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March 4,
2008
COVER
STORY
The
Realness of Loss
by The Rev. Alvin C. Johnson, Jr.
 Dear
Pilgrims,
First of all,
thank you for your feedback and questions about last
week's article about life, death and faith. Your comments
mean more to me than you can imagine as you are integral to the
pilgrimage of my life as well. We are a community and we are in
this together. My question becomes your answer and your questions
become my answers. That's how we grow in the Lord together.
As I reflected
on the comments from several of you regarding the journal entry
I shared, I realized that there was an extremely important factor
that I left out of the article that has a tremendous impact on
how one looks at the truth that all relationships come to an end.
That factor is that all relationships come to an end in the flesh.
One person wrote and asked me if I think about Nicholas and my
Dad still; do I think of them as members of our family? My answer
is yes. At the same time, they also are not here in the flesh
to visit, to talk with, to fret over and more. The loss of "in
the flesh" is a real loss; measurable and painful. This loss
is the essence of the human grief we experience when a loved one
dies. Certainly Nicholas and my Dad live on in my heart, in the
hearts of many others, in our family and within the heart of God
as well. The loss of their presence in the flesh is real and it's
this reality that was behind my thoughts that all relationships
come to an end.
Jesus once
said that he came that we may have life and have life abundantly.
We value those things we are given because we also know that they
can be taken away. To me, this is just a simple truth about life
and love. Jesus also desired that we come to see the beauty of
life today not just the promises of tomorrow; and that we find
in the beauty of our lives today, the inherent hope that informs
our views of the life to come. Look outside at the snow. Underneath
that snow rests the real hope of spring. But for now, we see snow.
Love and Blessings,
Alvin, a pilgrim
WORSHIP
Prepare
Ye!
by The Rev. Martha Gillette
Easter is
early this year, so by the time you read this, it will be time
to pull out your day-planners and block off the times of our Holy
Week services.
The services
of Holy Week do send us on an emotional roller coaster, but together
they provide a spiritual experience of unsurpassed depth, richness,
complexity, and beauty, and give us an insight into our Christian
heritage and calling which is impossible to obtain by attending
Sunday services alone. This year, between the partner parishes
of St. Michael’s and Church of the Holy Apostles, there are
a variety of opportunities for worship from which you may choose.
Palm Sunday
(March 16) services take us from the jubilation of Jesus’
triumphant entry into Jerusalem, accompanied by the waving of
palm branches and shouts of “Hosanna!” to his Passion
and death. Each of our services will start with the Liturgy of
the Palms, and a procession into our worship space. Holy Apostles’
services on this day are both Rite I without music, at 8:00 a.m.
and 10:30 a.m. St. Michael’s services are Rite I at 7:45
a.m., and Rite II at 9:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.
Maundy Thursday
(March 20) commemorates the institution of the Eucharist (Jesus’
last supper as related in Matthew, Mark, and Luke) and the Christian
principle of servant-hood as evidenced in Jesus’ washing
of his disciples’ feet (the story of Jesus’ last supper
as related in John). It includes the powerful ritual of stripping
the altar. At Holy Apostles, the service begins at 6:30 p.m. with
a simple meal. The foot washing and the Eucharist will take place
in the context of this supper, after which participants will silently
proceed to the church for the stripping of the altar. At St. Michael’s,
a traditional liturgy will begin at 7:30 p.m. and will include
Eucharist (with incense) and the stripping of the altar. If you
wish to participate in the foot washing at St. Michael’s,
please sign up on the sheets posted in the narthex/main entrance.
The Watch
at the Altar of Repose (March 20-21). When he went to pray at
Gethsemane, Jesus asked his disciples to watch and pray with him;
but they fell asleep, leaving him alone in his hour of profound
need. The Watch is not a service, but rather an act of personal
piety, during which one can, indeed, “stay awake” for
an hour with Jesus in prayer and contemplation. At both Holy Apostles
and St. Michael’s, the Watch runs continually from the end
of the Maundy Thursday service to the morning of Good Friday,
and sign-up sheets are posted. Anyone is welcome to pray in either
place at any time. You are welcome to call the respective church
office to leave a message asking for your name to be listed on
the sign-up sheet (perhaps a good idea if you are interested in
an “overnight” hour), or to simply show up to pray.
Holy Apostles office number is 847-526-7148, St. Michael’s
number is 847-381-2323.
Good Friday
(March 21) focuses on Jesus’ crucifixion. The service at
Holy Apostles begins at 7:00 p.m. and will be in the style of
Taizé. It will be a service featuring readings, simple
chants, and contemplative silence, in a candlelit environment.
There will be no communion. At St. Michael’s there will be
a 10:00 a.m. “young person’s” service and a traditional
liturgy at 7:30 p.m. These services will include a reading of
the Passion of Christ and the Solemn Collects, and provide an
opportunity for the Veneration of the Cross. Communion from Reserved
Sacrament will be offered.
The Great
Vigil might be thought of as “the” Easter service, as
it is the first service at which the Easter Eucharist is celebrated.
The Great Vigil has four parts: The Service of Light (during which
the Paschal candle is lighted from an outside fire and the ancient
Exsultet is said or sung); The Service of Lessons (during which
a series of readings highlighting the story of God’s people
from the Creation on is read); The Sacrament of Baptism, or the
Renewal of Baptismal Vows; and the Holy Eucharist. Yes, it is
longer than the average service – but it is a wonderful service
that moves from the darkness of the tomb to the glorious resurrection.
