"Then was Jesus led up of the spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil." St. Matthew 6:16
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Fr. Scott's sermon for the First Sunday in Lent focused on the temptations of Jesus Christ as described in the Gospel Lesson from Matthew 6. He started by asking how our Lenten disciplines were going and encouraging us to continue to make progress in our own sanctification process. Please listen to his sermon at the following link starting at the 19 minute mark as he reviews the temptations and explains just how strong the last temptation was:
At the end of his sermon, Fr. Scott reminded us to use God's word as our main defense against the assaults of the Devil and that the only way to use God's word is to know God's word. Thank you Fr. Scott for the very insightful sermon!
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Starting this Sunday Fr. Scott began his series of Lenten Confirmation Classes for those desiring confirmation during the usual Christian Education time. Through out Lent he will use this time for teaching and reviewing the information needed for confirmation. In order to have enough time to cover all the information, Christian Education will start at 9:30 am. Please let Fr. Scott know if you are interested in confirmation!
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After services we enjoyed a lunch provided by Rose Marie and Carole! They served warm chicken casseroles with croissants, Caesar's salad, fresh fruit, and homemade pound cake! Thank you both so much for the wonderful food!
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Please remember next Sunday . . .
Daylight Savings Time starts
and we have our monthly pot luck luncheon!
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On Shrove Tuesday we hosted a pancake supper at the church. Deborah prepared the pancakes with all kinds of toppings and the bacon, Rose Marie brought sausage, and I brought a fruit salad.
After dinner all the children had a chance to ring the church bell . . . .
as did the young at heart!
What a joyful evening!
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The next day, Fr. Scott led a solemn Ash Wednesday Service.
The service included the Blessing of the Ashes, the Imposition of Ashes, and Holy Communion. Fr. Scott's sermon reminded us that we live in troubled times - last year the virus was killing people and this year people are killing people. Every year Lent is the time we come face to face with death. This first day of Lent emphasizes we will all die and reminds us that our Christian faith matters. Thank you Fr. Scott for that moving sermon.
In addition to the beautiful service it was wonderful to have both Mike and Brandon back with us for the start of Lent!
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We are opening the church every Friday evening in Lent for a Stations of the Cross service followed by a light dinner. This past Friday Scott and Sue led the service which included the reading of each station and followed by time for reflection. The time for reflection was accompanied by several beautiful pieces of music selected by Scott.
Sue prepared a light dinner of homemade potato leek soup, salad, fruit, cheese, crackers, and french bread.
Thank you Sue and Scott for the service and the food! The next Stations of the Cross service will be on Friday, March 11 at 5 pm. Earl and Rose Marie are leading the service and providing the dinner!
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Rose Marie was the clerk for the Mission Committee for five years - her last term ended in December! She did a wonderful job keeping up with all the minutes and notices. She recently filed five years worth of minutes in the big filing cabinet in the all purpose room downstairs. Thank you Rose Marie for all those years of service!
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Please note the online prayer group meeting regularly scheduled for Tuesday March 8 have been cancelled as Sue (& Scott) is visiting her son and his family. The regularly scheduled online meetings will resume on Tuesday, March 15 at 11:30. Thank you so much Sue for taking the time each week to lead our prayers! If you have a special prayer request but cannot join us, please send your request to Sue. Please contact me (Rosalind) if you would like to join us on Discord.
Scott sent these beautiful pictures of Sue on the slopes . . .
Thank you for the amazing pictures!! May you both have a wonderful vacation as you spend time with family!
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The Lenten Devotional created by our local Deanery is available at the Deanery website at the following link:
Thank you to Fr. Rivard for putting this Devotional together and to all the contributors including our own Fr. Scott.
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