<html><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8"></head><body><div>Forwarded: </div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div id="composer_signature"><div style="font-size:85%;color:#575757" dir="auto">Sent from my T-Mobile 4G LTE Device</div></div><div><br></div><div style="font-size:100%;color:#000000"><!-- originalMessage --><div>-------- Original message --------</div><div>From: Judy <judy_boli@ecunet.org> </div><div>Date: 5/27/17 6:20 PM (GMT-05:00) </div><div>To: Propertalk <propertalk.topic@ecunet.org> </div><div>Subject: [propertalk.topic] Easter 7A- "The Ascension- What's It to You? </div><div><br></div></div><div dir="ltr"><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin: 1em 0px; line-height: normal; mso-mirror-indents: yes;"><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">Dear
Friends,</font></p><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin: 1em 0px; line-height: normal; mso-mirror-indents: yes;"><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></p><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin: 1em 0px; line-height: normal; mso-mirror-indents: yes;"><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">This
Sunday’s sermon is entitled “The Ascension- What’s It to You?” and deals with the
Acts lesson (Acts 1:8-14).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here it is: </font></p><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin: 1em 0px; line-height: normal; mso-mirror-indents: yes;"><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></p><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin: 1em 0px; line-height: normal;"><font size="3"><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman">Today is Ascension
Sunday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you look at our cross over
the altar, it’s an ascension Christ-figure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>At first glance, it’s easy to think the Christ-figure is a crucifix, but
there is actually no cross.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We see
Jesus, arms outstretched as if on a cross, ascending to heaven to take his
place of honor and glory after his victorious triumph over death.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the Acts Bible lesson (1:1-11), we heard
the account of what happened.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
disciples had been living roller coaster lives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They must have been extremely confused at the Last Supper.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From there, in rapid succession, they lived
through the horror of the crucifixion; the empty tomb- with strange reports
from the women about a possible miracle; the fear of what Jesus would say to
them if, in fact, he were alive- considering the cowardly way they had behaved
in his time of trial; and finally the relief of a new and renewed relationship
with the risen Christ at Easter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In
other words- they had him, they lost him, they had him again, and now here
comes the Ascension, and they were about to lose him permanently with a promise
that the Spirit would come and things would be even better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To make matters worse, we hear how the Jesus
tells them (just before he ascends) to get busy doing his work- going into all
the world to teach, heal, preach, baptize, bring about Jubilee- i.e.- give
everyone a fresh start in God’s kingdom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></font></font></font></p><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin: 1em 0px; line-height: normal;"><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></p><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin: 1em 0px; line-height: normal;"><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">True, it was a
confusing mess for them, but what a wonderful event for us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>For two reasons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While Jesus was
on this planet, he was limited.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He could
be in Jerusalem OR Nazareth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Without the
Ascension, bringing it to the present time, he could be in Saginaw OR Detroit-
but not both.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Can you imagine the lines
to see him?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Can you imagine the
telephone difficulties- “If you would like to talk to Jesus, please press ‘1’
now?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It had to happen, but what a
frightening change for the disciples.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To
be accessible to all of us all the time, Jesus had to return to heaven- thank
God he did!</font></p><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin: 1em 0px; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman"> </font></span></p><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin: 1em 0px; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman">There’s another reason the
Ascension had to happen- so we could grow up spiritually.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As long as Jesus was physically present on
this planet, the disciples would remain just that- disciples- learners.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You know how finally you’ve got to stop
watching the expert and start doing for yourself?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you want to learn to cook, you can watch
an experienced cook for a long time, you can stay hooked on all the TV cooking
channels, you can even spend your time reading cookbooks- but finally you’ve
got to get your hands in the flour or whatever and stop just watching and
listening- and start doing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Before I
retired, I would frequently have student teachers in my classroom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the beginning of the semester, they were
very happy to watch me teach- in fact, some would probably have been happy to
spend the entire semester that way; however- that’s not how you make good
teachers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pretty soon they had to stop
watching me and start teaching on their own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>When Jesus left this planet, the disciples were forced to carry on his
work themselves, which is what the Father intended all along.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Remember, St. Paul taught us that we- the church- are
the Body of Christ.</font></span></p><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin: 1em 0px; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman"> </font></span></p><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin: 1em 0px; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman">What are the implications of
the Ascension for us, if we are going to be true to our Lord?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now that Jesus is in heaven, WE ARE THE BODY
OF CHRIST!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our hands, feet, mouths,
bodies, lives do the Jesus ministry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
is entrusted to us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If we don’t do it,
it simply won’t get done.</font></span></p><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin: 1em 0px; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman"> </font></span></p><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin: 1em 0px; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman">What are we to do?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The letters in the holy name of Jesus remind
