Be Watchful

The season of Advent is a time of reflection and meditation. It is the beginning of the Christian year. During Advent we prepare to celebrate the coming of Christ. In Biblical times the Hebrews awaited the coming of the Messiah. Christians today celebrate Christmas as a way of commemorating the birth of Jesus and awaiting the second coming of Christ.

The season is overridden with activities that have little to do with Advent. Contrary to its purpose, it is overrun with shopping, gifting, revelry and much rushing about. While there is nothing wrong with partaking in these events, overindulgence defeats the purpose of the season. In all of the hustle and bustle and stress, we negate the true meaning of Advent, that of thought and contemplation.

Upon first inspection in the Gospel of Luke 21:25-31 there is more of a foreboding than joy. We read of, “…distress among nations…”, “people will faint from fear…”, “…the heavens will be shaken…” That is hardly a reason to celebrate.

Upon further analysis we read, “Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” We are instructed, “ Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life.”

By not becoming overwrought with trivialities we are in a better position to think and reflect ,focus and appreciate. We are to remain watchful in readiness of the second coming of Christ. Those that are heeding, enduring and faithful will not be caught off guard. The joy of Christ will be upon them.
A pause to think
is a cause to thank
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Jeremiah 33:14-16
Psalm 25:1-9 (the Psalm will be chanted during Advent)
1 Thessalonians 3:9-13
Luke 21:25-36
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ANNOUNCEMENTS

+ FESTIVAL OF LESSONS and CAROLS- On next Sunday, December 6th, beginning at 10:00 a.m., we will have a service of Advent Lessons and Carols. This is a very special way for us to hear and proclaim the message of Advent. It will be a good Sunday to bring a friend to church. Thank you Sundra and the choir for your hard work in preparing this beautiful service for us!
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+ADVENT WREATHS- Today we made Advent wreaths and distributed prayers and different ideas for using the wreath. For the rest of the season we will be exploring Bible stories about Mary, Joseph, and the birth of Jesus. This is an especially important time to have your children at Sunday School and church because this is a season when culture has very loud and clear messages that the season is about something very different than what the church says it is about. If you want your children to grow more deeply into the “reason for the season”, make sure you get them to Sunday School!

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+CHRISTMAS PARTY DECEMBER 20th- We will plan to have a covered dish lunch this Sunday more details to be announced.

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+CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE- Rev. Sara asked for feedback on a time for Christmas Eve service. The times suggested were 4:30 and 6:30 pm.
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+DAUGHTER2DAUGHTER- will meet this Saturday, December 5th. We are hosting the second of our monthly seminars to support mothers and their daughters, ages 11-14, by giving them tools for physical, emotional and spiritual health. This month’s topic will focus on peer pressure. We continue to get more and more interest from the community about this ministry. Please support us with your prayers and by volunteering your time.

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THE ORIGIN OF THE ADVENT WREATH

The origins of the Advent wreath are found in the folk practices of the pre-Christian Germanic peoples who, during the cold December darkness of Eastern Europe, gathered wreaths of evergreen and lighted fires as signs of hope in a coming spring and renewed light.

Christians kept these popular traditions alive, and by the 16th century Catholics and Protestants throughout Germany used these symbols to celebrate their Advent hope in Christ, the everlasting Light. From Germany the use of the Advent wreath spread to other parts of the Christian world.

Traditionally, the wreath is made of four candles in a circle of evergreens. Three candles are violet and the fourth is rose, but four white candles or four violet candles can also be used. Each day at home, the candles are lighted, perhaps before the evening meal-- one candle the first week, and then another each succeeding week until December 25th. A short prayer may accompany the lighting.
by Victor Hoagland, C.P. (taken from Prayers and Customs)

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Last Sunday After Pentecost

CHRIST THE KING

SCRIPTURES

Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14
Psalm 93
Revelation 1:4b-8

THE HOLY GOSPEL
John 18:33-37
Pilate entered the headquarters again, summoned Jesus, and asked him, "Are you the King of the Jews?" Jesus answered, "Do you ask this on your own, or did others tell you about me?" Pilate replied, "I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests have handed you over to me. What have you done?" Jesus answered, "My kingdom is not from this world. If my kingdom were from this world, my followers would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here." Pilate asked him, "So you are a king?" Jesus answered, "You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice."
ANNOUNCEMENTS

+THANKS FROM SARA-SCOTT- Thanks everyone for all your expressions of love and care after my father’s death last week. My family and I loved the flowers you sent and we especially enjoyed them at the reception after the funeral. Sundra, Marc, and Carolyn represented you well at the funeral and were a great blessing to me. I deeply appreciate all the cards, e-mails and phone calls I have received from you as well as the love and prayers you have sent my way. Thank you all so much.

