Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness.
(Luke 4:1)
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St. Dunstan's Weekly Message |
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Come tonight, all ye faithful!
Join us on the journey |
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At 7:00 PM tonight there will be an Ash Wednesday service of Holy Communion and the Imposition of Ashes. Today marks the beginning of the most holy season in the church calendar. Let us join together to prepare for the solemnity of Lent, the celebration of Palm Sunday, the sacrifice of Good Friday, and the triumph of Easter. |
| A Blessing in the Wilderness |
| What does wilderness mean to people who have so much? What does it mean to be in the wilderness when we have cell phones, cars, televisions, bank accounts, internal plumbing, clear water from the tap, and access to health care?
I have all these riches. I think most of us do. And yet, the wilderness is so close. Somehow wealth does not protect us from the wilderness experience. We have all known loss, grief, pain, and loneliness. We have all struggled to find meaning in our lives and to know love, whether from God or from our friends and family. Wilderness is always nearby. Wilderness is a dangerous, scary, desolate and lonely place that we all know. Many of us are there now. Jesus chooses to go into the wilderness. After his baptism, he is filled with the Holy Spirit and he goes into the wilderness, where he fasts and is tempted by the devil. Why would Jesus do this? Maybe, Jesus goes into the wilderness because the wilderness is such a prevalent and powerful part of the human experience. Maybe, Jesus goes into the wilderness to find you and me, and then to lead us through that wasteland to abundant life that God wants for all of us. On Ash Wednesday we will have ashes smeared onto our foreheads with the words, "Remember that you are but dust, and to dust you shall return." That's the human condition. Into this wilderness of dust and despair, Jesus comes with a message of God's abundant love. Lent is a time when we acknowledge the wilderness experience of our lives. Jesus meets us in the wilderness and blesses us. We will receive that blessing as we walk through the wilderness this Lent, and as members of the Body of Christ, we will give that blessing. We who know Jesus' love are called to give that love to a broken world. If you are in the wilderness, come walk with us. Worship with us these 40 days. As you walk in the wilderness, with the love and support of Jesus and your friends here at St. Dunstan's, ask yourself, and ask God, how you can be a blessing to your neighbor. That seems like a good Lenten discipline. Be a blessing.
Your brother in Christ, Click here to respond or comment at Fr. David's blog. |
| Continuing Our Walk with Jesus |
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Our journey in the life of the last week of Jesus continues this Sunday. The enthusiasm and energy are building and we will meet after the service for the next step on our journey. For those of you who picked up your scripture last week, you have had time to reflect on it. If you did not pick yours up last week, it will be waiting for you on the table in the Narthex. Also waiting, will be your 12" X 14" piece of wood that will be used as the base for your illustration. Father David will be joining us at the Station's table, and lead us in a lesson on the process of reading scriptures. Creative ideas are coming to life as we become more involved in the Station's of the Cross project and our fellowship with one another is a blessing. Mary E. Pacher |
| Our Sunday School is Moving Forward with God’s Blessing |
| There is much excitement and energy abounding downstairs in the Sunday School rooms. Our volunteers are being trained and beginning to teach our children. Sandy and Ann-Patrice are adjusting to their roles as Directors, and our children are being blessed by having so many wonderful adults take part in their education.
