Saint Matthias - Feast Day, February 24, will be observed on eve of February 23.
Image: Wikimedia Commons
Weekly Sunday service information and parish news.
The Reverend Benjamin Hankinson, Celebrant
In light of the recent State of Illinois indoor mask mandate, all worshippers are asked to wear masks when attending church, including those who are fully vaccinated. We pray that through compassionate fidelity to the common good, we will see the present surge subside.
February 20 - The Seventh Sunday After Epiphany

Holy Eucharist | Rite I 8 a.m. | Rite II 10 a.m. (Sung)
9:15 - Children's Sunday School in Lower Level
9:15 - Adults - Morning Prayer and conversation in Pearson Hall

Masks required for in person attendance. | 10 a.m. service streamed via Facebook Live. | Coffee hour follows the 10 a.m. service.

Virtual coffee hour chat available at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81076773055
Readings for Sunday, February 20

  • Genesis 45:3-11, 15
  • Psalm 37:1-12, 41-42
  • 1 Corinthians 15:35-38,42-50
  • Luke 6:27-38
Make Your Offering!
Mail: Send your check to St. Andrew's Treasurer, at 406 Hillsboro Avenue, Edwardsville 62025.
The Week of February 20

  • Sunday, February 20, 11:30 a.m., Vestry Meeting in the nave. Highlights of the meeting will be emailed to the parish by mid-week.
  • Wednesday, February 23, 5:30 p.m., Eve of the Feast of St. Matthias, Holy Eucharist, 5:30 p.m.
  • Wednesday, February 23, 6 p.m., Mid Week study online and in person. Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/5094879945 . Also, class documents are available at https://www.standrews-edwardsville.com/sermons/?sermon_id=510 .
  • Friday, February 25 and Saturday, February 26 - Winter Book Fair.

Looking Ahead
  • Tuesday, March 1, Shrove Tuesday, Pancake Supper canceled.
  • Wednesday, March 2, Ash Wednesday
  • Thursday, Friday, Saturday, March 3-5, Quilt Show canceled.
  • Wednesday, March 6, First Sunday in Lent
  • Sunday, April 10, Palm Sunday
  • Sunday, April 17, Easter Day



Lenten Preparations
 
In these last weeks leading up to Lent, we have a chance to take a look into the mirror. Rather than being caught off guard spiritually by a liturgically sudden Ash Wednesday, we can prepare ahead of time. We have available to us the lenses of Scripture, prayer, and self-reflection as we consider the cost of discipleship and those hindrances which presently beset us. This chance to examine our consciences and actions helps us to plan and form the disciplines which we undertake in the 40-day pilgrimage to come.
 
In this preparatory work, we contemplate what might need to be pruned away in order to make room for that which is more beneficial in the life of faith. Likewise, we are each invited by the Father's love and the conviction of the Holy Spirit to be shriven, pardoned for our sins, through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Thus, the church encourages us to take advantage of and comfort in confession, availing ourselves of a **personal examen** in preparation for the general confession at Mass or a sacramental confession with a priest.
 
Lent is more than just a penitential season. It is a chance to grow by grace. Our practices help us to combat sin and be mindful of the spiritual life through prayer and fasting so that in our weakness, we might turn our eyes to the Lord and place our trust in him and in his cross rather than in ourselves. So let us take stock of the whole of our spiritual lives and prepare for a full and fruitful Lent, all with the hope of Easter set before our eyes, the great and glorious prize of the days ahead and of our very lives.
 
**Examen Recommendations**
Who Is Saint Matthias?

Matthias was born in the first century AD. According to the biblical “Acts of Apostles 1:21–26,” Saint Matthias was a disciple chosen by the apostles as a replacement for Judas Iscariot after the latter’s betrayal of Jesus Christ. It was important that the community endured even after the crucifixion to spread the Christian faith all around the world, and it was crucial that the number of apostles remained 12, as 12 was the number of tribes of Israel and a twelfth apostle was required for the coming of the new Israel.

Jesus himself chose the original 12 apostles, and the rest of the apostles chose Saint Matthias after the Ascension. They cast their votes through lots and selected Matthias. There is no further information about him in the New Testament. Source: www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/saint-matthias-37245.php
New Directories Available for 2022!

Two new parish directories are available at the links below. We hope you will click on the buttons below, download and print, or save a copy in your phone, computer, or tablet for reference. Here is a description of the two directories or listings:
  • Parish Directory - families who participate in parish worship
  • Friends Directory - former members who have moved, former clergy, and other friends of the parish.
Winter Book Sale: February 25 and 26

The Winter Book Fair will be held on Friday from 3 to 8 p.m. and on Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon. Reservations are required for Friday and can be made at the link below. As of 5 p.m. today, all slots before 6 p.m. are filled but slots are open for 6 p.m. and after.

Cindy Reinhardt indicates she still needs at least one more volunteer in these Friday slots: 2:45 to 5:30 and 5:30 to 8. She also needs one more on Saturday from 9:00 to noon. If you can help, call Cindy at 618-656-1294 pronto!

The next book sale will be May 6-7. Remember this is the last year for parish book sales!
Notes

  • The February Vestry meeting will be held this Sunday at 11:30 a.m. in the church nave. Highlights of the meeting will be sent out the following week.

  • Photos of the new vestry members have been posted on the parish website at standrews-edwardsville.com/mission-leadership-team/.

  • Winter hats, scarves, gloves and other are needed for the Scarf Project, supported by St. Andrew's, at the Edwardsville Public Library. A collection box is in the cloak room.

  • Coffee hour signups are needed for March 20 and after. Sign up at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040548afa92aa4fa7-coffee .

  • Easy to remember parish emails:
  • Fr. Ben - Rector@standrews-edwardsville.com
  • Office - Office@standrews-edwardsville.com
  • Treasurer - Treasurer@standrews-edwardsville.com
  • General/Communications - info@standrews-edwardsville.com
St. Andrew's Communications
Communications Coordinator and Newsletter Editor-in-Chief, Marian Smithson
Newsletter Editor, Jane Weingartner | Newsletter Editor, Marianne Cavanaugh