St. Peter's Episcopal Church

09/09/2026

09/06/2026

SUNDAY REWIND: Take a minute. Slow down. Let the words sink in. Make this song your prayer. Let the words become your own. "Jesus, Be The Center" (Frye) was our song during the preparation of the altar this morning, led by Catarina Avelar Rebello. It is a song about making Jesus the center of our very being. The song asks Jesus to be at the center of everything we do, think, and choose. When Jesus is at the center of our lives, everything falls into place. He is our hope and he will guide us in all that we do!

Jesus, as we listen to this song,
help us to slow down and be present with You.
Let these words the prayer of our heart.
We long for you.
Move our hearts to you.
Stir within us a deeper desire for You.
Help us to make more space for You
in every part of our lives.

JESUS, BE THE CENTER

Jesus, be the center
Be my source, be my light
Jesus

Jesus, be the center
Be my hope, be my song
Jesus

Be the fire in my heart
Be the wind in these sails
Be the reason that I live
Jesus, Jesus

Jesus, be my vision
Be my path, be my guide
Jesus

09/06/2026

ST. PETER'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH351 Elm Street ~ Dartmouth, MA stpete...

09/06/2026

HOMILY - SEPTEMBER 6, 2026: DON'T BE "NICE"!

FIRST READING: Ezekiel 33:7-11
You, mortal, I have made a sentinel for the house of Israel; whenever you hear a word from my mouth, you shall give them warning from me. If I say to the wicked, “O wicked ones, you shall surely die,” and you do not speak to warn the wicked to turn from their ways, the wicked shall die in their iniquity, but their blood I will require at your hand. But if you warn the wicked to turn from their ways, and they do not turn from their ways, the wicked shall die in their iniquity, but you will have saved your life. Now you, mortal, say to the house of Israel, Thus you have said: “Our transgressions and our sins weigh upon us, and we waste away because of them; how then can we live?” Say to them, As I live, says the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from their ways and live; turn back, turn back from your evil ways; for why will you die, O house of Israel?

GOSPEL READING: Matthew 18:15-20
Jesus said, “If another member of the church sins against you, go and point out the fault when the two of you are alone. If the member listens to you, you have regained that one. But if you are not listened to, take one or two others along with you, so that every word may be confirmed by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If the member refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if the offender refuses to listen even to the church, let such a one be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. Again, truly I tell you, if two of you agree on earth about anything you ask, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.”

ST. PETER'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH351 Elm Street ~ Dartmouth, MA stpete...

09/06/2026

09/04/2026

HEALTHY BOUNDARIES = HEALTHY PARISH

The work of creating HEALTHY BOUNDARIES belongs to ALL of us as members of God's Church. Healthy personal boundaries translate into a healthy experience of church!

As today's "SAFE CHURCH IN PRACTICE" TIP OF THE DAY, please read about CLIQUES and CLOSED CIRLCES which can be a huge and destructive danger for any church community!

Always let common sense prevail along with your awareness of proper and healthy boundaries. Healthy relationships GROW the MISSION of the CHURCH. Unhealthy relationships have the opposite effect.

When we lose sight of the MISSION, people can begin to view church as a “social club” to meet their own unmet needs, provide validation, fulfill their human insecurities and "personal friendship" needs. That is not what the mission of the church is about.

When our eyes remain set on Jesus and when his MISSION remains at the CENTER, our relationships remain healthy and we are no longer driven by our personal need for validation, affirmation, belonging, or friendship.

When Jesus remains at the center, we are free to receive HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS as gifts from God rather than fulfilling our own personal needs.

Let's all keep our eyes on JESUS and build the MISSION of the church together! The mission can never be about personal agendas. Healthy boundaries always lead to healthy experience of church.

09/04/2026

SMALL GROUPS are an important part of parish life because they help deepen relationships, build a stronger sense of community, and support ongoing faith formation. Join us to study Scripture, pray, and have meaningful conversations about Jesus and our faith through the exploration of the Gospel of John. This small group begins September 14. Everyone is welcome to join us!

09/04/2026