Sunday, February 20, Seventh Sunday After Epiphany
O Lord, you have taught us that without love whatever we do is worth nothing: Send your Holy Spirit and pour into our hearts your greatest gift, which is love, the true bond of peace and of all virtue, without which whoever lives is accounted dead before you. Grant this for the sake of your only Son Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Sunday, February 20 is the Seventh Sunday After Epiphany. Download the worship booklet here.
Worship Options: We will continue to worship in one service of Eucharist at 9:30 am through February, open to in-person worshippers and also livestreamed on Facebook. The YouTube link for the service and sermon in written form will be sent out on Tuesday. There is no coffee hour following worship. If you are worshipping virtually: You can request for blessed communion wafers to be mailed to you or to pick them up at the office. Email Marge or call the office at 978-283-1708. If you are worshipping in person: We ask that you wear a mask at all times in the building (we strongly recommend N95, KN95 or surgical masks) and keep your distance from others. Air purifiers will be running during the service. There is no coffee hour following worship.
If you want to join the Zoom coffee hour at 12:30, please email the Parish Administrator for the information.
Black History Month News If and when you feel like getting out of the house and staying engaged with the world, check out these few suggestions:
The Black Heritage Trail, Portsmouth, NH. Heritage This tour starts at 222 Court Street at a cemetery and statue dedicated to free blacks and abolitionists from the 1700’s, as well as 23 other sites. On the website you’ll find information about a series of talks entitled “ Courageous Conversations: Leaning in for Change “, in person or virtual. Go to blackheritagetrailnh.org.
The Freedom Trail, Portland, Maine. This is a 2-mile walking tour that features 13 stops. You can download a free map or pick one up at 40 Commercial Street. Go to abyssinianmeetinghouse.org or portlandmaine.org
Boston’s Black Heritage Trail. This is a free 90-minute tour that includes 14 sites. You can start at the Visitors Center on the Common. Read more about it and other tours at maah.org.
Cape Ann Slavery and Abolition Project. Stay home and check out capeannslavery.org. This website is the product of the Cape Ann Slavery and Abolition Project, the result of extensive research and collaboration by many in the Gloucester area to inform us of our history relative to the slave trade and abolition.
Connie DeSimone and Claudette Chmura have also compiled a list of movies to watch. Click here to download the first list. Check out the second list here.
REGAL RUMMAGE Two-for-One Sale Continues! Two-for-one sale runs until mid-March (or stock runs out)! The Thrift Shop & Regal Rummage will be open Wednesdays and Saturdays, 10-2.
The Souper Bowl of Caring Returns! Every Sunday through the end of February, we will be taking up an extra collection for the Souper Bowl to fund a donation to the Open Door Food Pantry. Please consider giving whatever you can. You can also send in a check with “Souper Bowl” on the memo line, or use our web site donation page to donate with your credit/debit card or Paypal. (If you do this, please send an email to Elizabeth confirming that the donation is for the Souper Bowl.) Or you can call the office (978-283-1708) and we can also run your credit card. Thank you so much!!
Ash Wednesday is coming up . . . on March 2nd. There will be two services, one at noon, without music, and one at 7:00 pm with music, which will also be live-streamed. Ashes will be offered for imposition. If you would like a package of ashes for home imposition, call the office.
Lenten Focus on “Systemic Sin.” While Lent traditionally is a time to look inward and reflect on our relationship to God, it often is couched in terms of personal responsibility. This year, we will reflect on “the evil powers of this world which corrupt and destroy the creatures of God” (Service of Holy Baptism) and of which we are a part. Some of these are racism, economic disparities/poverty, materialism, militarism, and environmental destruction. If you would like to briefly share your reflections on one of these areas—how you personally are aware of the evil and feel your complicity in it AND see the larger forces that make it hard to change—for maybe 3 minutes on a Sunday in Lent, please reach out to Pastor Lise.
David Briggs plays our Fisk, Opus 97 on March 13 at 4 pm.
David Briggs is an international concert organist and will offer a varied program including works by Bach. Briggs is currently Artist in Residence at the Cathedral of St. John, the Divine in NYC. Born in England, he was the organ scholar at King’s College in Cambridge and the organist of Gloucester Cathedral. This will mark the 25th anniversary of the completion of our organ in 1997. When built in 1989 there were several key stops which were “prepared for.” Tickets will be available in advance $20/15. Masks will be required as well as proof of vaccination.
Stay Safe! Please stay masked whenever you are around people outside your household. Cloth masks are not very effective; at the minimum, use a surgical mask. KN95 and N95 masks are best! If you or household members develop cold-like symptoms (sore throat, runny nose, tiredness or loss of taste or smell), isolate and get tested. Avoid larger gatherings or eating situations with others. Getting vaccinated or boosted is a good defense against serious illness.