St Joseph-St John Episcopal Church

06/07/2024

Isabel

11/28/2023

04/23/2022

Father Hilary's Good Friday sermon (Today is Orthodox Good Friday, as well as Second Sunday of Easter): "Death on a cross qualifies Jesus to be our Mediator"

St. Joseph - St. John Episcopal Church
Second Sunday of Easter
4/24/22

Lessons;
Isaiah 52: 13 - 53:12
Hebrews 4: 14 - 16: 5-9
John 18: 1 - 19: 42

DEATH ON A CROSS QUALIFIES JESUS TO BE OUR MEDIATOR
Today is Good Friday, and many extra things happened on this day in the First Century. In Jerusalem which represented the whole world, people
1. Refused God’s Kingship (John 19:14-15)
2. Killed a good person who used o help the society and set free a “bad man.” (Mk. 15:7); (Lk 23: 14-15b), (Lk. 23:24-25)
3. God left his son to die alone. (Mk. 15-34).
4. People killed God. (Mk 15:39)(Nietzsche-God is dead)
5. The power of sin was torn into pieces— was destroyed. (Jn 19:30 ; Rom. 6:5-10)
6. Humanity was set free from original sin and the way for forgiveness opened.(Jn. 19-30b ; Mk. 15;38)
7. The law which claims the death of a sinner was given its due— we have a Saviour.
Today we have a high priest who bleeds with us at the Right Hand of God. Who knows our weaknesses, problems, difficulties, emotional torture, etc. For what Jesus went through on Earth and mostly on Good Friday qualifies him to be our High Priest, Attorney, and Mediator between us and God. Take a step of faith, talk to Jesus for he understands you better. (John 3:16)
Amen
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blessings,
Wendy
“Peace within, peace between, peace among.” ~~Virginia Satir

04/10/2022

Father Hilary's sermon, "Jesus' Humble Coronation"
St. Joseph - St. John Episcopal Church

Palm Sunday
4/10/22

Lessons:
Isaiah 50: 4-9
Philippians 2: 5-11
Luke 19: 28-40

Jesus is coming to Jerusalem as a king and not as someone who anticipates his kingship. In all his life on earth, he had not accepted to be made or called king (Jn. 6:15). But now it is his time to show and prove that he is a king. Now is the time, 5 days before his crucifixion, and here is the city/
Why at this time and in this city?
This time because:
(i) It was God’s right time and plan
(ii) It was prophesied by Daniel (Daniel 9).
(iii) It is time to push his enemies so that they can persecute him during Passover day.
(iv) Passover day was the time for sacrifices, so it was the right time for the Lamb of God to be sacrificed for the sins of the world.
In this city called Jerusalem because:
(i) Was the capital city— the city with authority.
(ii) Was where the Temple was located.
(iii) Was where sacrifices were done.
(iv) Was the “City of God.”
(v) Was where god and people met.
So Jesus was to provoke his enemies to accomplish the mission.
From Galilee Jesus is coming to Jerusalem with a huge crowd. Other people who knew him and had witnessed his miracles joined him on the way—like Mary, Martha and Lazarus. And in the city there were others. In total, there was a population of about 2 million people in Jerusalem during Passover. (About 260,000 animals x 10 people per goat = 2,600,000).
At Bethany, about 2 miles east of Jerusalem, Jesus sent 2 of his disciples t go and get him a c**t that had never been ridden. “For special or sacred purposes, animals that had never been used (Craddock 226). A special animal for special event was needed. Jesus know that this event will be a watershed moment in his journey towards the cross; he made a choice of the animal.
Can you leet your c**t/car be taken away just because “The Lord” wants it?
They put their cloaks on the c**t’s back as a makeshift saddle for Jesus. Then the placed Jesus on the c**t. From this act we can conclude that:
(a) Jesus wants to prove to people that he is the Messiah. Christ the King (Zech. 9:9; Mark 15: 2; Jn. 18-36).
(b) Jesus did not make himself a king—he was made in heaven and his disciples made him their king by placing him on the c**t and paying their homage and respect submission when they spread their clothes on the road.
At about half a mile, they started shouting and singing:
“Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”
“Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” (Psalm 118:26)
“Hosanna to the son of David!….Hosanna in the highest” (Mtt. 21: 9b)
Hosanna is a Biblical Hebrew phrase meaning “Pray, save us.” “Save us as we pray.”
So the crowd was telling Jesus to save them, to intervene in the political situation. They were joyously greeting the one they believed can and will save them.
The singing and shouts made the Pharisees react and they called to him “Teacher, rebuke your disciples.”
Who were the Pharisees?
They were a group of people who wanted to bring about reform and revolution through rigorous devotion to the Torah. They resisted Jesus because his program of reform did not align with theirs.
Jesus was used to telling people that they should not tell anyone who he was (Mtt. 8: 4; Mk 8: 30). Now the time has come for Jesus to let people call him King, son of David, “son of God;”
This move is unstoppable, even if human beings will not announce and proclaim it for all to hear, the stones (other God’s creation) will cry out for the time has come. Jesus knew this will serve two purposes.
(i) This is a proof that he is a real king, and even more than a king— but a Savior!
(ii) This will provoke his enemies in order to take part in God’s plan that Jesus was to be put on a ross the following Friday (Passover Day).
Jesus first coming (coronation) was humble. Born in a manger. Walked in the hot sun of the Middle East. Faced resistance even from his own friends. His coronation as king was simple and many did not know exactly what Jesus was here for and finally he was mocked and humiliated by his own creation. All these he allowed to happen to him in order to save you and me!
But his second coming (coronation), he will come in power and be triumphant and everybody, every creation will acknowledge him Lord and King. Get ready — Our King and Savior is coming soon! (Mtt 24: 42-46).

