October 1, 2020

 


FROM THE RECTOR

Blessing of the Animals

 Mark your calendars! Sunday, October 4 is the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, the traditional day for blessing pets. This year we will have a separate service for the Blessing of the Animals, at 10:30 a.m. on the back lawn of the church. Since our service is at 9:00 on Sunday that should give everyone plenty of time to get to the church. 

 Here's how we'll do it:

  • Wear a mask, and bring your pets in a carrier or on a leash.
  • Bring a chair if you like (it will be a short service)
  • Space yourselves, in family groups, 8-10 ft. apart.
  • At the time for the blessing you'll bring your pet to me, maintaining physical distancing. I'll bless them from afar (but not very far!)

As with our afternoon services I need to know how many to plan for, so please let me know if you plan to attend.

 Our Next Outdoor Eucharist will be on Sunday, October 11 at 4:30 pm. Note that this is an earlier time, as it is getting dark earlier. Depending on the weather after that, we may or may not have any more outdoor services, so don’t miss what might be our last one.

 David Manley’s Memorial Service will be held on Zoom on Tuesday, October 13 at 7:00 pm.

 Stewardship: Abundant thanks to Pat Adams, Barbara Lord, Patti Rau, Lisa Thompson and Sammie Wakefield, members of the Stewardship Committee, for another fabulous theme this year. As we begin to receive your pledge cards and grapes we will put the grapes on the vine, and post pictures of the vine beginning next Thursday. Beginning this Sunday, the windows of St. Andrew’s will be lit with battery operated candles each evening. Be sure to drive by at some point soon and see the light shining in the darkness.

Painting: Abundant thanks also to Lisa Thomson for putting together a crew to paint the back exterior wall of the Parish Hall! It is finished and looks beautiful, and is ready to meet whatever winter brings us this year. Thanks to everyone who helped – Pat and Dave Adams, Chris Boldt, Lin Frank, Bruce Kennedy, Kit and Suzanne Morgan, Tina Quinn and George and Patti Rau!

 And speaking of painting, the Vestry has approved a bid for JLT Painting to paint the Parish Hall, Prince Room, stage area, sacristy and adjoining hallways. We are on his schedule for late October or early November. He will also paint the stained areas of the ceiling in the sanctuary, remove the old popcorn ceiling in the Parish Hall and repaint the ceiling. The vestry also approved replacing the flooring in the Parish Hall and Prince Room with carpet tiles. We don’t yet know when that will be done (except that it will be after the painting is completed), but are in the process of getting an updated bid from J&J Flooringcovering and scheduling the work. A huge thank you to Lin Frank, who worked so tirelessly to get bids for painting and flooring, meet with the contractors and stay in communication with them (no small task in and of itself!)!!

SUNDAY MORNING WORSHIP               
JOIN US FOR WORSHIP 
The 1st Sunday of the month at 9:00 AM 
The remaining Sundays at 10:00 AM

This Sunday-October 4, 2020
at 9:00 a.m.
The 18th Sunday after Pentecost

via Zoom (email RectorSAITV@gmail.com for Zoom information) 
AND...
JOIN US FOLLOWING THE SERVICE FOR 
A VIRTUAL 
on ZOOM

Outdoor Blessing of the Animals at 10:30 A.M.


READINGS FOR SUNDAY

The EIghteenth Sunday after Pentecost 

October 4, Proper 22, Year A

Collect of the Day                         We center ourselves for worship in prayer.

Almighty and everlasting God, you are always more ready to hear than we to pray, and to give more than we either desire or deserve: Pour upon us the abundance of your mercy, forgiving us those things of which our conscience is afraid, and giving us those good things for which we are not worthy to ask, except through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ our Savior; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

First Lesson                              Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20

In our first reading Moses gives the people the ten commandments that God spoke to him on Mount Sinai.  These precepts are at the heart of Israel’s law or Torah, and form the basis of the covenant with God established through Moses.  The first four commandments prescribe Israel’s relationship with God.  Those which follow require fundamental responsibilities in human relationships.

Psalm 19

A hymn which glorifies the Creator God, with special praise for God’s law and a prayer for avoidance of sin.

The Second Lesson          Philippians 3:4b-14

Paul reminds the new Christians at Philippi that if any have reason to brag because of heritage, lineage, or zeal, it is he. Yet all human achievements are to be counted as rubbish next to the joy and privilege of knowing God in Christ. Paul does not consider himself complete, but presses forward to learn yet more of the grace of Christ, the power of his resurrection, and the sharing in his sufferings. His goal remains ahead: God’s upward call in Christ Jesus.

