Loving and Worshipping God Together

Every year, the season of Epiphany encourages Christians to become more aware and to pay attention to the sacred in ordinary life. As I write during the closing days of this “awareness” season for this issue of The Messenger that will span from early Lent through Holy Week and Easter into early Pentecost, I celebrate the God that we are called to love and worship together.

Mindful of the heaviness, pain, division, unrest, violence, and death that the human family has experienced and lamented for centuries, and especially most recently in the Memphis region, I am keenly aware of the baptismal call for followers of Jesus to faithfully love and worship the “God of every nation, of every race and land.” Loving and worshipping God are at the core of the faith in us and take prayer, courage, and a will to seek what is right. It is no small feat!

More than ever, we are called to be aware of the sacredness of each human being (image of God) with whom every human being is interconnected in a sacred, mysterious, and significant way. In baptism, we promised to seek justice and peace for the other, because of our love for and walk with God. This spiritual understanding is rooted in the Southern African proverb “ubuntu” on which I have been reflecting more publicly on recent occasions. “Ubuntu” means “I am because you are.” One of my icons, the late South African Anglican Archbishop Desmond Tutu, once shared, hopefully: “Ubuntu is the essence of being human. Ubuntu speaks particularly about the fact that you can’t exist as a human being in isolation…We think of ourselves far too frequently as just individuals, separated from one another, whereas you are connected and what you do affects the whole world. When you do well, it spreads out; it is for the whole of humanity.”

Falling deeper in love with the worship of God, may we find wisdom, inspiration, and hope in the text of a hymn found in the “Christian Responsibility” section of The Hymnal 1982:

Grace-St. Luke's Episcopal Church Vision Statement

Our Vision is to be a thriving community of hope, belonging, and healing through worship, parish life, and service, and who rejoices in the love of Jesus to transform the world.

O God of every nation, of every race and land, redeem the whole creation with your almighty hand; where hate and fear divide us and bitter threats are hurled, in love and mercy guide us and heal our strife-torn world. | From search for wealth and power and scorn of truth and right, from trust in bombs that shower destruction through the night, from pride of race and nation and blindness to your way, deliver every nation, eternal God, we pray! | Lord, strengthen all who labor that we may find release from fear of rattling saber, from dread of war’s increase; when hope and courage falter, your still small voice be heard; with faith that none can alter, your servants undergird. | Keep bright in us the vision of days when war shall cease, when hatred and division give way to love and peace, till dawns the morning glorious when truth and justice reign and Christ shall rule victorious o’er all the world’s domain. Amen. (O God of every nation; Tune: Llangloffan; William Watkins Reid Jr. (b. 1923), alt. Hymn 607)

I give thanks for the God that we are called to love and worship and look forward to working together on Grace-St. Luke’s Vision to be a thriving community of hope, belonging, and healing through worship, parish life, and service, and who rejoices in the love of Jesus to transform the world.

Ollie+

The Rev. Ollie V. Rencher, Rector 901-252-6320 | orencher@gracestlukes.org

News from the Rev. Dr. Jesse W. Abell

“Whether we are reading the Bible for the first time or standing in a field in Israel next to a historian and an archaeologist and a scholar, the Bible meets us where we are. That is what truth does.” – Rob Bell Greetings, dear ones,

As you may have noticed, we have been offering more opportunities to work on studying the Bible recently.

As Christians, and as Episcopalians, the Bible occupies a central place in our faith. That’s one of the reasons we hear at least four readings from it each Sunday, not to mention the numerous references and allusions to passages in our liturgical prayers. Yet, I know that not everyone feels well equipped to read and understand the Bible. And that’s not your fault. I think many major Christian traditions, including our own, sort of dropped the ball on educating Christians about the Bible in the past couple of generations. Here at GSL, though, we want to help you get better acquainted and more comfortable with Scripture.

In February and March, we offered a Crash Course in Bible Study series via Zoom to help teach people how to read the Bible with a critical eye, using free, online resources. I was impressed by the number of people who took part in this series, and if there are others interested in the subject, I would be delighted to offer it again!

We also have created time and space for small group bible study on Sunday mornings at the 9:15 formation hour. We know that no sermon can do justice to all four assigned lectionary texts on any given Sunday, so this group provides a way to learn more about some of the assigned readings for that day and to dig deeper. The group is lead by a rotating teams of informed lay facilitators. I also am thrilled that most Sundays the room has been fairly full—but we still always have room for you!

Any of your clergy would also be more than happy to meet with you to talk about your faith journey, the Bible, or basics like how to pick out a good Bible translation, study guides, or devotional materials. Just let us know.

