Jesus Heals the Sick, Mark 1: 29-39
Weekly parish news and Sunday service information
Sunday, February 7
The Fifth Sunday after The Epiphany
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. with Music
In-person attendance for up to 25 worshippers, hymn singing
Please sign up in advance here.
Facebook Live at 10 a.m.
Worship Notes, Sunday, February 7, 10 a.m.
Fr. Ben Hankinson, officiating, Henry H. Evans, Organist

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

Communion station at 12 p.m. on the rear church lawn.
Readings for February 7
  • Old Testament: Isaiah 40:21-31
  • Psalm 147:1-12, 21c
  • The Epistle: 1 Corinthians 9:16-23
  • The Holy Gospel: Mark 1:29-39
The Holy Gospel |Mark 1: 29-39

After Jesus and his disciples left the synagogue, they entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they told him about her at once. He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up. Then the fever left her, and she began to serve them.

That evening, at sundown, they brought to him all who were sick or possessed with demons. And the whole city was gathered around the door. And he cured many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him. In the morning, while it was still very dark, he got up and went out to a deserted place, and there he prayed. And Simon and his companions hunted for him. When they found him, they said to him, “Everyone is searching for you.”

He answered, “Let us go on to the neighboring towns, so that I may proclaim the message there also; for that is what I came out to do.” And he went throughout Galilee, proclaiming the message in their synagogues and casting out demons.
Make Your Offering!
Restore Illinois
Phase 4 Mitigation Impact at St. Andrew's
 
Earlier this week, our region was released into Phase 4 by the state of Illinois. As a result, there are several changes happening in our community, including here at St. Andrew’s. The changes described below are effective immediately.
 
Attendance: First, we are increasing attendance to 25 plus those serving. Assuming no rebound back into tighter mitigation, we will look at increasing our numbers further throughout the Spring. This will eliminate a signup for the 8 a.m. service (hopefully for good), though one will remain for the 10 am for the time being. This is also intentionally well below the threshold outlined by the state (lesser of 50 people or 50% capacity) due to the point which follows.
 
Singing: We will, beginning Sunday, reintroduce in-person singing and hymnals for our 10 a.m. services. In consultation with Henry, we have decided that until Ash Wednesday, we will sing hymns only. Beginning Ash Wednesday, we will then add chant and service music (Kyrie, Sanctus, etc.). The Psalms will continue to be spoken, though we will use a responsive reading of them starting in Lent (lector and congregation alternating verses).
 
Cautionary measures: Even as we enter a time of lightened restrictions, most of our precautionary measures remain intact. Masks, hand sanitizer, wipes, and distancing continue to be standard practice. Informal gatherings and social events are not yet permitted at this time. 
 
Communion: In closing, there is one final measure with respect to Communion. We will be moving the place of reception up to the Altar step, though we are not yet to the point where we can utilize the rail or chalice. This may be seen as more symbolic than substantive, but this along with each of these measures is a step back closer to normal as we draw near together to the Lord. -Fr. Ben+
Schedule for the Week of February 7

  • Evening Prayer, Sunday, 7 p.m.+
  • Compline, Monday, 7 p.m.+
  • Noonday Prayer, Tuesday, 12:05 p.m.+
  • Noonday Prayer, Wednesday, 12:05 p.m.+
  • Noonday Prayer, Thursday, 12:05 p.m.+
  • Morning Prayer, Friday, 9: a.m. +
  • Week-End Update Newsletter, Saturday, delivered midday
  • Compline, Saturday, 7 p.m. +
+ Designates a Facebook Livestream service
Looking Ahead
  • Monday, February 15, 1st Anniversary of Fr. Ben's installation
  • Ash Wednesday, February 17, services at 12 noon and 7 p.m.+
  • First Sunday in Lent, February 21, services at 8 and 10 a.m.+
  • Easter Sunday, April 4, services at 8 and 10 a.m.+
  • Annual Meeting, first or second Sunday in May (tbd)



Lenten Preparations: Shrove Tuesday / Fat Tuesday / Mardi Gras
 
In anticipation of the Lenten fast, where all sorts of foods would be abstained from for the upcoming weeks, the faithful would traditionally clean out their cupboards. Being good stewards and not letting foods like eggs, milk, salt, and flour go to waste, the people would celebrate with a festive meal together rather than dumping them in the trash. As it turns out all these ingredients find their way into pancakes which along with other staples like sausage and bacon formed the nucleus of the customary pancake suppers at churches.
 
