The Lion's Pause 🦁

The Lion's Pause

WE SEEK TO UNITE ALL PEOPLE WITH GOD AND EACH OTHER IN CHRIST THROUGH WORSHIP, FELLOWSHIP, EDUCATION, AND SERVICE

Rector's Ramblings

Today is the Commemoration of St. Francis of Assisi. Francis, the son of a wealthy merchant, sold a bale of silk from his father’s storehouse to pay for repairs to the church in San Damiano. This infuriated his father and led to a conflict which caused his father to disown and disinherit him.

One of the characteristics for which St. Francis is most well known is his understanding that all of creation was designed to show the glory of God. Hymn 400, “All Creatures of Our God and King,” is a translation of a poem written by St. Francis. The hymn calls on every part of creation to join in praise to God.

In the ancient book The Little Flowers of St. Francis, it is recorded that Francis preached a sermon to a flock of birds. He said, “My sweet little sisters, birds of the sky you are bound to heaven, to God, your Creator. In every beat of your wings and every note of your songs, praise him. He has given you the greatest of gifts, the freedom of the air. You neither sow, nor reap, yet God provides for you the most delicious food, rivers, and lakes to quench your thirst, mountains, and valleys for your home, tall trees to build your nests, and the most beautiful clothing: a change of feathers with every season. You and your kind were preserved in Noah's Ark. Clearly, our Creator loves you dearly, since he gives you gifts so abundantly. So please beware, my little sisters, of the sin of ingratitude, and always sing praise to God."

On his deathbed, St. Francis uttered the words, “I forgive everyone.” These words echo his prayer, part of which says, “It is in forgiving that we are forgiven.”

Many churches mark the commemoration of St. Francis with a blessing of animals, which we will observe on Sunday at 3:00 p.m. This blessing reminds us that all of creation was designed to proclaim God’s glory.

Fr. RJ+

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Sunday, October 6:

Services at 8 a.m. and 10 a.m.

Lessons

Bulletin

Live Stream

Wednesday, October 9:

Evening Prayer, Zoom

Bulletin Zoom

View the St. Mark's calendar HERE.

Blessing of the Animals - Sunday, October 6 at 3:00 PM

Let’s celebrate all our “fuzzy furry family members” by bringing them to the outdoor chapel for a special Blessing! Bring them on leashes or bring them in their fish bowls. Dress them up in their finest or just wash off the latest mud puddle! They are all welcome. They are all God’s precious creatures and loved by our families. So bring Fido, Fluffy, Rocco, Pepe le Pew, Sir Galahad III, Stinky, Cleo, and Frank. And see you on October 6!

Blessed are you, Lord God, maker of all living creatures.

Garden Grooming Day - October 12 from 9-11 AM. This will be the final clean-up of the gardens to prepare for wintering. If you have any perennials from your garden that you would like to transplant, now is the time to bring them to plant in the gardens. The outdoor chapel has a beautiful rock garden that needs to be re-invigorated and brought back to life! Perennials like purple cone flowers and other sun loving perennials are ideal for the rock garden. Hostas, ferns, Solomon Seal, coral belles, etc. are ideal for the shade gardens. Bring shovels, rakes, tools, gloves, and leaf blowers for clean-up. See the sign-up sheet in the Narthex. Many thanks to all who have helped in the garden and the chapel this year, especially Becky Watters who helped in the chapel and cleaned off all the benches!

Stewardship Dinners

Wednesday, October 16 @ 5:30 p.m.

Thursday, October 24 @ 5:30 p.m.

Excellent food
Wonderful fellowship
Learn about St. Mark’s

Class Schedule

Oct 1,8, 22nd and 29th. (No Class October 15)

Book Club- Save the Dates!

October 14 - The Murder of King Tut by James Patterson and Martin Dugard, recommended by Louise Moore.

November 11 - Tom Lake by Ann Patchett, recommended by Janet Bailey.

December 9 - Wild Swans: Three Daughters of China by Jung Chang, from our reading list from Janet Bailey.

