Dearly Beloved,
The First Sunday in Lent (this coming Sunday) always has as its Gospel lesson the Temptation of Christ in the Wilderness. The three temptations he endured are essentially the same three primary temptations that are visited upon mankind. In the first temptation, the devil suggests that Jesus turn the stones into bread. This temptation insists that the power of God should be turned to worldly ends. In other words, God can make it “comfortable” for us on this planet. The so-called “Prosperity Gospel” promoted by TV preachers comes to mind. The second temptation is that Jesus should throw himself off the pinnacle of the temple and, in effect, force God to save him by sending the angels to catch him. This is essentially testing God and whether or not he meets our human standards. The third temptation is truly the root of all other temptations. Satan tells Jesus that he can have the whole world at his fingertips. In other words he is saying, “You can be like God, if you will do just one little thing…worship me.” This is the temptation to believe we are the center of the universe, that we control all things, that we need nothing else. Jesus answered this last temptation with, “Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.” This means, quite simply, that we MUST put God first in our lives…and follow HIS will…and no one’s else’s, especially not our own.
Welcome
We welcome into our parish family Ron & Herta Hund. They have been with us for the past few months and have become very involved in the life of this place. We are so pleased that they are with us as we live our lives together in Christ. Welcome aboard Herta and Ron!
First Friday Kids
Our young people will gather together this evening (March 3), along with their parents, for Evening Prayer at 5:30 PM. A classic fish stick dinner will follow along with social and play time. Their evening will end with Stations of the Cross, which starts at 7:00 PM.
Men’s & Ladies Lenten Projects
Tomorrow morning, Saturday, March 4, we begin our Lenten Projects this year. The day begins at 8:00 AM with Morning Prayer. We will “tuck in” to breakfast immediately following. Once we are sated, it will be off to work we go! The men this year are taking on cosmetic updates to our men’s and women’s bathrooms. The ladies of the church are joining the men this year for their own project. They will clean and update our nursery and its bathroom. Be sure to come on out and give us a little bit of your time tomorrow, as well as every Saturday morning during Lent.
Tuesday Lenten Study
Beginning this coming Tuesday, March 7, at our usual Book Study time, we will have a special Lenten study on The Mission of Jesus. In this video series, we will follow Jesus’ path through Israel to see how God brought forth triumph in a world of chaos. Class begins at 11:00 AM.
Mite Boxes
Don’t forget to pick up your mite boxes, which are available in the entryway. The use of these is a wonderful way to give alms during Lent. You just drop your spare change in every day and then return them on Easter morning.
We are busy, busy, busy here at All Saints throughout Lent. Be sure to read your announcements below so you don’t miss out on something important. The schedule for this week is also below. And I will see you in church!
Blessings,
Fr. Erich
Announcements
Lent
· Lent is that time of year in which we make special devotion to our Lord in the Christian Duties of prayer, fasting and almsgiving. Morning and Evening Prayer are offered daily and we will also walk the Way of the Cross in church. We are also offering a special study on Tuesdays and Bible Study continues on Wednesday evenings. Won’t you take on something extra for your Lord and Savior these few weeks? We guarantee Easter will be extra special if you endeavor to make this a holy Lent.
Wednesday Evenings
· Our usual Wednesday evening activities will return this Wednesday, March 8. Bible study will move into Chapter 14 of the Book of Revelation.
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.
Annual Lenten Appeal
· The focus of this year’s Lenten Appeal from our national church is Domestic Missions. Click here to read all about it.
This Week in the Parish
Fri., Mar. 3
· 5:30 p.m., Evening Prayer
· 6:30 p.m., First Friday Kids
· 7:00 p.m., Stations of the Cross
Sat., Mar. 4
· 8:00 a.m., Morning Prayer
· 8:15 a.m., Breakfast & Lenten Projects
· 5:30 p.m., Evening Prayer
Sun., March 5,
First Sunday in Lent
· 8:00 a.m., Morning Prayer
· 8:30 a.m., Holy Communion
· 9:45 a.m., Sunday School
· 11:00 a.m., Holy Communion
· 12:15 p.m., Fellowship Lunch
· 5:30 p.m., Evening Prayer
Mon., Mar. 6
· 8:00 a.m., Morning Prayer
· 5:30 p.m., Evening Prayer
Tues., Mar. 7
· 8:00 a.m., Morning Prayer
· 11:00 a.m., Lenten Study
· 12:00 p.m., Stations of the Cross
· 5:30 p.m., Evening Prayer
Wed., Mar. 8
· 8:00 a.m., Morning Prayer
· 5:30 p.m., Evening Prayer
· 6:00 p.m., Holy Communion
· 6:30 p.m., Lenten Supper
· 7:00 p.m., Bible Study
· 7:00 p.m., Choir Practice
Thurs., Mar. 9
· 8:00 a.m., Morning Prayer
· 5:30 p.m., Evening Prayer
Fri., Mar. 10
· 8:00 a.m., Morning Prayer
· 5:30 p.m., Evening Prayer
· 7:00 p.m., Stations of the Cross
