Easter 4 2024 Joann Saylors

Good morning.

My name is the Reven Cannon Joanne Sailors.

I work in the bishop's office, and I am glad to serve you this morning.

Just want you to have a good name.

Christ is risen.

Together, almighty God, the Lord be with you.

Let us pray.

Almighty God, whom truly to know is everlasting life.

Grant us so perfectly to know your Son, Jesus Christ, to be the way, the truth, and the life, that we may steadfastly follow his steps in the way that leads to eternal life.

Through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever.

Amen.

Please be seated for the reading of the reading from the Book of Acts, chapter six.

Now during those days, the disciples, women and men, were multiplying, and the Greek followers grumbled against the Hebrew followers because their widows were being neglected in the daily ministry to the poor.

And the twelve called together the whole multitude of the disciples and said, Is it not, is it not right that we should neglect the word of God in order to do table work?

Select, therefore, sisters and brothers, from among yourself seven men of whom there is great testimony, full of the spirit and wisdom, whom we can put in charge of this duty.

Now we, in prayer and the ministry of the word, will continue.

And their statement pleased the whole multitude, and their neglect, and they selected Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, together with Philip, Acautius, Nekina, Temon, Paramenus, and Nicholas, a convert to Judaism from Antioch.

These stood before the apostles and they placed and laid their hands on them.

And the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples, women and men, multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great crowd of priests became obedient to the faith and the word of the Lord.

Sing to God, sing praises to her name.

Mother of orphans and defender of widows, God settles the solitary and home, bringing prisoners into prosperity.

God, when you march before your people, when you move out of the wilderness, the earth shook, even the heavens poured down.

And the presence of God, the one of Simon, and the presence of God, the God of Israel.

Rain in abundance, God, you showered abroad.

When prepared is true, where you prepare your rest.

Your creatures found a dwelling in her.

If a widow has children or grandchildren, let them learn first to show devotion to their own family, and make repayments to their parents.

For this is pleasing in God's sight.

And whoever does not provide for their own, and especially for family members, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

I am coming to you all.

Yet in a little while the world will no longer see me, but you will see me, because I live, you all also shall live.

On that day you all will know that I am in my Abba, and you all in me, and I in you all.

The one who has my commandments and keep them is the one who loves me, and the one that loves me will be loved by my Abba.

I shall love that person and reveal myself to them.

Judas, not Iscariot, said to Jesus, Rabbi, how is it that you will reveal yourself to us and not to the world?

Jesus answered him, The one who loves me will keep my word, and my Abba will love that person, and we will come to them and make our home with them.

Whoever does not love me does not keep my word.

And the word that you hear is not mine, but rather it is from the Creator who said the gospel of the Lord.

Amen.

Please be seated.

Again, my name is Canon Joanne Sailors, and I work in the bishop's office.

I lead a team responsible for oversight of church planting, campus missions, area mission, and all aspects of congregational vitality and health.

So I have a fantastic job.

Super fun.

Sorry we poached Kathy.

And it is great to be with you.

Most of us, I'll wager, don't celebrate the feast of Saint Stephen coming as it does on December 26th.

Who wants to interrupt the joy of Christmas, the joy we finally arrived at, with the story of the first deacon, the one who, Acts tells us later, went on to become the first Christian martyr who forgave from the cross as Jesus did.

Reading that story at bedtime is not a tradition most of us want to embrace, nor the tradition of being martyrs ourselves.

But we're introduced to Stephen today in a happier story, really a problem-solving story, connected with the other readings to themes of Christian community and discipleship.

In the Acts reading, we witness the early Christian community grappling with a challenge, a rift arising from the neglect of certain members, revealing a disparity in the distribution of resources.

Finding the delicate balance of caring for one another amidst diverse needs and backgrounds is a challenge we still encounter today.

Now, the apostles have options.

The easiest is to ignore the problem or note it but leave it alone and allow conflict to fester.

Those are not helpful solutions, and maybe they'd already tried them.

Instead, the apostles show courage in their leadership by addressing this issue head on.

They choose instead to create a model of shared leadership, and they prioritize the well-being of the group.

They recognize both the inherent dignity and worth of each person in their community as well as the equitable care for all members.

So they come up with this solution of appointing Stephen and six others as leaders to oversee the distribution of the food.

They're creating a church where faithful decisions are made by a leadership group in the context of their community and the individuals within it.

Now, their shared leadership, these folks, doesn't mean they do or decide everything.

We see in this passage the delegation of responsibilities within the Christian community.

The apostles recognize the need to appoint others to oversee the distribution of food, the so-called tablework, that allows for a more equitable and probably more efficient process.

They have discerned the various gifts of those in their group, recognizing that everyone brings something.

And they've identified servant leaders.

They let go and empower these new deacons, those who can listen and learn and respond to those who are suffering, the workers instead of the managers.

