1504 Myrtle Street (P.O. Box 381)

Calistoga, CA 94515

Gospel: Luke 15:1-10

Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to him. And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, “This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them.” So he told them this parable: “Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it? When he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders and rejoices. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’ Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance. “Or what woman having ten silver coins, if she loses one of them, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it? When she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.’ Just so, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

Collect from Sunday, September 4

Almighty Father,

For the times we have lost our way:

Where self-importance clouded the ability to look beyond one’s self.

Where kindness and consideration were absent from the heart.

You looked past our shortcomings and graced us with the undeserving love of

compassion and forgiveness.

Lord, whose wisdom knows no bounds, have mercy upon our blindness, for the missed

opportunities, and to what matters most. Grant that our conscience be raised, living in

accordance to Thy Will, hearts filled with the grace of mercy and enduring goodwill, as we aspire to follow in the path of Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Amen.

As you may know, York and Elizabeth Wong have been writing weekly Collects for St. Luke’s Episcopal Church since the beginning of the pandemic, in March 2020. We're reprinting them because they are worth re-reading.

Tour de Fuzz

Cyclists the Rev. William "Father Mac" McIlmoyl and Dave Stoneberg completed a 70-plus mile ride on Saturday as part of Sonoma County's annual Tour de Fuzz, a benefit ride for the Law Enforcement Chaplaincy Services. About 2,000 cyclists participated in the ride, going either 62 or 100 miles. The ride throughout Sonoma County started and ended at the Luther Burbank Center and took Mac and Dave about five-and-a-half hours. The money raised during the event supports a rigorous five-month academy, where Chaplain cadets train for suicides, overdoses, tragic accidents, death notifications and other callouts. Being a chaplain is emotionally exhausting, yet it is critical work in "being there" for our community.

Weekly Announcements

Let's keep in touch!

If you'd like Dave Stoneberg to send these weekly notices to your loved ones or friends, please send their name and

email address to him at

dave90803@yahoo.com

and he'll add them to our list. Thanks.

CCAT Bingo

Saturday, Sept. 17

Fifteen people have signed up for the upcoming Cat Bingo and another 15 or more are needed to help the Calistoga Cat Action Team of Napa & Sonoma Counties meet their goal of raising $3,000 to $5,000.

The event will be held from 4-8 p.m., Saturday, Sept.a 17 in the parish hall at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 1504 Myrtle St. in Calistoga. It includes dinner with wine, refreshments, prizes and a live auction. Tickets are $48 a person and available at calicat.org, click on the purple Donate button. Checks also may be mailed to CCAT, P.O. Box 952, Calistoga, CA 94515.

Connie Schellenger, Calistoga resident and CCAT board president, said the non-profit group had spayed and neutered about 100 cats in the past year and the need is increasing. Additionally, the group’s volunteers – more are needed – feeds cats that are part of feral colonies, traps them for spay and neutering services, and relocates them to rural homes, barns or wineries from Knights Valley to Mt. Veeder. Money raised also assists with veterinarian costs.

Schellenger said two dedicated volunteers feed the feral cats in colonies and other “angel” volunteers are responsible for cleaning pet cages and doing laundry, since two sheets, one on the top, one on the bottom cover the cages in the summer. In the winter, blankets cover the cages for warmth, during the one-month transition period. After the month is over, the cats still need daily care – food and water – but not litter cleaning.

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According to the website, calicat.org, donations and volunteers are always needed. Currently, the group needs:

--Blankets, Towels, and small throw rugs

--Cat Food (Purina Cat Chow)

--Cat Litter, Litter boxes (just the pan), & scoops

--Toys

--Cat Beds

--Gas cards for transporting animals

--High Efficiency Laundry soap.

Kristin Casey founded CCAT in 2006 and Schellenger said when she took it over 10 years later, it became a non-profit organization, with four board members. For more information on CCAT, its mission, wish list and how you can help, please visit the website, calicat.org.

Altar Flowers

If you’re celebrating a birthday or wedding anniversary, providing altar flowers is a great way to mark the occasion.

Please send a donation of any amount to the church, P.O. Box 381, Calistoga, CA 94515 and mark it for “Altar Flowers.” Or donate below.

Donate

CaliCat.org

Pay online at www.calicat.org

Proceeds help with trapping, spaying, neutering, assisting with vet costs and relocating feral cats to rural homes and wineries from Knights Valley to Mt. Veeder, as well as daily feeding of colony and community felines in Calistoga, Knights Valley & St. Helena.

Community cats are an asset to our community.

October is pet month

We will feature your pet in the weekly newsletter.

Email us pictures of your beloved animals. Let's guess the owner.

elaine@elainejennings.com

St. Luke's Episcopal Church History

OUR HISTORY

Earlier this year, St. Luke's Episcopal Church celebrated the 75th anniversary of the building of the church. But the congregation is much older than that, having first gathered in June 1917 for an Episcopal service in Calistoga.

Visit YouTube for Fr Mac Sermons