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Friends,
The Old Testament lesson for this Sunday is a story of Hannah's plea for a son. In her prayer at the temple she saw that Eli was elderly and in her great desire to have a son (at least in part to show the other women she could) she says she will "give" this son to God (hence the name Samuel). The lesson appointed in place of a Psalm for this Sunday is actually also from the OT book of Samuel, and NOT the Book of Psalms. It (1 Samuel chapter 2, basically the passage following that first lesson) should be read or heard along with this particular OT lesson. While the lesson itself seems uninspiring and even hints at unworthy motives (jealousy of the other women, etc), the "song" Hanna sings is a wonderful hymn making clear that the son she will conceive is truly a gift from God - as theologian Walter Brueggemann notes with all the "credit" given to God's power. The epistle, again from Hebrews, makes plain that Christ's sacrifice obviates the need for priestly intercession: "I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds". In Mark's gospel Jesus warns of terrible calamities to follow, but suggests they will be only "the beginning of the birthpangs" of the age to come. While the other two lessons were good and useful, I was surprised that after reconsidering that seemingly uninspiring first lesson within its context, it was the one that "made my day". May we all recognise that "every good and perfect gift comes from above". Bart (and Tony!) and for all of us at St Matthew Parish in San Ardo Events St Matthew Parish in San Ardo will be having Morning Prayer at 10am on Sunday and all are welcome. Our fellow mission St Lukes Parish in Jolon/Lockwood will be having two events this weekend. In Rachel's words "There will be two events happening at Saint Luke's in Lockwood this weekend. On Saturday, November 16th, starting at 3:00 P.M., Canon Robert Siefert will be laid to rest in Saint Luke's cemetery. On Sunday, November 17th, at 10:00 A.M., Roy Morris will lead a service of Morning Prayer in the church, followed by coffee and conversation in the parish hall. Everyone is welcome to attend. Let us give thanks for the gift of rain!" (Note that we too at the Ranch give thanks for the rain!) Other Events The other St Luke parish, in Atascadero, tell us they will be having their Annual Christmas Bazaar on Friday, Nov 6 from 9am to 6pm. That St Luke parish will also be having what sounds to be a very interesting event on Tues, Nov 19 at noon (bring your own lunch). "Spirituality and Dementia" will have two retired Sisters of the Order of St Francis, one with dementia and the other a caregiver, come to discuss their journey together. To register call 805.342.0956 or email [email protected] And Rev Linzi of that St Luke parish, who also serves St Benedict Parish in Los Osos, also tells us St Ben will on Wed, Nov 20, at 7pm mark the Transgender Day of Remembrance with a candlelit vigil. St Ben Parish will also be taking a Field Trip on Tues, Nov 19 from 10am to 11am to try the Bird ID app to identify birds by their songs. And Cathy Gildea from the parish leads Spiritual conversations on Tuesdays at noon = go to the parish website https://www.stbenslososos.org/ for their Zoom link. A special event including panelists from San Jose State University, the Diocese of London, and Greenfaith will occur in two parts, on Nov 23 and Dec 7 at 10am PST (6pm in London). The event, God and the Machine, will discuss God, Tech, and the Care of Creation. For full info and the Zoom link go to www.sswsj.org or email [email protected] (the event was put together in part by Michael Barford, formerly of our Diocese of El Camino Real).
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