St. Peter’s by the Sea

Everything in Between: Lost & Found"

Scripture Reading: Luke 15:1-10 
 
Introduction:  
 
Herding sheep is a never-ending task. As soon as one is found, another may go missing. Our lives have a similar ebb and flow. In one moment we might feel like we have it all together, and in the next, we’re struggling to survive. The promise of this morning’s Scripture is that no matter how “lost” we feel, the Good shepherd is by our side. Listen now to a reading from the Gospel of Luke, chapter 15, verses 1 through 10.
 
Reading:
Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to him. And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, “This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them.”
So he told them this parable: “Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders and rejoices. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my lost sheep.’ Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.
“Or what woman having ten silver coins, if she loses one of them, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it? And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.’ Just so, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

"Everything in Between: Proximity Matters" Rev. Paul Barrett

Message: "Everything in Between: Proximity Matters" Rev. Paul Barrett
 
Introduction: “Everything in Between” is our guiding theme this Lent. This theme is an invitation to navigate the polarities in our lives with more faith, intention, and openness to be transformed. In doing so, we might begin to see a full spectrum and find that God is present in between. Listen now to a reading from the Gospel of Luke, chapter 13, verses 1 through 9. Reading: At that very time there were some present who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. He asked them, “Do you think that because these Galileans suffered in this way they were worse sinners than all other Galileans? No, I tell you, but unless you repent you will all perish as they did. Or those eighteen who were killed when the tower of Siloam fell on them—do you think that they were worse offenders than all the other people living in Jerusalem? No, I tell you, but unless you repent you will all perish just as they did.” Then he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came looking for fruit on it and found none. So he said to the man working the vineyard, ‘See here! For three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree, and still I find none. Cut it down! Why should it be wasting the soil?’ He replied, ‘Sir, let it alone for one more year, until I dig around it and put manure on it. If it bears fruit next year, well and good, but if not, you can cut it down.’ ”

"Everything in Between: Faith & Works"

Introduction:  Our theme for this Lent is “Everything in Between.” This theme is an invitation to navigate the polarities in our lives
with more faith, intention, and openness to be transformed. Each weekly sub-theme explores two supposed binaries, like “faith & works” or “rest & growth,” or “stranger & neighbor.” We often consider these ideas to be opposing. However, as we explore these concepts within the scriptures, we find nuance and complexity. We might begin to see a full spectrum and find that God is present in between.  Today, we meet two sisters, Mary and Martha. In many translations, Jesus says that “Mary has chosen the better part,” which has been used to create a divide between Mary and Martha. However, in the Greek, Mary has chosen the “good portion,” and Martha’s tasks are called “ministry.” Therefore, perhaps Mary represents our faith, our desire to know God intimately, and Martha represents our good works, our desire to transform the world. Both are needed, and both are good.
Listen now to a reading from the Gospel of Luke, chapter 10, verses 38 through 42.
 
Reading:
Now as they went on their way, he entered a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed him. She had a sister named Mary, who sat at Jesus’s feet and listened to what he was saying. But Martha was distracted by her many tasks, so she came to him and asked, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her, then, to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things, but few things are needed—indeed only one.  Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her.” 

"Everything in Between: Stranger & Neighbor"

