St. John's Episcopal Church: St. John's e-News for Sunday February 24, 2013

St. John’s Meatfare Sunday Potluck – What better day to have a potluck than on Meatfare Sunday on March 10 after the worship service. In the Orthodox Christian Church, this is the last day to eat meat and poultry before Easter. There is a signup sheet in the Narthex. Please sign up for the dish you wish to bring.

The Lord be with you… – While we use Rite I in Lent, Please be aware of the change in verbiage in responses… And with thy Spirit… Lift them up… it is meet and right…

______________________________________________________________

February 24, 2013, 10:30 am Holy Eucharist Rite I

Lessons for the Second Sunday in Lent

First Lesson: Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18

Psalm: Psalm 27

Second Lesson: Philippians 3:17-4:1

Gospel: Luke 13:31-35

Lay Participants for February 24, 2013 - 10:30 am service

Eucharistic Minister: Jim

Lector: Fred

Prayers: Marlene

Ushers: Fred and Marlene

Nursery Attendant: Lillian

Nursery Assistant: Jen/Burr

Refreshments: Leone

Sermon for Ash Wednesday 7:00 pm service: http://chirb.it/epNIxr

Sermon for Sunday, Feb. 17: http://chirb.it/IqMCOA

______________________________________________________________

Psalms during Lent – We will try something new while reciting the Psalm in worship during Lent. We will recite the Psalm antiphonally by whole verse by side of the sanctuary. The Eucharistic Minister will lead one side and the Rector the other. We will observe a slight “monastic pause” at the asterisk.

Wednesday Night Lenten Series – Feb 20^th will be the first of five sessions. We will start with supper at 6:30 followed by the study session. We will end at 8:00. There is a sign-up sheet posted in the Narthex for volunteers to supply the meal for each session.

Our first session will be the process of Asset Mapping for St. John’s. Our investigation will be led by the book The Power of Asset Mapping by Luther K. Snow. I invite you to come and look at the Parish and what God has given us as a means to chart our future.

Next week we will take a look at our gifts and talents. We plan on having a gifts survey as well as a discussion about gifts – what they are, what they aren’t, and how our gifts might change over time. Please come join us.

“Penny Power” for Boys’ Home, Inc. – During the season of Lent we will be collecting any loose change in the jar in the Narthex and in the Parlor. Our change will be given in order to help us change the story of a boys’ life. Please see the flyer in the Narthex or Parish House or visit www.boyshomeinc.org for more information.

Holy Week Services – Please plan to attend any or all the community worship services planned for Holy Week. We should celebrate as we have in years past: Maundy Thursday at Oakland UCC, Good Friday at Wesley Chapel UMC, and Easter Sunrise at St. John’s.

Spring Parish Clean-up – The primary and alternate dates for our spring Parish Clean-up are March 16 (primary) and March 23 (alternate). Please mark your calendars to save the date so we can make the grounds pretty for our Easter Celebration.

Our Thanksgivings – We are collecting tangible statements regarding our blessings and thanksgivings in the jar in the Narthex.

Wednesday Morning Book Study – The Wednesday morning book study will continue this coming Wednesday, February 20. The group is studying “The Bible Jesus Read” by Philip Yancy and will begin the chapter on “Advance Echoes of a Final Answer.” If you are interested please contact Margaret.

Formation Classes – This coming Sunday we will discuss our Old Testament reading Genesis 15:1-18, “God’s Covenant with Abram” from 9:15-10:15 am come see what the buzz is about. Next week’s class will discuss our Old Testament reading Exodus 3:1-15, “’Moses at the Burning Bush’ and ‘The Divine Name Revealed’” from 9:15-10:15 am. All are invited to join us for class next Sunday. A reminder; there is nursery service available during the education hour.

Thought for the week – Children of God: We may be afraid to be totally and unconditionally loved by God. What would it mean for us to begin to see ourselves – and to live – as beloved children of God? What image of myself might I have to let go of in order to embrace this new identity?

-Br. David Vryhof

Society of Saint John the Evangelist

______________________________________________________________________

Upcoming Events:

Daily Mon.-Thu. * Daily Morning Prayer – 9:00 am (Parish House)

Wed. Feb. 20^th * Wednesday Book Study – 10:00-11:30 am (Parish Hall)