February 18, 2021

www.SaintPaulsBrookfield.com (203) 775-9587

Transforming

Lives Through

Jesus Christ

"He will rejoice over

you with singing."

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† Stop, Turn Around, Look to Him,

and Be Healed

The Lord spoke to

the prophet Jeremiah: Go down to the potter's house, and there I will give you my message. So I went down to the potter's house, and I saw him working at the wheel. But the pot he was

shaping from the clay was marred in his hands; so the potter formed it into another pot, shaping it as seemed best to him.

Jeremiah 18:2-4

J eremiah spoke this word to the house of Israel, the people living in the southern kingdom of Judah and Jerusalem before their fall to Babylon. The Lord was planning

destruction for her, yet if she repented of her sin, He would change His mind, and reshape her into a vessel of blessing to the ends of the earth.

I once thought that my sin, failures, and mistakes made me unfit for God. For a time, I wallowed in these thoughts -- a damaged, unusable, and discarded vessel. Then I heard a still small voice saying to me: Stop, turn around, look to me, and be healed. As I did, the Lord Jesus reached down into my heart, and began to heal many years of wounds. The image of God in me had been marred, yet the potter began to reshape me as He saw fit, according to His purpose and pleasure, to the praise and glory of His grace. He is restoring the image of God in me.

Do you believe that God can use all the bumps, bruises, breaks, and cracks in our lives for His glory, and for the extension of His kingdom?

He can, and He will. And the wounds healed by His hands, become a source of healing for others by the power of the Holy Spirit. He restores us, so that we may be used as instruments of healing and restoration for others. Our plans may not come to be as we expected, yet when yielded to Him, the potter will shape us into a beautiful vessel through which to shine the light of His glory, and to serve as a healing balm for others. - George Stowell, Warden

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Concomitance [ /kənˈkämədəns/ ]

Concomitance (noun) … Concomitance Eucharistic is a doctrine that affirms the simultaneous presence of Christ's body and blood in each of the eucharistic elements. It contradicts a narrow identification assurance of the fullness of the sacrament. The term is from the Latin, "to accompany."

† Ih-pis-kuh-puh l Dik-shuh-ner-ee

(Episcopal Dictionary)

† This Week at St. Paul’s

Thu, Feb 18 - 8:00 am - PraiseKicks (Zoom) Sat, Feb 20 - 7:30 am - John 21:12 Group, Theo’s Diner, New Milford Sun, Feb 21 8:00 am - Traditional Holy Communion (YouTube Live) 10:30 am - Contemporary Holy Communion (YouTube Live) 12:00 pm - What’s Cooking St. Paul’s? (Zoom)

Mon, Feb 22 - 7:00 pm - Men’s Bible Study (Zoom) Tue, Feb 23 - 8:00 am - PraiseKicks (Zoom) 9:30 am - Ladies Bible Study (Zoom) 7:00 pm - Tuesday Night Ladies Bible Study (Zoom) Wed, Feb 24 Wed, Feb 24 -10:00 am - Online Healing Prayer Service (Facebook Live) Thu, Feb 25 - 8:00 am - PraiseKicks (Zoom) Sat, Feb 27 - 7:30 am - John 21:12 Group, Theo’s Diner, New Milford 10:00 am - PraiseMoves (Zoom)

Sun, Feb 28 8:00 am - Traditional Holy Communion (YouTube Live) 10:30 am - Contemporary Holy Communion (YouTube Live)

Check our website daily for schedule updates and new links.

Vaccine: Register for Brookfield’s Covid-19 Vaccination interest

list if you meet the criteria of over the age of 65 or immune

compromised. The town of Brookfield also has a FAQ page for

many of your vaccine-related questions. This will be updated as

more information is available. If you don’t have internet access or

need assistance in signing up, contact the parish office.

https://www.brookfieldct.gov/COVID19VaccineFAQ

† God Who Splits the Chaos and Brings Order

T hroughout the Genesis account of God’s creation of the cosmos and interaction with humanity, we are made aware of the fact that religious traditions and indeed theological notions about God do not develop in a

vacuum. When we look at the ancient creation myths of the Egyptians, Babylonians, and Mesopotamians we are able to trace the significant influence that these neighboring religious communities had on the way that the Jewish authors choose to tell their story. It seems that there must have been some key characteristics, symbols, and metaphors that defined what it meant to be a God, commonly communicated through the creation stories of the ancient Middle Eastern civilizations.

The most significant Egyptian, Babylonian, and Mesopotamian creation myth is a 12th century BCE story, the Enuma Elish. In one of its most complete versions the warrior god of the sky, Marduk becomes the king of the gods after he defeats the goddess of the dark primordial waters of the chaotic deep, Tiamat. Marduk splits her in two with an arrow shot down her throat. From this, we conclude that the authors of this myth understood a god king to be one who splits the chaos and brings order to the cosmos, much like the Hebrew God in the first chapter of Genesis.

This photograph depicts a rainbow over the pyramids of Egypt (the likely birthplace of the Enuma Elish), which stands as a symbol of the weapon God hangs in the sky, turned heavenward as reminder of God’s covenant never to use it to fire upon the earth again.

