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Palm Sunday 10am Service begins in the Parish Hall
CAN THESE BONES LIVE? The hand of the LORD came upon me, and he brought me out by the spirit of the LORD and set me down in the middle of a valley; it was full of bones. He led me all around them; there were very many lying in the valley, and they were very dry. He said to me, "Mortal, can these bones live?" I answered, "O Lord GOD, you know." Ezekiel 37:1-3 Can these bones live? What a question. The reading for this past Sunday, the day I am writing this cover letter (and yes, officially 3 days late to Cindy!), was especially meaningful to me. I have just had the privilege of finishing a Vestry Retreat down at Prude Ranch in the Ft Davis Mountains. Can these bones live? It is a question that was posed to us right in the beginning of the Retreat by our facilitator Rev. Judy. It seems such a simple question when stated, but giving it thought turns it into a question with great depth. As many at Holy Trinity know, I have been involved in the Strategic Planning Committee since we began in October 2007. What I didn’t know then, but understand now, is I was asking the same question … but of our church. Can Holy Trinity live? Is it worth going to the effort to do a Strategic Plan? Is it worth putting myself out there for all to read the thoughts I write down, to analyze the words that I use to describe my position on many different areas of the church? Is it worth it to paint a bull’s eye on myself to endure verbal abuse from those that don’t agree? If I start it, am I strong enough to see it through to the end? What happens if I decide I’m not? Will someone else pick it up and carry it on, or will it go by the way-side like so many other things that die a seemingly unnoticed death at our church? I felt like the weight of God’s kingdom surviving at 1412 W. Illinois was on my shoulders. How amazingly conceited of me. It’s not my burden to carry … God carries it. Once again I found myself taking something in life and believing I had control over it … foolishness. I have been amazed at a weekend retreat, that, in the beginning, I couldn’t understand why we were even doing it. I was told by a wonderful friend that it was okay not to have a sense of control over what to expect or what might happen. He was right, if I had gone there with any sense of control, I could not have experienced the shift that occurred, at least in my mind. We attended church services in Marfa that Sunday at The Big Bend Episcopal Mission and Rev. Judy told us in her sermon that among other things we have to stop being afraid. She’s right. Fear is paralyzing, it can keep us from experiencing our deepest desires, it can prevent us from sharing all we have to offer others, and it can scare us into non-action. Hi, my name is Deborah and I have fear. Now, I can move on. The times ahead of Holy Trinity are uncertain ones and there is much that we don’t know. The thing I do know, is Holy Trinity is blessed to have so many that LOVE our church family and are committed to GOD to ‘let these bones live again’. We have a Vestry that is unified in a direction to lead the church to resurrection of these dry bones with a process of Strategic Planning and Council System. The Vestry is praying constantly for guidance and patience. Patience to LISTEN FOR GOD and His direction given IN HIS TIME. I invite ALL PARISHIONERS of Holy Trinity to be a part of this healing, rebirth and renewal of our church. Come to the next Strategic Planning Committee meeting on Saturday, March 29th at 9:00am in the Parish Hall. We will be developing our next 90-day goal to continue to move our church forward. Any member of Holy Trinity is invited to join any Strategic Plan Team to help in this effort. TOGETHER we can build and be strong … and it does take ALL of us. May all we do be to glorify our GOD, it is for His kingdom always. Deborah Chester
Palm Crosses Please come to help fold Palm Crosses for Palm Sunday, on Friday, March 14 at 9:00am in the Sun Porch. Call Barbara Robken for more information, 697-4590.
HOLY WEEK AND EASTER SCHEDULE Palm Sunday 8:00am and 10:00am Meet in the Parish Hall for 10am service only 5:15pm
Maundy Thursday 5:30pm Holy Eucharist And Stripping of the Altar
Good Friday 12noon Good Friday Service The church will remain open from 12noon to 3:00pm
Easter Sunday Holy Eucharist: 8:00 and 10:00am and 5:15pm Easter Egg Hunt and Reception 11:00am
Easter Flowers To have your thanksgivings and remembrances of loved ones listed in the Easter Sunday pew bulletin, please send your donation payable to the Holy Trinity Flower Fund, to the Parish Office no later than Tuesday, March 20. Attention: Cindy.
