St. Mary of the Hills
Episcopal Church

February 25, 2021

Words to Ponder...

“The cross is a paradoxical religious symbol because it inverts the world’s value system with the news that hope comes by way of defeat, that suffering and death do not have the last word, that the last shall be first and the first last.”
 
- James Cone, The Cross and the Lynching Tree



Latest News from St. Mary of the Hills
In-Person Worship Resumes
Sunday, March 7

Holy Eucharist will be offered at 8:00AM (without music) and 11:00AM (with music, and will also be live-streamed), beginning Sunday, March 7th. Masks, social distancing, and pre-registration are required for attendance and the Church will receive a thorough cleaning between the services. 

  • Read more from Fr. Andrew – HERE. 
  • Registration for Sunday services will open on Monday mornings at 9:00, via Eventbrite.  Links will be available on our parish website – HERE.
  • Opportunities to serve, either as an Acolyte/Lector or a Greeter/Usher, are available. Learn more and sign-up – HERE. 
Stations of the Cross

Virginia Theological Seminary is pleased to offer a video version of The Way of the Cross and a reflection guide. Through scripture, art, and music, the video invites us to walk with Christians of every generation on a virtual pilgrimage, meditating on our Lord’s passion and death. Many people choose to make the Way of the Cross a part of their devotions during the season of Lent and the Stations are especially appropriate to be prayed on Fridays. The video is available to be prayed at any time and can be accessed by click on the image above. 
Lenten Reading 2021

It's not too late to join! Throughout the season of Lent, Fr. Andrew will be offering reflections and leading discussion on the book, Beautiful and Terrible Things: A Christian Struggle with Suffering, Grief and Hope. Written by the Reverend Christian Brady, Ph.D., an Episcopal priest and biblical scholar whose research has focused on the Old Testament book of Lamentations, the book is a personal, biblical, and theological struggle with the reality of suffering, pain, and loss. The book is also available online from a variety of booksellers. The groups will meet on Wednesday evenings from 5:30-6:30pm and Thursday afternoons from 12:00-1:00pm. Contact Fr. Andrew via e-mail (rector@stmaryofthehills.org) for more information and to register.
Psalms: Hebrew Expressions of Faith & Hope
 
Fr. Sam Tallman is offering a Zoom discussion group engaging four familiar Psalms interpreted through the Jewish tradition. There is great power to be found in the ancient Jewish witness of faith for this COVID-time, for our Lenten journey, and for discerning a “new normal” to emerge out of this pandemic. The four sessions will be on Mondays, 3:30-4:45, beginning Monday, February 22. Please register with Greta Wilson at office@stmaryofthehills.org or Fr. Sam at sam@stmaryofthehills.org.  
St. Mary of the Hills
on YouTube

Did you know that all services are available for steaming and are also archived on YouTube? Visit our channel by clicking the logo and don’t forget to subscribe to stay up to date with all our latest postings.

In our Community
Healthy for Life

Healthy for Life is an evidence-based nutrition education program created by Aramark and the American Heart Association. The goal of the program is to empower people to make healthful lifestyle choices in regards to food, nutrition, and physical activity.  Four interactive, online sessions are being offered during the months of March and April, 2021, by the Department of Nutrition and Health Care Management of Appalachian State University. 

The four consecutive sessions will cover the topics, "Feed Your Potential", "Healthy Ingredient Swaps", "Food Label Smarts", and "Pantry Makeovers". Sessions are currently scheduled for 2 pm on Thursdays, March 4 and 18, and April 1 and 15. Additional times for each session may be scheduled based on audience need. There is no charge for the program. Participants will be asked to complete a pre- and post-survey, and those who attend all four sessions will receive a cookbook and a certificate of completion.

For more information, or to register and access the online program, please contact Dr. Kyle Thompson of the Department of Nutrition and Health Care Management by e-mail (thompsonkl@appstate.edu) or phone (828-262-2631).

This Sunday - Join us Online
Click the image above to view Sunday's bulletin.

The Second Sunday in Lent
February 28, 2021

Morning Prayer
Online at 10:00AM

Sunday Coffee Minute

After worship on Sunday mornings, join us at 10:45AM for an online Coffee Minute on Zoom. This is a great opportunity to reconnect with old friends and cultivate new relationships. All are welcome! Use the button below to connect. The password is 'coffee'.
Rector's Forum

We continue a Lenten series entitled, “A Spring in the Desert,” based upon the book by Bishop Frank and Victoria Logue. Join us this morning as we consider sacred stories, ancient teachings, and images of creation from the desert. All are welcome! We gather at 9:00AM via Zoom each Sunday morning – Click HERE to join the meeting (password: forum).
Church Open for Prayer

The Church will be open for individual, private prayer during regular office hours
(9-5 Monday-Thursday, 9-12 Friday). If a service is scheduled during the week, the Church will close one hour prior and remain closed for one hour following the service. Masks and social distancing are required at all times in the building and the front door will be the only entry available to access the Church.

The Parish Office remains open to parishioners and visitors, by appointment only. Please contact a member of the staff
via phone or e-mail before coming to the Church.  


Online Giving to St. Mary of the Hills

Thank you for your continued generous support of St. Mary of the Hills!

Even as we practice social distancing and refrain from gathering for the health and safety of one another, the mission and ministry of the Church is ongoing - Worship, Christian Formation, and Outreach to our community continue in this season.

Please continue to remember us with your generous financial support.
Gifts can also be received via mail at P.O. Box 14 Blowing Rock, NC 28605.

Joe Raulerson, Financial Secretary, can speak with you about setting up recurring payments to fulfill your pledge. You may reach him via e-mail at financial@stmaryofthehills.org.