The Church Bell
Vol. 5, No. 9
November/December 2021
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November 21st is Christ the King Sunday |
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The calendar year may not be over yet, but the church liturgical year is coming to a close on Sunday, November 21st.
We refer to the last day of the church liturgical year as Christ the King Sunday.
This day celebrates the full authority of Jesus Christ as King and Lord of the Universe. The feast is relatively new having been formally adopted in the Year 1925. The rise of secularism and dictatorships in Western Europe promoted church leadership to reassert the apostolic belief in Christ's authority.
We can all agree that the reaffirmation of Christ's teaching and authority is as critical to the church's witness today as it was in 1925 - or any other time in history.
As we prepare our hearts to worship God together on Christ the King Sunday, let us reaffirm our faith and our conviction that Jesus Christ is truly our Lord and King.
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St. Agnes' will support the Thanksgiving Food Drive at Old Rayburn Chapel in partnership with Cowan Ministerial Association.
You can participate by bringing non-perishable groceries to the parish hall up until Sunday, November 21st.
The items will be distributed in the days prior to Thanksgiving.
We especially welcome foods that are Thanksgiving favorites, such as canned yams, stovetop stuffing, macaroni and cheese, etc.
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Community Thanksgiving Service
"Come Ye Thankful People Come"
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The various churches in the Cowan Ministerial Association will gather for the Community Thanksgiving Service on Sunday evening, November 21st, 6:00 p.m. at Cowan First Baptist Church.
The speaker for this service will be Pastor Josh Konrad from Abundant Life Assembly of God.
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Monthly Rota of Lectors begins in Advent |
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Jarod and Linda will implement our monthly rota of lectors on Sunday, November 28th.
The rotation will allow readers and prayer leaders to cycle through on a month-by-month basis.
We will also have alternates assigned to cover when assigned lectors need to be absent.
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November 28th - 1st Sunday in Advent |
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Where Christ the King Sunday marks the end of the church year, Advent marks the beginning.
The focus of the season is the coming of the Lord. Due to the season's timing before Christmastide, we tend to observe Advent as preparation for the Season of Christmas.
Indeed, Advent anticipates the coming of the Lord at his nativity, but that's not the entire emphasis of the season. Advent calls us to prepare for the coming of the Lord at the end of the age as well.
In essence, Advent is the anticipation of the Lord's coming to us at any time in human history, be it his divine nativity or his return in glory. Regardless of our vantage point or our place in time, all of us anticipate his coming and are called by God to prepare ourselves accordingly.
In this Advent season that begins next month, think of ways to prepare yourself. Make a special point to pray and read scripture every day. Consider fasting and setting time aside for quiet reflection. Advent has a special emphasis that can nurture our faith and help us grow in grace.
May God truly add his blessings as we anticipate and prepare. "Our King and Savior draweth nigh: O come, let us adore him."
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Advent Bible Study
During the four-Sunday Season of Advent, we invite you to join us for a lesson and discussion at the 10 'clock Sunday school hour.
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57th Annual Cowan Christmas Parade |
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St. Agnes' sponsors one of Tennessee's oldest and largest parades!
This year's Cowan Christmas Parade will be an "All American Christmas" to honor our veterans.
Bring the family and enjoy a long line of floats, bands, dancers, antique vehicles, music, and small town fun!
The parade starts at 1:00 p.m. (rain or shine). For complete information, including parade entry information, log on to www.cowanparade.org .
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Fr. Martin and Funmi will visit December 5th |
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Fr. Martin Odidi and Funmi are coming for another visit!
We are always glad to see them, and appreciate their effort to visit us each year!
Fr, Martin will lead our 11:00 service on December 5th.
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December 12th is "Stir-Up Sunday" |
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Stir-Up Sunday is a beautiful tradition we inherited from our ancestors in The Church of England.
At the 3rd Sunday in Advent, the Book of Common Prayer brings us a powerful opening collect that says:
“Stir up thy power, O Lord, and with great might come among us; and, because we are sorely hindered by our sins, let thy bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom with thee and the Holy Ghost, be honor and glory, world without end. Amen.”
