WEBVTT 00:00:00.160 --> 00:00:06.879 Blessed be God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and blessed be God's family now and forever. 00:00:07.200 --> 00:00:07.839 Amen. 00:00:08.320 --> 00:00:09.759 Let's pray together. 00:00:10.080 --> 00:00:16.239 Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid. 00:00:16.480 --> 00:00:27.440 Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy name through Christ our Lord. 00:00:27.760 --> 00:00:28.399 Amen. 00:00:29.039 --> 00:00:31.839 The Lord be with you, and also with you. 00:00:32.320 --> 00:00:33.679 Let us pray. 00:00:34.159 --> 00:00:53.039 Grant to us, Lord, we pray the Spirit to think and to do always those things that are right, that we who cannot exist without you may by you be enabled to live according to your will, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you in the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. 00:00:53.439 --> 00:00:54.079 Amen. 00:00:56.159 --> 00:00:58.000 Reading from Genesis. 00:00:58.640 --> 00:01:03.439 Jacob settled in the land where his father had lived as an alien, the land of Canaan. 00:01:03.759 --> 00:01:06.719 This is the story of the family of Jacob. 00:01:07.200 --> 00:01:11.760 Joseph, being seventeen years old, was shepherding the flock with his brothers. 00:01:12.000 --> 00:01:17.760 He was a helper to the sons of Bilha and Zilpah, his father's wives. 00:01:18.000 --> 00:01:21.840 And Joseph brought a bad report of them to their father. 00:01:22.159 --> 00:01:31.840 Now Israel loved Joseph more than any of the other of his children, because he was the son of his old age, and he'd made him a long robe with sleeves. 00:01:32.560 --> 00:01:37.439 And when his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him. 00:01:37.760 --> 00:01:40.319 And could not speak peaceably to him. 00:01:41.439 --> 00:01:44.799 And his brothers went to pasture their father's flock near Shechem. 00:01:45.120 --> 00:01:50.319 And Israel said to Joseph, Are not your brothers pasturing the flock at Shechem? 00:01:50.719 --> 00:01:52.719 Come, I will send you to them. 00:01:53.120 --> 00:01:55.120 And he answered, Here I am. 00:01:55.439 --> 00:02:02.400 So he said to him, Go now, see if it is well with your brothers and with the flock, and bring word back to me. 00:02:02.959 --> 00:02:05.519 So he sent him from the valley of Hebron. 00:02:06.239 --> 00:02:10.560 He came to Shechem, and a man found him wandering in the fields. 00:02:10.800 --> 00:02:13.120 The man asked him, What are you seeking? 00:02:13.360 --> 00:02:15.120 I'm seeking my brothers, he said. 00:02:15.280 --> 00:02:18.800 Tell me please where they are pasturing the flock. 00:02:19.360 --> 00:02:23.520 The man said, They've gone away, for I heard them say, Let us go to Dotham. 00:02:24.240 --> 00:02:26.719 So Joseph went after his brothers. 00:02:27.759 --> 00:02:32.639 They saw him from a distance, and before he came near them, they conspired to kill him. 00:02:33.280 --> 00:02:36.319 They said to one another, Here comes this dreamer. 00:02:36.560 --> 00:02:40.000 Come now, let us kill him and throw him into one of the pits. 00:02:40.800 --> 00:02:47.520 Then we shall say that a wild animal has devoured him, and we shall see what will become of his dreams. 00:02:48.560 --> 00:02:55.280 But when Reuben heard it, he delivered him out of their hand, saying, Let us not take his life. 00:02:55.680 --> 00:03:06.719 Reuben said to them, Shed no blood, throw him into this pit here in the wilderness, but lay no hand on him, that he might rescue him out of their hand and restore him to his father. 00:03:07.680 --> 00:03:17.840 So when Joseph came to his brothers, they stripped him of his robe, the long robe with sleeves that he wore, and they took him and threw him into a pit. 00:03:18.159 --> 00:03:19.599 The pit was empty. 00:03:19.840 --> 00:03:22.000 There was no water in it. 00:03:22.719 --> 00:03:24.560 Then they sat down to eat. 00:03:24.719 --> 00:03:34.879 And looking up, they saw a caravan of Ishmaelites coming from Gilead with their camels carrying gum, balm, and resin on their way to carry it down to Egypt. 00:03:35.439 --> 00:03:41.439 And Judah said to his brothers, What profit is it if we kill our brother and conceal his blood? 00:03:41.919 --> 00:03:49.919 Come, let us tell him to the Ishmaelites and not lay our hands on him, for he is our brother, our own flesh. 00:03:50.159 --> 00:03:51.919 And his brothers agreed. 00:03:52.159 --> 00:04:01.840 When some Midianite traders passed by, they drew Joseph up, lifted him out of the pit, and sold him to the Ismaelites for twenty pieces of silver. 00:04:02.080 --> 00:04:04.560 And they took Joseph to Egypt. 00:04:05.520 --> 00:04:07.199 The word of the Lord. 00:04:08.159 --> 00:04:09.680 Thanks be to God. 00:04:12.560 --> 00:04:14.000 Psalm 105. 00:04:16.399 --> 00:04:20.079 Give thanks to the Lord and call upon God's name. 00:04:20.879 --> 00:04:23.839 Make none of the deeds of the Lord among the people. 