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    • Sunday service - Holy Communion December 28, 2025 at 9:30 am – 11:00 am Grace Church 215 Pleasant Street, Sheldon, VT Website: www.gracechurchsheldon.comTime:  09:30 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada)        Every week on Sun.Join Zoom Meetinghttps://us02web.zoom.us/j/83929911344?pwd=alZQTWZMN0ZkWFFPS1hmNjNkZkU2UT09Meeting ID: 839 2991 1344Password: Call for detailsOne tap mobile+13126266799,,83929911344#,,1#,816603# US (Chicago)+19294362866,,83929911344#,,1#,816603# US (New York)Dial by your location        +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)        +1 929 436 2866 US (New York)Meeting ID:…
    • Sunday service - Morning Prayer January 4, 2026 at 9:30 am – 11:00 am Grace Church 215 Pleasant Street, Sheldon, VT Website: www.gracechurchsheldon.comTime:  09:30 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada)        Every week on Sun.Join Zoom Meetinghttps://us02web.zoom.us/j/83929911344?pwd=alZQTWZMN0ZkWFFPS1hmNjNkZkU2UT09Meeting ID: 839 2991 1344Password: Call for detailsOne tap mobile+13126266799,,83929911344#,,1#,816603# US (Chicago)+19294362866,,83929911344#,,1#,816603# US (New York)Dial by your location        +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)        +1 929 436 2866 US (New York)Meeting ID:…
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Easter 3B RCL April 15, 2018

Posted on April 15, 2018 by Beth Crane

Acts 3:12-19
Psalm 4
1 John 3:1-7
Luke 24:36b-48

All of our readings today show forth the Easter joy that we share because Jesus is risen. In our reading from the Book of Acts, Peter and his team have just healed a lame man, and Peter makes it very clear that this healing has been done through the power of the risen Lord. Referring to Jesus, Peter says, “And by faith in his name, his name itself has made this man strong.” We, too have faith in the name of Jesus and in his presence.

In our epistle today, John writes, “See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God, and that is what we are. Beloved, we are God’s children now.”

During the Great Fifty Days of Easter, ending with the feast of Pentecost, we are reliving with the apostles and other followers of Jesus the joy of meeting our risen Lord.

Our gospel for today comes from Luke. In order to put this passage into context, we need to realize that this portion of the gospel is preceded by the walk to Emmaus. Two of Jesus’ followers have been in Jerusalem and they have seen the crucifixion in all of its horror. They have remained with the others. The women have gone to the tomb and found it empty. Two angels have told them that Jesus is risen.

That same day, these men are walking to Emmaus, a village about seven miles from Jerusalem. While they are walking on the road and discussing all these things, a stranger appears and begins walking with them. He asks them what they are talking about, and they tell him they are discussing Jesus of Nazareth who has been crucified, and they say that some women of their group have said that Jesus is risen.

They still have no idea that the person walking with them is Jesus, but he begins to teach them the meaning of the scriptures. When they reach their destination, they invite Jesus to stay with them. When he takes the bread and breaks it, they realize who he is, and he vanishes. They rush back to Jerusalem and find the eleven and their companions gathered together, and they tell them how Jesus has become known to them in the breaking of the bread.

Today’s gospel follows these events. Once again, Jesus is with them. He extends his shalom, “Peace be with you.” They think they are seeing a ghost. The reality of the crucifixion is so strong that they cannot comprehend that he has gone through that and come out on the other side. the side of new life. He shows then his wounds and assures them that it is he. He even invites them to touch him. Their terror and doubts begin to melt away.

And then, he says something that would completely dissolve any doubt that it is really Jesus. It’s such a homey, human, ordinary question, Do you have anything to eat around here? Ghosts don’t eat. Ghosts don’t need food. They give him a piece of broiled fish and he eats it.

Then Jesus sits down with them and opens their hearts to a deeper and deeper meaning of the scriptures, a deeper meaning of his life among them and us. He then calls them and us to spread the good news.

Jesus is not some historical figure of the past. Jesus is not merely a great teacher or a great prophet. Jesus is alive. He has gone through the worst that distorted power and hate can do to a human being. He is with us now to lead us and guide us.

Risen Lord, Thank you for your presence among us. Give us the grace to follow where you lead. In your holy Name, Amen.

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Easter 3B RCL April 19, 2015

Posted on April 19, 2015 by Beth Crane

Acts 3:12-19
Psalm 4
1 John 3:1-7
Luke 24:36b-48

In our opening reading from the Book of Acts, Peter and John have just healed a lame man who had spent his whole life begging for alms.

The man not only stands up. He leaps for joy. The people looking on are amazed. They think that Peter and John are miracle workers. Peter  explains that this healing has come from God.

Our epistle for today reminds us that we are God’s children. We are called to live lives that show forth God’s light and love.

Our gospel for today comes after the wonderful story of the walk to Emmaus. Jesus joins two of his followers who have witnessed his death and are horrified and devastated beyond belief. But they do not recognize him. He asks them why they are so upset and they tell him what has happened. They still do not realize who he is. They arrive home, and Jesus looks as though he is going to continue on his way, but they invite him in, still not recognizing him.

It is only when they break bread together that the two disciples realize who Jesus is. They rush back to Jerusalem to tell the others they have seen he risen Lord. They find the eleven apostles and the companions who are with them. The two men from Emma’s are bursting with their good news, but the the others are shouting out their own joyful report:“The Lord has risen, and he has appeared to Peter!” The two disciples from Emmaus tell about their encounter with the risen Lord, and how they recognized him in the breaking of the bread.

Then Jesus is among them, again bestowing his peace, his shalom. They are terrified. They think he is a ghost. “Why are you frightened, and why do doubts arise in your hearts,” he asks them. He points out his wounds. They are trying to absorb all of this. Joy is beginning to seep up from deep inside them, but they wonder how this could be.

And then, that wonderful moment. “Do you have anything here to eat?” he asks. He is hungry. How human! How down to earth. He is not a ghost. He is risen. It is really Jesus. He has been through all of that torture; he has died, and here he is asking for food.

Sometimes, when we think all hope is gone, It is very difficult to realize that the risen Christ is walking right beside us. We think it is impossible that he could be alive after what he went through. We do not see how he could really care that much about us. Who are we, that he should give himself for us, go through the worst horrors we can imagine, rise again,  and then be with us every moment, leading and guiding us?

That is how his love is. It is beyond our understanding. He is our brother.  He is our Good Shepherd. And he is indeed risen. And he leads us into a new level of living that is impossible without him. A kind of life that values all people, loves every person. A life that is eternal and vibrant with light and energy. A life and love that nothing can destroy.

Have you heard of Weston Priory? This is a community of Benedictine monks down in southern Vermont who live and share God’s love in Christ and in the Spirit. You can go there and visit them. They have come to our diocesan convention. They have a powerful ministry of inclusiveness and peacemaking and support of human rights and care for all people. They also have a music ministry which has touched the hearts and lives many people, including many folks in our Church.

I’m going to play a song of theirs about the Walk to Emmaus and about new life in Christ. It’s called “All Along the Way.” Please feel free to sing along.

Filed under: Reverend Janet Brown, Sermons | Tagged: , , , | Leave a comment »