Our inability to travel, either near or far, has been one of the more difficult hardships experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic. While most of us haven’t had an opportunity for geographic travel this past year, the current season of Lent offers us a travel opportunity of a different sort and in a different direction – inward.
If you think that such an inward journey sounds desirable or necessary, then the following suggestions just might make your trip easier and possibly even more beneficial. Bon voyage!

We don’t take time to stand still and
listen to the voice of God within ourselves.
We are afraid of being alone with ourselves.
We have forgotten that we are never alone.
We may leave God out of our lives,
but God does not leave us out.
Catherine de Hueck Doherty in The Gospel Without Compromise

He said, “Go out and stand on the mountain before the LORD,
for the LORD is about to pass by.” Now there was a great wind,
so strong that it was splitting mountains and breaking rocks in pieces
before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind;
and after the wind an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire; and after the fire a sound of sheer silence.
1 Kings 19

If we attack the spiritual life like all our other tasks – if we go at it with enthusiasm, skills, and self-drive – then we’ll run into problems, boredom, and back-sliding. Eventually we’ll try taking even more control – trying to avoid the inevitable inward journey with its own empty spaces, silence, and demons. And although we might try controlling the inner demons through distractions, intellectualizing, and externalizing the problem – in the end we must give up and let go. For the way to GOD is through the desert, just as the only way from Egypt, and the Land of Idols, to the Promised Land was straight through the desert.
Paul Marceau (Holy Cross Novice Master, 1982)

Father Mark

Prayers and Reflections for the third week of 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.

Election Results

This past Sunday, February 28, we held an abbreviated annual meeting. New Vestry members and representatives to the 2021 Diocesan Convention (November 5-6) were elected. New Vestry members are Kate Berry and Harriet Moore. Convention delegates are Terry Noble and Thea Warren-Simpson.

Sunday Worship, March 7

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 7

Organ Concert Tonight

On Wednesday, March 3, at 7:30 p.m. you can view a 40 minute video recording of organ music from Renaissance until the 20th Century made by Albrecht von Gaudecker and filmed at Saint Andrew’s by Bryan Langdoc for the Greencastle Music Festival. It features the Zamberlan Organ of Saint Andrew’s. For more information, visit https://www.greencastlemusic.org.

View the Zoom watch party at http://watch.gvmf.live, and at the same time on Facebook.

Also, Albrecht’s February 21st Pipe Organ concert is now available from the American Guild of Organists (AGO.com) site.

Book Study meets March 10th

Do you wonder whether Christian life and church membership still make sense in our tumultuous world? And wonder how so many people claim to be Christian and yet act so differently? If so, then please join us beginning on Wednesday evening, January 27. Join us as renowned Biblical scholar, theologian, and fellow Episcopalian Marcus Borg takes us on a thoughtful, faithful, and hopeful journey. Join us in reading and discussing Borg’s final book, Convictions: How I Learned What Matters Most. Copies of this book will be available at the Parish Office beginning this weekend. Book Study dates will be: Wednesday evenings at 7:00 p.m. on January 27, February 10, February 24, March 10. Please join us as we read and discuss Borg’s final book, Convictions: How I Learned What Matters Most.

Wednesday Book Study
Starting Wednesday, March 10 • 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.

Your prayers are asked for: