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

Yesterday, May 29, was the Feast of the Ascension. The Feast of the Ascension does not get the attention it deserves in the United States. In Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Indonesia, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, and Vanuatu, it is a public holiday. A number of provinces in Australia have made it a public holiday.

Only Luke recorded the event of the ascension. He included it at the end of his account of the Gospel, and at the beginning of the Acts of the Apostles. Jesus alluded to the event in the Gospel According to John in his farewell discourse. Jesus told the disciples that he was going to prepare a place for us and would return to take us to that place. He also said that because he was going to the Father, he would send the Holy Spirit to be present with us and in us. Every week, in the Nicene Creed, we affirm that Jesus ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father.

The author of the Letter to the Hebrews tells us what Jesus is doing in heaven until his return. In Hebrews 4:14, we read that Jesus is our great High Priest. The function of the High Priest was to appear before God in the temple on behalf of the people. At the right hand of the Father, Jesus mediates the New Covenant. Hebrews 7:25, we read that Jesus is making intercession on our behalf.

When Jesus ascended into heaven, he took our human nature with him. That is at least part of what he meant when he told the disciple that he was going to prepare a place for us. Because he took our human nature with him, we can be assured that we have a place with him in the presence of the Father. Because he makes intercession for us, we can be assured that God will not reject us.

Next time we say the Nicene Creed, and come to the statement, “He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father,” consider what Jesus is doing there. Jesus is interceding for us, making a place for us, and offering the assurance that God will accept us.

Fr. RJ+

Sunday, June 1

Services at 8 and 10 a.m.

Lessons

Bulletin

Live Stream

Tuesday, June 3:

Yoga, 7 p.m.

Cost is $10 per session. Cash, check, Venmo or PayPal accepted. Reserve your spot by texting 330-705-4359 or emailing yogabeth63@gmail.com

Wednesday, June 4:

Virtual Evening Prayer, 4 p.m. Zoom | Bulletin

Vestry, 6 p.m.

View the full St. Mark's calendar HERE.

Seeking Garden Warriors

Garden clean up dates: May 31 and June 7 - 9:00-11:00 AM

Many may remember the beautiful gardens created by Evelyn Otani many years ago. One of these gardens is in the Betty Fortney Chapel in the Woods. Time has taken its toll, and the rock garden that was once there has sunken, and has been taken over by a multitude of day lilies (which now feed the deer!)

So we are seeking some help in 1) raising some (not all) of those embedded rocks so they are once again exposed, and 2) thinning out the dense day lilies that have overpowered that garden. Also needed is some leaf blowing, raking, and spreading mulch in the small gardens by the altar. Perennials are also needed, so if you have any in your garden that can be split and transplanted in the chapel garden, please bring them, or drop them off at the outdoor altar and we will transplant them.

So if you can spare some time, there is a sign up sheet posted in the Narthex for three different times if you can help out. The dates are May 31, and June 7. Many thanks in advance!

Book Club Updates

June 9 - The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon

July - NO BOOK CLUB MEETING

August 11 - Code Name Helene by Ariel Lawhon

September 8 - Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Newsletter Additions

If you are adding something to the Lion's Pause, please submit it here by the Monday prior to Friday publication.

June Birthdays

1 Judy Hixon

3 Carol Popovich

Ezekiel (Zeke) Gordon

6 Paul Sack

9 Jeff Turner, Tim Turner

17 Evan Jenkins

23 Kieran Argenti

24 Bruce Schutrum

June Anniversaries

1 Ronald and Joyce Rupp

12 Todd and Jamie Heinzman

17 Charlie and MaryAnn Kiesling

20 Beth and Kirk Bletzacker

Paul and Gail Wetherell Sack

*Please note: Your birthday/anniversary will only show up if you've completed your profile on Instant Church Directory.

Need to log in? Go here.

Notable with Bob Morrison

Here I was, age 12, onstage at the Peabody Prep Concert Hall, sitting at a big, beautiful nine-foot Knabe Concert Grand piano, playing my assigned piece at this Sunday afternoon affair.

The Preparatory Department boasted a team of piano teachers who, monthly, would assign their pupils to appear at a Sunday afternoon recital - and now it was my turn. I don't remember now what I was playing. I well remember what happened after something that I unwittingly did.

Partway through my playing, I turned and smiled at the audience. I suppose I was thinking, "How'm I doing?"

Well, at my next lesson, nothing was said about how I played. A lot was said about my smile at the audience. "Bobby, you are NOT to look at the audience and smile while you're playing" was drilled into me by Miss Thomas. Lesson learned.

But this practice is not followed by certain musicians. I'm thinking Lawrence Welk, whose players radiated joy at what they were doing. And of course the great Virgil Fox was a demonstrative player who captivated his audiences. worldwide.

My virtuoso friend Joyce Corbett told me that one of her teachers advocated a showy performance style, which Joyce rejected. This opinion is based on the thought that the music should speak for itself, and, if one has prepared properly, I suppose that's enough.

But it's just so nice to see and hear a performer so caught up in the ecstasy of some great composition that they radiate a joie de vivre!

Prayer Concerns

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

Family & Friends: Joann Smith family (friends of Ken Jaeb) + Paul (friend of the Browns) + Jean & David Fell (Father RJ’s acquaintance) + Father RJ & family + Shelly Burns (Tom Burns’ cousin’s wife) + Allison (cousin of Sandi Kaustinen) + Clarice Lough (friend of the Watters) + Katheleen Philippsborn (sister of Tom Turner) + Machelle Wells (friend of Jaime Heinzman) + Father Jon Conventry (Trinity Episcopal Church - Alliance) + Jimmy Little (son of Sue Little) + Tom (brother-in-law of AnJane McConville) + Gail and Judy Shumway (friend, sister-in-law, & co-worker friend of the Rand’s daughter) + Dr. Mallamaci (acquaintance of Bobbi Zollinger) + Pam Lagodich (friends of the Mulls) + Scott Jones, Val Hiner-Donlon, Rick Ciminelli, & Harold Freedman (cousin & friend of the Gordons) + Larry Aclaska (acquaintance of Bert Heisser) + Lee, Theresa, & Chuck Boone (friends & cousin of the Hixons) + Trish (friend of Paulette Frech) + Pat Walter & family (friend of Barb Whitehouse) + Don Siegfried & Janet Sheatzley-Morgan (husband and sister of Barb Siegfried) + Allison Cornell-Hood & Anne Higgins (daughter & friend of Diane Cornell) + Finnigan Savage (friend of Pam McCarthy) + Tony Donahue (friend of the Boyds) + David (acquaintance of the Nadels) + Paul (friend of the Browns) + 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.

515 48TH ST. NW CANTON, OH 44709

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St. Mark's Church

The Episcopal Church

The Diocese of Ohio