March 7, 2025

Why do we observe Lent?

We use the 40 days of Lent to remember Jesus’ time in the wilderness, and to perhaps follow his example of taking the time to be apart – apart from the distractions and temptations of this world. Apart from those things that keep us from hearing God. That’s a difficult task today, where we are inundated by those distractions 24/7.

Lent is a quiet and solemn time in our church. On Ash Wednesday, we are “invited 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.” (BCP Pg. 265) On Sundays in Lent, we change the order of the service and even which Rite we use – at least at the 10 o’clock service, where we will be using Rite I which uses “the language and piety of the Elizabethan era and the first BCP”. On the first Sunday of Lent, following the processional hymn, we begin the service with The Great Litany, used as early as the fifth century in Rome. (The litany was the first English language rite that was prepared by Archbishop Thomas Cranmer (1489-1556),first published in 1544.) (https://www.episcopalchurch.org/glossary/rite-1-rite-2/). On the subsequent Sundays in Lent, we begin the service with the Decalogue (The Ten Commandments) and A Penitential Order.

As we enter this time set apart, I invite you to think about and take steps to spend some extra time apart from what distracts you and be still and listen to how God may be calling you into a deeper relationship with Him – preparing for and looking forward to the Feast of the Resurrection and the Good News “He is Risen!”

Peace be with you!

Molly

LENT 2025 – Plan to participate in the following services and events

• Wednesdays in Lent – 6p Holy Eucharist followed by a light supper and discussion – The discussions will center around updating the Parish Profile and Discerning together where God is leading us next. **A RSVP sign-up sheet will be posted weekly for dinners** on the bulletin board in the parish hall.
• Please note that the Thursday morning Eucharist services will not be held during Lent.
• Quiet Day – Saturday, April 12 – More information to come
• 1Book1Diocese Book Study – Passions of the Soul by the former Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams – Available on Amazon for $10.49
• The Disciple’s Way – Forward Movement’s Lenten daily devotions book – Copies are available in the Parish Hall

Christian Education for Adults

Every Sunday at 9:15a Christian Education has a learning session about the Sunday readings from 9:15a until 9:45a. We are looking for more members to join and participate in these sessions.

Worship Services

March 9, 2025

8:00a Holy Eucharist, Rite I

10:00a Holy Eucharist, Rite I

Isaiah 6:1-8, [9-13]

1 Corinthians 15:1-11

Luke 5:1-11

Psalm 13



Sunday Bulletin Available

Link here:

https://christchurchvaldosta.org/news-2/sunday-bulletin/

Church Office Hours

Monday - Thursday

9a - 2p

Closed on Friday

Livestreaming

The broadcast of the 10a worship service on March 9, 2025, will begin on the church's Facebook page and YouTube channel at approximately 9:50a. Recorded videos of past services are also available on both of those platforms. 

Our 6 p.m. Ash Wednesday service was not livestreamed, but was recorded. Several people have expressed an interest in watching that video, and so it has been uploaded to YouTube here: https://youtu.be/41d0N4OWypI

For those worshipping in-person, we have a hearing assistance feature available inside the church as part of our sound system. This feature uses your smartphone and your earbuds or hearing aids to bring the sound directly into your ears. A detailed information sheet is linked here, and printed copies are also available from the ushers or the Audio/Visual booth staff.



Serving This Week - March 9

Eucharistic Ministers: Phyllis Holland, John McRae, Mike Tanner

Lectors: Sallie Honeycutt, Phyllis Holland, Pat Denmark 

Acolytes: Phyllis Holland, David Holland, Holly Holland

Altar Guild: Phyllis Holland, Anne Reid, Mimi Allen, Pat Bezona

Ushers: Stephen Sandbach, Tanner Darby, Martin Holland

Greeter: Rita Watters

Audio/Visual Crew: Ken Rumstay, Larry Wisenbaker

Coffee Hour Hosts: Julie Reynolds, Gwen Daughtrey, Marcie Dennard,

Leigh Long, Paula Ramey

Serving Next Week - March 16

Eucharistic Ministers: John McRae, Sheri Gravett, Phyllis Holland

Lectors: Daphne Wright, John McRae, Phyllis Holland

Acolytes: Joel Williams, Polly Collins, Molly Stevenson

Altar Guild: Frances Guice, Krystle Black, Nikki Yarbrough, Martha Leake

Ushers: David Blevins, Tom Carroll

Greeter: Dottie Pitts

Audio/Visual Crew: Ken Rumstay, Larry Wisenbaker

Coffee Hour Hosts: Sallie Honeycutt, Pat Denmark, Eric Nielsen,

Ann Burnette, Pat Bezona

For many more serving opportunities see a Vestry Member.

Remember in Your Prayers: Mimi Allen, Bryan Allman, Alexis Carr, Michael Curry, Lisa Day, Irene Dodd, Anita Ebersole, Jackie Elam, Javan Flowers, Sammy Greneker, Louise Harden, Gail & Walter Hobgood, Sallie Honeycutt, Peter Ingeman, Kerri Kent, Jason LaFleur, Leigh Long, Dennis Marks, Doug Mayer, Katherine Mayer, Phy Owens, Cindy Moses, David Parker, Morris Phillips, Johnny Price, Sally Querin, Richard Rigby, Rocky, Barbara Shirley, James Smith, Teresa Stevens, Gary Thomas, Julie Van Ham, Hal & Michelle Weidman

Prayer for Israel and Palestine from Bishop Logue

“God of peace, we pray for the people of Israel and Palestine in this time of war.

For all who are fearful for the safety of their loved ones and themselves, we pray that the assurance of unfailing love, even in the midst of danger, settles upon them. Shelter them from despair and protect them from harm.

We remember before you the Anglican Archbishop of Jerusalem and the Middle East, the Most Reverend Hosam Elias Naoum, and the people of his churches, hospitals, and other ministries.

For all who have died, we pray they find rest.

For all who grieve, we pray they find comfort.

For all who are wounded, we pray they find healing.

For leaders on all sides, we pray for the will to lay down arms and for the conviction to embrace a path of reconciliation and peace that preserves the rights and dignity of all of your children.

God of justice, we pray with hopeful hearts that your beloved children of the Holy Land.

We ask all this in the name of your Son, Jesus. Amen.”

Prayer for the Ukraine

God of peace and justice, we pray for the people of Ukraine today. We pray for peace and the laying down of weapons. We pray for all those who fear for tomorrow, that your Spirit of comfort would draw near to them. We pray for those with power over war or peace for wisdom, discernment, and compassion to guide their decisions. Above all, we pray for all your precious children, at risk and in fear, that you would hold and protect them. We pray in the name of Jesus, the Prince of Peace.

Amen.

Church of England, Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrel

Ways to donate

You can donate on our Vanco Online site, or by scanning the QR code below on our website donate page located here.

Christ Church uses Vanco Payment Solutions for online giving. Download the Vanco Mobile app, text to give 844-928-4938, or scan the QR code below. Thank you for your support.

Email us at office@christchurchvaldosta.org

website: www.christchurchvaldosta.org

Call us at 229.242.5115

or bookkeeper at 229-242-0616

Christ Episcopal Church is a parish church in the Episcopal Diocese of Georgia.