Dates to Remember:

Evening Prayer each Wed. at 6:30 pm during Lent

Mar. 3-5 Altar Guild Retreat

Mar. 19th DOK making palm crosses 9:30 am

Mar. 20th Palm Sunday

Mar. 27th Easter (Annual Easter Egg Hunt)

Sunday Services
8:30 am
Rite I
In the Chapel
(no music)

10:30 am
Rite II
(with music)
In the Nave

Church Office
Monday - Thursday
Hours: 10:00 am to 
2:00 pm
512-459-0027
 
Church Ministers And Staff

All the People, Ministers of the Gospel 

The Most Rev. Michael Curry, Presiding Bishop

The Rt. Rev. C. Andrew Doyle, Bishop Ordinary

The Rt. Rev. Dena H. Harrison, Bishop Suffragan

The Rt. Rev. Jeff Fisher, Bishop Suffragan

The Rev. Billy Tweedie, Vicar

Jon Ellis, Bishop's Warden

Michael Paulsen, 
People's Warden

Sara Burden-McClure, Director of Music

The Rev. Kelly Jennings, Director, Children's Ministry

The Rev. Dr. Nathan Jennings, Theologian in Residence

Linda Bryant, 
Treasurer

Marty Newkirk, 
Church Secretary
 
The Midweek Connection
February 25th 2016


Inside this Midweek Connection:
  • Lenten Evensong
  • Children's Lenten Choir
  • News from the Atria
  • Short Term Choir Opportunity
  • New Spider In Church
From Sunday's Readings
Then God said, "Come no closer!
Remove the sandals from your feet. 
For the place on which you are standing
Is Holy Ground.


Wednesday Evenings
6:30 pm
In the Chapel 
 
CALLING ALL YOUNG SINGERS!

The Lenten Children's Choir will not sing in church this week, since only a few were able to attend practice last week.  However, we still will have practice immediately after church this Sunday, and invite singers to grab a snack and come to the choir room!  We plan to sing in church again on March 6.
News from the Atria

 Dear all,
 
Children have said it best: confession is a prayer in which "we tell God about our darkness, our love holes."  It is a prayer in which we "tell God we can't manage alone, because we are weak."  We confess our weaknesses because "we want more light, more sap, more love, so that the precious pearl is always more beautiful to us."
 
Remain with me, and you will be fruitful.   How does God help us to remain on the Vine?  For the older children in Catechesis, this was where we began last Sunday: the parable of the True Vine, John 15.
 
The older children are preparing together for the Sacrament of Reconciliation, which the children, catechists and parents are all invited to do on Holy Saturday (see p. 447 in our prayer book).  So until then, we meditate on God's love which never gives up on us, and eventually consider on our own, one or two things that keep us from being fully connected to the Vine.  This is very delicate, and emphasizes on us adults all the more, that atrium time is time between God and the child.  
 
The children in this older age group now have their own personal Bibles, which will stay in the atrium.  Many of them made bookmarks for them with a Vine theme last Sunday.  We will continue to read scripture: the Forgiving Father (Prodigal Son), and Found Sheep and Found Coin, and focus on the gifts of God, especially the Eucharist.  
 
Yours in Christ,
Kelly
 
Come Sing with The Choir for
Palm Sunday and Easter

 In these busy times, not everyone is able to participate in choir every Sunday - and we totally understand!  However, if you'd like a great short-term opportunity, we'd love to have your help!  We're starting work on a few big (but not very difficult) selections for Palm Sunday (March 20) and Easter (March 27) at our Wednesday evening rehearsals.   Come get in on the fun!  For more information, please contact Sara Burden-McClure at  [email protected]
 
How To Speak Episcopalian

The Good Word this week is

Kyrie eleison
Christe eleison

Previously, we talked about the Gloria, but in the season of Lent, we don't chant the Gloria. In the penitential seasons of Advent and Lent, when we remember who we are, and how much we need God's gracious help, we chant the Kyrie eleison, or as we frequently refer to it, the Kyrie.

