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Carey's Conversations
My article today comes from Henri Nouwen's devotional book Bread for the Journey.
Claiming the Sacredness of Our Being
Are we friends with ourselves? Do we love who we are? These are important questions because we cannot develop good friendships with others unless we have befriended ourselves.
How then do we befriend ourselves? We have to start by acknowledging the truth of ourselves. We are beautiful but also limited, rich but also poor, generous but also worried about our security. Yet beyond all that we are people with souls, sparks of the divine.
To acknowledge the truth of ourselves is to claim the sacredness of our being, without fully understanding it. Our deepest being escapes our own mental or emotional grasp. But when we trust that our souls are embraced by a loving God, we can befriend ourselves and reach out to others in loving relationships.
Yours in Christ,
Carey+
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Who Is Waiting for Whom
We are in the middle of another Lenten season. I do not anticipate Lent as I do Advent. I treasure Advent, a time set-aside by our church to contemplate waiting, waiting for the promised savior, waiting for God to enter my life, your life. Lent feels barren, cold, a time for emptying. I do not especially like the music. I miss the flowers. I do not feel the expectation of Easter as I did for Christmas.
But today, as I look out into this misty cool early spring morning as a flock of deer run by my window, I feel strangely warmed. I am waiting for something, but I also feel something waiting for me. Advent symbolizes our waiting for God, but this Lent may be a time to remember that God is waiting for us. While my many character defects block my relationship with God, he seems to be there still, waiting patiently, longing for relationship, giving more than I can comprehend, caring for me and those whom I have neglected and forgotten to wait for.
I think of times in my life when God has waited for me. I immediately think of my children. I was so involved in my career during their early growing up years. When I realize how much time I have missed, some are almost grown. Is it too late for relationship? Have I missed the most important years? I have not been there for so many things with them. After our two oldest children finish college, they both return home for several years. Many friends talk about this with horror, but I see it through the Grace of God in a new light. God has given me another chance to find relationship with my children at a different age in a new way.
It seems we have so many opportunities for redemption. We make wrong choices, but our God seems constantly to give us new opportunities. God waits for us until we are ready to do the job we have been given, and then gives us another chance in a new situation; usually not one we have planned.
I think of my relationship with the church. I am very involved as a child but stop attending religious services in college. I don't need them. I infrequently return at times of crises. I do not really come back until we have children. I want them to be exposed to and experience something that once has been meaningful to me at their age. On this second encounter God overpowers me. I find a relationship that fills a large void in my life. I taste a love that I have always longed for. I know I am on a journey, like the seekers after the Holy Grail. I will be searching for the rest of my life.
God constantly calls and waits for us and is faithful to us. God longs and yearns for us, and we are like the deer in Psalm 42, longing for that cool stream. I tell people not to worry when their children intermittently stop going to church or do not on the surface seem that interested in a spiritual life. My experience is that God with his steadfast love constantly calls all of us back. I know God waits for me, for them, and for you-and will do so for eternity. My meditations this Lent will be to continue to remember those times in my life when God has waited and cared for me when I am not present. Again, I will try to muffle my alleluias for this relationship until Easter.
Joanna Deacon Joanna's Sermon: March 18, 2012 ---------- + ---------- | |
 FROM THE ORGAN BENCH |
This Sunday is the last Sunday of Lent. The following Sunday we celebrate the joyful entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. This Sunday at the 10:30 am liturgy, the choir will offer a setting of Fall, fall slow tears. This text is a paraphrase from Psalm 51. Fall slow tears and drown all my doubts and fears
And wash away my sin and shame in the flood of forgiveness and mercy.
Weep, sad eyes; my soul in repentance cries.
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
Wash me and I shall be whiter than snow.
Take all my iniquities upon You.