The Season's of the Spirit curriculum is a thought provoking curriculum and one that is being used in other Episcopal churches as well as ours. It provides guidance and knowledge for the children as they grow in Christ, but it does even more than that. It provides the same opportunities for the adults that are working with it. It can truly be a transforming process for everyone involved. We are so blessed at St. Dunstan's to have Sandy and Ann-Patrice's leadership, and we are also blessed to have the many volunteers that have rolled up their sleeves and are beginning the wonderful journey of walking the road to God, with our children. Praise God, and stayed tuned, as we continue to share with you, the benefits and joys of our new program. Mary E. Pacher |
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A Night to Remember |
| Oh What a Night! The Shrove Tuesday Mardi Gras Dinner and First Time Live Auction was a colossal, fantastic success. Thanks to those who so generously donated items, it was one of the best fundraisers ever. The totals are still being calculated. Thank you to all of the folks who attended the dinner. Your presence made a huge contribution towards the success of the evening. We are so grateful for the help of our super youth group, the talents of Terry Rogers and his auctioneering, The Ain't No Heaven Seven, chefs Don Riccardo, Theresa Buol, and Jeff Buol, the clean-up crew (thankless job) and the hard work of Saint Agnes. Ann Patrice Riccardo and Lu Gardiner, Shrove Tuesday Dinner Committee |
| Read Next Sunday's Lessons |
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Our Lenten lessons begin with Jesus being led by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness where he is tempted by the Devil. One of the questions people grapple with, when considering Jesus, is how can we trust a man to reveal God to us? For me, this episode where Jesus is tempted by the Devil with wealth, power and fame, and stays faithful to God, is the answer to that question. Who among us could pass that test? Jesus does, and shows himself to be worthy of our trust and our love. |
| Parish Events and Announcements |
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Sunday: Holy Eucharist, 8:00 AM, Henry Chapel & 9:30 AM, St. Dunstan's Church Wednesday: Holy Eucharist, 10:00 AM, St. Dunstan's. Families With Children. At the 9:30 service we offer Sunday School for kindergarten through middle school children. We also offer nursery care for babies and toddlers not yet ready for Sunday School. Our teachers are dedicated to the safety and Christian education of your children using a lectionary based curriculum called Seasons of the Spirit. Children come back to the service for communion. Children are always welcome in the service. Know what's wrong with today's world? Wish we were back in the Good Old Days? On Wednesday at 11:00 AM the God in Real Life group will consider how much time and energy we spend wishing things were the way they used to be. We often think about times in our past when things were different and we want our lives to be that way again. But if we're in some way hung up on the past, what does that mean for our lives now? How are we and those around us affected if we're not fully present in the here and now? Maybe we need to learn to embrace our past for what it was, in order to live our lives to the fullest, right here, right now. Clean your house, help the environment, and support St. Dunstan's! St. Dunstan's Vestry is conducting a recycling fundraiser for operating expenses and to create a cash reserve. Simply donate your used consumer electronics, used inkjet cartridges and unwanted, broken or mismatched jewelry to be recycled in accordance with EPA regulations. 100% of the proceeds will help fund operating expenses for the church. There is a designated area for donations in the narthex, or call to arrange pick-up of large items. Vestry Hosted Wine & Cheese Reception, Sunday, February 28, 4:00 PM. St. Dunstan's Vestry cordially invites members of the congregation to attend this reception. We are looking forward to meeting and greeting you and answering your questions, listening to your suggestions and thanking you for the privilege of serving you here at St. Dunstan's. If you have any questions, please contact Diana Rall at 206-660-9156. What's your response to HIV/AIDS, Fear, Isolation, Loneliness, Addiction, & Shame? Multifaith Works CareTeam Volunteers offer practical care, emotional support, and nonjudgmental listening to people living with HIV/AIDS and/or recovering from addiction. Our next volunteer training is March 20. To find out more contact us at 206.324.1520 ext. 226 or visit www.multifaith.org. Bertram Johnson, CareTeam Program Director will be at St. Dunstan's on Sunday, February 28th to answer questions and provide further insight. This year pick up something for Lent! Traditionally Christians have often chosen to give up something for Lent. This year, instead of giving something up (or in addition to giving something up), why not do something extra for the good of yourself, your church or your world. Two possibilities: join with your fellow congregants in making icons for the Stations of the Cross, or pick up a copy of Forward Day by Day devotionals. Gal's Needlework Night Out, Tuesday, February 23, 7:00 PM, Narthex.. Women of all ages invited. Let's share our knowledge, show-off our talent and encourage and support needlework arts here at St. Dunstan's. Contact Sally Smith: 425-379-0860 or Diana Rall: 206-660-9156. Save the Date for this year's the St Dunstan's Annual Golf Tournament, to be held on SeaFair Sunday, August 8, just after the 9:30 service. All Ground Keepers, Grass Trimmers Divot Punchers, and Enthusiasts are welcome at the Lynnwood Golf. For more information speak with Al Ohlinger. |
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