Amen.

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Now that Holy Week is here after Lent, there are services you’ll want to attend.
Maundy Thursday at 10:30am there is a short prayer service and then those who wish to are welcome to help strip the church of bright shiny decorations.
Good Friday service at 10:30am Father Hilary will celebrate an excellent Eucharistic service.
Holy Saturday, no services.
Easter Sunday at 10:30am Father Hilary will celebrate a joyous Easter service. Please bring family and friends, for this is Father Hilary’s last service with us after several months of devoted Sunday services!!
[If you cannot make service times, please consult other Episcopal churches in the area—several of them have evening services and an Easter vigil on Saturday night.]

Wishing all of you a meaningful Holy Week,

Wendy

“Peace within, peace between, peace among.” ~~Virginia Satir

04/03/2022

Father Hilary's sermon: "Do your best before death comes"

St. Joseph - St. John Episcopal Church
5th Sunday in Lent
4/13/22

Lessons:
Isaiah 43: 16-21
Philippians 3: 6-14
John 12: 1-8
DO YOUR BEST BEFORE DEATH COMES

Lent is a season to reflect on death. The death of Our Lord Jesus Christ on the cross and our own deaths which are inevitable. Lent is a time to remember that death is always in the air wherever we go. To die is part of what it means to be human.
The gospel today encourages us to think more about death, the preparation of the dead, and the absence of the dead. What is death?
~~Passing — end
~~Demise — dying
~~The action or factor dying, end of life of a person.
~~Is the irreversible cessation of all biological functions that sustain an organism.
~~Is a universal process that eventually occurs in all organisms
~~According to the Bible, death is Separation;
a) Separation of the soul from the body
b) Spiritual death is separation of the soul from God

How do we prepare our dead for burial? What abut preparing our people about death? What preparation have you done for your death? Jesus said the anointing was for the preparation of his body for burial (v. 7). The anointing is a reminder that death touches even the nostrils. The preparation for death should provoke our senses. The presence of Lazarus in the party is a constant reminder of death’s presence, and a reminder of Jesus’s power over death, that death would not have the final word—the final word over death is with Jesus Christ.

