A HOLY WEEK MESSAGE FROM MOTHER KATHY
Dear Beloved in Christ,
The most sacred week of the Christian calendar is upon us. This week of rich liturgical traditions began last Sunday with Palm Sunday and reaches its climax on Easter with the proclamation of Resurrection (and Alleluia!) and the power of Christ to overcome death. Usually, we think of passing from life to death; in The Lighting of the Paschal Candle, we are reminded that Jesus did the opposite: he passed from death to life (BCP, p. 285).
It is well, particularly this year, for us to remember that is the power of Jesus. He overcame death. His power was and is rooted in the commandment he gave to the disciples at the Last Supper, the commandment that was heard on Maundy (Mandatum) Thursday: Love one another as I have loved you. Peace is my last gift to you, my own peace I now leave with you; peace which the world cannot give, I give to you.
As we know, that power was not rooted in armies, military might, or in unholy alliances between political and religious authorities. The Church belongs to Christ and Christ alone. May the risen Christ bring an end to war and violence, and may Christ be a source of hope for the people of Ukraine and for all those throughout the world who suffer.
One of my greatest joys is to walk this path with you and our Lord, who is always with us. Who were we as people when we couldn’t show up in person during the last two years? We were and are Christians. We try to live as God loves us – in faith, abundance, and generosity – sometimes we succeed; often, we fail spectacularly. But Easter comes again. Jesus rises from the dead. And God loves us; God always loves us.
This week, we gather for Holy Week and Easter services in our churches for the first time since 2019. Please join us for Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Sunday. These liturgies will be available on Facebook Live and the bulletins are on our website, but I encourage you to join us in person if you can and feel comfortable doing so.
Faithfully,
HOLY WEEK SERVICE SCHEDULE
Maundy Thursday*: 6:30 p.m. at St. Andrew’s
Good Friday*: 12 p.m. at St. Andrew’s, 7 p.m. at Emmanuel
Easter Sunday: 8 and 11:15* a.m. at Emmanuel, 9:15* a.m. at St. Andrew’s (We are in need of someone to serve as the lay Eucharist minister at the 11:15 a.m. service. If you’re able to serve, please speak with Mother Kathy.)
* These services stream live on Facebook
Bulletins are on our website.
ST. ANDREW’S UKRAINE CRISIS DONATION CHALLENGE: EXTENDED THROUGH EASTER
As of Wednesday morning, we have raised $7,050 for the Ukraine relief fund, exceeding our original goal AND our new goal. We’ll continue to take donations through Easter, setting a NEW goal of reaching $7,500. Though we are a small parish, we are truly showing the power we hold to help during a time of great suffering for so many. Thank you to everyone who has come together so that we may do our part for our Ukrainian brothers and sisters.
If you’d like to help reach the new goal and most importantly, support the people of Ukraine, please send checks, made out to St. Andrew’s and noted that it is for the Ukraine fund, to St. Andrew’s P.O. Box 117 Mt. Jackson VA 22842.
Funds will be sent directly to the Episcopal Relief & Development fund created to provide humanitarian assistance to those fleeing the violence in Ukraine. Any donation, no matter how small, can make a difference to the more than 3 million people who have been displaced due to the violence. Please share this challenge with friends and family so we can continue to help as much as we possibly can.
LAY EUCHARISTIC MINISTER NEEDED AT EMMANUEL
We are in need of someone to serve as the lay Eucharistic minister this Easter Sunday at Emmanuel for the 11:15 a.m. service and on May 22. If you’re able to serve, please speak with Mother Kathy.
WOODSTOCK MINISTERIAL ALLIANCE EASTER SERVICE
The Woodstock Ministerial Alliance has shared a video of an Easter service they all did together. They hope you enjoy it!
PARISH DIRECTORY
The new 2022 printed directory are now available in the parish halls. The directory is also available on our website. To access the file, you’ll need a password so please email Melissa for it. (You don’t have to sign up for a DropBox account to access the file. If a window pops up asking if you want to sign up for one, you can close that out to continue to the file.)
EMMANUEL’S TABLE FOOD PANTRY: NEW HOURS
Emmanuel’s Table is now open every second and fourth Tuesday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Please help spread the word about the change in hours. The next April date is the 26th.
If you know of anyone, including teens, who would like to volunteer on Tuesdays to help hand out food or on Monday afternoons to help unload and bag items, please speak with Tillie Kaufmann.
SPRING CLEANING FOR ST. ANDREW’S ANNUAL RUMMAGE SALE
The sale is coming back Saturday, June 11, 7 a.m. to 12 p.m.! So, as you’re spring cleaning, hang on to those items to drop off at St. Andrew’s (drop off dates TBA). Everything from clothes, toys, games, kitchen gadgets and decor to sports items, tools, outdoor items, jewelry and accessories can be sold at the sale.
All profits from the sale go to charity as do all items left over after the sale. More info is coming as we get closer to the sale.
SHRINE MONT SUMMER CAMPS
Camps for children ages 8 and up at Shrine Mont for summer 2022 are open for registration. If you know of a child who would benefit from these camps, we encourage you to explore the options. From art to sports to exploring the great outdoors, this year’s camps will include both new activities as well as beloved camp programs and traditions. And with two sessions of Family Camp, there’s something for everyone. Spots are filling up fast, but there are still a few openings left! Visit www.shrinemontcamps.net for dates, rates, and programs. Scholarships are available so please do not let cost be a deciding factor. Please speak with Mother Kathy if you have questions.
NO BIBLE STUDY OR EUCHARIST WEDNESDAY
Our Regional Bible Study and Eucharist at Emmanuel will not be held on Wednesday, April 20. They will resume on April 27.
PRAYER LIST
One of the greatest gifts we have to offer each other as a parish family is our prayers for ourselves, our families and our loved ones. You’re invited to sit with your parish directory and each day, lift up a section or page of names a day. Let’s continuously hold each other in prayer. Let us pray: God of grace and comfort, enfold our parish-members, family and friends with your mercy. Strengthen each one with a shield of faith and enable them to accept what is to come, heal them and bear their pain, keep them in peace, and fix their hearts on you through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.
Our prayer list can be found on our website. If you have folks you’d like added to the prayer list, please email their names to Melissa.
WORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
WEEKDAY SERVICES
NIGHTLY COMPLINE
Sunday through Thursday, 8 p.m. Compline on Facebook Live and Zoom
WEDNESDAY EUCHARIST (Cancelled 4/20)
12 p.m. at Emmanuel
SUNDAY SERVICES
8 a.m. Emmanuel
9:15 a.m. St. Andrew’s and Facebook Live
11:15 a.m. Emmanuel and Facebook Live
The full bulletin is available on our website.
All weekly and Sunday services are available to view on Facebook and our website after the services, when available.