From Fr. Michael:
"Ash Wednesday: I love that tactile, visible action—thumb blackened by ashes of palms smudging the foreheads in vaguely cross-shaped patterns, words confirming our mortality and dependence on God, standing on the corner of the square in Burnet marking foreheads of Roman Catholics who can’t get to mass that day, of our own parishioners who have physical difficulty getting into the church but who can stop their cars at the corner, and of folks who have never even considered the practice but are able to say, “Why not?” Even those who don’t attach much meaning to it find themselves somehow touched by being touched by a reminder of human mortality and penitence.
Some priests and pastors in or near Burnet may be offering the Imposition of Ashes this year, but out of concern for your health and mine (and a bit of inertia on my part, to be honest) I am not among them. I was planning to include a short list in the invitation to worship this week, but I am having difficulty finding that information. If you hear of anything, please let us know when we gather virtually on Sunday. Some Episcopal and Roman Catholic churches who are offering ashes are sprinkling them on the heads of penitents this year rather than marking foreheads.
The sacraments and symbols of our Church are the most potent reasons for my being an Episcopalian. We believe that God uses these outward and visible signs to impart inward and spiritual grace. Lenten ashes are not a sacrament, but they are powerful symbols; however,
God, who created heaven and earth out of nothing, can bridge the gap in this pandemic year between our naked thumbs and our foreheads and God’s grace. Occasionally we need to remember that divine grace is not limited by the material, outward signs of our blessed sacraments and symbols."
Patty Murray is scheduled for surgery at Scott & White in Temple on February 22 to remove the cancer on her lung. Please keep her in your prayers for a successful surgery and a full recovery.
Fr. Michael has an appointment on February 17 in preparation to start a 28 daily radiation session on March 8. Please keep him in continuous prayers as he goes through these treatments, and pray for a full recovery.
In last week's E-Star you were told about the Food Pantry in Bertram at the Holy Cross Catholic Church at the corner of TX Hwy 29 and RR1174. To recap, The Food Pantry is open every Thursday from 1:00PM until 3:00PM. The Food Pantry is open to people in the 78605 and 78608. There is not a full time Priest or secretary at the Church, so other churches are helping. I received information from Jane Scheidler about efforts on behalf of the Food Pantry -- "We are working on training more volunteers to extend hours to evening times for people who cannot get there between 1-3. We are also sending home flyers to every child in Bertram Elementary, reminding people that the Food Pantry is re-opened. We also have a Blessing Box in Bertram, behind the Methodist Church. We try to keep it stocked with staples as well as "grab-and-go" snacks for the elementary school children to get on the way home. It is, of course, available 24/7.
Thanks, Jane."
Jane & Rachel have also advised that cash donations are preferred. If you would like to donate, please mail your check to Our Mother of Sorrows, 507 Buchanan Dr., Burnet, TX 78611. Please make your check out to Bertram Food Pantry.
At Reminder: Betty Jo Lipscombe's 95th birthday is February 17. Don't forget to send her a card to let her know we are thinking of her on her birthday. Her address is 105 Senisa Court, Buchanan Dam, TX 78609.
Attendance on Sunday, February 7 (via Zoom): 37
The February - April Day by Day booklets are available in the church office. The cost is $1.00 each.
Sherry Musgrove and Diane Hays are scheduled to read the lessons and prayers on Sunday, February 13.
Happy Birthday To: Carol Hervey (2/16); Jo Lipscombe (2/17); Diane Langley (2/18)
and Bruce McComas (2/19).
Please stay warm and safe through the weekend and into next week as the weather is supposed to be very cold, and there is the possibility of rain, sleet and/or snow.
Peace and Blessings
Dianne Williams
"Ash Wednesday: I love that tactile, visible action—thumb blackened by ashes of palms smudging the foreheads in vaguely cross-shaped patterns, words confirming our mortality and dependence on God, standing on the corner of the square in Burnet marking foreheads of Roman Catholics who can’t get to mass that day, of our own parishioners who have physical difficulty getting into the church but who can stop their cars at the corner, and of folks who have never even considered the practice but are able to say, “Why not?” Even those who don’t attach much meaning to it find themselves somehow touched by being touched by a reminder of human mortality and penitence.
Some priests and pastors in or near Burnet may be offering the Imposition of Ashes this year, but out of concern for your health and mine (and a bit of inertia on my part, to be honest) I am not among them. I was planning to include a short list in the invitation to worship this week, but I am having difficulty finding that information. If you hear of anything, please let us know when we gather virtually on Sunday. Some Episcopal and Roman Catholic churches who are offering ashes are sprinkling them on the heads of penitents this year rather than marking foreheads.
The sacraments and symbols of our Church are the most potent reasons for my being an Episcopalian. We believe that God uses these outward and visible signs to impart inward and spiritual grace. Lenten ashes are not a sacrament, but they are powerful symbols; however,
God, who created heaven and earth out of nothing, can bridge the gap in this pandemic year between our naked thumbs and our foreheads and God’s grace. Occasionally we need to remember that divine grace is not limited by the material, outward signs of our blessed sacraments and symbols."
Patty Murray is scheduled for surgery at Scott & White in Temple on February 22 to remove the cancer on her lung. Please keep her in your prayers for a successful surgery and a full recovery.
Fr. Michael has an appointment on February 17 in preparation to start a 28 daily radiation session on March 8. Please keep him in continuous prayers as he goes through these treatments, and pray for a full recovery.
In last week's E-Star you were told about the Food Pantry in Bertram at the Holy Cross Catholic Church at the corner of TX Hwy 29 and RR1174. To recap, The Food Pantry is open every Thursday from 1:00PM until 3:00PM. The Food Pantry is open to people in the 78605 and 78608. There is not a full time Priest or secretary at the Church, so other churches are helping. I received information from Jane Scheidler about efforts on behalf of the Food Pantry -- "We are working on training more volunteers to extend hours to evening times for people who cannot get there between 1-3. We are also sending home flyers to every child in Bertram Elementary, reminding people that the Food Pantry is re-opened. We also have a Blessing Box in Bertram, behind the Methodist Church. We try to keep it stocked with staples as well as "grab-and-go" snacks for the elementary school children to get on the way home. It is, of course, available 24/7.
Thanks, Jane."
Jane & Rachel have also advised that cash donations are preferred. If you would like to donate, please mail your check to Our Mother of Sorrows, 507 Buchanan Dr., Burnet, TX 78611. Please make your check out to Bertram Food Pantry.
At Reminder: Betty Jo Lipscombe's 95th birthday is February 17. Don't forget to send her a card to let her know we are thinking of her on her birthday. Her address is 105 Senisa Court, Buchanan Dam, TX 78609.
Attendance on Sunday, February 7 (via Zoom): 37
The February - April Day by Day booklets are available in the church office. The cost is $1.00 each.
Sherry Musgrove and Diane Hays are scheduled to read the lessons and prayers on Sunday, February 13.
Happy Birthday To: Carol Hervey (2/16); Jo Lipscombe (2/17); Diane Langley (2/18)
and Bruce McComas (2/19).
Please stay warm and safe through the weekend and into next week as the weather is supposed to be very cold, and there is the possibility of rain, sleet and/or snow.
Peace and Blessings
Dianne Williams