Dear Friends,
As we approach the end of Epiphany, we begin to look forward to the great Lent and Easter season. Make note of the opportunities to deepen your faith during Lent, as we begin with a Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper on Tuesday, Feb. 16 (with special Mardi Gras activities for the children!), and Ash Wednesday services at noon and 7:00 p.m. on Feb. 17. Lent Soup Suppers begin Wed., Feb. 24, with a course on the resurrection stories, led by our new Pastoral Intern, Dr. Wayne Whitney.
The next two Sundays provide opportunities to reach out to the needy in small but important ways: our Diaper Drive for Homeward Bound, and "Souperbowl" Sunday for St. Mary's Food Bank. Please see announcements below for details on these simple ways you can help others in Christ's name.
Thanks to all who attended last week's Annual Meeting, which was well-attended with great positive energy. Thanks to Cindy Jensen, Annie Blum and the other hospitality ministers who did a great job of providing lunch. A brief recap of the meeting will be in this month's Nativity Scene, for those who missed it. Congratulations to our newly elected Bishop's Committee members: Holly Bright, Jeff Jameson, and Mary Longley-Cook. Thanks to the retiring Bishop's Committee members for their dedicated service: Deanna Chew, Rob Muse and Barbara Worthington.
Announcements are below. I look forward to seeing you all on Sunday.
Blessings,
Susan+
The Rev. Susan B. Snook
Episcopal Church of the Nativity
7010 E. Chauncey Ln #100
Phoenix, AZ 85054
480-307-9216 / 602-980-4970
www.TheNativity.net
Lent and Easter at Nativity
Lent begins Wednesday, February 17th . Make a note of upcoming worship and spiritual activities:
· Tuesday, Feb 16 6:00 p.m. Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper · Wed., Feb 17 Noon, 7:00 p.m. Ash Wednesday Services · Wednesdays, Feb 24 – March 24 Lenten Soup Suppers, 6-7:30 pm · Palm Sunday, March 28: o 9:30 a.m. Palm Sunday Traditional Service o 11:00 a.m. Picnic and Inspirations Service in Sonoran Hills Park · Thursday, April 1 7:00 p.m. Maundy Thursday Service · Good Friday, April 2: o Noon Desert Stations of the Cross o 7:00 p.m. Good Friday Service · Saturday, April 3 7:00 p.m. Youth Lent Retreat · Easter Sunday, April 4 o 7:30 a.m. Family Sunrise Easter Service o 10:00 a.m. Festival Easter Eucharist
PRAYER STUDY GROUP TO CONTINUE Beginning Thursday, Feb. 4 at 10:00 a.m., our Prayer Study group will resume. This group is dedicated to experiencing and learning about different forms of prayer. Each week, we read and discuss one chapter of Richard Foster's classic book, Prayer: Finding the Heart's True Home. This week, we will discuss Chapter 5, "The Prayer of Relinquishment." We also pray together and practice different forms of prayer. No expertise is required - we are all beginners before God! It is perfectly acceptable to join the group in progress.
DIAPERS – DIAPERS! A vital outreach at Nativity is helping the mothers and babies at Homeward Bound. Please console your hearts and consider helping those smallest among us in need. For those of us who haven’t purchased diapers in a long while, they come in a variety of sizes and the ones most needed are size 4 and 5. These children and husbandless mothers will be most grateful for your help. Please bring the diapers to the church between now and February 7th.
SOUPER BOWL SUNDAY!!!! On Sunday, February 7th, SouperBowl Sunday, you are asked to support St.Mary's Food Bank with a cash donation. St. Mary's is a key player in reaching out to the Valley's poor and homeless. As we, in our abundance, can celebrate with friends and family the high point of the football season, others of our neighbors struggle to get their next meal. Can't we share our celebration in a way that enables them too to better experience joy as well? Look for the St. Mary's collection basket in church on SouperBowl Sunday.
February's Book Selection "JESUS IN BLUE JEANS", by Laurie Beth Jones: "Many years ago, I dreamed that I was standing in a meadow. Suddenly I saw a man approaching me. As he got nearer I gasped to realize that it was Jesus in blue jeans. When he saw the expression on my face he said, "Why are you surprised? I came to them wearing robes because they wore robes. I come to you in blue jeans because you wear blue jeans." Imagining the Jesus of today, author Laurie Beth Jones brings to the relevance of the present the words and deeds of the historical Jesus, guided by His inherent qualities: Poise, Perspective., Passion, Power, Join us on Monday, February 22, at 7 p.m. as we gather to assess the playing out of Jones' premise and its relevance, as measured in our own lives. For details, see Bob Montheard or Kali Higgins.
ST. JUDE’S RANCH FOR CHILDREN NEEDS OUR HELP One of the activities at the Ranch which helps children in need requires the front of old Christmas cards. Simply cut off the front of the cards and bring them in to the church. We will deliver them to the children for their craft projects. Thank you for taking the time to help!
NATIVITY SUPPORTS ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS The Church of the Nativity is providing a meeting space for AA on Tuesday evenings from 5:15 to 6:15 p.m. Alcoholics Anonymous® is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking. There are no dues or fees for AA membership; we are self-supporting through our own contributions. AA is not allied with any sect, denomination, politics, organization or institution; does not wish to engage in any controversy, neither endorses nor opposes any causes. Our primary purpose is to stay sober and help other alcoholics to achieve sobriety.
NATIVITY WOMEN'S GROUP For all the lady sweethearts of our Nativity Parish there will be a Valentine's Luncheon on February 11th at 11:30 at the English Rose Tea Room in Carefree. Come and join us for fun and fellowship. You can RSVP to Mary Longley-Cook at StGermain47@aol.com or see Mary after both the 9:30 or 11:00 services on January 31st or February 7th. Directions will be given on your signing up. Hope to see you there.
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Worship Schedule for Sunday, Jan. 31
9:00 Nursery Opens
9:30 Eucharist
10:30 Hospitality
10:45 Sunday School
11:00 Inspirations
Eucharist
Noon Youth Group
This Week for Children
9:30 Children's Chapel
10:45 Sunday School
This Week for Youth
Sunday:
10:45 7Up
Sunday School
Noon Youth Group
Upcoming Events
Thurs., Feb. 4
Prayer Group
Sunday, Feb. 7:
Diaper Drive,
Souperbowl Sunday
Tuesday, Feb. 16, 6:00 Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper
Wed., Feb. 17
Noon & 7:00 p.m.
Ash Wednesday Services
Wednesdays, Feb. 24-March 24
Lent Soup Suppers
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