The Church Bell
Vol. 7, No. 2
Holy Week and Eastertide 2023
A special call for Prayer
As we were preparing this edition of the Church Bell newsletter, we heard the horrible news of the school shooting at Covenant Presbyterian Church's grade school in Nashville.

The details about the incident are coming to light with each passing hour. This was most certainly a dark, evil and vindictive act; however, our sadness is equal to our anger. Lives were lost, loved ones are devastated, and an entire nation is heartbroken.

We have so much to process over this incident and others like it going forward. Through it all, we will join in fervent prayer for God's help, wisdom, and vision.

Let us pray also in this moment for the victims who lost their lives in this tragedy:

"Almighty God, we remember before you today your faithful servants at The Covenant School; and we pray that, having opened to them the gates of larger life, you will receive them more and more into your joyful service, that, with all who have faithfully served you in the past, they may share in the eternal victory of Jesus Christ our Lord; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen."
Palm Sunday: Sunday of the Passion
This Sunday, April 2nd, is Palm Sunday, also known as the Sunday of the Passion. The service recalls Jesus' Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem as the crowds spread palm branches along the pathway. 

In place of a sermon, we will read the Passion Gospel According to Matthew that recalls Jesus' arrest, trial, crucifixion and burial. This final time of Lenten preparation will lead is to the joy of Easter morning and the glorious news that Jesus is Risen.  

Come and worship with us at the 11 o'clock hour. The service will begin in the parish hall with the Liturgy of the Palms, and then proceed over to the Nave for the remainder of the service.

Also, on April 2nd, we will finish the last lesson in our Lenten Bible Study during the 10 o'clock Sunday school hour in the parish hall. All are invited to join us, even if you haven't attended previous lessons.
Services for Holy Week and Easter Sunday
April 6th - Maundy Thursday Service

The various Cowan churches will gather for Maundy Thursday on April 6th, 5:30 p.m., at Cowan Fellowship Church. The speaker will be the Rev. Dr. Joe Butler, interim pastor of Goshen Church.

Maundy Thursday recalls the Last Supper that Jesus held in the Upper Room with the Disciples. The Last Supper is where Jesus gave the new commandment. (The word "maundy" is based on a Latin word that translates to "mandate" or "commandment".)

All are invited to a meaningful time that reflects on Jesus' time before he was crucified. The service is sponsored by Cowan Ministerial Association. Cowan Fellowship is located at 609 E. Cumberland St. The service is sponsored by the Cowan Ministerial Association.
April 7th - Good Friday Service

The various Cowan churches will gather for a shared Good Friday service on April 7th, 5:30 p.m., at Cowan First Baptist Church.

Good Friday recalls the arrest, trial, crucifixion, death, and burial of Jesus.

The service is based on the Stations of the Cross as recalled in scripture and shared through the ages by ancient tradition.

Cowan First Baptist is located at 316 W. Cumberland Street.
April 8th - Holy Saturday Service

St. Agnes' will hold a short and sweet Holy Saturday Service on April 8th at 7:00 p.m. The service will begin with the collect and readings from the Holy Saturday Service in the Book of Common Prayer.

Afterward, the congregation will step outside to light the Newly Kindled Fire, which is then carried inside and used to light the Paschal Candle. This service comes from the opening to the Easter Vigil in the Book of Common Prayer.
April 9, 2023: Easter Sunrise Service

The various Cowan churches will gather at 6:30 a.m. at Cowan Montgomery Cemetery to celebrate the discovery of the empty tomb and the news that Jesus is risen!

Our speaker will be Rev. Bill Welch, Pastor of Cowan First Church of the Nazarene. The cemetery is located at the end of South Willow Street in Cowan.

A breakfast will be served after the service at Cowan First Baptist Church. 

The service is sponsored by the Cowan Ministerial Association. (Rain location: Cowan First Baptist Church.)
Easter Lilies and other memorials
Easter lilies are a universal symbol of the glorious Eastertide season.

They originate from lifeless bulbs that are buried in the ground, just as Jesus' dead body was placed in a tomb and sealed. 

Lilies will then suddenly rise up from the ground with life and beauty helping us remember how Jesus rose up from the grave.

The green foliage represents life, the white petals represent purity, and the gold pistil represents kingship.

The flowers are shaped like trumpets, reminding us to proclaim the good news of the Resurrection.

