St. Andrew's Episcopal Church

of Boca Grande, Florida

News & Notes

February 2, 2024

In this week's edition ...

Rector's Reflection
Outreach News
Upcoming Events
Parishioner's Corner
Friday Fun Facts
Bible Study and Fellowship
Sunday Worship Information
Prayer List

RECTOR'S REFLECTION

How Will You Celebrate February 2nd?

February 2nd is the day many Americans collectively hold their breath as a giant rodent, known as Punxsutawney Phil, rouses himself from his midwinter's hibernation. If Phil sees his shadow, six more weeks of winter are predicted. If not, well, spring is on its way.

In the Christian faith, February 2nd is the 40th day after Christmas. For more than 2,000 years, this date has been observed as the Feast of the Presentation of our Lord, as well as the Purification of Mary. Historically, it is the date household candles would be brought to church to be blessed and then used in the home; reminders that Jesus is the Light of the World and thereby gaining the name "Candlemas".

Whatever you call it, the event being celebrated on Feb. 2nd is found in Luke, chapter two. Jesus is brought to the Temple and dedicated to God, along with the appropriate sacrifice for a firstborn son. Two holy people, a Spirit-filled man named Simeon and a prophetess named Anna, recognize Jesus and declare his identity to the assembled crowds, naming him as Messiah...the Light and Savior of the world.

This is the third time Jesus’ identity has been clearly and publicly announced in Luke, and the second involving a very public event at the Temple. He will be announced twice more before his ministry begins, and even with five separate revelations, he still will take the world completely by surprise.

Which can make Candlemas seem a little strange. Why celebrate a presentation that didn’t actually get the point across? Well, allow me to suggest that most of the biggest truths in our lives are spoken out loud more than a few times before we finally understand them. That doesn’t make their proclamation less important, but even more critical.

For example...

· How many times were you told that you were good at your job before you finally believed it, and stopped feeling like an imposter?

· How long did it take you to accept that you were worthy of being loved, just as you are?

· Have you actually stopped worrying about tomorrow (because the Bible records that Jesus clearly tells us that he has it covered)?

The most important things in the world are easy to say, easy to hear and very, very hard to accept. That’s why preachers have been giving the same salvation message for 2,000 years. The Presentation of Jesus is one more declaration of a truth that we continue to proclaim because we all need to hear it again and again and again.

Good news easy to say, easy to hear and yet hard to accept. Therefore it bears repeating...

So...just in case you missed it the first, or second or even 100th time, here it is again...

Jesus is the Son of God, the Messiah...the Light of the world...our Savior and redeemer. And He loves you.

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that those who believe Him should not perish, but have life everlasting" (John 3:16)

This is the news I need to hear today. It feeds me and sustains me more than a groundhog's predictions ever can. Though...I will admit, I wouldn't mind six more weeks of winter.

May the Peace that passes all understanding be yours today,

Michelle+

OUTREACH NEWS

Soldier Boxes

Thank you for your support!

The children from the Island School arrived at our Chapter House eager to help stuff soldier boxes on Tuesday, January 30. They did a fantastic job getting the job done in record time. We could not have accomplished this without your donations. Thank you to the parishioners of St. Andrew's who continue to support our program.

Next Red Bag Collection

Englewood Boys & Girls Club

We're thrilled to announce that our next Red Bag Collection is here! We are collecting items for the Boys & Girls Club. Please pick up a Red Bag in the narthex. A wish list for the Club has been enclosed in each bag or you may click the link below.

Click here to Get the List

UPCOMING EVENTS

February

6

8:30 a.m.

Men's Breakfast with Presentation by Sam Skinner

In lieu of Men's Bible Study this week we will meet for a catered breakfast. Sam Skinner, former White House Chief of Staff, will join us and share "How My Faith Guides My Missions and Passions: Teaching, Growing, Learning".

Donations will be collected to cover the cost of breakfast.

Please click the link below to RSVP.

This event is open to men of the parish and invited guests...so bring a friend!

Click here to RSVP to coordinator, Jay Whipple

February

14

12:00 p.m.

5:00 p.m.

Ash Wednesday - Imposition of Ashes

Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent. Since Old Testament times, ashes have been a symbol of repentance. Imposing ashes upon the faithful’s forehead is a reminder and an invitation to repent, and follow God.

What is Lent? The 40-day period from Ash Wednesday (2/14) to Easter (3/31). It is marked by praying, fasting, abstinence, and other acts of penance.

February

15

4:00 p.m.

Faith and ... Lecture series presents

Spirituality, Depression, and Resilient Life

with Dr. Lisa Miller

Science shows that spiritual awareness is part of our innate human composition and grows throughout our lives. Often times of despair can awaken our spiritual awareness; with a spiritual search or quest in adolescence, a struggle and then expansion in midlife and a then profound deepening in elder hood. As we grow with more and more spiritual awareness, we increase our ability to touch the spiritual heart of those around us including our family, community and those in our care.

continuing reading

February

18

6:00 p.m.

