Rev. Brian's sermon for 12-2-2018, the 1st Sunday of Advent. The usual recording of the service lost due to the recording PC having a memory problem.
The scripture for the day:
• 1st Reading: Jeremiah 33:14-16
• Psalm: Psalm 25
• 2nd Reading: 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13
• Gospel: Luke 21:25-36
The text may be found at The Lectionary Page website:

Happy Advent!  Here is the news of the week from St. Mark's Chapel:
 

• Your generosity for the ADOPT-A-FAMILY giving trees has been overwhelming. Boxes and bags of presents have arrived in the office.  Joan Doiron and Kathy Pepin hope you can bring your gifts this Sunday.  The Town has asked that all gifts be returned by December 10 but the committee is working to get them delivered earlier.  Delivering small batches rather than several at once makes things much easier.  
• And there is one tag left on the tree--a request for movie passes.  Any gift cards to Shop and Stop, Big Y, Blaze Pizza, Subway are also so very appreciated.  
• And speaking of this Sunday:  it will be busy!  The Stewardship Celebration in Goodwin Hall will feature quiches, fruit and other treats.  Advent Wreathes will be made in the Sunday School classrooms.  The children will make enough for families to take one home.  They will be available at the brunch.  And Pageant Casting will also happen during Sunday School time.  And finally Charlie Houmard will be working with the children who are singing at the Holiday Organ and Brass Concert of December 14.  
• UConn A cappella groups, the UConn Brass Ensemble and the children of St. Mark's will present an exciting concert of carols and readings on Friday, December 14.  There will be candlelit Christmas readings from Dickens, William Wordsworth, ee cummings, Louisa May Alcott and Dr. Seuss.  It will be magical.  Suggested donation of $20 helps support the organ maintenance fund.
• The concert will be followed by a festive reception with punch, cocoa, cookies and all manner of holiday treats.  Kathy Pepin is chairing the reception and is looking for volunteers to help set up, decorate,  and then finally clean up.  Donations of cookies or punch fixings are also appreciated. Please reach out to Kathy if you can help.
• The church is beautifully decorated at Christmas with poinsettias, greens and lights in celebration of the Nativity of our Lord. Donations to these decorations may be made in memory of departed loved ones or in Thanksgiving for special persons or events in your life.  Please look for the green form in your bulletin this Sunday.
• Homosexuality and the Bible--what does scripture really say?  How does this inform what we believe?  Rev. Brian will lead a discussion on Wednesday, December 12 at 7pm.  
• WAIM Work Day is Saturday, December 8 from 9-12 in Willimantic.  Volunteers sort clothes, kitchen items and other donated goods to help local families.  Please speak with Rev. Brian for more information--he is on the Board of WAIM and encourages young and old alike to participate.
• Another celebration to look forward to:  ECCT (The Episcopal Church in Connecticut) is planning a Golden Wedding Anniversary Celebration for couples married 50 years or more.  The date is Sunday, May 19, 2019 at 3pm at  Christ Church Cathedral in Hartford.  They also plan to recognize those same sex couples who have been together for 50 years and are now married.  Please let the office know if you wish to receive an invitation.  
  

St. Mark’s Chapel audio for the Nov. 25, 2018, 10 am Family Service for the Feast of Christ The King

• Welcoming remarks and highlighting of announcements by Rev. Brian Blayer
• 1st Reading: Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14 (Lucas Anderson)
• Psalm: Psalm 93 (Laura Day)
• 2nd Reading:  Revelation 1:4b-8 (Laura Day)
• Gospel:  John 18:33-37 (Rev. Brian Blayer)
• Sermon (Rev. Brian Blayer)​

St. Mark’s Chapel audio for Nov. 18, 2018, the 26th Sunday after Pentecost:

• Welcoming remarks and highlighting of announcements by Rev. Brian Blayer
• 1st Reading: Daniel 12:1-3 (Anne Flemming)
  
• 2nd Reading:  Hebrews 10:11-14, (15-18), 19-25 (Anne Flemming)
  
• Gospel:  Mark 13:1-8 (Rev. Brian Blayer)
  
• Sermon (Rev. Brian Blayer)

Dear Friends:

Snow is the news of the week—much too early!

