WEBVTT 00:02:34.159 --> 00:02:34.639 Good. 00:02:52.560 --> 00:02:53.520 I know it's not the right. 00:03:12.560 --> 00:03:19.680 You'll have to have this. 00:14:55.039 --> 00:14:58.720 Blessed be God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. 00:14:58.960 --> 00:15:02.720 And blessed be God's family now and forever. 00:15:03.200 --> 00:15:03.759 Amen. 00:15:04.000 --> 00:15:04.879 Let's pray together. 00:15:05.759 --> 00:15:06.639 Almighty God. 00:15:09.679 --> 00:15:11.200 All the size of them. 00:15:11.519 --> 00:15:13.679 And from whom the spirits are here. 00:15:14.320 --> 00:15:16.399 Cleanse of our hearts. 00:15:16.639 --> 00:15:19.279 By the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. 00:15:21.759 --> 00:15:23.440 And worthily magnified. 00:16:23.440 --> 00:16:24.799 Let us pray. 00:16:26.559 --> 00:16:36.399 Give us grace, O Lord, to answer readily the call of our Savior Jesus Christ, and to proclaim to all people the good news of his salvation. 00:16:36.639 --> 00:16:45.279 That we in the whole world may perceive the glory of his marvelous works, who lives and reigns with you in the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. 00:16:45.840 --> 00:16:46.320 Amen. 00:16:46.559 --> 00:16:47.919 And I'd like to pray. 00:16:48.080 --> 00:16:50.960 This is from the Chinese Book of Common Prayer. 00:16:51.120 --> 00:16:55.840 This is the prayer for the spring festival, also called Chinese New Year. 00:16:56.879 --> 00:17:05.039 O God, Father of all people and creator of heaven and earth, we thank you for the remembrance of our ancestors and all that is past. 00:17:05.519 --> 00:17:12.880 As we celebrate the spring festival, we pray that you will make all things anew and give us new hope in the coming year. 00:17:13.119 --> 00:17:16.160 Grant to all your people unity and peace of the world. 00:17:16.400 --> 00:17:18.400 Watch over our nation and our families. 00:17:18.559 --> 00:17:20.240 Strengthen us with your love. 00:17:20.480 --> 00:17:29.519 Help us to be sensitive to the needs of others through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you in the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. 00:17:30.160 --> 00:17:30.799 Amen. 00:18:03.920 --> 00:18:12.960 In the former time, he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Neptilia. 00:18:13.279 --> 00:18:24.960 But in the latter time, he will make glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond Jordan, Galilee of the nations. 00:18:25.599 --> 00:18:31.039 The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light. 00:18:31.519 --> 00:18:38.319 Those who lived in the land of deep darkness, on them light has shined. 00:18:39.279 --> 00:18:44.559 You have multiplied the nation, you have increased its joy. 00:18:45.440 --> 00:18:53.759 They rejoice before you as rejoy at the harvest, as people exalt when dividing plunder. 00:18:54.480 --> 00:19:08.000 For the yoke of their burden and the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor, you have broken as on the day of meaning. 00:19:09.119 --> 00:19:13.279 Hear what the Spirit is saying to God's people. 00:19:17.039 --> 00:19:22.799 Reading from Psalm 27, we will read responsibly by the half verse. 00:19:43.039 --> 00:19:47.920 That I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life. 00:19:49.839 --> 00:19:56.720 To behold the fair beauty of the Lord to see God in the temple. 00:19:57.839 --> 00:20:04.000 For on the day of trouble, the Lord shall shelter me in safety. 00:20:12.400 --> 00:20:20.079 Even now the Lord lifts up my head above my enemies round about me. 00:20:21.039 --> 00:20:30.480 Therefore, I will offer in the holy place an appellation with sounds of great gladness. 00:20:31.119 --> 00:20:34.240 I will sing and make music to the Lord. 00:20:35.440 --> 00:20:40.799 Oh, hearken to my voice, Lord, when I call. 00:20:41.200 --> 00:20:44.000 Have mercy on me and answer me. 00:20:44.960 --> 00:20:49.839 You speak in my heart and say, seek my face. 00:20:50.640 --> 00:20:52.720 Your face, Lord, rise me. 00:20:54.240 --> 00:20:57.119 Hide not your face from me. 00:20:57.839 --> 00:21:01.440 Nor turn away your turn in displeasure. 00:21:02.400 --> 00:21:04.559 You have been my helper. 00:21:05.039 --> 00:21:07.519 Cast me not away. 00:21:08.000 --> 00:21:56.960 Do not save me, but 00:22:00.240 --> 00:22:08.240 Of you be in agreement and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same purpose. 00:22:08.799 --> 00:22:15.039 For it has been reported to me by Chloe's people that there are quarrels among you, my brothers and sisters. 00:22:15.279 --> 00:22:25.920 What I mean is that each of you says, I belong to Paul, or I belong to Apollos, or I belong to Stephus, or I belong to Christ. 00:22:26.319 --> 00:22:28.160 Has Christ been divided? 