THE GOOD NEWS ST. LUKE S EPISCOPAL CHURCH, Lindale February 2017 A Note from the Vicar Lent We have enjoyed the light of the season of Epiphany and are now about to enter the forty days of Lent that leads to the cross at Easter. Lent is a time of reflection. We will be having a Wednesday evening program and dinner beginning March 8th and each Wednesday evening thereafter through Lent, concluding with a Seder Meal on April 12th in Holy Week to assist us in our Lenten experience. This conversation over dinner will be about how we experience the revelation of Jesus as the Messiah and what this means in our lives. We will explore through the use of the book by The Reverend John Newton, Falling into Grace, the journey within. This excellent short book will enable us to explore and examine our lives and where our lives are headed. One of the stories in the book is about a greyhound who quit the track. He quit because he finally realized one day that what he had been chasing all his life was not a real rabbit, and he quit chasing it. I think that we can all identify with this problem or have experienced it at one point or another in our lives. When we realize it, we have an epiphany, a light turns on for us, and we find a new path to follow. The Rev. Newton takes us down this path of self-discovery to a surprising destination that may change your life and the way you view your life and your faith. I look forward to this exploration and discovery with you as I lead the conversation over dinner. Peace, John+ St. Luke s Episcopal Church 16292 FM 849 P.O. Box 1766 Lindale, TX 75771 Email info@stlukeslindale.org www.stlukeslindale.org February 2017 Newsletter, Page 1
Shrove Tuesday this year is February 28th. Shrove Tuesday is a day preceding Ash Wednesday and will be celebrated by St. Luke s as well as many other churches by a pancake supper. It s also called the last day of fat eating before the fasting period of Lent. The word shrove is a form of the English word shrive which means to obtain absolution for one s sins by way of doing penance. Thus Shrove Tuesday gets its name from the custom for Christians to be shriven before the start of Lent. Early Christians observed "a season of penitence and fasting" now known as Lent (from an Old English word meaning "spring," the time of lengthening days). In the western church the forty days of Lent extend from Ash Wednesday through Holy Saturday, omitting Sundays. The last three days of Lent are the sacred Triduum of Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday. Today Lent has reacquired its significance as the final preparation of adult candidates for baptism. Joining with them, all Christians are invited "to the observance of a holy Lent, by self-examination and repentance; by prayer, fasting, and self-denial; and by reading and meditating on God's holy Word" (BCP, p. 265). Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent. It occurs 46 days before Easter and can fall as early as February 4 or as late as March 10. It is March 1st this year. Ash Wednesday derives its name from the practice of blessing ashes made from palm branches blessed on the previous year's Palm Sunday, and placing them on the heads of participants to the accompaniment of the words "Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return." At the traditional Passover meal, the Seder Meal, the story of the Exodus (haggadah) is read and ritual actions are performed. The seder today consists of fourteen elements. Come and partake of the Seder Meal at St. Luke s on Wednesday, April 12th, and you ll experience those ritual actions and the elements. It was at a meal similar to this that Jesus celebrated the Passover. There exists a relationship between the origins of this meal and the Eucharist, which was instituted during the period of the Passover celebration. February 2017 Newsletter, Page 2