• And the snow is a reminder that the WAIM Walk for Warmth is this Sunday at 1:30 PM, starting at St. Joseph Church in Willimantic.  Please walk to help our neighbors keep their homes warm this winter.
• Also this Sunday is the annual Fire Drill, scheduled for about 10:15.  Please review the cards in your pew for directions on how to evacuate the building.  This is an important safety reminder for all.
• Have you returned your 2019 Pledge Card?  The Vestry is working on the budget for next year and hopes to hear from everyone promptly.  
• Celebration Sunday with a festive brunch will be on December 2 following the 10am service.  More details to come. 
• Plans are well underway for the next recital in the Brombaugh Organ Rededication Concert Series.  Friday, December 14 at 7pm—readings and carols featuring St. Mark's Organist, Charlie Houmard with Louis Hanzlik on trumpet.  Special guests include UConn's Brass Ensemble and two UConn A cappella groups--Extreme Measures and Chordials.  A festive holiday reception will follow.  Invite a friend.
• WAIM Work Day is scheduled for Saturday, December 8 from 9am-12noon.  This is a perfect family activity to boost others' holiday spirits.  Please speak with Rev. Brian for more information.
• And speaking of making holidays merry and bright--it is Adopt-a-Family time again.  Outreach committee members, Joan Doiron and Kathy Pepin, working with Town of Mansfield Social Services have put together a gift tree for three local families- Please take a tag or two, sign the sheet saying which tags you took and then wrap and return gifts to the office no later than December 10th. 
• Last Sunday Offering for November, collected next week, will go to Episcopal Relief and Development which provides aid world wide in health care, small business development, and relief for areas impacted by natural disasters.  ERD has received a matching grant that will double all donations to ERD during the holidays.  Please be generous. 
• Vestry News:  The Vestry is setting up two new committees—​Lion's Lift to provide rides to church for those unable to drive and a Fellowship Committee to plan parties and social events.  Interested?  Fill out and return the slip in your Sunday bulletin or speak with Rev. Brian.  
• The Advent Wreath Workshop  will be on Sunday, December 2 following the 10am.  Candles and forms will be provided.  Please bring greens, scissors and gloves.  If you still have a wreath form in your holiday box, please bring it in.  

Best wishes, Linda

St. Mark’s Chapel audio for Nov. 11, 2018, the 25th Sunday after Pentecost

Welcoming remarks and highlighting of announcements by Rev. Brian Blayer
1st Reading: Wisdom of Solomon 3:1-9 (Jim Morrow)
2nd Reading:  Revelation 21:1-6a  (Jim Morrow)
Gospel:  John 11:32-44 (Rev. Brian Blayer)
Sermon (Rev. Brian Blayer)

Here is the news of the week.  The calendar is filling up very quickly!

Abide in Love!  Have you returned your Pledge Card?  The Annual Stewardship Drive continues. This year’s stewardship committee members are Paul Belval, Bill Morgan and Steve Paasch and they will be happy to answer any questions you may have.  The Vestry is preparing the 2019 budget and hopes that your pledge card will be returned promptly.  If you did not receive a stewardship packet or yours has gone walkabout, there are extras in the narthex or lower hallway.  The office will also be happy to mail a packet to you. And please look for details to come about the Stewardship Celebration!

Dates to Note:

11/11-This Sunday,  5-8PM:   Spaghetti Dinner to raise funds for Holy Family Shelter.  Tickets at the door are $5 and there will be a raffle.  All welcome.  

From today to 11/13:  UConn Community Outreach Food Drive--help fill the shelves at local food pantries.  Donation box by the back door.

From today to 11/15:  UConn Paper Towel Drive to benefit the No Freeze Shelter.  Donation box outside the office door.

