October 6, 2009

Dear Parishioners and Friends,

In this stewardship season we reflect on the abundance of God's gifts and our participation in the work of sharing God's love with others. At our worship services this weekend, we will focus on our stewardship of all of God's creatures as we celebrate the Feast of St. Francis. Our guest preacher will be the Rev. Rich Kunz, Executive Director of the El Hogar Orphanage in Tegucigalpa, Honduras. For more information, please click here to see the attractive brochure created by the Stewardship Committee.

On Sunday, October 11, we will have our annual blessing of animals during the 10:30 am service. You are invited to bring your pet to church! Yes, you can bring your cat, dog, bird, rabbit, snake or fish with you to church on October 11. Pets will be blessed individually after the liturgy. If you choose not to bring your pet, you may bring a photo or stuffed animal to be blessed. Special pet-friendly treats will be available after the service. Please make sure your pets are either on leash, in carrier, or properly contained. The blessing is offered in the spirit of St. Francis of Assisi, who is revered by Catholics, Protestants, Jews, Buddhists, and Hindus because of his love of creatures and reverence for all creation.

The Sunday Evening Bible Series to study the stories of Job, Ruth, and Esther, led by Marianne and David Evett, continues this Sunday at 6:00 pm. For more information, please click here.

SCRIPTURE READINGS FOR THE NINETEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

The first reading is the creation story from the Book of Genesis. After each creature was brought into existence, Genesis proclaims, "And God saw that it was good." All of creation is good because everything was created by God. "And it was so. God saw everything that he had made, and indeed, it was very good." (Genesis 1:20-31)

Psalm 148 is a song of praise for the wonders of God's creation: "Praise the LORD from the earth, you sea-monsters and all deeps; Fire and hail, snow and fog, tempestuous wind, doing his will; Mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars; Wild beasts and all cattle, creeping things and winged birds; Kings of the earth and all peoples."

The reading from Galatians makes reference to the cross, since St. Francis of Assisi had a great devotion to the cross of Christ: "May I never boast of anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For neither circumcision nor uncircumcision is anything; but a new creation is everything! As for those who will follow this rule—peace be upon them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God. From now on, let no one make trouble for me; for I carry the marks of Jesus branded on my body. May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers and sisters." (Galatians 6:14-18)

In the Gospel reading from Matthew, Jesus points to simplicity of spirit as a necessary condition to receive God's revelation: Jesus said, "I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will." (Matthew 11:25-30) This Gospel passage was selected because St. Francis saw himself as a simple monk, unpretentious and uncomplicated in his following of the teaching of Jesus.

Please join us for the Holy Eucharist this Saturday at 5:00 pm and Sunday at 10:30 am.

Sincerely,

David A. Killian
Rector

Worship Services for

The Feast of St. Francis (transferred)
October 10-11, 2009
Saturday, October 10, at 5:00 pm — Preacher: The Rev. Rich Kunz
Sunday, October 11, at 10:30 am — Preacher: The Rev. Rich Kunz

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