Folks,
The lessons for this Sunday include from Jeremiah about a "new covenant" for Israel and Judah, including the mention of writing the law "on their hearts". Also from the Letter to the Hebrews (Christians living in the area of Jerusalem) wherein Jesus is described as obedient to the point of perfection, with two mentions of "the order of Melchizedek" (a figure who was both priest and king and representative of God on earth). The gospel lesson from John 12 tells in the midst of the preparations for the Passover festival that Jesus speaks of his obedience unto death ("a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies ... but if it dies, it bears much fruit." But today I'd like especially to note the Collect appointed for this Sunday, which reads "Almighty God, you alone can bring into order the unruly wills and affections of sinners: Grant your people grace to love what you command and desire what you promise; that, among the swift and varied changes of the world, our hearts may surely there be fixed where true joys are to be found; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever." This collective prayer is a beautifully put reiteration of our discussion in a recent News of the question of "free will vs determinism", asking God to order our wills such that we "naturally" love the good things that God commands (above all, loving God by doing love neighbour) and desiring what God has promised, and all by "the means of grace", that mysterious way that God works in our lives and in our world. May we all pray this prayer for our own benefit and that of all humankind. Our love to all, Bart (and Tony!) and from all of us at St Matthew Church Events St Matthew Church will have a service of Morning Prayer at the chapel in San Ardo at 10am this Sunday. And from fellow South Monterey County mission St Luke Church in Jolon we hear this: "This coming Sunday, March 17th, at 10:00 A.M., yours truly, Rachael Denny will lead a service of Morning Prayer at Saint Luke's Church in Jolon. There will be coffee and conversation in the parish hall afterwards, and everyone is welcome to attend. A reminder: On Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday, there will be services of Holy Communion at Saint Mark's in King City." Other Events Many of use consider Spring the most beautiful season, full of emerging life. So this is an apt time to condier the fate of our beautiful "island home" as one prayer in the Prayerbook calls it. At St Benedict Church in Los Osos, on Sat Apr 6 there will be a Climate Solutions "Community Forum: from 2-4pm sponsored by the parish along with several other .community groups (Kiwanis, Rotary). We will say more about this even in future Spring Newsletters. From St Barnabas Church in Arroyo Grande we hear the following: THIS SUNDAY ST. PATRICK'S DAY DINNER! Join us this Sunday at 5pm for a dinner fundraiser for the Sunday School kiddos. Contact Pam Pano if you are still in need of tickets: 805-550-8324, 4sasha@att.net As Well at St Barnabas: Lenten Supper and a Movie Series We'll continue our Supper and a Movie series with the next episodes of the Chosen on Thursday, March 21st | 6:30pm at the church. Also, the following (from BOTH St Barnabas and St James Church in Paso Robles): Easter Eggs! It is that time of year again. We are looking for items to add to the Easter Eggs. Candy (wrapped please), stickers, or fun items. Please bring items by Palm Sunday. Any questions please reach out to Pam Pano at 805-550-8324 or 4sasha@att.net And note that St Barnabas is seeking help to paint their new pergola (lots of surface area to cover with a pergola). Beyond the Deanery And from the broadest Episcopal Church via St Paul Cathedral in Palm Springs we hear (see full details at www.StPaulCathedral.org ) an Arts event: "Celebrating Women in the Arts Concert" Saturday, March 23, 5 pm, Great Hall Musica Vitale recognizes Women’s History month with their upcoming concert “Celebrating Women in the Arts”. Concert will include instrumental and vocal works by female composers performed by Musica Vitale soloists and guest instrumentalists in the Great Hall of St. Paul’s Cathedral. and also that "Since 1922 the Episcopal Church has encouraged individuals and parishes to take up an offering on Good Friday, to send to the Episcopal Church in Jerusalem. This year the need is especially urgent, as the Church attempts to relieve the suffering of the people of Gaza and to support the lifesaving work of Ahli Hospital, which has been damaged in the conflict. If you would like to participate in this special offering, please make a donation to the Cathedral and mark it “Good Friday (for Jerusalem)”. Go to https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001uU4pKXRRrT5IM5zFrJ4mrkyeluipjQgnJVegfoPdjD7XpgZH2o9kxu20-HuMkCUkzBIzIC8b9VFAJ1a7T_8pCcpAPK3pV_nHCvSICY3R40w7WKtIPsRCTW5oD1COLWFDZc7sPP1wD3mVEorxtBy8WVN86uzsLayG&c=8FYT4Ou-kmL3xnoeqvvpHYLlE6Pmr7keUBkmDxIHxNT-SgDQowbuLw==&ch=C61FcqG4QYY2g7gHW-18cipdLjdNgMCg-xc_QsIooIEBMnJM7axZKg== And also note that St Paul Cathedral is participating in the annual St Patrick Day Parade TODAY near the Cathedral and Volunteers are needed. Our friends at the Sunburst Sanctuary near Lompoc nave many scheduled events you can see at https://www.google.com/search?q=sunburst+sanctuary+events&sca_esv=ebdc76ad041d5bb0&rlz=1C1CHBF_enUS1023US1023&ei=ysT1ZceiN427kPIP7oSsgAU&ved=0ahUKEwjHr8SQlvmEAxWNHUQIHW4CC1AQ4dUDCBA&uact=5&oq=sunburst+sanctuary+events&gs_lp=Egxnd3Mtd2l6LXNlcnAiGXN1bmJ1cnN0IHNhbmN0dWFyeSBldmVudHMyBRAhGKABMgUQIRigATIFECEYnwVIgjtQ0wZYyiFwAXgBkAEAmAGdAaABrQaqAQMyLjW4AQPIAQD4AQGYAgigAskGwgIKEAAYRxjWBBiwA8ICDRAAGIAEGIoFGEMYsAPCAgUQABiABMICBhAAGBYYHsICCxAAGIAEGIoFGIYDmAMAiAYBkAYJkgcDMi42oAfpIA&sclient=gws-wiz-serp including a Sunburst Art Series with the following eventsL "Sunburst Art Series: Abstracting the Landscape. An Experimental Approach to Plein-air Painting. Friday, March 22, 2024. 10:00-3:00 p.m." "Painting in the Garden with Pastels" class on Apr 20 at 10am and "Kriya !! Meditation Retreat" beginning Thurs Apr 25 at 4pm, and group Silent Meditation every Sunday at 10:30
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
WILLIAM BARTOSH
st. matthews newsWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. Archives
May 2024
Categories |