Your weekly news & updates
March 4, 2021
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Picture by: Amy Grant Casey |
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Special Message from Special People |
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From the Bishop
In response to Governor Abbott's press release Tuesday, Bishop Reed released a statement announcing the Diocese of West Texas' decision to uphold pandemic guidelines. He states, "From the beginning of the pandemic, we have tried to keep in mind our Lord’s commands and his example, to “love one another” and to “love our neighbor as we love ourselves.” We have tried to remain committed to the health and well-being of fellow church members and of our larger communities. We have given up much, whether gladly or grudgingly, for the sake of others. And I know that this is the way of sacrificial love to which Jesus calls us each day."
Click here to read Governor Abbott's Executive Order.
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From our Rector
I have never been hungry. Sure, I have wanted lunch or craved some sort of food item. But I’ve
never starved or wondered where and when my next meal would come. I’m sure many of us can
share that same experience. But the truth is many in our own country and world know what it’s
like to starve.
A few weeks ago, I along with other parishioners lined up outside the Seguin Coliseum to distribute food to over 800 families. As the pandemic has waged its war on our systems, food shortages have been a glaring reality across the country and world. From empty grocery store shelves to long lines at Foodbanks. In all of this, God’s people starve for justice, for sustenance, for hospitality. In all of this, we starve for Jesus.
From his earthly life in the breaking of loaves and fishes, to the last supper, and in remembrance of him in the celebration of our Eucharist, we have always associated Jesus with food. His life and our worship of him are divinely designed to be “simple sustenance,” that profoundly reminds us that in all that we hunger and thirst for, love, belonging, justice, forgiveness, we have in him.
As we consider this week the feast of our Lord Jesus Christ, may we pray gratefully for those who help provide food to us. Let us pray for our farmers and ranchers. Let us pray for our truck drivers and grocery clerks. Let us pray for those who volunteer at foodbanks. Let us pray for our restaurant chefs and waiters. Let us pray that we as the body of Christ, may feed the world.
Fr. Stephen+
Questions for Meditation
Holy Communion serves not only as a memorial of our redemption, but also a chance to be united with Jesus, as we “feed on him in your hearts by faith with thanksgiving.” Being fed by Jesus, how might you feed others?
As Jesus said in his wilderness fast, “we cannot live on bread alone.” We must feed our souls as well as our bodies. For what do you hunger?
Practice:
- As you eat this week, give thanks to God for your food and also for your feelings, whether hungry or full.
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We want to give a special
St. A's welcome to our newest members Curly Gilmore and Alan & Debbie Cottrell. Also, a big welcome back to Jack & Janet Baker. We are so happy that you all have decided to join our church family!
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If you are a part of the tech team click the link above to assign yourself a piece of equipment for the 10:30 am service on a Sunday or two. If you would like to be part of the St. Isidore Guild Contact Aaryn, Gil, or Charlene.
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Parish Happy Hour – Sunday, March 14 at 5:00PM
St. Andrew’s adults are invited to attend a “virtual happy hour” on Sunday, March 14 from 5:00 to 6:00 PM. Please RSVP by March 7 by calling church office or CLICK HERE to sign up. You’ll need to indicate the # of people at your computer (1 or 2), and the type of wine you’d prefer (red or white). For this initial event, attendance is limited to the first 20 couples / singles / computers to sign up. You’ll pick up your happy hour goodie bag on Sunday, March 7 after the service and receive an email invitation to join the party on Zoom.
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Daylight Savings Time starts Sunday, March 14th at 2 am. Don't forget to spring your clocks forward the night before!
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Did you know that St. Patrick loves Irish stew? It’s true… So much in fact, that to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day we are going to have an Irish stew dinner in the garden! Come join us March 17th at 5:30 pm for a heaping bowl of Irish stew, a bonfire, and some much-needed fellowship.
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The Brotherhood of St. Andrew’s, the Men’s Bible study group, is back! They will meet weekly for bible study and prayer. The first meeting will be held on Thursday, March 18th at
8 am in McKeogh Hall beginning with the study of Ephesians.
