We will be worshipping the 17th Sunday after Pentecost at 10:00 AM with the service being led by the Rev. Scot Sherman

This Sunday the Readings will be:

Proverbs 1:20-33
Psalm 19
James 3:1-12
Mark 8:27-38

Complete Readings Found Here

Proverbs 1:20-33

The Book of Proverbs is part of the wisdom literature in the Hebrew Scriptures. An important aspect of this literature is to guide the people of God in ways of right living. In this passage from early in the first chapter, Wisdom is personified and moves amid the bustling activity in the core of the city. She calls out with a focus on those who are not following God’s wisdom. She warns them of the calamity that befalls those who do not listen and root their lives in the fear of God—the following of and reverence for God. She warns that disaster looms for those who go their own way based on their own knowledge. She bluntly calls them fools.

This passage draws a stark distinction between the outcomes for those who listen to and follow God’s ways and those who do not. She calls out to us in all the daily busyness of our lives to listen and follow God’s wisdom by painting a vivid picture of what happens for those who do not. It’s a disquieting passage that invites us to reflect on where we root the actions of our lives.

• How are God’s knowledge and wisdom different from learning not grounded in God?
• Given the difficulties and challenges everyone faces in life, what might it mean to live at ease, without dread of disaster, by following God’s Wisdom?

Psalm 19

The first line of Psalm 19 begins, “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament shows his handiwork.” With natural imagery, the psalmist praises God for the beauty and wonder of creation. Day and night are personified, pointing to the wonder of the order of the cosmos and the miracle of the creation of time. 

Beginning in verse 7, the psalmist then praises God for the law and the structure it provides. This echoes the theme of liberation in today’s passage from Exodus, that the structure and ethical way of life provided by God are meant to set us free. The psalmist says of God’s judgments, “More to be desired are they than gold… sweeter far than honey” (Ps 19:10). So often, the word “judgment” causes anxiety, but the psalm reminds us that we are to look forward to God’s judgments because they will bring justice and peace. 

Finally, verses 12-13 ask God for spiritual cleansing. Perhaps the Collect for Purity, which we pray at the beginning of each Eucharist, was influenced by Psalm 19. Near the end of the psalm, the psalmist asks to be made “whole and sound.” The psalmist encourages us to trust in God’s goodness and God’s ability to complete us. 

• What experiences of nature point you toward God’s glory? 
• What do you think about the psalmist’s view of God’s judgments as being desirable and sweet?

James 3:1-12

James’ imagery in this piece is stunning and comes alive to us. His lesson rests on our tongues – signifying our ability to communicate with others based on our thoughts and feelings. And those thoughts and feelings, as we all know, can take a number of forms. They can be kind and generous; they can be cold and rational; they can be brave and noble; they can be cruel and biting. We are blessed with the power to use our language to build great empires, to tame the wilderness, and to raise up the downtrodden – but we are cursed with the power, used too often, to break spirits, to mock and denigrate, and to destroy the very world.

• Does James come off as too harsh in this reading?
• Where have you seen carefulness with words build something great?

Mark 8:27-38

Our readings once again show the power of language and teaching. Peter – who bumbles along like the rest of the disciples – gets things right; there is one answer above all for who Jesus Christ is: The Messiah. This Jesus, whose words are eternal life, whose teachings point us to the good life, whose way is narrow but open to all, this Jesus whose love encompasses those we despise – he is the Messiah. One of the greatest things we can undertake in this life is to confess this truth: he is not merely a good guy, a great teacher, a prophet, a desert philosopher, a victim of political and religious oppression – he is those things, of course – he is Lord of all.

• Do you remember when you were first convinced that Jesus Christ is Lord?

Published by the Office of Communication of The Episcopal Church, 815 Second Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10017 © 2024 The Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations, with the exception of the Psalms and/or canticles, are from the New Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition. Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. Psalms and canticles are drawn from the Book of Common Prayer.

The St Francis Community Pantry is having their second anniversary celebration party on Sunday September 15th at 11:30 under the oaks. Please come celebrate this accomplishment! If you have any questions, please contact Evelyn Ellis at evbuch@yahoo.com. 

Strategic Vision Process Listening Session

 Between September 5th and October 3rd the Strategic Visioning Committee is conducting listening sessions to better formulate the basis for the strategic vision they have been tasked to develop. The Marin Deanery is hosting the next listening session this Saturday from noon to 2 PM at Church of the Nativity in San Rafael. The results of the strategic listening sessions will be presented at the 175th Annual Diocesan Convention. For additional information about the visioning process and committee please check these two links:

• Strategic Vision Process FAQ: diocal.org/strategic-vision-process/
• Strategic Vision Committee: diocal.org/strategic-vision-committee/

175th Annual Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of California

The convention will be held on Zoom on October 25th and at Grace Cathedral on October 26th. Notable actions that the convention will vote upon are nominations for Diocesan committees and positions, and resolutions that have been proposed by members of the diocese. There are five resolutions that will be voted upon.  
The resolutions can be reviewed at https://www.diocalconvention.org/175-convention/2024resolutions/. Two are amendments to governing documents for the convention.  I will endeavor to summarize each of the three substantive resolutions in subsequent issues of this newsletter.
The nominations are for the Executive Council, the Standing Committee, the Secretary of the Convention and the Treasurer of the Diocese. The undersigned has been nominated as one of three candidates to fill the lay position on the Executive Council. Biographies of the nominees can be read at https://www.diocalconvention.org/2024nomineebios/

-Tony Mei

It's time to get to know another one of our church members! Let's see who can guess who this is:

This parishioner was born in a small town in Mississippi called Bruce where his father was the town doctor.  He grew up as a Southern Baptist.  He then spent most of his adult life in Nashville practicing law.  He worked in private practice for 31 years and then for the Department of Justice for 10 years.  He is the proud father of 3 adult children and 5 grandchildren.  He has lived in Novato for just one year and in his free time enjoys: playing guitar, reading, writing, and watching sports.  His favorite ice cream flavor is mint chocolate chip.  Finally, he has enjoyed St. Francis due to the community, spiritual moments, and music. He especially enjoys the Passing of the Peace.     

Who is he?

There will be no choir practice on the third Wednesday this month due to the Vestry Meeting taking place. We will resume Wednesday, September 25.

The St. Francis adult choir is looking for a few new members to join us for weekly rehearsals on Wednesdays from 6:00PM to 7:00PM and warmups on Sunday mornings at 9:00AM. Ray has picked out some really pretty, thought provoking anthems to work on for the coming new choir season.

So, come one, come all that would like to try the choir as a ministry that is a fun, learning experience and the chance to make beautiful music together.

- Ray

Curious about why our weekly e-newsletter is called The Transitus? The name comes from the most important feast day in the life of St. Francis, his death on October 3 and his entrance into the joy of our God. This is known as the Transitus, or Journey. Just as Francis was sent into new life, we pray our community worship, events and education help send you into new life - a journey -  as well!

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