This Sunday (March 8) at St. John’s

Almighty God, you know that we have no power in ourselves to help ourselves: Keep us both outwardly in our bodies and inwardly in our souls, that we may be defended from all adversities which may happen to the body, and from all evil thoughts which may assault and hurt the soul; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Collect, Third Sunday in Lent Pg. 218, Book of Common Prayer

Our Collects for each Sunday of the church year are beautiful.  Collects are a way we “collect” our prayers to God.  They have a particular form — Address, petition, aspiration, doxology.  Let’s look at the Collect for this Sunday:

Address – Almighty God, you know that we have no power in ourselves to help ourselves
Petition – Keep us both outwardly in our bodies and inwardly in our souls
Aspiration – that we may be defended from all adversities which my happen to our body, and from all evil thought which may assault and hurt the soul;
Doxology – through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever

Yes, God knows we have no power in ourselves to help ourselves. While I think I have great faith, I am constantly reminded that there are some parts of my personal, daily life, I don’t think God has time for.  I find it hard to ask for help from others, so will flounder around on my own for awhile, before realizing there are others who can help.

But God knows I need help.  God know I need the help of others and the help of God to live life.  This doesn’t mean I have no responsibility.  I still must do my part AND I must keep my overreliance on my self in balance.

Blessings as you finish this snowy week!

Love, Rebecca+

Daylight Savings Time Begins at 2:00am THIS SUNDAY!  Change your clock one hour forward (spring forward).  

Observance of Women’s History Month this Sunday, March 8.  Hymns written by women and special sermon.

Rebecca’s Schedule
Rebecca will be at St. John’s this week, Tuesday through Thursday.  Her Sabbath Days will be Monday and Friday.  You can get a message to her by calling the church office at 606-528-1659 or priest-in-charge@stjohnscorbin.org.

Godly Play offered for children.  All children are invited to participate in this special program of spiritual development.

Adult Forum
During Lent, we are discussing various issues in Appalachia. This Sunday, Rebecca will lead a discussion on the “Discovery” of Appalachia.  Next week, March 15, Professor Joe Pearson will talk about “Why Appalachia got left behind – 1965 to present.”

The Vestry proposes the following Mission Statement for St. John’s Church:  Proclaiming the Gospel, promoting justice, and preparing a diverse community of seekers to reflect the welcoming love of Christ.  Let us know what you think about this statement, which guides us to goals and actions that embody our Mission.

Wednesday Evenings During Lent through March 25, 6:30pm, series on Appalachia.  Plan to come on Wednesday evenings for a soup and bread supper, followed by a special series on Appalachia.  Next Wednesday, we will have a discussion on the connection to the land.

The Grow Appalachia Committee will meet  not meet tonight, March 5, but will meet Saturday, March 7, 8:30am for a shopping trip.  If you’re interested in planting your own garden, either here in St. John’s Park or in your own backyard, or helping with a community plot here in the park, please plan to attend these meetings.

Good Ag Practices (GAP) Certification class, Monday, March 16, 6pm, Laurel County Extension Office.  This class is required if you’d like to sell items at the Farmer’s Markets.

Donations are being accepted until March 29, for flowers to decorate the church for Easter. Use the donation envelopes and write if the donation is “in honor of/in memory” of a loved one or a special occasion.  Donations in any amount will be accepted.

Honor or remember a loved one through altar flowers.  Please sign up on the Flower Donation Chart and let us know if you’d like the flowers to be “in memory of/in honor of” a loved one or special occasion.  We suggest a donation of $20.  Please place your donation in the envelopes provided.

The Altar Guild and Worship Committee will meet Friday, March 20, 4:30-6:00pm to plan for Holy Week and Easter.    If you are able to assist with altar and worship preparation for this busy week of the Church year, please try to attend or let Rev. Rebecca know.

A Confusion of the Spirit:  Holy or Distilled? Saturday, March 21, 10am – noon. The Rev. Dr. Stuart Hoke, a priest in North Carolina and one of Rebecca’s professors at General Seminary, is coming to Corbin to raise our community’s awareness about addiction and recovery. As a recovering individual himself, Stuart is very much involved in helping churches, congregations and individuals deal with the disease of alcoholism and addictive illness.  He will also preach at the Sunday service.

Make a Covenant with St. John’s!  God has made unconditional covenants with us that God will always be with us, always be our God.  Likewise, through our annual pledge, we state our promise and obligation to the mission and work of the people of St. John’s Episcopal Church.  Our mission and work not only includes our worship, Grow Appalachia, and family game nights, but also God’s work in our region through our Diocese and in our nation and world through The Episcopal Church and The Anglican Communion.  If you’d like to make a covenant with St. John’s through a pledge, please see Rebecca or Gay Nell Conley.

 

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