This Wednesday, March 11th, the Spiritual Life Commission invites everyone to the second gathering in our 2020 Lenten Supper Series, an evening of food, fellowship, and reflection. Each week, we host a clergy member as a presenter who gives their perspective on our theme for this year - “Arise, for the task is yours... take courage and do it.” Our presenter this week is Reverend Kirk Kubicek. The evening's program begins with a potluck meal from 6:30 to 7:00 p.m., is followed by the clergy presentation, and then concludes with an informal Eucharist. Many thanks to the members of the Christ Church Choir for providing this week's menu. Our gathering is hosted in the lower level of New Brick, and we hope that you’ll join us every week during Lent for this exceptional discussion series.

People are often unreasonable, irrational and self-centered; Forgive them anyway. If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives; Be kind anyway. If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies; Succeed anyway. If you are honest and sincere, people may deceive you; Be honest and sincere anyway. What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight; Create anyway. If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous; Be happy anyway. The good you do today, will often be forgotten; Do good anyway. Give the best you have, and it may never be enough; Give your best anyway. In the final analysis, it is between you and God; It was never between you and them anyway.

Give me a kind heart that will endure, One that’s strong and secure. To help someone along the way, May this be my goal every day. Let me lend a helping hand, To someone whose life has not gone as planned, Reaching out to one in need, May this be my daily good deed, To provide a guiding light To someone lost in the dark of night. Let me take time to care For someone experiencing despair. Whatever I do, everywhere I go, Your Will, dear Lord, let me know. ~Eve Kiley

Today is the Second Sunday in Lent. Readings for today: Genesis 12:1-4a Psalm 121 Romans 4:1-5, 13-17 John 3:1-17 The Collect of the Day: O God, whose glory it is always to have mercy: Be gracious to all who have gone astray from your ways, and bring them again with penitent hearts and steadfast faith to embrace and hold fast the unchangeable truth of your Word, Jesus Christ your Son; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

On weekdays during the season of Lent, we post daily meditations on our website, and on Saturdays we include a piece of music, as well. These songs are meant to uplift, comfort, and inspire. We hope that you enjoy. ON EAGLE'S WINGS You who dwell in the shelter of the Lord, Who abide in His shadow for life, Say to the Lord, "My Refuge, My Rock in Whom I trust." And He will raise you up on eagle's wings, Bear you on the breath of dawn, Make you to shine like the sun, And hold you in the palm of His Hand. The snare of the fowler will never capture you, And famine will bring you no fear; Under His Wings your refuge, His faithfulness your shield. And He will raise you up on eagle's wings, Bear you on the breath of dawn, Make you to shine like the sun, And hold you in the palm of His Hand. You need not fear the terror of the night, Nor the arrow that flies by day, Though thousands fall about you, Near you it shall not come. And He will raise you up on eagle's wings, Bear you on the breath of dawn, Make you to shine like the sun, And hold you in the palm of His Hand. For to His angels He's given a command, To guard you in all of your ways, Upon their hands they will bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone. And He will raise you up on eagle's wings, Bear you on the breath of dawn, Make you to shine like the sun, And hold you in the palm of His Hand. And hold you in the palm of His Hand. ~devotional Hymn composed by Michael Joncas

Among the people I follow on Twitter is an Anglican priest in Canada who goes by RevDaniel. He recently shared a story from his church that seems a good example of living out our theme for this year: So a young guy with flaming red hair, nail polish, tattoos all over his face and dressed in pajama bottoms walked into the middle of our 8 a.m. service. He stayed for coffee hour and asked to stay for the 10 a.m. service too. He shouted “Amen” and wept throughout the service. When it was time for the renewal of baptismal vows, I asked him to help me with the asperges (he carried the water, which I sprinkled on the congregation). He stayed for the second coffee hour and chatted up a number of parishioners. He’s staying in a cube van, which he prefers to shelters. He doesn’t like to stay put in one place long. James and I went and bought him a sleeping bag, warm socks, and a warmer hat and gloves. The thing I’m so proud of is how the congregation welcomed him without making him feel like a “project.” Parishioners who, a year ago, would have shifted uncomfortably in their pews helped him follow the service, and simply patted his arm supportively when he wept. They introduced themselves at coffee hour and introduced him to others. I was so proud of the woman who visibly steeled herself against her fear, walked over, shook hands, and asked if she could get him cake. She said, “Tell me about these tattoos. What do they all mean?” He pulled out his phone and asked if he could play her his favorite rap song. She patiently listened, smiling, and when he went to leave, he asked if he could give her a hug. Without hesitating, she hugged him and gave him a kiss on his forehead. As she left, she said, “I invited him home for dinner with us, but he said no.” Then she slipped some money into my hand and said, “Make sure he eats, and get him some decent gloves.” “Thank you for what you’ve done for him” I said. She paused and said “Funny thing is, I feel like he’s given more to me. Is that strange?” “No, I said. “That’s Gospel.”