They, the managers, in turn can focus on what they themselves are called to do, the word of God, which is presumably learning together, then preaching and teaching.

Later there'll be lots of letter writing.

And Paul, the prolific letter writer we all know and love, echoes this understanding of the dignity of each as well as the goodness of the whole.

Writing to his young protege Timothy, Paul exhorts the community to treat one another like family with affection and respect.

He urges them to care for widows and those in need, emphasizing the sacred duty of providing for one's family.

But Paul goes further, reminding us that true piety is not merely about meeting the needs of our own tribe, but extends to caring for the vulnerable and marginalized among us, regardless of their affiliations.

He instructs them to honor widows who are really widows.

Now, a moment on that point.

I found it confusing the first time I ever read it.

Was Paul really implying that there were people pretending to be widows, disguising themselves as the people who were greatly disrespected and ignored just to get some extra rations?

But I thought about days in the past when I volunteered at social service ministries and food pantries.

And I remember hearing, and hearing this more than once, comments that someone's car was too nice.

So they probably didn't really deserve help.

Or they had a job, so they should just take care of their own business.

But they were blind to the realities of life as a single parent, dependent on the bus to get to a low-wage job.

Surely Paul wasn't employing implying these widows weren't morally fit to deserve help, right?

Of course not.

When Paul says honor widows who are really widows, he means the most desperate and destitute.

Those who might better be called total orphans, among the most vulnerable members of society.

They were lacking the protection and provision that were typically accorded by marriage, the one without any family tribe, who found themselves without the security of any means of support or assistance from a family.

Without the resources to care for themselves in a society that often turned its back on their plight.

And Paul is teaching Timothy's community don't you turn your backs too?

They are part of this new tribe that goes beyond a human family, our tribe, the one Jesus promises.

I will not leave you orphaned.

I'm coming to you all.

In this tribe, one's worth isn't defined by background or status or means.

Leadership doesn't go to just one person.

Power doesn't go to the most loyal or the richest or the most eloquent.

Because all are equal in this tribe.

And to belong, there is just one requirement love Jesus.

And show that love by following Jesus' commandments to love God and love neighbor.

When you do that, when you truly love Jesus and show it through your life and ministry, God, the one Jesus calls Abba, will love you like another.

Member of Jesus' family.

Abba is the word that Jesus uses as a way of capturing a love bigger than we can describe.

It's a word like daddy, but it's not a human dad.

We all know that some human dads are absent, some are abusive or violent enough to put up walls or to keep out of our lives altogether.

Many paternal relationships are problematic.

But even the best human dads are imperfect copies of Jesus' Abba.

Abba Dad loves unconditionally, tenderly, and faithfully.

Abadad knows us completely and loves us beyond our wildest imaginings, no matter what we say or do or think.

Abba Dad is perfect with love and loves perfectly.

And Abadad loves everyone, even those who turn their backs.

And when you love Jesus, you are brought into his family in a very personal way.

You know and love this Abadad more familiarly, and you are loved and known more than you will ever realize, ever recognize, or even come to know.

No one, no one is an orphan or a widow or alone in God's tribe.

So if hearing Abba Dad feels painful, maybe Abba Mom captures the love for some of us instead or in addition.

Or maybe you have found some other way of naming the God that reveals God's powerful love for you.

Our language will never be enough.

Just like spoken language is never enough to convey the depth of our feelings.

The call of the church and of each disciple is to love like Abba.

And when we do, it permeates our worlds.

Just as the apostles did, we understand leadership differently, we live in community differently, we regard our neighbors differently, we even define who our family and our neighbors are differently.

We make different choices about our time and our money.

We make sacrifices for our faith.

Now, the way that happens for each of us is different, and none of us is close to perfect at it.

But even trying grows our love.

And really, isn't that the ultimate point?

Growing in love.

When we belong to God's tribe, we are constantly drawn in and invited into growing in love of God and of one another.

And over time, God's truest self continues to be revealed to us.

For Jesus, it was Abba.

For you, Abba Dad, Abba Mom, some other name.

Whomever we come to know is the Spirit of God.

Now, if we were to read just a little bit further in John, we would see that God is the ultimate caregiver who teaches us to empower ourselves for ministry.

We are brought into the very life of the Trinity.

We receive the Holy Spirit, that very spirit of unconditional love through God in Jesus Christ.

We'll get to that later, though.

For now, whatever your name of adoration, trust that God is with you.

God is loving you.

And God is welcoming you into the family.

Amen.

We will be in one of the following curve for all the interesting things.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son.

When the Father has not been worshiped and glorified, He has spoken through the prophets.

We believe in one only God and the Apostolic Church.

We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.

We look for the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come.

Amen.

For our bishops, priests, and deacons.

Pray for those who carry out your mission under their leadership.

Pray for God's church.

