GODLY PLAY for children 3-6 years via zoom. Today’s story is ‘Lent-The Torn Curtain’ Matthew 27:50-51.
FAITHQUEST (for children 7-13 via zoom). Finish the Road to Emmaus rotation with King’s Theatre/Pray per View. Memory Verse/Key Verse: “Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him, and he vanished from their sight. They said to each other, ‘Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us?’” (Luke 24: 31-32 NRSV) Leader: Heidi/Anya
1.00 P.M. “BENEDICITE” PRAYER WALK begins at the Lych Gate at St. Mary’s. All are welcome! “All ye works of the Lord, bless ye the Lord. Praise Him and magnify Him for ever!”
Parish Life Notes
“IN PERSON” SUNDAY WORSHIP . Please register ahead of time if you desire to attend the Sunday service at St. Mary’s, and observe public health protocols. AUDIO RECORDING of today’s service and sermon will be posted to the parish website following worship today.
MID WEEK SERVICES. You are warmly invited to join in the daily services of Morning Prayer at 8.30 a.m. and Evening Prayer at 5.30 p.m. starting Monday, March 15. There will also be services of Holy Communion on Tuesday, following a shortened Morning Prayer at 8.30 a.m., Wednesday at 12.15 p.m., and Thursday, following shortened Evening Prayer at 5.30 p.m. In the wake of the isolation and upheaval of these past months, these quiet, meditative services offer us the opportunity to gather with small group of fellow parishioners to refocus our attention in anticipation of Easter, be refreshed, and find healing for bruised and battered hearts. Pre-registration will not be required.
‘RISEN WITH CHRIST’ A PALM SATURDAY VIRTUAL CELEBRATION on Saturday, March 27 at 12:45 PM. To join in, here is the Zoom link.
MEND WITH CARE. Any clothing in need of repair? We are a small group of menders offering to do some basic or creative mending for all your worn wear! All proceeds will go directly to the Refugee Fund. We welcome ripped seams, unraveled knitwear, holes to patch, wool to darn, loose or missing buttons. Please contact Clara at mendwithcare@gmail.com
HAND-DIPPED BEESWAX CANDLES from St. Mary’s may be purchased for $5.00 a pair by contacting Yvonne in the parish office. Phone: 306 522-6052, email: stmarysanglican@sasktel.net Parishioners can pick up their candles from the newly installed mailbox at the Montague St. entrance, and leave a cheque in the proper amount. Proceeds to Refugee Fund.
FASTING FOR FEEDING. Join us today (Sunday) at 4.30 p.m. for our third and final zoom meeting from the kitchen of Nat and Mary as we cook Vegetable Biryani. See attached recipe. To join in, here is the Zoom link.
ST. MARY’S VESTRY meets this Tuesday at 7:00 p.m.
CHILDREN’S LENTEN ALMS. For our Children’s Lenten Alms Family Ministries has chosen City Kidz. We will be collecting alms for City Kidz, an organization that exists to help children living in low-income communities by providing inspirational experiences and personal relationships.
I heard the voice of Jesus say, “Come unto me and rest; lay down, O weary one, lay down your head upon my breast.” I came to Jesus as I was, so weary, worn, and sad; I found him in a resting place, and he has made me glad.
I heard the voice of Jesus say, “Behold, I freely give the living water, thirsty one, stoop down and drink and live.” I came to Jesus, and I drank of that life-giving stream; my thirst was quenched, my soul revived, and now I live in him.
I heard the voice of Jesus say, “I am this dark world’s light; look unto me; your morn shall rise, and all your day be bright.” I looked to Jesus, and I found in him my star, my sun; and in that light of life I’ll walk till traveling days are done.
Service Audio Part One
Sentence of Scripture
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise. Psalm 51. 17.
DEARLY beloved brethren, the Scripture moveth us in sundry places to acknowledge and confess our manifold sins and wickedness; and that we should not dissemble nor cloke them before the face of Almighty God our heavenly Father; but confess them with an humble, lowly, penitent, and obedient heart; to the end that we may obtain forgiveness of the same, by his infinite goodness and mercy. Wherefore I pray and beseech you, as many as are here present, to accompany me with a pure heart and humble voice unto the throne of the heavenly grace.