WEEKLY CALENDAR Sunday, March 16 8:00am Holy Eucharist 9:00am Adult Ed, Parish Hall 9:00am Children's Sunday School, Rms. 6 & 119:00am Youth Sunday School, Youth House 10:00am Holy Eucharist: GATHER IN THE PARISH HALL 10:00am Baby Church, Nursery 5:15pm Holy Eucharist Monday, March 17 5:15pm Holy Eucharist and Healing Service Tuesday, March 18 No Tuesday Holy Eucharist or Breakfast Wednesday, March 19 7:00am Holy Eucharist and Men's Breakfast Thursday, March 20 5:30pm Maundy Thursday Holy Eucharist Friday, March 21 12noon Good Friday Service PARISH OFFICE CLOSED Sunday, March 23 Easter Sunday 8:00am Holy Eucharist 10:00am Holy Eucharist 11:00am Easter Egg Hunt and Reception 5:15pm Holy Eucharist
THE PARISH OFFICE WILL BE CLOSED FRIDAY, MARCH 21 AND MONDAY, MARCH 24
Wednesday Night Supper5:30p No supper on Wednesday, March 19 Spring Break!
Lay Eucharistic Ministry March 16, 2008 Acts 10:34-43 Psalm 118:14-29 Colossians 3:1-4 John 20:1-10 8:00am Holy Eucharist David Overton Bill Schammel 10:00am Holy Eucharist Mark Wheeler Jody Gilles Mary Lou Cassidy 5:15pm Holy Eucharist Marilyn Allen
Altar Guild Team II will serve March 15-21. Barbara Leeton, Captain. Nancy Stewart, Janet Sam, Bonnie Hubbard, Kay Sirgo, Terry Staub.
Tuesday Morning Women’s Breakfast The ladies of the Tuesday Morning Women's Breakfast have elected to temporarily discontinue the breakfast on Tuesdays. As a result the Tuesday morning Holy Eucharist will also be temporarily discontinued. Thank you to all the LEM's who served so faithfully the last 16 years.
Men’s Club Tom Wurster and Lea Crump will serve breakfast on Wednesday, March 19, 2008, following the 7:00am Holy Eucharist.
HOSPITAL VISITS Please call the Parish Office at 683-4207, and let us know when someone from Holy Trinity is in the hospital or rehab center. We don't want to miss anyone. Thanks!
Prayer List For Those in Trouble, Sorrow, Need, Sickness or Any Other Adversity: Brigitta Hoehn, Mary Jane, Mike, Margaret, Johnny, Jim, Michael, Livi, Ann, Patsy Welmaker, Darlene, Justine, Doris Feemster, Clayton, Josie Mae, Britt, Richie, Gay, Danny, Diane, John, Mandy, Marci, Becky, Jennifer, Eric, Beth.For Those in the Military: Chris, Randy, David, John, Miller, Michael, Drew, Bo, Eli, Nick, James, Kimberly, Rosemary, Justin, Lisa, Craig, Jody, Andrew, David, Steven, Jordan, Sean, Patrick, Etienne, Annie, Casey, Nick and his platoon, the 293rd; and Victor. If you know of anyone in the Armed Forces, please feel free to call the Parish Office and place his or her name on the Prayer List. Deadline is Friday at 2:30pm.
HOLY TRINITY BOOKSTORE & GIFTS The Bookstore is closed temporarily. If you would like to make a purchase, please call the Parish Office, 683-4207 to make an appointment. Thank you for your patience.
Comunidad Alabare Every Wednesday, Bob Hilton comes to Holy Trinity to pick up food in the grocery cart in the Parish Hall to give to the poor who attend Comunidad Alabare. Please remember to bring food, especially canned or dry goods. Remember, need knows no season. Thank you!
Holy Trinity Vestry Jody Gilles, Senior Warden; Don Olive, Junior Warden, Terry Jolliffe, Clerk; Marilyn Allen, Carol Armstrong, Deborah Chester, Connie Godlevski, Orman Hubbard, Jim Newman, Russell Robken, Sam Stephens, Mark Wheeler.
