St. Andrew's Episcopal Church

The Rev. Dr. Kevin Lowe, Priest-in-Charge

The Friday Flash

March 28, 2025

We aren't the same when you are not here!

Friday Flash Notes for March 28, 2025

O SACRED HEAD NOW WOUNDED [Thoughts inspired by an Anglican Compass article.]

The Passion of Christ as portrayed in this hymn manages to articulate the gruesome death of our Savior balanced with the pure joy of His gift of salvation from the cross. The text is attributed to Bernard of Clairvaux, was translated into German in 1607 by a Lutheran pastor Paul Gerhart and into English in 1899 by an Anglican poet Robert Bridges. The tune was originally a German love song by Hans Leo Hassler, then became a hymn and finally was harmonized by the great J.S. Bach. Notice that the last two lines of each verse are a mood change from sadness to adoration. “O countenance whose splendor the hosts of heaven adore!” The end of each verse does refer to joy and adoration, but it is powerful because Bach shifts to a major key at its close.

Although this Passion Chorale is appropriately sung during Lent and Holy Week it does give us a glimpse of all good things to come. Granted nothing can compare to what Christ did for us on that cross. But, have you ever felt like you were carrying a cross? Have you ever wondered when the pain was going to stop? When will the hole in my heart be filled and the ache go away? Where will I find the strength to go on? Just as Christ turned to his Father to ease the agony, we turn to Christ knowing he will pick up that cross from us easing our burden and pain. How blessed we are to know the Word, understand the grace and lean on the Lord of our salvation.

“My days are few, O fail not, with Thine Immortal power;

To hold me that I quail not in death’s most fearful hour:

That I may fight befriended and see in my last strife

To me Thine arms extended upon the cross of life.”

Shirley Smith

Director of Music Ministries

Weekly Worship

Schedule

Sunday 10 am

Holy Eucharist

Wednesday 6:15pm

Evening Prayer with Reflections on the Seven Last Words of Christ

in the church

Fridays 5:30pm

Stations of the Cross

in the church

This Week

The Fourth Sunday in Lent

Joshua 5:9-12

2 Corinthians 5:16-21

Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32

Psalm 32

Sunday Worship Bulletin

Click Here

To watch on Facebook

Click Here

11:00am Coffee Hour

Coffee Hour Host Signups

We are looking for additional volunteers to help provide refreshments for our Sunday coffee hours. All we ask is that you provide the food -- Troy and LeAnn will continue to make the coffee each Sunday and set up the tables. There is a signup sheet in the narthex, and please inform LeAnn if you sign up. Thank you!

SUNDAY, MARCH 30 LENT IV. The prelude is LAMB OF GOD by Doug Wagner with an opening hymn of 470 THERE’S A WIDENESS IN GOD’S GLORY, tune Beecher. The Psalm is 32, “Happy are they whose transgressions are forgiven.” Offertory anthem LORD, FOR THY TENDER MERCY’S SAKE by the sixteenth century composer Richard Farrant. Communion is OUR FATHER IN THE HEAVEN WHO ART by our friend J.S. BACH. The service ends with 620 JERUSALEM MY HAPPY HOME, tune Land of Rest and the postlude GLORIFICAMUS by John Redford.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 2 Songs will include OUR DARKNESS IS NEVER DARKNESS, O LORD, HEAR MY PRAYER, MY SONG IS LOVE UNKNOWN, and LET YOUR SERVANT NOW GO IN PEACE. The reflections are on “Woman, here is your Son and I thirst.”

Tomorrow!

Renewal of Ministry, to Welcome Father Kevin

-Bishop Scanlan Celebrant

Saturday, March 29, 2025. 10:00 am / Reception to follow.

Wednesdays

6:15pm Evening Prayer with Reflections on the

Seven Last Words of Christ

in the church

Fridays

5:30pm Stations of the Cross

in the church

Soup and Scripture with the Lewisburg Council of Churches

Wednesdays during Lent (and one Tuesday), 12 noon

Christ's Lutheran Church, 100 S 3rd St

You are invited to join our neighbors for ecumenical Soup & Scripture luncheons throughout Lent, in the Lower Church Hall of Christ's Lutheran. Come join our siblings in Christ for a free lunch, a time of fellowship, and a short Bible study or devotional led by one of the clergy of the Lewisburg Ministerium. These luncheons with devotions last about one hour.

TUES 4/1: Bread for the Road: John 12:12–16 and Luke 19:28–40

Presenter: The Rev. Kevin Lowe, St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church

Wed 4/9: Bread for Feasting: John 21:1-17

Presenter: Pastor Ethan Shearer, Lewisburg UMC Charge

HOLY WEEK AND EASTER 2025

Sunday April 13

10:00am Liturgy of Palm Sunday

Thursday April 17

7:00 pm Maundy Thursday Liturgy

with Footwashing and Stripping of the Altar

Friday April 18

7:00pm Solemn Liturgy of Good Friday

Saturday April 19

8:00pm Great Vigil of Easter

Sunday April 20

10:00am Liturgy of Easter Sunday

with breakfast before and egg hunt after

EASTER FLOWERS

There are offering envelopes in the pews if you would like to make a special contribution to the cost of our Easter flowers and decorations. Please fill out the envelope with any names to whom you would like to dedicate your offering, and drop the envelope in the offering plate or return to the office. Thank you for your contributions!

