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WATCH/LISTEN:
"WAITING FOR LENT "
(min msg)
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ASH WEDNESDAY
WORSHIP SERVICE 7:00
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The Devil Doesn't Wear Tights
No one believes in the existence of the devil these days, do they? Do you? Perhaps we can thank Hollywood and Halloween's marketing blitz for our casual if not incredulous approach to the devil's existence. Pointy horns, pitch forks, red costumes, and box office ticket sales continue to shape our culture's collective consciousness of the devil. Though red tights and long tails may be a frightening thought as you consider a costume for a Halloween party, they do nothing to communicate the true terror of an honest-to-God encounter with the devil's power.
This Lent we are called to expunge the fantastical images of the devil from our minds and think seriously about the real presence of evil in our world. We know firsthand about the sin that caused, causes, and will cause suffering to us, our loved ones, our neighbors, our global communities, and creation itself. Sin is real; suffering is real; evil is real; indeed, the devil is real. This oppressive, tangible reality is as real as the air we breathe-felt but not always seen. Greed, envy, rage, hatred, war, discrimination, and apathy are just some of the ways the devil's forces wreak havoc upon us. These forces have one goal and one goal only: to turn us away from the will of God.
Matthew's gospel reorients us to the truth of the devil's power, and calls us to name Satan's presence in the world. In the wilderness Jesus encounters an evil as real as its opposite, resurrection. The great tempter seeks to undermine Jesus' mission before he even begins; testimony that evil has much to fear of our Jesus! Nonetheless, Jesus will not be dissuaded. "
Away with you, Satan!" proclaims the redeemer of the cosmos. Thus,
the Lenten journey begins - a journey that takes us to the cross, where the devil is named and crushed underfoot
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Sundays in Lent:
Back to Basics with Pastor Geoff:
An Opportunity in Lent for Families, Confirmands, and Adults
In the mid-late 1520s Martin Luther and his colleagues visited congregations to see how the ideas of the reformation were being lived out among the people. What they discovered was both a hunger for the gospel and the reality that the people did not know much about their faith. Luther's response came first in a series of sermons and then a set of posters to be used in the home as an aid for parents to teach their children the basics. The content was then compiled into a little instruction book we have come to know as Luther's Small Catechism, containing the 10 commandments, the Apostles Creed, the Lord's Prayer with explanations in everyday language, along with short explanations of Holy Baptism, Holy Communion, some prayers for daily use and Bible verses for encouragement as people went about their everyday faith and work.
This Lent on Sunday mornings during learning hour at
9:40 a.m., we are going to revisit those same Christian basics, take a look at Luther's explanations - and together we will create some everyday explanations of these core resources of our faith from our own time and experience.
Whether you are a life-long Christian, just checking out church or looking to connect with another generation, I hope you'll join us for this opportunity to be the church together! -
Pastor Geoff
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 On Sunday March 5 between services, kids will be selling delicious cookie dough to help support their retreats to Camp Calumet this Spring. Please stop by to pick up a batch of your own (comes frozen).
Chocolate Chip, Sugar Cookie & Egg-free Chocolate Chip $8 each.
Thank you for your support!
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First Annual Ash Wednesday Coffee Hour (from this morning)
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Thursday Bible Study
back on schedule for Thursdays at noon!
SAVE the DATE
Palm Sunday Breakfast -
A significant fundraiser for our youth ministry is the Palm Sunday Breakfast,
April 9th, between worship services, 9:30-10:45
am.
Board Games wanted Have any extra games gathering dust? We will take them off of your hands for the Youth Room! Think especially interactive games like Taboo or Apples to Apples.
Thanks! - Tammie
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LENT THURSDAYS begins MARCH 9
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 Lent Thursdays: In this 500th Anniversary Year of the Protestant Reformation we'll be gathering on Thursday Evenings in Lent for soup, video, and study of the theme: "Table Talks: Legacies of Luther for Today". (There will also be mac & cheese and an activity for kids.) Meets @6:00 p.m. March 9, 16, 23, 30 and April 6. Hope to see you! Please add your name to the sign up sheet in the narthex or see below) if you would enjoy helping with the meal. |
Why are prayer, fasting and almsgiving especially important during Lent?
Without prayer, fasting and almsgiving are merely actions we
do out of tradition without much meaning. Prayer is our conversation with God. It is through prayer that we find the strength to fast. It is through prayer that we develop a closer, more intimate relationship with God. This relationship makes us so grateful for the blessings he has bestowed upon us, that we eagerly give to those less fortunate than us. Prayer is essential to any action we Christians may undertake.
