Showing posts with label rectory repairs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label rectory repairs. Show all posts

July 26, 2009

Infinite Possibilities






















Here’s a math fact: “One can fit an infinite number of numbers between any two rational numbers.
This is because you can always cram in another number between any two in the set.”

For example: Between the numbers 1 and 2 may be 1 ½ , 1 1/8 etc.

After a day of teaching multitudes, Jesus tests Philip by asking , “Where can we find bread for all of these people?”

Philip, being a finite person exclaims, “ Six months wages would not buy enough food for all of these people.”

Andrew tells Jesus, “There is a boy here with five loaves of bread and two fish.”

After Jesus had takes the bread and fish and gives thanks , he distributes the food to the people. All were fed and satisfied and there was enough food left over for 12 baskets.

It is unknown to us as to how this could happen. Jesus the Omnipotent can accomplish all. This is an example of the infinite being found in the finite.

Feasting is not just about the food. It is the time we spend together enjoying each other’s company developing and maintaining relationships. God is our sustenance during difficult times. He encourages us to look at difficult situations with possibilities.

The eternal can cram itself into one tiny moment. Each person’s time on earth is finite and yet each life is full of possibility.

Each moment of every day is filled with the infinite love and life of God made possible through Jesus our Christ.

SCRIPTURES

2 Kings 4:42-44

Psalm 145: 10-19
Ephesians 3:14-21
John 6:1-21



OFFERTORY
Guest soloist, Valencia Reese sung “The Tribute” during the Offertory
















ANNOUNCEMENTS

+The renovation of the rectory is almost complete. The rotten fascia board and soffits have been replaced and a primer has been put on them.
The leak in the roof has been repaired. Two ceilings inside the house have been replaced. Our next step is to get a volunteer paint crew to paint the fascia and soffits all around the house. Cecil Washington will organize with the men to arrange a time to complete the painting. Contact Cecil if you can lend a hand. We give thanks to our anonymous donor for the generous repair work.




+The National Alliance to End Homelessness has granted a consumer scholarship to Titus Battle. Titus will attend the 2009 National Conference on Ending Homelessness. The scholarship covers roundtrip transportation to Washington D.C. along with a stipend for conference related expenses. Hotel accommodations as well as conference registration are included in the scholarship. Titus will depart July 28, 2009 for this four day conference. As a long time advocate for the homeless and helpless Titus will have the opportunity to speak with government officials and their associates about the crisis of homelessness and how to combat it. We pray that Titus will have a safe and successful trip.
+Bishop Parsley has written a letter to the diocese In it, he reports about some of the resolutions passed at General Convention.




If you have any questions or concerns be sure to attend the covered dish luncheon at the church on August 2nd. Marc Smith will report on General Convention and Rev. Scott-Wingo will lead us in some discussion. A sign up sheet for the pot luck lunch has been placed on the bulletin board in the hall or you may contact Cassandra Joseph.
+Jalete Nelms Beyond the Pews story this month features Nikara Washington. Get to know your fellow parishioners up close and personal. Nikara's story is on the bulletin board in the hall.
+ Adoption Request- Rev. Scott-Wingo was
notified by an adoption agency this week that they have several African American babies they are looking to place with married couples. If you know of any couples who are considering adoption, put them in touch with Rev. Scott-Wingo







+ St. Mark’s Men and Boys- Anthony Joseph has volunteered to plan some fun activities this year for the men and boys of our parish. Rev. Scott-Wingo is asking all the men and boys of the parish to support this ministry with their participation. Feel free to contact Anthony if you want to help with the planning.

+ The clergy and vestry strives to build Christian relationships among its members. Fellowship after church has been reinstated. The month of July was hosted by vestry member, Ellarene Stroud.