On the pastoral care side, I continue to be indebted to our faithful team of lay pastoral care members and lay Eucharistic Visitors, who help the clergy to stay in touch with our members in need. In this new church year, the pastoral care team is being co-led by Beth Perkins and Natalie Davis. A big thank you to them for helping me with organizing things behind the scenes.

If I can help you in your search for Christ in our midst today, please let me know.

Peace, Jesse+

The Rev. Dr. Jesse W. Abell, Associate Rector Pastoral Care and Formation

901-252-6330 | jesse.abell@gracestlukes.org

News from the Rev. Laura F. Gettys

In this quarterly issue of The Messenger, we will experience both Lent and Easter, two important and shaping liturgical seasons in our church calendar. Ministry and ways of engagement are deep and wide at GSL!

Live at GSLs are the happening place to be for lively fellowship and sistership around drinks and appetizers, a good dinner, and a dynamic speaker from the community. Sign-up happens fast, so go ahead and mark your calendars for March 23 and April 27! Also, while you have that calendar out, go ahead and pencil in for your Friday night, April 28, that Marcella Simien is back in concert with her amazing musical entourage. You won’t want to miss the time, so bring a friend and some munchies and while away your Friday night with us on Anchor Hill.

There are so many ways to get involved and connected here. Food Pantry Cooking Teams are meeting each week to cook nutritious, healthy meals that are so important to our neighbors at Church Health. You can read more and hear about all the good smells and fun the teams are having on page 11 with Amy Hudson’s sharing. More Than A Meal (MTAM) continues its faithfulness every Sunday with teams from MUS, St. George’s, Holy Communion, and beyond. Grants from local members have us sharing hygiene kits and items. And conversations are taking place with families of young children on how we as a church can nurture service and justice opportunities for our shorter Christians. Come join in the conversations with Anthony Calzia, Director of Children and Family Ministries, and parent Becky Beloin!

Speaking of justice, MICAH (Memphis Interfaith Coalition for Action and Hope) has us amplifying voices and using our power. You can read more on page 10 with Paula Barnes’s reflections on Day on the Hill in Nashville with Senate Bill 0393 and House Bill 1149 and hear about the work needed for greater transparency and reformation with the Memphis Police Department. We need your strong voice. Also, we give thanks that a third group has now completed Sacred Ground, the race and faith 11-week study group. There is already a growing list of names interested in the next Sacred Ground group, so please let me, Nicki Soule or Jennie VanDeveer know if you are considering this group or want to know more about it for the fall. Many thoughtful responses for the entire parish have been coming from these times—our April 20-23 Pilgrimage to Montgomery, Selma, and Tuskegee, Alabama, and our Truth-Telling team researching and reflecting on our parish’s racial history.

Thank you for the many ways we engage one another, God, and our world as a community of faith. I’m honored to serve and walk the journey with you.

Peace, Laura+

The Rev. Laura F. Gettys, Associate Rector Community Engatement and Congregational Development

901-252-6329 | lgettys@gracestlukes.org

LENT, HOLY WEEK, AND EASTERTIDE 2023 AT GSL

Ash Wednesday, February 22, The Start of Lent

7 a.m. The Blessing and Imposition of Ashes with Holy Eucharist

8:05 a.m. Grace-St. Luke’s School Blessing and Imposition of Ashes with Holy Eucharist

Noon The Blessing and Imposition of Ashes with Holy Eucharist and Music

6:30 p.m.* The Blessing and Imposition of Ashes with Holy Eucharist with Music for Choir

Lenten Wednesdays at GSL: Forgiveness & Wholeness

Experience Lent in Midtown Memphis

Dates: Wednesdays, March 1, 8, 15, 22, & 29

Evening Schedule:

4–7 p.m. The GSL Café (Peete Room) with Coffee & WiFi

5–6:15 p.m. Simple Supper (Trezevant Hall)

5:30–5:50 p.m. Evening Prayers with Candle-lighting & Taizé Music (Chapel)

6:30–7:15 p.m. Programs for All Ages

• See more details on page 9.

Easter Altar Flowers Deadline: March 31. Details p. 18

Palm Saturday, April 1

10 a.m.–1 p.m. Interactive Stations of the Cross for Children. All families with young children and youth are invited to join Fr. Jesse Abell as we walk through the Stations of the Cross with hands-on activities at each stop on our pilgrimage. The Stations, or Way, of the Cross is a timeless Lenten devotion, and rather than just telling children about it, we want to give them the opportunity to experience Holy Week. After our pilgrimage together, we’ll also dye some Easter eggs, and learn about the legend of St. Mary Magdalene and the first Easter egg. Lunch will also be provided. Stay tuned for more details and registration.

