I pray you are healthy this Lent, I was sorry to miss you all on Sunday, but did not want to share my germs more broadly. I have slept and hydrated this week with the intent of joining you all on Sunday.
Your Welcome Team has been busy and you now have a chance to order a new St. Mary’s shirt! We are collecting orders through May 1 for new t-shirts. This time we are offering three style choices: Crew Neck ($9/shirt), Polo Shirt ($16/shirt) or V-Neck ($11/shirt). All shirts will include the Episcopal Shield with the words: “St. Mary’s Episcopal Church / ALL Are Welcome” underneath. This logo will be on the upper left side of the shirt. You can order in sizes Youth Small–XL, Mens S-3XL, Womens S-2XL. To order, simply fill out an order form (found in the Narthex), and return it with the appropriate funds. If we order at the beginning of May, we will have our shirts in time for Strawberry Fest!
Holy Week is approaching quickly. We’ll kick off events on Palm Sunday (April 13) with Palm Sunday Services at 8 and 10 a.m., followed by Easter Crafts and Egg Hunt. All children are welcome to come and experience the events of Holy Week with hands on activities including making and waving palms, eating the Last Supper, foot washing, confession stones and the empty tomb. Next, we will be scattering eggs across St. Mary’s lawn for our Annual Easter Egg Hunt.
On Thursday, April 17, we will have an Agape Meal at 6 p.m. in the Parish Hall (includes foot-washing), followed by Maundy Thursday service in the church at 7 p.m. After the service, people are invited to keep watch in the Chapel before the Altar of Repose from 9 p.m. Thursday to 8 a.m. Friday. The signup sheet is in the Parish Hall.
The next day, Good Friday, we will offer services at noon in the chapel and at 7 p.m. in the church. As is our tradition, we will offer people the chance to pick up a stone when they enter church, in order to lay it down at the foot of the cross during the service.
Saturday we will have our Easter Vigil in the Chapel at 7 p.m. This is a beautiful service, sometimes called the “Queen of Liturgies” and I hope you will join us.
April 20, is Easter Sunday and we will have service at 8 and 10 a.m. followed by Coffee Hour.
Prayers and Blessings,
Mother Pippa