Celebrate Sundays in October With Us
We're worshipping online and not in-person this Sunday (10/4) as we do our part to keep people safe from COVID-19.
This Sunday, we have a special guest.
The Rev. Dr. Paul Nancarrow most recently served as Rector of Trinity Church in Staunton, Virginia, and before that was Rector of St George's Church in St Louis Park in ECMN. He is enjoying retirement with his wife Lee in Eden Prairie, and continues a ministry of theological and spiritual writing at paulsnancarrow.wordpress.com.
Email the webmaster for the online service link. It's a 9:30 AM Service. Saints Martha & Mary has a team approach. Each week you get to hear from a different voice, a different perspective, including that of the Rev. Tom Eklo, the Rev. Jennifer Walding, and the Rev. Tom Garrison. We believe different perspectives help our congreagation see the many ways Christ's word and works are alive in the world.
A few weeks ago we heard from the Rev. Kerri Meyer who helped found one of ECMN's newest ministries, Good Courage Farm, near Hutchinson, MN. Learn more about it in this wonderful video.
The signboard at Saints Martha and Mary Church features a quote from Archbishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa. With all the challenges we face in the world, he knows that sometimes it can feel a little daunting to do something about them. His advice: Do what you can. Start where you are.
Or as Paul says in Philippians 2, God "is at work in you, enabling you both to will and to work for his good pleasure." No, we cannot do everything, but neither must we refuse to do the something we can do, to paraphrase William Everett Hale of the Lend A Hand Society. So, do what you can. Start where you are. Love your neighbor with no exceptions, and ask God to help you do the rest.
Finally, a big thank you to all who helped with Saturday's outdoor clean-up of the grounds at Marth & Mary. Nearly 30 bags of brush, leaves and weeds cleared. May your life, not be like the seeds described in Luke which fell among the thorns, people who are choked with worries and bring no fruit to maturity. May your seed be in the good soil, helping you to hear the word in an honest and good heart, and hold it fast, allowing you to bear fruit with perseverance.
Special Notice: No In-Person Church Service October 4
Just a reminder that during this time of pandemic, Saints Martha & Mary is worshipping online for the most part.
The Rev. Paul Nancarrow will lead us in a service of Morning Prayer.
If you cannot join us, the Washington National Cathedral regularly offers an online service at 10:15 AM (Central Standard Time). Simply go to https://cathedral.org to watch it. Be the church where you are, and God's peace go with you this day and always.
As always, we want to hear your prayers concerns and special requests at www.mandm.org. And we have a Special Request of you for Prayer.
Our Bishop, The Right Rev. Craig Loya, is asking each of us to set aside intentional time every Tuesday noon between now and the election to pray for peace, for justice, and for love. This is, he says, a fractious time, with deep divisions. He asks us to remember we serve a God of hope and we must witness to the Way of Love. “While the gospel is never partisan—it does not endorse one candidate or party platform”—Bishop Loya says, “the gospel is always political, meaning it is always concerned with the way people are treated . . . This is not a time,” he says, “for us to be timid in announcing that Jesus is always present with those who are cast down and cast aside, that Jesus affirms and values the inherent worth and dignity of every human being. . .” Specifically, the Bishop asks the Minnesota Episcopalians will pray Noonday Prayer every Tuesday between now and election day to pray for our nation. You can use the form available here, or simply use your Book of Common Prayer wherever you are.
This health emergency will pass if we mask up, wash our hands frequently, stay home when we’re sick, and continue to pray both for those who come down with the virus and those medical personnel responding to the pandemic. Simply be kind to others. You can check the Episcopal Church in Minnesota website for more information on the church response. Here’s a helpful link to the MN Department of Health (that will lead you to other resources) of things we can all do to make a difference.
We close with these prayers:
We pray for all who are fearful of what comes next, whether in this pandemic, this election, or merely because of their creed or the color of their skin. Give us tenacious courage, Lord, to get up each day, to carry on, to embody kindness and witness to the power of your love. Bestow upon us the strength to bear what we must bear and do what we must do to accomplish your kingdom hear on earth.
Lord in your mercy:
Hear our Prayer
What We Stand For
The four pillars of Episcopal belief are Scripture, Reason, Tradition & Experience. We believe we are called to love everyone, with no exceptions. Our's is an ancient faith, but a modern one too.
Scripture
Each week we have readings from the Bible and we listen for the inspired Word of God. Sermons (homilies) are based on the weekly scripture readings, but because the Good Book was written by humans we draw on knowledge and reason to interpret the Bible’s meaning—and not literal interpretation of every word.
