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Blessed Virgin Mary with Child
Blessed Virgin Mary with Christ Child Icon by Paige Blair . See it being written here.
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Approaching the Feast of
St. Mary The Virgin
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ 
For the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name.His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation.He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts. (Luke 1: 49-51)

This Sunday's Readings 

 

Mary's Magnificat is a "shout out" for every person who yearns for freedom from poverty and the injustices of life. Mary's proclamation that God is doing great things is more than a hopeful plea. It is a declaration that evil and sin will not claim ultimate victory. God's salvation is greater than human selfishness. God's Reign is not governed by earthly motivations or principalities. God's love wins despite all contrary evidence.

 

We usually hear this reading around Christmas time, not in the middle of Summer. However, Thursday, Aug. 15 is The Feast Day of St. Mary on The Episcopal Church's calendar.  Orthodox

Youth In Sablino Russia
Russian Youth and teacher
Christians, such as our Russian guests venerate the "Dormition (falling asleep) of the Mother of God" on this date. It is a Great Feast of the Orthodox Church, preceded by a two-week long fast from dairy products and red meat.  It seems that the victorious theme of Mary's Magnificat carries over into the Orthodox liturgy commemorating her death. One of those prayers acknowledges that neither the tomb or death can keep her from her Son's salvation.   

 

children approaching altar There's a certain degree of serendipity happening as our MVERN guests are with us this week and we celebrate our final summer "children-focused" Sunday. Mary's High Holy day reminds us whether we are Russian or American, Orthodox or Anglican Christian, young or old, observant or seeker that God's continually calling us to new life. Mary's righteousness, fearlessness, humility, and faithful service provoke us to live similarly, especially when worldly powers and sinful desires get in the way. The Church's celebration of Mary's mortal and eternal lives remind us that everything we praise and glorify in Mary is a sign of what God through Jesus Christ's baptism and communion offers to all persons in the Church's life.

 

I hope you'll enjoy some Marian celebratory moments on both Thursday and Sunday with our guests, our children, and one another.  Mary was and is the mother of our Lord. Her life of grace and hope acts as a beacon to brighten our own efforts to seek out what we hold in common while celebrating important aspects of what unites rather than divides us in Christ's love.

 

Blessings Along The Way, Jim
Coming Up Soon @ St. James
St James of Jerusalem by The Rev. Tobias Haller
Thursday - August 15

6 PM - Russian Youth Visit and Parish Picnic
7:15"ish" - Evening Prayer with Special Music performed by Russian Youth

Sunday - August 18

9 AM - Adult Christian Education
10 AM - Sunday Worship with Children's Chapel
11:15 AM - Coffee Hour and Hospitality

Monday - August 19

6 PM - ASATE  Yoga

Wednesday - August 21

6 PM - N or M Supper

Thursday - August 22

5 PM - Community Supper

Taylor Academy School Supply Drive
Taylor Academy Thank you note
 
It's time to once again support the children and faculty of Ethel M. Taylor Academy in the Fairmount Neighborhood not far from us.

We're asking parishioners to go out and purchase supplies on their own and then bring them to church. You can contact Lisa Jacob for some ideas of what needs to be purchased and in what amounts.  You can also donate monies toward the cause that we will use to purchase a gift card from Staples. We will then give the card to the school's resource coordinator. Please bring cash to the office or make out a check to the church and place "Taylor Academy" in the memo line.

We need to collect all supplies and monies by September 1st. We will bless these offerings at the Sunday Morning Eucharist that day. We then will deliver the supplies and gift card to the school later that week. We'll need help delivering and distributing the supplies so please let  Gayle or Lisa know if you can help with that aspect of the project. Thanks!
Free Coupon
Receive your first beverage and a delicious meal Church Picnic FREE at tomorrow night's
Parish Picnic and Russian Youth Visit Celebration.

Offer Expires: August 15th - 7:00 PM

Chant - Russian Style

Russian Orthodox Chant Some of you may be familiar with Anglican or Gregorian forms of chant. You may or may not have listened to Byzantine or Russian Orthodox Chant music. This video provides five wonderful minutes of minutes to relax and pray with as Christians, East and West have done for centuries.