Blessed Lord, who caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning: Grant us so to hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which you have given us in our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
This is our Collect of the Day for Sunday. I heard it often during my seminary education as the opening prayer for various classes.
All holy Scripture is written for our learning! And most of us know we’re never really done learning from Scripture.
We ask God to grant us wisdom in learning for scripture. Then certain behaviors are listed. We hear Scripture each week during our various services. In hearing the scripture, we have a chance to experience it anew.
And there are many resources that help us to read Scripture regularly. There are the Forward Day By Day booklets available to you in the parish hall. Each day, the daily readings are listed. You’ll find the Daily readings listed in the Book of Common Prayer. Look at the Daily Office Lectionary beginning on page 934. Over two years, you will have read the Bible. The Bible Challenge takes you through the Bible in a year with a meditation for each day and a prayer.
Now, it took me some time to actually “mark” in my Bible. The pages seemed so sacred to me that I didn’t want to mark them up. But it’s important to mark up our Bibles with our favorite passages and various notes. It’s interesting to go back and look at our markings.
Then we plead with God to “inwardly digest” the Scripture. Yes, we can do all of that work of study, but then the learnings must be seared in our hearts and direct our ministry and the way we live our lives.
My prayer is that we all may deepen our learning from Scripture!
Blessings as you finish your week!
Love, Rebecca+
News & Notes
Rebecca’s Schedule: Rebecca will be at St. Agnes’ House Monday, November 16, through Thursday, November 20. Her Sabbath Day will be Friday, November 21. You can get a message to her by calling the church office at 606-528-1659 or by e-mailing priest-in-charge@stjohnscorbin.org
Weekday Morning Eucharist will be available Wednesday, December 3, 9am, in the Sanctuary.
Adult Forum: The Adult Forum meets each Sunday at 10:00 am in the Parish Hall. This Sunday, we’ll be looking at planning our funerals. Vicky Prince from Hospice of the Bluegrass will be with us Nov. 23, to discuss how to talk to your family about your end-of-life wishes.
Sunday School – Godly Play: The Godly Play program for children is offered each Sunday morning at 10:00 am. All children are invited to participate in this special form of spiritual development.
Thankoffering Sunday is this Sunday, November 16. Put your Thankoffering boxes in the offering plate and pick up another one for the spring ingathering.
Daughters of the King meets the third Wednesday of each month at 4:30pm. The next meeting is November 19. If you have special prayer requests or would like to join this prayer ministry, please contact Shelia Phillips.
Game Night, Friday, November 21, 6:30-8:30. Pizza provided. Bring your favorite drink. The Young Adults of the church are hosting a game night! Let Blythe Swinford, TJ or Jason Beams-Jackson, or James Partin know what card and board games you’d like to play! Everyone is invited!
We will celebrate Native American Heritage Month at our service on Sunday, November 23. Ken and Shelia Phillips will lead our observance. We are reminded that the worship of The Episcopal Church is in many languages and traditions each and every week of the year.
Advent Lessons and Carols, November 30, 4pm. Begin Advent with this special evening service of Scripture and hymns
Chocolate Fest, Saturday, December 6, 9am – 3pm. If you can contribute something to the fest, please turn in your donation form by November 23.
Rotary Club of Corbin is collecting 500 new winter coats, especially for boys and girls ages 3-9. Coats will be distributed at the Empty Stocking Fund party on December 22. If you’d like to donate a coat, bring it to church and give it to Rebecca. You can also make a financial contribution to Empty Stocking Fund and give it to Rebecca.
Kroger Rewards: St. John’s is now registered with the Kroger Community Rewards Program. Please register your Kroger card at http://krogercommunityrewards.com . Our NPO number is 47782.
The Vestry has voted to donate $25 each month to Everlasting Arm Homeless Shelter. If you’d like to contribute, put your donations in the collection box by the guest register or mark your donation and put it in the collection plate.
Thank you to the 20 families and individuals who have made pledges totaling $35,012 towards the mission and ministry of St. John’s Church in 2015. If you haven’t done so, you can still make a commitment to this mission and ministry by placing a pledge card in the offering plate.
Flowers for the altar: Donations for flowers for the altar are accepted for any Sunday of the year. Please place your donation in the envelope, marking whether they are in honor of or in memory of someone.
Flowers for the altar: Donations for flowers for the altar are accepted for any Sunday of the year. Please place your donation in the envelope, marking whether they are in honor of or in memory of someone.
Hymn Selection Group If you’d like to choose hymns for services, join this group. You will choose hymns for an upcoming service and then meet with the entire group to confirm the final selections. See Billy Hibbitts if you are interested.
Would you like to write Prayers of the People? If you are interested in writing these prayers (there are resources that can help with this task), please let Rebecca know by phone or email priest-in-charge@stjohnscorbin.org.
United Thank Offering. Remember to get your box for your thank offerings for this ministry of The Episcopal Church. The next collection will be in the spring.
Are you interested in assisting with the Sunday service? Readers, Eucharistic Ministers, Crucifers, Altar Guild Members and choir members are all important for each Sunday service. If you’re interested in serving, please let Rebecca know by phone 859-429-1659 or priest-in-charge@stjohnscorbin.org.
Serving Our Neighbors – See baskets in the parlor.
- Everlasting Arms, Corbin’s shelter for people who are homeless, is in need of men’s and women’s razors, gloves, deodorant and socks.
- The Food Pantry at Corbin Presbyterian Church is always in need of nonperishable food items. Vegetables are especially appreciated.