The Rev. Joseph Peters-Mathews is the vicar of St. Hilda St. Patrick. The sermon for Sunday, August 7, 2022 was preached as a response to the texts for Proper 14, Track 1. The sermon was preached extemporaneously.
Join Barbara Hatt in participating in the Walk to End Alzheimer’s. Registration is open now and the Seattle walk is scheduled for October 1st. Donations can be made directly to Barbara Hatt or here. Registration for The Seattle Walk can be found here.
The next baptismal Sunday will be November 6. “Holy Baptism is full initiation by water and the Holy Spirit into Christ’s Body the Church. The bond which God establishes in Baptism is indissoluble.” (Book of Common Prayer, page 298) If you would like to be baptized or have your child baptized on November 6, email …
Come to church on September 11 for Welcome Back Sunday! Pack a pew and see how many we can get in attendance. Invite your friends. There will be a cookout and extended social time after the usual coffee hour! Bring your yard games and celebrate being back together.
If you’ve ever wanted to assist in liturgical worship in any way — from serving Bread or Wine to carrying a cross, gospel book, candle, holding the presider’s book, ringing bells, anything! — come to church on August 14 and stick around for the Eucharistic Minister and Acolyte Training. The training will begin at 11 …
Eucharistic Minister and Acolyte Training: August 14 Read More »
If you’ve ever read at St. Hilda St. Patrick or would like to read during worship, come to church on August 7 and stick around for the training at 11! We’ll do tongue twisters, learn about the objectives of liturgical reading, hear some best practices for reading at St. Hilda St. Patrick, and practice reading …
Paul tells the Colossians and us that through our baptisms, we can’t be hopeless. “If you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth, for you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.”
Throughout this letter Paul has not held back on his critiques but throughout it he has been positive and affirming. He loves the Colossians and that comes through. He also doesn’t want them to think they need to worship or pray to river spirits or angels who have part of God’s divinity alongside Jesus who also has just a part. No, Paul says, all rulers and authorities of the world were created through him. Through his resurrection, they have been shamed and brought into submission.
As someone who can get very wrapped up in policy and court opinions and how are things going to work I understand the Colossians’ look for secret truths ways to appease the minor gods who may actually be in control. Then Paul calls me out…in this hymn to Christ that Paul has slightly reworked Paul gives the Colossians hope…
With white supremacists on our door, we’ve been rescued from the power of shadows and brought into God’s reign which has come near. Jesus’ bringing in God’s reign moves us from strength to strength and keeps us going for when we need to face the powers and principalities of this world.