http://holyspirit.www.episcopalatlanta.org/news/default.asp ecohs@bellsouth.net (Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta ) http://holyspirit.www.episcopalatlanta.org/news/newsView.asp?NewsId=40968572 Today is the second Sunday after Epiphany. This season began with the visit of the magi which we celebrated with Bishop Keith; and continues each Sunday in the season by remembering and celebrating an event in Jesus’ life that helped to make him known to the world. Sun, 17 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://holyspirit.www.episcopalatlanta.org/news/newsView.asp?NewsId=40968572 http://holyspirit.www.episcopalatlanta.org/news/newsView.asp?NewsId=40968571 “…all the people had been baptized and Jesus too was baptized…” Sun, 10 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://holyspirit.www.episcopalatlanta.org/news/newsView.asp?NewsId=40968571 http://holyspirit.www.episcopalatlanta.org/news/newsView.asp?NewsId=40968510 Merry Christmas! There is something about this season of the year that grabs our attention. Of course there are a lot of trappings that surround Christmas—shopping and gift giving; holiday parties and family meals; Thu, 24 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://holyspirit.www.episcopalatlanta.org/news/newsView.asp?NewsId=40968510 http://holyspirit.www.episcopalatlanta.org/news/newsView.asp?NewsId=40968458 The last two Sundays we have explored the meaning of the season of Advent. Last week we considered John the Baptist and his message about mountains and hills being lowered and valleys being filled. I suggested that the landscapes that John prophesied would change dramatically are the interior and social landscapes of our lives. Last week we talked about the interior landscape—our worries that distract us and the longing for God that lingers within us. Sun, 13 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://holyspirit.www.episcopalatlanta.org/news/newsView.asp?NewsId=40968458 http://holyspirit.www.episcopalatlanta.org/news/newsView.asp?NewsId=40968457 Good morning. I heard from many of you that you enjoyed having Fr. Joe Herring as our guest priest last Sunday. As you could probably tell, Joe has a passion for Advent that includes great depth of knowledge and engaging ideas. I could not think of a better priest to be with you to begin this special season. Sun, 6 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://holyspirit.www.episcopalatlanta.org/news/newsView.asp?NewsId=40968457 http://holyspirit.www.episcopalatlanta.org/news/newsView.asp?NewsId=40968456 Today is Christ the King Sunday, the day in the church year when we acknowledge that Jesus is our king, the king of the church and ultimately the king of all creation. It is a celebratory day that serves as the conclusion to the church’s liturgical year. Next Sunday, we begin a new year together with the start of the season of Advent. Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://holyspirit.www.episcopalatlanta.org/news/newsView.asp?NewsId=40968456 http://holyspirit.www.episcopalatlanta.org/news/newsView.asp?NewsId=40968396 What do you notice in the world around you? Sun, 15 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://holyspirit.www.episcopalatlanta.org/news/newsView.asp?NewsId=40968396 http://holyspirit.www.episcopalatlanta.org/news/newsView.asp?NewsId=40968361 Have you ever wondered what Jesus was like as a boy? The canonical Gospels are fairly silent about this time of his life. After the majesty and mystery of the birth narratives of Matthew and Luke, there is really only one detailed story about Jesus before he shows up to be baptized at the Jordan River. Sun, 8 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://holyspirit.www.episcopalatlanta.org/news/newsView.asp?NewsId=40968361 http://holyspirit.www.episcopalatlanta.org/news/newsView.asp?NewsId=40968360 How is your memory? As most of us grow older, that becomes a common subject of our conversation. Who has not walked into a room and then paused and said, “Now why did I come in here?” Frustrating, but it’s good to keep a sense of humor about it. Some people have razor sharp memories-- they never lose their train of thought; they remember what happened two weeks ago, two months ago, even two years ago; they even remember what happened when they were two years old. I envy those people. Sun, 1 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://holyspirit.www.episcopalatlanta.org/news/newsView.asp?NewsId=40968360 http://holyspirit.www.episcopalatlanta.org/news/newsView.asp?NewsId=40968358 Today, we heard again from the book of Job-- the last of four readings over the past four weeks. Last week we explored the central question from the book—what is God’s response to human suffering? We discussed God’s loving involvement in creation; and God’s connection to human life-- including suffering-- through Jesus. But we did not find a simple answer to the question of human suffering. Today we heard what appears to be the conclusion to Job’s complex story. Sun, 25 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://holyspirit.www.episcopalatlanta.org/news/newsView.asp?NewsId=40968358 http://holyspirit.www.episcopalatlanta.org/news/newsView.asp?NewsId=40968359 The book of Job is a powerful story on many levels. It examines the issue of human suffering in a complex way that raises many questions and then hides the answers in a whirlwind. If you read the entire book and not the selections we have in the weekly lectionary, you would find many parts of it that are meaningful, beautiful-- and troubling. Sun, 18 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://holyspirit.www.episcopalatlanta.org/news/newsView.asp?NewsId=40968359 http://holyspirit.www.episcopalatlanta.org/news/newsView.asp?NewsId=40968369 Whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it. Sun, 11 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://holyspirit.www.episcopalatlanta.org/news/newsView.asp?NewsId=40968369 http://holyspirit.www.episcopalatlanta.org/news/newsView.asp?NewsId=40968368 Have you ever been surprised? Most of us have been. You know: the crazy little brother who would hide and jump out of a dark corner as we entered our bedroom late at