A Note from Fr. Rick: Lent from the Inside Out

"The wind blows where it chooses... so it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit." — John 3:8

Dear St. Michael’s Family,

As we settle into the second week of our Lenten journey, our theme—Lent from the Inside Out—calls us deeper. If last week was about facing the wilderness, this week is about the quiet, internal shift of the heart that makes real transformation possible.

Our readings this Sunday remind us that the spiritual life isn't a "DIY" self-improvement project. It’s a rebirth.

• Leaving the Familiar: Like Abram, we are asked to "go from our country"—to leave behind the old habits and defenses that no longer serve our souls.

• Trusting the Promise: Paul reminds us that Abraham wasn't loved by God because he was perfect, but because he trusted. Lent invites us to stop "working" for God’s favor and start resting in it.

• A Second Birth: We see Nicodemus coming to Jesus in the dark, asking, "How can these things be?" It’s a question many of us ask when we feel stuck. Jesus’ answer is beautiful: we don’t change ourselves; we let the Spirit change us from the inside out.

As we pray the Collect, we will acknowledge a God whose "glory it is always to have mercy." This Lent, let’s stop trying to fix our outward appearance and instead lift our eyes to the hills (Psalm 121), trusting the One who watches over our going out and our coming in.

I look forward to being with you all this Sunday as we continue to grow, together, into the people God is calling each of us and St. Michael's to be.

In Christ’s Love,

EASTER FLOWERS

CHOIR RECRUITING IS 24/7/365: COME SING WITH US!

• ……maybe for Lent, Holy Week, & Easter?”

• ESPECIALLY….

• CHILDREN – ALL AGES: Angels Choir and Family Choir
• TENORS: are you that rare breed of man with a TENOR voice: …always can use a couple more!

MUSIC DEPARTMENT

THIS WEEK:

Sunday, 3-1-26

 *  9:15 – Rehearsal

 *  10:15 – SERVICE

Wednesday, 3-4-26

 *  5:00 – ANGELS CHOIR

 *  5:30 – Music Reading and Vocal Training

 *  6:30 – St. Michael’s Family Choir

 *  8:00’ish – Chamber Singers


COULD WE – CAN YOU - SING LIKE THIS? ….ON SUNDAY?

Check this out: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SkVT8O5E1rM&list=RDSkVT8O5E1rM&start_radio=1

From 2013, the UK version of “Guide me, O thou great Redeemer” - we sing ‘Jehovah’.

ORGANIZED SINGING/MUSIC! …aka CHOIRS! 
….or BANDS!

PLEASE NOTE: the combination of God’s sacred Word, actively serving, “doing”, in community with others, ALL focused on achieving one goal – there is a high probability you may come face to face with the Living God!

CHOIR TRAINING PROGRAM (primarily for Choir Members – but open to ANYONE!)

• Wednesdays, 5:30-6:30 PM –vocal / reading music / Worship & Liturgy training.

ST. MICHAEL’S FAMILY CHOIR

• ALL AGES! Kids who LOVE to sing (1^st/2^nd Grade good readers thru High School), plus any singing parents, all the way up thru Retired Folks, singing together as a FAMILY!
• Wednesdays: 6:30-8:00 (Chamber Singers – a small group of Adults who enjoy more demanding material - continues thru 8:30’ish)
• Sundays: 9:15 thru end of 10:15 Service

ANGELS CHOIR

• Ages Birth thru 1^st Grade – with parents
• Wednesdays, 5:00-5:30

ST. MICHAEL’S BAND

• Keyboard/drums/bass-guitar… LOOKING FOR…
• Flute, saxophone, other solo-type instruments, lead male/female vocalist

CARILONNEURS

• Folks who can read and play a melody “one-finger” at a minimum
• Play before and after 10:15 services – Funerals too

JOINING ANY CHOIR/GROUP:

1. Show up ONE time – observe or join in! ….you had a good time?
2. Try for a month
3. Still GREAT! Then stay! ….or, you’ve realized “this is not my cup of tea”

NEED MORE INFO? 