00:04:25.600 --> 00:04:26.720 Sing to the Lord. 00:04:47.759 --> 00:04:52.399 Remember the marvelous wondrous and judgment. 00:05:19.759 --> 00:05:21.680 Until his prediction came to pass. 00:05:26.079 --> 00:05:27.759 The king sent him and released him. 00:05:28.639 --> 00:05:30.800 The ruler of the people set him free. 00:05:31.920 --> 00:05:34.639 He set him as a master over his household. 00:05:35.279 --> 00:05:37.759 As a ruler over all his possessions. 00:05:38.800 --> 00:05:41.600 To instruct his officials according to his will. 00:05:42.160 --> 00:05:44.240 And to teach his elders wisdom. 00:05:45.040 --> 00:05:45.920 Hallelujah. 00:05:50.240 --> 00:05:54.000 Moses writes concerning the righteousness that comes from the law. 00:05:54.240 --> 00:05:57.519 That the person who does these things will live by them. 00:05:58.000 --> 00:06:06.560 But the righteousness that comes from faith says, Do not say in your heart who will ascend into heaven, that is to bring Christ down. 00:06:06.800 --> 00:06:11.519 Or who will ascend into the abyss, that is to bring Christ up from the dead. 00:06:11.839 --> 00:06:13.199 But what does it say? 00:06:13.839 --> 00:06:17.279 The word is near you, on your lips and in your heart. 00:06:17.600 --> 00:06:19.920 That is the word of faith that we proclaim. 00:06:20.399 --> 00:06:28.560 Because if you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 00:06:28.879 --> 00:06:36.319 For one who believes with the heart and so is justified, and one who confesses with the mouth and so is saved. 00:06:36.720 --> 00:06:40.959 The scripture says, No one who believes in him will be put to shame. 00:06:41.279 --> 00:06:44.160 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek. 00:06:44.560 --> 00:06:48.639 The same Lord is Lord of all and is generous to all who call on him. 00:06:49.279 --> 00:06:52.720 For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. 00:06:53.120 --> 00:06:56.560 But how are they to call on one in whom they have not believed? 00:06:56.720 --> 00:06:59.839 And how are they to believe in one of whom they have never heard? 00:07:00.079 --> 00:07:02.800 And how are they to hear without someone to proclaim him? 00:07:03.199 --> 00:07:05.759 And how are they to proclaim him unless they are sent? 00:07:06.639 --> 00:07:13.519 As it is written, how beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news the word of the Lord. 00:07:14.240 --> 00:07:15.600 Thanks be to God. 00:07:24.160 --> 00:07:31.279 God in the darkness and God in the morning, God in the dark and the pain and the place. 00:07:39.759 --> 00:07:43.360 God in the tiny has been tale. 00:07:43.600 --> 00:07:46.079 God in the nearest and finest. 00:09:16.000 --> 00:09:19.279 God at beginning at the end of the day. 00:09:19.840 --> 00:09:24.240 God at beginning at the end of the day. 00:09:46.799 --> 00:09:57.360 Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side while he dismissed the crowds, and after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up to the mountain by himself to pray. 00:09:57.519 --> 00:10:05.759 When evening came he was there alone, but by this time the boat, battered by the waves, was far from the land, for the wind was against them. 00:10:06.000 --> 00:10:09.759 And early in the morning Jesus came walking toward them on the sea. 00:10:10.000 --> 00:10:15.600 But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, It is a ghost. 00:10:15.919 --> 00:10:17.919 And they cried out in fear. 00:10:18.159 --> 00:10:21.919 But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, Take heart, it is I. 00:10:22.320 --> 00:10:23.759 Do not be afraid. 00:10:24.080 --> 00:10:29.519 Peter answered him, Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water. 00:10:29.919 --> 00:10:31.440 Jesus said, Come. 00:10:31.679 --> 00:10:36.480 So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came toward Jesus. 00:10:36.799 --> 00:10:41.440 But when Peter noticed the strong wind, he became frightened and began to sink. 00:10:41.679 --> 00:10:44.240 He cried out, Lord, save me. 00:10:44.480 --> 00:10:50.639 Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying, You of little faith, why did you doubt? 00:10:50.960 --> 00:10:57.679 When they got into the boat, the wind ceased, and those in the boat worshiped him, saying, Truly you are the Son of God. 00:10:58.879 --> 00:11:00.720 The Gospel of the Lord. 00:11:01.039 --> 00:11:03.200 Praise to you, Lord Christ. 00:11:03.519 --> 00:11:08.799 You know, it's always a challenge taking a photograph or a video of stained glass. 00:11:08.960 --> 00:11:10.720 So I hope you'll you'll put up with it. 00:11:10.799 --> 00:11:17.679 The light just comes in in such a way that it overwhelms some of the automatic uh mechanisms and cameras. 00:11:17.759 --> 00:11:20.799 And to be honest, even with a manual shot, it's really difficult. 