00:22:28.480 --> 00:22:30.640 Was Paul crucified for you? 00:22:30.880 --> 00:22:33.839 Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? 00:22:34.240 --> 00:22:42.640 I thank God that I baptized none of you except Christmas and Gaius, so that no one can say that you were baptized in my name. 00:22:42.960 --> 00:22:45.759 I did baptize also the household of Stephans. 00:22:46.480 --> 00:22:50.079 Beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized anyone else. 00:22:50.400 --> 00:23:01.440 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to proclaim the gospel, and not with eloquent wisdom, so that the cross of Christ might not be emptied of its power. 00:23:01.759 --> 00:23:10.799 For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved, it is the power of God. 00:23:11.359 --> 00:23:14.400 Hear what the Spirit is saying to God's people. 00:23:14.960 --> 00:23:16.480 Thanks be to God. 00:25:32.880 --> 00:25:37.839 Now when Jesus heard that John the Baptist had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. 00:25:38.000 --> 00:25:48.160 He left Nazareth and made his home in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, so that what had been spoken to the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled. 00:25:48.480 --> 00:25:55.839 Land of Zebulun, land of Naphtali, on the road by the sea, across the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles. 00:25:56.079 --> 00:25:58.720 The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light. 00:25:58.880 --> 00:26:02.960 And for those who sat in the region in shadow of death, light has dawned. 00:26:03.359 --> 00:26:08.799 From that time Jesus began to proclaim, Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is come near. 00:26:09.279 --> 00:26:17.759 As he walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, who's called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. 00:26:17.920 --> 00:26:21.920 And Jesus said to them, Follow me, and I will make you fish for people. 00:26:22.559 --> 00:26:25.039 Immediately they left their nets and followed him. 00:26:25.279 --> 00:26:33.119 As he went from there, he saw two other brothers, James, son of Zebedee and his brother John, in the boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets. 00:26:33.359 --> 00:26:34.799 And Jesus called them. 00:26:35.119 --> 00:26:38.400 Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him. 00:26:38.640 --> 00:26:48.480 Jesus went out through went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and curing every disease and every sickness among the people. 00:26:49.680 --> 00:26:51.119 The gospel of the Lord. 00:26:51.680 --> 00:26:53.839 Praise you, Lord Christ. 00:27:06.319 --> 00:27:07.519 Please be seated. 00:27:11.839 --> 00:27:21.680 I don't know if anybody else did this, but I grew up hearing this story on a flannel board, and there were these people by the water, and there were fishers, and we had this song. 00:27:21.839 --> 00:27:22.880 Do you know the song? 00:27:23.200 --> 00:27:25.839 I will make you fishers of men. 00:27:26.160 --> 00:27:27.279 Fishers of men. 00:27:27.359 --> 00:27:28.000 Do you know that one? 00:27:28.160 --> 00:27:28.559 Yes, yes. 00:27:28.880 --> 00:27:30.559 If you don't, I don't know that you're missing much. 00:27:30.880 --> 00:27:38.799 It's a lovely song, and it's a lovely idea, and it's very, very couch in this analogy of fishing for people. 00:27:39.519 --> 00:27:52.799 And um I want to speak to a little bit of the danger of the analogy, maybe give you a different way we could use it, and then talk about how maybe Jesus has something bigger in mind for us than just fishers of people. 00:27:52.960 --> 00:28:07.279 So, first, a little bit of the danger here is that sometimes uh we think that uh if we push on this hard, some people are people, and some other people are just fish. 00:28:08.559 --> 00:28:15.920 So we the ones with the right answer are the ones looking out over the dumb fish, and we're gonna reel them in. 00:28:16.079 --> 00:28:24.640 And it is because they are so dumb, it is okay to use things like nets and bait and hooks. 00:28:26.000 --> 00:28:32.000 I find that a little disturbing because to be honest, I didn't want to be drug against my will anywhere. 00:28:32.319 --> 00:28:34.160 I don't think I'm the only one. 00:28:34.400 --> 00:28:39.680 The other thing that's interesting to think about, honestly, is that hooks have barbs. 00:28:40.079 --> 00:28:41.680 Hooks have barbs. 00:28:41.920 --> 00:28:50.160 And I will tell you that part of my own spiritual journey, I have had hooks set in me that were very barbed. 00:28:52.160 --> 00:28:53.440 Barbs like. 00:28:53.920 --> 00:28:58.880 Hey, good news, God loves you, but will send you to hell forever because God don't really like you. 00:28:59.599 --> 00:29:01.119 That has traction. 