Our mission is to be a community of Christian
worship, well-being and service
Social Distancing ~ Spiritually connecting
The week of Feb. 27 - Mar. 6
|
|
From The Rector
Dear Friends and Members,
This week's gospel has Jesus saying some things that sound pretty difficult. Basically, after telling his disciples that he is about to suffer greatly, he says that if anyone wants to follow him, it will require a whole lot of letting go. After rebuking Peter, even calling him Satan, he offers this teaching:
"If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it." Mark 8:34
It is a fearsome thing to follow Jesus, precisely because it requires us to let go of so much of our certainty and habitual ways of thinking. Following Jesus leads us to abundant life and a new understanding of God's kingdom, God's steadfast love.
Here is a song that has been inspiring me this week as I think about letting go, a form of repentance.
As you prepare for worship, you might spend some time reflecting on the challenges or tensions you are carrying right now. What feels heavy in your life? In our common life? How might letting go and choosing the way of steadfast love bring new life? The way of the cross is always about letting go. This letting go, if we believe Jesus, will lead to salvation.
Faithfully, Jennifer+
|
|
Second Sunday Of Lent, Feb. 28
Sunday Worship
We are live on Facebook at 10:30 a.m. sharing a service of Holy Eucharist with music, followed by drive thru administration of Holy Communion outside the historic church from 11:45 - 12:15.
We thank David Brierley for his time and hard work in improving our sound and now our video for worship. We have a system that is working very smoothly and will remain in the chapel until further notice. We are open to your feedback.
You may drop off your financial offerings for SMC, or food donations for the MLK center as you drive through for Holy Communion.
Sunday Worship Links
|
|
This Week's Leaders:
Lector/ Intercessor
Laura Palmer
Altar Guild
Ruth Siebens &
Ann Gizzi
Livestream Videographer:
Marlo Pratt
Audio
David Brierley
Musicians
Michael Templeton, Julie Zecher
Celebrant and Preacher
The Rev. Jennifer Pedrick+
|
|
O God, whose glory it is always to have mercy: Be gracious to all who have gone astray from your ways, and bring them again with penitent hearts and steadfast faith to embrace and hold fast the unchangeable truth of your Word, Jesus Christ your Son; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
|
|
Daily Evening Prayer on Facebook live
Lay leaders are praying the evening office at 5:30 p.m. daily online via Facebook Live. You do not need to have Facebook in order to participate in these daily prayers. If you can not make it at 5:30, the service will be recorded and remain on the St. Mary's Facebook page.
|
|
Holy Week Worship at St. Mary's |
|
Calling for Ministry Volunteers |
In order to offer this week of community worship, we need people to serve in a variety of capacities. This will be a week of sacred observance requiring flexibility and faith. If you are willing to serve, please email the parish administrator, Karen. In in your email, please indicate the services you are able to help with and the role you would like to offer if you know it.
If you can help in general, but don't know how, email Jennifer and she will surely find a good role for you to fill.
Watch this section of eNews for updates as the season progresses.
Outdoor worship will be weather permitting, and will follow all Covid-19 guidelines from our past experience: masks, social distancing, and drive-in or lawn seating options.
Ministry Opportunities
Contact Karen Laroche if you can offer the following:
Welcome team (outdoor services)
Parking and safety (outdoor services)
Passion Gospel Readers (3/28)
Audio - training available
Set up and clean up (outdoor)
Altar guild (all services)
Lectors (all services)
Eucharistic Ministers (3/28, 4/3, 4/4)
|
|
|
Palm Sunday
March 28, 10:30 a.m.
In person, outdoor worship
|
Weather permitting we will resume Sunday morning worship in our outdoor venue. We will bless and distribute palms, hear the Passion Gospel and celebrate Holy Eucharist.
In the case of inclement weather, we will livesteam with the worship team and distribute Holy Communion and blessed palms from 11:45 - 12:15.
|
|
|
Maundy Thursday
April 1, 6 p.m.
Community Zoom Worship
Including a shared meal.
|
Given the great participation at our Zoom Annual Meeting, we are going to gather the community for Zoom worship as we begin the Triduum.
This service will include hearing God's word, sharing a meal from your own homes, music, prayer, and reflection on Jesus' commandment to love one another.
Watch this space for the Zoom link.
|
|
|
Good Friday
April 2, Noon
Facebook live and recorded
|
The Solemn Liturgy of Good Friday will be livestreamed. It will include God's word including the passion Gospel, a brief sermon, and the solemn collects. |
|
|
The Great Vigil of Easter
April 3, 7:30 p.m.
In person, outdoor worship
|
Join your community for the crowning liturgy of the entire year, and the first Eucharist of Easter. We will begin with the new fire, the light of Christ and the story of salvation. Then we will celebrate baptism and holy communion. In the case of inclement weather this service will be shortened and livestreamed from indoors with worship team. |
|
|
Easter Sunday
April 4, 10:30 a.m.
In person, outdoor worship
|
Celebrate the resurrection with joy! This service will include Holy Eucharist shared in community. We will plan for a large attendance. Watch this column to make your reservation.
Inclement weather plan will include a livestream service and drive through Easter communion.
|
|
|
If you would like to add someone to the prayers of the people, to be included in the Sunday morning prayers and in the daily evening prayers, please contact Parish Administrator, Karen Laroche. We typically keep people in the prayers for one month.
|
|
|
If you are interested in preparing for baptism, please contact Jennifer and she will help you to plan.
|
|
|
"Living Well Through Lent 2021" Booklet |
These booklets are available as people drive thru Holy Communion on Sunday's, or you can call and stop by the office to pick one up...at Karen's "drive-up window".
|
|
Copies of the Forward Day by Day Daily Devotional for February, March, April 2021 are available in the office. People can call or email Karen Laroche in the office to schedule a pick-up time. Thank you.
|
|
|
Diversity Book Drive For Children |
|
Thank you to our loving community members. We have collected dozens and dozens of new books for children and teens for the the Diversity Book Drive. These will be blessed this Sunday at worship and given as a collection to the preschool and after school program at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center. |
|
|
Do you need groceries, errands or help with something else?
Contact the head of our Pastoral Care Team, Pauline Davis. There are many people who can help. Her email address is here. You may also phone her at 401-871-1453, but she would prefer an email if you are able.
|
|
Communication & Other Announcements
If you lead a ministry and wish to share information, please send the content (which should include relevant information, time, date, place, and contact person with email) to:
The Rector if you'd like it verbally announced at worship,
the weekly worship bulletin
Your copy should address 3 key questions: Who am I writing for? (Audience) Why should they care? (Benefit) What do I want them to do here? (Call-to-Action) If you have a photo or image that is always welcome.
|
|
St. Mary's Leadership and Staff |
|
VESTRY OFFICERS:
STAFF:
Our buildings are currently closed due to the Covid - 19 pandemic.
Our grounds, churchyard and outdoor labyrinth are open for walking and prayer.
|
|
Watercolor: Richard Grosvenor. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