Parishioners chat and chew
after morning service
+Bible Study Tuesdays at noon.
VISITORS
Mrs. Mamie Hymes and her grandneice Ms. Valencia Reese













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Mr.DeLeon Fancher and his grandson Jamari Fancher



Jokes You Can Tell At Church

An elderly woman died last month. Having never married , she requested no male pallbearers. In her handwritten instructions for her memorial service, she wrote, 'They wouldn't take me out while I was alive, I don't want them to take me out when I'm dead.'
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A police recruit was asked during the exam, 'What would you do if you had to arrest your own mother?' He answered, 'Call for backup.'
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A Sunday School teacher asked her class why Joseph and Mary took Jesus with them to Jerusalem .. A small child replied, 'They couldn't get a baby-sitter.'
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June 7, 2009

First Sunday After Pentecost

St. Mark's kicked off it's Vacation Bible School with Summerfest on Sunday. Services were held outside beneath the pines. Morning service was followed by a cookout with fellowship, music and games. Below are a few pictures from the service and the cookout.



Scriptures
John 3:1-17
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Brothers, Christian and Royce Files provided music during the Offertory and Eucharist.
St. Mark's has been blessed with the music of these talented musicians on a previous occasion. We are always inspired by their music. These gifted young men are the grandsons of Heager and Nettie Hill.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
+Vacation Bible School starts tomorrow June 8th, 9th, and 10th, 4:00-6:00 p.m.-
On Wednesday at 5:30pm we are inviting everyone to see what our kids have done in Bible School. We will be having a presentation of our Bible stories in broadcast news style. The children will have rehearsed and I know they would want you to be there. Looking forward with anticipation of an insightful experience and great time. Thank you Jalete for making it all happen! Rev. Sara-Scott
+Honoring our graduates Sunday, June 14th- Be sure to attend church on June 14th when we will honor our high school graduates and give our collegiate leaders a chance to offer some encouragement. St. Mark’s is home to some very fine young people. Let’s all be here to honor them.
Graduates include:
Elgin Duckery-Hoover High School









Lucas Noel- Montevallo University
Aisha Stroud- Auburn University
Cicely Washington-University of Alabama at Huntsville
+Wonderful, wonderful !Camp McDowell- will be having sessions for children all summer. Scholarships are available. Children from all denominations are welcomed and the camp is always happy to place friends in a cabin together. Applications are in my office and a schedule is on the bulletin board. Scholarships are available. Send your children to camp. You will be glad you did. Rev. Sara Scott-Wingo
+ Bible Study -TUESDAY noon. We are studying the Gospel of Luke and we welcome all to join us. Come and bring a friend.
+A Note from Rev. Sara Scott- I like being able to send you such good news! An anonymous donor has offered to patch the roof on the rectory and replace the fascia boards and soffits that have rotted. We will be responsible for painting the new wood. The donor's work should be completed by early summer, and we should be able to organize a work party soon after that to finish it off. As we move toward getting the rectory back in good shape, please pray about the ways in which God might have us use this space. I believe it will be a wonderful resource for outreach ministries and that it will be a good space for Christian Education on Sundays. In addition, let us all give thanks to God for this wonderful gift. Peace to all.

+Summer Music- The summer is rapidly approaching and the choir will take a well deserved break for about 12 weeks. How special is their sharing of gifts of music and song. We are now looking for you to share your musical talents, either singing and /or playing an instrument, solo, duet, or trio, with St. Mark’s during the summer months. Contact Sundra Smith to reserve your date.
+Prayer Requests- If you would like the congregation to pray for a specific request for you or your family, please place your prayer request in the box on the back table in the sanctuary. If you would like prayer but not have the details published in the bulletin, then make a note that your prayer request is “unspoken.”
JUNE BIRTHDAYS
Rev. Sara-Scott (left), offers a prayer for those celebrating June birthdays.
Heager Hill (2nd. rt.), Jalete Nelms(3rd rt.) and twins Diane and Deborah Nelms (holding their Mom's hand)
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May 24, 2009

Seventh Sunday Easter




SCRIPTURES



John 5:9-13


ANNOUNCEMENTS
+ I like being able to send you such good news! An anonymous donor has offered to patch the roof on the rectory and replace the facia boards and soffets that have rotted. We will be responsible for painting the new wood. The donor's work should be completed by early summer, and we should be able to organize a work party soon after that to finish it off. As we move toward getting the rectory back in good shape, please pray about the ways in which God might have us use this space. I believe it will be a wonderful resource for outreach ministries and that it will be good space for Christian Education on Sundays. In addition, let us all give thanks to God for this wonderful gift. Peace to all. -Sara-Scott

+Congratulations to Anthony Joseph for being named one of the state's top attorneys in white collar criminal defense by "Alabama Super Lawyers " magazine.


