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

Every year, Advent brings us the reminder that Christ will come again to judge the living and the dead. The collect for the first Sunday of Advent makes the request that God will, “give us grace to cast away the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light.”

This is a direct reference to Romans 13:12, “The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.” But what are these works of darkness for which we are asking the grace to cast off? Often, we think of the works of darkness in terms of personal failures such as the ones Paul lists: reveling, drunkenness, debauchery, licentiousness, quarreling, and jealousy. Certainly, we should seek God’s help in putting those behind us.

The works of darkness might also be seen in our participation in our culture’s systems that encourage materialistic pursuits, even at the expense of others. It might be helpful to remember this as we engage in our holiday shopping. Have you ever wandered through a store and seen the large stacks of boxes with signs that announce how much the price has been cut? Suddenly, something we didn’t know we needed, or wanted, seems so appealing.

We also seek God’s grace to, “put on the armor of light.” The armor of light is living as God created us to live. When we live with our faith in God, our hope fueled by the promise of God’s coming new creation, and the love of God for one another, we shine light into the darkness.

During this season of Advent, take some time to examine where the works of darkness may have a stronghold in your life. Then ask how the armor of light can help you shed those works of darkness.

Fr. RJ+

Serving at Hope Outreach Ministries

St. Mark’s has established a growing outreach relationship with this important organization serving Canton’s most needy (Home - Hope Outreach Ministry). Our Church school prepares wellness/hygiene kits for distribution and our parishioners provide clothing, blankets and other needed items. On Sunday November 19^th, we expanded our mission of service to Hope Outreach by serving the midday meal following the worship there. The kick-off serving crew consisted of Vestry members (John Willoughby, Sara Strattan, Rick Werren and Mandy Pelger), with support from our “clean-up hitter” Tony Kovacevich on pots and pans!

The volunteers and staff at Hope Outreach have established a well-organized process that prepares the donated food, tells the serving crew how to divide the work for efficiency, and what the guidelines are for the meal. Both cafeteria line service and take-out are available. Over 120 needy families and individuals received both spiritual and nutritional replenishment. Pastor Marilyn was most thankful and Father RJ stopped by to support the volunteer crew (and to take their photo).

On behalf of this volunteer crew, it was an extremely rewarding experience. The genuine appreciation from those served, the strong feeling of spiritual fellowship and the smiles of the children (and their parents), provided great rewards for our investment of about 2 hours.

This outreach service by St. Mark’s is set for the third Sunday each month, be there by 11:45 am or so. We need your time and talents!

Please contact Fr. RJ to join the list of volunteers. Next opportunity is December 17. You will be glad you did!

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 3

Holy Eucharist at 8 a.m.

Intergenerational Event at 10 a.m. in the Undercroft

Lessons

Bulletin

Live Stream

Wednesday, December 6

Evening Prayer, 4 p.m. on Zoom

Bulletin Zoom

Vestry, 6 p.m.

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

When I was eight years old my parents enrolled me in the Peabody Preparatory of this Baltimore music school - in fact, the oldest Conservatory in the country, 1857. As part of the curriculum, I sang in a children's chorus directed by Henrietta Baker Low. Our textbook was a volume called Junior Laurel Songs which states "The Key-Note throughout is Joy and Courage and the unquenchable optimism of the American spirit which is the very heart of Childhood."

And I have happy memories of that book and the songs it represented. One of the selections was "Song of Hope" with the notation "Traditional Hebrew Melody" harmonized by the editor of the book N. Clifford Page. "Lift thine eyes, behold the light, turn to the east where dawns the day...Lift up the voice with praises ringing..." I adored this song and lo and behold, this "Hebrew Melody" became the national anthem of Israel.

I am told that "Israel" means "struggle with God." And the anthem is titled "Hatikvah" (The Hope). It's a stately minor melody. My great teacher Alexander McCurdy frequently improvised on this melody and I've used it when playing Schulmerich Carillonic Bells - bells which have a minor tuning, a perfect vehicle for this tune.

The text: "As long as deep in the heart a Jewish soul yearns, and towards the East turn the eyes to Zion. Our hope will not be lost - the hope of two thousand years; to be a free nation in our land, the land of Zion and Jerusalem." Interesting that the name "Jerusalem" means "city of peace" and the Psalmist tells us we are to pray for the peace of Jerusalem.

You'll likely hear me play this exquisite melody from time to time as we, indeed, pray for peace.

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

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

Family and Friends: Kirk Schuring, Pam Lagodich, & Bill Allen (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 (friends 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); Baby 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.