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Time Change
starting April 7th
After much discernment and inquiry, we have decided to change the time of our service on Sundays from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. starting April 7th.
In 2020, when the pandemic occurred, our congregation was accustomed to holding two services, 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. There was a need at that time to move to one service. In doing so, we compromised the time by offering a nine o'clock service. While we have grown, it has since become apparent that many challenges, from physical to travel, are becoming more difficult for our congregation, and many who have been watching from home have expressed that if the time were to change, you would participate in worship in person. I have heard you, see your challenges, and agree that it is time for a change.
Starting right after Easter Sunday, service will be held at 10:00 a.m on Sundays. It is my hope that this change will assist you in easing your challenges and continue to enliven your joy for worship, prayer, and fellowship as a community.
Our 5:30 pm Service on the Beach will continue throughout the summer months, and should the interest or need arise as we grow, I am open to adding an additional service.
Thank you to each and every one of you who have freely expressed your needs and desires. You make a difference! Together, as one body in Christ, we are St. Mary's.
This week is Latere Sunday
Laetare Sunday, the fourth Sunday of Lent, holds a unique place in the liturgical calendar of the Christian year, especially within the traditions of the Roman Catholic Church, Anglicanism, and some other Western Christian denominations. Its origins, meaning, and contemporary relevance offer rich theological and pastoral insights that resonate deeply with the themes of Lent. This essay explores the origins and significance of Laetare Sunday, aiming to deepen the understanding and spiritual engagement of the faithful during this penitential season.
Origins of Laetare Sunday
The term "Laetare" originates from the Latin word for "rejoice." This nomenclature is derived from the opening words of the Introit at Mass on this day, "Laetare Jerusalem" ("Rejoice, O Jerusalem"). Unlike the predominantly penitential tone of Lent, Laetare Sunday offers a moment of joyous anticipation of Easter, a brief respite from the solemnities of Lent. This tradition can be traced back to the early Church, where the halfway point of Lent was marked by a slight relaxation of the season's strictness, symbolizing the joy of redemption and resurrection that lies ahead.
Liturgical Significance
Laetare Sunday serves as a liturgical pivot within Lent, pointing both backward to Ash Wednesday and forward to Easter Sunday. It is characterized by the use of rose-colored vestments instead of the usual Lenten violet, a symbolic lightening of the mood. This change in color serves as a visual cue of the day's special significance, a reminder of the joy of salvation that Easter brings. The liturgy of the day often reflects themes of hope, joy, and spiritual rejuvenation, providing encouragement to the faithful to continue their Lenten journey with renewed vigor and anticipation of the Paschal feast.
Theological and Pastoral Dimensions
Theologically, Laetare Sunday emphasizes the dual nature of Lent as a time of penitence and a time of anticipation for the resurrection. It reminds Christians that the journey through the desert of Lent leads to the abundant life and joy of Easter. Pastoral practices on Laetare Sunday, such as the relaxation of fasting rules in some traditions, embody the Gospel's message of mercy and compassion. This day thus serves as a tangible expression of the Church's pastoral care, offering solace and encouragement to those who find the Lenten discipline challenging.
Contemporary Relevance
In today's world, Laetare Sunday holds significant pastoral and theological relevance. It offers a moment for reflection on the nature of Christian joy, which is not an escape from reality but a profound affirmation of hope in the face of suffering. For the faithful, it is an invitation to balance penitence with joy, recognizing that Christian life is marked by both the cross and the resurrection. Laetare Sunday thus becomes an opportunity to rekindle hope, to celebrate the promise of redemption, and to deepen one's faith journey towards Easter.
This Sunday serves as a reminder that the path of Christian discipleship, though marked by sacrifice and discipline, is ultimately a journey towards the fullness of joy in Christ. As such, Laetare Sunday is not just a pause in Lent but a profound statement of the Christian faith's joyous and hopeful essence.
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