O ALLAH...
Enlighten what is Dark in Me,
Strengthen what is Weak in Me,
Mend what is Broken in Me,
Bind what is Bruised in Me,
Heal what is Sick in Me,
Straighten what is Crooked in Me
and
Revive whatever Peace and Love has Died in Me..!
Ameen
~
Who is like You, God, who removes iniquity and overlooks transgression of the remainder of His inheritance. He doesn't remain angry forever because He desires kindness. He will return and He will be merciful to us, and He will conquer our iniquities, and He will cast them into the depths of the seas.
Give truth to Jacob, kindness to Abraham like that you swore to our ancestors from long ago.
From the straits I called upon God, God answered me with expansiveness. God is with me, I will not be afraid, what can man do to me? God is with me to help me, and I will see my foes (annihilated). It is better to take refuge in God than to trust in man. It is better to take refuge in God, that to rely on nobles.
~
"Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
Where there is sadness, joy.
O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
To be consoled as to console,
To be understood as to understand,
To be loved as to love;
For it is in giving that we receive;
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
It is in dying to self that we are born to eternal life.
It's a big weekend for the Abrahamic faiths, above are three prayers that God will hear often in the next few days. Many of us in the Christian faith will be celebrating the Feast of St. Francis. Animals stuffed or living will be welcomed to church on Sunday to receive a special blessing as we remember a man whose desire was to deepen our brother and sisterhood in God.
As we are gathered in worship, our Jewish and Muslim brothers and sisters will be celebrating the beginning of a new year in the lunar calendar. Rosh Hashanah, one of the holiest days in Judaism, remembers God's completion of creation as well as humanities unique relationship with God. Much like Yom Kippur, which is later in October, great care is taken to seek forgiveness for sins committed the previous year. Celebrations begin with worship in synagogues, followed by families coming together for dinner and the tradition of dipping challah into honey in celebration of the sweetness of God's love.
While our neighbors on one side will be in synagogues, those who follow the Islamic faith will be in mosques similarly observing the first night of a new year. Unlike the celebrations we see on December 31st, Muharram is a time of remembrance and is spent quietly with prayers, readings and reflection upon Muhammad's departure from Mecca to Medina.
For the rest of us New Year's seems a long way off. This week as we adjust our worship to remember the life and ministry of St. Francis may we also work to move away from the stereotypes that pollute our minds and follow his example of
true equality by showing honor, respect, and love to every person
whether they were a merchant or a beggar, a leper or a pope, a Jew, Christian or Muslim.
~
Missing Worship?
Many fine Acolytes have moved away to university, and we are replenishing our ranks and reorganizing our Youth Acolyte Corp.
Senior Acolytes are often in leadership positions, and Junior Acolytes may begin service in Sixth Grade.
Please contact the Rector at
[email protected]
if your family would like to share in the Acolyte Ministry at St. Edmund's. Adult Acolytes, or an adult to assist in organizing, are also very much desired. Thanks!
~ Upcoming Events ~
Please note the request for RSVPs, without them events get cancelled.
Thursday, September 29, 2016
Partnership for Awareness Presentation: "Your Pressured Child"
A panel discussion with community leaders:
Dr. Alex Cherniss, Superintendent of Schools, San Marino;
Mr, John Incontro,
Chief of Police, San Marino;
Ms Mary Johnson, Principal, SMHS;
and
Ms. Laura Ives, SMHS, Intervention Counselor.
7pm | San Marino High School Webb Theater.
~
Sunday, October 2
Team 1 Acolyting
Blessing of the Animals/ Feast of St. Francis
Sunday School will be in Worship
~
Saturday, October 8
High School Youth Brunch
10 am | Einstein Bagels
Roll out of bed, throw on some flip flops and come eat bagels!
Please
RSVP
by Thursday, October 6
~
Sunday, October 9
Team 2 Acolyting
Sunday School
Children's Sermon Sunday
10 am | Sunday School Classrooms
2 Samuel 7-9
Teachers: Shawna, Heather & Antonio
~
Sunday, October 16
Team 3 Acolyting
Sunday School
10 am | Sunday School Classrooms
2 Samuel 11-12
Teachers: Darcy, Jaden, Heather & Antonio
~
Sunday, October 23
Team 4 Acolyting
Sunday School
10 am | Sunday School Classrooms
2 Samuel 14
Teachers: Rebecca, Heather & Antonio
~
Sunday, October 30
Feast of All Saints
Sunday School & Halloween Parade
Come to church in your Halloween costume!
10 am | Sunday School Classrooms
2 Samuel 11-12
Teachers: Shannon, Heather & Antonio
"The Nightmare Before Christmas"
4 pm | El Capitan Theater
Cost: $10 per student
Please RSVP to Heather by October 19th
~
Sunday, November 6
Daylight Savings
Team 1 Acolyting
Sunday School
10 am | Sunday School Classrooms
2 Samuel 17
Teachers: Heather & Antonio
~
November 12
High School Bagel Brunch
10 am | Einstein's Bagels
~
November 13
Team 2 Acolyting
Children's Sermon Sunday
10 am | Sunday School Classrooms
2 Samuel 17
Teachers: Darcy, Jaden, Heather & Antonio
~
November 20
Team 3 Acolyting
Pageant Rehearsals begin
10 am | Parish Hall
~
Spring 2017
Women's Retreat
There have been some requests for an overnight women's retreat. Heather is willing to plan and lead this, if you think you might be interested in an overnight in nearby Sierra Madre please contact Heather at your earliest convenience.
~
June 2017
Ideas are being tossed around of offering a family friendly version of the heritage trip next summer. We would visit many of the same sites as last year's trip as well as stops at the Tower of London, the Princess of Wales playground, and of course, Platform 9 ¾. If you are interested, please contact Heather or Antonio.