Have mercy on me, have mercy on me. On another note, I am still reading the fascinating biography of Dietrich Bonheoffer that was published in 2011. It gives a lot of insight into the courage of not only this man but his family. A quote from the foreword of this book is from Martin Luther. "That is, we are saved, not by anything we do, but by grace. Yet if we have truly understood and believed the gospel, it will change what we do and how we live." I often wonder if the way I live my life shows others that I am trying to be in relationship with God. I have said before that I am an imperfect being but as my friends in 12 step programs say, "Progress, not perfection." I try to be true to my own spiritual journey and hope that through my actions, I show myself to be on a righteous path. Lent gives me a time outside of the 'regular' year of the church that I can take more time to develop my relationship with God. God Bless You All! Michael
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 Medieval Tapestry in Victoria and Albert Museum, London. |
Father Carey will hear your confession by appointment As you know, every Sunday a general confession of sin is read aloud together and absolution is granted. As a general rule this works in dealing with our feeling of guilt but there are times when saying our public confessions during a church service just doesn't seem to relieve the guilt. It is at times like these that private confession may be more appropriate. St. James wrote about this: "Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective." James 5.16 You may schedule an appointment with Fr. Carey by calling the church office.
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PRAYER LIST
Carolyn Ford, Jim Howell, Katherine Herring, Rhonda Herring, Annette Gerace, Martinka Family, Cory Moses, Laura Dues, Pete Caro, Lawson Anderson, Anne Gontermann, Sheila Crim, Tim Woods, Mike Roh, Vince Roh, Bobbi West, Jamie Poole, Kate Toepfer, Valerie Baker, Nicholas, Martha Stroope, Mary Jo Ring, Kathy Rose, Thalia, Parker, Kathy, Lisa Williams, George Cline, Jim Ellwanger, Hannah Brown, the Acord Family, the Gontermann Family, Bill Spradlin, Mary Paal, Forest Pollard, Susan Ware, Pat Loomis, Ricky Parks, Shirley Miles, the Clawson Family, Stephen Mays, the Virgil Wiedner Family, Jayson Phillips, and David Porterfield, the Gentry Family, Connie and Kevin Delsinger, Kay M and Bob, and the Langlais Family.
Special Concerns: All of the men and women of our Armed Forces, especially Jake, Justin, Bret, Joshua, Mark, Tim, Matt, Doug and Lance.
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EASTER MEMORIALS AND THANKSGIVINGS
Lilies will be placed in the church on Easter Day in memory or in honor of loved ones. To contribute, please fill out a form available in the Sunday Bulletins, in the Narthex, and the Church Office, or you may contact the church office and give your information to the Parish Administrator directly. Donations are $15 each, and please be sure to mark your payment "Easter Flowers." Deadline of contributions is Monday, April 2 in order of the names to appear in the Easter bulletin.
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BAPTISMS
We will offer the sacrament of baptism on Easter Eve, April 7. If you wish to be baptized or have a child you would like baptized at that time, please contact the church office to arrange a time for baptismal instruction.
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EASTER EGG HUNT
If you are interested in donating money or candy for the Easter Egg Hunt, please contact Wanda Dunwoody or Suzzette Patterson.
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ECW EASTER EGGS ARE READY TO BE ORDERED
St. Luke's ECW is once again creating their delicious Easter Eggs. Order forms are available in the link provided below, in the Narthex or in the Church Office. Forms are due in by March 25th.
Easter Egg Order Form 2012
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MAUNDY THURSDAY
Please bring your plants on Palm Sunday for Garden of Repose on Maundy Thursday. Plants should be labeled as to who owns them and placed in the Chapel. Please call the office if you have any questions: 753.4281.
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BROTHERHOOD OF ST. ANDREW
The Brotherhood of St. Andrew has scheduled a Retreat/Camp Mitchell work day for 30-31 March. Lodging w/kitchen will be provided for Friday night. Everyone is invited. Friday evening will include food and fellowship. Saturday will be a work day at the camp to include cleaning and clearing the walking trails, flower beds, gardens, and any other work the camp has to be done. There should be something for everyone. Individuals are invited to participate in both Friday night and Saturday, or either one. Work will begin around 9:00 Saturday morning, following breakfast and will end around 2:00, Saturday noon meal will be provided by Camp Mitchell. If you have not attended a Camp Mitchell work day, you have missed out on a wonderful experience. For more information, check the Camp Mitchell Retreat/Work Day information poster in the Narthex.
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AN EVENING ON THE CARIBBEAN
No need to pack your bags and book an expensive trip. We are bringing a splash of the carefree Caribbean to St. Luke's on April 29th. Join us at 5:30 pm to kick off our new Fifth Sunday Series at the Church.