We offer our prayers for the leaders of our nation, for our president, our governor, Congress, and the courts of this land.

Give them courage and wisdom and a heart for justice.

Pray for justice and peace.

We pray for mercy for those who suffer from hunger, in poverty, in the wake of violent storms after earthquakes.

Sustain them in their struggles and give them hope.

We are thankful for compassionate people who answer their call for help.

Pray for those who suffer around the world.

We pray for those who are ill, for those who live in fear and whose spirits are restless.

Give comfort for those who are dying and those who stand beside them as they find their way home.

Pray for new and unending life in this world and the next.

We pray for those who have died.

Our hearts are full this day, Lord, as we have to do.

And now let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor.

You ask for my hands, then you can work.

I hate them for a moment, then true them for the workers are.

You asked my mouth to take documents to justice.

I gave you a motor that I might not be accused.

You asked my eyes to see the pain of poverty.

I cloved them, or I did not want to see.

You asked my life that you might work for me.

I gave a small part that I have to involve.

Lord, for you might have efforts to serve you.

Open my lips make it for me to do so.

Only in those places where it is safe to do so, and only for those to make it easy to do so.

Father, forgive me, redeem me, send me out as a useful instrument.

But I take seriously the making of your cross.

Amen.

May the God of love and power forgive you and free you from your sins, heal and strengthen you by God's own life-giving spirit, and raise you to a new life in Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Lift up your hearts.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

It is right.

Jesus Christ.

It is truly right to glorify you, Father, and to give you thanks.

For you alone are God, living and true, dwelling in light, inaccessible from before time and forever.

Fountain of life and source of all goodness, you made all things and filled them with your blessing.

You created them to rejoice in the splendor of your radiance.

Countless throngs of angels stand before you to serve you night and day.

And holding the glory of your presence, they offer you unceasing praise.

Joining with them and giving voice to every creature under heaven, we acclaim you and glorify your name as we sing.

Your mighty works reveal your wisdom and love.

You formed us in your own image, giving the whole world into our care, so that in obedience to you, our Creator, we might rule and serve all your creatures.

When our disobedience took us far from you, you did not abandon us to the power of death.

In your mercy you came to our help, so that in seeking you we might find you.

Again and again you called us into covenant with you, and through the prophets you taught us to hope for salvation.

Father, you love the world so much that in the fullness of time you sent your only Son to be our Savior, incarnate by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, he lived as one of us, yet without sin.

To the poor, he proclaimed the good news of salvation, to prisoners freedom, to the sorrowful, joy.

To fulfill your purpose, he gave himself up to death, and rising from the grave destroyed death and made the whole creation new.

And that we might live no longer for ourselves, but for him who died and rose for us, he sent the Holy Spirit, his own first gift for those who believe, to complete his work in the world, and to bring to fulfillment the sanctification of all.

When the hour had come for him to be glorified by you, his heavenly Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.

At supper with them he took bread, and when he had given thanks to you, he broke it and gave it to his disciples and said, Take, eat.

This is my body which is given for you.

Do this for the remembrance of me.

After supper, he took the cup of wine, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them 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 this memorial of our redemption, recalling Christ's death and his descent among the dead, proclaiming his resurrection and ascension to your right hand, awaiting his coming in glory, and offering to you from the gift you have given us, this bread and this cup, we praise you and we bless you.

We praise you, we bless you, we give thanks to you, and we praise you, Lord our God.

Lord, we pray that in your goodness and mercy your Holy Spirit may descend upon us and upon these gifts, sanctifying them and showing them to be holy gifts for your holy people, the bread of life and the cup of salvation, the body and blood of your Son, Jesus Christ.

Grant that all who share this bread and cup may become one body and one spirit, a living sacrifice in Christ to the praise of your name.

Remember, Lord, your one holy Catholic and apostolic church, redeemed by the blood of your Christ.

Reveal its unity, guard its faith, and preserve it in peace.

And grant that we may find our inheritance with the blessed Virgin Mary, St.

Thomas, with patriarchs, prophets, apostles, and martyrs, and all the saints who have found favor with you in ages past, we praise you in union with them and give you glory through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Through Christ and with Christ and in Christ, all honor and glory are yours, Almighty Father, now and forever.

Amen.

And now, as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to pray.

Our Father, who is in heaven, be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, all the purpose is in heaven.

Give us to stay our daily bread, and to give us our trespasses as we create those who trespass against us, and make us not to testify, but deliver us from evil.

God is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever.

Amen.

Therefore let us increase.

Take them in remembrance that Christ died for you and feed on him in your heart by faith with thanksgiving.

Let us pray.

Oh, Jesus, our beloved, we give you things for God to your table and share your feet.

May we go that we have prepared the love of your world and the backwards of your hope and peace.

Amen.

May you be a new creation, Christ for those to whom Christ will send you.

And the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit raise new life in you this day and remain with you always.