This Broadcast of the Episcopal Church of St. Andrew and St

Welcome to this broadcast of The Episcopal Church of St. Andrew and St. Charles’ service and sermon for the Second Sunday after the Epiphany, January 17, 2021.

Introduction

Stop, Look, and Listen is the classic Railroad Crossing sign. In my junior year in high school, my English teacher posted a large copy of the classic Railroad Crossing sign on his bulletin board. You couldn’t miss it. And everyone recognized it. Except! Underneath the classic sign was printed names like: Keats, Shakespeare, Melville, Bronte and Shelley. The point was to stop; read what these people wrote; and above all, listen to what they are saying. Being one who appreciates creativity, I thought the sign was pretty clever.

This morning, I want you to Stop, Look and Listen to the gospel lesson for today. Stop at John 1:43-51; Look at Nathanael; and Listen to what he does and what he eventually says.

Officiant: Lord, open our lips. People: And our mouth shall proclaim your praise.

Officiant and People: Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.

The Jubilate, Psalm 100 Be joyful in the Lord, all you lands; serve the Lord with gladness and come before his presence with a song. Know this: The Lord himself is God; he himself has made us, and we are his; we are his people and the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving; go into his courts with praise; give thanks to him and call upon his Name. For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his faithfulness endures from age to age. Amen

A reading from the gospel of John 1:43-51 43 Jesus was in Bethany and wanted to go into Galilee, so he found Philip. Jesus said to him, “Follow me.” 44 Philip was from Bethsaida, the hometown of Andrew and Peter. 45 Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law and the Prophets: Jesus, Joseph’s son, from Nazareth.” 46 Nathanael responded, “Can anything from Nazareth be good?” Philip said, “Come and see.” 47Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said about him, “Here is a genuine Israelite in whom there is no deceit.”48 Nathanael asked him, “How do you know me?” Jesus answered, “Before Philip called you, I saw you under the fig

2 tree.”49 Nathanael replied, “Rabbi, you are God’s Son. You are the king of Israel.”50 Jesus answered, “Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than these! 51 I assure you that you will see heaven open and God’s angels ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.” The Word of the Lord Thanks be to God.

Sermon Epiphany 2B January 17, 2021 John 1:43-51

It is pretty common these days to ask people, “So, whatcha watchin’ on Netflix”? And what they mean is: what series are you binge watching. “Series? Binge watching? Netflix? What channel is Netflix on?” you may ask. Our son asked me the other day what “series” I was watching. The Crown? Schitt’s Creek? The Americans? I said, “I am watching Gunsmoke.” “Gunsmoke,” he said, “What is that?” “You know, Dodge City in the 1870’s with Marshall Matt Dillon, Kitty, the owner of the Long Branch Saloon and Doc Adams.” “Dad, you need to update your playlist. Don’t you use your firestick?” “Only to light a few candles here and there and when the pilot light on the stove goes out.” “No, no, no, no! Your Amazon Firestick! I installed it last Christmas. It allows you to get Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu and Disney+. And unlike analog TV, these platforms allow you watch an entire series (like ten episodes) in a row without having to wait for a show week to week. Surely, you know what I am talking about.” “Yes, of course, I do. As a matter of fact, your mother and I now are watching Perry Mason.” “Dad, you need to get away from MeTV.” “Well, actually, the Perry Mason we are watching is an HBO new series

3 starring Matthew Rhys, from the Americans. You see, we listen, and we change.”

Today, there are several available options to watch or listen to. With your phone, tablet, or computer, one can watch or listen to podcasts, all news, all sports, all cooking, all talk! And not only is there Netflix and Amazon, but there is YouTube, Facebook and TikTok. And not only are there audio and video platforms, but for those who still like to read, my goodness, every newspaper, periodical and Ph.D. dissertation is available online as well as blogs and, of course, books, which, by the way, are available audibly on Audible. There is so much available. As a result, how does one choose what to watch or listen to? My guess is a lot of we listen to suggestions which come from our friends and loved ones just like my conversation with our son, Michael. And this is exactly what happens in our gospel lesson from John this morning. It is all about listening and to whom and to what you are listening.

