fremont, nebraska

Events

Jul
14
to Jan 4

Weekly Sermon

  • Google Calendar ICS

THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT 2025

MARCH 23, 2025

FR. JERRY THOMPSON

ST. JAMES’ CHURCH, FREMONT, NE

 

 

There was just over a year between my son’s death and the time my ex-wife left our marriage. My good friend, Kurt, who was also the church organist where I worked at the time, shared with me that after Carol left, the administrator at the church asked him, “Why are such horrible things happening to such a good person?” She meant me!

 

Now I like being considered a good person, but that’s not the point. The point is that her question could reflect – although I don’t think it actually did – but it could have reflected a theological perspective that Jesus denies in our gospel reading this morning; that is, that if something horrible is happening to someone, if they are suffering in some way,

it’s a punishment for sin, it’s the consequence of being unfaithful to God.

 

In our gospel reading, Jesus says to those “who have told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices”: "Do you think that because these Galileans suffered in this way, they were worse sinners than all other Galileans? “No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish as they did. “Or those eighteen who were killed when the tower of Siloam fell on them--do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others living in Jerusalem? “No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish just as they did."

 

Jesus then goes on to tell the parable of the landowner with the fig tree that isn’t producing fruit. He has been waiting for three years for the tree to produce fruit – more than enough time for that to happen. But it has failed to do so. Therefore the landowner is ready to fell the tree, to cut it down. However, his gardener says to him, “Let the tree alone for one more year. “Give it a little more time. I’ll nourish it with some good manure. “If it bears fruit next year, great. If not, then cut it down.” The gardener is interested in giving the fig tree more time; maybe it will change its ways.

 

In the Jewish tradition there was a strain that said righteousness, or faithfulness to God, led to blessings from God; while unrighteousness, unfaithfulness, led to punishment rom God, evidenced by suffering of some form by the unfaithful.  You can find that in scripture.

 

There was also a strain in the tradition that said no such correlation exists, more of the Job perspective. While Job suffered greatly – profusely – it had nothing to do with his righteousness; Job’s righteousness was unsurpassed. He was utterly faithful to God.

 

It is this part of the tradition Jesus upholds: unfaithfulness is not the cause of suffering, he says. Instead, he uses the suffering of the Galileans to point to the universal need we all have to repent: “These Galileans were not worse sinners than any other Galileans; “but unless you repent, you will perish just as they did.”

 

He warns those who are present of their need to repent, to change their ways, to get in line with the ways of God, to start practicing faithfulness to God throughout their lives and righteousness toward one another all the time; otherwise they will face the consequences of all unrighteous people, which includes suffering.

 

Suffering seems to be a part of life itself in this fallen world, and, for those who choose to pursue unrighteousness, it is a guarantee, because God has created the world in such a way that suffering results from being unfaithful, not as a punishment, but as the natural result of not following the ways of God. Since that’s the case, we can see how people inverted the relationship, and they ended up saying that if someone is suffering,

they must have sinned. But Jesus says no; that’s misunderstanding things.

 

Still, Jesus calls those who listen to him – those who were listening to him then and those of us who listen to him now – he calls us to repentance, to change our ways and to be more faithful. It’s part of the Lenten season in which we are living right now, as we turn our attention to our own sinfulness, the ways we and the communities we belong

all too deliberately choose not to follow the way of God.

 

After this call to repentance, Jesus tells the parable of the fig tree, its owner, and its gardener. The point he stresses with this parable is two-fold. One is the accountability we have toward God to produce the fruit of righteousness with our lives. That is what God looks for, that is what the evaluation of our lives’ worthiness to God is based on.

Simply to exist, simply to stand, enjoying the provisions of God, that is not enough. We are expected to produce fruit for God’s kingdom; we are expected to show that we care about God’s kingdom; we are expected to show with the lives we have been given that we are loving the Lord our God with everything we are and everything we have, and that we are loving our neighbor as we love ourselves – at least that much - if not far more.

 

We are expected to make use of God’s provisions to us for the good of others. We are expected to love our Father as much as Jesus loves him, and we are expected to love our brothers and sisters as much as Jesus loves us all.

 

Love is not a feeling; it is a verb; love is made known in our actions. Love is the fruit of our commitment to God and the ways of God. And then there’s also the gardener, who shows us the second point. The gardener intercedes with the landowner and pleads for a merciful approach. “Let the tree alone for one more year. “I’ll put manure around it; I’ll nourish its soil and do everything necessary for it to produce fruit. “Maybe it will come through! “If it doesn’t, then down it comes.”

 

Herein rests the second part of what Jesus is saying. There is mercy toward the unfaithful creation of which we are part. God our Father is willing to be patient, our Father is willing to be more than patient – God is willing to give us all we need to serve him and his kingdom, to nourish us in the ways we need to serve him.

