Forgiveness is central to so many parables and stories of Jesus. "Seventy seven times" is a way of saying forgiveness is absolutely essential to faithful life, and trying to count it is out of bounds for faithful people. Forgiveness is meant to be our way of life. Most of us accept the premise that Christians should forgive. What we struggle with is how to practice it.

When we find ourselves betrayed, angry, hurt, abused, our tendency is to react rather than respond. Jesus encourages us to not react with aggressive thoughts and negative feelings, but to respond by breaking the cycle of evil and with love and forgiveness.

Jesus speaks often about forgiveness, and it is at the center of the Lord's Prayer--"forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors."

Adapted from: https://day1.org/weekly-broadcast/5d9b820ef71918cdf20039f2/forgiving_from_your_heart

PRAY: Loving God, we admit that we are not always loving and kind. We know that we can be selfish and mean to other people, even to people we love.

Forgive us for the words we say and the things we do that hurt other people.

But God you love and forgive not only us, but all people. Teach us to be like you. Show us how to love and forgive those who are not kind or loving to us. Give us your power to forgive them when they are as selfish and mean as we sometimes are.

Help us forgive them when they do things and say words that hurt us.

Forgiving God, your son Jesus taught us this prayer and then died on the cross to prove to us that you do forgive us and everyone else in the world. Teach us how to pray this prayer. Make us deeply aware that we are forgiven. And, help us forgive those who sin against us. For we pray in Jesus name.

8:00am* Holy Eucharist-YOUTUBE

10:00am** SMC Indoor Service with Pastor Veronika; CCI Indoor Service with Fr. David

12:00pm Noonday Prayer-ZOOM

2:00pm Bible Study-ZOOM

7:00pm Joint Vestry Meeting-ZOOM

For SMC services: email Admin@StMartinsRadnor.org or call the office at 610-688-4830

For CCI services: email GuardianAngel720@hotmail.com or call the office at 610-688-1110.

At 10:00 AM THIS Sunday, September 13th, we will resume in-person worship with a Welcome Back service that will also be a "Welcome To" event for Pastor Veronika. COVID-19 safety protocols will be in effect so please remember to wear a mask, socially distance, and use hand sanitizer.

A Meet & Greet reception/light "Philly-themed" luncheon is planned for after the service starting around 11:15 AM outside at Bolingbroke. If you haven't pre-registered, please call the office at 610-688-4830 to see if space is still available, or simply stop by to "distantly" meet Pastor Veronika.

St. Martin's Sunday School will be focusing on the Beatitudes this fall—so be ready for counting our blessings! As each Sunday unfolds, our church school group will be able to picture the kingdom of God as a reflection of the way the world works when we create communities of love and justice. The children will then be offered an opportunity after each week's discussion to construct a Midrash scene of something from scripture. They can create with Lego style building blocks. With our digital world, other ways to depict scenes will also be encouraged so children and teens can use Minecraft, other building materials like clay, computer graphics, or even paper and colored pencils to capture their interpretations.

Sunday School is for children, teens, and adults. It begins at 10:00 am each Sunday on Zoom (details are below with a new Meeting ID number). If you have any questions or suggestions please contact Deb Parker by emailing StMartinsRadnor@gmail.com.

Here are the Zoom details:

10:00 AM Sundays

or call: 1-646-558-8656

Meeting ID: 977 8051 9998

Welcome to Pastor Veronika. She will be joining the prayer group for noonday prayer every Wednesday at 12:00 PM via Zoom.

If you are unable to join us at noon, you are encouraged to pray independently and participate by using the Online Book of Common Prayer - https://www.bcponline.org/DailyOffice/noonday.html.

If you would like to test using your phone, tablet, or computer to call into a Zoom meeting, please contact Deb Parker for assistance.

Here are the Zoom details:

12:00 PM Wednesdays

or Call: 1-646-558-8656

Meeting ID: 928 7196 7908

There is NO Bible Discussion today, September 10th. We will reconvene on September 17th. If you have any suggestions on what topic or book of the Bible you would be interested in discussing, please let Deb Parker know by emailing StMartinsRadnor@gmail.com.

Yay, Yoga returns! On Tuesdays starting September 15th, Rev. Amanda Eiman will lead two different Zoom sessions. At 4:30 PM is beginner/chair Yoga and then at 6:00 PM is all-levels Yoga - something for everyone!

Here are the Zoom details:

4:30 PM Beginners

or call: 1 646 558 8656

Meeting ID: 249 829 9928

Passcode: Garrison

6:00 PM All-Levels

or call: 1 646 558 8656

Meeting ID: 249 829 9928

Passcode: Garrison

You are cordially invited to attend a Diocesan Webinar hosted by The Global Mission Commission on Wednesday, September 23rd, from 7:00pm-8:30pm. The discussion will be about keeping global relationships during the pandemic. Be a part of the conversation or listen and learn ways to stay connected. Please use this link for more information and to register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/reaching-out-to-our-global-partners-tickets-120017921835.

Contact Pam Faber if you have any questions.

Here are the links to this week's YouTube video additions:

Seeing Youth Succeed: Find out how this program for teens enables them to discern and build confidence in their futures with an empowering curriculum and a cohort of peers.

For more information or to register for these FREE events, please visit https://ecsphilly.org/news-events/events/behind-the-scenes-at-episcopal-community-services/

From social distancing, sanitizing, hand-washing, and staying-at-home, new "norms" are in full effect. Here is a St. Martin's summary:

Sunday's Readings can be found on the Worship page at St. Martin's website.

Genesis 50:15-21

Psalm 103:1-13

Romans 14:1-12

Matthew 18:21-35