St.

Francis Church Biblically minded::Mission driven

The Right Reverend John C. Bauerschmidt--Bishop of Tennessee

The Reverend Joseph B. Howard--Vicar

Order of Worship

St. Francis Church is a community dedicated to the

transformation of lives through the Gospel of Jesus Christ for
the Kingdom of God.

The Second Sunday after Pentecost: Proper 6

Year B

A congregation of the Episcopal Diocese of Tennessee and the world-wide Anglican Communion
A note for visitors: We’re thankful that you could join us for worship today, and we
pray God blesses you in your time here. The service is printed in your bulletin. If you
have any questions don’t hesitate to ask someone around you!

St. Francis Church we want to encourage families to worship together. In order to

be a community where all ages feel welcome, we provide coloring materials for children
to use during worship and seek to understand the specific gifts and challenges that
children bring. We encourage you, should you feel comfortable doing so, to sit toward
the front with your children, as little-ones are often more attentive if they can see what is
happening. After the second reading, children 6 years old and below are invited to take
part in children’s chapel.

We understand that there may be times when it is best to take advantage of child care,
and nursury is provided.

Prayer in Preparation for worship:

O Almighty God, who pours out on all who desire it the spirit of grace and
of supplication: Deliver us, when we draw near to you, from coldness of
heart and wanderings of mind, that with steadfast thoughts and kindled
affections we may worship you in spirit and in truth; though Jesus Christ
our Lord. Amen.

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D ¡ From Tell Out, My Soul: Guitar Lead Sheets for Favorite Hymns, Vol. ,1 Copyright ©
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From Tell Out, My Soul: Guitar Lead Sheets for Favorite Hymns, Vol. 1 Copyright © ¡¡ ¡¡ ¡¡ ¡¡ ÌÌ 
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Opening Acclamation:
All Standing

Celebrant: Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

People: And blessed be his kingdom, now and forever. Amen.
Collect for Purity:

A lmighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are
hid: 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.
Amen.

The following is sung, all standing

Canticle 20, Glory to God: Gloria in excelsis S 280

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Collect of the Day:
Celebrant: The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you.
Celebrant: Let us pray.

Keep, O Lord, your household the Church in your steadfast faith and love, that through your grace
we may proclaim your truth with boldness, and minister your justice with compassion; for the sake
of our Savior Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for
ever. Amen.
First Reading: Ezekiel 17:22-24
All sit.

A Reading from the Book of the Prophet Ezekiel.

T hus says the Lord God: I myself will take a sprig from the lofty top of a cedar; I will set it out. I
will break off a tender one from the topmost of its young twigs; I myself will plant it on a high
and lofty mountain. On the mountain height of Israel I will plant it, in order that it may produce
boughs and bear fruit, and become a noble cedar. Under it every kind of bird will live; in the shade
of its branches will nest winged creatures of every kind. All the trees of the field shall know that I
am the Lord. I bring low the high tree, I make high the low tree; I dry up the green tree and make
the dry tree flourish. I the Lord have spoken; I will accomplish it..

Reader: The Word of the Lord.

People: Thanks be to God.

The Psalm of the day: Psalm 20

Exaudiat te Dominus

1 May the Lord answer you in the day of trouble, *

  the Name of the God of Jacob defend you;
 
2 Send you help from his holy place *
  and strengthen you out of Zion;
 
3 Remember all your offerings *
  and accept your burnt sacrifice;
 
4 Grant you your heart’s desire *
  and prosper all your plans.
 
5 We will shout for joy at your victory
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  and triumph in the Name of our God; *
  may the Lord grant all your requests.
 
6 Now I know that the Lord gives victory to his anointed; *
  he will answer him out of his holy heaven,
  with the victorious strength of his right hand.
 
7 Some put their trust in chariots and some in horses, *
  but we will call upon the Name of the Lord our God.
 
8 They collapse and fall down, *
  but we will arise and stand upright.
 
9 O Lord, give victory to the king *
  and answer us when we call.

Second Reading: 2 Corinthians 5:6-17

A Reading from Paul’s second letter to the Church in Corinth.

W e are always confident; even though we know that while we are at home in the body
we are away from the Lord—for we walk by faith, not by sight. Yes, we do have
confidence, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So
whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him. For all of us must
appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each may receive recompense for what
has been done in the body, whether good or evil.

Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we try to persuade others; but we ourselves are
well known to God, and I hope that we are also well known to your consciences. We are
not commending ourselves to you again, but giving you an opportunity to boast about us,
so that you may be able to answer those who boast in outward appearance and not in the
heart. For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you.
For the love of Christ urges us on, because we are convinced that one has died for all;
therefore all have died. And he died for all, so that those who live might live no longer
for themselves, but for him who died and was raised for them. From now on, therefore,
we regard no one from a human point of view; even though we once knew Christ from a
human point of view, we know him no longer in that way. So if anyone is in Christ, there is
a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new!

Reader: The Word of the Lord.

People: Thanks be to God.

The Children Come forward for prayer, and then depart for Children’s Chapel

All stand.

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Sequence: In the Lord I’ll be Ever Thankful

Holy Gospel: Mark 4:26-34

Gospeller: The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Mark.
People: Glory to you, Lord Christ.

J esussaid, “The kingdom of God is as if someone would scatter seed on the ground, and
would sleep and rise night and day, and the seed would sprout and grow, he does not
know how. The earth produces of itself, first the stalk, then the head, then the full grain in
the head. But when the grain is ripe, at once he goes in with his sickle, because the harvest
has come.” He also said, “With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable
will we use for it? It is like a mustard seed, which, when sown upon the ground, is the
smallest of all the seeds on earth; yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes the greatest
of all shrubs, and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in
its shade.” With many such parables he spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear
it; he did not speak to them except in parables, but he explained everything in private to
his disciples.

Gospeller: The Gospel of the Lord

People: Praise to you, Lord Christ

Sermon: The Rev. Joseph B. Howard

Nicene Creed
All stand.

W e believe in one God,

the Father, the Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all that is, seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
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 the only Son of God,
eternally begotten of the Father,
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made,
of one Being with the Father.
Through him all things were made.
For us and for our salvation
he came down from heaven:
by the power of the Holy Spirit
he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary,
and was made man.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;
he suffered death and was buried.
On the third day he rose again
in accordance with the Scriptures;
he ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,
and his kingdom will have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son.
With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified.
He has spoken through the Prophets.
We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.
We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
We look for the resurrection of the dead,
and the life of the world to come. Amen.

The Prayers of the People

Leader: Let us pray

In our Diocese we pray for St. Ann’s Church, Nashville.

In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer we pray for the Diocese of Ondo in the Province of
Ondo, in the Anglican Church of Nigeria, The Rt. Rev’d George L Lasebikan,
Bishop.

Father, we pray for your holy Catholic Church;

People: That we all may be one.

Leader: Grant that every member of the Church may truly and humbly serve you;
People: That your Name may be glorified by all people.

Leader: We pray for all whose hearts are being prepared by your Spirit to join in
your work through St. Francis Church;
People: That we may be a community utterly dedicated to you.

Leader: We pray for all bishops, priests, and deacons;

People: That they may be faithful ministers of your Word and Sacra-
ments.

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Leader: We pray for all who govern and hold authority in the nations of the
world;
People: That there may be justice and peace on the earth.

Leader: Give us grace to do your will in all that we undertake;

People: That our works may find favor in your sight.

Leader: Have compassion on those who suffer from any grief or trouble;
People: That they may be delivered from their distress.

Leader: Give to the departed eternal rest;

People: Let light perpetual shine upon them.

Leader: We praise you for your saints who have entered into joy;
People: May we also come to share in your heavenly kingdom.

Let us pray for our own needs and those of others.

Silence

Celebrant adds a concluding collect.

The Confession
Celebrant: Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor.
Silence.

Minister and People:

Most merciful God,
we confess that we have sinned against you
in thought, word, and deed,
by what we have done,
and by what we have left undone.
We have not loved you with our whole heart;
we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves.
We are truly sorry and we humbly repent.
For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ,
have mercy on us and forgive us;
that we may delight in your will,
and walk in your ways,
to the glory of your Name. Amen.

Celebrant: Almighty God have mercy on you, forgive you all your sins through our
Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen you in all goodness, and by the power of the
Holy Spirit keep you in eternal life. Amen.

All stand

Celebrant: The peace of the Lord be always with you.