What kind of attachment with Jesus do we have? In this gospel we have to characters and the kind of attachment each had. We have Judas who thought Symbolic actions should be cost-effective. To him, following Jesus should be benefit him financially. Judas also represents the religious motive many people have, where they love God so that they can benefit from him materially, and this will be moved by what one does to make God happy. This is a very wrong motive of a Christian.
Then we have another character who represents the special and the right motive of a faithful Christian. This is Mary, and her expensive perfume. The cost of perfume was 300 Denarii…(1 = $30; so 300 x 30 = 9,000 x 5 = $45). To Mary, Jesus had done a lot for them—like bring her brother back to life, and now he is ready to die for them; so she offers her best to Jesus. She gives without calculating the cost. She represents the gospel—which shows how much God has done for humanity.
Which character do you represent?

Amen

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NEXT SUNDAY IS PALM SUNDAY! We have a service planned, our palms are already in—SO COME! Join the PALM SUNDAY service!! And, as always, keep up your Lenten daily prayer and whatever you decided to delete or add to make it your blessed Lent…..

03/28/2022

Father Hilary's sermon: "Reconciliation"

St Joseph - St. John Episcopal Church

4th Sunday in Lent
3/27/22

Lessons:
Joshua 5: 9-12
2 Corinthians 5: 16-21
Luke 15: 1-3, 11b -32

RECONCILIATION
Meaning:
1. The restoration of friendly relations. Reunite; reunion, conciliation.
2. (a) An element of Salvation that refers to the results of atonement.
(b) It is the end of the estrangement caused by original sin, between God and humanity.
(c) To be at peace again.
(d) Reconciliation is the final step in the forgiveness process— it is an extra bonus.

Paul talking about reconciliation. He was insulted or injured by an unknown person and the church took no action against the offender. Paul fled Corinth but sent the letter, known as “The Letter of Tears”, criticizing the community for ignoring the injury (2 Cor. 7: 8-13). Later the church disciplined the offending individual (2 Cor. 2: 5-11). Paul thought a new beginning or a renewed relationship with the community and the offender was important. So he writes “You ought to forgive and comfort him….I urge you , therefore, to reaffirm your love for him.” (2 Cor. 2: 7-8).
Paul sees a process here, where you start with forgiveness and then reconciling with your offender. There is no reconciliation without forgiveness.
Reconciliation requires honesty. Whether you were the offender or the offended, be prepared other things about yourself that you may not like. Be willing to admit that you were wrong, that you were hurt, and to see things from the other person’s perspective. Your desire and willingness to reconcile shows your strength.

The way we relate to one another has implications for how we relate to god. God sees us, after repentance as a new creation through Christ through who our sins, trespasses (mis-steps) are not held against us. We too are challenged to reach across the boundaries and barriers that separate us, whether due to mis-steps, misunderstandings, or misconceptions, and find ways to renew any relationships as part of our on-going act of Creation.

Jesus gave a good picture about reconciliation when he gave the story of a man who had two sons (Lk. 15: 1-32). The man was so willing to reconcile himself with his sons. The younger son, who was ready and willing to ask for forgiveness and be reconciled with the father; and the older son who was rigid and not ready for reconciliation. With this issue of reconciliation, you can be compared with which son?
1) The younger, who was ready to repent and become a new creation and be reconciled with the father (who here stands for God); or
2) The older son, who was furiously clinging to that comfortable “old” creation full of anger and sometimes revenge.

These scriptures and our theme of today tell us that God is reconciling to himself all things through Christ. By restoring our right relationship to God, Jesus also opened the door for us to liven right relationships with each other, creation, and ourselves. As we continue the walk to the cross, on Good Friday, we are being challenged to reflect on Repentance and Reconciliation.
May we all be like Paul who took a step to reconcile with the offender.