At Holy Apostles, the service begins at 7:00 p.m. A reception
follows the service. At St. Michael’s, the service begins
at 8:00 p.m. and includes incense; a festive reception follows.
Easter Sunday
requires no introduction, I am sure. At Holy Apostles, there is
a single service at 9:00 a.m., followed by a festive brunch. At
St. Michael’s, service times are modified slightly, to 7:45
a.m., 9:00 a.m., and 11:00 a.m. Incense will be used at 11:00
only. A festive reception follows each service.
Daylight
Saving Time Returns this Sunday!
This Sunday,
March 9, is time to return to Daylight Saving Time. Don't be late
for church…remember to set your clocks ahead one hour on
Saturday night!
Welcome
to St. Michael's New Sunday Sexton
In order to
support the needs of the parish on Sunday mornings — the
busiest day of the week at St. Michael's — the vestry approved
the addition of a Sunday Sexton (maintenance) position with the
2008 budget at their January meeting and is pleased to announce
that Kevin Callahan has accepted the position and began working
on Sunday, February 24. Kevin will also assist around the church
with miscellaneous maintenance projects during the week of Wednesday.
Please welcome Kevin into his role when you see him on Sunday
morning.
Easter
Flower Offerings
Remember a
loved one or offer thanksgiving through your offering of Altar
flowers this Easter. Offering envelopes are available in the narthex/front
entrance and must be received no later than 5:00 p.m. on Monday,
March 17 to be included in the printed bulletin.
Help
Wanted for Easter Receptions
Marti Callahan
is asking for your help with this year's Easter reception. If
you are interested in being a part of this festive event, please
sign up on the sheet in the kitchen to let her know of your interest.
What's needed??
- 2 people
to help refresh and clean up after the 7:45 a.m. and 9:00 a.m.
services.
- 3-4 people
to stay and clean up after the 11:00 a.m. service.
- 8-10 people
to make 2 dozen deviled eggs each (trays are available in the
kitchen)
- 10-12 people
to bring two or more trays of finger foods to the service they
attend
- 1 person
to help Saturday morning setting up the tables, paper goods,
decorations, etc.
The
Little Red Wagon: Lent 2008
During the
month of March, the St. Cyprian Food Pantry will receive offerings
made to the Little Red Wagon. St. Michael's has been supporting
this food pantry for many years. Its needs are even greater now
— not just because of the growing number of clients, but
because of the great drop in food available from its main support
agencies, The Greater Chicago Food Depository and the Chicago
Anti-Hunger Federation.
During Lent,
please remember those struggling to survive each day. Their needs
are many and money is limited. Providing food is essential and
something we can all do. Please consider the following suggested
items when you're shopping during the month of March:
- March 9
- Extras: Salad dressings, salsa, pasta sauce
- March 16
- Desserts: Snacks, crackers
- All Weeks
- $10 gift certificates from Jewel are also helpful as they
are provided to families to allow them to purchase fresh meats
From
the Parish Office
Updated
Parish Directories
A small number
of updated Parish Directories have been printed and are available
in the Parish Office reception area. A sign-up sheet is also available
to order additional directories.
Around
the Neighborhood
Grace Church
to Host Benefit for Sudan
Grace Church,
Oak Park, is hosting a silent auction that will benefit the people
of the Renk Diocese in Sudan. The auction will take place this
Sunday, March 9 from 9:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. The church is
seeking donations to be offered for this event. To make a donation
of goods or services, contact Susan Hickey at 708-387-2370 or
email her at zuzka48@aol.com.
Grace Church is located at 924 Lake Street, Oak Park 60301.
In
the Parish Family
First/Solemn
Communion
Congratulations
to the hard work of the following young people who recently celebrated
their Solemn or First Communion on Saturday, February 23: Josie
Trautwein, Kyle Laughlin (First Communion), Kyle Anetsberger,
Drew Douglas, Maesyn Poidomani, Eric Brown, Alma Brooks, Michael
LaBarge, Andie Evans (also Baptised!), Stephanie Olds, and Matthew
Cooper
Those for
whom prayers have been requested
Military troops
in danger, John, Mary, Margo, Kevin & Marti, Ray, Shirley
& Bob, Mary Beth, Chad, Evelyn, Gayle, Ormonde, Tony &
Kathy, Jane, Mike, Charlene & R.P., Claire, Dick, the Galasso
family, the Locher family, Bob, Josh, Hilary, Dave, Lhee, Nancy,
Jim & Sharon
Anniversaries
This Week
Birthdays
- 3.8 Katie
Tomczyk, Jean Louis Lafon
- 3.9 Reed
Conway, Nathan Smith, Graham Erbs, Madeleine Belden
- 3.10 Kyle
Ferry, Jennifer Tilly, Anne McIntosh, Andrew Gier, David Raufeisen,
Marjorie Brown, Susan Beuttas
- 3.11 Steve
Barnum, Stephen Walcott, Andrew Erbs, Douglas Knox, Eleanor
McDonnell, Tom Kenrich, Cassie Bacher
- 3.12 Stephanie
Rieke, Nicholas Marcinkiewicz, Lisa Korzun
- 3.13 Annilee
Quinlan, William Baar, III, Aidin J. Donohue, Robert Gier
- 3.14 Amy
Briedenbach, Deanna Reeves
Anniversaries
- 3.8 Laura
& Craig McCammack
- 3.12 Amy
& Tom Kenrich
Deaths
- 3.13 Norton
Penney, Patrick Kane
- 3.14 Edna
Fox
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