Lent 1

Sun, 21 Feb 2010 00:00:00 -0600

February 21st, 2010 is First Sunday in Lent and we are glad that you are celebrating this great and solemn Church season with us. Please note the liturgical changes for Lent - given below. We are glad to have you with us today.

For Visitors - we use the shorter English Consecration Prayer - pages 9-10 in the Mass Booklet. Holy Communion is administered in the following manner - the Deacon will dip the Host into the Chalice and communicate you directly on to your tongue. Children and those who are unconfirmed are welcome to come to the Altar Rail for a blessing at communion time. Just cross your arms - this will signal your intention. Hopefully, everyone will be able to share meaningfully in our worship. When present, the Bishop will bless you as he leaves the church. It is customary to bow or genuflect in response.

THE LENT LITURGY
Our worship begins today with the plaintive Introit Sentence – “He shall call upon me and I will harken unto him: I will deliver him and bring him to honor: with length of days will I satisfy him. Whoso dwelleth under the defense of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty, Glory be …”

The Procession moves through the church to the singing of the first hymn – 59 “Lord – who throughout these forty days…”

The Bishop will lead us in reciting the Greater Litany (page 54 in the Prayer Book). The Kyries and Gloria are omitted and the opening prayer is said.

During Lent- short reflective pauses will follow the Scripture Readings. The liturgical color is violet – signifying penitence and preparation. The music will also reflect these themes. Marriages are not celebrated during Lent. Altars are not decorated with flowers (except for Lent 4).

Prayer book propers are on page 125-127. In the Epistle Reading St . Paul describes the hard life of a missionary. The Gospel reading warns that even the strictest discipline will not save us from temptation. The Collect is a prayer that all our impulses may be brought under the direction of God’s Holy Spirit.

Sung propers (Gregorian Chant) and the post Communion prayers are from the Missal. The Mass setting is Matthews Mass in g minor.

Our Hymns are -
Entrance -59

The Great Litany BCP 54 SAID

Offertory - 55

Presentation of Alms - 481

Communion - 196 and 198-1

Recessional -477

Choir Anthem - "God So Loved The World” - Stainer

Opening Voluntary - “Partita on Heinlein”, Graves
Closing Voluntary - “Postlude on Darwal”, Willan

Organist & Choir Director - Mr. Carroll Craft

Lector - Susan Cox

Cantor – Don Unruh

Ushers – Monty Ellickson and Bob Terrill

Of Many Things
YOU are invited to join us for coffee and refreshments in the parish hall after this Mass. Our Coffee Hostess today is Beverly Pickard
LOOK over the Lent booklets during the Coffee Hour – available on the table in the parish hall. EVERYONE should be reading SOMETHING appropriate for spiritual development this Lent!
VALENTINE FUND-RAISER was a huge success! Our grand total was $827.00 from our Chili Luncheon and Bake Sale! Thank you all for supporting this fun event and to all the people who prepared a delicious luncheon and sweet treats at the bake shop table. Special thanks to the set-up team for creating a lovely Valentine atmosphere and to the clean-up team for putting it all back in order again!
LADIES PLANNING COMMITTEE will meet on Sunday February 28 in the Conference Room after Mass. Discussions on St. Patrick's Day luncheon/bake sale, Easter Eve baptism reception and Easter brunch. All ladies of the parish are welcome to attend.
WEDNESDAYS in Lent – Join us for some Stations of the Cross at 11:00 a.m. Mass of the day will follow at 12 noon. This exercise is a good thing to do!
CONSIDER attending a weekly Mass – Tuesday – Wednesday – and Thursday at 12 noon.
KEEP an eye open for empty spaces on the Coffee Hosting List. There could well be a place for YOUR and YOU and YOU. . .

Lent is an invitation to change. We ought to be different in some significant way by the time we reach Holy Week . . .

The Week Ahead
The office and church will be closed on Monday. Please use our answering service for urgent messages. Daily Masses on Tuesday Wednesday and Thursday at 12 noon Choir Practice will be on Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m. Stations of the Cross Wednesdays at 11:00 a.m.during Lent. The Sacraments of Absolution and the Sick are always available.

Next Sunday is February 28th, 2010
LENT II
10:00 a.m. Sung Mass and Sermon
Sunday School

Coffee and Refreshments after worship.

A REFLECTION
There is no better time than Lent in which to appreciate God’s limitless love. Jesus - the Lamb of God - who takes upon himself the sins of the whole world, is surely the truest revelation of mercy. From his Cross he continues to draw us to himself. His sacrifice assures us that no human sin neither yours nor mine - can limit or prevail over the power of God’s love. His Cross stands as a permanent reminder that love will always conquer in our lives - over any darkness - despite every weakness.