Dear St. Andrew’s,

 

Last night we began the season of Lent with our Ash Wednesday service. Lent is that 40 day journey with Jesus into the wilderness seeking to turn our lives around. It is traditionally a time in which we give something up or take something on. A season of repentance and reflection. A season of remembering who we are and who we belong to. I wonder if Jesus really knew what he was walking into when he entered the wilderness? Did he know that he was going to be tempted by Satan? Did he have any idea as to how difficult it was going to be? Our wilderness experience, remembering who we are and who we belong to can be a difficult journey. Soul searching was never meant to be easy. I sometimes think to myself thank goodness it’s only 40 days.

 

The thing is we have been in the wilderness for a long time. I remember when we did our first virtual service. It was the Thursday night following the second Sunday of Lent, and I remember thinking we really are having our wilderness experience now. Little did we all know that this journey was going to be a whole lot longer than 40 days. As we all get closer to receiving the vaccine there is a sense of hope. That we can see the light at the end of the tunnel, but we are not quite out of the wilderness yet. This has been a long and difficult year for all of us, but by the grace of God we have journeyed together. May this season of Lent be a time in which we reflect on how this wilderness experience has impacted each of us. May we give thanks that we are on this journey with God and with one another.

 

If you need anything, please reach out.

 

Grace and Peace, 

Peter

If you are having problems connecting to the service please reach out to the [email protected] so we can try to assist you.

Contact the office to get involved in our Virtual Coffee Hours and connect with your fellow congregants. It's never too late to join. Coffee hours take place at 11:00 AM on Sunday.

Get your Bracket Sheet here. Fill it out and email it back to the office.

What is it? Modeled on March Madness, it is a daily competition between 2 saints. The format is straightforward: 32 saints are placed into a tournament-like single elimination bracket. Each pairing remains open for a set period of time and people vote on line for their favorite saint. The 16 winning saints move on to the next round; the eight winning that round move on to; and so on, until a final head-to-head match up between the 2 remaining saints.

Our Lenten series, this virtual year, will be based upon Bishop Curry’s book Love is the Way. The diocesan One in the Spirit team has provided, for the diocese, a five week Lenten Study program. If you would like to participate, but finances are a problem please let Peter know. You will not need to purchase a study guide.

Please sign up here if you would like to participate. We will be meeting on Tuesday nights at 6 p.m. via zoom beginning with Tuesday, Feb. 23^rd.

St. Andrew’s volunteers bag food for approximately 115 residents at this apartment complex for low income seniors and disabled adults. We have a group of loyal volunteers and we can always use more help. If you can help we’d love to have you join us. We meet every other Monday at 10 am. It takes about 2 hours. The Food Bank at Woodbridge Manor will be open on February 22, March 8 and March 22.

The book group meets virtually at 11AM on Wednesdays followed by Noon Day prayer. We are currently reading "Love is the Way" by Bishop Michael Curry. We are reading two chapters per week: chapters 10 & 11 for 2/24, 12 & the appendix for 3/3. The book group will not be meeting on Ash Wednesday, February 17. If you would like to be part of this group, please contact the office and we will add you to the group. Newcomers are welcome.

Virtual Centering Prayer: In a time of uncertainty, it can be challenging to find time for quiet and reflection. All are welcome to join Stillpoint in a half hour of Centering Prayer any weeknight from 5:30-6. A link and more information on the practice is available at stillpointca.org/still-points.  

If you know of someone in our church family who is sick, in the hospital or in need of pastoral care please notify the office or clergy.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the office via phone 949-559-4699 or by email [email protected].

The Rev. Peter Browning, Vicar

The Rev. Rick Whittaker, Assisting

Saint Andrew's Episcopal Church