The Mouse for
February 21, 2021
"He was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan."
—Mark 1:13
Here are the latest opportunities to strengthen
your faith and connect with the community:
The First Sunday of Lent
Sermon: "Tempting Faith"

Faith is tempting.

It is tempting to the believer, inviting him to put his trust in God. It is tempting to Satan, who entices the believer to forget that trust. It is tempting to God, provoking him to save those who have faith.

Faith is not natural. It can't be willed, it can't be wished for, and it can't be purchased. No wonder Jesus asks, "when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?" (Luke 18:8).

But it is faith we want and faith we need. To find out where it comes from and how to get it, come hear (or tune into) Sunday's sermon.

In-Person Worship
for Sunday, February 21, 2021

Holy Communion, 8 a.m.
Morning Prayer, 9:30 a.m.

Saint Peter's is currently not located in a Covid-19 hot spot as determined by the New York State Cluster Action Initiative. We are therefore permitted to hold indoor, in-person services with the following restrictions, as determined by the Vicar and Wardens:

  1. Seating has been reduced to 25% of capacity
  2. Seating is socially distanced
  3. Masks are required
  4. Congregational singing is suspended
  5. Communion is distributed in one kind only

We ask that you please not come to church in person if you have Covid-19, have symptoms consistent with Covid-19, or are subject to the provisions of the New York State Covid-19 Travel Advisory.

You can live-stream the 9:30 service on Sundays by clicking here.

First Sunday of the month Holy Communion will resume on March 7, 2021 at 9:30 a.m.
Church School

Childcare and Church School have resumed at the 9:30 a.m. service. Please RSVP to Marie Scagnelli at churchschoolatsaintpeters@gmail.com, by Saturday 5 p.m.
Catechism Corner

The Vicar continues his weekly exposition of the Catechism, found in the Book of Common Prayer, pp. 845-862.

Q. Why do we not use our freedom as we should?
A. Because we rebel against God, and we put ourselves in the place of God.

After the fall God says, "The man has now become like one of us, knowing good and evil" (Gen. 3:22). God is not saying that eating the forbidden fruit made man like God. Man was already made in God's image. God means that man has taken it upon himself to decide what is good and what is evil. This was an attempt to usurp God's sovereignty.
—JWD.
Easter is Sunday, April 4.
Flowers at St. Peter's

The floral guild is always grateful for donations especially for the Easter flowers. Also, if you are interested in dedicating flowers in memorium or for a special occasion, such as a birthday or anniversary, please send an email to stpeterschurch@optonline.net with the date and the name(s) to whom you would like to dedicate the arrangements.

You can either send a check to St. Peter’s (PO Box 1502, Millbrook, NY 12545) or put the check in the weekly offering with "flowers" on the memo line. You may also add a dedication in the bulletin or leave it anonymous.
St. Thomas Food Pantry Volunteer sign-up

The St. Thomas Food Pantry is always looking for new volunteers. If you are interested, please fill out the online application. You can access the application by clicking here.
Remember - no clothing donations to St. Peter's at this time!
The church is always open, so if you would like to stop by for a quick prayer or meditation, please feel free to do so. Masks and hand sanitizers will be available in the church entrance.
History Highlight

The "new" road on route 44 was built from Filkintown (Mabbetsville) through to Amenia in 1806. At "Lithgow," the Johnston estate, it was straightened to by-pass Balaam's Hill. This change of direction caused the road to pass at a greater distance from Mr. Johnston's dwelling than he wished. He felt that this was an outrage, and refused to pay the toll required for its upkeep. Instead he built another road over his own land enabling him to "shun the pike." This road is called the Shunpike to this day.

—Louise Tompkins, A Landmark: The History of St. Peter's Protestant Episcopal Church (Lithgow, NY, 1971), 12.
Collect for Lent 1

Almighty God, whose blessed Son was led by the Spirit to be tempted of Satan: Make speed to help thy servants who are assaulted by manifold temptations; and, as thou knowest their several infirmities, let each one find thee mighty to save; through Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Text or call the Vicar at (845) 745-8160 for prayer or a pastoral visit.

N.B. the Vicar has a new email address: jwdell2@pm.me.
Questions about the parish? Please email:
stpeterschurch@optonline.net

The Mouse is compiled and edited each week by the Vicar. He asks that submissions to The Mouse be made by the Wednesday prior to Friday's edition. Please send submissions to jwdell2@pm.me. Thank you.