00:29:02.000 --> 00:29:03.440 It'll pull you. 00:29:03.920 --> 00:29:05.200 And it hurts. 00:29:06.319 --> 00:29:08.720 Spiritually, it hurts. 00:29:09.440 --> 00:29:12.960 Now, I don't know if you know how to pull a filth hook out of somebody. 00:29:13.839 --> 00:29:15.680 Don't worry, there's no blood. 00:29:15.920 --> 00:29:17.279 But I'm gonna show you a picture. 00:29:17.519 --> 00:29:19.279 Bob, you might want to close your eyes. 00:29:19.839 --> 00:29:22.880 This comes from my wilderness first aid class. 00:29:23.039 --> 00:29:28.160 There are a couple of ways if you get a hook put in you, that you can get it out. 00:29:28.240 --> 00:29:31.039 One, of course, is that you can cut the hook and pull it through. 00:29:31.200 --> 00:29:34.640 But in general, if it's down deep, here you go. 00:29:35.200 --> 00:29:39.359 You can wrap the hook with a piece of twine or dental floss. 00:29:39.680 --> 00:29:43.039 You push down on the eyelet while you pull straight. 00:29:44.319 --> 00:29:45.119 And it'll come out. 00:29:45.200 --> 00:29:53.680 Now, I saw a video of this on YouTube, and the person with the hook was aided by a bottle of maker's mark. 00:29:53.920 --> 00:29:57.039 So they said, on three. 00:29:57.119 --> 00:30:00.960 One, two, glug, gluc, glug, three, out it came. 00:30:01.920 --> 00:30:12.160 And it occurs to me actually that because there is some danger in spiritual hook setting, part of our ministry might not just be fishing for people. 00:30:12.319 --> 00:30:20.160 It might be going to people who have had barbed spiritual hooks put in them and saying, Let me help you get that out so you can heal. 00:30:20.400 --> 00:30:32.480 I don't have Maker's Mark, but I have the life of Jesus and the sacraments to help ease the pain and increase the healing. 00:30:33.599 --> 00:30:42.079 I mean, maybe not, maybe bourbon is not equivalent to anointing with oil or uh what we do with the Eucharist, but I think what we have is better. 00:30:42.319 --> 00:30:42.640 Right? 00:30:42.880 --> 00:30:54.799 And so maybe this is part of our ministry is healing people who have been baited and switched, who have had barbs set in them. 00:30:56.079 --> 00:31:01.519 I'm going to give you a different couple ways to view this passage that I find a little helpful. 00:31:01.839 --> 00:31:03.920 One is an original piece of art that I saw. 00:31:04.079 --> 00:31:07.519 I wish I could show it to you, but it's copywritten, so I can't reproduce it. 00:31:07.599 --> 00:31:10.960 Uh, what it depicts are two people on a boat. 00:31:11.119 --> 00:31:19.920 Fortunately, they're wearing life preservers, and they're looking out over a tumultuous ocean, and there's all kinds of people struggling to keep their heads above the water. 00:31:20.079 --> 00:31:26.559 They're floating on things like flotsum and jetsum or they're dog paddling, and you can even see some sharks in the water. 00:31:26.720 --> 00:31:27.519 They're predators. 00:31:27.680 --> 00:31:35.279 And the way these people fish for other people is they throw them a life preserver and they bring them in. 00:31:35.440 --> 00:31:42.720 There are no hooks, there are no barbs, and to be clear, the people doing the fishing aren't even standing on solid ground. 00:31:42.880 --> 00:31:44.640 They're in a boat themselves. 00:31:45.839 --> 00:31:50.240 Which is to say, it's very possible they could fall in. 00:31:51.279 --> 00:31:57.759 And surely the people they brought in, hopefully, will extend them the same life preserver. 00:31:57.920 --> 00:32:01.519 Now you might say, well, geez, Mike, what are the sharks and what are the waves? 00:32:01.680 --> 00:32:04.400 Well, I think they're things that corrupt and destroy the creatures of God. 00:32:04.559 --> 00:32:07.119 We go over this every time we do the baptismal covenant. 00:32:07.279 --> 00:32:13.119 They are things that strip us of our fundamental dignity and what God has imagined for us. 00:32:13.279 --> 00:32:17.119 So one of the things that's in the currents is being afraid of God. 00:32:17.680 --> 00:32:19.440 You might say, who's afraid of God? 00:32:19.599 --> 00:32:21.920 I've been most of my spiritual life. 00:32:22.880 --> 00:32:25.839 Because while God loves you, God doesn't like you. 00:32:26.480 --> 00:32:28.640 That's something we need savings from. 00:32:29.200 --> 00:32:30.720 Being afraid of God. 00:32:31.920 --> 00:32:35.599 Another thing we need savings from are, of course, those words that end in Ism. 00:32:35.680 --> 00:32:36.960 I've mentioned this before, right? 00:32:37.119 --> 00:32:41.680 But racism and sexism and ageism, those are all predators in the sea. 00:32:42.160 --> 00:32:44.160 And we need rescue from that. 00:32:44.400 --> 00:32:46.319 And look, there's no surprise. 00:32:46.559 --> 00:32:52.160 This church was built as an upside-down boat hole because it's supposed to be the ship of salvation. 