us of some of the basics:</font></span></p><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin: 1em 0px; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman"> </font></span></p><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin: 1em 0px; line-height: normal;"><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman"><b><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“J”</span></b><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> reminds us we are to
continue Jesus’ work of establishing Jubilee- in other words: justice, peace,
and a second chance for all God’s people.</span></font></font></p><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin: 1em 0px; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman"> </font></span></p><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin: 1em 0px; line-height: normal;"><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman"><b><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“E”</span></b><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> reminds us to evangelize-
spread the Word, baptize, and teach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Remember, in Matthew 28 Jesus reminded us to go to all nations baptizing
and teaching.</span></font></font></p><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin: 1em 0px; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman"> </font></span></p><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin: 1em 0px; line-height: normal;"><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman"><b><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“S”</span></b><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> is for “strength”- the
power, courage, and endurance Jesus offers through daily reading of His Word,
prayer, fellowship, and weekly Holy Communion.</span></font></font></p><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin: 1em 0px; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman"> </font></span></p><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin: 1em 0px; line-height: normal;"><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman"><b><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“US”</span></b><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> reminds us that God expects
us to be in this together as a team.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
disciples knew Jesus expected them to stick together, which is why they were
all back in that upper room at Pentecost.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>One person can’t be the “Body of Christ.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Read 1<sup>st</sup> Corinthians 12, and
you’ll see we’re all expected to be the “Body of Christ” together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m going to close with a story illustrating
why we must stick together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Did you hear
the story about the mouse and the other animals?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well- the mouse overheard the farmer tell his
wife that he was installing a brand new, foolproof mousetrap.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The mouse was so upset that he went running
to the barnyard to get help from the other animals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When he told the hen, he got no sympathy
whatsoever!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Don’t bother me, mouse-
that’s your problem; not mine” was the reply.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>So he told the pig and got the same reply- “Don’t bother me- not my
problem.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He even told the cow; again
with the same reply- “Don’t bother me- not my problem.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That night as the mouse was sleeping, he
heard the mousetrap snap.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A poisonous
snake had gotten his tail caught in the trap.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>When the farmer’s wife went to see what had happened, the snake drew
back and bit her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instantly, she started
to feel very sick, so she called her husband.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Now the husband didn’t know anything about medicine, but he knew that
chicken soup cures anything; so he went to the barn, killed the chicken
(remember- it wasn’t her problem), and made some chicken soup.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Problem- his wife got sicker.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He called the doctor who said he would come
if he could be paid in bacon, so he butchered the pig (remember- it wasn’t his
problem) and paid the doctor in bacon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Finally, his wife died.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He needed
food for the many people who visited to comfort him, so he killed the cow
(remember- it wasn’t her problem) and started up the grill so everyone could
have steak.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The moral of this story-
we’re all in this together.</span></font></font></p><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin: 1em 0px; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman"> </font></span></p><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin: 1em 0px; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman">If it’s going to get done
for Jesus and God’s Kingdom, we’re going to do it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are the Body of Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’re all in this together.</font></span></p><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin: 1em 0px; line-height: normal;"><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></p><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin: 1em 0px; line-height: normal; mso-mirror-indents: yes; tab-stops: .25in;"><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></p><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin: 1em 0px; line-height: normal; mso-mirror-indents: yes; tab-stops: .25in;"><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">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 href="http://www.stpaulsepisag.org/"><u><font color="#0000ff" face="Times New Roman" size="3">http://www.stpaulsepisag.org</font></u></a><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
.</font></p><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin: 1em 0px; line-height: normal; mso-mirror-indents: yes;"><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></p><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin: 1em 0px; line-height: normal; mso-mirror-indents: yes;"><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">Blessed
preaching,</font></p><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin: 1em 0px; line-height: normal; mso-mirror-indents: yes;"><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">Judy
Boli</font></p><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin: 1em 0px; line-height: normal; mso-mirror-indents: yes;"><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">St.
Paul's Episcopal Church</font></p><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin: 1em 0px; line-height: normal; mso-mirror-indents: yes;"><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">Saginaw,
Michigan</font></p><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font></div>
<p></p>
-- <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 href="mailto:propertalk.topic+unsubscribe@ecunet.org">propertalk.topic+unsubscribe@ecunet.org</a>.<br>
</body></html>