Pin Art and the Kingdom of God

2 Pentecost Cycle B proper 6     June 14, 2015

Ezekiel 17:22-24  Psalm 92:1-4, 11-14

2 Corinthians 5:6-10,  14-17  Mark 4:26-34

Lectionary Link

Pin Art Toys are perhaps my favorite toys, and we all need toys, don't we to satisfy the curious quest for fun which resides within?  And since Pin Art Toys are my favorite, I am compelled to inflict my play upon you.  Pin Art toys are favorite toys of mine because of how they visibly and in a tactile way illustrates background and foreground.  If all of the pins are in a background nothing is distinguished or stands out.  There is no form or shape, only a flat surface.  Conversely if all of the pins are push forward, nothing stands out or is distinguished.  There is only undefined flat surface.  Definition occurs when there is a contrast in the relief formed by the dynamic between a background and a foreground.

  In the beginning, all was without form and void; all was undistinguished. God spoke and said, "Let there be" and it was.  And God saw that it was good.  And it was God's kingdom.  God's speaking was the Word which was in the beginning of human life as we know it.  And in our beginning with Word the distinctions of values have come to be created; and we have come to understand differences through language.  And the vital but unseen background complements the conscious foreground of what has come to be regarded in our lives through our lives being created by the words of our lives.

  But it has often come to be the case that the world as the kingdom of God has been forced into the forgotten background of human life even though our conscious life exists and resides upon the total Plenitude of God.

  So why did Jesus need to tell the parables about the Kingdom of God?  I believe he needed to do so because the always already kingdom of God’s creation had been forgotten and the values of a creating, just and loving God had been forgotten, for the most part by people.

  The kingdom of men and women had shoved the kingdom of God into an unrecognized background.  The selfish and sinful ways of men and women has become too often the visible foreground and in our pride we can easily delude ourselves to believe that we are self-made, self-created and have the right to push and shove our way to the top of human distinction in wealth, power and knowledge.  Using a baseball metaphor, we often behave like those born on home plate and we are presuming to celebrate that we have hit homeruns.  We forget that God hit us as a divine homerun at creation.

  I think our belief in God's creation means that everything is equally God's.   But with language there has arisen differentiation of values.  Jesus came to remind us that we live and move and have our being in God.  Jesus came to remind us that in the values of life created by having language, we need to understand that God is communicating to us.

  Jesus came to make us aware of the original kingdom of God but also aware that the kingdom of God is still historically relevant in our contemporary lives.  Out of the background of creation God still marks the foreground of human life with efforts to communicate with us and to let the life of God be translated into relevant and accessible human experience.

  The parables which we have read today gives us some insights about this kingdom of God.  The first insight is that the kingdom of God is as obvious and as mysterious as the organic processes of nature itself.  If you and I can simply learn to stop and be in awe with the natural mystery of life itself, we can enter into the experience of worshiping that which is much greater than we are.  Even an atheist has to have natural Wow! moments.  I cut back my basil leaves and Wow! the next morning there are new leaves there.  How did that happen?  I can study plant life for causality answers but there is enough mystery in the fact that it just happens to bring me to the state of awe and worship and recognize something or someone much greater than I am is at work in all things and is present all around.  And that something or someone is at work in sustaining the freedom of everything happening all together.  So, says Jesus, the kingdom of God is as accessible and as obvious as the experience of the experience of the awesome Wow that we can have in the natural world.  In this experience of the awesome Wow, the worship event occurs when the spiritual and natural intersect and we can commune with God and we can know that we reside in a greater kingdom than any controlled environment of our own making.

  The second insight about the kingdom of God is that it occurs through the exercise of the small deeds of faith, the mustard seeds acts of faith.  Faith is when we are inspired by the visions of hope of a future good and we convert the energy of hope into intentional acts toward the fulfillment of the vision of hope.  To illustrate this with the pin art toy:  let us say the hand imprint represents our vision of the evidence of God's love, God's justice and God's good news coming to definition in our lives.  As I slowly press my hand into the back of the pins, a foreground of gradual recognition occurs.  It is slow and deliberate and forms a more recognizable impression as I press my hand deeper into the pin.  And after the passing of time and with the daily every day pressing into the pattern of what might be called character, a fully recognizable hand becomes known.  And if I time lapse it; it would look like this.  This is how the kingdom of God happens; in small incremental in the quotidian, every day life faithful acts with an orientation toward a hopeful future and "voila!" the outcomes become evident and enrich not just one's life but the life of the world.   