The traditional English custom - dating back to Queen Victoria and Prince Albert – is to “stir-up” something good to eat on “Stir-Up Sunday”.
For coffee hour on Sunday, December 12th , we invite you to stir-up a tasty dish or snack to share and enjoy.
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Greening of the Church on December 18th |
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Saturday morning, December 18th, at 9:30 a.m., we will adorn the nave with fresh greens and decorate the parish hall in preparation for Christmastide.
Year after years our few hours of work turn St. Agnes' into a picture-perfect setting to celebrate the Nativity of Our Lord!
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Christmas Eve at St. Agnes' |
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The highlight of the season is our candle-lit Christmas Eve Service on December 24th at 4:00 p.m.
Bring the entire family plus a friend or two and enjoy a most meaningful time of worship.
"O Come, Let us Adore Him, Christ the Lord."
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Following the service on Christmas Eve, we plan to hold the Father Werlein Memorial Christmas Reception in the Parish Hall.
We invite everyone to bring a favorite treat to share and enjoy. Coffee and hot cider will be served as well.
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Pointsettias and other memorials |
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Poinsettias are a powerful symbol of the Christmas season.
If you are planning to bring a poinsettia, please give the name(s) of the departed to Jarod before our Christmas Eve service.
Or, if you want the church to pick up a poinsettia for you, simply enclose $15 - $20 in an envelope and place it in the offering plate with the name you would like to remember written on it. (Or you can hand it to Jarod or Shelia.)
Other Memorial Gift Ideas
There are other ways to remember the faithful departed, such as:
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Purchase a Hymnal or a Book of Common Prayer in someone’s memory.
- Contribute to the altar guild for candles, frontals, etc.
To contribute funds toward a Christmas Memorial, you can enclose a check or cash in an envelope and write detailed information and instructions it.
You can place it in the offering plate or hand it to Jarod or Shelia.
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Get Ahead on Recent Sermons |
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Take full advantage of our online presence, especially if you are unable to attend services in person.
Here are some of our recent Video Sermons:
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Each and every Sunday we post the day's sermon on our Facebook page and on our YouTube channel. These posts are followed by an e-mail with video links to everyone in the congregation who was unable to attend on that particular day.
You can show your support by liking and commenting whenever you see a video sermon on YouTube and/or on Facebook. The more likes and comments we receive the more our posts will be visible to the general public.
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November/December Birthdays |
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November 20 - Christie James Grisett
November 20 - Andrew Williams
November 27 - Shelia Leitzel
December 11 - Wynona Gibson
December 14 - Bobby Gass
December 16 - Jonathan Scott
December 19 - Lee Glenn
December 22 - Bill Keller
December 31 - Frances Weddington
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"Watch over thy children, O Lord, as their days increase; bless and guide them wherever 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."
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David Gibson, Georgia Scott, Barbara Claire, Sandy King, Randy Hall, Billy Greer, Clint Prince, Dave Myers, Sharon Butler, Jo Ann Wilkerson, Harold Black Jr., Scott James, Rachel Schnabel, Wynona Gibson, Brad Roberts, Steve Pearson, Dick and Mary Ann Austin, Marty Judd, Iris Ellidge, Mary McDonald, Roy Tankersley, Royana Stewart, Bill Keller, Linda Milligan, and Karen McCallie.
We pray continually for Christians around the world in grave danger.
We pray for the victims of recent storms, earthquakes, and flooding. We pray for God's help and wisdom in the troubling situation in Afghanistan and on the US/Mexico border.
We pray for those in our armed service especially Wes Nevels, Lawrence White, and Anthony Russell.
We bless and commemorate Brenda Black who passed into glory.
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"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."
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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
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The Rt. Rev'd John C. Bauerschmidt..................Bishop of Tennessee
The Rev'd Dr. Linda Hutton.................................Supply Priest
L. Jarod Pearson.................................................Lay Reader
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