Worship Schedule This Week
Wednesday: 7 p.m. with imposition of Ashes
Saturday: 5:30 p.m.
Sunday: 8:15 a.m. & 10:30 a.m.
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Lent: A Season of Conversion
“Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest."- Jesus
The season of Lent calls us to a period of deeper connection with God and ultimately with our neighbor. Through prayer, penance, and good works we reorient our desires and affections so that the love and grace of God can more freely dwell within us. Lent is not meant to be a time of self-punishment. It is not God's desire to cause us to feel shame or to condemn us. God desires to free us, heal us, and transform us. The life of conversion is a life surrendered to the transforming love of God, which alone can heal our souls which have been wounded by sin.
During Lent, we spend more time in prayer, good works, and penance in order to clean out the debris and clutter that has created obstacles in our hearts that block God's grace. These actions and attitudes also help us practice surrendering and letting go of those things which harm us, deceive us, and blind us from seeing God's love at work in our lives.
This Lent, I invite us all to take a prayerful look inside our own hearts. What are we clinging to that is holding us back from deepening our relationship with God and our neighbor? What is preventing us from growing our faith and living the life of love that Christ calls us to? Name those burdens to God in prayer and let go of them this Lent.
As a ritual sign of letting go of the burdens, fears, and hurts we carry, I invite you to find a rock or stone that symbolizes your heavy burdens. On the first Sunday in Lent ( or the first Sunday that you come to Mass during the season of Lent), lay your stone down at the foot of the cross in the back of the nave. Ask Jesus to help you find peace, healing, and transformation during this Lent.
I pray that we all will have a holy, blessed, and healing Lent.
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Upcoming Dates:
March 5: Women's Group Meeting
March 12th: Red Cross Blood Drive
April 2nd - April 8th: Easter Week
April 30th: Canticles for Life Concert
May 7th: Newcomer's Brunch
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Outreach
Starting this Sunday there will be a plastic bin in the coat room in the Narthex for Easter Basket Donations. We are looking for all kinds of donations including chocolate, baskets, small toys, coloring books, crayons, regular books, etc. At this time we are not looking for Easter Basket grass since we have so much leftover from last year! Thank you!
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Lenten Book Study
"Thank God for Evolution" by Michael Dowd
Mondays at 7 p.m. during Lent at Juanita Hawkins's house. Before the book study at 6:30 p.m. come and join in praying the Anglican rosary.
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Red Cross Blood Drive
March 12th, 9-2 in the undercroft.
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Fellowship
Fellowship is looking for people to help plan and/or implement events at St. Martin's. We would like to provide fellowship opportunities for parishioners, but also for our community. We are also looking for Coffee Hour hosts. Coffee Hour hosts make coffee and provide treats once a month. Please contact Alison at randyali@aol.com if interested. Also, we are planning a PRIDE event in June. If you are interested in helping with this, please email me.
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Prayer Requests
- Carol Kinkead asks for prayer for Liz Eagan who is starting chemo and radiation for lung cancer.
- Laura Vernon asks for prayers for Nicole and Dusty McClanahan and their unborn child
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Jenn Persson asks for prayers for healing and peace for her cousin and her family; Susan, Scott, Leo, and Rocco.
- Juanita asks for prayers for Jeff Keates
- Cindy Meyer's brother, David
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Laura Butrico asks for prayers for Christine Pudimott and Cristina Butrico
- Marilyn's grandson, Ian, and a dear friend, Mary
- Yvonne Comeau's aunt, Pat Sailer, has many health issues.
- Olivia, prayer request from Fr. Rob
- Fr. Rob's mother, Evelyn.
- Bonnie Whalen requests prayers for her 28 yr old grandson.
- Linda Virtue
- Chris Semanchik
- Mary Irwin
Please send your prayer intentions to Philip at philip.muniz@gmail.com. Also, if you want a name removed, you can email Philip.
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Do you need a cleaning person for your home?
Contact Iveth Rodriguez at 908-381-4733
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Scheduling Changes for Lent
- Evening Prayer on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6 pm (Facebook Live- beginning Feb. 28)
- Stations of the Cross at 6 pm on Fridays in the Nave (beginning March 3)
- Mondays in Lent: Anglican Rosary at 6:30 pm (Juanita Hawkins' home)
- Book Study 7:00 pm (Juanita Hawkins' home)
- Wednesdays in Lent: Mass at 6:00 pm (Lady Chapel)
- Rosary March 1, 7:00 pm (Lady Chapel)
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Composting
St. Martin's has a composting bin at the back of the parking lot, near the garden that Rob Vernon tends. If you would like to compost but don't have a compost bin, please consider using our bin.
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Votive Candles for Prayer
Some months ago the vestry and I discussed placing a votive stand and an icon in the church for those who desire to light a candle and offer a prayer. I had hoped that a craftsman that I know from Maryland would be able to build one for us. However, he had a stroke and will not be able to construct the votive stand.
I still feel, though, that offering this practice will enrich our common prayer life and deepen our faith. So, a small credence table has been placed in the corner on the west wall with candles that you may light as you offer special intentions.
Starting this practice during Christmastide is particularly appropriate because the flame of the candle reminds us that Christ is the Light of the World. When we light a candle in prayer, we are, by faith, entering into the Light of God, and trusting that God’s Light will guide us, lead us and comfort us as we unite ourselves to God in love.
Lighting a candle can also be helpful when we don’t know how to pray. Simply lighting the candle can remind us of God’s loving presence- it can open a window so that we can be more aware of God’s presence with us. And the simple act of lighting a candle can be our prayer when words fail us.
The icon on the table with the candles is on loan until we find an icon for the votive shrine. This icon is an image of Our Lady of Walsingham, an apparition of Our Lady which has been an important part of Anglican spirituality since medieval times. It is the only Marian apparition officially sanctioned by Anglicans, Roman Catholics, and Eastern Orthodox churches. As such, she is an important sign of Christian unity.
Please feel free to light a candle and offer a prayer, with words or in silence any time you feel this practice will help you connect to God’s grace, love, or healing energies. May God’s abiding presence fill your hearts with peace.
Father Rob+
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