And society is preserved by the scaffold support of the trillions of deeds of kindness which are unrecognized because in the human kingdom only the publicized heroes walk on the foreground stage of popularity.  And what the public does not always realize is that it is all of those unseen deeds of faithful kindness which sustain the world.  And Jesus says, "Shhh....don't tell anyone but those small mustard seeds have become the harvest and the crop which sustain the life of people in this world.  Shhh....don't tell anyone because the Caesars and the kings really pretend they are they important ones in the kingdom of humanity, but the kingdom of God realized in the lives of the faithful is really responsible for what is good and right in this world and those with faith, have the discerning eyes to see this and therefore they keep on, keeping on."

  Now what is the kingdom of God Gospel for you and me today?  What is arising from the background of God's creation today to become specific communication of God to you and me today? Out of the back ground of creation, I believe that we can hear this:  God said, "let there be you....and there was you," and God said, "you were very good, so good that you are unique and I threw away the mold.”  And God loved you.   And God said, "I have made you with gifts and with those gifts you can exercise faith toward the hope for love and justice to be made actual in our world with moment by moment acts of mustard seed faith."   And God said, "I gave you Jesus as a brother to remind you that you have always belonged to the family of God in the kingdom of God."  Amen.

Sunday School, June 14, 2015 3 Pentecost B, Proper 6

Sunday School,  June 14, 2015   3 Pentecost B, Proper 6

Lesson:

Parables of the kingdom of God

Jesus tried to translate the life of God and God’s concerns into the language and story of people.

He told stories to try to get people to understand how they were living in God’s kingdom because all of creation is God’s kingdom because God is the creator.

Understanding that we live in the kingdom of God and letting us know how God is close to us was the Good News that Jesus came to tell us.

Parables are stories and in them Jesus used comparisons to teach about the Kingdom of God.

Comparisons use what we call metaphors and similes.

If I say, “He is a bear.”  I am comparing a person directly with an big animal who is not bear but that person may behave or look like a bear in some ways.

If someone says, “He eats like a pig” this is not saying that he is a pig but the way in which he slurps his food reminds a person of the way in which a pig eats.

Have everyone think of some well known comparisons.

He’s fast as a..

He’s slow as a

His neck is long as a

So Jesus said, The kingdom of God is like….and what is it like?

It is like seeds which grow become a plant and then has flowers and blossoms and fruits.

The kingdom of God is also our natural created world; and we should recognize that God’s kingdom is creation and it is as common and ordinary and as close as any garden which grows.

The kingdom of God is like a very tiny mustard seed.  From this tiny seed a great plant grows and spreads and takes over the entire field or meadow and the birds, bees and insects have plenty of food and a place for their rest and bird nests.

By this Jesus means that big things happen because of the collection of little acts of practice that we do every day.

If you study every day, what happens?  Your knowledge collects and some day you do something very big like graduate.  But remember you won’t ever graduate unless you study and learn every day.

In sport, you practice do all of the little exercises over and over again so that when the big game comes you can do your very best.

In dance, you go to practice each week and you practice at home so that when the performance and recital comes you are ready.

Jesus came to show us that God’s life of love and fairness could be known and understood and that is why he told us the parables about the kingdom of God.  He showed us that we can live better lives if we understand that we live in God’s kingdom.

 St. John the Divine Episcopal Church

17740 Peak Avenue, Morgan Hill, CA 95037

Family Service with Holy Eucharist

June 14, 2015: The Third Sunday after Pentecost

Gathering Songs: As the Deer; Awesome God; Seek Ye First; Lord I Want to Be a Christian

Song: As the Deer Pants for the Water, (Renew # 9)

As the deer pants for the water, so my soul longs after you; you alone are my heart’s desire and I long to worship you.  Refrain: You alone are my strength, my shield, to you alone may my spirit yield; you alone are my heart’s desire, and I long to worship you!

I want you more than gold or silver, only you can satisfy; you alone are the real joy-giver and the apple of my eye.  Refrain.

Liturgist: Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

People: And blessed be God’s kingdom, now and forever.  Amen.

Liturgist:  Oh God, Our hearts are open to you.

And you know us and we can hide nothing from you.

Prepare our hearts and our minds to love you and worship you.

Through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

Liturgist:         The Lord be with you.

People: And also with you.

