Thoughts from Lori
Confession is good for the soul, they say. And I think they’re right, whoever “they” are. For much of church history, the Roman and Orthodox churches have required individual confession before one was allowed to receive Communion. Thus, the tradition of Friday confessions. Then along came the Protestant Reformation with its eagerness to remove the priest as the arbiter and intermediary between the individual and God. That was a good thing, but – as with many other zealous reforms – it threw the baby out with the bath, so to speak. Because, it turns out, confession is good for the soul.
In fact, we say the General Confession every Sunday during the Eucharist (except during the season of Easter, but that’s a subject for another time). It begins, “We confess…” Plural: We. That’s what makes it a general confession. We are confessing as a parish, as a church (as in The Episcopal Church), and as the collective people of God. And that’s good, as far as it goes.
While TEC does not require individual confession, we do provide for the opportunity under this guideline: None must; all may; some should. The Book of Common Prayer includes two forms for making a private confession (see pages 447 – 452) known as The Reconciliation of a Penitent. One is slightly shorter than the other; both are richly worded and offer a healing ritual for this sacrament.
There are many ways to make a confession, and Lent is a particularly appropriate time. One can turn to a trusted spiritual friend with whom to share concerns about past sins. A therapist is also a good option, as is a trained spiritual director. And of course, priests are always ready to hear confessions, including me. Confessions may be informal, as in the setting of an office or pastor’s study; or more formal, usually in the sanctuary.
It’s always good to prepare ahead of time, not only by making an appointment, but to put some prayer and thought into the process. Sometimes we need to confess something very specific; other times, our confession may be about a broader sense of falling short, as St. Paul says. I’ve always liked referring to the Litany of Penitence in the Ash Wednesday service (page 267 in BCP) as a reminder of “things done and undone.” Another resource is a book by Martin Smith titled Reconciliation: Preparing for Confession in the Episcopal Church. I highly recommend it.
The power of confession is, I believe, in actually hearing another human being say the words of absolution: YOU ARE FORGIVEN. All the abstract theology in the world – very simply, that we are already forgiven by God – is no substitute for that experience. “The Lord has put away all your sins,” is something we all need to hear one way or another.
As your priest, I am always available to offer this sacrament (by prior arrangement). But if not me, seek another. Because it’s true: confession is good for the soul.
Faithfully,
Lori +
Coffee & Conversation
We’re continuing our casual study of the Old Testament book of Job. No prerequisites! All are welcome to this opportunity for rich discussion and conversation.
Magdalene & Thistle Farm
A Presentation by Lisa Lee
St. Ann’s, Woodstock
Tonight at 7pm
Magdalene House is a ministry to women which helps them escape prostitution and sex trafficking. It was founded by the Rev. Becca Stevens, an Episcopal priest, and is located in Nashville, Tennessee. Becca and the residents and graduates of Magdalene established and run a cottage industry called Thistle Farm, thus providing jobs for these women and producing wonderful, natural soaps, lotions, candles, essential oils, and now teas. We have been invited to St. Ann’s Episcopal Church in Woodstock for a presentation by Lisa Lee (our bishop’s wife) this evening at 7:00pm.
Sharing the Feast
Whenever we get together to share a meal we can be sure that the food will be delicious and plentiful. We are always very generous with each other in providing more than enough for all. We are about to embark on an extension of this generosity by taking the feast out into our community. We will do this by holding a food drive each and every time we share a meal together. Simply stated, when we feed ourselves we will feed the hungry.
We are asking that everyone bring non-perishable food items which will be donated to the FISH Food Pantry. We will have a food drive for our annual meeting, our quarterly meetings, the parish picnic; whenever we feed ourselves we will feed others.
A list of the Top 10 Most Needed Items for the FISH Food Pantry is located on the narthex table for you to take home. There are also forms for monetary donations if that is your preference. Our neighbors are hungry and we can help.
From Deb Lang:
Thank you to everyone who brought food to the Shrove Tuesday Taco dinner to donate to the FISH Food Pantry. This was the first of what we hope will be many donations of food as we Share the Feast. As we have reported, it is our intention that whenever we gather as a community to share food together we also share food with others. Thank you for supporting our ministry.