Date Day Time Event 02/28/17 Tuesday 6:00 PM Shrove Tuesday (Pancake Supper) 03/01/17 Wednesday 6:00 PM Ash Wednesday Service 03/04/17 Saturday 10:00 AM ECW Quiet Time - The Rev. John Carr leading 03/08/17 Wednesday 6:00 PM Lenten Study begins 03/11/17 Saturday 8:30 AM Vestry Conference in Lufkin 03/15/17 Wednesday 6:00 PM Lenten Study (2nd session) 03/22/17 Wednesday 6:00 PM Lenten Study (3rd session) 03/29/17 Wednesday 6:00 PM Lenten Study (4th session) 04/05/17 Wednesday 6:00 PM Lenten Study (5th session) 04/09/17 Sunday 10:00 AM Palm Sunday 04/12/17 Wednesday 6:00 PM SEDER MEAL 04/13/17 Thursday 6:30 PM Maundy Thursday 04/14/17 Friday 5:30 PM Way of the Cross 6:30 PM Good Friday Service 04/15/17 Saturday 11:30 AM Holy Saturday Service 7:45 PM Easter Vigil Service 04/16/17 Sunday 10:00 AM EASTER MORNING! HALLELUJAH! February 2017 Newsletter, Page 3
Sunday Schedule 9:00 am Adult Sunday School Teen Moment Choir Practice Worship and Holy Eucharist Children s Sunday School 11:00 am Refreshments and Fellowship Episcopal Church Women - That Means You! ALL WOMEN of St. Luke s Church (whether or not you come to the meetings) are automatically members of our Episcopal Church Women s group. ECW meets on the 2nd Saturday of each month at in the Church library, and we hope you decide to make 2017 the year you get involved. Pastdue? Well, not exactly pastdue. But voluntary annual dues of $10 by all women of St. Luke s are due in January of each year. The only income ECW has are your dues, voluntary no-bake offerings given by the women attending the meetings, and consignment sales (see Page 6). From receipts in 2016, ECW gave $100 to Mercy Ships, $350 to our Priest s Discretionary Fund, and $77 to the Diocese ECW Fair Share. But in year s past, ECW was able to give to Wounded Warriors, Lindale Christmas Helpers, East Texas Crisis Center, Lindale Women's Group-Shelter (for paroled women), Lindale Library, and Lindale Food Pantry, and others. ECW is able to reach out and touch the community only with the help of its members. That is why your dues are so important. Please give your $10 membership dues to Ann Harkins or Pam Fisher. February 2017 Newsletter, Page 4
Women s Bible Study meets each Tuesday at 10:00 AM in the library. We continue our study of Bible Women- All Their Words and Why They Matter by Lindsay Hardin Freeman. Each week stands alone so come when you can. If you have questions please see Judy King. 9:00 a.m. in the Library February Birthdays: Ethan Stone (2/15) The Rev. John P. Carr (2/24) Richard Evans (2/27) Judy King (2/28) February Anniversary: Victor and Alice Zillmer (2/4) We are studying the Acts of the Apostles by using the book Acts for Everyone by N. T. Wright. Acts is full of the energy and excitement of the early Christians as they found God doing new things all over the place. Its full of puzzles and problems that churches faced then and even today crises over leadership, money, ethnic divisions, theology and ethics. The author of Acts, Luke, wants us to latch on to two things which are fundamental to his whole book and his whole view of the world: everything is based on (1) the resurrection of Jesus and (2) the presence and power of the Holy Spirit. Acts is a book where more journeys take place than anywhere else in the Bible. But the whole book reminds us that we are part of the story ourselves. Whatever journey we are making, our spirituality, our following of Jesus, and our work for his kingdom, His Spirit will guide us and make us fruitful in His service. Victor Zillmer is leading in the Study. February 2017 Newsletter, Page 5
ECW NEEDS YOUR STUFF! We hope the clip art has gotten your attention! It s a little deceiving because items are not normally kept out in the open BUT To raise funds for ECW missions, ECW is continually collecting items and taking them to a consignment shop on Highway 14 for resale - things you might normally take to Goodwill or Salvation Army instead of having a garage sale - just about everything except clothes and furniture: Dishes Collectibles Glassware Vintage Items Home Décor Books Please let Ann Harkins know you ll be bringing items so she can be scheduled to take them on to the resale shop. And be sure to tag the items with SL-ECW and a price for which the item might be sold. Ann gives them the okay to lower or raise the price, but they do want a beginning price put on the tag. And in case you like to visit resale shops, Yard Barn Salest is located across from the Red Springs Fire Station on Highway 14 signs are out when it is open no set times. February 2017 Newsletter, Page 6
