Emmanuel Episcopal Church

Being receptive to joy takes some readiness, but at this Advent season we are preparing ourselves to be ready to welcome the One who took on our humanity to give us His divinity.

The Scripture references are Zephaniah 3:14-20, Canticle 9 (The First Song of Isaiah) Isaiah 12:2-6, and Philippians 4:4-7. The Gospel reference is Luke 3:7-18.

The lessons today tell us we are to clear a path for God to enter our lives, which He so desires to do. We need to remove the impediments that keep God out. We are children of promise, God's promise, and by opening our lives to transforming grace we open ourselves to the possibility that our hearts and our world can be a place for Jesus to live in us and abide with us always.

The Scripture references are Malachi 3:1-4, The Song of Zechariah (Luke 1:68-79), and Philippians 1:3-11. The Gospel reference is Luke 3:1-6.

We can miss so much when we rush through life, especially in the holiday season. Advent allows us to pause, to prepare, and to experience the expectation and hope of the birth of Jesus. Where is God inviting you to slow down, stop, and breathe?

The Scripture references are Jeremiah 33:14-16, Psalm 25:1-9, and 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13. The Gospel reference is Luke21:25-36.

Christ's kingdom is unlike any historic earthly kingdom or established church. Saint Julian of Norwich wrote that she saw Christ as a king "reigning in the soul." As we come to the end of another liturgical year, let us give thanks to God and to His Son and lay our blessings before His throne.

The Scripture references are Daniel 7:9-10,13-14, Psalm 93, and Revelation 1:4b-8. The Gospel reference is John 18:33-37.

The ancient Greek root of our name for the Lord's Supper, "eucharist", translates as "thanksgiving." Having an attitude of gratitude is a transforming spiritual experience. It allows us to see the limitless opportunity to transform the world in which we live, and to share our many blessings with those around us.

The Scripture references are Joel 2:21-27, Psalm 126, and 1 Timothy 2:1-7. The Gospel reference is Matthew 6:25-33.

As we look around us at the plight of those who have no one to support them, who are suffering from war, famine, or disaster, we must always remember that every life is precious in God's sight. We must strive always in all our actions to live out our Christian call to God's service, and never to lose sight of those whose faith sustains them in the most difficult times. They serve as an example and a lesson for us and a guide to ease the suffering of those we meet.

The Scripture references are 1 Kings 17:8-16, Psalm 146, and Hebrews 9:24-28. The Gospel reference is Mark 12:38-44.

On All Saints Day we remember that we are forever woven together with all the saints - past, present, and future - through our shared baptism into the body of Christ. When we mourn those who have died, we also bear witness to the hope of everlasting life in Jesus Christ. As we worship, let us remember that gathered together we are the saints of today and that our faith in God and His Son will support and sustain us always.

The Scripture references are Deuteronomy 6:1-9, Psalm 119:1-8, and Hebrews 9:11-14. The Gospel reference is Mark 12:28-34.

As we move forward we are called to truly see what God wishes for us. Jesus offers a clear vision of what true life looks like, but too often we turn a blind eye to the possibilities that lie before us. To truly see is not without risk. Let us be like Bartimaeus and when Jesus asks us what we want him to do, answer "My teacher, let me see."

The Scripture references are Jeremiah 31:7-9, Psalm 126, and Hebrews 7:23-28. The Gospel reference is Mark 10:46-52.

As we celebrate our time together, Mother Andria remembers the mountaintop moments we have shared and calls us to be mindful that God is with us, always, no matter what. We can look at our past and where we were, at our present where God is with us now, and at our future where God calls us forward to places of promise. For those of us who share this bond there is never a good-bye, only "until we meet again."

The Scripture references are Isaiah 53:4-12, Psalm 91:9-12,15-16, and Hebrews5:1-10. The Gospel reference is Mark 10:35-45.

The wealthy young man in Mark's gospel lives on today, when we see our material riches as an end in themselves. What we have, and how we look at our possessions, can either help to bring about the kingdom of God on earth or act as a barrier to our living lives of God's love. Trusting that sharing our blessings to support our parish mission, to make Emmanuel a welcoming place to those seeking relationship with God, and to come together as a church family truly helps us to make a piece of that kingdom a reality.

The Scripture references are Amos 5:6-7,10-15, Psalm 90:12-17, and Hebrews 4:12-16. The Gospel reference is Mark 10:17-31.

Both Moses and Jesus had to contend with followers who thought it improper for "those other guys" to dare do God's work without being "one of us". Once again Jesus uses a child to show us how we should act, and live. It's hard to look at our own shortcomings when we spend so much time studying those of others. Better to look in our hearts before we judge that which is in the hearts of others.

The Scripture references are Numbers 11:4-6,10-16,24-29, Psalm 19:7-11,14, and James 5:13-20. The Gospel reference is Mark 9:38-50.

Children remind us that we come into this world whole. We are meant to live life of wholeness, and Jesus lifted up a child to show His disciples that for which they should strive: the openness, honesty, and enthusiasm that every child shows us. We lose that ability to ask questions and share our feelings as we become adults, but we once had it. Spend time asking "Who am I?", and look for the answer in the children around us, and in each of us.