night; or getting a bad grade on a test that we thought we’d aced; or maybe we weren’t hired for a job when we were sure we were the best candidate. And of course there are good surprises, too-- like the surprise birthday party we didn’t expect with friends and family from far away. Sun, 4 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://holyspirit.www.episcopalatlanta.org/news/newsView.asp?NewsId=40968368 http://holyspirit.www.episcopalatlanta.org/news/newsView.asp?NewsId=40968367 What do you bring with you to church this morning? Sun, 27 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://holyspirit.www.episcopalatlanta.org/news/newsView.asp?NewsId=40968367 http://holyspirit.www.episcopalatlanta.org/news/newsView.asp?NewsId=40968365 The Gospel for today begins with the second prediction that Jesus made that the Son of man is to be betrayed and killed and then rise again. Last week we heard the first of these three predictions in Mark’s Gospel. Last week, the prediction was joined with Jesus’ call to take up our cross and follow him. This week, there is no mention of the cross. Instead there is a story that gives us an insight “behind the scenes” with Jesus disciples; and Jesus’ response to them. Sun, 20 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://holyspirit.www.episcopalatlanta.org/news/newsView.asp?NewsId=40968365 http://holyspirit.www.episcopalatlanta.org/news/newsView.asp?NewsId=40968373 If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. Sun, 13 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://holyspirit.www.episcopalatlanta.org/news/newsView.asp?NewsId=40968373 http://holyspirit.www.episcopalatlanta.org/news/newsView.asp?NewsId=40968372 How do you get someone to do what you want them to do? Let’s be honest—most of us have some techniques that we tend to follow—bribery, pouting, maybe even threatening. I remember an approach that Lynn figured out pretty early in our marriage. I think she had learned it from her mother. Lynn came to realize that she should never ask me to do something when I first got home from work. Not that my day was any tougher than her day—Lynn just figured out that my almost default answer in the first ten minutes after I walked in the door would be, “No.” With just a few minutes to change, look at the sports page and make some small talk, I was usually fairly agreeable to most anything she would want me to do. Sun, 6 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://holyspirit.www.episcopalatlanta.org/news/newsView.asp?NewsId=40968372 http://holyspirit.www.episcopalatlanta.org/news/newsView.asp?NewsId=40968371 How do you imagine Jesus during his earthly life? I believe many of us might think of him as very easy going and nice—you know, kind of like us, but much better. So when we first listen to the Gospel today, if we pay close attention, we may wonder, “Why did Jesus get so upset in his response to those religious leaders?” Sun, 30 Aug 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://holyspirit.www.episcopalatlanta.org/news/newsView.asp?NewsId=40968371 http://holyspirit.www.episcopalatlanta.org/news/newsView.asp?NewsId=40968370 As the bishop mentioned in his sermon last week, today is the fifth Sunday in a row in which the lectionary provides us with a selection from the sixth chapter of John for our Gospel reading. Five weeks ago, we heard about Jesus feeding the 5,000—the only miracle story reported in all four Gospels. The following weeks we have heard about Jesus as the bread of life and as the true food and drink. Today the theme continues with rich imagery about Christ and food and eating; imagery that has formed the Christian faith and liturgy over centuries. Sun, 23 Aug 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://holyspirit.www.episcopalatlanta.org/news/newsView.asp?NewsId=40968370 http://holyspirit.www.episcopalatlanta.org/news/newsView.asp?NewsId=40968377 “Walk in love as Christ loved us and gave himself an offering and sacrifice to God.” Sun, 9 Aug 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://holyspirit.www.episcopalatlanta.org/news/newsView.asp?NewsId=40968377 http://holyspirit.www.episcopalatlanta.org/news/newsView.asp?NewsId=40968376 I used to work with someone named Jack. He was a good guy in many ways—talented, generous, funny… He was also quick to let people know his opinion. He would correct your grammar if you said something improperly. If he felt your work did not measure up, he might sigh or roll his eyes and then tell you, “You should really do it this way…” I pointed out to Jack once that he came across as critical and that his approach put off a lot of people. He said, “I don’t understand why—I am just trying to help people and make them better. I consider this my ministry to others. You know really, what I am doing is ‘speaking the truth in love’.” Have you ever had a friend or co-worker or family member like that? If you have, how did that work out for you and for them? Sun, 2 Aug 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://holyspirit.www.episcopalatlanta.org/news/newsView.asp?NewsId=40968376 http://holyspirit.www.episcopalatlanta.org/news/newsView.asp?NewsId=40968375 Good morning. This past week was Vacation Bible School at Holy Spirit. The children learned a lot and had a lot of fun. At the offertory during (the 10:45) service, we will get to see and hear them sing some of the songs they learned. The main theme for the week was learning to pray, specifically learning the Lord’s Prayer. Sun, 26 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://holyspirit.www.episcopalatlanta.org/news/newsView.asp?NewsId=40968375 http://holyspirit.www.episcopalatlanta.org/news/newsView.asp?NewsId=40968374 Good morning. First let me say I am glad to be with you on this first Sunday for me at Holy Spirit. I have had the chance to meet many of you over the past five months, including members of the discernment committee, vestry and those of you who attended the super foyers party. Lynn and I are excited to be here and look forward to getting to know all of you in the months and years to come. Sun, 19 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://holyspirit.www.episcopalatlanta.org/news/newsView.asp?NewsId=40968374