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Take the Simple Challenge
Join the rector and her family in a community Lenten
journey. This challenge will involve action, reflection,
and relationship. We are invited to give up, take on,
and think about our role as stewards of God's
creation, our lives as consumers, and as followers of
Jesus Christ, our commitment to loving our neighbors
as ourselves.
The basics of the challenge:
During the season of Lent:
1.) Refrain from buying anything new.
Logical
exceptions to this include food, medicine, fuel, and
products that are essential for caring for our bodies
and homes. When making purchases, as much as
possible, consider the impact particular goods have
on you, others and the environment.
2.) Week by week, we will be lead category by
category, in clearing
out the clutter of our homes, deciding to give
away, recycle or throw away the excess.
3.) Join us for Friday night films with themes of
abundance, sustainability and environmental
awareness. -- Movies for kids too!
4.) Field trips...that's right. We are going to visit a
couple of interesting local sights to inspire and
enlighten us. These will be on Saturday
mornings.
In the Season of Easter:
Join with others who have taken the challenge in
hosting a "great give away". Sharing our gently used
and useful things with those in need, followed by a
yard sale. All the proceeds can be sent to the relief
effort in Haiti.
Simple Challenge pledge forms are located on the
table in the entrance of the church.
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Dear friend,
On Wednesday of this week we began our annual
Christian journey through the season of Lent. On Ash
Wednesday we set out to walk with more
intention and receptivity to God's life-giving, gracious
love for us. Admittedly, on this journey it is God who
will do most of the heavy lifting and cover the most
ground. Our part is to take a
good hard look at our lives and be honest
about the ways in which we are not living faithfully as
children of God, and as members of Christ's body. In
other words, we are invited to
consider our sins and repent.
The trek through this
holy time traditionally includes making a commitment
to prayer, fasting, self-denial, and reading and
meditating on God's holy Word. This is the church's
well-tested "equipment". Christians have been
outfitted for the journey, using these tools, for
centuries. Worship with your community is the
starting point of this journey. So welcome to this holy
walk,
a challenging mix of individual and community
prayer, repentance, renewal and
preparation.
This week, as always, we will be learning from our
guide and companion, Jesus. He is well acquainted
with the territory and with each of us and our particular
pace and baggage.
Jesus, himself headed into the wilderness right after
his own baptism. The way Luke tells it, Jesus was
baptized and immediately, the Holy Spirit
descended upon him, and a voice came from heaven,
saying, "You are my Son, the
Beloved; with you I am well pleased."
Jesus, equipped with his identity "Beloved Son", and
the Holy Spirit spent forty days in the wilderness. He
was
met by the devil and tempted in interesting ways to do
things with which we are familiar. You can read the
temptations here. As our guide,
Jesus invites us
to think anew about how we fill ourselves
with things that do not truly satisfy us. We may
consider how we are tempted to seek power and
security from sources
other than God. In preparation for this week's worship
you might think about your own identity as God's
beloved child and how you too, are equipped with the
Holy Spirit.
Travel lightly and know your guide! See you at Church.
Jennifer
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| This Sunday |
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The First Sunday in Lent
February 21, 2010
Holy Eucharist, 8 a.m. & 10:30 a.m.
Sermon: The Reverend Jennifer L. Pedrick
Christian Education at 9:15 a.m.
Godly Play-PreK-5: Faces of Easter I
Adult Forum-Parenting in Faith
Bible Study- 1st & 2nd Timothy
Scripture readings:
Deuteronomy 26:1-11
Psalm 91:1-2, 9-16
Romans 10:8b-13
Luke 4:1-13
Read these
lessons
Liturgical Ministers for this Sunday:
8 a.m. Holy Eucharist
Eucharistic Minister-Lisa Decker
Lector-Jodi LeDuc
Usher-Gerry McAvoy
Greeter-Barbara Priddy
Coffee Hour-Janice Johnson, LeDuc
Family
10:30 a.m. Holy Eucharist
Eucharistic Minister-Rhoda Bucci
Eucharistic Visitor-Anne Bryant
Lectors-Susan McDonald & Matt Hawryluk
Cantor-Abbey McGrath
Acolytes-Tyler Lockard, Ali Amaral & Ariana
Liceaga
Ushers-Matt Hawryluk & Richard Messier
Altar Guild-Michelle Callahan & Sandy
Dzikiewicz
Greeter- Dench
Family
Counters-Vivian Johnson & Toppy
Carlson
Coffee Hour-Virginia Rocha, Shirley Baker &
Carolyn McDonough
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| The Simple Challenge Lent 1: Feb. 21-27 Food for Thought |
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Over the next 5 weeks of Lent, we are going to be
cleaning out and de-cluttering our material
possessions as a spiritual discipline. This weeks
area of attention is the part of our home associated
with food: the kitchen, dining room and pantry.
