Weekly parish news and Sunday service information
Sunday, March 21
The Fifth 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 35 worshippers
No advance signup required.
Audio recording available.
Holy Eucharist Rite II, 10 a.m.
In-person attendance for up to 35 worshippers
Please sign up in advance here.
Facebook Live at 10 a.m.
Worship Notes, Sunday, March 21
Fr. Ben Hankinson, Celebrant

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

Communion station at the Lower Level Entrance, 12 Noon
Readings for March 21
  • Old Testament - Jeremiah 31:31-34
  • Psalm 119:9-16
  • Epistle - Hebrews 5:5-10
  • Holy Gospel - John 12:20-33
(Image: Jesus’s Farewell Discourse - Duccio di Buoninsegna c. 14th Century)
The Holy Gospel John 12:20-33

Now among those who went up to worship at the festival were some Greeks. They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and said to him, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” Philip went and told Andrew; then Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also. Whoever serves me, the Father will honor.

“Now my soul is troubled. And what should I say - ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it is for this reason that I have come to this hour. Father, glorify your name.” Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.” The crowd standing there heard it and said that it was thunder. Others said, “An angel has spoken to him.” Jesus answered, “This voice has come for your sake, not for mine. Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out. And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” He said this to indicate the kind of death he was to die.
Make Your Offering!
Easter Offering Form
Click here to open and print the Easter Offering Form then send your gift to St. Andrew's with the form. Alternatively, you may make your gift online here then send the form to St. Andrew's with a notation that your gift was made online.
Schedule for the Week of March 21

  • Evening Prayer, Sunday, 7 p.m.+
  • Special e-invitation to Holy Week & Easter, Sunday p.m., in your inbox.
  • Compline, Monday, 7 p.m.+
  • Noonday Prayer, Tuesday, 12:05 p.m.+
  • Noonday Prayer, Wednesday, 12:05 p.m.+
  • Keeping a Holy Lent Class via Zoom, Wednesday, 6 p.m. (Link)
  • Holy Eucharist, Feast of the Annunciation, Thursday, 7 p.m.+
  • Morning Prayer, Friday, 9: a.m. +
  • Stations of the Cross, Friday, 12 Noon (Repeats until Good Friday)+
  • Chrism Mass, Cathedral Church of St. Paul, Springfield, 11 a.m.+
  • Compline, Saturday, 7 p.m.+
  • Week-End Update Newsletter, Saturday p.m.
+ Designates a Facebook Live service
Looking Ahead
  • Palm Sunday, March 28, services at 8 and 10 a.m.+
  • Tenebrae service, March 31, 7 p.m.
  • Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Saturday, April 1, 2, 3.+
  • Easter Sunday, April 4, services at 8 and 10 a.m.+
  • Annual Meeting, May 2, rain date May 16.
From the Rector: Fr. Ben Hankinson

 Before starting this week’s column, let me call attention in advance to a special notice that will be coming to your mailbox soon. It will include an invitation to Holy Week and Easter along with information on service times. Also, next weekend look for information on more reopening changes. Be sure to check your messages for those updates. -Fr. Ben
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Our Lenten Observance: Maundy Thursday
 
As we look ahead to the last day of Jesus's life on Maundy Thursday, there are four notable components that make up our observance on that day.
Footwashing - Following the example of our Lord Jesus Christ, the priest washes the feet of those present (Note: To keep up appropriate protocols, only one parishioner’s feet will be washed on behalf of the congregation). While none must participate, we do well to remember the objections of Peter and to consider what prevents us from receiving this sign of love and service. We learn to serve others by accepting the service which Christ freely offers to us.
 
Institution of the Eucharist - We are typically accustomed to the regular celebration and reception of the Eucharist given its prominent role in our regular schedule of worship. On Maundy Thursday, we remember the Last Supper of the Lord with his disciples. Like the Footwashing, we do more than remember fondly this great event. We come to the table bidden by the Lord to enter in and participate in it. - 1 Corinthians 11:23-26
 
Stripping of the Altar - After Supper, Judas betrayed the Lord. In the hours which follow the disciples flee, Peter denies, and Jesus is abandoned. In time, even his clothes will be taken from him. As our liturgy draws to a close, we symbolically abandon Christ as we remove the fine appointments which beautify the sanctuary. We strip the altar which is itself the principal symbol of the Lord. And the tabernacle which houses the Blessed Sacrament the rest of the year-round is emptied, its door left ajar, and the candle of the presence is extinguished so that we are left with a dark and empty sanctuary save the outline of the cross veiled in black. - Matthew 26:31,33-35
 
