The Church Bell
Vol. 4, No. 5
June / July 2020
|
|
 |
Ordinary Time = Extraordinary Time
|
|
|
|
The Day of Pentecost (which was Sunday, May 31st) initiated a new season in the life of the church throughout the world.
In other words, we completed our 50-day journey through the season of Eastertide and transitioned into a season of Ordinary Time after Pentecost.
We tend to define "ordinary" as something that's merely normal and without distinction.
However, for the purposes of the church calendar, ordinary is a numerical reference. Where the numbers 1,2,3,etc. are counting numbers, we refer to the numbers 1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc. as ordinal numbers.
Thus
ordinary time
refers to the names of our Sunday services (e.g. First Sunday after Pentecost, Second Sunday, Third, etc.) as well as their tendency to follow an ordered sequence of scripture lessons. Sunday after Sunday during ordinary time, you will notice the progression of these lessons as we journey with Jesus through his earthly ministry and his teachings.
To give us a little dose of anticipation,
we can boldly refer to the weeks ahead as "extraordinary time"
in the life of the church. Why? Because our journey with Jesus helps us grow in grace and deepens our knowledge of Holy Scripture.
Each and every Sunday brings something new that we can hear, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest from the Word of the Lord. This weekly progression through the scriptures can and should refresh our faith and keep us growing in God's grace.
Yes, it's ordinary time according to the church calendar, but it's an extraordinary time in our walk with God!
Ordinary Time = Extraordinary Time! O come, let us adore him!
|
|
|
Update from our African brothers
|
|
|
|
As expected, the COVID-19 pandemic caused a change of plans and a most unusual summer experience for Fr. Charles, Fr. Dominique, Fr. Jean, and Fr. Shadreck.
The Sewanee campus moved quickly into a shut-down, which placed restrictions on students in campus housing. To complicate things further, international travel restrictions and advisories caused all of their travel plans to be canceled and postponed.
Although it has been a challenging summer for each of them, I am glad that we have stayed in contact.
This past week I was able to pay a visit to them in Sewanee and pass around gift cards on behalf of the congregation. Liam and Jessica also visited and delivered household supplies. We will find other ways to reach out as well.
We hope that our brothers will soon be able to leave campus and come back to worship with us at St. Agnes'.
Until then, they send their love and prayers to the extended church family!
Jarod
|
|
|
|
Father Shadreck sent information on the project to build a Primary School in Mbetazigone, Mozambique.
The project is led by the MIMAMO Mercy Mission and would serve up to 500 primary-level students.
|
|
Join us through our
YouTube
and
Facebook
channels on Saturday, July 4th, for an
Independence Day Organ Recital.
Carla Wilson Money will treat our extended church family to a selection of National Hymns and Patriotic Songs.
As soon as the video is posted we will send an e-mail with related links.
Stay tuned and listen in!
|
|
June 6 - Brian Judd
June 7 - Linda Milligan
June 9 - Gene Black
July 4 - Kay McKenzie
July 5 - Jeff Powers
July 9 - Pearson Garner
July 10 - Richard Paton
July 21 - Nancy Glenn
July 21 - Sally Lambert
July 27 - Alice Black
***
"Watch over thy children, O Lord, as their days increase; bless and guide them whereever they may be. Strengthen them when they stand, comfort them when discouraged or sorrowful; raise them up if they fall; and their hearts may thy peace, which passeth understanding abide all the days of their lives; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen."
|
|
Donnie Goodman, Duncan Weddington, Tim Brown, Wynona Gibson, Brad Roberts, Rosemary Harris, Claire Lusk, Christy Shepard, Steve Pearson, Dick & Mary Ann Austin, Marty Judd, Jonanne Hammer, Jay Yowell, Iris Ellidge, Mary McDonald, Will Olsmit, Gina, Jordan and Austin Cleek, Brad and Anita Warmbrod, Roy Tankersley, Royana Stewart, Bill Keller, Linda Milligan, and Karen McCallie.
