This Sunday at St. Luke's Blue Ridge January 29, 2017 (Holy Communion, both services, Fifth Sunday

The Fourth Sunday after Epiphany

A Centurion Shows Surprising Faith Jesus and the centurion in Capernaum (Matthew 8:5), a 10th century depiction from Codex Egbert

The Collect for the Fourth Sunday after Epiphany O GOD, who knowest us to be set in the midst of so many and great dangers, that by reason of the frailty of our nature we cannot always stand upright; Grant to us such strength and protection, as may support us in all dangers, and carry us through all temptations; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

THE EPISTLE (H.C.) – Romans 8:1-7 (J.B. Phillips) The Christian and the civil law 8 Every Christian ought to obey the civil authorities, for all legitimate authority is derived from God’s authority, and the existing authority is appointed under God. To oppose authority then is to oppose God, and such opposition is bound to be punished. 3-4 The honest citizen has no need to fear the keepers of law and order, but the dishonest man will always be nervous of them. If you want to avoid this anxiety just lead a law-abiding life, and all that can come your way is a word of approval. The officer is God’s servant for your protection. But if you are leading a wicked life you have reason to be alarmed. The “power of the law” which is vested in every legitimate officer, is no empty phrase. He is, in fact, divinely appointed to inflict God’s punishment upon evil-doers. 5-7 You should, therefore, obey the authorities, not simply because it is the safest, but because it is the right thing to do. It is right, too, for you to pay taxes for the civil authorities are appointed by God for the good purposes of public order and well-being. Give everyone his legitimate due, whether it be rates, or taxes, or reverence, or respect! 1-2

NOTE: God delegates the power of government to temporal rulers. The Christian citizen has an obligation of obedience, allegiance and support which is the political side of his duty to God . (William Sydnor)

THE GOSPEL (H.C.) – St. Matthew 8:1-13 (J.B. Phillips) Jesus cures leprosy, and heals many other people 8 Large crowds followed him when he came down from the hillside. There was a leper who came and knelt in front of him. “Sir,” he said, “if you want to, you can make me clean.” Jesus stretched out his hand and placed it on the leper saying, “Of course I want to. Be clean!” And at once he was clear of the leprosy. 4 “Mind you say nothing to anybody,” Jesus told him. “Go straight off and show yourself to the priest and make the offering for your recovery that Moses prescribed, as evidence to the authorities.” 5-6 Then as he was coming into Capernaum a centurion approached. “Sir,” he implored him, “my servant is in bed at home paralysed and in dreadful pain.” 7 “I will come and heal him,” said Jesus to him. 8-9 “Sir,” replied the centurion, “I’m not important enough for you to come under my roof. Just give the order, please, and my servant will recover. I’m a man under authority myself, and I have soldiers under me. I can say to one man ‘Go’ and I know he’ll go, or I can say ‘Come here’ to another and I know he’ll come—or I can say to my slave ‘Do this’ and he’ll always do it.” 1-3

When Jesus heard this, he was astonished. “Believe me,” he said to those who were following him, “I have never found faith like this, even in Israel! I tell you that many people will come from east and west and sit at my table with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of Heaven. But those who should have belonged to the kingdom will be banished to the darkness outside, where there will be tears and bitter regret.” 13 Then he said to the centurion, “Go home now, and everything will happen as you have believed it will.” And his servant was healed at that actual moment. 10-12

NOTE: Later in Matthew's Gospel Jesus will be quoted saying: " Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28). In today's Gospel, we find two men doing just that. The first comes on behalf of himself; the other on the behalf of someone else. Neither leaves heavy laden with sorrow. Both find rest for their soul. The first man has leprosy, a disease that forced him to live apart from the rest of society. No one was supposed to get close to him, let alone touch him. Yet, Jesus does touch him, and he is made whole. He comes as a suppliant and in faith. Who can imagine what Jesus' gracious words along with the touch of his hand meant to that man that day? This leaper reminds us to come to Jesus in times of need and expect great things. The second man was a gentile soldier, a centurion. His comes not on behalf of himself but on behalf of someone else, a servant boy in his household who is paralysed and in great pain. If the first man is a suppliant, he is an intercessor. Like the first man he comes with great faith. So strong is his faith in Jesus that he believes Jesus can do something about this young man's condition -- long distance. "Speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed," he tells Jesus. Like the Wise Men in the initial Epiphany Gospel, this centurion anticipates the ingathering of the Gentiles into the family of Abraham. The Apostle Paul would go on to write in Romans: "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek" (1:16). From this Centurion, let us learn that God is no respecter of persons. Jesus' invitation to come is open to all -- yes, even to me!

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SUNDAY SERVICES ON THE FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY

 8:15 a.m. – Holy Communion (said service) A quiet meditative service Preacher: The Rector Celebrant: The Rev. Ron Wikander Lector: Sam Sartain Acolyte / Server: Judy Evans

 10:00 a.m. – Holy Communion (choral) Joyful celebration of Holy Communion with hymns and exposition of Scripture Preacher: The Rector Acolyte / Server: Sally Hess Lay Reader: Don Hess Theme: 'Come unto me' -- Jesus

Christian Sympathy Christian Sympathy is extended to Lynn Pigott and members of her family upon the death of her father Ken Card on Jan. 23. Mrs. Pigott and her husband Ray travelled to Canada the previous week to be with him.

CLASSICS BY CANDLELIGHT -- 2017 SERIES Dates for your Diary Saturday, April 1 -- "Here Come the Bride!" . . . Music for Weddings Featuring: Jeanette Simpson, soprano Sam Hagan, tenor Gregory Holland, trumpet Randall Romig, organ/piano Saturday, June 3 -- "Heroic Music for Brass, Percussion and Organ" St. Luke's 30th Anniversary Concert Featuring: Atlanta Brass Works Harvey Warner, percussion Randall Romig, organ/piano Saturday, October 7 -- "Choral Music of Superlative Artistry" Featuring: Coro Vocati John Dickson, director Saturday, Dec. 16 -- "Carols by Candlelight" The 4th Annual Christmas Concert Featuring Choir, String Quartet, Soloists and Organ

REMEMBER THE NEEDY EVERY TIME YOU COME TO CHURCH

Please bring one or more item for the needy -- paper, soap products, tinned and dried food, etc. Leave in Narthex. Items will be distributed through North Georgia Community Action Agency

A sign-up sheet for Altar flowers is available in Thomason Hall for 2017. Please sign up for days you wish to commemorate.

St. Luke's Church, "The Parish Church of the Mountains", 7 Ewing St., (POB 1821), Blue Ridge, Georgia 30513; (706) 632-8245; www.stlukesblueridge.org; [email protected].