Dates to Remember:

Evening Prayer each Wed. at 6:00 pm during Lent

Feb. 18th Analog Mtg

Feb. 20th Dine Out (see below)

Mar. 3-5 Altar Guild Retreat

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

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 18th 2016


Inside this Midweek Connection:
  • Children's Lenten Choir
  • News from the Atria
  • Short Term Choir Opportunity
  • New Spider In Church
  • New Dine Out Experience
From Sunday's Readings

CALLING ALL YOUNG SINGERS!

The Lenten Children's Choir will practice again this week after the 10:30 a.m. service.  We'll meet in the choir room - and if any parents would like to provide healthy snacks to help us get through till lunch, that would be wonderful! In this rehearsal, we'll just focus on words and music of our song for the Peace, so that we feel really secure with the song.  If all goes well, we'll sing the first time in church on Feb. 21 without signs, and then start learning the signing at the rehearsal on Feb. 21.  (We will add the signing in church when we are comfortable with that part as well.)  This week we will also take a look at another song which we'll sing on Palm Sunday, when the children get to lead the adults into the church during the palm procession!   
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 and 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
 
Not Your Average Pancake Supper! --
I'll Say it Wasn't!

The Scout Troop and The Brotherhood of St. Andrew outdid themselves last night with pancakes and sausage, and thanks to Tim Klatt for some great ales from his Strangeland Brewery. We had an essentially full Parish Hall.

There was music from Fr. Billy and Rob Thornton. We had a stellar, first-ever Pancake Race, and an all-hands-on-deck Parade. To top off the evening, Reba Ott mesmerized the folks with her spell-binding stories. 

It couldn't have been a more successful evening -- just being a church family together. Having fun. 

Many thanks to Reba Ott, Official Pancake Supper Photographer, and Storyteller extroidinaire. 



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

The Great Litany

This past Sunday, we threw caution to the winds and jumped right into the first Sunday of Lent by praying the Great Litany. We started off the service with this long intercessory rite, an exensive use of versicles and responses from the Book of Common Prayer. The Great Litany is the first English language rite created by Thomas Cranmer in the 1540s, and it continues in traditional language today. It is used in Lent due to it's penitential nature and takes the place of the Prayers of the People. It may also be used on other penitential days and in other seasons. 

Sure, it's lengthy, and it takes awhile to chant it, but like Holy Communion, whenever we do it,  it's one of those mystical things that links us to each other, to the church that came before us, that will come after us, and to our God.
Ref. A Dictionary for Episcopalians  John N. Wall
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. 
 
Daughters of the King Will Make Palm Crosses for Palm Sunday

The Daughters of The King will be gathering in classroom 4 on March 19th at 9:30 a.m. to make Palm Crosses for Palm Sunday.  All are welcome to come help us.  We will teach you how.  We will have coffee and donuts available.
 
FHS, Helen Paulsen
New Dine Out Experience

Dine Out for Feb. is the third Saturday, Feb. 20th at 5:30 pm., at Maudie's Tex Mex Restaurant, 10205 N. Lamar, suite 131. (East side of Lamar at intersection of Masterson and Lamar) There is a sign on Lamar.

This is the first time we've eaten at Maudie's, but the Maudie's Tex Mex Restaurants have been Austin favorites for years. Let's all turn out and enjoy good food and great fellowship.

The sign up sheet is in the Narthex, and for more information or directions call Joe Page at 512-453-3077.  
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.  
Hospitality Team for Sunday Feb. 21st.

Katie Petersen, Ann Harrington & Travis Johnston
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. 21st.

Anthem: In Thee, O Lord, Have I Trusted, G.F. Handel

Processional: In Silence
Gospel: 495, Hail Thou Once Despised Jesus
Communion: R-90, Trust and Obey
456, O Love of God, How Strong and True
Missional: 401, The God of Abraham Praise
Lay Ministry for Sunday Feb. 21st.  

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: Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18
Psalm: 27
Second Reading: Phillipians 3:17-4:1
Gospel: Luke 13:31-35

8:30 am Service 
Lector: John Tyler
Psalmist:  Steffen Pilotek
Intercessor: Pat Mills
Chalicist:  Jon Ellis
Usher:  Jim Ryan

10:30 am Service:
First Lesson:  Sara Burden-McClure
Psalm: Jennifer Johnston
Second Lesson:  Richard Fromme
Prayers of the People: Kenn Peters
Chalicists: (GC) Rob Thornton (C) Helen Paulsen
Acolytes: Holly & Charles Davis
Ushers: Jim Ryan, Leonard Oliver, Christopher Segrets
Jeri Wines
Altar Guild: Ginger Kirchhof, Reba Ott, Liz Haltom, 
Jeri Wines
Flower Guild: Reba Ott