 

But the parable also says that his patience has limits. At some point our Father will have had enough if we do not repent and produce fruit for his kingdom.

 

In Jesus, our Father has given us what we need as a human family. He nourishes us with the Holy Spirit and with Christ’s body and blood. He has shown us what faithful life is – and he has shown us with his very self.

 

And he expects us to repent and to turn to his ways. Not when we get around to it. But now.

 

With us and with our communities, it might be more like we are orchards than individual trees. Some of our trees produce fruit, other don’t produce much at all. It’s time for those trees that are empty to start producing fruit for God’s kingdom; it’s likely past time.

 

I pray that we all are considering those places in life where we are not being faithful. I pray we are making that effort.

 

I pray we are considering how as a community we could be more faithful, where we are not following God’s ways. I pray we are making that effort. And I pray for our nation and for our world, that our hearts might turn, with deep repentance and with deep desire, toward serving the ways of the Lord our God, toward being part of God’s kingdom; turning away from injustice and cruelty and turning toward sacrifice and love toward those who most need it.

 

I pray that we make that effort to follow the ways of God, which will indeed mean tremendous repentance.

 

Because the pursuit of justice and love toward all – especially toward the most vulnerable - that is the way of God. And it is past time. And if we continue to ignore the way of God, there will be consequences, and they will be serious, and there will be suffering.

 

There already is.

 

And it is of our own human making and our own human choice, it’s the result of our decision not to repent, not to follow the ways of God.

 

 

Amen.

View Event →
Mar
14
to Jan 1

Church Services

Holy Eucharist services are held Sunday mornings at 10:00am.

The first Eucharist of each month will be held in the Chapel.

St. James' has in-person Wednesday morning prayers, usually the Eucharist. It is at 10:30am in St. Luke's Chapel.

There are Stations of the Cross every Wednesday during Lent at 5pm.

St. James’ will be having Maundy Thursday and Good Friday services at 6pm.

St. James' Facebook Live is streaming again.

View Event →
Feb
20
to Feb 28

Weekly Reading

  • Google Calendar ICS

 

The Lessons Appointed for Use on the

Third Sunday in Lent

Year C
RCL

Exodus 3:1-15

1 Corinthians 10:1-13

Luke 13:1-9

Psalm 63:1-8

The Collect

Almighty God, you know that we have no power in ourselves to help ourselves: Keep us both outwardly in our bodies and inwardly in our souls, that we may be defended from all adversities which may happen to the body, and from all evil thoughts which may assault and hurt the soul; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Old Testament

Exodus 3:1-15

Moses was keeping the flock of his father-in-law Jethro, the priest of Midian; he led his flock beyond the wilderness, and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire out of a bush; he looked, and the bush was blazing, yet it was not consumed. Then Moses said, "I must turn aside and look at this great sight, and see why the bush is not burned up." When the Lord saw that he had turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, "Moses, Moses!" And he said, "Here I am." Then he said, "Come no closer! Remove the sandals from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground." He said further, "I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob." And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God. Then the Lord said, "I have observed the misery of my people who are in Egypt; I have heard their cry on account of their taskmasters. Indeed, I know their sufferings, and I have come down to deliver them from the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land to a good and broad land, a land flowing with milk and honey, to the country of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites. The cry of the Israelites has now come to me; I have also seen how the Egyptians oppress them. So come, I will send you to Pharaoh to bring my people, the Israelites, out of Egypt." But Moses said to God, "Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh, and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?" He said, "I will be with you; and this shall be the sign for you that it is I who sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall worship God on this mountain." But Moses said to God, "If I come to the Israelites and say to them, 'The God of your ancestors has sent me to you,' and they ask me, 'What is his name?' what shall I say to them?" God said to Moses, "I am who I am." He said further, "Thus you shall say to the Israelites, 'I am has sent me to you.'" God also said to Moses, "Thus you shall say to the Israelites, 'The Lord, the God of your ancestors, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you': This is my name forever, and this my title for all generations.”

The Psalm

Psalm 63:1-8

Deus, Deus meus

1 O God, you are my God; eagerly I seek you; *
my soul thirsts for you, my flesh faints for you,
as in a barren and dry land where there is no water.

