Almighty and everlasting God, who hatest nothing that thou hast made, and dost forgive the sins of all those who are penitent; Create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we, worthily lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness, may obtain of thee, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Ash Wednesday Collect, BCP _____________________
Such a busy start to the Lenten Season!
1. Lenten Letter from Fr. Yossi
The Lenten season is once again upon us. The Lenten season coincides with Spring when we are witness to new life and rebirth among God’s creation. The Lenten season is also a time of self-examination and preparation for God’s children. A time to rekindle our baptismal vows and renew our spirit so that we can spiritually grow and flourish. In our baptism into the Body of Christ we vowed to not turn a blind eye to the pain and suffering of our neighbors. This vow made charitable works, alms, and prayer important parts of our spiritual growth. As we reawaken our spirituality our relationship with the Father becomes stronger. As we enrich the lives of others so are our own lives enriched.
The purpose of the Lenten season is not to make us feel disheartened or uncomfortable in the way we live out our faith, rather it is a call to self-examination and for taking a fresh look at our attitude and behavior towards one another. The Lenten season is also not a time of punishment but rather a time of self-awareness of how much we need God in our lives. As we prepare for Easter Sunday when we celebrate the Lord’s passion, death and resurrection, the Lenten season helps us to prepare for, better understand, and to remind us that while pain and suffering in this world can be overwhelming at times, we also have an advocate in Christ Jesus who is always with us.
So, as you ready yourself for the Lenten season please keep in mind that there are ample resources at St. Peter’s to assist you, including Morning Prayer, Eucharist, Adult Christian Education and Stations of the Cross. If you would like more information on any of these events please refer to the calendar or if you prefer call or email me at the phone number or email below. We look forward to seeing you. Have a joyful Lenten season!
2. Shrove Tuesday
On Shrove Tuesday we hosted a pancake supper at the church. Lin and Daryl cooked the pancakes and bacon! The Activities Committee including Lin, Mere, and Sam made sure we had all the supplies! A wonderful evening all around!
While the food was being prepared, Teresa was preparing the ashes for Ash Wednesday. The ashes are prepared by burning the dried palms saved from last year's Palm Sunday service.
Thank you Teresa for preparing the ashes for us!
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3. Ash Wednesday
The next day, Fr. Yossi led an Ash Wednesday Service at the American House Senior Living facility in Kingsport.
We had several residents attend and were invited to come again around Easter. Thank you to Sam, Mere, & Lin for organizing, to Sue for playing her violin during the service, to Rose Marie & Carole for handling all the Altar Guild tasks, and to Fr. Yossi for leading the service & encouraging us to support this outreach.
Later that evening Fr. Yossi officiated at the Ash Wednesday service at St. Peters. His sermon focused on the Gospel lesson from St. Matthew 6. In this lesson Jesus teaches about fasting and storing our treasures in heaven. Fr. Yossi reminded us that:
- God will reward secret piety
-true evangelism is living a Godly life for the right reasons
-prayer is an important part of a Godly life and
-we need to trust in God to reward and provide for us.
Thank you Fr. Yossi for the beautiful service and sermon.
4. Stations of the Cross
Fr. Yossi led us in reading of the Stations of the Cross. Everyone attending had the opportunity to read one of the sections of scripture.
After the service, we enjoyed a light dinner provided by Lin and me (Rosalind) of soup, salad, Lin's homemade rolls, and cookies.
Fr. Yossi also introduced us to Ollie!
Our next Stations of the Cross service is scheduled for Friday, March 1 at 5 pm. Agnes, Teresa, and Mere are providing the light dinner.
The fourteen Stations of the Cross allow us to walk with Jesus Christ during His final day before the Crucifixion using fourteen scripture readings interspersed with prayers. Each Station represents one event that happened during Jesus's walk to the cross. We join with early Christian pilgrims in Jerusalem who walked the Via Dolorosa, which is the path walked by Jesus to Mount Calvary. Come join us in this ancient tradition remembering Christ's Passion.
5. The First Sunday in Lent
"Then was Jesus led up of the spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil."
St. Matthew 4:1
On the First Sunday in Lent Fr. Yossi led a beautiful Holy Communion service. His sermon discussed the temptation of Christ after a forty day fast in the desert. The devil used temptations from the three broad categories of temptations: lust of the flesh, pride of life, and lust of the eyes. Jesus answered all three temptations with the words of God emphasizing for us the importance of knowing scripture. Fr. Yossi asked us to put on the armour of God, take up the sword of the Spirit, and be brave. We are the voice of God on this earth and must bravely speak out in the name of God.
Please find the complete service and sermon at the following link:
Thank you Fr. Yossi for the lovely service and sermon. Thank you Br. Scott for leading Morning Prayer and serving with Fr. Yossi.
After services we enjoyed a wonderful luncheon provided by Lynn, Laurel, Carol, and Fr. Paul. The food was delicious and company was delightful!
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Fr. Yossi continued his series of lessons for Christian Education entitled "Heaven and Hell in Christian Thought & Doctrine". Fr. Yossi has asked us to bring our Bibles (preferably KJV or NKJV) for these studies.
The classes will continue next Sunday starting at 10 am. Please join us - a pot of coffee will be on!
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Our Bible Study will continue this Wednesday at the church. Fr. Paul is leading a series of lessons which are focused on his book As It Is In Heaven A Biblical, Historical, and Theological Introduction to the Traditional Church and Her Worship. The next 3 lectures will cover how the OT informs:
1. The Rule of God (His sovereignty).
2. His holiness and how it relates to His sovereignty
3. Questions often raised concerning the so-called God of the OT vs The God of the NT.
Also, in these lectures we will be covering material I was unable to include in the book due to length limitations.
Come join us this Wed., Feb. 21 at 11 am for the next study. If you're enjoying these lectures, please bring a friend! Please remember to bring the book, your bible, and a lunch!
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Sue continues to lead our weekly online prayer group on Discord every Thursday at 2 pm. 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 if you would like to join us on Discord.
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Lynn sent this reminder that Shades of Grace is in need of toiletry items.
Do you have any of those hotel mini shampoos, conditioners, lotions or soap taking up space in your vanity? Donate them to Shades of Grace. If not you can still help. Visit a local Dollar Tree and pick up an item or two. Other items they need are bath soap, toothpaste and brushes, deodorant, disposable razors and hair combs.
Please bring your items to church so we can deliver them to Shades of Grace.
Thank you Lynn for reminder. St. Peter's has supported the Shades of Grace Ministry for a number of years as they provide help to those in need in the Tri-Cities area. Please find more information on Shades of Grace at the following link:
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Lenten Devotional
The Lenten Devotional created by our Deanery is now available at the following link:
Both Fr. Yossi and Br. Scott contributed to this devotional! The devotional is a PDF and may be read on the computer or printed out (FYI it is over 100 pages long).
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Lenten Appeal - 2024
The Lenten Appeal for 2024 goes to support St. Dunstan's Academy. Please read and consider supporting this worthy cause! Please mark any donation as "Lenten Appeal" and place in the offertory.
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