Emmanuel Episcopal Church

Homily for the Sixth Sunday of Easter - The Promised Companion

The Gospel - John 14:15-21  

Homily by the Rev. Dr. David Smith

The Promised Companion

One of the most significant studies currently being conducted among mental health professionals is on loneliness.  As you might imagine, it is difficult to gather data because the definition of loneliness is very subjective and amorphous.  What feels like loneliness to one person is little more than being alone for another.  But signs indicate that the Baby Boom generation, of which many of us are a part, is heading for something of a loneliness crisis.

In previous centuries and up to the first decade of the 20^th century, extended families dominated the social landscape. In 1900, 65% of all Americans lived in rural areas and the foundation of our economy was still agrarian.  Everyone in the family lived on the farm, worked the farm, and looked after one another. 

When mom and dad became ill, it was often the eldest child that moved into the big house and took care of them until they died, and then continued to live in the house until their death was overseen by their children.

In the 1950’s about 10% of American households had one person in them.  That number has now climbed to 33%.   The reasons are varied but the three D’s have something to do with it: death, divorce and deferred marriage.  However, there is also a phenomenon known as “Living Together Loneliness”.

The Pruden Parish Press for May 2008 Is Now Online

The May 2008 issue of The Pruden Parish Press, a periodic newsletter containing news and information for parishioners and friends of Emmanuel, is being published this week. The current issue includes:

• G2R (Genesis to Revelation) Begins at Emmanuel,

• Vestry Notes from the Senior Warden,

• Calendar of Parish events for May through August 2008,

• March Madness Comes to Emmanuel,

• Are You Biblically Literate?

Click here to read the May issue online.

Earlier issues may be viewed at The Pruden Parish Press.

To receive future issues by mail, please call or email the Parish Office.

Homily for the Fifth Sunday of Easter - A Place of Our Own

The Gospel - John 14:1-14

Homily by the Rev. Dr. David Smith

A Place of Our Own

Hearing this Gospel lesson read on a Sunday morning may come as a shock to many of us. It is not the setting we are used to. "In my Father's house are many rooms" is a phrase we tend to associate almost exclusively with funerals.

But, here we are on a spring morning, with the trees in bud and new life popping out everywhere hearing words usually associated with a graveside and death wondering what gives.

What gives is simple.  If we take a look at what happened in the story before we get to this point, things make a little more sense. Jesus has just had the Passover meal with his disciples. He has washed their feet. He has foretold his betrayal that Judas will soon perform. He has predicted Peter's denial. He has told them he is leaving, and the departure will be ugly.

The room is full of tension, fear and anxiety, and just when the mood is thick enough to cut Jesus says, “Look guys, don’t worry about all this. Everything is going to be fine. In fact it will be better than fine. Just like you got everything ready for me tonight, I’m off to get things ready for all of you.”

Guest Celebrant

Our celebrant for this morning's Holy Eucharist is the Rev. Canon Win Lewis. As the diocesan Canon to the Ordinary, Father Lewis is the chief pastoral assistant to Bishop Buchanan, Interim Bishop of the Diocese of Southern Virginia.

The Feast of Alphege

The Collect -

O loving God, your martyr bishop Alphege of Canterbury suffered violent death when he refused to permit a ransom to be extorted from his people: Grant that all pastors of your flock may pattern themselves on the Good Shepherd, who laid down his life for the sheep; and who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

 

Click here to learn more about Alphege of Canterbury.

Dinner Clubs' Spring Potluck Supper - May 10

Join us for the Dinner Clubs’ Spring Potluck Supper on Saturday, May 10 beginning at 6 p.m. in the Parish Hall as we celebrate the conclusion of the Winter Season and organize for the Summer Season. Bring a dish to pass. Fried chicken and beverages will be provided. All parishioners and friends of Emmanuel are welcome!

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Special Treat

Emmanuel's own Ron Irby and the Briar Ridge Ramblers will entertain us with Blue Grass Music.

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The Dinner Clubs have been very active over the Winter Season in a variety of settings including dinner and cocktail parties and restaurant events.

A Dinner Club meeting at the Hairstons.

The Dinner Clubs program allows groups of 8 to 10 adults, singles and couples, to meet on a monthly rotating basis for an evening of potluck, fun and fellowship. Since the format of each evening is at the discretion of that night’s host / hostess, the venue could be a cookout, a buffet, just coffee and desserts, or an evening at a local restaurant.

If you would like to join a dinner club for the coming season, please email the Parish Office for more details, or contact Mary Hicks Heitzler.

Homily for the Fourth Sunday of Easter - Abundant Life

The Gospel - John 10:1-10  

Homily by the Rev. Dr. David Smith

Abundant Life

In the 1920’s, a reporter asked John David Rockefeller, then one of if not the wealthiest man in America, “How much was enough?”  Rockefeller answered “Just a little bit more.” While his response was no doubt a bit tongue in cheek, it still reflects the point of view of many Americans, including, I dare say, most of us.

When do we have enough?  I don’t know, but I think one business sector that illustrates our insatiable desire for and the expectation of getting more is the telecommunication industry.  When do we have enough TV channels from which to choose?   

