From Lokelani Garvey: This is the day that the Lord hath made

Tuesday, September 29, 2020

Dear St. Mark’s,

We are faced with a pandemic, racial strife, and some of the highest unemployment in years. Our government seems chaotic, we just ended a second lockdown. and we are still living with many restrictions. Our ability to live normal lives is something we have not seen for over six months. These are very challenging times! 

More than ever, we need to be there for one another and support our brothers and sisters as best we can. We need to hold fast to our faith and the teachings of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. In the midst of this darkness, we will be faithful and continue to do all we can for the Church and for one another.

The Church is different, but the mission and the purpose of the Church is clear and remains. All the reasons we need to heed the Word, worship together, to connect with one another and fellowship, are more important now more than ever. Father Lillie has done an amazing job of ensuring the best opportunities to meet these needs.  

And so our song remains, “This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it!”  (Psalm 118:24) 

In spite of the challenges we face, a beautiful day it is. Our hearts beat with passion, and our lungs fill with the sweet, clean trade-winds of these Islands of Hawai’i in the middle of the vast Pacific Ocean. It is a new day - a new opportunity to say, “Thank you most merciful and loving Heavenly Father for this new and glorious day.  Thank you for all the endless blessings you have given us.” This new day offers an opportunity to show love and kindness, to give of ourselves to brighten each day for our family and friends and neighbors. According to the great author Ralph Waldo Emerson, “You cannot do a kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late.”  

Helen Steiner Rice comes close to the meaning of love: 

The meaning of love
It is sharing and caring,
Giving and forgiving,
Loving and being loved,
Walking hand in hand,
Talking heart to heart,
Seeing thru each other’s eyes, 
Laughing together,
Weeping together,
Praying together,
And always trusting
And believing
And thanking God
For each other. . . .
For love that is shared
Is a beautiful thing
It enriches the soul
And makes the heart sing.

For yourself and for those you love, make a list of those you care about. Going over the list makes you appreciate how blessed you are, and you also have your prayer list to add to. 

Let us give THANKS for our many blessings, and let us continue GIVING to those who are most in need.

Let your loving-kindness, O Lord, be upon us, as we have put our trust in you. (Psalm 33:22)

EM Lokelani Garvey 

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)