If there was ever a human in this world who served as a beacon of light and love, it was Dolly Parton. She made it her life goal to rise above the fray and shine bright like a star from the heavens. Growing up as a child who was bullied and persecuted for who I am was devastating, and I very often turned to her and her music to find comfort and acceptance. She was pure, beautiful, and loving to all.

What we too often forget is that Jesus is the ultimate light of love and peace to all people. His message was one of togetherness, acceptance, and life! Yet, in our Gospel this week, we are reminded that even He endured persecution, and ultimately execution, for what He believed. As Jesus begins to speak of his impending suffering and death, Peter immediately objects. Jesus’s response is swift and jarring: “Get behind me, Satan!”.

Following Jesus is not a path to earthly glory or instant comfort. Christ issues a radical, life-altering invitation: “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me”. He endured the cross to prepare a place for us, making what we encounter at our end a magnificent and glorious eternal life. Dolly now shines bright in the heavens like a star in the sky, a beautiful reminder of the grace we are called to embody.

Somehow we have to, as a people of God, learn to love one another. Taking up our cross means laying down our own egos to walk the path of sacrificial love. It means embracing the hard, beautiful work of genuine hospitality, blessing those who persecute us, and refusing to let the darkness of the world consume us. As we gather this week, we are called to lean into the ultimate, challenging grace of our faith: a radical, shining love that lights up the dark.

Engaging the Word

Our scripture lessons this week issue a resounding call to steadfast faith and genuine, transformative love.

• Jeremiah 15:15-21: The prophet Jeremiah pours out his heart, lamenting the isolation and pain of his calling. Yet, he remembers the deep joy of God’s word, saying, “Your words were found, and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart”. In response to his struggle, God promises to make him a “fortified wall of bronze” and to deliver him from the wicked. “For I am with you to save you and deliver you.”

• Psalm 26:1-8: We sing a powerful plea for vindication from one who has walked faithfully. The psalmist declares a deep affection for the presence of God: “LORD, I love the house in which you dwell and the place where your glory abides”.

• Romans 12:9-21: Paul delivers a stunning masterclass on Christian living. He urges us to “Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good”. He challenges us to live in harmony, associate with the lowly, and leave vengeance to the Lord.

• Matthew 16:21-28: Following his prediction of suffering and death, Jesus rebukes Peter for setting his mind on human things rather than divine things. He lays out the ultimate paradox of our faith: “For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it”.

A Journey in Song: Our Musical Guides

The music this morning perfectly frames the emotional depth of our readings, moving from quiet reflection to the bold, sacrificial love demanded by the cross.

• Opening Voluntary: We are welcomed into worship with Frank Bridge’s exquisite Adagio in E. Bridge (1879–1941) possessed a profound gift for writing lush, deeply expressive music. In the Gospel today, we see Peter caught up in a whirlwind of human panic at the mere mention of suffering. This beautiful, centering voluntary acts as the perfect spiritual antidote. It invites us to quiet our own swirling minds, set aside our anxious human expectations, and open our hearts to focus entirely on divine things.

• Entrance Hymn: As we gather, we stand to sing “Morning has broken” (Hymnal, 8). It is a bright, beautiful reminder of the fresh grace God offers us each day as we begin our worship.

• Sequence Hymn: As we prepare for the Gospel’s hard teaching on self-denial, we sing “Take up your cross, the Savior said” (Hymnal, 675). This text serves as a direct and poignant bridge to Jesus’s mandate to follow Him.

• Music at the Offertory: The choir offers a true choral gem this morning: John Ireland’s stunning masterpiece, “Greater Love Hath No Man”. Ireland (1879-1962) masterfully weaves together several scriptures to create a sweeping, dramatic reflection on the ultimate cost of discipleship. The anthem begins with the gentle, persistent truth that “Many waters cannot quench love,” before building to the profound declaration, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends”. As we reflect on Jesus’s call to take up our cross, this anthem beautifully illuminates what that sacrifice actually looks like. It even directly echoes Paul’s letter to the Romans from our Epistle reading, as the choir urgently sings, “I beseech you brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies, a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God”. Through soaring harmonies and deeply emotive textures, this piece perfectly encapsulates the breathtaking, transformative power of Christ’s sacrificial love.

• Presentation Hymn: Having prepared the altar with our gifts, we stand to join in universal praise, singing the familiar text of the Doxology, “Praise God from whom all blessing flow” (Hymnal, 380 v. 3).

• Communion Hymn: As we gather at the altar in reverence, we sing “Draw nigh and take the Body of the Lord” (Hymnal, 328). Translated by John Mason Neale from an ancient 7th-century text, this profound hymn is set to the exquisite tune Song 46, composed by the brilliant English Renaissance master Orlando Gibbons. The melody is deeply serene, flowing with a graceful, unhurried pace that invites quiet introspection. As we come forward to receive the Sacrament, this reverent music creates a space of profound peace, offering us the exact spiritual nourishment and centering strength we need to step back out and bear our crosses in the world.

• Closing Hymn in Procession: Having been fed at God’s table, we stand to sing “Jesus shall reign where’er the sun” (Hymnal, 544). We process out holding fast to the promise that, despite the trials of the cross, Christ’s love is the ultimate victor.

• Closing Voluntary: We conclude with John Ireland’s Alla Marcia. After the quiet intimacy of Communion, this rhythmic, march-like piece serves as a resolute send-off, giving us the courage to step out and boldly serve as beacons of God’s light.

A Closing Note on our Journey

It is easy to love those who love us back. But in Paul’s letter to the Romans, we are called to a much higher, much more difficult standard: “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them”.

In our daily lives—whether in the workplace, online, or in our own communities—we frequently encounter people who are difficult, unkind, or even hostile. Our natural human instinct is to strike back or seek vengeance. But taking up our cross means consciously choosing to step off that endless treadmill of retaliation. Jesus calls us to break the cycle. He challenges us to leave room for the wrath of God and to actively seek the good of our enemies.

When we make the choice to feed the hungry and extend hospitality to the stranger, we reflect the profound grace of the Savior who laid down His life for us. As you carry this week’s message into the world, I invite you to reflect:

• Where in your life are you tempted to repay evil for evil, and how might you choose to respond with genuine love instead?

• What does “taking up your cross” practically look like for you in this current season?

• How can you be a source of hospitality and peaceable living in your daily interactions this week?

A Prayer for the Week Ahead

Let us humbly pray before you, O God.

Lord Jesus, you bid your disciples take up their cross and follow you: may your holy Church desire, above all, the things of God that we might overcome evil with good.

Lord, in your mercy;
Hear our prayer.

For all leaders of the Church, that through the power of your Holy Spirit, they may spread the Gospel of peace to all people.

Lord, in your mercy;
Hear our prayer.

O Lord, grant that the people of our land show hospitality to all our neighbors, both near and far; the same hospitality that you showed to so many. May we abhor that which is evil and cleave to that which is good and, in so doing, may we live peaceably one with another.

Lord, in your mercy;
Hear our prayer.

For all leaders of our nation and the world, that they may be guided by justice and lead in the ways of peace.

Lord, in your mercy;
Hear our prayer.

Gracious God, be with all those who suffer in body, mind, or spirit. Be with those who struggle to find their way. Help lift them up and bring healing, so that they may find strength to take up the cross.

Lord, in your mercy;
Hear our prayer.

Almighty God, we commend to your mercy all who have died, especially Dolly Parton, who was a true beacon of light and love. May your will for them be fulfilled; and we pray that we may share with all your Saints in your eternal kingdom.

Amen.

Growing up in Mebane, North Carolina, some of my fondest memories involve singing in the children’s choir at my home church. One song that comes vividly to mind this week is “The Wise Man and the Foolish Man.” I can still remember singing it at Vacation Bible School, doing all the hand motions, and enthusiastically falling to the floor at the very end:

The wise man built his house upon the rock.
The wise man built his house upon the rock.
The wise man built his house upon the rock.
And the rains came tumbling down.
The rains came down, and the floods came up.
The rains came down, and the floods came up.
The rains came down, and the floods came up.
And the house on the rock stood firm.

The foolish man built his house upon the sand.
The foolish man built his house upon the sand.
The foolish man built his house upon the sand.
And the rains came tumbling down.
The rains came down, and the floods came up.
The rains came down, and the floods came up.
The rains came down, and the floods came up.
And the house on the sand fell down.

I chuckle when I think about this now, but it was fun—and more importantly, the message of that simple song and its corresponding Bible passage has stuck with me to this day. We live in a world that often feels like shifting sand. With schedules constantly changing, global events unfolding at a dizzying pace, and the everyday anxieties of our lives pulling us in a dozen different directions, it is easy to feel unmoored. When the ground beneath us trembles, we naturally ask ourselves: What am I standing on? What is my foundation?

It feels incredibly providential that our entire liturgy today is focused intensely on this single, powerful theme of our spiritual bedrock. From the prophet Isaiah urging us to remember our origins, to Jesus renaming Peter as the rock upon which He will build His church, we are reminded that we do not have to rely on our own unstable footing.

Our faith offers us a cornerstone that cannot be moved. When we anchor ourselves in the love and mercy of Christ, we find a steady, immovable foundation that allows us to weather any storm and gracefully offer our unique gifts to a hurting world.

Engaging the Word

Our scripture lessons this week are a unified, resounding call to look to the unshakable foundation of our faith.

• Isaiah 51:1-6: The prophet beautifully invites those who seek the Lord to “Look to the rock from which you were hewn, and to the quarry from which you were dug”. It is a call to remember our spiritual ancestors, Abraham and Sarah, and to find deep comfort in the promise that God’s salvation will be forever.

• Psalm 138: We respond with a song of profound thanksgiving, praising God for His love and faithfulness. We are comforted by the knowledge that, though the Lord is high, He cares for the lowly, and His right hand will keep us safe in the midst of trouble.

• Romans 12:1-8: Paul appeals to us “by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice”. He reminds us that while we are many, we are one body in Christ, grounded together, and we are called to use our differing gifts—prophecy, ministry, teaching, generosity, leadership, and compassion—with sober judgment and cheerfulness.

• Matthew 16:13-20: In one of the most pivotal moments in the Gospels, Jesus asks His disciples, “But who do you say that I am?”. Simon Peter boldly answers, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God”. In response, Jesus blesses him and declares, “you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it”.

A Journey in Song: Our Musical Guides

The music this morning is a masterclass in thematic unity. Every single piece points us toward the cornerstone of our faith, giving voice to the unshakable nature of God’s love and beautifully echoing our scripture lessons.

• Opening Voluntary: We are welcomed into worship with G.F. Handel’s Air (from Water Music). This serene, stately piece lays an elegant, grounding foundation before a single word is spoken. Its steady rhythm and graceful melody center our hearts, perfectly preparing us to focus on the rock of our salvation.

• Entrance Hymn: As we gather, we stand to sing “Christ is made the sure foundation” (Hymnal, 518). This majestic text immediately establishes Christ as the ultimate cornerstone of our community. Singing this as we process into the nave focuses us entirely on the spiritual bedrock of our faith right out of the gate.

• Sequence Hymn: As we prepare for the Gospel reading, we sing “How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord” (Hymnal, 636). There is no hymn more perfect for today’s lessons. We sing this beloved American folk melody right before hearing Jesus declare Peter the “rock.” The text echoes the promises of God in Isaiah to comfort and protect us, assuring us that God’s excellent word is our firm foundation.

• Anthem at the Offertory: The choir offers Philip W.J. Stopford’s lush and soaring anthem, Christ Is Our Cornerstone. Set to a historic text translated by John Chandler, this piece brings the architectural metaphors of our scripture to vivid life. The opening lines immediately reinforce Peter’s great confession in today’s Gospel: “Christ is our cornerstone, on him alone we build; with his true saints alone the courts of heav’n are filled”. From this firm, unison declaration, Stopford’s masterful choral writing blooms into a sweeping, deeply lyrical petition for God’s enduring presence: “Here, gracious God, do thou forevermore draw nigh; accept each faithful vow, and mark each suppliant sigh; in copious show’r on all who pray each holy day thy blessings pour”. As we prepare the altar and present our own “living sacrifices,” this anthem perfectly articulates our corporate prayer: that the grace we gain here from heaven will be with us evermore, until the day we are called to our endless rest.

• Presentation Hymn: Having prepared the altar with our gifts, we stand to join in universal praise, singing the familiar text of the Doxology, “Praise God from whom all blessing flow” (Hymnal, 380 v. 3). We lift our voices to the source of all our diverse gifts, just as Paul describes in Romans.

• Communion Hymn: As we gather at the altar in reverence, we sing the deeply moving “Humbly I adore thee, Verity unseen” (Hymnal, 314). This ancient text (Adoro te devote) reminds us of the beautiful mystery of our faith. Though we cannot always see our foundation physically, we build our lives on the unseen Truth (Verity) present in the sacrament.

• Closing Hymn in Procession: Having been fed at God’s table, we stand to sing “The Church’s one foundation” (Hymnal, 525). This is undeniably one of the greatest hymns in all of hymnody. As a “going out” hymn, it provides profound comfort: knowing that Christ, our Shepherd, is the foundation and cornerstone helps us to stay safe and grounded. We process out knowing that we are kept in His fold and under His protection, and this assurance propels us into the world with stronger hearts and minds to face the coming days.

• Closing Voluntary: We conclude with Handel’s Hornpipe (from Water Music). This exuberant, joyful dance propels us out the doors, giving us an energetic send-off that radiates absolute confidence in the solid rock on which we stand.

A Closing Note on our Journey

It is incredibly fitting that this Sunday’s liturgy focuses heavily on what grounds us. In our daily lives, we inevitably encounter situations and people who are deeply insecure, and that insecurity can easily drag us down. We often find ourselves navigating environments where some wish to constantly create drama or stir up trouble—sometimes even to the point of misrepresenting us or those we care about. These kinds of toxic dynamics are fatal to a solid foundation. They slowly erode our trust and chip away at our faith in one another.

But this is exactly why our scriptures today are so vital. We have to remember that if we keep our faith in Christ, who is our true cornerstone, we will always be on solid ground. When the spaces we live and work in feel like shifting sand, His steadfast love keeps us secure.

Because of this firm foundation, we are able to step out in faith and serve others, even when it is difficult. Paul writes in Romans that we have all been given differing gifts according to the grace given to us—whether that is teaching, generosity, or compassion. Through our shared worship, the Liturgy of Peace shapes us to offer ourselves as “living sacrifices,” equipping us to use our unique gifts to serve the world while building our lives upon the unshakable rock of Christ.

As you carry this week’s message into your daily life, I invite you to reflect:

• When the anxieties and toxic dynamics of life begin to shift the ground beneath you, how can you intentionally return to the “rock from which you were hewn”?

• Paul reminds us that we are one body with many different functions. What unique gift has God assigned to you, and how are you using it to build up the church?

• How can you be a source of stability and peace for someone else in your community this week?

A Prayer for the Week Ahead

Let us come humbly before God offering our thanksgivings and petitions saying “Lord, in your mercy; Hear our prayer.”

Generous God, you have graciously given the members of your church diverse gifts: may we, who are many, function in this world as the one body of your son Jesus Christ.

Lord, in your mercy;
Hear our prayer.

God of the nations, mysterious and unexpected are the instruments of your salvation. Give us eyes to see your work in the lives of the most humble servants and the grandest royalty. Bless all those who put their trust in you.

Lord, in your mercy;
Hear our prayer.

Great God, the maker of heaven and earth, bring forth fruits in due season. May all the people of the world experience the blessing of sun and rain and harvest, and may we be generous stewards of your creation.

Lord, in your mercy;
Hear our prayer.

Caring God, give to the people of our region sober judgment. May each member of our community live in light of the great mercy you have shown us, offering ourselves as living sacrifices of love and peace.

Lord, in your mercy;
Hear our prayer.

Lord God, be on the side of those in need of our prayers. May the sick and sorrowful not be overwhelmed but, instead, find freedom and stability in your healing.

Lord, in your mercy;
Hear our prayer.

Almighty God, we commend to your mercy all who have died, that your will for them may be fulfilled; and we pray that we may share with all your Saints in your eternal kingdom.

Amen.

Have you ever stopped to consider how wide God’s mercy truly is? As we kick off our 2026-2027 Program Year with a parish-wide breakfast and Ministry Fair, we are returning from our summer travels and stepping back into the familiar rhythms of church life. It is easy in these moments of reunion to become comfortable in our own established circles, catching up with old friends and settling into our routines. But just as we start looking inward, this week’s liturgy forcefully calls us to look outward, challenging our human tendency to draw lines and set limits on who belongs.

Our Old Testament lesson from the prophet Isaiah speaks directly to this challenge. In a passage overflowing with radical inclusion, God speaks to the outcasts, the foreigners, and those who have traditionally been excluded from the assembly. Isaiah’s message is a resounding, definitive declaration: ALL ARE WELCOME in the house of the Lord. God promises to bring them to His holy mountain and make them joyful in His house, declaring, “for my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples.” It is a beautiful, sweeping vision of a community where every barrier is broken down and every person is invited to partake in the divine presence.

This message of profound inclusion is exactly why we have chosen “We the Lord’s people” as our Entrance Hymn this Sunday. As the Christ Church Choir returns to help lead our worship, we will lift our voices together to sing, “We the Lord’s people, heart and voice uniting.” This hymn is a vibrant reminder that we are gathered not by our own merit or exclusivity, but by the unifying, welcoming call of God. We sing as one family of faith, stepping into a space where everyone has a seat in the pews and a place at the table.