ALMIGHTY and most merciful Father, We have erred and strayed from thy ways like lost sheep, We have followed too much the devices and desires of our own hearts, We have offended against thy holy laws, We have left undone those things which we ought to have done, And we have done those things which we ought not to have done; And there is no health in us. But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us, miserable offenders. Spare thou them, O God, which confess their faults. Restore thou them that are penitent; According to thy promises declared unto mankind in Christ Jesu our Lord. And grant, O most merciful Father, for his sake, That we may hereafter live a godly, righteous, and sober life, To the glory of thy holy Name. Amen.
ALMIGHTY God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who desireth not the death of a sinner, but rather that he may turn from his wickedness, and live, hath given power and commandment to his Ministers, to declare and pronounce to his people, being penitent, the Absolution and Remission of their sins. He pardoneth and absolveth all them that truly repent and unfeignedly believe his holy Gospel. Wherefore we beseech him to grant us true repentance and his Holy Spirit, that those things may please him which we do at this present, and that the rest of our life hereafter may be pure and holy; so that at the last we may come to his eternal joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
OUR Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive them that trespass against us; And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, For ever and ever. Amen.
O Lord, open thou our lips; And our mouth shall show forth thy praise.
O God, make speed to save us; O Lord, make haste to help us.
GLORY be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Praise ye the Lord; The Lord’s Name be praised.
VENITE EXULTEMUS DOMINO. PSALM 95
O COME, let us sing unto the LORD: / let us heartily rejoice in the strength of our salvation. Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, / and show ourselves glad in him with psalms. For the LORD is a great God, / and a great King above all gods. In his hand are all the corners of the earth: / and the strength of the hills is his also. The sea is his, and he made it: / and his hands prepared the dry land.
O COME, let us worship, and fall down, / and kneel before the LORD our Maker. For he is the Lord our God; / and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand.
TO-DAY, O that ye would hear his voice: / ‘Harden not your hearts as in the Provocation, and as in the day of Temptation in the wilderness; When your fathers tempted me, / proved me, and saw my works. Forty years long was I grieved with that generation, and said, / “It is a people that do err in their hearts, for they have not known my ways”; Unto whom I sware in my wrath, / that they should not enter into my rest.’
GLORY be to the Father, and to the Son, / and to the Holy Ghost; As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, / world without end. Amen.
THE FIRST LESSON: Numbers 21: 4-9
From Mount Hor they set out by the way to the Red Sea, to go around the land of Edom; and the people became impatient on the way. And the people spoke against God and against Moses, “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and we loathe this worthless food.” Then the Lord sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people, so that many people of Israel died. And the people came to Moses, and said, “We have sinned, for we have spoken against the Lord and against you; pray to the Lord, that he take away the serpents from us.” So Moses prayed for the people. And the Lord said to Moses, “Make a fiery serpent, and set it on a pole; and every one who is bitten, when he sees it, shall live.” So Moses made a bronze serpent, and set it on a pole; and if a serpent bit any man, he would look at the bronze serpent and live.
This is the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Psalm 107:1-3, 17-22
O GIVE thanks unto the LORD, for he is gracious, / and his mercy endureth for ever. Let them give thanks whom the LORD hath redeemed, / and delivered from adversity;
And gathered them out of the lands, from the east and from the west, / from the north and from the south. THEY that are foolish are afflicted for their offence, / and because of their wickedness.
Their soul abhorred all manner of meat, / and they were even hard at death’s door. So they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, / and he delivered them from their dis-tress.
He sent his word and healed them, / and saved them from their destruction. O that men would therefore praise the LORD for his goodness, / and declare the wonders that he doeth for the children of men!
That they would offer unto him the sacrifices of thanksgiving, / and tell out his works with gladness!
SECOND LESSON: Ephesians 2:1-10
And you he made alive, when you were dead through the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience. Among these we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, following the desires of body and mind, and so we were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But God, who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with him, and made us sit with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not your own doing, it is the gift of God— not because of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
This is the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God
Hymn: Ancient Words
Accompaniment
Holy words long preserved for our walk in this world, They resound with God’s own heart Oh, let the Ancient words impart.