11/14  7PM:  Sex and the Bible Discussion Group here at St. Mark's

11/17  10-11AM:  A conversation about CLICC --  a presentation and information session about CLICC (Connecting through Literacy: Incarcerated Parents, their Children and Caregivers).   If you wish to share your love of reading with children needing extra support, this is a great program to learn about.

11/18  10:15 AM - Annual Fire Drill.  Many thanks to Fred Day-Lewis and Steve Paasch to coordinating this important safety check.

11/18  1PM -Walk for Warmth--WAIM's annual fundraiser to raise funds to help people keep the lights on and their homes warm.  

12/2:  Advent Wreath Making --Following the 10am service on Sunday, December 2, Goodwin Hall will be transformed into an Advent Wreath workshop.  Forms and candles will be provided.  Please bring scissors, gloves and greens to make a wreath to take home.  And if you can find last year’s wreath form, please return it for use this year. 

12/8:   Semi-annual Work Day at WAIM.  Go to WAIM from 9:00am-12 noon to help sort donated clothes and kitchen items.  Families and children are welcome to participate.  WAIM is located at 866 Main Street in Willimantic.  For more information, please speak with Rev. Brian.

Did you know there is a monthly Regional Newsletter for the North East Region of ECCT?
Maggie Breen, the North East Regional Missionary has a newsletter that describes happenings at the churches of the region and interesting events throughout ECCT. More information can be found at: https://www.episcopalct.org/t3/northeast-region/region-news/  Check it out!

And finally--many, many thanks to Gloria Sykes who cleaned up the back patio and put the gardens to bed for the winter.  The gardens will look lovely come spring--if the deer leave the hostas alone. And she even found buried in the garden a St. Mark's key and chain from many, many years ago. 
​
Best wishes, Linda

St. Mark’s Chapel audio for Nov. 4, 2018 All Saints' Sunday. I recorded these at the 8 am service.
Welcoming remarks and highlighting of announcements by Rev. Brian Blayer
1st Reading: Wisdom of Solomon 3:1-9 (Jim Morrow)
2nd Reading:  Revelation 21:1-6a  (Jim Morrow)
Gospel:  John 11:32-44 (Rev. Brian Blayer)
Sermon (Rev. Brian Blayer)

Dear Friends:

From All Hallows to All Saints', here is the news of the week.  Hope your ghosts, goblins, witches, press people, and beasties that go bump in the night, had a great time as little beggars.

• UConn Community Outreach is having a food drive from now until November 13--let's fill a box with canned goods in support of the students. The decorated box  is right inside the back door.  Food will distributed to local food pantries. An extra can of soup, box of rice, bag of beans  will fill the box quickly and can mean so much to people struggling to feed their families.
• November 7 is the date of the next Creative Writing Workshop--poetry, short stories, memoir--spiritual topics to explore the soul.  7-8pm.
• Sex and the Bible: scripture considers human sexuality quite a bit and our society’s values and ideas have been shaped through these stories and figures.  Join us for an exploration of the Bible’s tales, people, rules and regulations regarding human sexuality on November 14 from 7-9 pm. Refreshments served.
• The Walk for Warmth needs you!  The date is Sunday, November 18  Sign up and walk to support those who need extra help keeping their homes warm this winter.  The sign up sheet is on the bulletin board near the kitchen. The Walk starts at 2:15 from St. Joseph's Church in Willimantic.  Registration and activities start at 1pm. 
• And walkers need energy and refreshment!  Please see the list on the link and sign up to bring something.  They are expecting about 300 walkers.  https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080F4AA4AE2FA4F58-26th
• UConn Communications Class Spaghetti Dinner:  On Sunday, November 11, a UConn Communications class is hosting a spaghetti dinner here at St. Mark’s as a benefit for the Holy Family Shelter in Willimantic which serves those families whose circumstances have presented housing and employment challenges.  Dinner will be served from 5-8pm and the students hope St. Mark’s families will come to the feast. 
• Temple Bnai Israel is holding a service of healing for the soul and the world and solidarity this Friday evening at 7:30pm. Everyone is welcome.
• You are invited to Celtic Christian Worship--the Feast of All Hallows-All Souls-around the ring fire in the garden  at St. Paul's Windham Center this Saturday afternoon at 4pm.  Bring a lawn chair, lap blanket, brown bag picnic, instruments and your voice. 
• Campus Communion and Dinner happen again this Sunday at 5.  Everyone is welcome.
• And remember, it is time to fall back this Saturday.  Avoid the horror of arriving early for church.