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We are open for in-person services on Sundays

at 8:00 am & 10:30 am for Holy Communion!

Welcome

If you plan on joining us in

person, please review our

safety protocols ahead of time.

You can read them by clicking

HERE..

Thank you for wearing your mask properly, covering your mouth & nose at all times.

Thank you for following the ushers directions.

Thank you for being respectful of others needs, spaces and beliefs as we all deal with the Connecticut Covid-19 Phase 2.1 Guidelines.

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Tuesday

Nights at 7 pm

† Tuesday Night Ladies Bible Study

Attention all ladies! Our study is growing in numbers and enthusiasm.

They meet weekly on Tuesday nights from 7 to 8 pm and are currently studying the 1st Book of Samuel. Last week studied the intricate guidance of God to bring Saul before the prophet Samuel and anoint him king and next week we will learn more about how God gave Saul a new heart and filled him with the Spirit of God in chapter 10.

All women are welcome to join them on Tuesday nights at 7pm. Perhaps you would like to come for the weeks of Lent? There is no prep work needed, just come and feel welcome.

All are invited on a drop-in basis when you are available, or come each week!!

To join the Bible study, click on this link each week (save in your calendar).

https://zoom.us/j/99798884632?wd=ZWdxNEwrbmdIMUJacXo4L29KVEpOQT09

Questions about the study or Zoom?

Please contact Carol Wheeler, mobile 203 525-0011 or cmeadwheeler@hotmail.com.

† Socks & Toiletries for the Homeless

T he temperature has dropped and the ’winter

weather reminds us that homeless people are on

their feet all day, and the only pair of socks they own are

very likely to be threadbare. Once again, this year we are

collecting socks and toiletries for the men’s homeless

shelter throughout the winter months. Place donations in

the bins in the back of the church or Crocker Hall.

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† Two Consoling Messages

Genesis 9:8-17 • Psalm 25:1-9 • 1 Peter 3:18-22 • Mark 1:9-15

“A nd the Spirit immediately drove him into the wilderness. He was in the wilderness for 40 days, tempted by Satan; and he was with the wild beasts; and

the angels waited on him” (Mark 1:12-13). We too are “assaulted by many temptations” (Collect). We survive this testing by resisting the devil, steadfast in faith, and we survive even when we fall because Christ died for sinners, and we survive because there are ministering angels in the wilderness of our lives.

Angels are messengers, and there are two consoling messages in the appointed lessons that we do well to hear and claim.

The first concerns an opened heaven. “In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him” (Mark 1:9-10). This stands as a reversal of an ancient curse, when Adam and Eve were cast out of the garden, when God “placed the cherubim, and a sword flaming and turning to guard the way to the tree of life” (Gen. 3:24). Although shut out of the garden, God came again and again to the help of his people, and yet a pall of guilt and shame remained over them. In Christ, heaven, the paradise of God and humanity, is opened again. Heaven’s door will not be closed, for Jesus Christ our Lord is the one “in whom we have access to God in boldness and confidence through faith in him” (Eph. 3:12). Jesus is our great high priest, through whom we “approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may

receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Heb. 4:16). How human it is to experience a time of need. We are sometimes afflicted, perplexed,

persecuted, forsaken, struck down, and we always bear in our bodies the death of Jesus (2 Cor. 4:8-10). Our human predicament is a cross to bear, yet we who have died with Christ have also risen with him, and our prayers and cries, our lamentations and exaltations, rise up through an open heaven. Meditate on this angelic message: “he saw the heavens opened.”

The second message concerns the power of Christ to break open the gates of hell. “For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous,” bring us to God” (1 Pet. 3:18).

The dear are among those brought to God. “He was put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit, in which also he went and made a proclamation to the spirits in prison, who in former times did not obey” (1 Pet. 3:18-20).

Here we see Adam and Eve, symbols of all humans, trapped in a murky wasteland of the dead. In Christ, they are locked up no more. An ancient homily imagines the event: “Greatly desiring to visit those who live in darkness and in the shadow of death, he has gone to free from sorrow the captives Adam and Eve, he who is both God and the son of Eve. … He took him [Adam] the hand and raised him up, saying: ‘Awake, O sleeper, and rise from the dead, and Christ will give you light.’ … I order you, O sleeper, to awake. I did not create you to be held a prisoner in hell.” (An Ancient Homily on the Lord’s Descent into Hell).

Look It Up: Read Philippians 3:14

Think About It: Hear the upward call of God. - from The Living Church, 2021

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† Transforming Saints of God

Thursday, February 18th

Martin Luther Theologian, 1546

M artin Luther was born November 10, 1483. His intellectual abilities were evident early, and his father planned a career for him in law. Luther’s real interest lay elsewhere, however, and in 1505 he entered the local Augustinian

monastery. He was ordained a priest April 3, 1507.

