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The weekly parish KneeMail to parishioners and friends of Saint James Church, Texarkana
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Kneemail from Saint James Church

February 26, AD 2020
Ash Wednesday

Dear Parishioners and Friends of Saint James' Church:
 
Archbishop Fulton Sheen provides the following insight into human nature in his writing: “The true view of human nature lies somewhere in between two extremes: absolute goodness and total depravity – between optimism and pessimism. Your experience tells you that you are not a saint, but it also tells you that you are not a devil. The tendency toward evil in you is not an irremediable flaw, but an accident that can be controlled.

     “You feel like a fish on top of the Empire State Building; somehow or other you are outside of your environment. You cannot swim back, but Someone could put you back.

     “When you buy an automobile, the manufacturer gives you a set of instructions: the pressure to which you ought to inflate your tires; the kind of oil you ought to use; and the proper fuel to put in the gas tank. He has nothing against you by giving you these instructions, as God has nothing against you in giving you commandments. The manufacturer wants to be helpful; he is anxious that you get the maximum utility out of the car. And God is anxious that we get the maximum happiness out of life.”

    Such is the purpose of Lent.

    In following a rule of life during this season of Lent, holy Mother Church is providing instructions for us to perform at the optimal spiritual level that we were designed for. In being truly penitent, committing ourselves to deeper devotion in our prayer and worship of Almighty God, by the disciplines of self-denial, through acts of charity toward others, and in a willingness to journey to Calvary, we are finding that Someone – God – is restoring us to fullness of life. With that fullness of life comes a greater joy and happiness, because these spiritual disciplines are God’s way of putting us back into the water of life.

    Let this Lenten season be a time of renewal for you. I encourage you to commit yourself to include in your rule of life any one or more of the following: attendance at the Wednesday evening Mass, supper and class; Friday Stations of the Cross; Tuesday morning prayer at the Day School; volunteering at Randy Sams Outreach Shelter, or another not-for-profit organization; fasting; making use of the Sacrament of Reconciliation; participating in Sunday morning Christian education; recitation of the Daily Offices from the Book of Common Prayer – here is an online link, https://www.missionstclare.com/english/, or contact me to help you develop a Lenten rule of life which works best for you.  (Editor's Note:  There is also a Mission St. Clare app for the Iphone). 

    We know we belong to God and our hearts long for Him, even ache for Him, but like the instruction manual for our cars we put off following the prescribe maintenance schedule because we are distracted. We hope that we could just run a little bit longer and get that extra mile out of running our lives our way instead of what the Manufacturer suggests for our optimal spiritual  performance.

    Let this Lent at Saint James’ Church be the place where you and I enter more deeply into the mysteries of how the Father has restored us through the passion, death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

     With my prayers for each of you in keeping a holy Lent, I remain yours

In our blessed Lord,

Rev. Richard Daly, SSC
WORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES THIS WEEK

ASH WEDNESDAY  AT SAINT JAMES':
Said Mass with Imposition of Ashes at 12:05pm

Sung Mass with Imposition of Ashes at 6:00pm

Childcare is provided during the 6:00pm Mass.

No Classes, activities or supper on Ash Wednesday.
Regular Wednesday night schedule resumes on March 4th.
 

FRIDAY NOON:
Stations of the Cross at 12:05 PM. 

A light Lenten lunch follows in the Great Hall

THE FIRST SUNDAY IN LENT: 
Sunday, March 1, 2020
Low Mass at 8am.
Christian Education for all ages at 9 am.
Sung Mass at 10am
Nursery provided from 9am onwards.

In the Adult Class:  SUNDAYS AT 9AM THROUGH THE END OF LENT:
The development and history of the New Testament. The class will focus on being an overview of the cultural context in which various New Testament books were written and how they came to be compiled in their present form. In general, this class will use as an outline, An Introduction to the New Testament, by D.A. Carson and Douglas Moo, published by Zondervan Academics.
ITEMS OF PARTICULAR NOTE

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN A PASTORAL VISIT from Fr. Richard, please contact the parish office, or email sandrak@stjamestxk.org or rdaly@saintsamestxk.org. Sandra will be helping to coordinate the scheduling and she will be able to assist you setting up a visitation. The visits are designed to be around twenty minutes, but no more than thirty minutes. Each visit will conclude with a prayer and a house blessing.
 
