"And there came a fear on all: and they glorified God, saying, that a great prophet is risen up among us; and, that God hath visited his people." Luke 7:16
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Fr. Scott's sermon focused on this Sunday's Gospel lesson about Jesus raising a widow's dead son.
Life is weird, unpredictable, hard, and for atheists, without meaning. Atheists believe life is an accident - the world began for no reason, followed by billions of years of random events and poof here you are. Non believers spend their lives hoping none of the possible life altering tragedies (illness, accidents, failures, etc...) happen to them. Where do we turn after experiencing one or more life's tragedies? Is life really just a random series of events? We need to hear the line from the Gospel lesson - "God hath visited his people". The widow, having prepared her son's body for burial, is walking with the community to the burial site when everything changes for her. Christ has compassion on her. How awe inspiring! The idea that God cares is truly life changing. The witnesses to this event glorify God, believing they have witnessed a "great prophet".
While God may not show up in such a marvelous manner in our lives, we need to accept He has a plan. His will is better than what we come up with. Also, remember God will never give us something we cannot bear if we lean on Him. God is using your circumstances for His greater Glory and nothing that happens to us is without purpose. Let go, give your pain, anger, confusion, and control over to God, rest in the knowledge of His plan for your life. God has visited His people, God has visited you, let us glorify Him.
Please find Fr. Scott's complete sermon at the 21:50 minute mark at the following link:
Thank you Fr. Scott for your very thought provoking and heartfelt sermon!
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Before services, Carol shared her homemade almond coffee cake - it was wonderful, especially with that first cup of coffee!!
After services, Rose Marie and Ambler provided a light lunch including meatballs, croissants, cheese & crackers, fruit, and chocolate chip bars!
Thank you for the wonderful food and conversation!!
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Many Happy Birthday Wishes to Audree on her First Birthday, celebrated on a beautiful day at Warrior's Path State Park!
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We received the following notice from the Bishop's office this week:
Of your Christian charity, pray for the blessed repose of the priestly soul of Gregory Miller, priest in the Church of God, who entered eternal life on Thursday 16th September 2021. He died in office as Rector of Saint Matthew's Church, Weaverville, North Carolina.
The Requiem Mass for the Reverend Father Gregory Miller has been scheduled for Wednesday, Sept 22, 10:00am at St. Matthew’s Church in Weaverville, NC. Both Bishops Grundorf and Jones plan to be at the funeral and shall share the celebration of the Mass. The Rev. Stephen Miller will preach.
Condolences may be sent to his wife, Shirley at 2 Kingston Way, Alexander, NC, 28701 and/or his son, Fr. Steve Miller at 118 Litchfield Dr, Dothan, AL.
Earl forwarded the following information about the Requiem Mass:
I spoke to Steve Manina at St. Matthew's. He said they are not expecting a large overflow. They do have a chapel off to the left and they do have audio/visual set up in their parish hall. They can accommodate all and lunch will be served.
Earl also provided the following information about Fr. Miller:
When St. Peter’s came into being the Rev. Greg Miller was at the APA church in Blacksburg, VA. He moved to St. Matthew’s, Weaverville, NC, after Rev. Frank O’Donnell moved to St. Timothy’s. Fr. Greg became assistant to Rev. John Lathrop. During this time he mentored Rev. Wade Miller, currently at St. Thomas in Blacksburg, and Rev. Ian Dunn, currently at Church of the Holy Spirit in Scottsdale, AZ.
Fr. Miller was a consummate church musician, playing the organ as it should be played and leading the choir at St. Matt’s. He also was pianist/organist and choir director for several APA synods. He knew our Hymnal and church music superbly.
He was a very good friend to St. Peter’s for many years. After the deaths Fr. Frank and Fr. John, and before the arrival of Fr. Scott, he was my go to for questions on “…how to…” and ”… ‘spain this to me…”. He always responded at once. Before his illness he regularly sent out a letter on the many subjects, wish I had saved them. And of course he graciously “loaned” us Deacon, (now Reverend) Steve Miller for communion services when we had no vicar.
St. Matthew’s has lost an excellent servant and indeed our deanery and diocese has lost a truly good man. I hope all of us can find it in our hearts to make a memorial to his name at St. Matthew’s.
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On Saturday, October 16 at 9am we are scheduling a yard work day at the church. We hope many are able to help with picking up trash around the property, digging out some weeds, trimming bushes, etc. More information to come on the work to be done and tools to bring. Please join us!
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Sue continues to lead our weekly online prayer group on Tuesday at 11:30. Thank you so much Sue for taking the time each week to lead our prayers! If you have a special prayer request but cannot join us, please send your request to Sue. Please contact me (Rosalind) if you would like to join us on Discord.
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