Love the beat and sound of the rhythms from the Caribbean? Calypso will be on the music menu with the sounds provided by the Steel Drum Band from the Episcopal Collegiate School. Accompanying the music is the dinner menu with authentic style Caribbean favorites. Tempting and tasty dishes will trick your taste buds into thinking you are on one of the islands. Mark your calendars for April 29th and invite your family and friends to join you. Details will follow in future announcements.
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DAUGHTERS OF THE KING
Our mission is to "extend Christ's Kingdom through Prayer, Service, and Evangelism". During this season of Lent the mission is ever present in the hearts and minds of the Daughters at St. Luke's. Saying daily prayers, fulfilling service needs, and living out our Lord's commands are part of each day. Let us know about you, your family, or your friend's special needs by filling out a prayer card in the church pew rack, calling the church office for hospital/ other visitation needs, or simply speaking to any Daughter in confidence. What we ought to do, by the grace of God, we will do.
"Carry each others burdens and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ."
Galatians 6:2
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UPCOMING ECW EVENTS
Saturday, March 31, 2012 - We invite all women to help clean the classroom ECW has been using for storage. 9:30am to noon. If you have any questions, please call Wanda Dunwoody at 412.3998.
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CHILDREN'S CHAPEL AND CHOIR
Beth Maze, with the help of some parents and teachers will lead the children during the gospel hymn to the parish Hall for Children's chapel and practice for a Children's choir for Easter Sunday. This will be for Children of all ages. Children will return at the peace. We will need some volunteers to help Beth on a rotational basis. Contact Joanna 4258525, joannaseibert@me.com if you can help Beth with this ministry.
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EXTENDING YOUR LENTEN DEVOTIONALS
What will you be giving up for Lent? Could it be candy, desserts, alcohol or beer? Although some might say giving these up might be considered a form of fasting or nourishment to our bodies, it doesn't satisfy the devotional nourishment and commitment we should make to God. In addition, Sunday's Eucharist shouldn't be the only day we give reverence to God. There are several other services and forms of worship in the Book of Common Prayer that we should be familiar with and use. One of those services is Daily Evening Prayer.
When I first came to St Luke's I, along with all the Lay Readers at the time, participated in offering Evening Prayer every weekday night during Lent. This helped to enrich our spiritual journey during that church season. By leading Evening Prayer Services also extended and shared this devotional to those who would also like to enrich their commitment to God during this time.
We have several activities going on during Lent, so I thought it to be appropriate that we add Evening Prayer along with those activities as another way of giving reverence to God. Therefore, I asked Father Carey if we could again add this service during Lent for all to participate in if they wished. As a result I will be leading Evening Prayer and invite all to come each Friday night at 5:30 PM during the Lenten Season.
In addition, we will also offer "Stations of the Cross" directly after Evening Prayer. Evening Prayer takes about 30 minutes. I invite you to come to either or both. What better way to give up something during Lent than a short period of your time on Friday nights!
Also remember, we have Morning and Evening Prayer Services at other times during the week on a regular basis if your schedule conflicts with Friday nights:
- Monday's and Friday's Morning Prayer at 7:00 AM.
- Wednesday's and Thursday's Morning Prayer at 8:30 AM.
- Evening Prayer on Monday at 5:30 PM.
Lastly, there are other ways we can pray when one or more are gathered together daily during Lent and beyond:
- "Daily Devotions for Individuals and Families" on Page 136 of the Book of Common Payer.
- "Prayers and Thanksgivings" on Pages 810 - 841 of the Book of Common Prayer.
- "What is Prayer?" Our prayers should be made up of this outline on page 856 of the Book of Common Prayer.
- For daily reading of the Bible one may want to refer to the readings outlined in the Daily Office Year Two starting on page 953 of the Book of Common Prayer.