Amen

03/21/2022

34 YEARS!!
WHEW! Deacon Zula caught this:
Small correction. Fr. Hilary was ordained a deacon in 1988, thus 34 years. Long time!
(I was getting camera online, Thank you Zula!)
Wendy

03/20/2022

Fr. Hilary's sermon: "Repentance is a must". -----PLUS Deacon Zula blessing Fr. Hilary's 20th year of being a deacon.

St. Joseph - St. John Episcopal Church
Third Sunday in Lent
March 20, 2022

Lessons:
Exodus 3: 1-15
1 Corinthians 10: 1-13
Luke 13: 1-9
REPENTANCE IS A MUST

Jesus is met with a tricky information. It was about the Galileans whose blood was mixed with the blood of their sacrifice. This was one of the most shameful deaths. The person who brought the information, perhaps, expected Jesus to react politically or religiously. Jesus did not fall into the trap. According to Jesus, every opportunity, situation— good or bad was a preaching chance. So Jesus chased the opportunity to preach about Repentance.
In those days many thought that bad things happened to someone who was evil in one’s ways. (Job 34:11; Lk. 13:2) People who told Jesus about the Galileans were expressing that those Galileans were sinners and they were good people for nothing, bad had happened to them. Jesus corrected them and preached to them about repentance. (v. 3, 5).
What is repentance?
—It is not regret-for it makes no future change.
—It his not an apology which comes from feelings.
—It is not renunciation.
—It IS responding to God’s love, by being transformed in one’s convictions and actions.
—It IS permanent change brought by the Holy Spirit into one’s heart.
—Repentance leads into life eternal.

Jesus is calling his audience, including us, to realize and recognize one’s sin (which means missing the mark, moving towards the opposite of God’s will and love) and turn to the right way. Repentance is process which one decides to take.
(i) One needs to know one’s sins
(ii) Hate one’s sins
(iii) Seek God’s mercy—forgiveness
(iv) Decide to change one’s ways
(v) Pray God to give one strength (spiritual) to move to the right ways.
Jesus gave his audience conditions that either:
—You repent and prosper, or
—Refuse to repent and perish (Rom. 3:16).
We have those choices before us; it is our turn to take or leave.

God is not a nasty gad—he gives us time (v.8) He is full of forbearance—he delays—but that does not mean that he will not judge righteously.(v.9). No one will see God before repentance. God is Holy and he can not deal with sin. There is no redemption without repentance. Apart from Christ, we are evil generally (Rom. 3: 23). We are moving at a high speed to the point of perishing. Please let us turn our ways for that is why Christ died on the cross.
“Because of my sin, Jesus was mocked by his own creation on the cross.”
WHAT IS YOUR RESPONSE?
Amen

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After the service, Deacon Zula called Fr. Hilary in front of the congregation. Then she invited Fr. Hilary’s wife to come. Deacon Zula told us that 20 years ago was when Fr. Hilary was ordained a deacon! Then Deacon Zula read a meaningful prayer and spoke about him. Fr. Hilary was very pleased! He hadn’t celebrated his deacon ordination ever! Then all adjourned to a coffee hour that had a special anniversary cake for Fr. Hilary.

blessings to all, and see you next Sunday,

Wendy

“Peace within, peace between, peace among.” ~~Virginia Satir

03/13/2022

Fr. Hilary's sermon: "Jesus' Daily Ministry"- Luke 13: 31-35
St. Joseph-St. John Episcopal Church
2nd Sunday in Lent
March 13, 2022
Lessons:
Genesis 15: 1-12, 17-18
Philippians 3: 17-41
Luke 13: 31-35

