Theological Musings
Farewell to the Alleluia
Alleluia is a special liturgical word that means, "Praise God." But its significance is more mystical than the words "Praise God" can convey. Alleluia signifies that ineffable joy present in those heavenly habitations where saints and angels behold God face to face in God's perfect love. As we lift our hearts to God in prayer and praise, we use this word as an expression of our highest praise. Alleluia is a foretaste and a pledge of what awaits us in the life to come- a bit of heaven come down to earth.
Since the fifth century, the Church has suspended the use of this mystical word of praise during Lent, as a reminder of the separation from God that sin brings. We walk the Lenten journey of repentance so that the Holy Spirit may bring healing and wholeness to our wounded hearts. We do not say alleluia, because for a time we mourn our sins and seek God's mercy and forgiveness. But that does not mean that we do not offer any sacrifice of praise. Even as we contemplate our sins and seek God's healing, we replace our alleluias with praise to Christ who reconciles us to God and forgives our sins. During the Mass of the lenten season we sing, "Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ, King of endless glory,"- a glory which comforts and supports us during the Lenten season.
On the last Sunday after the Epiphany, we say farewell to the Alleluia. During medieval times their elaborate ceremonies evolved in which the alleluia was actually buried and "resurrected" on Easter. While we won't be burying the alleluia, we will end the Mass on Sunday with many sung alleluias, as we turn away from the beauty of our Lord in his Transfigured Glory, and turn towards the healing lenten desert which will take us to the Cross and finally back to Easter Joy.
Confirmation
Are you interested in being Confirmed? If so please email Father Rob and let him know of your intention. There will be two confirmation classes offered: one for teens and one for adults. Information will be forthcoming, but we would like to compile of list of Confirmands as soon as possible.
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Prayer Requests
- Bonnie Whalen requested prayers for her 28 yr old grandson.
- The repose of the soul of Ed Miller.
- Chris Semanchik, who is very ill.
- Jane Linn's, granddaughter-in-law, Rachael, was diagnosed with breast cancer and will have radical surgery in February.
- Keep Mike, Christine Kellam's dad in your prayers.
- Mary Irwin is experiencing some health issues.
- Prayers for the repose of the soul of Margaret Perritt, who passed away while in Hospice Care. Margaret was Alison Evans' mother.
- Philip and Nancy
- Yvonne
Please send your prayer intentions to Philip at philip.muniz@gmail.com.
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Jubilee Parish
A Jubilee parish is a parish committed to the social justice ministry of advocacy and service for the poor and oppressed. It is a network of parish and diocesan Jubilee Centers throughout the Episcopal Church. It was established by an act of the 1982 General Convention as “a ministry of joint discipleship in Christ with poor and oppressed people, wherever they are found, to meet basic human needs and to build a just society.” The term “Jubilee” means the fiftieth year. It is derived from Lv 25:10, which says that the fiftieth year shall be a jubilee: “you shall return, every one of you, to your property and every one of you to your family.”
If you have a special heart of compassion and concern for the poor and oppressed and want to work for a more just church and society, perhaps God is calling you to be a member of our newly formed Jubilee Commission. We will be prayerfully discerning over the next several months what God is asking us to do in service of the poor in our county, in our state, our nation, and the world. Please speak with Father Rob if you are interested in this important work.
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Upcoming Dates
February 27th - 11:30 a.m. Meeting regarding summer mission trip (see below)
March 2nd - Ash Wednesday
March 13th - 9 - 2 p.m. American Red Cross Blood Donations in the Undercroft.
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Summer Mission Opportunity
A brief meeting will be held on Sunday, February 27th at 11:30 am in the Conference Room to provide information about the summer mission trip. Attending the meeting does not obligate you to go on the trip. If you are interested in going on the trip but can not attend the meeting, please let Fr. Rob know as soon as possible. The trip is scheduled for June 25-July 1.
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Lent at St. Martin's
Mondays - 7 p.m. Bible Study - Women of the Bible at Juanita's house
Wednesdays - 6 p.m. Mass in the Lady Chapel
Thursdays - 10 a.m. - Noon Private Prayer and Adoration with the Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament (come and go as you desire) in the Lady Chapel
Fridays - 7 p.m. Stations of the Cross in the church
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St. Martin's Save A Life
Blood Drive
March 13th, 2022 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Were you planning on giving something up for Lent? How about some of your blood to save a life? The American Red Cross is in DESPERATE need of blood donations, and we are stepping up to help them. Come to church and save a life. The best gift is one that comes from your heart (get it?!)
You must make an appointment at
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Lenten Book Study
All are welcome. This year we will be learning about and discussing six women from the Old Testament in five sessions. They include Jephthah’s daughter, the Shunammite woman, Esther, Judith, and Naomi and Ruth. Some will be familiar and some probably will not. All have a story to tell and things to teach us about their time and place, their beliefs and spirituality, and their relationship with God and their people.
We will be using the book “Bible Women: All Their Words and Why They Matter”, by the Reverend Lindsay Hardin Freeman (ISBN 978-088028-391-5), It is available online, in both hardcopy and electronic format, from a variety of vendors, including Amazon. This is the same book we used for the 2018 Woman in the Bible program.
Meetings will take place each Monday during Lent beginning on March 7 and continuing on March 14, 21, 28, and April 4 at 7:00 pm. We will be meeting at the home of Juanita Hawkins
90 Vandeveer Drive
Basking Ridge, New Jersey
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OUTREACH
The Outreach Committee will begin collecting personal care items for the Jail Chaplaincy beginning Feb. 12th. A container will be in the narthex until Sunday, Feb. 27th. Thank you for all your book donations.
We also received a request for help from HOME. The Presbyterian Church in Pluckemin will not be hosting families in 2022 so we will not be providing coverage at that church. However, we will deliver meals to the agency on three Mondays this year. Below is an email I received directly from HOME. If you volunteer to help HOME, please contact them directly but let me know you have done so. Thank you.
Lend a hand at HOME
HOME of Somerset County (Formerly IHN) is looking for volunteers to help with our Emergency Shelter program. Due to the pandemic, the congregational rotation hosting schedule has been closed and our families have been staying at a local hotel. We are planning to re-open the shelter component of the program the first week of April 2022 and we are in need of volunteers.
Dinner shift hosts are needed at 5:00 pm (until 7:00 pm) to set up for the meal and to welcome our families. Our evening (hospitality) shift is generally from 7:00-10:00pm and the overnight hours are 10:00pm-6:00am (8:00am on Sat. & Sun). For more information please contact Director of Volunteer Services, Karen Donohue, 908-704-1920 / karen@homescnj.org https://homescnj.org
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