Dates to Remember:

Mar. 19th, DOK making Palm crosses 9:30 am

Mar. 19th, General church cleaning (see below)

Mar. 19th 6:00 pm Dine Out at Mimi's Cafe

Mar. 20th Palm Sunday (Passion Sunday)

Holy Week (see below)

Mar. 26th Holy Sat. Service with the Sacrament of Reconciliation

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
March 17, 2016


Inside this Midweek Connection
  • Irish Concert  a Big Success
  • Bishops of the Episcopal Church Issue a Word to the Church - Important to Read
  • First Blood Donor Opportunity this Year
  • Wrapped Candy Needed for Easter Egg Hunt
  • Watch for a Special Holy Week Edition
From Sunday's Readings
"Blessed is He
Who comes in the 
Name of the Lord,
Hosanna!"


Wednesday Evensong
Next Wed. at 6:00 pm
Eucharist
 
The Episcopal Bishops Issue a Word
To the Church

The Bishops of the Episcopal Church met at Camp Allen from March 11th through the 15th, and they have issued a message to the church. You can read it here:

 
ECR  Annual Irish Concert Moves to the Porch for an Afternoon of Fun and great Tunes

From Sara Burden-McClure:
 
I tried something new with the ECR Concert Series yesterday afternoon since the weather was so gorgeous -- taking it out on the front porch! Spraoi, our newest Irish band, put on a wonderful show for 60+ attendees. Kids danced, toes tapped, and a gentle warm breeze wafted jigs and reels through the neighborhood. Many thanks Mary Morrison, Noreen McMahan and Pat Mills for awesome eats, to  Billy Tweedie for bringing the beer, and to Kevin D. McClure and Ian McClure for their help from start to finish!
 
What a great concert and a great afternoon! 
News from the Atria

 
The Level II atrium, St. Hilda's Atrium, as it's come to be known, has been making paschal candles.  Typically a paschal candle, used at Easter and baptisms, has a cross, with the current year and the 5 wounds of Christ represented on it. Decorating on candles is not easy, but fun - we melted crayon tips, and glued gold paper on them.  They can be lit on Easter Sunday, reminding us that Christ's light, his risen life, shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it. 
 
For our Lenten meditation this past Sunday, we read together the parable of the Forgiving Father (Prodigal Son).  Some children showed visible signs of surprise at forgiveness the Father showed his son.  We truly have a gracious God.  He is always looking out for us, ready to welcome us home, when we make choices that take us away from Him.  
Help Needed -- Spring Cleaning for Easter Sunday

REQUIREMENTS: Able bodies that can provide some hand and arm motions! The more people we have will let us complete the multi-tasks on our list.
SCHEDULE: March 26, 2016 -- Holy Saturday -- 9:00 am to 12 Noon. Coffee, donuts, etc., provided. Short break at 10:00 am for a 15 min. service for those who wish to partake.
WHAT TO BRING: Yourself, a vacuum cleaner (if possible,) and cleaning rags. Other cleaning materials will be provided.
CONTACTS: Ann Harrington [email protected]
Michael Pausen [email protected] 
How To Speak Episcopalian

The Good Word this week is

The Prayers of The People

The prayers of the people are the general intercessions in the Eucharist.  They were first mentioned in the year 150 by Justin Martyr and for centuries were a vital part of the Eucharistic liturgy. 

During the middle ages, they fell under the purvue of the clergy, but were restored to the people by modern revisers of the Book of Common Prayer. The prayer book provides several versions for the use of modern congregations, and allows for congregations to choose other forms, as we have done recently, here at ECR.

Reference: A Dictionary for Episcopalians  John N. Wall
An Episcopal Dictionary of the Church Don S. Armentrout and Robert Boak Slocum, Editors
It's Time for the Annual Easter Egg Hunt

And we have a BUNCH of Easter Eggs to fill! Ann Harrington has advised that we still need a LOT of wrapped candy to fill those eggs. We'll have more kids than ever this year, and we need more candy than ever. Please bring it to the Narthex on Sunday. Wrapped candy ONLY, please.  
Dine Out for March

Dine Out is headed for Mimi's Cafe on Saturday March 19th at 6 pm. Mimi's is located at 10515 North MoPAC in the Arbor Walk Shopping Center. The sign-up sheet is located in the Narthex, and everyone is invited. Mr. Joe Page has all the answers to any questions you might have at 
512-453-3077. 
Dudley Baker Announces Post-Easter Blood Drive

On Saturday, April 9th, we are having our first 2016 blood drive. What better time to offer the gift that can save a life than in Easter, the season of new life -- Resurrection Life. That is what we celebrate every day around here. May we work hard this year to transform the words Resurrection Life to Resurrection Blood!
We need the help of every one of you, who gives regularly. Help us publicize this ministry. Tell another member how fulfilling it is to help an unknown person in need -- perhaps to save a life!  Tell them how quick and easy it is. Remind them that blood is a precious substance, that comes only from one source -- the arm of a healthy, grateful servant with 40 minutes to spare. You can even tell them how good the cookies are! 

Sign up in the Narthex to join us, and save a life, in the name of our Lord!
Your Brother in Christ,
Dudley Baker  
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 the Gospel According to John and have begun the study of the Acts of the Apostles. 
Justin Ln. Street Reconstruction

Justin Ln. was identified by the City's Street and Bridge division one of the streets in need of reconstruction as part of the 2006 Bond Program. The time frame is July 2016 to May 2017, approximately. There will be a meeting at

  Austin First Cumberland Presbyterian Church
6800 Woodrow Ave
March 31, 2016 
600 to 8:00 pm 

To receive electronic communications regarding the project, you may also call or e-mail:
Courtney Black 512-974-7973 or 
Hospitality Team for Sunday March 20th

Mary Ann Ramos, Charles Davis

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, March 20th
Anthem:  Surely He Has Borne Our Griefs, Michael Larkin

Processional: Sing Hosanna
Gospel: 164, Alone, Thou Goest Forth, O Lord
Communion: 168, Oh Sacred Head, Sore Wounded
170, To Mock Your Reign, O Dearest Lord
Missional: 435, At the Name of Jesus, Every Knee Shall Bow
Lay Ministry for Sunday March 20th. 

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. 

Liturgy of the Palms
Luke 19:28-40
Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29

Liturgy of the Word
First Reading: Isaiah 50:4-9a
Psalm: 31:9-16
Second Reading: Phillipians 2:5-11
Gospel:  Luke 22:14-23:56 or
                Luke 23:1-49

8:30 am Service 
Lector:  Jon Ellis
Psalmist:  John Taylor
Intercessor: Jon Ellis
Chalicist:  Granville Ott
Usher:  Jim Ryan

Note: There will be a sign-up sheet available for readings for Passion Sunday.

10:30 am Service:
First Lesson:  Sara Burden-McClure
Psalm: Richard Fromme
Second Lesson:  Noreen McMahan
Prayers of the People: Pat Mills
Chalicists: (GC) Lana Beyer (C) Robert Beyer
Acolytes: Holly & Charles Davis
Ushers: Jim Ryan, Leonard Oliver, Chris Segrets, Jeri Wines
Altar Guild: Reba Ott, Liz Haltom, Jeri Wines
Flower Guild: Reba Ott