St.

Thomas Newsletter
November 2011

FROM THE PULPIT

Blessed are they who Mourn
Matthew 5:4
If people worldwide made up a list of things that make life blessed or happy, the list would be quite different than the ones we find in the Beatitudes on All Saints' Day (November 6). But then again, we already know that Jesus' standards are far different from our own. The Beatitudes remind us of the special concern Jesus had for all people who are poor, disenfranchised, alienated, or exploited by people or systems. We might think its strange that Jesus adds mourning to His description of a blessed life. The word mourn has a gloomy connotation, as if it were the opposite of happiness. That is not true. If we were incapable of feeling sorrow, we could never know real happiness either. Mourning helps us relate to others who also know sorrow. The capacity to share deep feelings with other people is surely one of the primary marks of being a human being. Mourning is more than a feeling or emotion. To be a part of other people's sorrow compels us also to reach out and alleviate their suffering. If we mourn with others, we also want to help them. On All Saints' Day we remember the people of God's Kingdom who have been called to a life of Christian service. A Christian's vocation in this world is to be concerned with all neighbors who suffer. The Episcopal Church's involvement in social issues comes from this deep concern Jesus gave us for the hurting people of the world. Whether through advocacy for poor people or in giving to the world's hungry, the outreach of the church, the sainthood of all believers, is part of Jesus' words to us, Blessed Are They Who Mourn. Notice that Jesus said the other side of mourning is to be comforted. The root meaning of the word comfort is to strengthen greatly. Those who join in mourning will be comforted or made strong together. As we act together as saints of God, we are built up as God's body.

FATHER MIKE

St. Thomas Birthdays and Anniversaries Birthdays

Nov. 2nd Nov. 4th Nov. 10th Park McRitchie William Jack Martha Appleyard Nov. 11th Nov. 13th Nov. 21st Elizabeth Bee Nancy McRitchie Jane Lazzara Nov. 25th Nov. 28th Donna Becker Nancy Kuck

Anniversary
Nov. 14th Robert & Martha Appleyard St. Thomas Nov. 6th Nov. 13th Nov. 20th Nov. 27th Nov. 21st Bill & Donna Becker Nov. 25th Richard & Sally Stilz Accompanist Bonnie Daniels Macey Good Julie Quayle Bonnie Daniels Cooper Stine Julie Quayle Acolyte

Lector Eucharistic Minister Bill Quayle Bill Quayle Donna Becker Bob Butcher Bill Quayle Bill Quayle Mike Mabee Bob Butcher

Ushers/Greeters Jeff & Joy Roth Mike & Nancy Mabee Bill & Lee Wahlers Debby Barnes

Dates to Remember November 6th November 6th November 9th Daylight Saving Time Ends - Turn your clock back 1 hour before going to bed on Saturday Nov. 5th . Service time change. 11:00 am November 6th thru February 26th 2012.

The Facts and Myths about Organ, Eye and Tissue Donation Presented by Erica Reid, Life Connection of Ohio. The Vineyard Retirement Village. 10:00 to 11:30 am Organ, eye and tissue transplants offer patients a new chance at healthy, productive and normal lives and return them to their families, friends and communities. Transplantation is one of the most remarkable success stories in the history of medicine.

November 17th - ELMS Free Community Meal. 5:00 to 6:00 pm. Come for the good
food and good fellowship.

November 23rd - Port Clinton Community Thanksgiving Service.

Firelands Presbyterian Church. 2626 E. Harbor Rd. 7:00 pm

November 24th - Thanksgiving Day. November 27th Advent Begins

Office will be closed

St. Thomas Episcopal Church 214 East Second St. Port Clinton, Ohio 43452

Contact information
St. Thomas Episcopal Church 214 East Second Street Port Clinton, Ohio 43452 419-734-3404 419-734-0334 Fax st_thomas@cros.net e-mail www.episcopalportclinton.com Service Time: Sunday 9:00 am July thru October, 2011 Fr. Mike Wiechers Pastor 419-960-7052 wiechersmike@yahoo.com Office Hours: Monday & Wednesday Peace Lutheran 9:30 -12:30 a.m. Tuesday & Thursday St. Thomas 9:30 12:30 a.m. Friday Fr. Mikes Day off

Sunday Scripture Readings

Nov. 6th Revelation 7:9-17; Psalm 34:1-10, 22; 1 John 3:1-3; Matthew 5:1-12 Nov. 13th Zephaniah 1:7, 12-18; Psalm 90:1-8 [9-11] 12; 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11; Matthew 25:14-30 Nov. 20th Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24 Psalm 95:1-7a; Ephesians 1:15-23; Matthew 25:31-46 Nov. 27th Isaiah 64:1-9; Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19; 1 Corinthians 1:3-0; Mark 13:24-37

IN THE HOSPITAL
Please remember to call Fr. Mike if someone is hospitalized.