<font color='black' size='4' face='Times New Roman, Times, serif'>Forwarded:<br>
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<div style="font-family:arial,helvetica;font-size:10pt;color:black">-----Original Message-----<br>
From: Judy <judy_boli@ecunet.org><br>
To: propertalk.topic <propertalk.topic@ecunet.org><br>
Sent: Sat, Oct 4, 2014 9:12 pm<br>
Subject: [propertalk.topic] Sermon for Proper 22A<br>
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<div style="margin: 1em 0px; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman">Dear Friends,</font></span></div>
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<div style="margin: 1em 0px; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><font face="Times New Roman"><font color="#000000">This Sunday’s sermon is entitled “The Ten Commandments” or “Don’t Talk
Like a Christian and Live Like an Atheist!” and deals with the Old Testament
lesson (Exodus 20:1-4, 12-20).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></font><font color="#000000">Here it
is:</font></font></span></div>
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<div style="margin: 1em 0px; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><font face="Times New Roman"><font color="#000000">We just heard the very serious parable Jesus told about the renters who
tried to take over the vineyard from the owner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></font><font color="#000000">They killed the slaves who came- even killed the owner’s son (i.e. Jesus),
and thought they were home free.</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000"> </font></span><font color="#000000">They
acted as if the owner did not exist- as if he would never intervene.</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000"> </font></span><font color="#000000">Then Jesus asked a frightening question- “What
do you suppose the owner (i.e. God) will do to those evil renters?”</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000"> </font></span><font color="#000000">The answer- terrible things!</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000"> </font></span><font color="#000000">In other words, don’t play with God!</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000"> </font></span><font color="#000000">We’ve got to be careful we’re not acting like
those renters- we act as if God does not exist and really will never
intervene.</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000"> </font></span><font color="#000000">If we’re not careful, it’s
just too easy to talk like a Christian, but live like an atheist.</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000"> </font></span><font color="#000000">Just like the renters started acting as if
the vineyard was their own, we start acting as if our lives are our own, not
God’s.</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000"> </font></span><font color="#000000">Did you hear the story of
President Clinton’s visit with the pope?</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000">
</font></span><font color="#000000">The meeting that was supposed to be short lasted for two days. Finally,
a weary President Clinton emerged to face the waiting news media.</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000"> </font></span><font color="#000000">The former president was smiling and
announced the summit was a resounding success. He said he and the pope agreed
on 80% of the matters they discussed. Then Mr. Clinton declared he was going
home to be with his family.</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000"> </font></span><font color="#000000">A few minutes
later, the pope came out to make his statement.</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000">
</font></span><font color="#000000">He looked tired and discouraged and was practically in tears.</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000"> </font></span><font color="#000000">Sadly he announced his meeting with the
President was a failure.</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000"> </font></span><font color="#000000">Incredulous,
one reporter asked, “But your Holiness, President Clinton just announced the
summit was a great success and the two of you agreed on 80% of the items
discussed.”</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000"> </font></span><font color="#000000">Exasperated, the pope
answered, “Yes, but we were talking about the Ten Commandments!” My friends,
the Ten Commandments are not called the Ten Suggestions!</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000"> </font></span><font color="#000000">They are not open to negotiation!</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000"> </font></span><font color="#000000">You know the song that Frank Sinatra used to
sing- “I Did It My Way.”</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000"> </font></span><font color="#000000">I’m not
supposed to live my life my way; I’m supposed to live my life God’s way. </font></font></span></div>
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<div style="margin: 1em 0px; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><font face="Times New Roman"><font color="#000000">Why?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></font><font color="#000000">Why would God give us
orders?</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000"> </font></span><font color="#000000">For the same reason parents give
rules to their children?</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000"> </font></span><font color="#000000">To keep them
safe so they can have a happy life.</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000"> </font></span><font color="#000000">The
Rev. Bass Mitchell told a story illustrating why we need the commandments.</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000"> </font></span><font color="#000000">He wrote, </font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000"> </font></span><font color="#000000">“Once a people lived on an island.</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000"> </font></span><font color="#000000">They were a happy and content people.</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000"> </font></span><font color="#000000">But something started to go wrong.</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000"> </font></span><font color="#000000">Some of them began to disappear.</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000"> </font></span><font color="#000000">They discovered to their horror that all
around them were dangerous, deep pits that you could not see until it was too late.</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000"> </font></span><font color="#000000">When one of their children strayed too far
away one day and never returned, the people gathered at the hut of one of their
holy elders, pleading with him to do something.</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000">
</font></span><font color="#000000">He went into the shrine and prayed for guidance.</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000"> </font></span><font color="#000000">Days passed by and he did not come out.</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000"> </font></span><font color="#000000">Then one day the people were summoned to the
shrine.</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000"> </font></span><font color="#000000">The elder told them that God had
granted their prayers.</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000"> </font></span><font color="#000000">The elder held up
before them a sketch of their island, and a large X mark identified each dangerous
pit for them.</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000"> </font></span><font color="#000000">They rejoiced!</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000"> </font></span><font color="#000000">They put the elder on their shoulders and
carried him in a parade.</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000"> </font></span><font color="#000000">They made
copies of the sketch and committed it to memory.</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000"> </font></span><font color="#000000">They gave thanks to God for such a great
gift. </font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000"> </font></span><font color="#000000">That’s what the commandments are
for us- a life-map showing the basic potential pitfalls.</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000"> </font></span><font color="#000000">So you see, the commandments are not intended
to stifle our spirits, but to allow us to have happy lives and avoid tragedy.</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000"> </font></span></font></span></div>
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<div style="margin: 1em 0px; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><font face="Times New Roman"><font color="#000000">Let’s look at them (Exodus 20).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></font><font color="#000000">You’ll notice they fall into two categories: “Love the Lord your God
with all your heart and soul and mind and strength” and “Love your neighbor as
much as you love yourself.”</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000"> </font></span><font color="#000000">The first