Ultimately, this Sunday is a celebration of a love that refuses to be contained. God’s mercy is vast and all-encompassing. He does not love us conditionally or restrict His grace to a select few; His love for all His children has no boundaries. As we gather in fellowship, prayer, and song this week, let us open our hearts to this boundless grace, striving to make our own church an authentic reflection of God’s wide, welcoming mercy.

Engaging the Word

Our scripture lessons this week invite us to witness the boundless nature of God’s love and the power of persistent faith.

• Isaiah 56:1, 6-8: The prophet delivers a beautiful vision of inclusion, declaring that the foreigners who join themselves to the Lord will be brought to His holy mountain. God promises that His house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples.

• Psalm 67: We hear a collective plea for God’s blessing, asking that His saving health be known among all nations. It is a joyful song calling for all the earth to stand in awe of Him.

• Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32: Paul reassures us that God has not rejected His people. He emphasizes that the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable, and that God’s ultimate desire is to be merciful to all.

• Matthew 15:10-28: In a challenging and beautiful encounter, a Canaanite woman boldly approaches Jesus to heal her daughter. Despite initial resistance, she persists, declaring that even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table. Jesus praises her great faith, and her daughter is healed instantly.

A Journey in Song: Our Musical Guides

The music this morning perfectly frames our readings, celebrating the expansive grace of God and our call to walk closely with Him.

• Opening Voluntary: We are welcomed into worship with Johann Sebastian Bach’s exquisite Chorale Prelude on Liebster Jesu, wir sind hier, BWV 731. The German title translates to “Dearest Jesus, we are here.” What a perfect, simple prayer for our Fall Kick-Off! As we return from summer vacations and gather back in the pews, this music acts as our collective declaration: We are here, Lord. We are gathered in your house of prayer to listen to your word and receive your mercy.

• Entrance Hymn: As we gather, we stand to sing “We the Lord’s people, heart and voice uniting” (Hymnal, 51). This hymn centers us in our shared identity as a family of faith, echoing Isaiah’s vision of a unified house of prayer.

• Sequence Hymn: As we prepare for the Gospel reading, we sing the beloved text “There’s a wideness in God’s mercy” (Hymnal, 470). It beautifully echoes the vastness of the grace we hear about in our lessons, preparing our hearts for the Canaanite woman’s bold encounter with Jesus.

• Music at the Offertory: We are thrilled to welcome the choir back to the stalls this morning! They will offer Charles Villiers Stanford’s masterful anthem, O For A Closer Walk With God. Set to a deeply moving poem by William Cowper, the text begins with a profound yearning:

“O for a closer walk with God, a calm and heavenly frame; A light to shine upon the road that leads me to the Lamb!” This anthem was chosen specifically because it mirrors the heart of the Canaanite woman in today’s Gospel. She possessed a desperate, unyielding desire for a closer walk with Christ, brushing past societal barriers and initial rejection just to get near Him. Furthermore, as we begin a new program year, the choir sings a verse that serves as a beautiful prayer for our own parish: “Return, O holy Dove, return, sweet messenger of rest!” We are asking the Holy Spirit to return to our busy, distracted lives, granting us that “calm and heavenly frame” so we might walk more closely with God in the year ahead.

• Presentation Hymn: Having prepared the altar with our gifts, we stand to join in universal praise, singing the familiar text of the Doxology, “Praise God from whom all blessing flow” (Hymnal, 380 v. 3).

• Communion Hymns: As we gather at the altar in reverence, we sing “Father, we thank thee who hast planted” (Hymnal, 302), giving thanks for the seed of faith and mercy planted within us.

• Closing Hymn in Procession: Having been fed at God’s table, we stand to sing “Thou, whose almighty word” (Hymnal, 371). We process into the world to carry this light and expansive mercy.

• Closing Voluntary: We conclude our morning with Georgia Dyson’s Voluntary in D Major. This bright, triumphant piece provides an energetic send-off, propelling us out into the new program year with joy and absolute confidence in God’s boundless love.

A Closing Note on our Journey

This week marks a very special milestone: the 52nd issue and a full year of The Liturgy of Peace blog!

I never imagined this blog would last as long as it has, but as much as I hope it has helped you in understanding and illuminating our purpose for coming together through Word and Song, it has helped me and shaped my life in Christ. It has been a true privilege to share these weekly reflections with you, highlighting how every single element of our Liturgy is profoundly important and intentionally designed to shape our hearts.

As we reflect on today’s readings and music, a memory comes to mind that I think perfectly encapsulates our message. Do any of you remember the Disney movie The Hunchback of Notre Dame? One of the most touching songs from this film is “God Help the Outcasts,” written by Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz. It is one of my absolute favorites of all time, and I think the reason why is that it reminds us that no matter where we are, or where we think we are on our faith journey, God is always there with His boundless grace and mercy. He stands with arms wide open to receive us as His beautiful children.

As the character Esmeralda prays in the cathedral, she sings:

I don’t know if you can hear me or if you’re even there I don’t know if you would listen to a gypsy’s prayer Yes, I know I’m just an outcast I shouldn’t speak to you Still, I see your face and wonder Were you once an outcast too?

God help the outcasts hungry from birth Show them the mercy they don’t find on earth God, help my people, we look to you still God, help the outcasts or nobody will

[I ask for wealth, I ask for fame I ask for glory to shine on my name I ask for love I can possess I ask for God and his angels to bless me]

I ask for nothing I can get by But I know so many less lucky than I Please help my people, the poor and downtrod I thought we all were the children of God God, help the outcasts, children of God

Just like the Canaanite woman or the foreigners Isaiah spoke of, we are all seeking that divine grace. God’s mercy is great and good—it is a deeply joyful thing! We are all united in one church, standing together as one house of prayer (among many houses of prayer), bound by a love that leaves absolutely no one out.

Thank you for reading, singing, and praying alongside me over these last 52 weeks. I warmly invite you to continue with me on this journey as we discover and explore The Liturgy of Peace together.

A Prayer for the Week Ahead

Let us come before our loving God, saying, “Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.”

Loving God, you have shown your church such great mercy. Through the witness of your church, may those beyond our walls also experience the goodness of your mercy.

Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

Lord of all peoples, you have created us to live together. Help us to see that our common life depends on each other’s work and goodwill. Cause wars to cease and generosity to prevail.

Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

Abundant God, you make the earth bring forth good food. As you provided for the children of Israel, we pray you will also provide for all those suffering from famine or need.

Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

Lord Christ, may those who call out to you in great faith find your heart open to their cries. We ask for healing for the sick, the desperate, and all those who suffer from any grief or trouble.

Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

Grant, Almighty God, that all who confess your Name may be united in your truth, live together in your love, and reveal your glory in the world.

Amen.

Have you ever felt completely overwhelmed by the sheer noise and pace of life? We are stepping into a new program year—a time often filled with excitement, but also a frantic storm of shifting schedules, new routines, and mounting anxieties. When the wind of our daily obligations picks up and the waves crash around us, that immediate internal panic sets in. We feel like we are sinking under the weight of it all.

We often bring this exact same frantic energy to our faith. We look for God to intervene in grand, loud, earth-shattering ways, or we become so fixated on the terrifying storms around us that we lose our footing, just as Peter did when he stepped out onto the water. But what if God isn’t in the noise? What if He is waiting for us in the sheer silence, asking us to simply keep our eyes fixed on Him while the waves rage on?

Let’s explore this calm. For me, I have always found this profound, centering silence through music. Music is to me what meditation might be for others; it has always been there to ground me in the hardest, most difficult times of my life. Sure, there have been times when the pressure mounted—like frantically getting a piece ready for a degree requirement or a concert—but overall, music is where I go to find inner peace. And it isn’t always found at the keyboard, is it? Sometimes those most precious, cherished moments of calm come when you simply turn on the radio or listen to your favorite songs on a streaming device at home.

I have always believed that music is a profound gift from God. I thank God for giving me this gift, and I am blessed and thankful every day that I am able to do what I love. For the 30 years I’ve been in church work, it has been my ultimate joy to give my very best to the glory of God and to praise His name through song. Music brings us together in so many ways that words alone cannot—it cuts through the noise of our daily storms, gently anchoring us in the quiet presence of the Divine.

Engaging the Word

Our scripture lessons this week invite us to look away from the chaotic storms of our lives and instead tune our ears and hearts to the steady, quiet presence of God.

• 1 Kings 19:9-18: The prophet Elijah, fleeing for his life, seeks the Lord on the mountain. He experiences a mighty wind, a violent earthquake, and a raging fire, but God is not in the destruction. Instead, God reveals Himself in the sound of sheer silence, gently asking, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”

• Psalm 85:8-13: We hear a collective call to listen to what the Lord God is saying, holding fast to the beautiful promise that mercy and truth have met together, and righteousness and peace have kissed each other.

• Romans 10:5-15: Paul reminds us that the word of God isn’t far off or inaccessible. It is near us—on our lips and in our hearts. He offers the profound assurance that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

• Matthew 14:22-33: In one of the most dramatic moments of the Gospel, Jesus comes to the disciples walking on the sea. Peter boldly steps out of the boat, but the moment he notices the strong wind, fear takes over and he begins to sink. Jesus immediately reaches out His hand to catch him, asking, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?”

A Journey in Song: Our Musical Guides

The music this morning perfectly frames our readings, calling us to find our sure footing in God’s steady presence rather than the shifting winds of our anxieties.

• The Voluntaries: We bookend our worship this morning with reflective and grounding pieces. We begin with César Franck’s lyrical and centering Cantabile, which invites us into that “sheer silence” to listen for God. We conclude our morning with Healey Willan’s Chorale Prelude on a Melody by Melchior Vulpius, sending us forth with renewed strength.

• Entrance Hymn: As we gather, we stand to sing the steadfast and comforting words of “O God, our help in ages past” (Hymnal, 680). It is a powerful reminder that our hope is rooted in a God who is our shelter from the stormy blast.

• Sequence Hymn: As we prepare for the Gospel reading, we sing “In Christ there is no East or West” (Hymnal, 529). It reminds us that our faith and fellowship transcend the boundaries and storms of this world, binding us together in Him.

• Music at the Offertory: An ensemble of women will present Felix Mendelssohn’s stunning anthem, “Lift Thine Eyes” (from Elijah). The text beautifully echoes our theme of looking to God rather than the storm: “Lift thine eyes, O lift thine eyes to the mountains, whence cometh help. Thy help cometh from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth”.

• Presentation Hymn: Having prepared the altar with our gifts, we stand to join in universal praise, singing the familiar text of the Doxology, “Praise God from whom all blessing flow” (Hymnal, 380, v. 3).

• Communion Hymns: As we gather at the altar in reverence, we sing the deeply moving spiritual, “Let us break bread together on our knees” (Hymnal, 325), calling us to a posture of humility and grace as we receive the sacrament.

• Closing Hymn in Procession: Having been fed at God’s table and blessed for the upcoming program year, we stand to sing “Christ for the world we sing!” (Hymnal, 537). We march out into the world not in fear of the wind and waves, but boldly carrying the love of Christ.

A Closing Note on our Journey

This week, as we celebrate the Blessing of the Backpacks, Bibles, & Briefcases, we are reminded of the new journeys ahead for our students, educators, and professionals. It is incredibly easy to step out into this new program year and immediately become frightened by the “strong winds” of our schedules and commitments.

Our Offertory Anthem this week, Mendelssohn’s stunning “Lift Thine Eyes” (from the oratorio Elijah), beautifully bridges our Old Testament reading and our Gospel. When Peter looked at the storm, he sank. When Elijah looked for God in the wind and fire, he found nothing. But the anthem calls us to a different posture: “Lift thine eyes, O lift thine eyes to the mountains, whence cometh help. Thy help cometh from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.” If we can tune out the noise, lift our eyes, and listen for the sheer silence, we will find that Jesus is already there, reaching out His hand to steady us.

As you carry this week’s message into your daily life, I invite you to reflect:

• Where in your life are you focusing too much on the “wind and waves” rather than keeping your eyes fixed on Jesus?

• How can you carve out a moment of sheer silence this week to listen for God’s gentle voice amidst the noise of your schedule?

• As we bless the instruments of our daily work and learning, how can you trust in God’s steady hand to catch you when you feel like you are beginning to sink?

A Prayer for the Week Ahead

Let us pray for the Church, for our communities, and for the world.

Grant, Almighty God, that all who confess your Name may be united in your truth, live together in your love, and reveal your glory in the world.

Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.

Guide the people of this land, and of all the nations, in the ways of justice and peace; that we may honor one another and serve the common good.

Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.

Give us all a reverence for the earth as your own creation, that we may use its resources rightly in the service of others.

Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.

Bless all whose lives are closely linked with ours. As we enter a new season of school and work, grant us the grace to look beyond the “strong winds” of our schedules and obligations. Help us to cultivate quiet hearts and homes where your still, small voice can be heard.

Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.

Comfort and heal all those who suffer in body, mind, or spirit. For everyone who feels they are sinking beneath the waves of anxiety, illness, or exhaustion, reach out your steadying hand, giving them courage and hope in their troubles.

Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.

We commend to your mercy all who have died, that your will for them may be fulfilled; and we pray that we may share with all your saints in your eternal kingdom.

Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.

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.

Have you ever meticulously planned a dinner party? You count the RSVPs, carefully portion out the ingredients, and set the table just right. But then, the doorbell rings, and a few unexpected guests arrive alongside your friends. Before you even offer a warm greeting, that immediate internal panic sets in: Will we have enough food? How am I going to stretch this meal? Yet, somehow, when everyone gathers around the table and the dishes are passed, it all works out. Not only is there plenty to go around, but people leave full and happy.

We bring this exact same anxious mathematics into our Weekend Lunch ministry right here at Christ Church. As we prepare to serve those in our community who are hungry, we look at the growing line out the door, then back at the pans of food in the kitchen, and we start to worry. We fret about running out before the very last person gets a hot meal. We try to control the portions, bracing ourselves for the moment the food is gone. But week after week, a quiet miracle happens. It always seems to work out in the end. Everyone is fed, and to our absolute amazement, folks even come back through the line for seconds!

This worry is almost always entirely unnecessary, yet we put ourselves through it anyway. We are conditioned by a world of scarcity to hold tightly to what we have, terrified that it will never be enough. But imagine if we could simply let that worry go. If we could only surrender our need to control the outcome and completely trust that God will provide, our anxiety levels would be so much lower. The heavy exhaustion of constantly managing our own scarcity would vanish.

Our doubt, turned into faith, would be our redeeming. In this Sunday’s Gospel, the disciples fall into the exact same trap, looking at a hungry crowd of five thousand and panicking over five meager loaves and two fish. But Jesus shows us exactly what it looks like to trade our panicked doubt for faithful abundance, proving that when we simply bring what little we have to the table, God handles the rest.

Engaging the Word

Our scripture lessons this week invite us to lean on the steady, sustaining grace of God while we navigate our own anxieties about having “enough.”

• Isaiah 55:1-5: The prophet offers a beautiful, universal invitation from God: “Ho, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you that have no money, come, buy and eat!”. We are reminded to stop laboring for that which does not satisfy and to delight in God’s rich food.

• Psalm 145:8-9, 15-22: This psalm is a collective declaration of praise. We acknowledge a God who is gracious, full of compassion, and who opens wide His hand to “satisfy the needs of every living creature”.

• Romans 9:1-5: Paul offers a deeply moving vision of his own heart, speaking with “great sorrow and unceasing anguish” out of deep love for his kindred. He grounds this worry in the profound heritage of the covenants, the giving of the law, and the promises that belong to them.

• Matthew 14:13-21: Jesus shares the miracle of the Feeding of the Five Thousand. He challenges our human desire to send the needy away, revealing a God who takes our inadequate five loaves and two fish, blesses them, and provides so abundantly that all ate, were filled, and twelve baskets of broken pieces were left over.

A Journey in Song: Our Musical Guides

The music this morning perfectly frames our readings, grounding us in joyous praise while calling us to recognize Christ’s miraculous presence whenever we gather to break bread.

• The Voluntaries: We bookend our worship this morning with pieces that prepare our hearts for communion and send us out with gladness. We begin with Gerre Hancock’s masterful A Meditation on “Draw Us in the Spirit’s Tether”. Hancock, who was one of the greatest improvisateurs of the 20th century, takes the melody we will later hear at the Offertory and weaves it into a quiet, centering prelude. It invites us to leave our worldly anxieties at the door and open ourselves to the gathering work of the Holy Spirit. We conclude our morning with Healey Willan’s uplifting Chorale Prelude on Let Us All with Gladsome Voice, a triumphant and energetic piece that propels us into the world, fully fed and ready to serve.

• Entrance Hymn: We stand to lift our voices to the radiant and joyous “O day of radiant gladness” (Hymnal, 48). Sung to the buoyant tune Es flog ein kleins Waldvögelein, it is a bright, unifying call to gather as the body of Christ. It reminds us that Sunday is a day of light and life, pushing back against the shadows of our daily worries about scarcity.

• Sequence Hymn: As we prepare for the Gospel reading—the miraculous feeding of the five thousand—we sing “The Christ who died but rose again” (Hymnal, 447). Setting our hearts on the resurrection is crucial here. It reminds us that the God who defeated death itself is certainly capable of providing for our physical and spiritual hungers.