Dinners for 8-ish

"Dinners for 8" allows you to get to know the people you worship with every Sunday. Share your own life experiences, learn about others and engage in meaningful conversations in a friendly, relaxed environment. Members of our church community will be hosting a Dinner for 8 (ish) in their homes. If you'd like to participate as a guest, sign up today. We will match hosts and guests into small groups, ensuring a diverse mix of church members.

Click Here to be a Guest

TUESDAYS

February

20

27

March

5

19

5:00 p.m.

Lent with Vincent Van Gogh

Tuesdays during Lent at 5:00 p.m.

Vincent van Gogh devoted his life to light. The light of creation, the light of painting, the light of God’s grace – and the light in humanity, mind, body, and soul. The son of a Christian pastor, Vincent fervently set out to be a preacher and missionary himself, but his ministry eventually took the form of brush strokes and canvases: in just ten years of his short life, from age 27 to 37, he created more than 2000 luminous works of art – including nearly 900 paintings – shimmering with vitality, with passion, and above all, with light.

The word “Lent” refers to the “lengthening” light, the growing days that, in time, will coax the sunflowers to open, the wheat fields to rise again, and the irises to bloom. What better companion on our forty-day pilgrimage, then, than this apostle of light: an artist steeped in Christianity and yet open to learning from Buddhism, enamored with Jesus and at the same time adventurous enough to find God in mysteries, humility, and love, not certainties, arrogance, or privilege. We will use the paintings and letters of Vincent van Gogh and Holy Scripture as our guide.

February

21

8:30 a.m.

breakfast

9:00 a.m.

conversation

A Morning Conversation with ...

The Art & Power of Parenting Our Adult Children

with Jill Woolworth, Licensed Therapist

Raising young children is stressful and complicated but there is lots of help out there from books, in-person parenting groups, websites, school teachers, doctors, and seminars to Tik Tok videos. But once children reach adulthood, the instruction stops. Roles shift with a changing parent-child dynamic. Many parents find themselves still involved with financial and emotional dependence, talking to their kids everyday. As the saying goes, little kids, little problems, big kids, big problems. Helping young adults navigate their life is getting harder and more complicated.

continuing reading

PARISHIONER'S CORNER

This week's birthdays ...

February 2

Mary Campbell

February 3

Bob Burke

February 6

Don Burton

FRIDAY FUN FACTS

Recipe from Dining with the Saints

February 2 - Candlemas

Jesus is known as The Light of the World. February 2nd marks the day he was presented in the Temple, by his parents. An old man, name Simeon, was there that day...praying and watching and waiting for the promised Messiah to come. When he sees the infant Jesus, now 40 days old, his heart leaps in his chest. The baby Mary holds is the Messiah!...the hope and salvation Simeon has been his praying for his whole life.

The Song of Simeon or Nunc Dimittis is prayed as part of our Evening Prayer service (page 120 in the Book of Common Prayer).

Lord, you now have set your servant free *

to go in peace as you have promised;

For these eyes of mine have seen the Savior, *

whom you have prepared for all the world to see:

A Light to enlighten the nations, *

and the glory of your people Israel.

It became the tradition on this date to bring all the household candles that would be used throughout the year to a special service at the church where they would be blessed. The candles would be used to provide light to the house, pushing back the shadows of darkness. Visual reminders in everyone's home, that Jesus is the Light who lights our way.

On this day we celebrate the boldness and the beauty of light, which gives us hope and awakens us. This lemon meringue is a perfect dessert that highlights the brightness of the lemon, like the golden color of the sun, while the puckering tartness wake up our taste buds like a clear dawn piercing through the curtains.

Lemon Meringue Pie

Preheat the oven to 350º
Boil 2 cups of water
Mix cornstarch, 1 1/4 cups sugar, and salt in a saucepan, slowly stir in the boiling water, turn the heat on medium-high, and cook approximately 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thick.
Whip the egg yolks until light, add to the mixture in the saucepan along with the lemon rind and lemon juice, and cook 2 minutes, stirring constantly.
Add the butter, allow to cool slightly, then pour into the store-bought pie crust.
Beat the egg whites until foamy, then gradually add in 6 Tbsp. sugar.
Continue beating until the meringue stands up in stiff peaks.
Spread it on top of the pie filling, to the edges.
Bake for 15 minutes, remove from the oven, and cool in the refrigerator.

Food for Thought

Light is a beautiful gift, but it is not always welcome, especially when you're trying to get more sleep. Consider the brightness of your own personality or your way of interacting with other. Do we give the light that sustains hope, OR does our light emanate accusation and criticism, like a policeman's interrogation lamp in a 1930's gangster movie?

Renew your commitment to imitate Jesus Christ, the light who shines in darkness, which enlightens every one that comes into this world. ~ John 1:5 and 9