This Week on the Mountain for Sunday, February 18th

This Week on the Mountain

Sunday, February 18, 2018

The First Sunday in Lent

St. John on the Mountain

Upcoming Events

Liturgical Notes for Lent

As we begin the season of Lent, some elements of the Liturgy will be changed dramatically. On Sunday, instead of an opening hymn, we will chant the Great Litany in procession. The psalms-the ancient prayers of our people-will be different, using modern poetic language and different musical settings. The Mass setting is a simpler chant version as well, and the Blessing and closing organ voluntary are omitted. We will also be celebrating the Eucharist "east facing"-that is, the entire community facing the altar, including the priest. This is an ancient practice, and invites us to pray in different ways by changing our perspective.

The Great Litany was the first rite to be translated into English. Prepared and published in 1544 by Archbishop Thomas Cramner, he would would later go on to translate the entire Roman Missal into what we now know as the Book of Common Prayer. The Litany's use in church processions was ordered by Henry VIII when England was at war with Scotland and France. It was printed as an appendix to the Eucharist in the 1549 BCP. Litanies have been an important part of the prayer life of Christian Churches in the East and the West for centuries. The Greek word for Litany is Ektenia, which literally means "diligence." It is so called "Great" not only because of its length but because of its importance coming near the beginning of major services or major Liturgical season.

Mountaintop Moments

Sunday February 25

On February 25, following the 10:00 service, our Mountaintop

Moments group will have its first gathering of the new year and

welcome a guest storyteller.

Tracey Heisler is executive director of CASA of Somerset, Hunterdon,

and Warren Counties (CASA SHaW), a nonprofit which provides

volunteer advocates in court for children living in the foster care

system because of abuse or neglect. Tracey came to this work nearly

20 years ago as a volunteer and has made it her life's mission. Her

mother grew up in foster care, and Tracey saw first hand the struggles

she had as a result. She works to give other children in the same

situation the voice that her mother never had.

Grace Soup Kitchen

Friday, February 23

Grace Soup Kitchen serves 1,000 hot nutritious meals the last five days of each month to the hungry of Plainfield. St. John on the Mountain parishioners help on the last Friday of each month. Join us one Friday as we prepare and serve lunch. The next day scheduled for St. John on the Mountain to serve is on Friday, February 23rd from 10 am - 1 pm. To sign-up email Graham Argent-Belcher.

Boys' & Girls' Choir

Sunday, February 25

The St. John's Boys' & Girls' Choir will resume next week. We hope all children of the parish in grades 3 through 8 will join us after the 10:00 a.m. liturgy for a brief rehearsal with Mr. Jennings in the Choir Room. Boys' & Girls' Choir will sing at the 10:-00 a.m. liturgy on April 1, and May 13

Ladies' Luncheon Cancelled

The February Ladies' Luncheon is cancelled. Join us in March as we meet for food and conversation. If you would like to host the March luncheon, please contact Wendy Argent-Belcher for details.