<font color='black' size='4' face='Times New Roman, Times, serif'>Forwarded: <br>
<br>
<br>
<div style="font-family:arial,helvetica;font-size:10pt;color:black">-----Original Message-----<br>
From: Judy <judy_boli@ecunet.org><br>
To: Propertalk <propertalk.topic@ecunet.org><br>
Sent: Sat, Nov 5, 2016 9:39 pm<br>
Subject: [propertalk.topic] Sermon for All Saints' Sunday<br>
<br>
<div id="AOLMsgPart_1.2_17547efc-5a05-449a-868b-22f81af55b78">
<div class="aolReplacedBody">
<div dir="ltr"><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font>
<div style="margin: 1em 0px; line-height: normal; mso-mirror-indents: yes;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman">Dear Friends,</font></span></div>
<font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font>
<div style="margin: 1em 0px; line-height: normal; mso-mirror-indents: yes;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman"> </font></span></div>
<font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font>
<div style="margin: 1em 0px; line-height: normal; mso-mirror-indents: yes;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman">This Sunday’s sermon is entitled “Happy All Saints’
Sunday” or “God with Skin” and deals with all the lessons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here it is: </font></span></div>
<font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font>
<div style="margin: 1em 0px; line-height: normal; mso-mirror-indents: yes;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman"> </font></span></div>
<font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font>
<div style="margin: 1em 0px; line-height: normal;"><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">As
you know, today is a very special Sunday- All Saints’ Sunday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All Saints is the time we thank God for all
the wonderful saints of God who have mentored us, loved us, and accepted us
through thick and thin- not always an easy task!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This morning, I’d like us to look at saints-
who we are, where we’ve come from, where we’re going, and our ultimate destiny.</font></div>
<font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font>
<div style="margin: 1em 0px; line-height: normal;"><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></div>
<font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font>
<div style="margin: 1em 0px; line-height: normal;"><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">SAINTS-
WHO ARE WE?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Did you notice the
“WE”?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can’t tell you how many times
people have told me, “Rev. Judy, you expect too much of me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m not a saint, you know.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I finally get a chance to answer with two
questions of my own!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(1) Have you
accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>(2) Are you baptized?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you
answered “yes” to both of these questions, you are a saint- maybe not a famous
saint, maybe not even a very good saint, but you are a saint, and there’s
always room for improvement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One
definition of a saint is simply “God putting on skin.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A little boy was afraid of the dark, afraid
of thunder storms, and afraid of all those strange noises you can often hear in
a quiet, cooling house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One night, a
huge crack of thunder frightened him out of a deep sleep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was out of his bed in a minute and into
his parents’ bed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now the last thing
they wanted was a scared child in their bed, so his mom and dad comforted him a
minute, then told him to go back to his own bed. They told him to remember what
he had learned in church- that God was always with him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“That won’t do right now!” he protested.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I need a God with skin, and mom, dad- you’re
it!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That little boy knew what he was
talking about.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A saint is a stand-in for
God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Think of the people you know who
feel as if they have no meaning in their lives?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We saints who are working on our spiritual walk are seldom in this
confusion for long if we’re going to church and receiving Holy Communion every
Sunday, reading our Bible daily, and being faithful in our prayer life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Because we are God’s wonderful instruments to finish the creating,
redeeming, and sanctifying of God’s world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Do you know someone who is hurting?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You’re Jesus’ hands- help them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Do you know something that needs fixing?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You’re Jesus’ hands- fix it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do
you know something that needs creating or improving or developing or
discovering?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’re Jesus’ hands- do
it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You, as a saint- as a stand-in for
Jesus are the only God that some people will ever see.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How much more meaning could anyone want?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do you remember the poem, “The Gospel
According to You?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It goes: </font></div>
<font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font>
<div style="margin: 1em 0px 1em 0.75in; line-height: normal; mso-add-space: auto;"><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">The gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and
John are read by more than a few.</font></div>
<font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font>
<div style="margin: 1em 0px 1em 0.75in; line-height: normal; mso-add-space: auto;"><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">But the one that is read most and
commented on is the gospel according to you.</font></div>
<font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font>
<div style="margin: 1em 0px 1em 0.75in; line-height: normal; mso-add-space: auto;"><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">You are writing a gospel, a chapter
each day, by the things that you do and the words that you say.</font></div>
<font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font>
<div style="margin: 1em 0px 1em 0.75in; line-height: normal; mso-add-space: auto;"><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">People read what you write, whether
faithless or true.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Say, what is the
gospel according to you?</font></div>
<font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font>
<div style="margin: 1em 0px 1em 0.75in; line-height: normal; mso-add-space: auto;"><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">Do others read His truth and His love
