The Church Bell Vol. 4, no. 2 Season of Lent 2020

February 26th - Ash Wednesday Services St. Agnes' will provide two (2) opportunities for  Ash Wednesday on February 26th to begin the 40-day Season of Lent. Bishop Lambert will offer a 12 noon service using the form of the Book of Common Prayer at St. Agnes'. That same evening, the Cowan Ministerial Association will provide a  6:00 p.m. service at Cowan First Baptist Church. Rev. Dr. John Daniels will be the speaker and the host church will lead in music and song.

Observe a Holy Lent

"I invite you, therefore, in the name of the Church, to the observance of a holy Lent, by self-examination and repentance; by prayer, fasting and self-denial; and by reading and meditating on God’s holy Word. And, to make a right beginning of repentance, and as a mark of our mortal nature, let us now kneel before the Lord, our maker and redeemer. Amen." The Book of Common Prayer In the 40-day Season of Lent that we initiate on Ash Wednesday, we have a standing invitation from the church throughout the ages to make this a time of holiness. Consider fasting: abstaining from things we typically enjoy helps us face the hold that sin has on our individual lives. We are creating for ourselves a godly grief and making more space in our lives for prayer and reflection. Think of one or more things you can give up for Lent that will create a necessary void. Consider daily prayer and scripture reading: an extra effort to stop every day for prayer and a lesson of Holy Scripture reminds us that God fills the void in our lives and gives us hope and direction. Take time every day with prayer and scripture. Remember that your fast leads to a joyful feast! The 40-day Season of Lent leads us to the Empty Tomb and the joyful news that Jesus is Risen! Therefore, keep your fast knowing that a glorious feast is ahead of us on Easter Sunday!

Did you know that the Psalter in the Book of Common Prayer is divided into a daily schedule? Bishop Lambert pointed out this nifty but rarely seen feature. If you take time out of your daily life to read the Psalms in the morning and in the evening as suggested, you will cover the entire Book of Psalms in only 30 days! Because Lent is a 40-day season, why not challenge yourself to read the entire Psalter as part of your Lenten discipline? If you need a Book of Common Prayer for your home, let Jarod or Alice know. We have extras to share!

No Alleluias for 40 days!

Part of our individual Lenten observance is to give something up for the 40-day season, such as a favorite food or a favorite entertainment. However, as a congregation there's something else we give up as a liturgical custom: the word "Alleluia". For over 1,000 years, the church throughout the world omits Alleluia from services and from singing during Lent to represent our brief exile and our journey of repentance. And this journey leads to the joy and triumph of Easter morning and the good news that Jesus is Risen! At that point we will sing, say and shout our Alleluias again!

Other Happenings

April 9th - Maundy Thursday Service, 6 p.m. St. Agnes' will host the Cowan Ministerial Association Community Maundy Thursday Service on April 9th at 6:00 p.m. This service recalls the Last Supper in the Upper Room where Jesus gave the New Commandment. Rev. Richard Morgan will provide the sermon.

April 10th - Good Friday Service, 12 noon St. Agnes' will host the Good Friday liturgy on April 10th at 12 noon. Bishop Lambert will lead and other Cowan churches are invited to join us. The Good Friday service recalls the arrest, trial, crucifixion, death, and burial of Jesus.

April 10th - Seder Passover Meal Hosted by the Abundant Life Assembly of God, the Seder meal is a gathering based on the Jewish Passover celebration. The different customs surrounding the meal show us the mighty work of God in Jesus Christ and his fulfillment of ancient prophesy.  The time of the meal, reservation instructions, and other details are forthcoming...

April 12th - Easter Sunrise Service, 6:30 a.m. The various Cowan churches will meet at Cowan Montgomery Cemetery to celebrate the discovery of the Empty Tomb and the glorious news that Jesus is Risen. The service begins at 6:30 a.m. Rev. Jerry Jochem will be the speaker.

April 12th - Church Easter Egg Hunt, 10:00 a.m. Our Easter morning excitement will include an Easter egg hunt during the 10:00 Sunday school hour. We expect to have an eager and energetic group of kids to join us! We will need some help putting prizes together and hiding the eggs too!

April 12th - Easter Service, The Resurrection of our Lord, 11 a.m. We will hold a festival service on Easter Sunday at the usual 11:00 hour. Invite your friends and extended family to join us in joyful praise to Jesus who is risen in glory! We will gather afterward for our Annual Church Family Photo.

