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February 1, 2005

MARDI GRAS, ASH WEDNESDAY AND LENT

On Saturday, February 5, 2005 at 5 p.m., our congregation will gather for the second annual Mardi Gras celebration. The evening will start with a potluck dinner, and a DJ will spin some tunes while we dance, chat, eat and play as the family of Christ. This event is intended for people of all ages, for those who choose to wear a costume and those who do not. The evening will end with the liturgy for the Burning of the Palms. Bring your palms from last year, as we will burn them to create the ashes for Ash Wednesday. Consider inviting a friend or neighbor to the activities of this evening, and share the warmth and fellowship of our parish with them.

The liturgy for Ash Wednesday will be offered at noon and 7 p.m. on February 9, 2005. The church's liturgy for Ash Wednesday invites us "to the observance of a holy Lent, by self-examination and repentance; by prayer, fasting, and self-denial; and by reading and meditating on God's holy word."

Prayer, fasting and self-denial are not mere good works for our own benefit! Instead, they free us and our time and resources to a new and deeper scope of ministry to others. This Lent, I challenge each and every one of you to think about your ministry to others. Many have spoken to me of the richness of taking on a new volunteer project during Lent instead of doing what they have always done -- giving up sweets, for example.

I leave you with the following words from an unknown author:

• Live a graced prayer life this Lent.

• Each day of this season of repentance and renewal, Nourish the people you live with, work among, and socialize with.

• Nourish the needy you do not know.

• Touch them in more deliberate ways with faith, hope, and love.

In Christ’s Love, Fr. Mark

With enormous gratitude in my heart, I say thanks to each of you who held me in your prayers and for your presence at my ordination to the priesthood. It has been a long journey, a journey that many of you have traveled with me. Your love and support have been an important part of my formation for this ministry. I also wish to thank the parish for the wonderful gift of the companion communion set that allows me to bring communion to the shut-in, the hospitalized, and others as the need arises. It is greatly appreciated. St. John’s will always have a place in my heart. You are always in my prayers. I rejoice with you in the great ministry you have in that place, and pray that you might continue to serve God in your love for each other and the world beyond its doors. Blessings!

The Creed: What We Believe and Why It Matters

"...the Christian creed enunciates a powerful and provocative understanding of the world, one that ought to scandalize a world that runs on the accepted truths of Modernity. There is something in the creed to offend virtually every contemporary sensibility… Christians who say these words should know what they are doing when they say them and what they are saying when they mean them.”

- Luke Timothy Johnson

On Sundays in February, we continue our series on The Creed, using as our primary reference Luke Timothy Johnson’s recent book The Creed. What Christians Believe and Why It Matters, Doubleday, 2003, ISBN 0-385-50247-8. Dr. Johnson, a former Benedictine monk, is Professor of New Testament at the Candler School of Theology at Emery University. We meet in the Parlor from 10 to 10:50 am, with a break just before the 10:30 am service.

Colossians Remixed

"What would Paul say to contemporary Western culture? Well, it might just look like this. Walsh and Keesmaat have written one of the most creative and exciting books to emerge from the current interface of biblical, cultural and political studies."

- N. T. Wright, Bishop of Durham

On Wednesday, 2/13, we begin a five-part Lenten series based on the new book Colossians Remixed: Subverting the Empire, by Brian J. Wash and Sylvia C. Keesmaat. The series will explore the message of Colossians for Western Christians living in the 21st century. A Lenten soup supper will begin at 5:30 pm. Colossians Remixed will be held in the Parish Hall from 6 pm to 7 pm. A Healing Service and Eucharist will be held at 7 pm

The Adult Ed. Schedule

Sun. Jan 30: The Creed 3. We Believe in One God

Sun. Feb 6: The Creed 4. And in One Lord Jesus Christ

Sun. Feb 13: The Creed 5. Who for Us Became Human

Wed. Feb 16: Colossians Remixed 1

Sun. Feb 20: The Creed 6. He Ascended ... and Will Come Again

Wed. Feb 23: Colossians Remixed 2

Sun. Feb. 27: The Creed 7. We Believe in the Holy Spirit

Wed. Mar 2: Colossians Remixed 3

The St. John in the Wilderness Adult Education and Formation web site www.StJohnAdultEd.Org has information on past, present and upcoming series and the latest schedule. To review the overhead transparencies or PowerPoint slides of a presentation, simply download them from the web site.

Anyone with comments, questions or suggestions, or who is interested in joining the Adult Education and Formation Committee, please talk with me or drop me a note, , 651-481-8697.

The privilege of being heard in our brokenness, as private persons, is wonderful. Together we confess in our worship, and we are absolved. Private confession is the time and place to confide to God in the presence of His representative, our priest, those sins and that pain at the bottom of our unique personhood.

