Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
1 Corinthians 10:31

 PANCAKE BREAKFAST & Silent Auction is THIS Sunday!
Join us for a small stack... with a BIG cause
in the Parish Hall following the 8 and 10 am services.
Grace and Peace,
  
Ecclesiastes gives us the familiar refrain: "For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;"
 
As we enter the season of Lent, it is important to consider what, of our own habits and patterns, should live and what should die, as well as what should be planted. This season is about more than abandoning the silver and brass that we use in worship, though we will do that, it is about more than removing any distractions or ornamentation, and we will do that also. This is an uncomfortable season that prepares us for the new life that Christ brings to us in the Resurrection - Alleluia!
 
Ash Wednesday ushers in our season of discomfort; it is a time when we face our own mortality. But we also face our own sameness; as we are marked by the sign of the cross with ash we are reminded that we are all dust and we all will return to dust. My dust is no better or worse than your dust; we are all equal in the eyes of the Lord. And that can be both uncomfortable and liberating.
 
We will also find discomfort in our liturgy. During the season of Lent we will shift from the familiar language found in the 1978 Prayer Book and turn to Rite I, the traditional Elizabethan English that reminds us of the 1928 Prayer Book. The language is beautiful, but also highly male-centric; if you rejoice in the male-centric language perhaps that is something to reflect upon, and if you reject this language be comforted in knowing that God is not confined by the little box we create when we use "he" or "she" in our prayers. The liturgy is also more priest-centric; see how this affects you (it makes me uncomfortable). Paying attention to our pressure points may help us to grow and change.
 
Even with the draw backs found in the language of Rite I, the poetry and theology is beautiful. Enjoy the depth of these prayers and let them affect your lenten journey.
 
I am hopeful that you have already begun to map out how you will observe a holy Lent. There is a white-board in the parish hall that has room for your comments; use this as a way to hold yourself accountable (even without signing your name) and use this as a way to support other parishioners with your prayers.
 
Sign up to receive the daily email from the Society of Saint John the Evangelist and let those video reflections guide you. There is a workbook available either for your device or printed (in my office). We will discuss these reflections on the parish Facebook page as a virtual community, as well as face-to-face on Sundays at 9am.
 
A deep lenten journey makes Easter that much brighter. Without the journey in Lent and the darkness of Holy Week the celebration of Easter is 'meh', just another Sunday with hats. Experience the season, reflect on what is to be born, to die, to plant, to harvest. Reflect on your life with Christ so that when we say "Alleluia, He is Risen" it is not possible to hold back the tears.

Peace,
Henry+                              
Lenten Evening Prayer * Wednesdays at 7:30pm * March 8 - April 5. 
 
Join us for a short Evening Prayer followed by fellowship and
a light meal of soup and bread. 
Sign-up if you would like to prepare soup for one of the evenings. 
Sign-up sheet is posted on bulletin board in the Parish Hall.
 
 LENTEN STUDY SERIES

If we are "marked as Christ's own," what are the "marks of love" that characterize the Divine Life abiding and at work within us? For 6 weeks we will explore this question in the Lenten Forum study led by Fr. Henry. With a Mission focus as our foundation we can begin to see how it is translated in our lives as God's abiding love. Workbooks will be provided.  Sign up for the daily email and video reflection by FEBRUARY 26th at www.5marksoflove.org. Discussions will be Sunday mornings at 9am beginning March 5th through April 9th.
UPCOMING EVENTS 


 

FEBRUARY 26
9am Choir Rehearsal
Handbell Ringers
@ 11:30 am
 
Sunday School
@ 9:40am
 
Pancake Breakfast &
Silent Auction
following 8 & 10am services

  Outreach Committee Meeting @ 11:30am
  
FEBRUARY 28
African Palms Packing
Parish Hall 9-11am

MARCH 1
Staff Meeting @ 10am

Ash Wednesday Service @ 7:30pm

MARCH 2
African Palms Packing
Parish Hall 9-11am
 
MARCH 5
Fill Fred's Ford for
Olney Help
 
9am Choir Rehearsal
11:30am Handbell Ringers

MARCH 7 & 9
African Palms Packing
Parish Hall 9-11am
 
MARCH 8
Lenten Prayer Service @ 7:30pm

 
MONDAY MISSION
 Monday Mission Society will meet on March 13th, at 7:00 pm, at the Church in the downstairs meeting room to stuff eggs for the annual Easter Egg Hunt held on Easter morning.  Bring a snack to share!  For information, please contact Lisa Stylos at lhs2dp@aol.com.
Saturday, March 11, 2017          
6:00 - 11:00 p.m.   
Norbeck Country Club
 
For more information:  MASQUERADE MAGIC

  
    ST. JOHN'S SCHOOL AUCTION
ST. JOHN'S EPISCOPAL CHUCH
3427 Olney Laytonsville Road
Olney, MD 20832
301-774-6999