The Scripture references are Wisdom of Solomon 1:16-2:1,12-22, Psalm 54, and James 3:13-4:3, 7-8a. The Gospel reference is Mark 9:30-37.

Jesus' rebuke of Peter in Mark's Gospel is jarring. He sounds angry with Peter's naming Him as the Messiah, but He is actually concerned that Peter and the Disciples must fully understand that He is not the warrior Messiah but rather one of non-violence and love. He must be betrayed and sacrificed, must die and rise again. Peter and the Disciples must be the ones to carry on Jesus' message and healing, and they must have been very afraid that they were not up to the task without Jesus with them. This is where we at Emmanuel find ourselves today, as Mother Andria announces her move home to Portland. We love her and Jordan and Coby so much, and have all shared so much and seen our church family grow so, that we may be afraid that we cannot do it without her here with us. But as she tells us, we are going to be okay. The things that make us Emmanuel are not going away, and God has done so much for us and through us. He is not yet done with us, and He is certainly not done with the Very Reverend Andria Skornik. Our relationship is not ending, only changing, and we will all be greater for the time we have spent together.

The Scripture references are Isaiah 50:4-9a, Psalm 116:1-4, and James 3:1-12. The Gospel reference is Mark 8:27-38.

When asking Jesus to heal her daughter, the Syrophoenician woman was not prepared to take no for an answer. She made the big request without regard to religious or social norms because she knew that God was bigger than Tyre's borders, bigger than Jew or Gentile. She knew her daughter was worthy of being healed. God is bigger than we think, too, and has made us all worthy. Don't be afraid to speak up for justice, to speak out when the most vulnerable cannot be heard. God has given us the strength, the power, and the grace to be heard. Let Him speak through us.

The Scripture references are Isaiah 35:4-7a, Psalm 146:1-4,7-9, and James 2:1-10,14-17. The Scripture reference is Mark 7:24-30.

The blessing of love that we receive from God, the love we share with our family, friends, and loved ones, the love we find in community in our cities and our churches; these are all meant to be shared. We do not know when those we love will be taken from us. Life is short, and we can't assume there will be time later to share the blessing of love. So be swift to love, make haste to be kind, and the blessing of God will be received and given in that one simple gesture.

The Scripture references are Song of Solomon 2:8-13, Psalm 15, and James 1:17-27. The Gospel reference is Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23.

In his letter to the Ephesians Paul reminds us that our struggle is not with each other, but with the things that divide us. God has put us on this earth to be allies, to fight not with each other but for each other. Too often though, we know what the problem is but turn it against each other rather than join each other in love to address a solution. It's too easy to assign blame rather than to acknowledge that a problem affects us all. Let's take the lesson Jeremiah Development has taught us out into the community: talk to each other more, and about each other less.

The Scripture references are Joshua 24:1-2a,14-18, Psalm 34:15-22, and Ephesians 6:10-20. The Gospel reference is John 6:56-69.

In his letter to the Ephesians Paul reminds us that our struggle is not with each other, but with the things that divide us. God has put us on this earth to be allies, to fight not with each other but for each other. Too often though, we know what the problem is but turn it against each other rather than join each other in love to address a solution. It's too easy to assign blame rather than to acknowledge that a problem affects us all. Let's take the lesson Jeremiah Development has taught us out into the community: talk to each other more, and about each other less.

The Scripture references are Joshua 24:1-2a,14-18, Psalm 34:15-22, and Ephesians 6:10-20. The Gospel reference is John 6:56-69.

Emmanuel parishioner Matt Oakes shares a profound take on the communion meal. If Jesus can be present in the mundane items of bread and wine, doesn't it beg the question where can't He be? Where is the Christ already? The answer is "in all things". There is only Christ, Christ is everything and in everything. Our very being and identity in God emerge from the miracle of Jesus' union of the human and the divine. What we meet here is our truest self.

The Scripture references are Proverbs 9:1-6, Psalm 34:9-14, and Ephesians 5:15-20. The Gospel reference is John 6:51-58.

Our society is often too quick to gauge an individual's talents or worth based on their age, status, or other characteristics. At the feeding of the five thousand, Jesus asked a small boy for the bread and fishes he had, and made it enough to feed the crowd. Who else would have thought God would send a boy to bring the food to Jesus? It's clear that Jesus involved the crowd in their own feeding; they did not just witness a miracle, they were part of it. We all have a piece of the miracle of this life, and need to be sure to share it with others.

The Scripture references are 2 Kings 4:42-44, Psalm 145:10-17, and Ephesians 3:14-21. The Gospel reference is John 6:1-21.

We see from Mark's Gospel that even Jesus found it difficult to get away from all the demands on His time. There seemed to be no end to the crowds of people needing healing, and to hear the Good News of His message. His compassion was so great that he would not turn them away, even to rest. There is a rhythm to life, to work and rest and prayer, and we need to find the rhythm to spend the time with God. We cannot do God's work unless we seek the quietness and aloneness with God.

The Scripture references are Jeremiah 23:1-6, Psalm 23, and Ephesians 2:11-22. The Gospel reference is Mark 6:30-34,53-56.