St. Brendan the Navigator Episcopal Church
Our Mission: "To Love, Praise, Welcome and Serve"
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Worship this Sunday:
10:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist
The Rev. Jennifer Reece, presiding
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All services and meetings will be held both in-person and via Zoom unless otherwise designated.
| | | | 8:30 a.m. Men's Breakfast | | | | |
8:30 a.m. Simmering Pot
4:30 p.m. Meditation/Silent Prayer (Zoom)
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10:00 a.m. In-person Meditation
10:30 a.m. Bible Study
3:45 p.m. Choir rehearsal
5:00 p.m. Lenten Vespers - Elder Dwight Staples, reflector
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10:00 a.m. Blessing of the Palms and Holy Eucharist with Pastor Elaine Hewes presiding
2:00 - 4:00 p.m. Stations of the Cross Art Show opening
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Tuesday through Saturday
March 31-April 4
| | 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. Stations of the Cross Art Show open | | | | 7:00 p.m. Tenebrae (Service of Shadows) | | | | 5:00 p.m. Maundy Thursday service | | | | 5:00 p.m. Good Friday service | | | | 7:00 p.m. Easter Vigil at St. Francis by the Sea | | | | |
6:00 a.m. Easter Sunrise Service at Commercial Pier, Stonington
10:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist with Pastor Elaine Hewes presiding
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Tuesday through Saturday
April 7-April 11
| | 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Stations of the Cross Art Show open | | |
But I had never seen Jesus as the opening through which we might, despite everything, see the other world that is this world… Holy, though we knew it not…
Sermon given by Pastor Elaine Hewes on March 15th.
Click below for the video recording. A text copy is available here.
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It is spring again. The earth is like a child that knows poems by heart.
Rainer Maria Rilke
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A Little Easter In Lent
I sensed the promise of Easter last night at Lenten Vespers when Pastor Carl Woodward gave the reflection, speaking not only to folks from St. Brendan, but also to about 40 parishioners from Carl’s congregation, Calvary Chapel, who joined us for worship. In a time when divisions between people are so pronounced, our shared experience of prayer, listening and reflection was a sign of God’s healing and reconciling presence moving among and in us. And in that Spirit of oneness, the promise of Easter was also heard and felt and seen.
Our worship together was meaningful and rich, as Pastor Carl reflected on Jesus as the living water in the desert of our lives. He bore personal testimony to the ways in which Jesus had saved him from a time of desert in his own life, and invited us all to “fall in love” with Jesus so we too might find peace and joy and love in the living water Jesus offers. He also reminded us of our call to help others who may be in desert times in their lives by sharing the story of Jesus and the unconditional love he offers to all, no exceptions.
After worship, everyone from both congregations chatted for a while, and we decided that we would find other ways to worship and fellowship together. One of those ideas (when the weather improves) is to have a “parking lot potluck dinner” with a part of the meal being in the parking lot of Calvary Chapel, and part of the meal being in St. Brendan’s parking lot (“kind of like a ‘tail-gating’ party at a football game” someone said… Only we could call it “tail-gating for Jesus”). What a wonderful idea!
I will admit that the only unfortunate moments in the service were due to the St. Brendan priest (that’s me) forgetting to put her glasses on before playing “How Great Thou Art” on her violin, which meant she couldn’t see the notes… a “flub-up” about which she has written the following little limerick…
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There once was a pastor from Maine
Who went by the name of Elaine.
And whose fiddle one night
Gave quite a fright,
With no one except her to blame.
For she’d forgotten to put on her glasses
Before she played for the masses,
All the notes on the page
Becoming a haze
Her squawking a pain in the ass(es).
But thank God for Jim who played bass
His music a sign of God’s grace,
Jim just keeping on
Playing the song,
While the pastor fell flat on her face!
But there’s always a light that is near
In the midst of our failures and fears,
For despite all her flubbing
Elaine sensed all the loving
That moved in that room full of dears.