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Newsletter Additions

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October Anniversaries

1 David and Christy Thorley

5 Chuck and Karen Violand Anniversaries

16 Derek and Emily Gordon

October Birthdays

1 W. Robert Morrison

4 Ivy Smith

8 Gail Wetherell Sack

10 RJ Johnson 16 Pat Silagy-Wesson

18 Bobbi Gordon

21 Tom Burns

23 Fred Zollinger, Roberta Zollinger

24 Becs Hostetter

27 Taylor Heinzman

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Notable with Bob Morrison

Scottish Presbyterian Thomas Chalmers preached a sermon in 1819 titled "The Expulsive Power of a New Affection". I had a chance to see that principle in action.

After two years of so-so activity at the Naval Academy, my son Scott, in the summer of 1977, was bitten by the air bug. At that moment everything changed. His grades went up, and he aimed to be the first from his class of all men in 1979 to be sent to the fleet in an

F/A 18 jet. (And he was.)

After graduating in June '79 he reported to Pensacola FL for flight training, then to Whiting Field to fly the T-34 Turbo Mentor on which he had 70 hours of flight time.

And then to NAS Kingsville TX for basic jet training in the T-2C Buckeye, then Advanced Jet Training in the TA-4J Skyhawk. Kathleen and I went to Texas to watch Scott receive his Naval Aviator Wings on 10 April 1981.

The time arrived for his first carrier landing. He phoned his mom to say that that would take place the next morning on the carrier Lexington in the Gulf of Mexico. Kathleen didn't sleep at all that night.

Prayer Concerns

Have compassion on: Ten Gall, Vonda Temelkoff, Jim Weaver, Jane Schutrum, Ron Brooks, and all those who suffer from any grief or trouble.

For those who have died: Jesse Childers

Family & Friends: Ingrid (friend of Sue Little) + Greg, Debbie, & Victoria Swinehart and Richard Flohr (family of Frances Swinehart) + Patti & Jack Freeder and Kim Milinkovich (former members of St. Marks) + Johnny Willoughby & Alison (grandson & friend of the Willoughbys) + Jane McBride (mother of Beth Crowl) + Joel Harris (friend of Derek & Emily Gordon) + Tom (brother-in-law of AnJane McConville) + Gail & Jody Shumway (sister-in-law of Bec & Bill & co-worker friend of the Rand’s daughter) + Dr. Mallamaci (acquaintance of Bobbi Zollinger) + Kirk Schuring, Jolonda Mull & Pam Lagodich (sister-in-law & friend of the Mulls) + Earl Hoot (father of Joe Hoot) + Scott Jones, Rick Ciminelli, Harold Freedman, & Tim Swihart (cousin & friend of the Gordons) + Larry Aclaska & Judy Heisser-Turner (acquaintance & sister of Bert Heisser) + Lee, Theresa, & Chuck Boone (friends & cousin of the Hixons) + Clarice Lough & Mark Osterhage (friend of the Watters) + Elaine Campbell (friend of the Turners) + Sammy Coates (friend of Leslie Redmon) + Melanie & Trish (friends of Paulette Frech) + Pat Walter & family (friend of Barb Whitehouse) + Alycia Geis (Karen Violand’s friend’s daughter) + Don & Janet Sheatzley-Morgan (husband & sister of Barb Siegfried) + Allison Cornell-Hood & Anne Higgins (daughter & friend of Diane Cornell) + Finnigan Savage (friend of Pam McCarthy) + Yanette Pysher (Vonda Temelkoff’s cousin) + Tony Donahue (friend of the Boyds) + David (acquaintance of the Nadels) + Those in the Armed Forces.

PRAYER CHAIN:

St. Mark's has a group of prayer warriors who pray for the specific needs of those on the prayer chain. If you would like to place yourself or a loved one on the prayer chain, please contact Bobbi Gordon at ggordon24@sbcglobal.net

Prayer requests may be placed on the private Prayer Chain or on the Prayer Concerns list appearing in The Lion's Pause and Sunday bulletin or in both places. Please let Bobbi know your preference. Unless otherwise instructed, names will be listed as we receive them. Please update Bobbi or Katie on the status of your friends or family members as to when they may be removed from the prayer lists.