St. Peter’s is a small Episcopal Church on the banks of the Rappahannock in Port Royal, Virginia. We acknowledge that we gather on the traditional land of the first people of Port Royal, the Nandtaughtacund, who are still here, and we honor with gratitude the land itself and the life of the Rappahannock Tribe. Our mission statement is to do God’s Will in all that we do. We welcome all people to our church.
The word “Lent” comes from an Old English word that means “length”. It refers to the lengthening of daylight in Spring. As the physical world experiences an increase of light and the sprouting of new life (crocus, daffodils, Lenten Rose above), we are reminded that light beats darkness, and that the restoration of life is on the way, our restoration as we move from ashes (sin) to alleluias to reside in Christ’s glory at Easter.
March 6 – 11:00am, Holy Eucharist, Lent 1 – Join here at 10:45am for gathering – service starts at 11am Meeting ID: 869 9926 3545 Passcode: 889278
March 6 – 7:00pm, Compline on Zoom – Join here at 6:30pm for gathering – service starts at 7pm Meeting ID: 878 7167 9302 Passcode: 729195
March 7 – 6:30am, Be Still Meditation – Join here 6:30am 20 minute group time of prayer Meeting ID: 879 8071 6417 Passcode: 790929
March 9 – Bible Study 10am-12pm
Ash Wed. Photo Gallery
Lent began March 2 with Ash Wednesday
Lent is a 40 day Christian festival beginning Ash Wednesday and concluding on Easter (Sundays are not counted). The 40 day fast of Jesus in the wilderness was responsible for the number 40 being chosen . It was said by Athanasius in 339 AD to be celebrated the world over.
Lent is:
• A time for looking at the things we do that are wrong or that tempt us, asking God’s and other people’s forgiveness;
• A time for giving up things that keep us from being loving people;
• A time for doing extra things that will help us grow closer to God;
• A time to be more aware of what it means to love as God loves us;
• A time to ask God to help us to be more loving, remembering
that God is always ready to strengthen us.
• A time to let go of our normal routine, try a new spiritual practice, to step out of our box, to reflect on ourselves, to reflect on a relationship with God. It can be a very creative time. At a later time these practices may help us endure trying of challenging times. Lent gives us a chance to practice facing our fears, journeying in the wilderness, confronting the dangers and difficulties we find there, and reaching out for Jesus’ hand the entire trip.
"The forty days of Lent serve as a time for Christians to return to the Sacred Presence, to the God who has never left us, even though at times we have been far away. Lent is a time to renew classic disciplines of prayer and reflection, as well as ancient practices such as fasting and Bible study. All of this is designed to renew a right spirit within us and to prepare us for the events of Jesus’ death and resurrection at Easter." ‐The Rev. Gary Jones, St. Stephens, Richmond
The Call to A Holy Lent
“Our liturgy directly invites us into a holy season of specific practices aimed at helping us reconnect with God in preparation for the celebration of Easter. “I invite you, therefore, in the name of the Church, to the observance of a holy Lent.” (Book of Common Prayer, page 265)
A. By self-examination. This means setting aside time to intentionally reflect upon one’s thoughts and actions, acknowledging the ways in which we fall short of God’s goodness and love.
B. By repentance. To repent means to have “a change of heart” and to “turn around” from actions and attitudes contrary to God’s will. This means honestly confessing our sins to God and receiving his forgiveness.
C. By prayer. This calls us to take part in the Church’s corporate acts of worship as well as the setting aside of time for personal prayer.
D. By fasting. To fast is to abstain from certain foods or all food for a period of time. Fasting separates you from the distractions of this world and it brings us into a closer union with God. It allows us to hear God better and fully rely upon Him.
E. By self-denial. Denying oneself in Lent means giving up certain luxuries, even legitimate pleasures, in order to focus oneself spiritually.
F. By reading and meditating on God’s holy Word. In Lent, believers are especially called to read and reflect on Scripture in a daily way.
Information about Lent, 7 Lenten Practices, Events, Christian Ed in 2022 and 2021 during Lent, Special topic including web resources, family activities in Lent, Lenten Prayers and music as well as giving to the Endowment Fund during Lent.
Lectionary, March 13, 2022, Second Sunday in Lent
I. Theme – We should trust in God’s covenants
“ Fox and the Hen"
The lectionary readings are here or individually:
Old Testament – Genesis 15:1-12,17-18
Psalm – Psalm 27
Epistle – Philippians 3:17-4:1
Gospel – Luke 13:31-35
Today’s readings invite us to trust in God’s covenant promises. Each of the readings speaks about a future, a not yet. This week, try letting your heart break for the world in a new way, knowing that God will transfigure and transform every valley, every sorrow, and every cross knowing that God. is already doing to transfigure despair into hope, mourning into dancing, hate into love. Let your goal in your prayers this week be to deepen both your compassion for the world and your trust in God’s transforming presence all around.
Abraham’s involves continuation of the tribe and of the name, and of the covenant. His confidence in the lord’s promise is counted as righteousness. Paul, in his letter to the Philippians, trusts in the coming of the Savior and the transformation of our bodies. Paul wants his readers to be tied to the future that is the Kingdom of Heaven, and the future of Jesus is the future of the true prophet who delivers God’s final word on what will be. The gospel reminds us that although God’s covenant promises are for everyone, nevertheless our effort is required if we are to participate.
