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

In his essay Blessed are the Meek: The Christian Roots of Nonviolence, Thomas Merton made the statement, “The Christian knows that there are radically sound possibilities in every man, and believes that love and grace always have the power to bring out those possibilities at the most unexpected moments.”

When I read those words, I was reminded of the “woman who was a sinner” at Simon the Pharisee’s house. If you are not familiar with the story, take a moment to read it.

When I imagine what this woman’s life had been like before this encounter with Jesus, I can imagine that many people had made attempts to bring out various possibilities in her life. They probably attempted to bring out those possibilities with stern corrections and admonitions. I am sure that she heard what was wrong with her on more than one occasion. None of the correction, scorn, or derision ever brought out her possibilities.

I would guess that most people thought she was a hopeless case. However, she was not without hope. Jesus offered her something that she had never been offered before. Jesus offered her unconditional love and grace. That brought out the great possibility at the most unexpected moment. Simon had attempted to humiliate Jesus. The woman honored Jesus, taking away the humiliation that Simon intended.

If we want to bring out the possibilities in others, the way to do that is to offer unconditional love and grace. The more we communicate disapproval, the more people will become entrenched in the things of which we disapprove. The more we communicate love and grace, the more we offer people the freedom to become the people God created them to be.

Fr. RJ+

SAVE THE DATE -

May 18, 2025

St. Mark’s 70th Anniversary

Time flies - hard to believe we are coming up on our 70th year. A wonderful celebration is being planned, so please mark your calendars now, and stay tuned for future details!

Sunday, July 21:

8 and 10 a.m. Holy Eucharist

Lessons

Bulletin

Live Stream

Monday, July 22:

Knitting, 1 p.m.

Tuesday, July 23:

Yoga, 7 p.m. in the Undercroft

$10.00, bring your own mat

Wednesday, July 24:

Evening Prayer, Zoom

Bulletin Zoom

View the St. Mark's calendar HERE.

Save the Dates

August 18 - Intergenerational service in the Undercroft, with Blessing of the Backpacks

September 8 - Photo Directory Day: Get a new directory photo after the 10 a.m. service!

September 15 - Morning Prayer, Outdoor Service

October 6 - afternoon Blessing of the Animals in the Outdoor Chapel

Please see sign-up sheets in the Narthex for these events.

Take a turn to be a welcoming presence prior to the 10 o’clock service as a GREETER! The sign up sheet- for the next 2 months is posted on the kiosk in the lobby. Your willingness is much appreciated. It’s a fun way to greet your fellow parishioners.

Yoga with Beth

Tuesdays (July 9, 16, 23) from 7 - 8 p.m.

$10 per class

Bring your own mat/block/straps

Text 330-705-4359 or email to reserve your spot!

The Diocese has continued to offer easy online giving. To use this, please select "St. Mark's Canton" from the dropdown, and choose either a one-time or recurring gift. We thank you for your continued support.

DONATE

Newsletter Additions

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

July Anniversaries

13 Beth and Rick Crowl

24 Bruce and Judy Hixon

29 Katie Cerrone-Arnold and Chris Arnold Arnold

30 Kent and Pamela Clark

31 John and Kathy Wise

July Birthdays

9 Jane Schutrum

12 Vonda Temelkoff

13 Eloise Hochwalt

17 Scott Shellhammer

27 Brynn Pelger Rachel Crowl

*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.

Bob's Music Notes

Following the advice of Gaylord Adams at the Camera Shop, I bought a Leica in Stuttgart and was busy snapping photos right and left. The musical delights of July and August 1953 in Fontainebleau were now a happy memory. My flight home wasn't till September 10 so I did some travel to Switzerland, Germany, and now England. I met with Don Warfield, with whom I had done duets in the late 40s at a Bible Conference. He was in the Air Force and stationed in London and showed me around. I got a ticket to a concert at the Royal Albert Hall. I made the mistake of asking an usher if I could take some pictures. You would have thought I threatened to blow up the place! He escorted me to the superintendent's office for questioning. Turns out the Hall prohibited flash photography. I was allowed access when I convinced the officials that there was no way I could take a flash picture.

But time was catching up with me, and I made my way to the Amsterdam Airport and the KLM desk. Alas! When my luggage was weighed, it was too heavy - and the attendant asked for sixty dollars. I opened my wallet in his presence and pulled out fourteen dollars. I said, "That's all I have!" He said, "I'll take it!"

Seated in the plane, not a dime to my name, I had another worry. What was I going to do when I got to New York? I had to go to my parents' home in Baltimore.

How was I going to get there with no money?

Prayer Concerns

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

For those who have died: Elena Gre Steingraf

Family & Friends: Patti Freeder (former member of St. Marks) + Clare Alice Julian family (mother of Patrick Julian) + Judith Johnson (Father RJ’s mother) + Johnny Willoughby & Alison (grandson & friend of the Willoughbys) + Jane McBride (mother of Beth Crowl) + Joel Harris (friend of Derek & Emily Gordon) + Joanne C. (Florida friend of the Kieslings) + 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) + Jolonda Mull & Pam Lagodich (sister-in-law & friend of the Mulls) + Earl Hoot (father of Joe Hoot) + Scott Jones, Rick Ciminelli, & Tim Swihart (cousin & friend of the Gordons) + Larry Aclaska & Judy Heisser-Turner (acquaintance & sister of Bert Heisser) + Lee, Theresa, and Chuck Boone (friends & cousin of the Hixons) + 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) + DaNay Jackson (friend of Ron Brookes) + 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) + Marc Hostetler (brother of Susan Hostetler) + 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.