
Lent has begun. I hope you’ve all picked up a copy of the Lent 2020 Daily Practices calendar from the Signs of Life materials. It’s available in the Narthex (lobby) of the Church. The daily practice for Ash Wednesday was this: “Pray for strength to observe a holy Lent.” That is my prayer for you – that your Lent may be holy and life-giving. ~ VGM+
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Maximino Cerezo Barredo (Spanish, 1932–), Supper at Emmaus. Inscription, in Catalan: “El reconegueren quan partia el pa” (They recognized him when he broke the bread).
Here are this week’s announcements, especially:
- Sunday Forum: Praying with Icons (Christian Formation)
- Lenten Group: Signs of Life (Offerings for Lent)
- Scout Sunday (Worship)
- Simnel Cake Bake-off (Parish Life)
Lent is the season in which we prepare to celebrate Christ’s Passion and Resurrection – the cornerstone and core of our faith. This year we are offering several ways for you to engage the season – either individually or in a group.
Evening Prayer, Mondays, 6:30 pm - 25 mins. of calm and connection at the end of your day. The service will also be live on the church's Facebook page.
Holy Eucharist & Healing Prayer, Thursdays, 7:00 am
Lenten Group – Signs of Life: Why Church Matters Mondays, 7:00-8:30 pm. The themes of Light, Water, Food, Shelter, and Community are signs and symbols at the heart of Christian worship. They will be the basis of each week with a short video, a brief written reflection, and discussion. A Signs of Life Reader is available (whether you come to the group or not). Please sign up for the sessions on the sheet in the Narthex.
Lent Daily Practices Calendar – pick up the brochure containing a thought or action for each day. This calendar combines emphases from Signs of Life and the Way of Love.
Forward Day by Day – the new quarter of our daily devotional is available in both pocket-size and large print.
PARISH LIFE
Mid-Lent Simnel Cake Bake-Off: March 22 – The Fourth Sunday of Lent is a time when the church mood lightens and we relax our spiritual discipline for the day. Simnel Cake is a traditional British treat for this day. Bring your entries to Coffee Hour; the prize will be a reserved parking spot for Easter Day! Pick up your recipes and sign-up on the sheet in the Narthex.
Maundy Thursday Agapé Supper, April 9, 6:00 pm – this is a simple pot-luck meal before our worship at 7:30 pm. Mediterranean-themed dishes preferred/No dessert, please. We’ll be joined by our friends from the Christian Community. We gather and eat together, as Jesus and his disciples did. Look for the sign-up sheet in the Narthex.
Thanks to Jane Hayden and everyone who helped with the Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper on Tuesday night. Despite the rain we were able to burn our prior-year palms in the Parish House fireplace!
Coffee Hour Hosts are needed for our conversation and fellowship time after worship. It’s a simple offering of coffee, tea, juice, and snacks/munchies. If you have questions or are not sure about making coffee, speak to John McGrath.
Please sign up on the sheet in the Narthex.
CHRISTIAN FORMATION
This Sunday is Family Sunday so there is no Sunday School. Children should worship with their families.
Sunday Forum – our next Sunday Forum will be on March 15 at 11:15 am. Sister Deborah Francis will give a presentation and discussion on praying with icons. Do plan to come and learn about this visual form of prayer.
Bible Study will meets on Wednesday, March 4 at 10:15 am in the Rath House, discussing Revelation, Chapter 21. New folks are always welcome. Questions? Speak to Mother Vicki.
WORSHIP
During Lent at the 10 am service we follow the older Rite I form of our liturgy. At the end of the service the Dismissal will be given from the altar. The altar party will process out on the closing chant. The congregation is then invited to remain for a time of quiet personal prayer.
Next Sunday, March 11 is Scout Sunday. All Scouts BSA, Cub Scouts and Girls Scouts and their leaders are invited to wear their uniforms and participate in the Scout Exercises during the 10 am service.
STEWARDSHIP
Save the Date, May 17 at 4:00 pm – Altar Window Concert. Our Parish Choir will present a concert to continue our fund-raising efforts to restore our Resurrection Window. Be sure to invite your friends and neighbors!
ShopRite Cards – buy a ShopRite gift card for your own groceries or as a gift for someone else. You pay face value and All Saints’ gets 5%. See Barbara Barbeau or call the Parish Office.
OUTREACH
Family Promise: March 9 is our next date to serve at the homeless shelter program when it is hosted at Trinity House in Stirling. We always love to have new folks be part of this wonderful outreach ministry – cooking, greeting/visiting with shelter guests, staying overnight at Trinity House in a private room. Interested – want to help? Speak with Afsaneh Thursfield, faeritale@hotmail.com.
PARISH CALENDAR
3/2 Evening Prayer, Church, 6:30 pm (& on Facebook Live)
Signs of Life Lent Group Rath House, 7:00 pm
3/4 Bible Study, Rath House, 10:15 am
3/5 Eucharist & Healing Prayer, 7:00 am, Church
Junior Choir, 5:30 pm, Choir Room
Adult Choir, 7:30 pm, Choir Room
For a full schedule of our buildings check the website calendar www.allsaintsmillington.org
CHRISTIAN PRACTICES
The Way of Love: Learn – February 27 in the Church calendar is the day we commemorate George Herbert (1593-1633). He was a priest and one of the foremost Christian lyrical poets, a friend and contemporary of John Donne. The following poem is an imagined dialogue between Love (Christ) and the soul (I), in which we are invited to reflect on God’s forgiving, welcoming love, and our own reluctance to forgive ourselves.
Love (III)
~ by George Herbert
Love bade me welcome: yet my soul drew back,
Guilty of dust and sin.
But quick-eyed Love, observing me grow slack
From my first entrance in,
Drew nearer to me, sweetly questioning
If I lacked anything.
“A guest,” I answered, “worthy to be here”:
Love said, “You shall be he.”
“I, the unkind, ungrateful? Ah, my dear,
I cannot look on thee.”
Love took my hand, and smiling did reply,
“Who made the eyes but I?”
“Truth, Lord; but I have marred them; let my shame
Go where it doth deserve.”
“And know you not,” says Love, “who bore the blame?”
“My dear, then I will serve.” “You must sit down,” says Love, “and taste my meat.”
So I did sit and eat.
Blessings, Vicki+