+ FESTIVAL OF LESSONS and CAROLS- Mark your calendar for the first Sunday, December 6th. Sundra and the choir are planning a special service that we will not want to miss.

+ VESTRY- will meet next Sunday , November 29th after the service. We will continue our work of visioning for St. Mark’s. We have explored our identity and mission. Strategies will be discussed. Your vestry is working hard!

+ADVENT WREATHS- We will be making Advent wreaths next Sunday, November 29, during Sunday School. Everyone is encouraged to participate. We can’t let the kids have all of the fun! An Advent wreath in the home is a wonderful spiritual tool for observing Advent. We will make one wreath per family unit and give you some prayers to take home and use as you light the candles. We need to know in advance if you plan to attend so that we can have enough supplies.
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CHURCH HUMOR

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Stewardship

God sent his son Jesus to die for us. We can show our love for His sacrifice by striving to bring others into his presence. The maintenance of churches is necessary to carry out the work of the Lord. When giving we must remember that we are giving to God and not the church as an institution. Making a Christ centered pledge releases us from the dependence of money to the independence from money. Cheerful giving is liberating.
Stewardship along the spiritual journey involves not only the giving of tithes but also the giving of self.
One of the assets of being a member of a small parish is the intimacy of it. Everyone knows each other and there is the opportunity to know each other even deeper. Stewardship plays an important part in the maintenance of any parish but especially a small one.
Stewardship entails commitment and support of what God wants us to do.
Wherever you are, hopefully your journey will be rewarding.

Rev. Peter Horn brought the message today.


SCRIPTURES
Samuel 1:4-20
Hebrews 10:11-14 (15-18) 19-25

Psalm 16
Mark 13:1-8

ANNOUNCEMENTS

+Condolences are extended to the family of Rev. Sara Scott on the death of her father.

NELSON, Innes Armistead October 6, 1924 - November 11, 2009. Son of Rebecca Anderson Thornton and Wilbur Armistead Nelson. Born in Nashville and reared in Charlottesville and Birmingham. Joined the R.O.T.C. in 1943, and served as Ensign in the U.S. Navy in the Pacific until 1946, during which time he survived a typhoon. He was graduated from the University of the South, Sewanee, and the College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, NY. Did internship and residency at Vanderbilt and the V.A. Hospitals, and practiced general surgery at Baptist, Parkview, St. Thomas and Vanderbilt Hospitals until his retirement in 1987. For a time, he was a Clinical Instructor of Surgery at Vanderbilt, assistant chief of surgery at St. Thomas and served on its advisory and executive committees. Served on Parkview Board of Trustees, as well as board of the local Cancer Society of which president for one year. Other activities included Tennessee Medical Association Political Action Committee, consultant to Equitable Life Assurance Society and after retirement, to Social Security Disability Determination. Member of the following societies: Nashville Academy of Medicine, Tennessee Medical Association, Nashville Surgical Society, Southern Society of Clinical Surgeons and H. W. Scott, Jr. Surgical Society. He was twice vestryman of St. George's Episcopal Church. He belonged to the Alabama, Tennessee and Virginia Historical Societies, and was an active member of the Sewanee Club of Nashville. Throughout his life, he returned every possible summer to the Monteagle Sunday School Assembly, a community he dearly loved. He served a number of terms on the Assembly Board and was instrumental in founding a cemetery there. Before the Grundy Forest Park System was founded, he led his family down the rock slides into Savage Gulf, to the delight of his children. In addition to life on the mountain, he especially enjoyed tennis in earlier years and bridge in later ones, and always family, reading, and a wide circle of friends. Preceded in death by parents and brother, George Thornton Nelson of Birmingham. Survived by wife, Sara Harris Nelson; children, Rebecca Thornton Nelson of Richmond, Eugene Harris Nelson of Nashville, Sara Scott Nelson Wingo (Patrick James Wingo) of Birmingham; grandchildren, Sara Elizabeth and Van Clyne Nall IV of Richmond, Sara Grayson, Anna Rebecca and Abigail Pope Wingo of Birmingham; nieces, Kae Nelson Bolling (William Chandler) of Roanoke and Ann Nelson Allen of Lookout Mountain; sister-in-law, Grayson Warfield Harris of Nashville and brother-in-law, Frank Scott Harris (Anne) of Lynnville. Service will be at St. George's Episcopal Church on Saturday, November 14, 2009 at 10:30 a.m. Family will receive visitors following the service. Memorial contributions would be welcomed at Monteagle Sunday School Assembly, P. O. Box 307, Monteagle, TN 37356 or the charity of one's choice. The family expresses gratitude for having a loved one so full of caring, honor and integrity. CRAWFORD MORTUARY & CREMATORY, (615) 254-8200; Guestbook at www.crawfordservices.com

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+ ECW meeting was held after the morning service with President, Jalete Nelms officiating. Among the topics discussed were plans for one ECW member to provide a brief inspirational message at the beginning of each meeting. Other discussion included officers for ECW, canned goods for Christmas, possible women’s retreat and a report by Deacon Carolyn on the first meeting of Daughter2Daughter.

