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NEED TO KNOW

• 2/26/23 - Sunday Services | 8:00AM, 9:30AM, & 11:00AM

• 3/1/23 - Wednesday - Morning Prayer with Mary Kay | 9:00AM

“Jesus Tempted in the Desert” by Chris Cook

FROM THE INTERIM RECTOR

Friends,

During the season of Lent, the Church invites all of us “to the observance of a holy Lent, by self-examination and repentance; by prayer, fasting, and self-denial; and by reading and meditating on God's holy Word. And, to make a right beginning of repentance.” (The Book of Common Prayer, pg. 265)

On Ash Wednesday, we promised to move through the season of Lent with discipline, intentionality, and hope by examining our actions in the world, through spiritual disciplines, and by journeying with Jesus through the chances, challenges and changes necessary to becoming Christ-like.

The Lenten Journey is divided into three movements. We begin by promising to spend this season in moments of self-examine. Penitential seasons invite us to turn toward God and to turn away from whatever distracts us from living a holy life as a follower of Jesus.

We declare our intention to follow Christ through the sacrament of baptism then reaffirm that prayer by reception and reaffirmation. As it states in our Book of Common Prayer, “This season of Lent provided a time in which converts to the faith were prepared for Holy Baptism. (p. 265)

The journey with Christ is often made up of wilderness wanderings. During Lent, we move with Jesus into the wilderness, where we face and name our temptations. The silence of the desert, the seductive landscape, and the noises of the sand, coupled with the noises of our interior life, distract us and cause us to lose focus. During Lent, the faithful often engage spiritual disciplines to help calm the interior voices, making room for God to speak through the Spirit. Some fast. Some pray. Some read. Others, give up something. Many take on something. Whatever calls, we do to increase our love for God and God’s people. We should not take things on that cause pain or resentment. Relent. Do something that enriches your relationship with God and the world God created.

There are several ways during Lent to enhance your spiritual journey:

• Confirmation for Youth Seekers - Young people who want to discover what they believe about God, Jesus, and the Church should join our Lenten class for seekers. Participation does not mean one must be confirmed at the conclusion of the inquiry. That decision will be made by the participant as the sessions come to a close. More information is below in “The Whole People of God” section.

• Confirmation, Reception, and Reaffirmation for Adults - For adults who would like to be confirmed, or received, or both, consider joining our catechism class via Zoom beginning Thursday, March 9. According to the catechizes of the Episcopal Church (The Book of Common Prayer, pgs. 845-862), “Confirmation is the rite in which we express a mature commitment to Christ, and receive strength from the Holy Spirit through prayer and the laying on of hands by a bishop.” Reception is “when people already confirmed in another church rooted in apostolic succession are officially received into the Episcopal Church.” Would you like to make being an Episcopalian official? Sessions will be 1 ½ hours beginning at 7:00 PM and concluding at 8:30 PM. As a basis for study, we will use Jenifer Gamber’s book Your Faith, Your Life: An Invitation to The Episcopal Church.

• Morning Prayer with Mary Kay - Beginning March 1, gather with Mary Kay and pray Morning Prayer, Wednesday mornings, at 9:00 A. If your schedule allows, stay after for coffee and conversation. Discussions will use Amy-Jill Levine's "Entering the Passion of Jesus: a beginner's guide to Holy Week" as a conversational framework.

• “Will You” reflection booklet - We are participating by piloting a new curriculum adventure from the Episcopal Evangelism Society entitled “Will you? A Lenten journey through the five “will you” questions of the Baptismal Covenant.” The brief daily meditations included in the booklet provide focus for the Lenten journey. Booklets available at the back of the Church.

• Lent Madness Golden Halo Competition - 32 saints are placed into a tournament-like single elimination bracket. Each pairing remains open for a set period of time and people vote for their favorite saint. 16 saints make it to the Round of the Saintly Sixteen; eight advance to the Round of the Elate Eight; four make it to the Faithful Four; two to the Championship; and the winner is awarded the coveted Golden Halo. The first round consists of basic biographical information about each of the 32 saints. Things get a bit more interesting in the subsequent rounds as we offer quotes and quirks, explore legends, and even move into the area of saintly kitsch.

• The Harry Potter Retreat for people of all ages - March 17-19, 2023 . Youth, families and adults are invited to gather at Stronghold Castle in Oregon, IL. We will explore aspects of our faith using imagery and concepts from the Harry Potter series. Yes, there will be Quidditch!!

