Grace Notes
September 4, 2025
“Whoever comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and even life itself, cannot be my disciple.” (Luke 14:26)
“Perhaps this is the reason he was separated from you for a while, so that you might have him back forever, no longer as a slave but more than a slave, a beloved brother– especially to me but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.” (Philemon 15-16)
Following Jesus upsets personal relationships and both the Epistle reading from Philemon and the Gospel lesson from Luke depict this in dramatic fashion. Relationships with our family and friends are always changing. As we get older the dependent relationship we had with parents can be radically reversed. Friendships we enjoyed in High School either fall away or mature over the years. When a relationship with Jesus takes priority -when it becomes our ultimate concern – relationships take on yet a different shape. Jesus, in Luke’s gospel, tells us this in a way that may be off-putting. Luckily, our readings today include Paul’s letter to Philemon which gives us a perhaps gentler story of a relationship changed because of the Jesus’ presence in their lives. Paul writes Philemon to tell him that he is returning the slave, Onesimus, to him after over-long service to Paul while in prison and wants to make sure he is treated well. We don’t know how Onesimus and Paul met – perhaps Philemon sent Onesimus to Paul to assist him or, perhaps, Onesimus escaped from Philemon after robbing him and ended up in prison with Paul. Paul offers to make any reparations Philemon may be due when Onesimus returns. Indeed, Paul pulls out all the stops when he appeals to what Philemon owes him, even his “own self.” But the important message Paul relays is that Onesimus became a believer while he was with Paul. So, when Onesimus returns, he is not just a slave, but a brother, and should be treated accordingly. Christ mediates a new relationship between Philemon and Onesimus. One based not on the world order of master and slave, but a new one that says, “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”
All relationships change, but when they change because a relationship with Jesus becomes the priority, the change can be radical. Openness to this is change is a hallmark of faith.
Image of Paul, Philemon and Onesimus in the Bible of Robert de Bello. From the British Library Archive. Jim Jeffery
Calendar
Thursday, September 4, 10:00 A.M. Yarn Group
Thursday, September 4, 12 Noon, Holy Eucharist
Saturday, September 6, 9:00 A.M. Morning Prayer on Zoom
Sunday, September 7, 9 A.M. Adult Education in the Parish Hall.
Sunday, September 7, 10 A.M. Holy Eucharist; Children’s Sunday School
Tuesday, September 9, 9:00 A.M. Morning Prayer on Zoom
Wednesday, September 10, 8:00 P.M. Evening Prayer on Zoom
Thursday, September 11, 12 Noon, Holy Eucharist
Announcements
Children’s Sunday School
The Children’s Sunday School begins September 7 at 10 A.M.
Supply Clergy
The schedule of Supply Clergy through the end of 2025 is posted on the bulletin board in Parish Hall.
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
Thanks to all who helped with Sunday’s Gathering Grace meal. We served 130 meals of Coney Dogs, cauliflower-broccoli salad, chips, mac-n-cheese, and cupcakes.
Please look at the September sign-up sheet and indicate your ability to help or not for each Sunday–this helps the cooks make plans for additional volunteers when needed.
Thanks!
Volunteers Needed for Pride Day
September 6, 2025, 1-7 PM. Come help us at the Grace booth as we spread the word about our loving and accepting congregation. Please contact Katherine Mitchell or Connie Turner for more information. Set up will be at 12:30.
A Better Way. Needs for September.
A Better Way – September Needs – children’s socks, body lotion, combs, hair brushes, laundry detergent, and laundry baskets. Thank you!
Adult Education
Next Sunday, September 7, there will be a study of the lessons appointed for that day. 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.
Daughters of the King
There will be breakfast at the Sunshine Café on Friday, September 12 at 9 A.M.
The monthly DOK meeting will be on September 25 at the Church. We will begin with a meal at 6:30 P.M. and a program about women in the Episcopal Church at 7 P.M.
On September 27th a DOK retreat will be held at the Cathedral of St. James in South Bend beginning at 10 A.M. Contact Pam Sebura for more information about the event and ride sharing.
Christian Ministries.
For more information about this valuable ministry and how you can help visit their website or Facebook page.
Yarn Group
The Yarn Group meets on the first and third Thursday of the month.
Charlotte and Charlie Mason
Their new address:
Woodland Terrace
689 Pro Med Lane #178
Carmel, IN 46032
Phone: 765-212-9196
There will be an estate sale on September 6-7 at their Muncie home: 224 Alden Rd.
Diocesan News
See the Episcopal Diocese of Indianapolis website for news and upcoming events. Home – The Episcopal Diocese of Indianapolis
Episcopal Church Links
Community News
Wild Card Cafe’s annual yard sale is Sat. Sept. 6th from 9am to 3pm at the Lutheran Church of the Cross. We will receive items for the sale between 8am and 9am that morning. All unsold items will be taken at the end of the day to the Muncie Mission. All money made from the yard sale goes to support Wild Card Cafe – a weekly outdoor grab and go of breakfast, lunch items and drink for free for Ball State students.
Thank you for your continuing support.
Peace and all good,
Markie
Happy Anniversary!
Phyllis and Max Nottingham, September 1
Karen and Marcus Sullivan, September 9
Happy Birthday!
Dennis Livingston, September 1
Sandra Kelly, September 2
Gordon Miller, September 5
Guidelines for Grace Notes
Please submit items for Grace Notes by 8 P.M. Tuesday for Thursday publication.