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This is why we should never say, “Why Lord, why me…?”

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Curate’s Corner
The Rev Dr. Ashley M. Classen, Curate
St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, Irving, Texas

Me (in a tizzy) : God, can I ask you something?
GOD: Sure.
Me: Promise you won’t get mad?
GOD: I promise.
Me (frustrated): Why did you let so much stuff happen to me today?
GOD: What do you mean?
Me: Well I woke up late,
Me (in a tizzy) : God, can I ask you something?
GOD: Sure.
Me: Promise you won’t get mad?
GOD: I promise.
Me (frustrated): Why did you let so much stuff happen to me today?
GOD: What do you mean?
Me: Well I woke up late,
GOD: Yes
Me: My car took forever to start,
GOD: Okay….
Me (growling): At lunch, they made my sandwich wrong and I had to wait
GOD: Hmmmm..
Me: On the way home, my phone went dead, just as I picked up a call
GOD: All right
Me (loudly): And to top it all off, when I got home, I just wanted to soak my feet in my foot massager and relax, but it wouldn’t work.. Nothing went right today! Why did you do that?
GOD: Well let me see….. the death angel was at your bed this morning and I had to send one of the other angels to battle him for your life. I let you sleep through that.
Me (humbled): Oh…
GOD: I didn’t let your car start because there was a drunk driver on your route that might have hit you if you were on the road
Me (ashamed): …………
GOD: The first person who made your sandwich today was sick and I didn’t want you to catch what they have, I knew you couldn’t afford to miss work
Me (embarrassed): Oh…..
GOD: Your phone went dead because the person that was calling was going to give a false witness about what you said on that call, I didn’t even let you talk to them so you would be covered
Me (softly): I see God
GOD: Oh and that foot massager, it had a shortage that was going to throw out all of the power in your house tonight. I didn’t think you wanted to be in the dark.
Me: I’m sorry God.
GOD: Don’t be sorry, just learn to trust me………in all things, the good and the bad
Me: I WILL trust you God
GOD: And don’t doubt that my plan for your day is always better than your plan
Me: I won’t God. And let me just tell you God, thank you for everything today.
GOD: You’re welcome child. It was just another day being your God and I love looking after my children.

Scriptural References: II Samuel 22:31, Proverbs 3:5, Hebrews 2:13

“The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.. ..” (Proverbs 11:25)
I love you all, St Markians, Dcn ASH

Shrove Tuesday Pancakes

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On Tuesday, February 21, beginning at 6:00PM, the men of the parish will be serving-up the traditional pre-Lenten meal of pancakes and sausage. Come enjoy the English way of celebrating “Fat Tuesday!”

Annual Chili Cook-Off

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Sunday, February 5, after church and before the Big Game, the parish will host its annual Chili Cook-Off. Come sample the creations of our talented cooks and take some home to enjoy during the game. “Vote” for your favorite chili by dropping money in a chef’s “tip-jar”. All proceeds go to St. Mark’s Outreach ministries.

Adult Christian Education

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Each Sunday morning, before the 9:30AM Worship Service, Deacon Ashley Classen leads study directed toward Christian formation. Presently the group is studying the Book of Ruth. Soon, they will be exploring the Book of the Acts of the Apostles. Come get the whole story by reading and studying the whole book in its entirety.

Tuesday Evening Bible Study

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This group plumbs the depths of the meaning and context of the Old Testament, Psalm, Epistle, and Gospel readings for the each upcoming each Sunday. They meet at 7:00PM on Tuesdays in the Parish Hall. This is an excellent opportunity to really understand the Word we hear proclaimed in our church services. Join in anytime!

Christmas Cheer

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All parishioners are invited to join the Women’s Guild at their Christmas celebration on Tuesday, December 13th. In addition to dinner and good cheer, attendees will enjoy arranging Christmas baskets for extending the spirit of giving to the less fortunate. On Saturday morning, December 17th, gift certificates and fresh fruit will be added to goodie packages in time for distribution to pre-qualified recipients. For more information on what donations are needed, contact Paulette A.

New Adult Forum begins Nov. 6 – Please join us!

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The new book for the upcoming Adult Education Class at St Mark’s will be an exciting and refreshing way to develop a new comfort level in how to explain one’s faith to others. Timothy Keller has done a masterful job with his book The Reason for God – Belief in the Age of Skepticism. It is available for a reasonable amount in paperback, at Barnes and Noble, and Amazon, christianbooks.com.

It made the New York Times’ Best Seller List a few years ago, and promises to be a more enjoyable, and clearly less unsettling read than our last book which may have stirred some, but definitely got us thinking about the roots of our faith. Hopefully we can increase the size of our 8:30 Adult Ed Class and have some engaging and productive discussion, as we continue to grow in our St Mark’s family.