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I was glad when they said to me, "Let us go to the house of the LORD."
Psalm 122:1
"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth."
Genesis 1:1
"This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it."
Psalms 118:24
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And he shall direct your paths."
Proverbs 3:5
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Rector's Study
My dear parish,
I decided my "article" for "The Lion's Tale" this issue would be a simple letter rather than a devotional essay. Of course, a letter to you is in itself "devotional," because I am devoted to you as we are joined together in our shared devotion to our Blessed Lord. His love has been so richly poured into our hearts that his commandment is not only obeyed but fulfilled amongst us. We do, indeed, love one another as he loves us; and I am so grateful to have watched this love of Christ blossom and flourish in us.
During the month of September, we have faced many struggles. Some of our dear ones have been seriously ill. Death has touched our parish family. We have had concerns over the war on terror and worry over the victims of recent storms. For many, troubles in the larger church have been quite distressing. Yet, in all of this, we have been faithful in the continuance of our service to the Lord.
The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is off to a wonderful start, as is the adult course, Coming Into Christ. Adult Forum has been effectively led by some of our committed lay leaders, and I am tremendously excited about the developing program with our teenagers, the Youth Forum. In addition to these things, our worship continues to be beautiful and inspiring, using gifts of our parish musicians, our Altar Guild, Lectors and Lay Eucharistic Ministers, Ushers and Greeters, and all worshippers; and there are so many other ways that our members serve Christ, one another, and the world Christ came to save. Attendance has been good, we are welcoming new members, and we had excellent participation in our second capital campaign, "Build in the Beauty of Holiness." I also want to mention that the work of our vestry and of our building committee is both dedicated and enthusiastic.
All in all, we are deeply blessed at St. Mark's Episcopal Church. But there are many challenges before us. I want to ask you all to join me in deepening our prayers for our ministry in this parish. Pray for each other, for the programs I have mentioned, for the building process, and for me. Maybe I should just quote the Apostle: "Pray constantly." I am confident that God is hearing our prayer and guiding us in the abundant life. I am cognizant of the power of his Spirit and the inspiration the Holy Spirit gives us for faithfulness and effectiveness. I am confident in my desire to serve you in the Name of Jesus the Father's glory.
Thank you for all you are to me and for all you do to make this parish stronger and more faithful each day.
Yours in Christ,
Fr. Timothy P. Perkins  , SSC
Previous Issues:
October 2007
September 2007
August 2007
Summer 2006
June 2006
Lent 2006
Advent 2004
October 2004
September 2004
August 2004
Summer 2004
Easter 2004
Lent 2004
February 2004
Epiphany 2004
Advent 2003
Easter 2003
Lent 2003
February 2003
Epiphany 2003
October 2002
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