Reflections, Sermons

Living into Transformation

Homily for Lent 4, March 31, 2019

Sherman Hesselgrave

Joshua 5:9-12     Psalm 32       2 Corinthians 5:16-21  

Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32

There is no way to write a sermon and be oblivious to what is happening in the world around us. Two weeks ago, on the Ides of March, fifty people lost their lives in a shooting rampage at two New Zealand mosques. Millions turned out around the world to grieve the horrific loss of lives. This week, closer to home, a Muslim woman from Philadelphia was being sworn in as a new state representative in Pennsylvania, and at that legislative session another freshman representative, a Christian, was given the opportunity to offer an invocation. In her minute-and-48-second “prayer” she invoked the name of Jesus 13 times, in such an obviously  targeted way that an offended member in the chamber actually shouted, “Objection!” It was probably foolish of me not to give up Facebook for Lent, since I then felt compelled to find her official FB page and leave a comment. Of course, that released the proverbial Kraken, and a swarm of people who identify as Christian were not going to be convinced that the God of Jews, Christians, and Muslims was, indeed the same God, or that there was anything inappropriate about a politician using the name of Jesus as a cudgel in a secular government setting.

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Reflections, Sermons

Homily for Second Sunday in Lent

Homily for Lent 2 (St. Patrick’s Day)

Scripture Readings: Genesis 15:1-12,17-18 Psalm 27 Luke 13:31-35

by Michael Creal

The committee planning for Lent this year chose “sustainability” as a Lenten theme. Sustainability is a term that came into currency at a famous 1987 Conference on the Environment and the economy held in Norway and presided over by the Prime Minister of Norway Gro Harlem Brundland. She was a major leader at that conference and she defined sustainability as “development that meets the needs of the poor without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”

It was a conference filled with optimism and promise, and what was called the Brundland Declaration was hailed as the way forward because, it was hoped, the conflict between environmental concerns and concerns about the economy could actually be addressed creatively, without either concern being pushed aside. Maurice Strong, a Canadian, also played a major role in that conference

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Worship

Easter and Holy Week

2019 Services

Palm Sunday, April 14th, (Holy Trinity Community) 10:30 am

Liturgy of the Palms and the Passion, read by the congregation

Domingo de Ramos (San Esteban) 2:00 PM

Maundy Thursday / Jueves Santo Supper and Liturgy, April 18th, 6:00 pm

We gather for a meal on this night to recall the Passover meal Jesus shared with his disciples, a meal that would, for Christians, become the Eucharist. We also remember the commandment of Jesus to show our love for one another through lives of service to one another. This meal and liturgy are also an opportunity for members of the Holy Trinity and San Esteban communities to eat and worship together.

Esta noche, nos congregamos para una comida en común, para rememorar la cena de la Pascua que Jesús compartió con sus discípulos, una comida que, para los Cristianos, se convertiría en la Eucaristía. También recordamos el mandamiento de Jesús de mostrar nuestro amor mutuo por medio de vidas de servicio de los unos a los otros. Esta comida y esta liturgia también son oportunidades para que los miembros de las comunidades de Holy Trinity y San Esteban para comer y adorar en común.

Good Friday, April 19th 10:30 am

A solemn service in English

Ecumenical Good Friday Walk for Justice  2:00 PM

2019 Theme: For the Sake of the World: 40 years of hopeful persistence

The walk begins and ends at the Church of the Holy Trinity and the crowd moves as a procession to stations around the city within walking distance, each set with a different aspect of the theme.  At the end of the walk, back at the church there is a short reflection followed by a light meal of soup and bread. In English.

Easter Vigil / Vigilia Pascual  Saturday, April 20th, 8:00 pm
A service in four parts: The Word, The Light, Renewal of Baptismal Vows, and The First Eucharist of Easter. Fire, water, rebirth, celebration, and thanksgiving! Bilingual in English and Espanol.

Un servicio en cuatro partes: La Palabra, La Luz, Renovación de los votos bautismales y La Primera Eucaristía de la Pascua. ¡Fuego, agua, renacimiento, celebración y acción de gracias! Bilingüe en inglés y español.

Easter Day Sunday / Dia de Pascua, April 21st, 10:30 am
Happy Easter! Rejoice with us in a bilingual English and Spanish service. Bring flowers if you have them for the flowering of the cross. Stay afterwards for a community feast all are welcome to join!

¡Felices Pascuas! Regocíjate con nosotros en un servicio bilingüe de inglés y español. Trae flores si las tienes para el coronación de la cruz. ¡Quédate después para una fiesta comunitaria, todos son bienvenidos!

Worship

Ash Wednesday at Holy Trinity

The palms from last Palm Sunday will  be burned today to make the ashes for tomorrow.

There will be two liturgies on Ash Wednesday, one in the customary Wednesday midweek Eucharist slot: 12:15 PM

The evening Ash Wednesday service will be held at 7:00 PM in the CHAPEL (which is NOT wheel-chair accessible) and those coming will be directed to enter by the EAST DOOR (north of the Cafe entrance). Maurice Francois will be the presiding celebrant, Bill Whitla will offer a reflection, and Sherman Hesselgrave will be the musician.

loving justice in the heart of our city