We live in tumultuous times.  News on the TV or radio surround us with rioting, shootings, burning buildings, virus lockdowns, and everyone has an opinion. And to add to the confusion, a major election is just around the corner.

Despite all of this, we live in a beautiful country. God has blessed us all who live here, rich and poor.  Throughout the world, there are many people who look here with hopes to reach our shores.   As many other immigrants, my parents arrived here many years ago, and adapted to the area and worked and lived here happily.  As time went by, they and all their family and friends who also came here, became citizens, were passionate church attendees,  worked in various industries and voted in the elections with great pride.  They fought in various wars to defend this land and some died, and that became part of our history.

As a country, we mention God in our Declaration of Independence, and God, or the divine, is mentioned at least once in each of the 50 state constitutions.  It is in our Pledge of Allegiance, and the tradition of having guest chaplains give the daily prayer in the House and Senate is still in effect.  We still can hear “God Bless America” on the radio and “In God We Trust” is on our money.   We all pray in our churches that God bless America and all of us who live here.   We pray for our president and all the government in charge, whoever they are, and for the armed forces.  

We are all neighbors and all of us live our lives every day with events that involve people of all races. The only thing to remember is that God knows us all, regardless of race, and loves us all with a love more intense than we are able to know or even understand.   We are all God’s children and we pray each day “Our Father Who art in heaven, THY will be done…..”   To that point, we have included the following prayer to ask for guidance in this anxious time.

“Grant unto me, O Lord, that with peace of mind I may face all that this day is to bring. Grant unto me to dedicate myself completely to Thy Holy Will. For every hour of this day, instruct and support me in all things.  Whatsoever tidings I may receive during the day, do Thou teach me to accept tranquilly, in the firm conviction that all eventualities fulfill Thy Holy Will.  Govern Thou my thoughts and feelings in all I do and say.  When things unforeseen occur, let me not forget that all cometh down from Thee.  Teach me to behave sincerely and rationally toward every member of my family and toward those with whom I am in contact,  that I may bring confusion and sorrow to none.   Bestow upon me, my Lord, strength to endure the fatigue of the day, and to bear my part in all its passing events.  Guide Thou my will and teach me to pray, to believe, to hope, to suffer, to forgive, and to love. Amen.” (Prayer of the Optina Elders)

Thanksgiving is just around the corner! Due to the virus, we are faced with rules and regulations concerning the safeguarding of the general public.  If you would like to donate to those who will be in need for this holiday, perhaps it would be wise to send a check to cover your donation and include a note.  You can make out the check to Helen Baron, our Food Pantry Coordinator and she will forward your donation to St. Peter’s Haven.  On behalf of St. John’s, Helen would like to thank you all for your contributions. God grant you all Many Years!  

Happy Birthday to all those celebrating their birthday in October including: Daniel Kary and Marie Baron, Maya Columbus all on Oct. 10;  Elena Kibitelsky, Oct. 12; Anna Rozanovich, Oct. 15; Dennis Maixner Oct. 21; Helena Czech Oct. 22; Lauren Silvestre Oct. 25; John Kary Oct. 28; and Elizabeth Hatsko on Oct. 30. May God grant each of them a very Happy Birthday and Many Years!

Unfortunately, due to our hall rental to a school, regulations at this time concerning the use of the hall restricts its use and we are not able to have coffee-hour. We are looking forward to reinstating the social hour as soon as it is possible to do so.