Almighty, most holy
Most high and supreme God,
All good,
Supreme good,
Totally good,
You Who alone are good.
May we give back to You
All praise
All glory,
All grace,
All honor,
All blessing,
And all good.
So be it.
So be it. AMEN

Living as Mentors
Today is the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi. One of our dearly loved saints, Francis is often remembered for his desire to see all creatures treated with dignity; hence the practice today of blessing the animals on his feast day.

Francis did indeed treat all creatures with dignity, but this was best illustrated in his empathy and identification with the poor and infirm. Francis treated lepers and kings with the same love – the love given him through his own identification with Christ.

Francis’ impact on the world is due largely to those who followed him. He left very few writings himself, other than the Office of the Passion, and a rule for his followers. Much of what is known about St. Francis came from those who drew near to God through his ministry, and who looked to Francis as a mentor and example of what it meant to be a Christian.

In this, Francis is an example to all of us. He lived the Gospel daily. His desire to follow as closely to the teachings of Christ as possible had great impact – indeed, he never set out to form a monastic order – he intended to be a hermit for God – but people came to him, followed him, and imitated him.

We are, as Christians, little Christs, imitators of Jesus. We all do this imperfectly. But as we strive to know more of Christ, we come closer to our goal of union with Him, and of being a better imitation of him. As we do this, we too have followers – perhaps we are not even aware of it. But be sure that there are those who watch to see how we live, and whether or not our lives reflect the gospel. We are mentors to those who come after us – our children, grandchildren, young Christians, and seekers on the path to Christ. Let us embrace that calling. Let us pay attention to the young people, the children, and the newcomers that cross our path, and take every opportunity to light the way in front of them through our love and example.

"Blessed is the servant who loves his brother as much when he is sick and useless as when he is well and an be of service to him. And blessed is he who loves his brother as well when he is afar off as when he is by his side, and who would say nothing behind his back he might not, in love, say before his face."
- St. Francis

Debra’s Midweek Meditation
"Shall we receive the good at the hand of God, and not receive the bad?"
In all this Job did not sin with his lips.
Job 2:10

This week has been filled with thoughts about innocence and suffering.
In my reading and in my meeting with people for prayer,
I have heard the desire that people have for meaning.
I believe that desire is inspired by the Spirit, but I also know how easy it is to assign wrong meaning to an event simply to put it away from my breaking heart.

The Book of Job is not easy to preach or to reflect upon. This fall I've had both experiences with this odd story in the midst of the Old Testament.

I WANT to make meaning of Job's suffering, but all I can really do is recognize the pain and the disbelief that he experiences.
I also recognize the impatience of the "well-meaning" friends and Job's despair at the end.
I am left, then, without understanding, but with recognition and connection.
This, I think, is where faith becomes an active expression.
I do not need to know why someone is suffering--I simply need to share their suffering with them.
All the why questions do not promote the spirit of Love between us, they simply divert our attention.

Life is full of suffering.
Life is full of mystery--
But life is also full of loving hands
stretched out to one another, and
arms to embrace one another.

Let us love one another.

Blessings,
Debra

Prayer before the Crucifix
Most high,
Glorious God,
Enlighten the darkness of my heart
And give me, Lord,
A correct faith,
A certain hope,
A perfect charity,
Sense and knowledge,
So that I may carry out Your holy and true command.
- St. Francis of Assisi

Daily Morning Prayer
http://www.episcopalchurchingarrettcounty.org/morning_prayer.htm

This week at St. James
Friday: 7-9 pm. Children’s Theatre with Silly Goose and Laura Green.
Saturday: 9:00 a.m. Regional Youth Council meeting
Sunday: Sister Pat from the Caroline Center is our guest preacher.; Youth Group to St. David’s after the 9:00 service.
Monday: 10:00 a.m. CS Lewis Book Study
Tuesday: 7:30 p.m. Vestry
Wednesday: 8:30 Healing Eucharist; 9:15 Bible Study; 9:15 Prayer Shawl ministry.

Coming Events: There will be no Book Study on Monday October 16th.
Frank and Sarah Terhune’s last Sunday will be October 15th.
The deadline for the Seafarer’s Cruise (tickets) is October 11th.

Prayers, Etc.
For those who are deployed and their families.
For the Amish community as they mourn.

Dot; Sue; Lori; Bill; Sarah; Joel
Toni; Anna; Philip; David; Brooke; Brian G.
Leib & Carlyn; Lovisah; Jeffrey; Miriam F.; Pat E.
Traskey family; Harold F.; Walter R.; Matthew D.; Sharon C.
Gage C.; Auds; Avery; Joan L. and family; Annabelle
Tom & Kathy H.; Linda T.; Allison; Louis; Matt S.
Don & Leslie D.; Nancy; Fiona; Brenda; Fritz
Valerie and her children; Prof; Sara R.
The Fowley family
Our seminarian, Laura Brecht and her husband, Lyle.

Almighty, eternal, just, and merciful God,
Grant us in our misery the grace
To do for you alone
What we know You want us to do,
And always
To desire what pleases you.
Thus,
Inwardly cleansed,
Interiorly enlightened,
And inflamed by the fire of the Holy Spirit,
May we be able to follow
In the footprints of your beloved Son,
Our lord Jesus Christ.
And,
By your grace alone,
May we make our way to you,
Most High,
Who live and rule
In perfect Trinity and simple Unity,
And are glorified
God all-powerful
Forever and ever.
AMEN
- St. Francis of Assisi.

In Closing:
Let us bless the Lord, the living and true God.
Let us always give back to God praise, glory, honor, blessing and every good.
Amen. Amen.
So be it. So be it.
- Office of the Passion (St. Francis)

Pax et Bonum,
Loree+

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