Trinity XI

In the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.  Amen.

When you pray, what is your intention, and how do you pray?

In this Trinity 11 Sunday, our Lord & Savior Jesus Christ gives us another parable of the Pharisee and the Publican - aka Tax Collector.  In the story, the two head to the temple to pray because the Biblical Jews were required to pray three times a day.  Today, the two trusted themselves rather than God before they came to the temple to pray.  Both were righteous and despised others for their sins.  However, the two were also very different when they prayed.

Here, the Pharisee prayed to himself.  He bragged about how good he was.  He wasn’t like the other sinners, extortioners, unjust, and adulterers.  He fasted twice a week.  He gave tithes of all that he had.  And he spoke about himself with the word “I” five times.  It was all about him before God.

However, the Publican aka the Tax Collector stood far from the Pharisee because he was different than the Pharisee.  He did not lift his eyes to Heaven.  His head was down because he was sincerely sorry for his sins.  He was hated by the Jews because he collected taxes for the Romans, so he was seen as a traitor.  In that time, the Tax Collectors weren’t paid by the Romans so they extorted more money from the Jews so they could keep it to themselves.  

Moreover, the Tax Collector smote himself for forgiveness from God.  The Publican recognizes he is a sinner.  His prayers are to God and not to himself.  In the end, both men returned home but God is pleased only with the Publican, not the Pharisee because the Publican was humble, meek, and worshiped God. 

Therefore, my brothers & sisters, when you pray how do you pray?  First, thank God for all the blessings in this life however big or small.  Second, confess all your sins before God and ask for forgiveness.  And third, ask God for blessings for things you need, his will for you, and for others – especially those who are lonely, sick, and dying.  And fourth, remember the Great Commandment in this Trinity Season.  Thou shalt love the Lord thy God, and thy neighbor.  

In the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.  Amen.

-- Deacon Anton Yoe

REMEMBER THE WORDS OF THE LORD JESUS, HOW HE SAID, IT IS MORE BLESSED TO GIVE THAN TO RECEIVE

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Upcoming Events

Sunday Services, 7:45, 9:00 & 11:15 AM nursery care provided during 9 & 11:15 AM services  (for online participation for the services go to: https://www.facebook.com/saintsofscotland/ )
Nursery at 9:00 AM & 11:15 AM Services

Wednesday at Noon – Holy Communion

Saturday Sept 10, 8:30 AM, Men's Breakfast & Bible Study, Breakfast by breakfast chef extraordinaire Claude Crump (perhaps grits by Father John) and Bible study by Bob Boyd

Sunday September 11, 10:30 AM, Sunday School

Sunday September 18, Parish Picnic, Fort Hunt Park (right off GW Parkway toward Mount Vernon) after combined 10 AM Service (7:45 AM Service will be held)
 
Monday September 26, 7:30 PM, Vestry Meeting, Undercroft

Please pray for everyone on the parish's prayer list that is in the attached bulletins.

Donations to the Food Bank and Marih Center have fallen off drastically this summer. Dozens of crisis pregnancy centers have been attacked or vandalized.  The needs are great.  Please help with either a goods donation or a monetary donation.  You can give through the donation button in this newsletter and use the drop down menu to choose "Charity & Mercy."   Thank you.
 
Food Donations 
Please help this month with a food donation if you are able. Christ House is very thankful for the food we provide to them each month. Please also buy low sugar cereals (and not the kid's types that have lots of sugar).  Current needs include the following:
• canned meats (chicken, corned beef, spam)
• peanut butter
• jelly
• tuna
• canned vegetables (corn, green beans - (regular and low sodium)
• individual fruit cups (low sugar)
• canned fruit (low sugar)
• cereal (low sugar)
• pasta (regular and gluten-free)
• instant potatoes
• Macaroni & cheese kits
• Coffee, cooking oil, flour, sugar 
 
Updated List of Needs for MaRIH Center (crisis pregnancy center)
MaRIH Center with its all volunteer staff has been providing help to mothers-to-be and mothers in need.  If you can provide some of the items that are needed, please do so. (You can leave the donations where the food for the food bank is collected on the pew in the undercorft.)

Especially Needed
Baby wipes (an ongoing great need)
Diapers (sizes 1, 4, 5, & 6)

Clothing
Bibs
Sleep Sacks: Girls 0-6 mos.
Socks: Boy/Girl 2T
Short sleeved onesies: Boy/Girl 3-6 mos.

Others
Diaper rash ointment
Baby shampoo
Aldi, Giant, Safeway & Walmart gift cards (for food!)

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