2 Therefore I have gazed upon you in your holy place, *
that I might behold your power and your glory.

3 For your loving-kindness is better than life itself; *
my lips shall give you praise.

4 So will I bless you as long as I live *
and lift up my hands in your Name.

5 My soul is content, as with marrow and fatness, *
and my mouth praises you with joyful lips,

6 When I remember you upon my bed, *
and meditate on you in the night watches.

7 For you have been my helper, *
and under the shadow of your wings I will rejoice.

8 My soul clings to you; *
your right hand holds me fast.

The Epistle

1 Corinthians 10:1-13

I do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, that our ancestors were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea, and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, and all ate the same spiritual food, and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual rock that followed them, and the rock was Christ. Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them, and they were struck down in the wilderness. Now these things occurred as examples for us, so that we might not desire evil as they did. Do not become idolaters as some of them did; as it is written, "The people sat down to eat and drink, and they rose up to play." We must not indulge in sexual immorality as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell in a single day. We must not put Christ to the test, as some of them did, and were destroyed by serpents. And do not complain as some of them did, and were destroyed by the destroyer. These things happened to them to serve as an example, and they were written down to instruct us, on whom the ends of the ages have come. So if you think you are standing, watch out that you do not fall. No testing has overtaken you that is not common to everyone. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tested beyond your strength, but with the testing he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to endure it.

The Gospel

Luke 13:1-9

At that very time there were some present who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. He asked them, "Do you think that because these Galileans suffered in this way they were worse sinners than all other Galileans? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish as they did. Or those eighteen who were killed when the tower of Siloam fell on them--do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others living in Jerusalem? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish just as they did." Then he told this parable: "A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came looking for fruit on it and found none. So he said to the gardener, 'See here! For three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree, and still I find none. Cut it down! Why should it be wasting the soil?' He replied, 'Sir, let it alone for one more year, until I dig around it and put manure on it. If it bears fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.'"

 

Optional parts of the readings are set off in square brackets.

The Bible texts of the Old Testament, Epistle and Gospel lessons are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA, and used by permission.

The Collects, Psalms and Canticles are from the Book of Common Prayer, 1979.

From The Lectionary Page: http://lectionarypage.net

 

View Event →

Jul
24
11:00 AM11:00

St. James' News & Events

Formation Meeting
The next Formation Meeting will be on Wednesday, July 31st.   We will be talking about the Book of Common Prayer.  “Book of Common Prayer 101”.  Come join us with dinner at 5:30pm. We will end at about 7pm each evening.


Bible Study
Bible Study is meeting on Sunday mornings at Milady’s Coffee Shop at 9 am. The passage to be discussed each week will be sent out through email by Br. Jerry on the Wednesday before; if you wish to be included on that email list to receive the reading, please let him know: brotherjerry91119@gmail.com. 


Garage Sale
It’s time to think about St. James’ garage sale.  When you do your summer cleaning and don’t know where to take your unwanted items, bring them to the church.  The date for the annual garage sale has not yet been determined but probably September.  Due to major water leaks in the garage sale room, please store your items at your home until further notice.


St James’ Homecoming Luncheon, July 28, 2024
Everyone is invited to celebrate St. James’ Homecoming Luncheon today after the service.



Back to School Drive

We are doing a back-to-school drive to collect items to distribute in the Little Free Pantry and also to take to The Bridge. Please see the attached information for what is needed. Place your donations on the benches in the Parish hall by 7/29/24. 

Here's The Schools Supplies They Need Most:

  • Backpacks

  • #2 Pencils (no mechanical or decorated)

  • Dry Erase Markers (black, large size)

  • Erasers (pink, large size)

  • Glue Sticks (regular size)

  • Headphones

  • Highlighters

  • Markers (8-count, original washable, classic colors)

  • Folders

  • Notebooks (wide and college-ruled)

  • Zipper Pockets (for pens, pencils, etc.)

  • 3-Ring Binders (one inch)

View Event →
Feb
13
10:30 AM10:30

Weekly Readings

The Lessons Appointed for Use on the

Last Sunday after the Epiphany

Year B
RCL

2 Kings 2:1-12

2 Corinthians 4:3-6

Mark 9:2-9

Psalm 50:1-6

The Collect

O God, who before the passion of your only-begotten Son revealed his glory upon the holy mountain: Grant to us that we, beholding by faith the light of his countenance, may be strengthened to bear our cross, and be changed into his likeness from glory to glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Old Testament

