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!)!!
via Zoom (email RectorSAITV@gmail.com for Zoom information) AND...
on ZOOM
Outdoor Blessing of the Animals at 10:30 A.M.
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
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.
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/
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.
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
From
St. Patrick’s Breastplate, Hymnal 1982, Hymn 370.