In October 1512 Luther received his doctorate in theology, and shortly afterward he was installed as a professor of biblical studies at the University of Wittenberg. His lectures on the Bible were popular, and within a few years he made the university a center for biblical humanism. As a result of his theological and biblical studies he called into question the practice of selling indulgences. On the eve of All Saints’ Day, October 31, 1517, he posted on the door of the castle church in Wittenberg the notice of an academic debate on indulgences, listing 95 theses for discussion. As the effects of the theses became evident, the Pope called upon the Augustinian order to discipline their member. After a series of meetings, political maneuvers, and attempts at reconciliation, Luther, at a meeting with the papal legate in 1518, refused to recant.

Luther was excommunicated on January 3, 1521. The Emperor Charles V summoned him to the meeting of the Imperial Diet at Worms. There Luther resisted all efforts to make him recant, insisting that he had to be proved in error on the basis of Scripture. The Diet passed an edict calling for the arrest of Luther. Luther’s own prince, the Elector Frederick of Saxony, however, had him spirited away and placed for safekeeping in his castle, the Wartburg.

Here Luther translated the New Testament into German and began the translation of the Old Testament. He then turned his attention to the organization of worship and education. He introduced congregational singing of hymns, composing many himself, and issued model orders of services. He published his large and small catechisms for instruction in the faith. During the years from 1522 to his death, Luther wrote a prodigious quantity of books, letters, sermons and tracts. Luther died on February 18, 1546.

† Transforming Stewardship

“After John had been arrested, Jesus came to Galilee

proclaiming the gospel of God….” – Mark 1:14

D o you ever think about how difficult it must have been for

Jesus to come into Galilee, knowing that John had just

been arrested for teaching the same message that Jesus was

proclaiming. It must have taken great love and trust for Jesus to do

what the Father had sent Him here on earth to do. In the same way,

following a life of stewardship takes great love and trust from us.

We must be willing to surrender completely to God, trusting that

God will always give us all that we need to fulfill His plan for us.

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† Art in the Christian Tradition “The Temptation in the Wilderness”

1898 Briton Rivière (1840-1920)

Oil on Canvas Guildhall Art Gallery, London, UK

B riton Rivere was a technically sophisticated and talented artist, best known for his animal paintings. The biblical subject refers to the 40 days and 40 nights Christ spends in the desert being tempted to misuse his power by Satan. The

painting is far more impressionistic than Rivere's other works, perhaps even experimental. The white figure of Christ stands out against the rich glow of the sky, with both sky and figure focused by the gloom of the landscape. Underneath, barely visible, a lone fox stalks off to the left, so that even this sparse, atmospheric religious scene contains one of Rivere's animals. The bright star overhead seems to be the sole point of focused light, and may in fact be a covert reference to Lucifer, the literal meaning of the name being 'light-bringer', often used to refer directly to Venus, the morning star. The presence of evil here is not literalized (there is no demon depicted) but is nevertheless tangible as a force. In the drooping figure of Jesus we might read the effort of resistance and the quiet dignity of his role as savior of mankind; the impression given is perhaps of the devil as a voice in his ear, a symbolic temptor. The red glow on the horizon suggests a new day dawning, the renewal of hope, suggesting the role of Christ as the 'light of the world' which will eventually render the star of Lucifer invisible.

“ Change your ways, and put your trust in the good news,” Jesus tells us. What things might

need to be changed around your life so that you can become a better follower?

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† Vestry Meeting February 10th

Opening: The meeting was opened on Zoom with prayer at 7:30 pm by Fr. Joe.

Sharing our experiences: George Stowell read: 2 Corinthians 5: 16-21. -George S.: Gave a testimony of a conflict between his tenants. He prayed as he drove to a meeting with the parties. Another apartment soon became available, and this was a solution that God had for the conflict. -Max: Shared that his daughter, Isa, asked Kagan one night if they could FaceTime God instead of saying prayers. -Lisa: Shared that the roof above their living room had an ice dam; causing the ceiling to cave in. “When we turn something over to God, it brings a peace and calm to the situation.” -Lois: Shared that there have been times in her past that could have been upsetting, but through faith, God allowed her to be calm. A recent issue with her snow plowing company, was calmly handled and turned out positive. -Dan: Shared that since COVID hit, their normal activities have been curtailed and they asked, “What are we doing?” He and

Lindy have prayed for God to bring people to mind that they can pray for, help in some way, Zoom with, etc. It has been a great time of ministering to others. They lost close, lifelong friends recently, but it was comforting knowing that they had been connected during this time. -David: Shared that during the upheaval of a home oil spill, the contractors kept commenting that they could not believe how calm he was during this accident. He said that he and Connie are trusting God, knowing that He is sovereign and will see them through this unfortunate adventure. The January minutes were approved as circulated.

Treasurer’s Report: January 2021was a good month, an improvement over January 2020 by $7,100. Franklin Funds continued to do well but is down slightly in the month of January. Chuck explained that the Vestry operates on a faith budget. We trust that

God will be faithful as we seek His will in our finances. Fr. Joe took the opportunity to pray at this time and thank our Lord for His many blessings and for bringing us to this positive financial position.

Committee Reports: No reports submitted.