00:11:20.960 --> 00:11:24.720 But here you're seeing this gorgeous window that we have in St. 00:11:24.879 --> 00:11:34.000 Thomas that many of us are extremely used to, even though we've missed it for several months, of Jesus teaching from the boat. 00:11:34.240 --> 00:11:45.840 And that happens several times in the scriptures, that the crowds press in so much that Jesus has to get in the boat in order to resist being overwhelmed. 00:11:46.000 --> 00:11:55.440 He does it so that he can project his voice out and people can hear us, so he can have social distancing, which is necessary when you're trying to communicate. 00:11:56.720 --> 00:12:14.799 Most people then realize that church sanctuaries, including our own, and you'll see this next time you walk through the Brumley Hall as well, are built to look like upside-down boat holes because the church has been called God's ship of salvation. 00:12:14.960 --> 00:12:20.000 Not the building, of course, but the community and the embodiment of Christ on earth. 00:12:20.159 --> 00:12:27.519 That the church is meant to be the vessel that carries people closer to a relationship with God. 00:12:27.679 --> 00:12:36.240 And as we get on the vessel, the journey is not over, but we're meant to travel as a group closer and closer to God. 00:12:36.720 --> 00:12:40.080 These are lovely, lovely images and they bear out in our architecture. 00:12:40.159 --> 00:12:43.919 But this week we get sort of a twist on that story. 00:12:44.480 --> 00:12:52.720 Jesus has been teaching, he has been healing, he spends some time to pray, and he sends his disciples out on a boat. 00:12:52.799 --> 00:12:56.080 And notice they're buffeted by the waves. 00:12:56.399 --> 00:13:07.519 It's really, really helpful to say throughout the Bible that water is an image for chaos, for things not being settled. 00:13:07.759 --> 00:13:19.759 Sometimes water can be an image even for evil, or for the forces that really threaten people's dignity or threaten community. 00:13:20.399 --> 00:13:25.759 Forces like hierarchy or classism. 00:13:26.399 --> 00:13:31.679 These are some of the things that can show up: racism or ageism, ethnocentrism. 00:13:31.919 --> 00:13:36.480 These are some of the forces of chaos that can be represented by water. 00:13:36.559 --> 00:13:49.840 And notice in the story, the disciples are in the boat, the thing that's supposed to move them closer to the Lord, and they're being buffeted by these forces, and they're not making much progress. 00:13:50.080 --> 00:13:55.200 So Jesus comes out in the morning and he is doing something really quite incredible. 00:13:55.360 --> 00:14:01.360 He's not just walking on top of water, which would be, of course, a physical miracle. 00:14:01.679 --> 00:14:05.679 He is doing something that is theologically miraculous. 00:14:05.840 --> 00:14:12.159 He's walking on top of the forces of chaos and oppression. 00:14:13.120 --> 00:14:26.960 And Peter says, actually, when all the people see Jesus doing this, their reaction, their instinctual reaction, is not that, hey, this is the guy they knew and loved, and of course he can do this. 00:14:27.120 --> 00:14:28.480 They think he's a ghost. 00:14:28.639 --> 00:14:37.519 They think Jesus has either died or this is some sort of fantasy they're having, because after all, who could accomplish both a physical miracle? 00:14:37.600 --> 00:14:40.879 But I think we sell ourselves short if we only focus on the physical. 00:14:41.039 --> 00:15:00.639 Who could accomplish such a miracle as staying above on top of these forces of chaos that have been buffeting them to the point that these professional fishermen, these people who are water people, are terrified for their own lives and well-being. 00:15:02.399 --> 00:15:04.080 Jesus says it's me. 00:15:04.320 --> 00:15:06.000 Don't be afraid. 00:15:12.480 --> 00:15:20.639 Peter says, if it's you, Jesus, if it's really you, the proof I want is that I can do what you're doing. 00:15:20.879 --> 00:15:30.559 So tell me to come out there and walk on those waves of chaos with you and not be drowned by them and not even to go under. 00:15:30.720 --> 00:15:43.200 Tell me to come out and not have to struggle just to keep my breath and tread water in the forces that are unpredictable, that alienate and isolate. 00:15:43.759 --> 00:15:46.320 I think Peter's probably onto something. 00:15:46.559 --> 00:16:02.000 Jesus, I want to be able to float in faith even on unsteady waters instead of having to spend all of my energy just trying to keep my mouth above the water. 00:16:03.360 --> 00:16:04.799 And Jesus says, Come on out. 00:16:04.960 --> 00:16:08.639 And you know what's amazing, of course, is that Peter does. 00:16:08.960 --> 00:16:12.559 And for a moment, he is pretty successful. 00:16:12.799 --> 00:16:17.600 He stands up there, and then the most uh interesting thing happens. 00:16:17.919 --> 00:16:22.480 Peter notices not the not the waves. 00:16:22.799 --> 00:16:24.720 He notices the wind. 00:16:25.360 --> 00:16:31.840 And the wind scares him and he starts to sink and he says, Jesus help, I'm sinking. 