 
A LENTEN RULE OF LIFE is intended to help us grow in our spirituality and become more closely connected to God. Every day of Lent, except Sundays, are days of special devotion and self-denial. Whatever Lenten discipline you enjoin upon yourself let it be a means of grace to help you in your knowledge, love and service of God, as you prepare for the great feast of Easter.
 

THE LATEST LAY MINISTRY SCHEDULE is on the table on the porch of the church. This schedule up to Easter, but the Holy Week Schedule will be available at a later date. Please make sure you get a copy.
 
IF YOU HAVE ANNOUNCEMENTS OR NOTICES for the bulletin or Kneemail, please send them to the church office by 4:00pm on Monday of each week

IF SOMEONE IS SICK AND IN THE HOSPITAL, please do not forget to contact the Priest so that the prayers and sacraments of the Church can be offered.
UPCOMING CALENDAR ITEMS

STATIONS OF THE CROSS – FRIDAYS OF LENT at 12:05pm. After the Stations of the Cross are concluded there will be a light lunch available in the parish hall. Attending Stations of the Cross is a good spiritual way to increase spiritual disciplines and devotions in the season of Lent.

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION NOTICES
 
First Holy Communion class is in session this Sunday. 

Christian Education is in session this Sunday.


PARISH NOTICES

CELEBRATING BIRTHDAYS THIS WEEK:
Robert Torrans (23), Shari Keller (24),
Ernest Pender (25), Cory Floyd (26)

CELEBRATING ANNIVERSARIES: 
Lisa & Russ McDermott (25).

WEEKLY HOUSEHOLD PRAYERS:  
Anne & Steve Douglas
 

REST ETERNAL
Rest Eternal grant unto them, O Lord; and let light perpetual shine upon them.

Anniversaries of death falling this week:
Peggy Kosoki (24), Richard Lawrence (28)
Did you know that you can now pay your pledge or make a gift to Saint James' Church through our secure online payment system?  

See http://saintjamestxk.org/giving/ for details.
LAY SERVER SCHEDULE
 
THOSE WHO SERVE March 1st - First Sunday in Lent
C.B. 8am Greg Torrance
Reader 8am Chayta Mills
C.B. 10:00am Cory Floyd
Wade Fowler
Acolytes
10:00am
Erica Stanley
Worth Matteson
Emma Burks
Keelynn Bagby
Grant Rampy
Reader 10am Jane Bruner
POP 10am Jennifer Jordan
Sunday School Leighsa Bean
 
 
Ushers 10am
George Matteson
Nick Prime
Josh Burks
Greg Davis
Altar Guild Team 1
Household Week Jason Dowd
Vestry
Lock Up
Phillip Jordan
Cathy Van Herpen
 
 
BY WAY OF REMINDER: 
It is our custom to send out reminders to those serving the following Sunday on three occasions: Tuesdays (by email), Wednesdays (via the Knee Mail), then then again on Thursdays (by email, with the Bulletin).  It helps the Office to know of any conflicts sooner rather than later!
 
PARISH GROUPS AND ACTIVITIES

THE FLOWER DONOR CHART is in the Narthex (porch) to sign-up to give flowers in memory or in thanksgiving of a loved one, or you may call or e-mail Martha Bean at 903-547-6911 – e-mail wpmvb@windstream.net .  The cost is still just $35 per donor, per Sunday.  What a great way to honor or remember those who are important in our lives!

You can also now make your flower dedication through the Parish Website by visiting the form here.

THE DAUGHTERS OF THE KING is an Order for Episcopal women founded in 1885.  We are a prayer and service group who meets once a month.  We regularly take part in worship, study, and aid our Clergy as asked.  If you are interested in more about us, please call or e-mail Jan Lewis (903-278-9629), jcltwin2@aol.com.
Copyright © 2020 Saint James' Church, All rights reserved.


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