four commandments describe the greatest possible pitfalls we face in terms of
loving God. </font></font></span></div>
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</font><ul style="list-style-type: disc; direction: ltr;"><li style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;">
<div style="line-height: normal; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; mso-layout-grid-align: auto; mso-vertical-align-alt: auto;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Do not worship any god except me (vs. 3).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
</li><li style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;">
<div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); line-height: normal; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; mso-layout-grid-align: auto; mso-vertical-align-alt: auto;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Do not make idols that look like anything in the sky
or on earth or in the ocean under the earth (vs. 4).</span></div>
</li><li style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;">
<div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); line-height: normal; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; mso-layout-grid-align: auto; mso-vertical-align-alt: auto;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Do not misuse my name. I am the LORD your God, and I
will punish anyone who misuses my name (vs. 7).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></div>
</li><li style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;">
<div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); line-height: normal; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; mso-layout-grid-align: auto; mso-vertical-align-alt: auto;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Remember that the Sabbath Day belongs to me (vs. 8).</span></div>
<div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); line-height: normal; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">The last six commandments deal with loving our neighbor- they describe
how God intends us to interact with our neighbors.</span></div>
</li><li style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;">
<div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); line-height: normal; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; mso-layout-grid-align: auto; mso-vertical-align-alt: auto;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Respect your father and your mother, and you will live
a long time in the land I am giving you (vs. 12).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
</li><li style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;">
<div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); line-height: normal; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; mso-layout-grid-align: auto; mso-vertical-align-alt: auto;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Do not murder (vs. 13).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
</li><li style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;">
<div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); line-height: normal; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; mso-layout-grid-align: auto; mso-vertical-align-alt: auto;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Be faithful in marriage (vs. 14).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
</li><li style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;">
<div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); line-height: normal; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; mso-layout-grid-align: auto; mso-vertical-align-alt: auto;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Do not steal (vs. 15).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></div>
</li><li style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;">
<div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); line-height: normal; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; mso-layout-grid-align: auto; mso-vertical-align-alt: auto;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Do not tell lies about others (vs. 16).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
</li><li style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;">
<div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); line-height: normal; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; mso-layout-grid-align: auto; mso-vertical-align-alt: auto;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Do not want anything that belongs to someone else (vs.
17). </span></div>
<div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); line-height: normal; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
<div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); line-height: normal; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Friends, our intentions are good- we Christians really do want to obey
the commandments, yet we frequently fail.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>What goes wrong?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When are we most
at danger of breaking one of the commandments?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Did you hear the story of the Sunday school teacher who was discussing
the Ten Commandments with her class of five and six-year-olds? After explaining
the commandment to honor thy father and thy mother, she asked, “Is there a
commandment that teaches us how to treat our brothers and sisters?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Without missing a beat, one little boy
answered, “Thou shall not kill.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This
story gives insight into how the devil tempts us into breaking the last six
commandments (describing our duty toward our neighbors).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Have you heard the wisdom statement that says,
“He who angers you, controls you”- True!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Strong emotions make us vulnerable, so we do what we want at the moment
rather than what we know is right and best in the long run.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like the child in the story- anger or
jealousy tempt us to threaten or hurt or kill or lie about someone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Strong sexual urges make us choose to
disrespect someone’s partner and family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Seeing something we want makes us choose to steal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So watch out when those strong feelings hit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Take a breath, count to ten (or 1,000 or say
The Lord’s Prayer), get away from the situation for a while, and talk it out/
walk it out/ think it out/ pray it out.</span></div>
<div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); line-height: normal; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
<div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); line-height: normal; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">What about the commandments that deal with our duty toward God (the
first four commandments)?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are most
vulnerable to breaking those commandments when we decide that we are Lord of
our own lives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’ll do it our way,
thank-you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We talk like a Christian, but
live like an atheist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Did you notice the
thought for the week- “Most people want to serve God, but only in an advisory
position” (Anonymous).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God doesn’t need
our advice, we need God’s roadmap.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>May
God bless us as we struggle to live what we believe.</span></div>
<div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); line-height: normal; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
<div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); line-height: normal; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">For anyone who is interested, this sermon and updated
African-American wisdom statements are posted on our parish’s NEW WEB SITE under
“Sermons & Stuff”. The address is: <a target="_blank" href="http://www.stpaulsepisag.org/"><u><font color="#0000ff">http://www.stpaulsepisag.org</font></u></a>
.</span></div>
<div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); line-height: normal; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
<div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); line-height: normal; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Blessed preaching,</span></div>
<div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); line-height: normal; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Judy Boli</span></div>
<div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); line-height: normal; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">St. Paul's Episcopal Church</span></div>
<div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); line-height: normal; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Saginaw, Michigan</span></div>
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