My sisters and brothers in Christ:
We worship as usual this weekend: Our convenient community Holy Eucharist service today (Saturday, March 12) at 5 p.m. and on the Fifth Sunday in Lent at 8 and 10 a.m. As we’ll hear during our services, when our LORD was at Bethany, and Mary anointed his feet with expensive perfume, Judas seethed with self-righteousness. Soon, according to the gospel accounts, he would betray Jesus to those who sought to kill him.
Judas’ motives and actions are shrouded in mystery. But those studying Practicing Compassion this Lent may recognize someone whose anger and confusion prevented him from acting compassionately. We’ll explore the all-important discernment piece (discovering how to speak and act as “warriors of compassion” in a world that needs it so desperately) in our fifth and final class Sunday at 9 a.m. in the Bishop’s Room. Please join us.
The whole St. John’s community is invited to supper with Dr. Frank Rogers, author of Practicing Compassion, this Wednesday, March 16 at 6:30 p.m. in the multipurpose room. Whether you’ve read the book or not, you’ll enjoy this dynamic, engaging speaker. If you haven’t signed up yet, you can do so in the Narthex on Sunday. The event is free. We’ll take a free will offering.
Our Lisa Naulls, about to raise the rafters, as usual This Sunday at 3 p.m., discerning music fans will naturally find themselves at “A Taste of the Spirit,” a concert of spirituals and gospel music by the Festival Singers featuring our own Lisa Naulls (shown here) as guest soloist. Tickets for St. John’s members are $12 at the door. The concert takes places at the Lake Forest Sun and Sail Club, 24752 Toledo Lane, Lake Forest.
And next Saturday, March 19 at 8 a.m., the warriors of compassion in our women’s and men’s ministries will combine forces at a breakfast featuring programs by Wayne Kempe about Education for Ministry (EfM) and by Jill Hageman (and Bo!) about training therapy dogs. Katelyn Biberacher of the youth group will open the proceedings with a rousing song. You may sign up in the narthex this weekend.
Yours in Christ’s boundless compassion, Fr. John
P.S.: A few more opportunities for discerning compassionate action: Registration for VBS (June 19-23) is underway at www.stjohnsrsm.org…See’s Candy for Easter is on sale this weekend, and “Easter is For All at St. John’s” stickers are available for your car, backpack, or laptop…We need your Easter flower instructions by March 20; look for the special envelope in the narthex…Sign-ups are underway for the Maundy Thursday all-night prayer vigil (March 24-25)…The Twentysomethings meet Sunday at noon at the Lowe’s Center Starbucks…The Rancho Santa Margarita food pantry, this Thursday, March 17 from noon-5 p.m., needs your gifts: Groceries and gift cards in church this weekend and cheerful volunteers’ faces on Thursday; write Roger Bradshaw at parisbradshaws@me.com if you’re coming …And don’t forget to stop by the Relay for Life table after church on Sunday and mark your calendars for Relay on Saturday, May 14 (thanks, Deb Griffith and Andrea Patton!).