Arise, O LORD, into thy resting-place; thou, and the ark of thy strength. Let thy priests be clothed with righteousness; and let thy saints sing with joyfulness. (Psalm 132.8-9)
From the vault of oft asked questions- “Why do priests where really funny clothes in church services?”
The Christian priest has an unusual job. One the one hand, he stands in the place of Jesus during the Liturgies, and in so doing, the Church does her best to represent that. So specific clothing- things like albs, stoles, maniples, chasubles and other vestments point us to Christ. The Vestments are made to show the color of the day or season, and usually are more on the ornate side. They are made from finer material and ornate to point as well to the fact of the priest representing Jesus.
But the priest in some sense, also stands in for the people… so the vestments carry a meaning for them as well- the Alb (long white dress/robe) is our baptismal garment, the stole a symbol of being yoked to Christ, etc. So the fine vestments also represent righteousness, salvation and holiness that we all hope to attain.
The priest’s vestments are a signpost that points to the spiritual life. So, when we look at the vestments, it should cause us to pause for reflection on our spiritual vesture, with the vestments of the spiritual life being things like faith, piety, good works, devotion and things that are a part of the life of faith. So the question of the week is this: if your spiritual vestments were visible, what would they look like? Would they be fine and beautiful… or not so much.
Let us commit ourselves to making our vestments as fine as possible, through prayer, devotion, piety, and good works so that we may be clothed in the righteousness of God.
In Christ our Lord,
Jeff+
Children’s Sunday School will not be held Sunday, March 18th due to Spring Break. Fr. Jeff’s Adult class will meet in the parish hall and a nursery will be provided for those needing child care.
Easter Sunday the church will be bursting to overflowing with the glories of the Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ. As is our tradition, we place Easter lilies and other flowers in the Church as an offering to God in thanksgiving for our salvation. To accomplish this, and to allow the faithful to give a gift to God as well, we offer the opportunity to donate Easter flowers for the altar on Easter morning. To do so, click on the picture to our website where there is a place for you to tell us what you want to give the flowers in thanksgiving for/memory of. You may use your pay pal or credit card to pay; mail a check to the office or place your check in the offering plate (please note on the memo line “Easter Flower Fund”. The suggested donation is $15.00.
Lent at St. John’s
Said Evening Prayer
Wednesday Evenings @ 5:30pm
Followed by Soup and Salad Supper
March 14, 21
Noon Day Mass
Tuesday and Thursday in the Chapel
March 13, 15, 20, 22
Morning Prayer
Monday, Tuesday and Thursday
8:00am in the Chapel
Wednesday’s at St. John’s Day School
Stations of the Cross and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament
Sunday Evening at 5:00pm
March 18
Holy Week Worship Experience
Palm Sunday (March 25) – To recall Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem that led to his death, we begin with a celebration with palms. We hear the full story of Jesus’ suffering and death from Mark’s gospel, spoken by many voices. We end in silence to prepare for the week ahead. The service begins outside on the lawn at 10:30 and proceeds by procession into the church.
Maundy Thursday (March 29) – On this night, Jesus shared his final meal with his disciples and gave them a new commandment to love one another, which he enacted by washing their feet. The service of foot washing, Eucharist, and stripping of the altar in the Nave begins at 6:00pm. A nursery is available for those needing child care, and as always, children are encouraged to participate in the foot washing.
Good Friday (March 30) – The Liturgy of the day is at 12:05. We hear the full story of Jesus’ suffering and death from Mark’s gospel. Child care is available.
Holy Saturday (March 31) – The Liturgy for this day begins at 7:30pm on the lawn where we bless the new Paschal Candle and recall the early baptismal ritual of the church. We light a new fire for Easter and hear scripture that tell the story of God’s salvation. Child care is available.
Easter Day (APRIL 1) – 8:00 Low Mass in the Nave followed by an Easter Egg Hunt at 9:30 with 1,000 eggs hidden on the lawn and a lovely Easter reception. We will flower the Cross following the Egg Hunt, so bring your flowers from home. The 10:30 Mass is one of our finest with hymns, full choir and festive music.
2018 FLOWER CHART
 The Altar Flower Chart for 2018 is on the board in the Sacristy hallway and we need the faithful to sign up to take a Sunday in memory or thanksgiving of someone or an event. If you are unable to come to the parish to sign up, you are more than welcome to call the parish office with a date you would like and we will try our best to accommodate you. When a person takes a Sunday, they contact the parish to make known their thanksgiving/memorial wording for the Sunday bulletin. Mr. Randy Jackson of Flowertyme is a communicant, but you may choose which florist you would like to deal with, or you can make the arrangement yourself and place them in the sanctuary.
Children’s Choir Schedule
Spring 2018
March 14 – NO Rehearsal (Spring Break)
March 21 – Rehearsal
March 28 – NO Rehearsal (Holy Week)
April 4 – NO Rehearsal
April 11 – Rehearsal
April 18 – Rehearsal
April 25 – Rehearsal
May 2 – Rehearsal
May 9 – Rehearsal
The Children’s Choir is scheduled to sing on:
Wednesday, March 21 – 5:30 (Evening Prayer)
Sunday, March 25 – Rehearsal at 10:00am
SIGN UP TO FEED OUR E.Y.C. We need your help feeding our E.Y.C. members on Sunday evenings. Their meeting begins at 6:00 p.m. at the parish. There is a sign up sheet located on the board in the sacristy hallway with dates that are available. For more information, contact the Parish Office.
An Easy Way to Help St. John’s Day School
Start clipping BOX TOPS for Education! Hundreds of products participate in the program, and you probably already have several in your pantry, freezer and refrigerator. For every Box Top you clip, St. John’s Day School will receive 10 cents!!! That may not sound like a lot, but it adds up quickly. There are no limitations on the money’s use, so St. John’s can spend it as needed.
Grab your scissors and keep an eye out for the Box Tops for Education logo on the products you use every day. Once you have finished the product, clip the Box Top before you throw it away. Be sure to look over the whole box. There is a container labeled for your Box Tops on the table in the hallway.
A Tip O’ The Biretta
- To the Altar Guild for providing soup and salad for our Lenten meal. You all are amazing!
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Last week’s Collection- $ 3,465
| For Year |
Actual |
Budget |
Diff |
| Received |
$ 68,402 |
$ 89,328 |
$ 20,926 |
| Spent |
$ 82,730 |
$ 92,538 |
$ 9,808 |
| Net |
$ 14,328 |
$ 3,210 |
$ 11,118 |
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O God, our heavenly Father, make the door of this Church wide enough that all who need human love and fellowship and a Fathers care may find it, and narrow enough to shut out all envy, pride and uncharitableness. Here may the tempted find help, and the sorrowing receive comfort. Here may the careless be awakened to repentance, and the penitent be assured of your mercy. And here may all your children renew their strength in You, and go on their way rejoicing. Through Jesus Christ Our Lord. Amen.
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Saint Johns Episcopal Church
541 North 5th Ave./ P.O. Box 1766
Laurel, MS 39441
office@stjohnslaurel.com
http://stjohnslaurel.com
601.428.7252 Office
601.422.7388 Mobile
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