|
|
|
|
|
Use Lent to Become a Better Person
By Lucia Herndon, Philadelphia Inquirer, March 12, 2003
It’s been a week since Lent began. One week since Ash Wednesday and the start of the 40-day period of self-denial that some Christians observe as Easter approaches. It’s interesting to see what people will deny themselves. Some are giving up the traditional things – such as eating meat, chocolate, desserts. I have one friend who is giving up cheese.
I understand the idea behind denial. It’s to help you empty yourself, the better to gain clarity. But most people wind up using denial to punish themselves. And they don’t do it quietly. They’re eager to tell you what they’ve given up and how tortured they’re feeling. Just look at the person who has given up chocolate for Lent. You don’t have to ask her – she’ll tell you in a mournful voice how she craves it. How it’s making her crazy. How she can’t wait until Lent is over.
It’s like the Lenten diet – something to try, and thank God, it’s over in 40 days. I’m not sure that much long-lasting clarity is gained by that sacrifice. Maybe a little self-examination needs to occur before we stop eating Reese’s Pieces.
How about giving up being proud? I don’t mean that you shouldn’t work hard and take pride in a job well done. I’m talking not only about the pride that makes us think our work is better than others’; I’m talking about the pride that makes us think we are better than others – that what we think and do and feel is more important than what other people think and feel and do. Pride makes us dismissive of other people’s feelings and can make us downright rude.
Give this up, and you might find yourself listening to others when they speak instead of talking over them or simply not listening because you think you know more than they do.
Denying yourself a sense of superiority will make you do some other interesting things. You might say “thank you” to someone. You might ask for others’ help or advice and really hear what they have to say. And you’ll probably thank them for it.
You might try giving up being miserly. There’s nothing wrong with money management and watching your pennies in these times of economic uncertainty. But you could find that if you donate some of your money to a worthy cause you’ll actually get back more than the money you’ve spent.
Doesn’t make sense, you say. Doesn’t add up? What comes back to you will be not money but a soul-satisfying sense of being useful. That’s worth far more than a healthy checkbook balance.
Lent should be a preparation for all the rest of the year. Insights gained can be put to use to make one mindful of and responsive to the needs of others. You can use this season of denial to be a better person the rest of the year.
In the spirit of Lent, a thought for all seasons:
Fast from criticism, and feast on praise;
Fast from self-pity, and feast on joy;
Fast from ill temper, and feast on peace;
Fast from resentment, and feast on contentment;
Fast from jealousy, and feast on humility;
Fast from pride, and feast on love;
Fast from selfishness, and feast on service;
Fast from fear, and feast on faith.
--Words of the Most Rev’d Arthur Lichtenberger,
Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church from 1958-1964
|
|
|
WORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES THIS WEEK
WEDNESDAY NIGHT AT SAINT JAMES':
NO MASS, MEAL, OR CLASS THIS WEDNESDAY (3/13). Spring Break Recess!
THE SECOND SUNDAY IN LENT:
17 March AD 2019
Low Mass at 8am.
Christian Education for all ages at 9 am.
Sung Mass at 10am.
Nursery provided from 9am onwards.
Coffee Hour follows the 10:00 Mass
|
|
|
|
ITEMS OF PARTICULAR NOTE
FATHER DALY’S EMAIL ADDRESS IS rdaly@saintjamestxk.org
LENTEN ALTAR SERVER WORKSHOPS—at 9am in the church.
Sunday, March 17th Crucifers
Sunday, March 24th Altar servers
Sunday, March 31st Torches
Sunday, April 7th Thurifers
Save the Date: Friday, March 29th: LENTEN FISH FRY for 20s-30s-40s at 6:30pm at the home of Cory & Summer Floyd, 9 Oak Hill Place, Texas. The parish will provide nursery care at the church. Please bring a side dish to share.
|
|
|
|
UPCOMING CALENDAR ITEMS
Thursday, March 14th: ATLANTA VESTRY MEETS at 5:30pm.
Friday, March 15th: STATIONS OF THE CROSS at 12:05pm. A light lunch follows.
Monday, March 18th: RANDY SAMS’ BOARD MEETING at Noon.
Monday, March 18th: ST JAMES’ VESTRY MEETS at 5:30pm.
Wednesday, March 20th: WENDESDAY NIGHTS RESUME
Friday, March 22nd: CORNERSTONE MASS at 10:30am (note change of date).
Friday, March 22nd: STATIONS OF THE CROSS at 12:05pm. A light lunch follows.
Thursday, March 28th: SJDS BOARD MEETING at 5:30pm.
Friday, March 29th: LENTEN FISH FRY for 20s-30s-40s at 6:30pm at the home of Cory & Summer Floyd, 9 Oak Hill Place, Texas. The parish will provide nursery care at the church. Please bring a side dish to share.
Sunday, March 31st: ATLANTA MASS at 11am
|
|
|
|
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION NOTICES
Christian Education Classes resume this Sunday, 3/17/2019 after the Spring Break recess!
|
|
|
|
PARISH NOTICES
CELEBRATING BIRTHDAYS THIS WEEK:
None Listed
CELEBRATING ANNIVERSARIES:
None Listed
WEEKLY HOUSEHOLD PRAYERS:
Nina White
REST ETERNAL.
Rest Eternal grant unto them, O Lord; and let light perpetual shine upon them.
Anniversaries of death falling this week:
Harvey Ashford, 2003; Anne Cleveland, 2009; Reba Allen, 2003.
|
|
|
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 17th
Lent II |
| Reader 8am |
Mary Nell Short |
| C.B. 8am |
Greg Torrance |
| C.B. 10:00am |
Alan Pearce
Keith Maynard |
Acolytes
10:00am |
Emma Anderson
Henry Kyles
Austin Miller
Isabelle Collins
T or M Keyes |
| Reader 10am |
Megan Schroeder |
| POP 10am |
Michelle Shores |
| Sunday School Teachers |
Monica Bruner |
| Children’s LOTW |
David Warrick |
| S.S. Snacks |
Suzanne Davis |
Ushers 10am |
Herbert Huntley
Julie Huntley
Michael Jones
Night Keyes |
| Altar Guild |
Team 3 |
| Household Week |
Glen & Lova Wile |
Vestry
Lock Up |
Mark Storey
Cathy VanHerpen |
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 ROSARY GROUP meets on Tuesdays at 10am to pray the “Bible on a String.” Come join us. For more information, contact Lova at lova@cableone.net
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 Lova Wile (903-832-2533 lova@cableone.net ), Tammy Cowdery (903-277-2148 cowdery@txkusa.org ), or Gail Crisp (903-838-0942 gjcrisp@cableone.net )
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