Vigil Watch - After the Eucharist and before the Stripping of the Altar, we reserve the Sacrament for its use on Good Friday. And as we end the liturgy of Maundy Thursday, we stand on the eve of the Crucifixion. On that night after supper, Jesus went to the garden of Gethsemane and prayed to his Father in heaven. As he returns, he finds the disciples asleep, unaware of the magnitude of what is about to transpire. We know well what awaits us on Good Friday, and as the Sacrament reposes, we are invited to sit vigil with the Lord. We watch, and we wait, mindful of our Lord's question to his sleeping disciples, “Could you not watch with me one hour?” - Matthew 26:40-41

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Our Lenten Observance: Chrism Mass

Each year, there is a Chrism Mass around the time of Holy Week. Historically, it was on Maundy Thursday, and in the course of this service, three things happen.
First, the clergy renew their ordination vows. Just as the Eucharist was instituted on that Thursday night, so too were the disciples entrusted with the ministration of the same on behalf of the church.
Next, oils are blessed by the Bishop for use in the local church. Oil for healing is blessed for the anointing of the sick and dying. Chrism, for which the service is named, is blessed for use at Baptism, Confirmation, and Ordination.
Finally, the Eucharist is celebrated, and from that Eucharist, clergy may take a piece of the bread for their own Maundy Thursday celebrations where it may be dipped or placed into the chalice. This host from the common celebration ties each church's observance together across the many miles and hours as we who are many are one body because we share in one bread and one cup.
This year's Chrism Mass will be Saturday, March 27, at 11:00 a.m. at the Cathedral of St. Paul. All are invited to join in this Diocesan-wide observance, available via Facebook Live.



The Vestry met Thursday evening, March 18, at 6:30 p.m.
  • Fr. Ben, Rector, reported there will be an increase to 35 attendees now that Illinois guidelines have changed, return to the use of the pulpit and use of chalice with priest intinction. He also mentioned Stations of the Cross and Feast days which will appear in the newsletter list of upcoming events. He shared detailed Holy Week and Easter week schedules which will be emailed to the parish this Sunday. He also indicated the current study class finishes this week and a new one will start April 14 or 21.
  • Walter Bohn, Junior Warden, reported the plastering of St. Mary’s chapel is completed. He also presented a $575 bid for repair of the ramp attached to the rear of the new addition, which was approved.
  • Riley Atwood, Treasurer, presented two reports which were received by the Vestry and spoke about his prior email to the Vestry, indicating he will step down from the Treasurer's position on May 31 but will provide essential services until a replacement is found.
  • Ministry Review – Fr. Ben indicated that he had completed Henry Evans’ performance review recently. Subsequent discussion included approval of a budget line for continuing education.
  • Carpet/Tile – Marian Smithson indicated that she has obtained about 25 carpet/tile samples from Vallow Carpeting and ProSource. Additional samples will be obtained from Lenny’s Carpeting. The samples will be reviewed by Liz Edwards, LaVernn Wilson, Marian, and Carrie Babington of Finishing Touch this Monday as they begin to determine what type of carpet and flooring is desired for Pearson Hall and the adjoining kitchen and entrance foyer.
  • Parking Lot – A sketch of a possible layout for parking spots for both parking areas (combined) across the street from the church was shared. The sketch was developed by Gina Hilberry, architect for the addition to St. Andrew’s. The layout conforms to city requirements but will need approval by the city before further planning can take place.
  • Online services and related technology – The vestry discussed and supported the continuation of online services after all restrictions are lifted and approved investigation of better technology to improve the quality of audio and video for the future.
  • 2020 Parochial Report - The 2020 report was approved and, once signed, will be submitted to the Diocese and national church. Report link.
  • Annual Meeting in May – An outdoor meeting on church grounds will occur May 2 with May 16 rain date. A call for vestry candidates will go out in the newsletter and solo. More discussion about how the meeting will be set up will occur at the April Vestry meeting.
Notes
  • Diocesan Survey - Please complete and submit the Election Committee survey by March 31 that will be used to understand the characteristics parishioners find most important in a new Bishop of Springfield.
  • Election of new Vestry members - Watch for a special email regarding this year's election of new Vestry members that will take place at the Annual Meeting on May 2. New members will serve 2+ years following the meeting. If you are interested in serving on the vestry, contact Kevin Babb, Senior Warden.
  • JoAnn Nabe - If you have a subscription to The Intelligencer, be sure to read their March 16 tribute to JoAnn for her 40 years of service to the library board! Link.
  • The Current - Marian Smithson will be working with Hannah Dallman, Communications Coordinator for Springfield Diocese, to update mailing addresses for St. Andrew's parishioners used by the Diocese for sending out The Current.
St. Andrew's Communications
Communications Coordinator and Newsletter Editor-in-Chief, Marian Smithson
Newsletter Editor, Jane Weingartner | Newsletter Editor, Marianne Cavanaugh