• Music at the Offertory: The choir will present Harold Friedell’s stunning and beloved anthem, “Draw us in the Spirit’s Tether”. The text, penned by Percy Dearmer, perfectly captures the theology of our gathering. It reminds us that “when humbly in your name two or three are met together, you are in the midst of them.” Musically, the piece starts with a simple, unison melody that eventually blossoms into a rich, full SATB harmony—a beautiful sonic representation of God taking our small, singular offerings and multiplying them into something glorious and abundant.

• Presentation Hymn: Having prepared the altar with our gifts, we stand to join in universal praise, singing the familiar text of the Doxology, “Praise God from whom all blessing flow” (Hymnal, 380, v. 3). It is the ultimate declaration of trust that God is the true source of all we have.

• Communion Hymns: As we gather at the altar to receive the ultimate feast, we sing two deeply moving hymns: “I am the bread of life” (Hymnal, 335) and “Bread of the world, in mercy broken” (Hymnal, 301). Suzanne Toolan’s beloved “I am the bread of life” directly echoes Christ’s promise that whoever comes to Him shall not hunger, while Reginald Heber’s intimate text focuses on the grace found in the breaking of the bread, celebrating the unifying power of the Eucharist.

• Closing Hymn in Procession: Having been fed at God’s table, we stand to sing “Glorious things of thee are spoken” (Hymnal, 522). Set to Franz Joseph Haydn’s majestic tune Austria, this robust hymn marches us out into the world. We leave not with a mindset of scarcity, but sustained by the abundant grace of a God whose word “cannot be broken.”

A Closing Note on our Journey

“They need not go away; you give them something to eat.”

As we consider this dramatic moment in the Gospel and our call to trust in God’s abundance, I have to confess how quickly I can give in to doubt myself. As a Choirmaster and Organist, I often fall into the exact same trap as the disciples, looking at what I don’t have rather than trusting in what God will provide. I can easily begin to panic and worry that I may have missed the mark on choosing the correct anthem, or more importantly, that I won’t have enough folks in the stalls to do it justice.

Just last week was a perfect example of this. Looking at our summer choir numbers, I worried we wouldn’t have the voices we needed. Giving in to my anxiety, I started rehearsal by handing out a simple unison setting of a beloved anthem. But then, God provided. As more folks started showing up and the room filled, it became beautifully clear to me that we should—and could—sing the full SATB version. So, we switched. And we sang it. And it was absolutely glorious! As the harmonies soared, I realized that if I had only had enough faith from the start, all the worry and anxiety I had created in my own head would have completely washed away.

Like the disciples looking at a hungry crowd with only five loaves and two fish, my instinct was to manage the “crisis” by scaling back and expecting less. But Jesus flips the script. He asks us to bring exactly what we have directly to Him. The dividing line between our anxiety and our peace lies in our willingness to surrender our resources to the Master. Whether it is a few loaves of bread, a handful of summer choir volunteers, or our own depleted energy, when we offer it up, Jesus blesses and multiplies it beyond our expectations.

Our musical journey this morning offers us a beautiful roadmap for this trust. Before we even approach the altar, our Offertory anthem gently reminds us: “As disciples used to gather in the name of Christ to sup... so now bind our friendship up”. When two or three (or a whole choir!) are gathered in His name, He is in the midst of them, turning our meager offerings into a feast. When we ask God to bless our gifts, we are essentially asking for the grace to step out of our anxiety and into faith.

As you carry this week’s message into your daily life, I invite you to reflect:

• Where in your life are you letting unnecessary worry drive your decisions, and how can you turn that doubt into faith?

• Think of a time when you felt you didn’t have “enough” (time, energy, resources) but God provided. How does remembering that change your perspective today?

• How can you bring your own “five loaves and two fish” to a ministry or relationship this week, trusting God to multiply it?

A Prayer for the Week Ahead

Let us pray for our parish family, for our community, and for the world, trusting in the abundant grace of our Lord.

For the Universal Church, its members, and its mission: That we may boldly bring our small offerings to your altar, trusting you to bless and multiply them for the nourishment of the world.

Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.

For the Nation and all in authority: That the leaders of this land and of all the nations may be guided in the ways of justice and peace, leading from a place of compassion rather than scarcity, to serve the common good.

Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.

For the welfare of the world: That you would look upon the needs of the earth with your sustaining love, putting an end to hunger and want.

Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.

For the concerns of the local community: That you would bless the ministries of this parish, giving us the grace to be a beacon of hospitality and sustenance to our neighbors in Macon.

Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.

For those who suffer and those in any trouble: That you would comfort and heal all those who are burdened by anxiety, sickness, or grief. Trade their worry for your peace, and bring them the joy of your salvation.

Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.

For the departed: This week, we especially remember our dear friend Mickey Rivers, who has entered into eternal rest. His heart was so truly filled with the abundant grace that Jesus showed us. We give thanks for his life and his incredible dedication as a longtime volunteer and supporter of our Weekend Lunch Ministry. Together with Hal, Mickey brought joy and food to literally thousands of people. We will deeply miss his calming, loving soul and the beautiful way he served without ever complaining. He was an inspiration to all who knew him. We lift up his wife, Marilee, and their entire family to you in their grief, asking that they may be comforted by your unending love.

Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.

Collect for The Tenth Sunday after Pentecost:
Let your continual mercy, O Lord, cleanse and defend your Church; and, because it cannot continue in safety without your help, protect and govern it always by your goodness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

Amen.

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.

We live in an era that prizes instant resolution. When we see a problem, our immediate instinct is to fix it. When we spot something wrong or broken in our world, our natural human reaction is to want to uproot it right then and there and be done with it.

In our Gospel reading this Sunday, Jesus addresses this very human impulse through a parable. When servants realize an enemy has sown weeds among the wheat, they immediately volunteer to rip them out. But the master of the house stops them, counseling a radical, unexpected patience: "No; for in gathering the weeds you would uproot the wheat along with them. Let both of them grow together until the harvest."

This Sunday, the liturgy asks us to lay down our desire for quick fixes and instead embrace a profound, patient hope. It is a reminder that we live in a messy, complicated world where good and bad often exist side-by-side. Rather than taking on the exhausting burden of trying to forcefully uproot every wrong thing around us, God calls us to trust in His ultimate justice and mercy. As Paul so beautifully writes in Romans, even as creation groans, we are called to look past our present struggles and "wait for it with patience."

Engaging the Word

Our scripture lessons this week invite us to lean on the steady, enduring foundation of God while we navigate a world that is still a work in progress.

• Isaiah 44:6-8: The prophet declares the absolute sovereignty of God. In a chaotic world, we are reminded not to fear, for the Lord of hosts is the first and the last. He is the ultimate Rock, and besides Him, there is no other.

• Psalm 86:11-17: Spoken responsively by half verse, this psalm is a beautiful, personal plea for guidance. We ask God to teach us His way and to "knit my heart to you," recognizing that God is gracious, slow to anger, and full of compassion.

• Romans 8:12-25: Paul offers a deeply moving vision of our identity and our future. He reminds us that we have received a "spirit of adoption" that makes us children of God. Acknowledging that the whole creation has been "groaning in labor pains," Paul encourages us to wait with eager patience for the glorious freedom and redemption that is to come.

• Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43: Jesus shares the Parable of the Weeds among the Wheat. He challenges our human desire to immediately force out everything we deem bad, revealing a God who is patient, allowing grace to mature and trusting the ultimate sorting to the end of the age.

A Journey in Song: Our Musical Guides

The music this morning perfectly frames our readings, grounding us in classical praise while calling upon the Holy Spirit to knit our community together.

• The Voluntaries: We bookend our worship this morning with the Prelude in G Major and the lively Fugue in G Major, both traditionally attributed to Johann Sebastian Bach. These bright, grounding organ works offer a sense of structural steadfastness, serving as a musical reminder of the unshakable Rock described in our Isaiah reading.

• Entrance Hymn: We stand to lift our voices to the majestic “Praise to the Lord, the Almighty” (Hymnal 390). It is a robust, unifying call to gather as the body of Christ, setting a tone of joyous adoration.

• Sequence Hymn: As we prepare for the Gospel reading, we sing “Like the murmur of the dove's song” (Hymnal 513). This gentle, evocative hymn calls on the Holy Spirit to come and heal our divisions, beautifully echoing Paul's words in Romans about the Spirit bearing witness with our own spirits.

• Music at the Offertory: The choir will present a stunning arrangement of “Be Thou My Vision” by Richard Shepherd (1949-2021). This timeless Irish prayer asks God to be our wisdom, our true word, and our clear vision when the world around us feels difficult to navigate.

• Presentation Hymn: Having prepared the altar, we stand to join in universal praise, singing the familiar text of the Doxology, “Praise God, from whom all blessings flow” (Hymnal 380, v. 3).

• Communion Music: As we gather at the altar, we sing “I come with joy to meet my Lord” (Hymnal 304). This hymn celebrates the unifying power of the Eucharist, reminding us that we are bound together in love and sent out as one family.

• Post-Communion Hymn: Having been fed, we stand to sing “Lord, dismiss us with thy blessing” (Hymnal 344), asking God to fill our hearts with joy and peace as we are sent back into the mission field of our daily lives.

A Closing Note on our Journey

"The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will collect out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all evildoers, and they will throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father."

As we consider this dramatic conclusion to the parable and our call to patient hope, I came across a profound sermon this week delivered by Gordon Mcculloch on July 20, 2014, at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Ayr. In his message, titled "Hypocrisy and Strength Through Humility," Mcculloch frames the parable of the weeds not as a license for us to act as those judging angels, hunting down hypocrites, but as a deeply personal call to humility, atonement, and mutual forbearance.

He echoes a difficult but vital truth: the dividing line between good and evil does not simply run between different groups of people; it runs straight through the center of every human heart. When we recognize the "weeds" tangled within our own lives and our own motives, our urge to harshly judge others softens. We are freed from the exhausting work of condemnation, called instead to focus on trusting our Savior's grace. (You can read Mcculloch's full sermon at SermonCentral).

How do we practice this difficult forbearance? I might be biased, but I do this through music. Music has the power to move mountains and affect the soul in ways that words alone cannot. Music is a source of healing and a gift from God our creator.

Our musical journey this morning actually offers us a beautiful roadmap. Before the Gospel is even read, our Sequence Hymn, Like the murmur of the dove's song, offers a gentle but urgent plea for the Holy Spirit to come and heal our human divisions. After all, it is the Holy Spirit that moves through and within us to create that powerful change in our hearts and minds. We must first ask the Spirit to soften our divided hearts. Then, our choir's Offertory anthem provides the next step: Be Thou My Vision. When we ask God to be our true sight and our wisdom, we are essentially asking for the grace to see our neighbors—and ourselves—not with harsh, reactive condemnation, but through the patient, merciful eyes of the ultimate Gardener.

As you carry this week's message into your daily life, I invite you to reflect:

• Where in your life are you struggling with the messiness of the world, and how might God be calling you to practice patient trust rather than seeking a quick fix?

• How might asking God to "be your vision" help you practice deeper humility and mutual forbearance with someone you find difficult to understand?

• Paul writes that creation waits with "eager longing." What unseen hope are you waiting for with patience right now?

A Prayer for the Week Ahead

Let us pray for our parish family, for our community, and for the world.

For all whose lives are closely linked with ours, that we may serve Christ in them, and love one another as he loves us.

Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.

For the grace of humility and clear sight, that we may recognize our own need for atonement and extend the same forbearing love to others that Christ so freely gives to us. 

Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.

For the patience to live gracefully in a complex world, trusting in the ultimate justice, timing, and mercy of God.

Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.

Collect for The Eighth Sunday after Pentecost:
Almighty God, the fountain of all wisdom, you know our necessities before we ask and our ignorance in asking: Have compassion on our weakness, and mercifully give us those things which for our unworthiness we dare not, and for our blindness we cannot ask; through the worthiness of your Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. 
Amen.

Growing up in the Piedmont region of North Carolina, in a small country town named Mebane, my childhood was defined by a profound sense of family and the very landscape we lived on. That specific part of the state is naturally dabbled with beautiful "dales"—broad, rolling valleys with streams running through them. Strikingly, my father's name was Alan Dale Poe, though he always went by Dale, and that definition perfectly describes the land our family has cared for over a century. A winding stream physically divided the area where our house sat from the home of my grandparents. There were rocks, hills, and deep, shaded valleys. When my dad and his twin sister, Gale, were young, they affectionately named our land "Ferndale Acres." There was even a wooden sign, beautifully routed and hung on a split-rail fence at the edge of our front yard, honoring the countless wild ferns that grew naturally in the woods.

Because we lived on a dale, planting and cultivating the earth was an inescapable, beautiful part of our lives. I vividly remember spending hot summer weekends alongside my grandmother, our hands deep in the dirt as we separated her irises and thinned out the daylily and peony beds in the blazing Summer sun. But equally important to my heart were the quiet moments spent working with my mom and dad, carefully nesting hostas and delicate ferns into the cooler, darker corners of our property. Cultivating those specific beds taught me the significance of a light in the dark—how plants in the shadows grow differently, patiently reaching for whatever dappled sun they can find, and how beautifully all those varied textures come together into one thriving tapestry.

Whether in the heat of the sun or the cool of the shade, working the earth was exhausting. Yet, there was always a deep fulfillment that came later. We would sit on the porch with ice-cold glasses of homemade lemonade, looking out over Ferndale Acres, savoring those precious family moments and the beauty we had accomplished together.

Anyone who has spent time working in a garden knows that creating a thriving bed of life demands this kind of intention and sweat. You have to heave the heavy tools, break up the sun-baked clay, yank out stubborn weeds, and deliberately turn over the earth to mix in rich nutrients. You do all of this work beforehand so that when the fragile young plant finally touches the ground, it is met by an unshakeable, life-sustaining foundation.

This morning, our liturgy invites us to see that this is precisely what God has done for our souls through Jesus Christ. As we gather to celebrate the sacrament of Holy Baptism, our scripture lessons plunge us straight into the dirt and the water. In our Gospel, Jesus shares the famous Parable of the Sower, painting a picture of a God who scatters love and grace with reckless, extravagant generosity. But looking closer, we realize that God is not a passive observer hoping our human dirt is good enough. God is the ultimate, hardworking Gardener. Through Christ, the hard, rocky places of our hearts are broken up, the thorns of our anxieties are cleared, and our souls are cultivated into a rich bed of grace—ensuring that we are given the ultimate foundation to grow healthily into the people we were created to be.

Engaging the Word

Our scripture lessons this week remind us that God's word is an active, life-giving force that changes the landscape of our lives and our world.

• Isaiah 55:10-13: The prophet uses the beautiful, comforting cycle of weather to illustrate God's faithfulness. Just as the rain and snow fall from heaven to water the earth—giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater—God promises that the Word going forth from His mouth will not return empty. It will accomplish everything He intends, turning briers into myrtles and bringing forth joy and peace.

• Psalm 65:1-14: Spoken responsively by half verse, this entire psalm is a beautiful song of thanksgiving. It begins with praise for God's forgiving grace and awesome deeds of deliverance, before building into a literal celebration of the earth's fertility. We proclaim a God who visits the earth and waters it, melting its clods, crowning the year with goodness, and making the valleys stand so thick with corn that they laugh and sing.

• Romans 8:1-11: Paul offers a powerful word of liberation, declaring that there is "now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." He contrasts the heavy, death-dealing mindset of the flesh with the life and peace found in the Spirit. Just as a garden relies on a healthy, nutrient-rich environment, our spiritual lives thrive only when we allow the Spirit of God to dwell in us, breathing resurrection life into our mortal bodies.

• Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23: Jesus steps into a boat to teach the crowds about the Sower. He reminds us that while the cares of the world, a lack of deep roots, or the thorns of anxiety can easily choke out our spiritual lives, the seed planted on good soil bears extraordinary fruit.

A Journey in Song: Our Musical Guides

Because we are celebrating Holy Baptism today, our traditional liturgy shifts slightly. In keeping with ancient church practice, the Gloria is omitted to prioritize the baptismal rites. The music we sing and hear wraps this sacred sacrament in themes of revelation, illumination, and growth.

• Opening Voluntary: We are welcomed into worship with George Thalben-Ball's poignant and introspective Elegy. George Thalben-Ball (1896–1987) was a legendary Australian-born organist and composer who spent the majority of his career in England, notably serving for nearly half a century at London’s historic Temple Church. Written during World War II, Elegy grew out of an improvisation he played at the end of a service when the BBC had a few remaining minutes on air. It features a lush, aching melody that unfurls slowly over rich, modal harmonies, inviting us into a space of quiet reflection and preparing our hearts to receive the Word.

• Entrance Hymn: We stand to lift our voices to “O Christ, the Word Incarnate” (Hymnal 632). Set to the beautiful, balanced tune Munich, this text marvels at the ways God’s truth is a "lantern to our footsteps," shining through history like a pure radiance that guides the Church through every generation.

• Sequence Hymn: As we prepare for the Gospel reading, we sing “How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord” (Hymnal 636). Paired with the robust and familiar tune Foundation, this hymn acts as an unshakeable musical declaration. As we sing of God’s enduring promises to uphold us through deep waters and fiery trials, it reminds us that Christ provides the exact stable, deep-rooted soil our souls need to withstand any storm.

• Baptismal Hymn: Following the sermon, the focus shifts entirely to the waters of new birth. To welcome our newly baptized into the family of faith, the congregation will sing the radiant first verse of “I want to walk as a child of the light” (Hymnal 490). Set to the luminous tune Houston, this hymn serves as a visual and musical petition to follow the path of Christ and reflect His inner glow to the world.