Prayer for the Election of a New Bishop Almighty God, giver of every good gift: Look graciously on your Church, and so guide the minds of those who shall choose a bishop for this Diocese and rector for this parish, that we may receive a faithful pastor, who will care for your people and equip us for our ministries; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
ADULT EDUCATION
Looking for God in Entertainment 6:00pm in Parish Hall We will have a variety of facilitators for this class that will explore ONE book, movie, or song at a time for messages from the Bible. Our first facilitator will be Anna Chester and she will walk us through the Audio Book of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. We will listen to approximately 30 minutes of the book each Wednesday and then discuss the information, characters, plot, and more for the next 30 minutes. If you thought there was no symbolism to God in this series of books, come for the class and determine for yourself. If you would like to lead a book, movie, or song. Call Deborah Chester 686-7494 or email: dchester@caprockenergy.com
ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS – BEGINS MARCH 16 9:00am in Parish Hall It’s certainly past time to get a new Adult Sunday School class in place … and what better way than to have all of Holy Trinity participate! "Our Church" is the title of this new and informative class. We will gather to hear the stories of our Parish members. Each week we will have a couple or individual tell the class about their lives and their coming to Holy Trinity. It’s an autobiography straight from each person’s mouth to our ears. We will get to know our Parish family more intimately than we do now and hopefully understand each other a little more. What better way to grow as a united and caring group? If you would like to sign up for a particular Sunday, please call Deborah Chester at 686-7494, or email her at dchester@caprockenergy.com. Otherwise, listen for your phone to ring as she will be calling you!
SUNDAY Our Town: 9:00am in Parish HallWEDNESDAY
YOUTH ALERT Be a part of the fun with the Episcopal Youth Community (EYC) !!
Join us for our First-Sunday-of-the-Month Fellowship We are Christ-centered and growing, and want you to join our fabulous group of kids! Our March activity was Broomball at the ice skating rink – a big thanks to the parents who helped!
COMING IN APRIL . . . Picnic and fun in the sand at the Monahans Sandhills State Park More details coming soon! Questions or concerns? Want to join our mailing list? Call us! Angela Stephens 685-4135 Cindy Olive 686-9545
CHILDREN'S EXPRESS Holy Trinity VBS 2008 Dust off your Poodle Skirts, find those old 45’s, we’re getting ready for VBS rockin’ with Jesus. VBS 2008 will be June 16 - 20 and we can use all the help you have to give. We need room facilitators, storytellers, decorators, arts and crafts facilitators, outside game people and more.
Planning schedule is as follows: Friday, April 4: 12-1pm Friday, May 2: 12-1pm Wednesday, May 7: 6-7pm June 9 – 13: Work Week Come share in the fun this summer!!
Holy Trinity All Parish Retreat H.E. Butt Foundation – Linnet’s Wings, April 18-20, 2008 Registration Form – Please return to HT Office by March 9, 2008
Name of persons attending: ___________________________ ___________________________ ___________________________ ___________________________ ___________________________ Your Address: _______________________________________________________________ Your Telephone Number: Cabin Bunking Preferences: (Mark in order of preference 1 – 3, with 1 being first choice) Male Cabin Female Cabin Family Cabin Would you like to help with the retreat in any way? ____________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ Cost: $35 Single $60 Couple (any two) $85 Family (three or more) Please enclose your payment for the weekend retreat with this registration form and return it to the Holy Trinity Office no later than April 11, 2007. We will be sending you a confirmation packet with lots of retreat information in it by April 11. Be sure to bring a friend with you as well … the more the merrier! We look forward to a wonderful retreat with all our Brothers and Sisters in Christ! Drop off form and payment to the Parish Office.
CHRISTMAS-IN-ACTION — APRIL 11 & 12 Each year Holy Trinity tries to participate in the Christmas-In-Action program here in Midland. We typically do roofing, painting, caulking, and general yard clean-up and mowing. Robbie Shepard is the Team Captain for this project (Yeah Robbie!!) and he has a wonderful group of workers from his roofing company that help us out with expertise – good thing too!! Please join us this year the weekend of April 11 & 12 once again to help out a deserving house and family that needs a little TLC – HT style! We can use not only workers, but folks willing to keep the workers fed and watered as well. For more information contact Robbie Shepard at 262-6583.
