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Epiphany 6 (A) Choosing Life for Others

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Epiphany 6 (A) Choosing Life for Others February 14, 1993 By Rev. Ernest F. Campbell Today is a day of hearts. On Valentine’s Day we present our loved ones with hearts; paper hearts, candy hearts, flowers and hearts, balloons and hearts, store bought hearts and home-made heart, big hearts, and little hearts – all are intended to serve as an outward and visible sign of our love and affection toward one another. But, for all the hearts given and received on February 14 th , only two persons will really know the true sentiment woven into the gift. The one giving the gift, and God (from whom no secrets are hid). Once back in the Diocese of Chicago, I made an appointment to see the bishop. Upon entering his office, he greeted me with these words, “What’s on your heart today?” His question, which I’m sure he used often, was an invitation for me to get right to the heart of whatever was on my mind. It’s a question that I have discovered for myself that allows one to skip all the irrelevant st...
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Epiphany 5 (A) Is There a Believer in the House?

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Epiphany 5 (A) Is There a Believer in the House? February 8, 1987 By Rev. Ernest F. Campbell Have you ever been at a public gathering and heard this announcement: “Is there a doctor in the house?” Usually, hearing that means that someone is experiencing some kind of physical difficulty. We all hope that someone with medical training (a doctor) will emerge out of the crowd and do the necessary and right thing! Perhaps the most important role of the doctor or paramedic is to assume leadership. I am always impressed to see how much influence someone trained and confident in their field commands the respect of any bystanders. Good directions can prevent uninformed “helpful” suggestions, that are not actually helpful. Example: While I was serving at St. Mark’s in Evanston , a lady fainted while on her knees in prayer. Her limp body ended up under three pews. In the process of trying to get help to her, one usher suggested that we slide her body up to the front of the church. And no….no, we...
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Epiphany 4 (A) Kingdom Builders Guidelines

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Epiphany 4 (A) Kingdom Builders Guidelines February 1, 1987 By Rev. Ernest F. Campbell Most of you know that I jog. (Three times a week…at least two miles). Because I jog early in the morning around the Walla Walla High School track , I like to listen to National Public Radio on my Sony Walkman . This past week they interviewed one of the Nations most successful basketball coaches. His record over many years has earned a number of invitations to coach on the college level. When asked what he felt was important to stress to the players about the game of basketball he quickly recited (as though he had repeated them hundreds of times) the following characteristics. A good team starts with gentleman of character and integrity who are willing to sacrifice and work as a team .  No matter what the players level of ability these characteristics would enhance the end results dramatically! When asked how some players of questionable character could perform so well, the coach said, “No m...
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Epiphany 3 (A) Fishing With the Lord

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  Epiphany 3 (A) Fishing With the Lord January 24, 1999 By Rev. Ernest F. Campbell They say that numbers don’t lie; which is probably why the National Episcopal Church asks all it’s parishes and missions to annually report a bunch of numbers. How many baptisms , confirmations , transfers (in and out), total membership this year compared to last, etc. Plus, a lot of numbers pertaining to our financial status. All these numbers are presented on something called the Parochial Report . All the Parochial Reports are then collected by the Diocese and sent on to the National Headquarters . The reports are due by February 1st. I can assure you that their arrival in the mail does not evoke wild cheering from the parish secretary.  All the national church knows about St. Paul’s is expressed in numbers! From my years of experience, the most telling number on the report asks for the “ Average Sunday Attendance .” The total number of weekend worshipers divided by 52. I believe that is ...
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Epiphany 2 (A) The True Light

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  Epiphany 2 (A) The True Light January 15, 1984 By Rev. Ernest F. Campbell Jesus Christ was born into a dark, destructive world. we celebrate His birth at the darkest time of the year. In John’s Gospel we read that Jesus was born into that darkness to be the true light to every man and woman. The light of Christ shines in the darkness of our trouble and fear. The way of a Christian is learning to trust that light, and to allow that light to be reflected in and through our own lives so that others will be led from darkness into the true light of Jesus Christ.  True Light : A climate that inspires being and sharing God’s best in all of us. The theme of the Epiphany season concentrates on how Jesus demonstrated His divine power , and on how we as His disciples can be His ambassadors in the special parts of the world in which we live and move and have our being. Because none of us in ourselves has any claim on divine wisdom or divine power it is imperative that we keep our...
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