+Below are the final Sunday School lessons before we break for the summer. Since most of you will be out of town for the next few weeks, I feel it would be best if we cancel these sessions, and pick up again in the Fall. Please let me know if you have any concerns about this. I have enjoyed this year of study and thank God for you! Have a blessed and wonderful summer, Joyce







+Vacation Bible School-Bible Challenge/Broadcasting the Stories of Moses June 8th,9th, and 10th, 4:00-6:00p.m.-Ages 3-13 (Younger children may come accompanied by an adult and we want our youth to participate by helping us to run the program). Expect this to be a fun filled celebration of three Moses stories: The Crossing of the Red Sea, Bread from Heaven, and Receiving the Ten Commandments . On the last day we will make a presentation of what has been learned broadcast news style. What we need- bring your children and their friends, volunteer to help, and let us know who’s coming.

Have you taken a moment of time out to invite a family member or friend to St. Marks Youth Bible Challenge 2009 : Operation Broadcast News? Have you followed up on your commitment for the event? Please update or RSVP to Jalete Nelms or Reverend Sara-Scott Wingo, so we're able to plan for each person and welcome guests on June 8! Your action will contribute to the success of our event so please respond today. Jalete Nelms


+Children and Youth Answer Your E-Mail- An e-mail has gone out either to you or your parents that we hope you will answer. We want to plan some activities for all age groups this summer that will provide us a way to have fun and fellowship together. We want your suggestions. Please make sure your parents show you the e-mail and then tell us what you want!


+On June 14th we will honor our high school graduates. Our college students as well as those already in the work force will have an opportunity to offer encouragement and advice to those who will enter an institute of higher learning or life’s work force. Be here to help honor them.



+Camp McDowell- will be having sessions for children all summer. Children will be greatly enriched having the opportunity to become more deeply rooted in the fellowship and traditions of the Episcopal Church. Scholarships are available. If your child is hesitant because they don’t know anyone, they can get a friend to come with them. Children from all denominations are welcomed and the camp is always happy to place friends in a cabin together. Applications are in the rector’s office and a schedule is on the bulletin board. Rev. Sara-Scott Wingo


+Summer Music- The summer is rapidly approaching and the choir will take a well deserved break for about two weeks. How special is their sharing of gifts of music and song. We are now looking for you to share your musical talents, either singing and /or playing an instrument, solo, duet, or trio, with St. Mark’s during the summer months. Contact Sundra Smith

+St. Mark's Bible Study is held every TUESDAY at 12 noon at the church




+Marc Smith has been elected to the General Convention for a fourth time. The General Convention is held for ten days with workdays lasting from early morning until late evening. Prepreparation is also necessary before attending. Let us pray for Marc has he begins this awesome task with the General Convention.


+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




"Memorial Day is a United States federal holiday observed on the last Monday of May (May 25 in 2009). Formerly known as Decoration Day, it commemorates U.S. men and women who died while in the military service. First enacted to honor Union soldiers of the American Civil War (it is celebrated near the day of reunification after the civil war), it was expanded after World War I to include American casualties of any war or military action.

According to Professor David Blight of the Yale University History Department, the first memorial day was observed in 1865 by liberated slaves at the historic Washington Race Course (today the location of Hampton Park) in Charleston. The site was a former Confederate prison camp as well as a mass grave for Union soldiers who died in captivity. The freed slaves disinterred the dead Union soldiers from the mass grave to be inhumed properly reposed with individual graves, built a fence around the graveyard with an entry arch, declaring it a Union graveyard. A daring action for freed slaves to take in the South just shortly after the Union's victory. On May 30, 1868, the freed slaves returned to the graveyard with flowers they had picked from the countryside and decorated the individual gravesites, thereby creating the first Decoration Day. Thousands of freed blacks and Union soldiers paraded from the area, followed by much patriotic singing and a picnic." From Wikipedia


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