First
of all, my thanks to our worship leaders and Zoom hosts who carried on with all
of our worship services while I was on vacation! We are so fortunate to have
such great leaders in our parish! Thanks to Cathie and Lisa for leading Morning
Prayer on Sunday, and to Pat and Sammie for hosting Compline, Morning Prayer
and Coffee Hour.
I had a great two weeks off. All I did was rest, read, walk and play a little golf. I’ve improved enough that I’m not too embarrassed to be on the course! It was just what I needed, and allowed me to come back feeling refreshed and renewed. I’m looking forward to seeing you all on Sunday!
Book Study: Our next book group will discuss How to Be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi. From the inside book jacket: “Kendi weaves an electrifying combination of ethics, history, law, and science with his own personal story of awakening to antiracism. This is an essential work for anyone who wants to go beyond the awareness of racism to the next step: contributing to the formation of a just and equitable society.”
Our first meeting was postponed from yesterday to next Wednesday, September 30.
We
will meet each Wednesday at 12:30 p.m. for six weeks.
Please let me know if you plan to attend so I can send you the Zoom link. The reading assignment for the first meeting is the Introduction and Chapters 1-3. All are welcome!
Remembering David: Thank you, Patti for your beautiful reflection on David’s life (see below).
We will hold a Memorial Service for David on Zoom on Tuesday, October 13 at 7:00. Pm. This will be a celebration of his life, especially here at St. Andrew’s. If you have pictures of him in happier times, please send them to Carol Tubman at cctubman@msn.com. Lois Brady has agreed to share some of them during his service in the same way she does on Sunday mornings.
If you would like to make a donation in David’s memory please consider Two Paws Up Boarding and Grooming, where David’s dogs were boarded during the time he was in the hospital. The owner, Kim Seibel, is graciously absorbing much of the expense of boarding his dogs, so this would be a way to both honor David and help Kim. The address is Two Paws Up, 101 Ossipee Lake Rd, Tamworth, 03886. Or, of course, a donation to St. Andrew’s is another way to honor him.
Please visit the bottom of the page for a
Remembrance of David Manley
via Zoom (email RectorSAITV@gmail.com for Zoom information) AND... JOIN US FOLLOWING THE SERVICE FOR A VIRTUAL on ZOOM
Outdoor Eucharist – September 27th at 5:00 pmReminders for the service:
Please let me know if you plan to attend at rectorsaitv@gmail.com. We need to know in advance so we can plan seating appropriately spaced for individuals, couples and family groups.
Please plan to bring the following:
- Bread for Communion
- Lawn chair
- Face mask
- Hand sanitizer
- Water
- Hat, sunglasses, umbrella, warm clothing (according to personal preference/need/ weather)
We ask that everyone follow these safety requirements:
- Stay at home if you have any symptoms of COVID-19 or do not feel well
- Wear a face mask
- Maintain 6 ft. distancing at all times.
- We will exchange the Peace while remaining in our places.
- Because we know that the virus is spread through respiratory droplets caused by singing and speaking loudly we agree to refrain from:
- Singing
- Congregational responses, unison prayers and exchanging the Peace in normal volume. Instead we will make non-verbal responses or use very quiet voices
- Keep social gathering after the service to a minimum and maintain 6 ft. distancing.
Reminders for the service:
Please let me know if you plan to attend at rectorsaitv@gmail.com. We need to know in advance so we can plan seating appropriately spaced for individuals, couples and family groups.
Please plan to bring the following:
- Bread for Communion
- Lawn chair
- Face mask
- Hand sanitizer
- Water
- Hat, sunglasses, umbrella, warm clothing (according to personal preference/need/ weather)
We ask that everyone follow these safety requirements:
- Stay at home if you have any symptoms of COVID-19 or do not feel well
- Wear a face mask
- Maintain 6 ft. distancing at all times.
- We will exchange the Peace while remaining in our places.
- Because we know that the virus is spread through respiratory droplets caused by singing and speaking loudly we agree to refrain from:
- Singing
- Congregational responses, unison prayers and exchanging the Peace in normal volume. Instead we will make non-verbal responses or use very quiet voices
- Keep social gathering after the service to a minimum and maintain 6 ft. distancing.
The Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost
September 27, Proper 21, Year A
Collect of the Day We center ourselves for worship in prayer.