00:16:31.919 --> 00:16:46.240 And of course, Jesus lends his hand, pulls Peter out from the muck and mires of chaotic forces of alienation and isolation, and helps him get back into the boat, the ship of salvation, and go on. 00:16:46.320 --> 00:16:53.519 And when they do that, all the disciples call Jesus not just teacher, they call him Lord. 00:16:54.159 --> 00:17:11.920 Because anybody who could rescue somebody else from chaos, anybody who can make those forces of chaos abate must be not just a teacher, but must have some privileged relationship with God. 00:17:12.079 --> 00:17:14.880 They must have the power of God. 00:17:17.200 --> 00:17:24.559 Wind is an interesting code in the Bible because the word for wind is the same word that we use for breath. 00:17:24.640 --> 00:17:29.200 I mean, really, this is in Greek the word pneuma, and it means moving air. 00:17:29.440 --> 00:17:34.400 So wind, breath, and this is the word we use for spirit. 00:17:34.559 --> 00:17:41.359 So when Peter's up on the chaos, he notices that there's a lot of moving air and it scares him. 00:17:42.160 --> 00:17:50.319 What's really interesting is I suppose we could consider it as bad air, but what if we heard this story in a slightly different way this week? 00:17:50.480 --> 00:17:52.640 What if we heard it like in Genesis 1? 00:17:52.880 --> 00:18:02.319 In the beginning, when God created the heavens of the earth, the earth was formless and void, and the moving air of God was on top of the waters. 00:18:02.480 --> 00:18:06.799 Normally our translation says the Spirit of God was on the waters. 00:18:06.960 --> 00:18:11.440 What if this is going right back to the way in which God created the world? 00:18:11.680 --> 00:18:14.880 In Genesis 1, the world is full of chaos. 00:18:15.039 --> 00:18:16.720 It's covered with water. 00:18:17.039 --> 00:18:24.799 All, frankly, of the land and the sky and uh and um the water are one. 00:18:24.960 --> 00:18:40.720 They're not separate, there's no boundaries, and so God spends the next seven days sorting things out, making space for life, um breathing into the human being and into the animals, breathing life, and then God rests. 00:18:40.880 --> 00:18:47.359 And so I wonder if this isn't a parallel story where the disciples are in the middle of watery chaos. 00:18:47.839 --> 00:18:52.240 Peter comes out on top of the watery chaos, the spirit is going to order it. 00:18:52.400 --> 00:18:54.640 Notice that storm's going to blow away. 00:18:55.440 --> 00:19:00.640 But Peter is afraid of the Spirit of God. 00:19:01.359 --> 00:19:07.359 And why would he be afraid of the Holy Spirit when he's standing in the middle of chaos? 00:19:07.599 --> 00:19:13.200 And I want to suggest to you it has to do with what the boat is for, I think. 00:19:14.319 --> 00:19:20.880 We have phrases like, sit down, don't rock the boat, get in the boat, um, all aboard. 00:19:21.119 --> 00:19:27.599 What's really interesting is that Peter, I think he's on to something here, in the middle of the forces of chaos. 00:19:27.759 --> 00:19:30.319 He doesn't say, Jesus, come in where it's safe. 00:19:30.480 --> 00:19:32.160 He says, I want to go. 00:19:32.400 --> 00:19:35.359 I want to have faith and power like yours. 00:19:35.599 --> 00:19:45.279 I want to be able to get out of this boat and be in the middle of those chaotic forces and not be overwhelmed by them. 00:19:45.519 --> 00:19:51.359 And I want to suggest to you that's not just Peter's hunch about where he's going to meet Jesus' Lord. 00:19:51.599 --> 00:19:58.880 I want to suggest to you that might just be Jesus' call to us as disciples. 00:19:59.200 --> 00:20:10.400 The church is a vessel that brings people closer to God, but I want to suggest our faith life is not to be spent in the boat. 00:20:10.960 --> 00:20:30.960 I wonder if the boat isn't here for times, frankly, of rest and relief and regrouping when people start to become overwhelmed or people who honestly were born overwhelmed, born underneath forces like sexism and racism and ageism. 00:20:31.519 --> 00:20:41.039 When we are able in faith to do like Jesus did and reach down and help them up to help get them in the boat so they can rest and recover. 00:20:41.279 --> 00:20:47.839 But the boat is not our destination, it's just the vessel. 00:20:48.480 --> 00:20:59.200 Instead, I wonder if Jesus isn't asking us this week to think really hard about what the call for discipleship is. 00:20:59.359 --> 00:21:02.240 And I heard this really well in a YouTube video. 00:21:02.559 --> 00:21:08.000 There's a series of videos called Uncomfortable Conversations with the Black Man. 00:21:08.160 --> 00:21:18.400 And in one of these, and it happened to be the one about race and religion, his conversation partner said, you know, the church has gotten really confused about one of the Beatitudes. 00:21:19.279 --> 00:21:21.599 Blessed are the peacemakers. 