Easter Egg Hunt

Help us prepare for the Easter Sunday Easter Egg Hunt.  Please bring in two dozen plastic eggs filled with candy.  Bring the stuffed eggs to the Parish Office any time between now and Good Friday.

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        The ancient tradition of fasting is about self-discipline in what we eat and drink, and in today's world it is also about judicious consumption of the world's goods -- not just what we buy at the mall, but how we use water, how we leave the air around us, how we deal with "garbage," and the size of our carbon footprint. It is a recognition that how we use the blessings of creation has a vast relationship to how our neighbors can also enjoy those blessings.

Giving alms means caring for those in need.         The word comes from the same root as eleison, as in Kyrie eleison (Lord, have mercy), and it really means compassion. How do we approach and respond to the people around us and far away who are "crying in the wilderness"? The work of Lent is about cultivating a compassionate heart that will shape all our encounters in the coming year and years. Sunday schools often take on a specific alms aim during Lent, like filling a penny jar for Heifer Project, or serving lunch at a homeless feeding center. Almsgiving has traditionally meant acting compassionately with one's treasure, but it is just as appropriate to think about how we use our time and talent mercifully.

        As we approach Lent -- early in February this year -- let me invite you to join in tuning up your spiritual life. Take an hour to make an inventory -- what mechanics know as a squawk list. Which spark isn't as hot as it might be? Which tire is going flat? What kind of oil are you going to add this time? And what are you going to do with the old, dirty stuff? That's what the altar is for, in a spirit of repentance and return, and it's not unlike recycling the old so it can be used for good. A blessed trip this year!

LENT, HOLY WEEK and EASTER at GRACE
Service Schedule

The FOURTH AND FIFTH SundayS of LENT
March 2 & 9, 2008
7:45, 9:00 & 11:00 am  Holy Eucharist

PALM SUNDAY March 16, 2008
7:30, 9:00 & 11:00 am
Procession of Palms, Reading of the Passion & Holy Eucharist

MAUNDY THURSDAY March 20, 2008
6:30 pm Parish Supper, Foot Washing, Holy Eucharist,
Stripping of the Altar

GOOD FRIDAY March 21, 2008
12:00-3:00 pm Good Friday Liturgy
5:00 pm Family Service
7:00 pm  A Meditation on the Passion of Christ with Carols

THE GREAT VIGIL OF EASTER
Saturday, March 22, 2008
8:00 pm The Lighting of the Paschal Candle, Chanting of the Exsultet
Holy Baptism and Holy Eucharist

EASTER DAY March 23, 2008

Festival Celebration of the Holy Eucharist                                                                        7:30, 9:00 & 11:00 am

CONFIRMATION AND INQUIRER’S CLASSES

Spring 2008

Teens: Sundays: 10:05 A.M. – 10:50  A.M.
(between the 9 & 11 am service)

Adults: Sundays: 12:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
(following the 11 am service)

March 2nd, 9th & 16th, April 13th, 20th & 27th April 27th, May 4th , 11th & 31st (Retreat)

 Confirmation Services
Sunday, JUNE 1st at 9 and 11 am

The Right Reverend Shannon Sherwood Johnston, Celebrant

An opportunity to explore what it means to take on the privileges and responsibilities of being a baptized member of the Church. You will have an opportunity to raise questions about the Church and about God as well as an opportunity to talk with others about the ways the Church and God may be a part of your life. Resources: The Bible, The Book of Common Prayer and your own life experiences.