Let us know NO LATER THAN Monday, the 19th! Tour of the Salvation Army! Email info@stlukeslindale.org When John and Art delivered the outreach check to the Salvation Army in December, they were given an abbreviated tour, and they were literally blown away by what they saw and heard. The Salvation Army invited our congregation to come for a full tour. So, on February 23 rd, we are going to The Salvation Army will carpool from St. Luke s, leaving at 10:50 to arrive by 11:30 for a light lunch and then a tour of the facility. EVERYONE IS INVITED. Ann Harkins needs to give them a count so they can plan on lunch. SO IF YOU PLAN ON GO- ING, PLEASE LET ME KNOW. And for those in ECW, this will be in lieu of our February ECW meeting. FLOWERS ON THE ALTAR Please be reminded that there is a flower chart on the side table in Parish Hall for anyone who would like to donate altar flowers on any given Sunday in remembrance of an occasion or person or for thanksgiving. The total cost is $25, which is the amount that the florist charges the Altar Guild. It is a wonderful way to be remembered at the altar and to enhance God's table. Put your check payable to the church in the offering plate with Flowers as a The mission of St. Luke s Episcopal Church is to GLORIFY and SERVE the Lord: GROW His Church MINISTER to the Community TEACH the Word FOLLOW the Word as Christ has taught us. February 2017 Newsletter, Page 7
ECW is hosting and The Rev. John P. Carr will be leading us in a Quiet Time on Saturday, March 4th, from to Noon. Bring a friend and join in. 2017 is off to a great start at the camp and we are rolling out our Spring sponsored and co-sponsored events with the Abundant Living Conference on March 5-8, 2017. This is a three-day annual conference for seniors, their families, and caregivers. Explore aging as a spiritual journey - a time to find deeper meaning and purpose with geriatricians and others. Enjoy nature walks, canoeing, art, song, and more! On March 10-11, 2017, w e w ill host our first ever Family Campout which is a one night family retreat full of piney woods, starry skies, and wilderness fun! Packages include three classic campout meals, outdoor living skills workshop, guided hiking, kayaking, and a nostalgic campfire with skits and s'mores! On May 19-21, 2017, w e w ill have our annual Birds & Blooms Retreat for all nature and bird lovers. Enjoy the wooded property, attend expert led workshops, and hike scenic trails with experienced guides. Featured presentations include: wildlife photography, Audubon presentations, live owl and hawk demonstrations, birding identification, sunrise bird watching, and outdoor painting workshops. Please see St. Luke s Bulletin Board for bulletins on all of the above. Blessings, Toni Christopher Director for Marketing & Development Camp Allen Conference & Retreat Center 936-825-7175 tonic@campallen.org From Dallas/Ft.Worth Take I-45 south of Dallas/ Fort Worth toward Madisonville. 1 mile before Madisonville, take exit 146 south on Hwy 75. Take 90 South in Madisonville toward Navasota (40 miles). In Navasota, take a left onto Highway 6 and travel 8.6 miles to FM2. Turn Left on FM2 and go 4.2 miles until road dead ends at FM 362. Turn Right on FM 362 and travel two miles to Camp Allen entrance on right February 2017 Newsletter, Page 8
DO YOU OR YOUR CHILD NEED TO BE BAPTIZED, CONFIRMED, RECEIVED OR REAFFIRMED? Bishop Fisher will make his annual visit to St. Luke s on Sunday morning, June 18, 2017. He will confirm, receive and reaffirm. A baptismal service will be held during Easter morning services on April 16 th. Please let me know of anyone who wants to be baptized. It is not limited to members of St. Luke s. To prepare for being confirmed, a person will need to attend the Confirmation Class beginning on Sunday, March 5th, immediately following fellowship. If you would like to be received or reaffirmed, let s talk about whether you need to attend the Class. Who are those who need to be confirmed? Anyone baptized in the Episcopal church at any age and wants to confirm those baptismal vows. Who are those who need to be received? Anyone who has been (1) baptized in another tradition (not the Episcopal church), or (2) baptized and confirmed by a Bishop