O God, you declare your almighty power chiefly in showing mercy and pity: Grant us the fullness of your grace, that we, running to obtain your promises, may become partakers of your heavenly treasure; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
First Lesson Exodus 17:1-7
In our Hebrew Bible story the people are at the point of rebellion because they are without water in the wilderness. Moses decries their readiness to challenge the Lord through their lack of trust, and he asks God what is to be done. The Lord instructs Moses to strike a rock with his staff so that water will pour from it. This place he named Massah (meaning Challenge) and Meribah (meaning Dispute).
Psalm 78:1-4, 12-16
The psalm recalls Israel's trials and the Lord's sustaining grace in the wilderness after the escape from Egypt.
The Second Lesson Philippians 2:1-13
In this reading Paul bids the new disciples to be of one mind in love, knowing how Christ Jesus accepted the condition of a servant and was obedient to the point of death. we now confess him as Lord and are called to an obedient working out of our faith. Central to this passage is a poem which may have been adapted from the hopes for a savior of a people who did not yet know Jesus. He has fulfilled humanity's dream of one who will share fully in the mortal condition. Now the Lord is known personally--Jesus. His followers must work out their salvation while discovering that God is active in them for his loving purpose.The Gospel Matthew 21:23-32
In a response to a question about authority, Jesus tells a parable of two sons who obeyed their father differently, and he indicates that it is the same with those who are apparently obedient and disobedient in this age. Both John the Baptist and Jesus offered their message of repentance and the hope of the kingdom to all. It was the seeming outcasts who most genuinely responded. Then and now it is not a popular idea to suggest that such persons have priority over those who are established in their religion. Action is the test of obedience.
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 the 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/
Oh when the SAINTS begin to PAINT
The OUTSIDE of our PARISH HALL,
Oh we WANT to be IN THAT NUMBER
When the CHIPS begin to FALL!
Do you want a project with a beginning, middle, and end?
Do you like the “tssst-tst” sound of sandpaper clearing chips of paint off a wall and the swoosh of a brush as new protective paint is applied?
Do you like to see immediate results and rejoice when your job’s well done?
If you answered YES to any or all of the above, then YOU are WELCOME to JOIN THE TEAM to repair and repaint the outside wall of the Parish Hall.
Please phone 323-8245 if you are interested in helping out. (We will begin after the heat waves have passed.)
Lisa Thompson for Buildings and Grounds Committee
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.
Updating the Prayer List
Please let Deb know if you want to put someone back on the prayer list going forward. Thank you for helping us keep our prayer list up to date.
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!
Next Food Pantry: September 30th
The Collect for Proper 20 BCP, p.
234
Grant us, Lord, not to be anxious about earthly things, but to love
things heavenly; and even now, while we are placed among things that are
passing away, to hold fast to those that shall endure; through Jesus Christ our
Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and
ever. Amen.
David
came to St. Andrew’s with his partner, Joe Mullen, in December of 2008. They soon became active members of the
congregation. Rev. Heidi Franz Dale blessed their union, which was a very
special celebration for them as well as their families and friends. Sadly, we
lost Joe in March of 2012.
Through
the years, David gave much time and energy to so many ministries in the church.
He was an acolyte and a lay reader and a faithful parishioner who could be
found most Sundays sitting in his accustomed spot in the second or third pew on
the left!
For
several years, David was in charge or organizing the kitchen and making sure
supplies were available for coffee hour and other occasions. He took
responsibility for ordering Fair Trade coffee products, both for the church and
for parishioners who wanted to purchase them. David also headed the backpack
project, collecting money to purchase backpacks and supplies for kids going
back to school. He was very committed to this ministry.
David
loved events at St. Andrew’s from the Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper, to the
summer Lobster feast, to the Pie Auction in November. Getting tickets printed
and sold, providing advertising posters, counting the profits – he was involved
wholeheartedly and was always happy to be in the midst of things.
St.
Andrew’s was David’s family. He knew everyone and was so grateful for the many
friendships he shared over the years. And let us not forget his two most beloved
friends- his two dachshund dogs, Coco, and Vanna - who provided David with such
love and companionship. They were one of the joys of his life
It
is always so hard to lose one of our own and we mourn his passing from our
family. Let our fond memories of David bring us comfort, and the knowledge that
he is with the Lord bring us peace.