00:21:21.759 --> 00:21:40.319 Sometimes we, more often than not, says this says this pastor, we um we miss here Jesus and we say, Blessed are the peacekeepers, but keeping the peace and making the peace are extremely different things. 00:21:41.519 --> 00:21:51.920 This symbol of watery chaos outside of the boat represents, I think, the forces that desperately need peace making. 00:21:52.880 --> 00:21:59.359 And sometimes I think our inertia at staying in the boat of salvation, just staying. 00:22:00.160 --> 00:22:06.079 Where we are and hoping things will quiet down can represent peacekeeping. 00:22:06.720 --> 00:22:08.880 It is scary to step out. 00:22:09.039 --> 00:22:14.640 And I don't think that Jesus is saying, hey, step out on faith and don't wear a face mask. 00:22:14.799 --> 00:22:16.000 I want to be really clear. 00:22:16.160 --> 00:22:24.000 I don't think Jesus is asking us to take huge, uncalculated, unthought-through risks for nobody's benefit. 00:22:24.240 --> 00:22:39.839 But I am extremely positive that Jesus is asking us not to test our faith, but to test our faithfulness by stepping out against the forces that are estranging others. 00:22:40.240 --> 00:22:56.240 And especially to reach down to our brothers and sisters who are underneath the water, to pull them out and to be willing to walk where Jesus walks. 00:22:57.519 --> 00:23:06.799 We get to hear this story in Genesis about Joseph's brothers, and Joseph comes across, to be honest, as a little bit of a brat. 00:23:07.359 --> 00:23:08.960 He is a braggart. 00:23:09.279 --> 00:23:12.000 He tells them he's going to rule over them one day. 00:23:12.319 --> 00:23:15.039 He is clearly favored by his father. 00:23:15.200 --> 00:23:34.799 His dad buys him this multicolored coat in a mostly, there wasn't even white in that world clothes, in a mostly natural colored linen, which by the way is brown, world of clothing, a coat of many colors would have been, it would have been worth more than the money it took to buy it. 00:23:36.000 --> 00:23:49.119 Joseph shows blatant favoritism, and the brothers decide to punish Joseph for his favored position that honestly was engineered by his father. 00:23:50.000 --> 00:24:01.920 When I tell this story in the day school, I say they have this idea that, hey, if Joseph weren't in the way, soaking up all of Dad's love and affection, then maybe they would get more. 00:24:02.079 --> 00:24:07.920 So if they just take Joseph out, then they'll get all the love and affection Joseph had been given by dad. 00:24:08.000 --> 00:24:11.599 And of course, that is never how these things work. 00:24:11.920 --> 00:24:20.960 The scriptures are really clear that Jacob loves Joseph because Joseph reminds him of Rachel, not because of who Joseph is. 00:24:22.240 --> 00:24:33.519 So instead of treating the system, of course, what the disciples do, I sorry, the the disciples, uh Joseph's brothers, what they do is they treat a symptom. 00:24:33.680 --> 00:24:41.119 They see, look, there's the system of inequity in our family whereby our father prefers one of us to the rest of us. 00:24:41.279 --> 00:24:44.240 So here's what we'll do: we'll get rid of that one. 00:24:44.480 --> 00:24:47.519 We'll get rid of that symptom, and things will get better. 00:24:47.680 --> 00:24:50.880 And another one of their brothers says, let's not get rid of them. 00:24:51.039 --> 00:24:52.559 What would be the gain in that? 00:24:52.720 --> 00:24:53.680 Let's sell him. 00:24:53.839 --> 00:24:58.880 That way he's not only gone, but we also get financial gain. 00:24:59.359 --> 00:25:19.599 This is one of those stories I want to suggest to you that is telling us how not to live, but is also, I'm afraid, deeply describing some of the natural tendencies we have when we're able to have things like boats in the middle of a stormy sea, and not everybody has one of those. 00:25:19.839 --> 00:25:27.759 This story, I think, is an indictment against us keeping peace instead of trying to make it. 00:25:28.480 --> 00:25:34.079 As we continue to read the story, these boys will never actually make peace with their father. 00:25:34.319 --> 00:25:36.480 Their father will never make peace with them. 00:25:36.720 --> 00:25:39.119 Joseph is going to make some peace later. 00:25:39.519 --> 00:25:40.000 We know that. 00:25:40.079 --> 00:25:42.480 We've heard the story before, you know that. 00:25:42.640 --> 00:25:53.119 But I want to suggest to you, Joseph is tempted at every turn not only to avoid making peace, but to get revenge and to destroy his brothers. 00:25:53.359 --> 00:25:56.000 And we'll get to read about that next week. 00:25:56.160 --> 00:25:58.079 This is the setup for that, though. 00:25:58.240 --> 00:26:01.200 Why Joseph can get revenge in the first place. 00:26:02.079 --> 00:26:07.839 The conversion will come next, but I want to tell you because I know that's coming already, and you know that's coming. 00:26:08.000 --> 00:26:14.960 I want you to hear this story about being uh called down under the waves in a different way in advance. 