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February 26, 2021
Dear Family in Christ,
Jesus understood our need for instruction. He offers himself as a model and teacher. But are we willing to follow someone who tells us we must “lose our life”?
Recently I recognized the Holy Spirit has invited me to do much more teaching. I'm teaching a Bible study on Wednesday's for Lent, Holy Innocents our sister church in LBI asked me to
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teach a class on Gender Fluidity, Sexuality, and Scripture, Rutgers School of Social Work invited me to teach a class on Domestic Violence Survivors of Faith, my recent appointment to the Diocesan Reparations Task Force landed me on the Education committee and next Sunday, I'll lead the vestry in Formation. Each class requires a gathering and sorting out of information in which, I in turn will do my best to communicate to those participating. I realize as a teacher, I am limited, I'm limited by how much the student is willing to trust me. How much they are willing to trust the information, and how willing they are to let go of preconceived notions or ideas. Yes, in essence, how willing they are to die to themselves.
I have two brilliant sons. Each one did very well in school, but only one was a good student. My oldest is very stubborn. There was nothing his father and I could ever teach him, not tying his shoes, not riding his bike; he needed to figure it out himself. (This kind of child required a different kind of teaching) He breezed through elementary and middle school and his teachers always found him amusing, but as he entered High School, Connor's wit lacked the humility he needed to gain wisdom. Lo and behold, every year there was at least one class in which Connor always felt he knew more than his teacher. Undoubtedly there was conflict. His lack of trust and humility hindered his learning in those subjects. He was not willing to let go of his preconceived notions, ideas, or desired outcomes. In essence, he refused to die to himself.
As we move forward through this Lent and reflect on the teachings of Jesus, we must ask ourselves how willing we are to "lose our life", those things that keep us comfortable, those ideas or expectations that hold us back from growing and learning. Are we humble so much as to let go and let God? Are we trusting and open to God's grace and direction?
May your Lenten journey be fruitful+
Blessings,
Mo. Allison+
551-697-6133
Please enjoy the following Daily Devotional for Lent from Living Compass:
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If you would like a pastoral visit or a visit from one of our Eucharistic Ministers, please contact
Mo. Allison or Julie in the office.
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LENTEN BIBLE STUDY
"Walking with Jesus"
Wednesday
2/24, 3/3, 3/10, 3/24
at 6:30 pm
Copies of the study have been printed and are available for pick up in the chapel and church narthex, or we will be happy to mail a packet to you. Call the church office 609-368-5922
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Please join us this weekend for worship in person (church) or online |
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The Daily Case Rate in Cape May County has come down and we are now open for worship. NOTE: though down it is still very high. Please take precautions and join us if you are comfortable.
Social distancing will be observed.
We will continue to stream the service on Sundays at 9:00 AM via Facebook Live and post it on our website at 11:00 AM.
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The website to pre-register for the vaccine is live, click here. To make an appointment by phone, call 855-568-0545 during the hours of
9 AM - 9 PM.
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Spiritual Reflection: Questions for Lent |
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Lent is the season to augment, or perhaps revive, practicing spiritual disciplines. Professor of Liturgy, Laurence Stookey asserts that Lenten disciplines should drive deeply into the religious psyche by asking questions such as these:
- What progress am I making in sharing gladly what I have with others, particularly with the stranger and the poor?
- What attitudes do I convey to those who irritate me? How can awareness of my own need of God's grace enable me to be more gracious to them?
- How has my sense of interconnectedness in corporate worship grown of late, and how can I move ahead in appreciating the contributions and needs of other members in the congregation to which I belong?
- Am I as charitable and thoughtful to family members as to others? Or do I “take it out” on my family when life at school or work gets hectic?
- Can I redistribute my long-range personal budget in order to have more money to give away?
- When I hear someone being unjustly maligned, do I speak up to correct the record, or am I a silent accomplice?
- In devotional acts of prayer and reading, am I increasing my attention span and discovering new ways of listening rather than of talking, of giving thanks rather than of complaining?
- As I uncover and attempt to deal with one level of prejudice in my life, what other levels do I find lurking underneath, and how can I confront them?
- In addition to intercessory prayer, what habits can I develop that allow me to be more responsive to the sick, the distressed, and the bereaved, particularly when their needs emerge suddenly and require immediate attention?
- Am I, by consistent attendance at worship, a witness to others of the worthiness of the God I follow? Or am I, by my sporadic attendance, suggesting that God is worth serving some times, but not others?
May these questions drive us more deeply into the spiritual disciplines of Lent.
Amen.
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Dear Friends,
For this weekend's postlude, I will play All Glory be to Thee by Samuel Scheidt. Scheidt was a German organist and composer of the early Baroque era. He was born in Halle, but moved to Amsterdam at an early age to study with noted composer Jan Sweelink. Upon returning to Halle, he was appointed Kappellmeister to the Margrave of Brandenburg. Despite great success there, Scheidt lost his position as a result of the Thirty Years' War. He was later reinstated, however, once the war was over.
Enjoy the music this weekend and stay well!
David
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O God, our loving Creator, and giver of all good gifts bless our parish, strengthen our faith, and grant us the spirit of Christian stewardship so that we may give generously of our time, talent, and treasure. Help us become a people of prayer who build community and demonstrate hospitality. Help us return to our parish a portion of all the good things the Lord has given us. This we ask through Jesus Christ, your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God now and forever. Amen.
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Travis King on March 1st,
and Brian Reynolds on March 5th!!
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If you are planning to make a purchase on Amazon, consider shopping at AmazonSmile. Same products, same prices, same services as the Amazon you know. The difference is that AmazonSmile will donate 0.5% of the price of your eligible purchase to The Branches.
Thank you!
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Day by Day devotional booklets for February, March and April 2021 are available in large print and small. Copies are in the church narthex and Chapel. Please help yourself, or we would be happy to mail one to you. Contact the church office.
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Wednesday Music with David & Cheryl |
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Mini concerts with David and Cheryl are streamed on Facebook Live at 3 pm on Wednesdays.
A Gospel Lenten program is planned for this coming Wednesday, March 3rd. If you like Gospel music, make sure to put this on your calendar!
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A Church Directory has been prepared. Copies are available in the church narthex and chapel. If you would like a copy mailed to you, please email the church office at jultaylor9425@gmail.com or call 609-368-5922. |
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Lectionary Text for
The Second Sunday in Lent
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Saturday 5:30 pm in person (church)
Sunday 9:00 AM in person (church) and
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Daily Office and Study Links |
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