I hope this finds everyone well, and remaining safe and careful as we enter into the coming colder months. Have you gotten your flu shot yet?
As the Covid numbers worsen quickly in the states around us, the Diocese requires us to close the church beginning NEXT Sunday. But for THIS Sunday, St. Mark's is open for safely gathered worship. Come and be blessed by our beautiful House of Prayer, with the celebration of the Holy Eucharist (bread only). Masks and distancing continue to be required, of course, and, although we can't sing, we have David's beautiful music to enrich our worship. As you know, we also continue to livestream each Sunday's service, so that those who don't feel quite ready to come inside can join in worship and praise and prayer. Both services are at 10 am, and our livestreaming on the church's Facebook page will continue steadily on.
Last Sunday was one of the most beautiful services of the year: All Saints Day, and the Commemoration of All Souls. Thank you to all who joined us in person, and from home. Thanks also to all who attended and helped make the Requiem Eucharist for our Ray Buchanan so lovely. We gave him a beautiful homegoing, and the livestreamed service was viewed by 362 people!
As we continue to wait for final election results, I ask your continued prayers for the peace and unity of our country. The clear division that this election reveals is sobering indeed. Please join me in this prayer from Rite 1 in our BCP:
Almighty God, who hast given us this good land for our heritage:
We humbly beseech thee that we may always prove ourselves a people mindful of thy favor
and glad to do thy will.
Bless our land with honorable industry, sound learning, and pure manners.
Save us from violence, discord, and confusion;
from pride and arrogance, and from every evil way.
Defend our liberties, and fashion into one united people the multitudes brought hither
out of many kindreds and tongues.
Endue with the spirit of wisdom those to whom in thy Name we entrust
the authority of government,
that there may be justice and peace at home,
and that, through obedience to thy law,
we may show forth thy praise among the nations of the earth.
In the time of prosperity, fill our hearts with thankfulness,
and in the day of trouble, suffer not our trust in thee to fail;
all which we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Soon it will be time for Thanksgiving, Ingathering Sunday, and our Christmas Bazaar, with a special guest appearance by St. Nicholas! We are busy bees preparing for these special events and services, and I hope you can all take part in them, in whatever way feels best to you. Please get out your calendars and mark these special days:
Friday, Nov. 19: Pick up of Thanksgiving Turkey Dinner Boxes, and placing them in the church refrigerator (helpers welcome! Contact Vickie or Bunny)
Saturday, Nov. 20: Distribution of free Thanksgiving Turkey Dinner Boxes - we'll place them directly into the trunks of our hungry neighbors cars (helpers welcome! Contact Vickie or Bunny)
Sunday, Nov. 22: Ingathering Sunday: We'll celebrate the gathering in of our promises for the new year of time, talent, and treasure.
Saturday, Dec. 5: St. Mark's Christmas Bazaar 9-3 (Santa Hats provided, and helpers needed - contact Jerry Mayer) Be on the lookout for our special guest!
Tuesday, Dec. 22: Life Line Screening, a leading provider of community-based preventive health screenings will be in our community at St Mark's on the Hill. Ultrasound screenings to Identify risk factors for Cardiovascular disease include; Carotid Artery (plaque buildup-a leading cause of stroke), Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (an enlargement or weak area in the main blood vessel that carries blood from the heart to the rest of the body), Peripheral Arterial Disease (hardening of the arteries in the legs), a Heart Rhythm Screening (an EKG to detect Atrial Fibrillation-irregular heartbeat) and an Osteoporosis Risk Assessment for men and women. Being proactive about your health by knowing your risks helps you and your doctor address problems early. Register online TODAY at www.lifelinescreening.com/communitycircle or call 1-866-229-0469 to receive your discount and preferred appointment time.
Our new website is coming along! Stay tuned for it's unveiling in time for the Holidays. Many thanks to David Gunning for his expertise!
I ask that you keep the following people in your prayers: Fr. Van Gardner and his wife Kathy, both in Hopkins hospital for sepsis; for Gary Stone, recovering from hospitalization for blood clots. For Rick Tomlinson, suffering the sudden loss of his dear friend Ray Buchanan. For John Hopkins, Alyson's husband, struggling with heart and kidney failure. Cecelia Callaway, Marian's mother, in a nursing home in New Jersey. Margarita Martin, at home after a stent placement, David Kaplan, struggling with leg problems, and Dorothy Richards, recovering after a knee fracture and suffering the loss of her elder sister, Shirley. We pray also for David Lamkin, John and Eartha's son, diagnosed with a recurrence of leukemia, and for Martin Lamkin, navigating congestive heart failure. And we give thanks for the recovery of Assistant to the Bishop Bob Ihloff after double knee replacements. May they all feel the sure presence of God, the healing power of Christ, and the consolation of the Holy Spirit. Know that everyone on our Parish Prayer List is prayed for by name every day, led by Carolyn Workman of the BMT.
Soon you'll be receiving through the mail your annual Stewardship Letter and Pledge sheet. As you know, the future of St. Mark's church, and the retaining of myself as your Mission Priest in Charge, are in your hands. Please fill out your purple Pledge sheet, and return it by mail to the church by November 22 at the address just below:
Please, of your kindness, don't delay in sending in your regular pledge every week. Simply mail your check to the church:
St. Mark's on the Hill Episcopal Church
1620 Reisterstown Road
Baltimore, MD 21208
...or pay your pledge online: simply click on this link:
episcopalmaryland.org/my-offering/
and under our church's name just put in your pledge amount. Thank you so much; we are hard pressed to meet our expenses during this challenging time, and your pledge makes all the difference.
Thank you for your prayers, phone calls, texts, and emails - it's a blessing to hear from you, and a blessing to continue to pray for you.
Blessings in this new season, and I'll "see" you on Sunday mornings at 10, either in person or on Facebook Live! Until then, know that God loves you so, and is always, always with you. Please stay vigilant and safe!