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+ The Young Lions ministry has nine young men and five mentors. Mentors include Joseph Samuels and Titus Battle from St. Mark’s. The topics of discussion have been careers and education. Last month the Young Lions enjoyed special moments attending the Magic City Classic.

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+ Deacon Carolyn thanks all who participated in the first seminar of Daughter2Daughter. Discussion for session one centered around stress. Ms. Kathy Hammell from Children’s Aid Society was the speaker. In depth table discussions during lunch were helpful in putting participants at ease and getting to know them better. The seminar was an outstanding success.

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CHURCH HUMOR

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11-08-2009

There is no post for this Sunday.

ALL SAINTS DAY

Today is All Saints Day. The altar is dressed in white because we are celebrating. We celebrate the lives of those before us who we feel have carried out some form of saintly duty. Say the word “saint” and right away the idea of someone who is perfect or someone who follows all the rules comes to mind. Saints are not perfect people. The Bible is proof of that. Saints don’t walk around glowing with halos hovering over their heads. Saints can be ordinary people. We should all strive to be saints. Saints are people who seek to be a follower of Jesus and bear his love into the world. They are doers of His Word.
SCRIPTURES
Isaiah 25:6-9
Psalm 24
Revelation 21:1-6a
John 11:32-44

ANNOUNCEMENTS


+Children’s Sunday School this month prepared us for November 1st which is All Saint’s Day.
Earlier in the month Mrs. Mary Williams told the children about a saint in her life which was her grandmother.
Mrs. Mamie Hymes told of a saint in her life which was Mrs.Lucille Pinkard

Rounding out the month on the study of saints was Mr. Heager Hill.
Mr. Hill told of Mr. Louis J. Willie, a former member of St, Mark’s.
Mr. Willie was a long time member of the St. Mark’s parish. He was one of the first members to worship in the church’s present location.

Mr. Willie was a servant of the church in that he served in almost every capacity of stewardship. He was on the vestry many times serving as Sr. Warden, Jr. Warden, Treasurer, Clerk, Lay Eucharistic Minister, Lay Reader, Homily Leader, Usher, Sunday School Teacher, member of the Choir and Custodian. Wherever he was needed he was willing to serve.

Mr. Willie was the first member of St. Mark’s to serve on boards at the Diocesan level. Among these boards being St. Martin’s in the Pines Sr. Center and as a convention full delegate.

At one time St. Mark’s was a mission. It was assisted through donations from the Diocese. Mr. Willie led a drive to increase membership and to encourage parishioners to give by tithing. BY doing so St. Mark’s gained financial independence allowing it to handle its own expenses and bills. St. Mark’s was no longer a mission but a regular parish. This was a feat that all were proud of.
Though Mr. Willie is no longer of the earthly realm he leaves behind a valuable legacy as one of the early saints of St. Mark’s.

+As we prepare for the onset of Daughter2Daughter Outreach Program, if you’re interested or have any questions, please speak to Deacon Carolyn Foster.
Daughter2Daughter kicks off this Saturday, November 7, 2009 at 9:00 a.m.
For more info visit http://www.daughter2daughter.webs.com/


+The graveside service for Herman Sutton, husband of the late Mary Sutton and grandfather to Bianca and Parinda Sutton will be held at 1: 00 PM on Wednesday, November 4th at Elmwood Cemetery. The family hour will be at 6 pm on Tuesday at Bushelon Funeral Home.

+ Preceded by a sermon on saints, the covered dish luncheon held after morning worship took on special meaning. November 1st was All Saints Day. We all possess various talents which we offer to the Glory of God. Friends and family add meaning to these special occasions we share as was evident at Sunday’s luncheon.

+Pledge cards are due next Sunday, November 8, 2009. These pledges are vital to the vestry so that they may plan a budget for the upcoming year.

+UTO ingathering will take place November 15, 2009.

NOVEMBER BIRTHDAYS

Mary Williams
Aisha Nicole Stroud
Doug (grandson of Heager Hill)

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