Lent gives way to Holy Week. We walk with Jesus during the last days of his ministry, contemplating how we are to become the body of Christ in the world following his death and resurrection.

On Palm Sunday, we begin the journey to the cross by meeting Jesus at the gates to the city. We wave palms and welcome Jesus into our lives. But something within us must die to make room for new life.

The Paschal Triduum is one service across three days. It is made up of three parts. The first part begins on Maundy Thursday. Jesus gathers with his friends for Passover, where he took the bread, blessed it, and gave it to his friends. He humbled himself by washing their feet, then invited them to pray with him in the Garden of Gethsemane as he awaited betrayal and death. As we recall the deaths and betrayals of our lives, we pray with Jesus to help us see clearly. The second part of the Tritium is Good Friday. We walk with Jesus as we pray the Stations of the Cross. We pray for all people of the world, everywhere, according to their needs. The Triduum concludes with the Easter Vigil. We gather around the fire to hear the stories of God’s work in our world and in our lives. We connect our story with the stories of our ancestors.

On Easter Day, we recall the events of the Easter Vigil as we celebrate the resurrection and new life.

I pray you will consider the way(s) in which you hope to participate in this most holy season.

I will miss you this Sunday as I am away celebrating a broadcast production renuion. If there is a pastoral emergency, please reach out to the wardens. The Very Rev. Joy Rogers will be preaching and presiding this Sunday.

Faithfully,
Kevin

The Very Rev. Joy Rogers, guest preacher and presider, Lent I

JOY ROGERS, GUEST PRESIDER

The Very Reverend Joy Rogers has served urban congregations in the Diocese of Chicago and the Diocese of Western Michigan. She is the retired Dean of St. James Cathedral in Chicago. In retirement, Joy works with a faith-based organization that supports workers and their families and advocates for their rights with employers and legislators.

Pastoral Announcement

Friends,

I am away on vacation and will return to church on Sunday, March 5, for the celebration of Lent 2. If this is a pastoral emergency, please contact one of the wardens.

If you need assistance, reach out to Uziel, our parish administrator.

Faithfully,

Kevin

FAMILY AND YOUTH NEWS

NEW SUNDAY MORNING SCHEDULE! Sunday School will begin immediately after the 9:30 AM service. Parents will be invited to get a cup of coffee and join in adult formation or engage in fellowship in Parish Hall. A simple snack will be available to the kids after Sunday school. Nursery care will be available during the 11 a.m. service. Youth will meet at 11:00 AM for confirmation class .

CONFIRMATION FOR SEEKERS BEGINS 2/26 - NOW IN PERSON! The group will meet at 11:00 AM in the Aldworth Room. This is an opportunity to explore and deepen your faith. We will also have sessions at the retreat March 17-19 and in person sessions during Holy Week. Confirmation is currently scheduled May 20 at St. James Cathedral. Please fill out this form if you or your teen are interested.

MINISTRY SCHEDULER PRO is our new method for scheduling youth service and Sunday school ministers. Please bear with us as we adjust to this new system.

SAFE CHURCH TRAINING is required of all youth service and Sunday school ministers. Everyone should have gotten the link in your email. Please reach out to Jen

HARRY POTTER RETREAT March 17-19, 2023 . Youth, families and adults are invited to gather at Stronghold Castle in Oregon, IL. We will explore aspects of our faith using imagery and concepts from the Harry Potter series. Yes, there will be Quidditch!!

Adults and family registration form is here. Youth registration form is here. Questions, please email Jen Enriquez

"A fruitful connection for teaching faith can be made between J.K. Rowling's baptism and receiving a Hogwarts letter. The letter doesn't make one magical, nor does baptism make a person into the image of God. Our sacraments do not create our identity, but they name and feed our identity and direct us toward our destiny to be one with God as Christ is one with God." -The Rev. Dr. Patricia Lyons, Teaching Faith with Harry Potter

APPALACHIA SERVICE PROGRAM (ASP) TRIP 2023: Youth entering 9th grade and older are eligible to join in a week long experience of service, relationship building and deepening faith. This year’s trip will take place July 22-29. Contact Jen if your youth is interested.

WINTER CLOTHING DRIVE wraps up this Sunday. Take one last look around your house for gently used jackets, sweaters, gloves, and other winter gear. New items welcome as well!

