Message from Presiding Bishop, Good Friday and Easter weekend

We're expanding our ways to worship, share, learn, and stay connected at St James Episcopal Church in Manitowoc.

Maundy Thursday Sermon from our Presiding Bishop Maundy Thursday 2020 Sermon   And now in the name of our loving, liberating, and life-giving God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.   I greet you in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and bring you greetings on this Maundy Thursday from your brothers, sisters, and siblings who are The Episcopal Church, wherever they may be. How I wish that I could be with you physically, but we are together in the spirit, and it is good to be together in God's name in any way.   Allow me to offer a text, a text that comes from John's Gospel, John's insight into what was going on at that last supper, that supper where Jesus celebrated, commemorated the first Eucharist: "This is my body. This is my blood."   That evening when he washed the feet of his disciples and said, "As I have done to you, so you should do to each other;" that evening, when he gave them his last thoughts before he sacrificed his life on the cross, in John Chapter 15 this is what he said: "Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine neither can you unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing." Then he goes on to say, "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now abide in my love. I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit so as the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now abide in my love."   In John's Gospel, chapters 13 through 17, several chapters are devoted to John reflecting and hearing deeply what Jesus was saying, meant, and did at that Last Supper. Raymond Brown in his magisterial commentary on the Gospel of John says that John has fashioned this Last Supper in the manner of the ancient world's last will and testament of a great teacher, of a noble one, of a great spirit. He has taken that model and used it to amplify Jesus, giving His disciples those teachings that can steady them in days that are hard and difficult, those teachings that will lead them and guide them and will help them along the way. It is in these chapters, chapters 13 through 17, oh, just hours before he would be in that lonely garden to be betrayed, only hours before he would be handed over to those who would take him prisoner, only hours before trials, only hours before execution, only hours before his death. If you look carefully at what Jesus teaches them, two things stand out.   One, the key to this life, in this way that he teaches, is a deep and organic, a living relationship with him, with Jesus. I am the vine; you are the branches. As I live, so you must live. As I love, so you must love. Let my life live in you. Let my way of life be your way of life. As St. Teresa taught us, let you be my hands, my feet, my heart, my life in the world. When folks see you, let them see me. I am the vine; you're the branches. Eat my body, take it in. Drink my blood, take it in. Let my life infuse your life. Abide in me as I am you.   But then He goes on and says something else. He emphasizes this relationship with him as the way into the heart of God, for those who would follow his ways, but then he says something at this supper in John's Gospel. He says, "A new commandment I give you," not a new possibility, not some new suggestions, not a new philosophical idea. "A new commandment I give you: that you love one another as I have loved you. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now, abide in my love." Greater love is no one than this, but that they give up their life for their friends, and I have called you my friends. A new commandment that you love one another. As he washes the feet of his disciples, love. As Judas slithers out of the room to betray him, love. What thou must do, do quickly. Love.   As Peter declares that he will defend him and stand by him, Jesus knowing Peter well enough to know he may not make good on that promise, love. When he leaves that upper room and goes into the garden and sweats and prays, "Let this cup pass from me, but not my will but thine be done," love. When Judas comes up and kisses him, the kiss of betrayal, love. When soldiers take him by the arms and carry him off under arrest, love. When he is thrown into a jail cell, love. When they take him before various tribunals from a Sanhedrin to Herod and back and forth, in trials and hearings, convicting him of nothing he had done, love. When Pilate sits in the praetorium, "Are you a King? What is truth?" "My kingdom is not of this world," he says, love. And when soldiers take him away under orders of the empire to be executed, love.   The old song says, "Oh, he never said a mumbling word, just love." When nails are hammered through the wrist and hands that only helped and healed, love. When he's lifted up on a cross, love. He bleeds to death, love.   Father, forgive them. Woman, behold your son. Oh my God, my God, why? Today you'll be with me in paradise. I thirst. It is finished. Father, into thy hands, I commend my spirit. Love.   For John's Gospel says, "God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son. That all who believe in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Love. Unselfish, sacrificial, this is the way, the way of the cross, the way of God, the way of life.   A number of years ago when I was bishop with the Diocese of North Carolina, I joined with Bishop Rob O'Neill, the Bishop of Colorado, the then Bishop of Colorado, to represent The Episcopal Church at the enthronement of the new Archbishop of Burundi in East Africa. This was a number of years ago now. Burundi, tucked in with Rwanda and Tanzania and Congo, had known the same violence and civil war between Tutsi and Hutu that was known in Rwanda. We went soon after there had been a peace settlement, a tenuous peace settlement, but a peace settlement. We flew there in friendship between our church and the church of Burundi.   