Mobile Food Pantry
What is a Mobile Food Pantry? The Mobile Pantry is a traveling food pantry that delivers nutritious food directly to the people in need of food assistance. The truck delivers meat, produce, and non-perishable food to the sponsor (St Paul’s) site. Set up much like a farmers’ market, people can choose the food that meets their preferences. Up to 300 families are provided with pounds of fresh food. We know our community is a community in need. The latest census reported that in McHenry County 7.6% of residents and 9.9% of children are living in poverty. We are hoping to sponsor a Mobile Pantry this spring and have been in contact with the Northern Illinois Food Bank to start the process. It only costs $1200 for thousands of pounds of food. We are now accepting donations. Please talk to your friends, family members and places of business that support matching programs for charitable work. Together we can make this happen.
On the Calendar
Vestry – Thursday, Feb. 26th Women’s Wednesday – March 4th, 7:00 p.m. Men’s Breakfast – March 7th, 8:00 a.m.Lessons and Hymns for Sunday, March 1st
(Second Sunday in Lent – Year B)
by the Rev. William McLemore
THE SCRIPTURE LESSONS:
The First Reading: Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16. God appears to Abraham at the age of 99 and tells him he will be the father to nations and that his wife, Sarah, will bear a king to govern them.
The Psalm: Psalm 22:22-30. “The poor shall eat and be satisfied, and those who seek the Lord shall praise him.”
The Epistle: Romans 4:13-25. Paul places God’s call to Abraham into the context of his theology of the death and resurrection of Jesus.
The Gospel: Mark 8:31-38. Jesus tells his disciples that he must undergo “great suffering” and death, and chastises Peter for his lack of understanding, saying to all around, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.”
THE HYMNS:
Processional Hymn: No. 609. “Where Cross the Crowded Ways of Life.” This hymn contrasts the passion of Christ with desperate human needs and was written by a Methodist minister, Frank Mason North. It is set to an older tune composed by William Gardiner and is named after him. The son of an English hosiery manufacturer, he worked all his life in the mill, but with enormous gifts for music composed many sacred and secular songs. Though this hymn falls in our hymnal section for “Christian Responsibility,” it reveals the saving power of God in Jesus Christ moving from the “cries of race and clan” to “till glorious from thy heaven above, shall come the city of our God.” This hymn should be prayed as it is sung-it has a wonderful message that continues to survive through the years.
Sequence Hymn: No. 337. “And Now, O Father, Mindful of the Love.” This hymn was written by Dr. William Bright (1824-1901), Regius Professor of Ecclesiastical History of Glenalmond College and Canon of Christ Church, Oxford. This hymn is a paraphrase of the oblation in the Latin Mass, beginning “Unde et memories,” “and now mindful,” to which tune it is sung, composed by William Henry Monk (1823-1889). The hymn remains a beautiful reflection on God’s healing love born from the crucifixion of Christ upon the cross.
Presentation Hymn: No. 484. “Praise the Lord Through Every Nation.” This hymn was written by the Dutch poet, Rhijnvis Feith for Ascension Day and is a song of praise to Jesus Christ. It has been paraphrased in English by James Montgomery (1771-1854). The tune, “Wachet Auf,” is a melody by Hans Sachs (1494-1576), later adapted by Philipp Nicolai (1556-1608), and finally arranged and harmonized by Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750).
Communion Hymn: No. 325. “Let Us Break Bread Together.” This hymn is new to the Episcopal 1982 Hymnal though not to other older Christian hymnals. It is an African-American spiritual in both words and music revealing a deep appreciation for the two elements of the Holy Eucharist-the bread and the wine. (This hymn will be the Communion Hymn throughout Lent.)
Recessional Hymn: No. 147. “Now Let Us All With One Accord.” This hymn was written by Gregory the Great (540-604 A.D.) who was popularly known in his day as the “Father of Christian Worship,” for his work with the liturgy to make it Christ-centered. This particular hymn calls for God’s help in our temptation and redemption. The tune, “Bourbon,” is attributed to Freeman Lewis (1780-1859), a surveyor who played the organ for a Presbyterian Church in Uniontown, Pennsylvania and composed hymns and music.
March 1st Servants
Usher: Terry Jaworski Lector: Rick Carlstedt Intercessor: Judy Robel Eucharistic Ministers: Al Robel, Deb Lang Vestry Person of the Day: Bev Jannotta101 Reasons to be an Episcopalian
Reason 85
“My Jewish mother and Roman Catholic father found themselves welcomed into the Episcopal Church over fifty years ago as they sought a home for their young family. I grew up in the Episcopal Church feeling that everyone was welcome.”
The Very Rev. Dr. James A. Kowalski. Diocese of New York
From the cartoons created by the Rev. William P. McLemore
1965 – 2014