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Easter Sunday is shining like a glorious light at the end of this season of Lent, and bringing back a rush of memories from Easter last year, when we couldn’t meet in person and still felt very much in the dark about what the future held. This Easter, even though there is still some uncertainty in our world, we will gather together—both in person and online—to celebrate our
risen Lord! And you know what that means: an Easter egg hunt! You’re all invited to join us on Easter morning at 9:30, between the 8:00 sunrise service and the 10:30 service, to watch the kids hunt for eggs. We’ll need plenty of volunteers to bring plastic eggs with wrapped candy or small toys inside—and we’ll need a few Easter bunnies to help hide them! Email or call the church office and let Charlene know if you’d be willing to help out. Eggs can be dropped off at the church office or on Sundays any time before the big day. Let’s make this an Easter to remember for the children of St. Andrew’s—and our whole parish family!
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The Way of the Cross: Free Video & Reflection Guide from Virginia Theological Seminary
The Way of the Cross, or more commonly known as Stations of the Cross are a common Lenten prayer tradition in the Episcopal Church. “The devotion known as the Way of the Cross is an adaptation of a custom widely observed by pilgrims to Jerusalem: the offering of prayer at a series of places in that city traditionally associated with our Lord’s passion and death.” We hope you may find the video and discussion guide of spiritual value as you journey through this season in Lent.
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Downtown History Walk – Saturday, April 10 at 10:30 AM
St. Andrew’s members of all ages are invited to meet at the garden for a downtown history walk on Saturday, April 10th at 10:30 AM. Our own Marty Keil will lead the walk to
teach us about nearby historical site after Dorothy Bauer gives us a history lesson on our own Chapel.
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Attention Prayer Garden volunteers!!! The Master Gardeners have put their plans for the St. Andrew's Prayer Garden on hold for the foreseeable future. As soon as we know anything we will pass that information along. If you have any questions, contact Alan Cockerell. Thank you for your help to keep our campus beautiful!
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Mustang Island Beach Escape with Your Valentine: Rescheduled: March 5-7
Escape to Mustang Island with your sweetheart for Valentine's Weekend. The retreat package includes two nights lodging, six meals, beach-time with your Valentine, special Saturday Valentine’s dinner and Saturday night campfire with S’mores. Your weekend begins Friday afternoon/evening and continues through Sunday lunch. Each room has a private deck view of the sea and boardwalk access to beach. The schedule is intentionally very relaxed, so you can spend time together resting, reflecting, and renewing with God and each other in His coastal creation.
Mustang Island Beautification Weekend 2:
Rescheduled: March 5-7
A service-oriented weekend for adults to help Mustang Island Conference Center and experience an enjoyable weekend away. Work projects may include grounds clean-up, boardwalk maintenance, storage construction, or gardening. Projects will be coordinated by Mustang Island Conference Center staff to match the volunteer skills and what is most needed at that time.
Mustang Island Spring Break Family Camp: March 11-14
Spend a long, Spring Break weekend with your family on the beach at Mustang Island Family Camp! Enjoy swimming, singing, surfing, arts & crafts, delicious meals, a buried treasure hunt, beach games, worship, building sand castles, fishing, resting under a beach umbrella, a campfire, and more. Spring Break Family Camp programming begins Thursday afternoon/evening and continues through Sunday lunch. Each day ends with worship, music, and a family-centered Bible teaching.
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The World Missions department extends its gratitude to all who have donated to their ongoing Emergency Food & Winter Clothing Drive. World Missions continues to collect items for mission partners affected by the food and resource shortages intensified by the global pandemic. To schedule a donation drop-off time, contact Catherine Markette, World Missions Ministry Coordinator, at catherine.markette@dwtx.org, or you may make a financial donation to World Missions towards purchasing food and winter clothing, at dwtx.org/give.
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Camp Capers Nails & Prayers Retreat: April 9-11
A service-oriented weekend for men (ages 18 and up) to help Camp Capers and experience an enjoyable weekend away. Work projects may include grounds clean-up, trail maintenance on the Brinsmade Sanctuary and meditation trail, stocking firewood for campfires and Steves Hall, landscaping, and gardening.
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SUNDAY , MARCH 7, 2021 THIRD SUNDAY in LENT
9:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist, Rite II
(Prayer Garden or McKeogh Hall)
10:30 a.m. Holy Eucharist, Rite II
(Church and live stream)
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 10, 2021
12:00 p.m. Holy Eucharist, Rite II
(Chapel)
At this time, we have two in-person services. They are held each Sunday, one at 9:00 am in the Prayer Garden for an Outdoor Family Service and our Contemporary service at 10:30 am in the Sanctuary. A decision will be made at a later date about the Rite I, 8:00 am service.