Remembrances are due by April 15.

Adult Formation Eastertide Book Study

How to Have an Enemy: Righteous Anger and the Work of Peace, by Melissa Florer-Bixler

6 Sundays beginning April 27, 11:30am

Jesus called us to love our enemies. But to befriend our enemies, we first have to acknowledge their existence, understand who they are, and recognize the ways they are acting in opposition to God’s good news. Throughout the Easter season, you're invited to join this study of Mennonite pastor Melissa Florer-Bixler’s book, and discuss how we as faithful Christians can confront and love our own enemies, and learn to live deeper into Jesus’s way of reconciliation. If you are interested in being part of this book study, please sign up in the narthex, and please acquire your own copy of the book if you can. (If you need assistance, please let Fr Kevin know.)

News and Announcements

Yard Sale! We're starting to plan another fabulous yard sale as a fundraiser for St. Andrew's. The date will be May 10th, and we'll keep you posted with further information about donations. If you'd like to help with organizing, setting up, advertising, or working the day of the sale, please contact Janie Coyne (570-898-3195 or janecoyne@verizon.net). Thank you!

KEYS - If you have a key to any exterior or interior doors at the church please send an email to Tina with what type of key you have, ie master, shed. We are updating the records.

Opportunities from the Wider Church

Volunteer Opportunities

Diaper Bank

Click Here to sign up for a volunteer slot

3rd Saturdays 9:45 - 12:15

Diaper Bank Update

It’s a fact…$10 donated to the diaper bank at St. Andrew’s supplies one baby with diapers and wipes at our monthly distribution. Currently a bag of 50 diapers or 25 pull ups. Your continued support keeps this happening here. Thank you!

Thank you to M&T Charitable Foundation for their $1,000 donation to the Diaper Bank.

Reports & News

Vestry Minutes

Nov. 2024, Dec. 2024

Budget for 2025

Click Here

Annual Meeting Packet 2025

Click Here

Pray for those in need; The Denison family, Cheryl D., Grace E., Cary G., Kathy K., Cameron M., Carolyn S., Chris S., John M., Doug S.; The homebound; Those in long term care; For all police, fire-fighters, and first responders, those in the military: Jose C., Kyle and Drew.

Pray for Sean our Presiding Bishop, Audrey our Bishop; for Father Kevin and all clergy and people of our diocese and the diocese of Bethlehem.

Pray for the Anglican Communion for the Province of the Anglican Church of the Congo , in our Diocese St. Thomas Episcopal Church, Lancaster, in our Convocation Christ Memorial Church, Danville.

Pray for this week's Outreach Ministries: Prayer Shawl Ministry & Transitions.

We remember and pray for those celebrating birthdays and anniversaries this week especially, Harrison Gronlund (30).

To add or remove someone from the prayer list please email the church office. standrewslbg@gmail.com

Mission Statement

We, a loving and inclusive community united in Christ, both joyfully and humbly celebrate our tradition and faith through worship, fellowship, spiritual formation, and prayer. With our commitment to love, justice, and peace for all peoples, we stand ever ready to share with others the bounty of God's grace to God's greater glory.

(revised by Vestry on February 28, 2023)

Vestry Members

Senior Warden: Maggie Chappen (maggiechappen@gmail.com)

Junior Warden: Cathy Habegger (cehabegger@gmail.com)

2026

Regina Weyer, Jon Frey, Ned Searles (1), Troy Williamson (2), Maggie Chappen (2)

2027

Cathy Habegger, Loren Gustafson

2028

Linda Swan, Rob Hontz

A word about vestry terms. Vestry members usually serve a 3 year term and may serve up to a second 3 years on a year to year basis. After 6 consecutive years, a member must rotate off vestry service for at least a year. On the current vestry, Ned, Troy and Maggie are into their second consecutive 3 year terms and the numbers in parentheses show how many years of eligibility each has remaining. The dates indicate when terms are due to end. This means that at the beginning of 2026 we could potentially have to replace 5 vestry members unless some agree to continue past their original 3 year term. Having new vestry members brings new perspectives and ideas, so please consider joining this ministry in the future. Anyone is welcome to join a vestry meeting to see how the group functions.

Thanks, Maggie

St. Andrew's Parish Office Hours

Monday-Friday

2:30-5:00 pm

Father Kevin's office hours - Mon. thru Thur. 9 am-4 pm

It is always good practice to call ahead and confirm availability in the office before visiting. 570-524-2061

After hours or in case of Emergency please contact Father Kevin. 607-351-3899

St. Andrew’s Staff

Priest in Charge- Rev. Dr. Kevin Lowe……………rectorstandrewslbg@gmail.com

Music Director- Shirley Smith……………………….srsmith17772@windstream.net

Administrative Assistant- Tina McGee…………….……..standrewslbg@gmail.com

Contact St Andrew's Church

St. Andrew's Episcopal Church

255 S. Derr Dr, Lewisburg PA 17837

570-524-2061

www.standrewslewisburg.com

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