People: And also with you.
Then the Ministers and the People may greet one another in the name of the Lord.
Announcements

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 # The Holy Communion #
Offertory music chosen by musician
Representatives of the congregation bring the people’s offering of bread and wine, and money or other gifts, to the
celebrant. The people stand while the offerings are presented and placed on the Altar.

Celebrant: The Lord be with you.

People: And also with you.
Celebrant: Lift up your hearts.
People: We lift them to the Lord.
Celebrant: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
People: It is right to give him thanks and praise.

It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere to give thanks to you,
Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth.

For you are the source of light and life; you made us in your image, and called us to new
life in Jesus Christ our Lord.

Therefore we praise you, joining our voices with Angels and Archangels and with all the
company of heaven, who for ever sing this hymn to proclaim the glory of your Name:

The Sanctus: S129

Please stand or kneel at this time, as best helps you to pray.

The Celebrant continues

Holy and gracious Father: In your infinite love you made us for yourself; and, when we
had fallen into sin and become subject to evil and death, you, in your mercy, sent Jesus
Christ, your only and eternal Son, to share our human nature, to live and die as one of us,
to reconcile us to you, the God and Father of all. He stretched out his arms upon the cross,
and offered himself in obedience to your will, a perfect sacrifice for the whole world.
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On the night he was handed over to suffering and death, our Lord Jesus Christ took bread;
and when he had given thanks to you, he broke it, and gave it to his disciples, and said,
“Take, eat: This is my Body, which is given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.”
After supper he took the cup of wine; and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them,
and said, “Drink this, all of you: This is my Blood of the new Covenant, which is shed
for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink it, do this for the
remembrance of me.”
Therefore we proclaim the mystery of faith:
Christ has died.
Christ is risen.
Christ will come again.
We celebrate the memorial of our redemption, O Father, in this sacrifice of praise and
thanksgiving. Recalling his death, resurrection, and ascension, we offer you these gifts.
Sanctify them by your Holy Spirit to be for your people the Body and Blood of your Son,
the holy food and drink of new and unending life in him. Sanctify us also that we may
faithfully receive this holy Sacrament, and serve you in unity, constancy, and peace; and at
the last day bring us with all your saints into the joy of your eternal kingdom.
All this we ask through your Son Jesus Christ. By him, and with him, and in him, in the
unity of the Holy Spirit all honor and glory is yours, Almighty Father, now and for ever.
AMEN.
And now, as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to say,
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed by thy Name,
thy kingdom come,
thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
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,
for ever and ever. Amen.

The Breaking of the Bread

A period of silence is kept

Alleluia. Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us;

Therefore let us keep the feast. Alleluia
The Gifts of God for the People of God. Take them in remembrance that Christ died for
you, and feed on him in your hearts by faith, with thanksgiving.

ON RECEIVING COMMUNION:
All baptized Christians who are in love and charity with their neighbors are invited to the
Lord’s table. If you do not wish to receive, you are invited to come forward for a blessing
in the name of Christ—simply cross your arms over your chest to let the servers know
that you will not be receiving.
One or more of the following prayers, or some other, may be said quietly or
silently before recieving:
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We do not presume to come to this thy Table, O merciful Lord, trusting in our own
righteousness, but in thy manifold and great mercies. We are not worthy so much as to
gather up the crumbs under thy Table. But thou art the same Lord whose property is
always to have mercy: Grant us therefore, gracious Lord, so to eat the flesh of thy dear Son
Jesus Christ, and to drink his blood, that our sinful bodies may be made clean by his body,
and our souls washed through his most precious blood, and that we may evermore dwell in
him, and he in us. Amen (Prayer of Humble Access from p. 82 of the 1928 BCP, a revised
version of which is found on p. 337 of the 1979 BCP)

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Be present, be present, O Jesus, our great High Priest, as you were present with your
disciples, and be known to us in the breaking of bread; who live and reign with the Father
and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever. Amen (a prayer before recieving communion which
can be found among the many prayers of the 1979 BCP, p. 834).

Communion hymn: Open the eyes of my heart

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 Post-Communion Prayer

After Communion, the Celebrant says:

Let us Pray

The minister and people together, pray:

Almighty and everliving God,
we thank you for feeding us with the spiritual food
of the most precious Body and Blood
of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ;
and for assuring us in these holy mysteries
that we are living members of the Body of your Son,
and heirs of your eternal kingdom.
And now, Father, send us out
to do the work you have given us to do,
to love and serve you
as faithful witnesses of Christ our Lord.
To him, to you, and to the Holy Spirit,
be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen.

