RITE I

 

This year we will use Rite I in Lent for our 10:00 Sunday and 5:00 Saturday services. Although most Episcopal churches revert to Rite I during Lent, I have refrained from doing so in the past because I didn't wish to send the message that Rite I is a part of the penitence that we observe during Lent. Rite I (BCP p. 323) was placed in the 1979 Prayer Book for those wanting a more traditional liturgy in contrast to Rite II. And yet, with its cumbersome, archaic language - and the additional length of the Eucharist Prayer - it might seem to some that Rite I is a liturgical hair shirt, meant to make us uncomfortable for the good of our souls - after all, it's LENT.

The thing is, I love Rite I, and I don't want people thinking that they are being spiritually disciplined by having to observe it. On the other hand, there are many of us who have never been introduced to the beauty and richness of expression in Rite I - which is unfortunate - thus, the decision to use it this Lent.

I will welcome your comments concerning our observance of Lent, in the interest of making our worship together as edifying and meaningful as possible.

  

Fr. Jacobs

　　

A CHORAL EVENSONG:

 

As the strains of the organ die away, the bells ring out as they have for centuries. Another day you gave us, Lord, is ended, and we gather to sing Your praise. Our voices extol our God, and together we praise God for the Light of day, now waning. Through Mary's words, we proclaim the greatness of the Lord. We hear the Word, and through it, we see God. As Simeon understood the fulfillment of his days on earth, we understand the fulfillment of our Sabbath day together. We pray together. We recount Christian hope: from the tired soul longing for rest; to the sacrifice of Jesus that makes that rest possible; to the joy of Easter after days of sorrow; to promise of the Heavenly City to all Christians, those who have gone before, and those who are yet to come. We thank God for his gifts to us, and we receive his benediction. We proclaim together, "Alleluia!" - the last of these for a while. We marvel at God's gift to us, that, though the Gates of Hell perpetually endeavor, no one can take from us.

Please join us for Choral Evensong this Sunday. The 4:00 Service is preceded by an Organ Recital-Prelude at 3:30. A freewill offering will be taken to support the Trinity music program, and a reception will follow. Bring a friend.

 

HERE WE GO AGAIN

 

Once again, we see the world lurching toward instability. And once again, we see the costs of living escalate, much to the dismay of those least able to cope with higher costs. So once again, I ask you to share from your abundance, and share with others. FOOD SUNDAY is this weekend! Be generous and considerate! The Salvation Army thanks you in advance, as do those you will be helping.

 

Deacon Lew

  

SHROVE TUESDAY SUPPER

  

Come to Bourbon Street at the Great Hall on Shrove Tuesday, March 8^th for a taste of New Orleans. Chef Chalmers Morse will be cooking up a special menu for you. Dinner will be served at 6:00 pm.

Please call the church office at 567-1146 for reservations

 

ASH WEDNESDAY

 

Our observance of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, March 9th. Services that day for the imposition of ashes will be held at noon and 6:00 pm in the chapel.

 

TRINITY'S LENTEN SERIES FEATURES "CONVERSATIONS" WITH LOCAL FIGURES

 

The year's Lenten series will take place on each of the five Sundays in Lent - beginning at 5:30 pm in the Great Hall with a simple meal, followed by an interview/dialogue conducted by Fr. Jacobs with several of our community's public figures. The topic of the discussion will be the challenges of professing one's faith in the public arena. There will be time for questions from the audience, and the public is invited. The schedule is as follows: 

 

March 13 - Mrs. Marcia Littlejohn - Radio Personality, Realtor

March 20 - The Hon. Judge Joe Wild - County Court Judge 

March 27 - Mrs. Alma Lee Loy - Business & Civic Leader   

April 3 - Mr. Stan Boling - Assistant County Planner    

April 10 - Mr. Sean Sexton - Poet, Artist, Author, Rancher 

 

Please come and bring a friend!

   

LADIES, SAVE THIS DATE 

 

On March 21, the Rev. Neely Towe will return to Trinity for a women's Bible study retreat - a follow-up to her successful appearance last year. The presentation will take place in the Great Hall from 9:00 am - 2:30 pm, with registration beginning at 8:30 am. The topic will be: "Navigating Change in an Ever Changing World". Lunch will be served, and the cost will be announced at a later date. Please come and invite a guest!   

  

MEDICAL LENDING CLOSET  

   

We want to remind you that we have a lending closet with a variety of medical devices available to use. This closet includes walkers, crutches, shower chairs, bedside commodes, and such durable equipment.  

There is NO REASON TO BUY when you can borrow for free - so if' you're facing knee or hip surgery, ask us if we have what you need!   

Likewise, if you no longer need that wheelchair or whatever it is, we'd be delighted to be the go-between so that someone in need can find it! 

 

Deacon Lew 

 

MEMORIAL FLOWERS   

 

Flowers adorn the chapel and church altars by the generosity of our parishioners. Often we have dates which have not been reserved, though flowers are still provided, which depletes the altar guild budget. We have posted flower charts in the narthex of the church and chapel and we encourage you to fill any date that is blank with your name and phone number (you may choose more than one date). Our office finance secretary, Diane Steinke, will then contact you regarding payment and your wishes to honor or memorialize loved ones.

  

EPISCOPAL CHURCH WOMEN