As we left Nairobi flying to Bujumbura, the capital, we made the approach to the city of Bujumbura, the capital city, a city and a country that had been in civil war for 10 years. As we made our approach, we circled the city, and when we made our approach, you could see the city below. It was a heap of rubble. It was like the lamentations in the Old Testament, how lonely since the city that was once full of people. When we finally landed, we were met there by representatives of the diocese and the church, and we were taken to a hotel where we stayed. The next day there was the grand celebration of Anglican Christians and other religious leaders and government officials who came for this celebration of the installation of the new Anglican Archbishop of Burundi. The bishops of Burundi had represented in their House of Bishops, those who had once been at civil war Tutsi and Hutu, were part of the one House of Bishops together. In Christ, there is no east nor west. In Him, no south, no north, but one great fellowship of love throughout the whole wide earth.   Well, the ceremony went on and the new Bishop was enthroned. After the ceremony and the wonderful meal by the Mother's Union, the Archbishop took Bishop O'Neill and took me, and we went out and he gave us a tour of the capital city. We went up on a hill much like sitting up on the hill above Jerusalem, only now we were looking at Bujumbura. "How lonely sits the city that was once full of people." The Archbishop said something I've never forgotten, pointed to the city, greatly a heap of rubble, and he said, "This is man's way. Jesus has taught us another way. We must love each other, and that is how we will rebuild our country."   Jesus was right. He is right: "A new commandment I give you, that you love one another. As the Father has loved Me, so have I loved you. For God so loved the world that He gave His only son," and this way of love, it is the way of life.   God love you. God bless you. May God hold us all in those almighty hands of love. The Most Rev Michael B Curry Presiding Bishop & Primate The Episcopal Church Thank you all! Thank you to everybody who has taken the time to participate in our various opportunities to engage remotely for worship, sharing, learning, and connection. Until further notice we'll be maintaining our schedule on Sundays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, as well as other special services and remote gatherings. Thank you for watching/listening! Thank you for commenting and engaging with each other! And thank you for liking and sharing our videos, Facebook page, and YouTube channel to help spread the word! We appreciate your feedback about any of these new technologies we are implementing. If you had any technical issues or technical questions, please let us know. Please email your feedback and questions to info@mysjec.com View our past services any time View recorded videos of our live services any time you like on our Facebook page or YouTube channel. Share them with others to share God's love! CLICK HERE TO VIEW ON FACEBOOK CLICK HERE TO VIEW ON YOUTUBE If you 'Like' and 'Get Notifications' from our Facebook page you'll receive a notification each time we start a new live video. If you 'Subscribe' to our YouTube channel and then click the bell icon you'll receive a notification any time we post a new video. YouTube may be easier for some people to use depending on your device, internet connection, and other factors. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE PALM SUNDAY BULLETIN CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE MAUNDY THURSDAY BULLETIN Friday Morning Prayer - Friday, April 10 at 6:30AM Join us for a weekly Morning Prayer service on Fridays at 6:30AM. Click the link to participate using a computer, laptop, tablet, or other device: https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/780162197 Or participate from any phone: Dial 1-571-317-3122 When prompted for Access Code, enter 780 162 197 # If prompted for an Audio Pin enter # Everybody is encouraged to read/pray/sing at the appropriate times during Morning Prayer. If you need to mute your phone for any reason, use your phone's mute button or press *6 to mute/unmute. CLICK HERE FOR FRIDAY MORNING PRAYER READINGS FOR THIS WEEK Good Friday Worship - Friday, April 10 at 12:15PM View our Good Friday Worship service LIVE on Facebook at 12:15PM Central this Friday, April 10: CLICK HERE TO VIEW ON FACEBOOK You may need to refresh the page if you arrive before the live stream begins. If you 'Like' and 'Get Notifications' from our Facebook page you'll receive a notification each time we start a new live video. Or participate from any phone: Dial 1-312-626-6799 When prompted for Meeting ID, enter 600 408 616 then press # When prompted for Participant ID, press # When prompted for Password, enter 0 then press # Everybody is invited to read/pray/sing at the appropriate times during Good Friday Worship. We're keeping all phones muted throughout Worship so everybody can hear. