Staying Connected
Please join us this weekend for worship in person (church) at 9:00 am or online.
|
|
|
|
March 5, 2021
Dear Family in Christ,
God gave the Israelites the Ten Commandments, writing his law on their hearts, he had to get them out of Egypt. He had to free them so that they could be free to love and serve him. In Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus cleanses the temple, making a whip out of cords and overturning tables! But then, he teaches. He prophesies his glorious resurrection.
|
|
Lent is a time for examining what obstacles to grace and instruction from God may be in our lives. Remember that God respects our free will, and so he doesn’t “force” his grace upon us; we have to cooperate. And so we, in humility, ask ourselves: What do we need to “cleanse” in order to “make room” for God’s abundant grace? What false idols might we rank higher than God, even unconsciously? We know that the temple of [Jesus’] body was destroyed and raised. Therefore, we can trust that the same God who raised Jesus from the dead can also cleanse and breathe new life into our hearts.
To the world, it may seem foolish to place God and his commandments first in our lives, above money, power, and pleasure. Paul reminds us that to unbelievers, the simple fact that we glorify Christ crucified – Jesus killed as a criminal – is foolish, at best.
But God, in His infinite wisdom, desired this to be the way humankind was saved, and so we proclaim with joy: Christ has died, Christ is risen, and Christ will come again.
May we together cleanse our hearts to make more room for Jesus.
Blessings,
Mo. Allison+
551-697-6133
Please enjoy the following Daily Devotional for Lent from Living Compass:
----------------------------
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.
|
|
What's Happening at The Branches |
|
|
|
The Branches may be closed for ministry to happen inside its building but the virus hasn't stopped our ministry to the County. In fact, we have been busier than ever!
|
|
Our mobile ministry partners with Our Lady of the Angels in Cape May Court House. We serve two motels every week. These motels were chosen, because families with children live there. Our volunteers know the families and tailor their delivery to accommodate the individual needs of the residents. Recently we helped a single mom with a newborn by providing a bassinet, formula, and blankets. Clothing was provided by This 'n That Thrift.
Branches works with CARES, the recovery program associated with Cape Regional. We provide food for the men’s and women’s sober houses. In addition, we help with clothing and personal care products for their clients.
Not long ago we helped a single dad with three children, age three and under, move from one room in Wildwood to a larger space in Rio Grande. We provided cribs, clothes, diapers and Christmas gifts.
We are now working with The Christ Child Society to help the children in the local motels.
Branches provides food to anyone coming to our door in need. They give us a list and we fill a box.
We continue to deliver food to our shut ins, most of whom were regulars when Branches was open to the public.
We are open 6 days a week, Monday to Friday from 8:30 to 1:30 and on Saturday from 10 - 12 noon. On Code Blue days, we are open from 4 to 6 for folks to pick up food on the way to their motel.
Want to learn more? follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/www.TheBranches.org
|
|
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!
|
|
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
|
|
Please join us this weekend for worship in person (church) or online |
|
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.
|
|
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.
|
|
Dear Friends,
For this weekend's offertory, we will hear Aria by Dom-Paul Benoit (1893 - 1979). Benoit was a Benedictine monk, joining the order at the conclusion of the First World War. He studied both organ and composition, and served as organist for the Abbey at Clervaux. Benoit's Aria is very lyric in quality, and reflects his deep connection to the impressionist School.
Enjoy the music this weekend and stay well!
David
|
|
Tim Noble on March 7th, and
Garrett Olthuis on March 8th!
|
|
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.
|
|
Wednesday Music with David & Cheryl |
|
Mini concerts with David and Cheryl are streamed on Facebook Live at 3 pm on Wednesdays.
This past week's concert of Gospel Lenten music is linked here. Enjoy!
|
|
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. |
|
Lectionary Text for
The Third Sunday in Lent
|
|
Saturday 5:30 pm in person (church)
Sunday 9:00 AM in person (church) and
|
|
Daily Office and Study Links |
|
|
|
|
|
|