Message: "Everything in Between: Stranger & Neighbor"
Rev. Dr. Amanda Adams Riley, Parish Associate
Our theme for this Lent is “Everything in Between.” This theme is an invitation to navigate the polarities in our lives with more faith, intention, and openness to be transformed. Each weekly sub-theme explores two supposed binaries, like “faith & works” or “rest & growth,” or “stranger & neighbor.” We often consider these ideas to be opposing. However, as we explore these concepts within the scriptures, we find nuance and complexity. We might begin to see a full spectrum and find that God is present in between. This morning’s parable begins and ends with the question, “Who is my neighbor?” and the answer is, surprisingly, “the stranger.” The Samaritan, whose place of worship and customs are different from the scribe who questions Jesus, is both a stranger and a neighbor to the man who was beaten and left in a ditch. In our world, many of our physical neighbors are strangers to us, and many of our neighbors—those closest to us—feel like strangers in divisive social and political climates. If we align our intentions and actions, then maybe we need to reconsider who we consider “stranger,” and ask ourselves if we have acted as good neighbors. Listen now to a reading from the Gospel of Luke, chapter 10, verses 25 through 37. Reading: An expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he said, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” He said to him, “What is written in the law? What do you read there?” He answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind and your neighbor as yourself.” And he said to him, “You have given the right answer; do this, and you will live.” But wanting to vindicate himself, he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho and fell into the hands of robbers, who stripped him, beat him, and took off, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan while traveling came upon him, and when he saw him he was moved with compassion. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, treating them with oil and wine. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said, ‘Take care of him, and when I come back I will repay you whatever more you spend.’ Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?” He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”

"Our Own Transfiguration Moments"

Message: "Our Own Transfiguration Moments"
Rev. Paul Barrett
Scripture Reading Luke 9:28-45 
Introduction:  Our reading this morning from the Gospel of Luke presents us with a powerful juxtaposition. In this part of the Luke’s account, we witness the glory of the Transfiguration of Jesus, which is a moment of divine revelation, followed immediately by the harsh reality of a child's suffering and the disciples' continued misunderstanding. This part of Luke’s narrative invites us to reflect on the nature of God's glory and the cost of discipleship in a world filled with wonder, complexity, and suffering. Listen now to God’s Word from Luke, chapter 9, beginning at verse 28.
Reading: Now about eight days after these sayings Jesus took with him Peter and John and James and went up on the mountain to pray. And while he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning. Suddenly they saw two men, Moses and Elijah, talking to him. They appeared in glory and were speaking about his exodus, which he was about to fulfill in Jerusalem. Now Peter and his companions were weighed down with sleep, but as they awoke they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. Just as they were leaving him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good for us to be here; let us set up three tents: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah,” not realizing what he was saying. While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them, and they were terrified as they entered the cloud. Then from the cloud came a voice that said, “This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!” When the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and in those days told no one any of the things they had seen.
On the next day, when they had come down from the mountain, a great crowd met him. Just then a man from the crowd shouted, “Teacher, I beg you to look at my son; he is my only child. Suddenly a spirit seizes him, and all at once he shrieks. It convulses him until he foams at the mouth; it mauls him and will scarcely leave him. I begged your disciples to cast it out, but they could not.” Jesus answered, “You faithless and perverse generation, how much longer must I be with you and put up with you? Bring your son here.” While he was being brought forward, the demon dashed him to the ground in convulsions. But Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, healed the boy, and gave him back to his father. And all were astounded at the greatness of God.
While everyone was amazed at all that he was doing, he said to his disciples, “Let these words sink into your ears: The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into human hands.” But they did not understand this saying; its meaning remained concealed from them, so that they could not perceive it. And they were afraid to ask him about this saying.

"Love Your Enemies"

Message: "Love Your Enemies"
Rev. Paul Barrett
In this morning’s reading from the Gospel of Luke, Jesus challenges us with some of the most profound teachings in Scripture. He calls us to love not just our friends, but our enemies; to offer forgiveness and generosity even to those who wrong us. Let us listen as Jesus describes what true love, the love of God, looks like. Listen to these words from Luke, chapter 6, verses 27 through 36. 
Reading:  
“But I say to you who are listening: Love your enemies; do good to those who hate you; bless those who curse you; pray for those who mistreat you. If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt. Give to everyone who asks of you, and if anyone takes away what is yours, do not ask for it back again. Do to others as you would have them do to you.
“If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them.  If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. If you lend to those from whom you expect to receive payment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much again.  Instead, love your enemies, do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return. Your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, for he himself is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
The Word of God for the people of God.
 
 

"The Power of Absurdity"

"It's not about the church meeting your needs; it's about joining the mission of God's people to meet the world's needs."
~Brian D. McLaren