Lenten Links
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This Week at St. James
Thursday, March 13 - Jean Smith's Funeral Service @ 11 AM Grief Recovery Program @ 2 PM Friday, March 6 Yoga @ 4:30 PM Saturday, March 7 CCM Prep. Program@ 9AM
Ohio Benefits Bank Tax Preparation Seminar @ 9AM - 1PM
Visioning and Purpose Team Meeting @ 10AM
Courville/Manz Wedding @ 5PM
Youth Lock-In - 7PM - 7AM
Sunday March 8 Bible Study @ 8:45 Chancel Choir Rehearsal @ 8:45 Holy Eucharist with the Great Litany @ 10:00 AM Children's Sunday School at 10:00 AM
Lenten Book Reading - Lent and Easter Wisdom from Thomas Merton @ 11:30 in the Vestry Room
Westwood Works Community Potluck Dinner @ 5:00
Choral Evensong @ 7:00
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| St. James Episcopal Church Westwood
Weekly Epistle - March 13, 2014
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Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ
Nicodemus said to him, "How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother's womb and be born?" Jesus answered, "Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not be astonished that I said to you, 'You must be born from above.'The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit - John 3: 4-8
Read Sunday's Lessons here. Jesus' encounter with Nicodemus in this Sunday's gospel is the first of many one-on-one encounters Jesus participates in throughout John's Gospel. It's a rather complicated encounter, as are the other ones. Maybe that's why we are participating in them during Lent. Nicodemus doesn't seem to get what Jesus is saying. We often don't understand the challenges that God's Living Word presents to us either.
Nicodemus, is a religious leader of his time. He's an educated and established leader of the Sanhedrin. He's responsible for maintaining judicial and ritualistic order in and around the Jerusalem Temple. Clearly though, he's observed Jesus and he's witnessed some extraordinary signs. He comes in the dark of night to better understand how God is fully alive in this Galilean peasant rabbi. (Nicodemus. (2002). In Who's who in the new testament, Routledge). Haven't you similarly wanted to ask God a question or two that doesn't make sense in broad daylight.
Jesus enlightens Nicodemus and us that earthly constructs do not bind God's providence. God loves the world and its inhabitants much, much more than human beings may logically fathom. This is a truly rich lesson for Lent. It's essential to remember during this season of repentance, fasting, and spiritual discipline that our relationship with God is a compassionate one. God invites us to set aside earthly, ego-based desires for something well, more heavenly. God abides alongside with us inviting us to let go of passions and pains that disable us from receiving God's love in all kinds of manifestations.
One of the beauties of this otherwise peculiar encounter between Nicodemus and Jesus is that it doesn't end in confusion. It ends with Nicodemus abiding with Jesus at his burial. Let us similarly strive to believe in God's love beyond our doubts. Let's travel out of the darkness of Lent and uncertainty of Holy Week all the way to Easter when we will behold our lives enlightened and reborn in the light of Christ's resurrection. What a very special message to hold on to as we here at St. James continue to discern God's presence in our purpose and ministries here.
Blessings Along The Way, Jim+
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Lenten Programs at St James
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Prayer, play, programming and more! Read all about what will be happening here during Lent on our special Lenten webpage.
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Enjoy a contemplative day of prayer and reflection. Contact Joyce for more information and registration. |
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Springtime Music Series Premiers Soon
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St. James 2nd Annual Springtime Music Series begins on Sunday March16th at 7:00 PM with an offering of
Choral Evensong with the Chancel Choir. Learn more about the Series here.
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God so Loves The World - Accept It
 | | Love Life: Acceptance |
The Anglican Monks of The Society of St. John the Evangelist are offering some brief but very illuminating Lenten video meditations. Today's message invites viewers to put to rest their doubts about God's love. It's simply true. God loves you. Accept it throughout the night and day alike.
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