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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Good Help Is Hard To Find

The well being of sheep depends on the dedication of the shepherd who has been hired to tend them. The well-being of the owning family depends upon how well the shepherd does his job. Many times employees perform according to what they are paid. Pittance pay may equal a trifling worker. Imagine the shepherd coming up against a wolf or wolves. Should he risk life and limb to protect the sheep?

Rev. Sara gave an example of a toy store she and her children would frequent on Saturdays. On Saturdays there were toys at the ready for children to try out and play with. Saturday store clerks were teens who lacked much of a work effort. They would mostly stand around in groups socializing and ignoring the customers. Though the workers disregarded the customers Rev. Sara did make purchases at the store. When the store went out of business she wondered if it was due to the lackluster attitude of the workers.

Sheep are not smart animals. They are defenseless and need to be guided. Being separated from the flock can be disastrous . Sheep need to be with the flock and its shepherd. There is safety in numbers.

Jesus calls us sheep. We can not thrive alone. Too many dangers await us when we are alone. Jesus is the Good Shepherd. He watches over the alienated, lonely and depressed. He is not the hired hand. No hired hand can do what Jesus does for us.

SCRIPTURES

Acts 4:5-12

Psalm 23

1 John 3:16-24

John 10:11-18

ANNOUNCEMENTS

+St. Mark's Bible Study is held every TUESDAY at 12 noon at the church.
+ UTO ingathering takes place next Sunday, May 10th United Thank Offering provides grants for many worthwhile projects .UTO chair, Mamie Hymes asks that you give until it makes you happy.

+60th Annual Women's Weekend May 15 - 17, 2009 at Camp McDowell Deadline for registration and payment: May 1, 2009

+Books are needed for Sawyerville Camps! New, or gently used appropriate for ages 4-14. If you are buying new books remember to buy titles and/ or African American authors. Any of the Coretta Scott King Award books are good. Some popular titles are “Bud, Not Buddy” and “The Watson's Go to Birmingham.” Suggestions for other titles can be found here
NOTE: The Tuesday Bible Study class has chosen the Sawyerville book drive as it's outreach mission this year. Bertha Smith will be ordering the books from Amazon.com. If you wish to be a part of this outreach contact Bertha.
If you are going through your own bookcases, be sure the books are “just like new.” If you have books to donate or want to have a book drive, contact Memily Colvin. memily.colvin@gmail.com

+ The Chapel of St. Francis of Assisi at Camp McDowell was dedicated on May 2nd. The dedication service was followed by a barbecue lunch, live music and fellowship.

+Dear St. Mark’s Family: Hunger is an issue that is very important to me and I have decided to get involved, along with the young men in the Young Lions Program and their mentors! We are walking in the CROP Hunger Walk and we need your help. Our donations will support life-saving programs around the world. Join us as we work together to solve this world-wide challenge. Locally, a portion of the money raised will go to Greater Birmingham Ministries Food Pantry. You can be the difference, and you can start by making a donation. Visit my personal page, where you can make a secure online credit card donation.
Thank you!Deacon Carolyn Foster Click here to visit my personal page

+ ECW meeting was held after 10:00 a.m. service. A seminar for young girls on how to cope with modern coming of age issues is in the planning stages.

The Young Lions were part of a documentary filmed here in Birmingham. This film will make its debut May 7, 2009 at the IMAX theatre in downtown Birmingham. Doors open at 6. Movie begins at 7 promptly. Titus Battle is also a part of the film speaking on the subject of Mental Health and Wellness. Emmanuel and Emily are featured in the film as well.
The Film is free and open to the public at the McWane Center.

BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES
Birthday wishes go out to Samantha Nelms and George Ladd celebrating birthdays this May

George Ladd

Reverends Pat Wingo and Sara Scott-Wingo celebrate their 22nd wedding anniversary this month.


left-Rev. Sara Scott-Wingo, right-Rev. Pat Wingo

VISITORS
St. Mark’s welcomes sisters Shakira and Sydney. They are cousins of Regina Mumford and her family.

(left to right )Regina Mumford, cousins-Sydney and Shakira, and Regina's son-Marcus

END***

Heal Old Wounds

Rev. Charles A. Taylor
We are pleased once more to have Rev. Charles A. Taylor celebrate the Eucharistic service with us. While studying Psychology at Peabody University during the 1950's Rev. Charles told of a young African American minister who also was a fellow student. This young minister was also President of the local NAACP. During conversation he found that this young man was a visionary and it was his goal to bring harmony and peace among the races as well as eradicate prejudice within ten years.

