Sermon for March 29, 2020

by Rev. Nora Becker    

     Rector of Christ Church Clarksburg and St. Barnabas Chapel Bridgeport  

 

                                               “In God’s Time”

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     What a painful thing it is to discover that Jesus is not going to drop everything to save Lazarus. Mary and Martha discover it. Lazarus discovers it. The disciples discover it. And today, many people throughout the world are praying for the same thing and finding grief and not hope. We have a world turned upside down by the coronavirus, by plagues of locusts, by climate change and extreme weather, by man’s inhumanity to man, and a desire to conform the planet to man’s will. “Jesus will not save us from the Cross either, because he will not save himself from the Cross. He will not save us from the Cross because straight through the Cross is the only path to resurrection.”  And yet, Jesus takes his time in going to Lazarus. Some people have near death experiences that creates a new perspective of joy and a peace that passes understanding; it changes their very being. Some experience a feeling of lostness after being in the peace of God; they grieve because they have had a taste of heaven and yearn to go home. We don’t get to schedule our resurrections; we must wait for it. We don’t know when Jesus will show up, it’s not like our earthly birthday where we at least would like a piece of cake and a card. But when Jesus does show up, we know that God is with us. But what about when you need him? Do you trust Jesus and his timetable? Jesus took his time to get there. And Jesus wept. He was distraught. Mary and Martha were upset with him. Where have you been? But Jesus was right on time. He was there; he said, “Lazarus, come out!” Do you believe? Unlike Lazarus, we are being asked to “stay in our caves” to save ourselves and each other. To only come out if necessary; to die to all the things we miss. Right now, we must take precautions. 1 Rev. Whitney Rice “Sermons that Work” March 29, 2020 Lent 5 Year A “No One Asks” “In God’s Time” Page 2 of 2 Most importantly, we must find way to be Christ’s hands and feet in the world. We have answered some prayers this week. And we will answer again as we are able. ‘Our bones are dried up. For some of us are struggling, some of us are lost, some of us feel cut off completely. It’s hard to stay put, worrying over families, friends, co-workers. It’s hard to know there are people without a secure place to rest and be safe, to have food and proper medical care. Parents that cannot afford to feed their children, the layoffs, the shuttering of service organizations, the closing of churches, libraries, schools, restaurants; and the burden the grocery stores and pharmacies have in trying to meet the needs of the community. Most of all, the burden the medical professions carry as they give their time, energy and compassionate care to those who are ill. But then, early this week, a huge box of facemasks were found in the basement of National Cathedral and are now in hospitals. God provides and we are called to trust in Him. Little miracles everywhere if you choose to look and see. God provides in His time and at the right time. We wait on the Lord. Pray, keep the faith, fight the fear, & share God’s love. Amen.

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              Every Sunday, and on the 1st day we celebrate together again,                 Dick Clovis will ring the bells at 10:00 AM for 5 minutes.

Come, sit in the parking lot or park on Main St. and celebrate the call to worship!

   Bring your cuppa Joe and let us wave to one another!!!

And then, GO HOME!

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                          I miss you, I love you, and let’s ring the bells!

 

We are trav'ling in the footsteps of those who've gone before

But if we stand reunited, then a new world is in store.

Some say this world of trouble, is the only one we need

But I'm waiting for that morning, when the new world is revealed.

O when the saints go marching in, when the saints go marching in

O Lord I want to be in that number, when the saints go marching in.

by Louis Armstrong

 

To listen and see Louis Armstrong’s song follow the link:

Email from The Rt. Rev. W. Michie Klusmeyer

Bishop of West Virginia

March 31, 2020

 

Dear Brothers and Sisters:

 

The holiest of seasons is about to be upon us.  The strong desire remains with us to be gathered together, as we celebrate Palm Sunday, Holy Week and Easter.

Unfortunately, we are reminded that we are a ‘Stay at Home’ order by our civic leaders.  The order to remain at home is to be followed, and our parishes and missions are not to be holding any liturgies for the foreseeable future.  I am aware that some continue to consider ways around this.  We are not called to get around this, rather we know that we will get through this.

 

Many of our worshiping communities are providing various internet options:  Facebook Live; Zoom; conference calls and more.

