 St Alban’s Episcopal Church Bolivar, Missouri January 18, 2022 What is the “Good News of his salvation?”(from the collect for the third Sunday after Epiphany)  The Collect for Sunday “Give us grace, O Lord, to answer readily the call of our Savior Jesus Christ and proclaim to all people the Good News of his salvation, that we and the whole world may perceive the glory of his marvelous works; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. AmenThis phrase “proclaim his salvation” is not new with the New Testament – or with the Church. Here are two other instances where the people of God are told to “proclaim” the mighty acts of God. That, of course, is what salvation is. Salvation is rescue, is deliverance, is freedom-giving. God saves by what God does. God saved Israel by delivering them from Egypt’s bondage at the Exodus. God saves again and again – all throughout the Bible. And it IS always “salvation,” not only a foreshadow of it. We proclaim that in Jesus, God has saved us again – and this time, all of us, and all of creation, forever. But it is not always easy to see – to perceive. Paradoxically, we perceive it by proclaiming it – day after day. And that little word, “readily” matters, too!  Proclamation”…we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.” Proclamation is a form of gratitude that actually helps us to perceive God’s goodness. We live in a world infiltrated with bad news. It’s time to tell another story. A truer one. I urge you to read the things Father Steve Wilson of Grace Church, Carthage, is writing now. They are posted on our Facebook page. He is suffering with bone cancer, on hospice, and yet using his extraordinary intellect to express the deep faith of his heart. He is offering good news. He is telling the story of salvation. Steve is full of grace and gratitude even now. He is letting his light shine – and God’s. But Steve didn’t get that way in a day. If we tell of his salvation “from day to day” we will still be telling it as we come close to death. If we don’t, we probably wont be able to do it then. And notice this: the words Steve is giving us now may matter more, and for longer, and to more people, than anything he has said or done before. Paula Shepard’s homily The video will be posted today on our website and on our Facebook page. I hope you will listen to her! Please check your email before leaving home on Sundays when there is any question about the weather. On Sunday, February 6, we will have our annual meeting. It is my desire to ask those who have been on the bishop’s committee to remain, since they were only able to meet sporadically in the last twelve months. However, if there are members who would like to retire, please let me know asap. And if there are any who would like to join the committee, let me know that as well. Masks If you are able to purchase the better KN95 masks online, I urge you to do so. They seem to offer far better protection at this time. In any case, thank you for always wearing masks at church. Prayer Requests Retired deacon Brenda Sickler called from Utah to request prayer for her grandson, Michael Anthony Gutierrez. who is a young father suffering from acute leukemia. Jean Vincent asks for prayer for her grandson, Chase, a two year old who will have surgery tomorrow at Children’s Mercy in Kansas City. Please continue to thank God for Father Steve Wilson, and also to ask that he have days filled with peace and nights free of pain. And pray for Grace Church in this time of transition. And pray also for Becca Cox. She is in constant pain and needs knee replacement surgery, but cannot get it until Bobby is able to move into permanent residential care. As you know, he turned 18 last April and she is still waiting for final approval and placement. And pray for Bobby himself. Last night his home health aide didn’t check the temperature of his bath water before she lowered him into it, and today he is at the ER with burns to his legs and lower torso. Becca didn’t see them until she undressed him this morning. Pray for our representatives in the Senate and the House, who are charged with making laws that will benefit everyone and bring greater justice, greater freedom, and greater good for all. Looking towards Sunday How might proclaiming the good news of God’s salvation become as normal and natural as fishing? Or teaching? Or banking? Or farming? Or welding? Or caring for our children?  |
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