- Link to Daily Offices http://www.missionstclare.com/english/
Prayers be with you during this Lenten Season,
Mark Holst
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LENT HAPPENINGS
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Lord, you have searched me out and known me; you know my sitting down and my rising up; you discern my thoughts from afar. Psalm 139 Lenten Season 2012 Ash Wednesday, February 22 to Easter Sunday, April 8. Special Dates in Lent April 1: 8:00 a.m. & 10:30 a.m. Palm Sunday Services April 4: 6:00 p.m. Traditional Seder Family Supper for adults & children. Call church office by March 28 for your reservation Weekday Lenten Services Morning Prayer -7:00 a.m. Monday & Friday 8:30 a.m. Wed. & Thursday Evening Prayer -5:30 p.m. Monday & Friday Centering Prayer - 9:30 a.m. Monday Healing Eucharist - 12:00 p.m. Wednesday Stations of the Cross- 5:30 on Wed. and following the Evening Prayer service on Friday Wednesday Mornings in Lent Wednesday Book Group - 10:00 a.m.Deacon Joanna's home The Screwtape Letters and The Great Divorce by C.S. Lewis will be discussed. Wednesday Evenings in Lent March 21 and 28 5:30 p.m. Stations of the Cross 6:00 p.m. Light supper with Lenten Adult Study on Prayer and Your Personality March 14 Augustinian Prayer - Fr. Carey March 21 Benedictine & Franciscan Prayer - Dn. Joanna March 28 Thomistic Prayer - Fr. Carey Lenten Studies Sundays Mornings in Lent Adult Formation Classes: March 25 & April 1, in the Parish Hall. The 5 Languages of Love presented by Father Carey. "People experience love most strongly through one of five love languages" In the Adult Classroom Archeology of the Bible : Professor Jodi Magness on "What Archeology Reveals about the Holy Land". Children's Classes Sundays in Lent, Level 2 and 3 Catechesis children will be studying meditations about reconciliation Wednesday nights Children will be studying about the Seder meal they will be eating with their family on Wednesday of Holy Week, April 4 Holy Week Palm Sunday - April 1 8:00 a.m. & 10:30 p.m. services Wednesday Seder Family Supper -April 4 6:00 p.m. for adults & children - Call church office by March 28 for your reservation Maundy Thursday - April 5 7:00 p.m. service with Foot Washing and Garden of Repose followed by Vigil Good Friday - April 6 12 noon & 7:00 p.m. services Saturday Easter Vigil -April 7 8:00 p.m. service with Baptism Easter Easter Vigil - Saturday, April 7 8:00 p.m. with Baptism Easter Day - Sunday, April 8:00 a.m. & 10:30a. m. with flowering of the cross and offering of mite boxes Between Services there will be an Easter Brunch and Easter Egg Hunt. (no formation classes today.) Lenten Materials Available at St. Luke's starting Sunday, February 19 "From Fear To Love" By Henri Nouwen Lenten Reflections on the Parable of the Prodigal Son Lenten Devotional 2012 This Devotional will inspire readers to reflect on their own lives and their relationships with a hurting world. Texting through Lent A calendar/poster for teens and young adults to follow the days of lent individually or with their family including spiritual reflections for each day. Text more, biblical texting that is! Lenten calendar/Poster for children Each is full of prayers, thought starters, and suggestions for Bible reading. Lenten Supper Schedule March 21 - Altar Guild March 28 - Choir ---------- + ---------- |
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COMMUNITY OUTREACH
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St. Luke's Lenten Outreach
Episcopal Relief and Development:
Mite Boxes, Bookmarks and Prayer Cards are available on St. Luke's book table. These offer support and prayers for those facing hunger and poverty worldwide.
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CHRISTIAN FORMATION
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NOTE: Level 3 Atrium will be closed next Sunday, March 4, as the children will be attending WinterStar.
Classes are Sunday mornings at 9:15 am.
2012-2013 Christian Education Classes
3 year olds: Brouke Reynolds, Guide
Paula Benson, Assistant
Catechesis I: Beth Maze, Guide
(4-6 year olds) Paula Volpe, Guide
Martha Cross, Assistant
Catechesis II: Ginna Simmons, Guide
(7-9 year olds) Ellen Moses, Assistant
Catechesis III: Kimber Barber-Fendley, Guide
(10-12 year olds) Laura Woford, Assistant
Teenager: Wanda Dunwoody, Co-teacher
(13-18 year olds) Suzzette Patterson, Co-teacher
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Nursery Care is provided for all activities on Sunday mornings.
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WOMEN'S INSTITUTE 2012
| Join the Women of the Episcopal Church at the Annual Women's Institute held at beautiful Camp Mitchell June 1-3. Registration form and more information about the event is available in the link below. Forms will also be available in the Narthex and in the Church Office.
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