us commend ourselves, one another, and all our life to Christ our God. 00:41:43.199 --> 00:41:43.840 Amen. 00:41:45.119 --> 00:41:49.599 The peace of the Lord be always with you, and also with you. 00:42:07.679 --> 00:42:09.119 And thank you for worshiping with us at St. 00:42:09.280 --> 00:42:09.679 Thomas. 00:42:09.840 --> 00:42:24.000 If you're new to us or haven't done this before, in the room right behind the one we're sitting in, we call that the Nartic, we have these little cards that say welcome, and we'd be tremendously grateful if you'd fill one out so we have a record of your visit, and we just put them in the blue basket. 00:42:24.079 --> 00:42:28.719 And look, if you don't check the box that says I want to call, you won't get one. 00:42:28.960 --> 00:42:34.800 So totally on your terms, but I would encourage you, please, to fill one out so we have a record of your visit. 00:42:34.960 --> 00:42:39.199 Um, a couple announcements to call your attention, but it is the first Sunday of April. 00:42:39.280 --> 00:42:47.840 So if you were born this month, we'd be grateful to invite you forward so we can name and celebrate and ask God's blessing on your next year. 00:42:48.159 --> 00:42:54.079 And as you're making your way up, our custom is to say our no, is there nobody born in April? 00:42:56.079 --> 00:42:56.719 There we go. 00:42:56.880 --> 00:42:58.960 Sometimes we need a little encouragement. 00:42:59.519 --> 00:43:08.639 Um as you're making your way up, we share our name, the day of our birth, and either where we were born, when we were born, or both of those. 00:43:09.280 --> 00:43:10.559 I'm Kathy Hill. 00:43:10.639 --> 00:43:12.400 I was born in Cleveland, Ohio. 00:43:12.559 --> 00:43:15.840 My birthday was actually March 15th, but I wasn't here. 00:43:16.159 --> 00:43:18.559 We can do late blessings, that works. 00:43:18.880 --> 00:43:20.079 I'm Karen Geese. 00:43:20.320 --> 00:43:23.199 I was born in Port Angeles, Washington in 1947. 00:43:23.440 --> 00:43:24.159 What day is that? 00:43:24.559 --> 00:43:24.960 Yesterday. 00:43:25.599 --> 00:43:26.239 April 1st. 00:43:26.320 --> 00:43:26.480 Yes. 00:43:27.599 --> 00:43:28.719 I'm Glenn Galucki. 00:43:28.880 --> 00:43:31.280 I was born in Chicago on the south side. 00:43:31.440 --> 00:43:34.719 And um April 30th, 1948. 00:43:35.039 --> 00:43:35.360 South. 00:43:37.360 --> 00:43:39.760 My birthday is April 6th. 00:43:40.480 --> 00:43:41.199 Jonathan. 00:43:42.079 --> 00:43:42.559 Sample. 00:43:44.000 --> 00:43:44.159 Yeah. 00:43:44.480 --> 00:43:45.519 Houston, Texas. 00:43:45.840 --> 00:43:46.239 That's it. 00:43:46.400 --> 00:43:47.039 Oh, okay. 00:43:47.760 --> 00:43:54.159 And um My Better Two Thirds is not here, but Rebecca Andrews was born in Norway, Maine. 00:43:54.559 --> 00:43:55.440 Isn't that funny? 00:43:55.519 --> 00:43:55.760 Right? 00:43:56.159 --> 00:43:56.719 Norway. 00:43:56.880 --> 00:43:58.159 On April the 11th. 00:43:58.320 --> 00:43:59.840 So uh let's pray God's buttons. 00:44:00.880 --> 00:44:06.559 God, we know every year, every moment of our lives is firmly in your hands. 00:44:06.800 --> 00:44:11.039 Look with continued favor, we pray on these your children as they begin another year. 00:44:11.280 --> 00:44:19.199 Grant that they might continue to grow in wisdom and grace, and above all, strengthen their trust in your goodness and love all the days of their lives. 00:44:19.360 --> 00:44:21.039 Through Christ our Lord. 00:44:21.360 --> 00:44:21.920 Amen. 00:45:02.480 --> 00:45:10.320 And it is absolutely an honor and privilege to do this with you in church or after at your home or in the chapel. 