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE BULLETIN If you can't watch live, you can watch at the same link at a later time/day on Facebook or YouTube. The Great Vigil of Easter - Saturday, April 11 We aren't aware of anybody in our Diocese who will be live streaming The Great Vigil of Easter. Here are some options for viewing this special celebration: 6:30PM Central - Trinity Church Wall Street in Manhattan CLICK HERE TO VIEW 8:00PM Central - All Saints Episcopal Church in Chicago CLICK HERE TO VIEW Bible Study - Sunday, April 12 at 8:45AM We are continuing to study our way through the Gospel of John using N.T. Wright's book as our guide. If you need a copy of the book, please contact Amma Diane. We start at 8:45AM and end by 9:45AM (allowing a break before 10AM Worship starts). Click the link to participate using a computer, laptop, tablet, or other device: https://zoom.us/j/580876932?pwd=WEtHK0llaWZmTWtmTnhPUlVqRmlGUT09 Or participate from any phone: Dial 1-312-626-6799 When prompted for Meeting ID, enter 580 876 932 then press # When prompted for Participant ID, press # When prompted for Password, enter 0 then press # Everybody is encouraged to talk during Bible Study. If you need to mute your phone for any reason, use your phone's mute button or press *6 to mute/unmute. Easter Sunday Worship - Sunday, April 12 at10:00AM View our Easter Sunday Worship service LIVE on Facebook at 10AM Central this Sunday, April 12: CLICK HERE TO VIEW ON FACEBOOK You may need to refresh the page if you arrive before the live stream begins. If you 'Like' and 'Get Notifications' from our Facebook page you'll receive a notification each time we start a new live video. Or participate from any phone: Dial 1-312-626-6799 When prompted for Meeting ID, enter 342 570 232 then press # When prompted for Participant ID, press # When prompted for Password, enter 0 then press # Everybody is invited to read/pray/sing at the appropriate times during Easter Sunday Worship. We're keeping all phones muted throughout Worship so everybody can hear. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE BULLETIN If you can't watch live, you can watch at the same link at a later time/day on Facebook or YouTube. Easter Sunday Fellowship - Sunday, April 12 at 11:15AM We invite you to join us for Fellowship after Sunday Worship each week. We'll start at 11:15AM and end at 11:45AM. Feel free to drop in for some or all of this special time with our sisters and brothers in Christ. We'll have the camera option enabled for Fellowship, so if your device has a camera you have the option to turn that on. Click the link to participate using a computer, laptop, tablet, or other device: https://zoom.us/j/554946801?pwd=ak1XbmprdFBUQnRZOWszWU91VHdyUT09 Or participate from any phone: Dial 1-312-626-6799 When prompted for Meeting ID, enter 554 946 801 then press # When prompted for Participant ID, press # When prompted for Password, enter 0 then press # Everybody is encouraged to speak during Sunday Fellowship.If you need to mute your phone for any reason, use your phone's mute button or press *6 to mute/unmute. Mid-Week Worship - Wednesday, April 15 at 5:30PM Join us for a mid-week Worship service on Wednesdays at 5:30PM. ( Please note we're temporarily switching to a later time to accommodate more participation.) Click the link to participate using a computer, laptop, tablet, or other device: https://zoom.us/j/670567006?pwd=bkhtRlNxL3E3SnZCTU1oSFNHcHJNQT09 Or participate from any phone: Dial 1-312-626-6799 When prompted for Meeting ID, enter 670 567 006 then press # When prompted for Participant ID, press # When prompted for Password, enter 0 then press # Everybody is encouraged to read/pray/sing at appropriate times during Mid-Week Worship. If you need to mute your phone for any reason, use your phone's mute button or press *6 to mute/unmute. Thanks for your support! Several people have asked ways they can continue to financially support St James when we are not gathering in person. You can still mail checks to St James Episcopal Church, 434 N 8th St, Manitowoc, WI 54220. Contributions are being regularly counted and deposited. You can also set up one-time or recurring payments through your bank (most offer this for free). Look for "bill pay" or similar options online or call your bank. People have asked us for an online option to donate, so we have added Tithe.ly to our new web site. CLICK HERE TO ACCESS SECURE ONLINE GIVING THROUGH OUR WEB SITE We know that these are difficult times for some, and we understand if you are unable to support the church financially. Please contact Amma Diane if you need help connecting to assistance or resources. Other Online Resources We're revising and updating our list of other online resources. If you have a favorite you'd like to suggest, please email it to info@mysjec.com. Thanks! Expanding Our Options We at St James Episcopal Church have been adapting and growing in many ways throughout the course of the pandemic. In some cases, we have started from zero, but we've been improving and expanding our options to worship, share, learn, and stay connected each week. Thank you for your patience, understanding, and support as we have all learned from our successes and mistakes along the way. As our internet-based opportunities continue to expand, we'll be sending special emails twice a week (typically Mondays and Thursdays in future weeks). These emails will include information about our various at-home opportunities, downloadable PDFs of bulletins, links to view some Worship services live or at a later date, information for connecting to other audio only opportunities, etc. We'll still be sending the St James Weekly email once a week with other information. This means, while our building is closed, you'll be receiving 3 regular emails per week from us to keep you up-to-date and connected. St James Weekly and the bulletin will be printed and mailed to those we are aware of who do not have email access. If you'd like to receive paper mailings of St James Weekly and bulletins one time or regularly, please contact Amma Diane ( dianemarie.murray@gmail.com or 920-860-5152). St James Episcopal Church | 434 N 8th Street, Manitowoc, WI 54220 www.mysjec.com | facebook.com/sjecmanitowoc