This weekend we will hold our usual 8:00 a.m. in-person service, and a 10:30 a.m. in-person service. You are invited to join us for coffee hour following both services in the courtyard, weather permitting. You may also join us on Zoom at 9:00 a.m. for Morning Prayer, followed by a virtual coffee hour. In September we are live-streaming the 10:30 a.m. Eucharist on September 13 and 27.
Please mark your calendars for Sunday September 27, for the McHenry County CROP Walk. The information is found in this newsletter, and there are several ways that you can support the St. Mary’s Team as we do our distanced walk and raise money to eradicate hunger.
Congratulations are in order to Rick and Amy Noe, on the marriage of their daughter Kylie this weekend to Nicholas Fields. The wedding is taking place Saturday in Indianapolis. Congratulations to all!
As we move closer to this time of elections and as we continue to watch violence, discord and animosity across our nation, let us be in prayer for our cities and towns, and let us actively seek peace and reconciliation among all people in all places. I invite you to pray this prayer over the weekend and in the weeks ahead. It is a prayer that comes out of the Book of Common Prayer, praying that we and all people may hold fast to the vision that God has for us and our world.
Heavenly Father, in your word you have given us a vision of that holy City to which the nations of the world bring their glory: Behold and visit, we pray, the cities of the earth. Renew the ties of mutual regard which form our civic life. Send us honest and able leaders. Enable us to eliminate poverty, prejudice, and oppression that peace may prevail with righteousness, and justice and order, and that men and women from different cultures and with differing talents may find with one another the fulfillment of their humanity; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (BCP p. 825)
May you have a blessed and peaceful holiday weekend,
If you are participating by phone, you can access the same service document that Zoom participants can see. Click here to view the service on your computer. (The Zoom link, phone number, and ID will remain the same every Sunday.)
10:30 a.m. In-Person Eucharist
10:30 a.m. Upcoming Live-streamed services: September 13 and 27
Service Updates: Harry Dillon and Elmer Gilbertson
The funeral service for Harry Dillon was held last Saturday, followed by the inurnment of both Marion and Harry Dillon in the St. Mary’s Churchyard. Harry’s grandchildren, Neal and Colleen, recorded the service, including the Churchyard burial, which can be watched at any time. If you haven’t seen it yet, the video can be viewed at this link. In addition, there is a wonderful video posted on the Davenport Funeral Home website, which includes many, many photos of Harry and Marion throughout the years. The video can be found at the bottom of Harry’s obituary.
Many thanks to Beau Surratt, who was our organist/pianist for Marion’s funeral in December, and also for Harry’s funeral this past weekend. Beau is a very talented musician from Chicago, and we’ve been blessed to have him with us on many occasions since the death of our organist, Sandy Molyneux, over a year ago. Thank you, Beau!
Elmer Gilbertson, husband of Roseann Gilbertson for 46 years, died recently, on August 23, following a long illness. The Gilbertson’s came to St. Mary’s seven years ago. Roseann attends the 8:00 a.m. service and many of you know she has been a wonderful coffee hour host for that service. A churchyard service with inurnment will take place for close family and friends on Saturday October 17, at 3:00 p.m. in the St. Mary’s Churchyard. Elmer’s obituary has been posted online and can be viewed atthis link.
Please continue to keep Roseann and all of Elmer’s family in your prayers.
CROP Walk ~ Sunday September 27
Gather at St. Mary’s, 1:45 p.m.
Kick off at 2:00 p.m.
The McHenry County CROP Walk will be held Sunday September 27, kicking off at 2:00 p.m. There are several ways that you can help the St. Mary’s team raise money to help eradicate hunger.
You can register to walk with our team (link below): Meet at 1:45 p.m., and we will kick-off from St. Mary’s at 2:00 p.m.
You can do a one-mile or three-mile walk. We will have a map available, or you can choose a route of your own.
You can go to our Crop Walk Page and make an online donation to help us reach our $1,000. Goal. (link below)
You can write a check and bring it to church, or mail it in to the church office. All checks should be made out to CWS/CROP. These checks will be turned in by our team leader, Rev. Fran. These must be turned in no later than Sunday morning September 27th in order for the donation to be credited to our team.
Please note that Living Waters Lutheran church is the host this year, however because of the pandemic we are doing a distanced walk of our own to raise the funds. Rev. Fran will be outside of St. Mary’s to sign up our walkers and to pass out special treats when the walkers return.
Sanitize and wash hands (sanitizer is available throughout the building).
Keep a distance of 6 ft from people you are not quarantined with at this time.
No singing is allowed in the church.
No Coffee hour at this time; you may visit outside wearing masks, and keeping properly distanced.
Communion will be available in a pre-sealed cup with bread / wine, or gluten free bread / juice.
One person in the bathrooms at a time in order to be distanced.
Rev. Fran will be on the altar with one LEM. We will not be using lectors, ushers, acolytes, or the altar guild at this time.
Disinfectant is being used to clean the church and bathrooms.
Online Resources Available for Worship / Devotions
Washington National Cathedral: Live-streaming of daily morning and evening prayer, Sunday worship, and many other resources.
Diocese of Chicago: Links to online prayer and worship from churches throughout the Diocese; Homilies and Sermons from Bishop Jeff Lee; pandemic updates and other helpful resources.
National Episcopal Church: Meditations and sermons from Presiding Bishop Michael Curry; and a wealth of information/resources regarding the national Episcopal Church.