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In addition, I have been offering noonday prayers and streamed services on Sunday morning, at 9:30 am.  In the past, we have been providing this over a conference call as well as on Facebook Live.  Starting today, I have added Zoom.  This will continue.

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I am reminded that both historically and in the current rubrics of the Book of Common Prayer, while it is desirable to use Palm Branches for our Palm Sunday liturgy, the Prayer Book clearly states:  “The branches of palm or of other trees or shrubs …”  So, if you would like to place them outside of your homes, and let them wave in the wind, they do not have to be Palm Branches!

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In addition, the Prayer Book also says, on page 272, after this part of the service is written, “In the absence of a bishop or priest, the preceding service may be led by a deacon or lay reader.”  So – in the safety and comfort of your own home…please feel free to ‘bless’ and wave all the kinds of branches you would like.  Parade through your living room!  Stand out on the porch!  Sing “All Glory, Laud and Honor” at the top of your lungs!

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At some point, we as a Community of Faith, scattered throughout the State of West Virginia, will again come together, and we will praise God for all of God’s blessings upon us and we will celebrate the Risen Christ together!

+++

 

 

The Liturgy of the Palms

When circumstances permit, the congregation may gather at a place
apart from the church, so that all may go into the church in procession.

The branches of palm or of other trees or shrubs to be carried in the
procession may be distributed to the people before the service, or after
the prayer of blessing.

The following or some other suitable anthem is sung or said, the people
standing:

Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord.
Peace in heaven and glory in the highest.

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Celebrant

Let us pray.

Assist us mercifully with your help, O Lord God of our
salvation, that we may enter with joy upon the contemplation
of those mighty acts, whereby you have given us life and
immortality; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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Here a Deacon or other person appointed reads one of the following

Year A  Matthew 21:1-11

Year B Mark 11:1-11a

Year C Luke  19:29-40

The Celebrant then says the following blessing

 

The Lord be with you.

People

And also with you.

Celebrant

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

People

It is right to give him thanks and praise.

It is right to praise you, Almighty God, for the acts of love by
which you have redeemed us through your Son Jesus Christ
our Lord. On this day he entered the holy city of Jerusalem in
triumph, and was proclaimed as King of kings by those who
spread their garments and branches of palm along his way.
Let these branches be for us signs of his victory, and grant that
we who bear them in his name may ever hail him as our King,
and follow him in the way that leads to eternal life; who lives
and reigns in glory with you and the Holy Spirit, now and
for ever. Amen.

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The following or some other suitable anthem may then be sung or said

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.

The Procession

Deacon

Let us go forth in peace.

People

In the name of Christ. Amen.  

 

During the procession, all hold branches in their hands, and appropriate
hymns, psalms, or anthems are sung, such as the hymn "All glory, laud,
and honor" and Psalm 118:19-29.

At a suitable place, the procession may halt while the following or some
other appropriate Collect is said

 

Almighty God, whose most dear Son went not up to joy but
first he suffered pain, and entered not into glory before he
was crucified: Mercifully grant that we, walking in the way
of the cross, may find it none other than the way of life and
peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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In the absence of a bishop or priest, the preceding service may be led by a
deacon or lay reader.

 

+WMK

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A message from Bishop Michael Curry

        Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church         

regarding worship in response to the COVID-19 pandemic

 

On the evening of March 11, 2020, Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church Michael Curry shared the following message with bishops of The Episcopal Church:
 
Dear Sisters and Brothers,
 
We are facing an unprecedented challenge with the COVID-19 outbreak, which the World Health Organization has just deemed a pandemic (see link). In this context, bishops having charge of a diocese have my support as Presiding Bishop if, in light of the public health situation in their diocese, they decide - for a designated period of time - to suspend the administration of the common cup to the congregation in the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist, and/or to cancel in-person gatherings for public worship.
 
I encourage you, in the event of cancellation of these public gatherings, to use technology to offer worship.
 
God bless you and keep the faith.
 
+Michael
 
The Most Reverend Michael B. Curry
Presiding Bishop and Primate
The Episcopal Church


Visit the Episcopal Church’s webpage Concerning COVID-19 for information and resources related to the coronavirus outbreak including: Faith-based responses to epidemics from Episcopal Relief and Development, general guidelines and safety measures, links to government and public health information, resources for using technology to gather, as well as worship and formation resources to use at home or in virtual settings. Resources are updated regularly.