00:26:16.000 --> 00:26:26.960 Those waves are about the way we treat our brothers and sisters, be they black or white, male or female, uh, Latinx or American natives. 00:26:27.039 --> 00:26:36.160 Um, frankly, whether they're gay or straight, or whether they're Missouri-cented Lutherans or ELCA Christians or they're Muslims. 00:26:36.319 --> 00:26:46.240 They're about the ways in which we handle the stress of the waves by treating symptoms instead of stepping out with Jesus and treating systems. 00:26:47.759 --> 00:26:52.960 The answers to the waters of chaos are not easy. 00:26:53.200 --> 00:27:02.240 And quite frankly, I don't think that anyone I know is able to just spend their lives on top of the chaos without sinking. 00:27:02.480 --> 00:27:03.920 But that's why we say at St. 00:27:04.160 --> 00:27:07.519 Thomas, we can do more together. 00:27:07.759 --> 00:27:10.480 And of course, my prayer is that we will. 00:28:06.319 --> 00:28:18.720 And if we really follow him, and if we say he's Lord, we will join him in that work instead of saying, glad you did that a long time ago and there's nothing left. 00:28:18.960 --> 00:28:24.720 No, the forces of water continue to carry chaos. 00:28:25.440 --> 00:28:30.960 They continue to threaten the dignity of the creatures of God. 00:28:31.359 --> 00:28:43.680 And so we are invited to hear Jesus' call, to model Jesus' faith, and to get out of the boat on behalf of other people who haven't made it in. 00:28:44.400 --> 00:28:54.319 We're invited to get out of the boat because if enough people did it, there would be critical mass that would stop those waves. 00:28:54.640 --> 00:29:14.319 We can do more together, and I invite you to continue to pray and follow the call of Jesus to be on top of these forces of chaos and to join the voice of the Holy Spirit in bringing new life and order in our world. 00:29:14.880 --> 00:29:19.759 Let us renew and reconsider our faith in the words of the Iona Creed. 00:29:20.079 --> 00:29:33.440 We believe that God is present in the darkness before dawn, in the waiting and uncertainty where fear and courage join hands, conflict and caring link arms, and the sun rises over barbed wire. 00:29:34.079 --> 00:29:38.960 We believe in a with us God who sits down in our midst to share our humanity. 00:29:39.200 --> 00:29:47.359 We affirm a faith that takes us beyond a safe place into action, into vulnerability, and onto the streets. 00:29:47.759 --> 00:30:05.440 We commit ourselves to work for change and put ourselves on the line, to bear responsibility, take risks, live powerfully and face humiliation, to stand with those on the edge, to choose life and be used by the Spirit for God's new community of hope. 00:30:05.759 --> 00:30:06.400 Amen. 00:30:07.680 --> 00:30:09.839 The prayers of the people. 00:30:22.240 --> 00:30:30.000 Hear us, for it is your spirit who speaks through us as we pray. 00:30:30.880 --> 00:30:32.960 Lord, hear us. 00:30:33.920 --> 00:30:39.440 Gracious God, you created the heavens and the earth. 00:30:39.920 --> 00:30:45.519 Bless the produce of our lands and the work of our hands. 00:30:46.559 --> 00:30:48.880 Lord, hear us. 00:30:50.880 --> 00:30:56.160 Gracious God, you created us in your own image. 00:30:56.880 --> 00:31:01.920 Teach us to honor all of your children. 00:31:03.200 --> 00:31:05.599 Lord, hear us. 00:31:07.599 --> 00:31:14.960 Gracious God, in your steadfast love, you provide for your creation. 00:31:15.920 --> 00:31:19.119 Grant good rains for our crops. 00:31:20.400 --> 00:31:22.880 Lord, hear us. 00:31:24.799 --> 00:31:30.160 Gracious God, you inspired the prophets of old. 00:31:31.119 --> 00:31:38.160 Grant that your church may faithfully proclaim your truth to the world. 00:31:38.640 --> 00:31:41.119 Lord, hear us. 00:31:46.000 --> 00:31:50.480 Gracious God, you sent your son into the world. 00:31:50.880 --> 00:31:56.319 Reveal him to others through his life in us. 00:31:57.519 --> 00:31:59.920 Lord, hear us. 00:32:02.240 --> 00:32:09.519 Lord Jesus, you sent your apostles to make disciples of all nations. 00:32:10.480 --> 00:32:55.279 Bless the clergy and laity of our diocese and church, together with Andy, Hector, Jeff, Kai, and the diocesan circle of prayer, cycle of prayer, Saint Francis Temple, Saint John's Marlin, Saint Joseph's Salado, Saint Martin's of Paris Cove, our bishops Justin, the Archbishop of Canterbury, and Michael, our presiding bishop. 00:32:56.160 --> 00:32:58.559 Christ, hear us. 00:33:00.160 --> 00:33:08.880 Lord Jesus, for your sake, men and women forsook all and followed you. 00:33:10.000 --> 00:33:20.240 Call many to serve you in religious communities and in the ordained ministry of your church. 00:33:21.200 --> 00:33:23.599 Lord, hear us. 00:33:25.759 --> 00:33:33.599 Lord Jesus, you called your disciples to take up the cross. 00:33:33.920 --> 00:33:38.400 Deepen in each of us a sense of vocation. 00:33:39.680 --> 00:33:42.000 Christ, hear us. 00:33:43.920 --> 00:33:47.519 You prayed for your church to be one. 00:33:48.000 --> 00:33:52.480 Unite all Christians that the world may believe. 