Martin Luther said, "If private confession were rightly practiced, the people would run a hundred miles to receive it.”

In hymn lyrics we find, “Oh, what peace we often forfeit. Oh, what needless pain we bear.” That’s too true.

Our Father (“Abba”) invites us to come into His private confession with our tears, guilt, shame and fears, to hear His amazing grace and love applied to each of us -- personally.

This year each is invited to experience private confession to be loved this way.

Individual private confession will be offered on March 16th from 4 to 7 pm at the healing station in the Narthex of the church. Our priest and God’s love will be waiting there.

From Jim Allen-Davis.

February 6. Last Sunday after Epiphany

Exodus 24:12(13-14)15-18

Philippians 3:7-14

Matthew 17:1-9

Psalm 99

February 9. First Sunday of Lent

Joel 2:1-2,12-17

2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:10

Matthew 6:1-6,16-21

Psalm 103:8-14

February 13. Second Sunday of Lent

Genesis 2:4b-9,15-17,25-3:7

Romans 5:12-19

Matthew 4:1-11

Psalm 51:1-13

February 20. Third Sunday of Lent

Genesis 12:1-8

Romans 4:1-5, 13-17

John 3:1-17

Psalm 33:12-22

February 27. Fourth Sunday of Lent

Exodus 17:1-7

Romans 5:1-11

John 4:5-26, 39-42

Psalm 95:6-11

Italicized verses are read during the family service.

The Vestry met January 11. Fr. Mark presented information on baptisms and new members. Peggy Holper asked for people to sign up to help with our Out to Lunch program. Therese Branby gave a report on plans for the capital campaign. The following motions were approved:

• Clergy housing allowance requests

• Larry Mahoney’s appointment as Treasurer

• Christine Karp’s appointment as Clerk of Vestry

• Approval of a budget shift of $10,000.

The toys collected during our recycled toy drive in December have been carefully cleaned and sorted by the children. Due to prohibitive shipping costs we are unable to ship them to China so the toys are being offered to a local homeless shelter, Families Moving Forward. Thank you to all who generously gave your gently used toys.

Our next event in Children’s Ministry is the annual Lenten Pretzel Making on February 27. Pretzels are a traditional symbol for Lenten prayer. The slender ropes of dough formed into two crossed arms, called bracellae, a Latin word meaning “little arms”, are a reminder for us to pray. After a short class the children will meet in the Parish Hall to make pretzels. All are welcome to join us!

Youth envelopes are available in the Parish Hall for any interested families.

A time for prayer, Bible study and fellowship, house groups are a wonderful way to deepen your Christian faith while getting to know other people. All are welcome to visit, or better yet, to join our house group. If you plan to visit, please call the host family in case there have been last minute changes to our schedule. Our meeting time is 7:00 pm.

• February 14. John & Jenny Kobinski

• February 28. Call Linda Monyak or Therese Branby, for meeting location

As we begin Lent, we will again use the United Thank Offering “little blue boxes” to help focus our thoughts on, and remind ourselves daily of, the many blessings we have received. The United Thank Offering is a program of which every cent collected is directed to a charitable project. Our Ingathering will be on the Sunday following Easter.

The Care Packs for Kids program supports the Children’s Home Society Crisis Nurseries of Dakota, Ramsey and Washington counties. We will gather diapers, children's clothing, bus cards, nutritious snack packs, etc. for them on 2/27.

Our support for American troops stationed in Iraq has blossomed. Letters to Iraq are appearing in the mailbox as well as an outpouring of requested items: skincare products, recent magazine issues, CDs, snack foods (not chips), personal care items, etc. More are needed! Thanks to all who are helping this effort.

The ECW will present “The Way of Forgiveness,” taught by the Rev. Joanie Delamater, at 10:30 am on Thursday mornings February 6th and 13th during Lent.

Following the Feb. 17th study, we will lunch at Rudy's Red Eye Grill in White Bear Lake. All are invited and welcome. Please call Judy Kroesch if you will attend, and she will make reservations. We will order off the menu, so you will pay at the restaurant. Thank you.

2005 Lenten Schedule at St John’s

February 5

5:00 pm Mardi Gras followed by the Burning of the Palms

February 9

12:00 pm Ash Wednesday Liturgy

6:00 pm Soup Supper in Parish Hall

7:00 pm Ash Wednesday Liturgy

February 16, 23 March 2, 9 and 16 (Wednesdays)

5:30 pm-6:30pm Lenten Soup Supper in Parish Hall

6:00 pm-7:00 pm Adult Education in Parlor

6:00 pm-7:00 pm Children’s Choir

6:15 pm-7:00 pm 1st Year Confirmation in youth room

7:00 pm-7:30 pm Healing Service and Eucharist

7:00 pm-8:00 pm Junior High Youth Group, begin by going to healing service together.

