Dear Friends,

Happy February to you all!  This month we begin the Season of Lent, a penitential season in which we are reminded of our mortality and are called to examine our lives, asking God to have mercy on us and help us in the areas we need it the most.  Along these lines, in addition to our usual weekly services and Sunday School classes, I would like to highlight the following opportunities this Lent at Christ Church:

1. February 18-Ash Wednesday Services  12:00 PM and 6:00 PM
2. Wednesday Night Teaching Series:  Holy Eucharist at 6:00 PM-followed by dinner for all ages and then EYC for ages 10 through high school and concurrently a teaching series for adults.  Each teaching will focus on a specific subject that not only impacts our own lives but also has ripple effects in our relationships:

•     February 25:     Listening
•     March 4:           Anger
•     March 11:         Humility
•     March 18:         Reconciliation
•     March 25:         Prayer

3.    An often overlooked service in The Book of Common Prayer is "Reconciliation of a Penitent" (447ff), a service of private confession and absolution.  During Lent if any of you feel led to schedule an appointment with me for this, let me know.  Some find this service very helpful, especially in areas where you feel stuck and/or in need of God's forgiveness or help.

• March 29-Palm Sunday Services      8:00 and 10:00 AM
• April 1-Wednesday Night Eucharist   6:00 PM
• April 2-Maundy Thursday Service      6:00 PM
• April 3-Good Friday Services             12:00 and 6:00 PM

In addition, some of us may "give up" something or "take on" something specific during Lent-as we do so, let us remember that it is in response to the unconditional love of Jesus who "gave up" everything for us and "took up" the cross on our behalf, as Paul writes in his Letter to the Philippians: "Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness.  And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death-even death on a cross" (2:5-8)-or as John simply puts it, "We love because he first loved us" (I John 4:19).

 I pray that during Lent you will experience anew the transforming love and grace of God in Jesus Christ, especially in the places where you need it the most.

Yours in Christ,

Dave

If you register for Camp Honey Creek by March 1, you will receive an early registration discount.  The normal tuition rate is $430.  Register by the end of the month and the rate will be lowered to $405.   Don't delay.  Register for Honey Creek.  

We are planning a High School Mission trip to New Orleans. We will be leaving on Sunday, July 5 (12:30) and returning on Saturday evening, July 11.  It is for rising 8th graders through High School. 

The focus of the week will be on urban outreach and city renewal. 

Registrations are due by March 15th.

The Valdosta Branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW)'s Sister to Sister Summit is set for Saturday, March 7. The Sister to Sister Summit is an annual event where middle school girls from throughout South Georgia come to Valdosta State University's campus for a day of programs on the arts, communication, science and math. Christ Church has been a sponsor of the Sister to Sister Summit in the past. If you are interested in information about the Summit or volunteering, please email Diane Holliman.

• Lodge rooms are $164 for weekend, 
• Dormitory rooms are $42 per person for weekend.  
• Meal plan is $59 per person (8 and over) for 3 meals on Saturday and 2 meals on Sunday. 

 Please contact the church office by April 24, 2015, if you plan to attend the Parish Retreat

15 Tommy & Frances Hatcher

17 Troy & Leigh Long

Please contact the church office to update our records if we missed your Birthday, Baptismal Anniversary, or Wedding Anniversary.