• Music at the Offertory: As we prepare the table, the choir will present Martin How’s exquisite and beloved anthem, “Day by Day.” Martin How (1931–2022) was a monumental figure in English church music, affectionately known as the "choir doctor" for his decades of tireless work with the Royal School of Church Music (RSCM). Adapted from the timeless prayer of St. Richard of Chichester, the text is a humble, profound blueprint for the spiritual life:

                    Day by day,
                    Dear Lord, of thee three things I pray:
                    To see thee more clearly,
                    Love thee more dearly,
                    Follow thee more nearly,
                    Day by day.

• Presentation Hymn: Having prepared the altar, we stand to join in universal praise, singing the third verse of “Praise God, from whom all blessings flow” (Hymnal 380). Lifting this familiar text to the Old 100th tune grounds our offering in gratitude to the Holy Trinity, sung alongside the holy text of The Sanctus (Hymnal S 129) and a spoken Fraction Anthem.

• Communion Music: As we gather at the altar, our music continues the rich agrarian imagery of cultivation with “Father, we thank thee who hast planted” (Hymnal 302). Set to the majestic tune Rendez à Dieu, this text explicitly thanks God for planting His holy Name within our hearts and gathering His scattered Church like grain on the hillsides to become one bread.

• Post-Communion Hymn: Having been fed, we stand to sing “Spread, O spread, thou mighty word” (Hymnal 530). Set to the crisp, rhythmic tune Gott sei Dank, this missionary hymn sends us out into the world to do the vital work of sowing ourselves, scattering seeds of truth, grace, and peace across our wider community.

• Closing Voluntary: Our service concludes with an organic, celebratory Improvisation on 'Gott sei Dank'. This soaring, creative treatment of the post-communion hymn tune delivers a triumphant send-off, meant to propel us into the week ahead with joy.

A Closing Note on our Journey

Although I no longer live in the beautiful area we called Ferndale Acres—the land of my paternal grandmother's family—I think of it often. I am deeply comforted knowing that my aunt, uncle, and several cousins are still there today, actively caring for the land and preserving the memories we made all those years ago in Mebane. Just like the legacy of that family land, there is something deeply comforting about watching a garden grow in the middle of summer, but any gardener will tell you that the harvest doesn't happen overnight. Growth is a slow, patient, gradual process.

When we step back and look at the soil beneath our fingernails, our liturgy breaks open a truth that stretches far beyond our local earth. When we gather around the altar, we look up and pray to the God who ordered “the planets in their courses” and crafted “this fragile earth, our island home.” This isn't just poetic metaphor; it is a profound, literal reality. Not long ago, the night sky gave us a spectacular reminder of this when the comet 3I/ATLAS quietly blazed past our planet. Scientists studying that ancient, icy wanderer discovered it was billions of years old—a pristine relic from the dawn of space itself. Yet, locked inside its frozen heart were the complex carbon molecules and organic compounds that form the basic architecture of life.

Think of the staggering depth of that truth. Long before our world ever spun into existence, the very seeds of our physical lives were being scattered across the vastness of the cosmos, preserved in ice and stars. The same carbon, oxygen, and water coursing through our veins this morning were forged in ancient furnaces and sent traveling through the dark. Science looks at this and marvels at a universe built for life; scripture illuminates the hidden hand behind it all. We are not accidental dust floating in a cold void. We are the intentionally gathered, holy dust of a loving Creator who has been cultivating the universe for our arrival since "the stars were formed and fixed in their horizons."

This morning, that grand cosmic history focuses down to a single, sacred point at the font as we welcome Bridges Malone Solomon into the family of God through the sacrament of Holy Baptism. When Bridges is washed in these waters, he is stepping right into that deep, ancient current. He isn't being handed a finished, static product. He is being planted into rich, graceful soil by a God who has known his name since the cosmic seeds of life were first cast across the heavens. For Bridges, and for all of us, our journey of discipleship is the ultimate continuation of that long, patient growth.

As I carry this message into my daily life, I invite you to reflect:

• What kind of soil do you find yourself in this week, and what "thorns" of daily anxiety do you need to hand over to the Gardener?

• The anthem Day by Day asks for three things: to see, love, and follow Christ more nearly. Which of these three petitions speaks most deeply to your heart today?

Let us remind ourselves today that God, the creator and sustainer of life, has already tilled the soil and planted the seed. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, God continues to cultivate and nurture the roots of our every being so that we are living, breathing hands and feet of God's ultimate creation here on Earth.

                    There is one Body and one Spirit;
                    There is one hope in God's call to us;
                    One Lord, one Faith, one Baptism;
                    One God and Father of all.
                    Amen.

A Prayer for the Week Ahead

Let us pray for the newly baptized, for our parish family, and for the world.

For Bridges Malone Solomon, who is welcomed into Christ's flock through the waters of Holy Baptism this morning: that God may water his soul with grace, grant him the gift of the Holy Spirit, and keep him in the bright light of faith all the days of his life.

Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.

For this parish family of Christ Church, that we may be rich, hospitable soil for the Word of God, actively dismantling the thorns of division and scarcity so that we may bear the fruits of love, compassion, and justice in our city.

Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.

For the earth, our fragile island home, that we may be faithful stewards of the soil, the water, and all growing things, ensuring that the bounty of God's creation is shared equitably to feed the hungry and comfort the weary.

Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.

Collect of the Day: O Lord, mercifully receive the prayers of your people who call upon you, and grant that they may know and understand what things they ought to do, and also may have grace and power faithfully to accomplish them; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Our collect today prays for the grace to maintain our liberties in righteousness and peace. Yet, true freedom ultimately transcends our national borders. In Paul’s letter to the Romans, we hear a deeply human struggle with the captivity of sin—wanting to do good but feeling bound to do the very thing we hate.

Jesus provides the ultimate answer to this inner conflict. He extends a profound invitation to true rest and freedom, calling all who are weary and carrying heavy burdens to come to Him. This weekend, as we commemorate two and a half centuries of our nation’s history, let us also rejoice in the liberating grace and eternal rest we are freely given as children of God.

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A Soundtrack for the Journey

With the holiday weekend upon us, our music gathers us in joyful, patriotic praise, while grounding us in the gentle humility of Christ. We are welcomed into worship with Calvin Hampton’s sweeping, majestic Prelude on ‘Materna’ (America the Beautiful), setting a beautifully centering tone for our liturgy. As we launch our worship with a unified voice of adoration and gratitude for our heritage, we sing the robust hymn God of our fathers, whose almighty hand, penned in 1876 for the Centennial of the Declaration of Independence.

But as we prepare our hearts for the ultimate rest that Christ promises, we turn to the gentle prayer of John Greenleaf Whittier’s Dear Lord and Father of mankind: “Take from our souls the strain and stress, and let our ordered lives confess the beauty of thy peace.” At the altar, we are nourished by the classic Shaker tune, ‘Tis the gift to be simple, clothed in rich, pastoral organ colors by the legendary Virgil Fox—a poignant reminder to find true freedom by turning and bowing until we come ‘round right. Finally, we are sent forth into the mission field of our daily lives with Dudley Buck’s magnificent, virtuosic Concert Variations on “The Star-Spangled Banner”.

An Easy Yoke There is a profound contrast in our readings between human struggles and the joyful promise of a compassionate, rescuing God. Paul candidly describes his inner struggle, realizing he is captive to a law of sin that dwells within him, doing the very thing he hates. We all know this feeling—the weight of our own expectations, our failings, and the heavy, exhausting burdens we insist on carrying alone.

But Jesus offers a beautiful, counter-cultural invitation: “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” He equips us with a yoke that is easy and a burden that is light. When Jesus calls us, He asks us to hand over the things that bind us. The true freedom He offers is a release from the weariness of trying to save ourselves. You don’t have to carry that heavy load into the week ahead.

At the Table: The Holy Cookout

For many of us, this holiday weekend evokes a deep, wonderful nostalgia. We gather as family and friends around the grill for barbecue, hot dogs, and hamburgers. Tables groan under the weight of Duke’s mayonnaise-based casseroles and massive slices of watermelon. And who can forget the sound of the churn making homemade peach and strawberry ice cream? (I must confess, as a kid, I was even known to sneak a taste of the rock salt while waiting!)

There is something profoundly grounding about this kind of gathering. In a world that often demands we carry heavy loads and maintain a polished exterior, a summer cookout is the great equalizer. It is an invitation to just show up as you are. True hospitality isn’t always about perfectly curated tablescapes (though you know I love a good blue-and-white china moment!); it is about creating an environment where people feel safe enough to set down their weariness.

When we hand someone a cold drink, pass a plate across a picnic table, or pull up an extra lawn chair, we are offering them a moment of genuine rest. The freedom we celebrate with fireworks and friends this weekend is a beautiful reminder of the emotional freedom we all crave—a release from isolation, stress, and the daily grind.

As the weekend winds down and we pack away the coolers, let’s carry that same lightness into the new week. May we step forward boldly, continuing to offer that warm, easy hospitality to everyone we encounter.

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As we gather this weekend, we mark a monumental milestone: the 250th anniversary of our nation's founding. Our minds naturally turn to thoughts of liberty, the pursuit of peace, and the complex, ongoing journey toward true equality for all people. The Episcopal Church has long held a unique and profound role in the American story. From the foundational days of this country to the present moment, we are called to be an active voice in the morality of freedom. We are called to stand as a constant beacon of hope, reminding the world that true liberty is not just a political state, but a spiritual mandate to uphold the dignity of every human being.

Our collect today prays for the grace to maintain our liberties in righteousness and peace. Yet, true freedom ultimately transcends our national borders. In Paul’s letter to the Romans, we hear a deeply human struggle with the captivity of sin—wanting to do good but feeling bound to do the very thing we hate.

Jesus provides the ultimate answer to this inner conflict. In our Gospel reading, He extends a profound invitation to true rest and freedom, calling all who are weary and carrying heavy burdens to come to Him. Christ’s yoke is easy and His burden is light. This weekend, as we commemorate two and a half centuries of our nation's history, let us also rejoice in the liberating grace and eternal rest we are freely given as children of God.

Engaging the Word

Our readings today contrast human struggles with the joyful promise of a compassionate, rescuing God.

• Zechariah 9:9-12: The prophet calls for daughter Zion to rejoice greatly, for her king is coming triumphant, victorious, and humble, riding on a donkey. He promises to cut off the chariots and war horses, commanding peace to the nations and setting prisoners free.

• Psalm 145:8-15: Spoken responsively by half verse, this psalm proclaims that the Lord is gracious, full of compassion, and slow to anger. We declare the glorious splendor of His everlasting kingdom, praising the Lord who upholds all who fall and lifts up those who are bowed down.

• Romans 7:15-25a: Paul candidly describes his inner struggle, stating he does not understand his own actions because he does the very thing he hates. Realizing he is captive to the law of sin that dwells within him, he asks who will rescue him from this body of death, finding his answer of thanksgiving in Jesus Christ our Lord.

• Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30: Jesus notes that wisdom is vindicated by her deeds and gives thanks that God has revealed these things to infants. He then offers a beautiful invitation: "Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest".

A Journey in Song: Our Musical Guides

With the holiday weekend upon us, our music gathers us in joyful, patriotic praise, while grounding us in the gentle humility of Christ.

• Opening Voluntary: We are welcomed into worship with Calvin Hampton's Prelude on 'Materna' (America the Beautiful). Calvin Hampton (1938–1984) was a brilliant and highly original American organist and composer. Known for his rich, sometimes complex harmonic language, Hampton takes this beloved tune and infuses it with a sweeping, majestic depth that sets a beautifully centering tone for our liturgy.

• Entrance Hymn: We stand to sing the robust hymn God of our fathers, whose almighty hand. This text was originally penned by Daniel C. Roberts in 1876 for the Centennial of the Declaration of Independence, making it an incredibly poignant selection for our 250th anniversary today. Set to George W. Warren's majestic tune National Hymn with its stirring trumpet calls, it launches our worship with a unified voice of adoration and gratitude for our heritage.

• Sequence Hymn: As we prepare for the Gospel reading, we sing Dear Lord and Father of mankind. The text was written by John Greenleaf Whittier, a 19th-century American Quaker poet and fierce abolitionist. Paired beautifully with Frederick Charles Maker's gentle hymn tune Rest, this hymn acts as a perfect bridge to Matthew's Gospel. As we sing the prayer, "Take from our souls the strain and stress, and let our ordered lives confess the beauty of thy peace," we prepare our hearts for the ultimate rest that Christ promises.

• Music at the Offertory & Presentation: As we prepare the table, we sing My country, 'tis of thee. Set to the tune America, this hymn was written by Samuel Francis Smith in 1831 and served as a de facto national anthem for much of the 19th century. We follow this with the great Doxology, Praise God from whom all blessing flow. Singing this familiar text to the Old 100th tune grounds our national gratitude in universal praise to the Holy Trinity.

• Communion Music: As we gather at the altar, we are nourished by the classic Shaker tune, singing 'Tis the gift to be simple. This beloved 1848 dance song by Elder Joseph Brackett speaks directly to the heart of today’s Gospel message—finding true freedom and peace by turning and bowing until we come 'round right. We will sing this alongside a beautiful voluntary of Simple Gifts arranged by the legendary American organist Virgil Fox (1912–1980). A true titan of the 20th-century organ world, Fox served as head of the organ department at the Peabody Conservatory and as the organist at the prominent Riverside Church in New York City. He is perhaps best remembered for his wildly popular "Heavy Organ" touring concerts that brought organ music to massive new audiences. Known for his flamboyant performance style and incredible technical prowess, Fox’s arrangement takes this humble, unadorned melody and clothes it in rich, pastoral organ colors, providing a deeply centering and reflective moment as we receive the sacrament.

• Post-Communion Hymn: Having been fed, we stand to sing O beautiful for spacious skies. Written by Katharine Lee Bates after an inspiring trip to the summit of Pikes Peak, the text is a sweeping prayer for God's grace to refine our nation. Set to Samuel A. Ward's tune Materna—which beautifully echoes our Opening Voluntary—this hymn sends us forth with a prayer for brotherhood and divine guidance from sea to shining sea.

• Closing Voluntary: We conclude with Dudley Buck's magnificent Concert Variations on "The Star-Spangled Banner" (Theme, Variation I, and Variation IV). Dudley Buck (1839-1909) was a titan of 19th-century American church music and a highly influential organist. This particular piece is a brilliant, virtuosic tour-de-force that takes the national anthem through thrilling variations, evoking a celebratory, confident send-off into the mission field of our daily lives.

A Closing Note on our Journey

For many of us, this holiday weekend evokes a deep, wonderful nostalgia. We gather as family and friends around the grill for barbecue, hot dogs, and hamburgers. Tables groan under the weight of Duke's mayonnaise-based casseroles and massive slices of watermelon. And who can forget the sound of the churn making homemade peach and strawberry ice cream? (I must confess, as a kid, I was even known to sneak a taste of the rock salt while waiting!) These are the moments we savor before the big fireworks show—moments beautifully defined by Freedom, Family, Friends, and Fellowship. Good times with good people.

There is something deeply holy about this kind of gathering. After all, Jesus’ own ministry was profoundly relational. Even back then, in a very different time and place, He was incredibly friendly, constantly breaking bread, sharing meals, and enjoying genuine fellowship with people from all walks of life. He understood that gathering around a table is a foretaste of the heavenly banquet.

As we transition from the altar to the world this weekend, let us remember that the joy of our earthly fellowship points us toward a greater reality. When Jesus calls the weary and burdened to come to Him, He equips us with a yoke that is easy and a burden that is light. The freedom we celebrate with family and friends this weekend is a beautiful reflection of the ultimate spiritual freedom Christ offers us—a true freedom from sin, isolation, and weariness. Let us step boldly into this new week, freely offering the grace and friendly fellowship we have so freely received.

A Prayer for the Week Ahead

Let us pray for the grace to walk in the freedom of Christ's love.

For our nation, that we and all the people of this land may have grace to maintain our liberties in righteousness and peace. 

Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.

For all who govern and hold authority, that they may be endued with the spirit of wisdom, so there may be justice and peace at home. 

Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.

For those serving in the military, especially Alivia, Austin, Cameron, Donald, Georgia, Joe, Lorraine, and Sam. 

Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.

For all who are weary and carrying heavy burdens, that they may find courage and hope in their troubles, and the joy of Christ's salvation and rest. 

Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.

Collect for The Sixth Sunday after Pentecost: O God, you have taught us to keep all your commandments by loving you and our neighbor: Grant us the grace of your Holy Spirit, that we may be devoted to you with our whole heart, and united to one another with pure affection; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Collect for the Nation: Lord God Almighty, you have made all the peoples of the earth for your glory, to serve you in freedom and in peace: Give to the people of our country a zeal for justice and the strength of forbearance, that we may use our liberty in accordance with your gracious will; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Collect for Independence Day: Lord God Almighty, in whose Name the founders of this country won liberty for themselves and for us, and lit the torch of freedom for nations then unborn: Grant that we and all the people of this land may have grace to maintain our liberties in righteousness and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

It can be easy to overcomplicate our call as Christians. We often think that serving God requires grand gestures or monumental sacrifices. Yet, in our Gospel reading this Sunday, Jesus brings the focus back to the beautiful, radical simplicity of hospitality.

In Paul's letter to the Romans this week, he urges us not to let sin exercise dominion over us, but rather to present ourselves to God as instruments of righteousness. As we celebrate Pride month, it is a profound time to reflect on what this truly means. For many, there was a time when the very essence of who they were was labeled an unforgivable sin. The phrase "love the sinner, hate the sin" has often been used as a judgment by those who may not fully grasp the radical, inclusive Love of God. But if we are perfectly made in God's image, then we are all beautiful children of God.