Sunday of the Passion: Palm Sunday, April 2

8 a.m. The Blessing of Palms and Procession with Holy Eucharist and Music

9:15 a.m. Palm Cross Making in Trezevant Hall

10:30 a.m.* The Blessing of Palms and Procession with Holy Eucharist and Music

5 p.m.* A Meditation on the Passion of Christ with Carols modeled after a traditional Lessons & Carols, but with readings, hymns, anthems, and centuries-old chants for Holy Week

Holy Wednesday, April 5

Noon Special Holy Wednesday Eucharist with Healing Prayers and Anointing in the Chancel

Maundy Thursday, April 6

6:30 p.m.* Solemn Liturgy of the Holy Eucharist and the Stripping, Washing, and Anointing of the Altar followed by Overnight Prayer Vigil in the Chapel

Good Friday, April 7

7:30 a.m. Morning Prayer in the Chapel at the end of the Overnight Vigil

Noon* Meditations by the Clergy, Solemn Collects, Reserved Sacrament Communion, and Music

Holy Saturday, April 8

7 p.m.* The Great Vigil of Easter with Festival Music

Sunday of the Resurrection: Easter Day, April 9

8 a.m. Festival Holy Eucharist

9:15 a.m. Fellowship. Christian Formation for all ages resumes on April 16.

10:30 a.m.* Festival Holy Eucharist

5 p.m. Service suspended and resumes on April 16.

Second Sunday of Easter, April 16, Youth Sunday

8 a.m. Holy Eucharist with sermon by youth community member

9:15 a.m. * Christian Formation for all ages

Parish Hall Forum: Resurrection, God, and the Believers in Rome according to Paul with Dr. Mitzi Minor, Week One

Small Group Bible Study in the Peete Room

10:30 a.m.* Holy Eucharist with sermon by youth community member

5 p.m. Contemplative Holy Eucharist with music

Third Sunday of Easter, April 23

8 a.m. Holy Eucharist

9:15 a.m. * Christian Formation for all ages

Parish Hall Forum: Resurrection, God, and the Believers in Rome according to Paul with Dr. Mitzi Minor, Week Two

Small Group Bible Study in the Peete Room

10:30 a.m.* Holy Eucharist

5 p.m. Contemplative Holy Eucharist with music

* Denotes the service will also be livestreamed at gracestlukes.org/live.

Spring Music Happenings

Sunday, March 26, 6 p.m. | Dr. Patrick A. Scott in Concert

Join our Director of Music & Organist for a solo organ recital on the Grace-St. Luke’s organ. Works will include pieces by Edward Elgar, Max Reger, Gerre Hancock, and an improvisation on a submitted theme. A reception will follow.

Holy Week & Easter

Have you ever participated in ALL of the main services during Holy Week? Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, The Great Vigil of Easter, and Easter Day. If you never have, I encourage you to do so this year. It’s a powerful journey through the final week of Christ’s life with each service depicting one of Christ’s final moments, death, and finally resurrection. We can’t have Easter without Good Friday; the reason we partake in Communion every week is because of Maundy Thursday; and Jesus’ ride into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday was foreshadowing all these events that were to take place. As Christians, there is no more important week. I encourage and hope that you’ll make the journey with us this year.

Sunday, April 2, 5 p.m. | A Meditation on the Passion of Christ with Carols

On Palm Sunday, join the Grace-St. Luke’s Choir for a service of Passion Lessons & Carols. Much like the carol services we have during Advent & Christmas, the service will have readings, hymns, carols, and centuries-old plainchant.

Sunday, May 7, 5 p.m. | A Concert with the Memphis Boy & Girl Choir

The Memphis Boy & Girl Choir will present a concert featuring music about creation to include Herbert Sumsion’s great Festival Benedicite in D and pieces from Andrew Carter’s Benedicite: Butterflies and Moths & Badgers and Hedgehogs.

Sunday, May 21, 5 p.m. | Choral Evensong for the Feast of Ascension with guest choir from Church of the Nativity, Huntsville, Alabama

The Grace-St. Luke’s Choir will join with the choir from Church of the Nativity in Huntsville, Alabama, and their Director of Music & Organist, Christian Crocker.

The morning Eucharist will include I love all beauteous things by Judith Weir and Tantum ergo by Maurice Duruflé.

Choral Evensong will include Magnificat and Nunc

Dimittis in D by George Dyson, the Preces & Responses by Maggie Burk, and Gerald Finzi’s great ascension anthem, God is gone up.

Please join us as we wrap up the fabulous 2022-2023 choral season with this Festal Evensong!

Dr. Patrick A. Scott, Director of Music and Organist 901-252-6323 | pscott@gracestlukes.org