We are now in the pre-Lenten season, that time of year where the Sundays have very weird sounding names. Last week I mentioned that this is a time of preparation for the upcoming disciplines of Lent. And one way we can prepare is to reflect on the matter of God’s Grace, that incredible free and unmerited gift the Almighty has bestowed upon us by His Son, our Savior Jesus Christ. These so-called “Gesima” Sundays we are observing point us to His Grace. Several years ago, I ran across a small bulletin insert that outlined how our Book of Common Prayer deals with Grace on the three Sundays of this season and thought I would share it with you.
Septuagesima (meaning “about 70 days”)—Grace is undeserved.
The Collect for this past Sunday implores God to graciously hear us, who are justly punished for our sin, so that we may be delivered by God’s goodness. The goodness of God is emphasized in the parable (Matt 20:1-16), where all the laborers receive the reward because of the goodness of the landowner. So we too, receive the reward of eternal life, because God is good, and Another has borne the heat and burden of the day for us that we might have it.
Sexagesima (meaning “about 60 days”)—Grace is passively received.
In the Collect, we pray to the God who sees that we put not our trust in anything we do, but mercifully defends us by His power. In the parable of the sower, the seed of God’s Word is passively received in good and noble hearts.
Quinquagesima (meaning “about 50 days”)—Grace is not easily understood.
In the Gospel, Jesus predicts His passion and the disciples “understood none of these things: and this saying was hid from them, neither knew they the things which were spoken.” (Luke 18:34)
Now on to some news for this week.
Adult Sunday School
As many of you are aware, we are in the midst of discussing symbolism in the church. This coming Sunday, Brewster Ward is going to give us a presentation, from a Christian architect’s point-of-view, of what goes into the making of worship space. I have no doubt this will be a fascinating presentation and I know we will see many examples of the differing places Christians worship. You really do not want to miss this!
News of Note
Betty Parkinson was back in the hospital over last weekend. She is home, resting comfortably.
News of Note #2
As most of you know, Ethan Byrd “blew out” his knee while skiing a couple weeks ago. He has a torn ACL. He will have surgery to repair the damage but he must wait for the swelling in the knee to go down before they can schedule the surgery.
Vestry Vignettes
At its regular meeting this past week, the vestry approved the funding of a new opportunity to spread the Gospel. In years past, the church provided children’s Bibles to children born at Transylvania Hospital. This was a small ministry funded by one of our parishioners. However, the purchase of that hospital by the Mission Hospital system forced the closing of the Labor & Delivery services in Transylvania. We investigated how we might “kick start” this wonderful way to get scripture into the hands of families. We are pleased to announce that we have partnered with Park Ridge Hospital to provide Bibles to every child born there. There are about 600 children born at that hospital every year. Bill Morton will be coordinating this endeavor. The funding of this will come from your pledged Outreach giving.
The vestry also approved supporting the three food banks for which we currently collect food with our Outreach funds over the next three months. The food banks are Interfaith Assistance Ministry, Bread of Life, and Western Carolina Rescue Mission.
Also, the vestry wants you to be aware that the latest minutes of its meetings and the monthly financials are on Vestry Bulletin Board by the kitchen in the parish hall. Always remember that vestry meeting minutes will always be a month behind because they cannot be published until approved by the vestry at its next meeting. We are also in the process of “retooling” our website. We intend to have some church member only pages, which will include the minutes, financial reports and the parish directory.
Palm Branches
Please bring last year’s palm branches to church this week or next. The branches are burned to make ashes for Ash Wednesday.
Ash Wednesday
Lent begins in less than two weeks on March 1. Here is our Ash Wednesday schedule:
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7:00 a.m., Holy Communion with Imposition of Ashes
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12:00 p.m., Holy Communion with Imposition of Ashes & Penitential Office
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7:00 p.m., Holy Communion with Imposition of Ashes & Penitential Office (incense used)
Lenten Fish Fry
Don’t forget to pick up your tickets for the Fish Fry, which will be held on March 24. Details are below in the announcements. We have already sold over 220 tickets!
Be sure to read all the announcements below and don’t forget to use the prayer lists in the left column of this email—in other words, pray for one another!
Blessings,
Fr. Erich
Announcements
Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper
· Our simple, yearly pancake supper will be held this year on February 28 from 5 PM to 7 PM. This custom follows the idea of “clearing out the larder” before the fast of Lent begins.
Lenten Quiet Day
· We will host a Lenten Quiet Day for our deanery on March 18 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Fr. Gregory Miller, Rector of St. Matthew’s Church in Weaverville will be our Quiet Day leader. The theme of the day is “Breaking the Sin Barrier: Responding to God’s Grace in Christ Jesus.” Lunch will be provided. There is no cost but a love offering will be taken to thank Fr. Miller for his gift to us. Please sign-up on the bulletin board so we can plan on you coming.
Lenten Fish Fry
· It‘s that time again! On Friday, March 24, we will hold our Lenten Fish Fry, Tickets are $9.00 each in advance ($10 at the door) for breaded tilapia filets, roasted potatoes, hush puppies, coleslaw, and iced tea or lemonade. Take-out will be from 5-6 PM and dine-in will run from 6-8 PM. Kids under 12 eat free. Ticket packets are available and you may purchase individual tickets also.
· And you know that we need your help to make this a success. We ask that you sign out 10 tickets and sell them to your friends, or just buy them and hand them out to folks, to introduce them to our parish.
Food Bank
· Bread of Life in Transylvania County is this month’s recipient of our in-gathering of food stuffs.
Tuesday Book Study
· Our Tuesday Book Study of Mere Christianity will finish up this week.
Bible Study
· Bible Study this week has moved into Chapter 13 in the Book of Revelation with the events surrounding the rising of the Beast from the sea. Check out the picture of the Beast below.
Parish Directory Updates
· Bill & Julie Morton’s house number is 151, not 152.
· Sara Briggs has a new email: thegarret@gmail.com
