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Spring?
Hmmmmm…
Wonder what’s going on under the snow… |
Services for this coming Sunday, March 30th, The Fourth Sunday in Lent, will be at 8:00 and 10:00 a.m. This is Laudate Sunday, also known as Mothering Sunday or Refreshment Sunday – a “little Easter” before the walk towards Holy Week. So (at the later service)… a lessening of the austerities of Lent – wonderful music courtesy of “The Treblemakers,” Ginger Heard’s recorder group, augmented by Val May, with harp and voice, maybe a few blossoms amidst the budding branches on the altar, and with a little luck, a traditional Simnel Cake. If you don’t know about Mothering Sunday or Simnel cake, come Sunday and find out. We will continue in our dialogue sermon series as we engage together with another passage from John’s Gospel – the healing of the man born blind. We hope you will join us for worship and fellowship.
Readings for this Sunday: 1 Samuel 16:1-13, Psalm 23, Ephesians 5:8-14; John 9:1-41.
Peg Cade with visitors from New Jersey: Liz, Liz's mother, Rose and Peg's granddaughter Beth Ann.
Liz was Beth Ann's first baby sitter.
This team did the baking for last Sunday's 10
a.m. coffee hour.Baptismal Preparation and Inquirers’ Class will continue this Sunday, beginning at about 11:25 in the Prince Room. Some people are preparing for baptism; others are preparing to godparent; others are ready for a refresher in Bible, the church, prayer, and exploring how our faith prepares us to be “People of the Way.” We plan to meet each Sunday during Lent at this time slot (after church on Sundays for about 45 minutes). All are welcome!
Our Wednesday 5:30 Simple Lenten Suppers continue: Eleven of us gathered last night as we indulged in delicious soups, salad, and bread, fresh baked and hot from the oven. We ate in silence, savoring our food, as we listened to passages from the 1912 classic, Pollyanna, by Eleanor Porter. If you think schlock when you think “Pollyanna” (as I did), think again! It is the story of an orphaned girl whose “secret of life” is always, in every situation, to make a game out of finding something to be glad about – a young girl’s contagious approach to the apostle Paul’s “Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say rejoice! And in everything, with prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God.” [Philippians 4:6] The readings led to some thoughtful and significant sharing and conversation. We closed with an informal table eucharist. We will meet this coming Wednesday, April 2, with a similar format but different readings and different soups. Please talk to Carolyn Boldt (767-0533) if you would be willing to provide soup, bread, or salad. We gather at 5:30 and are out by 7:00. Please join us!
Plan ahead for Wednesday of Holy Week, April
16. We will share our
Simple Lenten Supper, as we have been throughout the season, but we will have a
“talking meal,” followed by a viewing of the film The Way, starring Michael
Sheen. Sheen plays an irascible American doctor who comes to France to deal with
the tragic death of his son. Rather than return home, he decides to embark on
the historical pilgrimage “The Way of St. James” (also known as “El Camino de
Santiago) to honor his son’s desire to finish the journey. Through unexpected
and often amusing experiences along “The Way,” Tom discovers the difference
between “the life we live and the life we choose.”
April
is National Poetry Month. What about a “field trip” to Laconia `the evening of Thursday, April 3, to see a dramatic
production of the Women at the Well, a collection of poetry by Grace Bauer,
directed by Sharon Paquette? These poems bring to life the women from the Old
and New Testaments of the Bible. You
will see and hear their perspectives on what happened to them, their loved
ones, their psyches and souls. Carole
Simmons Oles says "Wry humor is only one element of Bauer's illuminating
re-vision as she inhabits her women in their longing, sassiness, rebellion,
compassion, wavering and triumph." Five talented and dedicated actresses
will be bringing to life the poems within this collection.
So far, three of us from Saint Andrew’s plan
to attend. If you’re interested, talk to Carolyn Boldt (767-9237). We will need
to make reservations.
Players
wanted for the Easter Vigil production of the Deliverance form the Fiery
Furnace!!! This will be a
seven-minute dramatization of Chapter 3 from the Book of Daniel (in the Bible).
It will require only ONE rehearsal, has no lines to memorize (they will be
read), and will feature only minimal costuming. Both adults and young people
are welcome. Talk to Heidi or Lisa. The Easter Vigil begins at 8 PM on
Saturday, April 19… And it’s guaranteed to be a lot of fun.
Letter
writing ministry with the women in the Goffstown prison: A month ago our liturgy was enriched by the
preaching of the Rev. Beth Richeson as she reflected on the power of names and
naming to build up on to tear down. Beth met with us after the service for a
lively conversation about the ministry of letter writing. If you have an
interest in this and feel you can remain committed to it, please let me (Heidi)
know directly. I am overdue to get back to Beth and get the project rolling.
Updates
on birthdays and anniversaries: As you know, we always include birthdays and anniversaries in
the Sunday bulletin and in the Prayers of the People. This is a way that
assures that we as a community can offer to God prayers of gratitude for your
presence in the world and that we can have the opportunity to greet you with
our love and best wishes. If your birthday or anniversary seems to have passed
unnoticed, that is probably an indication that the office does not have that
information about you. Please email Debra, or jot it down and leave a note in
her basket in the office.
See
you in church!
Blessings,
Heidi+