Historically, our Music Director, Sara, reminds us that it is the last of the litanies handed down to us from Constantine, in the Greek. It is one of the earliest litanies of intercession. We repeat it, "Lord have mercy, Christ have mercy," three times. It has been set to a number of different tune settings, but the one that we use is a beautiful Franz Schubert setting. 

Whenever we feel the need of God's intervention in our lives, we can use the Kyrie as the prayer of our hearts.

A Dictionary for Episcopalians  John N. Wall
Emily Harrington Wins In Science Fair

Ann Harrington has advised us that her grandaughter, Emily Harrington, age 9, has won the second place ribbon in the Austin Regional Science Fair on February 20th.
Emily won for her very interesting study of sprouting seeds in various liquids. 

Emily's father grew up here at ECR, and even attended the school that was here in our school buildings. They are part of our church family along with her parents and younger brother, Clayton and his cowboy boots. 
 
An Invitation to Tea

From Pat Starkie:

Who:   The St. James' Episcopal Church
What:  Lenten Tea
When:  Sunday, March 6, 2016, 3:00 - 5:00 pm,
Where: St. James' Episcopal Church
            1941 Webberville Road
            Austin, Texas  78721
 
Hosted by The Women of St. James' Austin, Austin Convocation of the Diocese Of Texas  ECW
EEEK! There's a Spider in Church!

Special thanks are due Mary Wade Edgecomb, whose kind gift in honor of Bob Edgecomb has enabled us to add a special piece of equipment this week!  The grand piano (a 1905 Steinway Model A) now sits on a special dolly known as a "spider," and has gained the ability to creep around easily to different spots in the Nave.  Many thanks also to David Strait of Strait Music for finding and reconditioning the spider, and for his donation of the installation. 
 
Wednesday Bible Study Continues

Wednesday morning Bible Study continues from 8:30 am to 9:30 am at Genuine Joe's Coffee House at 2001 W. Anderson Lane.  The Bible students have studied a lot of the scripture so far, and will continue on. They have finished their study of Luke, and will go on to study the Gospel According to St. John. 
A Message from the Thrift Shop

Lana Beyer, ECR Thrift Shop manager notes that the shop is overloaded with some items that you just might like to give a new home. There are a number of Easter items -- plastic eggs are a real bargain (3 doz for a quarter). She has plenty of infant and children clothing, and decor items too. This might be a good time to stop in the shop and see what you find. You might discover something that you didn't even know you needed.  

A Second sale will start on the first Saturday in April and run through the first Saturday in May. It will include all adult clothing which will sell for 1/2 price -- a great time to stock up. 
Hospitality Team for Sunday Feb. 28th

Juanita Grady, Karen Oliver, Joe Page

The new Hospitality Roster is done through May. Please check it to see when your turn comes up. There are copies in the Narthex displayed in various places. 
Music for Sunday, Feb. 28th

Anthem:  The Lone Wild Bird arr. Ruth Elaine Schram

Processional: In Silence
Gospel: 574, Before Thy Throne, O God
Communion: 635, If Thou But Trust In God To Guide Thee
R-36, Here I Am, Lord
Missional: 392, Come We That Love The Lord
Lay Ministry for Sunday Feb. 28th.   Click for Readings

If you are unable to fulfill your lay ministry, arrange for a substitute and let Marty in the office know of the change by noon on Thursday before. 

Readings
First Reading: Exodus 31-15
Psalm: 63:1-18
Second Reading: I Corinthians 10:1-13
Gospel: Luke 13:1-19

8:30 am Service 
Lector: Jon Ellis
Psalmist:  Reba Ott
Intercessor: Joan Medrano
Chalicist:  Michael Paulsen
Usher:  Jim Ryan

10:30 am Service:
First Lesson:  Noreen McMahan
Psalm: Ben Garza
Second Lesson:  Pat Mills
Prayers of the People: Katie Peterson
Chalicists: (GC) Robert Beyer (C) Lana Beyer
Acolytes: Holly & Charles Davis
Ushers: Carolyn & Jon Ellis, Ann Harrington, 
Michael Paulsen
Altar Guild: Ann Harrington, Joan Medrano
Flower Guild: Ann Harrington