From Egypt to Ferguson

I've written before about the lectionary and how I like the idea that all Episcopalians listen to the same lessons on any given Sunday wherever they may be.

This past Sunday, the Old Testament lesson was Exodus 1:8-2:10, which started out with the oppression of the Israelites in Egypt.

In her sermon, Tricia repeated the first few lines from the lesson.  She then went on to compare the situation long ago in Egypt to the current state of affairs in Ferguson, Missouri.

Many at St. Dunstan's were moved listening to her sermon that morning, and I am sure you will be moved as well by reading it here.

Remember, you can always find past sermons by going to St. Dunstan's website.

Music This Past Sunday

Although we're still in our summer season, you wouldn't know it by what's going on at St. Dunstan's.

This past Sunday, Elizabeth Wong Mark and Steve Hauser played a Voluntary before the 10:00 service.  It was a Meditation on Salve Regina (a prayer to Mary), by Jacques Berthier.


Our Old Testament lesson was Genesis 32:22-31, where Jacob wrestles with God.

Our friend, the Rev. Kim Jackson, preached while Tricia is on vacation. In her sermon, Kim tied in the Old Testament Lesson and the Gospel, Matthew 14:13-21, familiar to many as the feeding of the five thousand.

The theme continued with the Offertory Anthem, Come, O thou Traveler Unknown.
Candler, a Scottish traditional melody, arr. Thomas Gibbs

Come, O thou traveler unknown, whom still I hold, but cannot see;
my company before is gone, and I am left alone with thee:
with thee all night I mean to stay and wrestle till the break of day;
with thee all night I mean to stay and wrestle till the break of day.

My strength is gone, my nature dies, I sink beneath thy weighty hand,
faint to revive, and fall to rise, I fall and yet by faith I stand.
I stand and will not let thee go till I thy name, thy nature know.
I stand and will not let thee go till I thy name, thy nature know.

I know thee, Savior, who thou art, Jesus, the feeble sinner's friend,
nor wilt thou with the night depart, but stay and love me to the end.
Thy mercies never shall remove, thy nature and thy name is Love!
Thy mercies never shall remove, thy nature and thy name is Love!

'Tis Love, 'tis Love; thou diedst for me! I hear thy whisper in my heart;
the morning breaks, the shadows flee; pure universal love thou art.
To me, to all, thy mercies move; thy nature and thy name is Love.
To me, to all, thy mercies move; thy nature and thy name is Love.

(from Wrestling Jacob, by Charles Wesley)

You can listen to both pieces here.