While not everyone always agrees, the truth is that we are all children of God with our own flawed, sinful lives—and that is exactly what makes us worthy of righteousness. This imperfect life is why we need Christ, who came to save us simply because He loves us.

Jesus assures us that even the smallest act of grace—offering just a cup of cold water to a little one—is seen, valued, and rewarded by God. But giving back to our neighbors doesn't just mean a literal glass of cold water (although that is certainly important in this Georgia heat!). It is also about looking at our neighbor, seeing their authentic self, and saying, "I see you," and hoping they look back and say, "and I see YOU."

Engaging the Word

Our readings today center on God’s enduring faithfulness and our call to respond with lives of righteousness and welcoming grace.

• Jeremiah 28:5-9: We hear the prophet Jeremiah speaking to Hananiah in the presence of the priests and the people. He speaks of the ancient prophets and notes that a prophet of peace is truly known as sent by the Lord only when their words come true.

• Psalm 89:1-4, 15-18: We will speak this psalm responsively by half verse, singing of the Lord's love and faithfulness that is established forever. It reminds us that happy are the people who walk in the light of God's presence.

• Romans 6:12-23: Paul urges us not to let sin exercise dominion over our mortal bodies. Instead, having been brought from death to life, we are to present ourselves to God as instruments of righteousness. He powerfully reminds us that while the wages of sin is death, the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus.

• Matthew 10:40-42: Jesus provides a profound lesson on hospitality and identification with His messengers. He declares that whoever receives a prophet or a righteous man will receive their respective rewards. Furthermore, whoever gives even a cup of cold water to a disciple will surely not lose their reward.

A Journey in Song: Our Musical Guides

Our music today gathers us in joyful praise, grounds us in the call to serve, and sends us forth wrapped in divine love.

• Opening Voluntary: We are welcomed into worship with George Shearing's Prelude on 'Land of Rest'. Though celebrated globally as a true jazz genius, Shearing also composed deeply moving sacred music. In this prelude, he brings his signature harmonic warmth and sophisticated chord voicings to a traditional American folk hymn. This beautiful, jazz-infused arrangement sets a centering, reflective tone as we prepare our hearts for the liturgy.

• Entrance Hymn: We stand to sing the majestic hymn Praise to the Lord, the Almighty. This robust hymn launches our worship with a unified voice of adoration.

• Sequence Hymn: As we prepare for the Gospel reading, we sing Lord, make us servants of your peace. This text acts as a perfect bridge to Matthew's Gospel, praying for the grace to extend Christ's welcoming love to others.

• Communion Hymns: As we gather at the altar, we are nourished by two beautiful hymns: I come with joy to meet my Lord and Let us break bread together on our knees.

• Post-Communion Hymn: Having been fed, we stand to sing Love divine, all loves excelling. This stirring hymn acts as a prayer for God's love to perfect and guide us as we go out into the world.

• Closing Voluntary: We conclude with Gordon Young's magnificent Prelude in Classic Style. Its stately and joyous energy brilliantly evokes a confident send-off into the mission field of our daily lives.

A Closing Note on our Journey

The transition from the altar to the world is the very heartbeat of our liturgy, and it is a transition rooted entirely in love.

"And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them." — 1 John 4:16

As I sit here and write this blog late, I am humbled by the love I have experienced throughout my life. I was born in this month in 1981, and today, I am an out and proud member of society who deeply loves The Episcopal Church. But I haven't always been. I used to hide. I used to think what I was experiencing was an unforgivable sin for which there was no redemption. I was often told, "we love the sinner, not the sin"—a phrase I later realized was a judgment by those who did not fully know the radical, inclusive Love of God. I realized that if I am perfectly made in God's image, that makes me a beautiful child of God.

I share this because Pride isn't just about one group of people. Pride is for all! Pride is about loving yourself and being exactly who you were made to be. I am not saying I have been loved by everyone, and I am not saying that I have always found it in my heart to love everyone perfectly either (though I certainly try!). But I know I am loved by God.

As we reflect on this, let us think about those today who do not know love—those who have never experienced it, and those who fear they never will.

Let us pray these words together:

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace: Where there is hatred, let me sow love; Where there is injury, pardon; Where there is doubt, faith; Where there is despair, hope; Where there is darkness, light; Where there is sadness, joy.

Let us be a beacon of hope, light, and joy for all the people of the world, because truthfully, we all need it now more than ever. "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3:16).

Let us step boldly into this new week, freely offering the grace we have so freely received. As you carry this message into your daily life, I invite you to reflect:

This week, how can you offer a metaphorical "cup of cold water" to someone who needs to be seen? * What does it look like for you to practice radical hospitality in your daily life?

A Prayer for the Week Ahead

Let us pray for the grace to be instruments of God's welcoming love.

For the countless blessings and grace we have already freely received from God's hand, that our hearts may overflow with thanksgiving.

Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.

For our community and our world, that we may see the authentic face of Christ in every neighbor, and eagerly offer the simple hospitality of a cup of cold water and a welcoming heart.

Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.

For the Church, that we may boldly present ourselves as instruments of righteousness, bringing healing, inclusion, and hope to the broken places in our city. 

Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.

For all who govern and hold authority, that they may be guided by justice and lead in the ways of peace. 

Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.

Collect for the Fifth Sunday after Pentecost:
Almighty God, you have built your Church upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone: Grant us so to be joined together in unity of spirit by their teaching, that we may be made a holy temple acceptable to you; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

Amen.

Thursday in Chicago, the Obama Presidential Center held its grand opening ceremony, purposefully aligned with Friday's national celebration of Juneteenth. During the dedication, Michelle Obama issued a striking challenge that gets to the heart of what divides us today: she told the crowd to "put down your phones." She called us to challenge ourselves to engage deeply with our neighbors, our friends, and even strangers, so that we might foster genuine hope, empathy, and community connection. Her words offer a compelling vision of unity, perfectly echoing the very charge Jesus gave His followers—to be fully present, to love actively, and to remember that we are all, ultimately, children of God.

Friday, we commemorated Juneteenth, remembering that day in 1865 when Union soldiers finally arrived in Galveston, Texas, bringing the long-delayed news of emancipation to the last enslaved African Americans. It is a day that fundamentally represents a new beginning—the breaking of physical chains and the agonizing, joyful transition into freedom. As Christians, this historical moment of emancipation beautifully mirrors the profound spiritual liberation we find in Jesus. Christ comes to break the heavy chains of sin, fear, and division, freeing us from the bondage of our past—and the glowing screens that so often isolate us—inviting us into the glorious liberty of a life lived in real, tangible grace.

This path of liberation, however, is not always comfortable. In our Gospel reading this Sunday, Jesus disrupts our expectations, reminding us that His truth often challenges the status quo and requires us to take up our cross. True freedom and true unity demand a radical reorientation of our lives. Yet, we make this journey knowing we are of immense value to a God who counts every hair on our heads.

This Sunday, our parish will witness this promise of a new beginning firsthand. As we celebrate the Holy Baptism of Daniel Jordan Ellis Josey III, we are reminded of what it means to be reborn into this interconnected family. Through the waters of baptism, we die to an old way of life and are raised into a hope-filled future. As we welcome Daniel, celebrate the love of our earthly fathers, and witness the service of admission for our new Daughters of the King, let us heed the call to put down our distractions. Let us recommit ourselves to the hard, beautiful work of actually looking our neighbors in the eye, walking together in the spiritual liberation Christ has freely given us.

Engaging the Word

Our readings today center on the intense, transformative power of God’s word and the new life we are called to through the waters of baptism.

• Jeremiah (20:7-13): We join the prophet Jeremiah in a moment of deep vulnerability. He laments that the word of the Lord has brought him reproach and derision. Yet, he cannot keep silent; the word of God is like a "burning fire shut up in my bones." It is a powerful reflection on the unavoidable call of God's truth.

• Psalm 69: We will speak this psalm responsively by half verse. It echoes Jeremiah's struggle, crying out, "Zeal for your house has eaten me up." It is a plea for God to answer with compassion and to draw near in times of distress.

• Romans (6:1b-11): Paul offers his definitive, triumphant theology of baptism. He asks, "How can we who died to sin go on living in it?" He reminds us that through baptism, we are buried with Christ so that we might walk in newness of life, ultimately considering ourselves dead to sin and alive to God.

• Matthew (10:24-39): Jesus gives His disciples a challenging but comforting charge. While warning them that the Gospel will cause division and require them to take up the cross, He repeatedly tells them, "Do not be afraid." He assures them of their immense value to the Father and calls them to boldly acknowledge Him before others.

A Journey in Song: Our Musical Guides

Our music today brilliantly traces the arc of our liturgy—anchoring us in the tradition of the church, celebrating the joy of new life in the sacrament of baptism, and sending us out with triumphant energy.

• Opening Voluntary: We are welcomed into worship with William Walond's Voluntary in G Major, Op. 1, No. 5. Walond, an 18th-century English composer, wrote in the stately, bright style typical of the English voluntary. It establishes a robust and joyful atmosphere to prepare our hearts for the liturgy.

• Entrance Hymn: We stand to sing I love thy kingdom, Lord. One of the oldest American hymns, written by Timothy Dwight in 1800, it gathers us with a profound expression of devotion for the Church. It is a fitting beginning for a Sunday focused on membership, baptism, and the vows of the Daughters of the King.

• Sequence Hymn: As we prepare for the Gospel reading, we sing We know that Christ is raised and dies no more. This majestic hymn perfectly echoes Paul's letter to the Romans, propelling us toward the Gospel with the hope of the resurrection and the promise of our baptism.

• Baptismal Hymns: Surrounding the Presentation and Examination of the Candidate, we sing Sing praise to our creator. Following the baptism, we welcome the newly baptized by singing I want to walk as a child of the light. With its radiant refrain, "Shine in my heart, Lord Jesus," it beautifully captures the joy and clarity of new life in Christ.

• Music at the Offertory: Paul Manz's Aria provides a beautiful, lyrical moment of reflection as we prepare the table. Manz, a beloved American church musician, crafted this piece to be gentle and centering, acting as the perfect, quiet offering before we approach the altar.

• Communion Hymn: As we gather at the altar, we sing Here, O my Lord, I see thee face to face. Written by Horatius Bonar, this text beautifully captures the profound, intimate grace of the Eucharistic feast, reminding us of the peace we find in Christ's presence.

• Post-Communion Hymn: Having been nourished at the table and having witnessed profound vows of faith, we process out singing the triumphant hymn Lift high the cross. Written in 1887 by George William Kitchin and Michael Robert Newbolt, this beloved text serves as our own commissioning. Its soaring, majestic refrain perfectly captures the energy of our new Daughters of the King—who have just been blessed with their crosses—and it empowers all of us to boldly proclaim the love of Christ as we step back out into the world.

• Closing Voluntary: We conclude with Charles Villiers Stanford's magnificent Postlude in G Major, Op. 105, No. 2. Stanford, a master of the English choral and organ tradition, provides a sweeping, triumphant send-off, perfectly matching the energy of our call to carry the cross out into the world.

A Closing Note on our Journey

It is deeply moving to look at all the intersections of today's liturgy. We hear the fierce, burning devotion of the prophets alongside the challenging directives of Jesus. We witness the life-giving waters of baptism poured over Daniel Jordan Ellis Josey III, and we see the women of our parish step forward to receive the cross as new Daughters of the King.

These elements remind us that our faith is not a passive endeavor. It requires the "burning fire" in our bones that Jeremiah spoke of. It requires a willingness to put down our distractions, to actively engage with our neighbors, to serve joyfully, and to take up our cross to follow Him.

But we do not do this alone. We do it surrounded by a family of faith, strengthened by the Eucharist, and reminded by Christ Himself that we are known, loved, and valued immensely by the Father. We are equipped with the Holy Spirit to do the hard, beautiful work we have been given to do.

Let us take these commitments out the doors of the church. As our Diocesan Purpose Statement beautifully reminds us, "We challenge ourselves and the world to love like Jesus as we worship joyfully, serve compassionately, and grow spiritually." As we sing Lift high the cross and step boldly into this new week, let us walk as children of the light.

A Prayer for the Week Ahead

Let us pray for the grace to walk faithfully in the commitments of our faith.

For Daniel Jordan Ellis Josey III, newly baptized into the death and resurrection of Christ, that he may walk in newness of life and always know the light of Jesus in his heart.

Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.

For the newly admitted Daughters of the King, that they may be strengthened by the Holy Spirit to pray and serve all their days, wearing their crosses in humility and devotion.

Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.

For all fathers and those who act as fathers, that God may give them strength, wisdom, tenderness, and patience to care for their families.

Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.

For the Church, that we may have the courage of the prophets, feeling God's word as a burning fire within us, and never fearing to proclaim His truth in the world.

Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.

Collect for the Fourth Sunday after Pentecost:
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 loving-kindness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. 

Amen.

It is easy to look around our world today and feel overwhelmed by the sheer amount of need. We see people who are exhausted, hurting, and longing for direction. In our Gospel reading this Sunday, Jesus looks out at the crowds and sees the exact same thing. He has profound compassion for them, describing them as "harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd."

Jesus doesn't just look upon the crowds with pity and move on. He turns to His disciples and tells them, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few." And then, He does something extraordinary: He empowers them. He transitions them from being simply "disciples" (those who learn) to "apostles" (those who are sent).

This Sunday is a powerful reminder that we are all called to be laborers in the harvest. We aren't just meant to sit in the pews and receive; we are meant to take the healing, love, and grace we find here and carry it out into the world. Jesus gives us a clear directive: "Freely you have received, freely give."

Engaging the Word

Our readings today center on God’s profound care for His people and the call to carry that love into the world.

• Exodus (19:2-8a): We join the Israelites at Mount Sinai, fresh from their liberation from Egypt. God reminds them of how He carried them on "eagles' wings" and offers them a beautiful covenant. If they listen to His voice, they will be His treasured possession—a "priestly kingdom and a holy nation." It is a call to be a community set apart for God's purposes.

• Psalm 100: We will speak this beloved psalm responsively by half verse. It is a universal call to joyful worship: "Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth." It beautifully echoes the Gospel's shepherd imagery, reminding us that "we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture."

• Romans (5:1-8): Paul offers a profound reflection on the peace we have with God through faith. He writes realistically about the human experience, noting that suffering produces endurance, endurance produces character, and character produces hope. Above all, he reminds us of the ultimate proof of God's love: that Christ died for us while we were still sinners.

• Matthew (9:35-10:8): Jesus is moved with deep compassion for the weary crowds. He summons His twelve disciples, gives them authority, and sends them out with a monumental task: to proclaim that the kingdom of heaven has come near, to cure the sick, and to cast out darkness. He commissions them to give as freely as they have received.

A Journey in Song: Our Musical Guides

Our music today brilliantly traces the arc of our liturgy—gathering us in joyful praise, nourishing us at the table, and boldly sending us out to fulfill Christ's commission.

• Opening Voluntary: We are welcomed into worship with Louis Vierne's Préambule. This majestic piece serves as the very first movement of his landmark 1913 collection, 24 Pièces en style libre, Op. 31, No. 1. Written specifically to be accessible for either the pipe organ or the harmonium, Vierne designed these pieces for both liturgical use and concert performance. The Préambule provides a sweeping, grand opening that immediately establishes a reverent atmosphere to prepare our hearts for the liturgy.

• Entrance Hymn: We stand to sing Before the Lord's eternal throne. This text is a masterful paraphrase of Psalm 100 originally penned by the great English hymn writer Isaac Watts in 1719, with its opening lines later altered by John Wesley to the beloved version we sing today. Sung to the majestic tune Winchester New—a robust, late 17th-century German melody—this hymn directly echoes the joyful, corporate praise commanded in the Psalm. With its stately, striding rhythm, the tune perfectly captures the bold energy of a community gathering to "make a joyful noise to the Lord," powerfully launching our liturgy and preparing our hearts for the Word.

• Sequence Hymn: As we prepare for the Gospel reading, we sing Lord, you give the great commission. Written by Jeffery Rowthorn in 1978, this text is a perfect bridge to Matthew's Gospel, praying for the Church to faithfully answer the call to heal, teach, and serve. We will sing it to the soaring, majestic tune Abbot's Leigh. Composed by Cyril Taylor in 1941 while he was working for the BBC's Religious Broadcasting Department during the height of World War II, the tune takes its name from the English village where the department had safely relocated. Its sweeping, triumphant melody provides a tremendous sense of momentum and strength, perfectly carrying our prayer for the grace to fulfill Christ's commission in the world.

• Music at the Offertory: Percy Whitlock's Folk Tune provides a beautiful, pastoral moment of reflection as we prepare the table. Serving as the second movement of his Five Short Pieces composed in 1929, this work is celebrated for its sweetly melodic and deeply nostalgic qualities. Whitlock, a British organist known for his gentle charm and his unique ability to write music suited for both the church and the concert hall, crafts a musical miniature here that possesses a rich, quiet emotion. Its peaceful, unhurried melody acts as the perfect, centering offering before we approach the altar to receive the Sacrament.

• Communion Hymn: As we gather at the altar, we sing My God, thy table now is spread. Written in the early 18th century by the English minister Philip Doddridge, the text beautifully captures the profound abundance and grace of the Eucharistic feast. We sing it to the beloved tune Rockingham, a remarkably serene and deeply reverent melody adapted by Edward Miller in 1790. In the midst of a liturgy focused so heavily on going out into the world, this quiet, centering hymn serves as a poignant reminder that before we can be sent out to labor, we must first be fed and sustained by Christ's presence.

• Post-Communion Hymn: Having been nourished, we sing O Zion, haste, thy mission high fulfilling. Written in 1868 by Mary Ann Thomson—a mother from Philadelphia who was reportedly moved to pen these words while sitting up at night caring for a sick child—this text burns with a passionate, urgent zeal to share God's love. Sung to the stirring, late 19th-century tune Tidings, the hymn acts as our own commissioning. Its driving refrain urges us to publish the "glad tidings of peace" to a waiting world, perfectly echoing Christ's call for laborers to go out into the plentiful harvest.

• Closing Voluntary: We conclude with Healey Willan's magnificent Postlude in D. Willan, a prolific composer and organist who was born in England but spent most of his professional life in Canada, published this majestic work in the late 1950s. With its stately and joyous energy, the piece brilliantly evokes the feeling of a grand procession out into the world at the service's end. It serves as a thrilling and confident send-off, perfectly matching the energy of our call to carry Christ's commission into our city.

A Closing Note on our Journey

It is incredibly humbling to realize that God chooses to work through us. When Jesus saw the helpless crowds, He didn't just snap His fingers and fix everything from afar; He sent His friends. He sends ordinary, flawed, learning people to be His hands and feet in the world.

Sometimes, we might look at our own lives and wonder how we could possibly be worthy of such a profound calling. But as Paul reminds us in our Epistle reading this week, God proved His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Our worthiness to spread the Gospel does not come from our own perfection, from having all the answers, or from having our lives entirely figured out. It comes entirely from the grace of Christ, who calls us, equips us, and deems us worthy to be vessels of His love.

Because we have been made worthy by His grace, we can confidently take the love and communion we experience here at the altar out into the streets of Macon. As our Diocesan Purpose Statement beautifully reminds us, "We challenge ourselves and the world to love like Jesus as we worship joyfully, serve compassionately, and grow spiritually."

This transition from the altar to the world is the very heartbeat of our liturgy. It is why, after we are fed, we pray so fervently: "Send us now into the world in peace, and grant us strength and courage to love and serve you with gladness and singleness of heart" (Book of Common Prayer, p. 365). Let us step boldly into this new week, remembering that we have freely received an abundance of grace. Now, with strength, courage, and gladness of heart, let us go out and freely give it away.

A Prayer for the Week Ahead

Let us pray for the grace to be faithful laborers in God's harvest.

For the countless blessings and grace we have already freely received from God's hand, that our hearts may overflow with thanksgiving and our lives may reflect that abundance. 

Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.

For our community and our world, that those who feel harassed, helpless, or lost may encounter the deep compassion of the Good Shepherd. 

Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.

For the Church, that we may boldly answer the call to proclaim the kingdom of heaven, bringing healing and hope to the broken places in our city. 

Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.

For all who govern and hold authority in our nation and the world, that they may be guided by justice and lead in the ways of peace. 

Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.

For the care and preservation of God's creation, that we may be faithful stewards of the earth, honoring the Creator whose name is exalted in all the world. 

Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.

For those enduring seasons of suffering, that God's Spirit may produce in them endurance, character, and an unshakeable hope. 

Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.

Collect for the Third Sunday after Pentecost:
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.

This Sunday, we enter into the green season of Ordinary Time with the Second Sunday after Pentecost. After the rushing wind of the Spirit and the triumphant mystery of Trinity Sunday, the Church settles into the steady, day-to-day walk of discipleship. It is a time to explore what it practically means to follow Jesus in our ordinary lives. Today, we are confronted with a challenging and beautiful theme: God’s deep desire for our authentic hearts over our empty rituals.

I’ll be honest: I frequently fall short when it comes to my faith and the ritual of a daily prayer life. I often procrastinate to the point that I realize I haven't even said "hello" to God at all in a week. Does it sound silly to think I just need to say hello? Maybe. But while I have good intentions that often don't get fulfilled, and God certainly knows that I meant to do something, that's not really the point, is it? It is about consistency, or what disciplined musicians call practice.

When we consider what God truly asks of us, it is easy to default to a checklist of religious duties. Can you imagine if God actually had a checklist for us? Thankfully, God is inherently relational and deeply concerned with our hearts. While we should exercise mercy toward others, we must remember to exercise mercy toward ourselves, too. God certainly does; if he didn't, I think we would definitely know it! Creating a routine of prayer isn't about checking a box; it's perhaps really about creating a rhythm to help us be the person God knows us to be.

This reflects so beautifully on our own call to serve our neighbors. When we support ministries like the Macon Volunteer Clinic, which provides free medical and dental care to low-income, uninsured adults in Middle Georgia, we are moving beyond mere words and stepping into the active, healing mercy that Jesus commands. We are invited to bring our whole, imperfect selves to God, trusting in grace rather than our own perceived righteousness.

Engaging the Word

Our readings today weave a profound thread about the nature of true faith, moving from the prophetic calls of the Old Testament to the healing touch of Christ in the Gospel.

• Hosea (5:15-6:6): We begin with a powerful oracle from the prophet Hosea. The Lord speaks to a people who have turned away, whose love is as fleeting as a "morning cloud, like the dew that goes away early". Instead of demanding more burnt offerings, God cuts straight to the heart of the matter: "For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings".

• Psalm 50 (7-15): The Psalmist echoes the message of Hosea, beautifully illustrating that God, who owns "every bird in the sky" and "the beasts of the forest," does not need our physical sacrifices. Instead, the divine invitation is one of relationship and trust: "Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving and make good your vows to the Most High".

• Romans (4:13-25): Paul takes this concept of faith over works and applies it to the story of Abraham. He reminds the Romans that Abraham’s promise came "through the righteousness of faith," not through adherence to the law. Even when his circumstances seemed impossible, Abraham "grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God". It is a powerful reminder that our justification comes through believing in the God who gives life to the dead.

• Matthew (9:9-13, 18, 26): Our Gospel brings these themes to life in the actions of Jesus. He calls Matthew, a tax collector, to follow him, and immediately sits down to eat with "tax collectors and sinners". When challenged by the Pharisees, Jesus directly quotes Hosea, saying, "Go and learn what this means, 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice'". The reading then demonstrates this mercy in action as Jesus responds to a desperate father and heals a woman who simply reaches out in faith to touch his cloak.

A Journey in Song: Our Musical Guides

Our music for this Sunday beautifully supports this journey from quiet confession to profound gratitude, anchoring our worship in the majestic heritage of the church.

• Opening Voluntary: We are welcomed into worship with Johann Sebastian Bach's Toccata in d (Dorian), BWV 538. This intricate and grounding piece prepares our hearts and minds for the liturgy ahead.

• Entrance Hymn: We lift our voices in procession to Praise, my soul, the King of heaven. This grand hymn sets a tone of awe and adoration, praising the God who is the source of all our healing and forgiveness.

• Sequence Hymn: As we prepare to hear the Gospel of Christ's healing and call to the marginalized, we sing Just as I am, without one plea. This beloved hymn perfectly captures the Gospel's message: we come to Jesus not with perfect records, but with our needs and our faith.

• Offertory: While our gifts are gathered, we will hear Ralph Vaughan Williams' beautiful Rhosymedre. We are excited to have Christopher Hudson playing the theme on horn, accompanied by the organ. The title Rhosymedre is a Welsh word, taking its name from the small village in Wales where the original hymn tune's composer served as a vicar. Often, this beloved melody is simply nicknamed "Lovely." Its flowing, unpretentious, and deeply pastoral character is a stark contrast to rigid, imposing musical structures. This makes it a perfect pairing for today’s lessons. God is not asking for grand, pompous sacrifices or flawless compliance to a rigid checklist. Instead, as Hosea and Jesus remind us, God desires the quiet, steadfast, and authentic love of our hearts. The warm, embracing tone of the horn carrying this "lovely" and simple melody beautifully reflects the gentle, accessible mercy of Christ that we see in today's Gospel.

• Communion Hymn: As we approach the altar to receive the Sacrament, we sing Amazing grace! how sweet the sound. There is perhaps no better song to reflect the sheer, unmerited favor Jesus shows to the "sick" who are in need of a physician.

• Closing Hymn: We process out into the world to the triumphant strains of Guide me, O thou great Jehovah. It is a prayer for sustenance and direction as we step out to do the work God has given us.

• Closing Voluntary: We conclude our worship with another masterful work by Bach, the Prelude in G Major, BWV 541. The moving passages of arpeggios and scales evoke a sense of pure excitement, sending us forth with joy.

A Closing Note on our Journey

Human nature naturally gravitates toward checklists. Give yourself a break! Do you really need another list? I know I certainly don't. Be kind to yourself and allow God, who already knows what is going on, to enter our hearts and minds and carry the heavy mental load. It is much easier to measure our spiritual health by how many rules we have kept, how many services we have attended, or how many traditional "sacrifices" we have made. The Pharisees in today's Gospel were experts at this checklist. But when Jesus looked at the crowds, he didn't check their spiritual resumes; he looked at their hearts, their pain, and their faith.

The mystery of God's grace is that it cannot be earned by flawless behavior. God desires mercy. God desires steadfast love. When the woman suffering from hemorrhages reached out to touch Jesus's cloak, she broke social and religious rules. But Jesus didn't scold her for a lack of propriety; he commended her faith, saying, "Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well".

Knowing a God of such profound mercy changes how we engage with the world around us. We are deeply loved despite our imperfections, and out of that love, we are called to look at others through the same lens of compassion. Let us step boldly into this new week, leaving behind the exhaustion of trying to earn our worth, and instead embrace the active, messy, and beautiful work of showing mercy to ourselves and our neighbors.

In your mercy, Lord, you called me,
Taught my wayward heart and mind,
Else this world had still enthralled me,
And to glory kept me blind.

Lord, I did not freely choose you,
Till by grace you set me free;
For my heart would still refuse you,
Had your love not chosen me.

Now my heart sets none above you,
For your grace alone I thirst,
Knowing well, that if I love you,
You, O Lord, have loved me first.

A Prayer for the Week Ahead

Let us pray for the grace to walk in faith and show the mercy we have received.

Holy God, you desire steadfast love and not empty sacrifice: Give us the will to look upon our neighbors with compassion and to act with mercy in all our dealings.

Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

Holy God, your Son welcomed the outcast and ate with sinners: Empower your Church to break down the walls of division and be a sanctuary for those who are hurting, sick, and seeking your face.

Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

Holy God, you promise that faith is reckoned as righteousness: Bring peace to our anxious hearts, that we may stop trying to earn your love and simply trust in your boundless grace.

Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

Holy God, your healing touch restores us to life: Comfort the sick, the grieving, and the lonely—gracing the lives of your children with healing and strength.

Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

Collect for the Second Sunday after Pentecost:
O God, from whom all good proceeds: Grant that by your inspiration we may think those things that are right, and by your merciful guiding may do them; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. 

Amen.

Opening Thought

This Sunday, we arrive at Trinity Sunday. After the rushing wind and transformative fire of Pentecost, the Church pauses to reflect on the deep mystery of who God is: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. It is a day to marvel at the divine relationship that is the foundation of our faith. We are invited into the dynamic, living communion of the Trinity—a love so vast that it created the cosmos, so intimate that it took on human flesh, and so persistent that it breathes life into us still today.

When I think of the Trinity, I am reminded that God is inherently relational. God is not distant or isolated; God is a community of perfect love. This reflects so beautifully on our own call to community here at Christ Church. We are not meant to walk our faith journeys alone. We need each other to fully experience the multifaceted grace of God. When we gather in the pews, when we share the peace, and when we work side by side in ministries like our Weekend Lunch program, we are mirroring the communal nature of the Divine.

We are reminded that understanding the Trinity isn't about solving a mathematical puzzle of "three in one." Instead, it is an invitation to participate in God's ongoing work in the world. We are drawn into the love of the Creator, redeemed by the sacrifice of the Son, and empowered by the Sustainer to carry that love beyond the walls of our church. Thanks be to God.

Engaging the Word

Our readings today sweep from the very beginning of creation to the birth of the early Church's mission, showcasing the scope of the Triune God's work.

• Genesis (1:1-2:4a): We begin at the very beginning, when the earth was a formless void and a wind from God swept over the face of the waters. This majestic poetic narrative walks us through the deliberate, loving ordering of creation, where God speaks light, sky, land, and life into existence, declaring it all to be good. Finally, God creates humankind in his own image, giving us breath, life, and dominion. It is a powerful reminder of God the Creator's boundless imagination and care for the physical world.

• Psalm 8: Chanted today to a setting by Jerome Webster Meachan, this psalm is a profound hymn of wonder. The Psalmist looks up at the heavens, the moon, and the stars, and asks, "What is man that you should be mindful of him?". Yet, despite our smallness in the vastness of creation, God adorns humanity with glory and honor. It is a beautiful echo of the Genesis reading, praising the Governor whose name is exalted in all the world.

• 2 Corinthians (13:11-13): In Paul's farewell to the Corinthians, we find the foundational Trinitarian blessing that has echoed through centuries of liturgy. He writes, "The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with all of you". This simple yet profound sign-off encapsulates the entire Christian experience of God's presence, urging the divided community to agree with one another and live in peace.

• Matthew (28:16-20): Our Gospel brings us to the Great Commission. The disciples meet the resurrected Jesus on a mountain in Galilee, where some still doubted. Yet, Jesus entrusts them with the ultimate mission: "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit". Jesus pairs this monumental task with the ultimate comfort, promising, "I am with you always, to the end of the age".

A Journey in Song: Our Musical Guides

Our music for Trinity Sunday matches the theological weight and triumphant joy of the day, lifting our voices in praise of the Triune God.

• Opening Voluntary: We are welcomed into worship with the bright, regal sounds of David N. Johnson's Trumpet Tune in D Major. This joyful piece sets a tone of majestic celebration, fitting for a Sunday dedicated to the glory of God.

• Entrance Hymn: No Trinity Sunday would be complete without the grand procession to Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty. This iconic hymn anchors our service, drawing our voices together in awe and adoration of the eternal Trinity.

• Sequence Hymn: As we prepare to hear the Gospel, we sing Come, thou fount of every blessing. This beloved melody shifts our focus to God's continuous streams of mercy and grace, tuning our hearts to sing God's praise before we hear Christ's final commission to His disciples.

• Offertory Anthem: We will hear a beautiful solo presentation of Eric Thiman's anthem, Earth Does Not Hold, featuring words by Irene Glass. Sung by soprano Mickey Brooks, the text reflects on the eternal nature of the soul and those who have "ended pilgrimage with God".

• Communion Hymn: As we approach the altar rail to receive the Sacrament, we sing King of glory, King of peace. This intimate hymn reflects the deeply personal love of the Son, inviting us to offer our own lives as praise as we partake in the heavenly banquet.

• Closing Hymn: We process out into the world to the triumphant strains of Come, thou almighty king. This hymn serves as our rallying cry, sending us forth empowered by the Trinity to do the work God has given us to do.

• Closing Voluntary: We conclude our worship with Sigfrid Karg-Elert's masterful Marche Triomphale (Nun danket alle Gott) Op. 65, No. 59. This triumphant march based on "Now Thank We All Our God" propels us out of the church doors with unshakeable majesty and gratitude.

A Closing Note on our Journey

When I was a child, I used to imagine the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit as three entirely separate beings sitting together on a cloud up in heaven, looking down and controlling the world—honestly, much like the Greek gods on Mount Olympus we learned about in school. As an adult, I can look back and chuckle at that image, but perhaps it wasn't as ridiculous as I once thought. Yes, they are wonderfully united as one God, the Holy Trinity, but they are also very distinct beings in themselves. Perhaps that Mount Olympus imagery was simply the best way my young mind could begin to comprehend the incredible, multifaceted greatness of God.

The mystery of the Trinity is not something to be solved, but a reality to be lived. God the Father creates and sustains us; God the Son redeems and befriends us; God the Holy Spirit empowers and comforts us. Knowing this Triune God changes how we engage with the world around us. We are deeply loved, and out of that love, we are called to action.

As Jesus commands in our Gospel reading, we are sent out into the world. We take the grace, love, and communion we experience here at the altar out into the streets of Macon. As our Diocesan Purpose Statement beautifully reminds us, "We challenge ourselves and the world to love like Jesus as we worship joyfully, serve compassionately, and grow spiritually".

Let us step boldly into this new week, securely held by the Creator, walking in the footsteps of the Redeemer, and energized by the Sustainer. May we be a living reflection of the Trinity's perfect love to everyone we encounter.

A Prayer for the Week Ahead

Let us pray for the grace to walk in the light and love of the Holy Trinity.

Holy God, you created the heavens and the earth, and you made humankind in your image : Give us the will to respect and preserve your creation, that future generations may experience the goodness of all you have made.

We beseech you, O Lord;
Glory to you, Holy Trinity.

Holy God, your Son gave us the Great Commission to make disciples of all nations: Empower your Church to walk in the light of your love and spread your grace to the ends of the earth.

We beseech you, O Lord;
Glory to you, Holy Trinity.

Holy God, you placed the same sky above all people: Bring peace to our neighborhoods and to nations across the world, and protect the vulnerable.

We beseech you, O Lord;
Glory to you, Holy Trinity.

Holy God, your Spirit dwells with us always to the end of the age : Comfort the sick, the grieving, and the lonely, gracing the lives of your children with healing and strength.

