The Season of Lent

In the week ahead we encounter the season of Lent. It will begin with Ash Wednesday and the journey ends 40 days later (not including Sundays) with the Queen of Festivals, Easter. Forty days of reflection, prayer, almsgiving, are meant to link us to Jesus’ 40 days in the wilderness being tempted and overcoming the Tempter. This is a season for a full checkup of our spiritual lives and connection to God. No healthy person wants to be in relationships that are empty or where we are insignificant to another. The same is true in our relationship to Jesus, and we need to be intentional in nurturing it.

The pre-Lenten time closes this Sunday. Each week one of the three theological virtues (faith, hope, love) are part of the focus. Tomorrow we will hear I Corinthians 13, St. Paul’s great hymn about love. The placement of this reading just before Lent is purposeful. Our Lenten disciplines are not to be done as if they are mere tasks to be checked off. Fasting, Praying, acts of Mercy are meaningful when done out of love for God and neighbor. These disciplines have a powerful effect on us. They draw us away from what is unimportant and toward what is significant.

The small town in which we reside has become a beehive of activity. On Thursday evenings the local brewery has a game night where a lot of people come to play Trivial Pursuit. Each week the topic varies and our daughter and her friends are frequent winners. But all is soon forgotten by the next week because it is simply a game. Our life in Christ is not a game. It is the most life-giving relationship we have and it calls us away from trivial concerns and pursuits. Our worship will change with the use of the Great Litany—a prayer for the whole world, and we will be offered the opportunity to follow Jesus on his journey for our sakes. Join us.

Blessings,
Fr. Mark

Reading the Scriptures, praying together, and sharing a common meal are the ways that Christians from earliest times have enjoyed fellowship with one another and with the risen Lord, and so we continue.

Grounded in the 1928 Book of Common Prayer, our worship service is liturgical and based upon the ancient traditions of the Christian faith, and it is also Biblical, rooted in the Word of God.

We welcome visitors by showing forth God's gracious invitation to taste and see that the Lord is good.

St. John's is a community of believers with varying backgrounds, interests and experiences; but in Jesus Christ we are made one body.

Please feel free to contact our parish office or one of our clergy should you desire more information.

SHORT ANGLICAN LESSON FROM FR. MARK

“A Rose by any other Name would…”. Well, Shakespeare had a way with words, but your priest not so much. Some of you have commented that it would be good to understand the titles on our bulletin and in our church practices. Most of you know that a priest is referred to as ‘Father’, since he is the father of the parish. A deacon is usually called ‘The Rev. Mr., and a bishop is ‘The Right Reverend”. However, there are a few additional nuances to the norms. The Presiding or Archbishop is “The Most Reverend”, so Bishop Chad Jones carries that address. A dean or canon is called “The Very Reverend’ while an Archdeacon, a member of the bishop’s household is referred to as “The Venerable”. These have a long history and help identify the role and place of clergy in the life of the church. Most importantly, we are servants of the servants of Christ.

Fr. Mark

Happening

Sunday Eucharist - 10:00 AM
Live steaming on Facebook and YouTube of the 10:00 service

Wednesdays - 5:45 PM -Eucharist
Study Group - Wednesdays @ 7:00 PM

Fellowship - Following Mass

Choir - Sundays 9:00 AM

Happenings for January, February, March, April, and May

Vestry January 15th @ 11:30 AM
February 12^th @ 11:30 AM
March 12 @ 11:30 AM
April 16 @ 11:30 AM
May 8 @ 11:30 AM

Shrove Tuesday Pancake Dinner - Feb. 21 @ 5:30 PM

Ash Wednesday - Feb. 22, 2023 @ 6:30 PM

Clean Up Day - March 5th

Palm Sunday - April 2 @ 10:00 AM

Maundy Thursday - -April 6 @ 6:30 PM

Good Friday - Prayers from noon to 3:00
With Stations of the Cross

Easter - Festive Eucharist @ 10:00 AM

Board of Examining Chaplains - Atlanta - March 11-13, 2023

Spring Clergy Conference - Pine Knoll Shores - April 23-25, 2023

From the Altar Guild: If you would like to make a contribution to the flower fund for flowers in honor/memory of someone, please see a member of the Altar Guild for details or contact Bonnie Swaney, 336-908-1862, bonnieswaney47@gmail.com or Angie Eller, 336-324-6991, ilovemybabies123@gmail.com. Suggested amount is $25.00. Thank you for your support! If you would like to join the Altar Guild, please see Bonnie or Angie.

Choir Announcement: St. John's is welcoming new choir members or instrumentalists for our Music Ministry. Please see Pat King, 336-601-0417, patkingmusic@aol.com if you would like to praise God through music.

Fellowship Committee: If anyone would like to support our Fellowship Committee, please see Nichole Isley. Nichole’s email address: nichole0308@gmail.com

Mary’s Meals: It is more blessed to give, than to receive. Please consider a donation to Mary’s Meals, Their …”vision is that every child receives one daily meal in their place of education and that all those who have more than they need, share with those who lack even the most basic things.” Visit their web site to learn more and to make a caring donation: https://www.marysmealsusa.org

Crisis in Ukraine: Please consider the Catholic Relief Services (CRS) that are deeply involved in the Ukraine crisis. If you would like to make a caring contribution please mail your check or money order to: Catholic Relief Services, P.O. Box 17090, Baltimore, MD 21297-0303 or visit their web site to learn more and to make an online contribution: https://www.crs.org

St. Paul's Catholic Church Food Pantry and the Arc Food Pantry have weekly needs for non-perishable food, personal care items and basic home-cleaning items. All donations are greatly appreciated.

If you know of someone who is ill, in the hospital or desires our prayers for any other reason, or if you need to be contacted by the Rector please inform one of our ushers or speak with Father Mark.

Morning and Evening Prayer

St. John's Anglican Church 6722 West Friendly Avenue Greensboro NC 27410 (336) 392-8000

St. John's Anglican Church
6722 West Friendly Avenue
Greensboro NC 27410
(336) 392-8000