Brief Thoughts for the Fifth Week in Lent
March did what March inevitably does every year. A week ago we walked around the block in shirt sleeves under a sunny sky. Today neighborhood daffodils and crocuses bravely stood their ground as rain turned to ice. Who knows what tomorrow will bring?
Back and forth. Determinedly moving ahead and then sliding backwards. Opportunities embraced and opportunities missed. Resolutions made and resolutions broken. Lent is much like this. Life is much like this.
And yet, if we listen carefully we hear a small voice within ever reminding and ever encouraging, drawing us onward, forward, toward the light. Lent’s like that too.
If there is truly “good news,” then surely it is this – it’s never too late, never past a point of no return, never the time to “throw in the towel” as far as God is concerned.
And if so, even the fifth week of Lent is not too late. Begin again, try again, return to prayer if only for a moment, say I’m sorry and forget, say you’re forgiven and move on, say “I love you” and mean it.
In that spirit and in this season, I offer the following:
Prayer by Marie Howe
Every day I want to speak with you. And every day something more important calls for my attention—the drugstore, the beauty products, the luggage.
I need to buy for the trip. Even now I can hardly sit here
among the falling piles of paper and clothing, the garbage trucks outside already screeching and banging.
The mystics say you are as close as my own breath. Why do I flee from you?
My days and nights pour through me like complaints and become a story I forgot to tell.
Help me. Even as I write these words I am planning to rise from the chair as soon as I finish this sentence.
Don’t rise. Stay seated. Allow God to finish the sentence which is your life!
Blessings…
Mark
“Prayer” from The Kingdom of Ordinary Time by Marie Howe. Copyright © 2008 by Marie Howe.
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Prayers and Reflections for the fifth week in Lent
Let everyone understand that the real love of God does not consist in tear-shedding, nor in that sweetness and tenderness for which we often long, just because they console us, but in serving God by serving those around us, in justice, fortitude of soul, and humility. – Teresa of Avila
More is accomplished by prayer if one carries it quietly on one’s heart than if one uses many words about it every day. – Author Unknown
Daily reflections and scripture readings are often part of our practices for Lent. This year, you can take advantage of readings and reflections all in one place and written by persons from Saint Andrew’s, Gobin UMC and Beach Grove UMC. The daily meditations will be in the newsletter each week and go from Wednesday to Tuesday, except for Sunday. Whether you enjoy these every day, or as the Spirit moves you, may this resource be a blessing!
Click here to view the readings and the accompanying links to the scriptures for each day.
Fifth Sunday in Lent
Sunday Worship, March 21
You can connect to the service via Zoom. Click on this link to connect. If you have not used Zoom before, you will be prompted to download Zoom, go ahead and do that. When you enter the meeting you should be able to see and hear others and others can see and hear you. If you come in a little late, please listen for a moment before speaking. In order to see everyone, go to Gallery view (upper right on PCs and upper left for Macintosh). When we get started everyone except the speaker will be muted. If you are reading or playing music, please be sure to unmute yourself.
If you are connecting via telephone dial 301-715-8592 and when prompted enter the Meeting ID: 847 8600 1703 and press #, then enter the password: pray and press # again.
Click here for the service booklet for March 21
Stations of the Cross this Friday
We will be having virtual Stations of the Cross this Friday and again on Friday, April 2, Good Friday.
Via Zoom, 7:00 p.m.
Zoom Meeting link – click here. If you are connecting via telephone dial 301-715-8592 and when prompted enter the Meeting ID: 847 8600 1703 and press #. The password is: pray.
Book Study
The Wednesday book study on Convictions: How I Learned What Matters Most ended on Wednesday, March 10. We plan to start with a new Book Study after Easter, but no definite book or dates are set yet.
Wednesday Book Study
Via Zoom, 7:00 p.m.
Zoom Meeting link – click here. If you are connecting via telephone dial 301-715-8592 and when prompted enter the Meeting ID: 847 8600 1703 and press #. The password is: pray.
Maundy Thursday Service
Thursday, April 1, 7:00 p.m.
Good Friday Service
Friday, April 2, 7:00 p.m.
Easter Sunday Celebration
Sunday, April 4, 10:15 a.m.
You can connect to all of the services via Zoom. Click on this link to connect. If you have not used Zoom before, you will be prompted to download Zoom, go ahead and do that. When you enter the meeting you should be able to see and hear others and others can see and hear you. If you come in a little late, please listen for a moment before speaking. In order to see everyone, go to Gallery view (upper right on PCs and upper left for Macintosh). When we get started everyone except the speaker will be muted. If you are reading or playing music, please be sure to unmute yourself.
If you are connecting via telephone dial 301-715-8592 and when prompted enter the Meeting ID: 847 8600 1703 and press #, then enter the password: pray and press # again.
Non Food Pantry Latest
Saturday, March 27
• Noon to 3:00 p.m.
There will be a drive through distribution and no lunch. Kate Berry is coordinating the distribution. We are very grateful to Martha Rainbolt, Carl Huffman, Karen Hirt Mannon, and Christiane Wisehart who have worked very hard to obtain supplies for the Non-Food Pantry. Kroger is not able to acquire enough products for us so the items are being purchased from a variety of sources. This is much more expensive. Donations to help offset this extra cost will be gratefully accepted!
Top 4 Needed Items
Your prayers are asked for:
Lorrie Anderson, cousin of Joanne Haymaker
Beth Benedix, friend to many of us at Saint Andrew’s
Jo Ella Burns, friend of Terry Noble
Douglas Butler, brother-in-law of Claudia Butler
The family of Eric Fladeland, friend of Tim and Caroline Good
The family of Tom Gibson, brother of Gwen Morris
The family of Micah Grimm, friend of Zac and Savannah Johnson
Mary Ellen Gurnon, aunt of Daniel and Stephanie Gurnon
Rena Hale, sister of Thea Warren-Simpson
Steve Jones
Keith Keysor, friend of Andy Cullison
Lisa Breese Kincaid, daughter of Bob and Mimi Breese
Grayson Lyons, great nephew of Peggy Angleton
Jill McDermott, mother of Jim and Karen Mannon’s son-in-law
Stanley Morris
Mary Mountz
Gordon Redden
Jordan Sanders, sister of Jim Ensley
The family of Jeff Sheffler, son-in-law of Page and Narda Cotton
The family of Peter Staats, friend of Suzanne Hassler
Skip Sutton
Sydnor Thompson, brother of Harriet Moore
The family of Phyllis Wright, grandmother of Zac Johnson
Diocesan Cycle of Prayer: Christ Church Cathedral, Indianapolis: The Very Rev. Dr. Gray Lesesne, The Rev. Canon Joyce Scheyer, The Rev. Hipolito Reina, The Rev. Fatima Yakabu-Madus.
Our companion dioceses: The Anglican Episcopal Church of Brazil: The Most Rev. Mauricio Jose Araujo De Andrade, Primate of Brazil and Bishop of Brasilia. The people and Diocese of Haiti and Saint Andre’s in Mithon.
Birthdays: Sharon Pitcock, March 21
Anniversaries: None