This morning, Philip is talking to his good friend Nathanael. “Hey, dude,” Philip says, “I got this guy you need to meet.” “Yeah?” “Yeah. He is this dude from Nazareth, who is like a prophet. He makes a lot of sense.” “Nazareth! (says Nathanael) are you kidding me! The only place worse than Nazareth is Barstow! Don’t tell me that you are listening to someone from loserville Nazareth. Up your game, man.” “Listen to me a minute, will you?” says Philip. “ Seriously, the guy is something special. He doesn’t look like much, but the way he talks and acts…..it is like being in the presence of God, himself. Look, trust me. Just come with me to meet him.” Despite having doubts, Nathanael listens to his friend and accompanies him to meet Jesus. Let me tell a story about the time I did the same.

While serving a large church in Atlanta with my main focus being Youth Ministry, a friend encouraged me to accompany him in attending a conference sponsored by Youth Specialties, a national youth ministries organization. He thought it would enrich my youth ministry. I had my doubts. I had used materials published by Youth Specialties, and I liked some of it. However, they tended to be a bit too evangelical for my taste. The games and activities were great, but their theology was too “Praise, Jesus” and Holy Spirit oriented for me. In addition, YS (Youth Specialties) was founded in San Diego. Can anything good come out of San Diego? I mean look at the Chargers and the Clippers! (Just kidding. Don’t send me hate emails or texts.)

Again, despite having doubts, I accompanied my friend to the conference, and it changed my life. The keynote speaker was Fr. Bruce Ritter, the founder of Covenant House in New York City. His opening line was, “I do youth work, but one that is vastly different than what all of you do in your churches. You see, my youth work is among the runaway and throwaway teens living on the streets of New York who are hungry, forced into prostitution, robbery, and drug addiction. They have no one in their corner.”

Ritter, a Franciscan, was living in the Lower East Side of Manhattan ministering to the sex trade workers, pimps, and drug addicts. One snowy night, a shivering teen outside Ritter’s apartment building asked him if he knew of a place he could “crash” for the night out of the cold. Ritter invited him to stay at his apartment. The next night the youth showed up again, this time with a friend, and the next night with another friend, and soon Ritter had a line out his door with homeless teens seeking shelter and help.

And so, he started Covenant House, a shelter for homeless, runaway, and throwaway teens.

Like Nathanael, I didn’t think I would get much out of the Youth Specialties conference. Instead, I found a ministry. For example, I did a sabbatical at Covenant House in New York City. My perspective on teen ministry shifted from Bible games and activities to the issues that plague our teenagers. I started a Teen Support Group at our church. From there a local high school, asked if I would do the same at their school. Both had groups had waiting lists. In addition, I started meeting teens in their real lives----where they worked, played, at their recitals, sports games and in their angst. If I hadn’t listened to my friend, none of this would have happened.

What and who do you listen to? And why? It seems to me that we listen to music we find enjoyable; watch TV that we find entertaining; read books we find interesting and listen to preachers (secular or religious) with whom we agree. We listen to politicians, who serve our self-interests and ally our fears, and to friends whom we like and trust because they like us and care about us. Basically, it is all about each of us as an individual and our concerns that are important to each of us.

But probably more important, is to what and to whom do you not listen? And why? Do you listen to people from Nazareth? We do not listen to our parents. But then, again, as parents don’t listen to our children either. For example, a few years ago, our 37 year old son tried to give us some financial advice. And my first thought was: Are you kidding me? I remember when you were born; I changed your diapers and helped you with your homework. How dare you give me advice when I know more

6 than you! Have you ever felt like that? And it works the other way around also. Younger folks think older folks are dinosaurs, unhip, unwoke and stuck in the past. How often do we hear: we need some, new blood, fresh, younger ideas around here as opposed to: we need some older, wise, tried and true, experienced ideas around here? From whom would you seek advice Yoda or Luke?

