Lent / Holy Week / Easter 2012
Table of Contents:
Ash Wednesday
Spaghetti Supper
Holy Week Services
Letter from the Rector
Notes from the Vestry
Church Calendar (see Calendar)
Keep the Spirit Alive (see Donations)
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Ash Wednesday
This year Easter Sunday is April 8th. Ash Wednesday, the first day of the Lenten season, is on February 22nd. A Eucharist service will be held at St. Stephen’s at 5:30 PM in the evening in the parish house.
Once again this year we are going to participate in the ecumenical council schedule for Lent. The schedule is included in our printed newsletter as well as on our website’s calendar page.
Spaghetti Supper
A spaghetti supper will be held to benefit SAFER on Thursday, March 1st at the Schuylerville Elementary school cafeteria. The cost is $6.00 for children and seniors and $9.00 for all others. Dinner starts at 5:00 PM and will run until 7:30 PM. Take-out dinners will be available from 4:30 PM. A silent auction will also be held.
Holy Week Services
The feast of Maundy (or Holy) Thursday solemnly commemorates the institution of the Eucharist and is the oldest of the observances peculiar to Holy Week. On Thursday, April 5th, Holy Eucharist service will be at 5:30 PM in the church.
On Friday, April 6th, Good Friday rites will be conducted at St. Stephen’s Church in an ecumenical service at 12:00 noon.
Services at St. Stephen’s Church will be held at the regular times on Easter Sunday, April 8th.
Letter From the Rector
Dear Friends,
I am always reading the latest research about education as well as religious practice in America, and I have found an interesting parallel.
A problem that some school children have today is absorbing what they need to learn. Early on, our children become familiar with electronic devices, which they easily and quickly learn to manipulate according to their particular interests. Turning on, off, and switching these devices requires giving of their attention – their concentration – in satisfying their interest. Our youth today seem to have lost sight of the value of giving of themselves (their attention/concentration) in the classroom and in their studies in order to satisfy their quest for knowledge.
People today, both young and old, seem to value getting satisfaction more than the giving aspect leading to satisfaction. This translates as well to religious practice in America. As I have often noted, this mindset has affected church attendance and participation in this country. Mega-churches thrive because they’re not about giving, but about getting – what you get from “worship,” which means mostly a big thrill.
In America there is a huge loss in understanding of what religion is all about, which is what you give – what you give of yourself to the glory of God. This affects church attendance and belief, especially among young people. The ultimate values of religion, of our faith, are related to what we give of ourselves to the Lord, regardless of thrills, in our worship. When we speak of the Lord’s commands, it is always mistakenly related primarily to ethical, moral injunctions. However, the most striking command of Jesus was at the Last Supper when He said, “Do this in remembrance of me!” Whatever we might or might not get out of Sunday worship, fulfilling that commandment has to be central to our Faith; which, in mundane terms, means attending Sunday worship. Lent is coming up soon. Listen to that command, and, ultimately, that is the way you gain the rich rewards of our Faith – by giving worship to the Lord of the Universe and His son, our Lord Jesus Christ. That way you get nothing less than the Kingdom of God!
Father John Kettlewell
Rector
Notes from the Vestry
Welcome to the second month of 2012; we hope this year is as productive as last year, which saw the completion of the stained glass window restoration project, roof repairs (a seemingly constant requirement), repairs to the organ, and jacking/leveling of the kitchen floor. Now that the floor is level, we can think about kitchen renovations. Larry Jones prepared a plan proposal and cost estimate based on our preliminary discussions. Further discussions regarding this will be taken up later on this year.
The Vestry wishes to thank Renée Abernathy for her service to St. Stephen’s, and we welcome Brittany Patterson who has agreed to serve on the Vestry.
A “10-year Committee” has been formed to address future plans and directions for St. Stephen’s Parish. Members include Doug Bischoff, Jim Carbino, Gay Gamage, Julie Leskovic, Bonnie Mundy, Brittany Patterson, and Libby Smith-Holmes.
For his 50 years of ministry, Valerie Drohobycky presented Father Kettlewell with new vestments.
Ideas on how we might celebrate our 50th chicken barbecue are being sought. Some ideas that have been suggested are: a plant project, an art show, music, adding to the food offered (such as a salad) to go along with the chicken and baked beans, and asking for a donation to SAFER.
In closing, there will be an Ecumenical Council Meeting at St. Stephen’s on February 13th.