Lent began with Jesus in the desert Click HERE for Audio.

Saint Andrew's-in-the-Valley
Thursday MEMO
March 20, 2011

Services for this coming Sunday, March 20th, the second Sunday of Lent, will be at 8 and 10 AM, with coffee hours following both services.

The later service will be followed by a showing of the DVD Holding Our Own: Embracing the end of life, that was seen by the Wednesday discussion group, "Holy Dying." But the snowy weather kept a number of people away. The film evoked these unsolicited comments: “Everyone I know should see it.” “We all need to buy copies to share with our families.” "Stunning!" We all experienced it as profoundly heartening, and hope-filled, not to mention beautiful. So…we will be showing it again this Sunday after the 10:00 service. If you know anyone who might die some day (yourself included), consider staying for the extra hour and viewing it. You will not be disappointed.

Session Two of our series on holy dying will be this Wednesday at 10:30. The Rev. Ellie McLaughlin will be our guest resource person as we explore what our church, our tradition, and our faith have to offer us by means of preparing for a “good” and holy death. We will close with a simple eucharist at noon, followed by brown bag lunch for anyone who would like to stay. All are welcome.

We are all profoundly mindful of the situation in Japan. If you would like to contribute to the response efforts through Episcopal Relief and Development, checks may be made payable to Saint Andrew’s with Japan in the memo line. Special envelopes are available on the bulletin tables.

The Lenten issues of The Mountain Top are in the parish mail boxes of winter regulars. Others have been mailed out. To view it now and to enjoy color photos click on The Mountain Top under "other links to the upper left, and then on Lent - Easter 2011.

A Lenten “Quiet Day,” a morning of prayer, reflection and bread baking from 9 to 1 on Saturday, April 2nd. Please sign up on the list in the Parish Hall or call the office.

Mark you calendars! Two weeks from today, April 3rd, at 3PM come enjoy Music for an April Afternoon – a concert of instrument and vocal music. Proceeds will go to our organ maintenance fund. We need your help to get the word out. There are fliers available in the Parish Hall for posting in area bulletin boards.

Readings for Sunday: Genesis 12:1-4a, Psalm 121, Romans 4:1-5, 13-17, John 3:1-17

Food for contemplation as we move forward into this Lent. As the snow thaws to mud and the sap runs in the trees, may we have the grace to notice that it runs in ourselves as well.

Mornings at Blackwater, by Mary Oliver from her collection "Red Bird," 2008
For years, every morning, I drank
from Blackwater Pond.
It was flavored with oak leaves and also, no doubt,
the feet of ducks.

And always it assuaged me
from the dry bowl of the very far past.

What I want to say is
that the past is the past,
and the present is what your life is,
and you are capable
of choosing what that will be,
darling citizen.

So come to the pond,
or the river of your imagination,
or the harbor of your longing,

and put your lips to the world,
And live your life.

See you in church!
Blessings,
Heidi+