The Gospel readings in September/October of this year are parables that many of us recognize—the Vineyard Owner who pays all laborers the same wage, the father with two sons who may or may not be willing to help him, the vineyard owner who sends his son (“Well, they will listen to him!”) after the workers who had already killed the servants who managed the vineyard, the king who sweeps up people off the street to invite them to the great feast.

As I read through these parables I’m realizing that Jesus’ parables always have something kind of crazy in them. The telling and retelling of the parables and the message in them has become commonplace and tame in repetition…but that doesn’t mean we glimpse Jesus’ message. I’m grateful to those who point out the “absurd grace” and the “Jesus as your crazy uncle” factor so that my ears can hear the strangeness of the stories, and perhaps even sense the whiff of danger that comes from one who would tell such parables.

On September 24, the Gospel had the Vineyard owner telling those who worked one hour that they would receive the same wage as those who worked 11 hours. Or is it telling those who work 11 hours that they will receive the same wage as those who worked one hour? Either way, you have to assume that when Jesus got to that part of the parable, people looked at each other and snorted. “Yeah, right! When would that ever happen?” Jesus is telling us that this is exactly the extent to which God goes with grace—not rewarding, but bestowing and bestowing lavishly.

The Gospel this last week has two sons, one who says he won’t and does, and one who says he will and doesn’t. Jesus draws this out to be like the Pharisees who say they want to please God but who are careful not to trouble the relationship with Rom, compared to the people who streamed to John the Baptist in the wilderness, hearing themselves in John’s call to repent of sin. What I’ve missed in past readings is the very understandable demand of the Pharisees to Jesus: “By whose authority do you say these things?” “By whose authority,” indeed. What would you all think if a stranger came into St. Andrew’s, turned over the lectern, pushed the lectors, intercessor, and the priest, and started giving a different message? By whose authority are you coming into this church, preaching and teaching something different from what we have been hearing? Jesus is bold—and strange—in his actions as well as in his crazy stories, crazy stories with a stinging truth that calls out hypocrisy and holds into the light the people who are trying to turn themselves and their lives around.

We have at least two more weeks of crazy-story parables. I hope that as you hear them in church and read them in the bulletin, you won’t just let them slide over your consciousness, forcing strange assertions to make sense or resting in the familiarity of them. A favorite Jewish scholar talks about “God-wrestling” with scripture to discern meaning…we should make the second half of the season after Pentecost wrestling season!

Jen+

Rev. Jen has set her office drop-in day as Wednesday of each week from 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 – 3:30 p.m. for anyone who would like to stop in and visit. You are always invited to make an appointment for a time convenient for you. Mondays are her Sabbath day.

Sunday Morning In-Person Worship Service, October 8, led by The Rev. Dr. Jennifer Oldstone-Moore, 10:15 a.m.

You can stream the service via St. Andrew’s Facebook Page. Click on this link to view the Live Stream. We will start the Live Stream 5 minutes prior to the start of the service.

Click here for the service booklet for October 8.

BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS SUNDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1:00 PM

In observance of St. Francis Day which is October 4, we will have a Blessing of the Animals at 1:00 p.m. in the St. Andrew’s Memorial Garden on Sunday, October 8. All animal friends are invited; leashes, pet carriers, and common sense are recommended.

BIBLE AND BOOK GROUP TUESDAY, OCTOBER 10, 4:30 PM

Our Bible study/books group(s) started up again. We are reading Rachel Held Evans’ Searching for Sundays, a book about “loving, leaving, and finding the church.”

MONTHLY LUNCH BUNCH WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 11

The Lunch Bunch gatherings have resumed the 2nd Wednesday of every month. They will be held from 11:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. in Hamilton Hall. All are invited! Lunch will be provided. Free will offerings are accepted.

BAPTISM AT ALL SAINTS NOVEMBER 6

All Saints Sunday is especially designated for the holy rite of baptism. If you are thinking about being baptized or having your children be baptized – or if you are curious about the rite and its meaning–let Rev. Jen know.

SACRED JOURNEYS: LOURDES VIDEO SHOWING NOVEMBER 9

In honor of Veterans’ Day, we will have a viewing of this video that covers the annual International Military Pilgrimage to Lourdes that is an opportunity for healing, camaraderie, and spiritual renewal for those who have served in the military, many of whom have suffered traumatic injuries. The stories and experiences of the pilgrims is extremely moving. This will be at 6:00 p.m. in Hamilton Hall, a light dinner of soup and bread will be offered.

PILGRIMAGE TO ENGLAND JULY 9 – 17, 2024

Join us for an exciting, challenging, and uplifting pilgrimage to England from July 9 – July 17. We will travel through key sites of Anglican spirituality and service with a focus on abolitionism. Please click here for an informational brochure or pick up a hard copy in Hamilton Hall. Financial Aid is available! If you have questions, contact Rev Jen. The projected cost is $2,400 plus airfare. To reserve a place on this unique pilgrimage, send a check for $200 per person made payable to St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church with “Pilgrimage” on the memo line. The remaining balance will be in three installments due October 15, January 15, and March 15.

THIS WEEK’S SHOPPING LIST FOR NON-FOOD PANTRY

Please add body wash, bleach, Laundry Detergent, and adult incontinence pads/underwear to your shopping list for the NFP. Every little bit helps our budget go farther in helping meet the needs of folks in Putnam County. The next Non-Food Pantry will be Saturday, October 28. There is a sign-up sheet posted in Hamilton Hall for folks to help with a product pick-up and/or as well as for help on October 28 at the monthly distribution. FYI: Baskets at church are now dedicated for the NFP and not the food pantry.

A PENNY FOR YOUR THOUGHTS?

Every week the Wednesday St. Andrew’s newsletter has a reflection about life and faith. Most are observations about daily life and where we experience God in the midst of the “same old, same old.” We would love to feature your thoughts – – a few paragraphs that will help us all see more clearly how the Holy One touches us in our ordinary lives. Please let Renee or Jen+ know if you are interested.

FREE DAILY DEVOTIONAL

We have some large print Day by Day daily devotionals in the sanctuary that you are free to take home for your personal devotions–and if we know that people would like copies, we can order the right amount. Many of you may also appreciate the on-line version of Day to Day. Click here.

COMMUNION AT THE WATERS

Once a month Sunday services are continuing at The Waters. The next service will be this Sunday, October 8 at 2:00 – 2:45 p.m. If you’d like to help with this ministry in any way, please contact Rev. Jen or Renee. All are welcome to attend!

ON-GOING COVID PROTOCOL

We continue to respond to both our county’s current CDC designation and to the current variant. Masking is optional. Those who serve bread and wine will mask so that anyone who comes to the altar can feel secure. Decisions on COVID policy have moved from the Reconvening Committee to Rev. Jen and the Wardens.

We have heard that the daily reflections and scripture readings provided during Lent were appreciated. The meditations are written by persons from Gobin UMC and Beech Grove UMC. They will be in the newsletter each week and go from Wednesday to Tuesday, except for Sunday. Whether you enjoy these every day or as the Spirit moves you, may this resource continue to bring you spiritual food for the journey. Blessings!

Click here to view the readings and accompanying links.

Your prayers are asked for: