Lent Is Just Around the Corner!
Ash Wednesday is next Wednesday, February 17th. Our Ash Wednesday Zoom service will be at 5:30 pm.
Ashes will be available at the church for pick up. If you would like to pick up ashes for the service please come by the church Saturday – Wednesday to pick up an envelope of ashes. These are ashes from burning palms from previous years. You may also use ashes from your own fireplace or wood stove. Envelopes of ashes may be found in the mailbox outside the rear entrance (with the ramp) to our building.
If you prefer a service at noon, you are invited to join Bishop Rob for a virtual Ash Wednesday worship service on February 17th at noon. Ashes are not required, but attendees are welcome to impose ashes from any source on themselves or household members. A Zoom link for the service will be posted on the diocesan Worship & Liturgy page
Lenten Book Study Group
Our Lenten Book Group will read Jesus: A Pilgrimage by James Martin, SJ.
We’ll meet on Wednesdays at 12:30 pm. Our first meeting will be on Ash Wednesday, February 17. If you plan to attend please let me so I can be in touch before our first meeting. Order your book now!
From Amazon: “James Martin, SJ brings the Gospels to life and invites believers and seekers alike to experience Jesus through Scripture, prayer, and travel.
Father Martin ushers you into Jesus’ life and times and shows us how Jesus speaks to us today through combining fascinating insights of historical Jesus studies with profound spiritual insights about the Christ of faith, recreating the world of first-century Galilee and Judea.
Martin also brings together the most up-to-date Scripture scholarship, wise spiritual reflections, and lighthearted stories about traveling through the Holy Land with a fellow (and funny) Jesuit, visiting important sites in the life of Jesus of Nazareth.
Stories about Jesus’ astonishing life and ministry—clever parables that upended everyone’s expectations, incredible healings that convinced even skeptics, nature miracles that dazzled the dumbstruck disciples—can seem far removed from our own daily lives but in Jesus you will come to know him as Father Martin knows him: Messiah and Savior, as well as friend and brother.”
Blessings,
Caroline
The 1st Sunday of the month at 9:00 AM
The remaining Sundays at 10:00 AM
This Sunday-February 14th
at 10:00 a.m.
The Last Sunday after The Epiphany
or Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/standrewsinthevalleytamworth/
AND...
JOIN US FOLLOWING THE SERVICE FOR
A VIRTUAL
on ZOOM
READINGS FOR SUNDAY
Collect of the Day
O God, who before the passion of your only-begotten Son revealed his glory upon the holy mountain: Grant to us that we, beholding by faith the light of his countenance, may be strengthened to bear our cross, and be changed into his likeness from glory to glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
First Lesson 2 Kings 2:1-12
From the Hebrew Bible we hear the story of the taking up of the prophet Elijah into heaven and the passing on of his power to Elisha. The narrative illustrates the great favor Elijah found in the eyes of the Lord as he is carried away in a chariot of fire. Elisha is first in despair and rends his clothing in mourning, yet realizes he himself has been chosen to offer continued prophetic vision to the people.
Psalm 50:1-6
The psalm tells of the majestic and righteous God who requires true sacrifice and thanksgiving of the people.
The Second Lesson 2 Corinthians 4:3-6
In this lesson Paul proclaims that Christ is the very image of God, though not all can perceive this truth. This proclamation focuses on Jesus Christ as Lord, and Paul is captive to this message. As light shone forth from darkness in creation, so God has shone forth in the hearts of those to whom the light of the knowledge of God in Christ has been given.
The Gospel Mark 9:2-9
Our gospel is the story of Jesus’ transfiguration. The narrative draws upon themes and symbols from Israel’s past and its hopes for the future. Moses and Elijah represent the law and the prophets, whose promises Jesus fulfills. The chosen disciples see divine glory reflected in Jesus’ human person. A voice from the cloud declares that he is God’s beloved Son.
For our First Nation people and those in this country who are living in impoverished areas of the Ninth Ward of New Orleans and the inner city areas populated by some of our poorest citizens.
For all those who are on the front lines serving communities during these difficult times.
Updating the Prayer List
Please let Deb know if you want to put someone back on the prayer list going forward. Thank you for helping us keep our prayer list up to date.
If you like meeting new people, sharing your story and your faith with others, lively discussion about scripture and other authors, praying together, all from the comfort of your living room, EFM may be for you! If you need more information, Jen, Carol, Sammie, or Pat would be happy to answer any questions.
Safe Church Zoom Trainings 2021
Wednesday, February 17, 2021 at 6:00 pm - Click HERE to register
Thursday, March 18, 2021 at 6:00 pm - Click HERE to register
Reminder: The list of required online modules has been updated. For details or to register for the February 17th call, please visit the diocesan Safe Church page.
Blessing the Dust
A Poem for Ash Wednesday
All those days
you felt like dust,
like dirt,
as if all you had to do
was turn your face
toward the wind
and be scattered
to the four corners
or swept away
by the smallest breath
as insubstantial—
did you not know
what the Holy One
can do with dust?
This is the day
we freely say
we are scorched.
This is the hour
we are marked
by what has made it
through the burning.
This is the moment
we ask for the blessing
that lives within
the ancient ashes,
that makes its home
inside the soil of
this sacred earth.
So let us be marked
not for sorrow.
And let us be marked
not for shame.
Let us be marked
not for false humility
or for thinking
we are less
than we are
but for claiming
what God can do
within the dust,
within the dirt,
within the stuff
of which the world
is made
and the stars that blaze
in our bones
and the galaxies that spiral
inside the smudge
we bear.
—Jan Richardson
from Circle of Grace: A Book of Blessings for the Seasons
Birthdays
21 Judy Grace
26 Melissa Bunker
Anniversaries
14 Ken & Debra Hoyt
20 Bill & Valerie May