00:32:52.319 --> 00:32:57.119 And it's on the waters, not on a found, not on an unmovable foundation, right? 00:32:57.200 --> 00:32:59.839 Because there's safety, but we can fall in ourselves. 00:32:59.920 --> 00:33:02.160 And this is a ministry we extend to one another. 00:33:02.319 --> 00:33:04.079 Hey, I'll pull you in. 00:33:04.640 --> 00:33:05.759 I'll pull you in. 00:33:05.920 --> 00:33:08.559 Not I'll yank you against your will. 00:33:09.680 --> 00:33:12.160 And there can be healing in the boat. 00:33:12.480 --> 00:33:14.960 We can remove the hooks from one another. 00:33:15.279 --> 00:33:26.240 If you don't like that one, uh then I want to share with you this other one, which has to do with keeping the analogy totally in the fishing world. 00:33:26.400 --> 00:33:29.519 If some people are fish, then well, everybody's a fish. 00:33:29.759 --> 00:33:34.079 And as you know, maybe you've seen this on the Discovery Channel or National Geographic. 00:33:34.160 --> 00:33:39.440 Um, fish have this incredible way of joining forces and swimming together in a school. 00:33:39.759 --> 00:33:49.359 And maybe you've seen that 5,000 fish essentially can swim as one, and things like predators are afraid. 00:33:49.680 --> 00:33:54.319 They're afraid of their own prey because they banded together and they look really large. 00:33:54.480 --> 00:34:08.239 And out of their peripheral vision, they pay attention to one another and they move in sync, and the ones in the front bear the hydrodynamic resistance so the ones in the middle can rest. 00:34:08.880 --> 00:34:17.840 And then they swap so that they take turns in breaking up the currents that would corrupt and destroy the creatures of God. 00:34:18.000 --> 00:34:27.119 And honestly, if enough fish swim in tandem, not only do they scare away predators, they change the currents of the water. 00:34:27.519 --> 00:34:30.000 And isn't that the call of Jesus Christ? 00:34:30.400 --> 00:34:45.519 To change the currents of society, whatever they may be, of spirituality, of politics, so that the dignity that God imagines for us all is protected and preserved. 00:34:47.039 --> 00:34:49.119 You may not like either one of us. 00:34:50.159 --> 00:34:58.480 But I do hope you hear in the warnings that we get today from Paul, Paul says, look, don't swim as a school of five fish. 00:34:59.039 --> 00:35:07.039 Don't split yourselves up because you think your baptism is better than somebody else, or your fins are better than somebody else. 00:35:07.119 --> 00:35:11.920 Of course, your fins could be your liturgical practices or how you have the Eucharist or how you pray. 00:35:12.000 --> 00:35:12.719 No, no, no. 00:35:12.880 --> 00:35:13.920 Don't split up. 00:35:14.159 --> 00:35:15.519 Get together. 00:35:17.199 --> 00:35:25.199 We can do more together, and the more of us there are together, well, the more we have a hope not only of replenishing one another, but changing the currents. 00:35:25.599 --> 00:35:27.920 What Paul says is too be unified. 00:35:28.000 --> 00:35:32.400 And of course, what he doesn't say, this is good news, he doesn't say be uniform. 00:35:33.280 --> 00:35:36.800 He doesn't say you have to become a fish that you are not. 00:35:36.960 --> 00:35:41.679 Like if you're a clown fish, you don't have to become a gar. 00:35:43.039 --> 00:35:46.159 You can still swim together. 00:35:46.400 --> 00:35:50.639 It's okay to disagree or to do things differently. 00:35:50.960 --> 00:35:57.440 We don't have to be uniform, however, the encouragement is to be unified. 00:35:58.159 --> 00:36:01.599 Now, maybe you didn't like any of that. 00:36:01.920 --> 00:36:02.559 That's okay. 00:36:02.719 --> 00:36:09.280 I do want to highlight that it gets a little bit more difficult when you hear this word about Isaiah, about Zebulun and Naphtali. 00:36:09.519 --> 00:36:11.039 And just so you can hear, right? 00:36:11.199 --> 00:36:16.880 Those were the people like on the edges of the country, and they were thought to be, well, kind of backward. 00:36:17.199 --> 00:36:18.400 So I don't know. 00:36:18.639 --> 00:36:21.599 Is that I'm just using stereotypes? 00:36:21.840 --> 00:36:24.239 Is that Alabama and Mississippi? 00:36:24.559 --> 00:36:26.880 It could be New England for you, right? 00:36:27.119 --> 00:36:30.079 These are people who they just don't have their head on, right? 00:36:30.320 --> 00:36:36.639 And we get to hear, um, Isaiah, you may think that, but God doesn't view it that way. 00:36:36.880 --> 00:36:41.039 Did you notice that Jesus moves at the beginning? 00:36:41.199 --> 00:36:42.639 He moves home. 00:36:42.960 --> 00:36:49.840 He goes to the most backward place of his time to say the light of God is in fact here. 00:36:50.559 --> 00:36:54.079 In the gar, in the barracuda. 00:36:54.960 --> 00:36:56.559 We can swim together. 00:36:56.960 --> 00:36:57.599 Last part. 00:36:59.599 --> 00:37:05.760 I don't know if you thought about this, but Jesus talks about fishing for people because he's talking to people who fish. 00:37:06.719 --> 00:37:10.159 Good news, you don't have to be a fisher person. 00:37:10.400 --> 00:37:12.239 Maybe that is what you do. 00:37:12.880 --> 00:37:24.239 I would love it if the story said Jesus was walking along the lake and he saw a couple of accountants, and he said, Follow me, and you'll account for people. 00:37:25.119 --> 00:37:26.239 Oh, that's weird. 00:37:26.320 --> 00:37:27.119 How would that look? 00:37:27.199 --> 00:37:30.880 Well, you know what accountants like to do is they like a balanced ledger. 00:37:32.480 --> 00:37:36.639 You could use that skill to help people find balance in their lives, don't you think? 00:37:36.960 --> 00:37:40.000 Oh, well, Mike, what would you do with chemical engineers? 00:37:41.840 --> 00:37:46.400 Follow me, and I'll have you do better living through chemicals. 00:37:47.360 --> 00:37:48.880 That may sound funny, right? 00:37:48.960 --> 00:38:13.199 But part of chemical engineering in the human form, right, is getting away from toxic, albeit motivational chemicals like cortisol and adrenaline, and saying, hey, let's engineer a society in which we focus on serotonin, on oxytocin, so that we can be connected as human beings instead of divided through things like fear and worry. 00:38:13.760 --> 00:38:17.119 I wonder what Jesus would have said to Christopher Kraft Jr. 00:38:17.599 --> 00:38:25.199 Follow me, and I will have you help get human beings out of this world and into the one God intends. 00:38:26.000 --> 00:38:27.519 Out of this world. 00:38:27.920 --> 00:38:29.280 So good news. 00:38:29.599 --> 00:38:34.239 You don't have to be a fisher, you don't have to be an accountant, you don't have to be an engineer. 00:38:34.559 --> 00:38:44.320 Who you are is just fine, and the skills you have and the wisdom you have can grow the school of fish that is God's family. 00:38:44.800 --> 00:38:50.079 And the reason that we want to do this is because it's what God wants. 00:38:51.519 --> 00:38:57.440 And God doesn't just want it because God wants it, God wants it because God knows we'll enjoy it more if we do. 00:38:58.159 --> 00:39:07.920 So this I put to you is our invitation to fish, to account, to re-engineer on behalf of the gospel of Jesus Christ. 00:39:17.679 --> 00:39:21.440 Please join me as we pray our faith in the words of the Nicene Green. 00:39:22.639 --> 00:39:31.440 We believe in one God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all the days seen and unseen. 00:39:31.920 --> 00:39:47.840 We believe in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, light from light, true God from true God, begotten of me, and one being with the Father. 00:39:48.079 --> 00:39:50.239 Through him all things are made. 00:39:50.559 --> 00:39:54.719 For us and for our salvation, he came down from heaven. 00:39:55.039 --> 00:40:01.599 By the power of the Holy Spirit, he became imparted from the Virgin Mary and was made man. 00:40:01.840 --> 00:40:05.199 For our sake he was crucified under his wild. 00:40:05.679 --> 00:40:07.760 He suffered death and was buried. 00:40:08.079 --> 00:40:17.119 On the third day he rose again, and according to the scriptures, he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. 00:40:17.360 --> 00:40:23.920 He will come again in glory to the living and the dead, and his kingdom will happen upon it. 00:40:24.320 --> 00:40:31.440 We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. 00:40:31.679 --> 00:40:35.360 With the Father and the Son, he is worshipped and glorified. 00:40:35.679 --> 00:40:37.760 He has spoken through the prophets. 00:40:38.079 --> 00:40:41.840 We believe in one holy Catholic and Apostolic Church. 00:40:42.000 --> 00:40:45.760 We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. 00:40:46.000 --> 00:40:50.559 We look for the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. 00:40:50.960 --> 00:40:51.599 Amen. 00:41:06.559 --> 00:41:09.039 Your spirit lives in us, and we in your spirit. 00:41:09.519 --> 00:41:12.880 Hear us, for it is your spirit who speaks through us as we pray. 00:41:13.840 --> 00:41:14.880 Lord, hear us. 00:41:15.519 --> 00:41:18.159 Gracious God, you created the heavens and the earth. 00:41:18.400 --> 00:41:21.519 Bless the prudence of our land and the works of our hands. 00:41:21.840 --> 00:41:22.960 Lord hear us. 00:41:23.599 --> 00:41:26.320 Gracious God, you created us in your own image. 00:41:26.480 --> 00:41:28.559 Teach us to honor all your children. 00:41:29.039 --> 00:41:30.159 Lord hear us. 00:41:30.800 --> 00:41:34.719 Gracious God, your steadfast love provide for your creation. 00:41:34.880 --> 00:41:36.800 Grant good reign for our crops. 