Notes for the Third Sunday before Lent
The Third Sunday before Lent (Septuagesima)
Readings Deuteronomy 34:1–12 1 Corinthians 9:24–27 Matthew 20:1–16
Psalm 119:25-32
25 My soul cleaveth to the dust; O quicken thou me, according to thy word.
26 I have acknowledged my ways, and thou heardest me: O teach me thy statutes.
27 Make me to understand the way of thy commandments; and so shall I talk of thy wondrous works.
28 My soul melteth away for very heaviness; comfort thou me according unto thy word.
29 Take from me the way of lying, and cause thou me to make much of thy law.
30 I have chosen the way of truth, and thy judgments have I laid before me.
31 I have stuck unto thy testimonies; O LORD, confound me not.
32 I will run the way of thy commandments, when thou hast set my heart at liberty.
Lectionary Chart (for our readings) can be found here: trinity.anglican.center/lectionary
(Septuagesima comes from Latin for “Seventieth,” meaning the Sunday that falls within seventy days but more than sixty days before Easter)
Epiphany Reading as we begin to look towards Lent:
What are you doing here? by Bishop Win Mott
A helpful meditation on the Christian vocation during the season of Epiphany (the season ending Ash Wednesday, Feb 18th).
From The Weight of Glory, by C.S. Lewis:
It may be possible for each to think too much of his own potential glory hereafter; it is hardly possible for him to think too often or too deeply about that of his neighbor. The load, or weight, or burden of my neighbor’s glory should be laid daily on my back, a load so heavy that only humility can carry it, and the backs of the proud will be broken. It is a serious thing to live in a society of possible gods and goddesses, to remember that the dullest and most uninteresting person you talk to may one day be a creature which, if you saw it now, you would be strongly tempted to worship […] There are no ordinary people. You have never talked to a mere mortal […] Next to the Blessed Sacrament itself, your neighbor is the holiest object presented to your senses.
Miserable Offenders, by C.S. Lewis
On the language of the traditional liturgy we are presently using. For Lent we will be using the Ecumenical Order, called Renewed Ancient in the 2019TLE Prayer Book)
Pastoral Letter
On January 21st our bishop, The Rt Rev. Dr Eric Menees, SSC, issued a Pastoral Letter on Refugees and Immigration, which I commend for your reading. It is also posted on the diocesan website.
Other Announcements:
If you have need for visitation, including reserve sacrament, or have prayer needs, please reach out to Deacon Nancy or myself.
Shrove Tuesday (Feb 17), details TBA.
Ash Wednesday Service, Feb 18, 6pm
Thursday evenings for Lent, excluding Feb 19, we will be having Soup Suppers, Evening Prayer, and Bible Study.
Our Bishop will be visiting and preaching on Sunday, Feb 22nd.
Events as they are added will be at https://trinityanglican.net/#calendar
Blessings,
Fr Jonah +