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The Simple Challenge Lent 2: Feb. 28 - March 6 Let Me Entertain You
Over the course of Lent, we are cleaning out and de-
cluttering our material possessions as a spiritual
discipline. This weeks area of attention is the part of
our homes associated with leisure and
entertainment. Rather than de-cluttering a room, you
may wish to focus on items such as books, games,
toys, DVDs, CDs or other things used for fun, play,
relaxation or Sabbath time.
Remember to come up with a strategy for your de-
cluttering so 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 from this week
by labeling your box or bags Entertainment and set
them aside until the season of Easter when we call for
them at church. If you have broken or outdated
electronics, you can recycle them. Look on the
website for Rhode Island Resource Recovery
Corporation at www.rirrc.org
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:
Thus the Heavens and the Earth were finished, and
all their multitude. And on the seventh day God
finished the work that he had done, and he rested on
the seventh day from all the work he had done. So
God blessed the seventh day and hallowed it.
Genesis 2: 2
Thou, Lord, didst make all for thy pleasure.
ancient Greek hymn trans. F. Bland Tucker, The
Hymnal 1982, #302
God rested after all the work of creation and hallowed
an entire day for resting. What do you usually do to
rest from your work? How much time do you take to
rest and to re-create yourself? Are there any changes
you would like to make in this part of your life? How
does your stuff impact your leisure or Sabbath time?
A Prayer
You made the whole world for your pleasure. But I
have laced up my soul too tightly for enjoyment. I
allow no room for joy in this grim business of my life.
By this I do you violence. Give me again the gift of
laughter and a light heart to play. Amen.
from Prayers for Penitents, by the Revd Jennifer
M. Phillips.
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Dear
friend,
What's in a promise? Why should one keep a
promise? Whom do you trust? Why? Can I move
through doubt to trust? These are not part of a
questionnaire for us to answer. They are, surely, lively
issues for us in our journey in faith; for that matter, in
any important relationship.
For me, these
issues come right at us in this Sunday's readings. In
the Gospel story, Jesus is
warned that Herod (local puppet king and son of the
bad old one) wants to kill him. Jesus replies that he
will keep on doing what he came to do. Notice how he
puts this, trusting in the Father's will and care for him:
he seeks to gather the people of Jerusalem---"as a
hen gathers her brood under her wings." There is an
image for us to ponder. Can we trust God to care for
us that much? St. Paul, in his letter to the Church in
Philippi, urges his friends---"to stand firm in the Lord" -
in short, trust in God enough to hang in there, even
though times are hard.
The gem for me lies
in the Genesis reading, a
great drama. God makes a promise to Abram. But
Abram is not sure. He worries, and doubts. God does
not give up. God does not go away. God makes a
Covenant (a binding promise.) Abram moves on and
lives in trust. He trusts that God is the Promise-
Keeper. So, then -- how do we trust? In this lively
season of Lent, what might be some signs of my
trust? How might they get strengthened? Part of our
conversation as we journey together.
As my Irish friends like to say, "God, Mary, and Patrick
give you a lovely day."
Blessings,
Ned
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| This 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
Liturgical Ministers for this Sunday:
8 a.m. Holy Eucharist
Eucharistic Minister-Larry Fogarty
Lector-Tammi Miller
Usher-Mike Seger
Greeter-Gerry McAvoy
Coffee Hour-Tammi Miller, Sam Purcell &
Irene Packer
10:30 a.m. Holy Eucharist
Eucharistic Minister-Mary Lambert
Eucharistic Visitor
Lectors-Bill Patterson & Brooke Fairman
Cantor-Phil Campbell
Acolytes-AJ Hess, Josh Hess & Samantha
Hess
Ushers-Carol & George Nunes
Altar Guild-Kathy Ivey & Charlene
Underhill
Greeter- DeAngelo
Family
Counters-Suellen Franze & Susan
McDonald
Coffee Hour-Jim Bryant, Karen Virtue & Isabel
Killam
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| Simple Challenge Fieldtrip |
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On Saturday, March 6, ALL are welcome on a
fieldtrip to the Pawtucket Farmer's Market, located in
the Hope Artiste Village, 1005 Main St., Pawtucket, RI.
We will meet in
the parish hall at 10:30a.m. to carpool together. If
interested, please sign-up on the sheet located on the
table in the entrance of the church, or contact
Brett Brumbaugh by telephone, 401-490-0746 or
email, bbrumbaugh5{at}gmail{dot}com.
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| Confirmation, Reception or Reaffirmation |
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This Sunday, 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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| Not by Bread Alone |
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Join us for a bread-baking retreat, Saturday, March 6
from 9 - Noon in the church kitchen. We will bake
bread for the Eucharist as well as share a time of
prayer and fellowship. This is an opportunity to learn
to bake bread. All ages, genders and baking abilities
are most welcome. A signup sheet is on the table in
the entrance of the church.
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| Next Sunday |
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The Third Sunday in Lent
March 7, 2010
Holy Eucharist, 8 a.m. & 10:30 a.m.
Sermon: The Reverend Jennifer Pedrick
Christian Education at 9:15 a.m.
Godly Play-PreK-5: Faces of Easter III
Adult Forum-
Confirmation Preparation: "Via Media"
Bible Study- 1st & 2nd Timothy
Scripture readings:
Exodus 3:1-15
Psalm 63:1-8
1 Corinthians 10:1-13
Luke 13:1-9
Read these
lessons
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