The Lion's Pause

WE SEEK TO UNITE ALL PEOPLE WITH GOD AND EACH OTHER IN CHRIST THROUGH WORSHIP, FELLOWSHIP, EDUCATION, AND SERVICE

Rector's Ramblings

Last week was a very busy week. We had four Eucharistic Services on Sunday and one on Monday. Each service was special and helped to make St. Mark’s celebration of Christmas the wonderful celebration it was.

These services could not have happened without the participation of many people. There was a team that decorated the church. Separate bulletins were prepared and printed for each service. The altar guild had to prepare the altar for each eucharist. Lay Readers and Eucharistic Ministers were needed to read the lessons and serve communion. Acolytes were needed for the services. There were many musical pieces prepared to help us in worship. Our musicians and choir put in hours to bring the music to life. Greeters and ushers welcomed us and helped to make sure the services went smoothly. And, of course, every person who attended added their voice to the celebration. I hope I have not left anyone out.

Christmas is not over. The season of Christmas lasts until January 6. We will have one more service together to celebrate the season. On Sunday we will have one service at 10:00 a.m., the Lessons and Carols service. A few people will be reading for the first time, and we will have more Christmas music. I hope to see you then.

Fr. RJ+

Sunday, December 31, Lessons and Carols at 10 a.m.

Lessons

Bulletin

Live Stream

Wednesday, January 3

Evening Prayer, 4 p.m. on Zoom

Bulletin Zoom

Vestry, 6 p.m.

The office is closed December 22-January 3

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Newsletter Additions

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NOTABLE - Bob Morrison

Here we are in the midst of winter with a light snowfall already, and, of course, prospects for more cold. It's probably a good thing to think back over the years for weather that was ideal and, in Ohio at least, unpredictable. Such was the case in the summer of 2020 with everything in turmoil over the pandemic - gatherings discouraged - but not at St. Mark's. We had that gorgeous Betty Fortney Sanctuary in the Woods, and each Sunday, mirabile dictu, perfect in sun and breeze. The little battery-operated keyboard that my caregiver Ray inherited, plus the Samson boombox to amplify it, worked swimmingly for weeks.

But one fateful Sunday, while Ken Jaeb was singing his usual pitch-perfect rendition of a sacred song (with the mike that came with the boombox) - Poof! It cut out completely. Surprise! I quickly pulled the cable plug out of the keyboard (when this cable was used it disabled the interior speakers in the keyboard itself). That restored a modicum of sound but alas for Kan - he was no longer amplified.

Somehow we got through the service and the next few weeks went without a hitch but every time I plugged the boombox in, I wondered if it would work - and finally, its nemesis drew near.

December Birthdays

2 Dave Thorley

10 Kathy Wise

12 Al Korosi, Pam McCarthy

14 Gary Mull

16 Patrick Watters

24 John Wise

25 Christy Thorley

27 Marilyn Thorp

29 Rebecca Watters

December Anniversaries

13 Wayne and Sandy Paradis

27 Rick and Julie Werren

29 Barrie and Marilyn Thorp

*Please note: Your birthday/anniversary will only show up if you've completed your profile on Instant Church Directory.

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Prayer Concerns

Ten Gall, Vonda Temelkoff, Henry Aegerter, Jim Weaver, Jane Schutrum, & Ron Brookes

Family and Friends: Dr. Mallamaci (acquaintance of Bobbi Zollinger); Jeanette Moore (Louise Moore’s daughter); Jolanda Mull, Dr. Sandy Lopater, Kirk Schuring, Pam Lagodich, & Bill Allen (sister-in-law & friends of the Mulls); Earl Hoot (father of Joe Hoot); Ashley Stockman (friend of Katie & Ryan Kuceyeski); Tim Swihart & Michelle Graber (friends of the Gordons); Larry Aclaska & Judy Heisser-Turner (acquaintence & sister of Bert Heisser); Lee, Theresa, & Addelyn, and Chuck Boone (friends & cousin of the Hixons); Nori Shawk (friend of Brynn Pelger); Heidi Hoekstra (friend of Father RJ); Tracey Davy, Alison, & Johnny Willoughby (friends & grandson of the Willoughbys); Middle East & Heather Armington (request & friend of the Watters); Jane King; Elaine Campbell (friend of the Turners); Sammy (friend of Leslie Redmon); Bob Rownd (friend of John Werren & Anne Coen); Melanie & Trish (friends of Paulette Frech); Pat Walter & family (friend of Barb Whitehouse); Don Martin & Mark Osterhage (classmate & neighbor of the Watters); Alycia Geis (Karen Violand’s friend’s daughter); Don & Janet Sheatzley-Morgan (husband & sister of Barb Siegfried); DaNay Jackson (friend of Ron Brookes); Allison Cornell-Hood, Jody Serentsis, & Anne Higgins (daughter & friends of Diane Cornell); Finnigan Savage (friend of Pam McCarthy); Lynnda Hoefler & Jimmy Little (friend & son of Sue Little); Yanette Pysher (Vonda Temelkoff’s cousin); Tony Donahue (friend of the Boyds); Marc Hostetler (brother of Susan Hostetler); David (acquaintance of the Nadels).

For those who have died.

For those in the armed forces.

PRAYER CHAIN:

St. Mark's has a group of prayer warriors who pray for the specific needs of those on the prayer chain. If you would like to place yourself or a loved one on the prayer chain, please contact Bobbi Gordon at ggordon24@sbcglobal.net

Prayer requests may be placed on the private Prayer Chain or on the Prayer Concerns list appearing in The Lion's Pause and Sunday bulletin or in both places. Please let Bobbi know your preference. Unless otherwise instructed, names will be listed as we receive them. Please update Bobbi or Katie on the status of your friends or family members as to when they may be removed from the prayer lists.