If you are uncomfortable with physical return, you can still be spiritually present with us by joining us via live stream! CLICK ON ONE OF THE IMAGES BELOW to join us virtually on Sundays at 10:30 am as we worship Our Lord. All services are available any time after that on Facebook (click on Video tab), YouTube, and our web page under Sermons.
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Pledges, Tithes, and Offerings
Ways to Give
Please consider donating to St. Andrew's by one of the options listed below.
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Click the "DONATE NOW" button at the bottom of this message
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Visit the Donate page on our website
- Set up bill pay with your bank
- Mail a check
- Drop off your check in our mail slot located in the window to the right of the office door.
Thank you for your help to fund the mission and ministry of St. Andrew's
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Phased Reopening Guidelines |
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Dear St. Andrew's Family,
Below you will find information regarding our worship opportunities and our safety requirements for the church. We have a responsibility to report this information to you, and we ask that you do your best to review the material. Please know that your Office Staff has full trust in your love for your fellow congregant and that it is apparent in your actions that you have treated these guidelines as a covenant of love for your worshipping neighbor.
As a reminder these are some of the requirements:
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All people over the age of 3 must wear a mask covering nose and mouth.
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Please remember to social distance. DON'T SIT ON THE BLUE TAPE IN THE PEWS.
- If you are not feeling well, please stay home.
When making the decision about whether to return for in-person worship or not, the new, vestry and diocesan approved guidelines Plan for Phased Reopening: Phase 2(b) will help you know what to expect and consider how this experience will be different from the last time you were here.
In order to avoid disrupting the live-stream video and audio, we ask that everyone be in your seats no later than 10 minutes before the beginning of the service. Use those 10 minutes to thank God for your life and health, to listen to the prelude, and to otherwise prepare
yourself for worship.
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Ministers in the Lord's Service |
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Celebrant-
Fr. Stephen Shortess
Lay Reader-
9 am- Linda Hannasch
10:30 am- Mark Keddal
Altar Guild-
Mary Louise Donegan
Joyce Richey
Linda Lynn
Holly Modl
Offertory Tellers-
Frank Galaway
Jim Anderson
Ushers-
Bill & Robin Walker
Musicians-
Wendi Gustafson- Music Director/Organ
Samuel Gaytan- Violin
Leo Garcia- Choir Director/Cantor/Soloist
Ellie Follis- Soloist
Cameramen/Technicians-
Aaryn Perry
Gil Merkle
Jack Merrell
Warren Wundt
Betty Anderson
Will Follis
Sound-
Jim Anderson
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It has been our tradition at St. Andrews to adorn the church in fresh flowers and lilies for Easter. If you wish to donate flowers or lilies in memory of or thanksgiving for loved ones, please let Joyce Richey (sj51a@aol.com) or the church office know. There will also be forms in the pews. Lilies are $12.50 and flower donations are $25.00 with checks made out to St. Andrews and ‘flowers’ on the memo line. Deadline is Noon on March 29th. Lilies may be taken home after Easter Services. Thank you!
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Birthdays
Kambrie Boeder- March 1
Blade Palasky- March 7
Rosie Perry- March 8
Gerry Richardson- March 11
Abe Zapata- March 12
Anniversaries
Lance & Amanda Palasky- March 12
If you have a birthday or anniversary next week and it's not listed, please call the Parish Office and leave a message for Charlene to add it to the list.
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Bible Studies and Prayer Groups |
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If you or another member of the parish are sick or in the hospital and would like a contact from Pastoral Care, please notify the Parish Office. We don't want anyone to get missed! Contacting the office will ensure that Pastoral Care is notified.
If you would like to add a name, etc., to the prayer list, send an email to secretary@standrewseguin.org. If you have a pastoral situation that needs attention, please contact the parish office.
If a member of your family is in the armed forces, please send their name to Charlene via email at secretary@standrewseguin.org or by phone (830-372-4330) so they can be included in the Prayers of the People each Sunday.
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Online Lenten Series: "Nevertheless the Kingdom has come near"
This five-week, online series will explore how God has been moving and blessing us through the last year. From 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. each Wednesday evening during Lent, join a different presenter from throughout the Episcopal Diocese of West Texas, including the Rt. Rev. David Reed, for their reflection on the 2021 diocesan scripture theme: "Nevertheless the Kingdom has come near to you" (Luke 10:11). Each week will also include opportunities for breakout discussion with other members of your church and a Questions & Answer section. Click here to learn more.
