From the Rector
Grace Groups are launching tomorrow!
Last week we shared that we would be launching Grace Groups, a way for us to stay connected, stay church, and take care of each other in the days ahead.
We have now pulled together the Grace Groups Leadership Team who will oversee this project, and we have divided all the households in our directory into 14 small groups. Tomorrow you will receive an email with information about who is in your small group and who your Leadership Team point person is.
So, why are we doing this – and what are we asking you to do?
We are doing this because as we settle in for an extended period of time of compassionate distancing and physical isolation it is important for us to stay connected to other. Even more importantly, we are a community, and communities take care of each other. We have many in our midst who fall into the “vulnerable” category and should not be leaving their homes for even essential trips, if at all possible. We also have pulled together a great list of folks for our Helpers Team who can lend a hand when needs arise.
We are asking you to do 3 things:
- Pray for the members of your group every day.
- Call, email, or text the folks in your group to check in at least once a week.
- If member of your group has a need or a prayer request, contact your Leadership Team point person and they will take it from there.
If you are anything like me, the last weeks have felt overwhelming. Some days I don’t know if I’m coming or going. Our hope is that this isn’t just “one more thing” to add to your To Do list, but that it is instead a practice that grounds all of us in the love of God made known in community. Jesus said wherever 2 or 3 are gathered he is in their midst, and I have to believe this holds true even when our community is gathering and caring for one another in new ways.
If you have any questions please reach out to Heather Albertson or Jeannie Pellicier who are both members of the Grace Group Leadership Team, along with Kathy Rak, Vivian Carden, and Lucy Winston. I give thanks to God for these women among us who have said yes to this new ministry, and for this community of which we are members.
Yours in God’s peace,
Kristin+
At Home Worship/Formation
Virtual Worship
- Zoom Palm Sunday 4/5/2020 Join us for Zoom Palm Sunday worship at 9:30 am followed by Zoom Coffee Hour this Sunday, or watch the live stream on YouTube.
Palm Sunday Printable Bulletin
ZOOM LINKS WILL BE SENT PRIVATELY VIA OUR SUBSCRIPTION SERVICE
Further details about Palm Sunday and all of Holy Week & Easter
will be sent out in an email on Saturday.
- Virtual Compline services on Facebook are Monday through Friday at 8:30 pm. You do not need to have a Facebook account to “attend” – just click here to participate. While your at our Facebook page be sure to “follow” and turn on notifications so you will be alerted when we go live or post updated information. Compline order of service
Resources:
For a complete listing of resources visit our At Home Worship/Formation page.
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- Compline order of service
- The popular daily devotion Forward Day by Day is posted each day online, and it too is available as a podcast.
- Lectionary Readings for Palm Sunday: Zechariah 9:9-12; Philippians 2:5-11; Matthew 21:1-11
Next Week's Commemorations (A Great Cloud of Witnesses, 2020)
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SUNDAY SCHOOL NEWS:
Although our Sunday School classes are not in session at this time, it is our prayer that each family is doing well. We miss being together and hope you are finding creative ways to cope during this unexpected time out. The Faith at Home weekly email scriptures being sent to you from St. James, have suggested family activities for children of all ages. Check it out!
Some changes…
Please continue to save your coins during Lent and beyond for our A is for Africa outreach project. Mite boxes will be collected during our Sunday School closing program.
Yes, upon our return in May, we plan to have our Sunday School closing ceremony on May 31st. All children/classes will be recognized. Keep tuned for further details.
If you would like to chat (or have a prayer request), you will find the email addresses and phone numbers of all our Sunday School teachers in the Parish Directory. We miss your children very much and would love to hear how they are doing. Remember, we are all in this together and our parish family is here for each other.
St. James’ Sunday School Team
Yvette Allen, Bible Stories for Preschoolers
Betsy Davis, Kindergarten – 2nd Grades
Natalie DelRegno – 3rd – 5th Grades
Joan Fader – Middle – High Grades
Nancy Nanavaty – 4th Sunday Fun activities
Mara Snyder – Children’s music
Give your best. Laugh without holding back. Live for each day.
Be generous with love. See God in the moment.
Discover. Enjoy.
(Day Spring Inspirational)
Outreach
Hope this finds everyone well and enjoying their extra time with family. Sincere blessings to those who are required to work due this scary time; we really do appreciate all you are doing.
As you are aware, our “new world“ and community lives are changing daily, therefore, we must update our most recent directions in regard to your Lenten Donations for those who are continuing to collect.
Unfortunately, it has become necessary for Mt. Airy NET to temporarily close it’s doors for donations as you will note in the following sign.
We will let you know when their doors are once again open and update our plans for a possible donations blessing at our church before delivery. Your donations will surely be appreciated by Mt. Airy NET since they are continuing to serve those in need during this trying time.
The Mount Airy Net encourages those who would like to make a monetary donation to give through its website at MtAiryNet.org or send a check to Mt. Airy Net, Inc., 403 S. Main St., Mount Airy, MD 21771.
The Outreach Committee sends it’s best wishes and prayers for safety to all.
Choir/Music
As we approach holy week, I wanted to share with you a piece I shared with the choir as we started these strange and bizarre weeks of social distancing: Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater (1736). A “Stabat Mater” is a genre of hymn about Mary’s suffering as the mother of Jesus at his crucifixion; it’s often associated with Good Friday and/or the Stations of the Cross. The hymn is written in Latin, but you’ll find both the original text and the English translation below.
WEEKLY ANNOUNCEMENTS
Parish Administrator Hours for the week of April 5, as needed from home.
David and Sheila Pyatt
Davis Rak and Kathleen McKaig-Rak
Charles and Susan Riel
A member of the Daughters of the King will be contacting you this week for special prayer requests.