Basically, we don’t listen to anyone who suggests that we need to change our behavior. A few of you remember the enormous battle we had in the Episcopal Church over changing the 1928 Book of Common Prayer to the current 1979 edition. But the 1928 language of ‘thees,’ ‘thous’ and the heavy emphasis on guilt just had to change. And that is not even to mention that half of the population, women, were excluded.

Please look at the following 1950 photo from North Carolina. Does anyone, except a few extremists, honestly believe this is right? We needed to change. But, it is hard to get people to change when the change will upset one’s lifestyle or belief system. And this applies to all people regardless of gender, sex, race, ethnicity, religion, political persuasion, or age. Our ears are blocked because each of us is afraid that change will negatively affect us. So, we shut down our hearing----"talk to the hand cuz the face doesn’t want to hear it anymore,” says Dr. Evil (played by Mike Myers) in Goldmember. And, each of us today says the same thing. Again, look at this photo from 1950.

Nathanael, despite not caring to hear anyone’s opinion from Nazareth, listens to his friend, Philip, and by virtue of listening to his friend, he meets Jesus. It changes his life. What is the factor, what is that special ingredient that causes Nathanael and us to listen to another and actually change our own thoughts? The answer is actually threefold. We will listen and change 1) if we believe the other person has our best interest at heart, 2) if we believe the other person would never hurt us, but actually would sacrifice themselves to prevent any injury to us and, 3) if the other person does not benefit in any way by their suggestion.

As Philip and Nathanael approach Jesus, it is Jesus who speaks first, and immediately it appears that Nathanael believes in Jesus. Thus, Scripture is not much help except for the following point. There was this unspoken exchange between Jesus and Nathanael. Nathanael felt something,

8 recognized something which is hard to put into words. The best Nathanael could say was that he felt Jesus’ love for him, a willingness to sacrifice himself for Nathanael, and that Jesus would prefer to die rather than to hurt him. It was a feeling of being in the presence of God. And the best way Nathanael could express it was by blurting out, “Rabbi, you are God’s Son.”

I want to wrap this all up by telling you a personal story. I was 19 years old. It was the summer, and a Friday afternoon before the weekend. Some of my friends had rented a cottage on Cape Cod near the beach. And I was ready to go. At the time, my uncle, the one who was my mother’s brother, who along with his sister, and who eighteen plus years earlier had taken their newly separated, unemployed sister (my mother) and me into the family home, where we stayed never to leave, had retired and was living with us. It should be noted that my uncle and my aunt were as much my parents as was my mother. When the Ford motor plant in Somerville, Mass closed it doors to move to Ohio, my uncle, who worked on an assembly line, moved also. He did it for me mostly. He paid a third of the mortgage every, single month despite living in Ohio. For a boy who had no father in his life, my uncle was my father. I owe him my life.

On my way out the door to my weekend on Cape Cod, my uncle was the only one home. He gave me hug, told me to be careful and then, a strange look came over his face and said, “Also, be nice to your mother.” Where did that come from I wondered. “Sure, Unc, no problem.” “Be nice to my mother!” I thought. “I was nice…..well, I wasn’t mean it was simply that she could be smothering which drove me crazy. Oh, well, beach, babes, and beer, here I come!”

I stumbled home on Sunday afternoon to find the house empty except for my next-door neighbor who was in our kitchen doing our dishes. The look on her face said something was wrong. And it was. She told me that my uncle had died that morning. As grief overcame me, I couldn’t believe it. I mean two days ago he and I were standing in this very kitchen as I was heading out to the Cape. And then, I remembered the last words he said to me, “Be nice to your mother.”

