Weekly parish news and Sunday service information
Sunday, February 21
The First Sunday in Lent
Masks and social distancing required for in-person attendance.
Holy Eucharist Rite I, 8 a.m.
In-person attendance for up to 25 worshippers
No advance signup required.
Facebook Live audio also available.
Holy Eucharist Rite II, 10 a.m.
In-person attendance for up to 25 worshippers
Please sign up in advance here.
Facebook Live at 10 a.m.
Worship Notes, Sunday, February 21
Fr. Ben Hankinson, officiating

Coffee Hour via Zoom, following the 10 a.m. service.

Communion station at 12 p.m. at Lower Level ramp entry off Hillsboro Ave.
Readings for February 21
  • Old Testament - Genesis 9:8-17
  • The Epistle - 1 Peter 3:18-22
  • Psalm 25:1-9
  • The Holy Gospel - Mark 1:9-15
The Holy Gospel | Mark 1:9-15
In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.”

And the Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. He was in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan; and he was with the wild beasts; and the angels waited on him.

Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.”
Make Your Offering!
Schedule for the Week of February 21

  • Evening Prayer, Sunday, 7 p.m.+
  • Compline, Monday, 7 p.m.+
  • Noonday Prayer, Tuesday, 12:05 p.m.+
  • Keeping a Holy Lent Class via Zoom, Wednesday, 6 p.m. (Link to be sent.)
  • Holy Eucharist, Feast of Saint Matthias, Wednesday, 7 p.m.+
  • Noonday Prayer, Thursday, 12:05 p.m.+
  • Morning Prayer, Friday, 9: a.m. +
  • Stations of the Cross, Friday, 12 Noon (Repeats until Good Friday)+
  • Week-End Update Newsletter, Saturday, delivered midday
  • Compline, Saturday, 7 p.m. +
+ Designates a Facebook Live service
Looking Ahead
  • Palm Sunday, February 28, services at 8 and 10 a.m.+
  • Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Saturday, April 1, 2, 3.+
  • Easter Sunday, April 4, services at 8 and 10 a.m.+
  • Annual Meeting, first or second Sunday in May (tbd)
Station I
Station II
Station III
Lenten Observance: Stations of the Cross
by Fr. Ben Hankinson
 
Each year on Palm Sunday and Good Friday, we recall the Passion of Our Lord and the way that he trod under the weight of the cross. In addition to our public proclamation of these passages, the church has seen the rise of a devotion that meditates on the Way of Sorrows known to us as the Stations of the Cross.

The usual format contains fourteen stations. Within these, eight come directly from the Gospel accounts.
  • Station 1 - Christ condemned to death;
  • Station 2 - The cross is laid upon him;
  • Station 5 - Simon of Cyrene is made to bear the cross;
  • Station 8 - He meets the women of Jerusalem;
  • Station 10 - He is stripped of His garments;
  • Station 11 - His crucifixion;
  • Station 12 - His death on the cross;
  • Station 14 - He is laid in the tomb.
 
The other six come from various traditions associated with the events of that day. These stations expand on the account -- not for the purpose of changing the Gospel -- but contributing to the devotional aspect. 
  • Station 3 - His first fall;
  • Station 4 - He meets His Blessed Mother;
  • Station 6 - Christ's face is wiped by Veronica;
  • Station 7 - His second fall;
  • Station 9 - His third fall;
  • Station 13 - His body is taken down from the cross.
 
Why then do we practice this devotion? It is connected with the practice of making a pilgrimage, of walking for ourselves a special journey of devotion and discipline. Throughout the history of the church, many have gone on pilgrimage to traverse the way of great saints and historic places in the hope of growing in knowledge and in faith by that journey.

Likewise, the Stations serve as a means of walking here in our local church, or in our homes, the way of salvation though we are thousands of miles away from Jerusalem. With each step the Lord takes, we walk with him. We endure the Way of Sorrows, truly sorry for our sins which contribute to its necessity.