According to the satellite TV industry, there is no such thing as enough.  Every year, more and more households are installing their own little satellite downloading system and beaming in anywhere from 100 to 600 channels of endless entertainment and information.

We’ve all seen the ads. Satellite dish installers being hugged bear like by a deliriously happy, emotionally overcome customer.  Another shows the satellite provider being skillfully trained in CPR so they can then administer life saving treatment to clients who will no doubt need it.   

The theme is the same.  People are so happy about their expanded channel service that all else in life pales in comparison.

It’s the abundant life on the cheap.

Feast of George Augustus Selwyn

The Collect -

Almighty and everlasting God, we thank you for your servant George Augustus Selwyn, whom you called to preach the Gospel to the people of New Zealand, and Melanesia, and to lay a firm foundation for the growth of your Church in many nations. Raise up in this and every land evangelists and heralds of your kingdom, that your Church may proclaim the unsearchable riches of our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Click here to learn more about George Augustus Selwyn,

Bishop of New Zealand, and of Lichfield, 1878.

Spring Fund Raiser May 2nd – Tred Hunt’s BBQ on the Lawn

Join us on Friday, May 2^nd between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. for Tred Hunt’s BBQ on the Lawn at Emmanuel. With a little north wind, the sumptuous smell will drift down Main Street, tempting everyone to follow it to the source. We expect lots of visitors in town for a beautiful spring day.

BBQ will be sold for $6 per pound, or on a plate along with all the fixin’s and tea for only $8. Please contact Dick Camp or Jeanne Reynolds to buy advance tickets or help sell tickets.

Come join us for some fun, fellowship, and good food!

Feast of William Law

The Collect -

O God, by whose grace your servant William Law, kindled with the flame of your love, became a burning and shining light in your church: Grant that we also may be aflame with the spirit of love and discipline, and walk before you as children of light; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Click here to learn more about William Law, Priest, 1761.

Feast of Dietrich Bonhoeffer

The Collect -

Gracious God, the Beyond in the midst of our life, you gave grace to your servant Dietrich Bonhoeffer to know and to teach the truth as it is in Jesus Christ, and to bear the cost of following him; Grant that we, strengthened by his teaching and example, may receive your word and embrace its call with an undivided heart; through Jesus Christ our Savior, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Click here to learn more about Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Pastor and Theologian, 1945.

Feast of William Augustus Muhlenberg

The Collect -

Do not let your Church close its eyes, O Lord, to the plight of the poor and neglected, the homeless and destitute, the old and the sick, the lonely and those who have none to care for them. Give us the vision and compassion with which you so richly endowed your servant William Augustus Muhlenberg, that we may labor tirelessly to heal those who are broken in body or spirit, and to turn their sorrow into joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Click here to learn more about William Augustus Muhlenberg, Priest, 1877.

Feast of Tikhon

The Collect -

Holy God, holy and mighty, you call us together into one communion and fellowship: Open our eyes, we pray,  as you opened the eyes of your servant Tikhon, that we may see the faithfulness of others as we strive to be steadfast in the faith delivered to us, that the world may see and know you; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be glory and praise unto ages of ages. Amen.

Click here to learn more about Tikhon, Patriarch of Russia and Confessor, 1925.

Homily for the Third Sunday of Easter - On the Road Again

The Gospel - Luke 24:13-35

Homily by the Rev. Dr. David Smith

On the Road Again

When confusion reins; when you don’t know what’s happening or what to do; when the options available to you are uncertain or for that matter unknown, or maybe the forces of God and life are perplexing and contrary; what do you do?

Well, some people sit down with a pen and pad of paper and map out pluses and minuses. Others take to the bed. Some pace and fret, and still others go for a drive, or maybe, take a walk.

I’m a big fan of being in motion. Driving or walking seems to help. Moving the body seems to help move and clear the mind. Seeing other people, being out and about reminds us that life is going to continue and whatever may be plaguing us will be temporary; it too will move on.

After Jesus’ crucifixion, Peter, the fisherman, did exactly what we might expect. He went fishing. So, too, a couple of other followers went “On The Road Again.” One named Cleopas, and the other, whose name we don’t know, are heading to Emmaus, a small town about four miles from Jerusalem. They were probably going home.

They were walking and talking, talking and walking, trying to work through what had happened in Jerusalem, trying to figure out how they felt and what they thought. It was therapy.

In the middle of their walk home, Jesus overtakes them - the risen Jesus, the resurrected Jesus. The Bible says they didn’t recognize him. What’s with that? Did he have on a disguise? Was the resurrection body that different? Had he changed clothes and maybe shaved?

Resurrection Window Returns to Emmanuel

Photos courtesy of Richard Camp

The window was restored over the last year by Gill Somers, owner of Somers Studios in Scottsville, Virginia.  Mr. Somers, an ornamental and stained glass specialist for over 60 years, has performed work for some of the largest cathedrals in the country.

Feast of the Annunciation

The Collect -

Pour your grace into our hearts, O Lord, that we who have known the incarnation of your Son Jesus Christ, announced by an angel to the Virgin Mary, may by his cross and passion be brought to the glory of his resurrection; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.