Liturgist:  Let us pray

Keep, O Lord, your household the Church in your steadfast faith and love, that through your grace we may proclaim your truth with boldness, and minister your justice with compassion; for the sake of our Savior Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Litany of Praise: Alleluia

O God, you are Great!  Alleluia

O God, you have made us! Alleluia

O God, you have made yourself known to us!  Alleluia

O God, you have provided us with us a Savior!  Alleluia

O God, you have given us a Christian family!  Alleluia

O God, you have forgiven our sins!  Alleluia

O God, you brought your Son Jesus back from the dead!  Alleluia

A reading from the First Book of Samuel

Samuel, the judge went to the sons of Jesse to anoint a new King of Israel.  When the sons of Jesse came, he looked on Eliab and thought, "Surely the Lord's anointed is now before the Lord." But the Lord said to Samuel, "Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for the Lord does not see as mortals see; they look on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart." Then Jesse called Abinadab, and made him pass before Samuel. He said, "Neither has the Lord chosen this one." Then Jesse made Shammah pass by. And he said, "Neither has the Lord chosen this one." Jesse made seven of his sons pass before Samuel, and Samuel said to Jesse, "The Lord has not chosen any of these." Samuel said to Jesse, "Are all your sons here?" And he said, "There remains yet the youngest, but he is keeping the sheep." And Samuel said to Jesse, "Send and bring him; for we will not sit down until he comes here." He sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and had beautiful eyes, and was handsome. The Lord said, "Rise and anoint him; for this is the one." Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the presence of his brothers; and the spirit of the Lord came mightily upon David from that day forward. Samuel then set out and went to Ramah.

Liturgist: The Word of the Lord

People: Thanks be to God

Liturgist: Let us read together from Psalm 92

It is a good thing to give thanks to the LORD, * and to sing praises to your Name, O Most High;

To tell of your loving-kindness early in the morning * and of your faithfulness in the night season;

On the psaltery, and on the lyre, * and to the melody of the harp.

Litany Phrase: Thanks be to God!

Litanist:

For the good earth, for our food and clothing. Thanks be to God!

For our families and friends. Thanks be to God!

For the talents and gifts that you have given to us. Thanks be to God!

For this day of worship. Thanks be to God!

For health and for a good night’s sleep. Thanks be to God!

For work and for play. Thanks be to God!

For teaching and for learning. Thanks be to God!

For the happy events of our lives. Thanks be to God!

For the celebration of the birthdays and anniversaries of our friends and parish family.

   Thanks be to God!

For our fathers on this father’s day.  Thanks be to God!

Liturgist:         The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Mark

People: Glory to you, Lord Christ.

Jesus said, "The kingdom of God is as if someone would scatter seed on the ground, and would sleep and rise night and day, and the seed would sprout and grow, he does not know how. The earth produces of itself, first the stalk, then the head, then the full grain in the head. But when the grain is ripe, at once he goes in with his sickle, because the harvest has come."  He also said, "With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable will we use for it? It is like a mustard seed, which, when sown upon the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth; yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes the greatest of all shrubs, and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade."  With many such parables he spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear it; he did not speak to them except in parables, but he explained everything in private to his disciples.Liturgist:           The Gospel of the Lord.

People: Praise to you, Lord Christ.

Sermon – Father Phil

Children’s Creed

We did not make ourselves, so we believe that God the Father is the maker of the world.

Since God is so great and we are so small,

We believe God came into our world and was born as Jesus, son of the Virgin Mary.

We need God’s help and we believe that God saved us by the life, death and

     resurrection of Jesus Christ.

We believe that God is present with us now as the Holy Spirit.

We believe that we are baptized into God’s family the Church where everyone is

     welcome.

We believe that Christ is kind and fair.

We believe that we have a future in knowing Jesus Christ.

And since we all must die, we believe that God will preserve us forever.  Amen.

Litany Phrase: Christ, have mercy.

For fighting and war to cease in our world. Christ, have mercy.

For peace on earth and good will towards all. Christ, have mercy.

For the safety of all who travel. Christ, have mercy.

For jobs for all who need them. Christ, have mercy.

For care of those who are growing old. Christ, have mercy.

For the safety, health and nutrition of all the children in our world. Christ, have mercy.

For the well-being of our families and friends. Christ, have mercy.

For the good health of those we know to be ill. Christ, have mercy.

For the remembrance of those who have died. Christ, have mercy.

For the forgiveness of all of our sins. Christ, have mercy.

Youth Liturgist:          The Peace of the Lord be always with you.

People:                        And also with you.

Song during the preparation of the Altar and the receiving of an offering

Offertory Song: Awesome God, (Renew! # 245)

Our God is an awesome God, he reigns from heaven above; with wisdom, power and love, our God is an awesome God.

(Sung three times)

Doxology

Praise God from whom all blessings flow. Praise Him, all creatures here below.

Praise Him above, ye heavenly host. Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

Prologue to the Eucharist

Jesus said, “Let the children come to me, for to them belong the kingdom of heaven.”

All become members of a family by birth or adoption.

Baptism is a celebration of birth into the family of God.

A family meal gathers and sustains each human family.

