March 14, 2019



See Ethiopian Cross below

JOIN US FOR WORSHIP

THIS SUNDAY, March 17th, The 2nd Sunday of Lent,  there will be two services at 8 and 10 am.

Note: The Ethiopian Cross will be on the retable through Lent.  It's open pattern allows both light and darkness through it.  With God's help, may our hearts open to the light and darkness in our own selves.  And may we be reconciled, renewed and redeemed in the image of Christ.

Following the 10:00 a.m. service on Sunday, March 24th please join us for:


Is Solar Energy in St. Andrew's Future?  An innovative partnership between the NH Diocese and Revision Energy, NE’s largest solar installer, would make it possible for St. Andrew's to install solar panels with no upfront costs, produce electricity at lower than current rates from day one, and potentially pay for itself over time with the savings accrued.  Too good to be true?  Come find out!  Doug Smithwood and Susan Fuller from Solar Saints, All Saints Church, Wolfeboro  will be with us on March 10 following 10:00 worship to outline St. Andrew's potential for solar energy. (Hint:  it's a win-win for St. Andrew's and the earth)


CENTERING PRAYER  
Tuesdays at 5:30 p.m.

MORNING PRAYER 
Wednesday mornings at 9:00 a.m.
LENTEN STUDY
Wednesdays 6:00 p.m.

WE HOPE YOU WILL JOIN US FOR WORSHIP
and FELLOWSHIP


Winter Weather Advisory!!!  
Winter Weather Advisory!!!  If the weather is questionable on a Sunday morning please call the church before you leave home to check for schedule changes. If a storm comes in on Saturday evening or Sunday, I will make a judgment by 7:00 AM about whether to hold or cancel services. Cancellations will posted on WMUR 9 and the  church phone message will also reflect any cancellations. PLEASE do not travel if it feels unsafe to you. Enjoy a Sabbath morning at home and remember St. Andrew’s in your prayers.
READINGS FOR SUNDAY

Sunday, March 17th

2nd Sunday in Lent
Year C

Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18
Psalm 27
Philippians 3:17-4:1
Luke 13:31-35






FROM THE RECTOR

One of the poems we read last week for our Lenten study group was “Storage” (see Food for Thought), and it was paired with Matthew 6:21: For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. It struck me because I have so many things, and because Lent is a season for shedding things that get in our way of our relationship with God. I’m sure I’m not the only one with too much stuff. In fact, I recently read that the average American household contains 300,000 items! I don’t know who figured that out, and it seems outrageously high… until I think about all the things I have in closets, and the attic, and the basement and the garage – things tucked away out of sight that I forget I even have.

There’s an idea that circulates Facebook every Lent called Forty Bags in Forty Days, which is a challenge for de-cluttering every room in your house and filling forty garbage bags with items you no longer need, one bag for each day of Lent. My sister, who did this for several years, found it both helpful and satisfying. I didn’t do it then because I was moving every 12-18 months, and did my decluttering then. But now I’ve been in this house for 2 ½ years, and it may be time for me to take up this challenge, or a similar one.

In our Poetry of Lent group last night we heard about a tv show called “Tidying Up with Marie Kondo”. Her premise, loosely speaking, is that we should go through all of things, grouped by category (clothes, books, etc). If an item doesn’t spark joy in us, we should thank it for its service and give or throw it away.


If you’re feeling the need for de-cluttering, much more information about these methods and many others is available online. Is “stuff” getting in your way? “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Caroline

LENTEN RESOURCES




Lenten Study Group

It’s not too late to join our Lenten study group, the Poetry of Lent: A Companion to Mary Oliver’s Devotions. We are meeting on Wednesdays at 6:00 – 7:30 pm and begin with a simple supper of soup and salad. Join us for good food, fellowship and discussion!


Lenten Resources and Lay Lent Quiet Day with the Bishop:
Please visit our website for a variety of resources for your use during Lent. These can be found on our Lent Resources webpage: HERE.  

