Grace Notes
July 10, 2025
It can be difficult to appreciate the story we call “The Parable of the Good Samaritan” because it is so familiar. But we do understand bitter societal divisions and questions of justice and mercy the parable describes. A Samaritan, a pariah in the Jewish community, helps a man who was beaten and left for dead on the road while a priest and a Levite, well respected by the Jews, pass him by. The actions of the Samaritan expose him and put him in potential danger. Could his kind actions in an unfriendly neighborhood be misunderstood? What will happen to the Samaritan is one of the tensions in the story. The parable has properly been interpreted as a story lauding compassion despite differences but our temporal, geographic, and cultural differences blunt its bite. In Luke chapter 9 another story involving Jesus’ disciples and a Samaritan community gives us an idea of the bitter division between these groups. The disciples are sent to a Samaritan village to get accommodations for themselves and Jesus as they make their way to Jerusalem. Because the Samaritans, whose center of worship was Mt. Gerizim, knew Jesus was going to the rival center of worship, Jerusalem, they refused to receive him. Rather than shrug off the slight the disciples want “to command fire to come down and consume them!” Jesus rebukes the disciples for their vicious hatred, and they move on to another village. Jesus’ rebuke of his disciples in chapter 9 is amplified in his parable of the Good Shepherd when he praises the Samaritan over the traditional Jewish heroes, the priests and the Levites.
The late Walter Bruggemann called on us to interpret the Bible imaginatively. What bitter divisions do we experience in our community? Who is the Samaritan, the priest, the Levite, the innkeeper, and the unfortunate victim for us?
Jim Jeffery
Calendar:
Thursday, July 10, 2025, 12 Noon, Holy Eucharist, Rev. Jerry O’Neal presiding
Friday, July 11, 2025, 9 A.M. DOK will have breakfast together at the Red Apple Café
Sunday, July 13, 2025, 9 A.M. Adult Education in the Parish Hall.
Sunday, July 13, 2025, 10 A.M. Holy Eucharist, Fr. Mark van Wassenhove presiding
Thursday, July 17, 2025, 12 Noon, Holy Eucharist, Rev. Jerry O’Neal presiding
Thursday, July 17, 2025, Yarn Group, 10 A.M.
Thursday, July 17, 2025, 6:30 P.M. Vestry Meeting. Please let Connie know if you would like to join on Zoom.
Announcements:
Muncie Pride
Are you interested in working at a table during Muncie Pride? It is September 6, 2PM to 7PM
at Canon Commons. We did not participate last year and would like to this year. Please
contact Connie if you are available.
Morning and Evening Prayer via Zoom
Morning Prayer is said Tuesday and Saturday mornings at 9 A.M. Evening Prayer is said Wednesday evenings at 8 P.M. Please contact Andy Bonnell at [email protected] if you would like to join these Zoom meetings.
Gathering Grace
It was a crazy day at Gathering Grace–172 meals were served!
We served sausage and potato casserole, green beans, salad, and cupcakes.
Please sign in or out of the signup on the “Sign Up Genius” for the month of July. This helps the cooks in charge plan for enough volunteers during these summer months, when many of you may have travel plans. If you are not receiving the “Sign Up Genius” email, and would like to, please let Mary Mordue know. Thank you!!
A Better Way. Needs for July.
Thank you to everyone who donated summer items last month. Currently there are 25 individuals, adults and children, being cared for in The Better Way facility so the need continues. Donations needed as follows – sidewalk chalk, ankle skippers, activity books, flip flops (all sizes), bubble wands, jump ropes, frisbees, balls, yo-yos, nerf footballs. Don’t have time to shop? Jo Ann is open to a monetary donation and will do your shopping for you.
Daughters of the King
On July 11 we will meet for breakfast at the Red Apple Café at 9 A.M.
On July 24 we will meet at the church or on Zoom for our monthly meeting beginning with a bring your own dinner at 6:30 and a short meeting beginning at 7.
Adult Education
Next Sunday, July 13, Jim Jeffery will lead a study of the lessons appointed for the. Bring your favorite Bible and concordance. No lectures, just respectful questions and discussions of meanings and applications for today. These study sessions will begin at 9:00 A.M. on Sunday mornings in the parish hall.
Christian Ministries. Needs for July.
Pillows, blankets, cereal, hamburger, peanut butter, shampoo, body soap, laundry soap, toilet paper. If you donate hamburger, please place it on the bottom shelf of the hospitality refrigerator.
Yarn Group
The Yarn Group will meet every first and third Thursday of the month at 10 A.M.
Diocesan News:
See the Episcopal Diocese of Indianapolis website for news and upcoming events. Home – The Episcopal Diocese of Indianapolis
Episcopal Church Links
The Episcopal Church
The Lectionary
Celebrations!
Birthdays
Rosemarie Jeffery July 16
Guidelines for Grace Notes
Please submit items for Grace Notes by 8 P.M. Tuesday for Thursday publication.