The Holy Eucharist is the special meal that Jesus gave to his friends to keep us together as the family of Christ.

The Lord be with you

And also with you.

Lift up your hearts

We lift them to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to God.

It is right to give God thanks and praise.

It is very good and right to give thanks, because God made us, Jesus redeemed us and the Holy Spirit dwells in our hearts.  Therefore with Angels and Archangels and all of the world that we see and don’t see, we forever sing this hymn of praise:

Holy, Holy, Holy (Intoned)

Holy, Holy, Holy Lord, God of Power and Might.  Heav’n and earth are full of your glory.

Hosanna in the highest.  Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. 

Hosanna in the highest. Hosanna in the Highest.

(All  may gather around the altar)

Our grateful praise we offer to you God, our Creator;

You have made us in your image

And you gave us many men and women of faith to help us to live by faith:

Adam and Eve, Abraham and Sarah, Isaac and Rebekah, Jacob and Rachael.

And then you gave us your Son, Jesus, born of Mary, nurtured by Joseph

And he called us to be sons and daughters of God.

Your Son called us to live better lives and he gave us this Holy Meal so that when we eat

  the bread and drink the wine, we can  know that the Presence of Christ is as near to us as  

  this food and drink  that becomes a part of us.

And so, Father, we bring you these gifts of bread and wine. Bless and sanctify them by your Holy Spirit to be for your people the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ our Lord.  Bless and sanctify us by your Holy Spirit so that we may love God and our neighbor.

On the night when Jesus was betrayed he took bread, said the blessing, broke the bread, and gave it to his friends, and said, "Take, eat: This is my Body, which is given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me."

After supper, Jesus took the cup of wine, gave thanks, and said, "Drink this, all of you. This is my Blood of the new Covenant, which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink it, do this for the remembrance of me."

Father, we now celebrate the memorial of your Son. When we eat this holy Meal of Bread and Wine, we are telling the entire world about the life, death and resurrection of Christ and that his presence will be with us in our future.

Let this holy meal keep us together as friends who share a special relationship because of your Son Jesus Christ.  May we forever live with praise to God to whom we belong as sons and daughters.

By Christ, and with Christ, and in Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit all honor and glory

 is yours, Almighty Father, now and for ever. AMEN.

And now as our Savior Christ has taught us, we now sing,

(Children rejoin their parents and take up their instruments) 

Our Father: (Renew # 180, West Indian Lord’s Prayer)

Our Father who art in heaven:  Hallowed be thy name.

Thy Kingdom come, Thy Will be done: Hallowed be thy name.

Done on earth as it is in heaven: Hallowed be thy name.

Give us this day our daily bread: Hallowed be thy name.

And forgive us all our debts: Hallowed be thy name.

As we forgive our debtors: Hallowed be thy name.

Lead us not into temptation: Hallowed be thy name.

But deliver us from evil: Hallowed be thy name.

Thine is the kingdom, power, and glory: Hallowed be thy name.

Forever and ever: Hallowed be thy name.

Amen, amen, amen: Hallowed be thy name.

Amen, amen, amen, amen: Hallowed be thy name.

Breaking of the Bread

Celebrant:        Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us.

People:            Therefore let us keep the feast. 

Words of Administration

Communion Song: Seek Ye First, (Blue Hymnal, # 711)

1-Seek ye first the kingdom of God and its righteousness.  And all these things will be added unto you; Allelu, alleluia!  Refrain: Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, allelu, alleluia.

2-Ask, and it shall be given unto you, seek, and ye shall find, knock and the door shall be open unto you; Allelu, alleluia!  Refrain

Post-Communion Prayer

Everlasting God, we have gathered for the meal that Jesus asked us to keep;

We have remembered his words of blessing on the bread and the wine.

And His Presence has been known to us.

We have remembered that we are sons and daughters of God and brothers

    and sisters in Christ.

Send us forth now into our everyday lives remembering that the blessing in the

     bread and wine spreads into each time, place and person in our lives,

As we are ever blessed by you, O Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  Amen.

Closing Song: Lord I Want to Be a Christian (Christian’s Children’s Songbook # 157)

Lord I want to be a Christian in my heart, in my heart.  Lord, I want to be a Christian in my heart.  In my heart, in my heart, Lord I want to be a Christian in my heart.

Lord I want to be more loving in my heart, in my heart.  Lord I want to be more loving in my heart.  In my heart, in my heart, Lord I want to be more loving in my heart.

Lord, I want to be more holy in my heart, in my heart.  Lord, I want to be more holy in my heart.  In my heart, in my heart, Lord I want to be more holy in my heart.

Dismissal:   

Liturgist: Let us go forth in the Name of Christ.

People: Thanks be to God!