PEACE CAMP REGISTRATION IS OPEN and spots for kids 4-14 are filling up. This year’s camp will be July 31-August 4, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. CLICK HERE to register. Youth counselors and adult lunch volunteers also needed.

LINK HERE to register your kids for Sunday school. Same info we’ve asked for in the past, fewer trees killed!

SIGN UP HERE to help out with formation and service projects. We need folks to help out so that we can keep our kids safe and lay a foundation for families to grow in faith, together and at church. We are all ministers! What might your role be? Youth who wish to help out with formation should also sign up! Contact Jen with questions.

Youth Group Pizza Party

BUILDING A PASTORAL CARE TEAM

Training for a Pastoral Care Team is being offered by Bishop Anderson House. Parishioners feeling called to being a spiritual companion, home eucharistic minister, or prayer leaders should speak to Mary Kay Tobin for more information. She will be mentoring people who sign up for Bishop Anderson House’s program outlined below.

Earthquake Relief in Turkey

Thank you to all who have expressed their interest in helping with the earthquake relief in Turkey. At this time, we are going to suspending donations of blankets and winter clothes. Due to the overwhelming response from the community, volunteers at the TACA and Zakat Foundation find they cannot process the donation quickly enough. However, they have requested that if you are interested in making a monetary contribution, to please look up their websites and follow directions posted there.

Doctor Without Borders is another charity also looking for donations as they too are sending volunteers to the area devastated by earthquakes. The need is great and will remain so for a very long time to come. If you are considering a donation, please look into the organization you are interested in and educate yourself regarding the work that they do. Thank you for all your help.

Yours in Christ:

Eileen Murphy

A Lenten Message from Bishop Clark

Click on the image for more information.

Dear People of God in the Diocese of Chicago:

Today, with ashes that are a sign of penitence and a reminder of mortality, we begin the Lenten journey. In the next 40 days, we will travel with Jesus as he fasts, endures temptation, and draws closer to Golgotha.

For each of us, Lent is an internal journey, calling us to prayer, fasting and self-denial. This year, beloved, I hope that we will also walk the path of Lent together. For these 40 days, let us travel together in solidarity, listening for the Holy Spirit moving among us as we travel to the foot of the cross and then beyond it to the empty tomb, the mystery of the resurrection, and the joy of meeting the Risen Christ on the road to Emmaus.

God bless you as we travel together,

Bishop Paula E. Clark

With help downloading, accessing, or logging in to the 2 apps that power St. Christopher’s - Breeze and Ministry Scheduler Pro - contact Uziel, our parish administrator. You must be a verified member and regular worship attendee to receive codes for access.

ROTA

Readings
Hebrew Scripture: Genesis 2:15-17, 3:1-7
Psalm 32
Christian Scripture: Romans 5:12-19
Gospel: Matthew 4:1-11

8:00AM
Service Minister: Bob Jones
Preacher/Presider: Joy Rogers

9:30AM
Service Minister Rite III+: Leah Curtin
Sunday School Youth Assistant: Jane Pearson & Eddie Pearson

11:00AM
Acolyte: Trish Joy
Hebrew Scripture: John Hillman
Christian Scripture: Hal Rees
Prayers of the People: Emily Culbertson
Lay Eucharistic Ministers: Julia Dulski & Peter Walters
Healing Ministers: Judy Marth & Mary Kay Tobin
Ushers: Bill Urso & Don Gillies
Preacher/Presider: Joy Rogers
Lockup: Hal Trees

EMAIL

Kevin M. Goodman, interim rector
interim@stchristophersoakpark.org

Uziel Hernandez Martinez, parish administrator
office@stchristophersoakpark.org

Jennifer Enriquez, director of children and youth formation
kids@stchristophersoakpark.org

Richard Sobak, organist/choirmaster
organist.choirmaster@stchristophersoakpark.org

Christa Creps, musician for children and families
tunesmith@stchristophersoakpark.org

Emily Culbertson, Marilyn Huebel
search committee co-chairs
search@stchristophersoakpark.org

Bob Wyatt
priest.associate@stchristophersoakpark.org

Announcements for the weekly “Messenger” and Sunday bulletin must be received by the office by 12noon, Wednesday. Email complete written announcement to: office@stchristophersoakpark.org