The Cold Springer - Week of February 3rd, 2019

Sunday, February 3rd, 2019 - Holy Eucharist

Let Love Guide You

For we know only in part, and we prophesy only in part; but when the complete comes, the partial will come to an end. When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child; when I became an adult, I put an end to childish ways. For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then we will see face to face. Now I know only in part; then I will know fully, even as I have been fully known. From the First Letter of Paul to the Corinthians

Understanding God and growing older have a lot in common. Ask yourself this question: when you were a little kid, say 6 years old, what did it mean to grow up? From a 6 year-old perspective, what did 10 years old look like? Maybe it meant staying up later, or being able to have a sleepover. When you were 10 what did 16 look like? High school, driving… At 16, what was it that would define your 20’s? Moving out of your parents house, college, being able to drink a beer…legally.

Whatever it was that we imagined would happen, when we got there, we soon realized there was so much more to it. Of course there’s more to being 10 than staying up late, more to 16 than a driver’s license, more to 21 than access to bars. But you cannot possibly know the entire scope of any age until you arrive. And so it is with our understanding of God; it’s a journey, a process. Our understanding of God is like a relationship that continues to unfold as we live into it. The further we go, the more we will know.

It's the same watching our children grow and mature. We hold for them hopes and dreams. At our best, we try to parent in a way that guides them but also creates the freedom for them to discover themselves for themselves. The truth is, though, we have know idea what they will become… who they will become.

In Paul’s description of love, however, we are blessed to discover a star by which to chart our course over the wild seas of parenthood. This reading is a little worn out from its use in weddings, where it’s themes are often (albeit incorrectly) equated with romantic love. But parenting provides a fresh perspectiveon this text. What Paul offers us, in his description of divine love, is challenging and rewarding; just like raising kids!

Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. From the First Letter of Paul to the Corinthians

Yours in Christ,
The Reverend Jesse Lebus

This Sunday our youngest will explore the Parable of the Sower through Godly Play. Parables are short stories that Jesus told to reference the Kingdom of Heaven. In this one Jesus explains that the Kingdom of Heaven is like if someone were sowing seed. The seed falls in all manner of places, but that which lands on good soil is the most fruitful. What does it mean? Your kids can tell you. This parable is found in all three of the synoptic Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Scholars believe that these books of the New testament share a common source, apart from the Gospel of John. Not every story of Jesus is in every Gospel, and those that are repeated are not always told in the same way.

Elements of Faith

This week our Elements of Faith students will tap into the Sunday lessons for a brief time. Most of the morning, however, will be spent helping to prepare Bleecker Hall for the Super Bowl Chili Cook-Off and Snack Sale. All of the proceeds go to benefit our youth programming. For more info see below.

Super Bowl Chili Cook-Off and Snack Sale

Sunday, February 3rd
Coffee Hour, Bleecker Hall

African-American Cemetery Clean-Up

Saturday, Feb 2 at 10 am
Opposite the Rectory
290 Harbor Road, Cold Spring Harbor

Join us at the African-American Cemetery opposite the rectory for a winter clean-up of this historic burial site. The fall has been unkind to the site, as has some illegal dumping. This is our chance to attend to the site, especially in commemoration of Black History Month which is celebrated in February in the United States.

Gloves are encouraged. No sign-up needed. Parking is available at the Rectory (290 Harbor Road, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724).

Concerts by the Pond - Music for the Young & Young at Heart

Sunday, February 10th
3pm, in the Church

Bryce Westervelt, tenor and children’s book author and illustrator, joining with violinist and creative music educator Dale Stuckenbruck, collaborate with guest musicians in this imaginative concert designed for families. Classics for children (and adults!) will be presented with songs, together with a variety of instruments and exciting original illustrations, bringing these works by well-known composers alive for generations of listeners. This will be a terrifically engaging afternoon for audiences of all ages.

Youth Volunteer Afternoon

Bag Lunch Prep for the Homeless
St. John's Kitchen
Wednesday, February
3:30 - 5:30pm

Young parishioners are invited to help our ministry to the homeless after school on this Wednesday. Join Deb Cordes, St. John's coordinator for the Huntington Interfaith Homeless Initiative, as she prepares food and bag lunches. These meals will be served and shared the following night at a local pop-up shelter. For any questions please email our Curate, Jesse Lebus.