JESUS’ DAILY MINISTRY -LUKE 13: 31-35
In Luke 9:51, Jesus began his journey to Jerusalem, where he knew that he will face opposition from religious leaders. Along the way, he demonstrates the presence of God’s Kingdom through deliverance from demons and healing from sickness. Wherever Jesus goes, he brings signs of God’s Kingdom. Every day Jesus was fulfilling what we read in Luke 4: 18-19. This has been his work in his earthly ministry- (Lk. 4:33; 8:27-39; 4:41; 9:1; 10:17; 4:40; 6:7; 9:2). Healing and deliverance are centra; aspects of Jesus’ message and daily work, and even today these two are available in the church.
Jesus felt and he knew his ministry of bringing presence of God’s Kingdom was not over, and because she was master of his own time-table, he answered Herod, calling him “fox.” (Lk. 13:32). (Foxes in Bothe GK and rabbinic literature were depicted as Crafty, Sinister Creatures.). “Tell that fox that I answer ro a higher authority.” I must work until I accomplish my ministry here on earth, and nobody will prevent me from doing that. Jesus knew that he will end his ministry in Jerusalem (13 : 34-35).
Jesus’ compassion over Jerusalem which will kill him, reminds us that we must find compassion for our enemies, even those who want to put us to death. (Should we have compassion over Russia and Putin, the president at this time?). Jerusalem itself will become the place of Jesus’ death. “Those who reject Jesus’ compassionate offer of Salvation, deliverance and healing, find their city rejected, abandoned, and left to its own devices.” (Joel B. Green— a professor of New Testament interpretation and Associate Dean for the Center for Advanced Theological Studies, Fuller Theological Seminary).
In this season of Lent, as we contemplate the ministry and passion of Jesus, we must also remember that rejection of his ministry comes with consequences of our own choosing. Jesus’ longing is to have compassion, but his longing must be met by our own longing for Salvation, deliverance, and healing. What we are lacking un the world today is these ministry of Jesus; that is why we are in war. Can Russia, Ukraine, and the whole world long for and accept the compassion of Our Lord Jesus Christ and let his work been seen working among us?
~Amen
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The wonderful hymn/prayer we heard in Ukrainian today is titled “Lord When We Bend”. Alicia Barr says it is in our Hymnal.
Here is the YouTube source of the singing, by the Oratorio Society of New York:
https://youtu.be/MNH7Otkn8ro
And the words of the “Prayer for Ukraine” (Молитва за Україну) in English:
Lord, when we bend before thy throne,
and our confessions pour,
teach us to feel the sins we own,
and hate what we deplore.

Our broken spirits, pitying see;
true penitence impart;
and let a kindling glance from thee
beam hope upon the heart.

When we disclose our wants in prayer,
may we our wills resign;
and not a thought our bosoms share
that is not wholly thine.

Let faith each weak petition fill
and waft it to the skies,
and teach our hearts 'tis goodness still
that grants it or denies.
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Prayer for Ukraine—Молитва за Україну.The Oratorio Society of New York.Kent Tritle, Music Director.Sung by The Oratorio Society of New York on March 3, 2022....

03/07/2022

Fr Hilary's sermon: "And let us focus on repentance, resisting, temptation and the passion of Christ" ...PLUS notes for next week, including CHANGING your clocks!
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St. Joseph-St. John Episcopal Church
First Sunday in Lent
March 6, 20222

Lessons:
Deuteronomy 26: 1-11
Luke 4: 1-13
TESTED….YET WTHOUT SIN

Luke tells us that after Jesus was baptized, he was led by the Spirit in the desert to be tempted by the devil. After forty days he was hungry and the devil took the chance of Jesus’ point of need to test his identity.