But there is a second practice that parallels the custom of cleaning out the larders and cupboards of the home. Just as a diligent look in the pantry will reveal what needs to be removed, so too are we invited to look over the inventory of the soul to see what needs to be pruned back and discarded there.
 
Thus, the liturgical complement to pancakes and sausage was the act of making a good, full confession before Lent began. People came to be shriven of their sins, that is to hear and receive the pardon of God. Setting aside that which weighs on the soul before Lent allows for a deeper entrance into the disciplines of the season ahead.
 
Rather than seeing Lent as a strictly penitential season, Shrove Tuesday casts it also in the light of the growth in those places where we may have struggled and sinned. We take up practices that help us to combat the sins which beset us, being mindful of the spiritual life through prayer and fasting so that in our weakness both of body and spirit we might turn our eyes to the Lord and place our trust in him and in his cross rather than in ourselves.
 
As we won’t be able to join together for the pancake supper this year, let me encourage us all to not neglect the spiritual component inherent in the Shrove Tuesday observance. Whether you prefer to avail yourself of a personal examen** in advance of the general confession at a celebration of the Mass, or you want to consider a sacramental confession with Fr. Ben (rector@standrews-edwardsville.com), we may be certain that we are each invited by the Father's love and the conviction of the Holy Spirit to be shriven, pardoned for our sins, through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
-Fr. Ben+
 
Examen Recommendations:
Congratulations to Heather Douglas!

Heather recently graduated from SIUE with a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing. Right now, she is spending a lot of her time preparing for her boards. She is also working part-time at Target. After completing and passing her board examination, she will be certified to practice nursing in Missouri and hopes there will be an open position in a labor and delivery or pediatric unit of a large hospital for her to begin this spring.

Heather chose nursing as she enjoys helping people but she also follows the lead of her parents and brother who also are in medical fields. Heather indicates she sees some significant challenges ahead due to Covid-19 and the need for PPE, as well as additional health care workers. Ten years from now she would still like to be living near family but also near a large body of water like Lake Michigan or Atlantic/Pacific oceans.

From second grade on, Heather has been an enthusiastic parish member. She attended church school regularly when young then became a candle/torch bearer, acolyte, and now a Eucharistic minister. We thank her for her years of service at St. Andrew's and wish her much success in her future years in nursing! We know she will make many contributions to her profession!
Sign Up Online for Candle and Flower Offerings!

Watch for a special email Sunday, describing in detail our new online signup for candle and flower offerings. With Fr. Ben's help, the Altar Guild and Flower Guild are providing the opportunity for you to sign up from home. Signup will occur on a familiar site, SignUp Genius, currently used for worship signups.
Miscellany
  • 2020 Ministry Reports will be distributed to the parish via email in mid-February. A limited number of report booklets will be available at the annual meeting in May.
  • A recent book published by an Episcopal mission church in Hawaii tells the story of St. Jude's. It does not employ a resident priest but instead hosts visiting priests who are invited to vacation in the vicarage in exchange for leading Sunday worship. Available on Amazon.
  • A recent ENS article describes what it will take to rebuild refugee resettlement programs after Trump cuts. Click here.
  • If you would like to receive monthly e-news from the Diocese of Springfield, click here to register with the Diocese.
  • Glen-Ed Pantry welcomes contributions to help restock their pantry shelves. Your check should be made payable to the Pantry with "St. Andrew's" on the memo line. Pantry address: 125 Fifth Avenue, Edwardsville, IL, 62025.
  • Parishioners may request automatic withdrawal of pledge payments by sending a request for information to info@standrews-edwardsville.com.
St. Andrew's Communications
Communications Coordinator and Newsletter Editor-in-Chief, Marian Smithson
Newsletter Editor, Jane Weingartner | Newsletter Editor, Marianne Cavanaugh