From the Rector: MARKing Grace, Hope, & Joy

Tuesday, October 6, 2020

Dear Friends of St. Mark’s,

The other day I started laughing to myself when I remembered that we thought everything would be back to normal by Palm Sunday. Palm Sunday! Palm Sunday was two weeks after we had to close the church for in-person worship. As I write this letter to you, we have been closed, and opened, and closed, and now we are opening again for in-person worship this October. If one thing is true about 2020, this year cannot be controlled. 2020 has given us so many challenges, and yet we give thanks that our faith has kept us grounded in Christ Jesus.

Surprisingly 2020 has made us a stronger church. St. Mark’s continues to endure, and part of the reason for that success has been your unflappable support. Even though we have been scattered physically, you have been unwavering in your dedication of finances and time. Pledges continue to be paid, and ministries continue to flourish. By the grace of God we have remained faithful to our mission during this pandemic, and I am grateful to you, and the Vestry gives thanks for you.

We yearn for the light at the end of the tunnel. We also know that this new normal might continue for awhile. Regardless of what the future holds, we are called to follow Christ faithfully into the future, and we hope that your support of St. Mark’s will continue into 2021. There is a link below for you to make your 2021 pledge online.

Our theme this year is MARKing Grace, Hope, & Joy. This is good advice as we move into the weeks and months ahead. When the world wants to mark pain, suffering, hatred, disease, and indifference, we are called to mark grace, hope, and joy. We are called to be Christ in the world. I hope you can join us in this endeavor. In our little corner of God’s kingdom, we can be markers of grace, hope, and joy for Jesus Christ.

Faithfully,

The Rev’d Paul Lillie
Rector of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Honolulu

The General Thanksgiving

Almighty God, Father of all mercies, 
we your unworthy servants give you humble thanks 
for all your goodness and loving-kindness 
to us and to all whom you have made. 
We bless you for our creation, preservation, 
and all the blessings of this life; 
but above all for your immeasurable love 
in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ; 
for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory. 
And, we pray, give us such an awareness of your mercies, 
that with truly thankful hearts we may show forth your praise, 
not only with our lips, but in our lives, 
by giving up our selves to your service, 
and by walking before you 
in holiness and righteousness all our days; 
through Jesus Christ our Lord, 
to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, 
be honor and glory throughout all ages.
Amen.

The Book of Common Prayer (pp. 101 and 125)