Transfiguration Sunday
Dear St. Stephen’s church family,
Greetings in Christ! Happy Valentine’s Day (Sunday!) God’s Valentine to us says, “Will you be mine?”
The readings for Transfiguration Sunday, this week, are: 2 Kings 2:1-12, Psalm 50:1-6, 2 Corinthians 4:3-6 and Mark 9:2-9
Our vestry met by Zoom on Thursday evening, and voted unanimously to allow in person worship, starting on Ash Wednesday, February 17th at noon, and then on Sunday, February 21st at 9:30 am, and weekly on Sunday moving ahead. This is a hopeful step forward. We will be diligent in following all guidelines, and continue to be caring and careful. Please know that you are welcome to attend, but will need to register, by emailing or calling the office. If we reach the 30 person limit, we will have to ask that some people not attend, although this did not happen very much in the last chapter of in person worship services, so don’t hold back on registration if you would like to attend. We will manage attendance and contact people if needed, on a week by week basis. Please note also that if you are not feeling well, you must not gather with others, which includes church attendance. Please reach out if you need anything, stay home and get well!
Shrove Tuesday Take out and Talents! Tuesday, February 16th I am so looking forward to this parish Plan C event! If you have ordered pancakes and sausages TO GO, you will receive an email with your pick up time. Pick ups will be staggered, starting at 5:00. Please do not leave your vehicle, we will bring your meals out to your car. If you have requested delivery, your meals will arrive some time between 5:15 and 6:15, by the St. Stephen’s delivery crew, who will be masked when they come to the door, and follow careful hand washing practice (thank you to Henry, Don and Donna Byrt and the Smiths for this service!). I will send a link to the Shrove Tuesday Talent/Variety Show on Tuesday morning so you can watch it at your leisure. You will be delighted by (among other performances), Genevieve and Julea’s puppet show, Emma’s enchanting voice, Wesley on the unicycle, and Kyla singing 2 worship songs… (There is still time to order pancakes if you haven’t had a chance. events.ststephens@gmail.com) Pancake orders will include a Lenten devotional booklet. If you would like one and haven’t received one yet, just be in touch.
Just so you know, I will not be giving up books for Lent! Several parish members read and shared: How to Pray, a Simple Guide for Normal People, by Pete Greig. If you would like me to order that book for you, I will be placing an order in early March. They will cost $20 including postage. The group highly recommends it!
The Scroll is accepting submissions for the March edition. Please be in touch with Linda if you would like to include a special occasion or share a story.
Parish Cycle of Prayer:
Monday: Pray for all children and families at home for the February break. Pray especially for those for whom staying at home is especially challenging because of family conflict.
Tuesday: As we celebrate Shrove Tuesday, Mardi Gras, pray for our Take Out and Talents event. Pray for safety for all helping to make the event happen, those delivering meals, all receiving meals, donated and purchased. Pray that the video would be a source of fun and joy for our parish and friends. Give thanks for the blessings we enjoy that make fasting meaningful and for those in the world who experience lack on an everyday basis.
Wednesday: On this Ash Wednesday, pray for a renewed awareness of our own fragility and humanity, and for the knowledge of God’s love and forgiveness, reaching out to us. Pray that this Lent would be a journey of transformation and spiritual growth for all of our church family.
Thursday: Emily S and family
Friday: Robert and Lura Mae and family
Where does Jesus send us? There are no borders, no limits: he sends us to everyone. The gospel is for everyone, not just for some. It is not only for those who seem closer to us, more receptive, more welcoming. It is for everyone. Do not be afraid to go and to bring Christ into every area of life, to the fringes of society, even to those who seem farthest away, most indifferent. The Lord seeks all – he wants everyone to feel the warmth of his mercy and his love. -Pope Francis
In God’s light and love,
The Rev. Amy <><