Yes, dear ones they were, big and small,
Each answering the sound of God’s call
To respond to the love
First sent from above,
And offering mercy for all.
So the evening was beauty unbounded
Despite the squawking that sounded
From the pastor’s poor fiddle
That got caught in the middle
Of her eye-sight so completely confounded.
Praise God then for the love God did send
In Jesus, all ruptures to mend,
Healing all sorrows,
Giving hope for tomorrow,
The promise of Easter… Amen.
| | Giving our Priorities Shape (GPS) Action Item | | |
Lenten practice? How to respond with hope, gratitude, compassion, and love in the midst of very unsettling, unprecedented times of misuse of power, absence of truth-telling, disregard of common good, democratic and constitutional norms.
Practice resistance to the forces of fear, violence, and war that are swirling around our country and world.
Resistance is…
speaking freely and without fear, whether in public demonstration or to your inner group of friends
refusing simplistic language that pits groups against each other
taking a break from media when it stokes your fear and anger
getting to know your neighbor, especially those unlike yourself
not losing hope that there is some good in this world and it’s worth fighting for
joining with Sunset Congregational Church friends on Thursdays at 3 PM
for a Vigil emphasizing loving kindness and a peaceful point of view
57 Church St (Route 15)
This Lent, pick one form of resistance to practice throughout Lent,
or try a different one each week.
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Join us for prayer, music, and a reflection on Wednesday, March 25, at 5:00 p.m. in-person and over Zoom.
This week's reflector is Elder Dwight Staples.
The bulletin will be posted on the website.
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Cathy Washburn was our reflector on March 11th.
Click below for the video recording of her reflection. A text copy is available here.
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Would you like to give Easter flowers in memory of or in thanksgiving for someone?
You can make a donation for flowers to adorn the altar by placing a check in the offertory basket or sending a check to the church (please put "Easter Flowers" on the memo line). You can also donate using the button below. Please scroll down to "Note or Designation" and write in "Easter Flowers."
If you are making a donation, please email Barbara Kourajian by Sunday, March 29 with the name(s) you want to be listed in the Easter Sunday bulletin.
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This summer, the house where I have been renting my apartment for eight years will go on the market. My need is for a place to live that is affordable, year-round, unfurnished, one-bedroom, with a kitchen, and on the first floor.
I am a mature, responsible, single lady. No pets and non-smoking! I have been on the island for almost 40 years and need to remain in my community.
I have been paying $750 a month, including heat and electricity. I could pay slightly higher, but I do have a limited income.
Excellent renting history dating back to 1973! My current landlord is Jeremy Stewart, 207-460-1628. I have house-sat for Nancy Greene and Jasper, who can attest to my reliability.
If you can help me, I would be very grateful.
Joyce Dunn
(207) 367-2769
joyce_dunn65@yahoo.com
| | Education & Spiritual Development Ministry | | |
"My soul waits for the Lord, more than watchmen for the morning . . ."
Psalm 130 1: 5
Zoom Meditation/Silent Prayer at 4:30 p.m.
Readings, poems, and prayers are shared before a period of silence.
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10:00 a.m. Wednesdays
In-Person Meditation/Silent Prayer at St. Brendan
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Bible Study
Wednesday at 10:30 a.m.
We will read Sunday's Gospel and discuss some of Wendell Berry's "sabbath poems."
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Colleen Spangler – 3
Pete Dane – 11
Stephen Hayward –11
Marge Anderson – 12
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Billy Love – 14
Seth Wrightington – 14
Marjorie Haley – 20
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Agnes Love is now in Florida with her brother for radiation therapy. If you would like to be in touch by mail, here is her address:
Agnes Love
8 Sea Winds Lane East
Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082
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We hold in prayer the family of Peter McKee, nephew of Jean Wheeler,
who died last week.
May God's strong love hold Peter's family at this time.
We pray for those in special need:
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Ross
Cathy Johnson
Meg Graham
Charlie Putnam
Judson Brown
Martha Dane
Caroline Dane
Mike S.