Remember to come up with a strategy for your de-
cluttering so that the result is that you experience
gratitude for what you have and keep; AND experience
generosity in giving away what you can.
Save the items you wish to give away by labeling your
box or bags kitchen/dining and set them aside until
the season of Easter when we call for them at
church.
You may consider offering items on Jens List. See
Jennifers office door for in community giving and
receiving.
For your reflection and prayer this week:
- Why do you squander your money on that which is
not bread, and your labor for that which does not
satisfy? Isaiah 55:2
- but it is my Father who gives you the true bread
from heaven. For the bread of God is that which
comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.
Jesus, in the gospel of John, 6:32-33
- How do your food/dining choices impact your body,
your spirit, your relationships, the planet? Is there
anything youd like God to help you change about your
eating habits?
A thought and a prayer:
from Prayers for
Penitents, by the Revd
Jennifer Phillips
I do not stop my craving, though food is in my
mouth.
I have forgotten how to be content and grateful.
I am consumed by restless appetite.
Let me remember: your grace is sufficient for me,
Your love, my only true abundance and
satisfaction.
Teach me again to trust in your provision;
In Christ the true Bread. Amen.
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| Simple Challenge Fieldtrip |
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In the United States, 99% of what we purchase and
consume is thrown away
within six months, and the average person makes 4.5
pounds of garbage every day. What happens to all the
stuff we buy and throw away? As part of the Simple
Challenge we will be examining this question as we
travel to the Rhode
Island Resource Recovery Center
in Johnston on Saturday, February 20. We will meet in
the parish hall at 8:45 a.m. to carpool together. If
interested, please sign-up in the Narthex, or contact
Brett Brumbaugh by telephone, 401-490-0746 or
email, bbrumbaugh5@gmail.com.
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| Ski Trip |
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Saturday, February 20, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. at Wachusett
Mountain in Princeton, MA the Liceaga's will be
skiing
and Kathy & Bo Ivey have offered to come and sit with
little ones while the parents and older kids hit the
slopes. We plan to get there around 7:30 a.m. and
would love to see you there! For more information and
prices go to www.wachusett.com and call Antonio for
more details (617) 692-0401.
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| Parenting in Faith |
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Join Jennifer, February 21 & 28 as she continues her
exploration of this
Adult Forum topic focusing on how we welcome Christ
into our homes and the relationships we share in our
families; how we are nurtured in our faith as parents,
how we pray with our children and how we grow in
Christ as our children grow. Please note that you do
not have to be a parent to attend; experienced parents
and grandparents are welcome.
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| Confirmation, Reception or Reaffirmation |
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Beginning February 28 we will begin an eight week
series: Being an Episcopalian in the 21st Century.
Via Media, the Anglican Way. This series is
designed for those who are preparing for confirmation
or reception, and those wishing to reaffirm their
Baptismal Vows before the Bishop. This is also for
those interested in learning more about the
Church. "Via Media" features Episcopalians of all
sorts talking about what it means to be a Christian
within the Episcopal Church. Topics include Jesus,
the Church, the Spirit, and more. If you are interested
in being confirmed, received or reaffirming your
baptismal vows please speak with Ned or Jennifer.
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| Catalog Choice |
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Catalog
Choice is a free service that allows you to decide
what gets in your mailbox. Use it to reduce your
mailbox clutter, while helping save natural resources.
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| Episcopal Relief & Development -Haiti |
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Visit Episcopal Relief & Development's website,
for updated information on the crisis in Haiti and to
make an immediate, convenient and secure
contribution to Episcopal Relief & Development's Haiti Fund to help those affected
by the earthquake.
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| Next Sunday |
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The Second Sunday in Lent
February 28, 2010
Holy Eucharist, 8 a.m. & 10:30 a.m.
Sermon: The Reverend Edward Gammons
Christian Education at 9:15 a.m.
Godly Play-PreK-5: Faces of Easter II
Adult Forum-Parenting in Faith
Confirmation Preparation-"Via Media"
Bible Study- 1st & 2nd Timothy
Scripture readings:
Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18
Psalm 27
Philippians 3:17-4:1
Luke 13:31-35
Read these
lessons
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