2 Kings 2:1-12

When the Lord was about to take Elijah up to heaven by a whirlwind, Elijah and Elisha were on their way from Gilgal. Elijah said to Elisha, “Stay here; for the Lord has sent me as far as Bethel.” But Elisha said, “As the Lord lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So they went down to Bethel. The company of prophets who were in Bethel came out to Elisha, and said to him, “Do you know that today the Lord will take your master away from you?” And he said, “Yes, I know; keep silent.” Elijah said to him, “Elisha, stay here; for the Lord has sent me to Jericho.” But he said, “As the Lord lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So they came to Jericho. The company of prophets who were at Jericho drew near to Elisha, and said to him, “Do you know that today the Lord will take your master away from you?” And he answered, “Yes, I know; be silent.” Then Elijah said to him, “Stay here; for the Lord has sent me to the Jordan.” But he said, “As the Lord lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So the two of them went on. Fifty men of the company of prophets also went, and stood at some distance from them, as they both were standing by the Jordan. Then Elijah took his mantle and rolled it up, and struck the water; the water was parted to the one side and to the other, until the two of them crossed on dry ground. When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, “Tell me what I may do for you, before I am taken from you.” Elisha said, “Please let me inherit a double share of your spirit.” He responded, “You have asked a hard thing; yet, if you see me as I am being taken from you, it will be granted you; if not, it will not.” As they continued walking and talking, a chariot of fire and horses of fire separated the two of them, and Elijah ascended in a whirlwind into heaven. Elisha kept watching and crying out, “Father, father! The chariots of Israel and its horsemen!” But when he could no longer see him, he grasped his own clothes and tore them in two pieces.

 

The Psalm

Psalm 50:1-6

Deus deorum

1 The Lord, the God of gods, has spoken; *
he has called the earth from the rising of the sun to its setting.

2 Out of Zion, perfect in its beauty, *
God reveals himself in glory.

3 Our God will come and will not keep silence; *
before him there is a consuming flame,
and round about him a raging storm.

4 He calls the heavens and the earth from above *
to witness the judgment of his people.

5 "Gather before me my loyal followers, *
those who have made a covenant with me
and sealed it with sacrifice."

6 Let the heavens declare the rightness of his cause; *
for God himself is judge.

The Epistle

2 Corinthians 4:3-6

Even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For we do not proclaim ourselves; we proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and ourselves as your slaves for Jesus’ sake. For it is the God who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

The Gospel

Mark 9:2-9

Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain apart, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no one on earth could bleach them. And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, who were talking with Jesus. Then Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” He did not know what to say, for they were terrified. Then a cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud there came a voice, “This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him!” Suddenly when they looked around, they saw no one with them any more, but only Jesus.

As they were coming down the mountain, he ordered them to tell no one about what they had seen, until after the Son of Man had risen from the dead.

 

Optional parts of the readings are set off in square brackets.

The Bible texts of the Old Testament, Epistle and Gospel lessons are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA, and used by permission.

The Collects, Psalms and Canticles are from the Book of Common Prayer, 1979.

From The Lectionary Page: http://lectionarypage.net

 

View Event →
Feb
6
10:30 AM10:30

Weekly Readings

The Lessons Appointed for Use on the

Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany

Year B
RCL

Isaiah 40:21-31

1 Corinthians 9:16-23

Mark 1:29-39

Psalm 147:1-12, 21c

The Collect

Set us free, O God, from the bondage of our sins, and give us the liberty of that abundant life which you have made known to us in your Son our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Old Testament

Isaiah 40:21-31

Have you not known? Have you not heard? Has it not been told you from the beginning? Have you not understood from the foundations of the earth? It is he who sits above the circle of the earth, and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers; who stretches out the heavens like a curtain, and spreads them like a tent to live in; who brings princes to naught, and makes the rulers of the earth as nothing. Scarcely are they planted, scarcely sown, scarcely has their stem taken root in the earth, when he blows upon them, and they wither, and the tempest carries them off like stubble. To whom then will you compare me, or who is my equal? says the Holy One. Lift up your eyes on high and see: Who created these? He who brings out their host and numbers them, calling them all by name; because he is great in strength, mighty in power, not one is missing. Why do you say, O Jacob, and speak, O Israel, "My way is hidden from the Lord, and my right is disregarded by my God"? Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and strengthens the powerless. Even youths will faint and be weary, and the young will fall exhausted; but those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.

The Psalm

Psalm 147:1-12, 21c

Laudate Dominum

1 Hallelujah!
How good it is to sing praises to our God! *
how pleasant it is to honor him with praise!

2 The Lord rebuilds Jerusalem; *
he gathers the exiles of Israel.

3 He heals the brokenhearted *
and binds up their wounds.

4 He counts the number of the stars *
and calls them all by their names.

5 Great is our Lord and mighty in power; *
there is no limit to his wisdom.

6 The Lord lifts up the lowly, *
but casts the wicked to the ground.

7 Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving; *
make music to our God upon the harp.