The Gospel     Matthew 21:33-46  

Our gospel is the story of the wicked and disloyal tenants who are cast out of the vineyard.  The parable is presented to us as an allegory in which the vineyard is Israel and the wicked tenants are its people.  The servants sent to them are the prophets, and the son whom they kill is Jesus.  To the hearing of the early church the destruction of the vineyard would parallel the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans in 70 CE, while the heritage of the vineyard is now given to others.  There is added an ancient prophecy concerning the stone which was rejected but which has now become the main cornerstone for the Lord’s new work.


Click below to see the readings: 

WEEKLY CONTEMPLATIVE PRACTICE

For God alone my soul in silence waits;  from God comes my salvation.

God alone is my rock and my salvation,  my stronghold, so that I shall not be greatly shaken.

                                                                Psalm 62:1-2


Throughout th
e ages, humans from all faith traditions have sat in stillness and silence to return to their heart in support of their spirit. There is an inner healing presence available to us when we stop, notice, and allow.

If you are interested in strengthening or building a contemplative practice or seek silence within community, please plan to join others, each Tuesday, beginning September 15th, at 9:00am. Newcomers are welcome at any gathering. No previous meditation experience needed.

Our time begins with a brief sitting practice, facilitated by Christi Humphrey.  Christi has lead other groups which gather to explore contemplative practices through meditation, teachings, and discussion. Guided meditations and teachings draw upon the Christian contemplative tradition, monastic spirituality, Buddhist meditation, and self-compassion practices.

If you would like to learn more or have questions, contact Christi Humphrey at cchumphrey@comcast.net. If you would like to sample Christi leading a guided meditation visit her blog https://watchingforgrace.wordpress.com/2020/03/21/bringing-compassion-to-these-anxious-times/

PRAYERS FOR EACH OTHER
One thing we can always do while we stay at home is to pray for each other! We would like to keep our prayer list up to date and publish it each week in the Thursday Memo. Please email Deb at office@standrewsinthevalley.org with any updates.



This Week We Pray for

Health and Wholeness for: Joan Marshall, Marilyn Cloran, Carolyn Jarvis, Gabriele and Bob Wallace, John McGowan, Sue Huckman, Dave Appleton, Angela B, Carolyn Boldt, Tom, Kitty Lou Booty, Doug Crapser, Steve Thompson, Peg Patenaude, Joyce Humphrey, Marge Hagerup, Elizabeth Wiesner, .

For those who are homebound: Joyce Gendron, Marge Hagerup, Elizabeth Pease, Brian & Sara Kelley, Elizabeth Wiesner, Judy Grace, Audrey Berry.

For our First Nation people and those in this country who are living in impoverished areas of the Ninth Ward of New Orleans and the inner city areas populated by some of our poorest citizens.

For all those who are on the front lines serving communities during these difficult times.

For those who have died: David Manley, beloved member of St. Andrew's.


HISTORICAL MARKER CHALLENGE
LOOKING FOR SOMETHING FUN TO DO 

How often have you just driven by one of these and wondered what it said.  Let me encourage you to stop. You can find a list of markers  along with a location map if you click on the link above.

TAKE A PHOTO WITH YOURSELF, PET, WHOEVER IS WITH YOU,

LET ME KNOW THE DATE. Have FUN and enjoy the ride!



More to come later in the month from Deb


 DINNER BELL

No DINNER BELL until further notice.

Thank you for your volunteer
work in this special Outreach program!


COMMUNITY FOOD CENTER

The Food Pantry thanks you for your contributions throughout the year.

Food pantry continues to serve the communities needs
New Hours
Alternating Wednesdays
12-6 pm
Next Food Pantry: September 30th
Any questions call 603-960-4067



 FROM Deb IN THE OFFICE



FOOD FOR THOUGHT

From St. Patrick’s Breastplate, Hymnal 1982, Hymn 370.

 

BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES
If you do not see your birthday or anniversary listed, please make sure Deb in the office has an information sheet on file for you.

 
Birthdays
5   Ray Walker
9   Joan Wright, Rob Walty
20  Lois Brady
22  Sally DeGroot, John McGowan
27   Larry Grace
28  Dick Wakefield, Dwight Baldwin

Anniversaries
8     Judy and Larry Grace