Thoughts from Lori +
I enjoyed writing about Constance and Her Companions, Martyrs of Memphis, last week (see The ePistle for September 10, 2014). For many years, I presided at a mid-week Eucharist and would give a short, informal homily on one of the saints commemorated that week. I’ve missed that practice of reading about and reflecting on the lives of the saints. So I’m going to use this forum, The ePistle, to take up that practice again. There will be exceptions, of course, but this – saints – are what you can expect for a while.
There are many sources of information on the saints, of course, including but not limited to Holy Women/Holy Men, which will be my main source. It also offers a collect (prayer) and scriptures for each saint, as well as a brief biographical description.
Today, September 17th, is the Feast of Hildegard (1179), commonly known as Hildegard of Bingen, born in what we now call Germany. She was the tenth child and so “tithed” to the church and raised by an anchoress near a Benedictine monastery. From childhood, Hildegard had dazzling spiritual visions. At the age of 41, a voice commanded her to make her visions public, which she did. She illustrated them with vivid illuminations which were full of feminine imagery for God.
She was known not only as a mystic, but also as a poet, composer, dramatist, doctor, and scientist. Her work included the founding of at least three convents, four major preaching missions, and numerous publications on science and ecclesiastical politics – all in a world dominated by men. She was sought after for counsel by king and queens, abbots and abbesses, archbishops, and even popes.
It’s almost exhausting to contemplate that much activity, devotion, and productivity! She must have been a woman of intense passions and unshakable confidence. In those exercises in which one is asked to name people from history with whom you’d like to have dinner, Hildegard is one of my choices. She died at the age of 81, having left a timeless legacy for the Church and the world. Altogether an amazing woman for the ages! Here is the prayer for her feast day:
God of all times and seasons: Give us grace that we, after the example of your servant Hildegard, may both know and make known the joy and jubilation of being part of your creation, and show forth your glory not only with our lips but in our lives; through Jesus Christ our Savior, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
May you be blessed and inspired as you reflect on her life.
Faithfully,
Lori +
Serving our Veterans
Let’s continue our food collection! TLS, our partners at Betts’ Place, have asked for our help. They sponsor a food truck from the Illinois Food Pantry once a month, and also keep a small food closet at their McHenry location. This local food closet needs to restock. The items most needed are listed below. Knowing of your generosity and your support of this good work, I agreed that we could help. Please pick up some of these items when you shop this week. Bring them to church on Sunday and we’ll deliver them. Thanks so much.
ITEMS NEEDED: Mac and cheese (boxed), Rice-a-Roni, Spaghetti, Stuffing (boxed), Pasta, Toilet paper, Instant potatoes, Cake mixes, Peanut butter, Instant coffee, Jelly, 1 lb. pkg white rice, Tuna fish, Pancake mix
Upcoming Community Events!
Friends of the Poor Walk September 27th
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul is reaching out to those who cannot help themselves by hosting a 5k walk/run starting at Veterans’ Memorial Park. Interested? For walk information contact Chuck Cebuhar at ccebuhar@aol.com or (708) 533-9897. A flyer is posted in the narthex.
Annual Rummage Sale
First United Methodist Church, McHenry October 2nd-4th
1st UMC McHenry is hosting their annual rummage sale October 2-4. Proceeds will be donated to mission work. There is a flyer with details posted in the narthex. Questions? Call their church office at 815-385-0931.
St. Ann’s Lobsterfest October 18th
St. Ann’s Episcopal Church in Woodstock is hosting their annual Lobsterfest! Portions of the proceeds will benefit Woodstock area ministries. The order deadline is October 13, and cards are available in the narthex to fill out. You may call 815-338-0950 or order online at www.lobsterchurch.org.
Lessons and Hymns Sunday, September 21st
(Pentecost XV – Proper 20 A)
THE SCRIPTURE LESSONS:
The First Reading: The Track I readings are Exodus 17:1-7 and Psalm 78:1-4,12-16-25; the Track II readings are Ezekiel 18:1-4,25-32 and Psalm 25: 1-8. Exodus has the people of Israel complaining of thirst so that Moses beseeches God for help which is provided at the rock of Horeb. Ezekiel says some people think God is unfair and calls for them to have a “new heart and a new spirit. The Track I Psalm mentions the rock of Horeb where the “waters gushed our like rivers,” and the Track II Psalm asks the Lord to “remember not the sins of my youth.”
The Epistle: Philippians 2:1-13. Here, St. Paul defines the actions of the crucifixion and the need to believe and confess that Jesus is Lord.”
The Gospel: Matthew 21:23-32. Jesus is challenged by the chief priests and elders of the temple as to His authority and asks them a question regarding the baptism of John.
THE HYMNS:
PROCESSIONAL HYMN: No. 411, “O Bless the Lord My Soul.” This hymn was written by James Montgomery and is based upon Psalm 103. The text has been in our hymnals since 1826 without any alterations over the years. The tune “St. Thomas” was composed by Aaron Williams and is used in its abbreviated form for this hymn. The words call forth our faith in the deepest sense, “bless the Lord my soul.”
THE SEQUENCE HYMN: No. 631. “Book of Books, Our People’s Strength.” Percy Dearmer has stated that this hymn was written to express modern appreciation of the Bible. It was first published in “Songs of Praise” (1925) where it was set to this same tune ‘Liebstger Jesu.’ The tune was composed by Johann Rudolph Ahle for an Advent Hymnbook and later harmonized by George Herbert Palmer. This hymn that recalls the biblical stories and process of translations befits the preparation for hearing the Holy Gospel.
PRESENTATION HYMN: No. 586. “Jesus, Thou Divine Companion.” The substance of this hymn dates back to 1898 when Henry Van Dyke (1852-1933) wrote a narrative poem with Jesus addressing a penitent Felix. In rewriting the lines to be a hymn, Van Dyke changed them from the first to the second person, so that they address Christ himself, and he added an opening and a concluding salutation. He named it a “Hymn of Labor.” The tune, “Pleading Savior,” is a melody from Joshua Leavitt’s “Christian Lyre, 1830.” Van Dyke sees labor as a spiritual blessing, “Every task, however simple, sets the soul that does it free.”
COMMUNION HYMN: No. 660. “O Master Let Me Walk With Thee.” This very romantic hymn calls for a personal relationship with Jesus and is written by a Congregational minister named Washington Gladden who died July 2, 1918. The words reflect our inner cry to follow Jesus as God’s servant and accept his healing love-certainly appropriate for approaching God’s altar for Holy Communion. The tune, “Maryton,” was composed by Henry Percy Smith and was chosen by the composer Gladden for this hymn.
RECESSIONAL HYMN: No. 594. “God of Grace and God of Glory.” Harry Emerson Fosdick wrote this hymn in 1930 for the dedication of the Riverside Church in New York City. It was first sung at the opening service, October 5, 1930, and at the dedication on February 8, 1931. The tune, ‘Cum Rhondda’ was composed by John Hughes. The hymn is a great one as we depart worship by asking God to “Grant us wisdom, grant us courage, serving thee whom we adore.”
September 21st Servants
Ushers: Donald Jaworski, Rick Carlstedt Lector: Judy Robel Intercessor: Terry Jaworski Eucharistic Ministers: Pam Dietmeyer, Deb Lang Vestry Person of the Day: Pam DietmeyerPlease see the updated schedule in the Narthex.
101 Reasons to be an Episcopalian
Reason 4
“We have a faith not afraid to reason and reason not ashamed to adore.”
The Rev. W. Lee Shaw, Diocese of Utah
From the cartoons created by the Rev. William P. McLemore
1965 – 2014