7:30 pm-9:00 pm Adult Choir

March 16

4-7 pm Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession)

March 20

7:30 am, 9:00 am, & 10:30 am Palm Sunday

March 21

7:00 pm Holy Monday Eucharist

March 22

7:00 pm Holy Tuesday Eucharist

March 23

12:00 pm Holy Wednesday Eucharist

March 24

6:00 pm All Parish Potluck

7:00 pm Maundy Thursday Liturgy

8:30 pm Song, Story and Reflection by Youth

9:00 pm Vigil

March 25

9:00 am Morning Prayer

12:00 pm Good Friday Liturgy

7:00 pm Stations of the Cross

March 26

5:00 pm Easter Vigil with Baptism(s)

*bring a small bell to ring in this child friendly service *service followed by light supper and Easter egg hunt

March 27

8:00 am & 10:00 am Easter Day Eucharist

A new processional banner will be in use during Lent this year. Natalie Marino, cousin of Liz Uppgren, designed and created a series of banners, which were used in her parish in Utah. She has graciously shared those designs and given permission for them to be adapted into a processional banner. The banner depicts events of the Passion.

The Passion journey first takes us across the Kidron Valley from Jerusalem to the slopes of the Mount of Olives, to a small orchard where olives were pressed to extract their oil. Hence comes the name Gethsemane, which means the garden of the oilpress. Jesus had come to these familiar surroundings for the last time, not to rest, but to prepare himself for his work of redemption. “Watch with Me”. Returning to the road leading from Jerusalem to the Mount of Olives, Jesus and the disciples met a large crowd armed with clubs and swords. Judas had agreed to identify Jesus in the dark with a kiss. “You Betray Me with a Kiss”. Next we move to the courtyard of the high priest’s palace. Peter, who had been watching from a distance, joined a group of people standing around a fire. Jesus had earlier predicted what would happen. “Aren’t You One of His Disciples”. In the palace Pontius Pilate sat alone, pondering the fate of the itinerant teacher from Nazareth. “I Find No Crime in Him”. By camel or on foot, Simon, a devout Jew from Cyrene on the north coast of Africa had made the long journey to Jerusalem to attend the Feast of the Passover. Upon entering the city, Simon noticed a procession from one of the city gates. Another crucifixion. A soldier grabbed Simon and said “You, there, carry this cross for him.” “You…Take this Cross for Him”. Finally we stand at the skull shaped hill along one of the roads leading the way from Jerusalem. A small group was keeping vigil, among them, Jesus’ mother. You can imagine her thoughts as she watched her Son struggling to breathe, seeing the lifeblood literally drain from his body. “Here Is Your Mother. Here Is Your Son”.

2 Madalyn Harding
2 Sandra McManus
2 Kyle Pope
2 Reginald Schwab
3 Louis Schwab
4 Patricia Gagin
4 Sue Robinson
4 Mairin Torgerson
5 Nancy A. Jagusch
7 Corinne Livesay
7 Jeanie Long
7 Tila Zubersky
8 Megan Hough
8 James Kroesch
8 John LeFevre
9 Jean McMillan-Rowland
9 Cynthia Stuck
10 Fletcher McKinney
11 Angela Harding
12 Dorothy Dokmo
14 Elizabeth Ackerman
14 Kristen Van Steen
16 John Irvine
18 Barb Monson
18 Barbara Rooney
18 Jan Stellmacher
19 Frank Dolliver
19 Erienne Fullerton
20 Benjamin Long
20 Will McBride
20 Neil Vruno
21 Katherine LeFevre
22 Frances Goodwin
22 Jill Todd
24 Emily Brown
24 Muriel Gilbert
24 Roxanne Meyers
24 Jean Tews
27 Jean Johnston
28 Lura Ann Jensen
 

If you have a birthday this month but are not listed above, please or telephone the Parish Administrator at the church office. Records are not always complete. Thank you.

Name: Sarah Larson

High School/Grade: Forest Lake High School, 11^th grade

School / Community Activities: cheerleading, track, softball

Church Activities: Youth Group, Northern TEC, and acolyting

Favorite Song: Old time of Rock and Roll By: Bob Seager

Proudest Moment: Helping with the rummage sale in San Diego for the Mission Trip

Collections: Pooh bear memorabilia, stuffed animals

Favorite St. John’s Memory: Mission Trip to CA and at Halloween when the kids wore costumes to church

Favorite movie: Life as a House

Last good book you’ve read: Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul 2

Best advice you’ve been given: When you've fallen off the horse, you gotta get back on

Where you hope to be in 10 years: Married and working in the baking industry

If you could have dinner with any person, whom would you choose? My great grandpa who is no longer around

How can church become more youth friendly? I have no suggestions because when I first came to St. John's I felt warmth when Alison came and greeted me and my family right away, she told us when the youth group was held and introduced us to new and exciting people.