Some Updates from Our Church Family

Howard Gene Eslick underwent a scopic surgery earlier in the month. He is back at The Bridge in Monteagle and in fair condition again. Steve Pearson and his oncologist will put together a treatment plan in the month of March. The entire Pearson family appreciates everybody's cards, visits, prayers, and phone calls during this challenging time.

Yet another rainy season

Exactly one year ago, Wynona Gibson shared her thoughts on a rainy season with a beautiful poem. Is it a strange coincidence that we are having another very rainy season again this year? To help bring a smile to a somewhat gloomy time of year, I hope you will read and enjoy her poem again. Here it is:

Have you spotted the olive branch? Or perhaps you saw a colorful rainbow. The raindrops above keep falling, Maybe we will see the Ark come floating by. I'm certain a token of God's love Will dry out the world tomorrow, So -- as I wade through the puddles deep I have high hopes from which to borrow. Wishing all well and stay dry! Wynona Gibson

Late Winter / Early Spring Birthdays

February 4 - Abby Garner Patterson February 11 - Andrew Wilkinson February 24 - Keaton Krauth February 26 - Karen McCallie February 26 - Georgia Scott March 1 - Louis Mlcoch March 5 - Bruce Smith March 11 - Kent Walker March 14 - Marcia Ruffing March 21 - Jessica Dervin April 7 - the parishioner who shall remain anonymous April 7 - Montana Smith April 13 - John Ruffing April 15 - Dane Leitzel "O God, our times are in your hand: Look with favor, we pray, on thy servants as they begin another year. Grant that they may grow in wisdom and grace, and strengthen their trust in your goodness all the days of their life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen."

We Remember in Prayer

Fr. Chad Jones, Claire Lusk, Christy Shepard, Steve Pearson, Dick & Mary Ann Austin, Rose Pearson, Marty Judd, Vicki Geer, Roger Bailey, Jonanne Hammer, Linda Hutton, Dan Bledsoe, Jay Yowell, Iris Ellidge, Mary McDonald, Will Olsmit, Peggy Nunley, Gina, Jordan and Austin Cleek, Brad and Anita Warmbrod, Roy Tankersley, Emeline Pearson, Royana Stewart, Bill Keller, Howard Gene Eslick, Linda Milligan, and Karen McCallie. We bless and commemorate Irma Little who recently passed away. We pray continually for Christians around the world in grave danger and for those in our armed services, especially Wes Nevels. *** "O God, the strength of the weak and the comfort of sufferers: Mercifully accept our prayer, and grant to your servants the help of your power, that their sicknesses may be turned into joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen."

Report from the Annual Meeting

We had a successful and well-attended meeting of the congregation on January 26th. Here are a few highlights: Our average Sunday attendance had a slight increase yet again in 2019! Our budget from 2019 was very close to our revenue and expense targets. We revised our payment schedule to the Diocese of Tennessee so that our fair share funds reach the Diocese before the annual budget committee meets in December. Our 2020 budget was passed as proposed by the mission council. We increased our revenue projection because of an increase in pledges. Likewise, we raised expenses in several areas due to the increased size of the congregation. Jarod Pearson was re-elected as Senior Warden and will also carry the title of Bishop's Warden. Christie James Grissett was elected as Junior Warden. Alice Black was elected as Treasurer-in-retirement. Prior to her election, Alice announced her plan to retire this year as Church Treasurer after 17 years of service. The congregation thanked her with a round of applause. Shelia Leitzel was re-elected as Clerk of the Mission Council and intends to phase in as an Assistant Treasurer during the year. Andrew wilkinson was appointed as Church Warden-at-large to have voice on the Mission Council. Gene Black was appointed as Church Warden-retired to have voice on the Mission Council. Benjamin Money was appointed Verger and Senior Acolyte. Brian Judd was appointed as Sexton.

Sunday Service ....................................11:00 a.m. Sunday School .....................................10:00 a.m. Location/Address: 105 England Street E., PO Box 356, Cowan, TN 37318 Telephone: (931) 636-6313

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The Rt. Rev'd John C. Bauerschmidt..................Bishop of Tennessee The Rt. Rev'd Paul Lambert................................Pastor and Celebrant The Rev'd Jean Mweningoma.............................Visiting Priest L. Jarod Pearson..................................................Lay Reader