St. Agnes' will join with other local churches for a shared Ash Wednesday Service on March 5th, 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!

All are invited and encouraged to join us for a special time of prayer during the Season in Lent.

We will gather on Sunday mornings at 10:15 a.m. for a prayer and devotional with scripture readings.

The meetings will take place in the parish hall Sunday school room. The first gathering will be March 9th and the final gathering will be April 13th.

St. Agnes' will host the various Cowan churches will gather for Maundy Thursday on April 17th, 6:00 p.m. The speaker will be Rev. John Barker.

Maundy Thursday recalls the Last Supper that Jesus held in the Upper Room with the Disciples. The Last Supper is where Jesus gave the new commandment. (The word "maundy" is based on a Latin word that translates to "mandate" or "commandment".)

All are invited to this meaningful time in worship that reflects on Jesus' time before he was crucified. The service is sponsored by Cowan Ministerial Association.

The various Cowan churches will gather on Friday, April 18th, 6:00 p.m. at Cowan First Baptist Church for a shared Good Friday event.

All are invited to this very special and solemn time to reflect on Jesus' arrest, trial, crucifixion, and burial. First Baptist Church is located at 316 W. Cumberland St. in Cowan. 

The service is sponsored by the Cowan Ministerial Association.

The various Cowan churches will gather for an Easter Sunrise Service on Sunday, April 20th, at 6:30 a.m. The service is a joyful celebration of the empty tomb and the news that Jesus is risen!

Our speaker will be Pastor Roger Speer, Pastor of Cowan Fellowship Church. The cemetery is located at the end of South Willow Street in Cowan.

In case of rain/bad weather, the service will gather instead at Cowan Fellowship Church. 

Sunday, April 20th, at 11 a.m., we will hold a festival service at St. Agnes' to celebrate The Resurrection of our Lord.

Invite a friend or neighbor to join us for an extraordinary time in worship!

Nancy Glenn called in late February to report that has recovered from her respiratory illness. Jarod noted that she sounded much better over the phone and that she sends her love to everybody.

Jarod visited Linda Milligan in late February. Linda is recovering from a recent infection that required an overnight hospital visit.

Several members of our extended church family have had seasonal sicknesses and other concerns. Please keep everybody in your daily prayers.

March 5 - Bruce Smith

March 11 - Kent Walker

March 21 - Jessica Dervin

April 7 - the anonymous parishioner

April 15 - Dane Leitzel

April 23 - Mandy Summers

May 2 - Ella Grissett

May 9 - Carla Wilson Money

May 14 - Derek Lofing

May 20 - Dianne Ansley

May 31 - Kathleen Black

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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."

Kasie Simoneaux, Laura Petry, Sherry Brock, Liam Dervin, Laura Pearson McDonald, Pat Underwood, Clay Mitchell, Margie Henley, Gene and Kathleen Black, Nancy Glenn, Scott James, Tony Newmann, Leanna Morris, Heather Martin, Rose Pearson, Scott James, Wynona Gibson, Marty Judd, Iris Ellidge, Roy Tankersley, 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 a peaceful and proper resolution in the Russian/Ukranian conflict.

We uphold our friends and neighbors throughout the country during the severe winter weather season. We pray for residents in Southern California during the devastating wildfires. We pray for residents in East Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida still suffering from hurricane devastation.

***

"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."

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

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

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