Twenty-three Kids Participate in the January 8th Treasure Hunt

Shannon Warchol & Will Long, Co-Captains of the Winning Junior High Team

Rev. Joanie with Dustin and Stacy Reichert at Baby Dustin’s baptism

Super Bowl

Senior High youth are invited to the Schmits’ Vadnais Heights home for a Super Bowl party. We will gather at 5 pm for football, commercials, food, and low-key fun. Please bring a food or beverage to share. Sign up in the parish hall if you plan to join us.

Junior High Diocesan Youth Event

Forms are now available for the Junior High Diocesan Youth Event which runs Friday, 3/11 -- Sunday, 3/13 in Minneapolis. Youth will gather together for an Urban Immersion Experience, serving in a variety of social service agencies throughout the weekend. It’s a wonderful way for Junior High Youth to understand the idea of mission. We need a Safe Church trained chaperone for this event as it falls on the same weekend as Northern TEC.

Ski Trip

St. Stephen's Episcopal Church organizes an annual Ski Trip for 6th-9th graders. This year’s will take place 3/4 - 3/6 at Giant's Ridge. Registration forms are available in Alison's office or online at http://www.ststephens.com/stst/ski_trip and are due by 2/1. Our group has gone the last two years, and we have really enjoyed the experience. Deacon Rick and Jill Todd will chaperone the youth, but we may need additional chaperones depending on the number of our youth participants. Please talk to Alison if you are interested in attending.

Maundy Thursday

There will be an overnight at the church on Maundy Thursday, 3/24, for 8th-12th graders. Details will follow next month, but please mark your calendars. We strongly encourage all Confirmation students to attend.

Great Northern TEC

Forms for the Northern Teens Encounter Christ weekend will be available on 2/1. This TEC is 3/11-3/13 at St. Paul’s in Duluth. The weekend begins at 10:30 am on Friday, 3/11 for first timers. Call Alison or any youth who have attended in the past if you want more information. Northern TEC is open to 9th-12th graders.

Youth planning to work on the team: the planning overnight is Friday, 2/18 at 7 pm -- Saturday, 2/19 at noon.

Attending the team meeting is very important to the success of the weekend. The team moves in on Thursday, 3/10 at 7:00 pm and the weekend concludes at 5:00 pm on Sunday, 3/13. Sign up in Alison’s office if you plan to work team so we can organize car pool rides to Duluth.

Saint Paul TEC

The Saint Paul Teens Encounter Christ weekend is set for 4/15-4/17. More information will be in the March youth voice about the weekend. St. Paul TEC is open to 10th-12th graders and is hosted by St. John the Evangelist Church in St. Paul.

Summer Mission Trips

We presented summer trip information at our January meeting. If you missed it but plan to participate, please call Alison before the 2/7 registration deadline. Both trips are open to 8th-12th graders. Camp Heartland in Willow River, MN Tues., June 14th- Fri., June 17th.

St. Margaret’s House in South Bend, Indiana Tues. July 5th – Mon. July 11th.

Thought for the Month

Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.

-- Ephesians 4:2-3

The Junior High youth group has become a very strong and vibrant community. I am so proud of their work to create a safe, sacred space to come and recharge, laugh, learn, and pray together. We have been exploring the idea of “Community” in the last few weeks and the importance of learning from and leaning on healthy communities. One of the communities that the Junior High youth feel strongly about is the community of St. John’s.

I asked the Junior High youth to write down some of the things they learned from this community. Some of the youth have been at St. John’s their whole lives and others are new to our group this year. I thought their responses would encourage each of us to think about why we choose to worship and grow together and what our actions teach members of our church.

Here are a few of the responses to the question, “What has St. John in the Wilderness taught you?”

• God doesn’t care what country you are from.

• I learned at St. John’s how to support others.

• Hands are not for hitting.

• Not everyone has what they need.

• That God means everything to me and friends help you get through life.

• That church friends can be as crazy/fun as my normal, school friends.

• Friends are important.

• Even when you feel kind of unloved, God always loves you.

 

To download the February 2005 Lay Ministry Schedule (including the Wednesday Lenten Eucharist Lay Ministry Schedule) as a PDF file, click on the PDF icon, or right click on the icon and choose "Save Target As" from the menu:

(193 KB)

To download the February 2005 Monthly Calendar as a PDF file, click on the PDF icon, or right click on the icon and choose "Save Target As" from the menu:

(78 KB)