Todd Hammond’s funeral is at St. Andrew’s at 2:00 pm on Saturday, November 13. I hope many of you will be able to attend to support Beverly and her family.
Thank you to everyone who helped us get ready
for the Bishop’s visit! The Prince Room is put back
together and looks beautiful – be sure to take a look at it if you haven’t
already. Thanks to Lisa, who put so much time into this, to Gretchen, Pat,
Sammie and Christi who helped sort and shelve books and hang pictures, and to George,
who removed boxes of books and bookshelves for us.
Stewardship Update I’m
grateful to everyone who has turned in your pledge card and fall leaf. As of
today we’ve received 45 pledges, for a total of $137,502. We are also still
short of our goal of $155,000. Please turn in your pledge card and your fall
leaf on Sunday at the latest. Thank you!
A
Brief Theology of Thanksgiving, Part I, from the SALT Project
The
Difference Gratitude Makes
There’s perhaps no better day than Thanksgiving to reflect on the astounding power of gratitude itself — and accordingly, to commit ourselves to cultivating it more intentionally in the coming year.
If we think of “gratitude” primarily as a kind of duty to discharge (Now remember to write that thank-you note!), we’re missing the boat entirely, effectively reducing one of life’s wonders to mere good manners. On the contrary, gratitude is vital force in the world, a
profoundly dignifying act that builds relationships, communities, and healthy human hearts.
The science on this subject is overwhelming: in study after study, gratitude has been shown to lead to stronger relationships, better sleep, lower blood pressure, fewer trips to the doctor, fewer depressive symptoms, more patience, and more perseverance, among other benefits (check out these study summaries here and here). In one particularly intriguing study, gratitude turns out to be a powerful antidote to the “Headwinds/Tailwinds Asymmetry,” our all-too-common tendency to focus on the obstacles in our lives (headwinds) and overlook blessings (tailwinds), an imbalance that over time leads to feeling aggrieved and resentful. In short, focusing on headwinds breeds bitterness; focusing on tailwinds breeds appreciation — and the act of thanksgiving helps call our attention to the winds at our backs.
Parts II and III to follow in coming weeks.
Blessings, Caroline
The remaining Sundays at 8:00 and 10:00 AM
This Sunday-November 14
The Twenty-fifth Sunday after Pentecost
at 8:00 and 10:00 a.m.
The Collect
Blessed Lord, who caused all holy
Scriptures to be written for our learning: Grant us so to hear them, read,
mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that we may embrace and ever hold fast
the blessed hope of everlasting life, which you have given us in our Savior Jesus
Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever
and ever. Amen.
First
Lesson 1
Samuel 1:4-20
In this Hebrew
Bible reading we hear the story of the birth of the prophet Samuel, on whom the
guidance and direction of Israel waits.
In distress of her barrenness, Hannah makes fervent intercession before
the Lord, pleading for a male child and promising that should her hope be
granted, the child will be set aside for the Lord’s service. The priest Eli at first thinks Hannah is
drunk, but when he perceives her faithfulness, prophesies that the Lord will
fulfill her petition. Against all
expectation Hannah becomes pregnant and delivers Samuel, who will become a
nazarite, a prophet and a great judge over Israel.
Canticle
1 Samuel 2:1-10 (Song of Hannah)
The song of Hannah portrays the mother
of the prophet Samuel rejoicing in the Lord’s provision.
The
Second Lesson Hebrews 10:11-25
In this New Testament lesson we learn
that Christ’s sacrifice, supplanting those of the early offerings of the
people, is the effective provision for all time and all people, and he has
become a new and living way offering access to God, who may now be freely
approached. The Holy Spirit confirms
within all disciples that what was promised by the prophets has now been
fulfilled; God’s eternal law is now inscribed on human hearts and minds. Believers who have been washed in baptism
must continue in the faithful way, encouraging each other to love, good deeds,
and frequent assembly.
The
Gospel Mark
13:1-8
In our gospel lesson Jesus predicts
the destruction of the temple, and tells of what is to come. One of the disciples expresses awe at the
grandeur of the temple built by Herod.
Then, while viewing the temple complex from the Mount of Olives, four of
the disciples privately inquire as to when Jesus’s prophecy might come to
pass. Jesus responds that wars and
imposters, political upheaval and natural disaster will come, but they are but
birth pangs of the end.
Updating the Prayer List
Please let Deb know if you would like to add someone to the prayer list. Thank you.
Grant us, O God, 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 Christ our Lord. Amen.
~ Book
of Common Prayer, p. 234
Next Food Pantry:
25 John & Joan Marshall
