What and Why
[The following essay is taken from the book, Spiritual Disciplines Devotional by Valerie E. Hess. The particular discipline she discusses is fasting, which is quite appropriate for Lent.]
“The grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all….It teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope--the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.” Titus 2:11-13
These verses sum up the reason for the discipline of fasting. The whole point of saying no to an otherwise normal activity is for the sake of waiting well for Jesus’ glorious appearing. Christian fasting is not for weight loss, political manipulation or punishment; its whole point is to make us better disciples of Christ.
Fasting often beings out the worst in us. In our hunger we uncover a spoiled child within that demands what it wants when it wants it under threat of throwing a temper tantrum. We discover we use treats to cover up greed and a naturally selfish nature. We discover that we aren’t as nice as we think we are.
Jesus invites us to embrace the blessed hope that the best is yet to come. Jesus invites us to wait for the true joy that He has promised, not getting sidetracked by what we put in our mouths or use to medicate painful thoughts. The tension is always, can we trust Him to fill the emptiness we create in ourselves through fasting with something even better?
PARISH NEWS
The Rev. Rick Ligthart, President of PASS, was the guest preacher at St. Andrew’s on Sunday, January 31, 2010. PASS is a pro-life crisis pregnancy center in Tinley Park. The service was followed by a pot-luck luncheon in the Parish Hall. The offerings at the Wednesday night services during Lent will go to PASS.
St. Andrew’s Preschool had an outing to Medieval Times in Schaumburg on Monday, Feb. 15, 2010. Nineteen adults and children took part.
Lent began on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2010. A Soup Supper took place at 6:30 p.m. followed by a Worship Service in the chapel at 7:30 p.m.
WEDNESDAY LENTEN SERVICES
Soup Supper at 6:30 p.m.
Worship at 7:30 p.m.
The last Wednesday gathering will be March 24, 2010.
MARCH 14, 2010 CONCERT 2:00-4:00 p.m.
“Serving Jesus in Song, Pal and Friends”
To raise funds for those in need
We suggest Gasoline Gift Cards, Drug Store Gift Cards,
Grocery Store Gift Cards, or monetary gifts.
Everyone is invited to come.
PALM SUNDAY
March 28, 2010
GOOD FRIDAY SERVICE
April 2, 2010 at 7:30 p.m.
EASTER SUNDAY
April 4, 2010
Continental Breakfast at 9:30 a.m. in the Parish Hall
Holy Communion at 10:30 a.m.
ANNUAL PARISH MEETING
Sunday, April 11, 2010
FATHER/SON BREAKFAST
Saturday, May 1, 2010 at 9:30 a.m.
All sons and/or fathers are invited.
MISSIONARY OF THE MONTH
Please pray for our Mission Pastor, Rev. Olu Olajide and his wife, Oye, and their family as they serve the Lord at the Church of the Pentecost, a new mission work of the REC in Chicagoland.
WORK DAYS
Two Saturday Work Days have been scheduled for this Spring: April 17th & June 15th.
TIFFANY WINDOW
The Tiffany window, “Lilies of the Field”, which the parish donated to the Art Institute of Chicago, is now on display. It is located in Gallery 179 at the Institute, 111 South Michigan Avenue.
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Happy Birthday!
Mar. 1 - Dale Muir
Mar. 5 - Ian Christenson
Mar. 7 - Charles Poole
Mar. 9 - Ally Klingen
Mar. 12 - Amy Christenson
Mar. 17 - Rev. Derrick Hassert
Mar. 17 - Igbagbo Olajide
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THE PALMS
O’er all the way green palms and blossoms lay
Are strewn this day in festal preparation;
Where Jesus comes to wipe our tears away,
E’en now the throng to welcome Him prepare.
Chorus: Join all and sing, His name declare.
Let ev’ry voice resound in joyous acclamation.
Hosanna! Praise ye the Lord!
Bless Him who cometh to bring us
Sal-va-tion!
His Word goes forth, and peoples by its might
Once more regain freedom from degradation.
Humanity doth give to each his right,
While those in darkness are restored to light.
Sing and rejoice, O blest Jerusalem;
Of all Thy songs sing the emancipation.
Through boundless love the Christ of Bethlehem
Brings faith and hope to thee forevermore.
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