Summary

On Scout Sunday, Mother Suzanne uses the beloved children's song "This Little Light of Mine" to illustrate Jesus's teaching about being salt and light from the Sermon on the Mount. She emphasizes that God works through simple, ordinary acts of service, praising the scout troop at Grace Episcopal Church for their faithful work tending the playground, collecting food for the blessing box, and serving the homeless community. Mother Suzanne encourages the scouts to continue being salt and light in the world through their everyday acts of courage, service, and putting others before themselves.

THE GOSPEL Matthew 5:13-20

Jesus said, “You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled under foot.

“You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.

“Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not one letter, not one stroke of a letter, will pass from the law until all is accomplished. Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, will be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”

On Scout Sunday, we celebrate the anniversary of the Scouting movement (founded Feb 8, 1910), recognize volunteers and Scouts, and foster faith-based relationships with the scouts and leaders of Troop and Pack 400.

Summary

Grace's Community Missioner, Ed Carrette, preaches on the Presentation of Jesus, emphasizing that God is the "God of time" who continues to enter human history unexpectedly, just as Simeon and Anna encountered the divine in the Temple. He challenges the congregation to recognize God's sudden appearances in their midst, pointing to their church's remarkable growth in feeding the hungry and serving the community as evidence that "the Lord has appeared in his temple."

THE GOSPEL Luke 2:22-40
When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, the parents of Jesus brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the law of the Lord, "Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord"), and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, "a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons."

Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Messiah. Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the law, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying,

"Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace,
according to your word;

for my eyes have seen your salvation,
which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,

a light for revelation to the Gentiles
and for glory to your people Israel."

And the child's father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, "This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed-- and a sword will pierce your own soul too."

There was also a prophet, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped there with fasting and prayer night and day. At that moment she came, and began to praise God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.

When they had finished everything required by the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.

Artwork: Presentation of Christ in the Temple by Simon Vouet (1590 – 1649)

Adapted from a sermon by Michael Toy, an assistant professor of practical theology at the School of Theology at Moravian University, a seminary formed by the merger of Lancaster Theological Seminary and Moravian Theological Seminary. He has been involved in lay ministry professionally and as a volunteer for over a decade. In his spare time, he enjoys reading, writing, running, and searching for the best noodles in town.

Summary

Mother Suzanne reflects on Matthew 4 and how Jesus called ordinary fishermen to follow Him immediately, leaving everything behind to become "fishers of people." She emphasizes that God calls everyone—not just those in ordained ministry—to do extraordinary things through ordinary relationships and daily work, encouraging listeners to pay attention to how God might be calling them through scripture, people, and creation.

THE GOSPEL Matthew 4:12-23

When Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. He left Nazareth and made his home in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, so that what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled:

“Land of Zebulun, land of Naphtali,
on the road by the sea, across the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles—

the people who sat in darkness
have seen a great light,

and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death
light has dawned.”

From that time Jesus began to proclaim, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”

As he walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea—for they were fishermen. And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fish for people.” Immediately they left their nets and followed him. As he went from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John, in the boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets, and he called them. Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed him.

Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and curing every disease and every sickness among the people.

Artwork: Christ Calling the Apostles James and John by Edward Armitage (1817-1896)