00:41:37.360 --> 00:41:38.559 Lord hear us. 00:41:40.159 --> 00:41:43.039 Gracious God, you inspire the prophets of old. 00:41:43.199 --> 00:41:47.039 Grant that your church may faithfully proclaim your truth to the world. 00:41:47.519 --> 00:41:48.639 Lord hear us. 00:41:49.360 --> 00:41:52.239 Gracious God, you sent your Son into the world. 00:41:52.400 --> 00:41:56.079 Reveal him to others to live his life in us. 00:41:56.719 --> 00:41:57.760 Lord hear us. 00:41:59.280 --> 00:42:02.800 Lord Jesus, you send your apostles to make disciples of all nations. 00:42:03.039 --> 00:42:16.480 Bless the clergy and laity of our diocese and church, together with Andy, Hector, Jeff, Kay, and Scott, our bishops, and the Archbishop in the Diocesen Cycle of Prayer, Sochal Austin, St. 00:42:16.719 --> 00:42:20.559 Albans, Manchaka, Austin, and St. 00:42:20.719 --> 00:42:21.760 David's Austin. 00:42:22.239 --> 00:42:26.480 Justin, Archbishop of Canterbury, and Michael, our presiding bishop. 00:42:29.280 --> 00:42:33.199 Lord Jesus, for your sake, men and women forsook all and follow you. 00:42:33.360 --> 00:42:37.840 I call many to serve you in religious communities and in the ordained ministry of your church. 00:42:40.320 --> 00:42:43.679 Lord Jesus, you call your disciples to take up the cross. 00:42:44.000 --> 00:42:46.320 Deepen in each of us a sense of vocation. 00:42:48.880 --> 00:42:50.719 You pray for your church to be one. 00:42:50.960 --> 00:42:53.119 Unite all Christians that the world may be. 00:42:55.920 --> 00:42:57.920 You forgave the thief on the cross. 00:42:58.159 --> 00:43:01.360 Bring us all to penitence and reconciliation. 00:43:03.599 --> 00:43:05.599 You broke down the walls that divide us. 00:43:05.840 --> 00:43:08.960 Bring the people of this world to live in peace and concord. 00:43:11.199 --> 00:43:15.119 You taught us through Paul, your apostle, to pray for kings and rulers. 00:43:15.360 --> 00:43:17.440 Bless and guide all in authority. 00:43:20.239 --> 00:43:22.960 You were rich, yet for our sake became poor. 00:43:23.360 --> 00:43:26.800 Move those who have wealth to share generously with those who are poor. 00:43:29.039 --> 00:43:32.400 You sat among the learned, listening and asking them questions. 00:43:32.639 --> 00:43:35.039 Inspire all who teach and all who learn. 00:43:37.599 --> 00:43:39.920 You cured by your healing touch and word. 00:43:40.239 --> 00:43:42.960 Heal the sick and bless those who minister to them. 00:43:45.440 --> 00:43:48.320 You were unjustly condemned by Pontius Pilate. 00:43:48.719 --> 00:43:52.960 Strengthen our brothers and sisters who are unjustly suffering violence and persecution. 00:43:55.599 --> 00:43:57.280 You lived in exile in Egypt. 00:43:57.599 --> 00:43:59.599 Protect and comfort all refugees. 00:44:00.400 --> 00:44:01.519 Christ heroes. 00:44:02.320 --> 00:44:04.800 You knew the love and care of an earthly home. 00:44:05.039 --> 00:44:10.159 May your presence and protection be known to migrant co-horders into their families. 00:44:10.639 --> 00:44:12.079 Christ heroes. 00:44:12.880 --> 00:44:14.639 You open and then shut. 00:44:14.960 --> 00:44:20.559 Open the gates of your kingdom to those that have died without hearing your gospel, especially Andrew. 00:44:23.039 --> 00:44:26.800 You have been glorified in the lives of inevitable saints, especially St. 00:44:26.960 --> 00:44:27.599 Thomas. 00:44:27.920 --> 00:44:30.559 Give us the strength to follow inevitable saints. 00:44:33.199 --> 00:44:37.760 Holy Spirit, you help us in our weakness and intercede for us when we cannot. 00:44:38.000 --> 00:44:50.559 Remember our petitions and thanksgivings before God, especially Miriam, Kay, Pat, Isabel, Terry, Rick, Billy, Sue, and Joe. 00:44:50.960 --> 00:44:55.440 And enhance our vision to see your presence in your hero. 00:44:56.480 --> 00:45:00.239 The congregation is invited to name their own celebration and competitions aside. 00:45:10.480 --> 00:45:12.239 In your infinite compassion. 00:45:14.800 --> 00:45:18.880 Compassionate God, make your healing and peaceful presence known to the world. 00:45:19.119 --> 00:45:26.400 Comfort those who mourn, strengthen those that are weary, encourage those in despair, and lead us all to fullness of life. 00:45:29.360 --> 00:45:32.960 Father, we know that you are good and that you hear all who call upon you. 00:45:33.199 --> 00:45:44.079 Give us and all people what is best for us, that we may glorify you through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord, who is alive and reigns through you and the Holy Spirit, now and forever. 00:45:44.320 --> 00:45:44.880 Amen. 00:45:46.159 --> 00:45:49.360 Let us confess our sin against God and our neighbor. 00:45:55.119 --> 00:46:02.960 Gracious God, our sins are too heavy to carry, too real to hide, and too deep to undo. 00:46:03.440 --> 00:46:13.519 Forgive what our lips tremble to name, what our hearts can no longer bear, and what has become for us a consuming fire of judgment. 