22nd Sunday After Trinity
 
In this Sunday's Gospel reading from Matthew 18, we explore the necessity of mercy through the parable of the unforgiving servant. Through the voice of the master, God asks the servant (us), "Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellow servant, even as I had pity on thee?" God's mercy is necessary for us and our salvation. We can be saved in no other way. Mercy is also necessary for us to show to our neighbors. They can be loved in no other way. If we refuse to show mercy we cut ourselves off from God's mercy and we are loveless toward our neighbor. It is through mercy that we uphold the two great commandments:  "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind," and "Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself."
 
As sinners, we are helpless and lost without God’s mercy. After St. Paul called himself the chief of sinners he said, "For this reason God had mercy on me so that in me first of all Christ Jesus might exhibit His long suffering as a pattern for those who will believe in Him for life eternal." Let St. Paul be our example.
 
The Good News is that our God is a God of mercy: "Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is gracious;  because His mercy endureth for ever." Ps. 118:1. His eternal mercy is meted out to us through His Son, Jesus Christ. And that mercy is everlasting. This is what is revealed in our text when the Master showed mercy to the servant and forgave his debt. Like faith, we just have to ask for God’s mercy and forgiveness, and He is sure to provide both.
 
The more challenging part of this story, especially for the servant, is showing mercy to our neighbors. If we deny mercy and forgiveness to our neighbors, we turn against our fellow-Christians as the parable plainly shows, and we are denying the mercy that God wants to share with us. We are separating ourselves from others, and more importantly, we are separating ourselves from God. The acts of receiving God’s mercy and showing mercy to others are knitted together in one seamless raiment.  We cannot have one without the other.  I need not mention the stresses we are all feeling in our daily lives right now.  These stresses can sometimes make these qualities of mercy seem out of reach.  Let us pray to our Lord God for the strength to live up to these qualities of mercy as we are commended to do.
 
O GOD, who declarest thy almighty power chiefly in showing mercy and pity; Mercifully grant unto us such a measure of thy grace, that we, running the way of thy commandments, may obtain thy gracious promises, and be made partakers of thy heavenly treasure; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
 
--Fr. Deacon Chris

All things come of thee, O Lord, and of thine ownhave we given thee

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Upcoming Services & Events

Tonight, Thursday November 2, 7:30 PM, All Souls Day Service

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

Sunday School at 10:30 AM

Wednesday at Noon – Holy Communion and anointing for healing (for online participation, check info under Sunday Services)

Vestry Meeting, Monday November 27, 7:30 PM, Church undercroft

Kirkin of the Tartan & Evening Prayer, St. Andrew's Day, Thursday November 30, 7:00 PM, followed by a gala reception with Scottish and other foods, Scottish beverages and a great time of fellowship and fun, also please put this on your calendar now and invite family, friends, and neighbors.
 
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Each month parishioners provide food for the Christ House food bank and things needed for babies and infants to the local crisis pregnancy center. Donations have really dropped off. St. Andrew & St. Margaret parish has a long history of helping others in the community.  Please take a look at the lists below and, if you can, please provide some of the needed items.  You can also help by donating money  through the secure donation button in this e-letter by selecting Charity & Mercy in the drop down menu on the donation page. Your help is needed. Thank you.  
 
Just Updated List of Needs for MaRIH Center (crisis pregnancy center)
MaRIH Center with its all volunteer staff provides 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
 In Bold and  * are a critical need.

Diapers (sizes newborn, 1, 2, 3, 4*, 5*, & 6*)
Lovies
Baby wipes*
Diaper rash ointment
Fall/Winter Clothing:0-3 mo*, 3-6 mo*, 12-18 mo*, 2T*
Baby shampoo
Baby blankets*
Bibs
Formula: Simulac Advance Formula*
Formula: other but not recalled
Wash clothes
Hooded towels
Grocery gift cards*

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 


 
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