8 He covers the heavens with clouds *
and prepares rain for the earth;

9 He makes grass to grow upon the mountains *
and green plants to serve mankind.

10 He provides food for flocks and herds *
and for the young ravens when they cry.

11 He is not impressed by the might of a horse; *
he has no pleasure in the strength of a man;

12 But the Lord has pleasure in those who fear him, *
in those who await his gracious favor.

21 Hallelujah!

The Epistle

1 Corinthians 9:16-23

If I proclaim the gospel, this gives me no ground for boasting, for an obligation is laid on me, and woe to me if I do not proclaim the gospel! For if I do this of my own will, I have a reward; but if not of my own will, I am entrusted with a commission. What then is my reward? Just this: that in my proclamation I may make the gospel free of charge, so as not to make full use of my rights in the gospel. For though I am free with respect to all, I have made myself a slave to all, so that I might win more of them. To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though I myself am not under the law) so that I might win those under the law. To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (though I am not free from God's law but am under Christ's law) so that I might win those outside the law. To the weak I became weak, so that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that I might by all means save some. I do it all for the sake of the gospel, so that I may share in its blessings.

The Gospel

Mark 1:29-39

After Jesus and his disciples left the synagogue, they entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they told him about her at once. He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up. Then the fever left her, and she began to serve them. That evening, at sundown, they brought to him all who were sick or possessed with demons. And the whole city was gathered around the door. And he cured many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him. In the morning, while it was still very dark, he got up and went out to a deserted place, and there he prayed. And Simon and his companions hunted for him. When they found him, they said to him, “Everyone is searching for you.” He answered, “Let us go on to the neighboring towns, so that I may proclaim the message there also; for that is what I came out to do.” And he went throughout Galilee, proclaiming the message in their synagogues and casting out demons.

 

Optional parts of the readings are set off in square brackets.

The Bible texts of the Old Testament, Epistle and Gospel lessons are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA, and used by permission.

The Collects, Psalms and Canticles are from the Book of Common Prayer, 1979.

From The Lectionary Page: http://lectionarypage.net

 

View Event →
Jan
23
10:30 AM10:30

Weekly Lessons

The Lessons Appointed for Use on the

Third Sunday after the Epiphany

Year B
RCL

Jonah 3:1-5, 10

1 Corinthians 7:29-31

Mark 1:14-20

Psalm 62:6-14

The Collect

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. Amen.

Old Testament

Jonah 3:1-5, 10

The word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time, saying, “Get up, go to Nineveh, that great city, and proclaim to it the message that I tell you.” So Jonah set out and went to Nineveh, according to the word of the Lord. Now Nineveh was an exceedingly large city, a three days' walk across. Jonah began to go into the city, going a day's walk. And he cried out, “Forty days more, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!” And the people of Nineveh believed God; they proclaimed a fast, and everyone, great and small, put on sackcloth. When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil ways, God changed his mind about the calamity that he had said he would bring upon them; and he did not do it.

The Psalm

Psalm 62:6-14

Nonne Deo?

6 For God alone my soul in silence waits; *
truly, my hope is in him.

7 He alone is my rock and my salvation, *
my stronghold, so that I shall not be shaken.

8 In God is my safety and my honor; *
God is my strong rock and my refuge.

9 Put your trust in him always, O people, *
pour out your hearts before him, for God is our refuge.

10 Those of high degree are but a fleeting breath, *
even those of low estate cannot be trusted.

11 On the scales they are lighter than a breath, *
all of them together.

12 Put no trust in extortion;
in robbery take no empty pride; *
though wealth increase, set not your heart upon it.

13 God has spoken once, twice have I heard it, *
that power belongs to God.

14 Steadfast love is yours, O Lord, *
for you repay everyone according to his deeds.

The Epistle

1 Corinthians 7:29-31

I mean, brothers and sisters, the appointed time has grown short; from now on, let even those who have wives be as though they had none, and those who mourn as though they were not mourning, and those who rejoice as though they were not rejoicing, and those who buy as though they had no possessions, and those who deal with the world as though they had no dealings with it. For the present form of this world is passing away.

The Gospel

Mark 1:14-20

After John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.” As Jesus passed along the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the sea—for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, “Follow me and I will make you fish for people.” And immediately they left their nets and followed him. As he went a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John, who were in their boat mending the nets. Immediately he called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men, and followed him.

 

Optional parts of the readings are set off in square brackets.

The Bible texts of the Old Testament, Epistle and Gospel lessons are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA, and used by permission.

The Collects, Psalms and Canticles are from the Book of Common Prayer, 1979.

From The Lectionary Page: http://lectionarypage.net

View Event →
Sep
30
12:00 PM12:00

St. James' Little Free Pantry

St. James now has a Little Free Pantry located on the lawn on the north side of the chapel.  It is available for anyone in the community who may need assistance with food insecurity.  At this time the Pantry is stocked with food and personal hygiene items.  We would appreciate donated items as time goes on, but we would ask that you bring these items into the church and not directly place them into the Pantry. We are trying to track what items are frequently taken and keep a balance of different types of food in the Pantry. 

