Almighty and everlasting God, whose will it is to restore all things in your well-beloved Son, the King of kings and Lord of lords: Mercifully grant that the peoples of the earth, divided and enslaved by sin, may be freed and brought together under his most gracious rule; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (Collect for Christ the King Sunday)
Last Sunday we learned of the death of Abdul-Rahman Kassig. Sarah Pollom was a close friend and Anne Day and Jeff Davis knew him well, so we were especially connected to this event, having prayed mightily for his release. Sarah was interviewed by CNN earlier this week.
By all accounts, Abdul-Rahman Kassig loved all of humanity. In his 26 short years, he was an Army ranger and Iraq War Veteran, who traveled to the MidEast region during a college spring break in 2012. There he found his calling, leaving school to help people who were suffering. “Here, in this land, I have found my calling,” he continued. “Every day that I am here I have more questions and less answers, but what I do know is that I have a chance to do something here, to take a stand. To make a difference.”
He did just that, easing the suffering of people until his capture by ISIS in October, 2013. As he faced the very real prospect of his death, he wrote to his parents:
“If I do die, I figure that at least you and I can seek refuge and comfort in knowing that I went out as a result of trying to alleviate suffering and helping those in need,” he wrote.
“Just know I’m with you,” he added. “Every stream, every lake, every field and river. In the woods and in the hills, in all the places you showed me.”
Our Collect for this week asks that we may be freed from sin and brought together under God’s most gracious rule. Let us remember Abdul-Rahman Kassig as a person who worked for that goal.
Blessings as you finish your week!
Love, Rebecca+
This Sunday we celebrate Native American Heritage Month. In commemoration of Native American Heritage month we will be gathering in the parish hall and process to the parlor to begin our service. We will remain in the parlor while Ken and Shelia Phillips smudge the nave and sanctuary. The smudge used is of the four sacred herbs to the Cherokee: sage, tobacco, cedar and sweet grass. After the sanctuary and nave have been smudged you are invited to smudge yourself as you enter the nave by washing your face seven times in the smoke, an action that cleanses the mind and heart as one takes in the smudge. The smoke of the smudge carries our prayers to heaven in the same manner that the Psalmist observes, “Let my prayer be counted as incense before thee, and the lifting up of my hands as an evening sacrifice!” (Psalm 141:2)
Rebecca’s Schedule: Rebecca will be on vacation for the week If you have a pastoral emergency, please call the Rev. John Burkhart at 521-0345.
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.
Sunday School – Godly Play: The Godly Play program is for children is offered each Sunday morning at 10:00 am. All children are invited to participate in this special form of spiritual development.
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.
A St. Nicholas Festival for children will be held on Saturday, December 6, 4:00pm, at Christ Church Cathedral, Lexington.
Join Rebecca for Eucharist on Tuesday, December 9, 11am at Mission House in Lexington. Lunch will be served after Eucharist and a tour of St. Agnes’ House will be available.
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.
Donations for Christmas Flowers are being accepted until December 14. Donations can be made in Honor of, in Memory of or in Thanksgiving for a person or blessing. Envelopes are available in the parlor or put your offering in the plate marked, “Christmas Flowers.”
Decorate the church, Sunday, December 21, after church. Bring your lunch and stay after church on December 21 to help us decorate for Christmas.
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.
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.
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.
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.