Sunday Reflection

Matthew 10:40-42. These two verses at the end of Chapter 10 of Matthew conclude a treatise from Jesus to his disciples on the role of mission. Jesus gathers the twelve, gives them the powers of healing and exorcism, and sends them into the world to cast out demons and heal (Mt 10:1). Jesus then warns his disciples that in performing these acts of love, they will meet persecution and disdain.
Jesus still commands us, his 21st-century followers, to share the Good News of Jesus, which brings healing and life to the world. This may not make us popular, and neither will the work be easy. In these two verses appointed for today, however, Jesus reveals the rewards for those who are faithful. Notice that these rewards do not include wealth, fame, or worldly goods. Our reward is “the reward of the righteous” (Mt 10:41). God calls each of us to spread the Gospel in different ways—some are wandering prophets, some are teachers, some are even little children. All of us, however, carry the light of Christ and can take that light into the dark places of this world.

• What are your gifts, and how might you use them to spread the light of Christ?
• What brings you great joy? How might God use that joy to spread the Gospel?
• Where are the dark areas in your community that need the light of Christ?

  Romans 6:12-23.Paul uses the imagery of slave either to sin or to righteousness. Today, this can sound harsh or even inhumane. But Paul means something different here. Just as God told the Hebrew people going into the Promised Land, God has given us teachings through the Law and through Jesus Christ, the fulfillment of the Law, which will lead us into a place of life and abundance. In particular, this “free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom 6:23). Jesus’ whole life, culminating in his death and resurrection, was a testament to the Law which he summarized as “You shall love the Lord your God with all our heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind . . . [and] you shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets” (Mt 22:37–39).

• How might obedience to God deliver you from that position into life?
• Where is our church/town/state/nation a slave to sin, and how might obedience to God deliver us into life?

These reflections were written by Charles Lane Cowen, Sermon that Works

 Re-Opening plans for St. Michael’s Church (Updated June 24, 2020). 

We are very pleased to let you know that our application to re-open St. Michael’s Anglican Church to in-person worship has been approved by Archbishop Melissa Skelton. Our first in-person worship service will be on Sunday, July 5, 2020. Please note the new service times as follows; 8:00am – B.C.P. Service and, 9:15am – B.A.S. Service. Both services will be a Morning Prayer. Many thanks to our lay leadership team in preparing this application. 

FYI: St. Michael’s will provide hand sanitizer, face face, and hand gloves to those who wishes to use these items as additional protection to all of us coming back to our worship space. 

Phase II Protocol.: Please see down below some of the re-opening protocols that should be observed by all of us as we come back to our church building. 

 Service will be Morning Prayer. No Holy Communion. 

 The entrance door will remain open to prevent surface contamination of handles and to increase ventilation. 

 Pews will be measured off in 6 feet sections and marked with tape. Please seat on the pews that are unmarked with tape.

 Physical distancing must be observed and we must refrain from touching each other.

 Music will be piano/organ only – congregational singing is not allowed but a soloist is permitted.

 The offering plate will not be passed – it will be left on the table at the back of the sanctuary.

 Washrooms are for emergency use only – users will be asked to sanitize surfaces following use – gloves, paper towels and sanitizer will be provided.

 Bulletins will not be handed out – they can be collected from the table at the entrance doors and placed in recycle bins by the exit doors at the end of the service – books will be removed from the pews.

 Coffee time is suspended for now and parishioners are encouraged to leave the building when the service is over.

 Guests are required to sign the guest book upon entry to the building with their full contact information in case they need to be contacted because of any COVID-19 alerts.