Well we certainly have had the most active winter in years. Even though I love winter, I am not fond of cancellations and delays as the result of weather. Our bible study classes have been significantly interrupted, as well as other daily or evening programs that have been planned from November through February. Although we will do our best to always have Sunday services, we will follow the Blue Springs School District closings to guide us for cancelling daily and evening activities.
With all this in mind, here are some reminders of opportunities available when you cannot make it to church:
- 5:30 Sunday Evening Service is an opportunity if you cannot make the morning services. Often the weather improves to allow safe traveling later in the day, and if 8:00 and 10:30 am hours are still too early to rise for church, this can be another option
- I'm frequently available to come to you for visitation and to receive communion during the week. Please contact me by phone, email or text to arrange a time to visit. THIS IS NOT AN IMPOSITION ON MY TIME.... IT'S PART OF THE CALLING TO BE YOUR PRIEST!
- Access the church website (www.episcopal-bluesprings.org) for the Sunday lectionary of scriptures for your study and personal/family worship
- Access the On-Line Book of Common Prayer for personal and family devotions: (www.bcponline.org). Having a personal copy of the BCP is always a good thing too. You can easily get a new or used copy from Amazon
Sunday Evening Service
Our new 5:30 pm Sunday worship service has begun and will continue to be a permanent staple of worship offerings at Resurrection. This service can help meet your schedule If you cannot attend the morning services for whatever reason. Enriching Our Worship is the liturgical Eucharistic format used with a praise and contemplative style for music. Intending to be a casual and "come as you are" atmosphere, this can be a service that ends your weekend and prepares you for the coming week ahead. Please invite your friends and neighbors. There is fellowship and refreshments following the service.
Memorial Service Planning
I'm available to help you and your family prepare for a memorial service that provides the specific worship service information desired when it is time to celebrate life's transitions. Please feel free to contact me to set up an appointment. Formal records are kept on file so the parish can be prepared to develop the service desired by the family. This is also an opportunity to discuss other information related to advanced directives and planned giving.
Did I not visit you when you were ill, ...in the hospital, ..or recovering from injury?
Please let me know, or contact the church office or access the ECOR prayer group on the church website when you desire a pastoral visit. I feel terrible if I've learned a parishioner or family member has been ill, in the hospital, or home bound for any reason, and I missed the opportunity to visit, say prayers and provide communion. This is an important part of the parish family fellowship. Prayers work! ...and especially when many are praying. Confidentiality is very important, and when folks are asked to pray for others, only the person being prayed for should share the details with others. God always knows the reason for our prayers.
Many thanks to the "worker bees" around our parish
Thank you to all who help with work projects around the church building and grounds. The weather has given reason for snow removal and salt application, and thanks to those helping our Jr. Warden Les Woodward in keeping abreast of making our building ready for use. Thanks also for others repairing all the little things around the church from replacing light bulbs to the little behind the scenes things most of us never think about. You know who I am talking about!
Blessings,
Fr. David +