in communion with the Episcopal church, or (3) received the laying-on of hands at confirmation by a Bishop in apostolic succession. Who are those who need to be reaffirmed? Anyone returning to the Episcopal Church after a period of time or who have entered a new level of spiritual life. In all instances, the person will need to have been baptized and be making a mature public affirmation of their faith, recommit themselves to the responsibilities of their baptism, and receive laying on of hands by a Bishop. But what if you have been baptized, confirmed and a member of another Episcopal church? Just let me or Alice know and she will prepare the necessary Transfer Letter. What if you have not been baptized or confirmed in any tradition? Please let me know and we can talk about it. Anyone can attend the Confirmation Class. It is a good way to become familiar with or learn more about the Episcopal tradition. Please let me know if you have any questions. In Christ, John + February 2017 Newsletter, Page 9
Don t be concerned! Ethan and Irelyn were at a Boy Scouts Wilderness Realistic First Aid camp. I think they were very realistic victims, don t you? The Zillmers are proud to announce the birth of their first black goat. All others have been mostly white. They hope it is a female so they can keep it. Alice needs a new pet. And if we are ever in the wilderness, let s make sure the Randell Family is with us. After being at a Boy Scouts Wilderness Camp, they have the experience needed. February 2017 Newsletter, Page 10
St. Luke s Episcopal Church Service Calendar - February 2017 Feb 05 Ministry Leaders Rite I Holy Eucharist At the Altar Bob Rogers Lay Eucharistic Minister: Bob Rogers Server: Julian Gaston Crucifer: William Tagg Lectors Howard Tagg Lector: Howard Tagg Prayers: Art Harkins Altar Guild Ann Harkins ECW Sunday Refreshment Hostesses Altar Guild: Ann Harkins Susan Rowan Hosting: Cheri Bowman Ushers Howard Pietsch Greeters Pam Fisher Ushers: Mike Rowan Victor Zillmer Greeter: Pam Fisher 12 Rite II Holy Eucharist Lay Eucharistic Minister: Bob Rogers Server: Tank Randell Crucifer: Ethan Stone Lector: Judy King Prayers: Marius Prinsloo Altar Guild: Vicki Martin Hosting: Ann Harkins Ushers: Art Harkins Mike Rowan Greeter: Pam Fisher 19 Rite I Holy Eucharist Lay Eucharistic Minister: Mike Cimino Server: Elizabeth Tagg Crucifer: Emma Bosworth Lector: Michele Bosworth Prayers: Jackie Gaston Altar Guild: Kathy Pietsch Hosting: Judy King Ushers: Howard Pietsch Scott Bosworth Greeter: Pam Fisher 26 Rite II Holy Eucharist Lay Eucharistic Minister: Charles York Server: Ethan Tank Crucifer: Tank Randell Lector: Alice Zillmer Prayers: Elizabeth Tagg Altar Guild: Ann Harkins Michelle Randell Hosting: Judy Rogers Ushers: Richard Evans Victor Zillmer Greeter: Pam Fisher Add Pages 7 and 8 to your refrigerator and you ll always know when you are serving and what s going on at St. Luke's Church in January. February 2017 Newsletter, Page 11
St. Luke s Episcopal Church Events in February 2017 SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT Feb 05 9:00 am Adult Sunday School in Library Teen Moment in Office Choir Practice Holy Eucharist I & Children Sunday School 06 07 08 School Chapel 09 Diocese Council 10 Diocese Council Taize Music Camp 11 Diocese Council Taize Music Camp Feb 12 9:00 am Adult Sunday School in Library Teen Moment in Office Choir Practice Holy Eucharist II & Children Sunday School 13 14 Women s Bible Study in Library 115 School Chapel 16 17 18 Feb 19 9:00 am Adult Sunday School in Library Teen Moment in Office Choir Practice Holy Eucharist I & Children Sunday School 11:15 B. C. Meeting 20 21 Women s Bible Study in Library 22 School Chapel 12:30 School Board Mtg 23 School Chapel 10:50 am Leave from St. Luke s for light lunch and tour of Salvation Army 24 25 Feb 26 9:00 am Adult Sunday School in Library Teen Moment in Office Choir Practice Holy Eucharist II & Children Sunday School 27 28 Women s Bible Study in Library 6:00 pm Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper St. Luke s Episcopal Church 903-882-8118 info@stlukeslindale.org The Rev. John P. Carr, Vicar & Head of Congregation www.stlukeslindale.org info@stlukeslindale.org February 2017 Newsletter, Page 12