A custom in churches around the world involves bringing Easter lilies to church on Easter Sunday as a memorial to our deceased loved ones. We follow that custom here at St. Agnes'.

  • We invite you to bring a lily to church for Easter. In doing so, please give Jarod the name(s) you are commemorating.

  • In lieu of an Easter lily, we also welcome memorial donations to the Altar Guild, or donations toward hymnals, bibles or prayer books. Again, please provide the name(s) you are commemorating.

Regardless of how we choose to honor our loved ones at Easter, we do so in faith and in certain hope of the resurrection. 

Alleluia, Christ is Risen! The Lord is risen indeed, Alleluia!
Easter Sunday at St. Agnes' - April 9th
Easter Egg Hunt at 10 a.m.

All of the kids in our extended church family are invited to our Sunday morning Easter egg hunt at 10:00 a.m. on the front lawn of the church.

The annual Easter Egg hunt is a tradition started by Mr. and Mrs. Bob Sloan more than five decades ago!
Festival Service at 11 a.m.

We will hold a festival service on Easter Sunday at the usual 11 o'clock hour.

After the service we will gather for our annual church family photo.

Invite your friends and extended family to join us in joyful praise to Jesus who is risen in glory!
"Low Sunday" Luncheon - April 16th
On Sunday, April 16th, we will hold a church-wide luncheon following the 11:00 service.

The church will provide the main course and we ask others to bring a favorite dish to share and enjoy. We will also provide a cake in celebration of recent birthdays in our extended church family.

We will provide a sign-up sheet in the parish hall on Palm Sunday.
Coronation Prayer Service - May 5th
On Friday evening, May 5th at 5 p.m., St. Agnes' will join our prayers with Anglican brethren across the globe in preparation for the Coronation of Charles III.

As Guardian of the Faith and as Supreme Governor of the Church of England, King Charles will fill an important role in our global Anglican family.
"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 Eastertide:
  • 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:
See if you can spot our New Church Banner!

The video you see below is from the Opening Procession to the 191st Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Tennessee.

This event marks the first time that the new banner at St. Agnes' was carried in a ceremonial procession. Watch the video and see if you can spot it!
Spring Birthdays
April 1 - Randy Patterson
April 7 - the anonymous parishioner
April 7 - Montana Smith
April 15 - Dane Leitzel
April 23 - Mandy Summers

May 2 - Ella Grissett
May 4 - Greg Cheek
May 9 - Carla Wilson Money
May 11 - Steve Pearson
May 28 - John Ng'oma
May 31 - Kathleen Black


***

"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."
Updates from our extended family
Fr. Charles Chiutulah sent a message of love and greetings to our church family. Since our last contact. Charles was elected Canon of the Cathedral in his home diocese. He also mentioned that the recent cyclone in Malawi caused widespread property damage and loss of livestock. Our prayers and support are continually needed, especially in the early days of the recovery effort.

Nancy Glenn notified us that Lee was recently hospitalized due to being extremely weak and in need of replenishment. We are hopeful that Lee will regain lost strength and be able to return home soon.

We were grateful to see Lee and Nancy Glenn, Mr. Gene Black, and Bill Keller each back in church recently. Their attendance is proof that they have some good days to be grateful for and to share with others.

Steve Pearson is showing steady progress with his cancer treatments. Likewise, Rose Pearson has improved after her recent surgery. And Mrs. Emelin Pearson is recovering from surgery as well. Thanks be to God.

Sara Money was able to join us for Ash Wednesday. Her work schedule gets in the way of Sunday attendance, so we were all glad to see her on that special evening.
We Uphold in Prayer
John Armstrong, Emelin Pearson, Bobbie Boswell, Leanna Morris, Kathy Owens, Tim Money, Shane O'Dear, Cash Bissey, 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 the greater community of Covenant Presbyterian Church and the grade school following the recent shooting. May God grant us the wisdom and courage to confront and overcome the evil spirit and motivation behind this devastating incident in our home state.

We pray for the victims and families of recent storms in Mississippi and pray for the timely recovery and healing of the communities there.

We pray for residents of Malawi in light of the recent cyclone that damaged properties and destroyed livestock.

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

We bless and commemorate Billie Joe Money who recently passed into glory.

***

"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 Sam Ponniah.....................................Visiting Priest

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