We beseech you, O Lord;
Glory to you, Holy Trinity.

Collect for Trinity Sunday: Almighty and everlasting God, you have given to us your servants grace, by the confession of a true faith, to acknowledge the glory of the eternal Trinity, and in the power of your divine Majesty to worship the Unity: Keep us steadfast in this faith and worship, and bring us at last to see you in your one and eternal glory, O Father; who with the Son and the Holy Spirit live and reign, one God, for ever and ever.

Amen.

As we hit the third week of our Lenten journey, we are moving deeper into the wilderness. We all experience seasons of spiritual drought. Sometimes it manifests as complaining and exhaustion, much like the Israelites in the desert who wondered if God had simply abandoned them. Other times, we try to quench our thirst with things that leave us feeling even emptier—drawing from wells that can never truly satisfy us.

But the beautiful promise of this Sunday is that God does not leave us to dry up in the desert. When a tired, outcast woman came to a well at noon, Jesus met her there, offering her a spring of water gushing up to eternal life. Whatever your wilderness looks like today, know that the Living Water is already waiting for you.

A Soundtrack for the Journey

If you join us this Sunday, you will hear this journey from spiritual drought to life-giving water woven directly into the music. We begin with J.S. Bach’s An Wasserflüssen Babylon (By the Waters of Babylon). Its flowing, intertwining lines musically represent running waters, beautifully evoking the sorrow and longing of exile while preparing our hearts for the living water to come.

As we sing the great Welsh hymn Guide me, O thou great Jehovah, we ask God to lead us through the barren land, pleading, “Open now the crystal fountain, whence the healing stream doth flow.” At the offertory, the choir will offer a gorgeous arrangement of I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say, set to a theme by Thomas Tallis. The choir will sing the very words of today’s Gospel: “Behold, I freely give the living water; thirsty one, stoop down and drink, and live.” Finally, we are sent out into the world grounded on the solid Rock with the sheer structural grandeur of Bach’s Prelude and Fugue in E minor, “Cathedral.”

Leaving the Jar Behind

There is a tiny detail in John’s Gospel that I always find striking. When the Samaritan woman finally realizes who Jesus is, the text says: “Then the woman left her water jar and went back to the city.”

She came to the well at noon—the hottest, most miserable part of the day—specifically to avoid the other women of the town because of her shame. She brought her heavy jar to do the grueling, mundane work of fetching water. But after her encounter with Jesus, she forgets the very thing she came for. She leaves the jar behind.

When we truly encounter the grace of God, the heavy things we’ve been carrying to try and sustain ourselves suddenly don’t seem so important anymore. The temporary fixes, the shame, the exhausting routines we use to cope with our spiritual dryness—we can leave them at the feet of Jesus. You don’t have to carry that heavy jar back down the mountain.

At the Table: The First Pour

In the world of hosting, we spend so much time curating the perfect menu, selecting the right vintage of wine, or agonizing over the layers of a complex dish. But if we look at the absolute core of hospitality, it begins with the most fundamental human need: quenching a thirst.

When guests walk into your home, they are often carrying their own heavy jars—the stress of their workday, the anxiety of traffic, or the general exhaustion of the week. The simple act of offering a cool, refreshing drink is a profound act of grounding. It tells your guest, “You have arrived. You can put your burdens down.”

My go-to for this is a bright, botanical blend that acts as a reset button for the senses. It starts with Sipsmith Lemon-infused Gin, providing a crisp, sunny foundation. Add a splash of St. Germain for a subtle, floral sweetness, top it with bubbly club soda, and finish it with a fresh lime wedge.

It’s light, clean, and entirely restorative.

It is the domestic equivalent of the well. Before we dazzle our friends with our culinary skills or our curated homes, we must first offer the simple, restorative grace of a drink that says, "Stay a while. You are welcome here."

Opening Thought

This Sunday, we celebrate a monumental shift: The Day of Pentecost. The disciples' time of liminal, expectant waiting ends. Suddenly, a sound like the rush of a violent wind fills the entire house, and divided tongues, as of fire, rest on each of them. They are filled with the Holy Spirit. We are no longer looking up at the clouds; the Spirit has been poured out upon all flesh! Today is the birthday of the Church—a day we are reminded that we are never left alone, and the Holy Spirit is always at work.

It is incredibly difficult to let someone go, especially someone you love deeply and dearly. I find myself thinking about the profound loss of my own father when I imagine what it must have been like for the disciples during this season. They watched Jesus die, buried Him, and rejoiced with everything they had when He came back from the dead—only to have Him turn around and leave them for good forty days later at the Ascension.

Even when Jesus promised, "I will not leave you comfortless," that separation was surely heartbreaking. Like the disciples, I knew after my father passed that I would be taken care of by family, friends, and our amazing community, but the truth was, I just wanted my father to stay here with me. Deep down, I knew he was going to heaven, but I was too young to understand that his work here was done, and mine was only just beginning.

As an adult, I now know God didn't rip my father away from me; instead, He put my father to eternal work. And I, too, must do the work of loving like Jesus, spreading the good news, and sharing the works of the Holy Spirit with all who will listen. I find I do this best through our shared music and through ministries like our Weekend Lunch program. The Holy Spirit is always at work, moving through our grief to bring us comfort, and calling us forward to serve. Thanks be to God.

Engaging the Word

Our readings today center on the dramatic arrival of the Holy Spirit, the unifying power of God's diverse gifts, and the life-giving waters of faith.

• Acts (2:1-21): The sheer sensory overload of the Spirit's arrival must have been staggering. Not only was there a rushing wind and tongues of fire, but the disciples began to speak in other languages as the Spirit gave them ability. Devout Jews from every nation were bewildered and amazed because they each heard the Galileans speaking in their own native languages. Some sneered, claiming they were filled with new wine, but Peter stood up and raised his voice. He anchored this overwhelming moment in the prophecy of Joel: God declaring, "I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh," causing sons and daughters to prophesy, and young and old to dream dreams. It is a powerful reminder that the Spirit breaks down our barriers of communication and understanding, inviting everyone into the story of salvation.

• Psalm 104 (24-35, 37): This is a joyous and sweeping psalm praising God's manifold works and the sheer abundance of creation. It marvels at the great and wide sea, filled with creatures too many to number, from the smallest fish to the great Leviathan made for the sport of it. But the most poignant verse for this day declares the life-giving power of the Spirit: "You send forth your Spirit, and they are created; and so you renew the face of the earth". The same Spirit that descended in fire at Pentecost is the very breath that sustains the earth.

• 1 Corinthians (12:3b-13): In a world so often fractured by division, Paul's words to the Corinthians remain radically counter-cultural. He reminds the church that while there are varieties of gifts, services, and activities, it is the exact same Spirit, Lord, and God who activates all of them. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. We are reminded of our profound, unbreakable unity, for "in the one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and we were all made to drink of one Spirit". The Spirit does not make us uniform; rather, it takes our vast, beautiful diversity and weaves us into the single, living Body of Christ.

• John (7:37-39): On the last great day of the festival, Jesus issues a profound invitation: "Let anyone who is thirsty come to me, and let the one who believes in me drink". He promises that "Out of the believer's heart shall flow rivers of living water". John clarifies that Jesus is speaking directly of the Spirit, which believers were to receive once Jesus was glorified. Jesus knows our deepest spiritual thirsts—our longing for purpose, for comfort, for connection. This passage promises that the Holy Spirit is not a stagnant pool, but a rushing, flowing river of life that will well up within us and pour out into the world.

A Journey in Song: Our Musical Guides

Our music today bursts with the joyous, fiery energy of the Holy Spirit, moving from rushing winds to the gentle, unifying breath of God.

• Opening Voluntary: We begin our festive worship with Johann Sebastian Bach's magnificent Fantasia Super: Komm, Heiliger Geist, BWV 651. This piece is a masterclass in musical theology. The relentless, cascading sixteenth notes represent the rushing, violent wind of Pentecost, while the majestic, ancient chorale melody thunders above it all, heralding the irrefutable presence of the Advocate.

• Entrance Hymn: We process in to the joyous, soaring strains of Hail thee, festival day!. This beloved hymn sets an immediate tone of triumph and celebration. It unites our voices as we gather, acting as a bold, corporate proclamation that the long-awaited festival of the Spirit has finally arrived.

• The Psalm: To elevate the sweeping text of Psalm 104, the choir will lead us in a majestic Anglican chant setting by Henry Smart in F Major. The bright, regal chords of this beloved setting perfectly capture the sheer abundance and joyous creation described in the Psalmist's praise.

• Sequence Hymn: As we prepare our hearts to hear the Gospel, we sing the beautiful Come down, O Love divine. Here, our musical posture shifts from outward, festive celebration to an inward, deeply personal invocation. We are asking the Spirit to seek our souls and make them its own, beautifully bridging the gap between the grand history of Acts and the personal invitation Jesus offers in John.

• Offertory Anthem: The choir will offer Herbert Howells's My Eyes for Beauty Pine. Howells’s lush, soaring harmonies perfectly capture the poetry, which reminds us that every gentle heart that burns with true desire is lit from eyes that mirror part "Of that celestial fire". It is a stunning reflection on how the Spirit illuminates our deepest longings for God's grace and heavenly Love.

• Communion Hymns: As we gather at the rail to partake in the Body of Christ together, our music becomes deeply intimate. We sing Breathe on me, Breath of God and Like the murmur of the dove's song. These texts invite the Spirit to fill us anew, moving from the dramatic fire of the opening into the still, small, sustaining presence that feeds us in the Sacrament.

• Closing Hymn: We process out into the world to the triumphant Holy Spirit, ever living. This processional acts as our commissioning. Having been fed by the Word and the Sacrament, this hymn propels us forward, reminding us that the Spirit goes with us as we step out of the church doors.

• Closing Voluntary: We conclude our grand morning of worship with Nicolas de Grigny's brilliant Veni Creator en taille à 5. This piece from the French classical tradition sends us out with regal and unshakeable majesty, echoing the enduring power and glory of the newly birthed Church.

A Closing Note on our Journey

We all want to be comforted and loved, and when a loved one dies, or a very special someone leaves, it is so easy to feel abandoned. But I believe what Jesus is saying to us in His promise, "I will not leave you comfortless," is that you are going to be okay. You are taken care of by the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Jesus told us He was leaving us with an Advocate.

So, with this profound reassurance, after the rushing wind has blown through and the tongues of fire have rested upon us, our call is not to stay huddled in the upper room. We are filled with the Spirit so that we might go out into the world, equipped to do the mighty work God has given us to do. As our Diocesan Purpose Statement beautifully reminds us, "We challenge ourselves and the world to love like Jesus as we worship joyfully, serve compassionately, and grow spiritually".

Strengthened by the profound unity of the Eucharist and guided by the fiery, life-giving presence of the Holy Spirit, let us go forth into our communities with bold and joyful hearts, allowing those rivers of living water to flow to all we meet. May we always find encouragement in the truth that we, too, are here to join in the great and ongoing work of the Holy Spirit.

A Prayer for the Week Ahead

Let us pray for the continued outpouring of the Holy Spirit in our lives, our parish, and our city.

Holy God, you poured out your Holy Spirit in your Holy City Jerusalem: pour out your Spirit in our own city. Raise up prophets and dreamers; give us vision. 

We beseech you, O Lord;
Come, Holy Spirit.

Holy God, give to each member of your Church the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good, that our many members may be the one Body of Christ in this world. 

We beseech you, O Lord;
Come, Holy Spirit.

Holy God, your Spirit hovered over the waters of creation and brings order out of chaos: breathe your peace into the troubled corners of our world, that all nations may live in harmony and justice. 

We beseech you, O Lord;
Come, Holy Spirit.

Holy God, your Son promised not to leave us comfortless, sending the Spirit as our Advocate: be present with all who are grieving, sick, or lonely, and wrap them in your unending love. 

We beseech you, O Lord;
Come, Holy Spirit.

Holy God, out of the believer's heart flow rivers of living water: bless our shared music and ministries, especially our Weekend Lunch program, that through our hands, the hungry may be fed and the lost may find a home. 

We beseech you, O Lord;
Come, Holy Spirit.

Collect for The Day of Pentecost:
Almighty God, on this day you opened the way of eternal life to every race and nation by the promised gift of your Holy Spirit: Shed abroad this gift throughout the world by the preaching of the Gospel, that it may reach to the ends of the earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. 

Amen.

Opening Thought

There is a powerful sense of transition and expectant waiting in this week's readings. In our Gospel, Jesus is preparing to leave the world, looking up to heaven and praying for his disciples. He asks the Holy Father to protect them so that "they may be one, as we are one". Meanwhile, in Acts, we witness the Ascension; as the disciples watch, Jesus is lifted up and a cloud takes him out of their sight. Suddenly, two men in white robes ask them why they are looking toward heaven, reminding them that Jesus will return.

We find ourselves in a liminal space this Sunday—the Sunday after the Ascension and the Sunday before Pentecost. We are waiting for the power of the Holy Spirit to come upon us. Yet, we are not waiting idly. Just as Jesus prayed for our profound unity, we are actively growing our family of faith. This Sunday, we have the great joy of presenting and examining candidates for Holy Baptism, welcoming new life into this unified body of believers.

Engaging the Word

Our readings today center on the Ascension, the promise of the Holy Spirit, and finding strength in God during times of trial.

• Acts (1:6-14): The apostles ask Jesus if it is time to restore the kingdom. Jesus replies that it is not for them to know the times, but promises they will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon them to be witnesses to the ends of the earth. He is then lifted up into heaven right before their eyes.

• Psalm 68 (1-10, 33-36): A joyous and triumphant psalm proclaiming, "Let God arise, and let his enemies be scattered". It praises God as the "Father of orphans, defender of widows" who rides in the ancient heavens and sends forth his mighty voice. We see this divine defense of the vulnerable reflected in the history of our own parish. Julia Jones answered this call when she created a benevolent home beside Christ Church for the widows and orphans of the Confederate War. Her foundation remains the backbone and chief financial cornerstone of our current Outreach programs. Her great work, alongside our flagship outreach ministry Weekend Lunch and other community organizations, is the epitome of the psalmist's declaration that "in your goodness, O God, you have made provision for the poor". Julia Jones knew this, and her lasting legacy at Christ Church is one of the greatest assets our community has.

• 1 Peter (4:12-14; 5:6-11): This Epistle from Peter is truly amazing. He encourages believers not to be surprised by the "fiery ordeal" taking place to test them. Can you imagine the "fiery trials" that awaited the early disciples and followers of Christ? Talk about anxiety! Yet, amidst that fear, there is a still, calm voice that says, "fear not, for I am with you." Peter instructs us to cast all our anxiety on God, who cares for us and will not leave us comfortless. This passage gives us strength today, reminding us that we are not in this alone. We are all one in Christ, which means as children of God, we are on this journey together—through the good and the bad—trusting that in the end, Christ will raise us up to eternal glory where we will be reunited in heaven.

• John (17:1-11): Jesus prays a beautiful, intercessory prayer to the Father. He asks that those who have been given to him may be protected and unified, praying, "so that they may be one, as we are one". Ultimately, this passage is a profound plea for humanity. Jesus is saying to his Father: I have done what you asked me to do. I have gone out into the world and proclaimed your name. Now, Father, take care of them. Jesus knows the work of the Kingdom is only just beginning, but he has absolute faith in us to carry on the good news—to share the love, to spread the Word, and to love one another as he loved us. He knows this will not be easy for us, which is exactly why he asks the Heavenly Father to be gracious, kind, and fiercely protective of his children.

A Journey in Song: Our Musical Guides

Our music today echoes the triumphant imagery of the Ascension, the petition for God's guidance, and the joyous welcome of new life in Christ.

• Opening Voluntary: We begin our worship with Jeremiah Clarke's majestic Prince of Denmark's March. This well-known piece is a great example of kingly power, reminding us that the Kingdom on Earth is about to begin, heralding in this kingdom with the joyous, triumphant sounds of trumpets and pipe.

• Entrance Hymn: We celebrate Christ's ascent into heaven by singing our opening hymn, Hail the day that sees him rise. Charles Wesley's classic text paints the very scene from Acts as Jesus is lifted into the clouds, setting our hearts looking upward as we process in and uniting our voices in the awe the disciples must have felt.

• Sequence Hymn: We continue our joyous proclamation of the Ascension as we sing See the Conqueror mounts in triumph. Following the triumphant imagery of Psalm 68, this hymn beautifully bridges the lessons and the Gospel. We sing of Christ entering His glory, not to abandon us, but preparing to send the Spirit to bind us as one.

• Baptismal Hymn: As we prepare to welcome our newest members into the household of God, we sing the fitting text, I want to walk as a child of the light. It is a perfect encapsulation of our baptismal vows; as Reaves and Stuart are presented, we are reminded of our own call to walk in the light of Christ and reflect that light to the world.

• Baptismal Solo: Following the baptism, our hearts will be warmed by a special solo offering of Jesus loves me, this I know, sung beautifully by Anita Thomas. When we face the "fiery ordeals" Peter writes about in his Epistle, it is this simple, profound, foundational truth of God's tender and protective love that sustains us.

• Offertory Anthem: The choir will offer L.J. White's A Prayer of St. Richard of Chichester. As the altar is prepared, the choir's offering mirrors Jesus's prayer in the Gospel. The text is a beautiful, intimate petition for deeper relationship and unity with our Lord: "may I know thee more clearly, love thee more dearly, and follow thee more nearly, day by day".