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 Jesus Christ
Recessional: O forour Lord tongues to sing
a thousand 493
H493


D G D G D Em D G D G D

¡¡ ¡ Ì Ì ¡ ¡ Ì Ì ¡ ¡ Ì Ì X
Ì ¡ Ì Ì ¡ ¡ Ì Ì ¡ ¡ Ì Ì X
1 O for a thou - sand tongues to sing my dear Re - deem - er’s praise,
2 My gra - cious Mas - ter and my God, as - sist me to pro - claim
3 Je - sus! the Name that charms our fears and bids our sor - rows cease;
4 He speaks; and, lis - tening to his voice, new life the dead re - ceive,
5 Hear him, ye deaf; ye voice - less ones, your loos - ened tongues em - ploy;

" Ì ¡ ÌÌ ÌÌ ¡ ¡¡ ÌÌ ÌÌ ¡ ¡ ÌÌ Ì XX
¡¡ ¡

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G C G D G

Ì ¡ Ì ÌÌ ¡¡ ¡¡ ÌÌ ¡¡ ¡¡ ¡ Ì Ì X
¡ Ì ¡¡ ¡ Ì Ì X
1 the glo - ries of my God and King, the tri - umphs of his grace!
2 and spread through all the earth a - broad the hon - ors of thy Name.
3 ’tis mu - sic in the sin - ner’s ears, ’tis life and health and peace.
4 the mourn - ful bro - ken hearts re - joice, the hum - ble poor be - lieve.
5 ye blind, be - hold, your Sa - vior comes; and leap, ye lame, for joy!

"  ÌÌ ¡¡ ¡ Ì Ì ¡ ¡ Ì Ì ¡¡ ¡¡ ÌÌ ÌÌ X
Ì ¡ ¡ Ì Ì X

6 Glory to God and praise and love

be now and ever given
by saints below and saints above,
the Church in earth and heaven.

Celebrant says the dismissal

People: Thanks be to God.

Words: Charles Wesley (1707-1788), alt.

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Music: Azmon, Carl Gotthilf Gläser (1784-1829); adapt. and arr. Lowell Mason (1792-1872)
From Tell Out, My Soul: Guitar Lead Sheets for Favorite Hymns, Vol. 1 Copyright ©
2006 by R. C. Laird. Church Publishing Incorporated. www.churchpublishing.org
CM

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 A Note on Today’s Readings
Proper 6: Sunday closest to June 15—Year B
Welcome to St. Francis Church. Today’s Gospel reading is a series of brief parables in which Jesus
describes the Kingdom of God. The primary image is of something that seems small and weak, but
which through God grows into the greatest of its kind. Thus, until the appearance of Jesus, God’s
plan was unknown and hidden. But now in Jesus’ ministry it is revealed as the rule of God over the
entire universe.
The first reading, from Ezekiel, gives us an image similar to that of the mustard seed used by Jesus.
Here the coming kingdom of God is likened to a tender sprig from a tree which God plants. It
grows into a mighty and noble tree which gives shelter to all. Earthly kingdoms will ultimately be
dried up by God and replaced by God’s reign over all.
Today’s reading from II Corinthians discusses the temporary and incomplete nature of our life in
this world. Our ultimate life is in the Kingdom of God where everything and everyone in Christ is a
new creation. In the meantime, we are to live as though we were already in that Kingdom.
For a brief time, in the Eucharist, we have a foretaste of God’s Kingdom, and we live in the
presence of Christ as redeemed people. Not yet consummated, the Kingdom is, for a moment,
revealed. It is likewise revealed whenever we, in obedience to our Lord, minister in his name to
others, especially to the poor and the sick and the oppressed.
From The Rite Light: Reflections on the Sunday Readings and Seasons of the Church Year. Copyright © 2007 by Michael W.
Merriman. Church Publishing Incorporated, New York.