Best wishes, Linda
​

There was no sermon recording because the Sunday School students made a presentation that was done without mics.

Dear Friends:

Here is the news of the week:

• You are invited to return the tear off on the All Saints’ Day letter sent by Rev. Brian so that loved ones and friends who have died may be remembered in the church’s celebration of the communion of saints.  You may also call the office to give a list of those you wish remembered. All Saints' Day is Sunday, November 4.
  You can also download and print a PDF version of the form from the link at the end of this posting
• Your pledge packet for Stewardship will be available for pick up on Sunday.  Please ask the usher for your packet.  Returning your pledge card promptly aids the vestry as they begin the process of creating a new budget for 2019.  Thank you for  investing in  your spiritual journey and in St. Mark's. 
• Last Sunday Offering for October, collected this Sunday, goes to WAIM's Walk for Warmth.  Loose money and designated checks in the offering will go to the Walk.  St. Mark’s hopes to win the Golden Shoe Award again this year as the faith community that raises the most money. Thank you for your generosity.  
• On November 17, there will be a presentation and information session about CLICC (Connecting through Literacy: Incarcerated Parents, their Children and Caregivers).  CLICC uses reading, fun literacy activities and mentoring to increase communication and strengthen relationships between incarcerated parents and their children. CLICC works pre- and post-release with parents in 6 CT state prisons and with their children all across Connecticut.  CLICC needs volunteers to mentor children (5-17) with incarcerated parents who live in northeastern Connecticut. You would meet one to one with a child for one hour, once a week, at a library or other community location. A one-year commitment and completion of the CLICC training program is required.  The information session is from 10-11am at St. Mark's.
• NEWS from WAIM:   The Walk for Warmth is on Sunday November 18.  Join the St. Mark's team as we walk to raise funds to help neighbors who struggle with utility bills in the winter months.  A signup sheet is on the bulletin board by the kitchen door.  And if you have a student needing community service hours, this is a great opportunity.
  WAIM Work Day:   St. Mark's Day at WAIM is December 8 from 9-12.  Join the group that helps with the assigned task of the day!  Perfect way for kids to learn about giving back. And if you have a student needing community service hours, this is an  ideal situation for them.  
• Time Notices:   The Fire Drill has been rescheduled to November 18 at the 10am service.   And Daylight Savings Time ends on November 4.  Do remember to fall back!

Best wishes, Linda

St. Mark’s Chapel audio for Oct. 14, 2018 10 am Sunday Service.
Welcoming remarks and highlighting of announcements by Rev. Brian Blayer
1st Reading: Amos 5:6-7,10-15 (Bruce Steinway)
2nd Reading:  Hebrews 4:12-16 (Bruce Steinway)
Gospel:  Mark 10:17-31 (Rev. Brian Blayer)
Sermon (Rev. Brian Blayer)

St. Mark’s Chapel audio for Oct. 7, 2018 10 am Sunday Service. 
The sermon was an interactive exercise led by Maggie Breen, our regional missionary. Parishioners in small groups examined and discussed the Letter to the Hebrews.

Welcoming remarks and highlighting of announcements by Rev. Brian Blayer

1st Reading: Genesis 2:18-24 (Mark Healey)

2nd Reading:  Hebrews 1:1-4; 2:5-12 (Mark Healey)

Gospel:  Mark 10:2-16 (Rev. Brian Blayer)

Interactive Reflection on the Hebrews reading (Maggie Breen, Regional Missionary)