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

In 1984 a group of music superstars known as Band Aid joined together to record the song, Do They Know It’s Christmas?” to raise money to help alleviate the suffering brought by famine in Ethiopia. The song got some things factually incorrect. The song asserted that in Africa, “Nothing ever grows. No rain or rivers flow.” Even worse, it asserted, “The Christmas bells that ring there are the clanging chimes of doom.” Several times, the song posed the question, “Do they know it’s Christmas time at all?”

Among Christians in Africa, the most important part of the Christmas celebration are the church services. The services include caroling, pageants, and communion. If the church has a bell, it certainly rings with a spirit of hope and joy rather than doom. In many African cultures, the end of the Midnight service marks the beginning of a community celebration.

In most African cultures, gift giving is not emphasized. While some exchange modest gifts, it is more common that gifts of clothes, books, soap, candles, and toys are made to churches and orphanages.

I do not mean to minimize the tragedy of the of the famine that ravaged Ethiopia in the mid 1980s. Nor do I intend to disparage the good intentions of the artists who gathered to record the song. However, some in Africa might ask the same question when considering the secular celebration of Christmas in the Western world. “They seem so busy that they don’t have time to enjoy their communities. Their church services are so short. Do they know it’s Christmas time at all?”

The song did get one thing right. It said, “The greatest gift they’ll get this year is life.” Is that not the greatest gift that any of us get? We are celebrating the incarnation of the Son of God who came into the world to bring us the opportunity to receive the gift of eternal life.

Fr. RJ+

Poinsettia Update & Pick Up Instructions

Thank you so much for responding to the request for Christmas dedications and poinsettias. Every plant has an owner and may be picked up after whichever Christmas Eve evening service attended or the Christmas morning service. Select whichever poinsettia pleases you. Altar Guild will rearrange the plants for the next service.

Thank you, too, for those who made extra donations. This money will help fund some altar flowers during the year.

Wishing you a blessed Christmas and a Joyous New Year!

Altar Guild members

Susie Hines & Kathy Wise

St. Mark’s New Improved Fire Panel

The new panel on the right doesn’t look much different. But after several months of negotiations, mechanical drawings, building permits and over $10,000 we have a new improved fire alarm panel. After many years of dedicated service the old panel required frequent expensive house calls for technical support. A special thank you to Fr. RJ, the finance committee, and the buildings and grounds team for working through this process.

Now the finance committee has an opportunity for the entire parish to get involved in this significant mandatory capital improvement to our worship home. The finance committee has an initial $3,000 donation from a family towards the panel cost. We understand at this time of year you receive many requests for financial support from the church and other organizations.

Please consider a special donation to St. Mark’s to help defer the unexpected expense of a new fire panel. Please note Fire Panel on any contributions.

Thank you for your prayerful consideration,

St. Mark’s Finance Committee

Sunday, December 17

Holy Eucharist at 8 a.m. and 10 a.m.

Lessons

Bulletin

Live Stream

Wednesday, December 20

Evening Prayer, 4 p.m. on Zoom

Bulletin Zoom

The Diocese has continued to offer easy online giving. To use this, please select "St. Mark's Canton" from the dropdown, and choose either a one-time or recurring gift. We thank you for your continued support.

Designate a Gift to St. Mark's

Newsletter Additions

If you are adding something to the Lion's Pause, please submit it here by the Monday prior to Friday publication.

NOTABLE - Bob Morrison

I came to St. Mark's at the invitation of Father Sloan, our late beloved Rector. I've always thought that it's tricky to locate that lovely property on a woodsy hill and on a street that only runs a short distance. So I've told my friends that it is to be found at the end of Frazer where it meets 48th St - the church on the hill. Derek Gordon has referred to it as "the church on the hill" in one of his post-service videos.

A unique feature of this prime location is the Betty Fortney Sanctuary in the Woods - a natural amphitheater recently refurbished - and when the pandemic struck, a godsend. I can't remember a bad weather Sunday that summer which enabled us to worship outdoors in that exquisite setting.

But, without electric power (at that time) I wondered how folks could hear the pastor, and how could I make music?

Well, poking around the church library I came across a small portable PA system that worked well for quite a while. But how to solve the music?

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.

Need to log in? Go here.

Prayer Concerns

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); Chuck Boone (cousin of Bruce Hixon), 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.