Good News Daily

Volume IX
(
June 14–20, 2009 Number 24

Sunday June 14
2 Chronicles 32:1-23 “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged because of the
king of Assyria and the vast army with him, for there is a greater power with us than with him.” (v.7
NIV)
Several years ago, I was on a mission trip with some college students. One day we were at the beach,
looking out at waves that were bigger than anything we’d ever seen. It was one of those moments
where everybody knew this was trouble, and yet pride and peer pressure caused everyone to follow
the one guy who had the nerve to suggest that we “go for it.” We all threw off our shirts, ran as fast as
we could toward the waves, and tried to body surf to the best of our abilities. No more than 5 minutes
later I found myself in a barrel roll, completely at the mercy of where the waves took me. I was in
way over my head. I love how when we are in way over our head, and have no reason to believe help
is on the way, if we stand strong and in faith, God always saves the day. As Hezekiah said, “there is
a greater power with us than with him” (King Sennacherib).
Psalms 93, 96; Revelation 15:1-8; Matthew 18:1-14

Monday June 15
Acts 1:1-14 So when they met together, they asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore
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the kingdom to Israel?” He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has
set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will
be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (vv.6-8)
It’s always interesting to see the journey our youth group kids take as they grow and mature in high
school, and then as graduates. For many of these kids, I remember specific moments where we took
them on their first trip with the group and how jittery they were, always wanting to know the plan
or where we were going next or what activity was next. I must confess I developed this bad habit of
giving the same answer to every inquiry that these students would make, just to keep them appeased:
“Twenty minutes.” “Jeff, how long before we have a bathroom stop?” “Twenty minutes,” which
really meant about 2 hours. My favorite was when they’d respond, “But you said that twenty minutes
ago!”
Jesus told his young, jittery disciples: “Don’t worry about times or dates… you’ll have the Spirit and
He is all you will need.” Twenty minutes.
1 Samuel 1:1-20; Psalm 80; Luke 20:9-19

Tuesday June 16
Psalm 78:1-39 He decreed statutes for Jacob and established the law in Israel, which he commanded
our forefathers to teach their children, so the next generation would know them, even the children yet
to be born, and they in turn would tell their children. (vv.5-6)
I’m fortunate enough to have one set of grandparents still alive and in my life. My grandfather is a
most interesting character, with a quick wit and a fantastically dry sense of humor. A World War II
veteran, he has always amazed me with some of the stories he’d tell of his days working one of his
many odd-jobs throughout the years. On a recent visit he was excited to give me a manuscript. “What
is this?” I asked. I looked at the cover and found the words “My Autobiography.” I’m 1/3 of the way
through the 200 page manuscript and I have learned more about my grandma and grandpa and my
own father than from 27 years of visits, stories, conversations, and life together. This manuscript is
quickly becoming one of my most treasured possessions.
May we never deprive our children of the richness of our stories of God at work in our lives and the
journey he has brought us on. May these conversations become some of their greatest treasures.
1 Samuel 1:21—2:11; Acts 1:15-26; Luke 20:19-26

Wednesday June 17
Acts 2:1-21 When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one
heard them speaking in his own language. Utterly amazed, they asked: “Are not all these men who
are speaking Galileans? Then how is it that each of us hears them in his own native language?”
(vv.6-8)
In 2003 I was in Haiti on missions. Before bed every night we would have worship and sharing, and
one night we invited 3 Haitian teenagers to join us. The only problem was that the 3 spoke only Creole.
As our time of singing in prayer concluded, our worship leader began to speak in an unrecognizable
language and, while others had their heads bowed, I looked up to take in all that was going on. For
nearly 10 minutes this went on, and one detail struck me: the Haitian men seemed to understand
every word being spoken. Later on, through translation, they asked us how our worship leader knew
Creole. We responded: “She doesn’t.” It turns out she spoke in English; we were hearing in some
kind of foreign language, they heard it in Creole. Spiritual gifts are often “over-spiritualized” or made
more complicated than they need to be, yet we serve a God of order who gives His children good,
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functional gifts for the sake of ministry. I believe what I saw firsthand was just like what thousands
saw on the day of Pentecost.
1 Samuel 2:12-26; Psalm 119:97-120; Luke 20:27-40

