St. Agnes' will join with other local churches for a shared Ash Wednesday Service on February 18th, 6:00 p.m., at Cowan First Baptist Church.

Ash Wednesday is the first day in the Season of Lent - a 40-day period of fasting and prayer that leads to the celebration of Jesus' Resurrection from the grave.

At the service all are invited to be marked with ashes on the forehead. The ashes remind us that we are sinners facing the reality of our own death and in need of the good news that Jesus brings in the Resurrection.

Come and join us in this special time of worship, reflection and preparation. Cowan First Baptist is located at 316 W. Cumberland St. The service is sponsored by the Cowan Ministerial Association.

"I invite you, therefore, in the name of the Church, to the observance of a holy Lent, by self-examination and repentance; by prayer, fasting and self-denial; and by reading and meditating on God’s holy Word. And, to make a right beginning of repentance, and as a mark of our mortal nature, let us now kneel before the Lord, our maker and redeemer. Amen." The Book of Common Prayer

In the 40-day Season of Lent that we initiate on Ash Wednesday, we have a standing invitation from the church throughout the ages to make this a time of holiness.

Consider fasting: abstaining from things we typically enjoy helps us face the hold that sin has on our individual lives. We are creating for ourselves a godly grief and making more space in our lives for prayer and reflection. Think of one or more things you can give up for Lent that will create a necessary void.

Consider daily prayer and scripture reading: an extra effort to stop every day for prayer and a lesson of Holy Scripture reminds us that God fills the void in our lives and gives us hope and direction. Take time every day with prayer and scripture.

Remember that your fast leads to a joyful feast! The 40-day Season of Lent leads us to the Empty Tomb and the joyful news that Jesus is Risen! Therefore, keep your fast knowing that a glorious feast is ahead of us on Easter Sunday!

During the Season of Lent we encourage everyone to make extra time on Sunday mornings to join us for a Bible study.

The theme will be "Think on These Things" and is based on Paul's Letter to the Philippians.

We will gather on Sunday mornings during the 10 a.m. Sunday school hour in the parish hall.

The first class will be February 22nd and the last class will be March 22nd.

Please note and mark these upcoming events and opportunities:

February 18: Ash Wednesday Service at 1st Baptist, 6 p.m. See details in the post above.

February 22 - March 22: Lenten Sunday School class, 10 a.m. in the parish hall. See details in the post above.

April 2: Community Maundy Thursday Service, 6 p.m. at St. Agnes'.

April 3: Good Friday Observance, 5 to 7 p.m. at 1st Baptist.

April 5: Easter Sunrise Service, 6:30 a.m. at Cowan Montgomery Cemetery

April 5: Easter Sunday Service at St. Agnes', 11 a.m.

April 12: Low Sunday Luncheon after the service

May 14: Day of Ascension service at St. Mary's Convent. Details forthcoming.

May 24: Day of Pentecost, wear something red

June 21: Last Sunday with Fr. Jurinesz Shadrach before he returns home to Sri Lanka

Alice Black reports that she's doing well overall, though this will be a challenging year following the passing of both Gene and Kathleen. One of her goals this year is to return to church and reconnect with her extended family here. Gladly, members of the Black family gathered for all of the holidays and enjoyed their time together in spite of their losses in 2025. Please uphold them in prayer.

Wynona Gibson had some rough days with her help and a couple of trips to the hospital late last year. Fortunately, she is home and doing fair overall. She hopes to see us again in church as soon as the weather cooperates and there's a lesser risk for airborne and viral illnesses. She appreciates our prayers.

Nancy Glenn reached out in January to report that she's doing well and having some good days.

Christie and Ella Grissett were sad to report the loss of their beloved aunt, Carolyne Hinshaw. Please keep them in prayer as they work through this time of loss.

Rose Pearson is doing better overall following a kidney infection that required several weeks of testing and treatment. She hopes this year to have time for fellowship with the rest of the congregation.

Marcia Rufing has been back to church on several Sunday's since Jack's passing, and we are always glad to see her. Please keep her family covered in prayer.

February 4 - Abby Garner Patterson

February 16 - Janelee Wise

February 24 - Keaton Krauth

February 26 - Georgia Scott

March 5 - Bruce Smith

March 11 - Kent Walker

March 21 - Jessica Dervin

***

"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."

Laura Pearson McDonald, Herschel Smith, Larry Craig, Alice Black and family, Marcia Ruffing and family, Martha Millsaps, Brayden Money, Randall Partin, Sandra Dianne Gibson, Kathy Owens, Laura Petry, Wynona Gibson, Tony Newmann, Leanna Morris, Nancy Glenn, Rose Pearson, Scott James, Marty Judd, Iris Ellidge, Mary McDonald, and Linda Milligan.

We pray continually for Christians around the world in grave danger.

We pray especially over the crisis and conflict in Israel and the Middle East region.

We pray for our neighbors in distress following the recent winter storm.

We bless and commemorate Jeff Merritt, Ryan Young, Betty Fraley Roy Tankersley, Carolyne Hinshaw, and Norma Rhea Stephens who all 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."

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) 922-3985

The Rt. Rev'd John C. Bauerschmidt..................Bishop of Tennessee

The Rev'd Jurinesz Randolph Shadrach............Visiting Priest

L. Jarod Pearson.................................................Lay Reader