 Donation suggestions: No glass containers. Hygiene items such as soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, shampoo ... no sharp objects like razors.  Food items such as cereal, canned vegetables, canned fruits, individual servings of fruit or applesauce, peanut butter, jelly, pasta, spaghetti sauce, mac and cheese, canned tuna and other canned fish or meat, soup, granola bars, taco shells, individual meals.  These are just suggestions, and we welcome any donations.  

 

This is a brand new project, and we are starting slowly.  If you have any questions, please contact Erin Rinaker (402) 571-3264. 


View Event →
Aug
5
to Dec 31

Weekly Prayers

  • Google Calendar ICS

The Lessons Appointed for Use on 
the Feast of

First Sunday after Christmas

All Years

Isaiah 61:10-62:3

Galatians 3:23-25; 4:4-7

John 1:1-18

147:13-21

The Collect

Almighty God, you have poured upon us the new light of your incarnate Word: Grant that this light, enkindled in our hearts, may shine forth in our lives; 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.

Old Testament

Isaiah 61:10-62:3

I will greatly rejoice in the Lord,
my whole being shall exult in my God;

for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation,
he has covered me with the robe of righteousness,

as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland,
and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

For as the earth brings forth its shoots,
and as a garden causes what is sown in it to spring up,

so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise
to spring up before all the nations.

For Zion's sake I will not keep silent,
and for Jerusalem's sake I will not rest,

until her vindication shines out like the dawn,
and her salvation like a burning torch.

The nations shall see your vindication,
and all the kings your glory;

and you shall be called by a new name
that the mouth of the Lord will give.

You shall be a crown of beauty in the hand of the Lord,
and a royal diadem in the hand of your God.

The Psalm

147:13-21

13 Worship the Lord, O Jerusalem; *
praise your God, O Zion;

14 For he has strengthened the bars of your gates; *
he has blessed your children within you.

15 He has established peace on your borders; *
he satisfies you with the finest wheat.

16 He sends out his command to the earth, *
and his word runs very swiftly.

17 He gives snow like wool; *
he scatters hoarfrost like ashes.

18 He scatters his hail like bread crumbs; *
who can stand against his cold?

19 He sends forth his word and melts them; *
he blows with his wind, and the waters flow.

20 He declares his word to Jacob, *
his statutes and his judgments to Israel.

21 He has not done so to any other nation; *
to them he has not revealed his judgments.
Hallelujah!

The New Testament

Galatians 3:23-25; 4:4-7

Now before faith came, we were imprisoned and guarded under the law until faith would be revealed. Therefore the law was our disciplinarian until Christ came, so that we might be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer subject to a disciplinarian.

But when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, in order to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as children. And because you are children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!" So you are no longer a slave but a child, and if a child then also an heir, through God.

The Gospel

John 1:1-18

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.

He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God.

And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father's only son, full of grace and truth. (John testified to him and cried out, "This was he of whom I said, 'He who comes after me ranks ahead of me because he was before me.'") From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. The law indeed was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God. It is God the only Son, who is close to the Father's heart, who has made him known.from her.

View Event →
Jul
23
to Jul 29

Weekly Prayers

  • Google Calendar ICS

The Collect

O Lord, make us have perpetual love and reverence for your holy Name, for you never fail to help and govern those whom you have set upon the sure foundation of your loving­kindness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Old Testament

Genesis 21:8-21

The child grew, and was weaned; and Abraham made a great feast on the day that Isaac was weaned. But Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, whom she had borne to Abraham, playing with her son Isaac. So she said to Abraham, “Cast out this slave woman with her son; for the son of this slave woman shall not inherit along with my son Isaac.” The matter was very distressing to Abraham on account of his son. But God said to Abraham, “Do not be distressed because of the boy and because of your slave woman; whatever Sarah says to you, do as she tells you, for it is through Isaac that offspring shall be named for you. As for the son of the slave woman, I will make a nation of him also, because he is your offspring.” So Abraham rose early in the morning, and took bread and a skin of water, and gave it to Hagar, putting it on her shoulder, along with the child, and sent her away. And she departed, and wandered about in the wilderness of Beer-sheba.

When the water in the skin was gone, she cast the child under one of the bushes. Then she went and sat down opposite him a good way off, about the distance of a bowshot; for she said, “Do not let me look on the death of the child.” And as she sat opposite him, she lifted up her voice and wept. And God heard the voice of the boy; and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven, and said to her, “What troubles you, Hagar? Do not be afraid; for God has heard the voice of the boy where he is. Come, lift up the boy and hold him fast with your hand, for I will make a great nation of him.” Then God opened her eyes and she saw a well of water. She went, and filled the skin with water, and gave the boy a drink.