00:46:13.760 --> 00:46:17.280 Set us free from past that we cannot change. 00:46:17.679 --> 00:46:26.079 Open to us a future in which we can be changed, and grant us grace to grow more and more in your likeness and image. 00:46:26.400 --> 00:46:29.280 Through Jesus Christ, the light of the world. 00:46:40.719 --> 00:46:41.119 Amen. 00:46:41.440 --> 00:46:41.760 Amen. 00:46:42.239 --> 00:46:42.880 Amen. 00:46:50.880 --> 00:46:52.960 The peace of the Lord be always with you. 00:46:53.440 --> 00:46:54.639 And also with you. 00:47:30.800 --> 00:47:32.960 Good morning, and thank you for worshiping with us at St. 00:47:33.119 --> 00:47:33.840 Thomas today. 00:47:34.079 --> 00:47:39.920 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 Narthex. 00:47:40.320 --> 00:47:42.239 I grew up calling it the best of Buell. 00:47:43.199 --> 00:47:44.559 The Narthex is there. 00:47:44.639 --> 00:47:46.639 And there's these little cards that say welcome. 00:47:46.719 --> 00:47:49.199 And we'd be tremendously grateful if you fill one of them out. 00:47:49.280 --> 00:47:50.880 So we have a record of your visit. 00:47:50.960 --> 00:47:52.719 And thanks for worshiping with us today. 00:47:53.199 --> 00:47:54.559 Okay, a couple of announcements. 00:47:54.639 --> 00:48:06.159 Sometimes we don't always know what happens in the building, so I just want to let you know that our girls' troupe of scouts, that's 1965, these are the girls who will earn the Eagle rank, just like our boys' troupe will. 00:48:06.400 --> 00:48:22.719 They had a camp out here the last two nights, and you don't always get to see them, but it is just a lovely ministry that scouts are forming families, and not just children, but families, in wonder and in responsibility and frankly loving one another. 00:48:22.800 --> 00:48:24.079 So this is a great ministry. 00:48:24.159 --> 00:48:33.360 And I want to draw your attention because these girls are going to go on an adventure this summer to uh Natural Bridge Cavern in uh near San Antonio. 00:48:33.519 --> 00:48:42.000 And so they to help themselves out there and to make sure that kids can go who don't have the resources to do it, they're going to throw a fundraiser. 00:48:42.079 --> 00:48:44.079 And that fundraiser will be Fat Tuesday. 00:48:44.159 --> 00:48:50.480 They'll be making pancakes for us when we gather to burn last year's palms to make the ashes for Ash Wednesday. 00:48:50.559 --> 00:48:54.559 So you'll see that it's February 22nd, and please support them. 00:48:54.800 --> 00:48:56.480 You may say, I don't like pancakes. 00:48:56.639 --> 00:48:58.320 I don't care if they like pancakes. 00:48:59.519 --> 00:49:00.000 I don't. 00:49:00.400 --> 00:49:04.079 These ones will be very good, and please do support our scout girls. 00:49:04.480 --> 00:49:10.079 They're working to do this not only for themselves, but for other scouts who just can't afford to do it. 00:49:10.400 --> 00:49:11.920 Okay, a couple other things. 00:49:12.079 --> 00:49:26.079 This morning we had, I think, a really fantastic and well-attended organ meeting where we discussed the future of the pipe organ and uh cannot thank the organ committee or Garmin well enough, and cannot thank you well enough for coming and paying attention and bringing your questions. 00:49:26.239 --> 00:49:28.880 Reminder, if you missed the meeting, we did record it. 00:49:29.039 --> 00:49:32.480 It'll show up on YouTube and there'll be a link in the Wednesday e-news. 00:49:32.880 --> 00:49:42.159 The reason we're having this reminder is that since we started the organ project, costs have changed and the cost has exceeded what we initially thought. 00:49:42.320 --> 00:49:54.239 So we are going to vote on the future of the pipe organ next week at the annual meeting, along with our slate of members from Vestry, our slate of council reps, and the parish annual budget. 00:49:54.480 --> 00:49:56.079 So we always do those three things. 00:49:56.239 --> 00:49:58.400 This year we're also voting on the pipe organ. 00:49:58.719 --> 00:50:01.760 And uh just a reminder that'll be in between services. 00:50:01.840 --> 00:50:10.239 So it'll be at 9:15, it'll zoom, it'll be in person, and if you know you can't be here, we also have absentee ballots. 00:50:10.400 --> 00:50:12.239 This year everything's on a ballot. 00:50:12.320 --> 00:50:19.519 Uh you'll scan a QR code with your phone, it'll immediately bring up a ballot, it'll vote and tabulate in real time. 00:50:19.679 --> 00:50:26.320 If you say, I don't have a phone or I don't know how to do that, we've got paper ballots, right, on all four measures. 00:50:26.480 --> 00:50:29.599 And if you won't be here, we have absentee ballots as well. 00:50:29.679 --> 00:50:31.280 So this is what we do at the annual meeting. 