In it, we also celebrate that, while we were yet sinners, the way was paved for us. The cross was born for us. Death was trampled down by death for us. Though it is a somber and potentially even painful devotion, it is a powerful reminder of the completed work of salvation by Jesus Christ, and him alone.

So let us walk the Way of the Cross this Lent, whether in our gathering together or in private meditation. Let us take this pilgrimage of faith. Let us make the Stations of the Cross in our hearts, that we may in both sorrow and joy hear these powerful words anew at the journey’s end: "It is finished."

Note: Station illustrations are from Westminster Cathedral, UK. Additional stations will appear in next week's newsletter. Link
Station IV
Station V
Station VI
The Vestry met Thursday evening, February 18, with Fr. Ben officiating. All members of the vestry were present but Bill Schafer.

Pastoral update by Fr. Ben: Henry Evans tested negative for Covid 19 and will soon be back at the organ. Some recent attendees at streaming services have expressed interest in parish membership. A total of 12 persons attended Ash Wednesday services in person.

Upcoming services and events by Fr. Ben: Stations of the Cross on Fridays at noon during Lent, the Feast of St. Matthias on February 24 at 7 p.m., St. Patrick's Day Organ Recital on March 17, and the Feast of Saint Joseph on March 19. He also indicated the new study series, A Holy Lent, will occur on Wednesdays at 6 p.m. via Zoom.

Treasurer/Finance: Riley Atwood distributed four financial reports. The balance report can be viewed by clicking here. Also, the vestry agreed that the Finance Committee should explore low-risk investment options for better returns than the current CD investments. The 2021 diocesan pledge was approved with the condition that 100% of the outreach portion of the diocesan pledge be designated for the Diocese of Springfield, not DFMS.

Reports
  • Parish Communications and other - Marian Smithson indicated 657 newsletters/notices were distributed to the parish in the last 30 days with an open/readership rate of 70% and the new online flower/candle signup is working well.
  • Eucharistic Ministers/Lectors - The next six-month schedule will be distributed soon but there is a need for additional Lectors at 10 a.m. in May due to vacations. Fr. Ben suggested that some of the current attendees at the 10 a.m. service on Sunday may be willing to read the lessons. Brian Pezza offered to assist once he is vaccinated.
  • Performance Reviews - Kevin Babb reported that the Ministry Review Committee has met and is prepared to meet with Fr. Ben in near future. He anticipates having a report to the vestry at its next meeting. Fr. Ben will be meeting with Henry once Henry is feeling better.
  • Carpet/Tile - Marian Smithson and Walter Bohn met with Mike Vallow of Vallow Floor Coverings and Carrie Babington of Finishing Touch Home and Office Interiors recently. Both representatives recommended a combination of carpet tile for the parish hall and vinyl plank flooring for the kitchen, pantry, workroom, and rear entry. Samples also will be obtained from ProSource and Lenny's Carpet/Floors. A parish committee is being formed to narrow down choices before sharing with the vestry and parish. No cost estimate is available yet.
  • Parking Lot - Sue Buckley has been in touch with Gina Hilberry, architect for the church addition, regarding the development of a site plan for a paved parking lot on the church's gravel lot on Hillsboro. Gina's staff is familiar with the City of Edwardsville's requirements so should be able to develop a plan that can be taken to the City after a review by the vestry. Sue has been in touch with Liz Edwards on this as Liz has been asked by the vestry to lead parking lot planning for the parish.
Notes
  • Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury, has written a book for Lenten Study titled "Living His Story: Revealing the Revolutionary Love of God." It is available from the Christian bookstore. Link
  • Join Trinity Church Wall Street for an online retreat on March 5 at 8 p.m. on their Facebook page. Click here. The focus is on the ways we’re called to “show up” for our neighbors and the world and how to discover that answering that call can break us open to new and greater insights.
St. Andrew's Communications
Communications Coordinator and Newsletter Editor-in-Chief, Marian Smithson
Newsletter Editor, Jane Weingartner | Newsletter Editor, Marianne Cavanaugh