Words of Life, words of Hope Give us strength, help us cope In this world, where e’er we roam Ancient words will guide us Home.
Ancient words ever true Changing me, and changing you. We have come with open hearts Oh let the ancient words impart.
Holy words of our Faith Handed down to this age. Came to us through sacrifice Oh heed the faithful words of Christ.
Holy words long preserved For our walk in this world. They resound with God’s own heart Oh let the ancient words impart.
Ancient words ever true Changing me, and changing you. We have come with open hearts Oh let the ancient words impart.
Ancient words ever true Changing me, and changing…
Service Audio Part Two
THE HOLY GOSPEL: John 3:14-21
R. / Glory be to Thee, O Lord.
And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. “Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Those who believe in him are not condemned; but those who do not believe are condemned already, because they have not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil. For all who do evil hate the light and do not come to the light, so that their deeds may not be exposed. But those who do what is true come to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that their deeds have been done in God.”
R./ Praise be to thee, O Christ.
BENEDICTUS. ST LUKE 1:68
BLESSED be the Lord God of Israel; / for he hath visited and redeemed his people; And hath raised up a mighty salvation for us, / in the house of his servant David; As he spake by the mouth of his holy Prophets, / which have been since the world began; That we should be saved from our enemies, / and from the hands of all that hate us; To perform the mercy promised to our forefathers, / and to remember his holy covenant; To perform the oath which he sware to our forefather Abraham, / that he would grant us That we being delivered out of the hands of our enemies / might serve him without fear, In holiness and righteousness before him, / all the days of our life. AND thou, child, shalt be called the Prophet of the Highest: / for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways; To give knowledge of salvation unto his people / for the remission of their sins; Through the tender mercy of our God; / whereby the day-spring from on high hath visited us; To give light to them that sit in darkness, and in the shadow of death, / and to guide our feet into the way of peace.
GLORY be to the Father, and to the Son, / and to the Holy Ghost; As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, / world without end. Amen.
Then shall be said or sung the Confession of the Faith, called the Apostles’ Creed.
I BELIEVE in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth: And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord, Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, Born of the Virgin Mary, Suffered under Pontius Pilate, Was crucified, dead, and buried: He descended into hell; The third day he rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, And sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; The holy Catholic Church; The Communion of Saints; The Forgiveness of sins; The Resurrection of the body, And the Life everlasting. Amen.
The Lord be with you; And with thy spirit.
Let us pray.
Lord, have mercy upon us. Christ, have mercy upon us. Lord, have mercy upon us.
OUR Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive them that trespass against us; And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil. Amen.
O Lord, show thy mercy upon us; And grant us thy salvation.
O Lord, save the Queen; And mercifully hear us when we call upon thee.
Endue thy Ministers with righteousness; And make thy chosen people joyful.
O Lord, save thy people; And bless thine inheritance.
Give peace in our time, O Lord; And evermore mightily defend us.
O God, make clean our hearts within us; And take not thy Holy Spirit from us.
The Collect for the Fourth Sunday in Lent.
Grant, we beseech thee, Almighty God, that we, who for our evil deeds do worthily deserve to be punished, by the comfort of thy grace may mercifully be relieved; through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.
The Collect for Ash Wednesday
ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, who hatest nothing that thou hast made, and dost forgive the sins of all them that are penitent: Create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we worthily lamenting our sins, and acknowledging our wretchedness, may obtain of thee, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Second Collect, for Peace.
O GOD, who art the author of peace and lover of concord, in knowledge of whom standeth our eternal life, whose service is perfect freedom: Defend us thy humble servants in all assaults of our enemies; that we, surely trusting in thy defence, may not fear the power of any adversaries; through the might of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Third Collect, for Grace.
O LORD our heavenly Father, Almighty and everlasting God, who hast safely brought us to the beginning of this day: Defend us in the same with thy mighty power; and grant that this day we fall into no sin, neither run into any kind of danger; but that all our doings may be ordered by thy governance, to do always that is righteous in thy sight; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
A Prayer for the Clergy and People.
ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, from whom cometh every good and perfect gift: Send down upon our Bishops and Clergy, and all Congregations committed to their charge, the healthful Spirit of thy grace; and that they may truly please thee, pour upon them the continual dew of thy blessing. Grant this, O Lord, for the honour of our Advocate and
Hymn: Tree of Life and Awesome Mystery
Accompaniment
Tree of Life and awesome mystery, In your death we are reborn, Though you die in all of history, Still you rise with every morn, Still you rise with every morn.
Seed that dies to rise in glory, May we see ourselves in you, If we learn to live your story We may die to rise anew, We may die to rise anew.
We remember truth once spoken, Love passed on through act and word, Every person lost and broken Wears the body of our Lord, Wears the body of our Lord.
Gentle Jesus, mighty Spirit, Come inflame our hearts anew, We may all your joy inherit If we bear the cross with you, If we bear the cross with you.
Christ, you lead and we shall follow, Stumbling though our steps may be, One with you in joy and sorrow, We the river, you the sea, We the river, you the sea.
Give us eyes to see you clearly, Make us children of your light; Give us hearts to live more nearly As your gospel shining bright. As your gospel shining bright.
O GOD, the Creator and Preserver of all mankind, we humbly beseech thee for all sorts and conditions of men; that thou wouldest be pleased to make thy ways known unto them, thy saving health unto all nations. More especially we pray for the good estate of the Catholic Church; that it may be so guided and governed by thy good Spirit, that all who profess and call themselves Christians may be led into the way of truth, and hold the faith in unity of spirit, in the bond of peace, and in righteousness of life. Finally we commend to thy fatherly goodness all those, who are any ways afflicted or distressed in mind, body, or estate; [* especially those for whom our prayers are desired;] that it may please thee to comfort and relieve them, according to their several necessities, giving them patience under their sufferings, and a happy issue out of all their afflictions. And this we beg for Jesus Christ his sake. Amen.
Prayer for Those Preparing for Holy Baptism
God of Light, you cut away corruption and strengthen faith, you build up hope and foster love. You lead us into abundant life. We, who are threatened by unbelief and hesitation in faith, by the love of money and lawless passions, by enmity and quarrelling, and by every manner of evil, call upon you now in humility and trust.
Free your servants Cailin and Derek whom you have called, and empower them by your Holy Spirit to be holy and faithful in your sight. Create in them a spirit of reverence, of patience and hope, balance and purity, and of charity and peace. We ask this through Christ our ord. Amen.
A General Thanksgiving, to be said by the Minister and people together.
ALMIGHTY God, Father of all mercies, We thine unworthy servants do give thee most humble and hearty thanks For all thy goodness and loving-kindness To us and to all men; [* particularly to those who desire now to offer up their praises and thanksgivings.] We bless thee for our creation, preservation, and all the blessings of this life; But above all for thine inestimable 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 beseech thee, give us that due sense of all thy mercies, That our hearts may be unfeignedly thankful, And that we show forth thy praise, Not only with our lips, but in our lives; By giving up ourselves to thy service, And by walking before thee in holiness and righteousness all our days; Through Jesus Christ our Lord, To whom, with thee and the Holy Ghost, be all honour and glory, world without end. Amen.
A Prayer of Saint Chrysostom.
ALMIGHTY God, who hast given us grace at this time with one accord to make our common supplications unto thee; and dost promise that when two or three are gathered together in thy Name thou wilt grant their requests: Fulfil now, O Lord, the desires and petitions of thy servants, as may be most expedient for them; granting us in this world knowledge of thy truth, and in the world to come life everlasting. Amen.
2 Corinthians 13. 14. THE grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Ghost, be with us all evermore. Amen.
St. Mary the Virgin Anglican Church, Lent 4, 2021 Revd. Canon Claude Schroeder Lectionary: Numbers 21. 4-9, Psalm 107, Ephesians 2. 1-10, John 3. 14-21
Sermon audio
A warm welcome to you all on this the Fourth Sunday in the season of Lent, in the year of our Lord, 2021!
Isn’t this just what we all have been waiting for?
Well, not really.
This may be the Fourth Sunday in Lent, but it is also the 52nd Sunday in the season of Corona-tide. It is one year ago now that we went into lockdown, and closed the doors of the church.
Hasn’t this been fun?
