A Note from Sherman
Dear Friends,
As we approach the conclusion of our interim sojourn together, there are a few things I would like to say in my final Eblast epistle. (Helen Crandell will be writing next week’s message before my last Sunday.)
Dear Friends,
As we approach the conclusion of our interim sojourn together, there are a few things I would like to say in my final Eblast epistle. (Helen Crandell will be writing next week’s message before my last Sunday.)
Wendell Berry says, “The care of the Earth is our most ancient and most worthy and, after all, our most pleasing responsibility. To cherish what remains of it, and to foster its renewal, is our only legitimate hope.”
This Sunday, the day after Earth Day, we will sing several hymns to celebrate our beautiful planet, particularly at the 11am service.
All St. Michael’s youth in middle and high school are invited to attend the next Diocesan youth event on Sunday, April 23, from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. This is an Earth Day event which will be held at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Eugene.
Our remaining Holy Week services begin on April 6, Maundy Thursday, with our Maundy Thursday Agapé Supper at 6:00 pm and Liturgy of the Last Supper at 7:00. All are welcome! All of these services (except the 7:30 am Easter morning) will be live-streamed. The Easter Vigil and Easter Day liturgies will be followed by receptions in the Parish Hall.
Tonight we enter the Great Three Days with a meal and a service focused on servant leadership, as modeled by Jesus at the Last Supper by washing his disciples’ feet. Tomorrow evening we will join with the Misa community to walk the way of the Cross. And on Saturday evening, we will gather just after sunset to light the Paschal Fire; retell the stories of Creation, the Exodus, and Ezekiel’s visions about Dry Bones and a New Heart; renew our baptismal promises; and celebrate the first Eucharist of the Day of Resurrection.
Lent ends in less than two weeks, on Palm/Passion Sunday. Before then, we have Sunday’s service for Lent V, on March 26. The Rev. Sherman Hesselgrave will preside, and the Rev. Dcn. Marla McGarry-Lawrence, retired deacon, will preach. Our two book studies wrap up as well, the bilingual one this Sunday at 2:30 pm and the other, led by Sherman, on Wednesday, March 29. Our last Soup Supper and Holden Evening Prayer will happen on that Wednesday as well. Attendance has been holding steady at about 20, with all enjoying two delicious soups and singing this brief, beautiful service together. The supper begins at 5:30 pm and the service at 6:15 pm.
There’s a lot going on with the Spanish-speaking community these days. The Misa happens every Sunday at 1:00 pm, and all are welcome to attend – maybe even pick up a little Spanish! There is a regular rotation of crucifers, acolytes and lectors who serve on Sundays, as well as ushers to welcome attendees and distribute bulletins.
[Drum roll, please.] Next Thursday, March 16, a separate eblast will be sent out which will include a letter of introduction from St Michael & All Angels’ new rector. I believe the plan is to notify both the St Michael’s congregation and the new rector’s current congregation at the same time.
Our special Lenten musical offering this year is a prayer service held each Wednesday in March in the Chancel area, in place of our lay-led Evening Prayer which will resume in April. We will start each Wednesday evening in the Parish Hall with a simple soup-and-bread supper available from 5:30 to 6:00 pm on March 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29, followed by Holden Evening Prayer at 6:15 pm in the church.
Sunday Services
7:30 – Rite I Traditional language with no music.
9:00 – Rite II Holy Eucharist with choir
11:00 – Inclusive language with choir
1:00 pm – Misa en Español
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