My sisters and brothers in Christ:We worship as usual this weekend: Our convenient community Holy Eucharist service today (Saturday, Feb. 21) at 5 p.m. and at 8 and 10 a.m. tomorrow morning, the first Sunday in Lent.

If you’re coming to tonight’s fellowship dinner at 6 p.m. in the Cardinal Gym (and who isn’t??), consider trying out tonight’s service.

If you’re coming to church on Sunday, please join me at 9 a.m. in the Bishop’s Room for “An Introduction To El Corazon of Lent,” featuring photographs from my two-week language and religion study pilgrimage in Cuernavaca and insights about Lent, or Cuaresma, in Mexico. Those attending will receive a free copy of A Grown-Up Lent: When Giving Up Chocolate Isn’t Enough, a lively book of Lenten stories and reflections by the Rev. Joanna Leiserson (while supplies last!).

This Sunday, Feb. 22 is also St. John’s School Day at St. John’s Church. Have you wondered if St. John’s School’s innovative programs are right for your child or grandchild? Have you assumed that the tuition was beyond your reach?Please think again! Head of school Michael Pratt and his colleagues will be available after the 10 a.m. service to answer your questions and tell you about our new flexible tuition policy aimed making a St. John’s education available to as many of our church members as possible. (The photo above shows St. John’s fifth graders preparing to work side-by-side with Roger Bradshaw and other church volunteers at last Thursday’s Rancho Santa Margarita food pantry.)

Also: Are you ready for some Girl Scout cookies? Thanks to our cheerfully entrepreneurial scouts, they’ll be on sale during coffee hour after both Sunday services near the entrance to Hunsaker Hall….Please remember that after the second service each Sunday in Lent, you are free to take the altar flowers for family members and friends who are home-bound as well as for your dining room table at home. The flowers are in disposable containers. Members of the Altar Guild will assist you….Beginning next Sunday, March 1 and continuing throughout March 22, join us for “A Lenten Search for God at the Movies” during the 9 a.m. Christian formation hour. We are offering a 9 a.m. “Finding God at the Movies” program for children as well….Acolytes and Twentysomethings meet after the second service this Sunday…The Mom’s Club meets on Wednesday at 8 a.m. and our caregivers ministry Wednesday at 7 p.m., each in the Bishop’s Room.

Yours in Christ’s love and the Lenten Way,

Fr. John