in your life, or has yours been too full of malice and strife?</font></div>
<font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font>
<div style="margin: 1em 0px 1em 0.75in; line-height: normal; mso-add-space: auto;"><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">Does your life speak of evil, or does
it ring true?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Say, what is the gospel
according to you?</font></div>
<font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font>
<div style="margin: 1em 0px 1em 0.75in; line-height: normal; mso-add-space: auto;"><font size="3"><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman"><span style="mso-tab-count: 4;"> </span>(Anonymous)</font></font></font></div>
<font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font>
<div style="margin: 1em 0px; line-height: normal;"><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></div>
<font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font>
<div style="margin: 1em 0px; line-height: normal;"><font size="3"><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman">SAINTS-
WHERE WE’VE COME FROM: One of the things I love about All Saints’ Sunday is it
gives us a chance to remember where we’ve come from- God’s heart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are the adopted children of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our family tree is amazingly famous.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Abraham is our forefather and Sarah is our foremother.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our ancestors include Isaac and Rebecca;
Jacob and Leah and Rachel; King David; culminating in Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have a glorious past and an even more
glorious future.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></font></font></font></div>
<font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font>
<div style="margin: 1em 0px; line-height: normal;"><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></div>
<font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font>
<div style="margin: 1em 0px; line-height: normal;"><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">SAINTS-
WHERE ARE WE GOING: For me, one of the best parts of being a saint (i.e. a
Christian) is that I don’t need to worry about the future, because I know who
holds the future in his hand- God, and He’s my dad- my heavenly Father, so I
know nothing can happen to me that He and I can’t handle together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Did you notice how the first reading reminds
us to expect trouble, and that surely is correct.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, if you never have to face trouble or
problems because you follow Jesus, because you choose to do the right thing
regardless of peer pressure, money pressure, family pressure, or any kind of
pressure, then something is the matter with your choices or your walk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Listen to the Ecclesiasticus lesson (2: 1-9):
It not only warns us to expect trouble, but advises us how to handle it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“1 Students, if you decide to worship and
obey the Lord, be ready to face problems. 2 Have firm self-control and don't
act too quickly if trouble strikes. 3 Don't turn from the Lord, but be
faithful; that's the way to succeed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>4-5
Accept everything that happens.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Be
patient if others humiliate you;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>humiliation tests people as a furnace tests gold.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Trust the Lord if you become sick or
poor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>6 The Lord will give His help, if
you depend only on Him and do right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>7
If you fear the Lord and are patient, He will show you mercy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But if you turn away, you will fall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>8 Put your trust in Him, and He will reward
you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>9 Don't give up hoping for good
things, like mercy and a life full of joy.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Did you notice how trouble tests us as a furnace tests gold.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What happens to gold in a furnace?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sure, it comes out stronger and more
pure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Stick with Jesus, stay strong
through trials, and you will develop amazing spiritual power and courage as
well.</font></div>
<font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font>
<div style="margin: 1em 0px; line-height: normal;"><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></div>
<font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font>
<div style="margin: 1em 0px; line-height: normal;"><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">Here’s
another difference between we saints and others not so blessed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While they’re calling their psychic hot lines
or checking what their astrological signs say will happen in the current
crisis- and life is full of crises- always has been and always will be, we can
sing with meaning, “Be not afraid, for God is in charge.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While others are hiding from life with their
alcohol or drugs or TV programs or shopping or just being busy, busy, busy- we
can sing with meaning, “I put my troubles in God’s hands” and not only put them
there, but leave them there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Does being
a Christian mean we are immune from trouble?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Absolutely not, but with God, the sacraments, my Christian friends, the
Bible- I can take whatever life throws at me, and so can you and turn problems
into opportunities and personal spiritual power.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Easy?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Of course not, but worth every minute.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It’s great being a saint!</font></div>
<font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font>
<div style="margin: 1em 0px; line-height: normal;"><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></div>
<font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font>
<div style="margin: 1em 0px; line-height: normal;"><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">SAINTS-
OUR ULTIMATE DESTINY: Did you hear about the little girl in Sunday school?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her teacher had just asked the class how you
get to heaven, hoping she would get the Biblical answer “Believe and be
baptized.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Up shot the little girl’s
hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now this was one of those
“goody-goody little girls” who always does everything right and always knows
the answer, so the teacher chose her to answer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“What was the question?” the child asked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What do you have to do to get to heaven?”