Rector’s Report: Welcome to the new season of the Vestry. Our purpose is to pray together to discern the will of God and to cast a vision and then to live out this vision for our church. -As a Vestry we look to the bigger picture and manage the “macro”vision for the church. The individual ministries handle the “micro” vision. When we move into a new sense of normal, our desire is to experience a new growth in numbers and a closer walk with our Lord. -The Vestry is a small group of individuals who will share and grow closer together over the next year. -On Ash Wednesday next Wednesday the 17th. Ashes will be distributed from the parking lot through car windows. -On

February 18th,a new Bible study will start with 2 Peter. -Vestry will concentrate on three topics in the coming year: evangelism, assimilation of the next generation, and missions. -There will be a baptism February 14 at the

10:30 service.

Old Business: Pocket prayer shawls will be available this Sunday. As a new practice, St. Paul’s will be giving the newly baptized a prayer shawl. -Doug Melody continues to look into the viability of air purifiers in the church to prevent having to open the doors in winter. -Installation of emergency generators in the event of a power failure is being reviewed by the Property Committee. George will contact the Property Committee for a progress report.

New Business: Chuck defined a Parochial Report. This is an annual report that is filled out and sent to the diocese. The due date is March 1, 2021. The Parochial Report was unanimously approved .

Closing: The meeting was closed with prayer at 8:30 pm by Lois Hunt.

Respectfully submitted, David Williams, Clerk of the Vestry

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Greetings!

One of the sources I use for selecting hymns contained the following statement regarding Lent this year: "…the Old Testament lessons and Gospels in Lent have a common theme of God's covenant with his people, and his mercy and patience when they go astray." I do love a good theme, and I also love it when the music can connect to that theme.

For this week, Lent 1, the lesson from Genesis is about God's covenant with Noah and how God would never again use water to destroy the earth.

Lead us, heavenly Father, lead us o'er the world's tempestuous sea; guard us, guide us, keep us, feed us, for we have no help but thee, yet possessing every blessing, if our God our Father be.

In the Epistle and Gospel readings, we hear this message: we won't be destroyed by water, but we will be saved by water… first through Christ's baptism and ultimately our own. Good news, indeed.

Christ, when for us you were baptized, God's Spirit on you came, as peaceful as a dove and yet as urgent as a flame.

Baptize us with your Spirit, Lord, your cross on us be signed, that, likewise in God's service we may perfect freedom find.

Baptized in water, sealed by the Spirit, cleansed by the blood of Christ our King: heirs of salvation, trusting his promise, faithfully now God's praise we sing.

Incidentally, this last line comes from one of our communion hymns this week "Baptized in Water." The words, by Michael Saward, have been set to a number of different melodies, most popularly "Bunessan" (Morning has Broken), but in an ongoing effort to recognize Black composers this month, I've selected a tune written by Eugene Hancock that appears in Lift Every Voice and Sing II: An African American Hymnal. Hancock (1929-1993) was an organist and composer of sacred music who earned a doctorate at Union Theological Seminary in New York. He served for a time as assistant organist at St. John the Divine, and was a professor at Manhattan Community College. This tune, while not a spiritual, certainly has many similar musical qualities, and it is quite beautiful…and easy to learn. Let me know what you think this week!

But back to the Gospel. After Christ was baptized, he was driven into the wilderness for forty days to wrestle with Satan!

Forty days and forty nights thou wast fasting in the wild; forty days and forty nights tempted, and yet undefiled.

Perhaps this reminds us that even though we accept Christ through baptism, the hard work has just begun. Just like Christ, we must face our own wildernesses while

(Continued on page 11)

by Kirsten Peterson, Organist & Choirmaster

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trusting faithfully that God will deliver us. Beginning with Ash Wednesday, we begin 40 days of "fasting" and abstinence until Easter (the 40 days don't include Sundays, in case you're counting!).

Should not we thy sorrow share and from worldly joys abstain, fasting with unceasing prayer, strong with thee to suffer pain?

Keep, O keep us, Savior dear, ever constant by thy side; that with thee we may appear at the eternal Eastertide.

As I stated earlier, I love a good theme and I love connections. But I had forgotten one, and the Lord, working in his mysterious ways, reminded me…through the great gospel singer Mahalia Jackson. As I was preparing a lecture on 1950s rhythm and blues for my Tuesday night popular music class this week, I switched on one of my favorite songs performed by Jackson: "Didn't It Rain." It's an old spiritual/work song about Noah and the Ark, so good timing there! But as she was belting it out, as only she could, the following lines suddenly hit me: "It rained 40 days and 40 nights without stoppin'…" Of course! Just like Christ, Noah also had his own 40 days of "wilderness" in the form of rain. (There are lots of other instances of "40 days" or even "40 years" in the Bible, but I won't get into them here.) The full verse:

It rained 40 days, 40 nights without stopping Noah was glad when the rain stopped dropping Knock at the window, a knock at the door Crying brother Noah can't you take on more Noah cried no, you're full of sin God got the key and you can't get in

So, rather than try to find a video of one of our Sunday hymns to share with you this week, I give you Mahalia Jackson with "Didn't it Rain." And I'll close in prayer with two verses from our offertory hymn, "Lead Us, Heavenly Father, Lead Us":

Savior, breathe forgiveness o'er us; all our weakness thou dost know; thou didst tread this earth before us; thou didst feel its keenest woe; yet unfearing, persevering, to thy passion thou didst go.

