We are now in the Church Season of Lent.  Lent began with Ash Wednesday, February 22nd.  Lent is a season particularly set aside for us to honestly look into our own hearts.  To review our lives and see where we need to repent.  To see where we have strayed from being the people that God would have us be.

God offers to us pardon and salvation, but we are unable to accept either so long as we are living lives that have gone astray from God’s path for each of us.  Most times we may not even be aware, unless we are prayerfully reviewing our lives, our actions, choices and priorities.

This is a season of self-examination and repentance.  Through repentance we acknowledge our actions, our sins, and we turn around and go towards God.  What is God’s path for each of us?  It differs for each of us, but in fact that question is one to prayerfully ask God.  Through study of scripture, prayer and conversation in and with the community of God, it possible to discern God’s path for each of us.

St. Andrew’s is offering a Wednesday evening conversation concerning “Making Sense of the Cross”.  This conversation begins Wednesday February 29th at 7:00 pm.  It will be each Wednesday through Lent, until Holy Week, when it will take place on Tuesday April 3rd, also at 7:00 pm until 8:15 pm.

On Wednesday April 4th of Holy Week, we will offer a Tennebrae Service.  This service is at 7:00 pm.  It is a service of music and scripture readings, all dealing with Holy Week events, Good Friday and ultimately leading to Easter.

On Thursday April 5th we will celebrate our Maundy Thursday service at 7:oo pm.  Following the service there will be a “Watch” following the Maundy Thursday service.  This will be an opportunity for people to sit one hour with Jesus through the night.  The “Watch” will end on Friday morning at 8:00 am.

On Good Friday we will take part in the Stations of the Cross at 12:00 pm, followed by a Good Friday Service, with communion from the reserved sacrament.  Another Good Friday Service will be offered at 7:00 pm, Good Friday.

Our first Easter Service will be the Easter Vigil, which begins on Saturday April 6th at 7:00 pm.  This service is a traditional time for baptisms, in addition to being the first Easter service.  Our Sunday morning Easter Service, with Choir, will be at 10:30 am, followed by a reception and an Easter Egg Hunt for those in 6th grade and younger.

We invite all to come and worship with us during this seas?on of Lent, as we lead up to Holy Week and ultimately Easter!

Our parish invites all to come and join us in worshiping our Risen Lord. All are welcome, both at St. Andrew’s and before God. I hope that you will join us.

Yours in Christ,

Fr. Tom