We pray continually for Christians around the world in grave danger and for those in our armed services, especially Wes Nevels.
We bless and commemorate James Speck, William Baker, and Teresa Brown who recently passed into glory.
***
"O God, the strength of the weak and the comfort of sufferers: Mercifully accept our prayer, and grant to your servants the help of your power, that their sicknesses may be turned into joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen."
|
|
|
Status of our opening phase
|
|
|
|
We are well into Phase 2 of our re-opening plan at St. Agnes', and words cannot express our gratitude to be together again in worship as a congregation!
Most members of our church family have been able to attend, and we have had contact with most of the parishioners who are staying at home due to reduce exposure due to health conditions.
The members of the Mission Council are staying in regular contact and monitoring the COVID-19 pandemic. When we see that our local situation is improving, we will start a transition into the Phase 3. We will have a number of details to cover in the transition, and we will provide a detailed overview to the congregation ahead of time.
If you have any questions, thoughts, suggestions, or concerns, please reply to this e-mail or reach out to me by telephone at (931) 308-8954.
As I said before, and I will gladly say again, with God's help we will see the end of the COVID-19 pandemic and a renewed sense of mission and ministry in the church throughout the world.
In the meantime, let us keep each other and the community we live in covered in prayer.
Please take a moment to re-read the Personal Health Considerations list we provided here in the Church Bell newsletter (and that we have posted in both buildings).
May God ever watch over us and keep us growing in His grace!
Jarod
|
|
|
The Wilderness Road - Acts 8
|
|
|
|
Bishop Bauerschmidt developed and released a detailed set of guidelines with background discussion.
This is a helpful resource that you may want to read and reflect on as well.
|
|
|
Personal Health Considerations
|
|
|
|
We want anyone and everyone who wants to join us for worship at St. Agnes' to find the same sense of welcome that's interwoven with the character and identity of this beautiful church family!
However, while we are in the early stages of re-opening the church for in-person gatherings, we need to follow some general guidelines to reduce risk and exposure.
If you fall under any of the following health conditions, or high risk categories, such as:
- Heart and/or lung disease
- A compromised immune system
- Recent hospitalization
- Ongoing and intense medical treatments, such as chemotherapy or dialysis
- Symptoms of fever, cough, respiratory infection, or shortness of breath, etc.
...we urge you to refrain from attending in-person services and group gatherings while health advisories are still in place.
Our on-line ministry will continue for the benefit of those who cannot attend
, and we will continue other forms of ministry "outside the walls" as well. Also,
- Hand sanitizer will be available near the front door of both buildings. Those serving at the altar will also have hand sanitizer and gloves.
- We are not at this time planning to section off the Nave to ensure social distancing. However, we do encourage everybody in attendance to "spread out among the pews" so that we maintain a comfortable and reasonable distance during worship.
- We are taking a short hiatus from the "passing of the peace" as we were doing when the pandemic started.
- We are also asking those who receive communion to avoid the practice of "intinction" with the cup. Those who do not wish to drink from the common cup are still invited to receive bread while declining the wine, which is a commonly accepted practice in the church throughout the world.
Please be mindful that some in our church family are taking a break from hugs and handshakes while health advisories are in place.
This is a matter of personal preference
and we want to uphold everybody's individual decision in that regard.
Our plans are subject to change in light of changing circumstances around us. However, we want to
at every step
preserve the character and the fellowship of our beloved church family!
We are in this together and God is in control!
|
|
Sunday Service
....................................11:00 a.m.
Sunday School .....................................10:00 a.m.
Location/Address: 105 England Street E., PO Box 356, Cowan, TN 37318
Telephone: (931) 636-6313
|
|
|
The Rt. Rev'd John C. Bauerschmidt..................Bishop of Tennessee
The Rt. Rev'd Paul Lambert................................Pastor and Celebrant
The Rev'd Jean Mweningoma.............................Visiting Priest
L. Jarod Pearson..................................................Lay Reader
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