No. It has not been fun. Corona-tide has forced upon us all manner of self-denial, such that we might say, it’s been a year-long Lent.
Warren Buffet, the famous investment guru once said, “It’s only when the tide goes out that you discover who has been swimming without trunks.” Well, in these last 12 months the tide has certainly gone out of our lives. Things hidden have been revealed. The true state of things has been uncovered, and not just the quality of care given to the elderly in long-term care, but the quality and character of our relationships, attitudes, and commitments, and not to mention the state of our souls…
GODLY PLAY for children 3-6 years via zoom. Today’s story is ‘Lent-Crown of Thorns’ Matthew 27:27-31.
CHILDREN’S LENTEN ALMS. For our Children’s Lenten Alms Family Ministries has chosen City Kidz. We will be collecting alms for City Kidz, an organization that exists to help children living in low-income communities by providing inspirational experiences and personal relationships.
FAITHQUEST (for children 7-13 via zoom). continue the Road to Emmaus rotation with Let there be Art .
Memory Verse/Key Verse: Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him, and he vanished from their sight. They said to each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us?” (Luke 24: 31-32 NRSV) Leader: Clara/Emma/Myka
1.00 P.M. “BENEDICITE” PRAYER WALK begins at the Lych Gate at St.Mary’s. All are welcome! “All ye works of the Lord, bless ye the Lord. Praise Him and magnify Him for ever!”
RESUMPTION OF ” IN-PERSON” WORSHIP. Bishop Rob has granted permission to churches in the Diocese to open their doors once again, and resume worship services in the church building. If you would like to join us next at 10.30 a.m. for Morning Prayer with hymns and sermon, please register on line. Alternatively, you may call the church office and leave a message. Attendance will be limited to 30 people, following the accustomed public health orders.
MID WEEK SERVICES. As Passiontide, Holy Week and Easter draws near, you are warmly invited to join in the daily services of Morning Prayer at 8.30 a.m. and Evening Prayer at 5.30 p.m. starting Monday, March 15. There will also be services of Holy Communion on Tuesday, following a shortened Morning Prayer at 8.30 a.m., Wednesday at 12.15 p.m., and Thursday, following shortened Evening Prayer at 5.30 p.m. In the wake of the isolation and upheaval of these past months, these quiet, meditative services offer us the opportunity to gather with small group of fellow parishioners to refocus our attention in anticipation of Easter, be refreshed, and find healing for bruised and battered hearts. Pre-registration will not be required.
‘RISEN WITH CHRIST’ A PALM SATURDAY VIRTUAL CELEBRATION on Saturday March 27. Details to follow.
MEND WITH CARE. Any clothing in need of repair? We are a small group of menders offering to do some basic and or creative mending for all your worn wear! All proceeds will go directly to the Refugee Fund. We welcome ripped seams, unraveled knitwear, holes to patch, wool to darn, loose or missing buttons. For your convenience, we can arrange a drop off or pick up, please contact Clara or send email to mendwithcare@gmail.com
HAND-DIPPED BEESWAX CANDLES from St. Mary’s may be purchased for $5.00 a pair by contacting Yvonne in the parish office. Parishioners can pick up their candles from the newly installed mailbox at the Montague St. entrance, and leave a cheque in the proper amount. Proceeds to St. Mary’s Refugee Fund.
ST. CUTHBERT’S REGIONAL PRAYER GATHERING – next month’s gathering is Monday, March 8 at 6:30 pm by Zoom. Newcomers are welcome. For the Zoom link, please contact Kate.
GODLY PLAY for children 3-6 years via zoom. Today’s story is ‘Lent-Peter and the Rooster’ Matthew 26:69 – 75.
CHILDREN’S LENTEN ALMS. For our Children’s Lenten Alms Family Ministries has chosen City Kidz. We will be collecting alms for City Kidz, an organization that exists to help children living in low-income communities by providing inspirational experiences and personal relationships.