00:45:10.719 --> 00:45:14.880 And I can tell you I did one for a couple who's celebrating 50 years this week. 00:45:15.119 --> 00:45:16.239 50 years. 00:45:16.480 --> 00:45:19.199 In what a heartwarming way by renewing our vows. 00:45:19.440 --> 00:45:23.199 There's the small way we do this, and uh again, always around. 00:45:23.440 --> 00:45:26.400 So announcements I want to call to your attention. 00:45:26.480 --> 00:45:29.039 First, I want to bring us up to date with what happened yesterday. 00:45:29.199 --> 00:45:30.960 Two lovely things that are worth knowing. 00:45:31.199 --> 00:45:40.239 First is that we served 84 families representing 366 persons, a month worth of fresh groceries in about an hour. 00:45:40.480 --> 00:45:41.760 We do this once a month. 00:45:41.840 --> 00:45:43.440 The next one will be May 7th. 00:45:43.519 --> 00:45:44.880 But I just want to give you an idea. 00:45:45.039 --> 00:45:50.079 There were so many volunteers yesterday, which is lovely, that we really did social justice, right? 00:45:50.480 --> 00:45:52.719 That's where you talk, and then you do stuff too. 00:45:53.360 --> 00:46:07.679 People left with 20 pounds of carrots, 20 pounds of potatoes, at least 10 pounds of cabbage and turnips, six loaves of bread, two gallons of milk, 10 pounds of oranges. 00:46:08.159 --> 00:46:09.199 I'm missing something. 00:46:11.199 --> 00:46:14.400 Four fresh pineapples, six bags of broccoli. 00:46:15.840 --> 00:46:18.159 That's like$200 worth of groceries. 00:46:19.280 --> 00:46:23.280 And it's astounding that a quarter of the people who come live in this neighborhood. 00:46:23.599 --> 00:46:29.519 So thank you for making a holy week for other people with your service yesterday. 00:46:29.760 --> 00:46:34.960 Also, I want you to know one of the ways in which we serve is yesterday we celebrated the life of Susie Gantch. 00:46:35.119 --> 00:46:41.840 And many of you know that our daughters of the King, this is an order dedicated to education, prayer, and service. 00:46:42.079 --> 00:46:43.360 They do this lovely thing. 00:46:43.519 --> 00:46:48.239 They put on receptions for people at their most vulnerable. 00:46:48.480 --> 00:46:55.119 And they do this at their own cost and their own donation, and they do it with such dignity and poise, it is incredible. 00:46:55.280 --> 00:46:59.039 So we do this all the time, and that was yesterday. 00:46:59.360 --> 00:47:09.599 Today, at 1.30, Ben, our organist and pianist, will be part of a recital here in the sanctuary. 00:47:09.840 --> 00:47:15.360 So you want a downtown quality concert, you don't have to drive very far. 00:47:15.599 --> 00:47:17.039 1.30, right, Ben? 00:47:17.599 --> 00:47:17.920 Okay. 00:47:19.519 --> 00:47:20.480 Tonight. 00:47:21.280 --> 00:47:22.800 Now most of you can't come. 00:47:22.880 --> 00:47:24.559 I just want you to know about it. 00:47:25.119 --> 00:47:40.639 We've got a professional chef, a professional table decorator, and a hobbyist photographer, and somebody who has taught our children etiquette and talking to adults and being in church and eating and making a bouquet and a few dances. 00:47:40.800 --> 00:47:47.599 We're doing a rite of passage into like the formal tween and teen years called the Episcop Tonight. 00:47:49.039 --> 00:47:50.960 Which is just lovely, isn't it? 00:47:51.280 --> 00:48:01.360 So thank you for all the people in the community that have pulled together to make tonight special and look for some fabulous photos to come because, well, my kid's doing it. 00:48:01.760 --> 00:48:07.119 Now I will tell you, she said, Dad, I'm not gonna waste inviting you as my date. 00:48:07.199 --> 00:48:08.239 You have to go anyway. 00:48:08.400 --> 00:48:09.360 I'm bringing mom. 00:48:11.039 --> 00:48:12.880