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Lenten Study - "Moving on through Forgiveness:" February 4 - March 25
Join Marjorie George, Carla Pineda, and The Rev. Patricia Riggins from The Wisdom Years in, "Moving on through Forgiveness" a 8-week Pre-Lent and Lenten study group about forgiveness. Learn from accomplished writers together and engage with other participants to learn methods to consider and practice small steps toward forgiveness throughout the week. The group will meet Thursdays, from 4:00 p.m. to 5:15 p.m.
Click here to view the flyer for more information.
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Life after Loss Virtual Class
Christ Church, San Antonio and Porter Loring Family Care Services would like to invite those grieving a loved one to participate in a virtual class designed to help you process your grief.
Beginning February 15, from 12:30 p.m. - 2:00 p.m., the weekly bereavement program will run for six consecutive Mondays. If you are not comfortable with Zoom, please contact the staff and they will assist you. To register, please contact Kelsey Hankins, at khankins@porterloring.com.
Questions?
Contact Karen Von Der Bruegge at Christ Episcopal Church, (210) 736-3132.
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Forest Dwelling: Spirituality for Our Wisdom Years, hosted by Oblate School of Theology in San Antonio, is an ecumenical, certificate program designed for more mature seekers who desire to mindfully embrace the challenges and opportunities of aging by accessing the deep wisdom embedded in the world's great mystical and contemplative tradition. This two-year program of education and formation will be led by Fr. Ron Rolheiser, the Rev. Mary C. Earle, Marilyn Chandler McEntyre, and other invited speakers on transformation and aging. Click here to learn more about the program.
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St. Mark’s, San Marcos, launches “Sacred Earth,” a new website exploring the interplay of spirituality and nature. Through stories, interviews, book reviews, and videos about people living in environmentally sustainable ways, this site is an attempt to help users navigate the current ecological crisis with hope, faith, and the knowledge that they are not alone. Topics include: theological underpinnings of creation care and practical ways to live an ecologically responsible life. Click here to visit the website.
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Lenten Series from Episcopal Women’s History Project:
Beginning this February, The Episcopal Women’s History Project (EWHP) will present a Lenten series sharing the stories of six women who have made an impact on the Episcopal Church, emceed by the Rev. Dr. Jo Ann Barker, president of EWHP. The series will be presented via Zoom each Thursday at 2:00 p.m. CST during Lent, beginning February 18. Click here to register.
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We all know that doctors and nurses are on the front lines of battling the corona virus. Although there isn't much we can do to help them physically while they help patients, we can pray for them. So we are asking all of you to Click here to sign up for a time slot to pray for them around the clock. This way we can make sure we have at least one person praying even for just a few minutes of every hour of every day. If you are not able to commit to a specific time, or if the slots are all full, please take a few moments to say one of these prayers each day for these wonderful men and women. Thank you!
Sanctify, O Lord, those whom you have called to the study and practice of the arts of healing, and to the prevention of disease and pain. Strengthen them by your life-giving Spirit, that by their ministries the health of the community may be promoted and your creation glorified; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Angels in blue gowns, They wear face masks instead of haloes. Their gloved holy hands administer to us Care we are too weak to provide for ourselves.
Without sleep, Without hope of a day off, In the face of ever-dwindling supplies, They risk their lives at every moment In order to save ours. Blessed are the hands, Rubbed raw from washing, That connect us to ventilators. Blessed are the feet, Sore and swollen, That tread the ER floors. Blessed are the eyes That have stared down death Hundreds, Thousands of times, And yet look upon each desperately ill patient And refuse to give up hope. God Most Merciful, Preserve the health and safety Of those who work so hard to preserve ours. Amen.– Cameron Wiggins Bellm
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Twelve Step Recovery
AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) meets at 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday evenings in the Youth House on Crockett Street.
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St. Andrew's dares to embrace its Episcopal Heritage by living out the Great Commission of Christ through the intimacy of community, discipleship, and service.
St. Andrew's Episcopal Church is a parish in the Episcopal Diocese of West Texas, a congregation of The Episcopal Church, and a member of the worldwide Anglican Communion.
St. Andrew's Episcopal Church| (830)372-4330 | 201 E. Nolte St. Seguin, TX 78155| standrew@standrewseguin.org | standrewseguin.org
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