Spirit of our God, descending, fill our hearts with heavenly joy; love with every passion blending pleasure that can never cloy; thus provided, pardoned, guided, nothing can our peace destroy.

Peace and blessings, Kirsten

(Continued from page 10)

Choir Notes

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† Follow Us Live

S treaming live our many worship services and events is nothing new for St. Paul’s. We’ve been doing it for more than six years. Now during the

current pandemic it is being discovered by many for the first time. One parishioner wrote “It was really meaningful to me and my wife as I'm sure was to many others "attending" from home. I hadn't experienced a live-streamed service before and had no idea it could still feel like corporate worship even though we are all separated. It's an understatement to say it was very comforting to come together during this anxious time.” Most of our services are available on YouTube Live or Facebook Live. Check it out and why not introduce it to your friends who may be looking for a church and don’t know what to expect? The services can be watched live or later online. Just click on the YouTube

button or tab on our website for more info.

† Ladies Tuesday AM Bible Study

The Ladies Tuesday AM Bible Study is currently studying, The Holy Spirit, via

ZOOM weekly on Tuesday mornings from 9:30 am - 11am.

This insightful study will lead to an empowering discovery of how your Christian

walk can be transformed by the Holy Spirit - a divine Person, not simply an influence

or power. He is part of the Godhead and we need to understand and depend on the

Spirit just as Jesus did. Here you will find the keys steps to take in order to

experience ore of the power and presence of the Holy Spirit in you life.

Workbooks are by Selwyn Hughes with Ian Sewter, Cover to cover - The Holy

Spirit: Understanding and Experiencing Him and can be purchased online at

www.christianbook.com.

Please contact Debbi Pomeroy by email at

debbi415@aol.com if you will be attending.

Zoom Link: Click HERE

† Electronic Giving

A s a reminder, Saint Paul’s continues to offer the electronic giving option for making your regular donations. Contributions can be debited automatically from your

checking/savings account or your credit/debit card. Our electronic giving program offers convenience for you and provides much needed donation consistency for our congregation. There is no cost to you to use this system. Also there will be no changes if you choose to still use your present method of giving. The system is simple using the following steps below.

Sign on to the church website at www.SaintPaulsBrookfield.com. Click on the “Give Now” button at the top left of the first page. Click on the “Create Profile” button to create your unique on line profile. After you have created your profile, follow the on line instructions to schedule your contribution.

If you have any questions, please contact Chuck Allen at

203-775-6633 or treasurer@SaintPaulsBrookfield.com.

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† Continually

“Seek the Lord and His strength; seek His presence continually.” 1 Chronicles 16:11

by Steve Hemming

R ecently, a dear friend shared that as he was praying for me, the 1 Chronicles 16 verse above came to mind, confirming that my next steps will unfold as I continue on my journey with our

Lord. I was greatly blessed and strengthened by his words of encouragement.

All throughout the Bible, words such as continually, always, all times, and without ceasing, are used to describe an active, ongoing, and constant relationship with God and the people He places in our lives. For example, God’s word doesn’t suggest that we should trust in Him sometimes. No, we are called to trust in the Lord at all times.1 And we’re not encouraged to rejoice in the Lord occasionally, but instead we’re exhorted to “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again, I will say, rejoice!” 2

Here are some more verses that emphasize a continual and steadfast approach to our daily walk with the Lord and with others:

• “For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of His Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers” 3

• “I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.” 4 • “But I will hope continually, and will praise You yet more and more.” 5

• “We give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you” 6 • “Pray in the Spirit at all times, with every kind of prayer and petition. To this end, stay alert with all perseverance in your prayers for all the saints.” 7 • “For this reason, we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding” 8 • “But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.”9

• “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” 10

• “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” 11 • “I thank God, whom I serve with a pure conscience, as my forefathers did, as

without ceasing I remember you in my prayers night and day” 12

So, as you can see from the scriptures above, our faith is not meant to be a static, laborious endeavor, fraught with inactivity or indifference. Quite the contrary, our true calling is meant to be filled with joy at all times, unceasing prayer, and being thankful always for all things.

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. ” - Thessalonians 5:16-18

1 Psalm 62:8 2 Philippians 4:4 3 Romans 1:9 4 Psalm 34:1

5 Psalm 71:14 6 Colossians 1:3 7 Ephesians 6:18 8 Colossians 1:9

9 Acts 6:4 10 1 Corinthians 15:58 11 Proverbs 17:17 12 2 Timothy 1:3

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† Next Food Collection Drive -

Wednesday February 24th

O ur Drive Thru Food Collections continues to serve those affected

by the COVID pandemic. Our next collection is February 24th

from 11 am - 1 pm. Recipients of the February 24th food drive will be the Victory Christian Center, Danbury and the Jericho Partnership. The pantries we provide food to are still in need of our donations.

VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED: If you have an hour to spare on alternate Wednesdays and if you have a truck or large vehicle, please contact Pam Szen prszen@gmail.com. We especially need a second vehicle.

Thank you to all our volunteers and donors. The pantries we serve are so grateful.