Fasting:
Fasting is one of the most ancient actions linked to Lent. Fasting rules have changed through the ages, but throughout history fasting has been considered sacred. The prophet Isaiah insists that fasting without changing our behavior is not pleasing to God. Therefore, the goal of fasting is linked with prayer. The pangs of hunger remind us of our hunger for God, and prayer and fasting together brings us to what Lent is about - a deeper conversion.
Almsgiving:
It should be obvious by now, that almsgiving is simply a response by us to God, a response that we have come to through prayer and fasting. It is an expression of our gratitude for all that God has given us, and a realization that in the Body of Christ, it is never just "me and God." Through prayer and fasting we come to a deeper understanding that the needs of all are the responsibility of all in the Body of Christ.
Works of charity and the promotion of justice are integral elements of the Christian way of life we began when we were baptized.
OPPORTUNITIES to LIVE THIS CHARGE OUT:
practice daily devotions:
Pick up a devotional book from the selection in the entry way. Devotions are like exercise for our souls. They force our attention off of self-indulgent distractions and pursuits, and on to God's purposes and promises.
visit or send a greeting card to our friends that aren't able to come to church:
Mary Langley 55 Sheffield St C24 Old Saybrook 06475
Phyllis Fowler 27 Mares Hill Rd Ivoryton 06426
Joan Rauenbuhler Crescent Pt. 417 Main St Niantic 06357
Mary Ellen Christman
Crescent Pt. 417 Main St Niantic 06357
Gerry Bengston Crescent Pt. 417 Main St Niantic 06357
Ken Klein Apple Rehab Boston Post Rd RM 206 W OS 06475
Dick Woxland 84 Meetinghouse Lane Westbrook 06498
give regularly to our Lenten hunger collection:
Consider redirecting the resources you would normally spend on something frivolous to eat or drink to the giant water jug in the narthex, add it to the basket on Thursday evening, or to the globes on 3/12, an ELCA World Hunger Sunday.
help prepare and serve soup kitchen meal:
Wednesday, March 15, in Old Saybrook at Grace Church, the stone church on Main Street. This is a great opportunity to reflect the love of Christ to those around you. Show up anytime after 10. If you have any questions for Bill Neuman.
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Do you love to get a pot of soup simmering on the stove, filling up your home with delicious aromas? If so, you might like to participate in the upcoming soup suppers where your culinary skills of any level will be most appreciated by a grateful audience! Soup Suppers will be Thursdays during Lent at 6pm.
Dates soup needed are: MARCH 9, 16, 23, 30 & APRIL 6
Click HERE and let us know which Thursday you would enjoy making a soup to share. If you would like to attend, but need a ride, please let us know that, too! Thank you for your enthusiasm! RECIPES |
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At the February 28th meeting we welcomed
newly elected council members:
Tracie Larson, Peggy Morrissey and Andrew Seddon, and outlined our shared responsibilities as the congregation council.
Elected officers:
Nancy MacMillan, Council President
Mike Grannon, Vice President
Tim Kellogg, Secretary
Other Council members: Darrell Pataska, John Pavlos, Christine Banks, Bob Moller, Dicie Mueller & Bud Damberg. Look for upcoming
"Get to Know your Council!"
feature in upcoming enews!
Next meeting March 28 @7:00 pm
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LINK TO CALENDAR.
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Ongoing & upcoming:
Breakfast Club Wednesdays, 7:00 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.
We eat, read & talk about the scripture for the coming Sunday - meets in classroom by kitchen. 1st Wednesday at OS Diner.
Prayer Circle Wednesdays, 8:45 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
Join Pastor Geoff for a brief, spoken, opportunity for morning prayer.
Soup Kitchen
3rd Wednesdays Grace Church (Lunch in Old Saybrook)
5th Saturdays Old Lyme Congregational Church (breakfast Old Lyme)
Thursday Bible Study Thursdays 12- 1:30 FarView House
OA Mondays 7:00pm FarView House
AA Mondays 7:00 pm Fellowship Hall
NA Thursdays 7:00 pm Fellowship Hall
AA Sundays 8:00 pm Fellowship Hall
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To all the Saints at St. Paul!
Thank you all for the wonderful cards and offers for help from you to help me along in this "bump" in the road. It is making the bump much more bearable. My daughter Debbie and I realize this could have been much worse and we thank God for that. I hope to see you soon.
With love and prayers, Dorothy J.
Let us know your joys and concerns
here
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CHURCH STAFF: Pastor-Rev. Geoff T. Sinibaldo Director of Youth & Family Ministries-Tammie Sinibaldo Parish Administrator-Kim Meadows Music Director-Al LaPorte Sexton-Dave Moretti
OFFICE HOURS :Tuesday - Thursday 9am-1pm. Pastor Geoff is available by appointment past regular office hours. Please contact the office or email him at [email protected] to schedule an appointment. |
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A Word from Pastor Geoff...
