Grace Episcopal Church

Reading 1John 3:1-7 We have the gift of being God’s children, and we must act like it even if the world doesn’t recognize or approve of it. As God’s children, we are to demonstrate his love not only in word or speech, but in truth and action (1John 3:18). Such love is embodied in concrete acts of giving and service to our sisters and brothers, who are members of God’s family. The author of the first letter of John later challenges us by asking the question, How does God’s love abide in anyone who has the world’s goods and sees a brother or sister in need and yet refuses to help? (1John 3:17). His words are in harmony with the commandment that Jesus gave us before he was crucified; we are to love one another as Jesus has loved us.

With God's peace and the veil of fear wiped away, we can see Jesus as he stands before us today, wounded and scarred, dressed in ragged clothes and in a business suit. Jesus is sitting next to us, he’s in a small dusty shack on the other side of the world, and he’s right across the street. Jesus is the single mother struggling to make ends meet. He is the family with a loved one battling health issues. Jesus is the alcoholic struggling not to pick up a drink. He is the child ...of God who is hooked on opioids. Jesus is that person who battles demons we don’t know about. He is the immigrant and refugee searching, begging, pleading for a better life. Jesus is the person who's been labeled different by society because of the color of their skin, their sexuality, or for being transgender. He is the person struggling to find their place in the world. Jesus is here in flesh and bone, showing the scars, the wounds, and the broken heart. With the veil of fear removed and the eyes of our hearts open wide, we can see Christ inside. Because he is within all of us if we choose to see beyond the walls that divide. See more

Jesus didn’t need that stone rolled away in order to be resurrected and leave the tomb. Jesus did not need the stone moved so he could come out of the tomb. Not one Gospel story says that Jesus walked out of the tomb. Jesus didn’t need that stone rolled away. The women needed the obstacle of the stone rolled away. We need the stone rolled away. God removes the barrier of the stone for us, so we too can peer inside and see the empty tomb and experience our risen Lord. God rolled away the obstacle of sin and death through Jesus Christ, offering us a path to salvation. God removed the barrier joining heaven and earth and reconciling humanity. How can we not go into the world as Jesus’ disciples, joyfully proclaiming Alleluia, Christ is risen?

After the reading of Jesus’ Passion, silence is held for two minutes. Time and time again, Jesus invites us to be there as he shows us what it looks like to have agape, the sacrificial love that God has for us, and all of his creation. It is the same type of love we should have for God, for one another, the same love we should have for all of humanity. On this night, love looks like a man, hanging from a piece of wood, paying the ultimate price for our sins and our salvation.

Christ humbly kneels before us, forgiving us and washing the grit and grime, the dirt and crud of this world from us. This night Immanuel, God incarnate, kneels before humanity and humbly demonstrates agape the sacrificial love that God has for all creation. We, too, are to approach agape in the same way, with humility and grace, loving all people with the same love that God has for us. On this Maundy Thursday Jesus says to us, I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. As our lord and savior continues his journey to the cross, how can we not follow his new commandment and embody agape humbly loving others as Christ loves us?

Reading: Mark 1-11 God is inviting us this week to join him on a special pilgrimage that can transform us. As children of God and a community built in the love of Christ, let’s take this pilgrimage together. All the arrangements have been made, and the price has been paid. We just need to open our hearts, take God’s hand, and journey with our Savior Jesus Christ to the cross and then experience the glory of his resurrection, and it all begins with our prayer of Hosanna Son of David Save us O Lord our Messiah.

Readings: Isaiah 40:21-31 / Psalm 147:1-12, 21c / 1 Corinthians 9:16-23 / Mark 1:29-39. We are to treat one another with agape, the sacrificial love that Jesus demonstrated. What would it take to set aside preconceived notions and beliefs and embrace our fellow human beings as children of God so we may thoroughly understand their experiences? What would it look like to embody God’s all-inclusive love and act on behalf of others going through this pandemic so that the disease ...was mitigated and lives were saved? What would it look like to act on behalf of an immigrant or refugee trying to escape extreme violence and poverty? What would it look like to act on behalf of someone who is gay, transgender, or someone experiencing systemic racism, and all they ask is to be treated with respect, dignity, and equality? Jesus acted with compassion and love on behalf of those who were oppressed and marginalized because he identified fully and completely with their humanity. This is part of what it means for us to follow Jesus in the way of the cross, of sacrificing for others. As disciples of Christ, we are not just a community that gathers to worship. We are part of the gospel. We are part of the good news called into existence to live out and proclaim this radical form of love. See more

Happy Groundhog Day!Punxsutawney Phil is telling us to expect six more weeks of winter. CAPSEA wants to make sure that everyone is able to stay safe and warm t...his winter. We currently have snow pants, jackets, and lots of sweaters for families in need. Contact us today to coordinate pickup -(814) 772-3838 [email protected] #GroundhogDay #PunxsutawneyPhil #SixMoreWeeks #Winter2021 #WinterClothes #Donate #StayWarm #HelpingNeighbors #CAPSEA #CAPSEAcares #ElkCounty #CameronCounty See more

CAPSEA's Community Outreach Coordinator, Nicole, recently helped a local group of second graders learn all about good touch and bad touch. These topics can be d...ifficult to talk about in a way that is appropriate for young children, but it is crucial for kids to learn what is inappropriate, and when to talk to a grown up. Our programs vary by age, and we are also available to talk about: * Bullying * Sexting * Self esteem * Healthy vs. unhealthy dating * Internet safety * Diversity & inclusion That's just to name a few! If you're interested in having Nicole talk to your students or youth group visit capsea.org/education to learn more. #SexualAbuse #SexualAssault #EndAbuse #ProtectOurChildren #YouAreNotAlone #CommunityOutreach #SupportSurvivors #DomesticAbuse #Nonprofit #CAPSEA #CAPSEACares #ElkCounty #CameronCounty

Readings: Deuteronomy 18:15-20 / Psalm 111 / 1 Corinthians 8:1-13 / Mark 1:21-28 Paul is not offering the Corinthians set of rules of dos and don’ts telling them on how to live as a people of God. He wants them to think about what it means to follow the one true God. He wants them to grow in the knowledge and understanding of God, and he emphasizes true wisdom begins with the understanding of enacting God’s love. It was vital for Paul that they treated one another with agape, the sacrificial love that Jesus demonstrated As individuals struggling to make sense of the world around us, I can’t help but think Paul would offer the same encouragement today as he did to those in Corinth.

It is a great honor and privilege to serve our church in this way! Thank you Gay Clark Jennings for your consideration!

Readings: Jonah 3:1-5, 10 / Psalm 62:6-14 / 1 Corinthians 7:29-31 / Mark 1:14-20 When we accept Jesus' call to follow, our perception of the world must be viewed through the lens of God's love, which requires us to put aside allegiances to beliefs and actions which are opposite to God's all-inclusive love. We have to rethink and reprioritize our worldview because repentance requires us to place our belief and trust in God. As children of God, our only course of action is to enact God's love.