the teacher repeated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Oh, that’s easy,”
the child answered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Get dead!” Not only
do I automatically have an abundance of meaning in my life, not only do I know
who I am and where I’ve come from, and where I’m going--- I also have a sure knowledge
of my ultimate destiny.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Death is an
illusion, a devil-trick- it doesn’t exist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Death is simply a birth process to the next glorious part of my life
with Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This world is just my
temporary home, my citizenship is in heaven.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Getting dead may not be great, but being dead is fine, because we are in
heaven with Jesus.</font></div>
<font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font>
<div style="margin: 1em 0px; line-height: normal;"><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></div>
<font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font>
<div style="margin: 1em 0px; line-height: normal;"><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">As
a Christian, as a saint, not only do I automatically have an abundance of
meaning in my life, not only do I know who I am and where I’ve come from, and
where I’m going, not only do I have a sure knowledge of my ultimate destiny-
heaven; I am also blessed with clear instructions for how to be blessed (and a
blessing) in this life: love God, love neighbor, don’t hold grudges, no
revenge, the beatitudes we heard this morning for our Gospel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So let’s get on with our worship by thanking
God for the wonderful privilege of being saints in our generation and renewing
our Baptismal Covenant.</font></div>
<font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font>
<div style="margin: 1em 0px; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman"> </font></span></div>
<font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font>
<div style="margin: 1em 0px; line-height: normal; mso-mirror-indents: yes; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman"> </font></span></div>
<font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font>
<div style="margin: 1em 0px; line-height: normal; mso-mirror-indents: yes; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman">For anyone who is
interested, this sermon and updated African-American wisdom statements are
posted on our parish’s web site under “Sermons & Stuff”. The address is: </font><a target="_blank" href="http://www.stpaulsepisag.org/"><u><font color="#0000ff" face="Times New Roman"></font></u></a><u><font color="#0000ff" face="Times New Roman"><a href="http://www.stpaulsepisag.org" target="_blank">http://www.stpaulsepisag.org</a></font></u><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman"> .</font></span></div>
<font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font>
<div style="margin: 1em 0px; line-height: normal; mso-mirror-indents: yes;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman"> </font></span></div>
<font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font>
<div style="margin: 1em 0px; line-height: normal; mso-mirror-indents: yes;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman">Blessed preaching,</font></span></div>
<font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font>
<div style="margin: 1em 0px; line-height: normal; mso-mirror-indents: yes;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman">Judy Boli</font></span></div>
<font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font>
<div style="margin: 1em 0px; line-height: normal; mso-mirror-indents: yes;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman">St. Paul's Episcopal Church</font></span></div>
<font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font>
<div style="margin: 1em 0px; line-height: normal; mso-mirror-indents: yes;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman">Saginaw, Michigan</font></span></div>
<font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font></div>
<div></div>
-- <br>
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Propertalk" group.<br>
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to <a target="_blank" href="mailto:propertalk.topic+unsubscribe@ecunet.org">propertalk.topic+unsubscribe@ecunet.org</a>.<br>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</font>