Weekly parish news and Sunday service information
Ash Wednesday Services, February 17
12 Noon and 7 p.m.
In-person attendance for up to 25 worshippers
No advance signup required.
Facebook Live at Noon and 7 p.m.
Sunday, February 14
The Last Sunday after The Epiphany
Masks and social distancing required for in-person attendance.
Holy Eucharist Rite I, 8 a.m.
In-person attendance for up to 25 worshippers
No advance signup required.
Facebook Live audio also available.
Holy Eucharist Rite II, 10 a.m.
In-person attendance for up to 25 worshippers, Said service (See below.)
Please sign up in advance here.
Facebook Live at 10 a.m.
Worship Notes, Sunday, February 14, 10 a.m.
Fr. Ben Hankinson, officiating

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

Communion station at 12 p.m. at Lower Level ramp entry.
Readings for February 14
  • Old Testament - 2 Kings 2:1-12
  • Psalm 50:1-6
  • The Epistle - Mark 9:2-9
  • The Holy Gospel - 2 Corinthians 4:3-6
The Holy Gospel | Mark 9: 2 - 9
This is my Son, the Beloved

Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain apart, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no one on earth could bleach them. And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, who were talking with Jesus.

Then Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” He did not know what to say, for they were terrified.

Then a cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud there came a voice, “This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him!” Suddenly when they looked around, they saw no one with them any more, but only Jesus.

As they were coming down the mountain, he ordered them to tell no one about what they had seen, until after the Son of Man had risen from the dead.
Pastoral Note on Sunday’s Services: Our organist, Henry Evans, began to feel under the weather on Friday. Out of an abundance of caution, he was given the weekend off by Fr. Ben. He has received a Covid test and will be getting the results in due time, but to his knowledge, Henry has not been in contact with anyone with Covid. Sunday’s 10 a.m. service will be a said service. Please pray for Henry and all those on our parish prayer list. Thank you.
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Schedule for the Week of February 14

  • Evening Prayer, Sunday, 7 p.m.+
  • First Anniversary of Fr. Ben's installation, Monday, February 15
  • Compline, Monday, 7 p.m.+
  • Midday Moment, Tuesday, Preparation of Ashes, 12:05 p.m.+
  • Ash Wednesday, services at 12 noon and 7 p.m.+
  • Ashes available for pickup, Ash Wednesday, 12:45 (Lower Level ramp entry)
  • Noonday Prayer, Thursday, 12:05 p.m.+
  • Vestry meeting, Thursday, 6:30 p.m.via Zoom.
  • Morning Prayer, Friday, 9: a.m. +
  • Walk the Stations of the Cross, Friday, 12 Noon (Repeats until Good Friday)+
  • Week-End Update Newsletter, Saturday, delivered midday
  • Compline, Saturday, 7 p.m. +
+ Designates a Facebook Live service
Looking Ahead
  • First Sunday in Lent, February 21, services at 8 and 10 a.m.+
  • Lenten Study with Fr. Ben, February 24, weekly at 6 p.m. in Lent (Zoom)
  • Easter Sunday, April 4, services at 8 and 10 a.m.+
  • Annual Meeting, first or second Sunday in May (tbd)



Lenten Preparations: Ash Wednesday
 
In a couple of days, we will make ashes of palms that have withered away in the year since they were waived on high for Palm Sunday. Here at the beginning of Lent, we call to mind the end of the journey, looking ahead to the cross and the grave.
 
On Ash Wednesday, we take up the example of Scripture, wherein the Old Testament, ashes were a sign of such new beginnings in the act of repentance, of turning back to the Lord. Likewise, the ashes we don are a sign of the first step along the way to a new life in reconciliation with God and neighbor.
 
We begin a journey marked by fasting and abstaining that we might die to ourselves bit by bit, day by day putting off the ways of the flesh, the devil, and the world. We take on disciplines, particularly prayer and the reading of Scripture, to grow closer to God by walking in the way of the cross and of life.
 
We strive towards Good Friday where, by God’s grace at work in us, we may follow the example of the Lord and freely lay down our lives, there at the foot of the cross whereon our sins and our sinful humanity was crucified. And having done so, we are bidden to take up the life of Christ to live here and now the life of the resurrection.
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Ash Preparation and Distribution
 
As mentioned last Sunday, those wishing to bring in last year’s palms for use in making ashes may do so at church Sunday or by leaving them at the basement ramp under the mailbox. For those who would like to see the process and join in the prayers, Fr. Ben will tentatively do it as Tuesday’s Midday Moment via Facebook Live at 12:05 p.m.
 
On Ash Wednesday, in order to observe proper protocols for safe contact, our distribution of ashes will look different this year. Those who choose to receive will approach the altar step, where Fr. Ben will utilize the fresh end of a Q-tip to impose the ashes on each person.
 
Let me also remind us that the ashes are a sign and symbol, not the substance of the Lenten journey. As such, those who wish not to receive ashes are no less a part of the pilgrimage that is about to begin. Either way, I hope you’ll join us as we start the path towards Holy Week and Easter together.

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Lenten Study & Stations of the Cross
 
As a part of this year’s Lenten observance, we will have a new study/discussion series considering the invitation to a holy Lent which is a part of our Ash Wednesday service (BCP, p. 264). We’ll begin by sharing our individual plans for this year’s Lent, and then using this text as our starting point, we will look at what Lent is from a biblical, historical, and theological perspective as well as talking about how it is lived out from a practical point of view. The study will be Wednesdays from 6 to 6:50. We’ll begin on February 24 and wrap-up on March 24. We hope you’ll join us to deepen our understanding of why we do what we do when it comes to keeping a holy Lent.
 
On Fridays in Lent, we will be walking the Stations of the Cross at 12:00 p.m. We begin on February 19 and will continue each week through Good Friday. Check out next week’s newsletter for more information on this well-known devotional practice.
One Year Ago!
Father Ben's Installation at St. Andrew's
New Online Signup for Candle/Flower Offerings!

With Fr. Ben's help, the Altar Guild and Flower Guild are providing the opportunity for you to sign up for candles and flowers from home. Some parishioners have already begun to sign up for 2021 dates but sign up can occur at any time throughout the year. Link to signup here. The $25 payment for flowers may be sent to St. Andrew's or paid through the parish website.
Notes
  • Update: Treasurer Riley Atwood indicates that 2020 financial statements were emailed to parishioners with current emails last week. Email treasurer@standrews-edwardsville if you have questions.
  • 2020 Ministry Reports will be distributed to the parish via email in the week of February 14. A limited number of report booklets will be available at the annual meeting in May.
  • Join Trinity Church Wall Street for an online retreat on March 5 at 8 p.m. on their Facebook page. Click here. The focus is on the ways we’re called to “show up” for our neighbors and the world and how to discover that answering that call can break us open to new and greater insights.
St. Andrew's Communications
Communications Coordinator and Newsletter Editor-in-Chief, Marian Smithson
Newsletter Editor, Jane Weingartner | Newsletter Editor, Marianne Cavanaugh