The three temptations give an insight into the issues that Jesus was wrestling with during his forty days in the wilderness.
1. Tell these stones to become bread (4:3)
The first dilemma Jesus faced was how to use his miraculous power; whether to use it for selfish reasons or to help others. Jesus denied himself the opportunity to satisfy his hunger. This shows that he is not concerned with material things, but with spiritual food given by God. (Deut. 8:3)
2. Bow down and worship me.(4:7)
This temptation is testing Jesus’ devotion to God and also his desire for political power. Jesus showed that his idea of a Messiah was not one who had political power, but one who put God’s Kingdom first. (Deut.6:13)
3. Throw yourself down (Ps. 91: 11-2)
Jesus was told to throw himself from the highest point in the Temple. On this one occasion, the devil himself quoted scripture. (Ps. 91:11-12). Again, the challenge to Jesus was to miss-use his power. But it also asked Jesus to prove that he was the Messiah and that God really cared for him. This question was an important one for Jesus to deal with because he would be faced with it again and again as people questioned his identity and authority. (Deut. 6:4)
Jesus responds to each test with a quotation from the Old Testament book of Deuteronomy. (Deut. 6:4; 8:3; 6:13). This shows that when Jesus is tempted and feels he is in a difficult situation, he looks to God’s word for guidance.

As a result of the temptations, Jesus was stronger and more prepared for his ministry because he had rejected three false way of doing his task.
*Proving only for people’s material needs
*Using his power to do miraculous tricks and popularity
*Giving in to evil in order to gain political power

Jesus was tested and he was obedient to the course upon which he had been called to do during the baptism when Spirit came and voice was heard.
When we were baptized , we are called to be obedient and to serve the Lord alone. But our faith is tested in the course oof our lives. God remains faithful even if we fail. (Rom. 3: 3-4; 2 Tim. 2-13) The connection between Jesus’ testing and our own is written in Hebrews 4:15 “…..tested like us, yet without sin…..”

Amen
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NOTES:
Next weekend we will change time from Pacific Standard Time (PST) to Daylight Saving Time (DST) starts at 2:00am next Sunday morning. This means setting ALL your clocks
1 hour forward Saturday night. We are blessed to have Fr. Hilary for Sunday services through Easter Sunday!

I referred to our Bishop’s notice that I emailed everyone a few days ago. Lent is a giving-more time, giving to people/places that aren’t usual. That email had a list of places where our support for the Ukrainians can be sent….just click on the blue print (or “copy" it and “paste" it into your browser) to read about and donate.
[Several people asked Teresa and me if they could donate money through the church….CERTAINLY!
*If it’s cash, please put it into an envelope with your name, address, phone number and email on it.
*If it’s a check, please make it out to St. Joseph-St. John Episcopal Church AND THEN put on the line marked “memo” on lower left side of the check: “Ukraine”.]
You will have until the end of March to make your donation. Teresa and I will keep tabs and send one check off to some VERY grateful people who need all kinds of breaks.
MANY THANKS AND MANY BLESSINGS!!

From Bishop Rickel: (will need “copy” and “paste” into your browser:
Statements:
Bishop Rickel’s Statement on the Invasion of Ukraine
A Statement on the Russian Invasion of Ukraine by Ethnic Ministries Circles of Color
Call and Prayer for Averting Conflict (Episcopal Church Executive Council)
A Faith Vigil for Peace in Ukraine (The Episcopal Church and Friends Committee on National Legislation)
An Interfaith Call to Peace for Ukraine (Presiding Bishop Curry and Other Interfaith Leaders)
Statement on Russian divestment from Episcopal Church CFO Kurt Barnes
Joint Statement from Archbishops of Canterbury and York
Episcopal News Service Digest of Statements

Resources and Links:
Episcopal Relief & Development (Donation Page)
Episcopal Relief & Development (Resources for Congregations, including bulletin inserts)
World Central Kitchen
Amnesty International
UN High Commission on Refugees
UNICEF
Médecins Sans Frontieres/Doctors Without Borders
Voices of Children (A Ukrainian Charitable Foundation working with children traumatized by armed conflict)
Sunflower of Peace (Provides first aide medical tactical backpacks for paramedics and doctors on the front lines of the conflict)
Save the Children
CARE
International Medical Corps

Wishing you have a good Lent of repentance, reconciliation and renewal,

Wendy

“Peace within, peace between, peace among.” ~~Virginia Satir

03/06/2022

WOWEEE! Look at the energy, stamina, power, grace and FAITH they all have!

Amazing dance