God was with the boy, and he grew up; he lived in the wilderness, and became an expert with the bow. He lived in the wilderness of Paran; and his mother got a wife for him from the land of Egypt.

Psalm 86:1-10, 16-17

1 Bow down your ear, O Lord, and answer me, *
for I am poor and in misery.

2 Keep watch over my life, for I am faithful; *
save your servant who puts his trust in you.

3 Be merciful to me, O Lord, for you are my God; *
I call upon you all the day long.

4 Gladden the soul of your servant, *
for to you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.

5 For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving, *
and great is your love toward all who call upon you.

6 Give ear, O Lord, to my prayer, *
and attend to the voice of my supplications.

7 In the time of my trouble I will call upon you, *
for you will answer me.

8 Among the gods there is none like you, O Lord, *
nor anything like your works.

9 All nations you have made will come and worship you, O Lord, *
and glorify your Name.

10 For you are great; you do wondrous things; *
and you alone are God.

16 Turn to me and have mercy upon me; *
give your strength to your servant; and save the child of your handmaid.

17 Show me a sign of your favor, so that those who hate me may see it and be ashamed; *
because you, O Lord, have helped me and comforted me.

9 I have become a stranger to my own kindred, *
an alien to my mother's children.

10 Zeal for your house has eaten me up; *
the scorn of those who scorn you has fallen upon me.

11 I humbled myself with fasting, *
but that was turned to my reproach.

18 Answer me, O Lord, for your love is kind; *
in your great compassion, turn to me.'

19 "Hide not your face from your servant; *
be swift and answer me, for I am in distress.

20 Draw near to me and redeem me; *
because e of my enemies deliver me.

The Epistle

Romans 6:1b-11

Should we continue in sin in order that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin go on living in it? Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? Therefore we have been buried with him by baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.

For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. We know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be destroyed, and we might no longer be enslaved to sin. For whoever has died is freed from sin. But if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. The death he died, he died to sin, once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.

 

 

The Gospel

Matthew 10:24-39

Jesus said to the twelve disciples, “A disciple is not above the teacher, nor a slave above the master; it is enough for the disciple to be like the teacher, and the slave like the master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household!

“So have no fear of them; for nothing is covered up that will not be uncovered, and nothing secret that will not become known. What I say to you in the dark, tell in the light; and what you hear whispered, proclaim from the housetops. Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. And even the hairs of your head are all counted. So do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows.

“Everyone therefore who acknowledges me before others, I also will acknowledge before my Father in heaven; but whoever denies me before others, I also will deny before my Father in heaven.

“Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.

For I have come to set a man against his father, 
and a daughter against her mother, 
and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; 
and one’s foes will be members of one’s own household.

Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and whoever does not take up the cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Those who find their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it.”

View Event →
Jul
3
to Jul 9

Weekly Reflections

REFLECTION JUNE 28

Today’s reading from Genesis can be one of the more unsettling Biblical readings. Most of us don’t like the idea of God testing us to begin with, and we certainly don’t like the idea of God’s instruction to Abraham to sacrifice his son – even if it’s only a test. The fact that Abraham gets to the point of picking up the knife to kill Isaac is too close for comfort for most of us.

But when we move beyond these feelings, the reading actually offers some striking theological statements. These statements – in addition to the dramatic observations I just made - make this passage one of the best-known readings in Abraham’s journey of faith with our God. As I talked about last week, Abraham’s story lies at the root of three great religious traditions: Judaism, Christianity and Islam. So it’s definitely worth paying attention to what scripture reveals to us about our God through this story.

The very first thing we’re told is that “God tested Abraham.” We’re given a context at the beginning of this passage for what follows. Maybe that context is intended to give us some breathing space for the events. If so, I’m not sure it succeeds. The story is still, in one dimension, horrific for those of us who have been parents, and perhaps for everyone.

But this is a test - and a big one at that. Remember that God has miraculously provided Isaac to Abraham and Sarah, and God has promised that it’s through this son that God will provide a multitude of further offspring. Not just biological offspring, but spiritual offspring, a multitude of people who trust in the one God.

Given this reality, it’s not explainable to Abraham why God would now tell him to offer Isaac back to God as a sacrifice. And a very real sacrifice it would be: “Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love . . . .”  As fathers do, Abraham loves his son Isaac, no doubt with a parent’s boundless love, the kind of love that would sacrificially offer one’s self in his place if given the opportunity. As we find out much later in the Biblical story through the person of Jesus, the divine son, God the Father knows this love from the inside.

However, what is being tested is not Abraham’s love for Isaac but Abraham’s complete loyalty to God. As it will be articulated later through both Moses and Jesus, God expects our complete, our absolute allegiance: “you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.” (Deut. 6:4; Mark 12:30) No one and no thing is allowed to come before God.