00:33:52.799 --> 00:33:55.119 Christ, hear us. 00:33:57.839 --> 00:34:00.880 You forgave the thief on the cross. 00:34:01.920 --> 00:34:06.640 Bring us all to penitence and reconciliation. 00:34:08.159 --> 00:34:10.480 Christ, hear us. 00:34:12.400 --> 00:34:15.360 You broke down the walls that divide us. 00:34:16.159 --> 00:34:21.440 Bring the people of the world to live in peace and concord. 00:34:22.320 --> 00:34:24.880 Christ, hear us. 00:34:27.440 --> 00:34:33.760 You taught us through Paul your apostle to pray for the kings and rulers. 00:34:34.639 --> 00:34:40.960 Bless and guide all in authority, Christ, hear us. 00:34:42.719 --> 00:34:46.800 You were rich yet for our sake became poor. 00:34:48.960 --> 00:34:57.199 Move those who have wealth to share generously with those who are poor. 00:34:58.880 --> 00:35:01.440 Christ, hear us. 00:35:03.760 --> 00:35:10.079 You sat among the learned, listening and asking them questions. 00:35:11.119 --> 00:35:16.239 Inspire all who teach and all who learn. 00:35:16.639 --> 00:35:19.440 Christ, hear us. 00:35:22.239 --> 00:35:25.920 You cured by your healing touch and word. 00:35:26.800 --> 00:35:31.760 Heal the sick and bless those who minister to them. 00:35:33.039 --> 00:35:35.840 Christ, hear us. 00:35:37.599 --> 00:35:41.840 You were unjustly condemned by Pontius Pilate. 00:35:42.400 --> 00:35:50.480 Strengthen our brothers and sisters who are unjustly suffering violence and persecution. 00:35:52.400 --> 00:35:55.360 Christ, hear us. 00:35:57.199 --> 00:36:00.320 You lived as an exile in Egypt. 00:36:01.119 --> 00:36:06.000 Protect and comfort all refugees. 00:36:07.199 --> 00:36:09.760 Christ, hear us. 00:36:11.360 --> 00:36:16.239 You knew the love and care of an earthly home. 00:36:17.119 --> 00:36:27.679 May your presence and protection be made known to migrant workers and their families. 00:36:28.880 --> 00:36:31.519 Christ, hear us. 00:36:34.079 --> 00:36:37.360 You open, and none can shut. 00:36:38.000 --> 00:36:44.960 You open the gates of your kingdom to those who have died without hearing your gospel. 00:36:46.480 --> 00:36:48.960 Christ, hear us. 00:36:52.320 --> 00:37:01.840 You have been glorified in the lives of innumerable saints, especially Saint Thomas. 00:37:03.119 --> 00:37:08.719 Give us strength to follow in their footsteps. 00:37:10.400 --> 00:37:13.360 Christ hear us. 00:37:34.159 --> 00:38:10.559 We cannot remember our petitions and thanksgivings before God, especially Chris, Jerry, Sean, Jerome, Chris, Susie, Ted, Andrea, Kevin, Ron, Joe, and Nancy, and enhance our vision to see your presence in them. 00:38:11.599 --> 00:38:14.320 Christ, hear us. 00:38:34.800 --> 00:38:42.000 In your infinite compassion, Spirit, hear us. 00:38:43.920 --> 00:38:51.760 Compassionate God, make your healing and peaceful presence known to the world. 00:38:52.239 --> 00:39:06.159 Comfort those who mourn, strengthen those who are weary, encourage those in despair, and lead us all to fullness of life. 00:39:07.599 --> 00:39:10.800 Spirit, hear us. 00:39:12.639 --> 00:39:23.519 Father, we know that you are good and that you hear all those who call upon you. 00:39:24.960 --> 00:39:48.159 Give to 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. 00:39:49.039 --> 00:39:49.679 Amen. 00:39:50.000 --> 00:39:54.559 And now the peace of the Lord be always with you and also with you. 00:39:55.039 --> 00:39:57.280 A few announcements to call to your attention. 00:39:57.440 --> 00:40:01.440 Most of these are in the e-news that comes out every Wednesday. 00:40:01.760 --> 00:40:05.679 First, just an update that on our last mobile food distribution here at St. 00:40:05.840 --> 00:40:14.239 Thomas, August 1st, we served just north of 75 cars representing 357 people. 00:40:14.800 --> 00:40:16.880 And I was able to check. 00:40:16.960 --> 00:40:20.159 We do detailed demographics every week, so every time we do this. 00:40:20.239 --> 00:40:27.360 So it's interesting to hear that more than half of those served are in our immediate proximity. 00:40:27.440 --> 00:40:28.480 So well done, St. 00:40:28.639 --> 00:40:29.199 Thomas. 00:40:30.000 --> 00:40:39.920 Viewing the invoice that the food bank sends, we distributed$15,000 worth of food of these families at a cost of$200. 00:40:40.320 --> 00:40:44.400 And that's why it's such a wonderful ministry partnering with the food bank. 00:40:44.480 --> 00:40:48.480 So thanks for all that you're doing to help hunger in our area. 00:40:48.800 --> 00:40:55.760 We continue doing a book study on Sunday mornings called Bridges out of Poverty that I come into you. 00:40:55.840 --> 00:40:58.719 It happens via Zoom at 9 o'clock. 00:40:59.039 --> 00:41:17.920 There's a reading schedule laid out in your e-news, but whether you join the conversation or not, I lift up to you that this book is a good way of understanding issues in poverty and also in race and how we can thoughtfully build bridges forward out of them. 00:41:18.480 --> 00:41:22.880 There is a midweek study that is coming up called Dismantling Racism. 