• Communion Hymn: As we partake in the Body of Christ together, we sing My God, thy table now is spread. This hymn emphasizes the profound unity Jesus prayed for in John 17; it is here, at this table, that we are truly made one body, sharing in the spiritual food that strengthens us for the journey.

• Closing Hymn: We process out into the world to the triumphant and unifying strains of Jesus shall reign where'er the sun. Isaac Watts's text sends us out with a mission, reminding us that while Jesus has ascended, His kingdom is actively expanding through us as we carry the Good News into our communities.

• Closing Voluntary: We conclude our grand morning of worship with a celebratory Intrada by Grayston Ives. This postlude acts as a final burst of joyous energy, propelling us out of the doors to do the mighty work God has given us to do.

A Closing Note on our Journey

As we stand with the disciples, gazing up at the clouds after the Ascension, it is easy to feel a sense of loss or anxiety about the work ahead. We might wonder how we will face the "fiery ordeals" of this world. But Jesus’s prayer in the Gospel echoes in our hearts: we are protected, and we are made one. Our call is not to stand looking at the sky, but to return to our communities and do the mighty work God has given us to do. Whether that means caring for the vulnerable like Julia Jones did, sharing the Good News with our neighbors, or simply walking as children of the light, we leave our worship fortified by this profound unity and the promise of the Spirit.

As I write this blog, I find myself thinking that I perhaps should have chosen the great British anthem by Hubert Parry, Dear Lord and Father of Mankind, for this Sunday. The imagery of the earthquake, wind, and fire, and that "still small voice of calm" are echoing in my mind. My point is this: even in these tumultuous times, God himself is there. Even in the heartbreak and loneliness, God himself is there. Even in the anxiety and pressure of daily life and immense depression, God himself is there.

God is also there in our joys, and I could not imagine a more fitting day to celebrate those joys than by welcoming two new lives into the household of God. Today, we celebrate the baptism of Reaves Curfman Harrell and Stuart Evelyn Turk. As we say as one community and body of Christ, "I will, with God's help", we renew our own Baptismal Covenant and recommit to being the unified body Jesus prayed for.

Strengthened by this promise and bound together in His enduring love, let us go forth into the world with bold and joyful hearts, fully empowered to be the hands and feet of Christ to all we meet.

A Prayer for the Week Ahead

Let us pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit and the unity of the Church.

For our newly baptized, Reaves and Stuart, that they may grow in the Holy Spirit and know the unending love of God. 

Lord, hear our prayer.

For all those undergoing a "fiery ordeal" or suffering in the world, that they may cast their anxiety upon God and know that He will restore, support, and strengthen them. 

Lord, hear our prayer.

Collect for the Seventh Sunday of Easter: O God, the King of glory, you have exalted your only Son Jesus Christ with great triumph to your kingdom in heaven: Do not leave us comfortless, but send us your Holy Spirit to strengthen us, and exalt us to that place where our Savior Christ has gone before; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. 

Amen.

Opening Thought

In our Gospel reading this Sunday, Jesus offers a profound and deeply comforting promise to his disciples: "I will not leave you orphaned; I am coming to you."  In a world that often feels disconnected and isolating, this assurance is a powerful reminder that we are never abandoned. Jesus promises to ask the Father to give us another Advocate, the Spirit of truth, to be with us forever.

This weekend, as we offer special prayers giving thanks for the gift of motherhood, we are reminded of the nurturing, unconditional love that God has for each of us. Whether we are celebrating mothers who are with us, remembering those who have gone before us, or giving thanks for those who have been like mothers to us, we see a reflection of God's maternal, abiding presence. We are not orphans; we are deeply loved children of the God who gives to all mortals life and breath and all things.

Engaging the Word

Our readings today weave a beautiful tapestry of God's omnipresent love and the call to share our hope with the world.

Acts (17:22-31): We find Paul standing in front of the Areopagus, speaking to the Athenians about an altar dedicated "To an unknown god." He beautifully proclaims that God is not far from each one of us, reminding them of the truth that "In him we live and move and have our being."   

Psalm 66 (7-18): A joyful song of praise thanking God for holding our souls in life. The psalmist rejoices that even though we went through fire and water, God brought us out into a place of refreshment.   

1 Peter (3:13-22): Peter encourages us not to be intimidated by suffering, but to sanctify Christ as Lord in our hearts. He challenges us to always be ready to make a defense to anyone who demands an accounting for our hope, doing so with gentleness and reverence.   

John (14:15-21): Jesus promises the disciples the gift of the Holy Spirit. He links our love for Him directly to keeping His commandments, assuring us that because He lives, we also will live.

A Journey in Song: Our Musical Guides

Our music today echoes the themes of divine love, the power of God, and the commandments of Christ, deeply enriching our understanding of the day's scripture.

Opening Voluntary: We begin with Dan Locklair's (b. 1949) The peace may be exchanged.  Taken from his acclaimed organ suite Rubrics, this contemporary piece creates a beautifully serene and contemplative atmosphere. Its gentle, flowing nature serves to center our hearts and prepare us for worship, echoing the deep peace that comes from the Advocate Jesus promises.  

Entrance Hymn: We open our voices with I sing the almighty power of God (Hymnal 398).  This robust, traditional hymn sets a joyous and reverent tone from the very start. It ties directly into Paul's message in Acts, where he proclaims the "God who made the world and everything in it", praising the Creator's hand in all of our lives.  

Sequence Hymn: Just before the Gospel, we sing O Love of God, how strong and true (Hymnal 455).  This selection seamlessly transitions us from the Epistle into the Gospel reading. It is a thoughtful meditation on the depth, endurance, and comfort of God's love, perfectly preparing our minds to hear Jesus speak about the ultimate demonstration of love and obedience.  

Offertory Anthem: The choir offers Thomas Tallis's (c. 1505-1585) stunning Renaissance masterpiece, If ye love me.  Tallis masterfully sets the exact words of our Gospel lesson to music. As the choir weaves the lines "If ye love me, keep my commandments" and the promise of "another comforter... e'en the spirit of truth," we are given a profound, auditory reflection of Jesus' vow that we will never be left orphaned.   

Communion Hymn: As we partake in the Body of Christ, we sing God is love, and where true love is (Hymnal 577).  This hymn gently reminds us of the practical application of our faith. It emphasizes that true, active charity is the ultimate hallmark of a Christian community, mirroring the interconnected love of the Father, the Son, and the disciples discussed in John's Gospel.  

Closing Hymn: As we prepare to leave, we sing the Hymn in Procession, Spread, O spread, thou mighty word (Hymnal 530) . This stirring hymn sends us out with a clear mission to share the love and truth we have received, echoing Paul's proclamation in Acts and the outward movement of the Spirit of truth.

Closing Voluntary: We finish with a Chorale Prelude on "Gelobt sei Gott" by the celebrated composer Healey Willan (1880-1968). "Gelobt sei Gott" translates to "Praised be God," and Willan's prelude delivers exactly that—a triumphant, uplifting, and majestic conclusion that empowers us to boldly answer the dismissal: "Let us go forth in the name of Christ, Alleluia, Alleluia".

A Closing Note on our Journey

As we celebrate the love that God fills mothers with for their children—a love that surpasses understanding—we are invited to experience a foretaste of God's unconditional, eternal love.   

This weekend, my thoughts naturally turn to my own mother, Kimble. She has shown my sister and me a love that is truly unending. When I was just ten years old and my mother was only thirty-seven, my father passed away from cancer. Suddenly, she was left without the love of her life to help raise her children. Yet, in the midst of that profound grief, she never stopped loving us; if anything, she held us even closer.

Even now, separated by physical distance, she continues to hold us firmly in her heart and mind. For me, she is that love that will not let me go. While I know that Christ's love is far greater than any earthly love we could ever experience, I am deeply blessed that she and my daddy gave me life, and that Kimble is my mother. So, I simply want to say: thank you, Mama, for loving me.

Let us carry that maternal, unconditional love out into the world this week.

A Prayer for the Week Ahead

Let us pray for the guidance of the Spirit of Truth.

For mothers, that God would bless them with all the spiritual blessings they need to care for and raise up their children to know and honor Him. 

Lord, hear our prayer.

For those who grieve the loss of a child, and in thanksgiving for those who have provided us with encouragement, guidance, and comfort. 

Lord, hear our prayer.

For the grace to love Jesus and keep his commandments, trusting in the Advocate He has sent us. 

Lord, hear our prayer.

Collect for the Sixth Sunday of Easter: 
O God, you have prepared for those who love you such good things as surpass our understanding: Pour into our hearts such love towards you, that we, loving you in all things and above all things, may obtain your promises, which exceed all that we can desire; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. 

Amen.

In the Gospel this Sunday, Jesus looks at his disciples—who are about to face the most terrifying and confusing weekend of their lives—and says, “Do not let your hearts be troubled.” It sounds almost impossible. How can they not be troubled? How can we not be?

But Jesus doesn’t just offer an empty platitude. He offers a promise, reminding them that they already know the way. When Thomas, ever the pragmatist, protests, Jesus answers with one of the most profound statements in all of scripture: “I am the way, and the truth, and the life.” This weekend, we are reminded that faith is not about having a map with every step perfectly charted out. It is about trusting the Guide. It is about laying down our troubled hearts and allowing ourselves to be built into something greater.

A Soundtrack for the Journey

If you join us this Sunday, you will hear this beautiful imagery of construction woven throughout the liturgy. In 1 Peter, we are called “living stones” being built into a spiritual house, with Christ as the precious cornerstone.

We begin with the flowing, gentle melody of Ralph Vaughan Williams’s Rhosymedre to quiet our troubled hearts before worship. As the morning unfolds, the choir will offer David Thorne’s driving and joyful Christ Is Our Cornerstone, physically echoing the Epistle. When we approach the altar, all earthly status disappears and we respond directly to the Gospel by singing Come, my Way, my Truth, my Life. Finally, we are sent out with a thrilling, energetic postlude: Paul Manz’s Chorale Improvisation on “Hyfrydol”.

The Legacy of the Stones

Being a “living stone” is a fascinating metaphor. A single stone sitting in a field doesn’t do much. It might be pretty, but it isn’t a house. It is only when stones are brought together, stacked upon one another, and aligned with the cornerstone that they become a sanctuary.

We have a beautiful, tangible example of this right here on our campus. As featured in this month’s Chimes newsletter, Christ Church recently opened the cornerstone of the Parish House to celebrate the 100th anniversary of its construction in 1926. Laid in the corner facing Walnut Street, it revealed a remarkable piece of our shared history: it contained the actual cornerstone from one of our sister parishes, St. John’s Episcopal, which once stood over in the Fort Hawkins area of Macon. Safely preserved in a box just above it were many other historical artifacts.

This physical cornerstone is more than just a time capsule. It points to the enduring legacy of our work, reminding us that the spiritual house we are building today rests firmly on the faith, love, and living stones of those who came before us. We see this living legacy continue this weekend as we celebrate Youth Sunday and Senior Recognitions, watching the next generation of “living stones” take their place in the foundation of the church, supported by the community around them.

At the Table: Building a Sanctuary

Just as the church is built stone by stone into a spiritual house, we build the sanctuaries of our own homes one intentional choice at a time. The Gilded Raven House is a journal dedicated to the pursuit of beauty in all its forms: from the structure of the Sunday liturgy and the majesty of Anglican choral music, to the art of interior design and the warmth of a well-crafted cocktail. When the world outside feels chaotic and our hearts are troubled, our living rooms and dining tables become the cornerstones of our peace.

True hospitality is about creating a sanctuary. It is about giving the people you care about a space to put down their burdens for a few hours and just be. This week, consider what foundational pieces bring peace to your home. Perhaps it is lighting a specific candle, pouring a thoughtfully crafted cocktail , or setting the table with mismatched heirlooms that remind you of the generations that came before you. You do not have to have a flawless evening planned; you just have to offer a steady, peaceful foundation for your guests to rest upon.

When your heart feels troubled this week, remember that you are not a solitary rock. You are part of a holy nation, God’s own people. You are being held up by the Cornerstone, and you have a permanent place in the Father’s house.

Opening Thought

It is incredibly easy to have a troubled heart these days. Between the endless news cycles, the daily stresses of life, and the general anxiety of living in a fast-paced world, finding a sense of peace can feel like a full-time job.

In our Gospel reading this Sunday, Jesus looks at his disciples—who are about to face the most terrifying and confusing weekend of their lives—and says, "Do not let your hearts be troubled." It sounds almost impossible. How can they not be troubled? How can we not be?

But Jesus doesn't just offer an empty platitude. He offers a promise. He tells them that in His Father's house there are many dwelling places, and that He is going to prepare a place for them. He reminds them that they already know the way. When Thomas, ever the pragmatist, protests that they do not know the way, Jesus answers with one of the most profound statements in all of scripture: "I am the way, and the truth, and the life."

This Sunday, we are reminded that faith is not about having a map with every step perfectly charted out. It is about trusting the Guide. It is about laying down our troubled hearts and allowing ourselves to be built into something greater.

Engaging the Word

Our readings today bridge the gap between building our faith and finding our ultimate refuge in God.

Acts (7:55-60): We hear the story of Stephen, the first martyr of the church. Even as he faces a brutal death, his eyes are fixed on the glory of God. He echoes Jesus' own words from the cross, asking God not to hold the sin against his attackers. It is a staggering picture of a completely untroubled heart rooted in ultimate truth.

Psalm 31 (1-5, 15-16): A perfect companion to Stephen's story. It is a prayer of seeking refuge in God: "Into your hands I commend my spirit."

1 Peter (2:2-10): Peter uses the beautiful imagery of construction. He calls Christ the "cornerstone chosen and precious" and tells us that we, too, are "living stones" being built into a spiritual house. We are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, God's own people, called out of darkness into his marvelous light.

John (14:1-14): Jesus comforts His disciples during the Last Supper discourse. He assures them of their place in the Father's house and invites Philip and the others to recognize that seeing Him is seeing the Father. He promises that whoever believes in Him will do the works that He does.

A Journey in Song: Our Musical Guides

Our music today reinforces the imagery of the church as a spiritual house and answers the call to follow the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

Opening Voluntary: We begin with Rhosymedre by Ralph Vaughan Williams. Its flowing, gentle melody is the perfect way to quiet our troubled hearts before worship.

Entrance Hymn: We stand to sing The Church's one foundation. This perfectly echoes our reading from 1 Peter, declaring that Christ is the cornerstone upon which we are built.

Sequence Hymn: Just before the Gospel, we sing In Christ there is no East or West. A beautiful reminder that in God’s house, there are many dwelling places, and we are all drawn together as one family.

Offertory Anthem: The choir offers David Thorne's driving and joyful Christ Is Our Cornerstone. The text reinforces the Epistle, proclaiming that on Him alone we build.

Communion Hymns: We sing Come, my Way, my Truth, my Life, directly responding to Jesus' words in the Gospel. We follow it with Where charity and love prevail, a song of the unity and peace found in Christ.

Post-Communion Hymn: Love divine, all loves excelling sends us out with the prayer that God's love will sustain us.

Closing Voluntary: We finish with Paul Manz’s Chorale Improvisation on "Hyfrydol". Since we just sang the tune Hyfrydol for our closing hymn, this bright, energetic postlude serves as a thrilling send-off.

A Closing Note on our Journey

Being a "living stone" is a fascinating metaphor. A single stone sitting in a field doesn't do much. It might be pretty, but it isn't a house. It is only when stones are brought together, stacked upon one another, and aligned with the cornerstone that they become a sanctuary.

We aren't meant to do this Christian life alone. We need each other to build the spiritual house Peter writes about. This Sunday is also Youth Sunday and a time for Senior Recognitions at Christ Church. This is a perfect living example of this metaphor. We are watching the next generation of "living stones" take their place in the foundation of the church, supported by the faith and love of the community around them.

We also have a beautiful, tangible example of this right here on our campus. As you may have seen in this month’s Chimes newsletter (which features a wonderful write-up and pictures!), Christ Church recently opened the cornerstone of the Parish House to celebrate the 100th anniversary of its construction in 1926. The cornerstone, laid in the corner of the building facing Walnut Street, revealed a remarkable piece of our shared history: it contained the actual cornerstone from one of our sister parishes, St. John's Episcopal, which once stood over in the Fort Hawkins area of Macon. Additionally, many other historical artifacts were found safely preserved in a box just above it. This physical cornerstone is more than just a time capsule; it is a profound, tangible object representing the lasting importance of legacy. It points to the enduring legacy of our work in the message of Jesus Christ, reminding us that the spiritual house we are building today rests firmly on the faith, love, and living stones of those who came before us.

When your heart feels troubled this week, remember that you are not a solitary rock. You are part of a holy nation, God's own people. You are being held up by the Cornerstone, and you have a permanent place in the Father's house.

A Prayer for the Week Ahead

Let us pray for the peace that only Christ can give.

For the grace to lay down our troubled hearts and trust in the Way, the Truth, and the Life. 

Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.

For the courage of Stephen, to commend our spirits into God's hands in all circumstances. 

Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.

For our graduating seniors and the youth of our parish, that they may continue to grow as living stones built upon the foundation of Christ. 

Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.

For all who are wandering in darkness, that they may be called into God's marvelous light. 

Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.

Collect for the Fifth Sunday of Easter: Almighty God, whom truly to know is everlasting life: Grant us so perfectly to know your Son Jesus Christ to be the way, the truth, and the life, that we may steadfastly follow his steps in the way that leads to eternal life; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. 

Amen.