I have had years to reflect on this. And truly, it was not until many years after that I really heard the words he said. I regret that. I wish I could have those years back knowing what I know now. For you see, I didn’t listen to someone who loved me, had sacrificed for me, and was attempting to impart some wisdom to me solely in my best interest. The words he spoke to me that day were not his words. They were God’s words spoken through his mouth. He was Christ, and I was Nathanael only I didn’t listen.

Who is speaking to you for you out of the love of God without any benefit to them except to see you be a better person? Who is it to whom you are not listening? Why are you so angry and afraid to hear what they are saying? Don’t wait until it is too late, and you have hurt people. Be Nathanael. Amen.

Apostle’s Creed I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth; I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate,

was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

Lord’s Prayer Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your Name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial, and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and forever. Amen.

Prayers of the People As we journey with Christ and celebrate the paschal mystery of his death and resurrection let us pray to God for those who seek light in the darkness. For the holy catholic church throughout the world, sharing the death and resurrection of Christ. Reader: We pray to you, O Lord. People: God is mercy.

For Michael, our Presiding Bishop, for John and Diane, our bishops, for all who minister in Christ and for all the people of God. Reader: We pray to you, O Lord People: God is mercy.

For all nations, peoples, tribes, clans, and families. Reader: We pray to you, O Lord. People: God is mercy.

For justice, mercy, and peace in all the world. Reader: We pray to you, O Lord. People: God is mercy.

For all who are tempted, oppressed, afflicted, or in need. We pray for Susan, Julia, Mike Mouton, Ira Erbs and Ann Margaret Lorey in their fight with cancer. Reader: We pray to you, O Lord. People: God is mercy.

For the dying and the dead, and for those who mourn. We pray for Anthony Ramos, father of Renee Rivera. Reader: We pray to you, O Lord. People: God is mercy.

For our families, friends, companions, and for all those we love. Reader: We pray to you, O Lord. People: God is mercy.

Remembering Andrew and Charles and all the saints, let us offer ourselves and one another to the living God through Christ. People: To you, O God we give thanks.

Announcements 1) Visit our website www.2saints.org; visit our Facebook page and above all continue to watch us each Sunday. 2) Contact us with pastoral concerns: [email protected] or call at 818)366-7541. Or you can go to the bottom of our webpages where there is a link for prayer requests. Click on this line and enter the person for whom you would like prayers said. 3) Our February 2nd Book Club will be reading: “How Much of These Hills is Gold” by C. Pam Zhang. This is an electric debut novel set against the twilight of the American gold rush. Two siblings are on the run in an unforgettable landscape-trying not just to survive but to find a home. Please contact the church office if you do not have the Zoom link. 4) Red Tent will meet Wednesday January 27 at 11:30 for a “Pretend Potluck.”

All women of the parish are invited for a visit and a chance to see each other and to catch up. Bring your lunch—even if it’s not fancy--and a recipe if you wish. RSVP to Kate Nott, and the Zoom numbers will be sent the day before the potluck. 5) Pantry is open; Th 9:30-10:30. If you would like to donate to the pantry to assist with supplies, you can send in a check with pantry marked in the memo. 6) Stewardship: We are in a new year. If you have made your pledge for 2021, we thank you so much for your faithful generosity. If you, as of yet, have not submitted your pledge, please fill it out and mail it to us or do it online. Online is fast and easy. You can do this by simply going to our website (www.2saints.org), scroll over to our donations and pledges link, click on it and follow the instructions for making your giving estimate for 2021. Blessing May the Lord Bless you and keep you. May God give you grace not to sell yourselves short, Grace to risk something big for something good, Grace to remember that the world is now too dangerous for anything but truth, and too small for anything but love. May God take your minds and think through them. May God take your lips and speak through them. May God take your hands and work through them. May God take your hearts and set them on fire.

Dismissal Let us go forth into the world rejoicing in the power of the Spirit. Alleluia! Alleluia! Thanks be to God, Alleluia! Alleluia!