† Helping Our Neighbors

H ere is an update about St. Paul’s ongoing food-related ministries serving our community:

Drive Thru Food Collection - this occurs every other Wednesday from 11 am - 1 pm. We have now held 22 food drives since April 22. Yesterday one truck delivered to the Jericho Food Pantry and the other was delivered to Christian Victory Center.

Our next food collection will be Wednesday, February 24th and will support the Victory Christian Center, Danbury and the Jericho Food Pantry in Danbury.

Thank you all for your ongoing generosity and to the many volunteers who have helped to load the trucks and deliver food to the pantries.

Shalom Garden Project - Thank you to the many home gardeners who have shared their bounty during our bi-weekly food collections. See you next spring!

Make a Meal ~ Make a Difference - Currently, this ministry is sponsoring six at risk adults in our region.

Meals are being provided by St. John’s in Washington, St. Mark’s in Bridgewater and St. Paul’s. Meal preparers needed. If you are interested in making meals to support this ministry, please contact Pam Szen prszen@gmail.com. Thank you to all who delivered meals for this week - it was really appreciated.

We have now delivered over 675 meals to our neighbors! Thank you!

Thank you all who participate in these food-related ministries: Volunteers, Donors, Cooks, Drivers, Vegetable Gardeners. We are so very grateful for your support in helping our neighbors in need.

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† The Holy Land, Walking in Jesus' Footsteps

† Mount of Temptation

T he Mount of Temptation, with a gravity-defying monastery clinging to its sheer face, is traditionally regarded as the mountain on which Christ was

tempted by the devil during his 40-day fast. The summit of the mount, about 360 metres above sea

level, offers a spectacular panoramic view of the Jordan Valley, the Dead Sea and the mountains of Moab and Gilead.

The Mount of Temptation is about 5km north-west of the West Bank city of Jericho. Access to the summit is by a 30-minute trek up a steep path - passing through the cliffhanging monastery on the way - or by a 5-minute cable car ride from Tel Jericho.

Unlike some Greek Orthodox monasteries, the Monastery of the Temptation allows women visitors as well as men.

The mountain is also known as Mount Quarantania and Jebel Quarantul. Both names arise from a mispronunciation of the Latin word Quarentena, meaning 40, the number of days in Christ’s fast. This period of fasting became the model for the practice of Lent in Christian churches.

Temptations on the Mount As recorded in the Gospels of Matthew (4:1-11) and Luke (4:1-13) - and fleetingly in

Mark (1:12-13) - the Holy Spirit led Jesus into the desert. While he fasted, the devil tempted him three times to prove his divinity by demonstrating his supernatural powers. Each time, Jesus rebuffed the tempter with a quotation from the Book of Deuteronomy. Then the devil left and angels brought food to Jesus, who was famished. Tradition dating from the 12th century places two of the devil’s temptings on the Mount of Temptation. The temptation to turn a stone into bread is located in a grotto halfway up the mountain. The offer of all the kingdoms of the world in return

for worshipping

(Continued on page 16)

2021 Holy Land Trip

We have our new

dates for our summer

pilgrimage to Israel!

We leave on August

12th and return on the

22nd. This trip will

cover all the basics

and have many

optional add-ons.

Updated brochures for

the trip will be

available soon in the

back of the church or

by e-mailing

dszen@yahoo.com.

Monastery of the

Temptation

The Temptation on the Mount, by Duccio di Buoninsegna

16

the devil is located on the summit. Monks Turned Caves into Cells

Monks and hermits have inhabited the mountain since the early centuries of Christianity. They lived in natural caves, which they turned into cells, chapels and storage rooms. A sophisticated system of conduits brought rainwater from a large catchment area into five caves used as reservoirs. A 4th-century Byzantine monastery was built on the ruins of a Hasmonean-Herodian fortress. The monks abandoned the site after the Persian invasion of 614.

The present Monastery of the Temptation, reconstructed at the end of the 19th century, seems to grow out of the mountain. The northern half is cut into the almost sheer cliff, while the southern half is cantilevered into space.

A medieval cave-church, on two levels, is built of masonry in front of a cave. In the monastery is a stone on which, according to tradition, Jesus sat during one of his temptations.

In the valley of this mountain, Jewish priests and Levites travelled the winding road from Jericho to Jerusalem

when it was their turn to minister in the Temple. In the time of Jesus, about 12,000 priests and Levites lived in Jericho. In Scripture: Jesus is tempted by the devil: Matthew 4:1-11, Luke 4:1-13

(Continued from page 15) Mount of Temptation

Four million Israelis, or some 44 percent of the country’s total population, have now received the first dose of the coronavirus vaccine.

Israel is hoping to allow it to resume tourism soon.

They started to issue “green passport” certifi-cates last week that show holders have been given two full doses of the vaccine.

Cave on Mount of Temptation

A dam and Eve were provided with life in Paradise, asked only to

tend and keep it - and not to eat of one particular tree. Their misguided quest for control and power, and failure to heed God’s command cost them everything. Does our own need to control what we mistakenly consider to be “ours” threaten God’s lovingly-offered relationship with us? Still a challenging lesson to learn, isn’t it?

