Church members who look around and criticize the efforts of Christians who are trying to work for God, impedes the progress of the church said Father Jonathan Archer, rector at St. Paul's Parish in Clarence Town, Long Island as St. John's Parish celebrated its Patronal Festival.
It was the first festival of the year for one of the 11 Anglican churches found on the island. The sermon was preached to a packed church, as the priest told the members that it's not right for the critic to just sit back and laugh to themselves. He said that there are many people who seem to turn away from attending church because they fear what people who are considered Christians would say about them or to them.
In his text, Fr. Archer asked "Whom are you looking at?" as he made reference to the simple, yet profound section of scripture that comes from John's gospel chapter 21, verses 19-24. It's a passage of scripture in which Peter asks Jesus about the beloved disciple and author of this particular gospel and Jesus replies that John may remain alive until His return. News spread throughout the brotherhood that John would not die because Jesus loved him so much.
Fr. Archer shared with the congregation that John belonged to Jesus' interior cabinet of disciples and that he was always seen with Jesus during paramount times of Jesus' earthly ministry. He reminded the congregation that John gave them numerous epistles and that he wrote the last book in the Bible (Revelations) while exiled on the island of Patmos.
The priest reminded the members of how the apostle Peter had the audacity to ask about John before looking at himself after which time Jesus admonished Peter to follow him.
He told the congregation in jest that if Jesus was a Bahamian he would have told Peter, "mind your own business". And that Peter seemed to be jealous with the relationship that Jesus and John developed over the three short years. He referenced James and John's mother who came to Jesus asking that they both sit at Jesus' left and right hand.
Anglicans from St. Peter's in the north and St. Paul's in the south came together to celebrate the festival in St. John's Parish which is located centrally in the settlement of Buckley's. They sang ancient hymns of the church venerating the legacy of St. John the Evangelist, the beloved disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ.
It was a historic moment in the church as Fr. Chester Burton, rector of St. Peter's in north Long Island celebrated at the altar for the first time.
After the Eucharistic celebration members congregated to the Francis Darville Parish Hall, located adjacent to the church to share in table fellowship.

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