Wednesday Evening Program in Progress: “Living Out the Faith We Profess” is the subject of St. John’s Lenten Series this year. The evening includes the Stations of the Cross at 6:00 pm, a simple Lenten dinner of soup, salad and bread at 6:30 and the program begins at 7:00, led by Fr. Bill Estes. The youth topic this year is “Drawing Near to God Through Art.” All are welcome!
Inquirers’ Class Begins Sun, Apr 10, 10:15: Fr. Klein will hold an Inquirers’ Class for adults on Sunday mornings beginning April 10th from 10:15-11:00 in the Guild Parlor. The class is five weeks long and will run through May 8th. Those who would like to be confirmed or received when Bishop Iker visits on Sunday, May 15th should plan to attend. The class is open as well to anyone who wants a “refresher” in the faith. For more info see Fr. Klein.
The Liturgy During Lent: During the season of Lent our worship takes on a special character. The mood reflects being in the wilderness. The season begins with ashes pressed on our foreheads as a sign that a journey has begun. The ashes trace the sign of the cross marked on us at our baptism. How do we pick up our cross and follow after Jesus?
Special adjustments are made in the liturgy during Lent. The Alleluias and joyful canticles, the Gloria in excelsis are omitted from the services. The color changes to purple; no flowers adorn the altar. These changes are designed to foster a subdued, meditative spirit to prepare us to enter into Holy Week where the narratives of our Lord’s Passion are read. And once more we are made sharply aware of the origin of our life in Christ, and the price He paid to attain it for us. Join us, once again, on the journey…
The Sacrament of Healing: Beginning the First Sunday of Lent, the clergy will again provide the Sacrament of Anointing during Communion at the 9:00 and 11:15 am services. Those who would like to receive this anointing, simply come to the Lady Chapel after receiving Holy Communion. Why do we provide this sacrament on Sunday morning? The point is simply this: Jesus came to bring us healing on every level of our being, physical, emotional and spiritual. This healing comes through the power of the Holy Spirit. St. Peter explained about Christ’s ministry: “God had anointed Jesus with the Holy Spirit and with power, and because God was with Him, Jesus went about doing good and curing all… ” (Acts 10:38). The sacrament of Healing, also called Holy Unction, is central to the Gospel; it is not a side issue. There is a beautiful relationship between the sacrament of the Holy Eucharist and the sacrament of Healing. Both sacraments bestow powerful graces for healing. – Fr. Klein