00:50:31.360 --> 00:50:44.320 In addition, you'll hear from Andy Knight about the school and how this challenges of the school and the vision for the school, from Alex about family ministry and what our goals are for the year, and then you'll have an opportunity to hear sort of State of the Union of St. 00:50:44.480 --> 00:50:48.000 Thomas in general and ask questions that you have on your mind. 00:50:48.079 --> 00:50:52.960 So that's next week, and I hope you will make time to attend the annual meeting. 00:50:53.199 --> 00:50:58.000 Uh, the other things I want to highlight for you, again, you heard me say this last week. 00:50:58.320 --> 00:51:07.039 I was tremendously proud of us for going to a synagogue to learn more about Judaism and having more than 50 of us show up. 00:51:07.199 --> 00:51:11.119 That was super lovely that you decided this is a priority for your time. 00:51:11.280 --> 00:51:12.159 Thank you. 00:51:12.719 --> 00:51:15.280 Uh we've got two more visits coming up. 00:51:15.599 --> 00:51:17.199 One is on February 1st. 00:51:17.360 --> 00:51:22.320 The reason we're not doing it this week is because we're hosting a meeting for the diocese on Thursday. 00:51:22.480 --> 00:51:23.840 So I didn't want to do two of them. 00:51:23.920 --> 00:51:24.480 I just did that. 00:51:24.719 --> 00:51:30.960 Next Wednesday, February 1, we're going to the Coptic Church that's right off Clear Lake City Boulevard. 00:51:31.119 --> 00:51:32.000 Maybe you've driven by. 00:51:32.239 --> 00:51:35.920 Is someone with the gold domes, and I invited us. 00:51:36.159 --> 00:51:38.079 The priest said, I'd love to have you. 00:51:38.239 --> 00:51:46.559 He will give us a tour of the church, explain what they do with the architecture, and well, you'll see some different things in there that support practices. 00:51:46.719 --> 00:51:48.000 So I hope you'll make time. 00:51:48.079 --> 00:51:52.880 If you have any interest in learning more about Coptic practices of Christianity, this is your time. 00:51:53.039 --> 00:51:55.840 We'll meet over there from 6 to 7. 00:51:56.320 --> 00:51:57.440 I can't record it. 00:51:57.519 --> 00:51:58.719 I hope you understand why. 00:51:58.880 --> 00:52:02.079 So this is live in person, and I do hope we'll go back next year. 00:52:02.239 --> 00:52:03.440 But February 1. 00:52:03.679 --> 00:52:07.039 And then I also want you to set your calendar for February 9th. 00:52:07.199 --> 00:52:12.480 That's the following Thursday, uh, in which we'll go to the Clear Lake Islamic Center. 00:52:12.639 --> 00:52:16.000 And uh, I just want you to know it's really amazing to do this. 00:52:16.079 --> 00:52:23.039 Um, I was talking to one of the three Imams that leads prayer at the Islamic Center, and of course they were very happy to host us. 00:52:23.119 --> 00:52:30.960 And he said, look, we want you to come from five to seven, not six to seven, five to seven, for two reasons. 00:52:31.199 --> 00:52:32.639 We want to feed you. 00:52:33.360 --> 00:52:36.400 So we want to introduce you to cultural food. 00:52:36.480 --> 00:52:43.760 Now, don't plan on dinner, but plan on some light bites that they're gonna, and they insisted we do this. 00:52:44.000 --> 00:52:47.199 They insisted because this is part of hospitality. 00:52:47.519 --> 00:53:02.960 And they'll uh there will be an evening prayer that begins during our time on the tail end that we'll get to observe what evening prayer looks like, and they know we're coming, and they're excited we're coming, and they're not shy about doing what they do in front of us in our presence. 00:53:03.039 --> 00:53:18.400 So this is a lovely opportunity, and you'll hear me say this next week too, that on February the 5th, the Sunday prior, we'll have a meeting in Christ Hall where I introduce you to the basics of Islam. 00:53:18.559 --> 00:53:25.519 You may not know them, so that you can come with a little more information and ask questions about Islamic practice theology, belief. 00:53:25.840 --> 00:53:26.079 Right? 00:53:26.239 --> 00:53:37.119 So, this is my opinion, really lovely that people are opening their sacred spaces to us because they want us to understand and appreciate their practices. 00:53:37.280 --> 00:53:40.320 So, if that appeals to you, I hope you'll take advantage of it. 00:53:42.079 --> 00:53:43.840 I think that's it for the day. 00:53:44.400 --> 00:53:46.320 Continue to walk in love. 00:53:47.199 --> 00:53:48.320 No, I need to tell you this story. 00:53:48.400 --> 00:53:49.519 I do, I need to tell you this story. 00:53:49.599 --> 00:53:50.159 I've got to. 00:53:50.480 --> 00:53:54.000 Um, you never know what's going to come out of a premarital counseling meeting. 00:53:54.159 --> 00:53:55.199 You never know. 00:53:55.519 --> 00:53:58.559 We require premarital counseling to get married in the church. 00:53:58.719 --> 00:54:00.559