God invites us To feast with Him In our hearts As we Feast in our lives. He invites us To break His Bread In our souls As we break our fasts. A heavenly sustenance, Its nourishment Is how We feed ourselves. ~P. Pruitt

Looking for an opportunity to deepen the spiritual practice of prayer and meditation? During this Season of Lent, Christ Church will be offering a Lenten Compline on March 5th, 12th, 19th, 26th and April 2nd. The service of Compline {pronounced cóm-plin} is based on the closing time of prayer in the Daily Office, or monastic cycle of prayer. It is said when darkness has fallen and bedtime is near. The thoughts that inspire our prayers during Compline are the need we have of divine protection against the powers of darkness. We also pray for peace and rest as night falls. Please join us in Old Brick at 7:00 p.m. for a quiet and contemplative time of prayer and reflection as we look towards the Passion and Resurrection of our Savior Jesus Christ.

I have reached an age where I have lost too many loved ones and acquaintances. I think about them a lot and miss them every day. I miss everything about them, their entire being, including characteristics that I may not have appreciated when they were alive. I never think, “I miss the way they did this, but I don’t miss the way they did that.” Everything is part of the whole person that I love and miss so much. Why don’t I always feel that way about people who are in the world with me now? Since childhood, I have known Jesus’ commandment to love our neighbors as ourselves. I know I should always look at everyone, no exceptions, through a prism of love and I should act accordingly. And yet I sometimes feel anxious if someone disagrees with me or does something in a way that I might not. That anxiety can lead me to judging the other person in a negative way and not loving them in that moment for who they are and not who I want them to be. Judging others can also make me afraid to open my heart and mind to them. I once read that Rowan Williams asks himself two questions when he meets someone: “What can I learn from this person?” and “How can I love this person?” This Lenten season, I will pray for God’s help in finding the courage to change so that, like the former Archbishop, I will seek only to learn from and love all others. By so doing, I hope to become someone who opens her heart to everyone and acts without fear.

On Wednesday, March 4th, the Spiritual Life Commission invites everyone to an evening of great food, fellowship, and reflection. Each week during this popular series, we will host a clergy member as a presenter who gives their perspective on our 2020 theme - “Arise, for the task is yours... take courage and do it.” Our presenter this Wednesday is The Rev. Walter Earl Mullins. Each week, the program begins with a potluck meal from 6:30 to 7:00 p.m., is followed by the clergy presentation at 7, and concludes with an informal Eucharist. Many thanks to the WOCC (Women of Christ Church) for providing this week's menu. Our gathering is hosted in the lower level of New Brick, and we hope that you’ll join us every week during Lent for this exceptional discussion series.

Fear stays the heart and destroys conviction. The Word repeats to us, “Fear not, for I am with you!” Why does knowledge of such understanding seem so helpless in transforming us? Because of the unique gift of freewill that is given to us. We must choose to allow ourselves to be transformed, to become that which we do not yet see, to leave our past, and to trust the forming hand of the potter. So, courage is required on our part to overcome that fear keeping us enslaved in the form which is known and comfortable. Through Love, we understand that only goodness comes to us. We see countless examples of awe-inspiring transformation through Love, and yet the failings of selfish desire and evil intent somehow stoke the fires of fear arresting our desire, stunting the growth of our faith. Take courage! Step out into the Light! Act in Love, and become that which He intends, and you will find that in Perfect Love there is no fear.