FAITHQUEST (for children 7-13 via zoom). Start Road to Emmaus rotation doing a Scavenger Hunt. Memory Verse/Key Verse: Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him, and he vanished from their sight. They said to each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us?” (Luke 24: 31-32 NRSV) Leader: Kate
Parish Life Notes
“BENEDICITE” PRAYER WALK meets again this afternoon at 1.00 p.m. at the Lych Gate at St.Mary’s. All are welcome! All ye works of the Lord, bless ye the Lord. Praise Him and magnify Him for ever!
FASTING FOR FEEDING LENTEN OUTREACH. Join us next Sunday, March 7 at 4:30 p.m. on “ zoom” from the kitchen of Clara and family as they lead us in preparing Miso Soup and Stir Fried Noodles to enjoy and share with others. ( see attached recipe for ingredients) Clara invites and encouragers St. Mary’s parishioners in Lent to prepare meals to share with members of our Saturday morning Community Kitchen who have been unable to meet during the lockdown. (See photo below.)
Please contact Clara who will link you up.
PLEDGE FORMS FOR 2021. The churchwardens ask that parishioners fill out and return paper pledge form that was mailed out, or fill out the pledge form on the parish web-site. Financial commitment is not only part and parcel of our out discipleship of Jesus Christ as expressed in our Rule of Life (BCP, p. 555), but is vital for the health, and well being for our parish, and assists the Vestry in stewarding our parishes finances.
St. Mary the Virgin Anglican Church, Lent 2, February 28, 2021 Canon Claude Schroeder.
Sermon on Mark 8. 31-38
Sermon Audio
The season of Lent, as we have been learning, was established in the early church as a period of preparation for the “Paschal Feast”, which we call Easter, that is the joyful victory celebration over sin, death, and the devil which Jesus accomplished through His suffering, death, and Resurrection. Lent was also a time when convents to the Christian faith were prepared for that moment when in Baptism they were marked out as followers of Jesus Christ, were united to Jesus in His death and Resurrection, sealed with the Holy Spirit, adopted into the family of God, and were made members of the Body of Christ. God willing, we will be celebrating Easter baptisms at St. Mary’s this year!
But who is this Jesus Christ, and what does it mean for us to follow Him? Our Gospel lesson today puts before us the centrality of the suffering, rejection, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ for our understanding of who He is, and our life as Christians.
GODLY PLAY for children 3-6 years via zoom. Today’s story is ‘Lent-Thirty Pieces Of Silver’ Matthew 26:14 – 27:5.
FAITHQUEST (for children 7-13 via zoom). Today we continue with the story of Jacob and Esau with a Divine Diversions workshop – led by Len.
1.00 P.M. “BENEDICITE” WALKING GROUP meets this afternoon under the Lych Gate at ST. Mary’s for a guided prayer walk . “O ye ice and snow bless ye the Lord, Praise Him and Magnify Him for ever!”
4.30 P.M. FASTING FOR FEEDING. Today we will be joining together on zoom to cook Sweet Potato. and Chick Pea Stew. Please see attached recipe for ingredient list. To join in, please go to: this link .
PARISH LIFE NOTES
ST. MARY’S ANNUAL MEETING was held last Sunday afternoon via video conference with 40 parishioners in attendance. We received the 2020 Annual Reports and Financial Statements, and approved the budget of $224,996 for the coming year. Beth was the Rector’s appointment for Churchwarden, and Mary was the elected Churchwarden. Returning to serve on the Vestry this year are: Katherine, Bob, Nathaniel, Alanna, Tom. New members of Vestry are: Andrew and Ben. Special thanks to Dave for chairing the meeting, and to Janice, who retired from serving as churchwarden.
PLEDGE FORMS FOR 2021. The churchwardens ask that parishioners fill out and return paper pledge form that was mailed out, or fill out the pledge form on the parish web-site. Financial commitment is not only part and parcel of our out discipleship of Jesus Christ as expressed in our Rule of Life (BCP, p. 555), but is vital for the health, and well being for our parish, and assists the Vestry in stewarding our parishes finances.
BUILDING UPGRADE. This week saw the installation of a new sound system for St. Mary’s with enhanced audio recording capability and the installation of new lighting in the lounge/ meeting room. Our thanks to Terry for overseeing this work.
BIBLE STUDY ON THE LETTER TO THE HEBREWS with Henry meets on zoom this Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. Please contact Henry for advance readings and zoom link.