17

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† The Prayer of Humble Access

During Lent we include the Prayer of Humble Access as part of our service of Holy Communion. The Prayer of Humble Access is beloved by many, but somewhat controversial to others. So what is the Prayer of Humble Access and why is it so dear to so many?

The text of the Prayer of Humble Access can be found in our Book of Common Prayer on page 337:

Scriptural Allusions The primary Scriptural allusion for this prayer is Mark 7:28 in which Jesus says “it is not right to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs” and a Gentile woman replies, “Yes, Lord; yet even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.” It also appears to have an allusion to Luke 7:6, in which a Centurion says to Jesus, “I am not worthy to have you come under my roof.” It may also allude to passages such as I Chronicles 16:34, “his love endures forever.” In John 6, Jesus teaches the people to “eat his flesh and drink his blood” and many turn away from him. Another allusion may be to I Corinthians 10:16, “The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a

participation in the body of Christ?” Theology

The Prayer of Humble Access is the two sides of the Gospel held together. We are fallen creatures, and in our sinfulness we are not worthy to stand before a Holy God. Whenever we speak of human sinfulness, we immediately speak the word of Grace, that our Lord’s nature is always to have mercy. The Christian Gospel holds these two realities always together. We are sinners, God is merciful. Other religions and heresies tend to separate these two, or to hold to one or the other. Jesus showed us that in him, because of his grace, we can accept our own unworthiness, and then be lifted up by and through him into the presence of God. As Jesus taught in Luke 17, we are to keep in mind that we are unworthy servants, as we serve the Lord, retaining gratitude for and awareness of his grace.

The Prayer of Humble Access also teaches that receiving the body and blood of Christ is a gift, a grace that is granted to us. We do not “take” the communion, we “receive” it because it is a gift. Through it we participate in the body of Christ, nourished, cleansed, and renewed in him. We are also given the assurance that our life in him is eternal, and so we receive a taste of the future in the present. Christian eucharistic theology of the real presence of Christ is stated in this prayer very clearly.

Origin and Use in Prayer Books This prayer first appeared in the Order of Communion in 1548, and then was retained in

the 1549 Prayer Book. In the standard 1662 Book of Common Prayer, it appears after the Sanctus, with the instruction that the priest, kneeling, should pray this prayer on behalf of all gathered. In the 1637 Scottish prayer book, it appears immediately before the administration and reception of communion. The 1928 BCP places it before ministration, and also includes the instruction that the priest should kneel and say the prayer “in the name of all who shall receive the Communion.” In Rite I of the 1979 Book of Common Prayer it appears before the ministration of communion as optional (“may be said”), and does not appear, but is noted as an option in the Rite II (Contemporary language) text.

Theological Objections Those who do not accept the Gospel have theological objections to this prayer. Some

groups today do not believe that we are to see ourselves as sinners, or unworthy, etc. For them, this prayer is offensive. But the offense is really to the Gospel itself. These objections are really rooted in heresies. For those who accept Scripture and the actual words and teachings of Jesus, alongside the Creeds (“I believe in the forgiveness of sins” for example), there is no objection to the Prayer for Humble Access. Especially keeping in mind that our unworthiness is immediately paired with God’s mercy and grace. If the prayer did not pair these two, then theological objections would hold. Since the prayer keeps our sin paired immediately with God’s grace, this objection should not hold for us.

So, if you have never done so, check out the Prayer of Humble Access, perhaps using it in your personal prayers this week to become familiar with it.

W e do not presume to come to this thy Table, O merciful

Lord, trusting in our own righteousness, but in thy manifold and great mercies. We are not worthy so much as to gather up the crumbs under thy Table. But thou art the same Lord whose property is always to have mercy. Grant us therefore, gracious Lord, so to eat the flesh of thy dear Son Jesus Christ, and to drink his blood, that we may evermore

19

We are holding our annual Coat

Drive to benefit the various

agencies in Danbury supported by

the Jericho Partnership. “Take a

Hanger” from the rack we’ll have

at the back of the church this

weekend. Check your closets for

those unused coats. And “Fill a

Hanger.” Bring it back to St.

Paul’s and we’ll get that coat on

the back of someone who needs it.

Take a Hanger

Fill a Hanger

† Come Saturday Morning

E ach Saturday morning from 7:30 - 9 am our John 21-12

group meets for lively theological discussion. They have met continuously throughout the pandemic. Join them at Theo’s Downtown Diner in New Milford, which has indoor. All are welcome.

† This Date on the Church Calendar

Wednesday, February 24th

St. Matthias the Apostle

I n the nine days of waiting between Jesus’ Ascension and the Day of Pentecost, the disciples remained together in prayer. During this time, Peter reminded them that the

defection and death of Judas had left the fellowship of the Twelve with a vacancy. The Acts of the Apostles records Peter’s proposal that “one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us - one of these men must become with us a witness to his resurrection” (Acts 1:21–22). Two men were nominated, Joseph called Barsabbas who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. After prayer, the disciples cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias, who was then enrolled with the eleven.