Sunday and Weekday Services Sunday 8:00am HE: Malcolm Slayter10:00am HE: Allen Whitman 5:15pm HE: Malcolm Slayter Monday 5:15pm HE & Healing: Allen Whitman Wednesday 7:00am HE: Malcolm Slayter
Dear Holy Trinity Family, Our minds and hearts are still unable to completely internalize the breathtaking luncheon provided for us as we spent our last Sunday together. It was the most beautiful meal we have shared with you. No words could ever speak of our gratitude, thanksgiving and appreciation to each of you for the generous, loving provision of the day. Your words, wishes, song and prayers touched us in ways that we will remember for years to come. Your gifts are tangible reminders of the Sacraments – and fun – we have shared together. Thank you for the framed picture of the Holy Trinity sanctuary at Christmas – among the many generous gifts given to us. Doris and I have always agreed that Holy Trinity has the most beautiful sanctuary we have ever called home. Another significant gift for our family on our last Sunday with you was the birth of our first grandchild, Hailey Grace Cannaday. Only God in His grace could have provided a perfect ending and a perfect beginning! Four years ago, I said to Doris, "Isn’t it amazing how God saves the best for last?" We have been blessed sharing the last years of our regular active ministry at Holy Trinity Church. Our time with you will always be remembered as a blessing. When we are prayerful and faithful, we are exactly where God wants us. We are glad He wanted us here! Holy Trinity is in our daily prayers as we ask the Father to sustain, strengthen and encourage you as you "Go out to do the work (God) has given us to do." In the words prayed for us on our last Sunday, we pray for you now: May the road rise to meet you. May the wind be always at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face, the rains fall soft upon your fields and, until we meet again, may God hold you in The palm of His hand. -An Irish Blessing With our love, Fr. Mark & Doris Cannaday
THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU! Thank you for all the donations and helping hands to celebrate the luncheon for Fr. Mark and the Unforgettable Doris. May their retirement be an adventure as they start their new life with the Lord. This was truly a Godly happening for a Godly man. A special thank you to Anne and George Hover for donating the flowers. A Big Hug to All, Betty Tull
LENTEN MEDITATION Dry Bones If you are feeling hopeless, read the Sunday Scriptures for the 5th Sunday of Lent. Ezekiel 37:1-14 talks about God’s power to give life, even to dry bones in a desert. These dry bones represented the Israelites spiritually dead condition. We may see a situation in our lives, marriages, church, or community that may seem as dry as bones with no hope of vitality, but this promise is that God can restore anything if we don’t give up but rather hope and pray for renewal. "I will put my Spirit in you and you will live." (vs.14) John 11:1-45 shows how Jesus gave life back to Lazarus. Jesus could have arrived earlier and healed Lazarus, but I think he waited in order to show his disciples and us his power over death, and to teach about his power of resurrection. "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even thought he dies, and whoever lives and believes in me will never die." This resurrected life is not only for the future but life in the Spirit today. Jesus says "I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full" John 10:10. Isn’t it interesting that Jesus’ gift of life to Lazarus immediately led people to put him to death! So how can we apply this? Romans 6:16-23 states we have to choose. We can choose to be slaves to sin which leads to death or slaves to righteousness which leads to eternal life that begins on earth and continues forever with God. "But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you wholeheartedly obeyed the form of teaching to which you were entrusted. You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness." God is master of life and death! Derrick Prince pictured this as Christ paying the price for our slavery, then setting us free. We should be living in thanksgiving and appreciation! Closing in Psalm 130, we pray and wait with hope and expectation for God’s presence. "Let your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy," (vs2) "I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I put my hope." (vs5) What strength do you find in knowing that God has the ultimate power over life and death? I pray you too can experience God’s life-giving, restorative power. Paula Howbert
Tuesday and Thursday Services Temporarily Suspended The Tuesday and Thursday services will temporarily be suspended, effective immediately. At such time as we have a new rector these two services will be reinstated. For more information, call Mark Wheeler at 686-2414.
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