00:41:22.960 --> 00:41:25.920 It was put together by the Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta. 00:41:26.079 --> 00:41:29.679 It's a six-week study that'll be on Wednesday mornings at the end of the month. 00:41:29.920 --> 00:41:39.679 If you have any interest, I have to order resources on I think Monday the 12th or Monday the um the 10th, rather. 00:41:39.840 --> 00:41:44.719 So please send me an email if you're interested so I can make sure I get you a book in time. 00:41:44.880 --> 00:41:46.239 They're$7.95. 00:41:46.559 --> 00:41:48.559 And again, it's a guided resource. 00:41:48.639 --> 00:42:11.360 It's a creative and thoughtful and easy way, quite honestly, to really start having an intentional conversation about not just what we can do socially, but if there are ways in which our discipleship and the ways in which we're called to follow Jesus Christ can be tweaked to support those in need and to support ourselves as well. 00:42:12.159 --> 00:42:22.559 You'll see in your e-news as well, uh, we are uh hosting a funeral to celebrate the life of Joanne Dealy here on August the 15th. 00:42:22.719 --> 00:42:25.199 That funeral is open for parishioners. 00:42:25.360 --> 00:42:28.159 Um, all the social distancing rules will apply. 00:42:28.239 --> 00:42:37.280 There'll be Eucharist of bread only, uh, asking everyone to wear masks, and we have um taped down seats in our sanctuary to accommodate guests. 00:42:37.440 --> 00:42:47.679 And we are hoping, and you will see, a sign-up to this effect, um, to resume uh physical worship than the following day, Sunday the 16th. 00:42:47.760 --> 00:43:00.639 Uh, and so please look in the e-news so that we can have an RSVP that allows us to make sure that we don't have more people in our capacity, but even more so, it gives us a really handy way of contacting people. 00:43:00.800 --> 00:43:09.039 Should somebody come up contagious or affected, we'll be able to tell everybody, hey, you just should know somebody at the service has been diagnosed. 00:43:09.119 --> 00:43:18.400 So I I would like to ask you, please, um, to um RSVP using Sign Up Genius that'll be in the e-news. 00:43:18.719 --> 00:43:28.079 If you have any questions about how to do that or it's not working for you, please just email me and I'm very happy to sign you up or or as always feel free to give a call. 00:43:28.239 --> 00:43:36.400 But again, we're aiming for August the 16th for our return to services like we have been doing in the past at 8 a.m. 00:43:36.639 --> 00:43:38.000 and at 2:30. 00:43:38.320 --> 00:43:38.480 St. 00:43:38.639 --> 00:43:43.679 Thomas School is going to be back in session physically August the 18th. 00:43:43.760 --> 00:43:50.400 Um, we're as a religious school, we are exempt from the county order to wait until September 8th. 00:43:50.480 --> 00:43:53.840 Um, but this is not being done in a cavalier way. 00:43:54.000 --> 00:43:59.519 We um have zoned off our classrooms and our bathrooms to limit contact and exposure. 00:43:59.760 --> 00:44:07.599 Our students will be wearing masks initially all day long, uh, except when they're outside and are distanced on the playground. 00:44:07.840 --> 00:44:11.360 And we have separate drop-offs and pickups through zones. 00:44:11.440 --> 00:44:13.039 Um please pray for your school. 00:44:13.280 --> 00:44:30.559 As you know, the last several months have been chaotic nationally, but also uh a challenge for our children, and so we are uh really hoping to get back into the most visible representation of our mission as a church by educating children not only in knowledge but in wisdom and faith on the 18th. 00:44:30.639 --> 00:44:33.280 That's a Tuesday, is the first day of school. 00:44:33.360 --> 00:44:37.760 So please pray for our school and its teachers and its families. 00:44:38.159 --> 00:44:43.920 Um and I look forward to seeing you as soon as it is safe. 00:44:44.000 --> 00:44:48.239 Um, but again, looking forward to doing so on the 16th. 00:44:49.039 --> 00:44:53.199 Now, as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to pray. 00:44:53.519 --> 00:45:02.639 Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. 00:45:02.880 --> 00:45:18.639 Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. 00:45:19.039 --> 00:45:19.679 Amen. 00:45:20.159 --> 00:45:31.920 May God, who by the Holy Spirit calls those of many languages and world views to proclaim Jesus' Lord, strengthen your faith, and send you out to bear witness to God in word and in deed. 00:45:32.159 --> 00:45:39.280 And the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be upon you this day and remain with you forever. 00:45:39.599 --> 00:45:40.239 Amen. 00:45:40.880 --> 00:45:46.000 Alleluia, Alleluia, go in peace to love and serve the Lord. 00:45:46.320 --> 00:45:47.760 Thanks be to God. 00:45:48.000 --> 00:45:50.000 Alleluia, Alleluia.