Holy Eucharist Rite II, Sunday, September 6
Live-streamed at 10 a.m.
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Holy Eucharist Rite I, Sunday, September 6
In person worship at 8 a.m.
Open to twenty-five Parishioners (no registration required)
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Worship Notes
- September 6, Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Fr. Ben Hankinson, officiating
Kevin Babb, Eucharistic Minister
Henry H. Evans, Organist
- Coffee Hour via Zoom, following the 10 a.m. service.
- Communion will be distributed on the back lawn of the church from 12 noon to 12:30 p.m.
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Worship Information:
Fourteenth Sunday After Pentecost
- Old Testament - Ezekiel 33:7-11
- Psalm 119:33-40
- The Epistle - Romans 13:8-14
- The Holy Gospel - Matthew 18:15-20
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The Holy Gospel |
Matthew 18:15-20
Jesus said, “If another member of the church sins against you, go and point out the fault when the two of you are alone. If the member listens to you, you have regained that one. But if you are not listened to, take one or two others along with you, so that every word may be confirmed by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If the member refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if the offender refuses to listen even to the church, let such a one be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. Again, truly I tell you, if two of you agree on earth about anything you ask, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them."
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Schedule for the Week of September 5
- Evening Prayer, Sunday, 7 p.m.
- Compline, Monday, 7 p.m.
- Rector away, Tuesday, all day
- Midday Moment: Noonday Prayer pre-recorded, Tuesday, 12:05 p.m.
- Midday Moment: Noonday Prayer w/Reflection, Wednesday, 12:05 p.m.
- Midday Moment: Noonday Prayer w/Reflection, Thursday, 12:05 p.m.
- Friday, 9 a.m. - Morning Prayer with Great Litany
- Friday, 4:30 p.m., Douglas Wedding rehearsal
- Saturday, 2:00 p.m., Douglas wedding
- Saturday, 7 p.m. – Compline
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As with each passing landmark on this year’s calendar, this Labor Day weekend will not be the one that was hoped for. What might normally be a welcome three day weekend, a respite from the usual grind or a nice holiday bump for businesses as we turn the corner into fall, has become yet another reminder of the struggles with employment and our labors in the current situation. Some are furloughed, others unemployed, and local businesses are facing renewed restrictions due to ongoing mitigation measures.
I share in many of these concerns, frustrations even, from a different perspective as it was my great hope that this message would be framed in a different light. Several weeks ago, I began to plan the announcement of the return of in-person 10 a.m. services following the Labor Day weekend (keeping all the necessary precautions, of course). I regret that this is not the time for such a change, both because of our community’s numbers which dictate such a choice, but also for each of you who I know long for a return to a greater sense of normalcy in our life of worship and fellowship just as much as I do.
In such cases, when I’m frustrated or perplexed by some situation or decision, I am amazed at just how appropriate and timely our lectionary is. We find ourselves reading through the Book of Job in the Daily Office, and just this morning we heard:
For I know that my Redeemer lives,
and at last he will stand upon the earth;
whom I shall see on my side,
and my eyes shall behold, and not another. (Job 19:25,27)
Such occurrences, providential as they are, remind me that, in the midst of it all, especially those things which I don’t enjoy much less understand, God is with us. He is on our side, and our Redeemer, Jesus Christ, lives! Whether it is my own internal dialogue or well-meaning individuals offering unhelpful excuses and advice, all of it pales in comparison with the assurance that God perseveres with us in ways far surpassing our understanding. And so too will we persevere by God’s grace at work within us.
Therefore, let me suggest as we go about our labors, in whatever shape or form they take, to be encouraged by the faithful presence of the Lord. Likewise, let us be a faithful presence unto others by encouraging those around us who may be struggling to relax or celebrate this weekend. Share a word of support with a family member, give a call to a friend or neighbor, take time to count your blessings, and be sure to find some time to rest.
Yes, it is a bit ironic that we often celebrate our labors by taking a day off from work, but just as the feast finds balance in keeping the fast, so too does work find its balance in rest. We each need intentional rest and not merely situational time off. Regardless of the circumstances, we would do well to find time in the coming days to plan and enjoy such a respite.
In closing, let me invite us to make our worship of the Lord a part of that rest. In our celebration of the labors of Jesus Christ on the cross, we find the peace that comes to us in the hope of the Resurrection, for we know that our Redeemer lives, and he is indeed now and ever on our side.
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Taking Time Off
The question has come up a couple of times both directly and indirectly about when exactly I take my time off. It is admittedly a somewhat fluid thing given the nature of life and ministry.
All that said, most weeks I take Mondays as my day off. This coming week, since Labor Day coincides with my day off, I’ll be taking Monday and Tuesday off.
As always, in the event of a pastoral need or emergency, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me at any time. I may not always answer the phone, but I try to check my messages regularly, even on my time off, so that I can be available when such a need arises.
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Announcement
Relay for Life Raises $3,057
The St. Andrew’s Relay for Life team is pleased to report that despite COVID-19 cancellations of all four fundraisers, we still met our goal! Thanks to an outpouring of donations from friends and family, the St. Andrew’s community and the efforts of our team members, we raised $3,057 for the American Cancer Society in the 2020 fundraising session. This was our 16th consecutive year participating in Relay, with a total of $44,848 raised since 2005. Thank you all for your support, and we’ll be starting fresh again next year! If you’re interested in participating with Relay for Life, please contact team captain Elizabeth Donald at elizabethdonald@yahoo.com and/or follow our team on Facebook.
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Where is it? Getting Acquainted with Our Website |
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Parish Calendar
Our parish website features a detailed calendar that reflects the events featured in the newsletter, Sunday service information, and Feast Day services.
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Voting Faithfully
Additional information from the Madison County Clerk's website at MadisonVotes.com:
- You can vote in-person from the 40th day before the election through the day before the election. Any qualified voter may cast a ballot in person at the Madison County Clerk's office.
- You may authorize any person to return your ballot to the County Clerk's office as long as you sign the affidavit on the back of the envelope authorizing that person to do so.
- Nursing Homes: The County Clerk’s Office provides election judges to conduct in-person Nursing Home voting to (registered) residents at those facilities who wish to vote. Voters must be a permanent resident registered at the nursing home address.
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Hurricane Relief for Victims of Tropical Storm Laura
Through Episcopal Relief and Development
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Give to the Episcopal Relief Fund and help affected communities in the United States and the Caribbean devastated after hurricanes and tropical storms, such as Tropical Storm Laura. Your donation will help meet urgent needs by providing critical supplies such as food, water and other basics. Donate at this link:
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The St. Andrew's Week-End Update, a weekly emailed newsletter, is designed to update parishioners on church activities. Please send news items to Jane Weingartner
by 11 a.m. on Tuesday to have them appear in the following Friday's newsletter.
Newsletter Editor Jane Weingartner
Newsletter Editor, Marianne Cavanaugh
Newsletter Editor and Designer, Marian Smithson
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