As part of our Lenten observances, the Bishop will lead a Lay Lent Quiet Day on Saturday, March 23 at Christ Church in Exeter. The Quiet Day is specifically intended for all lay members of your congregation. Please make all members of your congregation aware of this wonderful spiritual opportunity and encourage them to attend. Learn more HERE: 


All are Invited to Spring Renewal: Spring Renewal is happening May 11th at Manchester Community College. We're excited to be offering this festive day full of spiritual renewal and ministry development workshops, worship, and activities to inspire us in the Way of Love. We hope lay and clergy will take advantage of this wonderful offering. Share information about this exciting day of community and learning with your congregation. Details and registration can be found HERE.

Lent Madness 2019 The Tenth Annual Saintly Smackdown!
With its unique blend of competition, learning, and humor, Lent Madness allows participants to be inspired by the ways in which God has worked through the lives of saintly souls across generations and cultures. Throughout Lent, thirty-two saints will do battle to win the coveted Golden Halo. Based loosely on the NCAA basketball tournament of a similar name, this online devotion pits saints against one another in a bracket as voters choose their favorites throughout this penitential season.
Here’s how to participate: on the weekdays of Lent, information is posted at www.lentmadness.org about two different saints. Each pairing remains open for 24 hours as participants read about and then vote to determine which saint moves on to the next round. Sixteen saints make it to the Round of the Saintly Sixteen; eight advance to the Round of the Elate Eight; four make it to the Faithful Four; two to the Championship; and the winner is awarded the coveted Golden Halo. Click on the link above to sign up for a daily email with information about each saint. And check the door by the kitchen for the full sized poster.

DINNER BELL

Dinner Bell cook teams for March are:

17th-Hammond
24th- Tubman & Preston
31st-UUFES
~
COOK TEAMS NEEDED!
for the following dates:

May 5
May 26
June 9
June 23
Thank you for your volunteer
work in this special Outreach program!

FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Storage

When I moved from one house to another
there were many things I had no room
for. What does one do? I rented a storage
space. And filled it. Years passed.
Occasionally I went there and looked in,
but nothing happened, not a single
twinge of the heart.
As I grew older the things I cared
about grew fewer, but were more
important. So one day I undid the lock
and called the trash man. He took
everything.
I felt like the little donkey when
his burden is finally lifted. Things!
Burn them, burn them! Make a beautiful
fire! More room in your heart for love,
for the trees! For the birds who own
nothing – the reason they can fly.


          - Mary Oliver, Devotions


COMMUNITY FOOD CENTER
FOOD CENTER
The Food Pantry thanks you for your contributions throughout the year.
The monthly item for March is 
COMMUNITY FOOD CENTER
 will receive proceeds from the 
Fight Hunger bag during the month of March


at the Hannaford  store located at: 891 NH-16, Ossipee NH

FORWARD DAY BY DAY FOR TODAY

THURSDAY March 14, 2019
Psalm 46:5 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High.
One of my treasures hangs on our living room wall. On this canvas painted by my uncle is a large red rock amid other rocks in a fast-flowing stream. He captured the light and power of the rapids beautifully. When I read this verse, I picture Uncle Joe’s painting.
On the last day of General Convention in 2003, after listening to so much heated and painful disagreement, I decided I needed to walk down to the Mississippi River. Standing by this mighty stream, I felt the tension of division drain away, carried away on the face of the moving, living water. God’s river was moving on and carrying us with it.

MOVING FORWARD: Water is a powerful image in the Bible. How does it impact your own personal theology?


FROM Deb IN THE OFFICE

This is an amazing eye opener!
My house and post on facebook
2016 vs 2019


MARCH  BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES

If you do not see your birthday or anniversary listed, please make sure Deb in the office has an information sheet on file for you.

Birthdays                       
10     Susan Ines
13     Trudy Thompson
16     Caroline Hines
20     Albert Bunker
21     Chris Boldt
30     Kaitlyn Marshall, Barbara Lord
31     Claudia Kennedy 


PHOTO GALLERY

Caroline's blessing to Sammie who is in Peru for her 13th 
year with Eleanore's Project.

THE ROOF IS CLEAR!
We may see the garden in June!



LINKS