You might be reminded of our gospel reading from last week, in which Jesus tells his disciples, “ Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and whoever does not take up the cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Those who find their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it.”

Our Lord reminds us that the moment we begin placing our parent or our spouse or our child or our country or our work or our money or our favorite hobby above God is the moment we slip into idolatry – we begin to worship something other than the only true God. We must, like Abraham, be willing to sacrifice any other allegiance we hold within our hearts to our allegiance to God. And when we’re confronted with such a choice, as we are more often than we recognize, we might find ourselves being tested – by God or by life itself – in much the same way Abraham is tested in our reading.

This tension is sometimes apparent in people’s attitude toward the nation in which they live, and we Americans are no exception. Some of you will remember that saying, “America, love it or leave it.” Aside from not being the most grace-filled way to deal with each other at times of disagreement - it closes down conversation rather than invites it - this attitude also suggests that our country and its leaders can never be wrong, or sinfully blind because they are pursuing goals out of line with God’s, or simply mistaken.

However, we Christians know that isn’t true for any of us, our leaders included. We all are susceptible to placing other things above God and the sacrificial love that we are called into as creatures of God. And we are all accountable to God and God’s way of justice and love at all times. So we have a responsibility to hold our leadership as well as ourselves accountable to the ways of justice and love, a responsibility to speak out in the name of Christ when the way of God is not being followed.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer paid with his life for doing so in Germany during the Second World War. Most of us won’t be asked to make that kind of sacrifice, but Bonhoeffer was clearly willing to make it because his allegiance to God and the way of God was first in his life, as it is called to be for any of us who claim Jesus as Lord, those of us who are called to reflect the faith of Abraham in our lives whatever that might look like.

Because that is precisely what is at stake for Abraham: his faith in this amazing God he is coming to know through God’s self-revelation. Perhaps because God has pulled off Isaac’s existence in the first place, Abraham now responds to this test before him in complete and utter trust.    

“Where is the lamb for the burnt offering?” Isaac asks his father. “God himself will provide the lamb for a burnt offering, my son.” Abraham does not try to take matters into his own hands, not by ignoring God, nor by arguing with God, nor by finding some way around God’s call, for example finding what Abraham himself conceives as a suitable replacement for the offering he is called to make.

Instead, Abraham listens to God and obeys God, trusting that - as God has provided in the past - God will again provide in order to further God’s purposes in Abraham’s life and in the life of the world. Abraham has come to know that in the most critical realities of life, God alone can provide - and God does provide. And Abraham has learned to place his allegiance to God above everything else.

It’s the choice Jesus is faced with in Gethsemane. In the face even of death, will he trust that his heavenly Father will be faithful to his promise and provide life? Like Jesus, we are faced with the same question: in the extreme realities of life and death, are we going to trust that God is faithful? And in the much smaller realities we face day in and day out?

It’s a decision that we must make in small and big ways each day we take breath. Just like our father Abraham. Just like our Lord Jesus Christ. Just like Mary his mother, and Joseph her spouse. Just like Dietrich Bonhoeffer, and all the martyrs before and after him.

Will we, like them all, trust that God is faithful to us, faithful to the word of promise that God has made to the world that God so dearly, dearly loves?

And will we, in turn, be faithful to the giver of our life? Will we live our lives in such a way that our trust in God is evident to others, most specifically to God?

Will we place our allegiance to God above everyone and everything else? Will we follow Jesus, or will we worship some other god?

View Event →
Mar
5
to Mar 19

Private Confession

Reconciliation of a Penitent, or Private Confession, is always available in the Episcopal Church. There’s a saying among Anglicans about private confession: “All may, none must, some should.” Lent is, of course, a time when some people make a private confession. If you feel so called, please speak to Br. Jerry and he’ll make arrangements to sit down with you for this purpose.

View Event →
Feb
27
to Mar 1

Women's Retreat

  • Google Calendar ICS

Join Redeemer Lutheran Church in Hooper, NE on March 7th for a wonderful time to connect with others and experience God’s steadfast, healing, and empowering love.  If interested, call the church office at 402-654-3835 to register by March 1st.

View Event →
Jan
9
to Mar 19

Pot Luck Suppers & Formation

The pot luck supper and formation will be on Wednesday on March 18, 2020 at 5:30pm and ending approximately at 7pm.   We will start with the pot luck supper and end with Compline.  Discussion will be “Praying the Questions”. Please come and bring a friend.

View Event →
Nov
17
10:00 AM10:00

Stewardship Sunday

Our giving campaign concludes today. If you haven’t already done so, please drop your pledge card in the offering plate or return it to the office next week.  We’ll close our annual giving campaign after the service today with The Joy of the Saints, where we will share a pot luck lunch.  Dessert is being provided.

View Event →