Many strides have been made toward this young man's goal but last week's election of Barack Obama as President of the U.S. was a pinnacle moment. The composite unity of many toward peace and understanding for all was verified through the outward signs of love and joy after the election announcement. Many who were wounded by societal and political ills expressed their healing through their vote.

As well there are those left out of this joy due to prejudice, anger and fear. They refuse to accept this accomplishment. They continue to remain embittered grounded by hatred and animosity. As in the parable of the ten virgins and their oil lamps. Five were wise and five were foolish. The five wise virgins traveled with extra oil for their lamps so that they would be ready when the bridegroom called.

They all slept. When the bridegroom (God) called ,the five wise virgins awoke with their lamps filled and were ready to join the bridgroom. The five foolish virgins failed to fill their lamps and wanted the other five to share. They were not ready and so were left behind.

There are those who are ready to embrace this historical moment and see it as an opportunity to heal old wounds. God has given us a glimpse of his kingdom.
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SCRIPTURES
First Reading: Joshua 24:1-3, 14-25
Psalm 78:1-7
Second Reading: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
The Holy Gospel: Matthew 22:34-46


Ellarine Stroud reads the scriptures
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George Ladd, Cecil Washington, Mary Goldman and
Sarah Goldman take Offering and Communion
instruments to the altar.

The closing hymn at today's service was Lift Every Voice and Sing, known as the Negro NationalAnthem. Anthem lyrics were written by James Weldon Johnsonand music by his brother J. Rosamond Johnson. In true tradition the congregation stood to their feet to sing this stirring hymn. What could be more appropriate during this historical landmark in time?
I

Lift every voice and sing,
'Til earth and heaven ring,
Ring with the harmonies of Liberty;
Let our rejoicing rise
High as the listening skies,
Let it resound loud as the rolling sea.
Sing a song full of the faith that the dark past has taught us,
Sing a song full of the hope that the present has brought us;
Facing the rising sun of our new day begun,
Let us march on 'til victory is won.

II
Stony the road we trod,
Bitter the chast'ning rod,
Felt in the days when hope unborn had died;
Yet with a steady beat,
Have not our weary feet
Come to the place for which our fathers sighed?
We have come over a way that with tears has been watered,
We have come, treading our path through the blood of the slaughtered,
Out from the gloomy past,
'Til now we stand at last
Where the white gleam of our bright star is cast.

III
God of our weary years,
God of our silent tears,
Thou who has brought us thus far on the way;
Thou who has by Thy might
Led us into the light,
Keep us forever in the path, we pray.
Lest our feet stray from the places, our God, where we met Thee,
Lest, our hearts drunk with the wine of the world, we forget Thee;
Shadowed beneath Thy hand,
May we forever stand,
True to our God,
True to our native land.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

+ Next Sunday, November 16th there will be a Chili Cook Off. More participants are needed.During this time diners will view the documentary, Traces of the Trade. There will prizes for all entries and special prizes for first, second and third place. Bertha Smith is donating all prizes and she says they are “worthwhile.”

+You are reminded to give generously to UTO. It is one of the ways of saying thank you for all that God has done.

+Deacon Carolyn is participating in a seasonal effort in her community and asks for your help. If you have empty, plastic, gallon sized, water, tea or milk jugs to spare, please bring them to church next Sunday. She has 11 and thanks those who have given her these. She needs 37 more so keep them coming. See Deacon Carolyn for additional details.

+ A follow-up oral invitation was extended to the congregation by Olivia Washington to attend the ribbon cutting ceremony of her grand opening at Flint Ridge. The ceremony takes place this coming Saturday, at 12:00 noon in the Flint Ridge Centre. Olivia has made great strides in the Mary Kay cosmetic business.

+ Giving flowers for the altar is a wonderful way to honor, remember and celebrate special people and events in our lives. Please consider placing flowers on the altar for one Sunday this year. The sign up calendar is located on the bulletin board outside the Fellowship Hall.



FUNNIES FUNNIES FUNNIES FUNNIES

• There was a very gracious lady who was mailing an old family Bible to her brother in another part of the country. 'Is there anything breakable in here?' asked the postal clerk. 'Only the Ten Commandments.' answered the lady. ************


• A minister parked his car in a no-parking zone in a large city. He was short of time and couldn't find a space with a meter. Then he put a note under the windshield wiper that read: 'I have circled the block 10 times. If I don't park here, I'll miss my appointment Forgive us our trespasses.' When he returned, he found a citation from a police officer along with this note 'I've circled this block for 10 years. If I don't give you a ticket I'll lose my job. Lead us not into temptation.'

DON'T FORGET OUR VETERANS

Veteran's Day November 11th