St. Paul's Episcopal Church - Richmond Virginia USA

We lose things. Voices. Relationships. Loved Ones. Life can feel like a series of losses. 'This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them.' Twin parables of finding. First, the lost sheep and the second is the lost coin. The stories are meant to be read together. The point is that God left the 99 to find the 1. The story is in Matthew and Luke. The difference is the sheeps intention. These parables are about rejoicing. 'Rejoice with me for I have found my sheep that was lost.' In a world of lost and founds, we have an opportunity to find together and rejoice and celebrate together. We may find things we were not searching for. Something that completes us. God wants us to be joyful and whole.

The Global Missions ministry is centered in a rich relationship with the village of Mwitikira in central Tanzania. This ministry began in 2007 when St. Paul's joined the ONE Campaign in support of the Millennium Development Goals.

Hate father and mother. None of you can become my disciple if you do not give up all your posessions. Pick up the cross. Charlie talks about what home-coming means for Christians. Charlie says this is hyperbole. Sacrifice is required on many levels. Tells story of not sacrificing church events for swim team. Giving your gifts of talent and treasure. Bend the arc toward justice. Respect every human being. Love. Seek and serve.

The wonderful Buford Scott has passed. Reading from Luke: Parable of wedding banquet... do not sit in the place of honor. Basically, this is a lesson in humility. Do not seek to be repaid for your kindness for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous. Sermon focusses on the importance of the table and meals in communities and what humility and generosity are. Jesus had healed another on the sabbath and the church leaders were looking to trap him.

Remember the sabbath day and keep it holy. For me keeping it holy means going to church. No healing on the sabbath. No work. So everyone may rest.

A beautiful service led by a wonderful person. Take a moment to drink it in.

Youtube vid posted July 29, 2019. Retweeting it for those who may have missed it. Charlie answers questions for the congregation about himself.

Gospel according to Mark. Feeding with 5 loaves and 2 fish... Reflect on the topic of connections. The final session of our home-stretch events. This topic could also be called relationships. Connecting deeply with other people and connecting deeply with God are closely tied together. Better future for everyone by working together with God's guidance. We are responsible for other people.

Readings are from Hosea 11 and Colossians 3. Sermon discusses blessings and generosity. 'I think therefore I am.' In Africa we believe you can become a full human being only in community. 'I am because we are and since we are therefore I am.' We become full humans by being relationship and supporting one another.

Welcome to Charlie and Matthew -- Letter from the Vestry. Read by Geoff. A 2014 choir performance recorded by Geoff in the atrium plays underneath and after. Please enjoy it.