Nothing further is told of Matthias after his selection. According to tradition he was an exemplary Apostle, but we know nothing more. Matthias seems an appropriate example to Christians of one whose faithful companionship with Jesus qualifies him to be a suitable witness to the resurrection, and whose service is unheralded and unsung.

20

M arian Mayers celebrates Saturday. Throw a

virtual party for Lyndon Thomas & Paul

Onorato on Monday. Charlotte

Brennan, Sarah Dianni-Newbury & Christin

Peloso will be opening presents on Tuesday. Have

a blessed day everyone!

21

† This Sunday’s Readings

Into the Wilderness

Genesis 9:8-17

O ur Hebrew scripture lesson tells of God’s promise to Noah and to future generations never again to flood all the earth. God establishes this covenant with a

sign - the rainbow that is seen in the storm clouds. This covenant is made with the whole of creation. It signifies God’s purpose to preserve and save the world, not to destroy it.

Psalm 25:1-9 A prayer of forgiveness and guidance and an expression of trust in the Lord. 1 Peter 3:18-22 This reading from the New Testament speaks of the significance of Christ’s

death and resurrection. In the story of Noah’s salvation a prefigurement of our own salvation through the water of baptism is perceived. Portions of this letter are thought to have been originally composed for use in a service of baptism and Eucharist on the eve of Easter. Such a purpose would explain the association of the themes of Christ's death, baptism, and his triumphal resurrection. It is uncertain who is meant by the spirits to whom Christ preached after his death, but this activity may signify God’s intention for the salvation of all.

Mark 1:9-15 The gospel is the story of Jesus’ baptism followed by his temptation in

the wilderness by Satan and his proclamation of the coming kingdom of God. As Jesus comes up from the water, the Holy Spirit descends like a dove and a voice from heaven tells him that he is the beloved Son. The Spirit then guides him out into the wilderness, where ancient Israel also met its temptation. Here Jesus has his first encounter with Satan, and then goes forth proclaiming the nearing reign of God: “Repent, and believe in the good news.”

† Sermon Shorts

W here the Growth Occurs. To replay all

our sermons, audio and videos follow

this link for the Sunday Sermons. Check out our

Sermon Archives as well.

Mark 1:9-15 "Believe in the good news" is

better translated as "Trust

into the good news," since

the whole point is not, "Have

an opinion about the good

news." Rather, Jesus is

calling for a radical, total,

unqualified basing of one's

life on his good news.

22

† Your Prayers Are Requested For…

I t is such an intimate time when praying for the health and well being of others and such a privilege. We are baptized to lift up, day by day, all the needy world to God.

Let us pray for all who are in need, praying for… .....Joe Hock, Stu Terrill, Harlan & Shirley Jessup and other parishioners convalescing in extended care facilities. .....St. Timothy’s, Fairfield; Trinity/St. Michael’s, Fairfield; St. James’, Farmington. .....Revival at St. Paul’s and the greater Danbury area. .....All parish-based mission partnerships; ECCT‐wide mission partnership networks; the Companions in Mission Network. ......Ginny Beck, Clayton Ferry, Gary Stein, Barbara Hock, Sue Balla, Rose Barrett, Jim Megura, Jay Lawrence, Ed Licence, Peter Scalzo, Jr., Anthony, Denise, Lee Rybos, Jennifer, Susan, Anja, Katie, Doris, Karen, Beverly Hall, Joe Sampson, Clare Lyon, Robert, James, Eve, Mike, Barbara, Jack, Fr. Bill Loring, Alex, Tim, Jan, Brenda and Todd continued healing. .....the people of the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal; the people of Bolivia; the bishop, clergy and laity of the Diocese of Antsiranana in The Church of the Province of the Indian Ocean; and our sister and brother members of the United Presbyterian Church of Pakistan. .....Christians in the Middle East facing persecution at the hands of ISIS forces. Pray also for radical Muslims throughout the world to come to know Jesus Christ. .....Michael for protection from mortar attacks in Somalia with the UN peacekeeping service. .....Victory Christian Center, Danbury and their Food Pantry, which is the recipient of our food basket collections for the month of February. .....St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Danbury, a church partner of the Jericho Partnership. .....That we may place our lives in God’s hands and have the strength to carry out his unique plan for each of us.. .....Those Who Suffer for the Sake of Conscience. .....Bill Beattie, founder and chairman of the Jericho Partnership, complete healing of Multiple Myeloma. .....that we may strain forward toward Easter, caring for our sick and needy, remembering our dead, believing in our every deed the good news.

† This & That & Links (Click on pictures or red links for more info)

Links We Like

Things That Make You Think

Back Issues of Sword Points

Night walk in the snow in the Old City of Jerusalem. Real winter in the Holy Land.

Johnny cash reading

nt

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Just For the Joy of It! (And Christian Fellowship)

† It Takes An Editorial Board Contributors to Sword Points:

C huck Allen, Dan Bacon, Barbara DeAnzeris, Steve Hemming, Tim

Huber, Patrick O’Connors, Mary Perry, Kirsten Peterson, Debbi Pomeroy, Joe Shepley, Tara Shepley, George Stowell, Ron Switzer, Pam Szen, David Szen, Carol Wheeler, Don Winkley, Gail Winkley, David Williams.