….please contact Andrew (email: andrew@stmichaelschurch.com / office: 407-843-8448 x.246 / cell: 407-619-0967)

ALSO to join the “Choir Training Program” session either in person OR AT HOME!

ST. MICHAEL'S PRAYER LIST

Those who have commended themselves to our prayers:

Alan, Becca, Bill, Ellen, Eloise, Emmanuel, Gary M., Jackie, Karen H., Linda D., Linda T., Lisa L., Kathy J., Melinda M., Muriel M., Patrick H., Perrin, Robby, Roger J., Ron N., Sharon, Steve C., Susan M., Tim, Wayne.

Long-Term Prayer List:

Angela, Alex, Alexa C., Alyssa R., Andrew, Angie, Ashley T., Benny W., Betsy C., Beth, Brigid, Brittney R., Bryan Family, Cannon, Carla, Carolyn, Caryl, Charlie B., Chris M., Chris P., Claire B., Colton, Connor R., Curt. R., Cynthia L., Darrell, David B., Deirdre E., Ella, Elijah, Emma, Emily, Eugenia, Felicia, Gary B., Gary M., George T., Gladys M., Gylla, Henry R., Isabella, Jacob B., Jan, Janina G., Jason, Jeffrey, Jett B., Joyce B., Joanne O., Joseph T., Jimmie, Joe, Joe H., Joey K., John M., Justin, Karen, Karen C., Karen M., Kathy G., Kristel, Kris R., Kyle, Lavelle B., Linda, Linda A., Lisa L., Lisa, Lola, Lucille, Macauly D., Marci A., Margie S., Marion S., Mary, Mary C., Mary P., Mary Lu, Matt P., Megan and son, Melissa, Martin, Nathan W., Oliver, Paul, Paul T., Paula, Pauline, Phil, Polly, Rebecca, Russ R., Ryan, Sally C., Sam, Sarah, Shaun B., Sonia, Stephanie G., Steve, Susana C., Susan A., Susie D., The Allen Family, Therese, Tim, Tracy, Tripp, Victor, Virginia C., Wendy, Will, William, Wilson F.

Those serving in the armed forces and in harm’s way:

Aaron D., Bradley H., Carolyn H., Chad S., Christopher E., Gloria, Hank H., Hope H., Jonah H., Kenneth K., Ben V., Nick R., Will M., Stuart R.

Birthdays:

26: Stephanie Cox, Nikolaos Christou, 27: Jeff Jennings, Arel Bosko, Christine Smith, Mac McFadden, Henry Loff, Fletcher Priep, 28: Carol Steinfurth, Christopher Priep, Lydia Starnes, 29: Marcia Cruise, 1: Elena Gierok, Judy Newell, Mike Robertson, 3: Kim Piercy, Heather Niemas, Christina Favazza, 4: Scott Shearer, Lesa Foster, Ella Eagan

Anniversaries:

26: Ted and Sara Seater, 3: Bob and Carolyn Gosselin

A Gentle Reminder About the Prayer List

If you or your loved one has experienced healing and no longer needs to be on the prayer list, we ask that you let us know. It is a joy to give thanks to God for the blessings of restored health and life, and your update helps us make room to lift others in prayer who are in need of support from the St. Michael’s community.

To place someone on the prayer list, please get in touch with Ashleigh in the parish office at ashleigh@stmichaelschurch.com

CLERGY AND MINISTERIAL STAFF

The Rev. Rick Luoni, Rector

The Rev. Greg Favazza, Assisting Priest

Andrew J. Walker, Director of Music

Ella Eagen, Assistant Director of Music

Mike Robertson, Director of Outreach

Tiffany Stieger, Director of Children’s Ministry

Melanie Olivier, Director of Preschool

Mark T. Cole, Director of Youth Ministries