While Advent calls us to awareness, awakening and alertness, Lent helps us appreciate the cloud, the shadow, the wisdom of deep sleep. God’s covenant with Abram is not forged beneath the brilliant blaze of noon but in a deep and terrifying darkness, after the sun has set. That such an important event should happen at night prompts us to question our usual assumptions that everything good occurs in the light.
Jesus introduces another puzzle when he implies that the order of sanctity may not be as rigid as we might think. “Indeed, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last.” He turns this twist into a concrete example in his lament over Jerusalem: site of the magnificent temple. To his listeners, it’s grandeur must seem close to heaven. Yet it is the city that kills the prophets; it will be the scene of his death.
Furthermore, the people most revered in that society, its religious leaders and scholars, wait outside a closed door, seething in bitterness and frustration. Because they have rejected Jesus’ overtures, they have missed their chance to enjoy the banquet of God’s reign.
The question must come to our minds as it did to Jesus’ first hearers. If the elite don’t get in, who does? Perhaps those who are willing to be gathered like chicks, those who admit their vulnerability, those who do not pride themselves on their virtue, those who know they don’t have a corner on truth.
As we grow in loving God, we become more skeptical of the idols that compete for our loyalty. When bureaucrats are inefficient and heroes corrupt, when the traffic is crazy, when time and energy dribble away, when we lose our favorite project, our finest self or our dearest love, when the oppressors triumph, the greedy profit and the innocent are bludgeoned, then we remember Paul’s claim that “our citizenship is in heaven.”
Too much is awry in this world to ever claim it for permanent residence or lasting citizenship. Knowing that the terrestrial stakes are small and the earthly city doesn’t last forever helps us “stand firm in the lord” as Paul would have the Philippians do.
So do not lose heart, as we are reminded in 2 Corinthians. Lent is a journey, and our spiritual lives are a journey. We do not see the end but we know the way we are going. Living for Christ means living for others and not for ourselves. Living for Christ means following God’s ways of love and justice and seeking justice for others. Living for Christ means knowing that the way of this world—to put ourselves first, to seek earthly success and gain, to “have it all”—means to lose it all in the end. Living for Christ means we trust in God, we trust in the hope of God for us, as Abraham and Sarah did so long ago, as Jesus taught us, and as the psalmists sang and Paul preached—we know we shall see the goodness of God in our lives, and we share that hope with others.
Today Tomorrow, and the Third Day (Luke 13: 31-35)
Today where sun rises on hills of fresh sorrow
tomorrow where stars set upon fields of old pain
we will do the day’s work to bring comfort and healing
for this is Christ’s labour, fulfilled the third day
Today where souls suffer, despairing and fearful
tomorrow where whole lives are crushed under strain
we will do the day’s work to bring peace, to bring courage
for this is Christ’s labour, fulfilled the third day
Today where the parched and scarred earth yields no bounty
tomorrow where war-weary ground gives no grain
we will do the day’s work to bring hope to the hungry
for this is Christ’s labour, fulfilled the third day
Today where the foxes of evil still threaten
tomorrow where tenderness so often is maimed
we will do the day’s work to bring love and compassion
for this is Christ’s labour, fulfilled the third day
Today where the forces of greed rule the kingdoms
tomorrow where powers of death hold their sway
we will do the day’s work to bring justice and caring
for we are Christ’s labour, fulfilled the third day
– Andrew King
Make a Gift Today! 2. Contact the Rev Catherine Hicks, Rector 4. Server Schedule March, 2022 5. Latest Newsletter-the Parish Post (March, 2022) 6. Calendar 9. Latest Sunday Bulletin (March 6, 2021 11:00am), and Sermon (March 6, 2022) 10. Recent Services: The Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany, Feb. 6, The Sixth Sunday after the Epiphany, Feb. 13, The Seventh Sunday after the Epiphany, Feb. 20, The Last Sunday after the Epiphany, Feb. 27, |
Block Print by Mike Newman
Projects
3-Minute Retreats invite you to take a short prayer break right at your computer. Spend some quiet time reflecting on a Scripture passage.
Knowing that not everyone prays at the same pace, you have control over the pace of the retreat. After each screen, a Continue button will appear. Click it when you are ready to move on. If you are new to online prayer, the basic timing of the screens will guide you through the experience.
Daily meditations in words and music.
Your daily prayer online, since 1999
“We invite you to make a ‘Sacred Space’ in your day, praying here and now, as you visit our website, with the help of scripture chosen every day and on-screen guidance.”
Saints of the Week, March 6 – March 13, 2022
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6
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William W. Mayo, 1911, and Charles Menninger, 1953, and Their Sons, Pioneers in Medicine |
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7
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Perpetua and Felicity, Martyrs, 202 |
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8
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Geoffrey Anketell Studdert Kennedy, Priest, 1929 |
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Gregory, Bishop of Nyssa, c. 394 |
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10
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11
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12
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Gregory the Great, Bishop & Theologian, 604 |
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James Theodore Holly, Bishop, 1911 |