The Church Bell
Vol. 7, No. 1
Season of Lent 2023
Community Ash Wednesday Sevice
The various Cowan churches will join for a shared Ash Wednesday Service on February 22nd, 6 p.m., at St. Agnes'.

Ash Wednesday is the first day in the Season of Lent - a 40-day period of fasting and prayer that leads to the celebration of Jesus' Resurrection from the grave. At the service all are invited to be marked with ashes on the forehead. The ashes remind us that we are sinners facing the reality of our own death, which leads to the Jesus' Resurrection and his victory over sin and death. Come and worship with us in a special time of reflection and preparation.

The service is sponsored by the Cowan Ministerial Association.
Invitation to a Holy Lent
"I invite you, therefore, in the name of the Church, to the observance of a holy Lent, by self-examination and repentance; by prayer, fasting and self-denial; and by reading and meditating on God’s holy Word. And, to make a right beginning of repentance, and as a mark of our mortal nature, let us now kneel before the Lord, our maker and redeemer. Amen." The Book of Common Prayer

In the 40-day Season of Lent that we initiate on Ash Wednesday, we have a standing invitation from the church throughout the ages to make this a time of holiness.

Consider fasting: abstaining from things we typically enjoy helps us face the hold that sin has on our individual lives. We are creating for ourselves a godly grief and making more space in our lives for prayer and reflection. Think of one or more things you can give up for Lent that will create a necessary void.

Consider daily prayer and scripture reading: an extra effort to stop every day for prayer and a lesson of Holy Scripture reminds us that God fills the void in our lives and gives us hope and direction. Take time every day with prayer and scripture.

Remember that your fast leads to a joyful feast! The 40-day Season of Lent leads us to the Empty Tomb and the joyful news that Jesus is Risen! Therefore, keep your fast knowing that a glorious feast is ahead of us on Easter Sunday!
Lenten Bible Study - 2/26 thru 4/2
Part of our observance of Lent should include an increased study and reflection on the Holy Scriptures.

Mindful of that, we invite everyone to join us on Sunday mornings during the 10 o'clock Sunday school hour as we join with Jesus and the Disciples in the Upper Room.

The events in the Upper Room bring together some of Christianity's most powerful and most foundational teachings.

The first class will begin on February 26th and the last class will meet on April 2nd. Bring your Bible and join in the discussion!
"Top Shelf" Food Drive
The Top Shelf Food Drive at St. Agnes' was a huge blessing to several individuals in the latter part of 2022.

This season we will need to replenish our supply especially as high energy costs are taking a toll on food budgets.

Here are some suggested items we would like to collect and distribute during the Season of Lent:
  • canned meats (ham, potted meat, chicken, Vienna sausage, SPAM, etc.)
  • canned soups
  • canned vegetables
  • gelatin and pudding mixes
  • macaroni and cheese
  • peanut butter
  • crackers

Besides bringing items to the Top Shelf, please let us know of individuals in need and help us get these items to them.
Get Ahead on Recent Sermons
Take full advantage of our online presence, especially if you are unable to attend services in person.

Here are some of our recent Video Sermons:
Each and every Sunday we post the day's sermon on our Facebook page and on our YouTube channel. These posts are followed by an e-mail with video links to everyone in the congregation who was unable to attend on that particular day.

You can show your support by liking and commenting whenever you see a video sermon on YouTube and/or on Facebook. The more likes and comments we receive the more our posts will be visible to the general public.
Winter Birthdays
February 5 – Abby Garner Patterson
February 26 - Georgia Scott

March 5 - Bruce Smith
March 11 - Kent Walker
March 21 - Jessica Dervin
March 21 - Laura Henley


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"Watch over thy children, O Lord, as their days increase; bless and guide them wherever they may be. Strengthen them when they stand, comfort them when discouraged or sorrowful; raise them up if they fall; and their hearts may thy peace, which passeth understanding abide all the days of their lives; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen."
We Uphold in Prayer
Bobbie Boswell, Leanna Morris, Kathy Owens, Tim Money, Shane O'Dear, Cash Bissey, Tim Money, Heather Martin, Mary Jane Arnold, Nancy and Lee Glenn, Tom Knowles, Steve and Rose Pearson, Harold Black Jr., Scott James, Wynona Gibson, Marty Judd, Iris Ellidge, Mary McDonald, Roy Tankersley, Bill Keller, and Linda Milligan.

We pray continually for Christians around the world in grave danger.

We pray for those witnessing increasing danger and crime in different areas of the world. We pray especially for God's help and wisdom in the worrisome situation in the The Ukraine. We pray for families and communities struggling from recent disaster, including residents near the Ohio train derailment.

We pray for those in our armed services, especially Cody Murphy and Anthony Russell.

We bless and commemorate Derrick Wiley who recently passed into glory.

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"O God, the strength of the weak and the comfort of sufferers: Mercifully accept our prayer, and grant to your servants the help of your power, that their sicknesses may be turned into joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen."
Sunday Service ....................................11:00 a.m.
Sunday School .....................................10:00 a.m.

Location/Address: 105 England Street E., PO Box 356, Cowan, TN 37318
Telephone: (931) 636-6313
The Rt. Rev'd John C. Bauerschmidt..................Bishop of Tennessee

The Rev'd Dr. Linda Hutton.................................Supply Priest

L. Jarod Pearson.................................................Lay Reader