Dear Ones ~

What are you thankful for? What events or people cause your heart to rejoice in thanksgiving? Ask any of your fellow sojourners in faith and I suspect they will tell you that St. Mark’s is near the top of their list. We have much to be thankful for including our loved ones, friends and homes. For many of us St. Mark’s is our Spiritual Home. Week after week we gather to give thanks to God, as we encounter God’s love through Word, sacrament and song. We have attended many services, including Christmas and Easter. St. Mark’s is where we have celebrated the lives of loved ones who have died and have gone on to greater glory. Yes, we have been blessed with much at St. Mark’s.

Now we find ourselves being drawn deeper into November and into a season of thanks. In a country such as ours we have so much to be thankful for. Our lives contain riches that are beyond the grasp of so many in our world today. Here in the U. S. we have one of the highest standards of living in the industrial world. As such, it is a good and proper thing for us to pause and give thanks for the many blessings bestowed upon us. 
         
That is why I feel our pledge drive theme for this year, “Called to Opportunity,” is so powerful. It captures the abundance of blessings we have received from God, and the joy we experience as we share our blessings with one another, our community and the world. If you have yet to pledge, I hope you will do so.
         
Blessings abound for each of us at St. Mark’s, both in our personal lives and as a community of faith gathered together. Here are just a few of the many blessings I’m thankful for when I think about our lives together:

  • We are blessed to have a deep commitment to outreach and mission. Your generosity allows St. Mark’s to make a positive difference in so many lives.
  • The Administrative Team keeps things humming. Carter and Julie, while providing a vital link to members, answer the calls and questions of so many of our parishioners, while updating our website and sending out “Red Lion Weekly.”
  • The many people who help each Sunday as ushers, sacristans, lay readers, as well as assisting at the altar, enrich our worship and our fellowship.
  • Diane leads our music program. The Ensemble at 11:00 AM service (and the voices of each of you gathered) add a wonderful dimension as our sanctuary resounds in “joy-filled noise.”
  • Our many opportunities for adult education provide numerous venues for faith formation. Through bible studies and adult classes we share our faith stories with others as we learn together.

Yes, we have so much to be thankful for!

In just a few days, we will celebrate our Nation’s day of thanks. As we look forward to gathering with family and friends, I hope you will plan to join us as we celebrate Thanksgiving by attending our Thanksgiving Eve Service on Wednesday, November 21, at 5:00 p. m. What better way to begin the Thanksgiving Holiday weekend than attending this wonderful service. Plan now to make this service a part of your Thanksgiving tradition. No wonder we gather together to celebrate the many blessings God has bestowed upon us at St. Mark’s.

I wish you a blessed Thanksgiving!

Peace.
    Roy+