St. Philip’s Parishioners,
Lent is upon us! I write this having finished one Ash Wednesday service awaiting another this evening. During the Ash Wednesday homily, the challenge to seek humility was given. In a world that values hubris, the opposite of humility, it’s counter-cultural. It shouldn’t be too surprising, that same challenge was initiated many years prior by Jesus, a counter-cultural figure to be sure!
You often hear about people giving stuff up or taking stuff on during Lent. What might that be about? Well, the idea is pretty straightforward, seek to give stuff up that interferes or blocks your full life in Christ and take stuff on that fosters and nurtures that full life in Christ. And the truth is, that looks different for each and every one of us, because each one of us struggles in different ways in our lives in Christ. So, what one person could benefit from giving up, another may actually benefit from taking it on! Let’s say you struggle with being in control to the point of blocking the Holy Spirit’s work in you life, because you are sure you know best. The obvious thing to give up is some measure of control. But, you would need to figure out what that looks like. It may mean giving the power of a decision over to someone else, giving someone else preferential treatment. Maybe it means doing something that intentionally interferes with your plans so that you may walk more firmly in God’s ways. Maybe you are too concerned with getting things done, checking off the list, to the point that it interferes with relationships that aren’t being fostered. Then, you might make the case that you need to give something up and focus more on what it means to be a fellow brother or sister in Christ to another at the expense of completing a checklist. Maybe your working your way through Scripture so doggedly that you’ve deprived yourself of time sitting with God—it can happen! Maybe you just need a good dose of doing nothing before God! Sounds crazy, right? Think about it. Do something that costs you more than anything, give God your time, your devotion and adoration by sitting before him without words even! Don’t expect anything, just adore him and basque in his presence. Try it.
As you make your way through this holy season of Lent resist the temptations of the attention economy around you, seeking to pull you into this and that. Instead, find what’s needed to draw you ever closer to our Lord, to live your life in Christ more fully than when you entered Lent.
Lenten blessings,
Fr. Justin +
The next DOK meeting will be Sunday, March 1st, following the 10:30 a.m. service.
The next meeting will be Monday, March 16th, at 6 p.m. in the Parish Hall.
Will meet Tuesday, March 10th,
at 10 a.m. in the Parish Hall.
Refreshments will be at 9:45 a.m.
March Birthdays
5 Robert Blackwell
6 Jessie Thorn
9 Martha Styner
16 Stephanie Sullivan
20 Alex Nemer
20 Henry Parker
21 Oliver Briggle
21 Carolyn Salter
24 Carol Brenneke
26 Linda Brown
31 Jerry Fagalde
March Anniversaries
30 J.P. & Clarissa Delaney
31 Leo & Muriel Mizell
Ushers - March 2020
Curt Winkler & Mike Tisdale
Ushers - April 2020
Frank Polasek & Terry Thorn
January 2020 Year-to-Date
Beginning Balance $97,586.72 $97,586.72
Total Income $41,791.40 $41,791.40
Total Expenses $23.262.64 $23,262.64
Ending Balance $116,115.48 $116,115.48
To give Altar Flowers please call Nancy Waggoner, at 903-727-2030 or the Church Office at
903-729-4214.
Altar Guild:
Feb 28 – Mar 6 --------Team 4 Linens: Jeanette George
Sara Minton, Kathy Stites, Hilda Garcia-Castillo
Mar 7 – Mar 13---------Team 1 Linens: Joanne Evans
Nancy Waggoner, Jane Biddle, Sherry Snow, Lucie Broyles
Mar 14 – Mat 20-------Team 2 Linens: Deborah Morton
Becky Myers, Cathy Summers, Deborah Morton
Mar 21 – Mar 27--------Team 3 Linens: Kirsten Knippers
Katheryn Fagalde, Alex Nemer, Vicki Mayberry
Mar 28 – Apr3 ----------Team 4 Linens: Jeanette George
Sara Minton, Kathy Stites, Hilda Garcia-Castillo
Lay Minister Schedule:
Mar. 2020 Reader Chalice I/Server Chalice II
Sun. 3/1 8:00 Phillip Morton
10:30 Martha Polasek Barbara Kolstad Charlie Nichols
Wed. 3/4 5:30 Phillip Morton
Sun. 3/8 8:00 Bob Blackwell
10:30 Pat Redding Scott Nicholson David Brown
Wed. 3/11 5:30 Sparky Kolstad
Sun. 3/15 8:00 Phillip Morton
10:30 David Brown Barbara Kolstad Charlie Nichols
Wed. 3/18 5:30 Phillip Morton
Sun. 3/22 8:00 Bob Blackwell
10:30 Scott Nicholson Barbara Kolstad Philip Morton
Wed. 3/25 5:30 Sparky Kolstad
Sun. 3/29 8:00 Phillip Morton
10:30 Martha Polasek David Brown Barbara Kolstad
St. Philip’s Episcopal Church
2020 Lenten Luncheon Series
Join us each Tuesday in Lent at noon for a brief service of prayer and a
reflection on the life of Jesus and his teachings as he made his way to the cross. Remain with us for a simple lunch.
12:00 p.m., Noonday Prayer with Sermon in Church
12:30 p.m., Simple Lunch in Parish Hall
March 3 “The Temptation of Jesus” (Luke 4:1-13)
The Rev. Trey Comstock
Lead Pastor, Grace Church, Palestine
Lunch Host: Vestry
March 10 “Fateful Warnings” (Luke 13:31-35)
The Rev. Jennene Laurinec
Vicar, St. John’s Episcopal Church, Carthage
Lunch Host: St. Mary’s Guild and Daughters of the King
March 17 “A Call for Repentance” (Luke 13:1-9)
The Rev. Jonathan Frels
Pastor, Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Palestine
Lunch Host: Episcopal Church Women
March 24 “The Prodigal Son” (Luke 15:1-3,11b-32)
Mrs. Tesne Davis
Spiritual Director, Rock Bottom Ranch, Palestine
Lunch Host: Vestry
March 31 “Jesus’ Anointing at Bethany” (John 12:1-8)
The Rev. Roy G. Duncan
Pastor, The Antioch Church, Palestine
Lunch Host: Episcopal Church Women
Jerome Wells, M.M., former Organist-Choirmaster of St. Mark's Episcopal Church, Beaumont, Texas, presents some well-known J. S. Bach organ pieces and those beyond Bach's time on our Roy A. Redman pipe organ within our beautiful sanctuary. Please remain for a wine and cheese reception. Admission is free and made possible by St. Philip's Episcopal Church. www.stphilipspalestine.com/calendar
Rector: Fr. Justin Briggle jbriggle@stphilipspalestine.com Cell: (512) 799-9365
Parish Assistant: Ginger Brown Treasurer: Melissa F. Cox
Sexton: Martín Rodríguez Organist/Choirmaster: Joshua Lang
Vestry Members
2020
Joan Strominger
Gary Thomas
Terry Thorn, Sr. Warden
Jamie Ward
2021
Bill Fraser
Phillip Morton, Jr. Warden
Tucker Royall
Bob Snow
2022
Barbara Kolstad Pat Redding Mike Tisdale Nancy Waggoner
Monday – Thursday: 9:00 a.m.—2:00 p.m. Closed Federal and Occasional Church Holidays
Phone: (903) 729-4214 Fax: (903) 729-8691
Facebook: www.facebook.com/stphilipspalestine
Email: office@stphilipspalestine.com Website: www.stphilipspalestine.com
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