Thursday June 18
Luke 20:41—21:4 While all the people were listening, Jesus said to his disciples, “Beware of the
teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and love to be greeted in the marketplaces
and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets. They devour
widows’ houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. Such men will be punished most severely.”
(vv.45-47)
I once had a friend who had the opportunity to intern with a ministry. Several months into the internship
I had lunch with him. I asked him how he liked what he was doing and what he was learning and
found out that he wasn’t enjoying it at all. “The director actually had me clean toilets one day! This
isn’t right! I should be preaching; I took this internship so I could have the opportunity to preach!”
In today’s reading Jesus is talking with the “religious” in the temple and pointing out to his disciples
the true nature of their character. The perfect example of Godliness walks right before their very
eyes, and Jesus simply points out that God is the God of those who serve for reasons other than just
to appear to show love for their King. And he speaks honor over that poor widow who was faithful to
sow blessing into the Kingdom.
I thought to myself that day: “If he cannot clean toilets for the Kingdom, what can he offer by
preaching about the Kingdom?”
1 Samuel 2:27-36; Psalms 34, 83; Acts 2:22-36

Friday June 19
Psalm 88 But I cry to you for help, O Lord; in the morning my prayer comes before you. Why, O Lord,
do you reject me and hide your face from me? (vv.13-14)
I get nervous when I encounter people that seem to have all the answers. If you were to look at the
past 25 years and marvel at the advances we have made in technology, knowledge, science, and
medicine, you would think that we have “arrived.” I wonder sometimes if, in the process of it all, we
have gained a great deal of knowledge and yet somehow turned off our ability to reason, to wrestle,
and to question.
I can identify with David in the Psalms: “God, where are you? I feel so alone right now.” He questions
God; asks him why the rejection; why the absence. One of the greatest breakthroughs I’ve had in my
life was coming to the realization that God is big enough to handle my questions. He’s big enough to
handle me on the floor flailing my arms and shouting my anger at him. Some of the moments where
I have felt the presence of God so close to me have been in these moments and, like a gentleman, he
never seems to say a word of rebuke, but rather “Do you know how much I still love you?”
1 Samuel 3:1-21; Acts 2:37-47; Luke 21:5-19

Saturday June 20
Acts 4:32—5:11 There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned
lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was
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distributed to anyone as he had need. (vv.34-35)
I have read and re-read this passage many times in my life and, while I believe that even more insight
and revelation awaits me, one of the things that has stood our so far—perhaps the most significant
thing that has struck me—is the connection between an abundance of God’s grace and provision for
people’s needs, almost implying that they are directly correlated. It doesn’t say that there were no
“wanty” persons in their midst, but rather no “needy” persons. “You need a shirt? I have two; here
have mine; now we’re both clothed.” “You don’t have food for your family tonight? Join us; we have
too much and we won’t eat all that; it’d be a shame for it to go to waste.” When people live graciously
with one another, I love how community is cultivated and needs just seem to disappear. Maybe more
of our relationships, conversations, and interactions need to start and end simply with “Grace and
peace to you.” That is putting flesh and blood on the risen Jesus for all the world to see, and I believe
it is the best possible way to live.
1 Samuel 4:1b-11; Psalms 87, 90; Luke 21:20-28
by Jeff McLaughlin

Used with permission from the BIBLE READING FELLOWSHIP

P. O. Box 380, Winter Park, FL 32790

Announcements

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 Bishop of Tennessee
The Rt. Rev. John C. Bauerschmidt

Vicar
The Rev. Joseph B. Howard

Mission Council
Thom Chittom
Linda Palmer
Shelley Sircy
Kim Waltenbaugh

Accompanist
Anna Howard

Schedule of Ministry:
Celebrant & Preacher: The Rev. Joseph B. Howard Reader: Lynn-nore Chittom
Acolyte/Crucifer: Adam Waltenbaugh Prayer Station: Shelley Sircy
Oblationers: Chalicist: Adam Waltenbaugh
To check the schedule online, visit:
http://stfrancis-tn.net and go to congregational resources-->ROTA: service schedule

To get in touch with Fr. Jody for any reason, you can reach him at 615-440-6492 or via email at frjody@stfrancis-tn.
net.
_______________________________________________________________________________

St. Francis Church

Biblically minded. Mission driven.
812 Meadowlark Ln
PO Box 697
Goodlettsville, TN 37072
Phone: 851-0790
http://stfrancis-tn.net

Cover Image: Detail of the Last Judgement by Fra Angelico

Wood cuts from: Pitts Theological Library Digital Image Archive

Color images from: Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN, https://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-search.pl

CCLI License No. 2334637 Oneliscence.net No. A-714717