Calendar at a Glance

Tuesday Study Group from 10:30 to noon in the downstairs Harry Large Common Room. We are currently exploring the Acts of the Apostles. Please join us!

March

Victory House at 6 PM on Saturday, March 2

Phantoms v. Hershey Bears hockey game on Sunday, March 3

Food Pantry distribution 6-8 PM on Wednesday, March 6

Bethlehem Emergency Shelter Ministry is Friday, March 8

Vestry Meeting at 7 PM on Monday, March 11

Food Pantry distribution 6-8 PM on Wednesday, March 20

Fish Fry Community Dinner 5-7 PM on Friday, March 22

Palm Sunday service is at 10:30 AM on March 24

Maundy Thursday service is at 7:30 PM on March 28

Good Friday service is at noon on March 29

Easter Vigil Eucharist will be celebrated at 8 PM on Saturday, March 30

Easter Sunday Eucharist is at 10:30 AM on March 31

April

Food Pantry distribution 6-8 PM on Wednesday, April 3

Bethlehem Emergency Shelter Ministry is Friday, April 5

Victory House at 6 PM on Saturday, April 6

Vestry Meeting at 7 PM on Monday, April 8

Food Pantry distribution 6-8 PM on Wednesday, April 17

To the Saints of St. Andrew’s…

We are in the midst of the Holy Season of Lent.

The intent of the Church is to take advantage of these days to do a thorough evaluation of our lives in Christ. Kindly note that this is not a back door path to get us all groveling on the floor in crushing guilt at how incredibly horrible we are in the presence of God.

Such an approach to these 40 days is spiritually destructive.

Our focus is on our Baptism. The journey through Lent is a careful examination of the commitments of the Baptismal covenant:

- do you believe in God the Father?

- do you believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God?

- do you believe in God the Holy Spirit?

- Will you continue in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship,

In the breaking of bread, and in the prayers?

-will you persevere in resisting evil, and, whenever you fall into sin,

Repent and return to the Lord?

-Will you proclaim by word and example the Good News of God in Christ?

- Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself?

-Will you strive for justice and peace among all people,

and respect the dignity of every human being?

…a careful examination…!

The Ash Wednesday sermon offered some spiritual exercises that can be very helpful in this ‘careful examination’.

Every night during Lent before you go to bed, consider spending some quality time with God reviewing the day.

Consider the ways in which you saw God at work during the day?

Consider where did you loving respond to the people around you?

Consider where did you miss seeing God in another?

Consider what you could have done better during the day?

After an honest examination, offer the day to God in prayer

with the confidence that God will amend you and your activity of the day.

Finally, you are encouraged to go quickly and confidently to sleep

resting in God's forgiving love for you in Christ.

Engaging this or similar examination each day prepares you for each Sunday Eucharist and especially for Holy Week. Finally, with this examination now become a daily practice available throughout the coming year, you are prepared to come to the great Vigil of Easter (30 March, 8 PM) for the revival of your own Baptismal Covenant.

This is living through the Holy Season of Lent with the intent of living as each of us has committed ourselves in Christ to live. As we journey through, we will learn – yet once again – how the journey is impossible without the guidance, support and encouragement of the Holy Spirit.

Blessings for you in this Holy Season, and – above all –

Peace,

Fr. Jerry