Jennifer Hutchinson
Meredydd Cooper
Henna Torrey Roy
Liz Leuthner
Jerry
Helen and Gibbie Nauman
Agnes and Billy
Julie and Tom
Gwyn Murray
Sally
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Beth Kyser
David
Preston Henderson
Mollie Ann Meserve
Tammie and Jason Cox
Tyler Goss
Kate Hallen & Bob Blum
Judith Jerome
Mimi Maslan
Semantha
Judy Miller
Megan
Bishop Thomas Brown
Naomi
Anne Burton
Hewit
Mary Ann and Terry
Nishah
David Morrish
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Corbin
Rebecca
Pam B
Jaxson
Heather Corey
Stephen Gill
Bill Scaife
Brent Was
Gary and Wellesley
Mary Lawrence Hicks and family
Nancy Greene
Peter Brown
Seth
Linda Shepard and family
Lindsay Bowker
Marcia Scott
Carol Stoneburner
| | We pray, also, for those who love and care for them. | | |
We continue to hold in prayer those in our community who have recently lost loved ones; among them are the Stoneburner, Sherman, Hewes, Putnam, Wright, and Clauson/Hewes families.
We pray for those struggling with addiction and mental illness and their caregivers.
We pray for all those receiving care through Neighbor Care and for all the relocated residents of the Island Nursing Home and their families.
We pray for the victims of gun violence -- in our cities and towns, in our schools, in our places of worship, and in our homes.
We pray for the victims of the violence of armed conflicts around the world. We pray for those made refugees by the violence of armed conflicts. We pray for the victims of terrorist attacks everywhere.
We pray for all who suffer the effects of domestic violence and the violence of bullying in our schools and workplaces.
We pray for our nation, our president and vice-president, and all elected and appointed leaders.
We pray for all peacemakers and all those who work for justice; may we be found in their ranks.
We pray for all those serving in the armed forces of our country.
We pray for Sarah Mullally, Archbishop of Canterbury; Hosam, Bishop of Jerusalem; Sean, our Presiding Bishop; and Thomas, our Bishop.
In the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, we pray for St. Paul's, Brunswick, for safety, strength, courage, wisdom, and connection for those serving in the role of foster parent.
In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, we pray for The Anglican Church of Korea.
On the Island and Peninsula, we pray for Soul’s Outreach Church, Sedgwick.
| | | Fifth Sunday of Lent
The story of the raising of Lazarus is the final one of the Lenten gospels that opens the minds of the baptismal candidates to the meaning of baptism (and it reminds us of the resurrection life we have already received by water and the Holy Spirit). We hear in this story the growing awareness of the disciples of Jesus as the Christ
and as the source of resurrection and life.
The Old Testament reading looks forward to resurrection as the final conclusion of God’s plan of salvation. In the prophet’s vision of the valley of dry bones, note that it is God’s Word who raises them up, and God’s Spirit who gives them flesh and life. So it is with us who are baptized.
Christ, the Word of God, and God’s Spirit have given us a share in the resurrection life of God’s Kingdom. The second reading contrasts those who live in the flesh, that is, the unredeemed world, with those who live in the Spirit of Christ. All baptized persons live in that Spirit and, says Paul, God gives life to our mortal bodies through the Spirit.
The resurrection of Christ becomes our resurrection as we engage in the Eucharistic feast and meet the one who is the Resurrection and the Life.
Notes on the Sunday Readings and Seasons of the Church Year. Copyright © 2009 by Michael W. Merriman. Church Publishing Incorporated, New York
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Office Hours: Tuesday 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Pastor Elaine Hewes
Tel: 207-479-5651
elaine.hewes@gmail.com
Emergency Contacts:
| | Warden - John Arrison, 207-505-2474 arrison17@gmail.com | | Warden - Allen Downs 207-348-2560 agdowns53@gmail.com | | |
Emily Hawkins - Treasurer
Cindy Beyer - Clerk
Beth Carter
Kassie Grey
George Pazuniak
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